Our little guy saying hello

He was pretty active this morning while I was relaxing on the couch. He slowed down a bit each time I turned the camera on...a little camera shy, but you can see him dancing around a bit. I wonder what he's doing sometimes, because I can feel the same thing on the other side at the same time. I feels a bit like a tiny synchronized swimmer. He would chill out a bit until I rubbed where he was poking and he would push back. I think he is still upright at nearly 32 weeks.

Doug installs the car seat

The instruction manual makes it look like the most complicated thing...then there is the chapter in the car manual on installing the seat properly, too much information. It turned out not to be that hard, they just give you a lot of versions of doing it and a lot of safety warnings! It was one of my requests before Doug leaves for WI..just in case. I haven't had any Braxton-hicks contractions or any red flags so I suspect nothing out of the ordinary will happen while he's away. I have my 32 week appointment the day he leaves. We also have our names down to the 2 finalists which we will pick on the big day (also a request to have ready before he leaves!) I just saw a classmate is naming their in utero baby "Kale." I know in WI we stick to meat and potatoes, so maybe they don't know it's a leafy green....also good reason to tell everyone when there is no time to critique!

This week we felt what we believe to be a case of hiccups while watching The Walking Dead. I also felt a foot specifically poke out from my mountain of belly in the middle of the night. I'm still tossing and turning, but have been a bit better off this week. It's as though he's moved in a better position, my ribs are less achy and my breathing is feeling better. True "lightening" happens 4-5 weeks before the due date according to my sources, maybe this is a mini-lightening.

My boss has my replacement lined up and wants to start him in April, so my last full time day is April 19th! It feels weird and uncomfortable to "slack off" the last little bit. My boss (and father of 3) insists that I should "chill out" before the baby comes, rest and not push myself. Not really my style, but after working on a tuba today, he's right. It's getting difficult to do the non-desk work. Getting up and down off the floor today with the beast of a tuba was uncomfortable and comical. In 5 more weeks I'll be more on board for not wrestling instruments.

If any surprises do occur next week, I'm lucky that while at work, my doctor is an elevator ride away, the hospital is 2 miles away and if I'm home Mary will get my call!

Oh the $ you could spend!!

link to a birth photographer site

Wow, for only $1500-$2500 you could have a professional birth photographer to document everything! Personally if I could get out of this c-section I would prefer to have just Doug a midwife and a doula (The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.)

But, to each their own, and some people want a cheering crowd I suppose. Why not a photographer? I'm surprised that it's allowed especially in a surgical suite. I'm sure half of the fee accounts for the "on-call" nature of the subject....not much photo shoot planning, just an estimate and keeping the phone on all hours.

I'm happy to just enjoy the memory.

Cat, this is getting ridiculous....

Another Wally approved 2nd hand find. We enjoy the challenge of thriftiness (who needs more brand new Made in China clutter when there is so much around already) and Wally loves every new thing that comes in the door. This bassinet takes a C battery. Why? It has "Calming Vibrations" I call it baby "Magic Fingers." We probably won't bother with that.

1950s chilbirth education video

Video Link

In my prepping mode, I found this video this morning. It's funny to see how things have changed. Today, families are encouraged to write up a birth plan (even with c-section) to help achieve the least stressful experience. Of course, things don't always go according to plan, but it's nice to know you have a say in your big day. I know for years women were put out for the birth and had little or no memory of the whole thing. They don't highlight that in this video, but I read several experiences even into the 1970s that were quite similar to this:

This is my story. I gave birth to my first child in 1958. I read a book on natural childbirth and asked my doctor if my husband could be present for the birth. He looked at me as if I was insane. I was thrilled with the pregnancy, but the birthing process was the worse experience of my life.

I went to a very large hospital in Los Angeles and was taken to the basement. Yes, pubic hairs went and a very large enema was given. I was not quite 22, a child by today's standards. My husband was allowed to stay with me until I had pain medication. I was left alone in the room once I was given a sleeping pill; that I do remember. Imagine, 22, in labor and all alone.

