What I'm looking forward to

First of all, let me say that I've officially never been pregnant this long before. Abbie was born at 37 weeks and 6 days, which means that I have now been pregnant 2.5 days longer than I was last time. The funny thing is, I remember being SO ready for Abbie to come starting at like 34 weeks... partially because I was working a full-time desk job that made my swelling worse and made the days draaaaaag on and on. I am so happy about how much more comfortable I am this time. It's the chiropractic, I'm telling you! (Even though I had to cancel my appointment this past Monday because Abbie's 18-month check-up overlapped my appointment time.)

But as Karis' birth draws nearer, I am starting to think of all the things about labor and birth that I'm looking forward to:

1. The possibility of having some time to myself. If my labor starts during the day while Matt is at work, I am planning to have a friend take Abbie and spend some time laboring by myself at home. As strange a plan as this may sound, I think it will help me relax and get into a good labor pattern.

2. The impulsive drive to nest! There are some small preparation projects that, because I've been focused on wrapping the semester up, I haven't been able to get to yet. I'm hoping to have a surge of energy during early labor when I can get some of these done.

3. Spending uninterrupted time with Matt, and all the back massages he's going to give me! He was an awesome co-laborer during Abbie's birth, and I'm hoping that during this birth, since we'll be at home, he'll feel even more free to really "be with" me.

4. Feeling natural labor. Strange perhaps, but true! Since my labor with Abbie was induced with pitocin (the drug of the devil!!!), my contractions were extremely (and unnaturally) uncomfortable and persistent for over six hours. Even if my natural contractions are this uncomfortable, I'll be experiencing the power of my OWN body, and will not feel afraid that I might be hurting my baby. I'm excited to experience just how strong my body is!

5. Laboring in water. Huge tub, warm water up to my neck, being weightless, being able to change positions easily....need I say more?!

6. Feeling Karis being born. Because I had an epidural with Abbie, I literally felt nothing except pressure during pushing and when she was being born. I'm sure some women would be jealous of how "well" my epidural worked, but for me it was a real disappointment. I felt disconnected from what was happening, and it seemed like I had lost all control of the situation; I never felt the "urge" to push, so instead several nurses took to coaching me. I'm really looking forward to being able to follow my own body's cues of when to push, for how long, when to back off, etc. And to feel Karis actually being born is going to be SO cool!

7. Bringing Karis up out of the water and seeing her face for the first time. Matt got to catch Abbie, I get to catch Karis!

8. The peaceful atmosphere that we'll create after the birth. Karis' umbilical cord will be left intact for a few hours after the birth (we won't cut the cord until ALL the blood has drained from it), and I will nurse her as soon as she's ready. Candace and her assistant, Amy (an RN) will do all the newborn exam procedures right there with us, and then we'll just get to BE together as a family in our own home, with no nurses rushing in an out, no postpartum room to transfer to, no drugs to recover from.

9. Living the birth story that we'll get to tell all our friends and family. I'm excited that this story is yet to be written and lived! Will labor be fast or last for days? Will my water break first? Will it be night or day? Will it snow? How will Abbie greet her baby sister? No matter what happens, I welcome this experience. I am ready.