Things I've Learned About Pregnancy

Things are going well. I am about a week away from my due date and I feel enormous. I could be in worse shape, my biggest ailments are swollen feet and ankles, heartburn, and the overall heaviness of carrying around the weight. I have decided to attempt a natural (unmedicated) childbirth and I'm hoping my research and nerves hold out to actually go through with it. I had a great baby shower hosted by 2 terrific friends and our fantastic babysitter and I am nearly completely ready for the baby to arrive.


I have learned a few things about my pregnancy this time around that I didn't know before, even though I did this about 6 years ago.


1. Age does matter - I actually feel older this time, and I have to fight myself to move around and stay active which I know helps in having a healthy pregnancy. I am just too old for this!


2. It is scarier than the first in terms of having another child already and wondering how things are going to be when both kids are having meltdowns at the same time, which is surely going to happen. Quentin has a schedule to keep up (he is in 1st grade at a school we have to drive to or carpool for every day!!) and I didn't have to keep a schedule for another child before.


3. Like most first time moms, I way overestimated how much "stuff" you really need to keep a baby content and happy last time, so I probably complicated everything the first time around (hence my storage unit full of blue baby stuff). This time around I feel like I am going to be more laid back, but then again, I can barely remember what the heck I'm supposed to do (bathing, feeding, sleeping, etc.). I don't know if this is like riding a bike. Can I just get on and ride again? Last time I read a great book and I can't find it now! It truly helped us get on a nice breastfeeding schedule and assure me how many times a day to be feeding, how many wet diapers to expect, and got us sleeping through the night ASAP. I must find that book! **update, I found the book, and I think I'm more anxious than ever. I forgot how many hours of the day I will spend feeding and changing in the first 6-8 weeks. I mean I knew, but seeing it again is daunting. I hope I can nap frequently during the day when Quentin is at school**


4. Hormones are fascinating to me, and I have learned in much more detail the role they play in pregnancy, particularly progesterone and oxytocin. I really have enjoyed understanding this small part of the big picture that makes the miracle of childbirth possible. I had to supplement progesterone in the first trimester and in the second trimester I started taking natural thyroid. It has been amazing, practically life changing. I do not consume any caffeine, I get adequate sleep, and despite being pregnant I have observed that I am much less tired and stimulant dependant than so many people who are NOT pregnant and I'm making a person around the clock here!


5. Pregnant women use a lot of toilet paper. I didn't know it was possible to feel the urge to urinate EVERY time you stand up, but it is definitely possible!


6. Girl names are harder. Nearly every girl name, traditional or not, has 3-6 spellings and it is not always obvious how to pronounce it from the spelling. Our baby might come home "Baby Girl Martino" from the hospital until we get a handle on this difficult decision.


7. 9 months is a long time for a 5 year old future sibling. He "figured it out" when I was only about 2 months along. He has gone through many phases of being into the idea, and ignoring the idea, then he's into it again, then he gave up waiting.....

8. I have been studying natural childbirth and I believe that is what I want. However, the pressure to do it with all the modern day medical interventions is very high, especially if you want to have your baby in the hospital. It is amazing to me how hard you have to advocate for yourself to avoid induction, pain drugs, epidurals, episiotomies, and c-sections. I have also concluded that if you get one, you would pretty much want them all so if you want a natural childbirth, the trick is to avoid that first medical intervention. This time around (if all goes as planned) I will have the support of my husband AND another support coach who is experienced and has spent months with me and knows what I want and will help me get it. We'll see if I can do this unmedicated, and I'll update later if it turned out that way.

9. Every pregnancy is different, which I read in books and heard from the wiser, but now I know. I think what worries me more than the pregnancy being different is that the baby will be different. I want another baby who is an excellent feeder and sleeper and has the most pleasant dispostion. I am afraid the "guarantee" that all babies are different means I won't have one or all of those 3 characteristics in this next child. Perhaps there will be plenty of other differences that are easier to cope with - hair or eye color, love of vegetables in the future, and interest in arts and crafts. Yes, I vote for those kinds differences!!

10. I thought I would feel experienced, but after 6 years I basically feel like we are starting all over and there are so many unknowns. I am due 1 week from today, and I can't believe I will start this overwhelming responsibility in the next few weeks to sustain life of another human being. I know this sounds lame, but I still feel like I am not sure I should be allowed to leave the hospital with a new baby - like I need parent permission. I don't even trust myself with real plants or pets!! What was I thinking?!