We heard the heartbeat tonight. It was the first appointment. (It’s a recording of a recording, so it’s not super clear.) Honestly, I didn’t really feel that we even needed to go. She checked my bp which I knew was fine, measured my fundus which I’ve measured myself, etc. But I really like her and want her to be my midwife and, to be honest, I’ve really been looking forward to hearing that heartbeat. Plus, she’s fun to just sit and chat with about all things pregnancy and birth.
The appointment went really well. We pretty much declined all prenatal testing, including ultrasound, which she didn’t even blink at. I told her I want a hands-off birth this time. She’ll be there for support and probably to entertain Meredith, but I don’t want to be checked or anything. She thinks that’s great and doesn’t foresee any issues whatsoever. She says if I can push a posterior, sunny-side-up baby out in 44 minutes, I can push an anterior baby out no problem. 
The good news is, she thinks the placenta is positioned better this time, so less chance of a posterior baby. One of the reasons I really liked her the first time was because of how upbeat and positive she is. She really believes that women are made to give birth and has a real positive vibe surrounding her. I’m really looking forward to having her at my labour this time, because I think just her presence there will be really calming and positive. She’s the type of person I would want there for support and as a friend anyway. She actually was at Meredith’s birth, but only for the last twenty minutes or so. She was the back up midwife (all home births here must have two midwives, or at least one midwife and a trained “baby catcher”). There was nothing really “wrong” with my last birth, and I view it as a very positive experience, but I’m more educated and knowledgeable now, and I’m really looking forward to this one. We got my third choice midwife for Meredith’s birth, so it’s nice to know exactly who will be there this time.
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So neat to hear the heartbeat!