baby care class...

We had our last class, Baby Care, last night at the hospital.  It went from 7:30-8:45pm and Jackie crammed just as much information as she could into it.  :)  The gave us a booklet that I thought was pretty organized and contained lots of good information for us to reference back to.

We talked about procedures in the hospital directly after the baby is born -- like always moving the baby in the bassinet (not carrying them down the hall in your arms).  Jackie mentioned that we didn't need to bring our car seat into the hospital but that we did need to take our car to a local fire department so they could ensure that we've installed the car seat properly into the car.  She also mentioned the 2 routine medicines that almost all newborns get -- the PKU (a blood test done to test for rare metabolic disorders) and the Hepatitis B vaccine.  The hospital also does a hearing screen on all newborns.

We talked a tiny bit about breastfeeding but most in the class, like us, had already taken or were planning to take the breastfeeding class so we didn't dwell on that too much.

We talked about using the suction bulb (aka aspirator) which the hospital will give us to take home.  I've heard from friends (and also from Jackie last night) that the one they give you in the hospital is the BEST -- that they work 100 times better than any you can buy in the store.  Got it.

We talked about diaper changing and even how to clean off little bums before putting on a new diaper.  Very informative.  Jackie passed around photos of normal (and not-so-normal) poops based on whether the baby is breastfed or formula fed.  Nice.

We talked about circumcision care for those of us (over half the class, I'd say) who are having boys -- we covered that pretty extensively in the prepared childbirth class, too, but it was nice to hear Jackie reiterate.  Along those same lines, we talked about umbilical cord care (until the stump falls off).

We talked about how to bathe our babies, and Jackie brought up a really good point in describing how SHE personally used to bathe her babies right after they were born.  I didn't think about this but Jackie described how she would wash "sections" of her baby (head, then face, arms, then chest, etc.) and dry them off before she moved on to the next section.  She said she did that so they would stay as warm as possible while still being completely naked.  Huh.  Just not something I really thought about but I've seen babies just shiver while being bathed and I guess that's a good way to keep them from getting too cold.

We talked briefly about skin care -- using detergents like Dreft or ALL free & clear to wash all the baby's clothes and/or blankets, etc.  Jackie said she actually switched to using ALL for all of their clothes, too, because if you think about it, as you hold your baby, he's up against YOUR clothes, too.  Good point.

We talked a little bit about jaundice -- what that looks like and how to treat.  She said it's normal for all babies to have a little bit but that unusually high levels of bilirubin would require some extra watch and care until the levels drop to normal.

We talked about how to take your baby's temperature and what a "high" temperature for them is (100.4 +).  We discussed different types of thermometers and rectal thermometers were discouraged.  The general consensus was to use a regular thermometer under the armpit of your baby to get the most accurate reading.

A lot of information, right?  It was a great class and, once again, I'm glad we took it.  We had about 28 folks in the class, our largest class by far, and I was pleased to see that ALL the dads were there with their spouses.  Way to represent, dads!  :)

"dinner" meeting...

Okay, so it wasn't a dinner meeting...it was a breastfeeding class but I didn't want to scare folks with that word just blazed across the title of a post.  Call me considerate.  :)

But yeah, we had Breastfeeding 101 last night at the hospital (same place our other class was).  It was an hour long (not even) and very informative.  Our teacher, Briar, had lots of good information for us and really put most of us at ease about the subject.  We had 14 folks total in the class, 4 of them being daddies.  :)

The first thing that Briar did was pass out some items and some cards that she told us not to look at until she said it was okay.  She had us go around the room, tell what our item was and then tell how WE thought it had anything to do with breastfeeding.  Once we said that, we were allowed to turn the card over and read what the item actually did have to with breastfeeding.  It was really quite interesting to hear everyone's answers as well as the answers on the cards.

Jeff's item was a tape measure.  Do YOU know what that has to do with breastfeeding?  Both Jeff and I had a pretty good idea -- and we were right.  :)  Breastfeeding, specifically milk production, burns between 500-1000 calories a day!  That piece of information right there was worth sitting through a whole hour long class, in my opinion.  :)  But we have heard from our friends who have been able to breastfeed that you really drop the weight fast and are able to bounce back to your pre-pregnancy weight (or even smaller sometimes!) easier if you breastfeed.  Out.stand.ing. 

