And one more, since Spike posed so nicely.
Friday, May 29, 2009
My seam is crooked
Or is my belly button of center? Either way, I find this entertaining.
And one more, since Spike posed so nicely.
And one more, since Spike posed so nicely.
Growth Ultrasound
First, I apologize to the 30 or so of you who checked yesterday, eagerly expecting a report from our ultrasound. Yesterday just ended up crazy-busy, and I was too tired to post when I got home from work.
So here's the report: everything looks normal. Not too big, not too small.
Baby boy is estimated to weigh 4 pounds 7 ounces or 4.7 pounds (I can't remember which she said), plus or minus 10 ounces. Kind of a big margin of error, but the ultrasound tech said he's measuring a little bit on the "healthier" (read: bigger) side of average. His heartbeat was a healthy 130.
They identified and measured all kinds of parts -- stomach, heart, kidneys, brain, arm bone, leg bone, amniotic fluid, cervix -- and everything was normal. She also double-checked to make sure he's still a boy. He is.
As of yesterday, baby boy was head down (bottom up), and right transverse, meaning he's facing my right side. That would explain the frequent kicks and punches on my right side, especially the ones up by my right ribs. He still has some room to move around in there, so he may flip flop before settling into what we hope will be a head-down, longitudinal (straight up-and-down), anterior (facing my back) position for easiest delivery.
We were very, very happy to hear he's doing fine, but we were definitely disappointed with the images this time. Baby boy was sleeping -- with his fist in front of his face, no less -- so we didn't get any good pictures. In fact, we only got two images -- one of what they tell us is his face (I can't see it), the other of his heart -- and a video of his heart beating. So here you go...
So here's the report: everything looks normal. Not too big, not too small.
Baby boy is estimated to weigh 4 pounds 7 ounces or 4.7 pounds (I can't remember which she said), plus or minus 10 ounces. Kind of a big margin of error, but the ultrasound tech said he's measuring a little bit on the "healthier" (read: bigger) side of average. His heartbeat was a healthy 130.
They identified and measured all kinds of parts -- stomach, heart, kidneys, brain, arm bone, leg bone, amniotic fluid, cervix -- and everything was normal. She also double-checked to make sure he's still a boy. He is.
As of yesterday, baby boy was head down (bottom up), and right transverse, meaning he's facing my right side. That would explain the frequent kicks and punches on my right side, especially the ones up by my right ribs. He still has some room to move around in there, so he may flip flop before settling into what we hope will be a head-down, longitudinal (straight up-and-down), anterior (facing my back) position for easiest delivery.
We were very, very happy to hear he's doing fine, but we were definitely disappointed with the images this time. Baby boy was sleeping -- with his fist in front of his face, no less -- so we didn't get any good pictures. In fact, we only got two images -- one of what they tell us is his face (I can't see it), the other of his heart -- and a video of his heart beating. So here you go...
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
32 weeks
Weight: up 5 lbs. from 3 weeks ago (about 14 lbs., overall)
BP: 112/68
Pee: A-OK
FH: 29 cm
Baby's HB: strong
A few thoughts:
First, considering the jump in weight and the frequent comments from others about my belly, I think I must have hit the "growth spurt" Amy talked about at the last appointment.
Secondly, while I'm surprised (not quite worried) about the smaller fundal height measurement (She got 31 cm at 29 weeks), Amy says not to worry. She says he may just be curled up in a tight little ball this morning, and Thursday's ultrasound will give us a ton of details, anyway.
And I asked about cord blood banking, but Hershey doesn't have any affiliations, recommendations or resources. Amy says the docs are happy to do it, but it's a personal decision and the best way to gather info is Google. So I hope to do a Google search later this week.
All-in-all, kind of anticlimactic. Hopefully Thursday morning will be much more exciting.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Small Annoyances
The past two weeks has seen two new developments.
First, the frequency of nighttime pees has increased to two per night. I had been getting up once each night, every night, since the middle of the first trimester, but now I'm awakened for a 2 a.m. pee and a 4 or 5 a.m. pee.
