I am 35 Weeks Pregnant Today

Our baby today is 35 weeks. 5 Weeks left until he is born. I am very excited. I noticed that with each day I get more and more calm about labor issue. Other day I saw my neighbor who is supposed to give a birth to her baby girl 10 days before me. She kept saying how scared she is to deliver and that she is afraid she will die. It is notwher second pregnancy and labor, and I don't know why she is THAT scared. It is not like she is doing everything for the first time. Besides last time she has been doing systematic pain killers. She can do them again. I was with my mom, and lady was like "Awwww, I hope I will be delivering with you, so we can be in one room!". My mom was like: "Heck, no!" My mom doesn't want anyone or anything to stress me out about labor. I am just thinking that there is no point to be scared. I will have to deliver my baby. One way or other.... He is supposed to get out, right?

I have been craving so much today- pancakes. I know it is not good to eat them right now, but I couldn't help it and baked some. I ate just few, so it wouldn't affect my weight and my baby's weight. Besides I lost 1 pound these days.

Already couple days I have the pain in my belly from time to time like menstrual cramps. I talked to my doctor, and she said it can be due to my womb being tensed and I need to take some pills. They are completely safe for the baby or me. They will allow a better blood blow and oxygen to the baby, which will reduce all the tension.

I called to my doctor about analysis of my blood and urine. Blood is completely fine, but urine has lots of salt. I really slowed down on the salt and don't understand why I still have a lot. As well as apparently my kidneys do not allow water circulate well enough. But it is fixable. I would need to take some pills that are based on herbs. Hopefully everything will be just fine!!! Well, not hopefully... It will be just fine!

As well as I talked to her about having a private room. I really don't want anyone to be with me, except my mom and my friends. I am very private person. My doc said that we will arrange it closer to the due date.

I started already thinking about getting a good pediatrician. I believe it is very essential. But how to know which one is the best one?:(


By the way I saw these funny pregnancy comebacks to rude pregnancy comments • "At least I made somebody's heart and brain today. What did you do?" •
"You're huge too — and you don't have the excuse of another person living inside you." •
"Go ahead, but I'm not touching yours."

Packing For Hospital

So.... I am feeling much better today.

Baby is doing good. I think he sleeps right now. Yesterday when I was getting ready to sleep, he was moving so much and I think I can actually feel what part of the body he kicks me with. I think yesterday I felt foot. It was so sweet. The foot was so small... Two months more and we are having a baby. YAY!!!

Well, I was going through today WalMart online store shopping for baby and guess what I saw? The list of the things you need when you are packing to go to hospital. So I thought I will post it here, so other pregnant mommies-to-be can see whether they packed everything right or not. :)

Essentials For Mom

• Nursing Bra- supports swollen, sore breasts and keeps breast pads in place.
• Breast Pads- These stop messy leaks by absorbing milk.
• Nursing Pillow- Reduces the strain on your arms, neck and back while nursing, especially in bed.
• Nightgown And Robe- More comfortable than standard hospital gowns.
  
• Slippers- For walking around the hospital during early labor.
• Socks- To keep feet warm and toasty during delivery
• Going- Home Outfit- Choose something that fit during your sixth month of pregnancy.
• Toiletries- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, makeup, hairbrush, shampoo and soap.
• Sanitary Pads- You will be more comfortable after delivery with your favorite brand.
• Camera- For all those important first photos.
• Address Book- You will have plenty of calls to make.

Essentials For Your Baby:

• Infant Car Seat- You can't leave the hospital without one.
  
• Going- Home Outfit- A stretchy one-piece sleepers should do the trick.
• Hat- Prevents heat loss by covering your baby's head.
• Booties/ Socks- To keep little feet snug and warm.
• Receiving Blankets- Newborns love to be swaddled.
  

Nice Extras:

• Video Camera- To document those precious first moments of your baby's life.
• Hair Clip or Band- Keeps hair out of the way during delivery.
• Massage Oils- Especially helpful for relieving back labor.
• CDs/ CD Player- Soothing music can help to relax before and after delivery.
• Pillow From Home- It adds a touch of familiar comfort.
  
• Magazines- You can expect some down time, but you won't want a novel.
  

These are pretty good tips. I have got almost everything ready from the list. Awww, it is so exciting!!!

Four Simple Exercises To Prepare Your Body For Delivery Day

So, here I am again! I am very bored right now. Baby kicks from time to time, maybe getting into a comfortable position to sleep. Awwww.... Can't wait to see him.

Since I am bored, I was going through my wonderful book "Essential Guide To Pregnancy and Birth" and guess what? I found exercises that will help labor to go easier and less painful. This is what I really want. I actually found those exercises yesterday and already tried them out. They are not very hard and feel great! I will make sure to do them every single day until my labor begins.

So......

