32 Weeks Pregnant (tomorrow)

The midwife checked on me yesterday and my belly (and baby!) are measuring 34cm from my pelvis to the top of my uterus (AKA fundus), which means our growth is correlating to 34 weeks gestation. Baby is going to be big and healthy or even 2 weeks ahead of schedule/on time. I told anyone who would listen a while ago this would be an 8-pounder... I may be correct. Heart rate is 152 which is great (has been between 152-158 the entire pregnancy) and she said the baby feels and sounds really good.
We can see all kinds of jiggles and rolls now through my tummy and sometimes we can even make out a heel rolling across my skin. I can see the baby practice breathing several times a day (SO ADORABLE!) and I think it gives him or her hiccups because those are also happening several times a day now. I can feel little ankles and knees knock together with the jostling and I can tell the baby's bones are getting harder every day thanks to my addiction to milk, cereal, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. I'm feeding this one well.

I feel great on my good days. I only have bad puking days 1 to 2 times per week so I relish every other day when I am fully functional. Working full time is getting really difficult but I get up and walk around every hour and it helps a lot. Sometimes I'll just be sick because the baby keeps rubbing its butt and feet across my stomach (which is now located under my left ribs); the sensation makes my stomach invert itself. I can't wait for the baby to drop and take some pressure off of my lungs and tummy!
I know it's very late in the game to be trying methods of relieving Nausea/Vomiting in Pregnancy but I am going to try acupuncture tomorrow. I have an appointment after work and I hope it is the answer to my only complaint with this pregnancy. Can you imagine? The last 2 months without puking?
Oh it'd be heaven...

Tonight I am going to shop for a couple of maxi dresses because I am SO over pants. Now that I'm less than 2 months away from the due date, I'm growing out of everything and I'm not buying new stuff unless I can wear it now AND after baby is born. People say to buy the next size up in maternity clothes so that this doesn't happen, but to me wearing ill-fitting clothes when you feel oh-so-sexy anyhow for 7 months and then having those clothes fit well for 2 months... just doesn't make any damn sense.

Changing OB's and Transferring Care During Pregnancy

Today I would have been going to the OB for a fun ol' glucose test. But as you may remember, I have started my prenatals at the Birth Center with the Midwife. I had dreaded calling to cancel with the OB for days.
Monday I finally hiked up my big girl panties and canceled my appointment... If they call back Shawn helped me decide what to say: "I want more natural care and I don't want to birth in a hospital, so I chose a provider who would help me accomplish those goals."
I don't know why I am so nerve-wracked about leaving that office. They helped me a lot when I needed surgery for my cyst last year but I'm healthy now, and so is my baby, so I'm just not comfortable with how hard they are pushing me for vaccinations (Flu, TDaP) and stuff.
I don't like how they say "You'll have to get a TDaP at your next appointment..."
I can actually refuse any treatment, but I'd prefer not to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for a fight before each appointment or even before--wouldn't this be fun--the birth.
I get more of a sense of control at the birth center, like they wait for you to let them know what you'd like to do. They let you know of all the options but they are given to you as options.

My next appointment with the Midwife is next Friday and I have to do that glucose test. Yee...
I'll let you know how that goes.

TTC Adventure #1: Meet some doulas.

It's only the 4th and the first month of TTC is flying by! Today we have our first appointment with a Doula after we are both home from work. Her name is Shannon and we're very excited to meet with her!

You may be wondering, "What is a doula?" Wikipedia says:

A doula (pronounced "doó la", also known as a labour coach and originating from the Ancient Greek word δούλη meaning female servant or slave) is a nonmedical person who assists a woman before, during, or after childbirth, as well as her partner and/or family by providing information, physical assistance, and emotional support. The provision of continuous support during labour by doulas, or nurses, family, or friends, is associated with improved maternal and fetal health and a variety of other benefits.

So basically she would help us along with the midwife throughout the birth if it goes as "planned" as well as if a transfer to the hospital is needed. I consider a doula invaluable to us should we end up at the hospital; they can be great at helping you maintain your emotional focus with your partner while medical interventions can be negotiated along with your needs by the midwife. At home, I think she would help to do things like get pillows, towels, etc. while Shawn would stay with me the whole time. A lot of first-time dads/non-birthing parents take mild offense to the idea of a doula because they want to be the one to support their partner and think this job is being taken away by a doula. This is not so; they actually do a lot of work so that the parents can stay together and support each other!
So we have decided a doula would be helpful for our situation and plan to meet with 3 this month.

Some information I have found helpful:

DONA International
Doula.com
Do Doulas Replace Dads?
Differences between Doulas and Midwives
Choosing a Midwife or Doula

Would you use a doula?