Labor, Delivery, Epidurals, Spinal Blocks and All That Jazz

This week's prenatal class focused on all the things that freak out an anxious mommy-to-be: labor, delivery, epidurals, spinal blocks, etc. We even watched a video on C-sections (which wasn't nearly as gorey as what I've seen on Discovery Health).

And here is what I have to say: knock me out and wake me up when there is a baby.

Last night, I watched the newest show on The Duggars (you know, that family who just had their 17th child? They named the baby Jennifer, by the way). So she's done this labor and delivery thing several times ... and keeps coming back for more. Women throughout history have been having babies and certainly in less desirable locations and conditions that I'll be in. So I'm trying to get a grip on the whole thing. But man, several hours of the most intense pain I've ever felt in my life is just a scary thought.

When I was a kid, I proclaimed I would never have children because it would hurt too much. Somewhere along the way, I forgot about that little fear ... until recently.

But, this is what I signed up for. And in the end, we get a baby. And that is all that matters.

Jennifer

The Baby at 33 Weeks

Week 33: Water Weight

This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. Your baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if he or she has been on the shorter side. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut.

The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus has reached its maximum, making it likely that you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why you're probably feeling lots of nudges and pushes — there's less liquid to cushion the blows. (Of course that means you're even closer to your baby now!)

If your uterine walls had eyes, here's what you'd see: your fetus acting more and more like a baby, with his or her eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night (now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!).

And good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of his or her own immune system that (along with antibodies from you) will be able to provide protection from mild infections.

Save the Drama for .... THIS Mama ...

I had an interesting, and unexpected evening last night ...

First let's start off with what happened earlier in the day. Yesterday morning, while walking Bella, she and a mean dog behind a gate and a bit of a tiff. As I struggled to pull my 50 pound dog away from the gate, I tripped over her and crashed onto the sidewalk. The photograph is "Exhibit A." :)

The baby seemed okay and was moving like crazy all day long. So I didn't think the fall was a big deal (aside from scraping my leg up pretty badly).

By coincidence, I had a Dr. appt. yesterday afternoon. I told her of my fall that morning and she was very concerned about the baby and told me I needed to go to the hospital for EIGHT hours of observation. EIGHT! And, I was told if the baby was in distress, I'd end up getting an emergency C-section.

Well, you can imagine that with Jonathan in D.C. and a dog to take care of, I was in a bit of a panic.

So long story short ...

I drove to the hospital ... crying all the way. The nurse was very nice and after hearing my fall had taken place 12 hours earlier, she told me it was unlikely they'd keep me there the entire eight hours. She said if the baby was moving as usual, I was not leaking any fluid and had no blood, etc. then likely all was fine.

I was on the monitor for four hours last night. And one point, the nurse came in with a huge pitcher of water and told me to drink up, because I was having CONTRACTIONS! I was shocked, as I wasn't feeling a thing. But she assured me her monitor was detecting contractions and that hopefully, I was only a bit dehydrated and the water would take care of it.

So I chugged the water and later on, she returned to tell me the contractions had stopped. Lesson learned: DRINK A LOT ... ALL DAY, and ALL NIGHT.

All had been quiet on the maternity floor until about 10:00 p.m. That was when a woman in early labor arrived and was placed next to me ... with just a curtain separating us. I heard all her agony with every contraction and it was starting to freak me out ... big time.

So when, an hour later, the nurse returned and told me I could go home I thanked her for letting me go before the lady next door experienced any further pain.

I tell ya ... I can't wait for Jonathan to be home for good. Nothing makes you miss your husband more than an unexpected trip to the hospital.

Jennifer

And He's Off ... Again ...

Jonathan departed this morning for his final trip to D.C. He absolutely loves to travel, but isn't looking forward to this trip. He's had too many hangups at the Atlanta airport on recent trips and is concerned about what future delays are in his travel future.

He's also concerned about leaving his very pregnant wifey behind. I have assured him all will be well ... and we are just praying Baby Lucero loves his environment and will stay put until Daddy gets home. As we still have a few weeks left, we're confident he won't try to make his way into this world before Jonathan returns on September 27.

My sister, Liz, will be coming to stay with me for a few days, so that will be nice. And that leaves Jonathan fewer days to worry about me ... which is nice, too.

After this trip, Jonathan is home for good - yay!!

Jennifer