Off to see our Midwife...(almost 39 weeks)

Phil and I headed to Wakefield today for another Midwife appointment. Our dear friend Shana stayed with Zemirah at our house so it was really nice to just have some time to ourselves. On the way there I popped in a cd that Phil made for me. It still to this day makes me feel so loved, though Phil just rolls his eyes at how cheesy he was. So yes, it was super sentimental on the way there.

My appointment today was a little different. Earlier in the week Sandy had called and asked if I would mind having a full physical exam done by a woman who is training to be a Midwife. It was kind of neat her name is actually Britton, spelled just like our last name. She did a wonderful job explaining to me what she was going to do and then examined me. It's nice to know that everything is looking wonderful (not just baby wise but with my whole body). After she did my exam Sandy had her listen to the baby's heart tones and then she was done. She passed with flying colors, it was so cool to be a part of a Midwife passing her practical exam, now she has the written part and then she's able to practice. Go Britton go!

After the physical, Britton left and we talked with Sandy. We talked to her about Vitamin K, and GBS. Since I tested positive for it there's a few extra things we needed to be aware of. Nothing major, but she just let us know what to watch for. So everything is looking wonderful, now it's just waiting for our sweet Acorn to arrive. Here are my stats from today's appointment:

Blood Pressure: 110/72
Measuring: 38 weeks
Gained 1 lb since my last appointment (2.5 weeks ago)
Station: -2
Cervix: 2cm dilated, almost completely softened, starting to move anterior.
Acorn is LOA and babes heart rate is 146.

The best part of the entire appointment came at the end. We were about to leave, we gave Sandy hugs and then she asked if she could pray for us. We all held hands and huddled in and she released such a beautiful prayer to Jesus. She is so full of peace, beauty, and joy that truly comes from Christ. I've never felt more cared for by a person in a Doctor/Midwife role in my life. Thank you God for her. So now it's just waiting for God's timing. I can't wait to be encouraged through labor by my wonderful husband (who has dove into learning about birth/learning about my heart to know how to best support me), for Zemirah to be a big sister, and to kiss my sweet, sweet babe.

Peace to your households,

Mama B.

36 week Midwife Appointment

Just a quick update to let you all know what's cookin'. I had an appointment today with my Midwife Sandy. She is such a sweet lady. Here's the scoop:

Acorn is head down, heart rate was 140 (was moving around a ton so Sandy had to keep moving the doppler).

I am 36 weeks, 1 day today. I gained 1lb since my last appointment (gained 15lbs total this pregnancy, counting from my lowest point during the first trimester), blood pressure was 98/62 (has always been naturally low), measuring 35 weeks. I also had a Group B Strep test taken (will get the results soon) and since my Midwife was down there I gave her the go ahead to check my cervix. My cervix is posterior facing, I'm 2cm dilated, and it's starting to soften up (typically it's as hard as the end of your nose, she said mine is like a cheek currently). She also did an internal check of my pelvic size and said I've got lots of room in there. I definitely could see that having had an almost 10lb baby in the posterior position. She made it sound like even if Acorn is bigger than 10lbs I should be just fine. Thanks God for the big pelvic opening! The two things I need to work on are getting more protein (this final month Acorn is really growing and is needing more too) and also iron. I've been really craving sunflower seeds (iron rich) so it all made sense.

I am the next one due for my Midwife, she is so genuinely excited for us! She told me multiple times today how she is praying for me and the birth. She loves Jesus, and that makes me happy. I'm so excited for the birth (labor too) and that it will be Christ focused.

We also ordered all our birth supplies, and the liners for the birth pool. The FDA is trying to put major regulations on birth pools right now so finding the liners took a little work. I finally landed on this website: In His Hands and found the liners. Truly my birth is in God's hands and it is so neat how He is in all the details (even finding birthing liners on a site that is named after God).

What's next:

Waiting for birthing stuff to get here
Sterilizing items at 38 weeks
Making frozen meals (if anyone wants to help/contribute let me know)
Midwife Appointment on June 24th.


Peace to your households,
Mama B.

Woah Baby...we've had some changes!