My item was a (positive) pregnancy test.  And my answer was almost word-for-word what the card said.  *brushes shoulder off*  Your chances of getting pregnant decrease while you're breastfeeding but it is not a fool-proof method of birth control by any means.  We have seen that come true first hand with some of our friends.  Let that be a lesson, Mr. Wenzel.  :)

Briar then passed out some handouts for us to look at and make notes one (which I did) while she spoke.  A lot of the stuff I was already aware of but there were some interesting tidbits of info to learn.  I won't get into much detail because really, if you're still with me at this point, I don't want to make you any more uncomfortable that you already are.  :)

It was a great class and I'm glad we attended.  We have one more class, on baby care, next week and then we should be golden, right?  Got this whole parenting figured out before the kid even gets here, yes?  Ha.  :)

33 weeks today...

Each week seems to get faster & faster...I'm 33 weeks today.  7 weeks to go...

Here's what babycenter.com says has been going on:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

And whattoexpect.com has this to say:

This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. At this stage in fetal development, your baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if he has been on the shorter side. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut.

The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus has reached its maximum at 33 weeks pregnant, making it likely that you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why you're probably feeling lots of nudges and pushes — there's less liquid to cushion the blows. (Of course that means you're even closer to your baby now!)

If your uterine walls had eyes, here's what you'd see: your fetus acting more and more like a baby, with his eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night (now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!).

And good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of his own immune system that (along with antibodies from you) will be able to provide protection from mild infections.

Just an update on us personally:

Progress is coming along on the crib.  As soon as that is done and moved into the nursery, then I will really go into "getting ready" mode.   And things around here will finally start to look like we're actually having a baby.  :)  Instead of just chaotic, with things just not in their right place.  That's driving me crazy.  :)

We have another class this week, this time on breastfeeding.  I am planning to go that route, as long as everything goes well so I'm game to learn all I can now.

We had some maternity photos done with friends of ours in Wake Forest this weekend so I will probably post some of those when I get the CD from Elizabeth.  I've seen a handful of them and they look fantastic!  Elizabeth is so talented and we really had a good time with her & Matthew (and little Emily :) yesterday.

We have a big baby shower this coming Saturday.  My mom & dad, and brother & sister-in-law (and my niece :) are coming for it.  It's being thrown by our sweet, sweet Sunday school class and we're pretty excited about it.  We haven't been told much, which is fine with me -- I love surprises! -- but I've heard enough to know that everyone has put a lot of planning & effort into it.  We are so blessed...

childbirth education class #4...

We had our fourth and final Prepared Childbirth class last night.  We talked more about labor and delivery, specifically what happens if a c-section is needed.  Though I'm not a fan of needing a c-section -- I don't know who is really (unless they had serious complications in previous births or something like that) -- but I know that if one is needed, it will only be because it will be in my best interest & that of my child.

With that being said, having a c-section seems like a cake walk compared to a vaginal birth!  Now, I know there are more issues with recovery in the case of a c-section, a longer stay in the hospital, etc.  But the work is done mostly by the hospital staff with a c-section, according to what we learned.  Surgery is surgery, however, and the emotional issues that go along with a c-section HAVE to factor in, I'm sure.

Once we wrapped up the eduction portion, we got to take a tour of the hospital, those areas that we would be utilizing in the labor & delivery of our child.  It was pretty interesting seeing all the different places, and I got lost pretty fast but there are plenty of folks around to direct you where you need to go.  :)  What I liked about the hospital is that it doesn't feel so much like a hospital.  They've done a good job of making the rooms feel more like bedrooms, despite the little bit of medical equipment, etc. that's necessary.

The labor & delivery rooms (vs. the recovery/postpartum rooms) were kind of scary, though.  Only because Jackie flipped on the "delivery lights" (2 huge spotlights!),  took apart the bed and brought out the stirrups and such and I think it just kind of hit me right.then. that I would be going through "all this" in 2 months time.  It, um...well, it kind of...it was a healthy dose of reality.  We'll just say that.

The recovery/postpartum rooms on the mother & baby floor I've seen before after visiting some friends in the hospital after giving birth.  They're pretty nice.  Once we get to that point, it will be better.  I think.  :)

Jeff and I are really glad that we signed up for this class.  Jackie was an excellent teacher and I think we learned some really valuable things through this class.  We have 2 more classes to attend this month, one on breastfeeding and one on baby care.  After those, we'll be pros, right??

childbirth education class #3...

