Childbirth Class Week 3

The past week has been so busy that I haven't had a chance to do an update since our last childbirth class. If you remember, this was the week we were learning about drugs. I tend to shy away from using pain relief in general. I'm not entirely sure why. I was really happy to learn more about everything that they will offer and better understand how they could affect me and/or the baby. Now, I feel a lot more comfortable about getting an epidural. I am not sure that I want to take the narcotics that they offer for early labor, but we'll see how I feel when the time comes!

Happy News!

MOM AND DAD ARE HOME!!!! Woo hoo!!! Brad and I picked them up from the airport on Thursday. It was sooo great to see them! I hadn't seen mom since the day before I found out I was pregnant (March 15th) and hadn't seen Dad since the 4th of July, when I wasn't really showing much.

Other happy news is that Aaron and I bought a boat on Saturday. I don't remember the details about it, but if you want to know, ask Aaron next time you see him. I haven't been out in it yet because the weather hasn't been agreeable, but hopefully we'll have some time this weekend to get out.

Phew!

I just got word that I passed the glucose test with flying colors, so I don't have to worry about having gestational diabetes. Who hoo!

Childbirth Class -- Week 2

This week at our childbirth class we learned more about the stages of labor. It was a good thing too because I knew very little about it and Aaron knew even less. Now we at least will have an idea of what to expect, even though I'm sure no two labors are ever the same. I think he's going to be an awesome coach. We did a breathing exercise at the end of class and acted like we were having both mild contractions and really bad ones and I could tell that he really paid attention during class (or has great instincts) because he made me feel a lot more relaxed and able to focus. Next week we will be learning about drugs. I'm anxious to learn more about them. I know I said that I was going to try to do it natural, but given my low tolerance for pain, I will be surprised if I make it, so I want to know more about what they give you and when they do it.

3 Hour Glucose Test

I just got back from my 3 hour glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes. They didn't give me the results at the lab -- the doctor will call me later. It was about the most boring thing I've done in a long time. First, I got there and they drew blood, then had me drink another sugary drink, but this time it was twice as sweet as the initial test. Ugh, it was horrible. Luckily they had a straw and I was able to down it quickly. Then I had to get my blood drawn an hour later. She went for the same vein as the first time and it didn't work too well. I think I'm going to have a nice bruise on that arm -- and it hurt! Getting my blood drawn doesn't bother me, but I did start to feel a bit faint when she was moving the needle around trying to get a better blood flow. Then I had to go back in another hour later and an hour after that. She used my left arm both of those times and didn't have any trouble. I had to stay at the lab during the entire test, but I brought my computer and was able to work. It wasn't the most comfortable place, but it could have been a lot worse. She did mention on my last blood draw that she doesn't think that I look nearly big enough to have gestational diabetes (I thought that was very nice, ha ha) and that my doctor's office has a lot tighter regulations for the test than her lab does (i.e., I wouldn't have failed the first test if I had it done through the lab). Of course you never know and I could have just barely failed the first test and I could have gestational diabetes and it will be a good thing that they had the tighter regulations. We shall see next week!

Childbirth Class

We had our first childbirth class last Wednesday. It is a 4 week series, so we'll have classes on the next 3 Wednesdays. The first class we had introductions and watched a video about breathing techniques and ways to help with back labor. I thought it was interesting and took notes -- I think I was the only person in class that took notes! But, at this point I'd like to keep things as natural as possible, so I figure it won't hurt to have a list of ideas for Aaron to look through to help me through the pain. Don't worry I'm not crazy, I will take drugs if I need to, but I think I'd prefer to avoid them for the most part just because it isn't something I've handled well in the past (then again neither is pain!). There are probably 10-12 other couples in the class and Aaron and I felt really young! There was one other couple that was definitely younger than us, but we thought that everyone else looked to be in their 30s or 40s. I told Aaron that they probably thought that's how old we look, too, so there are probably more people close to our age than we realize. Almost everyone in the class is 4 weeks farther along than us, but one couple is due in mid-December and another is due in late January. At the end of class they had us do a relaxation technique which consisted of Aaron rubbing my back and shoulders while I relaxed. It was awesome and I've been looking forward to going back this week just for the massage!

28 Week Doctor's Visit

Our 28 week appointment was the morning after our trip. I had to take my screening test for gestational diabetes, which meant I had to drink a very sugary drink an hour before the appointment. The drink wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was only 10 oz. They draw blood exactly an hour after you finish the drink and then give your results at the appointment. The appointment went well, my blood pressure is still great, weight gain is right on track (still more than I want of course!), and the baby is measuring right on for her due date. Her heart rate was right at 144 bpm. The bad news was that I failed the screening test, which means I have to go back to the doctor to do a 3 hour long test. I will get my blood drawn, then drink another sugary drink (I've heard this one tastes a lot worse), then get my blood drawn an hour later, 2 hours later, and 3 hours later. I only failed the screening by one point and only somewhere between 5 and 15% fail the 3 hour test, so my doctor said that the odds are in my favor that there isn't an issue. If there is though, I can make it through it and there are a lot worse things.