And secondly, heartburn is becoming somewhat regular for me. Especially if I eat late at night. Then my first nighttime pee is usually accompanied by heartburn discomfort.
First, the frequency of nighttime pees has increased to two per night. I had been getting up once each night, every night, since the middle of the first trimester, but now I'm awakened for a 2 a.m. pee and a 4 or 5 a.m. pee.
And secondly, heartburn is becoming somewhat regular for me. Especially if I eat late at night. Then my first nighttime pee is usually accompanied by heartburn discomfort.
Friday, May 22, 2009
31 weeks: apparently now I'm publicly pregnant
I don't think I'm all that much bigger this week than last week, but something must have changed. Or maybe it's that I'm no longer averse to wearing snug camis and tanks, now that the belly is clearly identifiable as pregnant, rather than just chubby.
But whatever it is, the past three days have demonstrated a new pattern of comments and conversation from strangers and coworkers. Never before this week have people commented so regularly and out of nowhere on my pregnancy.
A Harrisburg man as I walked by the river Wednesday afternoon: "Hey pregnant lady!"
A female co-worker Wednesday afternoon: "Aaaw, there's the baby!"
A male co-worker Wednesday afternoon: "Hey, I wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy"
A local news anchor Wednesday night: "So, is this your first shot at mommy-hood?"
Another male co-worker Thursday: "Just wanted to tell you, you still lookin' good, girl. Not one of those who lets herself go for the baby. Good for you!"
A female co-worker Thursday: "Hey, I've been meaning to tell you how great you look -- you're like one of those celebrity pregnant women!"
The bagel shop attendants this morning: "Oh, she is pregnant! Congratulations!"
Female co-worker on the elevator this afternoon: "Are you having a baby? Contgratulations!"
I'm not entirely sure how to respond to the suddenly common and sometimes awkward, sometime flattering comments, but a polite thank you or nod seems to work for now.
This is odd for me: all of a sudden I'm no longer just Liz who can make small talk on any number of subjects, now I'm pregnant Liz, and all small talk (and apparently observations and conversations unbeknownst to me) revolves around my mid-section.
But whatever it is, the past three days have demonstrated a new pattern of comments and conversation from strangers and coworkers. Never before this week have people commented so regularly and out of nowhere on my pregnancy.
A Harrisburg man as I walked by the river Wednesday afternoon: "Hey pregnant lady!"
A female co-worker Wednesday afternoon: "Aaaw, there's the baby!"
A male co-worker Wednesday afternoon: "Hey, I wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy"
A local news anchor Wednesday night: "So, is this your first shot at mommy-hood?"
Another male co-worker Thursday: "Just wanted to tell you, you still lookin' good, girl. Not one of those who lets herself go for the baby. Good for you!"
A female co-worker Thursday: "Hey, I've been meaning to tell you how great you look -- you're like one of those celebrity pregnant women!"
The bagel shop attendants this morning: "Oh, she is pregnant! Congratulations!"
Female co-worker on the elevator this afternoon: "Are you having a baby? Contgratulations!"
I'm not entirely sure how to respond to the suddenly common and sometimes awkward, sometime flattering comments, but a polite thank you or nod seems to work for now.
This is odd for me: all of a sudden I'm no longer just Liz who can make small talk on any number of subjects, now I'm pregnant Liz, and all small talk (and apparently observations and conversations unbeknownst to me) revolves around my mid-section.
Tour of L&D
Well, Aunt G. was right -- I was surprised at the labor & delivery section of the Med Center. But not because of anything other than size. I'm sure all the medical gadgets and procedures are as impressive as anywhere else, but for such a LARGE medical facility, L&D was surprisingly small.
There are only five L&D rooms and two operating rooms. And when they get really busy, there are two post-partum rooms that can be quickly transformed into L&D rooms. There are more post-partum recovery rooms, but I was really surprised Hershey doesn't deliver more babies. Even when they're busy, max capacity is nine babies coming into the world on any given day there.
But I guess as long as they have room for me come July, it doesn't really matter anyway.
