The Bomb Diggity

Well, it is official.  I did what a set out to do, put on my pushy broad hat and survived the breakup with my obstetrician.  I've moved onward and upward.  I am now a member of the Connecticut Childbirth & Women's Center.  It feels so good and so right, I couldn't be more relieved or proud of the decision we made to do so.

I am now being seen by the four amazing midwives in the center.  (There is also a team of four obstetricians that consult on cases in special circumstances.)  Each appointment, we will treat with a different midwife.  This is so that we become familiar and comfortable with all of them.  Unfortunately, we can't pick who we want to deliver our baby.  Whichever one of the four women happen to be at the center the day that the baby comes, will be the one to be with us.  So, we aren't supposed to get attached.

Well, surprise, suprise!  I already have a favorite.  Last night was our very first appointment at the center.  We were treated by a woman named Cathy.  I just loved her!  So did B.  She had a huge personality and an incredible bedside.  From the moment we walked into the center, we were greeted with smiles and encouragement for being there for our first visit.  She greeted me like an old friend, not a patient.  I felt as though I was being welcomed home.

A lot of my appointment was spent talking about my history, my body and my health.  The conversation would often turn to personal stories and jokes.  Most of the time that I was on the examination table, we were laughing and talking over one another.  It was a very educational and professional environment, yet it was so... fun!  I can't wait to go back.

28 Weeks - Third Trimester!

Cathy told me that I was doing well with my weight gain and looked healthy and fit.  We listened to the baby's heart which was nice and strong. She commented that he or she was partying it up in there, which she was right on about.  As soon as we started laughing and talking in the room, the baby took up it's evening performance of Lord of the Dance.

She recommended that I start to drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea and raved about it's benefits for pregnant woman; including that it is rich in vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.  She also said it would prepare my uterine muscles for labor, which was odd but interesting at the same time.  So, I asked where to buy it.  She proceeded to tell us that they sell it buy the ounce right there in the center.  Obviously, we were intrigued and wanted to buy the tea.  When we saw how it was sold, we immediately burst into snickers...

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

The receptionist actually went through our choices of ounces, let us know how long it lasted, and explained how to steep it for the best taste.  Through our giggles, B promptly replied, "Is it the bomb diggity?"  She burst out laughing and said yes.  She also told us to keep the Raspberry Leaf Tea label on the mason jar, just in case we got pulled over.  It was hilarious! 

Alas, I love these women and we just fit like a glove here.  I left there with a big grin on my face, a handful of tootsie rolls, a package of Huggies newborn diapers, and a mason jar of a bomb-diggity 5 oz. stash of Red Leaf Raspberry tea.  It felt so good, it was comical!  I feel as though I've gotten what I wished for.  I had the impression that I was truly valued and cared for and had joined a very unique family of women that would change my life in many ways.

I'm actually ready to do this now.  No matter what goes down at this birth, I'm cool with all of it.  I'm not afraid of anything, which is a huge thing for me to be able to say outloud.  I'm just plain excited to get to the labor and see what all of the fuss is about.  And most importantly, I cannot wait to get this baby into our arms.