Thursday, August 27, 2009

I got to meet Bobby Cox!


He was such a nice guy. I know he's known for throwing bases, kicking batting helmets, and discovering other creative ways to get thrown out of games, but he was so patient with our group. He signed autographs and took photos with everyone. And yes, I was 37 weeks pregnant in these pics and had driven to Atlanta and back by myself. It was a very long day, but what can I say? I'm a dedicated fan and wasn't going to miss the chance to meet Bobby and the boys. I've been watching them on TBS since I was a little kid. If only I had gotten to meet Jeffrey- then it would have been a dream come true.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

We have progress, people!

Today I went to see my midwife for my 36-week appointment. We had the Strep-B test, along with the standard stuff. Blood pressure still looks good (106/60), weight gain is at about 11 pounds, urinalysis came back fine. After the Strep-B test, the nurse advised me to stay in my gown, because "Carlene usually doesn't do internals until 37-38 weeks, but just in case......"

So Carlene checked the heart rate (still in the 120s....boy?!?!?!) and measured me (a little small at 34, but not out of the realm of normal). She felt for the baby's position, and he/she's still head down and ANTERIOR! YAY!!! Then she made a comment about exactly HOW LOW that head was...and randomly asked if I minded if she do an internal. Of course, I was curious, so I told her to go ahead. Big news:

At 36 weeks, the baby's head is already fully engaged (i.e. locked in the pelvis), I'm 50% effaced and almost 2 cm dilated! Wowwwwwww...I was so surprised. Now, I KNOW this might not mean anything, and I could stay this way for weeks, but....Carlene said she would be very, very surprised if I made it to my due date....38 weeks might be more realistic. Yowza.

Game on!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Runnin' against the wind....


Last Saturday I finished another 5K. I have to say that even though I was 34 weeks, it was one of the most comfortable runs of this whole pregnancy! I ended up finishing in 30:50, which still feels ridiculously slow to me.....can't wait until I am running *normally* again. According to my midwife, assuming no tearing, stitches, etc. I could start running again 2-3 weeks post-delivery. Here are crossed fingers for a healthy baby and a natural delivery!

I'll have 35 weeks down tomorrow. Even though I am able to run comfortably, I feel so uncomfortable the rest of the time! I think running really clears my head and distracts me from how big I am, the everyday aches and pains of pregnancy, etc. The Braxton-Hicks contractions that I've been having for weeks have developed from being painless (just feeling tightening) to downright uncomfortable at times. I don't think sitting at my desk all day helps- although I do make sure to get up and walk around frequently. I am staying VERY hydrated as well, because I know that can contribute to BH as well. I have also noticed that sometimes the baby gets in this awful position that pushes against my belly button! I do everything I can to reposition him or her- it drives me crazy and is super uncomfortable.

I can't help but shake the feeling that this baby is going to come sooner rather than later, and that my body's gearing up for it. Of course, this could all be wishful thinking- it seems like every first-time-mama I know went AT LEAST 40 weeks. I'll try to remember to take a tummy pic after my run tomorrow.

PS- When this baby is born, I am soooo investing in some awesome new shoes!

Friday, August 7, 2009

The nursery....

...is almost done! It seems like it took forever, mainly because a few of the things we have are older and needed some sprucing up. But I am all for reusing items, so I didn't mind that much. Take this glider, for instance. The old cushions were a weird plaid...

...so I made new covers for them. The fabric I picked out has baby ducklings on it! With a couple of coats of paint and new covers, the glider looks like new.

The crib was a hand-me-down as well. It was in good shape but needed some new paint. As Brett said, "You can't expect this thing to look good- it had to contain Chris (his cousin) when he was a baby." One coat of primer and two coats of paint later, it looks great. I highly recommend Olympic's no-VOC paint. Environmentally friendly, low odor, and much more safe than traditional paint. I still wore a mask to paint, though.

I sort of underestimated this job. The crib doesn't have that much surface area, but the rails are curved, so it took FOREVER to paint. I'm really happy with how it came out.

My mother-in-law passed on this table. It was already painted a complementary blue, so it was good-to-go. I just need to pick up some plants to put on it. Did you know that plants do a great job of both reducing internal air pollution and increasing humidity? Every nursery should have at least one, preferably two (in my humble opinion.)

Basically, all that's left to do is install one last piece of chair rail, get some baskets for the changing table (to replace the tools there now), and hang pictures! Can't wait to see what it looks like totally done...but I do admit that I feel much more relaxed now having at least this much done.


Monday, August 3, 2009

Random thought.

Just throwing this out there:

My due date is 16 September.


Labor Day, get it??

I pledge here and now that if I haven't delivered by race day I'm going for it, even if I only do the 1-mile fun run instead of the 5K. But probably the 5K.

PS: I'm racing this Saturday in Warner Robins. Stay tuned for pics- which I'm making Brett take as photographic evidence.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Birth plan.

This week in our natural childbirth class we'll be covering birth plans. We were told to bring ours in so we can discuss what we've come up with so far. It's a work in progress, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I borrowed from books, friends, etc. etc. to build it. Anyways, I want to throw it out there in case anyone else is in the process of building a birth plan as well....and to seek any suggestions/additions from other mamas! Based on the suggestions of numerous people, I've managed to keep it to one page.

Our goal is to deliver our baby as safely and naturally as possible without unnecessary medications or procedures. While we are committed to this ideal and have taken great care to prepare ourselves physically and emotionally for a natural birth, we understand that birthing is a process that seldom goes precisely as planned. As such, we will work willingly with our care providers to adjust our plan and to make alternative decisions about labor, delivery, and postpartum care should the need arise. We understand that final decisions about our care will be discussed and agreed upon in the birthing room with Emily’s well-being and that of our baby being the most important considerations.

In addition, Emily wishes:

First-Stage Labor

- Please do not offer medications or suggestions for use of medications unless requested by Emily

- Intermittent (not continuous) monitoring

- Emily would like freedom to move/walk around and use tub/shower during labor

- Emily would like to stay hydrated through fluid consumption, not an iv

- No vaginal exams following rupture of membranes

- To avoid augmentation measures such as the artificial rupturing or stripping of membranes and/or pitocin unless a specific medical need arises.

- If our midwife determines that a Cesarean birth is indicated or if other complications arise, we request that all courses of action be explained thoroughly and performed only with our active consent.

- In the case of a Cesarean birth, Brett and Wilma (doula) will accompany Emily in the operating room

Second-Stage Labor

- A range of choices of positions for pushing

- To avoid episiotomy, to protect actively against tearing through the use of perineal massage/hot compresses/position changes- please don’t rush pushing

- Please place baby immediately on mother’s abdomen after delivery

- Allow Brett (dad) to announce the baby's sex

- Allow Brett to cut the cord, only after it has stopped pulsing

- Baby to breastfeed as soon as it is ready

After Birth

- No pitocin/pulling of cord to deliver placenta- to save the placenta (refrigerate immediately)

- Baby to room-in with mother at all times, or to be accompanied by Brett if need arises for baby to visit nursery

- Please allow Emily to give baby’s first bath

- Please delay all routine procedures for the baby for at least one hour after delivery

- No Hepatitis B vaccine or antibiotic eye ointment/Silver Nitrate to be given to baby

- Baby to be breastfed exclusively. Please, no bottles, pacifiers, formula, or water

Thank you again for your support and for your kind attention to our choices.