Hooray for Diapers! You know that you are an expectant mother when you get excited by a shipment email saying that your cloth diapers and accessories are on their way! Yes, Dean and I have decided to go the cloth diapering route and yes, most of our friends with children think we are nuts or won't last. I think that we will prove them wrong!
These aren't the same cloth diapers that Dean and I were in! These diapers are much easier to put on (no pins!), less bulky, come with covers in cool colors and patterns (no plastic pants!) and are easier to care for (no more wet diaper pail!). Add to these wonderful updates the fact that we will save some money and keep from putting thousands of plastic disposable diapers in landfills and it seems like a no-brainer.
Of course the skeptics must have a reason for having expressed their dislike and/or wonderment at our choice. My guess is they just don't know much about cloth diapers, think that we are trying to make a "statement," or just think that cloth diapers must be inconvenient. But hey, breastfeeding seems pretty inconvenient to me too and not as many people are surprised by that decision (though unfortunately I've heard some of our friends speak badly of women who nurse in public).
But I won't let the skeptics get me down! On their way to our home are: 36 prefold diapers, 6 Bummis Super Brite Diaper covers (pictured), 2 rolls of disposable diaper liners, a diaper pail, 10 diaper pail deodorizers, a mini-shower spray wand for washing of diapers (no dunking in toilet!) and a large waterproof tote bag that can be put in the diaper pail to make taking diapers to the washing machine easier. Of course, this just reminds me that we still don't have a changing table and hence, no place to put all of this! One thing at a time...
2008-03-25 (37 weeks)
Nursery Pictures! I finally uploaded pictures of the nursery! Yea! Of course the nursery is not done yet. We have yet to decorate the walls and some of the items have been moved around a bit. Then there is the issue of a dresser and a changing table, neither of which we have gotten yet. Dean wants to hold off and not rush into buying the dresser and changing table. I, on the other hand, am starting to worry about not having these crucial items. How will I possibly cope without drawers to put onesies in and a place to put all the diapers and diaper accessories?
2008-03-24 (37 weeks)
Hospital Tour Dean and I went on a hospital tour on Saturday. We learned that we could potentially be in 3 different rooms during our stay. The first is the Maternal Observation room. This is where they take you if you go into spontaneous labor in order to determine whether or not you are actually in labor. The second room is the labor and delivery room. This is where we would be moved once we are determined to be in labor and where Sophia will be delivered. The last room is the postpartum or mother and baby room. They will move us to this room about 4-8 hours after Sophia is born and we will spend another 24 hours or so in this room.
No cell phones are allowed in the rooms because they can interfere with various equipment. So, Dean will have to leave me to make phone calls (maybe I'll be resting?) to all our family and friends. We also found out that they don't want you to bring your hospital bag in with you until you are in the labor and delivery room, and then only those items you need to get through labor (i.e. nothing to help take a shower or change, etc.). You can get the rest of your items when you are in the postpartum room. Someone will have to go back and forth to the car!
According to eMedTV, this is what is going on with Sophia this week:
When you are 38 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 14 inches from crown to rump. From head to toe, he or she can measure anywhere from 19 inches to 21 inches. Your baby weighs around 6 pounds, 13 ounces. However, at this point in pregnancy, baby length and weight can vary significantly.
By week 38 of pregnancy, your baby is now full term, which means that if your baby were born today, he or she would be considered a full-grown baby. Babies who are born prior to week 38 are considered premature babies.
Fetal development that is occurring around week 38 of pregnancy may include the following:
Your baby will be growing an ounce a day
Your baby's intestines continue to accumulate meconium (baby's first bowel movement)
The circumference of the head and the abdomen are about the same size
The testicles have descended into the scrotum (for boys)
The labia are completely developed (for girls).
2008-03-24 (37 weeks)
Sophia weighs in at 6 lbs 5 oz to date Last Thursday Dean and I had another doctor's appointment and an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that Sophia is in the correct position and that her spine is right behind my belly button with her bottom under my ribs. For that reason, we were unable to get a picture of her face, but we were able to confirm that she is still a girl. We also found out that the amount of fluid in the placenta is good and that the placenta itself looks healthy. The sonographer measured Sophia's skull and thigh bones, looked at her heart, lungs, spine and finally measured her weight (not sure how that is done). The sonographer said that Sophia weighs about 6 lbs 5 oz, with a half pound margin of error. I was born at 6 lbs 4 oz, so she's already bigger than I was!
Dr. Howell was very happy with the pictures that came in from the sonographer and said that Sophia will likely gain another 1-1.5 lbs by the time she is born. He also said that after 2 weeks, Sophia could be born any time. About a third of babies are born the week prior to their due date, another third the week after and the last third within a few days of their due date. Also good news- I had actually lost a pound since the previous week- it's probably water weight, but still it made me happy that I hadn't gained several pounds in a week.
Now for the scary part of my day on Thursday. When I was walking back to the office, I noticed that I had gotten more winded than usual. I slowed my walking pace and thought that the elevator ride would help. I got to the office and I still felt winded and noticed that my heart was beating really fast. So I got myself a cup of ice water and sat down and tried to slow my breathing with relaxation. I was able to slow my breathing, but my heart was still racing. I could feel the thudding of my heart throughout my body. After about 10 or 15 minutes of this I called my doctor's office and they said they would have someone call me back. During this time, I tried to relax and calm myself down. A coworker got me an ice pack to try to cool me down and gave me a nice neck rub. But then I looked down and saw my belly shaking along with my heart beat and that didn't help me calm down at all! After 20 minutes of not hearing back from the doctor's office, I called them back and insisted on speaking with someone. The nurse I talked to said that this isn't uncommon in women this late in pregnancy and that I should go home and rest. She said if it was still happening after 2 hours, I should go to the hospital. So I went home and rested and it suddenly stopped.
Needless to say, I'm going to be asking the doctor lots of questions at this weeks appointment and I am staying away from ANY activity for the time being. My supervisor arranged for me to get a parking pass for the parking garage which dramatically cuts my morning and afternoon walk and I am taking everything slowly.
Yes, Dean and I have decided to go the cloth diapering route and yes, most of our friends with children think we are nuts or won't last. I think that we will prove them wrong!
We also found out that the amount of fluid in the placenta is good and that the placenta itself looks healthy. The sonographer measured Sophia's skull and thigh bones, looked at her heart, lungs, spine and finally measured her weight (not sure how that is done). The sonographer said that Sophia weighs about 6 lbs 5 oz, with a half pound margin of error. I was born at 6 lbs 4 oz, so she's already bigger than I was!