Although last night all five L&D rooms were in use, so they didn't think we'd be able to check one out. But then one of the women went into an OR for a C-section, so we ended up having an opportunity to quickly check out her recently vacated L&D room after all.
Not much to say about the L&D rooms: they're pretty standard hospital rooms, I guess, except they're bigger. Each one has a private bathroom with shower and three chairs for visitors. Plenty of room to move around, and there's a birthing ball in each room, too. We decided last night that since the L&D room is of decent size and since the waiting areas outside are pretty small, we're OK with L&D visitors (up to two at a time, per hospital guidelines) until active labor starts. We imagine our parents and/or siblings may appreciate visiting. But then everyone other than Brian and the med center folks has to leave the room when the tough part starts (that's my rule, not the hospital's). We came up with a code word, and as soon as Brian hears it, he'll clear the room and thank everyone for waiting outside until the big show is over. :)
The post-partum recovery rooms are MUCH smaller, but they're each private with a private bathroom. No room sharing between moms at Hershey. Brian's chair looked horribly uncomfortable and didn't resemble the sleeper chair I thought they had, so I asked one of the childbirth educators about it. She told me to ask for a comfier chair as soon as we got placed in a PPR room -- they're few and far between, but if you know to ask for one, they can usually scrounge one up for your stay.
Also learned that a new mom and baby are typically discharged on Day 2 following delivery. But Day 1 doesn't start until midnight following the baby's birth. So regardless of whether munchkin is born at 1 a.m. or 11:30 p.m., the day he's born doesn't count.
After the tour we watched a couple of videos, and for the first time Brian saw what babies look like at birth. He was grossed out and wondered (whined) why he couldn't just have a clean baby not covered in cream cheese or blood, and one without nose pimples, a funny-shaped head, shoulder hair, bruises or rashes. I told him my parts and me would do our best to fulfill his wishes, but he should probably expect to be at least a little disappointed.
And my wonderful husband packed me dinner to eat during the class, since I went right from work to the Med Center. However, while I enjoyed my snack during a break following demonstration of a few personal hygiene healing recommendations for mom, Brian made me laugh uncontrollably and choke on my turkey and swiss wrap when he expressed his lack of support for "pissing in the party hat." He had never seen or heard of a sitz bath before, and apparently the demonstration was lost on him.
There are only five L&D rooms and two operating rooms. And when they get really busy, there are two post-partum rooms that can be quickly transformed into L&D rooms. There are more post-partum recovery rooms, but I was really surprised Hershey doesn't deliver more babies. Even when they're busy, max capacity is nine babies coming into the world on any given day there.
But I guess as long as they have room for me come July, it doesn't really matter anyway.
Although last night all five L&D rooms were in use, so they didn't think we'd be able to check one out. But then one of the women went into an OR for a C-section, so we ended up having an opportunity to quickly check out her recently vacated L&D room after all.
Not much to say about the L&D rooms: they're pretty standard hospital rooms, I guess, except they're bigger. Each one has a private bathroom with shower and three chairs for visitors. Plenty of room to move around, and there's a birthing ball in each room, too. We decided last night that since the L&D room is of decent size and since the waiting areas outside are pretty small, we're OK with L&D visitors (up to two at a time, per hospital guidelines) until active labor starts. We imagine our parents and/or siblings may appreciate visiting. But then everyone other than Brian and the med center folks has to leave the room when the tough part starts (that's my rule, not the hospital's). We came up with a code word, and as soon as Brian hears it, he'll clear the room and thank everyone for waiting outside until the big show is over. :)
The post-partum recovery rooms are MUCH smaller, but they're each private with a private bathroom. No room sharing between moms at Hershey. Brian's chair looked horribly uncomfortable and didn't resemble the sleeper chair I thought they had, so I asked one of the childbirth educators about it. She told me to ask for a comfier chair as soon as we got placed in a PPR room -- they're few and far between, but if you know to ask for one, they can usually scrounge one up for your stay.
Also learned that a new mom and baby are typically discharged on Day 2 following delivery. But Day 1 doesn't start until midnight following the baby's birth. So regardless of whether munchkin is born at 1 a.m. or 11:30 p.m., the day he's born doesn't count.
