Friday, June 30, 2017
Dr Appt - Week 38
This was my last appointment before my scheduled c-section. I have less than a week to either go into labor naturally, or we're going in after baby. It was a very short visit with nothing exciting happening at all. We checked vitals, listened to baby, and sent me on my way.
My weight: Up 1 lb from last week
Blood Pressure: 110/70
Temperature: Normal
Baby's heartbeat: 150
Now to spend the next week doing all the final preparations for baby, and waiting patiently for arrival.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
3 Things I'm Excited About
As we finish out the last several days of pregnancy, I did some searching for some writing prompts and I'm going to genuinely try to post one post a day from now until we have a new little one. So today, I'm talking about
3 things I am excited about
3 things I am excited about
- Meeting this new little person!
- I know that seems like a "duh" response, but I'm so thrilled to meet the baby and learn the personality and quirks of a new human. It should be interesting.
- Seeing Orion as a big brother!
- Orion is the sweetest boy, hugging my tummy and giving his unborn sibling so much love already without even meeting them. I can't even imagine how excited and loving he is going to be once baby is actually here to share his experiences with. He already talks about sharing morning snuggles with baby, and how if they have a nightmare, they could come sleep in his room. Even though they have separate rooms, he's also talked about them needing bunk beds. I think it's adorable and I can't wait to share this experience with him. I know just how much I love my sisters, and I am delighted that he will have a sibling to grow up with.
- Finding a new sense of normal!
- Pregnancy is this weird type of waiting where you spend 9 months preparing for the unknown and trying to do everything you can to be ready for a new little human to join your family. It's stressful and exhausting to spend so long not knowing exactly what to expect, at least for me. I look forward to baby finally arriving and finally getting the chance to set up a new routine that works for us and our changing family.
Strangers and Pregnancy
In past posts, I've talked about how becoming pregnant suddenly makes you public property and my frustrations with that. People feel that they are welcome to say whatever they want to you, giving unwanted advise and asking overtly personal questions, even going as far as feeling that it's ok to touch your body without permission. It can be awful and uncomfortable, and as someone who is naturally introverted it makes me extremely uncomfortable.
However, this morning I realized just how much of a blessing it can be as well. While there are rude and insensitive people, being pregnant can also bring out the most beautiful and personal parts of people as well. During this pregnancy, I've found myself listening to the pregnancy and birthing stories from women all across the board. My co-workers talk of their successes and issues while pregnant or giving birth. I've listened to the sympathy from those who had rough pregnancies, and the joy of those who had amazing pregnancies. I've heard birthing stories from strangers, and had random people stop and want to talk about my baby without knowing anything about me. When I stop at the gas station on my way to work, the woman who works there often asks how much longer I have left. This morning I found myself listening to her birthing story from 16 years ago as she cashed me out. I heard about the normal pregnancy of her first two children, and how she gained 70 pounds and had an 11 pound baby for her third. I know these are stories that she doesn't share with just anyone, and it gives me both some insight into who she is, but it also builds a special bond between women to share those moments.
So today I am grateful. While the invasion of privacy often frustrates me, I also understand the beautiful and amazing community bond that women feel with other pregnant women. We look out for each other and want to share our stories. We want to share our triumphs and our failures, and help others know that they are not alone in their experiences. I'm thankful to each woman who has shared her story with me, and even those who wanted to share their advise. Thank you for the kind smiles, the loving stories, the warnings and the laughter. It's moments like this that I understand just how beautiful pregnancy can be.
However, this morning I realized just how much of a blessing it can be as well. While there are rude and insensitive people, being pregnant can also bring out the most beautiful and personal parts of people as well. During this pregnancy, I've found myself listening to the pregnancy and birthing stories from women all across the board. My co-workers talk of their successes and issues while pregnant or giving birth. I've listened to the sympathy from those who had rough pregnancies, and the joy of those who had amazing pregnancies. I've heard birthing stories from strangers, and had random people stop and want to talk about my baby without knowing anything about me. When I stop at the gas station on my way to work, the woman who works there often asks how much longer I have left. This morning I found myself listening to her birthing story from 16 years ago as she cashed me out. I heard about the normal pregnancy of her first two children, and how she gained 70 pounds and had an 11 pound baby for her third. I know these are stories that she doesn't share with just anyone, and it gives me both some insight into who she is, but it also builds a special bond between women to share those moments.
So today I am grateful. While the invasion of privacy often frustrates me, I also understand the beautiful and amazing community bond that women feel with other pregnant women. We look out for each other and want to share our stories. We want to share our triumphs and our failures, and help others know that they are not alone in their experiences. I'm thankful to each woman who has shared her story with me, and even those who wanted to share their advise. Thank you for the kind smiles, the loving stories, the warnings and the laughter. It's moments like this that I understand just how beautiful pregnancy can be.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Due Dates & Milk....no not that kind!
