Thursday, June 12, 2008

34 Weeks - almost 35!

Today is the first day that I am not making my trek over to the UCSD medical center for a doctor's appointment or for some other reason - isn't that great! I spent the last three days either at appointments or doing other baby-related things there! I certainly feel like UCSD has become another home and I have the feeling I'll be spending lots of time there as the countdown to Baby Girl's appearance goes by.

Nevertheless, amidst the visits with nurses, doctors and midwives it has been such a blessing to know that things are progressing well with Baby Girl despite the little "scare" with my blood sugar. Everything is now under control. In fact, I've been doing so well that I am now official a Birth Center patient under the care of their team of nurse-midwives. A few days ago we met for the midwife for the first time and we felt so taken care of and like this is the place where God wants us now. It's amazing how God can work through circumstances to bring us to a place of complete peace even if it wasn't something we had initially had in mind.

I am still being monitored by the diabetes nurses but I think they are less worried about me now so I just send in my blood sugars for the week by email. I am getting into the swing of things with my new diet and learning what my body can handle and what it can't. I have noticed I have lost weight, which is a common side-effect of going on the diet. So, the nurses keep telling me to pile on the fats so I try. But it's hard to get fats without not getting carbs/sugars at the same time. It's certainly been a learning experience.

Baby Girl is still the funniest little creature that's ever lived in my belly - not that I've had any others, mind you! Just last night as we lay in bed Michael and I were chuckling as she moved around spastically. Sometimes we ask ourselves what exactly she's doing in there. The last ultrasound we had last Friday confirmed that Baby Girl is head down, getting in position to come out! A couple days later the midwife checked again (how they can do that with their bare hands by just feeling around on my belly is amazing to me!) and said that she was still head down. Baby Girl, you just stay that way! The midwife said that 99% of the time babies stay in the same position so that's what we're hoping for.

It seems as though our lives these days revolve around Baby Girl in some way or another. For the past two weeks we've been attending a Child birthing class along with other expectant parents. One more class to go! I have done a fair amount of reading on my own so a lot of what we have been learned hasn't been new to me. However, I have learned lots of good things and tips for labor such as positions, pain remedies, etc. We have also been learning some Lamaze breathing exercises. Now it's time for us to practice them at home so we'll be pros by the time Baby Girl comes. After being in the classes I can say that I am so glad for Michael and for the great birth coach he's going to be for me. He is just what I need! We are also probably going to have my mother and Michael's mom in the room with us during the delivery. But, we'll see how it all turns out. We make our plans, but God directs our steps and we want to be open to how He leads each step of the way.

Belly pictures coming soon...for now I leave you with two pictures from the last ultrasound. Can you pick out the different parts?

Profile of Baby Girl's face

Her left side nose and lips - can you see them? She was so wiggly during the ultrasound that the technician couldn't get a picture of her whole face at once. What a little wiggle worm!

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know, I do miss the times when I would lay in bed on my side and would feel Tess moving and kicking and hick-uping...it was such a neat and special feeling! Towards the last weeks, days, she would pretty much move and kick every single time I would get up, as if she wanted to be part of everything, as she was and is:) Now wonder she is so curious:) Cherish these moments as I know you do already:) I am so thrilled that Michael will be your coach and congratulations on your diet! It is so neat to see how your diet and counting your carbs can make such a difference! I do think that the Lord placed this "bump" on your road so you can help and bless others, as you have already done so far, mainly by your attitude and response to it!!! I can't wait to meet Baby Girl...Hopefully soon! The birthing classes are great and the Lamaze class helped me a ton! I needed to know how to breath and when to breath and how to focus. David also knew what to expect in a way and how to help me from our practice during the class. Know that my prayers are your way for a healthy rest of the pregnancy and for a very healthy,safe and blessed delivery, Baby, mommy and experience! The Lord is so good and His ways are perfect!

Pat your tummy for me and tell Baby Girl Auntie Rox already loves her a lot!:)

James 1:17-18