Baby #4

We had our anatomy sonogram earlier this week. Thought it'd be the perfect chance to update about baby #4.

Baby #4 is healthy and measuring right on track! Everything appears to be perfect so far! Even the placenta is well out of harms way! That was one of the bigger things that could have prevented me from going forward with a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section)... if the placenta were too low lying.

Oh, yes. And baby #4 is a....

Ninjago Lego villian. ha ha  Jacob & I both saw the resemblance right away, as almost all our ultrasound photos are of baby's face - which looks like a skull. It took the tech forever to get him to turn so she could get a profile pic.

And yes, I said HIM. It's a boy :)

We told the kids with a silly string attack. It didn't quite go as I imagined it. But it was still fun. here's the video (sorry for all the shakes, the camera hung around my neck, I should have held it).



 

This pregnancy has been interesting. I've had bouts of debilitating all-day sickness... (Soooo thankful that has passed.) And major cravings for massive amounts of protein. And I've yet to find that 2nd trimester burst of energy... Guess that's the cost of being pregnant with 3 kids ages 5 and under?

Although it's been different than all my other pregnancies, I still think this pregnancy is most like Nathan's pregnancy and, therefore, really felt like this one's a boy. It was fun to see my instinct was right (this time).

My midwives also guessed "boy." One based her opinion on how fast the baby moved around while trying to find his heartbeat at 14 weeks, she said usually only boys move that fast. 

Yes, I said midwives. Why? Cause I'm crazy. No OBs this time around!

And I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME HOW AWESOME MIDWIVES ARE before this pregnancy!!!! I always thought they were naturalistic hippies. But I absolutely love mine. I sought out a midwife because in my area very few doctors will do VBACs. And of those that do, most are partners with OBs that won't. Since you can't be induced if you want a VBAC, that means it's all up to chance on who is on-call when you're in labor... I didn't want to leave it to chance. I DO NOT want another C-section!

Midwives, however, do VBACs all the time. Safely. They do a lot of things OBs don't do actually... I have learned more about pregnancy in my first prenatal appointments with a midwife than I did in 3 years with OBs!!! Kinda scary if you think about it...

What's more crazy? We're going to have baby #4 at home.

I know. I know. You're thinking now I'm the hippie. But here me out. I've been told, by many moms and professionals, if I want a VBAC I need to get to the hospital when I'm just about ready to push. Because then they won't have time to get me to surgery. So if I'm going to labor at home anyways, why not give birth at home? Save the hospital costs, hospital germs, hospital rules, etc. Plus, no need to find a sitter if I'm home!  I'm not going to get an epidural if I wait till the last minute at a hospital, so what else am I missing doing it at home? Nothing but bills, germs and stresses on daddy to juggle visitation and other kids :D

Lots of midwives do hospital births (with or without epidurals). In fact there's 2 ladies in the practice I'm using. One does home births exclusively, one does hospital and home births. I've had friends deliver with both ladies, in both locations. They come highly recommended and I really like both ladies - we could easily be friends outside this whole baby gig.

To put your fears at rest, I chose the two midwives in town that are most medically minded. In fact, one (especially - my main midwife) gets picked on by other midwives for being "too medical." They make us do all the testing, etc, that an OB would do. But she explains it all sooo much better, and gives me lots of options and education. She's also the only midwife in town who partners with an OB for every pregnant mother. I'll meet the OB later. But the doc won't be at my birth, unless I have to transfer to the hospital. Which, by the way, I timed it the other day on the way to seaworld... without speeding, the hospital is a 4 minute drive from my house. So stop worrying, Gramma :D 

So yes, I'm crazy. I NEVER thought I'd do a home birth. But after meeting midwives and learning so much, I'm really excited about the whole idea.

Plus, everyone has assured me that I've already essentially had a natural birth since I didn't get an epidural with Faith until 3 minutes before she was in my arms.  The anesthesiologist apologized profusely that he was delayed in getting to me... I was 7 centimeters when he gave me the meds. He said it would take 3 minutes to work, but I was ready to push right away and on the 3rd contraction, Faith was born. My legs never even went numb and the nurse anesthetist got an eye full as he waited.... er... was stuck in the corner... ha. Here's hoping #4 comes as easily & quick!  But not too fast... a friend gave birth 2 weeks ago to her #5, labor was so fast that neither her husband or midwife made it in time! Crazy story.

So call me insane. You knew I was before this post anyways. But if you're pregnant of trying, I really do suggest you check out area midwives, not just OBs! They offer soooo many more options (all the same ones OBs offer and much much more). Plus, mine comes to me! No sitting in waiting rooms, driving in traffic, or having to find sitters. Yay! I can't say enough about my experience so far.

4 1/2 more months and we'll meet this little dude. The kids are getting more excited and I think it'd finally sunk in that they're having a brother. And they're ok with that. Well, the older two are. Ruth still insists she's the baby. But we're making progress on getting her to like the idea of being a big girl ;)  We've got some time - but it's going to go fast. yikes... we're going to have 4 kids...... yeah. We've lost it...