Thursday, March 30, 2006

34 Weeks 5 Days

I can’t believe I’m only a little more than 5 weeks away from my due date. According to “the book” the baby is a little over 5 pounds at this point. It definitely seems as if it is getting a little crowded for him.

It’s been a busy past week, with Nanny and Poppy Lush visiting, a baby shower and a trip to Montreal. I’m feeling pretty good, apart from a minor hand and feet swelling problem. Saturday in Montreal I had to break down and buy a pair of size 10 sneakers (I normally wear size 8). It’s a good thing sandal weather is almost here in Ottawa, because right now I’m wearing sneakers with my dress pants. Comfort is definitely winning out over fashion.

Joanne, Tracy and Lori hosted an awesome shower for me on Friday. Thank you guys so much. And thank you to everyone for your generous presents. They are all very much appreciated. We received everything we need, plus a lot of nice to haves. This little baby is definitely not going to be in want of anything. It’s hard to believe one little person could need so many things. I also can’t believe we’re soon going to have a new baby.

I had my appointment yesterday with the midwife and all is well. I am still measuring exactly right for the week (just over 34 cms) and the baby’s heart rate was really strong. He seems to have slightly changed his position and is now digging his knees and feet into my right rib cage. The midwife showed Mom and I where his bum is and where his feet are. If you push on his bum, sometimes he'll kick out his feet. Who needs television for entertainment ... His head is in the right general direction, but he hasn't droppped yet.

I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Now that I have my freezer full of food, I just have baby clothes to wash and fold.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Name the Baby Bump

It appears that John and I will have to find something to do in the evenings besides playing "name the baby bump". I had my bi-weekly appt with the mid-wife yesterday and she was able to palpatate and determine the baby's position. Turns out his bum is what's sitting on my right rib cage and his head seems to be in the right general direction.

My appt. yesterday confirmed that I made the right choice for me with the midwife. It's so nice to not feel like you're being rushed and to have time to ask all your questions. And the midwife doesn't routinely weigh you. Since even if you gained 10 lbs, it doesn't necessarily mean the baby gained any. Basically, they just listen to the placenta (yes it does have a sound - kind of like ocean waves I find, very weird) to make sure it's healthy and they guesstimate the baby's size by palpatating. My blood pressure was great, which I think is a direct result of not having been weighed directly before having my blood pressure taken.

My belly was measuring right on again ... 32 weeks - 32 cm. And the baby's heart rate was strong and in the 140's.

My next appt is March 29th. I'm working yet again this Saturday, but then I'm taking a few days holidays when the family comes from Newfoundland next week. I'm quite looking forward to having a few days off.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

End of Week 32

The date just seems to be coming closer and closer. Just 8 weeks left to go. According to the Internet the baby's movements peaked this week. John and I can certainly attest to that. We have now taken to watching my belly instead of watching t.v. Although this may speak more to the quality of programming on t.v. these days, than the excitement of the belly watching. According to the same web site, the wrinkles are disappearing from the baby's face, and there may be a lot of hair on their head! If the old wives tale about heart burn is right, then this baby is going to be born with an afro. Apparently since last month the baby has put on about 2 pounds of weight, mostly fat and muscle tissue, bringing the total to about three pounds eleven ounces (1.7 kilograms), and measurements to 40 cms or 15.8 inches! He's also taken a liking to the right side of my rib cage. John and I keep trying to figure out which body part seems to be sitting there, but we really have no clue.

As for me, I am definitely getting increasingly anxious. I don't know if nesting has kicked in yet or not, but I've become obsessed with getting ready for the baby. I am now convinced we will all starve to death if I don't fill the freezer with prepared meals. John assured me that as long as he has a credit card, we will not starve. Although, I'd say scurvy would be a certain fate for all of us if we have to sustain ourselves on pizza and Chinese.

Sleep is a little hard to come by these days, for both John and I. I am not a very enjoyable person to sleep next to these days. I keep tossing and turning all night trying to get comfortable. Then, between getting up and using the bathroom, getting up to get a drink, and then getting up again to try to find something to ease the heartburn, morning arrives all too quickly. For some reason, sleeping is never a problem at 6:00 a.m. when I have to get up and go to work.

We have also completed 4/5 of our prenatal classes and figure we pretty well have learned all we need to know. John figures whatever we don't know now the midwife will help us with. I think my breaking point was having to practice the correct breastfeeding positions, while holding a Curious George monkey wrapped in a receiving blanket. The rest of our class isn't very social. There is another couple from Newfoundland who tend to have a good laugh about it all with John and I, but everyone else in the class just gives us dirty looks. Long story short - we've finished our prenatal classes.

Just received another load of clothes last night from Newfoundland thanks to the very fast growing Sam. Thanks very much Nicole and Alex. We haven't gotten our act together to do much baby shopping yet, but clothes certainly won't be an issue.

We still haven't decided on a name. Although we've been bouncing a few around. We've been trying out a different name just about every day of the week. John trys to get the baby to indicate his preference, by kicking if he likes it. But he kicks at every name - so that hasn't helped much. We figure we'll just have to wait and see which name suits him when we see him.

I've also been experiencing what I think are Braxton Hicks contractions. You can read about them on this website: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/childbirth/156.html
My belly will go really, really hard periodically during the day. It isn't painful, just uncomfortable, especially when walking. I have an appt. with the midwife on Tuesday, so hopefully so can confirm that's all it is.

I'm going for a pedicure this evening, which will be very nice, since reaching my feet to cut my toe nails have become quite the challenge. Tomorrow is my prenatal yoga class and our spouses are invited to come. Hopefully I can convince John to join me. If I do I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

I'm off to bake casseroles, wash baby clothes and organize ....

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Midwives it is ...

John and I had our initial meeting with the midwives in Carleton Place yesterday. After thinking and discussing it, we have decided to go the midwife route. My midwife will be Kristin Stevens. But there are also three other midwives that I will get to meet, in case I go in labour when Kristin is away. I really like all of the support you get with the midwife. And since I will be delivering in the hospital, there is an OBS on call should the need arise. I also like the fact that you get more personal attention when you go for your appointments.

Yesterday was just an information meeting, so I start on my bi-weekly schedule next week with the midwife on Tuesday.