I went to the doctor on Tuesday, and I got some exciting news. I've already dilated 1.5 cm! I described what I thought might be contractions to the midwife, and she confirmed that that's what I've been having. When she did my cervical exam, she told me how much I've dilated. Then she said she could tell that I've been having real contractions (not Braxton-Hicks), because I have a "bulging bag." Basically, she said the space in my uterus has shrunk a little bit because of the contractions I've been having. So that means that it's possible that my water could break. She also said that means I could have the baby tonight or four weeks from tonight. Exciting!
Waiting is the hardest part though. I've had contractions on Monday night and Wednesday night. Each time I've thought, Is this it?! Am I in early labor now? But, not yet. I never realized that you could have (real) contractions and not be in labor, but the midwife told me I'd probably continue to have them because I have a surge of estrogen every night around 8:00. I think my surge must be around 9:00 or so, because that's about the time I've been feeling them.
The midwife also told me that most people don't feel these early contractions, so that has me wondering. Will my contractions in active labor be more painful? I should've asked, but I didn't think about it. I was just really excited to hear about how things are progressing.
Every time I think about holding my baby for the first time, I get choked up. The thought of all the pain involved with labor and delivery, not to mention everything that can go wrong, is a little scary. It'll be worth it though. I can't wait to hold my son and take him home! Wes can't wait either. Some people have said he's like a little kid waiting for Christmas. That's pretty accurate, actually. I've never seen a man more excited about being a father.
My mom told me about the "nesting instinct" that many women get when they're close to delivery. I definitely have it. I've been getting tons of stuff done around the house and at work. My suitcase is packed and in the car. Most of the baby clothes have been washed - the ones Isaac can wear right away, anyway. All the baby showers are done. Now I'm focusing on tying up a few loose ends at work and writing thank you notes!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
36 Weeks...Counting Down the Weeks!
I had a much quieter weekend this past weekend. We did not go anywhere or do anything but relax on Friday night. We spent Saturday morning cleaning up the house, and then Danny and Michelle stopped by for a visit on Saturday afternoon. Michelle missed the baby shower, so she wanted to give us a gift. Saturday evening was pretty low key too. Sunday was church as usual, and then April and Chris came over for lunch. April too had missed the shower and wanted to bring a gift. It was really nice to catch up with good friends this weekend.
I felt my first Braxton-Hicks contraction on Sunday night. It wasn't while I was at church though. I was actually working on some things for school with another teacher. There was a tightening at the top of my uterus, and it moved downward from there. There was also some abdominal pain too, but it was brief. When Wes heard that, his eyes got very wide.
Monday was a holiday for us, but it was a busy day anyway. I had a doctor's appointment in the morning. My blood pressure was even lower than it was last week--110/70--so now I can work another week. My uterus is still measuring 37 cm, and Isaac's heartbeat was 125 beats per minute. My appointments are becoming pretty predictable now. They check my weight, get a urine sample, check my blood pressure, measure my uterus, listen to the heartbeat, and answer any questions I have that day. And I'm having fewer questions, because things are falling into place now.
It was a leisurely afternoon. After I ate lunch, read, and napped, I spent the rest of my time going through shower gifts and washing baby clothes. In the evening, Wes and I went to Savannah again for our last class--infant/child cpr and injury prevention. It was pretty informative, and we practiced for a while on the mannequins. Hopefully we'll never have to use what we learned though.
I'm still working on my suitcase, but I'm almost finished. Experiencing my first contraction motivated me to get most of it done on Sunday night. I picked up a few items that I still needed from the store after work today, so the suitcase will be in the car tonight. I will be very glad to have that off my plate.
My long-term sub has already shadowed me and subbed for me on two different days, so I can now breathe easier at work too. I've been working on my lesson plans for the next several weeks, and I'm about halfway there. Fundraising is well under way, and most of what needs to be done for the study trips is taken care of too. Now I just need to get a few odds and ends done, and I'll feel ready to go on maternity leave.
36 weeks. Wow. Everyone says things usually go by slowly for the one who's pregnant, but the time has flown for me. Now we're counting down the weeks. Four more to go!
I felt my first Braxton-Hicks contraction on Sunday night. It wasn't while I was at church though. I was actually working on some things for school with another teacher. There was a tightening at the top of my uterus, and it moved downward from there. There was also some abdominal pain too, but it was brief. When Wes heard that, his eyes got very wide.
Monday was a holiday for us, but it was a busy day anyway. I had a doctor's appointment in the morning. My blood pressure was even lower than it was last week--110/70--so now I can work another week. My uterus is still measuring 37 cm, and Isaac's heartbeat was 125 beats per minute. My appointments are becoming pretty predictable now. They check my weight, get a urine sample, check my blood pressure, measure my uterus, listen to the heartbeat, and answer any questions I have that day. And I'm having fewer questions, because things are falling into place now.
It was a leisurely afternoon. After I ate lunch, read, and napped, I spent the rest of my time going through shower gifts and washing baby clothes. In the evening, Wes and I went to Savannah again for our last class--infant/child cpr and injury prevention. It was pretty informative, and we practiced for a while on the mannequins. Hopefully we'll never have to use what we learned though.
I'm still working on my suitcase, but I'm almost finished. Experiencing my first contraction motivated me to get most of it done on Sunday night. I picked up a few items that I still needed from the store after work today, so the suitcase will be in the car tonight. I will be very glad to have that off my plate.
My long-term sub has already shadowed me and subbed for me on two different days, so I can now breathe easier at work too. I've been working on my lesson plans for the next several weeks, and I'm about halfway there. Fundraising is well under way, and most of what needs to be done for the study trips is taken care of too. Now I just need to get a few odds and ends done, and I'll feel ready to go on maternity leave.
36 weeks. Wow. Everyone says things usually go by slowly for the one who's pregnant, but the time has flown for me. Now we're counting down the weeks. Four more to go!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
35 Weeks
I just got home from the doctor about an hour ago, and I had a much better report this time. Today my blood pressure was 120/80, which means I can continue working. I'm very happy about that. I'd done everything the doctor told me to - watched my salt intake, did yoga more regularly, and made more time to rest. I've still been busy at work, but I've been finding ways to modify my activities so I have more periods of rest. My students have been a great help too; they've been very eager to stamp warm-ups and hand out papers for me. And of course this goes without saying, but ultimately I'd put it in God's hands. I prayed about it, asked others to pray about it, and felt a peace about the situation. I knew that whatever happened, it wouldn't be the end of the world and things would work out just the way they should.
That is one lesson I've been learning since becoming pregnant - flexibility. I'm learning more and more how little control I have over things (like when I'm going to go into labor), and I'm not stressing about it. I tend to be pretty "type a" at work, because truly that is the only way I'm able to manage all of my responsibilities. But even there, I'm just learning to go with the flow and not worry about it when things don't go exactly the way I'd hoped. Priorities is another big lesson I've been learning, and I'm getting better at managing my time in the process.
Anyway, back to the doctor's appointment. Dr. Morgan said that Isaac is growing, because now my uterus is measuring 37 cm (3 cm larger than last week). His heartbeat is still strong - 135 beats per minute. She also commented on the ultrasound from last week, that he is in the 80th percentile as far as his weight is concerned. I asked if that's a bad thing, and she said no. However, she did say we'd have to see how things go with labor and delivery. Basically, what I took away from that conversation is that it's good that Isaac is so healthy, but it might be harder for me to deliver him. At this rate, he could be eight pounds or more when I deliver him - if he continues to gain half a pound a week and doesn't come early. We'll see though.
I also finished my birth plan last night, so I gave it to the doctor to put in my chart. I've started packing my suitcase, but I didn't quite finish by the end of last week. We had a busy weekend, because there were two baby showers.
On Saturday, I went to Aunt Pam's house. That shower was mainly family and a few friends. Eighteen people came to that one, and they were all very generous. One of Wes's aunts took one look at the gift table and asked if Wes was planning to come over later to help me take everything home. To be honest, I hadn't thought to ask. Thankfully, though, I'd already invited my mom and sister to come over after the shower so they could see the nursery. So between them, Colie's friend Tiffany, and Wes's mom, we got it all to the house.
