Need more patience

So lately I've been a little on edge. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm having a baby in 2 days and I have a toddler going through the terrible two's.  I've worked hard to make sure that I have everything lined up for when I go to the hospital and that the house won't be a total disaster when I get back. I think I have just about everything done there and I'm ready for this little one to join our family. One thing I wasn't expecting was the many opinions on how we're having this baby. Nathan and I elected for another C-section instead of a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). We did not take our decision lightly and put much thought and prayer into it. I also talked to my Dr. quite a bit about it for a couple of months as I went back and forth. She never pushed me one way or the other, for which I am very grateful. She gave me all the facts, risks, etc. and would tell me it was a personal choice and she would stand by either decision. My decision was based on my pregnancy with Gideon and the answers I received when I prayed. I had a lot of health issues with him and had to be induced early. After 14 hours of labor he ended up being an emergency C-section. I wasn't sure if I would have to go through the same thing with this one and decided on the choice that worked best for us. I know everyone has their own opinion on childbirth, epidurals, C-sections, etc. What I don't understand is why it's anyone's matter but the parents actually having the child. I've had people tell me I'm taking the easy way out for having a C-section. They have evidently never had a C-section or major surgery. I may not have to go through contractions and pushing but the recovery time is much harder and longer. Believe me, I would have loved to have Gideon normally but I was not about to risk his health or life when it was not necessary. Gideon was on his cord and his heart rate would drop each time I pushed. Dr. White told me I could keep pushing but because we didn't know how the cord was getting pinched we couldn't be sure he would get all the oxygen he needed during each contraction or if the cord would even be long enough during birth. That's all I needed to hear. My child's life was more important than a silly scar and healing time. How would I feel if something would have happened to my child when I could have prevented it? I'm grateful for knowledgeable doctors and modern hospitals that were able to ensure the safety of my child.

I'm sure everyone wants what's best for their children and they do what they feel is right. There are many things I see others do that I may think are different or silly but it's not my family or decision on how they raise their children.  I'm not meaning to offend or upset anyone. I just needed my little rant time. I welcome any comments and opinions on the matter but please don't make me feel bad for opting for another C-section.

Pictures

Here are a few belly pictures that Natalie took for me while she was here this past weekend. I'm 37 weeks here.

 

Not quite sure what I was looking at. Probably Gideon doing something silly.

He likes being in pictures, too.

Our little stud. He loves wearing his glasses.

This is what Gideon does when we tell him to smile. I don't know where he got it but I love it. Usually he shows his teeth but I think he had food in his mouth here. He is such a nut.

We had a lot of fun with Natalie over the 4th of July weekend. Thanks for coming out, Nat. Gideon loved showing you everything and having you read to him. He even tried to find you Tuesday morning and was so upset when he opened the door and you weren't there. You'll have to come back out and play with us soon.

We're also excited that we'll be seeing our newest addition soon. We only have about 9 days left and the time is just flying by. I've been a little uncomfortable but nothing to really complain about. Everything has been great with this pregnancy and it's been nice not having to do NST's and worry about my blood pressure like with Gideon. It's hard to believe that by this stage in his pregnancy he was here. I'm curious to see how close she is to his size. Gideon was 7.8 lbs and 19 3/4" when he was born at 37 1/2 weeks. This little one is getting an additional week and a half to outgrow him. I wouldn't mind her staying smaller for longer than he did. He outgrew his clothes so fast and got so heavy. I am a little nervous about the C-section but my Dr. has been great at answering all my questions and putting me at ease. Now I'll just have to worry about the 6 weeks postpartum when I can't lift more than 10 lbs. Gideon is not going to like that at all. He loves having Mommy cuddle him and put him to bed. I'll miss doing that for a while. I'm grateful for family and good friends who have offered to be there to help where they can. So until July 16th I'll just be cleaning my house over and over and finding silly jobs that need to be done. It's funny how crazy your brain gets at the end of pregnancy. I have so many lists of things that I think need to be done before I go to the hospital and I'm sure none of them are really that important. Do the windows really need to be clean before I have this little one? Probably not! But I'm sure they will be.  :)