Home Birth

by Margaret

Sometime between now and July 25, I will give birth to a new life in the comfort of our home. Our supplies are purchased, the participants are ready and waiting (Matt, of course; our wonderful midwives; my mom on-call in SC; and my friend Kelly, who will get to add a new title to her resume - birth photographer), and now that's just what we do - we wait. I am estimated to be 38 weeks and 5 days pregnant - one day more pregnant than I was when I gave birth to Walker - and thus more pregnant than I've ever been.

When I step back and look at the big picture, I am overjoyed and overwhelmed to have the privilege of continuing to carry this new life. This baby's personality is already seen by his/her movement and actions in the womb and I feel an incredible bond with it already. What is it that Juno said? "I am a sacred vessel, alright? All you've got in your stomach is taco bell." And even besides the whole birthing goddess thing, I'm a firm believer in the fact that children are the easiest to take care of while they are gestating. So I want this one to stay inside its comfy room until it is really ready.

On the other hand, it's 4:09am and I'm awake. Why? Who knows - it could be one of a number of things. Towards the end of pregnancy many women have trouble sleeping, supposedly to prepare us to be up with our babies. It could be that, or the massive heartburn I get whenever I lie down, or the pain of the baby's tiny head constantly pressing against my pubic bone. Tonight I think it was the itch on my foot that I couldn't reach to scratch, but the others are definitely contributing factors.

In a few hours I will go to work, wrap up several things on my "to do" list and then head to an appointment with my midwives, who will put my head on straight and make it much easier to wait for another week.

In the next week, I will turn 29 years old, get a haircut, enjoy a(nother) 3 day weekend, and perhaps give birth. I'll keep you posted.