Tuesday, August 30, 2005

2 weeks, 2 days left

I'm a freaking whale. If I could remember how to post my picture I would.....let me see...

Click here!

Friday, August 19, 2005

3 weeks, 6 days to go!

Went back to the doctor this week. Baby is still breech. He only measured three weeks bigger this time and I had actually lost 2 lbs...I'm not complaining. I'm getting Braxton Hicks contractions a lot more often these days, which is very annoying. Heartburn is still here. Since when does WATER make you have to burp? Ugh, the joys of pregnancy.

Friday, August 12, 2005

4 weeks, 6 days left!

I think I'm going to change all my titles to how long I have left. I just realized that all I have blogged about in the last few months is whatever happened at the doctors appointments. How boring!!

I wanted to share a little about baby movements. It's the wildest thing. I'm not really sure anyone can explain it, but I'll try. As I'm sitting here at my desk, I can feel two little feet fumbling around near the zipper of my pants. Yes, I know they are feet b/c of my last sonogram, but also because I've started to be more aware of the shapes in my belly. I think my pants must be too tight and he's trying to release the pressure. So then I unbutton and unzip my pants and sit here hiding under my desk, hoping that I remember what I've done before the next time I stand up.

I also have the joy of feeling a nice round head right under my lung. If I slouch, he'll try to push me back up. I can actually feel him flexing his back trying to get the head higher. Chad is happy about this because I keep better posture.

Not only can I feel the baby, which basically feels like pressure pushing against your insides, but I can see him. Okay, well not him, but my stomach. When he rolls his head, I can watch it roll from one side to the other on my tummy. I'm sure that if I could see where his feet are, the same would apply. Actually I know that to be true b/c Chad has seen it.

Which brings me to something else....I can't see down there. Anything below my bellybutton I can't see. I know, scary thought. I'm doing my best to keep maintained and not look like the amazon women from the videos you watch in childbirth classes, but maintaining is hard when you can't see. I've found myself in the most awkward positions trying to shave. What seems to work best is if I do it at the gym where I can lean against the back of the shower and hick my other leg up on the wall infront of me. A gross thought really, but I go to a clean gym. But still, I'm getting to big for that and my balance is so bad that I'm afraid that I'll fall. I still get out and everything is all uneven...it frustrating. The only other way I've found to work is shave a little, open the shower curtain, try to look across the room in the mirror and then adjust....but this is too hard and requires me to sit down and stand up to frequently (I almost lost it last time...it scared the tar outta me). I begged my husband to help me the other day, to which he just sat laughing. I don't understand why he wont help...it would benefit him, right??

33 weeks, 5 days

I keep forgetting to update my blog, oops!

Last week we had another appointment. Kai was still measuring four weeks bigger than he should be....great. During the sonogram we discovered that he is still breech. His head is under my right lung and his feet are tucked down at the bottom of my cervix.

After the sonogram the doctor sat down so we could "talk." He said there is only a 20% chance of the baby turning at this point. Because of his larger size and feet down position, he feels like there is even less of a chance of him turning so he asked us to go ahead a schedule a c-section. He told me to pick a date between the 15th and 22nd. He sat there waiting for me to make a decision...finally, he figured out that I had no idea he told me I could call later and decide. Through further discussion, he said he thinks that a c-section might be the best option for me, even if he flips, because of his size. Fighting through a twinge of disappointment, I felt relief that our doctors are given wisdom.

Then I started thinking of all of the advantages of having a c-section: picking the day, no vaginal stretching or possible incontinence, no labor pains... But then there is also that disappointment that I won't get to say "Honey, its time." I feel like I'm missing out on some right-of-passage that all woman should go through. Yeah, a lot of people get c-sections, but most at least start labor! I don't know...

I spent the rest of the day trying to decide on a date. Trying to determine that was the hardest thing. How do you decide. We've finally decided on the 15th of September.

So then comes everyone's advise to turn the baby. Lay tilted with ice on your belly, play music lower, etc... Is it bad that part of me is TOTALLY okay with the baby not turning and just having a c-section?? I kinda like the idea of being in control of the entire situation. Besides, if the dr thinks he's going to be to big to push out...why try?

After we settle the date and the surgery is scheduled, I start thinking about the day of delivery a lot. Since I'll be strapped down, I actually won't be able to hold the baby for a while. After the baby is born, they will show him to me and then start cleaning him up. After that, Chad will get to hold him before they are whisked away to the nursery and I'm taken to recovery. I became extremely upset that I wasn't going to be the one to introduce him to the family. I got even more upset at the idea of anyone else besides Chad holding him...or even seeing him without glass separating them. I figured if I carried him, I should get to hold him first and be able to introduce him to each person. So I called Chad and told him that no one is to lay hands on that baby until I do. (Well, of course the dr, nurse and himself.) I think he thought I was going a little nutty. I don't blame him, it was 6:30am.

I've since decided on the way I want the day to go. (Of course I don't know the times but this is a rough idea)

5:30 - Get to the hospital
7:00 - Surgery
Some time during 7am Kai is born
8ish - Chad gets the family and they gather outside the nursery to see Kai for the first time being all cleaned off (me in recovery)
Next - I get the baby and Chad in recovery and spend time with them alone until being moved to the Mommy/Baby Unit
10ish - Get settled into our room
1030 - Start inviting family back two at a time for 15 min each
1130/12 - Kick everyone out and rest
4/5 - Allow visitors to return

But who knows how the day will actually go. I just feel like I'm not going to want to be totally surrounded the entire day. Give me some time. I'll be there for three days, I'd rather people come see us the following days when I'm more rested and bored!