packed!

I finally packed my bag for the hospital this week.

I'm assuming that I will be going straight home after the little one is born so I haven't packed extra clothes and things. I think if I decide to stay longer I'll just get Myl to bring the extra clothes.

And why am I crazy enough to not want to stay in hospital longer than I need to? Well a few reasons.

- I have my super midwife/early childhood nurse mum coming to look after me when the little one is born.
- Husbands aren't allowed to stay overnight at the postnatal ward unless you are lucky enough to get a single room. I don't anticipate being that lucky. I can't really handle being without Myles for that long. Especially when there is something as exciting as our baby in the world.
- Husbands are only allowed in during the hours of 9-11 and 2-8. (regular visiting hours) I know I will probably need sleep and things like that but I function so much better when someone I love (Myl) is around. He doesn't need to be in the same room.
- It's a hospital. It's cold, sterile and just not my comfy bed.
- I get to learn how to be a mama in the place where I am going to be a mama.
- The hospital has an excellent early discharge program.

Of course if there are complications I will stay in the ward. I have a room booked. I'm just hoping to not need it.

So anyway.

Here is what's in the bag.

Toiliteries
-makeup removal pads (for witch hazel)
-bar of soap
-massage oil
-comb
-face wash
-shower gel
-shampoo and conditioner
-witch hazel
-deoderant
-toothbrush
-toothpaste

-underwear x5
-maternity pads x4
-breast pads x4
-hairbands
-bobby pins
-headband




-oversized tshirt
-bikini
-singlet top
-pyjamas
-swimming shorts for Myl
-singlet bluey for Myl
-change of clothes for after birth. Very comfy dress.
-baby dress
-baby onesie
-baby wrap






-massager
-fruit and nut bars x6
-packet of poppers
-Frankie magazine
-computer and speakers (music)
-pregnancy folder
-camera
-mobile phone
-wallet
-Active Birth







Some of the things I haven't put in like my phone and wallet but I have written out a list of the last minute things to put in and put it on the top of my bag so that when the time comes we can just slip them in and off we go.

I also wrote on the sheet the number for the birth centre in BIG letters and what to do when I am in labour (for Myl). It says
-call the birth centre
-call my mum
-pack the last things into the bag

All set! Now all we need are contractions.

click click? I'll love you forever.

Class Number Three/Two

We wagged class last week.
It's ok our excuse was legit. We were one and a half hours drive away and to drive three hours for a two hour class didn't seem like the best idea.

Last weeks session was on breastfeeding which is something I have about five thousand books on but seems to be something that no matter how many books you read or classes you attend is one of the trickiest things a woman will ever do. This fills me with confidence.

Anyway, The third class was all about the first stage of labour. Pre labour, active labour and transition. The word transition has been etched into my mind as this fearsome and wild time of life I am both looking forward to with curiosity and fearing with every inch of my being. Yes, I'm being melodramatic.

We learnt some coping mechanisms and positions to try out during the first stage to try and encourage the little fella down to the right spot and to help relieve the tension. We watched this amazing video where a rather rotund (in more than just her belly) pregnant lady did some swaying exercises that looked a bit like a slowed down version of a Beyonce film clip. It got better when her husband joined in on the act with his hands, back and knees helping that booty to rock. The class was in stitches.

We talked about what to do in prelabour and one of the things to do was to prepare. Someone suggested we pack our bag. The midwife stopped... she asked who in the room had packed their bag yet.

Nobody raised their hand.

She breathed out a long sigh. "Promise me," she said "That you will all go home and pack your bags this week."

There was a collective gasp around the room. This week? We thought. But surely our babies wont be born for aaaages.... oh nine weeks or less. The could come at any time from now?

The full impact of the impending little one hit me in an instant. She could come tomorrow. Or next week! Only 5% of babies are born on their due dates.

But what to pack? We were given a list. Here is what I'll be packing. (May be slightly tongue in cheek)

- An attractive moo moo. I need something to wear that will let the baby come out, the air come in and possibly some modesty intact. And I don't particularly fancy the backless hospital gown.

- My entire underwear drawer. Apparently childbirth can get messy. (May need to pack this later on.)

- wet weather moo moo. Something to wear in case I decide to go with a water birth.

- toiletries. toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, shampoo, massage oil, lady things.

- music. ipod and speaker or guitar and violin? A suggested coping mechanism was to sing. Sound of Music the whole way through anyone? I can do it.

- Something that smells nice. Fragrance diffuser, moisturiser, freshly baked muffins?

- They suggest drawing or reading material. I think I might be a tad too distracted for that. Although, labour can last a loooooong time.

Are there other things to pack. I think I am officially the worlds worst packer. I don't know how but I always seem to pack completely useless stuff.  I'll probably end up in the birth centre with a sun hat and jeans.

I think a big part of me just doesn't want to pack. Pregnancy has been such a fun journey. Packing means that it is ending soon.

Ill get around to it eventually.

Class Number One.

- Warning - This post may contain too much information. Especially for soon to be mamas.

We had our first childbirth class last night.

And how do I feel?

I'm feeling a bit anxious really.

We walked into a room filled with bean bags and ladies with big bellies. This was the right room. They all looked a friendly bunch. We all introduced ourselves. It was a class of about 10. 8 for the labour ward and 2 for the birth centre. All our first little ones.

The class was all about the different stages of labour and what happens in each. The midwife talked about different positions the baby could be in (breech, posterior, anterior, transverse) and had a special doll that sat in a pelvis. I couldn't help but think that the doll was a heckofalot bigger than the space inside the pelvis.

When talking about the stages of labour, the midwife wrote up all the categories of things that happen and the stage in which they take place. For instance your waters could break at any time. Days or weeks before birth or even after birth. That freaked me out a bit.

She talked about mucous plugs and dialation and effacement and then there was this little category called pain.

It was all making me feel pretty squeamish but this topped it off. First it's supposed to feel like cramps and then it's supposed to just get worse till you are "beyond pain." (her words)

I'm a huge fan of the natural birth for many reasons. I loved reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. I have been thinking about breathing techniques, water births and rushes not contractions. I'm booked into the birth centre where there is not an epidural in sight.

So when people talk about being in a world of pain and then going beyond that. It makes me nervous.

I'm into the third trimester and starting to get bigger. It's trickier to walk around, bend over, get into the car. I'm feeling positively elderly. Then there is the discomfort of having a head right down in my pelvis and all the joy that brings. I'm experiencing a bit of hurt. So when people talk about pain I feel I can relate. And then I get really nervous.

What if I get there and find I can't do it. What if I wuss out. And my favourite worry, what if I explode there in the delivery room. (This is a very real concern in my mind. The midwife at the birth centre has assured me I will not explode. I'm not so sure.)

I guess it's all well and good. They are just trying to prepare me. I don't think I thought it would exactly be a walk in the park but it still makes me really really nervous.

I think the classes will be fine. I'm hoping they will give some good tips on how to deal with the anxiety I'm feeling and not just with gas or injections into my spine.

I think Myl quite enjoyed it. He has been reading his man with a pram book and so knew quite a bit about babies and the like. I think he will be really great when I'm in labour. As long as I have his hand to hold I think I will be ok. I just wish I wasn't so nervous.

checkup.

I just got back from my 29 week checkup. The first of the fortnightly visits.

I feel awful.
I was feeling all sprightly and well this morning as we left. When we got there I got to see the midwife pretty much straight away. She was really friendly and lovely.

I was supposed to have my glucose test (for gestational diabetes) before Christmas but it just didn't happen so I had it done today. They got me to drink the sweetest drink I have ever tasted. It was thick and syrupy like cordial without the water in it. It had a slight fizz. After drinking that I was feeling even more sprightly.

The midwife took my blood pressure - 120/65 (perfect she said)

She felt around for the little one but couldn't figure out where she was. I think she was sleeping at the time. In the mornings I don't really feel her. She is moving right now and I can tell exactly where she is.
She found the heartbeat and said it was good.

Then I had to wait an hour to get my blood tested. I sat in the waiting room and read a book about babies. I began to feel a bit drowsy. It felt like I was coming down from that sugar high. Myl went to move the car and when he was gone the time came for the blood test.

I felt pretty good about the needle. I could tell this midwife would be really good at blood tests. But I was still feeling a bit drowsy. As soon as the needle went in (which I barely felt) i started to feel dizzy. I told the midwife and she told me to drop my head and keep my arm still.

