Being Thankful

I know I've already posted a few times today but seeing as I'm catching up and reflecting back, a lot is on my mind so bear with me.

As I sat with family last weekend and have been reading, watching and hearing more birth stories, I've been reflecting a lot on my pregnancy.

I'll be the first to admit I've had a blessed pregnancy so far. No real nausea, zero vomiting, no real health issues or implications. I was able to keep my pregnancy a secret as long as I wanted/needed to and maintain my daily life in a way that didn't tip anyone off. I've been able to remain active throughout the entire time. As I close in on the final weeks of my pregnancy I can't help but marvel at what my body has and continues to do. I lay in bed at night and hope to erase all of the bad things I've ever thought or said about my body. I feel my baby move and kick and grown and take back each time I've longed for slimmer hips or ribs or even just a few less pounds or a more waifish frame.  My body was made for this and has been doing an exemplary job at it. I almost get teary just thinking about the women who have fertility issues, pregnancy issues or birthing issues and how easy it was for me to get and stay pregnant then to thoroughly enjoy my pregnancy and hope to have a similar situation in birth and labor.

I'm also truly blessed to live in a state where my decisions about my body are my own to make. I'm not forced to do any one thing for my labor and delivery or even my pregnancy. I am able to birth at a hospital where specific birth wishes are a given. I will be allowed skin to skin contact with my baby. He can sleep in my room with me. I can request no intervention unless absolutely necessary, etc. I can also remain mobile during labor if I choose, use a pool if I'd like to, and even pull my own baby from myself if I want and am able to.

While I'm still weeks away from meeting my little guy, I look forward to enjoying the remainder of my pregnancy to the best of my ability and doing what I can to attempt the most comfortable (relatively speaking of course), timely, natural and safe entry into this world for my son. Here's hoping this fairy tale pregnancy has a story book ending.