Reflections on this crazy journey

Now that I'm officially in week 39 of my pregnancy, I've started reflecting back about the things I'm going to miss when I'm no longer pregnant and all the things I look forward to getting back to. There have been a lot of ups and a few downs on this incredible journey and the fact that I'm really the first of any of my friends to experience pregnancy has made it all the more eye-opening.

I'll start with the things I'm going to really miss:

1. Feeling her move around in my tummy - I truly love just sitting down and feeling her kick and roll around. Its fascinating how she went from these little nudges that only I could feel, to these huge rolling movements that make my entire belly look as though its going to burst. There were several times when I would wonder if she would grow up to be a gymnast or kickboxer the way she flailed about. She has always been particularly energetic at nighttime, and I really love laying in bed with Rob's hand and my hand on my tummy feeling her move before we sleep. She also has the hiccups twice a day every day. I love feeling that. I really enjoyed that my family (Mom, mother-in--law, father-in-law, grandmother) were able feel her move on a few occasions. Its so fantastic being able to share that with them.

2. Being able to eat what I want, guilt free. This is definitely one of the perks. As someone who has had to watch what they eat for as long as I can remember, I was so happy that the pregnancy gods smiled upon me and allowed me to enjoy 9 months of freedom with limited weight gain. I honestly worried a little that I would be the woman who gained 60lbs while pregnant despite eating only fruit and salad. I luckily did not have to change my diet. I continued to eat regular food and absolutely gave into cravings when they hit. Whether it be chicken wings, banana splits or shortbread cookies, I enjoyed every single bite. No one is as surprised as I am that I only gained 10 lbs throughout the entire pregnancy. I'm sure certain body parts will require tightening up after all is said and done, but I'm very thankful that I won't need to drop drastic amounts of weight to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape.

3. Fantastic skin, nails and hair. This has to be the only benefit of pregnancy hormones. I've struggled with my acne-prone skin since I hit puberty, but during pregnancy my skin seemed to clear up on its own. I've had a few break-outs here and there, but for the most part my skin was (as they say) glowing. I hear that this positive benefit may even continue after pregnancy, so fingers crossed for that! My hair also grew at great lengths and became thicker and softer. The one thing that surprised me the most was my nails. I've been a nail biter since I was a young girl, but during that first and third trimester I finally quit. No idea how or why, but I have a full set of long, strong and beautiful nails. I really hope I can keep this up after I deliver because I've been trying to quit biting them for years!

4. Being able to sleep in. Everyone I run into has told me time and time again "I hope you're getting sleep now because you won't get any after the baby arrives". I couldn't tell you how often I hear this comment. I've always been a night owl. My perfect day runs from about 10am to 2am. I know that things are about to change. My peaceful lazy mornings will soon be filled with feedings and diaper changes. Then after that she'll be up wanting to play at the crack of dawn. (Why do kids love mornings to much anyways?) So these last few weeks I've really been embracing the fact that I can sleep in til any hour I choose. Man, I'm really going to miss this one!

5. My comfy maternity dress pants that I wore everywhere! Last but not least on my list are my grey dress pants. I received these pants second hand from my friend Kelly who has finished having kids and once they were on, I fell in love. Not only do they look great, but the belly band was so freaking comfortable. I struggled the first few months and experimented with other maternity pants. I bought jeans, tried on khakis and even attempted a few skirts, but nothing, nothing, compared to these pants. Not sure if you noticed, but in almost every single baby belly photo I took, I was wearing these pants. They literally came off my body, went in the wash, and were back on the next day. Such fantastic pants!


Although I really do love being pregnant, I'd be lying if I said there weren't a few things that I am looking forward to about no longer being with child.

1. Not having to pee every 20 minutes. This one is pretty self explanatory, but probably close to tops on my list of what I can't wait for! Being able to make it though an entire tv show, or travel in the car without having to stop at random gas stations and coffee shops will be blissful. Heck, I've had to go twice already while writing this blog.

2. Sleeping on my stomach. You've heard me complain about this a few times throughout pregnancy. I honestly cannot wait to get back to this oh so comfortable position. Not having to toss and turn or take 5 minutes to roll over will be amazing. Being able to just flop into bed, or cuddle without a giant belly getting in the way brings a smile to my face. Granted I likely won't be getting much sleep once she arrives, but at least the sleep I will be getting will be in a position I'm actually comfortable in.

