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Originally Posted by RabbitDancer 
For my birth team, I've always planned on my husband, the midwife, and the midwife's assistant, who were all there for my last birth.
So then yesterday, my sister happened to ask if she could come to the birth if she's not working (she works different shifts each week).
And ALSO yesterday, over that "girls' lunch" I mentioned above, I happened to finally meet a local photographer several people in my little social circle know well and always speak very highly of; she specializes in artistic photography of women (pregnancy, nursing shoots, newborns) and her work is absolutely gorgeous. She mentioned to me that she's in the early stages of getting a birth photo/storyboard book together to hopefully be professionally published, and for anyone who's willing to allow her to shoot their labor and birth, she'll charge them nothing in exchange for a signed model release.
Lately I feel like I've found my "tribe" and the idea of being surrounded by supportive women while laboring and giving birth seems empowering to me (and frankly, my husband hasn't been all that wonderful in this department in recent months for this, that, and the other reasons, mainly that he tends to be especially susceptible to stress and grumpiness in late pregnancy every time, though when he IS being supportive, he's great!). But, on the other hand, having a circus of people present during such a private, inward time in my home does seem a bit overwhelming. Gosh, hard decision...
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Sounds familiar! I thought I was a private person, but since planning this homebirth, I seem to have ended up inviting so many people! (Midwife, assistant, student, mom, sister, sis-in-law for photos, and youngest sister, and husband!) I think it will be ok though. I say, go for both your sister and photographer! As long as everyone is willing to vanish if you need it- I think it would be a good experience for your sister, and the photographer would be super cool. However, I do know what many experts say on privacy, so I think you'll have to be super-in-tune with what your body is telling you.
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Originally Posted by heinz28 
Is it just because I'm a first time mom....?
Everyone seems to be having some changes or labor-like warnings but me. I'm 38 weeks today and nothing has changed. No contractions, loose stool, dilation, effacement -- nothing.
I hope this isn't a sign of an extended pregnancy. Please tell me that you know someone that went from zero happening to full blown labor fairly quickly!
Then again, I realize my due date is still two weeks away so no worries yet, right?
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You're totally normal! Ina way it's sort of surprising to me to hear so many women talk about what they're feeling, I think we have an unusual group. I know lots of women who don't feel a thing until the time, or a couple days before. Some bodies just let you know, others don't, some women are just very aware of what their bodies are doing, some aren't. Don't worry! It doesn't necessarily mean anything.
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