31 Weeks!

My comments today are in orange!

www.babycenter.com

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. This should be interesting! He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot Yes, very very very!, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up Actually, I'm getting woken up by trapped gas and an urgency to pee, if you must know. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active you can say that again! and healthy.

How your life's changing:

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Yes, it's strange but it doesn't hurt. Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," Nope! Thank goodness! from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. I do need to do this. I just need to figure out where to go. I noticed that Babies R Us has some.... They're SO EXPENSIVE! Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!

If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons from your doctor, and what the procedure involves. If we have a boy our baby will be circumcised. I already pre-paid for the procedure, actually.

More info here on L&D ...

Decision Guide:

Do you want pain medication during labor? HELL YES. There's no one right way to have a baby. Every woman's experience with pain is different and every labor is different. Some women know in advance that they want pain medication. Some are committed to a natural, unmedicated approach to pain management. And some want to try for a drug-free birth with the option of pain medication if the going gets too rough. Learn all you can about the pros and cons of the various options so that you can make an informed choice. I do want medication but my hope is that I can bare through as much labor as possible without it so that I can work hard to get the baby down in the birth canal. I want to be able to walk, squat, roll over, etc. for as long as possible -- you can't do that with an epidural. I'm not trying to be a hero or anything -- if it is too painful and I'd rather die than walk the halls I'll take the damn drugs. But I have a terrible fear of taking 20 hours to dilate to 10cm and then pushing for hours before having to have a C-Section. That story is all too common, especially for first time Moms, and I want to avoid it.

Here are some things to consider as you make your decision:

• If you haven't done so already, sign up for a childbirth education class with your partner. Instructors generally cover all labor pain relief options, including epidurals, spinals, and systemic medication as well as drug-free approaches like breathing and relaxation techniques. CHECK!

• Most women opt for some kind of pain medication during childbirth. The most popular form of labor pain relief, an epidural, delivers continuous pain relief to the lower part of your body while allowing you to remain fully conscious.

• Some women choose a natural, drug-free approach to controlling labor pain. If you want to remain in control of your body to the greatest extent possible, be an active participant throughout labor, and have minimal routine interventions in the birth process, then natural approaches will suit you best. If you choose to go this route, you accept the potential for pain and discomfort as part of giving birth, but with the right preparation and support, you may find it works well for you. I totally respect women that need/want to do this. It's just not for me though. Eric and I have talked about it and to me this method is a bit like opting to have a tooth pulled without Novocaine -- just because you can.

• Whether you've decided to use pain medication during labor or are committed to natural childbirth, remember that you have the right to change your mind once you're in labor.

This Week's Activity:

You don't need to pack your bag yet, but start making a list of items to bring to the hospital. Besides a change of clothes and a toothbrush, some items to include:

• A photograph or object to focus on during labor I think Eric and his behavior will be enough for me to focus on.

• Snacks to keep your energy up and gum or mints for bad breath I resent this comment and won't even dignify it with a response!

• Cozy socks and slippers Yes, this is a must. Besides, it's against the Vesely family rules to walk around without sock and/or slippers on! I just don't know that my Dad would allow me an "out" on this just because I'm giving birth...

• Your favorite pillow.....but there are so many.....

• Some light reading material....people mag!

• A nursing nightie and nursing bra.....I'm going to get the bra but I heard the nightie isn't really that necessary. I might change my mind.

• A going-home outfit for your baby Hoping to get one of these at the shower!

• A camera or camcorder, fresh batteries, and film, if necessary Yes!

Belly Support

I just bought one of these Medela Maternity Support belts. They are THE BEST THINGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD! They help support your belly up so it's not just hanging there killing you. I wish I would have gotten one of these things weeks ago -- especially since I'm sporting the sticky outtie kind of pregnant belly. By the middle of the day my belly gets so heavy I just want to lay down on the floor. With this bad ass belt I feel like I can stand for at least 15 minutes longer than before! Woo hoo!

If you're pregnant, and you don't have one, GET ONE!

$24.00 at Babies R Us

Chores

My first shower is this Sunday and with that brings in influx of baby supplies! I must say I'm in a bit of a panic about where all this stuff is going to go until Eric gets the Nursery done (June 28th is his deadline!)

Here are a list of things that need to be taken care of before I go in to labor:

1. Hang Blinds in Baby's Room
2. Buy area rug for Baby's Room
3. Patch paint in baby's room
4. Assemble Crib
5. Wash curtains in baby's room
6. Find home for Armoire, bed and other furniture currently in the baby's room
7. Wash, dry, fold and put away baby's clothes & blankets
8. Figure out how to use breast pump
9. Pack over night bag for hospital (to include baby's coming home outfit)
10. Get Rocker from Holly
11. Ask Elaine to make a Rocker cushion set for rocker
12. Figure out design for Barb to paint on one Wall of the nursery (hoping she can still do that)
13. Buy items on registry that we still need
14. Assemble registry items
15. Get 2 car seats installed and approved by fire station
16. Prepare e-mail notices for baby's arrival (Katie Thames will roll this out when baby arrives)
17. Buy a video camera
18. Send Thank you cards for gifts
19. Finalize all nursery details!
20. Buy hamper to match crib

I'm sure there will be more!

Labor & Delivery Prep Class #2

Eric and I attended our 2nd L&D Prep class last night. It was a little longer than usual but I thought it went well. The first 30 minutes was a video about the stages of labor and then they showed an actual child birth. Eric did really well during the childbirth -- even during the delivery of the placenta. I've heard from several people that the delivery of the placenta is usually not a favorite of the fathers! He didn't even wince -- I was impressed since even I though that was pretty gross.

Next up! Breathing patterns during labor! Basically, we all sat around practicing the different breathing patterns that go with certain stages of labor while the men massaged us. This part of the class was really great! Slow breathing puts you in to a Zombie state (probably not so during ACTUAL labor though) while quick breathing is a little more intense. The massaging portion is ALWAYS good. We did have to give back to the boys though and massage them through a "contraction", after which Eric yelled, "Wait! I think I feel another one coming on!" and the whole class burst out laughing. Gotta love him!

Finally we toured Labor and Delivery!! This was by far my the part of this course I was looking forward to the most. Being a planner I like to get a good look at where I need to go, what I need to expect, and how to get there when it comes to new expiriences. Since I haven't had to stay a night in the hospital since I was born - I was a little nervous about what to expect. But when I saw the lovely facility we'd be cared for in -- I was totally at ease. The labor and delivery room (where I will actually give birth to the wee babe) is very fancy (hard wood floors, granite counter tops, fancy lighting, a bassinet with a jumbo heating lamp for the baby!) It's great -- not surgical at all which is what I thought it might be. Just upstairs is the recovery area where our family will be spending the the post-labor portion of the hospital stay. That is also where the nursery is. As the class was walking through last night the labor and delivery nurses were bringing a "fresh one" to the nursery! Just born! So cute and so angry was this little one.

I think Eric and I did really well in Class #2. Next week they will talk to us about drugs during labor. A very good topic if ya ask me!

The Sexy Side of Pregnancy

At 30 weeks and 4 days I'm feeling pretty achey, I'm stiff and I waddle. My hands and feet hurt badly in the morning -- what's with that? I've heard from several people that it's normal, and will go away after the baby is born, but how wierd is that? I'm guessing it's from the relaxed ligaments -- which comes from a hormonal change.

My back is stiff in the evenings and in the mornings. I grunt now when I get off the sofa, out of the car or off of the bed. I'm getting to the point where I have to rock back a forth a few times, gaining momentum, before I can get up off the couch. I was groaning so loud last night when I got off the couch that Eric asked me what was wrong. I told him I'm just getting really annoyed with my inability to hop off the couch with ease. That's when he informed me that I waddle too. Niiiiice. I do walk/waddle much slower which is a little irritating because I'm used to pinging around the office at a much faster rate. My ping is gone. And after getting off the couch and waddling slowly a short distance I'm always out of breath. Getting out of the tub alone at this point is practically impossible. I just stick to showers.

On Saturday - my brother, eric and I rode to the 3-D ultrasound together. Being with both Rob and Eric at the same time in a small space is like being stung by a little knats over and over. They like to pick on each other but they like to pick on me too. After eating my lunch in the car Eric looked over at me and I had crumbs all over my belly. =( He and Rob laughed at my expense for a few minutes. Nice!

Sleeping is not bad though! A lot of women complain that they are unable to sleep at this point. I have recently found PERFECT pillow placement! Perfect pillow placement is key to sleeping comfortably. I use the body pillow on one side and two regular pillows behind me. Then of course I have my normal 2 head pillows. 5 Pillows! All those pillows do make getting out of bed to pee a little more challenging but I'm not complaining. Last night I slept so hard I was in heaven.

Eric and I all Dressed Up

I love these pictures. I want to get nice frames for them and put them in the baby's room. If you didn't know -- this is a picture of Eric and I at Aunt Heather's Wedding last weekend!

3-D Trip

So the day was wonderful! Me, Eric, both Moms, both Dads and my sister and brother were there with us. The faciity was nice but the big screen/LCD projector didn't really work. Well, it worked, but there was way too much sun coming in the room so nobody could really see the baby on the big screen. They all stood around me at the table and watched it on the little screen. That was fine by me but begs me to ask why did we pay for the fancy facility?

In other news -- the baby was adorable and gave us a big smile! Several. And then we got some cranky baby faces too -- which were equally cute. Especially, as one of the Moms pointed out, since it was a silent baby cranky face.

While in the examination room it turns out half the famiy, no, most of the family thinks they saw a penis. I, on the other hand, not wanting to find out the sex of my baby, didn't bother to look! I haven't been convinced but I guess it could be a boy... I'm not disappointed. I guess I'll just be surprised if my motherly instincts were that wrong. AND the needle test that my co-workers did. But whatever -- I'll be happy with either. Afterall, some of my favorite people on the planet are little boys.

We'll see!