33 Weeks

Last Saturday was our childbirth and labor class.  We decided to do an all-day class instead of 5 shorter classes that were split up over several weeks.  We were at the hospital from 8:30 until about 4, and the day went by really fast so I’m glad we opted for this instead.  There were 2 nurses that ran the class, so they took turns covering various information, like the different medications you can take for pain relief,  some of the common tools the doctors and nurses may end up using, and how the laboring process starts.  One nurse kept calling the babies “cuties”, which made me giggle.  There were a few different videos we watched, which included two different moms who were shown laboring at home all the way until they delivered at the hospital.  Both moms delivered with no epidural, so it gave me a better idea of what I’ll be in for.  Definitely need to bring my exercise ball with me, as well as buy a heating pad in the next couple weeks.   

Before lunch we took a tour of the maternity ward and checked out one of the laboring rooms.  We also saw the triage and nursery area (no babies, though, since they want Baby to stay with you during the day and also during the night if possible).  The laboring rooms are private, but on the small side, so I can see why they only allow 2 support people in the room besides Mom.  There is a bathroom that includes a shower – no tub, unfortunately.  I still think I may try taking a shower to help when I’m in labor since I love taking long, hot showers now anyway.  They then showed us the wing you are switched to about 2 hours after birth – same size room, just in a different area of the hospital.  Everything is very secure in the entire wing – you can only enter if you have an ID that scans or you press a button to have a nurse let you check in.  Baby wears a bracelet that has the same numbers as Mom and Dad’s bracelets, and there’s also a chip in Baby’s bracelet that will cause an alarm to go off in case he/she is taken out of the specified areas they are supposed to stay in. 

In the afternoon, we watched a couple more videos, including one on a c-section (they showed an animated version of the surgery and what happens), and then we went over some laboring positions and breathing techniques at the end.  I guess the only negative to the class was that it was big – 21 other couples were there, but the room was large enough for everyone without being cramped.  It was fun seeing so many bumps in one room.  Some moms were 35 and 36 weeks along while others were 29 weeks, so I was in the middle.  Overall, a good day – it made me feel much better to get the tour and see some of the videos. 

How far along?: 33 weeks

Baby is the size of a:  honeydew melon 

Total weight gain/loss:  +21-23

The Bump:  Bellybutton is like halfway out and won’t go back in…wah! 

Symptoms: Mood swings – I’m sure Hubby could fill you in more on that.  Heartburn hasn’t been bad this week.  I’ve also noticed I’m not as hungry as I have been…guess my stomach is being squished. 

Food Cravings:  Cake. Omg I’ve had so much cake in the past week.

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Nope.

Sleep: Actually has been better this week – I’m still waking up in the early AM to pee but I’ve been able to fall back asleep almost right away.

What I miss: A good workout.  I made myself walk on the treadmill Sunday and yesterday for just a mile and I felt like I walked 5 miles when I got off each time.  Considering I used to HATE working out, I’m really dying to get back to my pre-preggo weight.  I just want to be able to run again!

Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Any Names Picked Out Yet:  I think we have picked THE one :)  It’s a secret until he’s born, though.

Movement: Moving and groovin like usual.  Have felt more hiccups this past week :)

Maternity Clothes: Just about all maternity. 

Labor Signs: Nothing.

Best Moment of the Week: Finding a maxi dress for maternity pics…non-maternity from Target for only $25!  And it’s in my normal size, so I’m hoping it still looks good and no too tent-like without the bump so I can wear it more this summer.

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Getting more things crossed off the list – bought the changing pad and a trash can today (we’re not doing the diaper genie thing).  Also getting ready to send in our pre-registration forms tomorrow, since the hospital said you should send them in at least 6 weeks prior to your delivery date.

33 Week Pic:

And what I wore to work…top from Motherhood Maternity Outlet, maternity pants from Target.  It’s getting harder and harder to take these pics…I felt like I looked HUGE when I was editing these :(