Giving Birth with Confidence

Great Expectations: Liz @ 32 Weeks

Great Expectations: Liz @ 32 Weeks

Cara Terreri, LCCE, CD(DONA)

This Thanksgiving season, I have much to be thankful for. I have an amazing partner (who tells me I'm beautiful, even when I knock things over with my giant belly), three incredible children (who aren't a handful despite what strangers might think*), a warm home (essential this time of year in Minnesota), and great job security (those babies just keep coming!). In addition, I was lucky enough to have three Thanksgiving dinners this year--basically a pregnant woman's dream--including our first ever meal at home, with just our family. After a blustery winter storm (see attached photo) I was content to nestle in with my husband and kids, spending the day listening to holiday music and cooking together.The reality that this baby will be here soon is really setting in. Fleeting moments of panic aside, it's something that I'm also very thankful for. I have loved being pregnant this time around more than ever. However, I am so darn excited to meet this little boy or girl, as are the children, who continue to ask every day, "When is the baby coming?!" We've been using holidays as a countdown method, but now all that's left is Christmas and New Year's. Then it's birthday time!With roughly two months to go, I have started writing my "Nesting List" of tasks to complete baby's arrival. It is long, but definitely doable. Items such as "Attend last two births as a doula before my own" will be done soon, as both mamas are likely to have their babies any day. Others, like "Update all photo albums" may or may not be done to completion since I haven't put a picture in an album since this task was on my third pregnancy "Nesting List." I have included a few that I've already done just so I can cross them off, thus improving my sense of accomplishment. And the reality is, regardless of how many items are left to do, our little nugget is coming- and soon!!*Those of you who read the last post will appreciate this: When we went out to dinner a few nights ago, the waitress commented on the "fullness" of my hands. Before I could say anything, my darling Gianna, replied with 4-year-old attitude, "No, you have YOUR hands full!" which she did--with dishes. Take that!