Our 3rd childbirth education class was last night and it was just as informative as the other 2 have been.  We talked about a lot of different things last night revolving around a vaginal birth (I can hear the sound of some of you closing out of your web browser right...about...now.).

For those who are still with me, we talked about a couple of different breathing techniques: the slow, deep breaths -- in through the nose, out through the mouth -- that we use to "breathe through a contraction", and the short, shallow breaths -- like "panting" -- that we use to keep from pushing when we feel the urge before it's time.

As an exercise, Jackie gave us each a clothespin, daddies included, to put on our ear to assimilate the pain of a contraction, though, she warned us it's NOTHING like contraction pain.  10-4.  We only wish that's as bad as it was gonna get...

Anyway, Jackie would tell us that a contraction was starting and we'd clip the clothespin to our ear and then breathe those slow, deep breaths while she timed it for a minute.  Then we we'd take the clothespin off our ear because the contraction was over.  We did that a couple of times.  Piece of cake.  :)

We also talked about different exercises/positions that would be helpful once we got into labor contractions.  She mentioned that the ab ball was a wonderful tool to take the pressure off the lower back.  Also, to apply counter-pressure during a contraction around the hips was always helpful.  She said our husbands/coaches/whoever could do that by pressing in with hands on either side of our hips or by tying a sheet or piece of fabric around our hips and "cinching" it during a contraction.  Interesting.

But not as interesting as this little nugget of wisdom: she calls it the "labor dance" -- I called it the "middle school dance" in my notes.  :)  You know how you used to dance with a boy in middle school?  You basically had your hands resting on his shoulders and he had his hands resting on your waist (unless he was a good dancer and then he would pull you in close -- never dropping his hands inappropriately, mind you -- and you'd be able to just snuggle in...uh, but I never did that kind of dancing in middle school, nosirree.  I promise, Momma. :)

Aaaaanyways, this, in essence, is the "labor dance".  Jackie says the swaying motion, coupled with the gentle pressure that your husband/coach/whoever applies to your hips during a contraction is very helpful.  

And massages.  Yes, please. 

Jackie had us give our husbands a short massage last night to give them an idea of how WE would want to be massaged, etc. and then they turned around and did the same to us.  Kinda.  Gonna have to coach Jeff on that one a little bit.  :)  He gets in a hurry and goes too fast and the faster he goes, the more pressure he applies.  Okay, babe, not...so...don't be...so...OKAY, JUST STOP.  STOP.  Thanks for trying.  :)

After this fun, Jackie went into more detail about what happens postpartum after the delivery, including cleaning & stimulating the baby while having skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding within the first hour, giving the baby a bath after about an hour and a half, if we choose, etc.  It was all very informative.

Next week will be our last class in this Prepared Childbirth series.  We'll talk about c-section deliveries, some other miscellaneous things and then we'll take a tour of the hospital facility.  We're both looking forward to that.  Incidentally, we have to walk by the newborn nursery every week to get to our classroom so we know where that is.  And we always stop to admire the brand new babies -- so sweet.  :)

childbirth education class #2...

We went to our 2nd childbirth education class last night.  Everyone that was there last week came back so that was good.  We only scared off the sister-in-law that I mentioned in this post.  :)

Again, there was a lot of information covered in this class.  We talked about things to pack for our stay in the hospital, both for before & during delivery, as well as after delivery.  There were lists in the books that we got last week, but Jackie sited specific things that she thought were really helpful.  I made a special note of those.  Especially the one about the "hair tie for long hair".  :)

We also talked about different tools that we may or may not see during the process.  AND it was show-and-tell.  Yes, Jackie brought out things like an IV tube/syringe, an IUPC (internal uterine pressure catheter), a vacuum, a fetal scalp electrode...

It was not a real upbeat time in the class.  And then we went through some of the reasons for induction.

Kind of a downer -- even Jackie said that -- but still, it's a part of being informed and prepared and I'm glad to have the knowledge we learned last night.  Even if it's not all *rainbows & butterflies*.

