Techie Dad Hosts an Exchange Student

This was a week with interesting events in babyland.

We met with the only nurse practitioner in our area who would possibly consider delivering at home. She was not very encouraging or enthusiastic about home birthing. This left Sara discouraged. However, if she was a candidate, the NP would do it. However, she was going to be gone one week during the last month of the pregnancy— not a good sign.

We heard the baby’s heartbeat – It was strong in the 160s– Sara says that means in the wives tales tradition that it is going to be a girl. I feigned disappointment. Obviously I want a boy, but a healthy girl would be great as well. They both have advantages and disadvantages. I just don’t want to be stuck in My Little Pony hell for the next decade. I would rather play matchboxes or Tonka Trunks. Of course tomboys happen all the time.

Another impediment to us using this NP is that her usual hospital is in Frankfort, which is quite a distance from our house. If things go wrong it basically means we’re using a different hospital, and possibly a different staff all together. These are some big impediments, so Sara decided to have the baby with a NP that practices at Saint Joseph East Hospital. They have an excellent womens’ facility there with birthing rooms, whirlpool tubs, and other amenities that make the birthing experience more geared toward less invasive procedures such as C-sections, episiotomies, epidurals, and a host of other controversial procedures. We’re no polyannas- If something needs to be done, then we will do it. But why risk the health of the mother and child if these things aren’t really necessary.

We left the Hospital with me feeling much better about things and Sara feeling somewhat disappointed.
However, I think we’re making the best decision we can under the circumstances.