And Baby Makes Three

The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood

I'm currently reading The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood and it's kind of depressing. I think the point is to tell you everything that could possibly happen so that you won't be surprised if it does. Some of the other books out there are either relentlessly cheerful, or just don't tell you things the way a "girlfriend" would, so there's nothing wrong with reading this particular perspective. But I realized last night as I was reading it (while using the heating pad on my aching back) that the book was not filling me with almost-a-mommy gladness. Because it's missing the joy I will feel when I see my child, knowing that my husband and I created (with a bit of help from God) a tiny person. It's missing the happiness I will feel seeing my husband hold the baby and talk to him/her. Yes, I will be utterly exhausted. Yes, the physical rehabilitation on my part will take time. Yes, breastfeeding may not come easily to us, or at all. Yes, it will be difficult to go back to work. But this is a beautiful thing and I refuse to let this book suck away the joy. So, there.

Breastfeeding Class & Childbirth Class

I see I haven't posted here in almost two weeks. I've had a bad cold which I am still trying to permanently kick to the curb. As my sister said to me in a phone call Sunday, it does seem a bit unfair to have something additional causing you physical discomfort when you are in late pregnancy!

The second glucose test came back at 124, so I definitely don't have gestational diabetes.

The baby has been as active as always, working on his/her Riverdance routines in utero. I sing silly songs to him/her; neither my lyrics nor my melodies will be winning any awards. One goes like this: "I've got a big giant belly with a baby inside, a big giant belly with a baby inside, a big giant belly with a baby inside, and the baby's name is Roo." See what I mean?

Last Thursday evening I attended a breastfeeding class at the hospital. The nurse who taught the class said that at the least she wanted us to take two pieces of information away with us: how to position our baby at the breast, and how to know if the baby is getting enough to eat. We practiced positioning with lifesize baby dolls. There are three main positions: the cradle hold (where the baby's head is cradled in the crook of your arm and its body is parallel and crosswise of your torso), the football hold (where you hold the baby under your arm), and laying down (where you and the baby are facing each other and its body is parallel to and mirroring your body). One main way you know if the baby is getting enough to eat is that he/she will have a certain number of dirty diapers per day -- on the "what goes in must come out" theory.

The childbirth class on Saturday was great. I think both my husband and I were a little concerned that an all day class might get deadly dull, but the birthing center nurses who taught it did a great job. They took turns teaching/introducing the various segments. We watched a couple of short movies, did some group segments, got down on the floor to practice positions for laboring and breathing exercises. There was a break for lunch, during which K. and I went to a local sandwich shop for yummy sandwiches. I feel more knowledgeable about what the entire experience will be like and what it will be like at the specific place where we will be delivering (as some hospitals/birthing centers have different protocols/procedures, etc.).

32 Weeks and All's Well

Had an appointment this morning. My blood pressure was good -- 120/70 -- and I'd actually lost 1.5 pounds between the last appointment and this one. The nurse/midwife said she would have been concerned except that I told her about having that stomach bug a couple of weeks ago. The baby's heart rate is 140 beats per minute, strong and steady; my uterus is measuring exactly where it should be. I had the one hour glucose test again and am hoping, of course, that the level is normal this time. I ate a couple of eggs for breakfast because there are hardly any carbohydrates in them.

This is a sketch of what a baby in utero would look like at eight months. See where the little butt and the little feet are located? When I'm semi-reclined on pillows reading in bed at night, the top of my belly is often lopsided, as if he/she has nestled his/her little bottom up there on one side or the other. Or maybe it's a foot. Either way, it's kinda funny.

Pregnancy Brain Stories

Have had two "pregnancy brain" moments in two days -- a bit worrisome. Sunday I was grocery shopping and lost my cart. I'd parked it when I realized I had to go back for frozen broccoli and then couldn't find it again. Finally did, but felt like such a dummy. Thought I was going to have to call my husband (waiting out in the car) on his cell phone and ask him to come in and help me find it.

Then yesterday I was driving home from work and followed a sander/plow for a while, then finally passed it. Once I got around the vehicle I thought my headlights weren't working. By holding the steering column gizmo toward me, I got the brights to stay on. I figured it was some weird electrical malfunction. When I got to a well-lit gas station, I pulled in to check things out. The car was fine -- when I'd turned my lights on back in the parking lot at work, I'd only put on my fog lights. Duh! And it wasn't quite dark yet when I was leaving, which is why I hadn't realized it sooner. Man.

31 weeks and all's well

This has been a good week. The baby's been active. I've been a little tired, but managed to go to the gym Monday & Thursday, and plan to go tomorrow morning, too. I'm still walking 30 minutes total (5 minutes warmup at 2.5 mph, 20 minutes at 3.0 mph, 5 minutes cooldown at 2.5 mph) most times; I've decreased my top speed because it was bothering my back and hips to walk at 3.3 mph. I'm sure there are people who are more active than I have been and power to them. This is what I'm capable of sustaining on a regular basis. I began taking my iron supplements and decided to take them every other day for the first week to ease into it. The gift I ordered for my sister's baby shower gift arrived the other day. It's been so fun to be pregnant at the same time as her (she is ~12 weeks behind me). We can kvetch about various things, knowing that the other totally understands!