18 Weeks Bigger and Better

Things here in Chez Libby have been looking up!

I believe I've successfully cleared up that weird and unfortunate case of BV, along with any subsequent yeast infections usually accompanied with it.  In the last two weeks I've worked sugar, fruit and bread out of my diet and have taking other holistic measures (herbs, baths, probiotics) to get that pH back to balance. It seems to have worked, and now I'm slowly working fruit back into my diet. We'll see if I ever introduce yeast products again- I think my body is enjoying less gluten.

Chefy and I had our second communal prenatal class, taken at the hospital where we are planning to give birth. While owned by the large Sutter conglomerate, our hospital is known in SF for being the most natural-birth friendly facility, with a team of 8 CNM's who are pro active labor, natural childbirth, rooming-in, and very anti-unnecessary medical intervention. There is no time limit to labor, and women are encouraged to have doulas and be active during their labor. Good stuff.

Our prenatal care is actually given in a group setting with other women due in the same month. We take our own blood pressure (mine is always slightly high- more about that later) and weight, and then the midwife facilitating the group sits us in a recliner to use a doppler to listen to the heartbeat and take fundal measurements. It's all done in one large room, with music and food. Every meeting there are discussions on various topics. So far it's been great. Our friend and midwife is the facilitator of our group. This last meeting, she mentioned Ina Mae Garten's Guide to Childbirth as a model of how the CNM's at St. Luke's believe birth should viewed. With that one statement, I knew I was in the right place. I have always wanted to have a home birth, but my mother (who I am very close with and want to be at the birth and who is a doctor herself), had severe complications with all four of her births (including an inverted uterus and a stillborn), and I think she would disown me if I were to have a home birth. Seriously. It's been drilled into my head since I was a teenager that if  and when I give birth, it will be in a hospital. So....my dreams of having a home birth (for now) need to be put by the wayside. St. Luke's has become my best alternative. It's where I've been going for our IUI's and all my pre-pregnancy care, and it feels like home to me.


In other news, my blood pressure has been a little high (usually running in the low 130's over 80's). Both my acupuncturist and midwife have been telling me it's nothing to worry about, so I'm not. I am curious to figure out ways to lower it. I feel like I need to be more active, and watch my salt intake. Anyone have any good suggestions for high blood pressure?

In the best of news, we have been feeling the wee one move quite a bit lately (at least I'm pretty sure it's the baby moving). I've been feeling all kinds of flutters and lately it's become a bit more specific, with a couple of definite punches or kicks. It's thrilling in this overwhelming way. I've been reading to the baby and talking to it, trying to wrap my head around the fact that a little being is expanding and flourishing in there. Amazing.

Our second trimester ultrasound is next Wednesday, Feb. 9. I'm not worried, just a little anxious. Mostly excited. Chefy will find out the sex and I want it to be a surprise. I'm not sure how we're going to keep that one going for 5 more months, but we'll see.

Here's the latest:

18w3d: