Pregnancy Log - Week 35

Wednesday, July 20:

Yesterday began week 35 for me. I thought I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning, but when I went, I found out that it was for today! My test came back and I do not have preeclampsia and my blood pressure was normal this morning - 130/80. Tomorrow, a nurse from Baby Love is coming and one of the things she will do is take my blood pressure again and hopefully it will continue to be normal. I had a couple more tests taken today. A GBS (I think) test, which is for an infection that many women have and only needs to be treated for the baby's sake, and a DNA test, again it's for the baby and it has nothing to do with paternity or the sex of the child. I'm measuring at 36 weeks, which doesn't bother me much because many doctors take fundal measurements differently. But this combined with the margin of error present in dating the fetus' age by ultrasound, I'm reminded that I can't know for sure when I'll go into labor. I just have to be ready.
Addie and I have started a little sewing project to make a dust ruffle and/or crib bumpers out of various pieces of cloth. I also have a couple of framing projects to work on to decorate the nursery. I also must get the cradle we have (which currently holds my stuffed animal collection) ready for Daniel, who will be sleeping in it for a few weeks and probably taking naps in it so I can sleep close by and not worry. Getting his baby book and beginning to fill it out is another project I want to get started on. I found my baby book and read through it yesterday and it really is a priceless keepsake for mother and child.
I'm glad my nesting urge comes with spurts of energy to get things done. I've been still feeling the great need to alternate moving around with rest (taking time to do fetal movement monitoring helps me take time out). It's been slightly more difficult to move around, the heat really gets to me, and I've been having a lot of low crampy feelings/B-H contractions. But all things considered, I'm still having a marvelous pregnancy.

Thursday, July 21:
This morning, I was visited by a very friendly home health nurse. Dawn was mainly there to let me know that she was there to give advice, be an advocate and intervene in extreme circumstances. We looked over my medical concerns (mainly bipolar and possible hypertension) as well as my plans for daycare, breastfeeding, school, etc. One of her jobs is to encourage a smoke-free home and car with a cessation rewards program, but luckily I get the benefits simply by not smoking already. I get little gifts every few weeks or so, which is cool considering there are already so many other rewards for not smoking. She also talked a lot about breastfeeding, which made me think I might really want to take a class or something. Some of the things she warned me about scared me a little - I didn't imagine that it would be easy, but I didn't know it would be so complicated. I'm sure it will be worth it though.
I'm still having the cramping feelings and think that I might be effacing (thinning out). I'm far enough along to where that wouldn't be out of the ordinary, so I'm not really concerned. Two of the other women in our childbirthing class reported that their doctors had confirmed the fact that they were effacing. Daniel's also been moving a lot - almost in a jumpy/jerky manner. I feel like there's a good deal of movement going on in my belly and below, and it's actually exciting!

Childbirthing Classes: 4

July 21:

This class covered an issue that I've actually been frightened of - epidurals and other forms of pain medication. Taking a narcotic like morphine as a systemic medicine is an option for early in labor before the active portion begins and, depending on your reaction, may or may not cause you to have to stay in bed. An epidural with "caine" drugs (like Lidocaine) is an option that definitly requires you stay in bed, as well as a "light and late" epidural that may use a mixture of caine drugs and narcotics. A spinal block, which sends a needle into the dura of the spinal cord and delivers a drug once to last the entire labor (as opposed to the epidural, which uses a spinal catheter to periodically deliver medicine), is usually given for Cesarean births. I would like to avoid an epidural and take only light doses of pain medicine around the worse contractions.
In the second half, we covered laboring positions, what it feels like to push and combined these skills with the breathing we've already been working on. I really liked using the birthing balls for sitting and kneeling positions. We practiced lying back and using a cloth for pushing leverage, supported standing, supported kneeling, squatting, supported squatting and side-lying. Kathleen encouraged us to keep appropriate positions for 20 minutes to an hour before shifting. Practicing these skills and learning more about my options in general is helping me feel more comfortable with going into labor.

Pregnancy Log - Week 34

July 12:
Tuesday marks the beginning of each week of my pregnancy, with August 23 being the (estimated) last of the Tuesdays to countdown to. Each new week, I'll be updated my pregnancy links on the sidebar so you can see what's going on with Daniel and me in general. Not much has happened on this first day - just wondering whether or not Daniel is laying sideways or head down, because I can't exactly tell. Tomorrow I'm seeing the doctor and hopefully he will be able to tell me. I'll keep you posted!
Later- We finally assembled the crib! It took us a bit of arguing and a lot of sweat (mostly owing to the fact that part of an already put together piece fell apart, the directions were vague and we didn't have the right sized allen wrench), but it's finally up! We don't have all of the bedding yet, but the mattress and pad is in, the Ocean Wonders Aquarium is attatched and the quilt that Addie made is hanging on the side. It seems like such a big place to sleep for such a little man.

