I am delighted to announce that I'm expecting our family's fifth blessing... we are all excited and looking forward to meeting our newest little one some time in late December 2004 or early January 2005.

Baby and I are in mid-second trimester and I am feeling really great, lots of energy, no more morning sickness, not too big and awkward yet.  At 16 weeks I felt the quickening - those unmistakable first little kicks and movements.  So cute!

We are hoping for a girl this time, after 3 boys in a row.  Our oldest, who is our only daughter, would love to have a baby sister!  But we are choosing girl and boy names just in case!

I have had a few signs that this just might be a girl.  No awful headaches like I had during 1st trimester into 2nd with each of the boys.  And my cervical mucus is much less than it was with the boys - hardly any in fact.   That's how it was when I was pregnant with our daughter.  Also, this baby's heart rate is more in the slower "boys" range, just like my unborn daughter's was -- not in the faster "girls" range, like all our unborn sons' were (I know, the connection between fetal heart tones and gender is just one of those gender-prediction myths!  Still, it's interesting that my babies have had differing heart rates in utero, and along apparent gender lines -- though opposite to what the myth predicts they should be.)  And one more difference:  this baby is very vigorous and strong in "her" kicks and movements, also like big sister;  all my unborn boys were more relaxed generally, with gentler movements.  The younger two boys even took "days off" in utero;  that is, they'd have quiet days, then more active days.  This baby is busy most every day... again, like big sister.

On the other hand, I am gaining a goodly amount of weight, as I did with each of the boys.  This may just have to do with the fact that I am an older mom now, so my metabolism may be slower than before. I am taking care to keep fit, eat a healthy diet and take good supplements.  I follow the Brewer prenatal diet, modified to avoid food allergies.

My supplements include a good prenatal multi, plus fish oil, vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium.  The selenium is to support thyroid function, since I have had trouble with postpartum (autoimmune) thyroiditis in the past.  I also have a good cal-mag to take if I have leg cramps.  I am open to adding to or modifying my supplements as my midwife suggests.  I would especially like to take 5-W, or something like it, in the final month of pregnancy.  5-W seemed to really help with my previous birth and postpartum time, especially in keeping postpartum bleeding to a minimum.  I've heard that Polly Jean's Antenatal Formula is even better, so I may take that instead.

We are planning on our third midwife-assisted homebirth.  I am contemplating a waterbirth this time after four "land births".  We are finally living in a house with a nice big tub, and it seems perfect for a waterbirth or at least a water labor.

With this birth, I will have become a true grand multipara.  (I didn't realize it would take only five babies to achieve that status - I thought it had to be at least six or more.)  What might I expect for this labor and birth?  Will my uterus be "tired" and take longer to do the work of labor... or is that just an "old midwives' tale"?  How might baby and I fare throughout this pregnancy and birth?  Here's an informative page that can help answer the questions that an expectant "mother of many" may have.