Full Term!

As a midwife and a previous high risk labor and delivery nurse there are certain times in a pregnancy that I knew would be important if I were ever pregnant.  

24 weeks = viability , i.e the baby can survive if born early

32 weeks= More mature lungs, less likely to have cranial bleeding if born early

35 weeks= Near full term- less likely to have lung issues

37 weeks = Full term.

This week is the week that I have waited for a while and can now let out a breath. 

While we would like him to stay in there until March, I know that if he comes now he will most likely have no lung transition issues and for the most part will probably stay out of the NICU.

So Happy Full Term Baby OH....

Thank you for be such a good baby and not giving us trouble up to this point!

Now we are just waiting on you to decided when we get to meet you...

Which by the way we can't wait!!!!!

But please please stay in there till March if you can....

Maternity Photos

When we starting announcing our pregnancy to friends and family, we were meet with the normal questions

-Sex- Boy!

-Name- Which will be a surprise

-Due date- Which we have not shared

-Where we were registering

-If we were going to have Maternity Photos.

At first I thought this was kind of odd because I actually HATE having pictures taken of me and I knew that for reasons me looking at myself gaining weight would probably be the hardest things for me to handle in the pregnancy.  After talking a little with Joe- he really really wanted to have photos done and so I gave in and said ok.  It was his "push gift" in a way.  

I started looking for a photographer and my jaw hit the floor at some of the pricing.  

We then got a recommendation from a friend who's friend was just starting out as a photographer.

I contacted her and was able to work out Maternity, Newborn, and 6 month family pictures for the price that we were happy spending.  

We went with LinDC Photography

At first we had planned to do them around the holidays but I was only 31 weeks and barely showing so we decided to wait till the 34-35 weeks which I am happy that we did.  

I had a couple ideas of pictures Joe and I liked and Lindsay was wonderful at making suggestions and also working with Clemson.  

And also keeping the name a secret!

All of us in Bug's Room

Fun Art Shot!

I love this photo so much!!!

Lindsay suggested this and it turned out amazing!

Please stay in there until March!

One of my favorites of Joe and I!

My two little boys.... Clemson and Bug

Another Art Shot!

Of course a kissing picture...

Joe's absolute favorite picture of them all.....

Me and Bug!!!!!!

Thank you so much Lindsay- We can't wait for the newborn photos!

Preparing for bugs arrival....

  

With now than 3 weeks to go to hopefully Bugs arrival,

(He has been ordered to stay in until March 1st but is encouraged to vacate anytime after that ASAP!)

Joe and I have entered the trying to get the little things done phase of the pregnancy.  

Over the last couple of weeks as I have made dinners for us, I have made doubles of a couple thing sot freeze.  This way we will have some meals on reserve for the first couple of weeks as backup.

Our freezer is offically packed and I do not think I am planning on making anything additional.  

So what is in our freezer:

Extra steaks

Extra Shrimp

2 small chicken pot pies

Beef stew with gnocchi 

Manicotti 

Lasagna

I think this will help us out a great deal in the first two to three weeks.  

Also on my list was getting the car seat inspected.  

We had been set to do this on January 26th thru the Fairfax County Police Department.

They offer this service once a month, however because of the snow (or lack of snow) they decided to cancel last minute.  Their next one would not be till the end of February, I was worried this might be pushing it close so I started calling around to police departments.  For this most part this was not alot of help- most only offered appointments due the day which does not work for working people.  

However, the I called the Reston police department and explained our story and she actually offered to come out to our house to check both of the car seats as it was on her way home!

Score one for the Reston Police.

She showed up and was very knowledgable and helpful.  

For the most part- Joe installed everything correctly but she did give us some good tips on car safety for the baby as well as car seat safety.

For example:

- No toys in the car seat that might be smothering

-Police do not recommend heavy Bundle me Fleece covers- they just recommend a nice blanket to cover the baby if it is cold.  

I had read up on this previous but it would good for Joe to hear it.

She also showed us how to put the baby in, adjust the straps for newborn, infant, toddler, etc.   

All in all it took 20 minutes and was very informative and also super convenient for us.

Thanks to the Reston Police Station!

Am I the only one who does not like Pregnancy Clothes?

Prior to being pregnant, everyone raved about pregnancy pants and how comfortable they are.

So when the pregnancy came around I invested in a nice pair of maternity jeans, and borrowed two pairs of maternity leggings from a friend.  I purchased two sweaters from H+M,  3 pregnancy long sleeve shirts from Gap, a Target sweater dress (not Maternity) and 1 dress from H+M which I wore for my shower and maternity pictures.  All and all I got away with minimal maternity clothing as I have lots of clothes that I have made work pregnant.

However.... I HATE MATERNITY PANTS!!!!!!

Yes I know that I may be the first pregnant women ever stating this but I hate them!

First of all they do not stay up!

Second I hate the band as it is irritating and also I find still loose at 36 week.

Third- I hate every time that I have to go the bathroom, I have to bring my shirt up, bring the band down- just complicates the process even more considering I have to use the restroom every hour!

Yes I know I may be the first pregnant woman to say this but I can not wait to get back into my low rise jeans!!!

36 weeks

It is officially, we are in the home stretch!

Bug, Joe and I are so excited for your arrival.  

The night before my appointment while Joe and I were laying in bed we starting talking about how we can not wait to see who you look like and learn your personality.  It is for sure you are going to be strong because your kicks are at some time painful!

We have decided you will be enrolled in both soccer and swimming ASAP!

Your 36 week appointment was pretty uneventful.  

We saw Paula today, who is my favorite!

I like all the midwives but Paula just has this calmness about her which i love.  

Weight: I have gained a total of 15 pounds up to this point in the pregnancy, which is 2 pounds more than I wanted but I am still ok with it.  However, I know that I if I can keep under 20 pounds total I will be happy!

Fetal heart Rate 145 

Fundal Height-  34 1/2cm-  still small but still within normal limits.  

Head down and in a good normal position.  

No more OP position- thank you for this bug!

I have started my Evening Primrose Oil and my Red Raspberry Capsales which has been shown to help with Labor and Cervical ripening- so only time will tell. 

My Group Beta Strep was also done which I will find out the results at my next visit- I am hoping to be negative as I have been taking my probiotics since 32 weeks to help decrease my chances.  

Really no homework and in the words of Paula

"Just continue enjoying your pregnancy!"

Next visit 38 weeks!

My Happy Place

All an All I have had an easy pregnancy up to this point and have no complaints.

That being said I have found my happy place during my pregnancy.

The bath tub!

This does not surprise me nor my husband as he recalls basically anytime I am uncomfortable or unhappy or anything- the bath is my place.    When I got my wisdom teeth pulled and could not take the medication because it made me sick- I spent alot of time in the bath.  When I have a frustrating day at work- again the bath.  I have loved the water since I was little and nothing has changed.

So now at least 5 times a week, I am finding myself in the bath with a $8 bath pillow that I purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond- the best pregnancy purchase ever!  I go in there with my ipod to do my relaxation, my lemon water, and some candles to help me relax.  I truely love this time. 

Joe for Christmas surprise me by getting me Dr Teal's Foaming Bath and Dr Teal's Bath salts- both in Eucalyptus scents which is my favorite!  While neither of these are expensive, they have been a pregnancy saver!!!  

34 weeks!

I had my 34 week visit today and I promised I would sit down and write about it today since it is cold and rainy and have no desire to go outside.  Today was a pretty basic visit beside for the ice on the sidewalks.  

Fetal Heart Rate 140

Fundal Height 32.5 cm.  

(Still measuring small but I am not really worried and neither is my midwife).

Small Mom= Small Baby

Weight- total weight gain 12 pounds- Perfect.

Position- still head down.  

Neither my midwife or I could tell where he back in so I am worried he is in the OP postion which means facing up.  This means I guess I am going to have to start doing knee chest exercises to help him turn.

My blood pressure was AMAZING!!!

My midwife of course asked if I had any complaints- which I answered no and she stated I was her favorite patient of the day.  

Apparently she was not having a good day.  

We talked about the following:

1) Starting my probiotics to help prevent GBS.  

I actually already started this after my last visit.

At my next visit they will do the screening for GBS.  

2) Cord Blood Banking

Joe and I have decided to donate Bug's cord blood.  

While I totally do not believe in paying to bank your cord blood unless you have a child with Leukemia or something along those lines, I totally believe in donating.  

Off of a co-workers recommendation I found Carolina's Cord Banking which is coordination with Duke Hospital Center which is a public banking system which means people with sick children can use the blood if need be or they will use it for leukemia research.  Carolina's Cord Banking send you the package and everything so there is no cost to you. 

3) Baby Position

He is head down but right now OP- which he totally has enough room to move but I will be adding Knee Chest Exercises in to my daily routine along with my daily meditation.  

4) Birth Preferences

The practice I go to have a birth preference sheet they have everyone fill out which has your wishes such as the dad cutting the cord, circumcision, breastfeeding, etc.  

So I filled mine out today so it could be placed on the chart.

My next visit will be in 2 weeks and will be my 36 week visit.

Crazy that in hopefully 6 weeks you will be here bug!