Appointment 28 weeks

Currently Craving Pregnancy Tea i left downstairs

Obviously, i saw Nancy yesterday. the entire appointment did not revolve around the glucose test.

so first the normal stuff. Babe's home is growing just fine. 27.5 cm at 28 weeks. and weight gain continues but at a fine rate. when i rested back to let nancy measure and get the heart rate i had a long braxton hicks so we had to wait for that. then Babe was way down low in my pelvis so Nancy had to bring her up higher to get the heart rate. then she was moving away from the doppler, just like she does every time so nancy really had to pin her to get it. but heart rate is fine. nancy said it's good that babe goes so low in my pelvis. i'm likely to birth just like the women in my family. that my pelvis is made for birthing children and babe going low means she'll know just what to do when the time comes. quick labor. (probably that's relative, but it sounds good to me)

the rest of the appointment revolved around being given instructions for preparing for the home birth. max didn't come with me this time since he was heading to the track with his dad so nancy just gave me a check list of things to do, buy, and think about before the day comes. the goal is to have all of this done by our "safe date" at 37 weeks... which is Sept 21.

Emergency Plan : phone with list of emergency numbers, know the way to the hospital and where we would enter, pre-registration for the hospital (so they know we'll pay). and know that 911 is our best bet in an absolute emergency

Pediatrician: Uh, find one and find out when he/she wants to see Babe after birth. we have to decide about the eye drops and the vitamin K shot, then the pediatrician will have to do the PKU and hearing test. luckily, we don't have to think about circumcision this time around.


after decisions, we move more towards supplies
Birthing Area: clean well-lit room at 75-80 degrees at time of birth
accurate clock for noting time of birth
heating pad with extension cord
large hand mirror
flashlight with fresh and extra batteries
extra pillows
three large sized black plastic bags
two or three large plastic shower curtains

Linens: one set of sheets for the bed
at least 4-6 old bath towels
at least 6-8 cotton receiving blankets or baby towels.
clothes for baby to include: hat, socks, diaper, infant undershirt, choice of outer clothing
mom clothes for after birth
All of these items are to be washed, dried, and stored in labeled plastic bags until birth

Supplies: At least 2 packages of large disposable underpads
large 3oz ear syringe
sanitary pads in various sizes
large tray for emergency equiptment
antibacterial soap
one bottle of 70% rubbing alcohol and q-tips
one large bottle of hydrogen peroxide
Crock pot with extension cord
clean old wash cloths
one squeeze bottle
one thermometer
Baby or adult wipes
one large and one small bowl
One large cooking pot
Juices, ginger ale or other drinks for hydration during labor and gatorade type drink for post partum
plan for high protein meal postpartum (not a steak dinner she said)

For water birth or facilitated labor: Birth tub/pool
plastic shower curtain liner for under it
extra towels
New garden hose
adapter

Comfort Items: advil
ice bag or frozen veggies
Epsom salts
vaseline or chapstick
straws that bend
protein snacks
sour candy
honey
cornstarch or favorite massage oil
exercise/birth ball
Stanley, my stuffed seal (ok, i added that one)

Other optional supplies: Camera with supplies (charged batteries)
special music, candles, aromatherapy items
prepare anyone else who might attend the birth
list of people to call after the birth
birthday cake, champagne or anything we desire to make the birth a special, joyous occasion
COFFEE for Nancy


as she said, it looks like a lot but it isn't really all that bad. many things are to be thought over rather than bought. and she said gathering it all up is fun. she also said if babe arrives before we have everything it's ok, she always has a back up. she has everything she needs. that's reassuring.

after going over all of those things that was about it for the appointment. i'll see her again in about 3 weeks and then we start twice a month. birth prep classes start next week too --- and in between, THE BEACH hooray!!!