We attended our breastfeeding class on Saturday.  We learned some basics about it such as, positioning, latching on, identifying early hunger cues, health benefits, financial benefits, etc.  We also learned about nursing bras, breast/nipple care, pumps, and storage of breast milk.

There was a lot of information and right now that’s what I want.  I’m trying to absorb it all like a sponge.  Brian goes with to learn and help remind me when pregnancy brain hits.  Plus, if I’m feeling overwhelmed after she gets here, he will probably be able to recall things easier than my stressed out, sleep deprived brain.

The idea of a breastfeeding class before having baby might seem odd at first because it’s not like you can really practice until the baby is born.  But, knowledge is power.  The more I know about options, resources, and what I might need help with …. the better prepared I am.  It’s very important to me to breastfeed babygirl, so I don’t want to get frustrated and give up right away.  
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Tomorrow I get to see my OB again.  She wanted me to come in again this week instead of next week due to the high blood pressure last Thursday.  I haven’t heard anything yet about the blood tests, so I’m hoping no news is good news.  I don’t really want bad news sprung on me tomorrow, especially since I’m going to see her mid-morning… which means I’m working before and after the appointment.

I was talking with Brian today about how the prospect of bed rest is a double edged sword for me.  Overall the idea sounds lovely… I’m tired and such.  But how boooring would that be? Especially now with 11 weeks to go?  Or maybe 10 weeks.  She might come at week 39 (or be forced to).  We know it won’t be any later than the due date though…

But I’m also concerned about how being put on bed rest affects Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  I mean, the wording says the 12 unpaid weeks are to be used after the birth or adoption of a child.  But I’ve heard of people starting their leave early.  To me, if I CHOSE to go on leave a week early, that’s one thing.  But if I’m on doctor’s orders for bedrest… it should be short term disability and be medical leave…. but not count against my 12 weeks… right?  I have no idea.

I have to stop thinking too much about it and just carry on.  If I get ordered on it, we’ll figure it out then.  I just wish some of this stuff was easier to sort out.  A straight across the board standard would be nice, for one thing.  And if I stress out about it too much, it probably WILL drive my blood pressure high!

All the superduper extra monitoring is about to start.

Just for a bit o’ background info so you don’t have to try and dig through past posts: I’m 28.5 weeks now and was diagnosed with GD at 15 weeks.  They suspect possible Type 2 (T2) that was undiagnosed (but I honestly don’t think that’s the case due to previous testing I’d had done pre-pg.. although I was “borderline” for a period of time.  First A1C (blood test that shows average blood sugar level for past 90 days) came back normal (5.5))

Thursday I had my A1C drawn again to make sure things look good although I keep being told my blood sugar (BS) levels are looking good and I’m controlling it well (on insulin).  Had growth ultrasound on Thursday as well.  Babygirl is weighing 2lbs 15oz and is in the 64th percentile – so looking good there too.  Late in the afternoon on Friday, I received the results for my latest A1C… 5.2!! Lower than it was last time and I was told this was excellent.

Unfortunately, my blood pressure was high on Thursday and it hasn’t been before.  Had bloodwork drawn to see if it’s pre-eclampsia.
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Last weekend we had our childbirth class.  It was a couple hours long on Friday night and then about 3ish more hours on Saturday morning.  I kinda liked it that way rather than going for an hour or two once a week for 6 weeks… that’s just too much.

The class was held at the hospital I’m going to be delivering at and run by a pediatric nurse who has 2 children that she delivered there.  As a sidenote, I thought it was great that one of her labors ended up needing to use an epidural while the other was all natural.  It felt like she had a great handle on the information she was sharing.

There were a few things I noticed while in class… every woman really carries differently and it is difficult to tell how far along they are.  We did introductions which included how far along we were.  I was one of the “earliest.”  I was a little surprised by a couple people with how far they were… I wouldn’t want to wait until after 32 weeks to take a childbirth class!

I also must just be having a very hot pregnancy.  I was the only one that didn’t bring along a hoodie or long sleeve shirt.  All of them ended up wearing them at one point or another (or wrapped up in their throw blanket).  I was never cold in either of the rooms we were in for class!

I also felt like the most emotional one in the class.  Sure, I couldn’t see everyone’s face at all times or exam their eyes… but just the very fact that we were in class got me a little misty as it started.  Babygirl’s arrival is getting closer and there was something so real and final about childbirth class.  Also, I wasn’t sickened by the birth videos.  Instead, I was fighting back tears – I was very touched by the moment of birth and baby being placed on Mom’s chest.  Goodness, I’m getting a little watery just thinking about getting to experience that first introduction to our baby!

I’ve also decided that childbirth is the most disgustingly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.  
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Today marks the start of my 3rd trimester.  It’s hard to believe it.  On the one hand, it feels like time has flown by, but on the other hand… babygirl just isn’t arriving fast enough!! (But please stay in there, sweetie, until you are done cookin’.)

With 13 weeks left… let’s take a look at what I have left to do from the list I posted up when I hit the halfway point:

1 – Crochet a baby blanket (well, need to learn how to crochet well first… eeps)

Well, I still haven’t started this.  I bought the yarn and asked my mom for a lesson to refresh my memory.  Hopefully I’ll get it made before she turns one…

2 – Paint the nursery (more specifically, this is hubby’s job)

This was completed!!

3 – Train cats to stay out of the bassinet (although they haven’t climbed in… yet)

The cats are staying out of it with no problem… for now.  I’ve been trying to keep them off my glider though.  That hasn’t been as easy.  For some reason, they really love just hanging out in the nursery.

4 – Make plastic canvas Nursery Rhyme pictures (I have the patterns, just need more yarn!)

Haven’t started this…

5 – Find and sign up for classes: birthing and breastfeeding

I got us signed up for a few classes: childbirth, breastfeeding, and bring home new baby.  This weekend is the childbirth class.  I have the BFing class in a couple weeks and the new baby class is mid-September.

6 – Find a daycare for when I return to work

I’m still working on finding word of mouth recommendations before I start checking places out.

7 – Find a pediatrician

I received several recommendations, which is awesome.  One is nearby and is actually within the same clinic as mine and Brian’s primary care doctor.  Now I just need to talk with him and see if he’s accepting new patients.  I hope to have this and daycare sorted out by the end of September.

8 – Purchase whatever essentials we don’t get from dear sweet family and friends that are an absolute must for the first few weeks

Can’t do this part yet until after the babyshower! It’s scheduled for mid-September.  I also have a work shower coming up as well.

Well, at least there really isn’t anything to add to this list!

Finding out you paid off a credit card without realizing it…. and discovering it has a credit balance because you paid more than you owed!

Don’t get me wrong, this pregnancy is priceless… but it’s not cheap either.  Babygirl’s arrival and existence will also be priceless…. and it’ll bring about extra costs that we don’t currently have.

Such as:

• Medical bills (ultrasounds aren’t cheap! and birth/delivery isn’t likely to be either…)
• Diapers
• Clothes
• Additional insurance (health and life)
• College savings
• Childcare
• Additional food
• And later… STUFF.  We know that kids (especially teens) like STUFF.  Hell, I loved STUFF.

A few years ago before we started trying to conceive, we’d had the discussion of having children together.  At that time both of us were nervous about the costs associated with it, but I think my husband was more concerned than I.  I don’t blame him – the traditional ideal is that the husband/father must provide for and protect his family.  Plus, he makes more than I do.  Growing up in less than ideal financial circumstances, I was more relaxed if we wait until we’re “financially stable” we’ll never have children.  We’ll be fine, we’ll figure it out.

I think I was right and wrong all at the same time.  However, I think the best approach would have been for us to work on our financial goals and such starting RIGHT then.  It makes me flinch with shame that we didn’t think of it then.  We’d be in a much better financial situation now if we would have worked together on our money then.

We would have had a good 3+ years to work on our finances before babygirl arrived.  
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Today was a very long day.  It’s not easy to go to work and do all that is needed to be done on a Monday when super exhausted.

I didn’t sleep well at all last night.  It’s the worst night of sleep so far this pregnancy.

I went to bed around 10:30pm and was up at least 3 times by 3am, and then a few more times after that.  For one thing, I was very warm.  I’d wake up all hot and uncomfortable.  It was hard to sleep with my pillow between my knees because it made my legs hot, but it was uncomfortable to remove it.  I thought about moving to the couch in the living room, as that room seemed a little cooler when I wondered about getting a drink of water and wondering how I was going to get any sleep.  But, since I had to be up for work, I didn’t make the switch in the middle of the night… it would have been too much work to deal with making sure I had an alarm clock in the living room that I would hear.

The other part of my restless night was babygirl.  She was moving and kicking strongly enough to wake me up!  I mean, it was awesome that during the day on Sunday Brian was able to finally feel her kick…. but I didn’t think that’d mean she’d keep me up all night!  As I first was dozing off, she was moving and rockin’ my belly that I think she rocked my body because I woke up startled – I thought I was rolling off the bed.  Boy, was she active throughout the night though.  I suppose it’s not a new thing, I just didn’t feel her as easily as I do now.

I managed to catch a nap before my evening snack, and hopefully I’ll be able to sleep better tonight.  I know sleep is supposed to be a bit more difficult in the 3rd trimester, which I’m fast approaching… but I figured it’d still be all right for at least another month!