3. Being able to wear "normal" clothes. These last few weeks I have caught myself daydreaming about my old wardrobe. How amazing it will be to be able to wear just jeans and t-shirt again. Pants that actually have buttons and not an elastic waist. High heels, dresses, skirts, dress shirts with buttons, winter boots with a heel, and my red winter pea coat. I'll finally have more than 5 shirts and 2 pairs of pants to choose from. Granted everything will soon be covered in baby spit, but at least I'll look good cleaning it off.

4. Wine. Need I say more?

5. Watching my little peanut grow and learn and experience this big ole world. Obviously this one takes the cake. The reward for 40 weeks of hard work will soon be here. I can't help but smile when I think about her learning to smile, or saying her first word, or learning to read, or watching her interact and love Jake as her big furry brother. Seeing her grandparents spoil her rotten, and looking at her and seeing parts of myself in that sweet little face. I know she will grow and push my buttons and get into trouble from time to time, but all those little moments are the memories that will last a lifetime. They say time flies and that kids grew up before you know it, so I hope I can remember to slow down and embrace every moment.

38 Week Photo

I'm starting to think she is far too comfortable inside to wanna come out. Here is hoping this is the last of the belly photos. I'm getting excited to meet her!

Pop goes the rib

I woke up Thursday morning in a lot of pain. I could barely roll over and every breath felt like someone was twisting a knife in my right lung. It wasn't labour pains but instead a radiating pain coming from my rib cage. On the outside there was a distinct bump and it was very tender to the touch.

I finally made it out of bed and spent the rest of the day barely moving. Unfortunately I had a cold at the time and any attempt to blow my nose or cough was met with wince inducing pain. I figured the baby just had a foot lodged under my rib cage or something and hoped that she would move it soon.

I woke up the next morning and it was still very sore but a little less painful than the day before. I could move around easier, but the bump was still protruding. That evening Jake tipped over his box of toys, spilling them all over the living room floor. I dragged my butt off the couch and attempted to pick them up. As soon as I bent over I heard a very distinct POPPING noise and immediately felt relief. I could breathe! I could move! I checked my rib cage and the bump was gone.

It turns out the baby had managed to pop out one of my ribs! I'm very thankful that it popped back in because I couldn't imagine having to push the baby out with a rib out of place. That would have been excruciating! I'll say one thing, I'm certainly ready for her to make her appearance. . She is one feisty little girl!

Car Seat Chaos

There is no argument. A car seat is necessary for the safety of your baby. As an infant, up to 22 lbs and 1 year of age, the baby rides in a rear-facing car seat so that if an accident does occur the baby doesn't suffer as much trauma to the spinal cord and neck area.

Rob and I installed the car seat and base into the car last week following the manufacturers instructions. We made sure everything was strapped down and that the seat couldn't possibly move an inch in any direction. We took turns crawling into the seat while the other person tightened the straps down even more.

Unfortunately, TV and all the baby magazines and websites stress the fact that despite the best of intentions, 95% of all car seats are installed incorrectly or not tight enough. What these publications fail to tell you, is where or how to get help with this problem.

I know that in past years I've heard of car seat clinics taking place where you can show up on the date and the fire department or police will inspect your car seat, but where are those clinics now? I decided to do some research.

I called the public health unit and after being passed around through various people I was put in contact with a gentleman who explained that they USED to inspect car seats but unfortunately no longer do. Although he does have a DVD that I may find helpful. Really? A DVD? If I don't feel entirely confident after installing it according to the manufacturers instructions how was watching a DVD going to help? I passed.

Next I called the local fire department and got a similar story. They used to do inspections, but no longer do. Following that, I called the local police department. Again, they couldn't help me.

Out of options, I contacted the instructor from our pre-natal classes thinking she might have a contact that I am unaware of. She called around to local businesses and finally got a hit with the OPP. They do still run car seat clinics, but they weren't sure when the next one was. They gave me a contact number for an officer out of a smaller community office. I have contacted her and am currently waiting for a call back.

You would think that with how important car-seat safety is there would be more public awareness on how to get help with installation. I'm a little disappointed that there seems to be little to no options available for soon-to-be parents. At this point I guess we just have to trust that we have installed it correctly and hopefully the officer from the community office will return my call and have a solution.

37 weeks - OB visit

I had my weekly visit with my OB this morning. The visit was fairly routine. The baby's heartbeat was a strong and fast 154 bpm and my fundal height was right on track at 37 weeks. I did get 2 pieces of good news this week. My strep test that they took last week came back negative, which means I won't need IV antibiotics when I go into labour, and when they weighed me, I had actually LOST 2 lbs.

The weight loss is a really positive sign that labour could start any day. Pregnant women commonly lose 1-3 lbs the week before labour begins because the body starts ridding itself of access fluid that is has been storing. You lose this fluid through sweating and increased urination. Given that I've felt like a furnace the last few days and I can't go an hour without visiting the ladies room, I'd say its fairly safe to attribute the weight loss to the depleting fluid levels.

I have another appointment set for next week, but my fingers are crossed that the baby arrives before my next visit. A close friend of mine is predicting a January 22nd birth, so I guess in a few days we will find out if he really does have psychic abilities.

Stranger danger

Although i've been lucky enough to avoid the dreaded pregnancy act of strangers approaching and touching your belly without asking, no one warned me about the 9th month guessing game....

Ever since it has become clear that I'm about to burst and have this baby at any minute (aka the last 2-3 weeks), everywhere I go random strangers approach me to tell me their delivery stories. Actually, its may not even be their story, but they knew someone who knew someone whose cousin had a crazy delivery story and apparently they need to share it.

The other day while at the check out at Zellers, the woman in front of me (who was holding up the line by buying an item without a price tag on it) breaks into baby conversation by asking me when I'm due. This part, along with "do you know what you're having?" I don't mind at all. I enjoy sharing that information. After I answered "3 weeks", she ran with the conversation, saying when she was pregnant she gained 65 lbs and it was the hardest thing to try and lose all the weight after. And then the cashier joins in by saying "I bet your baby will be huge. At least 10 lbs. Is it a boy or a girl?". I answer girl, and she continues telling all these stories about women she knew whose doctors have told them girl girl girl and it came out a boy and that she would put money on the fact that I'm actually carrying a boy. At this point all I'm thinking is, why do people think its ok to talk to pregnant women like this? You don't even know me!

Today at the mall it happened again. Every cashier I had to deal with told me a story about a friend of their friend whose baby was 3 weeks early, or 2 weeks late, or born tramatically, or had to be rushed off to the nicu, or they had to have an emergency c-section because the baby's heart rate dropped........ What are they thinking?

A word of advice to the people out there who feel the need to share their stories.... Stop sharing them with women who are about to give birth! Its not nice to tell a complete stranger that their baby will be ginormous, or the opposite sex then what they've been told. Trust me, we worry about these things enough as it is, we don't need your terrible tales added to our thoughts.

Looks like the only way to really avoid this pitfall of stranger danger is to stay home as much as possible once things start nearing the end.

36 Weeks and ready to pop!

These are the 36 week along photos. She seems to have grown a lot over the last two weeks. My belly is starting to get corners, when she pokes out a knee or foot. I'm beginning to believe the people who are saying there is a 9 lb baby in there!

36 Week Check In

I met with my OB on Tuesday and from now on I will be seeing him weekly until the baby comes. The visit was fairly routine. Blood pressure, urine analysis, and weight check. I have gained another 2 lbs, making my total 12 lbs for the entire pregnancy.

He examined the baby and I'm measuring 36 weeks and her heartbeat was 137 bpm, strong and steady. She is still head down and has dropped into the pubic bones making her "engaged", meaning she's getting ready to pop out.

Since we are so close to delivery, he did a swap test for Group B Streptococcus, which is a bacteria that is very common in women. 15-40% of women carry the bacteria, but when you are pregnant that bacteria can be passed onto the baby during birth. Doctor's test for it around the 36 week mark and if your results are positive then you are hooked up to antibiotics when your labour starts or your water breaks so that the baby won't get it. It is pointless to give antibiotics before labour begins since even with treatment the bacteria often has time to re-grow before labour starts.

The test was just a simple and pain-free swap and my OB so kindly said that unfortunately that is the least painful thing that will occur from here to the end of the birth.

I asked when he would be checking for dilation and effacement and he said because it is such a painful experience and there is really no benefit to checking early, he won't check that until the last week before my due date. Fine by me. Lets keep the pain to a minimum!

Reflexology Relief

Having been suffering from some pretty bad headaches and horrible hip pain for the last few days, a friend of mine saw my posts on Facebook and offered to help. She is a licensed Reflexologist and informed me that an hour long session could help relieve some of the pain I'm experiencing. Given that I have barely slept lately because of the pain I didn't have anything to lose, so I booked an appointment.

I did some research before the appointment and actually found out that sometimes reflexology can help naturally induce labour. I'm not trying to rush the baby out but definitely wouldn't mind meeting her sooner rather than later. I was excited.

The session was fantastic. An hour of someone rubbing and pressing on my sore feet felt amazing. It was very interesting when she explained which areas of the foot corresponded to the different parts of the body. Anywhere that was sore when she pressed on it, was because there is a blockage of energy or just general stress. I was pretty relaxed overall but the painful spots according to my feet were my hips, my shoulders and my uterus. How accurate! Results (pain relief) generally happen fairly quickly but can take up to 24-48 hrs.

I felt better almost instantly and had the best night of sleep that I have had in awhile. My hips are a lot less painful, and although I still have headaches (hormone related) they are to a lesser degree than before.

As for inducing labour, nothing. Or at least nothing yet. It was of interest to me that while she was pressing on areas like tummy, ribs, uterus, etc, (through my feet), the baby's movement did increase. She was kicking up a storm.

Even though it didn't induce labour it was nice to get out of the house and pamper myself. I know my days of "taking alone time" are numbered, at least for awhile, so I'm taking advantage. Only 3 more weeks to go!

Let the countdown begin.....

Ok, so technically I've been counting down for the last, oooo 35 weeks, but now we are only a month away from the due date! It seems like it has taken forever to get here, yet flown by so quickly at the same time. I find it hard to wrap my head around the fact that in a month or less I will be holding a life that we created. We'll be completely responsible for raising this mini-me and starting them off on the right track in life. I've thought about this moment for years and even at this point the magnitude of whats about to happen boggles my mind.

Being this close makes me wonder if every odd twinge or movement is going to lead into labour. Will my water break when I'm at the grocery store or having dinner with friends? Will I end up having contractions the day we head out of town for something? The month of January has us sticking very close to home, or at least not traveling more than an hour from the hospital. The OB has told me that it could happen at "anytime" which is exciting but also very vague. As a person who likes to plan things, the sitting around and waiting is excruciating. Its also become a lot more difficult to shut my brain off at night and actually sleep. A lot of unknowns lay ahead of me.

First of all there is the pain factor... I mean, its pretty obvious that labour and delivery itself are gonna hurt. How could it not? But to what degree? I was reading an article sent to me from babycentre.ca about what women didn't expect during labour and there were some who wrote "it hurt far less than I expected" and others who wrote "hitting yourself with a hammer for an hour is uncomfortable, but hitting yourself with a hammer for 15 hours makes you delirious"... (Note to future pregnant women, don't read these articles!)So I guess it ultimately depends on the baby's size/position as well as the mother's pain tolerance. Unfortunately for me, the baby has stolen any pain tolerance I once had. I know this because during my second trimester I cried while having my eyebrows waxed because it hurt so badly. For a normally tough chick, that was a point of humiliation.

I know there are ways of dealing with the pain, and by that we get into the great epidural debate. For the last month or so everyone has had an opinion on epidurals. Its tough to escape that conversation. There are those who had it and loved it, those who had it and hated it, those who wished they had had it and those who have had children with and without pain medication and say its a personal matter. Over the last nine months I've gone back and forth, almost daily, as to whether I'll join the bands of women who go for the pain free delivery.

The prenatal classes we attended were pretty big on anti-drug delivery and provided a long list of reasons why its better for baby. They almost guilt you into it. "You want the best possible start to life for your baby, don't you?" Research and videos they showed us back their arguments, but when it comes down to it, they aren't the one who is pushing out the baby. On the other side of the scale there is the thought that if you go for the epidural, the birth process will be less traumatic/stressful on the mother and a much more enjoyable experience overall.

Really, its going to be a decision that is made in the heat of the moment. Heck, for all I know my labour might progress so quickly that I won't even have the option of having an epidural. I guess we'll just wait and see.