Birthworks is the best!

We went to our first childbirth class last night. It was actually the last class of the previous session. The instructor suggested we attend this class on postpartum and breastfeeding, so we don't miss it in case Baby Grover is born early. (The last class is scheduled for July 1)

Susan, our instructor, holds classes in her home. There are no more than 6 couples and it's a really intimate, friendly setting. Everyone raved about how wonderful the class was and how they'd all gotten to know each other very well and how much better they felt about the process.

I'm really looking forward to learning tools to help us through the birthing process, to becoming more confident about it all, and also to make some good friends along the way. I just wanted to hug Susan when we left!

I think this class is right up my alley. I even cried last night when class was ending (oh, the hormones!) but seriously, we lit a candle and said this blessing:

Bless these babies' minds that they may be filled with wisdom and dreams
Bless these babies' eyes that they may have clarity of vision and see goodness.
Bless these babies' hearts that they may give and receive love.

I bless this baby to be filled with my unending love. From the center of my heart, I nurture, guide and teach this child and wish the best upon this precious new soul.

Actually, I read along, I was too busy crying to vocalize the words.

I have such a good feeling, not only about this class, but this insanely calm feeling about giving birth. I don't really feel scared or intimidated. I only hope this feeling continues and gets stronger as we get closer (only 11 weeks to go!).

Looking forward to class next week.

Week 29

Guess who's feeling much better!

According to my sources, Baby Grover should weigh about 2.5 to 2.7 lbs right now. She is already a little overachiever - our ultrasound yesterday indicated she weighed 3 lbs 1 oz. It's extra important that I get enough calcium these days because the baby is soaking up tons of it to strengthen her skeleton. Her head is also getting bigger to make room for her developing brain. Baby Grover's eyes continue to develop, and can distinguish bright lights through the uterine wall. My sources also say that this is the height of Baby's fetal movement - and whoa, they aren't kidding! I think I felt her moving around ALL day yesterday!!

Sunday evening, as Lane and I were watching my tummy, it popped out on one side and just kept rolling down the side of my stomach. It must have been one of her little legs or arms stretching out or something. Pretty wild.

No promises about when we'll get this week's picture up - Tonight I'll be home for maybe 1 hour after work, during which we will scarf down some dinner and then head back to the city to our first child birth class.

Baby Check Up

So we had our last ultrasound today. The doctor wanted to check us out again since the placenta was extra close to the cervix last time. They say if it's less than 2 cm away, they might have to do a C-Section because the placenta could detach prematurely, putting the baby in danger and causing way too much bleeding for a normal delivery. yikes. At my 20 week ultrasound the measurement was only 1.8 cm.

I'm pleased to say that Baby Grover and her placenta are on their good behavior and the distance is now 3.4 cm. She is doing really well - the sonographer checked her bladder, stomach, and kidneys and measured her all up. Baby Grover currently measures at 29 weeks and 3 lbs, 1 oz. We could see her heart beating and see her practicing her sucking and swallowing. We just think she is a cutie pie!

Yesterday we tried to visit the hospital for a Maternity Tour, but we left late AND got a little lost so it didn't quite work out as planned. We are going to try Take Two next Sunday. We still drove there to find out where it is so we don't get lost next time. Wish us luck!

Nana's Coming to Visit!!

I was so happy to hear my mom made her flight arrangements. She arrives on July 21st - so that is now my official due date by which to have this little girl. Baby Grover can't wait to meet her Nana : )

Preggo Sicky

I started to feel the sore throat madness on Sunday night. It has made some new friends including a stuffy nose, and as a result is having a hard time saying goodbye. I guess it didn't help that I had to go out of town to co-teach an 8 hour course and talk all day, but I'm still a total sicky this Friday am. I've been staying super hydrated, coming home from work early and resting, drinking tea, eating soup, and gargling with Listerine to soothe my throat, taking some tylenol, which is the only medicine I know I can safely take. I don't know what more I can do to kick this sore throat. grr.

I also seem to have my first trimester pregnancy hormones back in full swing. It was kind of funny because we read our Pregnancy Journal for the day and yesterday's entry said pregnancy is one of the three times in a woman's life (puberty and menopause are the others) when she has a lowered ability to deal with the emotional experiences of life. We went to bed later, Lane had his arm around me, and then he rolled over (away from me). I don't know what my deal is, maybe the combo of sickness and hormones, but I BURST into tears and I couldn't stop crying. It's totally ridiculous.

Lane is such a sweetheart though. He just held me and was so patient, loving, and understanding and not at all frustrated or acting like I was a crazy. I was thinking about how wonderfully he reacted and all the other ways he could have and it warmed my heart so much I cried a little more.

Week 28

Well people, we have just entered the third and final trimester of this pregnancy! We are only plus-or-minus 84 days away from meeting this little cutie-patootie.

This week, Baby Grover weighs just about 2.5 pounds and is approximately 15 inches long. She is able to blink her newly eyelashed eyes and her main job these days is packing on the pounds. Her momma seems to be doing the same.

I have been so proud to say I haven’t been sick this entire pregnancy. That is, until now. A sore throat made an unfortunate and unwelcome appearance over the weekend, and I’m starting to wake up lots during the night these days. So goodbye restful nights of full sleep, I’ll catch you again in about three years or so. And by the way, you can peace out any time, sore throat. I won’t miss you one tiny bit.

In other blogworthy news, Betsy, my wonderful volunteer presented me with another gift for Baby Grover last week. Before revealing this present she told me that she was going to give me something no other moms around here would have. She said not even my doctor or the baby’s pediatrician would have one, or even anyone else at the hospital. Of course I was getting very curious. She also said that it was from Japan, where her daughter lives, and that she had given one of these gifts to a cousin before. When the cousin saw it, she thought it was the grossest thing ever, but now she really likes it and asked her to bring back more on her next trip to the US. So Betsy said her daughter brought a bag full, and she snagged one for me. Aren’t you just dying with curiosity?!? I sure was. And here it is:



Apparently, you put one end in the baby’s stuffed up nostril, and the other end in your mouth. Then you suck out all the yuckies so baby can breathe again. Don’t worry, it goes in a separate area, not in your mouth – that would be gross. But it’s still a little strange. Apparently, it’s supposed to work much better than those blue suction things you get at the hospital. I’ll let you know how it goes. I have to play it by ear though, because I can’t understand any of the instructions on the box.

p.s. Right now the last thing I feel like doing is taking a picture. I'm so tired and sicky feeling. But don't lose hope. I may still suck it up and take a picture before bedtime.

So those are tears in my eyes in the second picture - Lane made me laugh so much I started crying and that happened to be the best belly pic. Go figure.

Week 27

Exactly 3 months from today or 13 weeks from now, is Baby Grover’s estimated due date. The thought that she could even be here sooner than that is a little stressful, since we have so much preparation to do still, but we are very excited. Time is sure flying by.

Baby Grover weighs just about 2 pounds right now, and if she stretched her body all the way out, she’d measure almost 14.5 inches long. Her eyes, which have been closed for the last few months, should begin to open any day now and her eyelashes are forming. She continues to gain layers of baby fat and her lungs are capable of functioning now, should she be born prematurely. This girl likes to move around a lot! She gets more and more active each day!

And, I’m starting to feel more and more pregnant as the weeks go by. I walk much slower these days, and don’t even bother trying to catch the train when I can see it’s arriving in just one minute. Last night I had to take off my wedding rings because my fingers are getting a little swollen. I also noticed my shoes were extra snug this morning, so my feet must be swelling up as well. When I put my rings away, I came across a ring my mom gave me a long time ago. She said she used to wear it when she was pregnant with me. The ring is usually a little big on me, but fits me just fine now. And I think it’s only fitting that I wear it while I’m pregnant with my first daughter.

I can’t believe we start our childbirth class two weeks from today!

Thoughts on Child Birth

So many people ask if I'm going to go for the drugs during labor. I've been really hesitant to make a decision either way. It's so intimidating - not only do I have NO idea what to expect, I don't want to feel like I've failed before I even start being a mom. But I feel like I know what direction I want to go in.

This weekend I finished reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. It was a fabulously enlightening book, and incidently, the same book the Lieutenant Commander on the Metro recommended to me ages ago. The first half is a ton of birth stories from women who had natural childbirths. The second is more informative, talking about how deep the connection between the mind and body is during labor, what happens during childbirth and labor, how to cope, and the differences between medical/technological care and midwifery care. I highly recommend it.

