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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Kelly Update

A few people have asked about my pregnancy, so I wanted to give an update. I am almost 22 weeks along now. I usually start getting infections around 20 weeks, and I'm finishing up medication for the first one. I expect to get an infection every 4-6 weeks through the end of pregnancy.

I found a great midwife, and a local doctor who is happy to treat my infections, supportive of my decision to birth at home. Our local hospital recently stopped allowing VBACs (vaginal birth after c-section), and this doctor had argued against that decision. My first child was by c-section, but the next two were vaginal births, so for me to schedule unnecessary surgery would subject me to higher risks than planning a vaginal birth.

Other than that, things are going well, and I expect the newest member of our family in late December or early January.


While I'm talking about my personal life, I thought I'd add a little bit more. Some of our longtime readers might remember that I moved to a different state last year, and my book collection was in storage for quite some time.

I love older homes, but the area where we moved did not have many for sale. People tend to live here for generations (I'm seventh generation, myself) and most of the older homes stay in families. When my husband and I were looking at houses, there was one I absolutely loved. It was a Queen Anne with a little round tower room containing floor to ceiling bookcases on two walls, and a window seat on the third. My husband pointed out that the house had structural problems, and we really couldn't buy it. He promised that if we bought a new house, he would build me a set of bookcases with a window seat. In the end, he hired my cousin to build them, but here is the end result (click through to see full image):


My bookcase


I'm so happy! I feel like I'm finally settled in, now that I have my books back.

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13 comments:

Clare@ BattlementsOfRubies said...

That is such a perfect reading nook. I'm so pleased for you, thanks for sharing it with us!

Elena LaVictoire said...

What a nice library Kelly! Glad to hear the pregnancy is going well too!

I had two homebirths and they were wonderful. I highly encourage them.

Kelly said...

This will be my third homebirth, if everything works out according to plan. They were quicker on the "no VBAC" policy in my old city.

Clare, my children agree it is the perfect reading nook. I had to shoo them away so I could take the picture. And pick up the pile of books, so it looks tidy!

Deeny said...

Awesome book case! and the little play kitchen too cute. My youngest is 12and oldest is 21. I miss the little kid days. :-(.

Barbara C. said...

I am so jealous. I always wanted a window seat; remember how I always used to climb up in the windows of Cherry Hall? My dream house would also have a "library" with lots of book cases. Maybe someday...

Tracy said...

wow, it is simply beautiful!!

Sue Bee said...

Beautiful bookcases! Looks like a nice cozy spot to read. Very happy to hear you and the little one are doing well.

Kelly said...

Tell ya what, Barbara, you come down to visit me the next time you're visiting family, and I'll let you sit on it. ;)

angie said...

I'll be saying prayers for a healthy remainder of your pregnancy and a safe birth. :) Your book area is a dream- I love books. One of my favorite places to go after a crazy day when my husband comes home from work is the library. I love looking at all the books, and I just bask in the silence. :)

Jen said...

What a BEAUTIFUL bookcase.....I've wanted one like that for the longest time! Prayer for the continued health during your pregnancy!

KitKat said...

Wow! That is such a wonderful reading nook! I am so jealous.

Thanks for the update on your pregnancy. I am keeping you in my prayers. I have to admit that I thought that the "no vbac" policy applied only to the first delivery after a c-section and not to the second or third delivery. That's just a shame!! Anyway, I'll be praying for you!

Tanya said...

Ooohhh, I am so jealous! I would LOVE to have a reading nook like that!

Kelly said...

Thanks everyone for the compliments. I still smile every time I walk past the bookcases, and especially when the children are curled up there reading.

Kitkat, I think that is the most frustrating thing about the whole VBAC situation. The risk of rupture is extremely low, even in primary VBACS, but after you have a successful vaginal birth, your chance of rupture is almost non-existent.

The whole change in policy goes back to a study which found a higher rupture rate in induced labors. Instead of adopting a non-induction policy, they started the no-VBAC rule. In the case of my local hospital, they wanted to keep offering VBAC as an option, but their insurer forced them to stop.

Okay, getting off my soapbox now . . . It's just incredibly frustrating to know that non of this relates to actual health concerns, but it's all about protecting themselves from litigation!