I have no memory of giving birth. My daughter was born at 11:04am and I did not see her until the next morning.

They brought her in twice a day. I wanted to breast feed, but they gave her bottles in between the visits, so she really couldn't latch onto the breast.

I was in the hospital for five days. Visitors were allowed in twice a day I think at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. A woman sat near the elevator and visitors had to sign in. Only two allowed at a time. I roomed with a very nice girl and we spent the days talking.

This is a very sad memory for me and I still grieve the loss of my memory. I'm glad it has changed.

This is what we can expect at our hospital, the newer women-centered/ family-centered approach...even for c-section:

Anesthesia for Cesarean Birth

Women who have a planned cesarean will most likely have spinal anesthesia.

For unscheduled cesareans, if the mother does not already have an epidural she will be given a spinal in most cases. If she have received an epidural catheter during her labor, it can be used to provide anesthesia for a cesarean. General anesthesia may be necessary in an emergency if the mother does not already have an epidural.

TAP blocks: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks can be placed at the conclusion of a C-section to provide up to 18 hours of analgesia after an operative delivery.  Using an ultrasound machine for guidance, the anesthesiologist can deposit local anesthetic (numbing medicine) between the muscle layers in the abdominal wall, next to the nerves that transmit pain to the brain from the incision.  Because the mother will still be numb from the epidural or spinal when the anesthesiologist does this procedure, she will not experience any discomfort during the nerve block placement, which takes around five minutes to complete.  Once the spinal or epidural wears off, she should experience little or no pain where the incision is but will need some pain medicine for the uterine discomfort (cramping).  There are no side effects from this block and it will reduce the amount of narcotics the mother will need in the postoperative period and their unwanted side effects (nausea, itchiness and constipation).

Inside the operating room will be the following people:  the mother’s nurse, the anesthesiologist, the scrub tech (who hands instruments to the physicians), the attending physician, one or more resident physicians, one or more assisting nurses, and a pediatrician.  Before starting surgery the entire team will perform a “time out” to make sure that everyone is aware of the mother’s plan of care. Once surgery is ready to begin, the mother’s family/friend will come in and sit next to her.

The Delivery and Immediate Postpartum Period

The first two hours after delivery are spent in labor and delivery with one-on-one nursing care. This is to ensure that mother and baby are stable. If the mother delivers vaginally she will stay in the same labor room. If she delivers by cesarean she will be transferred to a labor room. Either way the mother will be cared for by the same nurse who attended the delivery. Most babies stay with their mothers in labor and delivery for the first two hours after delivery. Babies who are born prematurely or have problems breathing after birth may be transferred to the nursery for observation.

The following will answer many questions expectant mothers have about what to expect during and immediately after delivery. Women with questions about any of these topics should discuss them with her physician during one of her prenatal visits. 

Umbilical Cord Cutting

Delay - Unless the baby requires emergency treatment immediately at birth, the cutting of the umbilical cord will be delayed for close to one minute. This allows more blood from the placenta to reach the baby.

Partner - A support person is commonly given the job of cutting the umbilical cord. This does not cause any pain to the baby, but there is no shame in choosing not to cut the cord. Note: this is not possible during a cesarean delivery.

Cord Blood Banking

The hospital does not encourage or discourage this practice. We do not recommend any particular cord blood bank. Arrangements are made directly between the mother and the company. A mother who wishes to bank her cord blood should discuss this with her physician. We will accommodate her wishes. After delivery she or her support person will be responsible for calling the company courier to pick up the cord blood banking kit.

