One of the most empowering things about pregnancy for me has been my ability and right to make choices when it comes to my health and the health of Mini Beard. Last post I discussed how it can be a bit daunting at times to feel so out of control and have fears about what will happen during birth, after birth and for the rest of my damn life as a parent. Dan and I have promised each other from the beginning that we were not going to parent from a place of fear, despite there being 200000 things to fear when you are preparing to bring life into the world.
Through much discussion and yoga meditations, we have decided to abandon our plan to birth at a hospital and to switch to a birthing center. Now, if you are anything like I was 6 months ago, you probably have no friggen clue what the difference between the two are. Let me briefly explain. You all are familiar with what a hospital is, I assume. Well, a birth center (and by the way, in the Twin Cities there are THREE different birth centers all covered by major insurance companies which is unheard of in most cities!) is a place where women can birth in a home-like environment surrounded by midwives/nurses/doulas. At a birthing center you will not be offered the standard birth medications such as epidurals and IV narcotics and they cannot perform C-Sections. In general, labor is a much slower and gradual process that focuses on the experience of the mother. Babies are not whisked away right after birth but are instead placed on the mother's chest, mamas get to eat whatever they want, wear whatever they want, and play music as loud as they want (my personal favorite).
The BEST part for me about birthing centers is that they do not operate from a place of fear and do not see pregnancy as a medical condition that needs intervention and treatment. Instead of focusing on preventing what could go WRONG, birth centers orient themselves around enhancing what is already RIGHT about the natural birthing process.
For those family members or friends who may be worried about the "what if's", fear not, we have chosen a place that is directly across the street from the most state-of-the-art birthing hospital in MN. When we asked the birth center staff about the "what if's", they said that about 1 out of 10 women will need to transfer to a hospital and they simply walk you across the street and stay with you throughout your birth.
Here's a few pictures of the birth center we chose. It's called the Minnesota Birth Center and is a delicious 2 miles from our house. Gorgeous, right!? Can I just stay for the whole last month?
We are beyond thrilled to start our second half of our journey in a new place with a new focus. There are so very many things that are out of our control as parents-to-be and humans in general (as I stare at the disgusting MN weather literally s****ing on my porch right now) that it can feel so great to take control of what IS available to you. And yes, Dan will record the phrases that come out of my mouth mid-birth as I yell at the wonderful MBC staff for not having any pain medications.....
Here are some fun things right now:
A very LARGE 24 week gestating baby!
Baby is (supposedly) the size of a CANTELOUPE
Currently loving ALL OF THE FOODS! (Neapolitan pizza tasted great this week)
Currently tolerating MY KID DECIDING THAT THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IS THE BEST TIME FOR JAZZERCISE
Currently listening to BOB MARLEY, HOPING TO COAX SUMMER TO ARRIVE SOON
Currently reading FLASH CARDS TO PREP FOR MY MFT FINAL ORAL EXAM (still)
Currently looking forward to VISITING BEN AND TAYLOR IN AZ OVER MEMORIAL DAY - OUR LAST PLANE RIDE AS A TWOSOME!
A special shout out to my cousin Beth and her husband Geoff for hosting me and cooking me delicious meals last weekend in Denver!
Xoxo
Your round friend, Carise
I just read this last week that most of the baby's movements that you feel are actually happening while they're sleeping. Isn't that bizarre? Glad you're feeling well and resting confidently in your choice for a birth center. You'll rock it.
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