My due date is right around the corner. I keep saying it's hard to believe, but sometime within the next 9 days I will officially meet this little person that has inhabited my womb for the past 9 months. While some parts of this process feel like they have taken forever, a much larger part feels like it has gone by SO so quickly. I didn't quite realize how close we were to the end until today. So, what made that feeling hit home? A bottle of milk. Yep. I said it. Milk.
Let me explain...
Since I was a child, I've always been fascinated with upcoming dates and countdowns to events. I'll divide time into more manageable sections when driving and have had a count down until baby's arrival since January to go along with the count up in weeks that I've had since the very beginning. My methods and tracking have often changed. However, there is once consistent method that I have always used to tell when an event is officially "close"...and that is the expiration date on a jug of milk. As a kid, I remember seeing my birthday on a bottle of milk and being excited that it was so close to the celebration, and I've continued that trend into my adulthood. When I see an important date on a bottle of milk, I know it's time to start to get excited, and to make sure I'm actually ready. Today, I found this:
That is my due date on a bottle of chocolate milk. I guess that means that it is officially close and it's time to make sure that we're completely prepared for this little person to come home.
Let me explain...
Since I was a child, I've always been fascinated with upcoming dates and countdowns to events. I'll divide time into more manageable sections when driving and have had a count down until baby's arrival since January to go along with the count up in weeks that I've had since the very beginning. My methods and tracking have often changed. However, there is once consistent method that I have always used to tell when an event is officially "close"...and that is the expiration date on a jug of milk. As a kid, I remember seeing my birthday on a bottle of milk and being excited that it was so close to the celebration, and I've continued that trend into my adulthood. When I see an important date on a bottle of milk, I know it's time to start to get excited, and to make sure I'm actually ready. Today, I found this:
That is my due date on a bottle of chocolate milk. I guess that means that it is officially close and it's time to make sure that we're completely prepared for this little person to come home.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
38 Week Dreams
Baby is right around the corner, but dreams of baby are as elusive as ever. With Orion I regularly dreamed of him, but that has not been the case this pregnancy at all. Instead, last night's dream brought a visit from my grandpa:
I was standing in the street of a small town talking with grandpa. He was dressed in his legion uniform and holding a flag, getting ready to march in a parade. He said one of his buttons on his uniform was loose and he was worried he was going to lose it, so I told him I would grab something and march behind him so I could pick it up if it fell. He then put his arm around me and started to tell me "did you know, these suckers are paying me to march? I do it for free all the time!" and giggling like only my grandpa could. He found it hilarious that they were willing to pay him to walk in the parade. He was still chuckling to himself when he went to find his place in line. I walked over to a table that was set up on the side walk and picked up a large glass goblet and a clear vase to carry along with me, and took my place in line a few feet behind grandpa. Music started behind me, and the parade began to march forward. We marched through the streets, uneventfully as I proudly watched him carry the flag down the street. This parade progressed into an enormous cathedral style building and my grandpa marched right up to the very front with the flags, so the rest of the parade followed. When we got to the very front, I found myself walking past grandpa and facing the giant stained glass window that was at the front of the building. Grandpa paused behind me and I could hear the national anthem begin to play behind me. It was right then that my grandfather let out a sneeze and the button popped right off his uniform. It bounced off the stained glass, and with one swift motion, I caught the button in the glass vase I had carried along. I looked to my right and my mother was staring at me, wide eyed. We both tried to stifle our giggles as the band played, but I had tears rolling down my face from laughing so hard. After the anthem was finished, the parade dispersed and I found myself walking among the crowd, trying to see if my friends had witnessed my epic button catch, or if it was something I would only share with my mom and grandpa.
I was standing in the street of a small town talking with grandpa. He was dressed in his legion uniform and holding a flag, getting ready to march in a parade. He said one of his buttons on his uniform was loose and he was worried he was going to lose it, so I told him I would grab something and march behind him so I could pick it up if it fell. He then put his arm around me and started to tell me "did you know, these suckers are paying me to march? I do it for free all the time!" and giggling like only my grandpa could. He found it hilarious that they were willing to pay him to walk in the parade. He was still chuckling to himself when he went to find his place in line. I walked over to a table that was set up on the side walk and picked up a large glass goblet and a clear vase to carry along with me, and took my place in line a few feet behind grandpa. Music started behind me, and the parade began to march forward. We marched through the streets, uneventfully as I proudly watched him carry the flag down the street. This parade progressed into an enormous cathedral style building and my grandpa marched right up to the very front with the flags, so the rest of the parade followed. When we got to the very front, I found myself walking past grandpa and facing the giant stained glass window that was at the front of the building. Grandpa paused behind me and I could hear the national anthem begin to play behind me. It was right then that my grandfather let out a sneeze and the button popped right off his uniform. It bounced off the stained glass, and with one swift motion, I caught the button in the glass vase I had carried along. I looked to my right and my mother was staring at me, wide eyed. We both tried to stifle our giggles as the band played, but I had tears rolling down my face from laughing so hard. After the anthem was finished, the parade dispersed and I found myself walking among the crowd, trying to see if my friends had witnessed my epic button catch, or if it was something I would only share with my mom and grandpa.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Week 38
Welcome to week 38! We are under 2 weeks officially until baby will make an appearance, one way or another. This week, the countdown will fall into single digits, which seems insane and I have mixed feelings for sure. So, what's happening in pregnancy world this week?
