31 January 2013

Pregnancy: 28w

We had our first childbirth class on Monday! It was pretty uneventful, but I think it's going to be very helpful for Matt. :) We watched a short water birth video, and the guys in the class were all, "Oh, OH, OH MY GOD." It wasn't even that bad. ;)

Next week... that one will apparently be bad. LOLOL

I'm really happy we picked this woman as our doula! I think she's going to be wonderful support for both me and Matt, and I'm looking forward to seeing how she springs into action, haha. Guess we'll find out in about three months...!!

What I love: I guess this is both a "love" and a "dislike". Not quite a "hate", but when they're stronger, they're definitely ridiculous. Kit rolls like crazy, and I can feel almost all of them. He'll scrape his body parts against my stomach and just make me jump sometimes! He also loves to do it while I'm lying on my side, scraping himself against my stomach where I'm lying. THAT hurts a bit. But it reassures me that he's moving. ;)

I also love that I went to scope a daycare for the second time to ask specifically about cloth diapering, and when I showed them the diapers, they LOVED THEM. Seriously loved them. Too bad they're $50 more per week now than the place we're registered for. I guess I have to convince them... or see if Matt can bring them down, lol.

And finally, awesome attorney-boss is all into Project Life, so we've been nerding out about that. I've become even more inspired by Melissa's recent post on her baby album for her son, and of course I forwarded it along to my boss, who was like, "This is AWESOME. And you're lucky to know her."

Yes, yes I am. :) For more than PL!

What I hate: My bigger belly, if only because I’m super self-conscious about it. [Same]

What I miss: My body, lol. [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: Our baby shower!! It's a week from Saturday, and I'm SO excited. I'm probably more excited to get down to FL to visit family, though! :D

Worries: Cesarean delivery. I'm still freaking out a bit about that.

Symptoms: A bigger belly, pregnancy rhinitis, and soooooo tiiiiiiired. [Same] I'm also getting some RLP... about time, I guess! It's all in the front of my pelvis. Not sure if it's due to yoga yesterday or actual RLP, but I'm anticipating it, anyway!

Mood: Good! I feel balanced again, which is nice. [Same]

Sleep: Good, for the most part. Kit really likes to snuggle or whatever he’s doing when I lay on my left side, which wakes me up sometimes. He’s a silly baby. :)

Movement: Lots of it! Mostly rolls and nudges rather than hard kicks, it's coming down to, but he still moves a LOT.

The belly (and the button!): Bigger belly, much more shallow belly button. I give it to 30w before it’s at least flat! [Same]

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Weight gain: I’m up 20lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight! Um, so there's a milestone for ya. LOL

Milestones: No matter what you go by now, I'm in my third trimester. :) Exciting!!

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

How your life's changing:

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test.

And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

25 January 2013

Progression Post!

Wanna see something cool?

 

IT'S THE AMAZING SHRINKING PREGGO LADY

24 January 2013

27 weeks. Third trimester? Something like that. Who cares, I'm huge. ;)


So according to some sites, sometime this week starts my third trimester. 27w4d, 27w on the dot, some as late as 28w. Frankly, I'm not sure when it starts and I honestly don't particularly care, but if it's now, I can definitely see (and feel) why!

Exhaustion is starting to rear its ugly head again, to the point where coffee doesn't even close to touching it and getting a good night's sleep -- even 11 hours' worth, like last night -- still leaves me feeling groggy in the morning. I imagine naps are going to become a weekend mandate rather than a treat from here on out.

I've also been feeling stretched to capacity lately, and as you can tell by the picture above, I'm starting to look that way, too. It shocks the hell out of me that there are around three more months left of this growth, and that Kit is going to start packing on the pounds from here on out. Which means mama will, too.

... yay?

Fortunately, I've found that applying liberal amounts of Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter to be an absolute GODSEND for my stretched-out, sensitive, occasionally itchy skin. It's incredibly rich and moisturizing without leaving a greasy residue, an issue that actually led me to stop using Bio Oil, which I'd have to apply then leave to dry for about a half-hour before putting clothes on. (Awkward to picture, huh?) It's a shame, really, as I enjoyed the Bio Oil, but I really like being able to just slap on some of the body butter whenever I want without having to worry about messing up my clothing.

And the coconut, it smells heavenly. I don't mind THAT, either. :) Or that I currently have no pregnancy-related stretch marks yet!

