The first post!

We have been talking for a while now about setting up a blog so that people can keep on top of the day-to-day spectacle of Rob and I learning to become parents and hear the latest and greatest on the little one. Those who know us well knew that we would put this whole thing off until the last possible minute, despite our best intentions. And while it is not quite the last possible minute just yet, I have now reached 37 weeks and the baby is considered full term. Since some may not speak the language known as "pregnancy", full term just means that the baby's lungs are likely fully developed at this point and there would be probably be no problems if I were to deliver from this point forward (the average pregnancy is about 40 weeks so don't start waiting by the phone just yet).

So, the big question: no, we don't know if it is a boy or a girl, and popular opinion is pretty much equally divided on the issue. We have used "he" and "him" when talking about the baby, but that is just for simplicity's sake more than anything. I got WAY too may questions when I tried using "they" (not to mention it is grammatically incorrect) and people look at you funny when "it" is used.

The pregnancy has been pretty much problem-free up to now (knock on wood). I am under the care of two (well, now three) wonderful midwives with more years experience between them than I care to count. The midwifery option has been the absolute best choice for us (as far as I am concerned), with its informed choice, low intervention approach. For those wondering - we are planning a hospital birth and all options regarding pain relief and other medical interventions (e.g. induction) are available to us a midwifery consumers as they would be to those under the care of a doctor (if I decide I want them or they become medically necessary). The midwives will also be my and the baby's primary caregivers for the first six weeks post-partum. We have hired a doula to be present during labour and delivery. A doula is kind of like a professional birth coach if you will, and is focussed entirely on my well-being and providing Rob with some ideas, tricks, tips, etc so that he is involved in the birth process to the fullest extent possible and giving him a break, if he ever needs it, by staying with me so he can get some sleep, eat, whatever.

I have been off work since the long weekend, and have not yet gotten bored. Nor am I too anxious yet to have the pregnancy end - though I could use (lots) more energy, fewer potty breaks and less general discomfort. Rob recently started a new job at the Department of Justice as a regulatory drafter (far more interesting than it sounds...really...check out Canada Gazette Part II sometime...or don't).