Oh Happy Day!

It's been pretty frustrating lately being sick and tired, and on top of that getting a head cold/allergies, then last night my eye was bright red and goopey - probably pink eye. I'm slowly falling apart...

But this morning, I am a new woman!

First, I should start by saying that because this pregnancy was a surprise, we didn't have maternity insurance. I've been calling and researching and getting recommendations for how to deliver this baby with the least expense possible. Having a hospital birth runs at least $10,000, if you're a cash patient. And that's WITH the discounts. (Did you know the anesthesiologist gets paid anywhere from $1500-3500, depending on how long he has to hang around the hospital to monitor the epidural???) We have a savings account and could go that route, but with the upcoming purchase of a minivan, we were not excited about dropping $10,000 like that.

It only seemed logical to continue my research into doing a home birth. As natural as I like to think I am, I must admit that a home birth did not appeal to me. We tend to use medication in our house as a last resort, preferring to let our bodies get rid of viruses on their own and taking care of things homeopathically. But when it comes to the pain of childbirth: drug...me...up. I was a wimp and couldn't handle the pain of contractions when I was merely 2 cm dialated...I can't imagine breathing my way through another 8 cm!

Regardless, a home birth was going to cost about $3000. Was the pain worth $7000? Ugh, yes it was, but I was scared to death. I know many people who have used midwives and doulas both at home and in the hospital. I heard their stories and was amazingly unphased by the romantic, comfortable, all-natural experiences they each had. I was strictly doing this to save money. I further talked myself into it by realizing that women have been having home births for thousands of years and hospital births only became common, like, 50-60 years ago. Women were made to have babies. I am woman, hear me roar. (Do you hear the excitement in my voice? No? Because it's not there.)

As I was doing all of my research to present to my over-analytical Accountant husband, he was busy on his end petitioning to apply for his company's insurance during open enrollment in July. Yes, yes, I know I'm pregnant and that it's a pre-existing condition. I thought his efforts were futile, too.

Until they accepted us. Starting April 1st, even! What are they, nuts? I don't really care. All I know is that we're insured and even though we'll be paying $500+/month for coverage (that's just for the two of us, the kids will still be under a different carrier), it will work out to be less than half the cost of a cash-payment hospital birth. So I get to be drugged up in a hospital, just like I wanted! WOO HOO! (if you're one of my natural friends who gave me wonderful advice and council, please don't be sad...when push comes to shove, I am just too chicken to have a home birth)

Okay, so this gets better. A guy in our Bible study is a chiropractor and has been seeing me for free to work on an issue with my shoulder. With my new insurance, he's going to start getting paid - I am so excited that his kindness will be rewarded for the next 8 months! But that's not the best part. Apparently, he's a preferred provider for my health insurance carrier and along with my adjustments, I will get to have FREE pregnancy massages!!! I can't tell you how beyond excited I am about this. I am one who LOVES to be pampered with massages and pedicures, yet rarely get to do either because of our strict budget.

I am on cloud 9. With my goopey red eye, sniffley Rudolf nose and overtired, queasy stomach pains, I have something to look forward to in the short term. My first massage is scheduled in 2 weeks and I can't wait!