After the tour we watched a couple of videos, and for the first time Brian saw what babies look like at birth. He was grossed out and wondered (whined) why he couldn't just have a clean baby not covered in cream cheese or blood, and one without nose pimples, a funny-shaped head, shoulder hair, bruises or rashes. I told him my parts and me would do our best to fulfill his wishes, but he should probably expect to be at least a little disappointed.
And my wonderful husband packed me dinner to eat during the class, since I went right from work to the Med Center. However, while I enjoyed my snack during a break following demonstration of a few personal hygiene healing recommendations for mom, Brian made me laugh uncontrollably and choke on my turkey and swiss wrap when he expressed his lack of support for "pissing in the party hat." He had never seen or heard of a sitz bath before, and apparently the demonstration was lost on him.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Making himself known
For the past two weeks, baby boy has definitely been making himself known.
First, he distracts me all day long at work by swimming around and bumping into my ribs. And every now and then he'll deliver a swift kick or punch that will make my entire mid-section thump. Visibly. Amazing to experience, but not so conducive to concentration when I'm trying to focus on interpreting and editing complex tax language.
Brian really gets a kick out of his flips and acrobatics in the evenings. We can't yet identify what body parts are moving around and trying to break out of my belly, but it's crazy that he has that much strength at only about 3.3 pounds.
And he's making physical activity harder. The past two times I mowed the lawn (calm down, people -- it's walking behind a self-propelled machine, little more), my mid-section and girl parts ached afterward. But not immediately afterward, more like a half-hour or an hour later, when I had settled into a chair for dinner and had to get up to get a glass of water -- then the achiness hit me out of nowhere.
The same thing happens when I take a walk over lunch. Somewhere around 1.5 or 2 miles I start slowing down, then the mild ache will last through the afternoon.
I also notice now that I start breathing heavier, sooner. I guess that's the extra weight I'm lugging around.
But Amy says walking is really good for the muscles I'll rely on during delivery, so I guess this is just a new and different workout threshhold and muscle soreness.
First, he distracts me all day long at work by swimming around and bumping into my ribs. And every now and then he'll deliver a swift kick or punch that will make my entire mid-section thump. Visibly. Amazing to experience, but not so conducive to concentration when I'm trying to focus on interpreting and editing complex tax language.
Brian really gets a kick out of his flips and acrobatics in the evenings. We can't yet identify what body parts are moving around and trying to break out of my belly, but it's crazy that he has that much strength at only about 3.3 pounds.
And he's making physical activity harder. The past two times I mowed the lawn (calm down, people -- it's walking behind a self-propelled machine, little more), my mid-section and girl parts ached afterward. But not immediately afterward, more like a half-hour or an hour later, when I had settled into a chair for dinner and had to get up to get a glass of water -- then the achiness hit me out of nowhere.
The same thing happens when I take a walk over lunch. Somewhere around 1.5 or 2 miles I start slowing down, then the mild ache will last through the afternoon.
I also notice now that I start breathing heavier, sooner. I guess that's the extra weight I'm lugging around.
But Amy says walking is really good for the muscles I'll rely on during delivery, so I guess this is just a new and different workout threshhold and muscle soreness.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Photo shoots
Baby boy now has another photo shoot scheduled for Thursday morning, May 28. That is, I have an ultrasound scheduled for that day, when they'll try to get a good idea of his size.
And I'm starting to doubt my June 7 photo shoot date for maternity portraits. I want pics of a big, full, round belly, not a mid-sized, pointy, lower belly. I think I'll check with Scott to see if he has any open dates later in June, just in case I'm not all that much bigger in three weeks. I mean my bump is cute and all, but artsy photos just won't be all that impressive if the belly doesn't stick out past my boobs.
And I'm starting to doubt my June 7 photo shoot date for maternity portraits. I want pics of a big, full, round belly, not a mid-sized, pointy, lower belly. I think I'll check with Scott to see if he has any open dates later in June, just in case I'm not all that much bigger in three weeks. I mean my bump is cute and all, but artsy photos just won't be all that impressive if the belly doesn't stick out past my boobs.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
30 weeks and skipping class
3/4 of the way there, if not more.
