Showered with Love

After a tough couple of weeks, it was so nice over the past few days to be showered with love in many different ways. It's funny how the small (and large) kindnesses in life mean so much when you are grappling with a myriad of issues that are unfamilar...namely impending mommyhood!

To begin with...

Although we experienced record snow, ice, and all manner of inclement weather earlier this week, we were excited to be able to leave the house on Thursday night to attend the fifth session of our Bradley childbirth class. (By the way, we love this nine-week class and would be happy to recommend it to anyone looking for a great instructor--Juli Walter. If it's possible for me to deliver sans c-section, I would go for "natural" childbirth after this crash course on preparation, labor and delivery). We're so glad we made the effort to attend since this was hospital tour week and we had the opportunity to meet and talk with an OB midwife named Carla.

Not only was Carla extremely informative about all things related to birth, showing the class (7 couples) how to use birthing balls, stools, and hospital beds as tools, she was willing to stick around afterward to chat with us about my specific issues related to birth. With 30 years of experience, it turns out tha Carla worked at Evanston Hospital when my doctor was still a resident and it was nice to have her tell us that we'd made a great choice in physicians. Apart from that, she was extremely affirming. The moment I walked up to her she said, "You look great. I noticed you during class and you are carrying a baby whose size is in direct proportion to your body." This may sound like a strange thing to say, but when you have gestational diabetes and are constantly concerned about whether you will give birth to humungo infant, that was so nice to hear. The cherry on top of that was when she asked me if I was about 26 weeks! Score for the 32-week prego woman!!

But the biggest encouragement Carla gave me was in our discussion about fibroids. She said if my doctor offers a "trial of labor" (which she did mention as a possibility during our last appointment), that she obviously thinks a vaginal birth is within the realm of possibility--particularly since babies can actually push past fibroids during labor sometimes. Apparently they are about the consistency of a dodge ball, so they do have some "give." Sorry if this is too much "birth talk" for some, but that is where my mind is these days. I was just excited to hear this woman's experiences as a nurse/midwife.

My other showering of love this week was during my first baby shower on Saturday morning. A fantastic group of women--most from church--gathered for a yummy brunch, followed by talking, celebrating, praying, and gift-giving. Some highlights from the day included the reading of an oh-so-appropriate book called, "Urban Babies Wear Black" by friend Roxanne. A more perfect book could not have been given. Also, Colleen asked each woman to bring a bead symbolizing our friendship to string into a bracelet and it was overwhelming to hear what each person had to say. It was so encouraging to hear these words from the friends that God has placed in my life over the past five years. By the end of the shower, Colleen had completed the bracelet. I will definitely wear it with pride.

A big shout out of thanks to the RockStar organization of the shower by friends Colleen (8 months pregnant herself!), Roxanne, and Chloe, and the kind transportation of myself and a bunch of lovely gifts by Moon and Uriah. It was an amazing morning and I'll post pictures soon.