Lauren’s Story, Part 11: Counting Down the Days

Written by: Lauren – Guest Blogger sharing her perspective as a VA employee and patient during her second pregnancy.

Well, I had my final ultrasound this past Thursday, and it seems as if Baby Hunter is going to follow in the footsteps of his brother and be another “big baby” and have lots of hair! I am at peace with this, because I believe that my body was able to have a large baby once, and it can do it again!

Here is a picture of me and my first son…can’t wait to capture this moment with baby Hunter!

There have been a lot of things on my mind these past few weeks such as: back pain, nervousness, “false” labor, more back pain and the overall feeling of just wanting my little man to be here! I know I am in the final weeks, but these final weeks seem to be taking forever. Which I am pretty sure is normal in pregnancy.

All in all, once again I have to say I have had an amazing support system. Not just with family and friends but also with my VA care team and fellow staff members. My VA chiropractor has been so patient and kind with me, and I feel like I have greatly benefited from having chiropractic care during this pregnancy. My VA social worker still calls and is providing me with great information about breastfeeding and what my post-partum care will be like. My VA primary care provider has been having phone appointments with me about different birth control options, and they are all so excited for me and want to see pictures of the baby once he is born.

It is great to know they have still been so actively caring and involved during this process. I also have to say my fellow VA employees have been supportive, awesome and caring as well.

With the support of my family, my VA family, my midwives and my doula I feel 100% ready to have this baby and become a mommy of two. I just need to be patient for another few weeks until baby Hunter decides he is ready! Thank you all for reading. I will do another post once I return from maternity leave sometime in December.

About Lauren

Lauren is a Navy Veteran and current Public Affairs Specialist at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in West Virginia. Throughout her second pregnancy, she will be sharing her thoughts and experiences as a patient at VA. We are all excited to follow her on this healthcare journey!