Hospital Tour

My mom and I attended the hospital tour last week.  Noa will be born in Ventura at Community Memorial Hospital where approximately 300 babies are born each month!  I was able to pre-register and have a few questions answered so it was worth going to.  I plan to take part in Kangaroo Care where mom and baby remain skin-to-skin for the first 90 minutes of life, after that routine procedures will resume.

Kangaroo Care:
A mother's desire to keep her healthy newborn near her is instinctive. Research indicates this is exactly what mom and her baby need. Infants who remain with their mothers after birth make an easier transition to life both physically and emotionally. Some of the benefits to the mother include distraction from discomfort, more confidence in caring for her baby, less anxiety and strengthened attachment to her baby which is believed to decrease the incidence of post partum depression. Some of the benefits to the baby include improved ability to maintain temperature, decreased incidence of low blood sugar, less crying and increased success with breastfeeding which can decrease the chance of the baby developing jaundice.

33 Weeks: Honeydew

33 wks -

For the 8th month (weeks 33-36) the baby remains the size of a honeydew melon.  My pregnancy continues to be right on track: Midnight All-night trips to the bathroom?  Check.  (I pee so often I don't even flush anymore!)  Leg cramps?  Check.  Shortness of breath?  Check.  I am trying the lovely maternity band to see if that helps take the pressure off the bladder but have not given it enough of a chance to give an opinion yet.  So far, my tummy doesn't look like anyone has taken a red sharpie (dark stretch marks) to it, but it's not over yet. 

Weight gain so far: 17 lbs.  6.1 wks to go. 

A big thank you to Aunt Cheryl for always helping with the pictures:-)

32 Week Update

I had a follow-up ultrasound yesterday and baby is in the head-down position, chances are she will probably stay that way.  She weighs approximately 4 point something pounds, I can't remember what the doctor said.  Results of my glucose monitoring showed that I'm borderline diabetic so I have to meet with a nutritionist, but at least I don't have to test 4x a day anymore.  I have what my doctor refers to as 'pelvic floor' pain, this pain in between my legs that feels as though I've accidentally done the splits. 

Weight gain so far: 16lbs. - I'm going to have to get a handle on this.  I have no idea what makes me think I can eat whatever I want, I've never been able to.  I can't even blame it on cravings... I haven't had any.

In Memory of My Sister, Vicky

My sister, Vicky, passed away unexpectedly over spring break.  Knowing her health was fragile, I had planned on taking Noa to see her soon after her birth.  I'll still be flying out with Noa, but my visit will be bittersweet... we were very close and I will miss her dearly.  Vicky died at 54, same age our father passed away.

McALESTER — Vicky Lynn Lucas, 54, of Savanna, died Saturday, April 16, 2011, at her home.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Frink Baptist Church with the Rev. James Collins officiating. Burial will be at Savanna Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bishop Funeral Service of McAlester.

Born Dec. 2, 1956, in Santa Paula, Calif., she was the daughter of Roger Alexander and Donna Jolita (Dunn) Spencer. She married Dennis Lucas on June 8, 1979, in Savanna. She worked as a secretary for Forlines Sanitation.

She was a member of Frink Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Dennis Lucas, of the home; daughters, Amanda Lucas-Wade and husband Edward, of Savanna, and Mashell Burton and husband, Chris, Smithville, Tenn.; son, Jason Lucas, of Savanna.

Also, grandchildren, Brysen Wade, Riley Wade, Jeron Burton and Haden Burton; brother, Roy Brand and wife, Jessica, Seattle; sisters, Jamye Lerma and husband, Steve, Oxnard, Calif., and Dena Spencer, Oxnard.

And, stepmother, Maryann Spencer, Oxnard; mother-in-law, Ellen Lucas, of Antlers; aunts, Margaret “Bendy” Eley, of Tahlequah, Mary Henderson, of McAlester, and Mary Cartlidge, of McAlester, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Roger Spencer; her mother, Donna Brand; grandparents, Sam and Edna Forlines, and grandfather, James Spencer.

Home Glucose Monitoring

My doctor wanted me to have the three-hour glucose tolerance test since I flunked the one-hour test.  I just couldn't do the three hour test, I know I would pass out... so I am testing my sugar levels at home, for about a week.  Testing doesn't hurt it's just more of an inconvenience than anything... according to Kaiser's Lab, a reading <130 is acceptable.  This is one of those times when knowing too much is not a good thing.  Only a couple of my readings have been too high but when they are, it freaks me out.  I certainly don't want to be told I have gestational diabetes:-(