POWER OF THE BELLY

Having a noticeable pregnant belly is extremely powerful and exciting. It's amazing how many people (even complete strangers) come up to my belly and rub it or give it some kind of love. I have realized that a pregnant belly can be therapeutic because I have noticed how cheerful people are when they are around it and talking about babies. It's a great tool to have while working in the hospital. Last week at work one of my patients was at the end of his life. The family had decided just hours before I came on shift to make the patient "Comfort Measures" only. I had not met the family yet and was preparing to face a distraught group of family and close friends. As I entered the patient's room, the family and some close friends were gathered at his side. And then the focus shifted immediately to my pregnant belly. I wasn't prepared for that to be the initial conversation but it just happened that way. We then shifted from discussing my belly and future baby to reminiscing about the man lying before us growing up from a baby and into adulthood. The whole experience was quite beautiful as the family and friends shared many great stories of their loved one. We were all present when the patient took his final breath. The moment was so peaceful, and when the family and friends left, we exchanged hugs and wished each other well with them again focusing on the unborn baby in my belly. The full cycle of life is in effect every day.

Bushman Predicts A Girl

If you've ever been to the Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, you may recognize this man behind the fake bush. He sits in a certain spot at the wharf with a fake bush in front of him and scares whoever walks by. He startles many people throughout the day and draws a crowd watching him scare random people. He actually makes money by doing this because the tourists think it's hilarious to watch other people jump in fear. Well, my sisters were in town recently and we happened to be strolling around Fisherman's Wharf. I mentioned to them about this guy who scares people behind his fake bush and sure enough we approached him. We walked up from behind him (so he did not scare us) and as we walked by he peeked out of his fake bush and said, "It's a girl." We all stopped and then asked him for some name options for a girl. He wasn't sure on a name right away, but he was definitely sure I was having a girl. As we walked away the Bushman peeked through his bush again and said, "Keep it simple" (referring to the name).

Shower Fresh

Family, friends, food, and 5 pregnant women = one fantastic baby shower. To celebrate with us, Ashly's sisters and mom flew in as did my mom & dad. Along with friends, many laughs were had as everyone enjoyed chocolate milkshakes and guessing games (none of the women know if they are having a boy or girl!)

It's wonderful to share the experience with close friends. The father's to be have started a "Pappas-to-be circle" where we get together to support and learn from each other's experiences.

Musical Therapy

At my doctor's visit last week, my doctor asked me how I was doing with constipation. As some of you know constipation can be a terrible discomfort and problem during pregnancy. I mentioned to him that things are going well now that I am able to eat better with my granola and/or oatmeal breakfasts. I also told him I was doing two different rituals to help with having a good movement. The two rituals came to a surprise to him and was something he had definitely never heard before. I had told him that for one I have been reading some of Ina May's (a well known midwife) books and suggestions on labor etc. She talks a lot about the Sphincter Law and suggests relaxing the jaw and creating a vibrating sound can aid in relaxing the perineum during labor. She also states to try it for constipation. So every now and then I find myself "ohming" on the toilet. It works like a charm. The other ritual involves Adam being around. He decided to one day grab his guitar and instead of singing the "Blues", he made up a song about the "Poos" and sang it to me. It makes me laugh hysterically every time and also works. My doctor looked at me a little strangely. I said, "Hey, whatever works, right?" And he documented, "constipation relieved with musical therapy"