38 Week Update
As of tomorrow I am 38 weeks pregnant. It sometimes feels like I have been pregnant forever, but in other ways – I can't believe that in a few short weeks we will meet our newest addition face to face. I have to say, I have been pretty blessed during this pregnancy. I never had any "morning sickness" to speak of. Heck, I never even felt queasy during the first and second trimesters. I did have an inexplicable desire for citrus fruit and was obsessed with grapefruit and cuties for several months. I developed heartburn/acid reflux during the second trimester and that was not fun at all. Also, my hormones responsible for my mood were a little more active as my family can attest. I became a rage-a-holic during our annual summer outing this year in Tahoe. I was completely out of my mind and making scenes in parking lots. (No joke – sorry Laura)
We started our birthing classes November 8th. We would make the journey to Davis every Tuesday for six weeks. Our class was a pretty good size. We had nine other couples in our class – all expecting their first child. The first day we went around the room and talked about what our experience has been like so far and if we had any new pregnancy symptoms. Mark had to tell people during the 4th class that he has begun nesting. He was going on a cleaning spree that I have not seen before. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty as I'm not nesting yet. :)
We learned so much during our classes I started to feel a little bit like we were cramming for a year end final exam. We would watch birthing videos and I swear to God I would have tears in my eyes after each one. (What the Hell?!?!) I was back to being an emotional basket case. I felt bad for Mark during some of the classes, he must have felt like he was taking massage therapy 101. We learned about positive positioning, stages of labor, medical interventions, different birthing options, postpartum care, and we got to sit and talk with one of the pediatricians on staff. We toured the birth center and got to see the large birthing/labor rooms and the private recovery rooms. We also got to meet the head nurse of the birthing center which was great. She made a very poignant statement, she said studies have shown that the last memories to fade before we pass on are the birth of child and the death of a parent. I nearly lost it in class that day. I think about Dad a lot and wish that he was here to meet his grandson. I know that he will be with me when I deliver and will be watching over us, but I miss him and I always will.
My baby showers were awesome. On November 12th, my sister, Laura threw me a spectacular baby shower. She really went all out. We went with a whale theme for the baby's room and she took the underwater/whale theme to the limit. Mark and I were completely blown away. I was totally emotional at the shower. I almost broke down into tears when I was thanking everyone for coming. My workplace threw me a shower on December 2nd. I was so touched by how many people came and wanted to share the afternoon with me. It was really amazing. The managing partner of the firm bought us our 5-in-1 bassinet. I was taken by surprise and almost started crying at work. Man, I am such a baby!
We had been smoothly sailing along until our appointment on December 19th. Before I became pregnant my blood pressure was borderline high, but had never crossed the 140/90 line of fire. During the first and second trimesters, my blood pressure had been normal but on December 19th when the nurse took my reading – it was elevated above the line. Since then, the obstetricians have scheduled to see me twice a week. I go on Tuesdays for a non-stress test (NST) and on Fridays for a combination NST and ultrasound. They want to be sure that our baby is receiving adequate nutrition as high blood pressure can affect the transfer of blood and nutrients via the placenta. Everything is looking fine, although at my December 23rd appointment, the doctor had me go on bed rest. I was really upset, I only had 3 more days of work that I wanted to complete, but as long as the baby and I are healthy – that's all that matters. So now it's just a waiting game. I was told today that when women develop high blood pressure during the third trimester, they suggest that I deliver by my due date. So that means if I haven't gone into labor by the 14th… they will probably schedule me for an induction. Both Mark and I really don't want to go through that process – so keep your fingers crossed that our little boy gets this party started before the 14th!
Tags: baby
2 comments so far ↓
Love you & Mark very much! Auntie Ruth
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