Now, about that labor swing . . .

Well, the last week has been very very hectic for us. We moved into our house - FINALLY - and are still in the process of getting settled and unpacked. In the midst of that, I finally got through the OB orientation class, which I largely found to be a waste of time, since I already knew which doctor I was picking and I just wanted to get it over with so I could make an appointment. However, there was some wonderful information.

Apparently, Europeans have a much different view on childbirth and prefer the most natural approach possible. I'm totally okay with that, and that's what I definitely prefer. In fact, my goal was to do a non-medicated birth unless totally necessary. It looks like I won't have much choice in that matter though. They rarely give epidurals, and when they do, it's not like in the states where you are numb all the way down. Naw, they still want you to feel everything. However, I do have some great options when it comes to laboring naturally, like the use of the labor balls and the tub - I may even do a water birth! Some of the other natural methods were a little . . . different. Like this labor swing. It looked like some medieval torture device. But hey, if it works, who am I to knock it. And then there was this "labor island" - and it just looked weird. No palm trees and fruity drinks with umbrellas there, you are there to birth a baby. The births are all attended by a midwife (which I actually prefer) and there is a doctor on call just in case something goes wrong. They are very open there, and have very different standards of modesty. Many hospitals do not even provide gowns! Even with the differences, I really feel good about it, and I think it will be a wonderful experience. I will be free to labor as I need, and not be strapped down to a bed with constant monitoring. In fact, I'm almost looking forward to it. Almost - not quite.

Anyhow, this little Junebug is moving around quite a bit in there. I tend to feel him at certain times during the day (especially at meal times). And when I sing or turn on music, s/he really gets going! Steve even felt a kick for the first time about a week ago - how exciting. I wasn't sure if he'd be able to, since it is still fairly early, but I figured we'd give it a try. He hasn't felt it anymore since then, but the baby still does respond to his voice and touch. Already Daddy's little baby!

Well, we have our first appointment with the German OB on Friday, January 23rd. Apparently, the Germans are ultrasound-happy, and this particular one does ultrasounds at every visit (one of the reasons I chose him), so we are crossing our fingers that we will find out if we're having a boy or girl at the appointment. I had a dream the other night that I had the ultrasound and I could clearly see boy parts. We will be happy either way, but I am leaning towards a boy. Just a feeling I've had. Steve thinks it is a girl. We'll see who's right . . .