-Dr. Morton
Hey y'all! So sorry this post is like a week late. I am wrapping up graduate school and it has been quite intense. So here is the baby Smith update....
First of all, can I just say how much I love my OB? I really wanted midwifery care, but it was just not in the cards this pregnancy (none of the home birth midwives here take insurance). I am so lucky that we found Dr. Morton because he pretty much is a midwife. I jokingly said that if this pregnancy and delivery went well, I would want to birth the next one at home. His response? "Sounds good to me, I figured. I am the homebirth midwives' backup OB". Not some crazy rant, not a lecture, just yep, good deal. I am so lucky.
He handed Alisha the Doppler when he walked in and she thought she just had to hold it but NOPE! Dr. Morton taught her how to find the baby's heart rate. It was an amazing experience to have my hersband find our baby's heartbeat and Alisha really got a kick out of it. The baby's heart rate was right around 150, so beating away!
Before the Doppler, we sat and talked for a good hour about everything I have been experiencing (read: projectile vomiting) and he was so kind and understanding. I had been worried about asking for medication for my crazy stomach, but he quickly offered it. For almost all of my life, I have been blamed for every aliment I have ever had. It MUST be my weight, since weight can be blamed for everything, right? Ugh. Anyways, he never mentions my weight, ever. I have NOT been gaining weight but losing (that is a new one) and he just said not to stress about it. He never blames me or asks me for a play by play of everything I eat, he just says "it's okay".
I have really struggled with food this pregnancy. First of all, everything hurts my stomach or causes me to throw up. But secondly, I am so worried that anything I eat will cause irrevocable harm to this baby. I have been socialized to think that my body is too fat to handle a baby, that I will most certainly get gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Even my Mom only asks how my blood pressure is, which is perfect btw. So I am not only trying to avoid anything that makes me sick (dairy, citrus, tomato sauces, red meat, fried food, anything with flavor) but sugar, carbs, and salt too. Basically, I eat...broccoli, peaches, and drink a cherry coke once a week (I eat more than that btw, don't yell). I even beat myself up about the peaches, could they give me GD? Could I be killing my baby? WHY am I worrying so much? Stupid self fat shame. Okay, enough of that! Geeze, hush Kate.
Near the end of the conversation with Dr. Morton, we asked him if a doula was something worth investing in and he said, "hands down, yes, get one". We have been worried about it because lesbereal, they aren't cheap! I have been sucky at Jamberry lately because of school and we are trying to save money, you know, since we are having a kid and all. But he really expressed how important they are (see I told you, he isn't a real doctor).
For those of you that do not know, doulas provide one on one labor support during all stages of labor. Unlike nurses, YOU are their only person. No shift changes, no random person, just strong and steady. They do not replace your partner, but rather work to support him or her throughout the labor process. Historically, women did not birth alone. They were surrounded by their mothers, sisters, aunts, friends, and women in the community. Since we have moved away from the village/tribe (shout out Kari), those supports are not available. And lesbereal, I cannot see my Mom being up for natural labor support. If she knew we were hypnobirting, she would probably call me crazy. So, our society now pays for the support and I can handle that. When you break it down to dollars and cents, you really are getting a HUGE bang for your buck. We are looking at spending right around $800 and for all the hours you get, plus a home visit after the baby is born, it is totally worth it. Plus they have been proven to reduce c-section and intervention rates (thesis topic, lol) so that is worth every penny. Although I cannot see my doctor pressuring me into a c-section, the doula will make me less nervous about it. So I think it is a good deal, what about you?
I am doing a Mystery Hostess Jamberry Party to help offset the cost some if anyone is interested:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1628755304025511/
One last thing for all those who are STILL reading. Alisha really wants to find out the sex of the baby next week. Like REALLY wants to. So it may happen. I am still on the fence so, no promises. I wonder if Jessi is still reading this far...Oh and NEXT post will have new ultrasound pictures, EKKK!
I am just going to end this post with a little reminder to myself....
YESSSSSSS ALISHA!!!!!!
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