Week 15: Time to think about how your mother, grandmother and aunties and sisters gave birth.
-
Your baby is moving vigorously now, even though you might not feel the swimming, fluttering and kicking movements through Your thick uterus and abdominal muscles. Most women feel their babies move between week 18 - week 22.
Visible Human Embryo
-
Your body is making more blood now. The extra blood is necessary to bring extra oxygen and nutrients to Your baby and to compensate for the blood you'll lose after the baby is born.
-
Talk to your mother, grandmother, aunts and sisters about their childbirth experiences. Find out what happened. Can you imagine wanting anything different?
-
Take care of yourself during pregnancy so you begin labor in the best possible health. Exercise in moderation and eat well. Seek prenatal care to help you detect and manage any health problems that may arise. You are worth the time and energy it takes to practice good self-care.
-
Ask your friends about their experiences with your maternity care provider. Find out what they liked and what they didn't like. You have plenty of time in your first trimester to find the care provider who is a perfect fit for you. Don't settle for a doctor or midwife you don't like.
-
How long do you expect your prenatal appointments to last? Typically Certified Nurse Midwives spend twice as long as obstetricians answering questions and guiding patients towards healthy choices in pregnancy.
-
Pregnancy is a normal, natural life event.
Lamaze International
BirthWatch Recommends:
Birthing From Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation
Yes this book was first published in 1998, but it's one of the best out there addressing the spirituality of giving birth. Birthing From Within offers concrete exercises for mentally and emotionally coping with labor pain. This is a classic (even if it's on the woo woo side of things). If you've been all left brain oriented about your pregnancy and childbirth up to this point, give this book a try. You'll likely find it quite soothing and comforting.