Thursday, February 13, 2014
33 week update!
So I've met with the other 2 doctors from the Bella vista practice (Mammal & Wilson). I was offered to rotate just to meet them in case they are on call when Oliver comes. Perfect world has Dr. Garas delivering him but I know that nothing is guaranteed regarding a birth plan. I have made a tentative plan that hopefully goes well. I'll attach it on this post.
This morning's visit with Dr. Wilson went well. Ollie's heartbeat is at 140 which is perfect (they want it to be b/w 120-160). He actually held still for the Doppler this time which was not his normal behavior. Usually he takes jabs at it and it's hard to get a good reading b/c he squirms so much. My fundal height measurement put me a week ahead (34 cm.) but that was not a concern. I was however advised to cut my daily 30 minute walk in half now that the end is near and my walks are starting to be pretty uncomfortable. Today's appointment really made me feel like we are in the home stretch. It's bananas that I'll be considered full term in just 4 weeks. Just typing it makes my mind whirl!
Two weeks from now we have an ultrasound! Though my New Years resolution is to take every moment captive I am sooooo looking forward to seeing him again!
Oliver is really getting big and shockingly strong! He kicks so hard now it makes my eyes water! I've read that by this time his movement should be more restricted due to him running out of uterine capacity but he has only gotten more wiggly. It's hilarious the contortions he can make. He still favors the right side but is taking up so much room he's a lot more evenly dispersed nowadays. I don't think he has a choice. My right ribs will never be the same thanks to this sweet dancing boy.
I have very vivid dreams about his feet. I think it's b/c I'm sure of feet when I feel them trying to pry my ribs apart!! Today after I hopped out of the shower I saw the outline of one of his monster feet pushing through. I've been waiting for this so it was fun to get to see that sweet foot poking out.
I bought his "going home" outfit today. It's super cute and has a little hat to add to the cuteness.
Last Saturday we went to the newborn class. It was very informative and I'm so glad to have learned that Lakeland regional has changed their protocol to be "baby friendly". Now they have an additional nurse assigned just to the baby. They don't take them away after their born unless their is a medical need. Now your baby is placed on your chest to breastfeed and they stay their for 1-2 hours (depending on how long the baby stays awake to eat). All the tests they'd do separately are done right there while we get to start bonding. This has lowered the hospitals rates of nicu visits, sugar & temp issues and increased successful breastfeeding rates. One of my birth plan requirements was that Oliver had to be with me 1st and now I don't have to advocate for it since that's the new protocol! Yahoo!
After the 1st 1-2 hours once he's passed out and sleeping we'll be moved to the mother/baby room and then people will be invited in to meet him.
I also went to the breast feeding class Saturday after "newborn training" and it was so informative. I thought I'd read it all and knew what to expect outside of never actually done it but I was so wrong! The instructor was full of great tips and advice for me specifically as I'm going back to work at 7 weeks. I feel empowered and confident that Oliver and I will be a great team.
My baby shower is 2/23 so I'm getting excited about that for sure. There is so much going on its crazy. I can't possibly type it all out now but I'm overwhelmed with excitement and love.
Chad is finally getting the recognition for his design work that he has deserved for years and years. He's been at the new job now for just over 6 months and in that time they've increased his salary twice, asked him to go full time and made him the art director! He is invested personally in the company just like I am at geico and it's fantastic to see him get the opportunity to thrive. He's also working like mad around the house to spruce it up and make it feel new. I couldn't be more happy for him. I love that his bosses see his incredible talent.
I think at the beginning of last year if you'd told us that we'd get pregnant and that Chad would be the art director of a huge company within 6 months we'd have laughed in your face. So many years of hoping for both things had left us hard and bitter. I am incredibly thankful and proud that neither of us completely gave up. Without each other specifically, giving up would have happened. I am so glad that I get to be married to Chad. We are far from perfect but we are pretty damn perfect for each other.
Here's the birth plan:
1. I'd like to go natural however, I'm not willing to risk mine or my babies life over it. So here's a subset of rules given that labor is progressing like it should and both Ollie and I are safe:
- no epidural
- no pitocin
- no forceps
- no vacuum
- no opinions from the peanut gallery unless you have M.D. before your name or unless asked (you won't be asked). Period.
2. No circumcision
3. No pacifiers
4. No formula
5. No hep B vaccination yet (we'll do it at 2 months).
6. No visitors until at least 2 hours or baby is asleep and we are in the mother and baby unit. Only Chad and the photographer. Period. If I change my mind I'll make it clear.
7. No flash during the 1st two hours while he's awake and we are breastfeeding. I want the room as calm as possible so we can take advantage of the time Ollie is awake after birth.
8. Annie & Isie are the first two back once we are moved to the mother/baby unit.
9. Only 2 visitors at a time. If I change my mind I'll make that clear. We all know that too many people overwhelm me quickly so there will be no herds in our room.
