37 Weeks!

37 and 7, to be exact and officially full term (!).  It's totally surreal to think that the baby could come anytime between now and 42 weeks.  Yikes.

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard).

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

 What's up with Stephopolis?

NO MORE COMMUTING! This is a big deal and definitely deserves caps lock! As of last Friday, I stopped traveling to and from UBC, which was leaving me exhausted and drained on a daily basis.  And as of today, I'm officially on vacation/maternity leave!!! So exciting.

Now I get to switch from work mode into 100% baby mode, which means finishing up the last of the 'nesting', including making freezer meals, assembling the final pieces for the hospital/labour bag and finalizing practical arrangements (like cat care). 

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 35 weeks 7 days (38 weeks tomorrow!)
• Cravings: Sweet and sour things.  I would kill for a lemon cupcake.
• Complaints: Heaviness and feeling very clumsy. Also, insomnia (which everyone tells me is my body getting ready for the months ahead!)
• Workouts:  A few walks, but it's super hot again (ugh), so just some exercises around the house.
• Appointments: Midwife appointment.  Pretty routine :)
• Support: We went ahead and hired a doula to act in a support role for the birth.  She'll play a key part in keeping both Adam and I calm and focused and I have no doubt that she'll prove to be invaluable.  We've had two meetings with her already and she's already given me a lot of peace of mind in regards to coping with the pain of labour/birth.  
• Photos: The lovely Emily of Pink Licorice Photography took some maternity photos with Adam and I atop Burnaby Mountain.  I'm looking forward to seeing them all, but I've included one 'teaser' here :)

35 Weeks!

 First of all, sorry for the huge gap between blog posts.  Life caught up with me and, honestly, more often that not, my first priority after getting home from work has been napping, not blogging! But here we are, at 35 weeks and 4 days :)

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby now weighs about 5.25 pounds and measures approximately 18 inches from head to toe (coconut sized). His elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when he stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.

This week, your little one is now sporting fingernails and has a fully developed pair of kidneys. His liver can also process some waste products.

There's much less amniotic fluid and much more baby in your uterus, which has expanded to a thousand times its original size. You've probably put on between 25 and 30 pounds and your weight gain has hit its peak. Even your belly button has got bigger and has popped outward. You may be feeling breathless now that the top of your uterus is up under your ribs.

 What's up with Stephopolis?

I feel very elephantine at the moment.  I think baby's growth spurt has been catching up to me and I feel like I am 100% full of baby.  And he definitely loves to make his presence known.  His favorite thing to do (besides shove feet in my ribs) is to stretch out to full capacity and stick various body parts out every direction.  While entertaining, this activity is also getting quite uncomfortable.

6 more days that I have to physically commute in to UBC and I am definitely in countdown mode.  When I'm at work, everything is fine, but the I am tired of the bus/train combo. 

I've also been having sleep problems, which I can attribute to heartburn and hormone-induced insomnia. FUN.  But, apart from being vaguely uncomfortable, I have no major complaints.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 35 weeks 4 days
• Cravings: Nothing specified.  I just want to eat. A lot.
• Complaints: I just want to be done with work and have the ability to nap during the day.
• Workouts:  I've been pretty lazy.  Mostly just walking around campus and up/down stairs.
• Appointments: Midwife appointments are ramping up and I'm getting all sorts of handouts about 'what to do when you think you're in labour'. Yikes.  
• Classes: Birth class! We attended 'baby bootcamp' for two full Sundays in a row and we learned about birth (natural and with interventions) and breastfeeding.  It was a really empowering class and helped dispel a lot of my anxiety about labour and birth.  Of course, the whole process is still a huge unknown, but I now feel prepared for all possible outcomes.  And, as an added bonus, Adam got to role play the part of a women going through a C-Section and I was an Anesthesiologist. haha.
• Tours: Royal Columbian Hospital maternity ward.  We were led around the birth and recovery rooms at RCH and learned about newborn procedures and the specifics of our particular hospital, including what to pack in the hospital bag... (more on that below)
• Nesting/Organization: The baby room is done (apart from some minor, minor things).  We still have a few things to buy, including receiving blankets and another car seat base.  But we've ordered this cute decal for the baby room, which should really pull everything together.  The one other thing we really need to start putting together is the hospital bag (which is actually two bags - a labour bag and a post partum bag).  We have most of the necessary supplies, we just have to go into assembly mode!

Week 32!

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby now weighs approximately 3.75 pounds/ 1.7 kilograms and is about 17 inches / 42 centimetres long from head to toe. Although his lungs won't be fully developed until just before birth, your little one is inhaling amniotic fluid to exercise his lungs and practise breathing.

You're probably gaining a pound/ 450 grams a week, largely because your baby is likely to gain more than half his birthweight during the seven weeks before delivery.

 What's up with Stephopolis?

I know it says that I'm probably gaining 'a pound a week', but I real feel like I'm gaining a pound a day.  I feel heavy right now, and I think it's a combination of the heat, lots of walking and being just shy of 33 weeks pregnant. 

The baby is moving all. the. time.  My midwife gave me a handout on 'kick counts' and cautioned that fetal movement usually gets more subtle and less dramatic in the last weeks of pregnancy.  If this is the case, my little guy did not get the memo! It seems like he completely shifts his position at least once a day and likes to shimmy his feet a lot.  I also get pointy knees/elbows/other limbs jabbing me all the time.  And one of his movements actually took my breath away during a meeting today.  He kicked out so hard that a portion of my stomach moved quite dramatically and it caught the attention of another meeting attendee who was like '...are you ok?!'.

And even though I haven't been as consistent with the exercises my physio prescribed for my SPD, what I am doing seems to be working.  My pelvis isn't as sore and I'm sleeping better at night.  It could also be attributed to the fact that the baby has shifted into a head-down position which means that some of his weight is higher, and off my pelvis.  Whatever it is, I hope it stays like this!

That's not to say that I'm completely pain free, though.  I'm getting some lower back pain now and it's a struggle to sit at work for any length of time.  I have to go for lots and lots of short walks - at least I work on a pretty campus!

And, because I can't find the camera this week, instead of a picture of me, you get a picture of a 'large jicama' (which apparently equates to the baby's size this week).  What a weird looking veg.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 32 weeks 6 days
• Cravings: Cherries.  And ice cream. Mmm.
• Complaints: Heat. And my commute
• Workouts:  Physio exercises and wandering all over campus
• Appointments: Midwife appointment last week (everything is measuring perfectly!)
• Babyopolis stuff: The baby room continues to become assembled! We now have a crib mattress, a laundry hamper and so. many. clothes.  This is going to be a very well dressed young lad!  We still have to get the crib bedding and this baby carrier. 
• Emo moments: Two.  The latest one (tonight) revolved around being overwhelmed at the sheer amount that I don't know and can't anticipate about this little baby.  He's so safe and content right now, but I'm worried about what happens in 8 weeks... I'm also wracked with indecision about all the decisions that come with having a newborn.  Like, what kind of baby monitor should we buy? What type of bottle (I plan on nursing, but I also want to pump eventually).  Arg. So many choices. 

Week 30

Opps. I totally haven't posted in almost a month.  Poor, neglected blog!

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby's lungs and digestive tract are almost fully developed. While your baby may soon slow up growing in length, (he measures about 15.7 inches/ 40 centimetres from crown to toe by now), he will continue to gain weight until he's born.

This week your baby continues to open and shut his eyes. He can probably see what's going on in utero, distinguish light from dark and even track a light source. If you shine a light on your stomach, your baby may move his head to follow the light or even reach out to touch the moving glow. Some researchers think baring your stomach to light stimulates visual development. But don't expect 20/20 vision when your baby is born -- newborns can see a distance of only about 8 to 12 inches/ 20 to 30 centimetres. (Children with normal vision don't reach 20/20 vision until about age 7 to 9.) To complete the picture, your baby now has eyebrows and eyelashes.

A pint and a half/around a litre of amniotic fluid now surrounds your baby but that volume decreases as he gets bigger and has less room in your uterus. As you and the baby continue to grow, don't be alarmed if you feel breathless, as if you can't get enough air; it's just your uterus pressing against your diaphragm. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. At about 34 weeks (or just before delivery, if this is your second or third pregnancy), your baby's head will move down into your pelvis as the baby gets into the right position for birth. That will make breathing and eating a lot easier.

 What's up with Stephopolis?

Stephopolis is hot :( While the temperatures in the lower mainland are still pretty moderate, I'm really feeling the heat this summer.  I think I'm the only one actively hoping for cool, rainy days! I know better than to mention my weather wishes at work, for fear of being run out of the building.

I'm also getting pretty tired of my commute to UBC.  The combination of car, train & bus twice a day is starting to take it's toll.  I'm looking to increase my work-from-home days in August, but until then, it's still a tough 4 hour journey.

Also, adding to the fun of the heat & commute, is a minor diagnosis of SPD, which basically means that my pelvic ligaments are overextended and it makes walking long distances quite painful.  I have physio exercises that are helping mitigate some of the discomfort, but it means I have to be really mindful of every movement.

I'm also feeling really unwieldy these days. I'm clumsy and don't have a good sense of my own proportions anymore (as evidenced by the fact that I keep running into things with my belly).  Luckily, all of my maternity clothes are still fitting well, so at least I'm comfortable in that regard.  But I feel HUGE and I still have 10 weeks to go. Yikes.

But, in happier news, we had a lovely trip to Alberta to pick up some baby furniture and visit with family and friends.  We were able to spend some time with another pregnant friend (Hi Lauren!) and Adam's parents hosted a lovely baby shower for us.  This little baby is going to be very spoiled :)

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 30 weeks 6 days
• Cravings: Cherries.  I have eaten my weight in cherries over the last few weeks. Mmm.
• Complaints: SPD & heat. Blech.
• Workouts:  Lots of walking across campus for various project meetings. Hoping to go for a swim soon!
• Appointments: Nothing until next week.
• Babyopolis stuff: The baby room is coming together! There were some touch and go moments with the crib, but everything is now assembled and we've purchased most of our 'big ticket' items.  The only things left are the mattress and bedding for the crib and possibly a glider.   It's so strange walking into that room and picturing a baby in there!

26 & 27 Weeks!

Clearly, I cannot get myself organized enough to post on a weekly basis, so you might have to deal with doubled up posts!

What's up with Babyopolis?

Measuring your baby from top to toe with his legs extended, he is about 14 inches/35.6 centimetres. He weighs a little more than 1.6 pounds/ 760 grams. Your baby's eyes begin to open around now. Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born. (26 weeks)

Your baby now weighs nearly 2 pounds/ 875 grams and measures 14.5 inches/ 36.6 centimetres from head to toe. His eyes open and close, she sleeps and wakes at regular intervals and he may suck a finger or thumb.

Sweet dreams, little baby! Some experts believe that babies begin to dream by the 28th week. What do they dream about? No one knows for certain but the brain is active this week as well. The characteristic grooves on the brain's surface start to appear and more brain tissue develops.

Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of the hiccups, which are common this week and throughout the pregnancy. Your baby has them but is breathing in amniotic fluid rather than air. (27 weeks)

      
What's up with Stephopolis?

These last two weeks have been busy!

Gestational Diabetes Test

As you might remember, I failed my gestational diabetes screening, so had to return to the lab for the full test.  The full test, if you're wondering, requires:

• 12 hours of fasting
• drinking a 75mg glucose drink in 5 minutes
• 3 blood tests in 2 hours

UGH. It was unpleasant.  I booked the re-test as early as I could (8:20) on Saturday morning and took Adam with me.  I can't say I was the best company that morning, but I managed the ordeal by imaging the epic breakfast I would have in a few hours time...

The worst part of the procedure didn't emerge until that afternoon when I noticed that both arms were marked with intense blue bruises from the needles.  Even now, 5 days later, the bruises are still quite prominent.  They don't hurt, but they sure look ugly.

But, according to my lab results (which I viewed online), it looks like I passed! None of the results were out of range and I haven't heard from my midwives, which makes me think that no news is good news.

Infant Care Class

Right after the gestational diabetes test (and after breakfast!) we headed to the BC Women's Hospital for our 3 hour infant care class.

Adam and I realized that neither of us has had much exposure with newborns or young children, so we figured we would benefit from a crash course in all things baby.

The class was super helpful and very informative.  Taught by a registered nurse (and mother), we learned about everything from what newborn babies REALLY look like (ie: not super cute, and sometimes cross eyed...) to diapering and bathing and how to decipher baby's cries and what is considered 'normal' in terms of newborn sleep.

A lot of it was common sense, but there were a few things that surprised us.  For instance, we had planned on buying a few swaddlers and swaddling our baby but, according to the latest research, full swaddling (including the arms), inhibits a baby's natural ability to self-soothe by sucking on his/her fingers and babies will normally sleep with their arms outstretched, and pinning their arms to their sides isn't a natural sleep position.  Instead, the instructor recommended either swaddling from the armpits down or using sleep sacks.

We have another class coming up in August which has a dedicated focus on labour and birth, which I'm looking forward to! I know this baby has to come out one way or another, but I'd like to be as prepared as I can be for the experience :)

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 27 weeks, 5 days
• Cravings:Black Tea Lemonade from Starbucks
• Complaints: I have crazy pelvis pain and it feels like I've been kicked in the crotch.  Not a nice feeling! It means that my walking has really slowed down and I feel quite cumbersome.  And, at time of writing, there is a baby limb in my ribcage.
• Workouts: Lots of swimming!! I adore swimming right now.  It's so nice to feel weightless and float around.  The worst part is getting out of the pool when gravity kicks in again.
• Appointments: Routine midwife appointment next week
• Babyopolis stuff: I've been scouring Craigslist to find baby items that we don't mind getting used and, so far, I've scored a cuddly wrap.  We're also getting a ring sling made by a dear friend and we'll be buying a Beco Gemini (which Adam is rather excited about!).  I'm going to see a lady about a bassinet on Friday, because we refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for something that the baby only uses in the first few months. 

Weeks 24 & 25

Opps.  Another double week post!

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby's growing steadily. His body is filling out and taking up more room in your uterus (womb) but his skin is still thin and fragile.

For all you know, your baby may also be developing a weakness for sweets! His tastebuds are forming, and, believe it or not, acquiring a sweet tooth is all part of it. The other big milestone your baby reaches is that he may now survive, with specialist care, if she is born prematurely. (24 weeks)

Your baby's beginning to make some breathing movements, though there's no air in his lungs as yet. But his senses are developing fast. At 25 weeks, fetal brain scans show that babies respond to touch and if you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which researchers say shows that the optic nerve is functioning. Your baby rivals the average rutabaga in weight -- about 1 1/2 pounds. (Length: 13 1/2 inches, head to heel.) (25 weeks).

                                      Hmm. Apparently, I like to wear this shirt on picture day!

What's up with Stephopolis?

Some good news and annoying news this week.

The good news: We had a wonderful 3D ultrasound done and scored some amazing pictures of our little boy. 

The bad news: I just barely failed my 1 hour gestational diabetes screening test, so I have to go back in for the dreaded 3 hour test (which includes 14 hours of fasting. Ugh).  This doesn't necessarily mean that I have gestational diabetes (plenty of women get flagged after the first screening and go on to pass the 3 hour test), but it does mean that I'm feeling some pressure to pass with flying colors.  I'm also low in iron, so I have to start supplements this week.  So, not dire news, but a bit stressful.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 25 weeks, 5 days
• Cravings: Cupcakes, cinnamon buns
• Aversions: Nada
• Workouts: Lots of walking
• Appointments: 3D ultrasound!
• Babyopolis stuff: I think we've made a decision about the type of stroller we want (we debated the pros/cons while sitting in gliders in a baby store!)

22 & 23 Weeks!

It looks like I missed week 22 entirely, so you get a combo 22 & 23 week update :)

What's up with Babyopolis?

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. (22 weeks)

With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when he hears them outside the womb. (23 weeks). From here.

What's up with Stephopolis?

Ugh. Rib pain And hip pain.  All par for the course, according to my midwife, but that doesn`t mean it`s enjoyable! I feel heavy this week and like my gait has changed, which makes for some very slow walks across campus! Baby is crazy active now and every night before I go to sleep and every morning after I wake up, I make a point of lying on my back to say `hi`to the baby.  On my back is where I feel the strongest movements - the ones that actually push my belly out into weird positions. Very cool (and slightly alien-esque).

These two weeks were also milestone weeks in that Adam was able to feel the baby move for the first time.  At first, he was unsure if what he was feeling was me or the baby, but after a few tries he felt some of the big rolling movements that baby likes to do, and there was no doubt.

I also had an article that I wrote waaay back at 11 weeks (!) published here.  It talks about some of my fears and anxieties about losing control, some of which I still feel today, but now I`m much more comfortable with my pregnancy.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 23 weeks 6 days
• Cravings: Rice crispy squares (indulged), cinnamon bun (haven`t yet indulged), hamburgers (indulged)
• Aversions: Nada
• Workouts: Missed yoga because of the garage sale, but did lots of walking
• Appointments: A routine midwife appointment where she confirmed that the scan we had a few weeks ago looks perfect and all of my measurements are on track
• Babyopolis stuff: Because of aformentioned garage sale, Adam and I scored a bunch of baby clothes for pretty cheap :) Still don`t have any big ticket items, but we cleared the room out so we can start filling it back up with baby stuff!

21 Weeks!

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now. From here.

What's up with Stephopolis?

My ribs are starting to hurt and my back isn't too pleased with me at the end of the day.  I've made the full transition to maternity clothes and I'm super comfortable at work, which is lovely.   I've been super aware of the baby this week as well, as he's getting bigger and more acrobatic.  He's also started to wedge himself into some strange positions, which really makes me wonder what he's up to in there!

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 21 weeks 6 days
• Cravings: Lemon cupcakes
• Aversions: Nada
• Workouts: I missed yoga this week, but I've been doing a tonne of walking at work and at home
• Babyopolis movements? All. The. Time.  I'm looking forward to when other people can feel him too!

20 Weeks! (It's a....)

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)
He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. From here.

What's up with Stephopolis?

I'm feeling pretty good :) Some minor aches and pains, including some sciatic nerve issues, but nothing to really complain about.  Halfway there and getting more and more excited to meet our little baby!

We had our ultrasound this afternoon and elected to find out the sex of the baby.  Adam and I both made predictions right after our 7 week dating ultrasound, wrote them down and sealed them in an envelope.  Up until now, I had thoughts about what we might be having, but nothing definite - it would change from week to week.  Just for fun, here are what some silly 'gender predictor' tests on the internet say I'm having, and I'll reveal what the ultrasound tech told us at the end:

• Chinese Gender Predictor: Girl
• Wedding Ring Test: Boy
• Baby Zone Gender Predictor: Boy

It's a....

 And, just for fun, here's one of the ultrasound pictures.  The tech briefly switched to 3D to get us a face shot :) We'll have more of these when we go back for a comprehensive 3D ultrasound in June.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 20 weeks 5 days
• Cravings: Caramel ice cream
• Aversions: Nada
• Workouts: Prenatal yoga and some walks
• Appointments: We had the 20 week ultrasound today and it went great. Baby is looking healthy and measuring perfectly, which is a relief!
• Babyopolis movements?Yep yep. Lots of distinct kicks, punches and rolls.

 

19 Weeks!

What's up with Babyopolis?
 
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

What's up with Stephopolis?

Much the same as last week.  Lots of kicks and rolls and little vibrations to keep me amused and I'm feeling pretty good.  I think bebe is going through a bit of a growth spurt and I can feel my round ligaments stretching.

I'm insanely hungry all the time these days and I basically graze the entire day.  If I don't eat, or ignore my hunger cues, I get SUPER CRANKY and ornery.  So it's really better for everyone if I get food :)

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 19 weeks 3 days
• Cravings: raspberries, cheezies, salt, popcorn
• Aversions: Nada
• Workouts: Prenatal yoga and some walks
• Appointments: Nothing this week, but next Wednesday we have our big ultrasound!!
• Babyopolis movements?All the time! I mostly notice it when I'm sitting and hunched over (probably because bebe is squished), but the movements are getting more distinct everyday.

18 Weeks!

What's up with Babyopolis?

 Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. From here.

What's up with Stephopolis?

I feel pretty good :) They call the second trimester the 'honeymoon period' of pregnancy because everything is copacetic.  The nausea and exhaustion from the first trimester are gone, and the uncomfortable hugeness of the third trimester is still in the future.  It's basically the best 3 months of pregnancy and I can see why!

I've fully embraced my belly band and it's made my life so much more comfortable.  I strongly feel that every woman should have one of these - even when they aren't pregnant.  They're perfect for fat days, or days when you plan to hit the buffet. I have to figure out a way to market these to the general population because they're definitely missing out on this fantastic wardrobe secret!

 I took this picture right after coming back from my appointment.  I'm in pregnancy jeans with my belly band.


Thoughts about pain management during labour

I had a prenatal appointment this morning, so this topic is at the forefront of my mind.  Even though labour is still several months away, we talked a little bit about pain management techniques and the midwifery approach to pain mitigation.

At this point in time, I really want to labour as naturally as possible, using techniques such as water immersion, massage, counter pressure, etc. to make the pain as manageable as possible.  However, I'm realistic enough to know that I might end up needing other methods of pain management, like an epidural.  My midwives approach pain management in the sense that they will never withhold methods like epidurals from labouring women, but they will work with the woman and the woman's partner first to see what natural techniques will work.

I think this is a really rational and balanced way to work and, while I'm confident that birth is a natural process and I trust my body and my midwives to help support me through it, I'm happy to know that if I do need an epidural, I'll have access to one with no problems.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 18 weeks 4 days
• Cravings: watermelon (I devoured one quarter of one the other day...), salty, cheesy snacks.
• Aversions: Nada
• Workouts: Prenatal yoga and a few walks (more scheduled for this week).
• Appointments: Just fresh from a prenatal appointment :) Everything is measuring perfectly and the midwife found the heartbeat in about 3 seconds.  Like bebe's heart was beating away at a strong and healthy 144.
• Babyopolis movements? Yep :) Mostly still flutters and vibrations, but I've also felt 2 distinct prods, which feel kind of like kicks! I must say, feeling baby movements is a wonderful distraction in boring meetings!

17 Weeks!

Somehow the entirety of Week 16 got away from me, so you get a 17 week update instead :)

What's up with Babyopolis?

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop(From here.)

What's up with Stephopolis?

No more morning sickness!! Hopefully I'm not jinxing myself, but I'm off my Diclectin and haven't been sick in the morning for a while now (woo!).  It's so nice getting up and NOT spending 10 minutes face first in the toilet bowl.

I'm getting some round ligament pain now and then and my pelvis and hips are starting to get a bit sore after I work out or walk long distances.  It's nothing that doesn't go away after sitting with my feet up for a while, but I have a feeling it might get worse as the months progress. 

Because I'm still in clothing limbo, I bought a belly band to help extend the wear of my pre-pregnancy work pants.  Plus, it just looks super comfy :)

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 17 weeks exactly
• Cravings: WATERMELON (just ate some now!) and frozen raspberries and cheetos
• Aversions: Nothing :) I ate pork in thai food last night, so that was a successful re-introduction to that particular protein.
• Workouts: Walks, including an extra long walk yesterday, and pre-natal yoga tomorrow
• Number of times we've used the doppler: Nothing since the Easter weekend
• Babyopolis movements? Yes! Some small flutters on my left side.  I don't notice it all the time, but when I'm sitting kind of scrunched up, it's pretty noticeable.  I'm looking forward to the feelings becoming more distinct soon!

15 Weeks!

What's up with Babyopolis?
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. (From here.)

What's up with Stephopolis?

Still sick in the mornings.  And I think my hair-trigger gag reflex is to blame.  I sleep with a bite guard to prevent grinding my teeth (sexy), and when I take it out in the morning, that's when I start to heave.  At least it doesn't seem to be food related, which is good.  And once I've been sick once in the morning, I usually feel fine for the rest of the day.  But this is one symptom that I really hope will go away soon!

I also had to retire my first pair of work pants.  They were fine in the morning, but as the day progressed they became more and more restrictive and uncomfortable, to the point where I was massively distracted for the entire back half of my work day.  I have never been so happy to get into my pyjama pants.  So now I'm at that kind of awkward stage where I'm getting a bit big for regular pants, but I'm still not 'bumpy' enough for maternity pants.  Grr.

Also, there's no picture for this week (because I forgot!), but I'm spending the Easter weekend with the fam in Nanoose, so I'll take a nice scenic picture for my 16 week update :) 

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 15 weeks 6 days pregnant
• Cravings: WATERMELON!!
• Aversions: Still pork.  
• Workouts: Prenatal yoga and a walk.  Hoping to up the number of walks this week :)
• Number of times we've used the doppler: Once, for Adam's parents
• Anything else?: I'm anxiously awaiting the first movements of Babyopolis which, according to
  the internet, I should start to feel sometime around week 18, although mom felt movements earlier when she was pregnant with me, so maybe I'll luck out and feel them at week 16. Exciting!

14 Weeks!

What's up with Babyopolis?

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active. (From here.)

What's up with Stephopolis?

The dreaded morning sickness is back. UGH. Apparently, Babyopolis did not get the memo about nausea diminishing in the second trimester! It's not bad (I don't have hyperemesis or anything), but it's enough to disrupt my morning routine.  I'm feeling some uterine 'growing pains' as everything is shifting out of my pelvis and round ligament pains have started. But, overall, week 14 is shaping up fine.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 14 weeks 5 days pregnant
• Cravings: Frozen raspberries, cheddar popcorn
• Aversions: Still pork.
• Gender Thoughts: Nothing this week.  
• Workouts: A few walks and a hatha yoga class
• Number of times we've used the doppler: Twice. And found the heartbeat both times :)

We heard the heartbeat!

So because of the scare we experienced when the midwife couldn't find the baby's heartbeat at the last appointment, Adam and I went ahead and rented a fetal doppler from this place (located in Surrey, BC).

It was gorgeous outside, so we made a day of it and spent some time walking the pier in White Rock and eating a lovely lunch on a patio.

After we got home, we pulled out the doppler and gave it a try.  After digging around for a few minutes, and after finding my heartbeat several times, we found the baby's heartbeat!

It was much faster than my heartbeat and sounded absolutely amazing - very strong and clear :) We also heard the "wind through the trees" noise of the blood flowing through the placenta.

We don't plan on over using the doppler (even though we have the rental until July), but it's nice to have the option to listen to the baby for peace of mind!

We don't plan on ov

13 Week Photo

Officially official! (13 week update)

We broke the news to Facebook, which makes things seem much more official :)

And, because I'm at 13 weeks (the last week of my first trimester!), I thought I would start posting weekly updates on me and little Babyopolis for all interested parties.  And, seeing as I'm 14 weeks on Saturday, expect another weekly update & some belly photos shortly :)


What's up with Babyopolis?

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce. (From here.)

What's up with Stephopolis?

I'm feeling pretty good.  I had a stressful midwife appointment a few days ago (long story short, we couldn't hear the heartbeat, sent in for an ultrasound, baby is fine - just stubbornly avoiding the doppler!), I feel like I need to zen out and work on relaxing for the rest of this week. 

I hope to accomplish this through some pre-natal yoga, a long walk and some quality time in the bathtub.

I feel like my wee bump is getting a bit bigger now and sleeping on my stomach is almost out of the question.  I'm still sick in the mornings (Babyopolis is NOT a morning person!), but I feel fine for the rest of the day.  At about 9:00, I'm definitely ready for bed.

Babyopolis is my Muse

I've kept this on the down low, but now that everything is official, I thought I would spill the beans about some other exciting news - I'm going to be published :) I wrote an article about how it's impossible to control all of the variables that pregnancy throws at me and how I'm working on living in the moment and letting go of my worry.  Well, I submitted it to a pregnancy/parenting website and they want it! As soon as I have a publish date, I'll post the link for everyone to read.

Bullet points!

• How far? I'm 13 weeks 5 days pregnant
• Cravings: I want to eat salt. All day. All the time.  And sour keys. 
• Aversions: Pork. Blech
• Gender Thoughts: I've been thinking "she", but it goes back and forth

Proof positive

The journey begins

I'm expecting a little Babyopolis in September!

Confirmed at 6:00 this morning by two tests (because I didn't quite believe the first one), I'm about 3 or 4 weeks pregnant right now.

I feel different, but not really pregnant and I think both Adam (daddyopolis) and I are vacillating between excitement and trepidation.

We both watched the sunrise come up this morning and talked about the ways that our lives will be changed in 9 months time. 

I want to start this Babyopolis blog as a kind of written reminder of both the pregnancy and how our lives will be shaped by this new addition.