Had a really quick ultrasound today.

Quote:
i'm a box-shaker myself, but i'm really really trying to control myself this time around. this will be our last child and i really want to have a natural pregnancy and birth.
heh, plus we can't afford a u/s!

and there is this whole facade or fear of measuring up in the eyes of others in non-mainstream communities. Whether it involves breastfeeding, ultrasounds, choice of birthing methods/settings, dietary intake, which type of diaper is used, how children and disciplined/not disciplined, how nontoxic and enviro friendly our homes are etc...you get it. The list goes on and on and on....

I have learned that you have to do what works for yourself and screw it if another disapproves...because there will always be another person who will disagree or think you are wrong, too mainstream, too conservative, too permissive, too strict etc.

I am not opposed to moderate use of ultrasound or dopplers. Like most things in life, I don't think they are dangerous in MODERATION. I am not overly paranoid about them like many people here. I have read a lot of the con information and it doesn't change my opinion. Much of it has actually been refuted.

In regards to birthing...I am having a midwife too but she is very hands off an pretty much encourages you to UC and do the work by yourself or to have your partner help. In our case, she is there just in case...mostly for my husband! ; )

Oh, I totally agree - you have to find your own path and walk it. But you know - you just get a little tired of defending your every choice. It's funny - no matter what you choose, you're defending it to someone.

Anyway, my midwife is the same - very hands off unless I ask. Last time she pretty much stayed in the other room, read, slept, talked to my family until I asked for her (when I was ready to push). But having her here did make me feel more relaxed and I know it made my husband feel A LOT more relaxed. So it was a perfect fit for us.

I do understand the concerns about ultrasound and I certainly would not overuse them - I will have this one and probably one more - or maybe not. But I also agree with your "all things in moderation" assesment - ok not ALL things but you know what I mean.

I'm truly truly not trying to start a debate here - I'm just curious what everyone considers "natural" in terms of pregnancy and birth. Around here (my family, friends, etc) I'm used to being the over the top crazy natural one but when I put myself in this group I seem downright moderate.

Aw, Misty, I'm so sorry you couldn't find out when it was so important to you! What a pain! Finding out the sex of the baby sounds really up there on priority levels and you don't (or anyone else for that matter) have to explain why finding out the sex is so important. It just is! End of story! To me NOT finding out the gender is important. So, I'm on the other side of the coin so to speak.

You have the option of doing another U/S for sure and paying out of pocket. I'd go for it. Afterall, it sounds like it will help you enjoy your pregnancy more. Check out 3-D U/S places sometimes they're cheaper than regular U/S. Although, make sure you look into some of the concerns about them. They can see in more detail, but I've always heard it's much better to wait until 20-22 weeks for gender prediction.

Erin & Misty -- I really think the whole natural debate can be really harmful. It sometimes makes people feel better than others or worse than others... like this defending finding out the sex... it's important to the mama, then so be it! MWs, OBs, Unassisted, it's all what's most important to the woman and how she feels most comfortable giving birth. I think the key to getting along in a non-mainstream community is RESPECT. Respect of each others choices, points of view and attitudes. Afterall, we're here to support one another, make each other laugh, and learn more as we await another member of our family.

Not in your due date club . . .just saw this post . . .but we also didn't know the gender and it was SO hard, esp. because of the name thing. Sometimes I did think the element of surprise was fun, but sometimes I was just annoyed. For the most part, though, we just assumed it was a girl and got on with life. Our u/s also didn't show a penis (turns out, it WAS a girl ) and DH is somewhat psychic in this regard and thought girl.

No advice, just know you're not alone!