On Sunday, Wes and I both went to our church shower. (The women's group wanted it to be for men and women.) I didn't ask anyone to help me get everything home this time, since Wes was with me. We both thought it would be a small shower, since we are by no means a megachurch. So imagine our surprise when 60+ people showed up. We were overwhelmed! Everyone from our church had been invited, as well as from Old Fellowship. (Old Fellowship is the church where we were both baptized and married.) It took us an hour just to open all of the gifts, and that was with both of us opening presents. Thankfully, my mom, Wes's mom, and Wes's dad helped us get the presents home afterwards. After they left, Wes and I looked at the gifts, looked at each other, and were speechless:
God has really blessed us, beyond what we could have ever imagined. He's blessed us with material things, but more importantly, also with good friends and loving family members. Somehow, a thank you note doesn't seem to do justice for the gratitude that we have in our hearts for everything everyone has done for us.
That is one lesson I've been learning since becoming pregnant - flexibility. I'm learning more and more how little control I have over things (like when I'm going to go into labor), and I'm not stressing about it. I tend to be pretty "type a" at work, because truly that is the only way I'm able to manage all of my responsibilities. But even there, I'm just learning to go with the flow and not worry about it when things don't go exactly the way I'd hoped. Priorities is another big lesson I've been learning, and I'm getting better at managing my time in the process.
Anyway, back to the doctor's appointment. Dr. Morgan said that Isaac is growing, because now my uterus is measuring 37 cm (3 cm larger than last week). His heartbeat is still strong - 135 beats per minute. She also commented on the ultrasound from last week, that he is in the 80th percentile as far as his weight is concerned. I asked if that's a bad thing, and she said no. However, she did say we'd have to see how things go with labor and delivery. Basically, what I took away from that conversation is that it's good that Isaac is so healthy, but it might be harder for me to deliver him. At this rate, he could be eight pounds or more when I deliver him - if he continues to gain half a pound a week and doesn't come early. We'll see though.
I also finished my birth plan last night, so I gave it to the doctor to put in my chart. I've started packing my suitcase, but I didn't quite finish by the end of last week. We had a busy weekend, because there were two baby showers.
On Saturday, I went to Aunt Pam's house. That shower was mainly family and a few friends. Eighteen people came to that one, and they were all very generous. One of Wes's aunts took one look at the gift table and asked if Wes was planning to come over later to help me take everything home. To be honest, I hadn't thought to ask. Thankfully, though, I'd already invited my mom and sister to come over after the shower so they could see the nursery. So between them, Colie's friend Tiffany, and Wes's mom, we got it all to the house.
On Sunday, Wes and I both went to our church shower. (The women's group wanted it to be for men and women.) I didn't ask anyone to help me get everything home this time, since Wes was with me. We both thought it would be a small shower, since we are by no means a megachurch. So imagine our surprise when 60+ people showed up. We were overwhelmed! Everyone from our church had been invited, as well as from Old Fellowship. (Old Fellowship is the church where we were both baptized and married.) It took us an hour just to open all of the gifts, and that was with both of us opening presents. Thankfully, my mom, Wes's mom, and Wes's dad helped us get the presents home afterwards. After they left, Wes and I looked at the gifts, looked at each other, and were speechless:
God has really blessed us, beyond what we could have ever imagined. He's blessed us with material things, but more importantly, also with good friends and loving family members. Somehow, a thank you note doesn't seem to do justice for the gratitude that we have in our hearts for everything everyone has done for us.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
34 Weeks...Time to Take It Easy Now
I went to the doctor today. My blood pressure was higher than it was a couple weeks ago (138/70), and I've had more swelling in my hands and feet that hasn't resolved itself with rest. Dr. Morgan said that they put women on bedrest if they get to 140/90. So now she wants to see me in a week instead of two weeks, since my top number is borderline. She said if the top number goes up to 140, I won't be working anymore.
I asked if there was anything I could do to prevent that from happening. She told me to reduce my salt intake and rest. She also recommended yoga, which I've been doing throughout most of my pregnancy. I haven't done yoga in a couple of weeks since things have been so busy lately, and I also haven't rested as much as I should have in the last week. I know I did too much over the weekend and during the last couple of days at work. Now my goal is to rest as much as possible and try not to overdo it anymore. I only get 12 weeks off for maternity leave, and I would really, really like for most of those weeks to be spent with Isaac after he's born.
Other than that, the doctor said everything else looked fine. My uterus is still measuring 34 cm. She also said that Isaac's head is down - "far down" - and his heartbeat was 132 beats per minute. (I'm very glad that his head is in the right position, because I want to avoid a c-section if at all possible.) I also worked on my birth plan some more since last week and shared it with Dr. Morgan today. She didn't have any problem with anything that I requested. Now I just need to make a few copies of it - one for my chart, one for my labor nurse, and one for Wes to have in the labor/delivery room.
After my routine appointment, I had an ultrasound done. The nurse who took care of that said that everything looks normal, but she did say that he is "porky." Basically, she meant that he's a little far ahead in his growth, but not too far ahead. A couple weeks ago, Dr. Morgan said Isaac might be two or three pounds. I told Wes I didn't believe that guess was right - that I thought he's more like four or five. Well, the ultrasound showed that he weighs 5 1/2 pounds right now. At this rate, he'll weigh over eight pounds when I deliver him - if I carry him to term, that is. I have a feeling he'll be early though. Wes took the pictures with him to church tonight, so I'll have to scan and add them to my blog later.
Our classes this weekend went well too. It turned out that the women who didn't have their husbands with them in the breastfeeding class were in the minority, so I'm glad Wes went with me. The class was scheduled to last from 1:30-4:00, and we talked about breastfeeding for every bit of two and a half hours. Afterwards, we made a quick stop at the mall, which is where I found this really cute outfit:
This is the outfit I plan to pack for Isaac to wear home. I can't wait to put him in it!
We ran into my parents on our way out of the mall. Interestingly enough, my parents were planning to use the gift card I gave them for the Macaroni Grill (my new favorite Italian restaurant), and we were planning to use the gift card they gave us for the same place. So we ended up eating dinner together.
Sunday was an extremely busy day. We had church in the morning. Then we went to Wes's parents' house for lunch. After that, we went back to Savannah for another class. This time it was a tea and tour of birthing facility, but they also spent about an hour talking to us about what we need to do in preparation for labor, delivery, and beyond. Every time the instructor asked who had done something (e.g., "Who's taken prepared childbirth classes?" or "Who's found a pediatrician?"), or if we knew what something was (e.g., "Who knows what a birth plan is?"), my hand went up. I felt pretty relieved after that session, because I realized that I am on the right track as far as getting things ready for Isaac's arrival. After the class, we raced back to the church and just did make it time. I stayed for the evening service, but skipped choir practice because my feet, ankles, and hands were swelling worse than they ever had before. I was in bed by 9:30, but I wished I could've gone to bed by 8:30. I was exhausted.
I mentioned last week that I'd started looking into pediatricians. I did name the pediatrician that I'm going to use to care for Isaac in the hospital and the one I'm going to use after we get home. I interviewed Wes's general practioner, and one pediatrician. I was supposed to interview another pediatrician, but his office called me two hours before the appointment to reschedule. The reason? He "doesn't do" consultations during that time. Apparently, the other secretary I'd talked to made a mistake. I already had the appointment scheduled, so I'm not sure why it would've been so difficult for him to go ahead and meet with me. I was highly annoyed by that, especially since he wouldn't make time to see me until a few weeks from now. (Yes, he wouldn't make time - I tried to be flexible by offering to come at different times during the day, but he only does consultations at certain times.) So needless to say, I decided to skip that interview. The way that whole thing was handled spoke volumes, and Wes and I decided not to waste our time pursuing that practioner. In the end, we decided to use the pediatrician that I interviewed (instead of the general practioner), and I'm very glad that's taken care of now.
