Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Latest Baby Check-up...

... or how to make your doctor freak out.

So, on Monday we had our bi-montly baby check-up. To be honest, I've been feeling pretty good (as good as you can with all that additional weight to carry), and have not had any health issue since the beginning of the pregnancy (and praying for things to continue to go well and smoothly).
The one noticeable thing is that I'm getting big, pretty big according to some. This is definitely not something that worries me, but it is apparently of concern to our doctor. I got the usual measurement part on Monday and apparently I measure like a 33-week pregnant woman while only being 30 weeks pregnant. I've always been a little ahead, so it did not feel like a big deal to me, but my doctor started to freak out some about it. First, she asked me if I was eating a lot of carbs and sugar (I have gained weight, I can't deny it. But I do think it's mostly baby-related), which I don't think I am. But, to make her happy, I told her I would watch my sugar and carbs intake. Secondly, she asked if it would be ok to have a measurement ultra-sound at our next appointment. Again, this is fine with me; I was expecting another utra-sound in the last weeks anyway.
The thing that I'm not sure of is why the baby being bigger should be of such concern? I mean... Yes, I may have to "pop out " something big; but as long as I'm prepared for it and am aware of what is coming up, I believe things should be ok... If anybody has any thoughts on this or experience to share, I'd love to hear from you!

Anyway, my husband and I are pretty confident that everything is going well. My husband is even more convinced now that the baby will come early (he is predicting May 22nd), and so is most of his family.Also, we will see what happens in two weeks and what the doctor thinks about the measurement ultra-sound. There is one sure thing for us: the baby being big will not be an "excuse" to get a c-section. Whatever his size may be, this baby (and us) is going to experience a natural childbirth. That's our story and we are sticking to it :)

Friday, March 25, 2011

cafemom.blog on breastfeeding

This is an article I found this morning about breast-feeding and people's "opinion" on it...
Nothing is going to stop me from beast-feeding my baby; but that still makes me sad...!

Most Think Breastfeeding Moms Are Stupid

Friday, March 4, 2011

Bradley's Method

Today, I am sending my mom a copy of the Bradley's Method to Husband Coached Childbirth. I am hoping she will take the time to read it and that it will help her understand our choice.

Last time my parents were here for a visit, they asked about delivery and I told them about our choice for natural childbirth. Saying that their response lacked enthusiasm may be an understatement. All my mom could talk about was how sometimes you just have to have a c-section and that my dad fainted in the delivery room and never stayed. (she also kept saying "your poor husband will have to be in the room..."). I explained to her that I totally understand that it is a  very different experience for everybody and sometimes a c-section is a necessity, but I also mentioned that I am an optimistic person and I want to be well-prepared for a natural childbirth, and that I will keep praying for everything to go well and for our child to come into this world naturally. I also said that if something goes wrong, we will be open to alternatives, but it will only be under certain circumstances. I was a little hurt, I must confess, because even though I tried to explain things and keep an open mind, she solely focused on the negative things that can happen and how it went a certain way for her.
A couple of days later, I decided that I would send her a copy of the Bradley's Method. I don't know if she will read it or not, but at least I will have tried to share our choices with her.

Next step: explain that nobody will be allowed at the hospital until the baby is born (except my husband, of course)... My in-laws were very understanding about it; I'm not sure how my parents will react to this.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

It's bouncing!

Since last week, not only does our little one enjoy kicking his mommy's belly, he also seems to be enjoying bouncing all around immensly. It still surprises me to see my belly move all around, go up and down, and get kicked by little feet and hands at the same time, but I must confess that I love it. It is definitely one of the most precious things I have experienced with this pregnancy. Knowing that he is in there, moving around, having some fun, just makes every day so much better. Also, he seems to know exactly when I wake up at night and in the morning, and always makes sure to give me a little kick before I get out of bed.
I am definitely enjoying this time of the pregnancy, and at the same time I cannot wait to meet our little one! I may have no idea what he looks like, but I still feel like I already know him so well.

We also had another doctor's appointment yesterday. I say "we", though for the first time ever I was the only one to go to the doctor. It's not that my sweet husband did not want to go, but he had been sick for the past couple of days and did not want to get everybody around sick too. The check-up went very well. My weight gain still seems to be under control, and I passed the glucose test last Friday so that made me very happy. The baby's heartbeat was still good, though it was not always easy to hear because he was moving around so much :)
Apparently, from now on we have to have a check-up every two weeks... which makes all of this even more real and closer, I guess. There are days when I'm ready to panic, thinking of all the things that still need to be done (have I mentioned that my father-in-law has decided to redo our kitchen?), and there are days when I'm just ready for the baby to come out. I guess that's pretty classic when the third trimester is just around the corner :)
I think it's about time to pick up a name for the little one... Benjamin Scott Emhof is definitely my favorite, though it's still open for debate. We will see what the daddy decides :)

Friday, February 18, 2011

Colorful Cloth Diapers!

There have been a few things that have made me ridiculously happy lately, one of them is receiving the baby's cloth diapers!!!
I decided to go with the one-size Fuzzi Bunz and they now come in awesome colors! I tried to keep to more neutral ones - thankfully they had a lot! :)

Box of 18


the yellow ones are called "Mac&Cheese"... just saying :) 


I orderd Fuzzi Bunz "special package," which also came with a travel diaper bag, two pail liners, laundry product and cloth wipes....!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Almost through week 24!

And my husband and co-workers told me this week that the baby had moved higher in my belly and was definitely growing... so I decided to take some pictures.


I also had my first panic attack today... but this deserves its very own post :)

Friday, February 11, 2011

Doctor's appointment - February 10, 2011

We had another baby appointment on Thursday with Dr. Price. As Kalen mentioned it, it was for sure our shortest visit ever - which is fine with us :)

The baby is doing good; apparently I measure the right size (whatever that may mean :) ); his heartbeat is at 140 for now and should be decreasing in the coming weeks as he keeps growing bigger. We could hear him move while listening to his heartbeat, and it confirmed what I already thought: that baby is quite the active one!

My blood pressure is good; my weight is good - I am definitely weighing more than Kalen now!... though he keeps gaining some pounds too, apparently (I am so thankful for having a husband who agrees to gain some sympathy weight along with me :D).

Dr. Price gave us her direct number as well as her pager number, because she said we are getting closer and she wants us to be able to reach her if anything happens (I wanted to tell her: "Lady, thank you very much but that baby is not popping out anytime soon; I am NOT ready yet :P"... but I kept quiet, and just smiled and waved).
Oh! And the baby has actually reached 24 weeks today which makes him "viable" now; again, whatever that may mean. (All I know is that it's a good news, so I'm happy with that :)).

In the "other news" section, he started kicking last week and now can't stop doing it... He even discovered last night that he could kick mommy while she is trying to sleep - he and I may have to have a talk about this... :) He does also kick when I'm reading Winnie the Pooh to him; I guess he already has good taste in literature :)

Because we are getting closer (I guess we are three weeks away from the third trimester...!), our appointments will now be every three weeks.

Oh, and don't ask if we have picked a name... cause we have not :)