So today Brian and I had a doctor's appointment and another Baby Class. Not to worry though, the Baby Class was on breastfeeding and the instructor was awesome! She was knowledgeable, funny, entertaining, and objective. A completely different experience than the other class. The only thing that was similar was the fact that I had contractions.
Yes you read right, I had contractions. 3 in an hour in fact but I didn't time them because I knew they were from the fact that we had just come from our doctor's appointment. Since I am 37 weeks along, the doctor will be checking me every week to see if I've, "made progress." I knew this was coming because at our 35 week appointment he checked and it happened so I guess I just FIGURED it would happen this time too. BTW - we didn't have an appointment last week because my doctor was sick and I felt great.
Anyway, we went into this appointment armed with a couple of questions: 1) Was the phone number on this little form correct? If I go into labor, we want to make sure we're calling a current number! 2)I am really scared of... well I won't tell you that. It's too much information for even ME to know - ish! and 3)I've been having all sorts of pressure in my belly and in my abdomen. Uncomfortable pressure - what is that? Our doctor was awesome and told us the phone number was correct, not to worry about #2 (that sounds COMPLETELY different than how it should) and the pressure is just the baby getting into position.
ALREADY!? YAY and OH MY GOODNESS all at the same time!
So he checked me out and said that my belly is measuring a cm behind, which is good because that means Adelle has dropped. He also said that I am 40% effaced and 1cm dilated!! I can not WAIT for next week's appointment to see if I've progressed any further! I mean, I still want her to come when she is ready, healthy and around her due date, I just like seeing progress. It makes me feel good.
So keep your fingers crossed that I will have made a LITTLE bit of progress at next weeks appointment!
Showing posts with label Classes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Classes. Show all posts
Monday, December 14
Tuesday, December 1
Doctor Appointment and Baby Class #5
Mondays have been quite hectic for us but we have made it thus far! We start out the day with work, then go to a doctor's appointment - which are weekly now - and then to a baby class!
At this weeks' appointment, everything was great. My weight was great (though hard to see - as always) and my blood pressure was up from last time, but I was worried about something so we think it will go back down next week. I should also mention, that even though it was up, it was still fantastic. I had been having blood pressure levels in the 104/60 range and Monday it was 118/70 - yay me! The test for protein was negative and the doctor said my belly was measuring right on track. He checked my progress and told me I hadn't started changing yet, which bummed me out a little bit, but also made me relieved. Her due date isn't for another month and I want her to come when she is ready, but a month early seems too early, ya know? I was also tested for group B strep.
I mentioned above that I was worried about something, and I was, kind of. We've had the fortune of having two rather lengthy ultrasounds and I have loved being able to see our little girl grow, move, yawn and rest. However, I got nervous that she wasn't a she. Only the first ultrasound tech was "able to see" the girl parts while the other "couldn't see for sure". While the first tech was absolutely positive that our little one was a girl, when she asked us what we thought I didn't know - I couldn't be positive and she didn't explain it or show us something different to compare it to. I know that isn't her job, but it really would have been nice. Anyway, so we have gotten all of these girl clothes and pink items and I got scared that we would have a boy, thanks to a dream I had. UGH! So our wonderful doctor brought in the ultrasound machine on Monday and let us look at our baby again. He found the parts and asked us - why do they keep asking us?! - to tell him what we saw. All I could say was, "I don't see what I think I would see if it were a boy." Why I couldn't say the ACTUAL words is beyond me. I clearly reverted to my 3rd grade self when all of that was taboo and funny. Luckily our doctor has a good sense of humor because he smiled and said, "Well, we have to be a little more exact than, 'we don't see boy parts.' Here is the...." and he basically told us we are going to have a girl! I am not going to say EXACTLY what he said, because I just don't want to, but we definitely having a girl. I called my Mom after the appointment and told her "the news" and she just laughed and asked if we had a name picked out. I am so blessed to have people in my life who understand how cooky I can be sometimes.
After that we went to Chipotle for dinner since our class started pretty soon after the appointment, and I got a chicken burrito. Yummy! I generally don't get a burrito there because I can't finish it, but I was FAMISHED and ordered one anyway. Guess what happened?! Yup - I still couldn't finish it. I barely made it half way through it!! What was I thinking?! I felt really bad about wasting that but Brian and I picked at it a little while we were waiting for class to start so it wasn't too bad I guess. :(
Class tonight was all about newborns. We were given a doll and told one of us had to be holding the 'baby' all through class. This wasn't hard, except for the part where Adelle does NOT like pressure put on the belly! The only comfortable position for me to hold the doll in was toward the top of my belly and that wasn't comfortable because I was full and Adelle would start kicking. As soon as I moved the doll, Adelle would stop. And then I experienced my first contractions. WTH!? They weren't bad and I had read I might get them after cervical exams, but I guess I wasn't ready for the 2 hour delay. When I would feel them I would put my hand on my belly, close my eyes, and breathe. I only got a few, but they were close together - about 5 minutes apart. When I expected the next one, it didn't come when the others had and then I forgot about them and went on with class. Strange!
Next week is our last Birth and Parenting class and Brian and I can't wait! I don't even remember what we're going to be talking about, but we're both just happy that it's our last.
At this weeks' appointment, everything was great. My weight was great (though hard to see - as always) and my blood pressure was up from last time, but I was worried about something so we think it will go back down next week. I should also mention, that even though it was up, it was still fantastic. I had been having blood pressure levels in the 104/60 range and Monday it was 118/70 - yay me! The test for protein was negative and the doctor said my belly was measuring right on track. He checked my progress and told me I hadn't started changing yet, which bummed me out a little bit, but also made me relieved. Her due date isn't for another month and I want her to come when she is ready, but a month early seems too early, ya know? I was also tested for group B strep.
I mentioned above that I was worried about something, and I was, kind of. We've had the fortune of having two rather lengthy ultrasounds and I have loved being able to see our little girl grow, move, yawn and rest. However, I got nervous that she wasn't a she. Only the first ultrasound tech was "able to see" the girl parts while the other "couldn't see for sure". While the first tech was absolutely positive that our little one was a girl, when she asked us what we thought I didn't know - I couldn't be positive and she didn't explain it or show us something different to compare it to. I know that isn't her job, but it really would have been nice. Anyway, so we have gotten all of these girl clothes and pink items and I got scared that we would have a boy, thanks to a dream I had. UGH! So our wonderful doctor brought in the ultrasound machine on Monday and let us look at our baby again. He found the parts and asked us - why do they keep asking us?! - to tell him what we saw. All I could say was, "I don't see what I think I would see if it were a boy." Why I couldn't say the ACTUAL words is beyond me. I clearly reverted to my 3rd grade self when all of that was taboo and funny. Luckily our doctor has a good sense of humor because he smiled and said, "Well, we have to be a little more exact than, 'we don't see boy parts.' Here is the...." and he basically told us we are going to have a girl! I am not going to say EXACTLY what he said, because I just don't want to, but we definitely having a girl. I called my Mom after the appointment and told her "the news" and she just laughed and asked if we had a name picked out. I am so blessed to have people in my life who understand how cooky I can be sometimes.
After that we went to Chipotle for dinner since our class started pretty soon after the appointment, and I got a chicken burrito. Yummy! I generally don't get a burrito there because I can't finish it, but I was FAMISHED and ordered one anyway. Guess what happened?! Yup - I still couldn't finish it. I barely made it half way through it!! What was I thinking?! I felt really bad about wasting that but Brian and I picked at it a little while we were waiting for class to start so it wasn't too bad I guess. :(
Class tonight was all about newborns. We were given a doll and told one of us had to be holding the 'baby' all through class. This wasn't hard, except for the part where Adelle does NOT like pressure put on the belly! The only comfortable position for me to hold the doll in was toward the top of my belly and that wasn't comfortable because I was full and Adelle would start kicking. As soon as I moved the doll, Adelle would stop. And then I experienced my first contractions. WTH!? They weren't bad and I had read I might get them after cervical exams, but I guess I wasn't ready for the 2 hour delay. When I would feel them I would put my hand on my belly, close my eyes, and breathe. I only got a few, but they were close together - about 5 minutes apart. When I expected the next one, it didn't come when the others had and then I forgot about them and went on with class. Strange!
Next week is our last Birth and Parenting class and Brian and I can't wait! I don't even remember what we're going to be talking about, but we're both just happy that it's our last.
Tuesday, November 17
Classes - Number 3
I was COMPLETELY tired and didn't really want to go to this weeks' class. I was worried that I would fall asleep during class and didn't want to snore or drool in front of people I don't really know. You read right - drool. Now that I am pregnant, it seems that I sleep really hard and drool. Every night, all night - it's annoying.
