Choosing an unassisted pregnancy.

The more and more I think about going unassisted for my birth, I think about also going unassisted for my pregnancy.

I am so very strongly drawn to it, it's like a burning desire I can't ignore.

So, when I get pregnant, I'm not seeking out a prenatal carer. Previously, I believed I would need prenatal care through a midwife and desperately searched for hours for a midwife. Alas, there are none within a 3 hour radius of here. Since I already decided to freebirth, I felt it was unecesssary to hire a midwife to do things I can do myself.

I can check fundal height and accurately determine the position of my baby - my last midwife taught me how during my last pregnancy. Each prenatal appointment felt more like I was being taught the tools of the trade rather than being tested or checked. I am buying a doppler not only to use in labour but in pregnancy, I am aware of my blood type and when it is neccessary for me to get the Anti-D shot. I am O negative, where my blood is incompatible with a positive blood and can cause serious issues for future pregnancies (not that I plan any more, but there is always the possibility I'll want another) if my blood were to mix with positive blood. The Anti-D injection is supposed to last 12 weeks and must be given within 72 hours of birth where blood may have mixed. I know it doesn't have to be given immediately, my baby's blood type can be checked because, like my last birth, my child may be negative also making the needle unecessary.

Having been pregnant twice already, I already have an idea of what is normal for me, anything abnormal will of course be checked out.My birth geekiness has helped me learn how to get in tune with my body and learn what is normal.

Getting my pregnancy confirmed by a GP is the first step once I get that BFP (whenever that happens) and then I will begin my own prenatal care. Since making my decision, I feel more at peace, and am now looking forward to being pregnant more than I have in the past.

As a side note, since I used the Fertility Awareness Method to avoid pregnancy, and then to try and concieve. I've noticed a few changes.  I am waiting for the 4th to do another pregnancy test, I've done a few because I wasn't entirely sure when I might have concieved, and they were all negative. I guess between the 21st and the 23rd, implantation may have been from the 29th to the 31st. I have been having a few 'early pregnancy' symptoms, as of the 29th I began peeing more often, feeling crampy, had heartburn, slight nausea and tender breasts. My cervix is completely different to normal today, high, soft and closed, everything feels swollen and looks a bit darker than normal, where normally it would be low, medium, firmness and open, ready for menustration. The 4th will be day 32, on average I have 31 day cycles except for last cycle which was 44 days but stress and the supermoon played a role in the delay (my cycles seem to coincide with the full moon). I can't wait to finally know for certain.

I'm hoping my next entry will be a 'Yay, I'm pregnant', I'm trying not to get my hopes up, just in case.

Thanks for reading my blog :)

Peace, Love and Light