Tuesday, June 30, 2009

bummed

So I'm bummed. I bummeth.
Today I went to see my family doctor for a cyst (at least that's what I think it is) that's grown (overnight) on my nose. I knew she would say to wait until after the baby is born or unless it grows anymore...
BUT while I was there we talked about the request that the midwives sent her to see if she'd write a prescription for the IV antibiotics I need since I'm GBS positive.
She declined to give me a prescription.
I am bummed.
Her reasoning is that if somehow labour is undetectable (ya right) and I don't get the antibiotics in time and baby contracts GBS and is really sick or whatever that being at home would be a bad place and baby wouldn't get the treatment he would need in time. So she even recommended (in not so many words) that I don't even HAVE a home birth but deliver in hospital.
Her second reasoning is for me being given the IV antibiotics at home as having some potential dangers, but I'm not worried about that at all. I'm not allergic to penicilin and I know the midwives are fully capable of administering antibiotics via IV.
She did it all very nicely and almost feeling badly for me - she said "I don't want to dash all your hopes for a home birth, but I know I am." and I don't blame her as she's just doing what she feels is best and safest, but I disagree. And I hope she can talk to the midwives and maybe be convinced otherwise, but I doubt it.
So unless we can find some other doctor who will write me a prescription, my next plan of attack is to go to the hospital, get the first dosage and come back home for a home birth.
But I am meeting with the midwives on Friday so I'll talk to them about all this then and my options.
But I am bummed. Plain out bummed.
It complicates things greatly.
UNLESS I go early and before my friend Jen leaves for BC (she would likely be able to come and watch Noah and he is totally fine with her), I will have to find someone else to come right away and watch Noah while Jamie and I head straight to the hospital for my first dose (it has to be given right away). Someone who knows Noah and is comfortable with him and who he knows as well. Someone who lives in Guelph and can get to our place as quickly as is possible until my Mom can get to our place and watch Noah for us until baby arrives.
So there's that whole headache, much less the trip to the hospital, getting into triage, getting the shot and then heading back home (maybe about an hour total?).
Let's hope this baby doesn't come TOO quickly!
Anyway, so I'm not stressed, but I am disappointed I didn't get a prescription and everything is hunky dorey.
But...it is what it is and really all I care about is everyone being healthy and well taken care of. Ideally that would be at home, but...I guess we'll just have to roll with the punches on this one.

Monday, June 29, 2009

week 36 stuff


This is me at 36 weeks after a HUGE meal at the Keg with Jamie for our 5 year wedding anniversary.
I think all that delicious food knocked the baby out as he was quite still and quiet for the following few hours.
I've been feeling EXTREMELY tight and large and often find it quite painful to transition from sitting to standing/walking. I can't imagine how I could possibly get any bigger.
I looked at my belly this morning in the mirror and concluded that I've hit the "grotesquely large" looking belly stage. There's a stage where it's cute and beautiful and then seemingly overnight, it morphs into this gigantic...thing.
I suppose it's still beautiful in a symbolic way...but man. This belly is BIG.
I am positive baby had a growth spurt - actually I think Noah had a growth spurt around this time as well. We'll see when the midwives come on Friday to measure - it will also be our home visit then too so we'll see how that goes.

Also, tomorrow I will be going to see my family doctor for a non-pregnancy related thing, but while I'm there, I'm HOPING she will prescribe the antibiotic for GBS so that I don't have to travel into the hospital to get it. I am willing to beg for it at this point...
Also, I re-read the GBS handout the midwives gave me, and at this point I'm realizing that I should have declined the test as I would have had none of the risk factors that they use to treat Mom/baby after the baby is born for GBS. Oh well. What's done is done and I am confident in the sovereignty of God - even in GBS testing. :)

This pregnancy I've found myself referring to the baby by his name (yep, we picked one out!) a lot more than I did with Noah and so am finding myself almost slipping up and revealing the name when I talk about him. It's okay...according to the ticker at the top...I've got about 25 more days (please let it be less!) so if I can keep a lid on the prego brain I should be good. :)

Friday, June 26, 2009

36 weeks


...and so tired and swollen.
And I think someone had a growth spurt...ahem.

make them go away!

While unpacking and rearranging Noah's room I came across many, many stuffed animals.
I'm talking excessive amounts of stuffed animals.
We don't need ANY MORE STUFFED ANIMALS.
There's even more in the garage in boxes that have yet to be unpacked.
It's insane. And unnecessary.
Noah's little brother will need NO stuffed animals. I could easily put some away and bring them out when he gets interested in stuffed animals - Noah would have no idea that they were even his as he doesn't play with ... uh, 90% of them.
I arranged Noah's/the boys' room yesterday and unpacked most of the clothes. I realized that I don't have nearly as many onesies as I thought I did. I could have sworn I had a TON of 0-3/6 month clothing but perhaps I borrowed a lot of it...or did a lot of laundry?
I'll have to double check in the garage, but there must be more lying around.
Anyway, it's time for my 36 week photo op.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

GBS positive

What a bummer.
I got a call from my midwives today and found out that I am indeed GBS (Group B Strep) positive. The implications from this are many:
1. the recommended procedure is that once I go into labour or my waters break, I am supposed to get an IV antibiotic. The reason for this is that there is a risk that baby may contract GBS and if so, MAY develop a disease which MAY result in death. Quick death.
2. Midwives are unable to write prescriptions for antibiotics. So my family doctor is being approached to see if she is willing to write a prescription for this antibiotic so I don't have to go to the hospital for the first dose. If she ISN'T willing, it's likely I will have to go to the hospital for the first dose. BOO.
3. Obviously the choice is mine. The chance of baby getting GBS and contracting the disease is slight, but the risk is great. Potential death. On the other hand, if the baby doesn't get GBS, he is still getting the antibiotic which changes the natural flora in his digestive tract and makes him more susceptible to yeast infections (or thrush if it's in the mouth) which greatly disrupts breastfeeding.
I'm annoyed and deflated that I am in fact GBS positive. I wasn't with Noah so this wasn't even an issue. There just seems like so many downsides to getting the antibiotic but then one gigantic pro IF and only IF this baby is the one of thousands to contract GBS. UGH.
Now I'll need to think about this and talk it over with Jamie and re-read the pamphlet on GBS.

Friday, June 19, 2009

35 weeks


I got my hurr did.

35 weeks...and counting!

I know I said this last week...but I can't believe I'm 35 weeks pregnant.
Had a midwife appointment this week (actually went to the office twice, but they didn't have my first appointment written down - their fault, not mine believe it or not!) and Noah sat happily and played with the toys in the office (I think he's getting used to going there by now).
Baby is head down with his back on my left side.
He was moving lots while Carol was listening to the heartbeat and every time he moved, his heart rate accelerated which is exactly what is supposed to happen. It was cool to hear the movements on the sonar thingy...doppler. Right.
I also did the swab for Strep B and am hoping I'm negative again. BUT I found out that even if I am positive, I don't need to go to the hospital - I can just get a prescription from my doctor and then the midwife can administer it to me at home! Hoorah! So while I hope I'm negative, at least I don't have to make that trip to the hospital and back (if I even MADE it back!).
I need to up my iron again (since I stopped taking it twice a day because of ... er ... issues) but it's better even though I am still categorized as anemic.
And my next appointment will be the home visit at our new place! Hooray! We move on Tuesday and I can't wait for it! And not a moment too soon either as we are supposed to be getting hit with a heat wave starting next week - with the humidex making it feel like it's mid 30's!
Whew!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

34 week ponderings

I can't believe I'm 34 weeks pregnant. And that I have 6 weeks or less left (well, at least I think it'll be less...who really knows, though?) to go before we meet this little guy.
Sleeping hasn't really gotten harder since I first started having trouble sleeping, so that's kinda nice. I mean, some nights are good nights, some are not so good. It's been that way since...2 or so months ago?
Going from sitting to standing can be excruciating and forget about our trip that we hoped to take Noah to the zoo for the day. There's no way I could handle walking around for a whole day! So that will have to wait until next year - that's fine, though as he'll only enjoy it even more then! :)
I can't wait to move into our place and pull out all the baby clothes and put them in the dresser. I already saw a few of Noah's old things and was all, "Awwwwww". Don't even talk to me about how small size 1 diapers are too! I got a freebie in the mail and Jamie and I just looked at it in astonishment and then stared at Big Noah...:) Noah will look so big compared to this baby at first.
Noah's going to be such a sweet older brother (I hope). Mmm...give him about 18 months and they'll be playing like best buds.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

boourns

Maybe if I didn't have so many dang blogs I would actually update this one more often.
It is probable that I have 2 or sometimes 3 blog post ideas that I want to blog about floating about in my head at any given time but usually laziness prevails and they never get written. It's kinda sad, really.
Anyway, this is a short, shallow post, but it made me laugh and so I had to blog about it.
I was chatting with a friend on Gmail Chat or whatever it's called and I used the phrase "boourns" and she remarked that she had never heard of it. I explained that it was from a Simpsons episode and of course Googled it. I came across Urban Dictionary which opened my eyes to how I was inappropriately using it - in fact, entry number 6 made me laugh out loud:

6. boourns

Alternate spelling of boo urns.

