The fine line between ass kicking and inspiration

So the missus is getting a little swollen. Has been for a few weeks. It's damn uncomfortable for her as you can imagine and just overall makes her feel nasty. Our OB office basically said it's normal and that she should be swimming and keeping off her feet. The swimming didn't happen much but she has been good about resting. However the swelling is still there and has worsened some over the past week.

Today we visited our midwife, Marimikel. It was probably the best visit we've had, in my opinion. Let's just say K learned what the line between ass kicking and inspiration is. I did too because I am always right there in the room. I am fully invested. The fine line was crisscrossed a few times and some tears were shed.

Basically we've been letting our diet slip a bit and today was probably the low point: smoothie (very healthy!), toast with jam, toast with peanut butter and then these nasty little cheese filled egg roll things. Marimikel always asks what we've been eating and her response was, "That's horrible." She took K's blood pressure and it was 140/80. This is way higher than it has ever been. We usually visit the OB office in the morn and blood pressure tends to be lower earlier in the day so we had never seen it that high.

Anyway, she really lit into K. "Damn girl! You've gained x pounds and your blood pressure is way high. This has got to change. Now! Otherwise you are looking at getting induced because of hypertension." It was a little tough to watch but we're adults and that is what we pay Marimikel for: to tell it like it is and not "f" around. We want her to do whatever it takes to help K have a healthy vaginal birth for both our girls.

I took the rest of the day off and we went on a shopping run for, Chlorophyll, skull cap and passion flower tincture, Epsom salts and loads of veggies, chicken and turkey. The bottom line is that we've been eating way too much salty and fatty foods and K's extra weight gain, swelling and high blood pressure are the result. We have a challenge to get the swelling down and reduce her weight and blood pressure.

I am inspired from our meeting today because all the health recommendations (most, at least) apply to me as well. I need to lose a good 10-15 lbs and up my vegetable intake and exercise more.

I am so thankful to have the kind of guidance we receive from Marimikel. We have very competent doctors but they more focused on healthy babies, which is good of course. Marimikel's focus is healthy, natural, vaginal birth AND healthy babies. Anything standing in the way of that is going to get a serious ass kicking.