Everything going great. I've gained 29 pounds so far. DH went with me and we discussed any and all questions we had. My midwife is the greatest. She plans on adjusting her schedule so that she can deliver Nathan. She said if she's there we can videotape if we want and DH can deliver him. I am measuring 35 weeks and his heartbeat was 128. We're going to strip my membranes on June 6th and hopefully that will get things started. With DD I went into labor the night my membranes were stripped so if that falls true with Nathan, i'll end up having him on June 7th... the delivery date I predicted over a month ago. I have my next appt mid May and she'll guess his weight then. Overall this was a great appt. I did my admissions paperwork and have to fill out my birth plan. DH and I are both getting excited about the upcoming birth!

By Reds9298 on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 08:21 pm:

What does "strip the membranes" mean? I've NEVER heard of that!

Also, are you having a home birth with a midwife? If so, you are lucky that your insurance will pay for that!! Has your midwife been your "doctor" throughout all of the prenatal stuff? I was just curious about how that worked.

Glad everything is going well!

By Tripletmom on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 08:29 pm:

I'm glad everything is going well for you.It will be nice to have Nathan before it gets really hot.My boys B-day is June 6 and it was nice to have them at that time.My DD is a January baby and it was much harder to get out with her when she was came home.

Ditto Reds-What does strip the membranes mean?

By Hlgmom on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 08:43 pm:

Sounds like a great appt! Midwives are the best!
Reds: all midwives do prenatal care as well as postnatal- just like a doc but non-invasive so to speak! There are also different types of midwives- CNM- certified nurse midwives have been to nursing school as well as midwifery school and *typically* deliver in hospital or birth center settings or have hospital "privledges". Then there are direct entry midwives who are mostly homebirth midwives. And then one in between who does home birth and birth center but no hospital privledges!
They are amazing care givers who really just trust the birth process!

Sorry I hijacked your thread Melissa!
Congrats on the great appt- sounds like you are well on your way to a great birth experience! I am so excited for you! And obviously very excited about midwives! I just finished my doula training so I am all birth obsessed!

By Hlgmom on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 08:50 pm:

Oh- and in case Melissa does not get back- stripping the membranes is when a doc or midwife will run her fingers around the cervix to seperate it from the bag of waters- it can stimulate prostiglandins in the cervix and help to bring on labor- it is not done until the woman is at least 38 weeks- prefereably closer to term. Most women will go into labor in 2 days or so after- but not all!You would be surprised at how many docs do this without asking patients first.

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 09:55 pm:

Heather described stripping the membranes perfectly. It sent me into labor 13 hours after having it done when pregnant with Kaitlyn so i'm hoping for good results this time too. I will be 38 weeks and 2 days when she does it. Also my midwife is a CNM. She practices as a midwife but with hospital priviledges. She encourages natural settings and helps to make sure things go the way I want without much medical intervention. She has been my doctor since day 1. And she is wonderful.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 10:29 pm:

Thanks for all of the information.

By Conni on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 10:48 pm:

Melissa, that is all good to hear! I know you are getting excited!!

By Andi on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:49 am:

Congratulations!

By Amy~moderator on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 11:05 am:

Wow, congratulations! Sounds like everything is going smoothly.

I, too, had a nurse-midwife when I delivered my youngest two boys. In the military hospitals, they are common. And, I had a much better, more natural experience with the nurse-midwife than with a doctor. They allow and encourage more spouse participation in the delivery and they honestly just seem to "care" more, meaning they seem more in tune with the mother - her fears, worries, needs, etc, not just the technicalities of delivering a baby.

Anyway, glad to hear all is going well Melissa!