She finished up the test and gave me some iced water. I felt so dizzy. The water helped. Myl came in just at that moment and gave my head a pat. I like that.

She told me to lie down next time.

After finishing my water I went out to the car where Myl was waiting. I began to feel a bit queasy. When I got to the car I felt like I needed to vomit. You know that horrible feeling in your throat. I wound down the window and contemplated running into emergency for a vomit bag. Feeling woozy we drove on. I was holding an empty packet of shapes (just in case) and had the window wound right down. Myles started to pray for me and I started to feel better. Crisis averted.

I still feel a bit under the weather. It's a cool day today. So odd for Janurary. So we are having a nice little relax in the lounge room.

It's nice. More water I think.

I've got no class.

Parenting and Childbirth class that is. I've had the sheet of available classes for such a long time but never really got around to calling the number.
About two weeks ago I called. It went straight to the answering machine.
Two weeks later nobody has called back.
So I called again. Answering machine.

Am I calling at the wrong time?

Hopefully we can get some classes before March. Whoever heard of taking your baby to preparation for childbirth class?

Other things on my seemingly endless to do list.

- Book a bed at the Maternity Ward. (Not too worried about this one as I want to go straight home.)
- Book a 34 week ultrasound. Got the answering machine.
- Have a blood test before Christmas.
- Fold large pile of clean laundry so that I can...
- Clear a space for the cot in our bedroom so that I can...
- Build the cot so that I can...
- Get a mattress/sheets etc for the cot.
- Clean out the study to make nursery area.
- Set up nappy change table
- Wash all the baby clothes
- Take a trip to ikea to get baby things. My list so far is under $100!


Granted a lot of this stuff can get done later. I've got till March after all!

gaia.. and why I don't like hospitals.

A few weeks ago I went to a special baby sale for a brand named gaia.
They make lovely organic cotton clothes for little ones.

I got some cutie-pie things.

In other news...

I've been feeling really well since my post on Monday. I feel like I have much more energy. Granted I did sleep pretty much half the day on Tuesday but maybe that's just what I needed.

I had an appointment at the birth centre with the Obstetrician which was good and uneventful. A good thing in an appointment. Little One's heartbeat is great, my blood pressure is fine.

The ob clarified that I will most likely have hypothyroidisim (I don't as yet know too much about what this means other than that I need to take a pill a day. Supposedly the disorder has a name. I don't know and that's ok for now) after the little one is born and sent me off to find the mysterious thyroid clinic after having my blood taken for a thyroid level test.

She told me to go upstairs to Women and Babies Ambulatory Care. Sure, I thought, I've been there before. The lady at the desk had no idea what I was talking about. She looked at me like a crazy thyroid woman gone completely mental. I told her I had just seen the Ob at the Birth Centre to which she replied that the birth centre had no obstetritian, only midwives...

Hmmm.. I didn't quite know what to say to that.

"Ok you are right. I just saw a midwife pretending to be an Ob. That stethoscope really fooled me."
"Dang it, yes I was just at McDonalds not the Birth Centre. Silly preggo brain."
"No I'm trying to trick you into letting me book into the thyroid clinic. Drat you foiled my clever plan."

I'm sorry, I'm being very cynical.

Eventually I found the thyroid clinic cleverly hidden behind the coronary care day clinic down a passageway after turning left then right then going through the locked door when all the workers were at lunch. Bright shining light with THYROID CLINIC may have been helpful.

Ahh there I go being cynical again. Must be the baby talking.

They told me that they were quite happy with the way my GP had been managing my thyroids and that I didn't need to see them.  Oh.

So now my blood is whizzing off somewhere to be tested and sent to the sneakily hidden thyroid clinic that doesn't need me to visit them again as I may die of starvation on the way over there am being looked after already. I hope it gets to someone. I'm not the hugest fan of needles and have already had far too many blood tests for my liking.

I was glad to get out of the hospital and glad I took Myles along.

Womb with a View

I am really excited.

On Tuesday we are having an ultrasound. We get to look at the little one again.
This time there will be less rubber ducky and more cute baby hands and faces
and bellies.

I'm thrilled to bits.

