This time around

This morning I went to the hospital to get my RHGI injection (for those of you who don't know what that is, basically because of my blood type I am RH-negative, and without the injection my baby could be still born, or born with severe brain damage, anemia and heart problems). It sounds super scary, but the injection is suppose to reduce the risk of that. Phew! But while we were at the hospital, a whole flood of memories came rushing back to me.

First of all, this time I am having my baby at a different hospital, because I am under the care of a team of midwives, rather then an OB. But the basics were still the same. The injection is given in the birthing center, so Coral and I sat there as nurses were rushing around, nervous fathers were talking to Drs or getting on their gear for a c-section, newborns were leaving (poor mothers were struggling to walk as they left....Ahh I remember that). It was chaos (but yet it wasnt because everything was under control), and I thought to myself "praise the Lord I won't be staying in a hospital this time".

Let me explain. Because I'm with midwives, I'm still going to have my baby in a hospital (hello epidural), but this time, if there are no complications (such as a c-section) I will go home almost right after giving birth (well, as soon as the epidural wears off and I can walk). It's not that I hated my time in the hospital last time (ahem, minus a few awful nurses) but I am so looking forward to coming home and being able to relax and recover in the comfort of my own bed.

Not only that, but Coral wouldn't last 10 min sitting still in the hospital, and this way we can bring the baby home, then Andrew can go pick her up from his parents, and she can meet the baby in a safe, intimate place for just her and our little family. And that hopefully means I won't be spending that much time away from her, depending on how long my labour is.

Anyway, as I was sitting there, I was just really thankful that this time I will be in and out of the hospital as quick as possible (sheesh, we won't even be there long enough to bath the babe...which Coral will be stoked about because she has been asking about helping bathe the baby for forever now). Plus, I'm also really thankful to be giving birth with a group of women who I know, and who have been taken care of me for my pregnancy, rather then stranger nurses who come and go and a random OB that comes in for the final push. I know these women and trust these women completely...plus they are all so extremely nice and care about my needs and concerns.

Also, just an FYI if your concerned that I'm leaving the hospital too soon after giving birth, the midwives continue to take care of both me and the baby for six weeks after the baby is born...at my house...because leaving the house after recovering from giving birth is.....ouch.

Oh, and speaking of ouch, there is a reason why people who have given birth before, and are pregnant, should never go into the birthing center. Ladies, we all seem to forget the actual experience of giving birth right (at least the painful stuff, that's why we are able to have more kids after). Let me tell you, seeing those ladies trying to walk out of the hospital left me wide eyed, jaw dropped, and so not excited for that to be me in a few months. Gulp.