Exclamation. A cheer for The Simpsons character Montgomery Burns. Often used incorrectly by Canadians to suggest disproval of anything, rather than approval of Burns.

Obviously, "boo" and "Boo-urns" are two different and mutually exclusive words.

My, that old dog, Monty Burns has done it again! Boo-urns! Boo-urns, I say!

or

"Are you saying 'boo' or 'boo-urns'?" - C.M. Burns, The Simpsons

Shock! Gasp! I am one of those Canadians using the term "boourns" incorrectly!
My world has been rocked. (In a small, shallow way.)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

symptoms and ponderings

Whew. I'm tired.
Here are a few symptoms of pregnancy I've totally been feeling lately:
- tired
- cankles (they're back baby! Okay, so not at the REALLY bad stage, but they are starting up again)
- I get REALLY full a lot faster
- I still can burp like a frat boy
- been feeling crampy - not like contractions or Braxton Hicks but exactly like period cramps - like I felt after my water broke with Noah. Crazy!
- Braxton Hicks contractions every now and again - they are more painful than I remember
- I grunt every time I bend over - it's brutal
- the pregnant waddle is in full force - at least I feel like I am waddling BIG TIME
- oh yes, did I mention I'm TIRED?!?!

Other than that and the lack of emotional and physical capacity I feel these days...I'm doing well. Honestly, though, all things considered I am doing well, I don't have much to complain about as I know MANY women who just hate being pregnant (hate the symptoms, that is) and have far worse symptoms (extreme heartburn, major physical difficulties, pre-term labour, etc.) so I'm still definitely counting my blessings.

To be honest, I remember feeling like I would always be pregnant. I feel that way again now. Like I will always feel this big and cumbersome. Like this baby will never actually get here. It's like the calm before the storm. I know introducing this fourth person to our family is going to change things in ways I can't imagine, but in a lot of ways I feel FAR more ready for this baby than I ever did with Noah. I am not scared of how my life is going to change. In terms of socially and "life phase"-wise my life has already changed. I am a Mom. I hang out with other Moms (I hang out with other wonderful people as well of course). I have to think about my child that I am leaving at home if I go out (ie. arrange all details and babysitter). Jamie and I are still trying to figure out how to have a date night - or just go on dates. Period. I am more than a Mom, but I am a Mom. Having this child will not change that.
I think my biggest concern right now is for Noah. How will this affect him? How will I split my time and energy between two little boys and one wonderful man? How will my heart possibly grow to develop love for a second child?
I know all these things will be answered in time...but they are the ones I think about the most - not the baby gear, maternity wear or decorated (or not - ha!) nursery.
I am excited to meet this little fella and get to know him, see what kind of temperament and personality he has. See if my hunch is right (that he will be darker than Noah - dark eyes and hair)...I'm excited for these things and as long as we can get our house/bedrooms set up in our new place, I'm fine if he decides to show up a little bit early. :)
Okay, enough ponderings...this preggo needs some sleep!

Friday, June 5, 2009

33 weeks


Today we are going camping for the weekend. I have a feeling this weekend will hold many adventures and very little sleep for me. Oh well. Gotta try it once, right?

Monday, June 1, 2009

move part one

The big move (well, part one of two) is over. I am SO GLAD it's over.
We moved out of our apartment on Saturday and it took 1.5 loads of our 17 foot truck. Everything is now in storage but the hard part is over.

It takes a lot to pack up an apartment and we realized we have a LOT of things.
Stuff.
Too much stuff.

ANYWAY...so the hardest part I think was managing Noah who was quite distraught at seeing all these strange people in his house taking away all of his things. I felt pretty badly for him but he was quite adamant that he wanted to be with "Daddy" the entire time.
It took A LONG time to clear our place out (from about 8:30am-1pm) but all our stuff is being stored in 2 friends' garages.

So for now we're living in student housing in Waterloo until June 23rd when we move into our house!!!

32 weeks + 3 days

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...