Anyway, we talked about 10 things that could challenge the hospital workers and worry us - the ladies who are pregnant. One of them was, "You are due in 2 1/2 weeks. Your partner is in Canada on a fishing trip and you feel a gush of water down your legs. What do you do?" To this question and some of the others I wanted to say, "Call the doctor - what else would you do?!" There was one that intrigued me though, "You are 2 1/2 weeks PAST your due date. You go to your doctor to discuss a plan. What would that plan be?"
Now, I don't care when she comes as long as she's healthy. I know that is cliche and that women have told me that I will hate being pregnant AFTER my due date, but I have to be honest. I don't care when she comes as long as she's healthy. Sure I might be uncomfortable, sure I might want to hold her a lot and generally want her here, but I have been waiting a long time to become a Mom and now that I am I just want her to be safe. So you can tell me all you want that I will hate being pregnant that long, but I will argue that point as YOU hated being pregnant that long.
I digress.
I was wondering what the doctor would do if I came in 2 weeks past my due date. I know that it would all depend on how our little girl is doing, but it was interesting, and comforting, to hear what they would do.
We also talked about c-sections and watched a video of one. The little baby being born looked like she was being thrown around but the nurse informed us that it's normal for babies to look/move like that while being pulled out. Yikes!
All in all it was a pretty good class because I got to hear about c-sections without getting a picture in my head, which is what happens when I read about them. We also got a virtual tour of the facilities as tours have been stopped due to H1N1. This wasn't great but I am glad she told us where to go.
I am really looking forward to our next class because a pediatrician will be there along with another doctor to answer any questions we have and to talk about their rolls after the baby is born. This, I think, will be quite informative!
Anyway, we talked about 10 things that could challenge the hospital workers and worry us - the ladies who are pregnant. One of them was, "You are due in 2 1/2 weeks. Your partner is in Canada on a fishing trip and you feel a gush of water down your legs. What do you do?" To this question and some of the others I wanted to say, "Call the doctor - what else would you do?!" There was one that intrigued me though, "You are 2 1/2 weeks PAST your due date. You go to your doctor to discuss a plan. What would that plan be?"
Now, I don't care when she comes as long as she's healthy. I know that is cliche and that women have told me that I will hate being pregnant AFTER my due date, but I have to be honest. I don't care when she comes as long as she's healthy. Sure I might be uncomfortable, sure I might want to hold her a lot and generally want her here, but I have been waiting a long time to become a Mom and now that I am I just want her to be safe. So you can tell me all you want that I will hate being pregnant that long, but I will argue that point as YOU hated being pregnant that long.
I digress.
I was wondering what the doctor would do if I came in 2 weeks past my due date. I know that it would all depend on how our little girl is doing, but it was interesting, and comforting, to hear what they would do.
We also talked about c-sections and watched a video of one. The little baby being born looked like she was being thrown around but the nurse informed us that it's normal for babies to look/move like that while being pulled out. Yikes!
All in all it was a pretty good class because I got to hear about c-sections without getting a picture in my head, which is what happens when I read about them. We also got a virtual tour of the facilities as tours have been stopped due to H1N1. This wasn't great but I am glad she told us where to go.
I am really looking forward to our next class because a pediatrician will be there along with another doctor to answer any questions we have and to talk about their rolls after the baby is born. This, I think, will be quite informative!
Wednesday, November 11
Classes - The Second
We had our second class on Monday and it was... informative. We watched a few videos of births - medicated and natural. This was great because we got to see births through an objective eye. The informative part came when the instructor kept pushing having a natural birth. She would say things like, "We are going to discuss the drawbacks of having a medicated birth. And the benefits." With the 'benefits' part quieter than the rest. I don't mind if you have your opinions - we all do - but the minute you push your opinions on other people, you lose me. Especially when you don't know your audience. She made it clear that natural was "the way to go" and that if you want to be medicated your baby will be sluggish and would have trouble latching on (during breastfeeding). WTH?! Isn't your job as a nurse to tell the drawbacks and benefits (same tone and projection) objectively regardless of your opinions? Then again, maybe she was relaying the hospitals agenda.
We talked about massage during labor and how touch can help relax and soothe. While we were doing our breathing exercises at the end of class the partners were supposed to rub our backs in large ovals. If I wouldn't have had to use the bathroom as badly as I needed to I would have been snoring! It felt so good and was COMPLETELY relaxing! I hope it works like that (or close to it) when I am actually in labor!
Anyway, one of the other couples brought the snack and I have to admit, I tried something I didn't think I'd like and I liked it! They brought cookies (of course I like cookies, but I didn't have those) and chips. Now, if you know me you already know I love chips. In fact I had to give them up for Lent a few times because I would eat an entire bag in one sitting! Well these chips were sea salt and pepper kettle chips. ISH - at first reading and looking. Then at the end of class I had a brownie bite (I tried a small chip) and it was delicious! The instructor told us to take more because she was just going to throw them out so we took a small (really small) plate of chips and ate them on the way home. While eating them I thought of what would make me love them even more... mixing them with PLAIN kettle chips so they aren't so peppery! OH MY GOODNESS, how good would THAT be?!
Despite the agenda from this class - medication=bad, natural=good - I am looking forward to the next class because we are going to be talking about c-sections. Brian isn't looking forward to class because, like I said in a previous post, a lot of what we are 'learning' we already know or is something we had forgotten. He is, however, looking forward to the discussion on c-sections because he said he doesn't know anything about them! We'll see if it's worthwhile.
We talked about massage during labor and how touch can help relax and soothe. While we were doing our breathing exercises at the end of class the partners were supposed to rub our backs in large ovals. If I wouldn't have had to use the bathroom as badly as I needed to I would have been snoring! It felt so good and was COMPLETELY relaxing! I hope it works like that (or close to it) when I am actually in labor!
Anyway, one of the other couples brought the snack and I have to admit, I tried something I didn't think I'd like and I liked it! They brought cookies (of course I like cookies, but I didn't have those) and chips. Now, if you know me you already know I love chips. In fact I had to give them up for Lent a few times because I would eat an entire bag in one sitting! Well these chips were sea salt and pepper kettle chips. ISH - at first reading and looking. Then at the end of class I had a brownie bite (I tried a small chip) and it was delicious! The instructor told us to take more because she was just going to throw them out so we took a small (really small) plate of chips and ate them on the way home. While eating them I thought of what would make me love them even more... mixing them with PLAIN kettle chips so they aren't so peppery! OH MY GOODNESS, how good would THAT be?!
Despite the agenda from this class - medication=bad, natural=good - I am looking forward to the next class because we are going to be talking about c-sections. Brian isn't looking forward to class because, like I said in a previous post, a lot of what we are 'learning' we already know or is something we had forgotten. He is, however, looking forward to the discussion on c-sections because he said he doesn't know anything about them! We'll see if it's worthwhile.
Tuesday, November 3
Our Classes Started!
Monday was the first day of our Birth and Parenting class and I have to say - it wasn't too bad! There was a lot of things I already knew, some I had forgotten, and some things that were brand new.
There are 5 other couples in the class with us and one more that was supposed to be there but wasn't. All of the couples seemed nice and the instructor was nice too - which I should hope so with a bunch of pregnant ladies in the room!
This first class was nice because we got to know the other couples a little bit. We shared when our due dates are as well as the joys and challenges of pregnancy. The ladies got together for this and came up with a list, and the guys did the same. While we were brainstorming we were thinking that a lot of stuff should be on both lists. For instance, we put getting the nursery put together on both lists because not only is it very exciting, it is also stressful at times. We also put movement on both lists because while it is amazing to feel the little one move around, kick, and karate chop, when the bladder is involved we could live without it. What would you put on your "Joys" list and what would you put on your "Challenges" list?
The rest of the class was learning about the last part of pregnancy, dilation, effacement and other things like that. Our next class is going to be about the actual stages of birth. I am really looking forward to this because, while I could go on line and look up birthing videos, I would rather have a nurse there to answer questions if I have any and to explain what is happening. I feel more comfortable that way.
The only part I am bummed by, is that we can't have a tour of the Maternity floor due to H1N1. I understand why they don't want us there - we're all carriers (insert evil laugh) - but I really want to see where I am going and what the room looks like. I am completely visual and want to know/see as much as I can to help calm my nerves.
Which reminds me... Fairview hospitals are not going to allow any child under the age of 5 to visit anyone in the hospital! They aren't letting children 6-16 visit without extensive screening either! I don't know if anyone was going to visit me in the hospital but I have extended family who might want to come with their kids and can't now. Which - could be a good thing if they have been around anyone who is sick (since my baby won't have the immune system in tack to fight off those things), but it is still sad, ya know?
There are 5 other couples in the class with us and one more that was supposed to be there but wasn't. All of the couples seemed nice and the instructor was nice too - which I should hope so with a bunch of pregnant ladies in the room!
This first class was nice because we got to know the other couples a little bit. We shared when our due dates are as well as the joys and challenges of pregnancy. The ladies got together for this and came up with a list, and the guys did the same. While we were brainstorming we were thinking that a lot of stuff should be on both lists. For instance, we put getting the nursery put together on both lists because not only is it very exciting, it is also stressful at times. We also put movement on both lists because while it is amazing to feel the little one move around, kick, and karate chop, when the bladder is involved we could live without it. What would you put on your "Joys" list and what would you put on your "Challenges" list?
The rest of the class was learning about the last part of pregnancy, dilation, effacement and other things like that. Our next class is going to be about the actual stages of birth. I am really looking forward to this because, while I could go on line and look up birthing videos, I would rather have a nurse there to answer questions if I have any and to explain what is happening. I feel more comfortable that way.
The only part I am bummed by, is that we can't have a tour of the Maternity floor due to H1N1. I understand why they don't want us there - we're all carriers (insert evil laugh) - but I really want to see where I am going and what the room looks like. I am completely visual and want to know/see as much as I can to help calm my nerves.
Which reminds me... Fairview hospitals are not going to allow any child under the age of 5 to visit anyone in the hospital! They aren't letting children 6-16 visit without extensive screening either! I don't know if anyone was going to visit me in the hospital but I have extended family who might want to come with their kids and can't now. Which - could be a good thing if they have been around anyone who is sick (since my baby won't have the immune system in tack to fight off those things), but it is still sad, ya know?
Thursday, October 29
Classes!
Our classes have finally been confirmed!!
We are taking a Birth and Parenting class, which will help us meet other parents in the area who are expecting. It will also cover all sorts of topics like, the challenges of a newborn, labor and the process of birth, relaxation and labor support techniques, care of a newborn, and the adjustment to our new role as parents. Along with all of that we will take a tour of the maternity ward at the hospital! I am really excited for this because the more I can be prepared and know where to go and what to do, the more relaxed I can try to be. However, I need to call the sister hospital to see if we can take a tour of their maternity ward as well. I want to do that because if all of the beds at our first choice are full, we will need to go to the other hospital. It isn't too far away, we would rather not have to go, but if they don't have beds, they don't have beds!
Another class we have signed up for is a Breastfeeding class. I know this class is for BEFORE the baby comes, to give you information about feeding as well as techniques and possible solutions if things aren't going well, but isn't it strange to take a breastfeeding class before the baby comes? While I wouldn't want to take the class with a bunch of other people and their children and THEN talk about breastfeeding, don't a lot of mother's still need assistance once their child gets here?
The last class we signed up for is Infant and Child CPR. We won't be certified after this course, but I think it will help ease our minds where if Adelle does choke on something (God forbid) then we will know what to do.
Our classes start soon and I can't wait!!!
We are taking a Birth and Parenting class, which will help us meet other parents in the area who are expecting. It will also cover all sorts of topics like, the challenges of a newborn, labor and the process of birth, relaxation and labor support techniques, care of a newborn, and the adjustment to our new role as parents. Along with all of that we will take a tour of the maternity ward at the hospital! I am really excited for this because the more I can be prepared and know where to go and what to do, the more relaxed I can try to be. However, I need to call the sister hospital to see if we can take a tour of their maternity ward as well. I want to do that because if all of the beds at our first choice are full, we will need to go to the other hospital. It isn't too far away, we would rather not have to go, but if they don't have beds, they don't have beds!
Another class we have signed up for is a Breastfeeding class. I know this class is for BEFORE the baby comes, to give you information about feeding as well as techniques and possible solutions if things aren't going well, but isn't it strange to take a breastfeeding class before the baby comes? While I wouldn't want to take the class with a bunch of other people and their children and THEN talk about breastfeeding, don't a lot of mother's still need assistance once their child gets here?
The last class we signed up for is Infant and Child CPR. We won't be certified after this course, but I think it will help ease our minds where if Adelle does choke on something (God forbid) then we will know what to do.
Our classes start soon and I can't wait!!!
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