Around the Corner...

On the 21st, I attended the fifth centering session, which focused on labor and delivery. I was eager for this meeting as we were scheduled to tour the labor and delivery floor, and let's just say I haven't heard the GREATEST things about military hospitals. The session began with our weight, blood pressure, belly measurements, and baby's heartbeat counts. I'm continuing to gain weight (a great sign) but still seven pounds below the recommended minimum weight at this point. Trust me, I'm working on it; I feel like I always have some sort of snack or meal in hand. My blood pressure was fine and my belly is growing right on track. The baby's heart rate was 148 bmp. After that, we played a true/false game identifying early and active labor. Once that was complete we took a tour of the floor and I was pleasantly surprised at the findings. The labor rooms are rather spacious, with private bathrooms (including a shower), chairs and a pull out couch, large floor to ceiling windows and quite a bit of walking room. Once we entered, one of the anesthesiologist came in to explain the epidural process. He was headed to a c-section so his rundown sounded like that of an auctioneer, but I'd read up and watched a video on the process so I was able to follow along. One thing I didn't know was that once you receive the epidural you can no longer walk or move around and allow gravity to help the process along. The nurses showed several different tools that may be used during the labor process, like those used for induction and measuring the baby's heart rate. Most of the instruments shown are vaginally inserted when needed and reaallllly long, so that was pretty intimidating.  We then walked to the post-partum rooms, which are also nice and individual with a private bathroom. Mother and baby are required to stay a minimum of 48 hours after birth. All in all, it was reassuring to know I won't be giving birth in an 19th century dilapidated room, but there were certainly moments when it was hard to breathe and panic arose knowing I would be in that bed experiencing labor in just three months. It's exciting, too, knowing that's what will bring our little girl into the world, but frightening at the same time. Hopefully prayers to erase my fear are answered  =).