Skin to Skin

The labor nurse will encourage the mother to place the baby on her chest so that they are “skin to skin”. This is the best way to keep the baby warm. Skin to skin contact is also a great way to get mother and baby prepared to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding

For mothers who have chosen to breast feed their baby, this is the time to start. There are enormous benefits to breastfeeding in the first hour of life. Babies are alert at this time and highly receptive to getting started. The nurse will help with positioning and latch on. Though this is a great time for family visits and celebration, mothers may want to have some of those two hours in recovery be private time with their baby and support person. The nurse will be happy to run interference if needed.

Identification

• Baby’s name: For ease of identification and security purposes, the baby will be admitted to the hospital under the mother’s name (e.g., Baby Boy Jones). The baby’s legal surname will be determined by what the mother places on the birth certificate worksheet that she will complete during hospitalization.


• ID bands: A set of four identical identification bands will be completed by the nurse during the recovery period in labor and delivery. The same number is imprinted on each band. The bands will include the mother’s name, the baby’s medical record number, the name of the baby’s doctor, date and time of birth and the baby’s gender. Two of the bands will be placed on the baby’s ankles, one will be placed on the mother’s wrist and one will be placed on a person designated by the mother.


• Footprints: The nurse in the delivery room will take a print of mom’s index finger and baby’s feet to be placed in the baby’s medical record. We will give the mother a copy as a keepsake. If she has a baby book with her we will be happy to take prints for the book.

Erythromycin eye ointment

This antibiotic is given to all babies in the delivery room. It is given per Connecticut state law to prevent the transmission of gonorrhea and/or chlamydia from the mother to the newborn. We can address common concerns:

• Side effects include slight redness and puffiness of the eyelids.


• Many patients prefer to wait until the end of the first hour for the antibiotic because the newborn’s vision may be blurry from the ointment.


• The baby may still get the antibiotic if either parent is allergic.


• Overuse of antibiotics: This is an appropriate use of antibiotics.

If the mother prefers that the baby not get this medication she may discuss this with her obstetrician. At delivery a physician will need to take a culture to ensure there is no infection present. Mothers will receive the results of the culture in two to three days. The mother’s discharge may be delayed pending the results.

Boy or girl?

We won’t tell! The mother will have that privilege. We are not able to give this information over the phone or to visitors without the mother’s permission.

Weight and length

After “Is it a boy or a girl,” the first question asked is usually “What was the weight?” The baby’s weight and length will be measured in the delivery room before tranfer to the Mother-Baby Unit.

The groundhog better be right...

Out in the city last night with Doug, I realize this coat is at it's limitation, it is practically a crop top now. It was warm enough to not trudge around in my long winter coat, and I noticed I got a lot more seat offers on the subway in this sympathy coat!

Wally's last months as our "favorite" little guy

Doug played around with our new camera, testing the movie setting. It's not a video camera, just short videos. Since Heather pointed out almost every photo post has him lurking in the shot, I figured I'd put this up. He does love to be involved in everything we do.

In any case, yesterday was my 30 week appointment..10 weeks left unless I follow family tradition and be an early bird. I'm going every 2 weeks right now until week 36 which will switch to weekly. all was fine. I gained only 1/2 lb since the last appointment bringing me to 27 gained so far. She had my Iron and Vitamin D checked last month because it is common for the levels to be diluted with the doubling of blood volume. Thanks to our banana, spinach and oj shakes, my Iron was magnificent..so Doug's must be too! and I can even decrease my D vitamin. I've had barely the sniffles this winter, I should eat so much citrus and take all these vitamins once the little guy is on the outside. My belly button is nearly disappeared and I'm shocked to report, no evident stretch marks yet (other than the tiny knee patches). Being tired is my only complaint, no pillow wedging or positioning seems to correct the pulling and rib wedging at night. It has been a rough go for a stomach sleeper and our sad IKEA mattress...though Doug has an IKEA compatible body, it seems, he has no complaints. The poor guy gets a lot of Doug time at night as I fall asleep by 9:30 and begin my toss and turn routine around midnight. I've been getting in some Netflix documentaries on the weekends around 5am; harp competions, ballet, socioeconomic studies...