Since the last post, Simon has come home, we went to Michigan, had the baby shower, came back, and we've embarked on the last stretch of pregnancy. The shower turned out really good. We're never in Michigan for very long, so its nice when the opportunity to get a lot of people together arises. The shower helped us complete a lot of the things that we need. There's still a little bit to go, but I'll probably finish getting all of that together this weekend. I still need diapers, and to start assembling the things I'll need for the hospital. When you don't really have anyone to count on 100% when you go into labor, there's so many extra things to think about. I took Xena to the vet today to update one of her shots. I'm really hoping to have enough "advance notice" of labor to take my dogs to Animal House. They loved it last time, and I would hate to be worrying about them at home while I'm in the hospital. I need to clean out my car, put a bag over my seat, and install the carseat base in the next few weeks, as well. More or less, everything should be done by the end of Tuesday.
I had my 32 week appointment today. I've gained 27 lbs total, the heartbeat was good (140's), and I got the pertussis vaccine. I turned all of my paperwork in, too, to both the OB clinic and the admissions office for when I'm in labor.
Let's talk about the birth plan! If everything goes accordingly, it will be a completely drug-free labor. They say your chances of not getting an epidural go significantly down if you don't have anyone there to kind of help coach you, so I'm thinking about calling someone from Operation Special Delivery. They provide free doulas, but I'm not entirely convinced I want one. I need to make my mind up soon, though.
Other things that I've neglected (due to work schedule or thinking its unnecessary) is the labor and delivery tour, Lamaze classes, and the breastfeeding class. I understand the benefits of all of these, so hopefully I do at least one. I might be too far along for the Lamaze classes, because I should have started one of the 4 sessions by now. The worst thing about the naval hospital is they assume all wives have no job, so they have all of their classes at times like 10 am or 3 pm, and always Monday-Friday. It's unfortunate, because I know there's a lot of women like me that would be more open to taking these if they didn't have to take vacation time to do so.
I think that's all for now. I'll be doing another post very soon when I can elaborate on a certain something. I'll post the 32 week picture then.
<3 Kristin
28 weeks:
And the love of my life:
