16 Weeks

Today I am 16 weeks! We get to find out the gender today and I am so excited! Chase and I are going today at 4:45. We are going to have a little party at my mom's house tonight to tell family and friends what we are having. I can't even guess! If I really had to guess, I think I would say girl, but it could be either (obviously 50/50). I thought from the beginning it was a girl, for no reason really. But the last two weeks I have been thinking it could be a boy. I would love to have a mini Chase, of course! Chase and I really love the name Kate for a girl. I would say we are 99% decided on that. I can't think of something that would make us change our minds. We actually decided on Kate for a girl when I had my miscarriage last year, and we still love it. No middle name for a girl. I didn't have a middle name growing up, and I didn't mind it at all. I actually thought it was cool. And I love that I have Calton as my middle name now. For a boy, we are having a harder time on a name. I really love Adam or James, after my Grandpa James Merrill Bean. We talked about Corbin, but I don't love that one anymore. And middle names are hard too. We will probably use a family name. Anyway, it will be so good to know if we are having a boy or a girl so that we can decide!

My bump has started to be more consistent too, rather than depending on what I eat. Now it is always there! I have noticed when I bend over or lay on my stomach that it gets in the way. And my boobs are enormous. I am getting my energy back too! I actually have motivation to get things done when I get home from work each day. I also had some cravings! I went through a Taco Bell crunch wrap supreme phase (three trips in 24 hours). And I am loving juice! All kinds, but mostly orange, cranberry, grape and grapefruit.

I also started researching birthing options. I read "Ina May's guide to Birthing" and I really liked it. It talks about the benefits of non-medicated and no intervention births. My favorite part was how she talked about movement in labor and delivery. My biggest reason for not wanted an epidural is so I can move around a lot and help my body do its job. I also really loved the emphasis on how normal it is to give birth, and how the uterus will usually do most of the work it you let it! Rather than fight contractions and weaken the urge to push, just go with it. And, give your body time to do the work. Don't be in a hurry.

After that book I started "Birthing From Within." Kelli Green, a friend in my ward, gave it to me. She had her second baby natural and said the book helped. I am only 50 pages in and I really like what it talks about. It emphasizes how important it is to have support and people around you that are on the same page, and how giving birth connects you to all mankind and other mothers. It also talks about imagery and visualizing. If I were it visualize labor, it would be peaceful and slow at home, but then when we go to the hospital, my imagery gets very foggy and scary. I have been very concerned about how hospital staff will respond to my birth plan, so I think that is why. The book also says I should come up with my question about birth. My question is, will I feel supported? Because if I don't, I know I will be frustrated and sad. So I have talked to Chase about all of this and I think the process of preparing will be more than adequate to subdue my fears.

Then! I went to the labor and delivery page on the IMC website and wow! There is so much information. It made me feel so much better. IMC supports the "sacred hour" after the baby is born. Staff tries to give the mother time to hold the baby skin to skin for that long, without interruption. I love this!! I would be so sad if a nurse took the baby right when it was born, unnecessarily. IMC also supports rooming in rather than the nursery, and breastfeeding. All good things! But I think the most relieving thing I found was support for a birth plan (I have one already written). They have a questionnaire type plan that I can print and bring with me to labor and delivery. It has a list of approved visitors, how to handle pain medications, and labor preferences. Some of the things on the list are jetted tub (YAHOO!!), birth ball, squat bar, etc. Yes to all! I feel so much better after knowing these options are available. And after several conversations with my doctor and hospital staff, I think I should feel more and more ready.