While most stories you hear about child birth are these horrific and terrifying war stories, all the stories in this book were very positive and encouraging. Don't get be wrong, these ladies weren't saying it was easy breezy, but they were definitely more in tune with their bodies and how to respond.

I also just saw this documentary today called The Business of Being Born. I was a little nervous to watch it because it's about the pros of at home births and produced by Ricki Lake. I was sort of expecting a sensationalized expose on the absolute horrors of hospital births. But it was actually quite balanced while showing numerous home births (including Ricki Lake's which was a little weird).

Ina May was interviewed in this film, she wrote the book I just finished, and she's on the board of Birth Works, the child birth class Lane and I just registered for.

Basically, the philosophy is belief that the woman's body instinctively knows what to do. They focus on building confidence and providing tools and resources to use during childbirth, without prescribing a certain way to give birth (natural or not) because they believe every birth experience is unique. I am really excited about it.

I guess after all this, I'm finally ready to say that I want to try the natural childbirth experience. I want to believe in my body's ability to guide this baby into the world. I'll have some challenges I think by doing this in the hospital, but I'm willing to give it a go.

I am pretty much decided about next time already. Next time I'll go to a midwife and have the baby at a birth center.

Wish me luck as I try to prepare myself for this!

Week 26

Baby Grover is just about 14 inches long now. The nerve pathways in her ears are finishing developing, which means she should be increasingly more responsive to sounds. Her eyes are almost fully formed, her lungs continue to develop and she’s working on strengthening her spine. What a busy little bee!

I’m finally starting to feel like a pregnant lady. Actually, I feel more like my body is broken. I have some lower back pain, and am not able to move around as quickly as before.

On Thursday I started my prenatal yoga class which I found to be relaxing and helpful at the same time. Our class ranges from people who are 8 weeks Prego to about 36 weeks! Today I registered for May’s prenatal yoga class, in addition to a child birth class for the Birth Works childbirth method that starts at the end of this month. I’m reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and getting bigger by the moment.

The third trimester is just around the corner!

Belly Love from the Grovers

Less than 100 days to go!

I can't believe how quickly time is passing by with this pregnancy. I'm starting to get nervous I won't have enough time to do all that needs to be done.

Right now I'm trying to get registered for a child birth class, find the right pediatrician, research day care centers, schedule a tour of the hospital, get my Family Medical Leave Act paperwork taken care of, find local La Leche League meetings, read, read, and read some more, and lots other things!!

In fun news, I got lots of baby stuff at this Junior League sale that was in the Crystal City Underground right next to my apartment. I got 2 sleeper gowns, 1 sleeper, 2 pairs of pants, 1 sweater, 1 outfit, 3 pairs of tights, 7 pairs of socks and 2 board books - all for $21!! I love good deals!

Lane, my loving and attentive, faithful back rubber, and dependable photographer of a husband is finally in some pictures with me and my big belly.

Baby Grover must have been a good girl...

Because she has been getting presents left and right!!! A woman who volunteers at my work hand knit two bibs and a burp cloth for Baby Grover. They are very sweet and will definitely come in handy. Betsy has these labels she sews into the items that say "Handknit by Grandma Betsy".

Ian & Adrienne and Claire & Natalie got some of the sweetest baby girl outfits around and a mermaid and fairy book for Baby Grover. Then, they read her the stories all week long.

And just yesterday, we got a lovely Hawaiian gift package from Andrew & Malia that included a onesie that says butterfly in Hawaiian, a book about the Hawaiian seashore and, get ready for it ... a HULA OUTFIT!!! I can't wait to take a photo of Baby Grover sporting her hula outfit and showing off her hula moves.

We are so lucky that everyone has been so generous and loving to Baby Grover already!! Muchas Gracias!

Week 25

Baby Grover is so flexible. She can touch and hold onto her little feet. Her nostrils have just opened up and she's moving around all the time.

She was lucky enough to meet two of her cousins this week, Claire & Natalie. They are such loving cousins. They read Baby Grover stories, talk about her all the time, and kiss my belly. They have also come up with lots of ideas for her name.