Baby Shower

My friends threw me a lovely baby shower last night. It was a small group of girls - nine I think - and it was truly lovely. Miss Maya got spoiled rotten with so many beautiful and thoughtful gifts. I felt really, really special and loved and if it's possible, I am even more excited about being a mum than I was before.

Here is a photo of me and my dear friend N, who was responsible for throwing me this lovely shower. Note that she is also preggers and only 6 days ahead of me in her pregnancy!

It was a fantastic evening and I am so happy that my darling baby girl is being born into so much love.

Possible Mild Polyhydramnios

I had my regular OB/GYN appointment today, and I made sure to bring up the fact that on my last growth scan, my amniotic fluid levels were in the 95th percentile - in other words, I've got a generous amount of amniotic fluid. You'd think this was a great thing to have, better than not having enough fluid, and indeed that is true. But with everything else in pregnancy, there can be too much of a good thing.

Dr. R went over the results of the scan and as it turns out, my fluid levels are actually in the 97th percentile. And anything over the 95th percentile yields a diagnosis of polyhydramnios. What I seem to have is a very mild case of it, and thank goodness for that, because acute cases come with a whole holy host of possible problems. I'm trying very hard not to worry, but it's difficult to keep my anxieties at bay.

I was really hoping that Dr. R would say, "Oh it's nothing, don't worry, forget about it." But that's not exactly what happened. She did say that I shouldn't worry, but quickly added that she'd like to send me for another scan to monitor the fluid levels. I certainly appreciate her covering all our bases, but I really was hoping that she'd just say my fluid levels were normal. So, I have another scan booked to check how my amniotic fluid levels are faring next Tuesday. And if you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I'll be laden with anxiety and worry until then. If you can send a good thought my way for good results, I'd really appreciate it.

Other than that, my appointment went well and was quite standard. Baby girl's heart rate was 147 and blood pressure normal. Oh yeah - and this is funny - at my growth scan they recorded Maya's fetal measurements (head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, etc.). Dr. R pointed out that Maya's already got a bit of a buddha belly. All measurements were totally within normal limits, but her tummy measured a bit on the big side. Dr. R said that it looks like she'll be a "round" baby. I do love my little chubster so very much!

Class

We had our first childbirthing class last night (class one of two). It went well, I quite like our teacher, despite the fact that she is a bit touchy-feely-hippy-dippy. I think the best part of the class was learning stuff I hadn't considered prior. For example, D now knows how to support me during labour and I now know how to communicate with him to let him know what I need and want. We also learned some pain coping techniques using ice as a pain source. All in all, I think I got more out of the class than D did, but he was a good sport and tried his best.

In fact, I was feeling so fine and confident that what happened at the end of the class really threw me for a loop. During the last 30 minutes of the class, our instructor showed us some labour videos. One of them followed 5 real couples through all the stages of labour from the beginning until birth. It was graphic to say the least. And not just a little unnerving. Let's just say I woke up at 3am this morning with those labour vids replaying in my mind and I couldn't get back to sleep. I went into the class feeling excited and confident, and now I am scared shitless. I can't get those images and the sounds of the screaming out of my head. Yup, I'm a little freaked out.

I mean, of course I always knew it would hurt, but I guess my experience last night was a nice little reality check.

Our teacher also gave us some homework: Some reading, some exercises, some things to buy, etc. And oh yeah, to have sex twice a week. CONFESSION: D and I have not had sex since we've been pregnant. Not. Once. In NINE months. At first I was just too scared to do it. And now we've waited so long I don't know how to even go about doing it. I'm huge and I can't imagine what positions we could possibly do. And I'm afraid it'll hurt and I'll bleed (which will totally freak me out) because it's been so long. Not to mention I feel about as sexy as a hippopotamus right now. My husband is a saint. That's all I can say. (And he doesn't even have a bit of stuff on the side!)

However, having said that, I'm determined to do my homework, and I do mean ALL of it. Tonight might just be the night.

Goodness.

34 Weeks Today

3 weeks to go before we're full-term and 6 weeks to go before our due date. Time is really starting to fly!

We have our first childbirthing class tonight, which I am looking forward to. Unfortunately it's from 4:30 to 9pm, and since I have the attention span of a gnat right now, we'll see how much information I actually retain.

Today I'm going to spend some time in Maya's room organizing her little doodads. Her closet is pretty much done now, I just need to work on some of the smaller details. I also need to work on our hospital bags.

D and I had a "date night" last night - dinner and a movie - we went to see Wall-E. It was really cute and we had a fun night. I couldn't help but thinking that this might just be one of the last "date nights" we have for a while. With any luck, our date nights will be replaced with "family nights" in the very near future. It may have well been a family night last night; all D and I ever do is talk about Maya and all our hopes and dreams for her. D says the thing he is most excited about is showing our daughter all the great and amazing things in the world. He can't wait to teach her all he knows. We are both incredibly excited for this kid. If she only knew how completely loved she already is.

6 more weeks and we're hanging in there. We can do this. WE CAN DO THIS. WE CAN DO THIS!!!

All Doctored Up

Here in Canada, we don't really go to specialty doctors (i.e. pediatricians, dermatologists, psychiatrists, for example) unless there is a problem that is so severe or complicated that it can't be treated by a general practitioner. In other words, every man, woman and child goes to a general practitioner (known as a "family doctor") for every reason you can think of; and, if the illness or problem is more than what is encompassed in the family doctor's scope of expertise, they then refer you to a specialty doctor. It doesn't matter if you've sprained your ankle, contracted a rash or developed a tumor, your first stop is your family doctor. (Of course in an emergency situation you would just head straight for the hospital.)