Jackie did cover pediatricians in the area, too, and had nothing but good, positive things to say about each of them.  I think we've decided on our pediatrician -- one in the Hampstead area so it will be relatively close for us.  That, and we know other kids (and their parents) who are patients there.

childbirth education class #1...

Jeff and I went to our first childbirth education class last night, Prepared Childbirth.  This was the first of a 4-week series of one-hour classes at the lovely (no, really) Women's & Children's Hospital of New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Our friend -- and phenomenal (so I've heard :) labor & delivery nurse -- Jackie is teaching the class and she did great!  I wondered how she felt about 1) teaching her SS teacher and 2) talking about such things as vaginas & discharge in front of him.  She said it was a little awkward, of course, but she's a professional so she did what she needed to do and told us what we needed to know.

It was a FULL hour's worth of information she threw at us so before we knew it, it was 8:30pm and time to go.  We talked about some of the basic terms involved with childbirth (anatomy, birthing terms, etc.), the different stages of labor, what to look for/note if this or that should happen, etc.  She gave us a book with the information so we had that to take our own notes in if we chose to.

I enjoyed the class and at this point, don't have anything to fear yet.  She was very upfront with how hard this childbirth thing is and how it is painful, but even with that, I'm not panicking.  Yet.

We still have 3 classes to go, so there's still time to scare me out of my wits.

There were about 15 folks in the class -- only one who was there by herself.  I was proud of the soon-to-be daddies that came with their mommies (including mine :) -- there were 5 of those.  One of the girls brought her mom since her husband had to work, and another girl brought her sister-in-law since her husband was also working.  Incidentally, her SIL made a good point: "This is an excellent class to take to KEEP you from getting pregnant!"  :)

27 weeks today...

Well, I've made it to the 3rd trimester -- I'm 27 weeks today.  Can't believe it!

Lots of fun stuff is happening with our little one this week.  Here's what babycenter.com says:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he 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 him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

And whattoexpect.com has these things to say:

For a baby, it's time to trade in the old crown-to-rump measurement for a new head-to-toe standard. So what are your baby’s stats this week (which, coincidentally, is the end of the second trimester)? Fifteen inches — more than a foot long — and triple (or even quadruple) what it was in week 12. His weight is creeping up the charts as well, coming in at just over two pounds. More big news: Your baby may recognize your voice by now, so feel free to serenade your belly (start learning those lullabies!).

Your baby's auditory development (hearing) is progressing as the network of nerves to the ears matures. And even though the sounds your baby hears are muffled (thanks to the creamy coating of vernix covering those ears), he may recognize both yours and your partner's voices. So this might be a good time to read and even sing to your baby (or rather, your belly) — and a good chance to start boning up on those nursery rhymes and lullabies you'll need to be repeating (and repeating) pretty soon. And while you're at it, here's another way to have some family fun at 27 weeks pregnant: If your partner presses his ear to your belly, he might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat.

Your baby's taste buds are very developed now too (with more taste buds than he will ever have outside the womb, actually). Need a taste test? If you eat some spicy food (you hot mama, you), your baby will be able to taste the difference in the amniotic fluid (but keep in mind that you'll have different mealtimes, with your baby's coming about two hours after yours). Some babies will even respond to that spicy kick by hiccupping. And although hiccups (which feel like belly spasms to you) may seem like they're disturbing to your baby, he isn't stressed at all. It's just one more sensation that babies need to get used to.

Wow, such interesting stuff!

Now that's perspective right there...

Jeff is steadily working on the crib and it's coming along rather nicely, if I do say so myself.  He's already got the front part of the crib done (sans stain) -- this is the part that will convert to the footboard of the regular bed.  It looks so great.  Now he's working on the curved sides of the crib -- a challenge, but I think he's definitely up for it!  :)  He really amazes me with this handiwork.

I, in the meantime, am doing things like getting us signed up for childbirth education classes.  We'll take a 4-week Prepared Childbirth class starting on Aug 11 (with our friend and lover of all babies, Jackie Parker -- she's an L&D nurse at the hospital), a breastfeeding class on Sep 15 and a Baby Care class on Sep 23 (Jackie's also teaching that one, yay!).  We'll also have 2 meetings with our doula, Kelley, in September.

Time seems so short and we're just cramming as much as we can into each day.  I hope we get everything done and ready before this kid gets here!