My baby is doing some sort of dancing in my belly.
We are 36 weeks and 2 days. Tim and I were lying in bed watching Secretariat when all of a sudden my belly started shaking like it was having its own little earthquake. It wasn't your normal kicking, or moving, it was sudden, and fast. It lasted about 3-5 seconds. I decided not to worry about it, but it happened again 30 minutes later. This time I called the nurses at the birthing center. They said as long as the baby continues to have his regular movements that I have nothing to worry about. His movements are regular and it's been an hour since he had his last little crazy little vibrating dance. So everything is okay! But I've never heard of this happening to anyone else. I looked it up online and found that a few other women have had something similar happen to them. Nothing serious or dangerous!
We are going to see Dr. tomorrow. I'm really excited to see him again on the ultra sound screen, and can't wait to finally see his little face in person. (But I CAN wait... whenever he's ready he will come)
I got to float for a good 3 minutes straight today at sunset beach. It was heaven!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Lamaze
First Impressions
When Tim and I first talked about taking a birthing class I laughed at the idea. I thought it was silly and felt it was something you only see in movies or something only people who have a lot of money can afford to (or care to) do. I thought I'd read as many books as I could, talk to other mothers, and do what my doctors told me and I'd be just fine. Last but not least, and worst of all, I was arrogant. I don't need or want to say how. I didn't need some movie-like birthing class to show me how to breath a certain way while I'm trying to bring my baby into the world.
"Lamaze promotes a natural, healthy and safe approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. Knowing that pregnancy and childbirth can be demanding on a woman’s body and mind, Lamaze serves as a resource for information about what to expect and what choices are available during the childbearing years." (Lamaze International website)
All-knowing/All-powerful!
I left the first class with twice as much knowledge and with a new perspective on child birthing. I'm not saying I'm all-knowing after one class. I'm really saying how little I knew before, and that there is so much more to learn. On the first day of class we learned that birthing a child is natural. The body has all of the equipment and tools it needs to do this on its own without any unnecessary interventions. I learned to ask my doctor questions that I would've never thought of on my own, I also learned that I have My favorite thing about lesson one in Lamaze was that my partner was going to be with me every step of the way, and that he was going to learn what to say, what to do, and to be in total communion with me. I also learned more about my baby, skin-to-skin contact, slow-chest breathing AND effleurage. (You rub your belly lightly with your fingertips in a very sensual feel-good way. Not sexual! Sensual!)
We cover so much in Lamaze and I can't go back and do a recap of my first 3 classes. There's to much information and not enough time or space for me to organize my thoughts and write about it. I'll just write about today's class.
Today our teacher, Janice, used props to demonstrate the different ways in which a baby may be delivered. Her props included a baby doll, a pillow and sheer sack uterus, and an umbilical cord (like a stuffed animal) She sat in the chair with her legs wide apart and showed us different ways the baby might come out. The most ideal situation is when the baby's face is facing your butt and not your pelvis (or was it the other way around, I will check my notes) This is a position that the baby normally and naturally will get into on their own!
Interventions, Epidurals, Narcotics! Don't ever take Cytotec (google it!)
We also talked about interventions. A lot of doctors use them for medical reasons and some for their own convenience, but we have the option of declining them unless they are absolutely necessary for the baby's or mother's safety. We learned that labor is so much harder then we even imagine it to be now, but by knowing the stages of labor we can be prepared with a conditioned response to each and every situation that arises (practice required). Easier said then done, and that's where our partner comes in!
We also spent some time talking about epidurals today. She says we all have the choice of having one but she does say that it can prolong labor and increase the risk of an episiotomy or a tear. We also need to find out what's in the epidural. Some of them have narcotics in them some don't. We need to ask our doctor what type of epidural they give. The narcotics will get to the baby and that has the potential to be dangerous.
Questionable
Lamaze methods have been proven to work... we're not guaranteed anything at the beginning of our class. We are given knowledge and are supposed to practice the different tools we learn in class. I believe we can make it work. There are some things in the class we talk about that seem a bit silly and picky to me, but everyone has their preferences for child birthing. It's an amazing class and I would recommend it to everyone. Even women who already have babies. (We actually have several second time mom's who are taking the class with their husbands for the second time! YES! Same Baby's daddy as the first time lol)
Birth Plan
I could go on and on about this class so I'll just end by saying that Tim and I are working on our birth plan. We want to keep it as natural as possible and "we want to have a spontaneous labor without any unnecessary interventions." I have to put it into quotations because that is what my teacher said and I can't find another way to say it better.
I'm so excited for our little boy to get here, and a bit scared. So many things to prepare and plan but we are trying to be as ready as we can be and I'm so happy I have a partner and friend who takes such an active role in all of it. Tim is already such a good dad and I love him so much. 2 more Lamaze classes to go!
When Tim and I first talked about taking a birthing class I laughed at the idea. I thought it was silly and felt it was something you only see in movies or something only people who have a lot of money can afford to (or care to) do. I thought I'd read as many books as I could, talk to other mothers, and do what my doctors told me and I'd be just fine. Last but not least, and worst of all, I was arrogant. I don't need or want to say how. I didn't need some movie-like birthing class to show me how to breath a certain way while I'm trying to bring my baby into the world.
"Lamaze promotes a natural, healthy and safe approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. Knowing that pregnancy and childbirth can be demanding on a woman’s body and mind, Lamaze serves as a resource for information about what to expect and what choices are available during the childbearing years." (Lamaze International website)
All-knowing/All-powerful!