So the past couple months have been pretty exciting for us Britton's. God has completely blessed us beyond words and though many have asked if I've felt stressed (being pregnant with the transitions), I respond "I'm blessed not stressed!" Here's a bit of a breakdown for you:

House: Phil and I have been looking on and off for a house for the past two years. After seeing tons of houses and not really loving anything, I felt like perhaps my desires were too much. I mean who gets everything that they desire in a home anyway? So yes, we kept looking and kept an open heart to what God wanted us to have. Just over a year ago (Our Anniversary May 20, 2010) we made a declaration in the Lord believing that within a year we would own a home. Fast forward a year later and I'm sitting in our beautiful home typing this blog. We knew the moment we walked in that it was our home and we officially closed on April 8th. We gave the previous owners time to find a place of their own and got the keys on May 19, 2011. Almost a year later to the date! I keep walking around in awe that God gave us such a beautiful place to raise our kids and to be. His peace rests here and especially rests in my bath tub that is built with a slanted back that just happens to be the most comfy tub I've ever been in. Phil would likely say His peace rests heavy in the sauna....that must be why he has taken four since we've moved in!  Everything is put together and this weekend we are breaking ground on our garden. Please pray that the weather cooperates and that it all comes together beautifully!

Britton's 4 the night we got the key!

                                                     

Zemirah found her favorite spot right away (our little people watcher).

                           

Acorn: After much prayer, Phil and I have felt led to have a homebirth! We are very excited about it. We met with our Midwife Sandy at the beginning of April. She is amazing. She has been a Midwife since 1989 and is certified. The first appointment was a get to know you type one. I was really impressed that she feels it's not only her responsibility to be informed about birth but ours as well (a doulas dream really). When I did a pee test and blood test she was able to tell me right then what I needed to change (more protein, more iron). Another thing that really appealed to us is that she's a believer. My friend Grace has had two of her children with Sandy and she told me how Sandy would pray for her as she was going through labor. What comfort and peace that brings to birth! We have had one other appointment since then. Everything is looking wonderful (baby is head down, heartrate 140-150, my protein was great). We brought home the birth pool we are burrowing, so it's definitely starting to feel more and more real. I also ordered our birth kit and liners for the pool. We've also started figuring out who will be there. At this point it will be: Me (Acorn), Phil, Sandy, Mama Janis, and Liz. I'm not sure who else will be but as the time draws closer we will figure it all out. I'm almost 36 weeks and I know I'll be kissing my bundle so soon- I can hardly wait! As far as specific prayers go...I wouldn't mind if the babe comes the first week of July, prayers for birth/delivery (healthy Mama, Baby, Daddy), prayers for Zemirah as she transitions into her role as big sister (also for when I'm giving birth, that she does well with whoever has her). On a sidenote: We know that the word homebirth brings all kinds of feelings up in people whether that be "what if......(fill in the blank)" or even "that is awesome". We've been asking that any concerns you have please just pray against that fear and for health and a beautiful birth. We need prayer covering for sure but just as much as any woman giving birth in any setting. Birth is intense, and I thank God that He made women's bodies strong. I sometimes think of women living in the bush in Africa....no drugs, no doctor, no nothing, yet out comes a beautiful baby. We have peace, His peace. Check out this beautiful video (one of my favorites): Homebirth of Lucia Mae


Zemirah: She loves being in our new home. She loves to run through it and I've noticed she has been even more joyful! She transitioned to her big girl bed the first night we stayed here (May 22). She has been sleeping through the night every night since then. She loves her little room and every time someone comes over she likes to show them it. She also is doing wonderful at nap time, we have started calling it 'room time'. She will walk into her room, normally fusses for a little bit (unless company is still over it's typically longer), then I hear her playing with her books/toys and eventually I peak in and there she is all bundled up in her covers on her big girl bed. She has been saying a lot more words and has even been saying sentences. When thinking back over the last two weeks, it really feels like she has gone from my little baby (though she will always be my baby) to my little girl. My heart is excited but also wonders where the time has gone. I'm so thankful to Jesus that He has helped her through all these transitions and I'm praying that when Acorn comes it goes wonderful as well.

                                         

First time in her big girl bed!