Baby boy is three pounds, and between 15 and 16 inches long.
And we're not going to childbirth class this Thursday. The Med center had an option for us to reschedule the second class of our three-week series for Thursday, June 4, so we're taking a week off. Why? So dad-to-be can enjoy the company of a couple of his college roomies for a long weekend, starting Thursday afternoon. However, I didn't tell the med center that our "scheduling conflict" is a three-day drink-fest for dad. :)
So long as nobody pees or pukes in our house anywhere but the bathrooms, I'm encouraging Brian to take advantage of these opportunities with his buddies. Lord knows if he'll be able host another get-together weekend next spring, with a 10-month old wobbling around.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A day that started and ended with baby
Yesterday I started my morning with another appointment with Amy. And with Christina, a med student. The quick and dirty:
my BP: 96/70
my weight: down 1 pound from two-and-a-half weeks ago
fundal height (the belly measurement): Christina got 29 cm., but Amy got 31 cm.
his FHB: probably between 130 and 140, but they couldn't get a good count because he kept moving
The one-pound weight loss was negligible and of no concern, especially since Amy thinks baby boy may be measuring up to two weeks ahead. The fundal height measurement is supposed to correspond with weeks of pregnancy -- i.e., at 29 weeks I should be right around 29 cm. -- and since I measured 28 cm. at 27 weeks and now up to 31 cm. at 29 weeks, Amy ordered a growth ultrasound for me, to happen towards the end of the month.
So we get to see the little bugger at least one more time before he joins the outside world!
Then we ended the day with our first childbirth class on the Med Center campus. Brian and I have mixed feelings so far, since the first class was largely a waste of three hours of our time. We did learn a few neat breathing and massage tricks to relieve back pain associated with labor and to manage contractions, but most of the time was spent covering the basics of pregnancy and labor and practicing relaxation exercises. A waste of time, since I thought most of the moms-to-be would have educated themselves by this point on the stages of labor, and there's no way relaxation exercises can possibly be effective when you're laying on a smelly mat in a room of 40 strangers. Oh, and when the Life Lion or a plane flies by every now and then, completely drowing out the Yoga music.
But oh well, we'll take the bad with the good and go back next week. And the class we're most looking forward to is the last one on May 21 -- the tour of Hershey's Labor & Delivery section.
I did get to sign up last night for another research study: this one involves eight 20 - 30 minute phone interviews over the course of three years, and they give us a $20 grocery store or Babies'R'Us gift card after each interview is completed. First interview will be shortly after my 34 week mark, next one will be one month after delivery, and then I'll do one interview every six months for the next three years.
The other bright spot of the childbirth class, for me at least, was seeing Brian's face when they passed around the plastic doo-hickie that illustrated the different stages of dilation. He never realized just how big 10 centimeters is. Giggle.
my BP: 96/70
my weight: down 1 pound from two-and-a-half weeks ago
fundal height (the belly measurement): Christina got 29 cm., but Amy got 31 cm.
his FHB: probably between 130 and 140, but they couldn't get a good count because he kept moving
The one-pound weight loss was negligible and of no concern, especially since Amy thinks baby boy may be measuring up to two weeks ahead. The fundal height measurement is supposed to correspond with weeks of pregnancy -- i.e., at 29 weeks I should be right around 29 cm. -- and since I measured 28 cm. at 27 weeks and now up to 31 cm. at 29 weeks, Amy ordered a growth ultrasound for me, to happen towards the end of the month.
So we get to see the little bugger at least one more time before he joins the outside world!
Then we ended the day with our first childbirth class on the Med Center campus. Brian and I have mixed feelings so far, since the first class was largely a waste of three hours of our time. We did learn a few neat breathing and massage tricks to relieve back pain associated with labor and to manage contractions, but most of the time was spent covering the basics of pregnancy and labor and practicing relaxation exercises. A waste of time, since I thought most of the moms-to-be would have educated themselves by this point on the stages of labor, and there's no way relaxation exercises can possibly be effective when you're laying on a smelly mat in a room of 40 strangers. Oh, and when the Life Lion or a plane flies by every now and then, completely drowing out the Yoga music.
