Their Bun, My Oven

Today I am 23 weeks and 3 days. I have quite a few things to discuss this week so I guess I will jump right into it!

I started a prenatal water aerobics class last week. It is so much fun! The weather has been great, the skies have been clear and blue and the water is so warm! Everything is low impact and it’s been so nice to be active. It has inspired me to go on more walks and try new things. I even went to the gym with my best friend the other day. That was a funny site, a pregnant girl on an elliptical machine. I only got a few weird looks. I have also decided to start doing prenatal yoga. I have back problems anyway so I think it will help keep me from getting injured more. It will also aid in delivery and postpartum healing. Over all I have been feeling great!

I had a doctors appointment today, and the parents were able to come. This is the first doctors appointment outside of Stanford that they have been able to attend! (Besides ultrasounds) It was amazing having them there with me. We got to talk and catch up about life. We email all the time but it’s even better when we get to see each other. Everything was perfect with the babies heart beat and my belly measurements were right where they needed to be. When the doctor had the doppler on my belly to listen to the heart the baby started to kick like crazy. He kicked the doppler and we all heard a loud thud. I think it was his way of saying hi to his mommy and daddy!

The appointment was very productive, I had lots of questions answered and the parents were reassured that the baby is doing great! We also made some big decisions about delivery day. We decided that I will be delivering at Sutter! (A really good Maternity Center in my area) I am so excited about this because I have heard such amazing things about it; such as, they have private birthing tubs to help you get through contractions, the rooms are bigger and everyone is so nice!

Another decision that was made also brings me to my big announcement!! (For me it’s big) Ready, drum roll please… I have decided to ATTEMPT a natural childbirth. Yup, no drugs! I am so happy about my decision! Before anyone knocks this decision; remember, I know how labor feels. It hurts SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much! I know this, I remember this, and I know that I want to try. So for the next few weeks I will be interviewing doulas to assist me in my goal. (For those of you who might not know, a doula is a support person to help you through labor and contractions. They are there as a mental and physical aid.) I plan to interview a few that friends and my doctor have recommended. I couldn’t be happier about my choice, but to be honest I am also terrified! I do know how natural labor feels for the most part and so I am terrified. With my son, I was given two epidurals and they both didn’t work. I was also given a spinal block and that didn’t work either. Long story short, I was in active labor for three days with barely any pain relief. (I will have to dedicate a blog entry to my delivery story, because its a crazy story!) So why, you might ask, do I want to do natural (again)? Well, I want to do it for a few different reasons. First, because I believe with the proper support (doula) and the proper mind frame that I will be able to manage labor a lot better. I didn’t have anyone with my first labor who knew what to do. My husband was there, but the poor guy had no idea how to help me. I believe with the proper atmosphere and support that I can get my mind into a state that will relax me and quicken my labor. Secondly, because it’s better for the baby. I want to attempt to give this baby a drug free experience. Lastly, because I will be embarking on a new career path soon and this will give me first hand experience. I have decided after months of thought and research, and years of an idea to become a doula myself. I am passionate about helping people, and through this surrogacy process and my previous pregnancy I have realized that I am passionate about the pregnancy and birth process. I can see myself working with pregnant women, and helping them through one of the most painful and rewarding times in their lives. I am so excited about it! This surrogacy process has opened so many doors for me, and I am becoming the person I want to be! This is what I want with my life. I know this is what I am meant to do.

For my final thought, does anyone remember my entry a few weeks back mentioning my dream of someday being a surrogate again for these parents? How this experience has been amazing and how much I love them?! Well, that may not be a dream. They mentioned to me today that they may want another baby in the future, and that they would want me to be their surrogate again. My heart is singing! I am so happy! We will see what the future holds, but it seems like it might hold a sibling for this baby!!!

So there you have it. Wow, that was a lot to squeeze into an entry.

Here is a photo of me at the gym! (22 weeks)