July 13:
Went to the doctor's this morning and it was a little stressful. For one, it was hard for them to get a sample from me because I wasn't able to drink a lot of fluids that morning. Also, my blood pressure was a little elevated - they took it several (painful) times and each time the bottom number was just on the border of being too high. I also have been having some swelling in my hands, and to a lesser degree in my ankles. So I'm taking a 24 hour test to see if I have preeclampsia. Otherwise, things seem okay with me and Daniel. His heart rate was around 150. I have another appointment next week and hopefully the doctor can feel around to see how the baby is positioned.
I also did some more baby shopping using one of the gift cards I received. I bought a baby monitor with dual receivers, a folding laundrey organizer (as well as baby laundrey detergent, new nightgowns (to accomodate my growing tummy and take to the hospital) and some little necessities for baby care. I had enough left over to buy the new Harry Potter book on Saturday. I've been reading the books aloud to Daniel and me, so I figure it's a gift for both of us!

July 15:
I returned my 24 hour sample to the doctors this morning, had some more blood drawn, and was given a chart to monitor fetal movements. I won't know until Monday what the results are. In the meantime, I've started charting the kicks - I lay down for an hour three times a day and tally how many times I feel the baby move during that time. When I did it this evening, I started dozing off towards the end!
More baby shopping - I'm trying to get it all done while I still can. I went to a great children's consignment store called The Children's Trading Post and got a portable swing (it's part of the Ocean Wonders Aquarium line and is really adorable! It plays music and puts on a light show and is battery powered), a diaper genie, a baby headrest and a sleep sack. Everything that I bought looks new (or hasn't even been opened!) and is half of what it would cost new. Finding a place like this has really helped us out because many baby things are so expensive and you only end up using them for a few months to a year.
It feels good to have only a few things left to get - right now it's mainly the bedding. I've been looking around, but I'm reluctant to get a matching, pastel set with a print/pattern all over. I'd rather get some jewel toned or primary colored solids and a few printed things so I can mix and match. The other item I'd like to get is a glider-rocker but the main obstacles to that is being able to afford it and get it home!
Our baby safety class is tomorrow, so I'll have more then.

Sunday, July 17:

We attended our Safe Babies class yesterday. There were 3 other couples there and the instructor is the same one who teaches our Childbirthing Classes, so it was a very comfortable environment. We learned how to give CPR and the Heimlich maneuver to an infant and a child. It was a little scary, because not only did it make me think of what it would be like to have an emergency, but I also learned that both measures require using a lot of force. Other basic safety things were discussed too -like installing car seats, childproofing plugs and cords and fire hazards. Most of these things were things I had known about before, but hearing all of them at once reminded me how careful I need to be in preparing for the baby being mobile (and even before) and the kind of vigilance I'll need when the baby gets moving.
I've continued with the fetal monitoring. This morning, Daniel was slow to move but after I moved around some myself and had some juice, he perked up. Tomorrow, I'll find out whether or not my hypertension is part of preeclampsia.

Childbirthing Classes: 3

7/14

This class covered an issue that I had been thinking about for a while now - Cesarean birth. We learned about the medical reasons for one, which include breached position, the baby's head being too large to fit through the pelvis and placental previa (when the placenta would be delivered before the baby). The reasons for inducing labor were also discussed - mainly gestational diabetes, high blood-pressure and fetal distress (mainly caused by the baby being overdue). Even though the subject matter was fairly serious, there was plenty of laughing and light-hearted discussion. Matt and I and another couple/friends of ours, Greg and Sandra kept being jokers.
At the end, we got on the floor again and reviewed our patterned breathing to get through the peak of the contraction. This time, the patterns were changed and our partners gave us signals as to what the pattern would be. This will mainly help in keeping focused on our breathing rather than the pain. After the breathing, we all laid down and did a guided relaxation. Aside from the cheesy music that played before and after the actual relaxation portion, it was very soothing.