The problem is that more than half the population doesn't have a regular family doctor. Canada is rife with walk-in clinics, and for most people, treatment at such clinics generally suffices. These clinics usually have a rotating staff of 10-20 doctors (sometimes more) and the patient just shows up, takes a number, and gets seen by whoever is working at that moment. Bear in mind that all treatment - everything from the flu, to delivering a baby, to brain surgery - is totally free for Canadian citizens. It's socialism in action and I am totally grateful to live in a country where I don't have to worry about how to pay a hospital bill.

However, in Canada, maintaining good health is the responsibility of the individual - not the system - and like most of the people here, I don't have a family doctor. Until today!

At my last OB/GYN appointment, I asked Dr. R what the heck I am supposed to do with my newborn daughter after she's born. Who's going to be in charge of her medical care? Dr. R replied that I could just take her to my family doctor. Yikes! But I don't have one, I told her. And it's really important to me that she is taken care of by someone who knows what they're doing (i.e. someone that has experience with babies and children).

So Dr. R referred me to Dr. M (Dr. R takes her own children to see this doctor, so off to a good start right away). I met with Dr. M today and I freakin' LOVED her. Her practice is largely babies and children, she also does some obstetrics, she's got two kids of her own (ages 2 and 4) and she is just all around awesome. When I met with her, I expected the usual 5 minute appointment - in and out - as per the usual custom of family doctors. But no, she took nearly 30 minutes to go over my medical history, my family medical history, and the baby's information.

Dr. M seems very knowledgeable and friendly and I was instantly comfortable in her presence. She's just so easy to trust.

So now that Maya and I are "officially" her patients, I feel a huge sense of relief. Not only has she agreed to see Maya right after she's born no matter what kind of crazy schedule she's got, she even told me to call her office when I'm headed to hospital to deliver and she will come by and meet us there after baby girl arrives. What a great feeling to be looked after. Such a rarity here in Canada!

So we've got our doctor. Check that off my to-do list!

Growth Scan

Just got home from the ultrasound, and much to my relief, everything went very well (Thank You G-d!).

The highlights:

-Maya is in the head-down position.
-My cervix is still holding strong at 3.2cm (no change from 14 weeks).
-Maya is still a GIRL!
-Maya is measuring at 32w6d; I am 33w1d today. The sonographer was quick to add that when you're this far along in pregnancy, a discrepancy of 2 days means absolutely nothing as the measurements become less accurate the further along you get. This does not change my due date.
-So why is my fundal height so big? Well, as it turns out I am carrying a "generous" amount of amniotic fluid. In the 95th percentile, to be exact. I'm going to ask my doctor about this but the sonographer did not seem concerned. A quick Google search on the subject yields a mixed bag of information but in a nutshell, this news is not great, but not too bad. Looks like I could be at risk for going into labour early but as my cervix is still unchanged, I'm not terribly worried about it yet. But I will definitely talk to my doctor at my appointment next week. (Also of note - apparently amniotic fluid "maxes out" at 32 or 33 weeks, so that may have something to do with it too.)

-Maya's weight was estimated to be 4 pounds, 14 ounces.
-Maya has HAIR!!! Sweet little wisps of it visible on ultrasound. She has EYELASHES too!
-Maya is practicing her BREATHING! Her diaphragm was moving up and down in preparation for breathing air. Clever girl!
-Maya was gripping the umbilical cord with her right hand. Don't squeeze too hard little one!
-Maya's face is just like D's and her feet are exactly like mine.
-Maya wasn't moving all that much, she was just kinda chillin' out. But she is pretty crammed in there so there's not a lot of room for her to go crazy.
-The sonographer said that everything looked "perfect". Music to my ears!

I can't post the pictures, unfortunately; They are just way too grainy to see anything really and besides I don't have access to a scanner now that I'm off work. You'll just have to take my word for it when I say that baby girl is super cute and I am so relieved that she healthy and just the right size.

Whew!!!

33 Weeks Today

I bought stuff yesterday. Diapers, diaper rash cream, breast pads, nipple cream, the works. It felt weird to do it. It felt simultaneously uncomfortable and exhilarating buying these things for my baby; like WOW is this really happening? And soon?

While I was perusing the baby aisle a lady stopped me and said, "So, not long now, eh? [Don't laugh at the "eh", I'm Canadian!] Are you excited? Babies are such a miracle." She went on about how she misses having babies (she was an older lady) and how she loved being pregnant. I told her that I was excited and thrilled beyond words. As she walked away, she looked at me and said, "I truly wish you all the very best of luck." It was a nice exchange. I thanked her for her kind words.

I'm still feeling a bit of anxiety about tomorrow's ultrasound. I don't know why, really. I guess these appointments just make me nervous in general. It will be good to see just exactly how big she is and if she is head-up or head-down. I honestly can't tell what position she is in. I feel movement high up under my ribs and low, like around my belly button. D is coming with me to the ultrasound and I'm thankful for that. I like to think he's our lucky charm.

I'll post with an update tomorrow after the ultrasound. Please keep a good thought for us for tomorrow at 2pm PST. Heartfelt thanks, everyone.

And as a show of gratitude for these well-wishes, I leave you with this lovely self-shot image, which no doubt will haunt your nightmares for at least a week:
Note that my once abyss-deep belly button is now completely flat and has indeed grown a smaller belly button inside. I think it's just mere days away from transforming into a true blue outie. (Side note: I wonder if it will make a popping sound when that happens?)