My mum is coming down in the morning and we are going to spend some time together
and then the US is at 2pm at the hospital. My mum is super excited. Maybe it's something to do with her first grandbaby and all. She sees babies born all the time at work but this is one she gets to cuddle and love forever... I'm actually a bit worried she may steal the little tacker after the birth.

I have been told that the hospital is terrible at keeping appointment times.
This makes me worry a small bit. My appointment was 45 mins late at the birth centre.

I'm sure it will be all fine. I may have to take a drink bottle (If you know what I mean)

SO

this is the ultrasound where they can tell if its a little bobby boy or sweetie pie girl.

Yes we are going to find out... most likely.

I'm now having doubts about finding out.

Is it better to find out or have a surprise? What did you do? Are you happy with your decision?

If we do find out we are going to have an "it's a" party in the park when Myl finishes his exams. We will let the whole world know on that day and there will be sweet treats and prizes and lots of fun.

For all we know the little one might decide to be modest and we wont be able to find out anyway.

Problem solved.

Image credit; Flickr kirakirahoshi

c'mon kid, go for a goal

 

Two things I'm guessing about this little fella*

1.

He* is taking after his mama in that he likes to nap. I have not felt one little squirm/move/kick/poke/fidget since he made his merry way into my womb.

I hope this means I will have the calmest gentlest little babe.

2.

All hopes of the little one becoming a soccer star can be forgotten.

You gotta start by kicking little one!!

In other news. I have my midwife appointment at the birth centre booked for this Wednesday. I booked it in quite a few months ago and I don't know why it isn't till week 18 but that's ok. 

I'm quite excited. 

I hope we get to hear the family's smallest heartbeat again.

aaand

I made these...
Thanks meetmeatmikes book.

*In a non gender specific way. I'm not going to say "it".

Image Credit - Flickr Hygiene Matters 




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birth centre

On Saturday Myl and I went to the birth centre at RPA to meet a midwife and have a tour of the place.

It was pretty exciting to be there. We got to meet a few other parents to be who were on the tour with us and learn a bit about what happens in the birth centre.
It would be really nice to have the little one there but there are so many things that can happen that mean I will need to go to the delivery ward next door.

It was pretty amazing to be in the room where it all could happen. There were two other women in labour at the time and although we couldn't hear them at all it was a nice thought that little lives were starting all around us.

The midwife spoke about choosing your birth partner. Its definitely going to be Myl but she said you can have as many people in the room as you want. I think I would just like Myl for most of the time but it might be nice to have my midwife mumma in there for a bit. It could be a very long time. See how I go on the day.

I'm so glad we went and figured out where the place is as on the way there we got a bit lost and ended up in a staff only section of the hospital?!?!
It's so close to our house that the closest parking is almost at our house.

Next step - midwife appointment and ultrasound at 19 weeks!

Start of Week 10

Dear little one,

We know where you are going to be born now!
Unless you get sick you are going to come into
the world with your mama wide awake and
probably yelling her lungs off.
You have now become a little fetus and not
an embryo anymore. Congratulations. You are
growing so big! You are now the size of a brazil
nut. You are also turning into a little boy or girl.
I think I would like to find out what you are but
your dada isn't so sure.

Cant wait to meet you little one.

xx

Booked!

This morning I called the very in demand RPA birth centre.

The birth centre is a place for women to have their low-risk babies in a natural kinda way.
I think I'll write another post on my ideas about natural childbirth sometime down the track but to cut a long story short I'm pretty sure I'm going to go au naturale.

There are three rooms in the centre that are set up just like a bedroom at home with a double bed and couches etc. (They do kinda look like cheap and nasty hotel accomodation but its nicer than a hospital bed.)

There is also a big birthing tub. I've read a few stories about giving birth in water. It seems pretty nice. I'm glad that I have it as an option. There are also mats, beanbags, birthing balls and birth stools.

It's apparently booked out really quickly so I was a bit nervous when I called them this morning at exactly 9 weeks. But they let me in. I'm all booked. I get to go check it out in early September and then have a midwife check in October. The time is really flying now that people know about the little one and things are getting busier. I'm sure it will be March in no time.

I'm pretty happy about it. It's staffed by a team of midwives. My mum is a midwife and I feel pretty safe in their hands. I think its a nice idea of the sisterhood helping you to give birth.

So. stoked!

Image Credit: Huffington post. Film Nine Months