Granolamom, How Are You Doing?

I'm in my 33rd week as of yesterday (or so they say, lol)
we're planning another homebirth, with the same midwife we used for the last two and the same doula we've used for the last three. I'm hoping for another 'no-push' birth, maybe in the same position as last time (all-fours) or maybe standing leaning against/over a table or something. we'll see. no waterbirth for me, I hate to be all wet, especially in labor.

not sure what we'll be doing with the kids, I like to labor in peace and quiet and don't want them present at the birth. last time they were in school for most of the labor and when I was ready to birth the baby, dh was with them (I, of course didn't realize baby was ready until I excused myself for a bathroom break). turns out that I actually prefer to birth without dh, I know that's not a popular sentiment, but its my truth, so that actually makes things a bit easier to juggle.
I mean, I want him home and nearby, but the other side of the door works well for me.

the POP's are behaving well, last time I had some rectocele pressure, but nothing this time around. haven't checked the cystocele, though I am curious, because I simply cannot reach easily.

an aside from POP, I was feeling excruciatingly fatigued and depressed, which I chalked up to pg and my fibro history, but my mw ordered some thyroid testing and while my thyroid is doing its job well, the hormones weren't breaking down properly in my blood and were thus not unusable. so now I'm on some T3 and the difference is unbelievable. I'm energetic (for a pg woman that is) and on an emotional even-keel. hoping that this will help stave off PPD.

thanks for asking after me, Liv
makes me feel loved : )

Wow, you are almost there granolamom! Glad to hear you are feeling more energetic and emotionally stable. Keep us updated on how the rest of your pregnancy goes (again, if you feel like it)!

mzimm

Just a little bit longer! Feel strong and healthy!!!

Great to hear the news, Gmom. Now I will be noodling on what could be causing you not to be processing thyroxin..lol. I think it's interesting that you prefer to be alone with a mothering figure (or two) for the birth, as that is what many believe to be most conducive to a peaceful delivery. Will be counting the days with you. (((hugs)))

Hi Granolamom

Wonderful to hear that you are now feeling better. Pregnancy is such an altered state. It can be like being somebody else altogether. There are so many changes that the body has to make during pregnancy.

I too can understand your wanting to birth without DH. I found that I had to be on the lookout for my DH as well as focussing on myself. He can be very helpless when not confident of what he needs to do in any unfamiliar situation but the births went OK in the end and I know it meant a lot to him to be there. For DS2's birth he caught the baby while the midwife was trying to reach the doctor on the phone. I was very glad he was there, actually!

Only about 50 sleeps to go until you meet your little one. Will be on the lookout for the occasional message.

Louise

for anyone who's interested in figuring this out (I love when you noodle, christine) this is the story

TSH is normal
total T4 is slightly elevated, which mw says is normal in pg
total T3 is normal, but not elevated at all, which mw says is 'interesting'
and freeT3 is way low.

no antibodies indicating hashimoto's

so mw concluded that for some reason, my body isn't properly processing T4 to T3 and T3 to free T3.
I would love to know why, because as wonderful as cytomel (the freeT3 med) is, its treating the symptom and not the cause. I've tried googling, but much of the chemistry is way above my head. its been a loooong time since I took biochem.

so if anyone's got any thoughts on the matter, I'm all ears : )

when we had our hospital births, dh was an anxious mess. it was awful. the first homebirth he was totally The Man, taking care of everything from ice chips for me, tea for the mw and warming up blankets (for me and baby). and fixing the most divine PBJ sandwich for my first postpartum snack.
but honestly, I always had the urge to tell him to wait outside but was afraid of hurting his feelings. turns out, he'd have been totally cool with that. so the last birth went real fast at the end and liberated us both, lol.
this time no worries of hard feelings and we're all ok with the plan.
the last birth was actually just me and the doula, and she's more of an 'big sister' figure than a 'mother figure' which is exactly what I want/need.

for the labor, up until transition, I like to be alone.

usually people look at me like I'm crazy when I say I'd rather not have dh in the room. but then again, they usually write me off as crazy as soon as I mention homebirth....

LOL!! Yeah, you eventually get used to feeling a little crazy, eh?

L

oh no no, louise.
I am perfectly sane. everyone around me is crazy ; )

Of course! Silly me!

Who was it said? "All the world is mad except thee and me, and even thee is a little doubtful."