But oh well, we'll take the bad with the good and go back next week. And the class we're most looking forward to is the last one on May 21 -- the tour of Hershey's Labor & Delivery section.
I did get to sign up last night for another research study: this one involves eight 20 - 30 minute phone interviews over the course of three years, and they give us a $20 grocery store or Babies'R'Us gift card after each interview is completed. First interview will be shortly after my 34 week mark, next one will be one month after delivery, and then I'll do one interview every six months for the next three years.
The other bright spot of the childbirth class, for me at least, was seeing Brian's face when they passed around the plastic doo-hickie that illustrated the different stages of dilation. He never realized just how big 10 centimeters is. Giggle.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tunnel Ear and Lady Toots
So I've been suffering the occasional bout of what I call "tunnel ear" for a few weeks, now -- it's been happening a few times a week, probably since the middle of the second trimester or so. It's mostly in my right ear, occasionally in both and this morning it was in my left. It's this weird ear popping/not-popping situation, where I get an annoying echo/wind tunnel effect in my ear when I talk and breathe. It's extremely irritating, because there's nothing I can do to alleviate the situation but constantly swallow, try to pop my ears, blow my nose and look funny for the half-hour or hour until it passes. Although I can't find anything on tunnel ear in my pregnancy books, I've read posts from other girls who experience the same thing. I also asked Amy about it at the last appointment, and unfortunately there's no remedy but patience for the pregnancy-related mucus/membrane/pressure issues.
It drives me completely nuts when it happens, but considering how easy this road has been so far, I won't dwell on this minor discomfort too much.
On a completely unrelated topic, a trip to Babies'R'Us yesterday evening made me wonder about all the crazy sh!t the sales clerks and customer service folks in the store see on a regular basis. After all, this is one big building that attracts droves of large, hormone-crazed, often uncomfortable women, many of whom are trodding down this road of unknown physical and emotional madness for the first time. I bet those friendly store clerks have seen and heard it all.
I am happy to report, however, that they did NOT see or hear my embarrassing display last night. But that's only because (thank God!) no one was around as I made my way past the baby monitors, suddenly and completely unable to control my quiet, yet obvious walking toots. And of course as soon as I stopped walking, I turned bright red and started giggling at myself, then unable to control my giggling toots.
(Yes, toots, a term appropriate for the delicate and lady-like noises I made. Regardless of how embarrassing the situation was, it was not a vulgar display.)
Really, a proud, proud moment for me.
I know far greater moments of discomposure await me in the coming weeks, and I guess I should reallly be thankful for these embarrassing little experiences. After all, these uncomfortable lessons are growing my humility and ultimately helping to prepare me for having my dignity completely stripped during labor and delivery.
It drives me completely nuts when it happens, but considering how easy this road has been so far, I won't dwell on this minor discomfort too much.
On a completely unrelated topic, a trip to Babies'R'Us yesterday evening made me wonder about all the crazy sh!t the sales clerks and customer service folks in the store see on a regular basis. After all, this is one big building that attracts droves of large, hormone-crazed, often uncomfortable women, many of whom are trodding down this road of unknown physical and emotional madness for the first time. I bet those friendly store clerks have seen and heard it all.
I am happy to report, however, that they did NOT see or hear my embarrassing display last night. But that's only because (thank God!) no one was around as I made my way past the baby monitors, suddenly and completely unable to control my quiet, yet obvious walking toots. And of course as soon as I stopped walking, I turned bright red and started giggling at myself, then unable to control my giggling toots.
(Yes, toots, a term appropriate for the delicate and lady-like noises I made. Regardless of how embarrassing the situation was, it was not a vulgar display.)
Really, a proud, proud moment for me.
I know far greater moments of discomposure await me in the coming weeks, and I guess I should reallly be thankful for these embarrassing little experiences. After all, these uncomfortable lessons are growing my humility and ultimately helping to prepare me for having my dignity completely stripped during labor and delivery.
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