I left the first class with twice as much knowledge and with a new perspective on child birthing. I'm not saying I'm all-knowing after one class. I'm really saying how little I knew before, and that there is so much more to learn. On the first day of class we learned that birthing a child is natural. The body has all of the equipment and tools it needs to do this on its own without any unnecessary interventions. I learned to ask my doctor questions that I would've never thought of on my own, I also learned that I have My favorite thing about lesson one in Lamaze was that my partner was going to be with me every step of the way, and that he was going to learn what to say, what to do, and to be in total communion with me. I also learned more about my baby, skin-to-skin contact, slow-chest breathing AND effleurage. (You rub your belly lightly with your fingertips in a very sensual feel-good way. Not sexual! Sensual!)
We cover so much in Lamaze and I can't go back and do a recap of my first 3 classes. There's to much information and not enough time or space for me to organize my thoughts and write about it. I'll just write about today's class.
Today our teacher, Janice, used props to demonstrate the different ways in which a baby may be delivered. Her props included a baby doll, a pillow and sheer sack uterus, and an umbilical cord (like a stuffed animal) She sat in the chair with her legs wide apart and showed us different ways the baby might come out. The most ideal situation is when the baby's face is facing your butt and not your pelvis (or was it the other way around, I will check my notes) This is a position that the baby normally and naturally will get into on their own!
Interventions, Epidurals, Narcotics! Don't ever take Cytotec (google it!)
We also talked about interventions. A lot of doctors use them for medical reasons and some for their own convenience, but we have the option of declining them unless they are absolutely necessary for the baby's or mother's safety. We learned that labor is so much harder then we even imagine it to be now, but by knowing the stages of labor we can be prepared with a conditioned response to each and every situation that arises (practice required). Easier said then done, and that's where our partner comes in!
We also spent some time talking about epidurals today. She says we all have the choice of having one but she does say that it can prolong labor and increase the risk of an episiotomy or a tear. We also need to find out what's in the epidural. Some of them have narcotics in them some don't. We need to ask our doctor what type of epidural they give. The narcotics will get to the baby and that has the potential to be dangerous.
Questionable
Lamaze methods have been proven to work... we're not guaranteed anything at the beginning of our class. We are given knowledge and are supposed to practice the different tools we learn in class. I believe we can make it work. There are some things in the class we talk about that seem a bit silly and picky to me, but everyone has their preferences for child birthing. It's an amazing class and I would recommend it to everyone. Even women who already have babies. (We actually have several second time mom's who are taking the class with their husbands for the second time! YES! Same Baby's daddy as the first time lol)
Birth Plan
I could go on and on about this class so I'll just end by saying that Tim and I are working on our birth plan. We want to keep it as natural as possible and "we want to have a spontaneous labor without any unnecessary interventions." I have to put it into quotations because that is what my teacher said and I can't find another way to say it better.
I'm so excited for our little boy to get here, and a bit scared. So many things to prepare and plan but we are trying to be as ready as we can be and I'm so happy I have a partner and friend who takes such an active role in all of it. Tim is already such a good dad and I love him so much. 2 more Lamaze classes to go!
Monday, July 18, 2011
I love My Baby's Daddy LoL
Tim had a dream that we were having a boy and he was right! So excited to start this next phase of our lives together.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
To Count or Not to Count?
Up until last night, I never felt like I wanted my pregnancy to be over with. I had the worst, most uncomfortable sleep I've ever had (maybe in my life!) My body still feels stiff and rigid from a lack of peaceful, deep, beautiful sleep. If you had asked me yesterday, some people did, if I was ready for the baby to be OUT, I would've said no. He's safe where he is now. But there's a throbbing in my right quad right now from sitting on this chair, and sitting in the car, and trying to sit cross legged on my bed to watch movies and from walking. There is not one position I can sit in for 5 minutes that feels comfortable.
I tried to complain to my husband. Sometimes he'll rub my problem areas, but most of the the time he's digging his thumbs into me and it hurts. I need a massage. He tells me to call a massage therapist. The end.
I'm 34 weeks and 4 days along. Approximately 4-6 weeks to go till my little sweetheart makes his debut. I'm excited to look into his sweet little face and give him everything he needs to be happy and safe. I still feel that he is best where he is right now, but the pain in my legs and what's shooting down my lower back into my gluts is beginning to convince me otherwise. I don't even want to mention the frustration I feel with the heat, and driving in our stupid little black car that I made the mistake in buying! Ugh!!!!
On the bright and brighter sides... We are almost ready. We just need to organize our room a little bit better and we need to get something to give baby a bath in. We are halfway through our Lamaze classes and are working on our birth plan. Whether I count or not, he's coming. And I need to be ready. I look forward to it with anticipation and relief from the uncomfortable and awkward positions I get my body into. At the same time I realize that I will be losing a lot of sleep as well. Most of all, I realize that I'm ready to give up a big part of ME which I kind of won't really be giving up because I'll be gratifying my own selfish love for my little sweetheart, darling, bouncing baby boy.
It's a win-win situation either way. Either way's fine.
I tried to complain to my husband. Sometimes he'll rub my problem areas, but most of the the time he's digging his thumbs into me and it hurts. I need a massage. He tells me to call a massage therapist. The end.
I'm 34 weeks and 4 days along. Approximately 4-6 weeks to go till my little sweetheart makes his debut. I'm excited to look into his sweet little face and give him everything he needs to be happy and safe. I still feel that he is best where he is right now, but the pain in my legs and what's shooting down my lower back into my gluts is beginning to convince me otherwise. I don't even want to mention the frustration I feel with the heat, and driving in our stupid little black car that I made the mistake in buying! Ugh!!!!
It's a win-win situation either way. Either way's fine.
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