10. No unsolicited advice or drama. This event is about Oliver 1st and his parents 2nd. Period. That will not change and we will not hesitate to throw people out. I get mean when it's worth it. Trust me I will not allow my sons, my husbands or my toes to be stepped on.
So there you have it :)
This morning's visit with Dr. Wilson went well. Ollie's heartbeat is at 140 which is perfect (they want it to be b/w 120-160). He actually held still for the Doppler this time which was not his normal behavior. Usually he takes jabs at it and it's hard to get a good reading b/c he squirms so much. My fundal height measurement put me a week ahead (34 cm.) but that was not a concern. I was however advised to cut my daily 30 minute walk in half now that the end is near and my walks are starting to be pretty uncomfortable. Today's appointment really made me feel like we are in the home stretch. It's bananas that I'll be considered full term in just 4 weeks. Just typing it makes my mind whirl!
Two weeks from now we have an ultrasound! Though my New Years resolution is to take every moment captive I am sooooo looking forward to seeing him again!
Oliver is really getting big and shockingly strong! He kicks so hard now it makes my eyes water! I've read that by this time his movement should be more restricted due to him running out of uterine capacity but he has only gotten more wiggly. It's hilarious the contortions he can make. He still favors the right side but is taking up so much room he's a lot more evenly dispersed nowadays. I don't think he has a choice. My right ribs will never be the same thanks to this sweet dancing boy.
I have very vivid dreams about his feet. I think it's b/c I'm sure of feet when I feel them trying to pry my ribs apart!! Today after I hopped out of the shower I saw the outline of one of his monster feet pushing through. I've been waiting for this so it was fun to get to see that sweet foot poking out.
I bought his "going home" outfit today. It's super cute and has a little hat to add to the cuteness.
Last Saturday we went to the newborn class. It was very informative and I'm so glad to have learned that Lakeland regional has changed their protocol to be "baby friendly". Now they have an additional nurse assigned just to the baby. They don't take them away after their born unless their is a medical need. Now your baby is placed on your chest to breastfeed and they stay their for 1-2 hours (depending on how long the baby stays awake to eat). All the tests they'd do separately are done right there while we get to start bonding. This has lowered the hospitals rates of nicu visits, sugar & temp issues and increased successful breastfeeding rates. One of my birth plan requirements was that Oliver had to be with me 1st and now I don't have to advocate for it since that's the new protocol! Yahoo!
After the 1st 1-2 hours once he's passed out and sleeping we'll be moved to the mother/baby room and then people will be invited in to meet him.
I also went to the breast feeding class Saturday after "newborn training" and it was so informative. I thought I'd read it all and knew what to expect outside of never actually done it but I was so wrong! The instructor was full of great tips and advice for me specifically as I'm going back to work at 7 weeks. I feel empowered and confident that Oliver and I will be a great team.
My baby shower is 2/23 so I'm getting excited about that for sure. There is so much going on its crazy. I can't possibly type it all out now but I'm overwhelmed with excitement and love.
Chad is finally getting the recognition for his design work that he has deserved for years and years. He's been at the new job now for just over 6 months and in that time they've increased his salary twice, asked him to go full time and made him the art director! He is invested personally in the company just like I am at geico and it's fantastic to see him get the opportunity to thrive. He's also working like mad around the house to spruce it up and make it feel new. I couldn't be more happy for him. I love that his bosses see his incredible talent.
I think at the beginning of last year if you'd told us that we'd get pregnant and that Chad would be the art director of a huge company within 6 months we'd have laughed in your face. So many years of hoping for both things had left us hard and bitter. I am incredibly thankful and proud that neither of us completely gave up. Without each other specifically, giving up would have happened. I am so glad that I get to be married to Chad. We are far from perfect but we are pretty damn perfect for each other.
Here's the birth plan:
1. I'd like to go natural however, I'm not willing to risk mine or my babies life over it. So here's a subset of rules given that labor is progressing like it should and both Ollie and I are safe:
- no epidural
- no pitocin
- no forceps
- no vacuum
- no opinions from the peanut gallery unless you have M.D. before your name or unless asked (you won't be asked). Period.
2. No circumcision
3. No pacifiers
4. No formula
5. No hep B vaccination yet (we'll do it at 2 months).
6. No visitors until at least 2 hours or baby is asleep and we are in the mother and baby unit. Only Chad and the photographer. Period. If I change my mind I'll make it clear.
7. No flash during the 1st two hours while he's awake and we are breastfeeding. I want the room as calm as possible so we can take advantage of the time Ollie is awake after birth.
8. Annie & Isie are the first two back once we are moved to the mother/baby unit.
9. Only 2 visitors at a time. If I change my mind I'll make that clear. We all know that too many people overwhelm me quickly so there will be no herds in our room.
10. No unsolicited advice or drama. This event is about Oliver 1st and his parents 2nd. Period. That will not change and we will not hesitate to throw people out. I get mean when it's worth it. Trust me I will not allow my sons, my husbands or my toes to be stepped on.
So there you have it :)