The Gentle Birth

So when I described my birthing class to my chiropractor, he suggested I get some videos so that I would have an idea of some other methods of birth and have seen more than one happen.  He lent us "The Gentle Birth" DVD.  Aside from the anti-hospital ranting it was actually a great way to see some alternatives to the typical hospital birth experience.  It also helped me feel more secure in our choice to deliver at Rush.  Many of the things that they were saying birthing centers do better are things that our nurse said they encourage at Rush, for example: moving and walking while you can, squatting and using a bar or ball to allow gravity to help, allowing family in the birthing room, trying to avoid interventions as much as possible.  As much as I am going to try for a natural birth, I am still glad I'm delivering in a hospital (just in case)!

Week 37 Visit

Just to confirm the vagaries of pregnancy, there is simply no logic.  I had my weekly appointment today and I gained 1/2 pound, and her measurement is a little smaller than expected.  Completely random!  Everything is still good.  No downward movement.  The over is looking better and better...

The Final Countdown...

Wasn't that the chorus of a crazy 80's song?  Well, we have reached that milestone: 36+ weeks.  I could deliver and have the baby be fine at any point from here on out.  I am actually exactly 3 weeks from my due date.  I had my 36 week appointment on Wednesday, which is where they do all of the delivery prep work.  I got blood drawn to check my iron (I HATE NEEDLES!), was swabbed to check for strep bacteria (did I mention I work at a school?), had an exam (she is still high and I'm completely closed), and then the usual litany of checkup measurements, blood pressure, belly tape measurement, fetal heartbeat, and the dreaded scale.  I have to say that I was mortified but I actually broke down in tears in my doctor's office as he was yelling at me (again) about gaining too much weight.  When he first made the comment at 6 months, I said ok and attempted to change my eating habits.  But to hear it again and again without any concrete advice on what to do is totally demoralizing.  You simply don't tell a woman who is 3 weeks from delivery that she is overweight, and start throwing around words like toxemia.  What the hell, I ask you, am I supposed to do about it now?  Instead of just telling me, you're too heavy, you gained too much weight again and again, hand me a sheet that says here's what you should eat, or here's how many calories you should aim for.  Everything else I'm reading says don't diet while you're pregnant and make sure she gets x amount of protein and x servings of fruit & veg, and x amount of calcium or you'll get osteoporosis!  I don't feel like I'm going out and gorging myself.  I'm trying to eat healthy and get all of those things they say she needs.  I even talked myself out of a trip to Dairy Queen yesterday!  Not an easy feat ladies & gents, considering it is literally next door to my nail salon where I was getting a foot rub, I mean perdicure...Not to mention the fact that I am now back at school and much more mobile again.  Arrrrrgh!  It is very disheartening to hear that what you've tried to do has not worked, but not to get any advice beyond that.  So I have adopted the attitude of Opus, the round-bottomed little penguin who used to be a staple in the Sunday morning comics...to my doctor I say Thhhhhhhbbbbbt! (read as a loud tongue-out raspberry).  Everything else is good, my blood pressure is normal, her fetal heart rate is good, I'm the right size in terms of centimeters.  There is no indication so far (knock on wood) that she is going to show up early or have a problem. So all-in-all a good check-up and baby is fine!  

From the mouths of babes...

We spent a half an hour meeting with our LEAP buddies today.  (For those of you who aren't in on the lingo, we pair up classes with a younger grade and each kid gets a new buddy for the year.  We meet to do projects together and the kids love it.)  We are paired up with a kindergarten this year, and we met them for the first time today.  Needless to say, from the title of this post, you may have guessed that the 5 year old little darlings had some things to say about my current condition.  My two favorites:

"What is in there?" (said while poking my belly)

"A baby.  She's not quite ready to come out yet."

"Really?" (quizzical look as if she still didn't believe me, accompanied by another poke)

"Are you having a baby?"

"Yes, I am."

"I think she's too big.  I don't think she's gonna fit out your legs."

"What?"

"She won't come out your legs.  She's gonna have to come out your tummy."

"Ohhhhhhhhh, hmmmmmm, well, I guess we'll see...."

I mean really, what do you say to that?

A Woman's Intuition

I am exactly one month out from my due date, and something funny has happened.  Suddenly people think I have developed ESP or am hoarding information from my doctor.  3 times today I was asked, "When do you think you'll go?"  or "Will she be early?", as if I could possibly have a logical or correct answer.  Then again, who knows maybe that women's intuition thing will kick in and I'll be able to exactly predict my delivery date.  Who wants in on the over/under?

Safety First

We started baby proofing today.  Actually J.R. did most of it.  Okay all of it.  He replaced all of the old smoke detectors in the house, added a few more, and installed new carbon monoxide detectors.  He also replaced our fire extinguishers and sprayed the carpet in the baby's room with a fire retardant.  I sat on the couch grading, giving my opinion when solicited, and marveling over the fact that I could actually feel our little girl's entire foot as she tried to do a headstand through my ribs.  All in all not a bad Sunday.

Week 34 and 4 days

Had another check up today.  Everything's good.  The baby should be about 4.5 pounds now.  I'm the right size, my weight is good, blood pressure is fine.  I met doctor number 3 of 4 and she seemed quite nice.  I did cause a mild panic when I was seen leaving the building at 2:30 to go to my appointment.  "Is it time?"  "Where are you going?"  "It's not now is it?"  It was actually kind of funny!  The doctor told me that I can look forward to the baby basically gaining about a pound a week from here on out and being pretty tired while she does it.  On a different note, the woman who is going to be my maternity sub is working on her Master's in Teaching at Concordia, and she needs to rack up a bunch of observation hours.  Guess where she'll be!  She already spent the afternoon in with my class and it was great!  She's got most of the names down and will be back again next week.  This transition is going to be fantastic.