My long-term sub came to shadow me yesterday, and she subbed for me while I was out today. She'll sub for me each time I have a prenatal visit (assuming I'm still working after next week), so I'm hoping it'll be a fairly smooth transition for my students. I'm doing as much as I can to prepare them for my absence, and I am very happy with the person I've chosen to be there in my place. I stayed at work late yesterday too, making sure that all my ducks are in a row. Now I can have the baby at any time, and my students will be fine. My emergency lesson plans are done, and I've given the sub access to my lesson plans. I've already finished my lesson plans for the next three weeks, and I'm working on completing them through March.
This morning, I typed my checklist of things I need to pack for my suitcase. I'll work on getting it packed by the end of the week. Then I have those two baby showers this weekend, which means I'll work on the nursery some more next week. After all of that is taken care of, I'll work on preparing and freezing some meals. My church and my family may bring us food after we bring Isaac home, I don't know. But I figure it's better to be safe rather than sorry.
So I've been getting tons of things done lately, but it's time to start taking it easy now. I do not want to be put on bedrest if at all possible. I've been resting a bunch since I got home from the doctor this afternoon, and now I'm off to do some yoga...
I asked if there was anything I could do to prevent that from happening. She told me to reduce my salt intake and rest. She also recommended yoga, which I've been doing throughout most of my pregnancy. I haven't done yoga in a couple of weeks since things have been so busy lately, and I also haven't rested as much as I should have in the last week. I know I did too much over the weekend and during the last couple of days at work. Now my goal is to rest as much as possible and try not to overdo it anymore. I only get 12 weeks off for maternity leave, and I would really, really like for most of those weeks to be spent with Isaac after he's born.
Other than that, the doctor said everything else looked fine. My uterus is still measuring 34 cm. She also said that Isaac's head is down - "far down" - and his heartbeat was 132 beats per minute. (I'm very glad that his head is in the right position, because I want to avoid a c-section if at all possible.) I also worked on my birth plan some more since last week and shared it with Dr. Morgan today. She didn't have any problem with anything that I requested. Now I just need to make a few copies of it - one for my chart, one for my labor nurse, and one for Wes to have in the labor/delivery room.
After my routine appointment, I had an ultrasound done. The nurse who took care of that said that everything looks normal, but she did say that he is "porky." Basically, she meant that he's a little far ahead in his growth, but not too far ahead. A couple weeks ago, Dr. Morgan said Isaac might be two or three pounds. I told Wes I didn't believe that guess was right - that I thought he's more like four or five. Well, the ultrasound showed that he weighs 5 1/2 pounds right now. At this rate, he'll weigh over eight pounds when I deliver him - if I carry him to term, that is. I have a feeling he'll be early though. Wes took the pictures with him to church tonight, so I'll have to scan and add them to my blog later.
Our classes this weekend went well too. It turned out that the women who didn't have their husbands with them in the breastfeeding class were in the minority, so I'm glad Wes went with me. The class was scheduled to last from 1:30-4:00, and we talked about breastfeeding for every bit of two and a half hours. Afterwards, we made a quick stop at the mall, which is where I found this really cute outfit:
This is the outfit I plan to pack for Isaac to wear home. I can't wait to put him in it!
We ran into my parents on our way out of the mall. Interestingly enough, my parents were planning to use the gift card I gave them for the Macaroni Grill (my new favorite Italian restaurant), and we were planning to use the gift card they gave us for the same place. So we ended up eating dinner together.
Sunday was an extremely busy day. We had church in the morning. Then we went to Wes's parents' house for lunch. After that, we went back to Savannah for another class. This time it was a tea and tour of birthing facility, but they also spent about an hour talking to us about what we need to do in preparation for labor, delivery, and beyond. Every time the instructor asked who had done something (e.g., "Who's taken prepared childbirth classes?" or "Who's found a pediatrician?"), or if we knew what something was (e.g., "Who knows what a birth plan is?"), my hand went up. I felt pretty relieved after that session, because I realized that I am on the right track as far as getting things ready for Isaac's arrival. After the class, we raced back to the church and just did make it time. I stayed for the evening service, but skipped choir practice because my feet, ankles, and hands were swelling worse than they ever had before. I was in bed by 9:30, but I wished I could've gone to bed by 8:30. I was exhausted.
I mentioned last week that I'd started looking into pediatricians. I did name the pediatrician that I'm going to use to care for Isaac in the hospital and the one I'm going to use after we get home. I interviewed Wes's general practioner, and one pediatrician. I was supposed to interview another pediatrician, but his office called me two hours before the appointment to reschedule. The reason? He "doesn't do" consultations during that time. Apparently, the other secretary I'd talked to made a mistake. I already had the appointment scheduled, so I'm not sure why it would've been so difficult for him to go ahead and meet with me. I was highly annoyed by that, especially since he wouldn't make time to see me until a few weeks from now. (Yes, he wouldn't make time - I tried to be flexible by offering to come at different times during the day, but he only does consultations at certain times.) So needless to say, I decided to skip that interview. The way that whole thing was handled spoke volumes, and Wes and I decided not to waste our time pursuing that practioner. In the end, we decided to use the pediatrician that I interviewed (instead of the general practioner), and I'm very glad that's taken care of now.
My long-term sub came to shadow me yesterday, and she subbed for me while I was out today. She'll sub for me each time I have a prenatal visit (assuming I'm still working after next week), so I'm hoping it'll be a fairly smooth transition for my students. I'm doing as much as I can to prepare them for my absence, and I am very happy with the person I've chosen to be there in my place. I stayed at work late yesterday too, making sure that all my ducks are in a row. Now I can have the baby at any time, and my students will be fine. My emergency lesson plans are done, and I've given the sub access to my lesson plans. I've already finished my lesson plans for the next three weeks, and I'm working on completing them through March.
This morning, I typed my checklist of things I need to pack for my suitcase. I'll work on getting it packed by the end of the week. Then I have those two baby showers this weekend, which means I'll work on the nursery some more next week. After all of that is taken care of, I'll work on preparing and freezing some meals. My church and my family may bring us food after we bring Isaac home, I don't know. But I figure it's better to be safe rather than sorry.
So I've been getting tons of things done lately, but it's time to start taking it easy now. I do not want to be put on bedrest if at all possible. I've been resting a bunch since I got home from the doctor this afternoon, and now I'm off to do some yoga...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
33 Weeks...A Very Productive Week So Far!
The doctor's appointment went well last week. Isaac's heartbeat was 149 beats per minute, and all my bloodwork came back fine. The results of the glucose tolerance test show that not only do I not have gestational diabetes, but I also don't have hypoglycemia anymore! That's exciting news, since I've been coping with hypoglycemia since the age of 14. Dr. Morgan said that it could come back after Isaac is born, or it might not.
My next appointment is next Wednesday, January 9th. I'm going to have an ultrasound as well as my routine appointment on that day. Janice (midwife) told me that they normally only do two ultrasounds, unless there is something the doctor suspects might be wrong. I don't think Dr. Morgan thinks anything is wrong, but she did say that my uterus is large for my date (34 cm). The ultrasound is to check for growth. So more pictures will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks!
I talked to Dr. Morgan about my birthing plan. She was open to the idea, so I asked her some questions to help me get started. I've also done quite a bit of reading on the topic, especially this week. I finished my rough draft today, and I'll bring it with me to my next appointment.
I've also started working on finding a pediatrician this week. I called every pediatrician, save one, who was in the phone book. I spent around twenty minutes or so talking to each receptionist, asking general questions. I also researched the doctors' backgrounds online, to find out their credentials and if there are any disciplinary actions against them. I'm going to interview one doctor tomorrow and two on Friday. So hopefully I'll find one I like and have that off my plate by the end of the week.
Today, I also pre-admitted myself to the hospital. I was browsing through a book that my doctor's office gave me when I first found out that I was pregnant and happened to read a blurb about that. The book mentioned that one could take care of pre-admission as early as six weeks before delivery, so I made the call. Now whenever we go to the hospital, there will be less paperwork and no waiting time. Wes will be able to tell them my name, and they'll send me to a room immediately.
I've been reading a book called Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. It was recommended in our prepared childbirth class, and we picked it up from Barnes and Noble last week. There is so much valuable information in the book, from how to bathe a baby to how to differentiate between the different cries to how to recognize signs of various illnesses. I used the information in this book to help me know what to ask the pediatricians in the interviews later this week, and I've also been getting some good ideas about things to do to prepare for Isaac's arrival.
I must admit, though, that I am becoming somewhat frantic about getting everything done. My big fear right now is that he'll be born early and that I won't have time to get everything done before the big day. I still have to pack my suitcase, prepare and freeze some meals, and finish fixing up the nursery. Not to mention get everything ready for the substitute, prepare my students for my leave of absence, and have everything lined up for the upcoming study trips to Washington, D.C. and New York.
The next couple of weekends are going to be busy too. We're going to a breastfeeding class on Saturday. Wes isn't thrilled about going with me, but he's agreed to do it anyway. He's afraid he might be the only man in the class - and he very well could be - but he's doing it so I won't have to drive all the way to Savannah by myself, and so he can be there to offer moral support. Then on Sunday afternoon, we're going to do a tea and tour of the birth center. Next weekend, there will be two showers - one on Saturday, and one on Sunday.
I'm really glad that my Christmas break has been so relaxing. I think God knew we needed a season of refreshing before things got really busy. And Lord knows I'm going to need all the energy I can muster with everything that's going to be happening in the next few months, especially after Isaac is born. Now tomorrow, it's back to work. Two days of preplanning, and then the students come back on Monday!
My next appointment is next Wednesday, January 9th. I'm going to have an ultrasound as well as my routine appointment on that day. Janice (midwife) told me that they normally only do two ultrasounds, unless there is something the doctor suspects might be wrong. I don't think Dr. Morgan thinks anything is wrong, but she did say that my uterus is large for my date (34 cm). The ultrasound is to check for growth. So more pictures will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks!
I talked to Dr. Morgan about my birthing plan. She was open to the idea, so I asked her some questions to help me get started. I've also done quite a bit of reading on the topic, especially this week. I finished my rough draft today, and I'll bring it with me to my next appointment.
I've also started working on finding a pediatrician this week. I called every pediatrician, save one, who was in the phone book. I spent around twenty minutes or so talking to each receptionist, asking general questions. I also researched the doctors' backgrounds online, to find out their credentials and if there are any disciplinary actions against them. I'm going to interview one doctor tomorrow and two on Friday. So hopefully I'll find one I like and have that off my plate by the end of the week.
Today, I also pre-admitted myself to the hospital. I was browsing through a book that my doctor's office gave me when I first found out that I was pregnant and happened to read a blurb about that. The book mentioned that one could take care of pre-admission as early as six weeks before delivery, so I made the call. Now whenever we go to the hospital, there will be less paperwork and no waiting time. Wes will be able to tell them my name, and they'll send me to a room immediately.
I've been reading a book called Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. It was recommended in our prepared childbirth class, and we picked it up from Barnes and Noble last week. There is so much valuable information in the book, from how to bathe a baby to how to differentiate between the different cries to how to recognize signs of various illnesses. I used the information in this book to help me know what to ask the pediatricians in the interviews later this week, and I've also been getting some good ideas about things to do to prepare for Isaac's arrival.
I must admit, though, that I am becoming somewhat frantic about getting everything done. My big fear right now is that he'll be born early and that I won't have time to get everything done before the big day. I still have to pack my suitcase, prepare and freeze some meals, and finish fixing up the nursery. Not to mention get everything ready for the substitute, prepare my students for my leave of absence, and have everything lined up for the upcoming study trips to Washington, D.C. and New York.
The next couple of weekends are going to be busy too. We're going to a breastfeeding class on Saturday. Wes isn't thrilled about going with me, but he's agreed to do it anyway. He's afraid he might be the only man in the class - and he very well could be - but he's doing it so I won't have to drive all the way to Savannah by myself, and so he can be there to offer moral support. Then on Sunday afternoon, we're going to do a tea and tour of the birth center. Next weekend, there will be two showers - one on Saturday, and one on Sunday.
I'm really glad that my Christmas break has been so relaxing. I think God knew we needed a season of refreshing before things got really busy. And Lord knows I'm going to need all the energy I can muster with everything that's going to be happening in the next few months, especially after Isaac is born. Now tomorrow, it's back to work. Two days of preplanning, and then the students come back on Monday!
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