Unassisted Pregnancy Tips?

[pregnova]

Hi All!

I'm planning an unassisted pregnancy and birth for this baby, and I was wondering if there are any pointers any of you might have for the pregnancy part? 

For now, I'm keeping a daily log of nutrition, exercise, supplements, symptoms, and thoughts. Taking a good prenatal, and keeping up with my green smoothies and normal, protein-high diet. 

I'm only 5 weeks along, and not really experiencing much in the way of symptoms outside of some tiredness and the occasional cramping. I'm trying to relax as much as possible into this pregnancy, but I can't help but wonder how the baby is doing. lol...

I'm assuming that as the pregnancy progresses, I'll have more to keep an eye on, like fundal height, fetal movement, possibly heartbeat?, and possibly blood pressure. Outside of that, is there anything you would suggest? Any particular resources online or otherwise?

I am trying to keep this low key. There are no risk factors that should make this pregnancy high risk, and I'd like to keep things as uncomplicated as possible and focus on keeping healthy, calm, and deeply connected to the pregnancy. When the time comes, I would like the birth to follow as a natural result of the general 'feel' of the pregnancy...if that phrasing makes any sense at all. lol! So that the unassisted nature of the birth is no longer something that's overly thought about because the whole pregnancy has been the adjustment period for that concept.

I'd particularly LOVE it if anyone knew of a blog about unassisted pregnancy?!

[lia_joy]

Hi! I don't really have any tips as I am also just beginning my first planned UP pregnancy.  For me, it's all about going within and not relying on tests to tell me what is going on with my body (unless I feel there's a reason for them) so I don't plan on doing many clinical type things.  This will be my third unassisted birth & I'm excited about feeling ready for this new approach to pregnancy :)  i will be blogging about it here: http://liajoy83.blogspot.com/ and I have a couple posts already, but I don't know how helpful it'll be for you since it sounds like we are in the same boat.  Anyways, congrats!!

[JamieCatheryn]

You should be prepared to check on blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, and blood sugar especially if you feel off at all (dizzy, hot, numb, anything slightly weird). A fetascope (sp?) would be excellent to hear your baby without being invasive (DS2 couldn't stand the doppler being used on him it would drive his heartrate up and make him kick) - of course it won't pick up the heartbeat until later than a doppler would.

[Devaskyla]

All I've ever done is tried to eat well, get supplements for things like D3, C & Omega 3, which there aren't nearly enough of in prenatals (and this time around I can't take prenatals since they just come up again for some reason).

First 2 times I listened to the heartbeat with a fetoscope occasionally, checked my blood pressure at the drug store machines & weigh myself every so often.  I did urine testing with one of my previous pregnancies, but I don't remember which one.

I'm basically doing the same this time. I don't have any urine test strips, I've been using the fetoscope less & I've added using dh's glucometer to randomly check my blood sugar. I think I've only checked my blood pressure once so far. Trying to get a home blood pressure monitor, but they're expensive.

I don't write anything down, though I have considered it.

[MissMia]

Sounds like you are taking great care of yourself and your baby!  I drank tea throughout my pregnancy:   mix of red raspberry leaf, nettles, oatstraw, & rooibos.  It helps tone your uterus to prepare for birth.  Also has alot of nutrition in it.

[ORPN]

 sounds like your doing great! the only thing I would recommend is educating your self the best you can, Laura Shanley is a great resource. How's everything goin?