1. "You're STILL pregnant?"
No. I actually had the baby and stuffed it under the bed for safe-keeping. This belly is just a result of my post-pregnancy sushi and margarita binge.
2. "You look so uncomfortable."
Really? Because I think that having a watermelon sized human being pressed against my internal organs is rather comfortable. Especially when I bend over or try to pry myself up out of a chair. THAT is the best.
3. "What are you going to do?"
Well, I figure I'll give it about another 24 hours and then I'll just start pushin'. Going to evict this tenant like the beer-bellied slouch who forgets to pay rent on time.
4. "Oh my gosh, you're so BIG. You look like you're about to pop!"
What a coincidence! I AM about to pop... about to pop you one in the nose.
5. "Have you tried (fill in the blank here with any old wives' tale induction technique)?"
No, I have NOT been spending every waking hour on Google searching for ancient Guatemalan medicine women's techniques to bring on labor. Who would be that desperate?
6. "Do you think you'll go into labor soon?"
{crickets chirping}
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Today Is My Due Date and Other Thoughts About Birth :)
Well, OK, it's one of my due dates.... either today or Monday, depending on which way you calculate these things. :)
And I am ready. Not because I am uncomfortable or exhausted (even though both of which are true) but because I am just so ready to meet this new little person! This time around has been such a different pregnancy for me. I am truly tuned in to my body and this baby like no other time before. I have done so much reading on "pregnancy and birth" -- in the natural sense this time -- and it truly amazes me what the human body is capable of doing, and does so perfectly in most instances when left alone.
I just wanted to share some of the stuff I've learned during this pregnancy that I find absolutely amazing. I do believe I have turned into a birth junkie! :)
Did you know that the placenta holds 1/3 of the baby's blood volume at birth? When we cut and clamp the cord before it stops pulsing - before it stops pumping all that blood back into the baby - babies are left without a huge portion of their blood cells! YIKES! If we had 1/3 of our blood volume removed, I'm not so sure we would be feeling the greatest. After birth, there are valves in the placenta that basically "shut off" in one direction to prevent blood from flowing back into the placenta and once the blood is all pumped back into baby, the cord will stop pulsing and we know that baby got all the goodies it needs!
Did you know that babies have a natural reflex (that is still present at birth) where if you put pressure on their feet, they will push back? So, when the top of the uterus contracts downward, it puts pressure on baby's feet (assuming baby is head-down!) and thus babies actually HELP move themselves down into the pelvis during labor?
Did you know that babies are born with decreased amounts of vitamin K (a substance that aids the blood in clotting)? Now, the medical community will tell you that this must be "fixed" and we should all inject our newborns with vitamin K to get their levels where they "should be". But maybe there's more to this than we realize? I don't believe that God screwed up and "forgot" to give babies the adequate amount vitamin K. Maybe there's a REASON that babies have lower amounts of vitamin K that we just don't understand yet?
Did you know that babies who are born to un-medicated mothers, when put on mama's belly after birth will literally "crawl" up the mother's body to find the nipple to start nursing - completely unassisted? How amazing is that?!?!
There is just so much I've learned about this amazing process called pregnancy and I just can't get over how perfectly we were made. Everything, EVERYTHING, has a purpose and now, knowing what I know, I just can't wait to meet this perfectly made little human being!
It is sad that it has taken me 5 babies to figure all this out, but I am so thankful for these last 40 weeks with this little one. He has already taught me so much, I only hope I can teach him half of what he has taught me.
Come earthside soon Little One! Mama can't wait to hold you!
And I am ready. Not because I am uncomfortable or exhausted (even though both of which are true) but because I am just so ready to meet this new little person! This time around has been such a different pregnancy for me. I am truly tuned in to my body and this baby like no other time before. I have done so much reading on "pregnancy and birth" -- in the natural sense this time -- and it truly amazes me what the human body is capable of doing, and does so perfectly in most instances when left alone.
I just wanted to share some of the stuff I've learned during this pregnancy that I find absolutely amazing. I do believe I have turned into a birth junkie! :)
Did you know that the placenta holds 1/3 of the baby's blood volume at birth? When we cut and clamp the cord before it stops pulsing - before it stops pumping all that blood back into the baby - babies are left without a huge portion of their blood cells! YIKES! If we had 1/3 of our blood volume removed, I'm not so sure we would be feeling the greatest. After birth, there are valves in the placenta that basically "shut off" in one direction to prevent blood from flowing back into the placenta and once the blood is all pumped back into baby, the cord will stop pulsing and we know that baby got all the goodies it needs!
Did you know that babies have a natural reflex (that is still present at birth) where if you put pressure on their feet, they will push back? So, when the top of the uterus contracts downward, it puts pressure on baby's feet (assuming baby is head-down!) and thus babies actually HELP move themselves down into the pelvis during labor?
Did you know that babies are born with decreased amounts of vitamin K (a substance that aids the blood in clotting)? Now, the medical community will tell you that this must be "fixed" and we should all inject our newborns with vitamin K to get their levels where they "should be". But maybe there's more to this than we realize? I don't believe that God screwed up and "forgot" to give babies the adequate amount vitamin K. Maybe there's a REASON that babies have lower amounts of vitamin K that we just don't understand yet?
Did you know that babies who are born to un-medicated mothers, when put on mama's belly after birth will literally "crawl" up the mother's body to find the nipple to start nursing - completely unassisted? How amazing is that?!?!
There is just so much I've learned about this amazing process called pregnancy and I just can't get over how perfectly we were made. Everything, EVERYTHING, has a purpose and now, knowing what I know, I just can't wait to meet this perfectly made little human being!
It is sad that it has taken me 5 babies to figure all this out, but I am so thankful for these last 40 weeks with this little one. He has already taught me so much, I only hope I can teach him half of what he has taught me.
Come earthside soon Little One! Mama can't wait to hold you!
Friday, July 15, 2011
A Time and A Place
You know the old saying "To everything there is a season", or "There's a time and a place for everything". Well, that is the lesson we are really struggling to learn over here in the Hansen Household.
I don't know if it's because I'm super-pregnant, not sleeping, uncomfortable and tired, but lately, my patience for any sort of misbehavior has hit sub-zero levels. Pair this with 4 small children who think the world is their jungle gym and let's just say our home life is less-than-Brady these days.
Just tonight, the kids were playing downstairs before dinner. They were rowdy beyond belief, but as they were downstairs, they were in the correct PLACE for that type of behavior. (My rule is either outside or downstairs for extremely boisterous play. There's simply just too many of them to allow that kind of play upstairs!)
So, I called them up for dinner, had them sit down in their chairs and we did not even get through saying our prayers before the rowdiness completely took over the room. In hindsight, I understand that I didn't give them much time to "transition" from play time to dinner time and I would have been well-served to call them upstairs a bit earlier, but the fact remains that the DINNER TABLE is not the TIME nor the PLACE for playing. I just have no tolerance for lack of manners at my dinner table and yet the kids continue to test my patience on this issue. (I'm certain they know it's one of those famous "mom-buttons" kids like to push.) The kids were just completely unable to settle themselves down and one by one they were told to leave the table and told they could not have dessert.
OOOOOOH, the meltdowns. OOOOOOOH, the "I'm sorry Mamas". Just now Mason said that every time he looked at the dessert, it made him want some. I asked him if I should just eat all the cake myself so it would be gone and he wouldn't have to look at it. He was not impressed with my sense of humor. But I was. I dissolved into a fit of giggles.
So, while we won't give up on teaching the "Time and Place" lesson, I think it would be wise if I remembered that there are still some adults -- obviously myself included -- who struggle with a fit of giggles at inappropriate times. (Sorry Mason.)
I don't know if it's because I'm super-pregnant, not sleeping, uncomfortable and tired, but lately, my patience for any sort of misbehavior has hit sub-zero levels. Pair this with 4 small children who think the world is their jungle gym and let's just say our home life is less-than-Brady these days.
Just tonight, the kids were playing downstairs before dinner. They were rowdy beyond belief, but as they were downstairs, they were in the correct PLACE for that type of behavior. (My rule is either outside or downstairs for extremely boisterous play. There's simply just too many of them to allow that kind of play upstairs!)
So, I called them up for dinner, had them sit down in their chairs and we did not even get through saying our prayers before the rowdiness completely took over the room. In hindsight, I understand that I didn't give them much time to "transition" from play time to dinner time and I would have been well-served to call them upstairs a bit earlier, but the fact remains that the DINNER TABLE is not the TIME nor the PLACE for playing. I just have no tolerance for lack of manners at my dinner table and yet the kids continue to test my patience on this issue. (I'm certain they know it's one of those famous "mom-buttons" kids like to push.) The kids were just completely unable to settle themselves down and one by one they were told to leave the table and
OOOOOOH, the meltdowns. OOOOOOOH, the "I'm sorry Mamas". Just now Mason said that every time he looked at the dessert, it made him want some. I asked him if I should just eat all the cake myself so it would be gone and he wouldn't have to look at it. He was not impressed with my sense of humor. But I was. I dissolved into a fit of giggles.
So, while we won't give up on teaching the "Time and Place" lesson, I think it would be wise if I remembered that there are still some adults -- obviously myself included -- who struggle with a fit of giggles at inappropriate times. (Sorry Mason.)
Friday, July 8, 2011
37 Weeks - We are Full Term!!
How Far Along? 37 weeks
How I'm Feeling Overall: I have officially hit the "OK, any time now baby" part of pregnancy. I've been having lots of uncomfortable braxton hicks contractions and lots and lots of pressure. I've also hit the point of pregnancy where any bending over results in a rear end in my ribs and a head on my bladder. Therefore, bending over is avoided at all costs.
How your baby's growing: Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.
Movement? Movement has definitely become less vigorous now that room is running out. Instead of full-body acrobatics, I feel smaller kicks and rolls. I have to say I miss the crazy movements from a couple weeks ago -- it's so fun to watch!
Food Cravings/Aversions? The sweet tooth is still hovering around. (Evidenced by the fact that I just cracked a bag of M&Ms.)
Symptoms: Lots of practice contractions, some back pain..... the ol' body's getting ready!!
Maternity Clothes? Up to this point, I haven't really worn maternity tops, but this week I noticed that my regular shirts are finally starting to not cover the bump all the way. Please excuse this small indiscretion as I refuse to haul out the maternity tops at this point. Thank you.
Weight gain? 28lbs. Hopefully we're nearing the end of the weight gain?
Sleep? Things are remaining status quo. I don't expect that to change for many months to come. :)
Best Moment of the Week? Hitting the full-term mile marker. Even though I know I will probably still be hanging around past my due date, it just feels good to know that it "could" be any day now.
What I'm looking forward to? Meeting baby!!! And I know this may sound crazy, but I am looking forward to the whole labor and birth experience. It will be a beautiful day. :)
How I'm Feeling Overall: I have officially hit the "OK, any time now baby" part of pregnancy. I've been having lots of uncomfortable braxton hicks contractions and lots and lots of pressure. I've also hit the point of pregnancy where any bending over results in a rear end in my ribs and a head on my bladder. Therefore, bending over is avoided at all costs.
How your baby's growing: Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.
Movement? Movement has definitely become less vigorous now that room is running out. Instead of full-body acrobatics, I feel smaller kicks and rolls. I have to say I miss the crazy movements from a couple weeks ago -- it's so fun to watch!
Food Cravings/Aversions? The sweet tooth is still hovering around. (Evidenced by the fact that I just cracked a bag of M&Ms.)
Symptoms: Lots of practice contractions, some back pain..... the ol' body's getting ready!!
Maternity Clothes? Up to this point, I haven't really worn maternity tops, but this week I noticed that my regular shirts are finally starting to not cover the bump all the way. Please excuse this small indiscretion as I refuse to haul out the maternity tops at this point. Thank you.
Weight gain? 28lbs. Hopefully we're nearing the end of the weight gain?
Sleep? Things are remaining status quo. I don't expect that to change for many months to come. :)
Best Moment of the Week? Hitting the full-term mile marker. Even though I know I will probably still be hanging around past my due date, it just feels good to know that it "could" be any day now.
What I'm looking forward to? Meeting baby!!! And I know this may sound crazy, but I am looking forward to the whole labor and birth experience. It will be a beautiful day. :)
Emotions? Really anxious to get the show on the road! The kids are so excited too and keep asking when the baby is going to come. Oh, how I wish I had an answer for them. But someday soon.... I will! :)
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