For baby
Baby probably is about 19 1/2 inches long and weighs about 7 pounds. Baby has an eye color by this point, but the eye color, as well as the hair color and texture will continue to change from now through the first year of life. Baby continues to ingest the amniotic fluid, building up that first yucky poop. Surfactant also continues to be produced in the lungs, which is the stuff that causes the air sacs in the lungs to inflate once they start to breathe air for real.
Baby probably is about 19 1/2 inches long and weighs about 7 pounds. Baby has an eye color by this point, but the eye color, as well as the hair color and texture will continue to change from now through the first year of life. Baby continues to ingest the amniotic fluid, building up that first yucky poop. Surfactant also continues to be produced in the lungs, which is the stuff that causes the air sacs in the lungs to inflate once they start to breathe air for real.
For momma:
My hospital bags are officially packed, the car seats are in the car, and the swing has been brought upstairs into the living room to prep the dog for the invasion. Physically, I am tired and definitely feeling like I have to pee more often. My tailbone also hurts a lot, but I think it's because I did too much moving and lifting over the weekend more than anything. Otherwise, I physically feel ok. Emotionally, I'm a bit torn. Part of me is 100% ready for me to get this baby out and into the world. However, the other part of me is a bit weepy about the whole situation. I know this is the last time I will be feeling a little human in my womb, and I'm not quite ready to give that up. I'm ecstatic to see Orion as a big brother and I know he'll be amazing, but I also am not ready to have to share him with another family member yet. I'm going to have to share my snuggles and love with another human, and I just am not quite ready for all of that business. I know it will be fine once baby is actually here, but I definitely find myself wanting a little bit more time with Orion, while also being desperately ready for the baby to get here. It's problematic, but really the only thing I can do about it is to just continue to live in the moment right now, and go with the flow as well as I can. Either way, it will be over before I know it.
My hospital bags are officially packed, the car seats are in the car, and the swing has been brought upstairs into the living room to prep the dog for the invasion. Physically, I am tired and definitely feeling like I have to pee more often. My tailbone also hurts a lot, but I think it's because I did too much moving and lifting over the weekend more than anything. Otherwise, I physically feel ok. Emotionally, I'm a bit torn. Part of me is 100% ready for me to get this baby out and into the world. However, the other part of me is a bit weepy about the whole situation. I know this is the last time I will be feeling a little human in my womb, and I'm not quite ready to give that up. I'm ecstatic to see Orion as a big brother and I know he'll be amazing, but I also am not ready to have to share him with another family member yet. I'm going to have to share my snuggles and love with another human, and I just am not quite ready for all of that business. I know it will be fine once baby is actually here, but I definitely find myself wanting a little bit more time with Orion, while also being desperately ready for the baby to get here. It's problematic, but really the only thing I can do about it is to just continue to live in the moment right now, and go with the flow as well as I can. Either way, it will be over before I know it.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Dr. Appt Week 37
Once again, the latest Dr appointment was uneventful and went smoothly, which is a good thing. Baby continues to try to hide from the doctor as she tries to find a heart beat, to the point that the doctor thought maybe she had flipped around and was breech. Fortunately, she wasn't but it was entertaining to feel her wiggling around and responding, but the doctor still having to chase her.
They did my Group B Strep test, and my doctor and I talked a little bit about the epidural for the c-section. I explained the super itchy feeling that I had after the last one, and she explained that it's actually the pain medication included in the epidural that causes that reaction. She then said we would discuss our options with the anesthesiologist on the day of surgery. Essentially I have 2 options, either I have the same medicine and an itchy reaction, or I have a pain med pump put into place, which means no itchiness but potential for more pain.
Otherwise, the rest of the appointment was not exciting at all.
Now for the vitals:
My weight: went back down 2 lbs.
Blood Pressure: 112/88 - the nurse said this was a little high, but the doctor was fine with it.
Temperature: Normal
Baby's heartbeat: 146
Uterus: Measuring at 42 weeks!!!
The next appointment will be in just 1 week, and will be my final appointment before I have this baby. Woot.
They did my Group B Strep test, and my doctor and I talked a little bit about the epidural for the c-section. I explained the super itchy feeling that I had after the last one, and she explained that it's actually the pain medication included in the epidural that causes that reaction. She then said we would discuss our options with the anesthesiologist on the day of surgery. Essentially I have 2 options, either I have the same medicine and an itchy reaction, or I have a pain med pump put into place, which means no itchiness but potential for more pain.
Otherwise, the rest of the appointment was not exciting at all.
Now for the vitals:
My weight: went back down 2 lbs.
Blood Pressure: 112/88 - the nurse said this was a little high, but the doctor was fine with it.
Temperature: Normal
Baby's heartbeat: 146
Uterus: Measuring at 42 weeks!!!
The next appointment will be in just 1 week, and will be my final appointment before I have this baby. Woot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)