The name of the class can be very deceiving and make you think that you are just going to learn about how to breath and relax, however it was so much more than that and I am so thankful we actually took the class as early as we did. There were actually a few couples in our class that were due in a few weeks, but I like to have as much information as early as possible to help me feel educated and to make wise decisions about our delivery options.
First I must say that our instructor was great, okay we were a little biased since she is a good friend, but she was informative, knowledgeable, had a sense of humor, and used a variety of teaching tools. As a public speaker and educator I love to be around quality speakers and Tammy Leitzel - you are one - great job!!!
As I mentioned before the class was so much more than just learning how to breath... in fact here are some interesting things that I learned in the class that I did not know before.
1. First time moms usually are in labor 12-17 hours. The good news is that is not constant
2. If you are induced you have to stay on a monitor throughout the rest of your delivery time.
3. Although our hospital does not do water births they do have a tub with jets to help with contractions, as well as birthing ball and bar.
4. Our bodies are designed for having babies, and they will naturally work through the delivery process.
5. Changing positions during labor and using gravity can reduce the length of labor and reduce tearing.
6. Once you are admitted as the mom you aren't able to have anything but clear liquids - husbands can't eat in the room they have to eat at the nursing station. (Joel was pretty happy about that)
7. Nubain is a drug to help take the edge off the pain of labor, however it doesn't restrict you like an epidural does.
8. Contractions start at the sides and work their way to the middle and back out to the sides.
9. Pain is - purposeful, anticipated, intermittent, and normal
10. Only 12% of women have their water break out prior to labor.
This was just a piece of what we learned. We feel we are much more informed now to make some decisions as far as our preferences. Hope it has been helpful to you as well!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Coming Home clothes
The joy of knowing what you are going to have is picking out clothes for the baby ahead of time, the hard part is having no idea how big or small she will be, and also not having any clue when it comes to having our own baby!
Many people like the surprise of not knowing but as a planner - it has been fun to know and prepare and pray specifically for a little girl. As much as I love to plan - it has been a very hard thing to pick out an outfit to bring her home from the hospital. I don't really feel the need to go out and shop for tons of clothes because I know we will be getting some cute outfits as gifts - in fact the only outfit I really wanted to pick out was her coming home dress.
I have been looking for about a month now, and it seems like I had something in mind but couldn't find anything anywhere. This was my thought - I wanted something that was clean and fresh looking - a white or light color. I wanted something that wasn't covered with pink. I wanted something cute and feminine but not a sleeper or something like that. I wanted something that would be comfortable and easy to put on (many mom's mentioned the easy to put on factor). Something simple yet cute!
I was so excited today to finally get to look with Joel along - now if you know him - you will know he doesn't really have strong opinions and will usually just say whatever I like is fine but I wanted him to help with this and that he did and I love the choice we made.
Now all we have to get is a little bonnet or hat and some cute socks and we are all set.
Many people like the surprise of not knowing but as a planner - it has been fun to know and prepare and pray specifically for a little girl. As much as I love to plan - it has been a very hard thing to pick out an outfit to bring her home from the hospital. I don't really feel the need to go out and shop for tons of clothes because I know we will be getting some cute outfits as gifts - in fact the only outfit I really wanted to pick out was her coming home dress.
I have been looking for about a month now, and it seems like I had something in mind but couldn't find anything anywhere. This was my thought - I wanted something that was clean and fresh looking - a white or light color. I wanted something that wasn't covered with pink. I wanted something cute and feminine but not a sleeper or something like that. I wanted something that would be comfortable and easy to put on (many mom's mentioned the easy to put on factor). Something simple yet cute!
I was so excited today to finally get to look with Joel along - now if you know him - you will know he doesn't really have strong opinions and will usually just say whatever I like is fine but I wanted him to help with this and that he did and I love the choice we made.
Now all we have to get is a little bonnet or hat and some cute socks and we are all set.
This is the front of the dress
This is the back of the dress with a little white bow and yellow flower
It may be a little big on her but if my mom is correct and we have an 8 pound baby it should fit perfectly!
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Stocking Saga!
The joy of having Factor Five Leiden (blood clotting disorder) while pregnant brings about many new and exciting things to an already crazy time in life called Pregnancy! We knew full well going into this pregnancy that we would have to take some extra precautions and things would be a bit different from the "normal pregnancy" that many woman have (although I am beginning to think that normal is so vast it is hard to determine what is normal for one woman may not be normal for another)
Anyway - I have to take shots daily in my belly, which has not been fun from the start, but I must say it is getting harder and harder as I get bigger and bigger - I have trouble seeing where to inject.... I told Joel just yesterday he is going to have to start giving me the shots - let's just say he was less than thrilled by that idea.
Another risk of this disorder is bleeding and bruising - so no contact sports - hahaha - okay most prego woman can't play them but I have to be extra careful not to get cuts or bruises because of the blood thinners. Obviously though the biggest risk is blood clots - though I am taking blood thinners I am still at risk especially as it gets hotter and my body begins the "summer of swelling"(now that would be a fun name for a blog as well)
All this to say - I now get to wear full stockings - and not just nylons! We are talking 20-30 compression stockings that go from my toes to my chest! Talk about fun to put on! It takes several minutes with several rest stops along the way just to get them up to my knees. Let's just say once I get them on - they stay on all day!
Here is the worst part of these stockings - not only are they hot and a bit annoying to put on - they cost an arm and a leg - I could have purchased a crib for the price of two pairs of these stockings - !23.00 a piece..... don't worry though - it gets better..... We could not find a place that sold them so we ended up in Harrisburg just to find out that they don't take our insurance and theirs cost 150.00 a pair. Finally we found a place in Sunbury - and after a few mishaps of ordering the wrong ones or just not ordering them - I got them.
But the sage continues.... being an emotional pregnant woman I tend to cry a bit more often... well we were at my parents this weekend and it was hot and muggy and I couldn't get my stockings on - so I just began to sob - "I can't do this for the next three months" Thankfully I have a very compassionate understanding husband who comforted and assured me I could.
Oh now comes the best or should I say worst part of the saga..... On Wednesday I was home for the afternoon packing for our trip and figured it was time to get my stockings on... as I was putting them on - I heard the horrid sound of ripping - not just a small tear but the size of a fist.... I got sick to my stomach and the sobbing returned.... how can something that cost so much ruin so easily.... I must have sobbed for 20 minutes.
I have now made it three more days without ruining my other pair and also without crying about anything stocking or non stocking related.
I guess the moral of the saga is this - you have to make sacrifices as a parent and if I want to have a healthy (as possible) pregnancy I must suck it up and take it like a woman! Next time you see me you can tell me how great I look wearing stockings with shorts in the middle of summer, I can't guarantee that I won't cry but I will laugh as well!!
Anyway - I have to take shots daily in my belly, which has not been fun from the start, but I must say it is getting harder and harder as I get bigger and bigger - I have trouble seeing where to inject.... I told Joel just yesterday he is going to have to start giving me the shots - let's just say he was less than thrilled by that idea.
Another risk of this disorder is bleeding and bruising - so no contact sports - hahaha - okay most prego woman can't play them but I have to be extra careful not to get cuts or bruises because of the blood thinners. Obviously though the biggest risk is blood clots - though I am taking blood thinners I am still at risk especially as it gets hotter and my body begins the "summer of swelling"(now that would be a fun name for a blog as well)
All this to say - I now get to wear full stockings - and not just nylons! We are talking 20-30 compression stockings that go from my toes to my chest! Talk about fun to put on! It takes several minutes with several rest stops along the way just to get them up to my knees. Let's just say once I get them on - they stay on all day!
Here is the worst part of these stockings - not only are they hot and a bit annoying to put on - they cost an arm and a leg - I could have purchased a crib for the price of two pairs of these stockings - !23.00 a piece..... don't worry though - it gets better..... We could not find a place that sold them so we ended up in Harrisburg just to find out that they don't take our insurance and theirs cost 150.00 a pair. Finally we found a place in Sunbury - and after a few mishaps of ordering the wrong ones or just not ordering them - I got them.
But the sage continues.... being an emotional pregnant woman I tend to cry a bit more often... well we were at my parents this weekend and it was hot and muggy and I couldn't get my stockings on - so I just began to sob - "I can't do this for the next three months" Thankfully I have a very compassionate understanding husband who comforted and assured me I could.
Oh now comes the best or should I say worst part of the saga..... On Wednesday I was home for the afternoon packing for our trip and figured it was time to get my stockings on... as I was putting them on - I heard the horrid sound of ripping - not just a small tear but the size of a fist.... I got sick to my stomach and the sobbing returned.... how can something that cost so much ruin so easily.... I must have sobbed for 20 minutes.
I have now made it three more days without ruining my other pair and also without crying about anything stocking or non stocking related.
I guess the moral of the saga is this - you have to make sacrifices as a parent and if I want to have a healthy (as possible) pregnancy I must suck it up and take it like a woman! Next time you see me you can tell me how great I look wearing stockings with shorts in the middle of summer, I can't guarantee that I won't cry but I will laugh as well!!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Lions, Tigers, and Baby Registries, Oh MY!
And I thought a wedding registry was time consuming....baby registries are much more difficult. This week I think I finally have most everything on our registry for our little girl that will be coming in late August, early September....but it was a long hard process to get to that point.
Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the process (at least most of it) but it was long and complicated. When it was just us and we were getting kitchen things I didn't really care if we had the best or the safest appliance, but I would have to say that my motherly instincts have kicked in for the baby and I want everything to be safe and good quality - so I have read reviews, product descriptions, compared prices.... wow - all this from a non-shopper - now you can understand why it was a bit overwhelming.
For any of you that will be registering the near future, let me give you a couple tips that I have learned....
1. Call up a few new moms that have infants under age one. Ask them what they have, what they like, what they don't like, and what they can for sure do without, as well as what is a must have. Each mom will be different but it will help you greatly. I even went over to look at their things and try them out.
2. Pick several places that you would like to register. This will allow you to get the items you really want instead of settling for something different just because the one store doesn't have it. It will also help you to pick which place has it the cheapest. For us I picked one place that was an internet site - Amazon which offers free shipping for $25 or more orders. We picked a store that focuses on babies - Babies R Us. And we picked a store that was local that you can just walk into and find good prices. It gives your friends and family some choices as well.
3. Take your mom (if you have a cool mom like I do)! Joel isn't real picky and I knew he would rather do other things than go shopping, so I left him at home and met my mom for the day. Though it has been a long time since my mom had children (all five of us are in our 30s) she is an expert Grandma and she is up to speed on all the new safety things. On top of that - it was a great day to spend bonding with my mom. I don't know how she managed five kids, but I hope that I can manage one as well as she did her five.
Another option would be to take a friend that has had children within the last two years - they can be helpful in the registering process.
4. Remember this is your child, you need to be comfortable with your choices, pick things that good for you and your situation. For instance, with my MS I have trouble with my hands and decided to be very picky about the car seat that I chose. The stroller that I chose I had to consider where I lived (in the boonies) with rough surfaces. So instead of getting a cute travel system that matched, I picked a car seat that I could actually clip with my hands and a stroller that will actually move on our back roads. But like I said before each person's situation is different.
5. I have not experiences this one completely yet, but I have been told by several people. Don't be afraid to put bigger things on your registry - people will go together to help purchase the bigger items. Also don't by a ton of stuff before your shower - you will be amazed at what you get as a gift. I have already gotten many great used items from others in the church that are in great condition, however - if you want new - don't be afraid to say it, it is completely understandable.
I hope this helps! My little one is getting excited just thinking about (she is kicking away as I type, maybe she wants some music!).
Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the process (at least most of it) but it was long and complicated. When it was just us and we were getting kitchen things I didn't really care if we had the best or the safest appliance, but I would have to say that my motherly instincts have kicked in for the baby and I want everything to be safe and good quality - so I have read reviews, product descriptions, compared prices.... wow - all this from a non-shopper - now you can understand why it was a bit overwhelming.
For any of you that will be registering the near future, let me give you a couple tips that I have learned....
1. Call up a few new moms that have infants under age one. Ask them what they have, what they like, what they don't like, and what they can for sure do without, as well as what is a must have. Each mom will be different but it will help you greatly. I even went over to look at their things and try them out.
2. Pick several places that you would like to register. This will allow you to get the items you really want instead of settling for something different just because the one store doesn't have it. It will also help you to pick which place has it the cheapest. For us I picked one place that was an internet site - Amazon which offers free shipping for $25 or more orders. We picked a store that focuses on babies - Babies R Us. And we picked a store that was local that you can just walk into and find good prices. It gives your friends and family some choices as well.
3. Take your mom (if you have a cool mom like I do)! Joel isn't real picky and I knew he would rather do other things than go shopping, so I left him at home and met my mom for the day. Though it has been a long time since my mom had children (all five of us are in our 30s) she is an expert Grandma and she is up to speed on all the new safety things. On top of that - it was a great day to spend bonding with my mom. I don't know how she managed five kids, but I hope that I can manage one as well as she did her five.
Another option would be to take a friend that has had children within the last two years - they can be helpful in the registering process.
4. Remember this is your child, you need to be comfortable with your choices, pick things that good for you and your situation. For instance, with my MS I have trouble with my hands and decided to be very picky about the car seat that I chose. The stroller that I chose I had to consider where I lived (in the boonies) with rough surfaces. So instead of getting a cute travel system that matched, I picked a car seat that I could actually clip with my hands and a stroller that will actually move on our back roads. But like I said before each person's situation is different.
5. I have not experiences this one completely yet, but I have been told by several people. Don't be afraid to put bigger things on your registry - people will go together to help purchase the bigger items. Also don't by a ton of stuff before your shower - you will be amazed at what you get as a gift. I have already gotten many great used items from others in the church that are in great condition, however - if you want new - don't be afraid to say it, it is completely understandable.
I hope this helps! My little one is getting excited just thinking about (she is kicking away as I type, maybe she wants some music!).
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Spoiler Alert
What an amazing day!!! After a few days of feeling very anxious, we had several days of active baby moment which I saw as a direct gift from God! Every morning and every evening our little one seems to want to dance around, but I am loving every second of it. It gave me peace to know that things were okay.
Then today (or yesterday - depending on when you read this) we were able to get a full ultrasound and 4D picture of our little miracle. I wasn't sure what I thought about those 4D pictures - they often seem a bit weird looking, but the first picture we saw - changed my whole opinion. Here is a picture of that picture. You can see the babies face with the fist next to it. I actually cry tears of joy every time I look at it, it is amazing to see God handiwork as the child is being knit together in my womb.
So now for the big reveal - if you are not interested in knowing what were are having you may want to stop reading now.... we know some people are opposed to knowing but for us - it was still very much a surprise it was just a 5 month surprise not a nine month surprise. We are blessed to be able to know what we are having and pray specifically for this child.
We are having a...... GIRL!!!! and we couldn't be happier.... the ultrasound looked great and she measured perfectly for when she is due - they checked all her organs and her heart - she is perfect!!! And I got a good report as well! So baby and mommy are great! I have a feeling she is going to be a Daddy's girl, but I can't think of a better guy to have my daughter spend time with.
My biggest fear as some of my friend's would say - is that she will love the color pink - because as many of you know - it is far from my favorite - but I am sure it will grow on me - but please consider all the other beautiful colors out there that a girl could just love - peach, purple, yellow, orange, red - really the sky is the limit!!!
Check out her picture - isn't she just precious already. I can't wait to hold her in my arms in four short months!!!
We are so grateful for all the prayers and support that we have been given so far in this journey and we know the journey is just beginning. We also know that God has a special plan for our little one and we pray that she will one day change the world!!!
Then today (or yesterday - depending on when you read this) we were able to get a full ultrasound and 4D picture of our little miracle. I wasn't sure what I thought about those 4D pictures - they often seem a bit weird looking, but the first picture we saw - changed my whole opinion. Here is a picture of that picture. You can see the babies face with the fist next to it. I actually cry tears of joy every time I look at it, it is amazing to see God handiwork as the child is being knit together in my womb.
So now for the big reveal - if you are not interested in knowing what were are having you may want to stop reading now.... we know some people are opposed to knowing but for us - it was still very much a surprise it was just a 5 month surprise not a nine month surprise. We are blessed to be able to know what we are having and pray specifically for this child.
We are having a...... GIRL!!!! and we couldn't be happier.... the ultrasound looked great and she measured perfectly for when she is due - they checked all her organs and her heart - she is perfect!!! And I got a good report as well! So baby and mommy are great! I have a feeling she is going to be a Daddy's girl, but I can't think of a better guy to have my daughter spend time with.
My biggest fear as some of my friend's would say - is that she will love the color pink - because as many of you know - it is far from my favorite - but I am sure it will grow on me - but please consider all the other beautiful colors out there that a girl could just love - peach, purple, yellow, orange, red - really the sky is the limit!!!
Check out her picture - isn't she just precious already. I can't wait to hold her in my arms in four short months!!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Anxiously Waiting
This week seems to be taking forever!!! Or more like this month seems to be taking forever! As much as I appreciate feeling much better than last trimester, and I appreciated not having to drive 45 minutes to the doctor every week, these last four weeks seem to be going very slow!!!
I am excited and anxious for Friday - not just because we can find out the gender (hoping the baby will cooperate!) but mostly because I want to hear that heartbeat!!! There is nothing as soothing as that sound. I am at that weird stage where I feel pretty good most of the time. I have weird pains here and there (round ligament pains they call them - seriously just call the growing pains!). In the last two weeks I have even started to feel movement....but that I think is part of the anxious issue for me... I feel it - then nothing (or nothing that I can determine for sure is movement) for days. Then I feel something....hmmmm - just an FYI this is killing my type A personality! I like to know that things are okay - I like to know that there is consistency of which in this case there is none.
I am guessing that as I get farther along and the baby starts moving on a daily basis - I won't have to wonder - I will know, but until then I must practice patience (which interestingly enough I talked about this morning in a chapel talk). Praying for the next two days to go quickly, praying for the baby to keep giving me shimmers of hope by moving around...... I am sure that in a month or so I am going to wish that the baby would move less as I am trying to sleep at night, but until then - dance, baby dance! I want to feel you move!!!
I am excited and anxious for Friday - not just because we can find out the gender (hoping the baby will cooperate!) but mostly because I want to hear that heartbeat!!! There is nothing as soothing as that sound. I am at that weird stage where I feel pretty good most of the time. I have weird pains here and there (round ligament pains they call them - seriously just call the growing pains!). In the last two weeks I have even started to feel movement....but that I think is part of the anxious issue for me... I feel it - then nothing (or nothing that I can determine for sure is movement) for days. Then I feel something....hmmmm - just an FYI this is killing my type A personality! I like to know that things are okay - I like to know that there is consistency of which in this case there is none.
I am guessing that as I get farther along and the baby starts moving on a daily basis - I won't have to wonder - I will know, but until then I must practice patience (which interestingly enough I talked about this morning in a chapel talk). Praying for the next two days to go quickly, praying for the baby to keep giving me shimmers of hope by moving around...... I am sure that in a month or so I am going to wish that the baby would move less as I am trying to sleep at night, but until then - dance, baby dance! I want to feel you move!!!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Prayer that Two Shall Become One
To give you a little background on the title - I have noticed that over the past two months as I am getting bigger and the baby is growing, I actually have two bumps in my belly area. The lower one is where the baby is growing and getting bigger day by day, the other bump is all the stuff that used to be in my lower belly, but had to move to make room for the baby..... I don't think this phenomenon is an issue for thin people because when you look at their baby belly they are perfectly shaped. However, I have never been one of those people, so therefore my current baby belly is anything but perfect. In fact is is double! I keep waking up and looking in the mirror hoping for a single belly....
The thing that makes it even more entertaining is that many people see my top belly and want to rub it thinking it is the baby - hahaha - it is just my stomach! I was explaining this to all the youth group girls the other night, and now every time I see them they ask me - are your bellies one yet?
Well my husband being the spiritual leader that he is - has decided to put that into his prayer for the baby each night, so after we pray for the health of our baby - he prays and may her two bellies become one! Gotta love my husband. I know God has to be laughing as he listens to me..... I also know that several months from now when I start to get hugely uncomfortable - I will wish I could go back to my two bellies - but for now I will celebrate that I have a growing baby - that I felt flutter for the first time yesterday in church!
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