A most informative check-up

I went for my routine check-up today.  It comes in as a top visit (after our initial one of course)!  I saw one of the two midwives at the practice I go to and I came prepared with my list of questions.  Since before getting pregnant, I knew that I wanted to have the most natural childbirth possible. I have even been tossing around the idea of a home birth.  Most recently I have been considering having a Doula at my child's birth.

There is so much research out there that shows natural is such a better way for the mother and the baby.  I have been reading up a lot and have come across a book that is most informative, "The Doula Guide to Birth."  So with the information I have acquired, I wanted to find out what the thoughts of the doctors and midwives of the practice I go to were.

I was grinning ear to ear after my conversation with the midwife.  I found out that they are completely open to a woman's birth plan, multiple positions during the birthing process, the use of tubs and showers, and they don't push for inductions, epidurals, or episiotomies.  I was so relieved to hear all this information and felt  comfortable with the outcome of our conversation.  So even though I have been leaning towards a home birth, the thought of having a birth in the hospital is not as frightening to me anymore.

After our long conversation, the midwife felt for my uterus, which was exactly where she expected it to be.  Then came the sound of our child's wonderful heartbeat!  Nice and strong, between 140-150 beats a minute.  Also on another good note, I have only gained 1 pound in 4 weeks!!!

Here is a clip of b.o.b's heart beat today: