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December 12, 2003
December 12, 2003.
28 weeks
Well, here I am in the third trimester. Where has the time gone??? Fall just flew by, and I can't believe it's Christmas in less than two weeks. We've done no shopping, haven't even bought cards (I doubt we'll get to that this year) and haven't done one bit of decorating or baking. Oh well. Time marches on....
MW appointment yesterday
Yesterday I had my 28-week appointment. I met with the secondary midwife who will be in the backup role at my birth I believe. She is really nice, soft-spoken and warm. Let's see what I can remember. I don't remember my exact blood pressure numbers (something over 65 maybe?) but she said it was on the low end of normal, which is good news to me. My urine looked fine. I'm still measuring two weeks ahead (30 cms), which has stayed consistent so is nothing to worry about.
She palpated my uterus and she thought that the baby was head down, with his spine running up my right side. Not sure what the technical description of that position is, but it sounds good to me! I know it's way too soon to count on the baby staying that way though. She said that they only start being concerned with positioning after 34 weeks. I was surprised about the baby's position though, since I was sure I was still feeling kicks low down, below my belly button most of the time. Maybe it's punches though. Who knows??
I've decided to do the one-hour GTT, and we scheduled it for next week. There was a girl in the clinic doing it while I was waiting for my appointment. I figure I'll just eat well, avoid excess sugar and hope for the best.
Also sometime next week, I have to go to the hospital to have my blood drawn to test for antibodies since I'm Rh negative. I spent a whole afternoon researching this injection because I was worried it had thimerosal in it, which contains mercury. This has been linked to autism and other neurological disorders. It's also found in many vaccines and I know it's in the flu vaccination they're pushing on everyone right now. (Side note: they say the flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women past the first trimester, but I'm skeptical. If a baby younger than six months old can't have it, how can it be safe for an unborn fetus??) ANYWAY, I found out what brand of Rhogam injection the hospital gives Rh negative women, and then found out the manufacturer's name. I found their website and product information and the injection I'll be given (called WinRho SDF) does NOT contain thimerosal. So I am relieved, and I'll be getting that done next week.
The midwife also gave me my hospital pre-registration package, which I'm supposed to have filled out and handed in by 30 weeks! That's only two weeks away! Well, hopefully I won't even need to be in the hospital, but they like you to pre-register anyway, just in case. The form asks all sorts of things like if you plan to get an epidural or any sort of pain medication, etc. Makes it all seem so real! And soon! I just found out my work benefits cover me for a private room, so that's good news - if I do have to transfer to the hospital, I'll have some privacy.
Normally I'd be starting appointments every two weeks from now on. But since I'm going in next week for the GTT, they made my following appointment for three weeks after that. Then we'll start the standard every-two-weeks arrangement. Wow. Time is flying!!
To Doula or not to Doula
I've really been procrastinating on this one. With two midwives there, plus Chris, do I need a doula? Well, I have no doubt that a doula could make things better. But I'm not sure we can afford it, to be totally honest. Even if it's only $300, that's $300 that we don't have! There's also the space factor - our house is small and the bedroom (or wherever I end up labouring) will be really cramped with all those people in there. I'm quietly toying with the idea in the back of my mind of asking my mom to be at the birth. I'm not sure what Chris would think of this. And I'm not even sure what I think of it. But she has been really supportive (if a bit uneducated) right from the start about me seeing a midwife and having a homebirth. I would never ask my MIL. I just wouldn't be comfortable with her there (even though we do get along really well), and she's never come right out and said it, but I'm sure she's against the homebirth thing. So anyway, I've got to make up my mind soon about hiring a doula. I should make a few calls and start interviewing some of them, and I can make my decision from there. The decision about my mother can wait. I haven't said anything to her yet.
Diapering decisions
We've definitely decided to use cloth diapers. I've been looking at so many websites and I think I'll be one of those mothers that actually finds it fun and gets a little bit obsessed about it! There are so many cute options and accessories for cloth. I found two good cloth diaper stores in the city here, and I'll go visit them soon. There's also a bicycle-delivery diaper service that services my neighbourhood. I don't think we'd use a service long-term, but they have a newborn package for one month, $15/week. You just throw the diapers into a pail and leave it on your porch once a week. They take away the dirties and leave fresh ones. They also will come and do a free in-home presentation and demo, so I plan to call about that soon. I think it would be a great way to get used to using cloth without having to worry about washing during those early weeks. Then we'll work up a good supply of our own dipes in the non-newborn sizes and go from there. But really, the options are overwhelming and I still have a lot to figure out.
The Shower
Well, the baby shower that my MIL threw for me was two weeks ago. She had done a lot in preparation for this event. She had games prepared and little prizes for everyone. Lots of Chris's female relatives were there, many of whom I'd never even met. So it was a bit overwhelming, especially for me, as someone who doesn't like being in the spotlight. But I did get some lovely gifts. Lots of handknitted baby items, a few small thing off our registry, etc etc. The MIL made several baby outfits out of flannel, and had made flannel bumper pads for the antique cradle. She also gave us Chris's silver baby spoon and his Bunnykins dish and cup set, which was neat.
There is still a ton of must-have baby stuff we need. For example, we still don't have the carseat/stroller travel system. Or a crib (assuming we'll use it at some point) or a breast pump (again, I'm sure I'll want to express milk at some point). We also need to build a diaper collection. Right now we have five all-in-one diapers for 10 lb babies. We need to make a wider top for the old dresser we plan to use in the nursery as a change table. Not to mention all the articles we'll need to gather in preparation for a homebirth! So still a ton of stuff to get/do. I guess it will have to wait until after the holidays, at which time we'll go into baby-preparation overdrive!
***TALK TO ME***
I think I've asked for your thoughts on this subject before, but now it's down to the crunch: Doula or no? Mom???
If you used cloth diapers right from the start, what did you start with? Anyone ever use a service? Comments?
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