Big Thanks to My Hubby’s Job!

Last Friday, my husband’s job put on a baby shower for us.  I thought it was extremely thoughtful and above and beyond considering that he’s a guy…LOL. We played a few games, the food was great, and they were really generous with the gifts they gave us!

A Few Pics From 35 Weeks Pregnant Maternity Shoot
My friend was so awesome and did a maternity shoot for me and I got lots of pics with the hubby [which is rare since he's always snapping pictures of me ]. I can’t wait to get all the pictures from her, but here’s a few you all can check out for the time being!
Click to view slideshow.

36 Weeks Prenatal Visit

So my doctor felt that everything looked good with the ultrasound I did last week.  She said given my size she doesn’t expect me to have a huge baby anyway.  Our baby’s size is in the 20th percentile.  At the time, I didn’t ask my doctor about it because she said that it was good and she had no concerns.  Of course, I had to look this up because I totally forgot what percentiles meant.  So basically it means if baby girl was with 99 other babies, she would be larger then 19 of them, but the other 80 would be larger then her. I got tested for the Group B Strep, so I guess I’ll have the results at my next visit.  It really wasn’t that bad, I was swiped and it was over before I knew it.  Now I did get checked which is another story.  This was very uncomfortable and I do not want to be checked again until it’s like time to push! At the time, I hadn’t started to dilate, but I am 50% effaced! She said my cervix is very thin…so yay for progression! We discussed what would happen if I’m overdue.  My doctor will allow me to go a week past my due date.  After that I would need to be induced.  She talked about scheduling it, and I was like “can I cross that bridge if/when I get to it?”  I didn’t understand why I needed to schedule one if I don’t even know if I’ll be overdue.  She did say it would just be a “date on the books”. One of my appointments falls on my due date, so if I’m still pregnant at that time then I’ll go ahead and schedule the induction.  Prayerfully, labor will happen naturally on it’s own.

What I really appreciated at this past week’s appointment is that my doctor took the time to thoroughly go over my birth plan with me.  She said it looked good and she liked that I was remaining open-minded.  There were some the specific things she addressed:

• She felt that laboring at home as long as possible was best and fine as long as I was comfortable.  She instructed me to go to the hospital if my water breaks.
• I can’t have clear liquids while in labor at the hospital, but I can stay hydrated with ice chips and popsicles (I hope they’ll have flavors that I like)
• At the hospital I’m delivering at they do not have wireless monitoring.  She said that intermittent monitoring is fine, but that she would just need to check the policy (as far as how many minutes I would need to be monitored within the hour)
• In terms of the pictures/videos, they would just need to be done over the shoulder [not directly where the action would be taking place ]
• She doesn’t use forceps, if a vacuum extraction is needed it usually takes about 30 seconds and she says she would tell me first and not just do it.
• She does perineal massages and does not routinely perform episiotomies.  She said she’s only done 2 episiotomies out of all her deliveries.
• She would probably need to be reminded to allow the umbilical cord to pulsate.  She said it’s not a problem, they just routinely clamp the cord after the baby is delivered.
• She doesn’t give medicine to deliver the placenta, she usually tugs on the cord.  She said if it doesn’t come out after 30 minutes that she reaches in to get it…yikes! (Hopefully, that won’t be necessary)

My doctor also asked if I had my bags already packed, I told her that it was in progress and she advised me that I probably want to go ahead and have them ready.  (Does she secretly think I’m delivering before my due date? #WishfulThinking)

I’m still keeping up with my prenatal practice and now I’m trying to take long walks everyday up until I have her.  Now that I’m practically full-term, I’m just really anticipating welcoming her into our lives.

36 Weeks Pregnant Vlog

My symptoms are pretty much the same – Braxton Hicks contractions, vaginal soreness, and backache.  I’m practicing prenatal yoga twice a week now, so hopefully it will be helpful as I quickly approach labor and delivery time.  I had a “growth and size” ultrasound this past Monday, which was to serve as an estimate of the baby’s size and growth.  She’s approximately 5lb, 2 oz and is in vertex presentation or “head down”…yay!  I have my 36 weeks pregnant prenatal visit next Monday and I will be tested for Group B and my doctor will also check for dilation and effacement.

My Recent Baby Buys Haul

• Fisher Price My Little Snuggabunny Cradle ‘n Swing
  As I was researching swings, I saw that this was one of the most popular ones and it received excellent reviews. I can’t really give a full assessment until baby girl is using it, but I can tell you what I like about it so far.  The padding seems super comfortable for baby.  I love that this swings both back and forth as well as side-to-side.  I like the AC adapter feature, so that you don’t have to completely rely on batteries. In addition to the music feature, I like that there are white noise sounds such as running water and outdoors (birds chirping).  This retails for about $160 in local stores, Amazon sells it for $126.  If you have Amazon Mom or Amazon Prime, you can get free 2 day shipping.  God is so awesome…I was able to buy this from a local Once Upon A Child for $80 new in the box!

• Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard with Bassinet
  I knew that I wanted a pack ‘n play especially for when she gets older and also for when we’re out visiting.  After taking the childbirth education classes, which get you all freaked out about the possibility of SIDS occurring we knew that we wanted the baby to sleep in the room with us for at least the first few months.  I considered a bassinet, but babies outgrow those so quickly.  So I thought it would be more practical to go with a pack ‘n play that already came with a full bassinet, since you could still get use out of it after the baby outgrows the bassinet portion.  I didn’t feel we needed a fancy pack ‘n play with all the “bells and whistles”, I feel confident that this will meet our needs.  This is the Zooland style, which I thought was a very gender-neutral style.  This style averages around $69.  I found it at Burlington’s Coat Factory for $59. I was able to use a 15% off coupon and $30 gift card which brought it to about $24 with tax.

• Baby Jogger City Mini Single Stroller
  I had heard of the Baby Jogger brand, but had dismissed it because I assumed it was a jogging baby stroller.  And realistically, I will most likely not be jogging with the baby.  I was able to see this stroller in “action” at local store, Cribs 4 Life.  I was really sold on how easily it folds up and how compact and light it is once folded.  I like that you can add an infant cart seat adapter, which is compatible with most infant car seats.   I also like that this accommodates from newborn up through toddler, which I felt was very practical.  I’m so excited about taking our little one for her first spin. Baby Jogger is pretty firm on their price and I see it priced the same everywhere.  This style is $199.  I had it on my Amazon Baby Registry and purchased once I had eligible for a 10% completion discount.  So I was able to get it for $179 with free shipping.

• Angelcare Baby Movement and Sound Monitor
  Since our room isn’t too far from the nursery, I didn’t think it was completely necessary for us to have a baby monitor.  However, with being a new parents and wanting to be as cautious as possible, I thought this type of monitor would be worth our piece of mind.  This monitor comes with a mat that you can place under the baby’s mattress.  If no movement is detected for 20 seconds then it will alarm.  This system received excellent reviews.  It also has other features such as a built-in nightlight and a thermometer that tracks the temperature of the nursery.  I believe these go for about $120 in retail stores, and I got it for $85 off Amazon.

• Skip Hop Versa Diaper Bag
  I found out about this line of diaper bags through a friend.  After doing some research, I noticed that it had great reviews as well.  I love how the Skip Hop brand makes diaper bags that don’t scream “diaper bag”.  With being a purse lover, I love that the diaper bags have the appearance of a purse with the functionality needed in a diaper bag.  So far I’m very pleased, I hope I can say the same once I’m in the routine of using it all the time.  Most everywhere I see these go for $69.99.  Occasionally, Babies R Us has sales with 15% off on their diaper bags.

• Munchkin Damp Goods Bag
  I found out about this handy bag through umrvballgirl of YouTube.  This bag allows you to place wet items in it such as an article of clothing that your child spit up on, a wet swim suit, wet cloth diaper, etc.  I like that you can utilize this and not worry about other items in your diaper bag getting wet.  It folds up pretty compactly.  And it also has a mesh pocket, where you could store other items such as a wipes case or dry clothing.  This sells for $9.99 on Amazon.

• Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag Dispenser
  I also found out about this dispenser through umrvball girl of YouTube.  This dispenser snaps onto the outside of items such as a diaper bag or stroller.  This is a convenient way to grab bags to dispose of your baby’s dirty diapers.  The bag contains baking soda and is lavender scented so this aids with neutralizing the odor from the diaper.  This sells for $4.99 on Amazon.

Books Recently Added to Baby Trinity’s Book Collection

• I Am Michelle Obama: The First Lady
• Goodnight Moon
• I Love You Through and Through
• Animals (Baby Touch and Feel)
• Dr. Seuss’s ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!
• Full, Full, Full of Love

35 Weeks Pregnant Vlog – Part 1

35 Weeks Pregnant Vlog- Part 2

Below I have listed my birth plan or you can check out my birth plan video.  There are several resources out there for making a birth plan, one that I found really helpful was one of the birth plan tools located on The Bump, you can check it out here. I hope that my birth plan can be helpful to you.  However, if you are using a birth plan go with something that makes you comfortable and what is best for you and baby.

Our Birth Plan

Due Date: March 12, 2012

Hospital: Winter Park Memorial Hospital

Doctor: ____________

I.              Labor

• We would like to labor at home as long as possible, with our doula present, before going to the hospital.
• We are attempting to have a natural, un-medicated birth without unnecessary medical intervention.
• We understand that there are procedures, which may become necessary.
• Except in the case of an emergency, we ask that we be given the opportunity to accept or refuse any procedure or medication.

During labor I’d like…

• To have spouse _________, doula __________, and ___________  present
• The lights dimmed
• The room as quiet as possible
• As few vaginal exams as possible
• To stay hydrated with clear liquids & ice chips
• Maximum movement and position changes as tolerated and as what is safe for baby and I. (I will bring a birthing ball)
• Wireless or intermittent fetal monitoring
• No labor induction/augmentation unless medically necessary.  (If labor must be induced, I’d like to attempt natural methods first)
• To use natural pain relief methods such as breathing techniques, massage, cold/hot therapy.
• My partner and/or doula to take pictures/videoII.

  Delivery

During delivery I’d like…

• To try different positions (i.e., squat, lie on my side, be on my hands and knees, stand, etc.)
• Push spontaneously
• Avoid forceps/vacuum extraction
• A perineal massage and no routine episiotomy (I’d rather risk tearing)
• My partner and/or doula to take pictures/video

1. III.          Immediately after delivery

After delivery I’d like…

• The umbilical cord to be cut only after it stops pulsating and then to be cut by husband.
• To deliver the placenta spontaneously and without medication
• I would like immediate skin-to-skin contact with baby
• I would like to breastfeed as soon as possibleIV.

  Newborn Care Goals

• Please don’t give our baby sugar water, formula, or a pacifier
• We would like to be present for our baby’s first bathV.

  Breastfeeding Goals

• If not rooming-in, we would like the baby brought to the mother to meet its on-demand feeding needs.
• We would like to establish breastfeeding.  Please do not offer any bottles to our baby without parents’ notification of a medical need.
• We would like to meet with a lactation consultant before leaving the hospital to have techniques checked.
  
  VI.            Footprints

• We would like to have a set of footprints stamped into our baby book and on card stock when footprints are done.

Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural childbirth for our first baby!

Once I got into the book, I truly was unable to put it down.  Ina May is a renown midwife who has attended over 2,200 births.  Even more amazing, 96% of those births were delivered without medical interventions.  Ina May lives in this village within southern Tennessee, called “The Farm”.  The majority of women there give birth naturally and have great support systems.  The book starts out with several birth stories.  I was truly amazed to read different women’s birth stories, but with such incredible outcomes.  These births truly seemed fulfilling and gave me a greater understanding on the capacity and power of a woman’s body.

After the stories, Ina May discusses the powerful mind/body connection.  Often times, we’re taught to treat the two separate.  However, the two are very much in sync.  Ina May uses the example of the placebo effect, when a person is given what they think is medication when in reality it is a sugar pill.  When they experience a cure, they believe it was the pill that healed them.  In actuality, since they mind had thoughts of feeling better, the body just followed suit.  In childbirth, it’s extremely important to have your mind and body on the page.  Knowing this, I think the focal point concept from my prenatal yoga classes will be helpful during labor and delivery.  In class, when we’re doing balancing exercises I’m able to balance when I have a focal point to look at.  As I concentrate on being still and balanced, my body does just that.

Ina May is very descriptive of what happens to the body while in labor.  As she breaks down everything from the uterus to the cervix, you can truly see the wonderful way that God designed a woman’s body.  I like when Ina May says, “if men had such an organ [uterus], they would brag about it. So should we”.  She explains the stages of labor.

The Pain/Pleasure Riddle chapter, reveals that some women have painless even “orgasmic” births.  It was hard for me to wrap by head around it, but some of the stories I read in the beginning truly sounded like pleasurable births for some of the women.  I thought it was crazy that so women had even given birth in their sleep! Unfortunately, I think media tends to show the medically intervened side of birth, which tends to scare most of us.  I think if women weren’t “taught” to fear birth, that more would be able to go through this process naturally.  Think of all the years women did this naturally, before the introduction of medical interventions.

I find the Sphincter Law pretty interesting.  Sphincter is defined as “a ring of muscle surrounding and serving to guard or close an opening or tube, such as the anus or the openings of the stomach.” We have sphincters that are involved in excretion, labor and birth.  It is important to understand the properties of our sphincters in order to get them to work in our favor:

• Sphincters Do Not Obey Orders
• Sphincters Functions Best in an Atmosphere of Familiarity and Privacy
• Sphincters May Suddenly Close When Their Owner Is Startled or frightened
• Laughter Helps Open the Sphincters

During childbirth, it is key to have the necessary sphincters open to facilitate with the process.  I also think it’s important to be aware of what closes your sphincters so that you can avoid it during the time of childbirth.

The book also goes what you need to know about your pregnancy and prenatal care, going into labor, common induction methods (medical vs. natural methods), routines to refuse, different positions for giving birth, pain relief medication, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), choosing a caregiver, how to avoid postpartum depression and much more.

I think the most appealing section for me was “Suggestions for Maximizing Your Chances of Having an Unmedicated Labor and Birth in the Hospital”.  The suggestions included:

• Hire a doula
• Wearing your own clothing opposed to the hospital gown
• Drink a lot and pee
• Hydrotherapy (drinking water, get in the shower/tub)
• Remembering that birth is sexual
• Provisions for privacy
• Explore touch (massage, etc.)

Ina May also gets in depth with the power of the vagina.  And once again this goes back to the mind/body connection.  She discusses a breech vaginal birth where the mother imagined her vagina getting huge, she delivered her 7lb breech son without a tear. After reading what Ina May says about episiotomies, it really solidifies my desire to not have one.  Routine episiotomies offer no benefits and have so many disadvantages.  Ina May mentions that rarely an episiotomy can be justified. There are very few cases of when it would be necessary.

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth is nothing short of amazing!  This book was definitely an eye-opener and I feel I gained a lot of information that I hope to be able to apply with my upcoming birth experience.  I recommend this book for any expectant mother, especially for those desiring to go natural.  It is extremely informative and helpful for preparing both mind and body for birth.  It’s also nice to glean from the experiences shared by other moms in the book.

Past Week Symptoms

• Braxton Hicks contractions- although they are sporadic they do occur everyday
• Backache
• Lower pressure in vaginal region – I use to just feel the pressure/soreness when I turned over in bed at night, now I’m occasionally getting it as I walk and with other various movements.
• Fatigue – Enough sleep is still not enough sleep
• Nausea – This past Saturday I experienced nausea throughout the day and ended up vomiting during the evening.  I hope I’m not digressing back to the first trimester… (Hopefully, this was a one time occurrence)
• Lost part of my mucus plug – This happened this past Friday.  It literally looked like yellow snot.  I’ve read that some women lose their mucus plug in parts up until labor and some women lose the mucus plug all at once.

Today’s Prenatal Visit

• 147.6 lbs – up 4 lbs from 2 weeks ago and 27 lbs in my overall pregnancy
• Blood pressure – 120/71
• Fundal height – 32 cm
• Not sure of baby’s heartbeat, but Dr. said it sounded “perfect”
• Baby may possibly be head up, but she has time to turn (plus, I implement exercises everyday that aid with turning the baby)
• I’ll return next week for an ultrasound just to check on baby’s growth and approximate weight
• We went over scenarios of when I would need to go straight to the hospital and not even call – if I have 5 strong contractions within an hour or if my water breaks.
• We discussed birth control – this is important to me for two reasons – to space out children and to make sure my milk production isn’t hindered.  Birth control with estrogen can effect milk production, especially if breastfeeding hasn’t been established.  I’ll probably be going with what they call the “mini pill”, which doesn’t contain estrogen.
• I’ll be bringing my birth plan at my 36 weeks pregnant prenatal visit

Last Thursday, I got to see Dr. Harvey Karp in person at Destination Maternity’s grand opening.  He was truly awesome and got to see him calm a baby in action.  I’m looking forward to using the 5 S’s with our little one.

Prenatal Exercise Routine

Since it’s a possibility that baby girl isn’t head down, I’m becoming more “aggressive” with my daily prenatal exercise routine.  I have an exercise ball that I use everyday, in addition to that I do pelvic tilts, tailor sitting, squats, and lots of kegels.  I have a DVD called, “Quick Fix Pre & Post Natal Workouts”.  I was using this on a daily basis until I started getting more Braxton Hicks.  But I’m going to try to use it on a daily basis again.  I do prenatal yoga once a week.  And now for the month of February the Destination Maternity that recently opened up in my area is offering free prenatal yoga classes in addition to other childbirth classes for free.  They offer prenatal yoga twice a week.  So I’m going to attempt to do it three times a week until I have the baby.  I’ve read quite a few things on how helpful prenatal yoga is during labor and delivery.

This past Saturday, I met with our doula and we went over comfort techniques that  would like to use during labor such as massage, relaxation, breathing, etc. Also on Saturday, I received the crib and the flip over dresser – love them!  Now I’m just waiting to receive the rocker and ottoman.  The nursery is pretty much done and I should be able to put together a nursery tour within the next week or so.

Yesterday, I attended Eatonville’s annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival.  I was on the hunt for one of the African dolls that they sell out there (I use to collect them when I was younger).  I wanted to get a doll for the nursery, but I didn’t find one that I liked.  However, I was able to find a book to add to Baby Trinity’s book collection – “I Am Michelle Obama: The First Lady”.  It’s so beautifully illustrated and I’m excited about reading it to her.  When I was looking on Amazon, I was shocked to see that this book is selling from $54 – $105. I only paid $5!

34 Weeks Pregnant Vlog

Here’s how I created the labels:

1. Look for an image that you would like to be the focal point of your label (such as a onesie, rubber ducky, etc)
2. Create a background in Adobe Photoshop
3. Bring your background and image into Adobe InDesign to add text
4. Export file into JPG format and save
5. Go to Avery’s Design & Print Online application (located at www.avery.com)
6. Upload label or create a label using Avery’s Design & Print Online application.
7. Once label is complete, click “print” and it will convert labels into PDF format.
8. Load printer with label paper and print!

Here’s a more detailed video of the steps:

Avery’s labels were really easy to use. I like that they were glossy, so it made the design really pop! These labels are compatible for both laser and inkjet printers. And you do not have to have graphic design experience, Adobe Photoshop, or Adobe InDesign to make these kind of labels. Avery’s website is loaded with tons of templates that can be customized to meet the needs of your projects. Happy label making!

This past week’s symptoms

• I’m having lots of Braxton Hicks, I’m definitely having them on a daily basis.  Guess my body is getting ready for baby!  They’re not really painful, just uncomfortable.  The bottom of my stomach tightens for a few seconds and then it loosens.  They are starting become slightly stronger and last longer then they did initially.  I wonder if the frequency of Braxton Hicks indicates if she’ll come before her due date.  I’m ready to meet her anytime after being full-term.
• I’m still having vaginal soreness, but now I’m having it sometimes when I walk or with various movement.  I cannot imagine this coupled with the pelvic pressure that I should be feeling soon. :-/
• I’ve been meaning to mention that over the course of the past weeks, I’ve been having extremely dry skin – mainly on my hands, ankles, and feet.

Happiest Baby on the Block Class

I took the Happiest Baby on the Block course last night.  It was a brief, yet very informative class.  We watched a film, which we received copies of for future reference.  Basically the course taught you how to soothe your baby and to get your baby to sleep longer.  The film featured Harvey Karp, M.D. and oh my goodness this due is like the baby whisperer! He’s absolutely amazing! In the film, I learned about the calming reflex also known as the baby’s “off-switch” for crying and “on-switch” for sleep.  The soothing techniques for baby were broken into the 5 S’s – swaddling, side/stomach position, shhh (white noise), swinging, and sucking. We practiced swaddling on baby dolls in addition to the other S’s. To find out more on Happiest Baby on the Block check out www.thehappiestbaby.com.

33 Weeks Pregnant Vlog

My dear friends who prepared the food, arranged the cheese and crackers as well as the sandwiches in our baby girl’s initials “T” and “J”.  I thought this was very cute and creative.

I absolutely loved the dessert table!  My cousin did a beautiful job on the cupcake tower and cake pops. My cousin adorned the tower with ribbon.  I loved the zebra print on the top of the cake.  The flavors of the cake and cupcakes were vanilla and chocolate.  The cake pops were red velvet.

Our candy station by Edrina’s Sweet Sensation Candy Station was a big hit!  Edrina incorporated some decorative items from our nursery, along with her own personal touches.  She also created some games for our guests to play.  If you’re in the Orlando area and are in need of a candy station/buffet for your baby shower, wedding, birthday, or whatever your fancy is I would highly recommend Edrina.  She’s very professional, nice, and creative. For our candy station, she ensured that the colors coordinated and even included lots of candy that started with “T” (since our daughter’s name is Trinity”).

My cousin did a great job hosting the baby shower along with her husband. They incorporated quite a few games that got the guys involved.  The “How Old Were We?” game really kept everyone guessing.  Our guests had to try to identify how old we were in each picture.  I scrambled a variety of pictures of my husband and I from ages 1 to 24.  No one got them all right. And we had some games just for the guys such as: “make a baby” (the guys had to use playdoh to mold a baby, but they had to do it behind their backs), “bottle race” (whoever could drink the bottle the fastest won), and “baby food race” (whoever ate the baby food the fastest won).   The guys were all great sports!

What I thought was really special and added our own personal touch was the video we showed at our baby shower. It’s a video that tells the love story of my husband and I and leads up the makings of our expected baby girl, Trinity. Check it out here:

And of course hubby and I had fun opening our gifts! I loved that we had a co-ed (aka Jack and Jill) shower.  I truly enjoyed sharing such a special time in our lives with the ones that we love.

Pictures/video Footage from our baby shower:

My husband and I started our childbirth education class and we have an awesome instructor.  She’s a doula, childbirth educator, and does quite a bit at the hospital.  She encourages laboring at home as long as you can and natural childbirth.  She’s very open and really seems like she cares.  She actually gave all of us in the class her cell phone number in case we have any questions.  I’m looking forward to the next 3 weeks of class and I’m really hoping that it prepares me for labor and delivery.  We also took our Infant CPR class which I found very helpful.  I pray neither of us have to use it, but it’s good to be equipped with the knowledge in the event of something happening.

I’m currently running around like a chicken with my head cut off as I try to get everything done for our baby shower this weekend.  I’m really looking forward to it.  Our baby shower may be featured in a local magazine, so I’ll definitely keep you all posted on that.

Check out a more detailed account of my pregnancy happenings in my 32 weeks pregnant vlog: