Baby Size: Apparently gaining an ounce a day. That's quite the feat!
Mama Size: 39 inches around and up 29 pounds. Found stretch marks on the underside of my belly, tried to decide how I felt about them, and went back to eating the rest of our girl scout cookies. Those cursed thin mints and tagalongs are making me mentally adjust how much weight I'm comfortable gaining.
Symptoms: So I've been whining dramatically this whole pregnancy about my poor pelvis and how it has hurt so flipping much and how I would just like to have my child without all these physical pains thanks-very-much. Well it turns out it has been my tailbone this whole time. I don't know what gave my coccyx the idea that it would be fun to pretend to be broken for nine months, but I've been sitting on a makeshift donut pillow (ok, a boppy) ever since I figured it out and ahhhhhhhhh. Blissful painless legs and hips. I am going to a chiropractor next week to get my pelvis checked out before labor and I'll ask them to see if those bones got misaligned somehow. I still get some aches and pains at the end of the day but they all fall under what I'd expect to happen after gaining 30 pounds in my stomach. And fine, butt. Arms. Chest.
Other Updates: Oh the updates. Where to start. I went in for my 36 week appointment and am not dilated but my cervix is starting to soften (40%). The nurse did the GBS test and sent me on my way. It was exciting if uneventful. I know that women can walk around dilated and effaced for weeks or be nothing at all right before labor but the numbers satisfy the data nerd inside me.
Ok onto the rant of the week. I have never been a parent before. I have spent years in school learning about parenting-related topics and then I spent years teaching said topics to other college students. I freely admit my knowledge is academic instead of anecdotal and I keep my mouth shut when talking to mothers. So. This week we took a one-night class from the hospital on breastfeeding. When I used to teach my classes about breastfeeding, I always firmly expressed that we are so lucky to have options and although breast is best in a lot of ways, formula will not make one a bad parent. So that was the first thing that really rankled me about the instructor--she was very dismissive and contemptuous about formula. She then talked about the health benefits of breastmilk and I was with her until she started talking about the intellectual benefits of breastfeeding. The problem is that all the research on IQ differences in breastfed vs. formula-fed children is flawed in serious ways. The biggest flaw is that measuring IQ in infants is based on a lot of assumptions that don't exist for other areas of development. For example, we don't expect children to all be walking at the same time; why should we expect children to develop intellectually on a similar time frame? Also, how exactly do you measure infant IQ? The tests that exist are only weakly, if at all, correlated with adult intelligence. The second biggest flaw is the studies that do show an IQ advantage for breastfed children have a small sample and do not provide enough longitudinal data. The ones that are large and long-term have found that by age 8, there are no intellectual differences between the two types of children.
So I broke my rule of silence. I was mortified because I hate being confrontational but the thought of all these couples feeling as if they would have "dumber" children if they had to formula feed for whatever reason made me feel sick. I tried as politely as possible to explain the research and she even agreed that formula milk now has the same LCPUFA (the chemicals that we know are linked to neurological development) that breast milk has. But she was adamant that breastfed children are smarter.
Peter afterwards whispered to me that he was proud of me but I felt bad and it left me wondering if I was wrong. The only other solution would have been talking to her afterwards, but then the rest of the class would never have heard the other side. I tried to be very friendly and smiling and nodding the rest of the class but I could tell she was unhappy. Oh well, right?
Question of the week: What is it about some parenting methods that turn people into fanatics? I have a doula story that I'll have to save for another post but is it just me, or is the natural movement turning into just another excuse for giving parents unwelcome advice? :)
Friday, March 9, 2012
36 Weeks
Dear Baby,
I had a dream last night that I gave birth to you and you came out, wrapped in your placenta like you were in a sleeping bag. Although my subconscious is apparently worried about all the wrong things, thoughts about labor are starting to nudge their way to the front of my mind and I read birth stories with a new perspective. Instead of enjoying them like the ultimate short stories they are (build-up, crescendo, and then happily ever after), I find myself wondering how similar our birth story will be by comparison.
I deeply hope that however it plays out, it will be calm and as trauma-free as I can help it for both of us.
Love,
Mama
I had a dream last night that I gave birth to you and you came out, wrapped in your placenta like you were in a sleeping bag. Although my subconscious is apparently worried about all the wrong things, thoughts about labor are starting to nudge their way to the front of my mind and I read birth stories with a new perspective. Instead of enjoying them like the ultimate short stories they are (build-up, crescendo, and then happily ever after), I find myself wondering how similar our birth story will be by comparison.
I deeply hope that however it plays out, it will be calm and as trauma-free as I can help it for both of us.
Love,
Mama
Monday, March 5, 2012
And one more for posterity
Peter will kill me but I think the baby's blog needs one silly picture of daddy
32 vs 35 weeks
I keep forgetting to update my bump shots
Here is my 32 week picture
And my 35 week one
It is honestly perplexing how my belly changed that rapidly. I mean, not that perplexing (duh there's a baby growing) but according to my measurements, I actually lost half an inch in my waist over those weeks. Maybe it's b/c she flipped from transverse to head down in that time period?
Here is my 32 week picture
And my 35 week one
It is honestly perplexing how my belly changed that rapidly. I mean, not that perplexing (duh there's a baby growing) but according to my measurements, I actually lost half an inch in my waist over those weeks. Maybe it's b/c she flipped from transverse to head down in that time period?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
35 Week Stats
Baby Size: 5 pounds ish?
Mama Size: Up 27 pounds and 38 inch waist. I didn't feel like I grew much this week.
Symptoms: She hiccups every night :) It's really cute. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now which makes my endurance of all the aches and pains easier. It's shocking how physically tiring it is to work in an office job all day--that has definitely been unexpected. I am lucky in that I can go home and work as long as I don't have a meeting but I am so much more productive being at work that I try to stay as long as possible. People keep asking me when my last day is and is it a sign of workaholism if I hope to work until I go into labor?
Other updates: I ran this week! Ok, not full out or even....jogging speed. I guess I shuffled. I was on a walk and was feeling so good I thought I'd see how it felt to go faster. So I started picking up the pace and I'm sure I looked RIDICULOUS. I only "ran" for maybe a quarter mile but it felt great, if a little weird. It just felt weird to go through the motions of running with all this weight around my middle. Unfortunately, that was Monday and the rest of the week had really bad weather so I haven't been out since. I can't wait until I can start to really exercise again.
We put up a bookshelf and rug in the nursery and now all that's left are the accessories--a light, a few shelves, some paintings, and the mobile. I hope to have pictures up in a few weeks.
Also I had sushi this week and it was mind blowing. Oh just thinking about it makes me crave it again. I really wanted to expose this little baby to all the flavors of the world that I enjoy and so far, she has had quite the range of cuisines--Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, Cajun, Indian, etc., but the one I found most enjoyable has been Japanese sushi. I find the grocery store kind slightly revolting or I could go and have some right.this.second. Sigh.
Next week is full of baby stuff! Doula visit, doctor visit, and breastfeeding class. This means my 36 week entry will be even longer than usual :)
Question of the Week: I know eating sushi is frowned upon in America (rolling eyes--it's incredibly safe if eaten at a clean establishment and if you avoid the predator fish. But that is good advice for any time of your life, not just during pregnancy). So what "rules" did you break during pregnancy? I have a whole list of other things but I'm afraid they will really cause an outcry. Unless what you did was worse :)
Mama Size: Up 27 pounds and 38 inch waist. I didn't feel like I grew much this week.
Symptoms: She hiccups every night :) It's really cute. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now which makes my endurance of all the aches and pains easier. It's shocking how physically tiring it is to work in an office job all day--that has definitely been unexpected. I am lucky in that I can go home and work as long as I don't have a meeting but I am so much more productive being at work that I try to stay as long as possible. People keep asking me when my last day is and is it a sign of workaholism if I hope to work until I go into labor?
Other updates: I ran this week! Ok, not full out or even....jogging speed. I guess I shuffled. I was on a walk and was feeling so good I thought I'd see how it felt to go faster. So I started picking up the pace and I'm sure I looked RIDICULOUS. I only "ran" for maybe a quarter mile but it felt great, if a little weird. It just felt weird to go through the motions of running with all this weight around my middle. Unfortunately, that was Monday and the rest of the week had really bad weather so I haven't been out since. I can't wait until I can start to really exercise again.
We put up a bookshelf and rug in the nursery and now all that's left are the accessories--a light, a few shelves, some paintings, and the mobile. I hope to have pictures up in a few weeks.
Also I had sushi this week and it was mind blowing. Oh just thinking about it makes me crave it again. I really wanted to expose this little baby to all the flavors of the world that I enjoy and so far, she has had quite the range of cuisines--Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, Cajun, Indian, etc., but the one I found most enjoyable has been Japanese sushi. I find the grocery store kind slightly revolting or I could go and have some right.this.second. Sigh.
Next week is full of baby stuff! Doula visit, doctor visit, and breastfeeding class. This means my 36 week entry will be even longer than usual :)
Question of the Week: I know eating sushi is frowned upon in America (rolling eyes--it's incredibly safe if eaten at a clean establishment and if you avoid the predator fish. But that is good advice for any time of your life, not just during pregnancy). So what "rules" did you break during pregnancy? I have a whole list of other things but I'm afraid they will really cause an outcry. Unless what you did was worse :)
35 Weeks
Dear Baby,
My dear friend from college just had her baby today and of course, it made me think about you. I wonder if you will love her daughter as much as I love the mother. She and I laughed that the only thing better would have been if one of us had had a boy so that we could plan a wedding in 20+ years.
Of course, I hope you have a fulfilling career and travel the world and get as much education as you want. However, having experienced those things, being with your father has trumped them all. I can't wait for you to grow up knowing him.
Love,
Mama
My dear friend from college just had her baby today and of course, it made me think about you. I wonder if you will love her daughter as much as I love the mother. She and I laughed that the only thing better would have been if one of us had had a boy so that we could plan a wedding in 20+ years.
Of course, I hope you have a fulfilling career and travel the world and get as much education as you want. However, having experienced those things, being with your father has trumped them all. I can't wait for you to grow up knowing him.
Love,
Mama
Thursday, February 23, 2012
34 Week Stats
Baby Size: 4 pounds at least
Mama Size: Up 27 pounds. Waist still the same. According to my doctor, my fundal height has always been spot on but I know it's kind of a bogus measurement.
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks every night and possibly throughout the day--I usually can't ascertain between her stretching out and BH, but every once in a while my stomach gets unmistakably hard (like, my belly button pokes out). Oh and I peed my pants when I sneezed this week. My doctor told me that past 37 weeks, if I feel like my water has broken I can come in and get swabbed. In her words, "At that point of time, there's just stuff coming out all the time" and I nodded sagely. Peter would be so horrified at some of these discussions.
Other updates: Had my 34 week checkup and yay, she turned head down. Although she still hasn't dropped but maybe by my 36 checkup. I asked about my doctor's policy on inductions and I just meant after 41 weeks, but she told me that she'd be ok starting sweeps at 38 weeks and if I wanted, pitocin after 40. I don't want the pit but I was relieved to know that she was ok jump starting labor and that I wouldn't be pregnant until mid-April. I start to get cervical checks at 36 weeks and will start the weekly doctor visits at that time.
I'm excited and so ready to be done with gestating but this means we really need to finish the nursery, wash a few clothes, and maybe prep a few freezer meals. I've read that foods that can be eaten with one hand are even better so I'm not sure I'll make any dinners ahead of time. Sandwiches, fruit, veggies, hummus are things I eat anyways and most of the time sound so much more appealing than even lasagna or chili. And Peter is very adept at making dinner for himself, even if those dinners mostly involve meat and carbs.
Question of the week: So what did you do (or want to do) for meals after delivery? Is it really helpful to have meals prepped ahead of time?
Mama Size: Up 27 pounds. Waist still the same. According to my doctor, my fundal height has always been spot on but I know it's kind of a bogus measurement.
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks every night and possibly throughout the day--I usually can't ascertain between her stretching out and BH, but every once in a while my stomach gets unmistakably hard (like, my belly button pokes out). Oh and I peed my pants when I sneezed this week. My doctor told me that past 37 weeks, if I feel like my water has broken I can come in and get swabbed. In her words, "At that point of time, there's just stuff coming out all the time" and I nodded sagely. Peter would be so horrified at some of these discussions.
Other updates: Had my 34 week checkup and yay, she turned head down. Although she still hasn't dropped but maybe by my 36 checkup. I asked about my doctor's policy on inductions and I just meant after 41 weeks, but she told me that she'd be ok starting sweeps at 38 weeks and if I wanted, pitocin after 40. I don't want the pit but I was relieved to know that she was ok jump starting labor and that I wouldn't be pregnant until mid-April. I start to get cervical checks at 36 weeks and will start the weekly doctor visits at that time.
I'm excited and so ready to be done with gestating but this means we really need to finish the nursery, wash a few clothes, and maybe prep a few freezer meals. I've read that foods that can be eaten with one hand are even better so I'm not sure I'll make any dinners ahead of time. Sandwiches, fruit, veggies, hummus are things I eat anyways and most of the time sound so much more appealing than even lasagna or chili. And Peter is very adept at making dinner for himself, even if those dinners mostly involve meat and carbs.
Question of the week: So what did you do (or want to do) for meals after delivery? Is it really helpful to have meals prepped ahead of time?
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