I discovered just how sensitive the skin on my stomach was when I started playing with my belly button the other day. It's really started to get flat; about half of it is officially out with no hope of return until Kit is born. I said the other day it looked like a balloon knot, and was challenged from there to turn my balloon-knot-belly-button into a work of art. Never one to disappoint:


Belly button fish! :)

(Yes, I'm strange. Y'all should know this by now.)

While I was drawing it, I started thinking that maybe the ink pen wasn't a great medium for pregnant belly art. The ballpoint burned like FIRE every time I ran it over my skin, similar to the feeling I had when I got my tattoo a number of years ago. I likened that pain to a searing-hot butter knife, and this was honestly no different.

So I'm now considering other belly artwork projects... with different mediums, of course. Next on my list is a pack of markers, preferably the scented kind. Or body art paint.

This coming Monday is our first childbirth class! It's run by my doula, Danielle Koontz (who I LOVE and highly recommend if you're anywhere in central Maryland), and goes for five weeks. By the time we're done with the class, we should know, among other things:
  • Childbirth in the USA today

  • Communication and decision making

  • Prenatal comfort

  • Breathing and coping skills

  • Cultural influences on birth

  • Nutrition and exercise

  • The process of birth

  • Medical procedures and options

  • Relaxation and comfort techniques

  • Medication and pain relief options

  • Complications and unexpected outcomes

  • Breastfeeding

  • Newborn expectations and concerns
I've been reading a couple books recently that cover some of these -- that said, I'd also like to recommend Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Birthing from Within -- and feel like those are good places to start, but I'm looking forward to more hands-on preparation as well. Since Matt and I are planning a natural birth, we definitely want to be as prepped as possible for anything that could happen, including but not limited to the complications and unexpected outcomes that the class is going to cover.

Plus, despite my book recommendations above, my husband strictly doesn't read unless it's shorter than a few pages (think magazine articles) or absolutely required, so getting him to actually pick up a book about pregnancy and birth would be nothing short of... well, having him go through labor. Just painful for everyone. ;) Better to have hands-on experience for his benefit, too!

I'm also getting pretty far into Project Life. I'm excited to keep it going, though I've hit a tiny, if negligible, road block: No Photoshop! I know you don't need Photoshop to do Project Life, but I have so many ideas and the want for so many fancy baubles for the album that I find myself having a hard time committing to a design.

I think they're turning out pretty neat so far, though! I have a spread dedicated to each our heritage (mostly family pictures) and to his side and my side when we were kids. I haven't actually written on any of the prompt cards yet -- see "I find myself having a hard time committing" -- but I have a few things floating around in my head. Fortunately, Kit's not going to see (or care about) this album for a while. ;)



I think that's pretty good for right now. Onward to Trimester Three!

Pregnancy: 27w

27 weeks today!

What I love: Kicking! He's been a very kicky baby recently, to the point where Matt got some REALLY good ones a couple nights ago. He was wondering if they were actually from Kit! Yes, yes they were. ;) His kicks don't (usually) make me jump anymore, but they're getting much more powerful!!

What I hate: My bigger belly, if only because I’m super self-conscious about it. And being so tired!! Though it did work out well as I got 11 hours of sleep last night...

What I miss: My body, lol. [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: Hitting the official three-months-away mark on the 25th! This time is seriously flying by!

Worries: Pre-term labor, though I'm trying really hard not to worry. It's just in the back of my mind. I'm also worried about labor itself, more because I don't want a cesarean than anything -- I've never had surgery before, and the thought freaks me out. I'm hoping I can actually have a natural birth without issue.

Symptoms: A bigger belly, pregnancy rhinitis, and soooooo tiiiiiiired. [Same] The tiredness led me to falling asleep last night at 8pm! Like, CONKED OUT.

Mood: Good! I feel balanced again, which is nice. [Same]

Sleep: Good, for the most part. I have a feeling these early bedtimes are going to become pretty normal soon enough. And Kit really likes to snuggle or whatever he's doing when I lay on my left side, which wakes me up sometimes. He's a silly baby. :)

Movement: Lots of it!

The belly (and the button!): Bigger belly, much more shallow belly button. I give it to 30w before it’s at least flat! [Same] Oh, and I totally got creative with my balloon-knot belly button:


Wedding rings on or off: On!

Weight gain: I’m up about 19lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight! I did eat a LOT yesterday, though, and was hovering around a 16-lb weight gain... but I imagine Kit had a major growth spurt lately. Either way, I'm keeping an eye on it and am going to be careful with my eating.

Milestones: 27 weeks! To some, this means the start of my third trimester, but not to everyone. ;)

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

How your life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.

Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief.

Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)

This Week's Activity:

Sign up for a breastfeeding class. If you are a first-time mom and planning to breastfeed your baby, it's a good idea to take a breastfeeding class. Ask your caregiver or childbirth education teacher where you can take one. Or call La Leche League. It can help you locate breastfeeding resources in your area.

17 January 2013

Pregnancy: 26w - Terror

(I'll probably be posting this, or something like this, to TCC later today. I just wanted to get my thoughts out.)

Why do some moms feel it appropriate to, consciously or otherwise, scare you when they find out you're pregnant?

I recently bought Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Birthing from Within from Amazon, and have been poring over the birth stories ever since. They're all so powerful, so uplifting, so indicative of how women are strong and able to birth. While the focus is on natural birth (obviously), there comes a strength from women who have also had interventions of any sort, from Pitocin down to cesareans. These stories seem less willing to "scare" you about anything and much more willing to show the beauty and wonder of childbirth.

These stories are unlike almost any other I've heard recently, and they offer me a sense of strength and ability to be able to give birth myself within the next few months. As I get further along, though, I'm bombarded with even more terrifying tales: From the days-long labor that left a woman exhausted to the poop she left on the birthing table, from the blue infant that came from her and needed CPR to the hellions they apparently turn into later. Like we never thought that having a child, in the womb or out, was difficult!

I honestly want to know what compels people to regale mommies-to-be about about "what you're in for", especially since I HOPE that, as a pregnant woman has had just about nine months to think about it (and longer if she and her partner have been trying for a while -- COUGH), they're well aware that they're not going to be 100% prepared for whatever gets thrown their way. Just as the current parents sharing their "horror stories" had no idea.

Maybe these parents feel like they're sharing, not scaring: They've been through the ringer, they know what's around the corner, and what better person to share their wisdom with than the pregnant chick in their lives! Maybe they even feel like they're bonding. After all, you're about to join in a special club that promises difficult times but (hopefully) lots of love in return, so what's a little hazing compared to 18+ years of "what's in store"?

I get it, kind of. I get that people want to share their joy (and, let's face it, their misery) with someone who is about to experience the same.

Then there are the people who insist that, on top of having this crying, pooping, screaming, co-dependent little person clinging to your life and limb, you're going to lose every aspect of your life. Like going to the movies? No more! Enjoy your sleep? Invest in eye cream, 'cause you ain't gettin' any! Speaking of getting any, how was your sex life before? It's nothing like throwing a hot dog down YOUR hallway now!

From my perspective -- as someone who revels over each kick her baby makes, every hiccup that shakes her belly, every plan she and her husband make to prepare their child for a happy, healthy, and loving home -- to be told these kinds of stories tells me that there's no way I can prepare for it.

So hey, what am I supposed to do? I'm 26 weeks along, it's not like I can turn back now. As much as I may have wanted it a few times during this pregnancy, there's no "delete" or "cancel" button, no dropping this project like a half-knit sweater. All I feel when I read or hear stories like that is the air deflating from my balloon of happiness and joy.

It's not like I haven't thought about this before, even agonized over the fact that my life simply won't be mine anymore. It's not like I haven't experienced diaper blowouts, infant and toddler meltdowns, screaming teenagers, debilitating self-disappointment in my abilities as a child caretaker... absolutely not.

And even for those expectant parents who have NOT experienced any of the above, I'm sure you're well aware that all of that and more is coming, if not through stories from others, then through your own forward thinking.

So, that all said, for all you mommies and daddies out there (and those who are neither but still love to tell stories because HEY, BONDING with this THING in your BELLY!), before telling any sort of cautionary tales, be sure that the expectant parents have at least asked for your opinion first, and if you must share... keep it to the point, mmm-kay?

And please, offer some positivity as well. That does us better than anything else.

16 January 2013

Pregnancy: 26w (almost!)

I missed last week and know I'm going to miss tomorrow, so I'm getting a head start. :)

First, I totally got video of Kit kicking! FINALLY. You can't tell too much, but I got it around 30 seconds. :)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84kmpG2-4Ts]What I love: Feeling movement. I'm not a huge fan of it at 2am, but I do love it when I'm awake, lol. I've gotten used to it by now, only in the sense that it doesn't weird me out. (Feeling limbs and other body parts still does, but that's another story.) Now I really enjoy his kicks. :)

What I hate: This exhaustion. And my bigger belly, if only because I’m super self-conscious about it. [Same]

What I miss: My body, lol. [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: Feeling better. Really? That's it right about now. I have this URI that is just knocking me on my ass.

Worries: Lack of movement. I didn't feel him last week from Thursday morning to Friday around noon, so I called the midwife, who said to head straight to AAMC for monitoring. Of course, on my way there (and to pick Matt up), I felt four kicks, but they were light and were in the span of an hour, so... better safe than sorry.

I told the midwife on call at the hospital that Kit was making me feel like a jerk because I did feel a little movement on the way, but she just laughed and said it was a good thing I was there anyway. Of course, Kit was fine... even went as far as to kick the monitor REALLY HARD a few times. I felt so relieved, but so silly. Better to know, though. :)

Symptoms: A bigger belly, pregnancy rhinitis, and soooooo tiiiiiiired. Add bleeding gums to this week, though it’s certainly not the first week it’s happened! [Same] And now sick, though that's pretty unrelated.

Mood: Good! I feel balanced again, which is nice. [Same]

Sleep: Good when I get it, though I miss sleeping on my stomach SO MUCH. Kit also kicks at all times during the night, which is sweet but SO annoying when I'm trying to sleep.

Movement: Yup! Thursday/Friday were a scare, but he's been really active since.

The belly (and the button!): Bigger belly, much more shallow belly button. I give it to 30w before it’s at least flat! [Same]

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Weight gain: I’m up about 15lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight still. I WAS up about 17lbs last week, but since I was sick the past few days, I lost a couple pounds. Yikes. :|

Milestones: Um... 26 weeks! Yay! LOL

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

How your life's changing:

Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prepare your baby's room while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Call your caregiver if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your caregiver know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting.

If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.
Soothing sore feet "To help yourself relax, immerse your feet in a basin filled with warm water. Add a few drops of scented oil and enjoy." — Anonymous

This Week's Activity:

Discuss some personal issues. Would you like to have your son circumcised? If so, do you want it done in the hospital? Will you have a religious ceremony after your baby's born? Would you like to stay home with your baby full- or part-time? These are just a few of the big decisions you and your partner should discuss now. Even if you think you both agree, it's best to share your opinions openly to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

10 January 2013

Some 2nd Amendment ranting.

I found out this morning that someone on Facebook defriended me after a discussion about gun rights for individuals in the US. I thought it was pretty polite discourse, but when confronted with rational arguments, facts, and figures, I guess that doesn't leave the other party much to stand on but his pride.

No real loss with the defriending, but it just confuses me why some, when faced with facts, deflect or personally attack or plain-out ignore said facts.

[caption id="attachment_1586" align="aligncenter" width="466" caption="(Click to embiggen.)"][/caption]

Is it too early to say I need a drink? :P

Cited Links...

07 January 2013

Pregnancy: 24w(4d... yes, I'm late!)

I'd say "better late than pregnant", but... well, you know. ;)

What I love: Feeling him more and more! We have a major hiccuper on our hands, and I'm guessing he's head down as much of them are by my pubic bone or, embarrassingly, by my ass. They're hard enough to make me jump! I feel some kicks up high, too, but my placenta's up there, so I'm not worried that I can't feel too much. He also likes to roll around, which makes my stomach a little upset. LOL

OH, also, Matt felt his body the other day!! I was lying on my back on the couch, and he was touching my stomach when he said, "Oh my god... I think that's a limb!" or something like that. I was like, no way... but then I felt it, and it was!! A leg, I think. It was so freaky and made this all so much more REAL in a way that nothing else so far has made this pregnancy.

What I hate: This exhaustion. And my bigger belly, if only because I’m super self-conscious about it. [Same]

What I miss: My body, lol. [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: Finishing our curtains. XD So Matt and I have decided to go with these shower curtains (because we didn't like any other curtains), and I'm sewing them up with some blackout curtains in the middle. It's suuuuch a PITA, especially since I don't have a sewing machine. The hand sewer I have is helping, but it's so damn tedious. And I cut myself with a pair of scissors! Just... how?!

They're cute, though, and totally worth the painstaking work. ;)

Worries: I got really worried last night when Kit wasn't moving, but I found his heartbeat with our doppler (love that thing!) and, about an hour later, I got hiccups. So he's good!

Symptoms: A bigger belly, pregnancy rhinitis, and soooooo tiiiiiiired. Add bleeding gums to this week, though it’s certainly not the first week it’s happened! [Same]

Mood: Good! I feel balanced again, which is nice. [Same]

Sleep: Even worse. Backaches, hip pains, weird dreams, and Kit kicking or otherwise moving at night all wake me up. Bah!

Movement: Yup! Tons of it, especially hiccups. ;)

The belly (and the button!): Bigger belly, much more shallow belly button. I give it to 30w before it's at least flat!

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Weight gain: I’m up about 14lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight still. Which is a bit triggering, but I keep trying to remind myself that it’s for good reason and my midwives want this gain! Yikes. :|

Milestones: Well... we had a midwife appointment last week! Everything is great -- I'm on track for weight gain, my BP is still beautiful (122/70), Kit is doing his thaaang, and we learned that the baby's heartbeat controls how much blood the placenta gets, so what we heard on the doppler at their office was actually the placenta rather than Kit's heartbeat! THAT was cool.

Matt also learned that he really liked the male midwife at SB. ;)

I get my GD test done at my next appointment, 5 February. The awesome parts? No fasting and NO GLUCOSE DRINK! I can have a banana and orange or apple juice! :D YAY!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

How your life's changing:

In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball. Most women have a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks. This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition.

Untreated diabetes increases your risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes your baby to grow too large, especially in his upper body. It also raises your baby's odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn't mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that you'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure.

Finally, if you don't already know how to spot the signs of preterm labor, now's the time to learn. Contact your caregiver immediately if you notice any of the signs mentioned below.
Relief for finger pain "To relieve finger pain and swelling, I keep a cold pack in the freezer. I apply it to my hands several times a day." — Kate

This Week's Activity:

Tackle your home improvement projects. Sit down with your partner and take stock of the things you'd like to fix around the house before your little one arrives. Then let your partner handle them. (You shouldn't be exposing yourself to chemicals or getting up on ladders.) Some things for the list:
  • Install or check smoke detectors, get a fire extinguisher for each floor of your house, and plan a fire escape route.

  • Fix or remove any broken furniture or fixtures.

  • Paint the nursery, hang curtain rods, assemble new furniture.

Baby Kit: 24 weeks!

Moving right along!



I've been a terrible blogger as of late, but I swear it's for good reason. We've had a lot going on in the nursery lately, including me sewing up custom curtains made from shower curtains (what? We didn't like any regular curtains!) and some blackout shades. Matt hung up the curtain rod, so I really need to get crackin' on these curtains. It's tough when you don't have a sewing machine, though!

And of course, there were the holidays and all that. I hope y'all enjoyed your New Year's celebrations and that 2013 is just plain AWESOME. :)

Plus, you know. Growing a baby. LOL

Last time I gave a weekly update on Kit's progress, I was 16 weeks along. Now it's two months later, and there have been SUCH amazing strides since then! He's so much bigger than before, which means I am as well. He's also moving much more, though I learned I have an anterior placenta that's higher up, so I don't feel a lot around or above my belly button. I believe he's head down, though, as I feel hiccups all the time... sometimes at my ass! Now THAT is a weird feeling.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Actually, that's about where my placenta is! You're welcome!"][/caption]

Matt has been able to feel Kit pretty regularly from the outside, too. Sometimes he's stubborn and won't do anything if he feels a foreign hand on my belly, but he's getting used to Matt's, it seems, as Kit now sometimes plays with his fingers.

The other day, Matt got to feel not only kicks, but Kit himself! Matt was rubbing my belly as I was lying on the couch one evening, and suddenly he says he can feel Kit! Not, like, kicking... but his actual body! I didn't believe him at first, so Matt insisted I feel, and when I did, there was definitely a little appendage or something. I think it was a leg.

I'll admit that, as cool as it was, it freaked me the fuck out, too. As much as I thought seeing him on an ultrasound or feeling him move or anything else during this pregnancy has made it feel "real", none of those even compare to feeling a limb and knowing for a fact that he's in there.

... that's fodder for another post, right there. :)

So anyway, all else is good! I'm on track for weight gain (as much as I hate it), for my overall health, and for Kit's health and well-being. Our next step is for me to get tested for gestational diabetes on 5 February, which should be oh so fun. Fortunately, no glucose drink for me... my midwives allow a banana and either apple or orange juice instead!

[caption id="attachment_1581" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption=""that bitch" = "that pregnant bitch""][/caption]

And on we press, to the third trimester and beyond...

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