Exercise #1. Kegels.
Why? They strengthen pelvic-floor muscles and help shorten stage of labor.
How? You can actually do them any time and anywhere. But I must say it is not so easy to recognize whether you do this exercise right. This is exercise for the inner muscles in your vagina (the ones that help you not to pee when you want to). You need to squeeze these muscles for eight to ten minutes and then relax for few minutes and do them again. In order to make sure you are doing them right, place a hand on your belly while you are doing Kegels to make sure it stays relaxed, only muscles inside should work, everything else should stay relaxed.

Exercise # 2. Angry Cat
Why? It strengthens abdominal muscles and eases back pain during pregnancy and labor.
How? Get down on your hands and knees with arms held straight and spaced shoulder-width apart and with your knees spaced hip-width apart. Next, take a breath in, and exhale as you tighten your abdominal muscles, round your back and tuck your butt under. Then inhale and relax back into a neutral- but not a swayback- position. Repeat three times. Work up to ten repetitions when feeling stronger.

Exercise # 3. Squatting.
Why? It may not look elegant, but squatting is a time-honored way of preparing for and giving birth. Since pelvic opening is the widest when squatting, it can be a good position to use during the pushing stage of labor. Doing squats now strengthens legs so there will be an ability and stamina to use this position if need be when the big day arrives.
How? Hold on to the back of the steady chair for support. Stand with your feet spread slightly wider than hip-width and your toes pointed outward. Bend your knees and slowly lower your bottom toward the floor as if you were going to sit on a chair. As you lower yourself, contract your abdominal muscles, lift your chest and relax your shoulders. Most of the weight should be resting on the heels. Slowly return to standing. Repeat five times, or as many as you will feel comfortable with.

Exercise # 4. Tailor or Cobbler Sitting.
Why? This exercise helps to condition and increase the flexibility of inner-thigh muscles in preparation for birth and eases lower-back tension.
How? Sit either with legs crossed or with the soles of your feet touching each other and your knees are to the side, as well as make sure to maintain good posture. Stay in this position for as long as you are comfortable.

So there are the exercises. Hope they will help all the pregnant women and hope they will help me very much.:)

Well, I gotta go for now. I am going to go and bake some cookies. Mmmm.....

Epidural: Pros And Cons

Well, as you already know I am due on 1st October and I believe I already have to think about labor. I want to have a completely natural birth, no pain killers, no c-section, no epidural... I have read in my book "Essential Guide to Pregnancy and Birth", some pros and cons of the most popular pain killer for birth; Epidural. I have heard many different stories that some women enjoyed it, but mostly women had problems with it, or they have problems now- with their backs. As well, it seems that this problem will never go away.

First of all it freaks me out that this medication is delivered into the epidural space just outside the membrane that surrounds spine. No way someone sticking any needle, no matter how thin it is into my spine. So let's see pros and cons of this medication!

Pros:

• An epidural is a very effective pain relief.
• Since the effect of epidural is localized, it means a woman will be awake and alert during labor and birth and can even rest and sleep. Therefore, she will be able to have more energy when time will come to push.
• Unlike systematic narcotics, only some of the medication reaches the baby. (Hey, but some still does, right?! I am not sure WHY it is pro!)

Cons

• A woman has to stay in an awkward position for about 15 minutes when epidural is put in, and then about 20 minutes until it starts working.
• A woman might loose a sensation in her feet, and she won't be able to stand. (Hmmm, it just gets better, huh?)
• A woman and a fetus have to be always electronically monitored.
  
• Epidural might slow down labor. A woman might require Pitocin in order to get it back on track. ( Yeah, let me not take any pain killers during my whole 9 months, but then let's just put bunch of them, just because I am afraid of the pain!!!!)
• Since your lower body will loose sensation, it will lessen the bearing down reflex and may take it harder to push baby out.
  
• Having epidural increases a chance of having a vacuum extraction (by the way I saw some babies having this, and believe me they were never just normal kids) or forceps delivery.
  
• The drugs that are typically used in epidural may temporarily lower blood pressure and decrease a blood flow to the baby, which will actually slows his heart rate.
• An Epidural increases fever during labor.
• Drugs delivered through epidural can bring nausea, itchiness. Some women might have severe headaches.
• In rare cases (rare, not rare, it happens, right?), an epidural can affect breathing, as well as nerve injury and infection.
  

Hmmmm, not very many pros huh? Do I really have to go through this, when I just can go through the pain for maybe maximum a day? I believe many women just started to feel sorry for themselves, without realizing how many problems it can cause. I remember my mom telling me that she was with me into labor for 2 days. Think, 2 days without any pain killers... But hey, she is alive (Thank God), I am alive and healthy. How women were delivering before, when no any epidural or systematic medications weren't even discovered? Birth is natural. Woman's body is getting ready for it during all these 9 months. I think we just create this myth that it is so hurtful that without medications we can't do it. I believe a person can do anything, he/she just has to believe in this, and not allow fear take over...