32 Weeks!

I had my (end of) 32 week appointment with the doctor today, and all is well. My blood pressure was great (98/58-- thanks, Mom, for the gene for low healthy BP!), and my weight gain is right on track. I have started to feel more anxious about everything that's coming in the next months, so I was sure to ask the doctor some questions I had. The baby's heartbeat was fine, fluctuating like it should with movement. The doctor was able to tell me that it felt as if the baby's head has turned downward, which is the right position from this point on in pregnancy. Based on my measurements, she guesses the baby is somewhere between 3 1/2 and 4 pounds.

I asked her when we would start talking about my "plans" for L & D, and I've decided that when doctors hear the word "plan," they freak out. And I don't really have a dedicated plan, per se. There is the ideal way I would like for this all to play out, but of course I'm realistic enough to know that nothing ever goes exactly as planned. She did offer me advice, saying that the less interventions I want, the longer I should stay at home. Which is good info to know. I have not completely written-off drugs or an epidural, it's just that I would like to try and go as natural as possible. However, if that does not work out and I need the meds, it will be fine. I'm not looking for a gold star or someone to pat me on the back and tell me "good job!" for doing things without drugs. If it hurts that much, bring on the Nubain, Stadol or Epi. The doctor did tell me that she and her partners do not routinely cut episiotomies, which was also good to know. Because her schedule may not allow for her to be there to deliver our baby, she said she trusts all of her partners and knows that they all practice with the same principles and therefore will be able to care for me as well as she would. It's good to hear. Being a patient in such a large practice and hospital has its drawbacks, such as lots of doctors and not as much personal "warm fuzzy" feel. However, I am willing to forgo some of that to be able to have the best docs and facilities available to me if I need them-- 24/7.