I procrastinated. Badly. I kept putting off an update because I had so much to say…the task just seemed too daunting. Turns out, by waiting, I don’t have any fewer things to write about. I’ll try to hit the highlights. Waiting too long to post, I also sort of forgot the smaller things I’d like to remember. =( Oh well. So here’s a summary of what’s been going on here.
- Week 33 – Baby Shower
- Expectant Family Classes
- Week 34 – Dr. Appointment
I can’t really remember what happened between weeks 32 and 33. But I kicked off Week 33 with my baby shower (01/09/2011). It was a great success. So thankful to everyone who helped put it together, but especially my mom and my friend Laura! They did a great job. I have a lot of out-of-town friends who, understandably, couldn’t be there. But we definitely had a great turnout with family and some local friends. Baby girl got a lot of great stuff, too. She is going to be so loved. And so spoiled, too, if we’re not careful! I need to come up with a clever way to upload an album to this blog, but in the meantime…here’s a link to my facebook album (facebook account not necessary): Shower Album! <– (clicky clicky) There’s really just sooo much I could say about the shower. I am truly blessed to have such great people in my life!
The next evening I had my first of two childbirth classes. It was pretty interesting. I wouldn’t say there was a ton of NEW information, but it was good to hear how things are done at THAT hospital. Just getting the perspective of the place where I will have my daughter was helpful. We also got a tour of the labor and delivery area, which was probably what I had looked forward to the most. It’s not quite how I imagined it, but I’m not sure what I was imagining anyway. The rooms are small, but appear as comfortable as possible. Wish there was more than just one extra chair so there would be a place for both Pete and my doula! The craziest part (to me) was the light that comes down when the doctor is there for the actual delivery. I’m kind of glad I got to see it ahead of time. Because it is kind of intimidating. It comes down from the ceiling, and it’s a little reminiscent of things you might see in TV shows or movies about alien abductions.
Apparently, there is a doctor who has you catch your own baby after he or she is out. Our childbirth class teacher started to warn us about that, but none of us has this particular doctor. I don’t know if there’s any chance of him being the on-call Dr or not. I didn’t ask. It wasn’t a name I’d heard before. Pete’s like…that’s kind of…Amazon. When I first heard about it, I thought, no way, that’s insane. But the more I think about it, the more I think it’s kind of awesome in a way. Not that I’d request doing such a thing.
The following Wednesday, I attended a class called Babysense. I was expecting a dumb sort of “this is a baby…this is a diaper” kind of class. But it was actually really, REALLY good. I only signed up for it because I figured I might as well since I already planned to take the childbirth class and the breastfeeding class (which was canceled last-minute, grrr). But I am SO glad I did. Lots of things about safety. And lots of resources. A fair portion of it was common sense, but a lot of it was really useful. Kind of makes you wonder how so may of us survived infancy…but hey, whatever steps I can take to make our baby safer, of course I’ll do it. (Side note: I didn’t realize that this was a class open to couples, so I was one of the few mommas there without the daddy…a little awkward. But oh well.)
Week 34 -Monday afternoon, I had my epidural interview. It was kind of a let-down, but I’m viewing it as an obstacle cleared ahead of time if I do end up getting the epidural. First I met with a nurse, and she weighed me (in kg) and took my blood pressure. She took my history, and I watched a video that had some information about the epidural and showed how it’s done. They didn’t really make it look like it was a piece of cake to get one, but they did make it look like it’s no big deal to have one. In some ways it made me feel better about getting it…if I get it. In other ways, it wasn’t helpful at all. (It doesn’t cross the placenta? But a tiny amount does reach the baby?) I really wish I knew where to find some truly unbiased information about it. But I don’t think I’d know unbiased if it bit me at this point. Anesthesiologists think it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Other folks think you’ll poison your baby and burn in hell for having one. (I’d listen to the docs over the anti-epidural extremists…using hyperbole here, if you missed that. It’s just confusing.) After the video, an anesthesiologist came and introduced himself. He listened to my lungs and had my say “Ahh” to check my airways. Though it was the most pitiful ahh ever because I kinda choked on my spit or something as I opened my mouth. On the way out, the Dr. said, “See you in a few weeks!” It was kind of annoying.
Before we parted ways, the nurse showed me how to get to L&D from the new entrance. Very easy, now that I know where it is from that direction. Before leaving hospital grounds, I drove around a bit to explore the new parking garage and roads around the hospital. I’m pretty sure I know where we’re going now. I drove that day, but I made sure Pete paid attention because I do NOT plan to do the driving when we’re actually going there to have a baby. 😉
Since we had some time to kill before childbirth class #2, we ate an early dinner at Chick-Fil-A then went to Target to spend our gift cards. Got lots of stuff, including items that are necessary but not fun to give as gifts. Like lanolin and milk storage bags and nursing bra pads and changing pads. Between the gift cards and a rebate card we had, we didn’t have to pay anything out of pocket except for some granola bars Pete picked up to get us through childbirth class. =)
Monday evening was childbirth class #2. (We took a semi-accelerated class…first time it was offered. The four-week class seemed difficult schedule-wise; the all-day Saturday class sounded exhausting and I’d miss too much work…so this was perfect for us.) This one was a little less exciting. It started out with the stuff we DON’T want to happen. Like cesareans, vacuums, and forceps. Let me just say this: I really, really do not want a giant metal pair of salad tongs in my vagina. So definitely praying against that. But it was good to see everything ahead of time so it’s not so shocking later…God forbid anything like that becomes necessary. Also stayed for some of the breathing/relaxation techniques. We went over it a bit the previous week, but not as much. The class didn’t consist of a lot of that kind of stuff, but I learned enough to think about it at home where I feel less awkward anyway. I think some of that stuff is hard to really pull off before you’re actually in labor. Then, you do whatever in the world you can figure out that makes you handle it better.
Tuesday, I got a call saying my breastfeeding class (scheduled for tonight, Wednesday) had been CANCELED! BOO! I really wanted to take two classes: childbirth and breastfeeding. The other two classes (Babysense and the Fatherhood Basic Training class) I just signed up for because, by the time I paid for the childbirth and breastfeeding classes, it was just $15 more to take the other classes by going with a package deal. And I was a little interested in the Babysense class too, even though I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. Pete isn’t really enthusiastic about the Daddy class…I signed him up against his will…and he might get off the hook anyway if this kid debuts anywhere around Feb 15th. Ramble ramble. Anyway, I probably would not have paid for the class package if I had known the breastfeeding class would be canceled. The teacher moved me to the February 21 class…but attending that one may be a problem. I guess we’ll see. I was told I could be reimbursed for that class if I deliver early, but we’ll see. I don’t know if, being a package, it’s different. And the registration thing said no refunds. I really wanted to hear about breastfeeding and pumping. I was planning to rent a pump, but by the time I rent one for 6 months, I could buy one. So I might buy. It’s just ANOTHER up-front cost, which doesn’t excite me. If I miss out on the breastfeeding class though, there are several resources available to me to help. So I’m not defeated or anything. It’s just annoying.
YESTERDAY! I had an OB appointment. Probably the last of the quick and easy ones. I’ve gained one more pound since two weeks ago (bringing the total weight gain to exactly 20 lbs…though I swear I’ve gained a least a couple since yesterday =P). Blood pressure was good. Fundal height 34.5 cm. Right on. Heard the heart beat, but didn’t catch the heart rate. She’s still head down, too. The way I feel her move sometimes, I was starting to wonder! But she’s head-down, facing my left. Which shouldn’t surprise me because I thought that was a little butt I was feeling on my right side.
Next appointment (in two weeks) I get tested for Group B Strep. My doctor is going to be gone in two weeks. I was given the option to go next week instead, but I didn’t know if my schedule was already booking up, so I’ll be seeing one of her partners instead. Oh yay, it’s been a while since a total stranger swabbed my personal places. But it’s fine. So. Next appointment is two weeks from today: February 2 at 3:30.
Last night, I placed a massive order for baby stuff on Amazon. First, I signed up for Amazon Mom (it’s free), which offers a discount on diapers and wipes and, more importantly to us, allows one to earn free months of Amazon Prime (free two-day shipping). So I ordered boat loads of stuff we needed anyway, including the playard (doubling as a bassinet at first) that my parents are getting us (♥). I thought you had to order a bunch of stuff over time to extend the Prime benefit, but turns out it can be cumulative, and I already ordered enough stuff to get the full year (maximum you can get for free). Sweet! Almost everything will be delivered tomorrow. The diaper ointment is supposed to get here on Friday. We will then have all the essentials…just have to get everything set up…our biggest challenge.
If I can make it through another day or two, I’ll officially be pregnant longer than my mother ever was. That’s crazy to think about.
Some other random thoughts: I must say it again…relaxin is one crazy hormone. Some achy joints…joints I haven’t thought about since anatomy class. (Who really thinks about joints in her pelvis?) But I gotta count it all joy because I know it’s my body getting ready for the big day.
I have definitely perfected the waddle. Maybe I shouldn’t say I’ve perfected it because that word seems to imply some level of grace. Then again, waddling, by definition, is not graceful. My joints feel so weird and different, I just can’t help it. So by the end of the day especially, I’m just walking around whatever way feels the best, even if I look funny.
Baby girl has been letting me sleep through the night without getting up to pee. Now that I say that, I’ll probably get up like 3 times tonight.
It’s crazy how big and strong she’s getting though. I’m amazed at the way she can morph my belly sometimes.
Okay, it’s midnight, so I should probably get myself to bed. Is anyone even still reading this???
Week 34 cartoon baby! First week the cartoon has been head-down, though my girl has been head-down for WEEKS. 😉
Side note: Pete just moved our site to a new web host (where we can upload a LOT more PICTURES!) So let us know if you encounter any glitches. =)
Definitely still reading! 😉 I’m SO excited for you, and I love reading your updates!