Baby Shower

Sunday afternoon was very memorable many of my close friends and family members congregated at my apartment to give me a baby shower. It felt a lot like a "baby-warming party" because it was such a loving event. Nine women came circled around me and afterwards I felt like I had been given much more than material gifts.
My mom and mother-in-law were there along with my friend Eva who has a two-year old (whom she brought along, and thankfully he is so well behaved that he made the party even more fun) - so I was able to hear from experienced mothers. My friend Erin, who is also expecting, was there too - so there was someone else who was sharing the experience of pregnancy. My other friends were able to support me and let me know that there would be plenty of aunts around to help with the baby and sisters around to be there for me.
Anne and Addie came over before the party to decorate and set up refreshments. Blue balloons and clothes, fresh flowers, curled ribbons, music, plates of chocolately food and eventually piles of gifts lent to the party atmosphere. I was glad that there were no hokey baby-shower games - just plenty of conversation and laughter!
I was excited when it came time to open the presents. Some were wrapped so beautifully that I didn't want to disturb them. Even though many of the women gave me things I had registered for, it was all still a pleasant surprise - I actually wasn't expected so much. Handy things that I was glad to receive included pacifiers and holders, teething rattlers, sheets/receving blankets, a dishwasher rack for bottles, a grooming kit and (given later) a large package of diapers. I loved imagining Daniel wearing the adorable clothes, sleeping wrap and hooded terry-cloth robe that I was given. Fun gifts like the Ocean Wonders Aquarium and Barnyard Gym looked like things even I will enjoy! And handmade gifts like a quilt, diaper-changing pad and a cup and bowl from Africa seemed to be especially made with love. Various other things were given, including a certificate for a free-massage that I can't wait to redeem.
Because of these generous friends, the multitude of baby things Eva and Justin have given me and gift cards from out of town friends and family members, I'm armed with an arsenal of baby supplies. Baby carriers, diaper bags, a mattress, car seats, a stroller, a swing, a baby tub, breast pumps, bottles, linens and other miscellaneous items are waiting for use. Though there are still itmes I need to purchase (there never seems to be an end!), I am so blessed to have the essentials, especially when I never expected to be expecting in the first place.
After the gifts, fresh strawberry shortcake and a plate of cheeses and crackers, and lots of talking (not to mention oohing and awwing) guests began to leave. Soon it was Anne, Becky(Ben's girlfriend, so near-aunt), my mom and myself and we were able to relax a bit, take loads of gifts up to the nursury and reflect.Eventually, we went to pick up Matt and Ben for a late dinner (they had been occupied that afternoon my a poker game).
I've started writing thank-you cards today and am gradually showing Matt the new things for baby (he is a bit overwhelmed by all of it). Aside from setting up the crib, all of the gifts have been organized. The clothes are folded in almost-full drawers, the linens are stacked in a closet, the toys are in a basket, the canvas-organizer and changing station shelves have been stocked and even a diaper bag has been packed. All of the beautiful and humorous cards are on display on the dresser. With my nesting instincts mostly satisfied, I'm feeling relaxed and prepared.

Childbirthing Classes: 1 and 2

Class 1:
Our first class, held at Memorial Mission Hospital, was less intimidating than I thought it would be. There were seven other couples and two motherly teachers along with us. Matt knew one of the other couple's members, which was refreshing - I wasn't sure if there would be any other young, unmarried couples there besides us.
After introductions, during which I learned all of the other mothers were between 29 and 34 weeks, we started the "educational" part of the class. The instructor used a baby doll in a fake uteran sack to talk about anatomy, which felt a bit like being in school again! We also talked about the signs of pre-term labor, since we were all far along enough to start having some of the symptoms. At the end, we did a relaxation/breathing exercise.
All in all, it helped me feel like I was getting prepared for the big day.

Class 2:
This class really focused on the stages of labor. Because I had so many misconceptions ( due mostly to television and movies) about the process, this was a very reassuring class. The main things I got were:

1.When you begin feeling contractions that are regular and about five minutes apart, it's time to call the doctor and possibly go to the hospital. But it's not a rushed, sudden event. Contractions may happen long before that, as the first stage of active labor can take many hours. I always imagined birth beginning with a woman's water breaking dramatically and the mother and father hurrying to the hospital. I learned instead that a woman can relax, even have fun during the first part before calmly going to the hospital (unless there are any risk factors of course). The water may break, may gush or trickle, or the membranes may have to be broken in the hospital.
2.I found out that most of the pain comes from the cervix effacing and dilating. The toughest pain to deal with occurs when a woman is around 7 centimeters dilated. And the worst of that pain occurs painly during the peak of a contraction, which can be counted in seconds. After full dilation is reached, the pain becomes strain. When the head crowns, a stinging or burning can be felt, but it is closer to the end. This eased my fears about knowing if or when I would need an epidural and how to cope with the pain.
3.I was reassured that the best way to deal with labor is to be active with positioning and decision making. This means I don't have to be passive the whole time or feel railroaded while a wave of medical staff takes over around me.

After learning a great deal about the stages of labor (the physical and emotional descriptions were explained together), we practiced patterned-breathing and relaxation in the dim classroom on the floor. Deep breathing, according to the instructor, can be used during most of the contractions, but patterned-breathing can help during stronger contractions or if hyper-ventilation becomes a problem. Though I am not anxiety-free and frightened still about the upcoming labor experience, I feel much more knowledgable. Hopefully Matt's feeling the same way!

Pregnancy Log - May and June

May 2005
9 : First felt baby move! As unlikely as it seemed, this was the first sign I had of being pregnant, but I knew that's what it was.
10: I anxiously took a pregnancy test, and it confirmed what I felt.
13: On this day, I had my first prenatal doctor's appointment. I was measured as being 20 weeks along. Feeling this was finally "real", I started my pregnancy journal.
16: A bedside sonogram a few days later dated me at 24 weeks! I couldn't have been more surpised...
26: Except the formal ultrasound I took gave me the most accurate dating. Measurements of the head and limbs put me at 27 weeks. And the doctor was able to tell the sex of the baby - a boy! The due date of August 23rd was set, and it seemed almost too close to believe.

June 2005
We started making many preparations this month. We bought nursury furniture, were given many donations of clothing and other necessities by our friends E and J, set up our baby registry and planned a baby shower. I also continued reading many books about pregnancy, prenatal parenting and baby safety. We also started weekly childbirthing classes (which you can read more about), which immediately started helping with the anxiety we were feeling about being new parents.

Future updates will be according to week, since I'm finally catching up!