~*Hellooooooooo Indigo!*~

I am encouraging any readers of my blog to read the following birth story. To say it moved me is an understatement! It is what birthing should be - a birth, not a medical procedure. Thanks to Margerle for sharing this on BabyandBump.

 http://rachyllgyne.tripod.com/thebirthofgreyforestwalt/

I got my family to give me their guesses today regarding gender and weight today. Still waiting on my dad’s reply because he has to ‘think about it’! Really Dad, what’s there to think about My little brother Dan came back with 9lbs! 9 POUNDS! Ermm… Dan… first baby, don’t say that!

Jeff thinks baby will be a boy weighing 7lbs, 7oz. He’s not favouring a boy, it’s just that he grew up in a male-dominated household and it’s natural to him. Strangely enough, all the men/boys so far think it’s a boy and all the women think it’s a girl… with the exception of Dan’s girlfriend who guessed boy. Still have to get Jeff’s side of the familys guesses. Our niece has said since seeing the first scan pic that she thinks it’s a girl… because baby has long hair! Kids are so funny sometimes!

I’ve changed my mind about the birthcentre now. I want to have the baby at home. Jeff seems to be a bit uncertain but once he realises that it’s exactly the same situation as being at the birthcentre, i.e. midwife will be there and if there’s any problems I/we’d have to be transferred anyway he should be ok with it. I’ve printed off a ton of info about homebirthing for him to look at and just knowing that Wales is leading in the UK with the highest number of homebirths, and midwives actually promoting and supporting them now should ease his worries a little. I hope so anyway. I just know that I’ll be so much more comfortable at home. I plan on having the birth nest in our bedroom where the cats can’t enter (unless I want them to!) and Mum will look after Skylar for us. The animals were the only reason I decided to go to the birthcentre at the start but I realise now that I’ll only truly be happy if I’m at home, with the knowledge that me & Jeff will be home as usual with them. If I had to stay in the b.c. for more than overnight I would’ve been so worried about them, and it’ll be much easier for Jeff to feed & clean up after them if we’re home. There are so many pro’s and so few con’s. And the videos I’ve been viewing has made me weep! Here’s a link to one page with a minute-long film of their birth experience - http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/ucstories/beatrice.html. I have to warn you though, readers, it’s not for some of you (Dad, I’m looking your way here!). It’s a fantastic unassisted birth story, one I’d love to make my own but I have to compromise!

Last night I shifted my weight slightly and felt a large bulge just below my ribs. I put my hand over it and realised it was baby’s head! It was so big - fitted in the palm of my hand! I got Jeff to have a feel and baby moved just seconds after he cupped his/her head. It’s starting to get more real now, finally! Baby’s been a lot more active today, kicking, wriggling and moving about in there. I’m not surprised though - kind of overdid it today. Took Skylar down to the bank & pet shop in really nasty wet weather, then later on I lugged Willow in a huge box down to the train station, and down to meet Jeff from work. Then after we stood about in the vets for 20 mins I spent half an hour racing around the supermarket while Jeff stayed in the car with Willow. (I’d have sent him in if I didn’t want him to stick to my list!) All that running around has made me ache all around my hips & pelvis. Rest up tomorrow methinks!

• ps, if anyone wants to add their gender and weight guesses to the chart just leave a comment on my Gender & Weight guesses page above :)