Parenting Class #3, Pediatrician, and Heartburn

Class
Last night was class #3 of our parenting class, which focused on c-section information in the beginning portion, then went into breathing exercises to be used during labor in the second portion (which was good for us since we are not taking a Lamaze class).

The c-section part wasn't bad really. I thought they would show a live birth of it, but instead, they showed it in 3D. Still had the same effect though.. lots of cringing and gasping in the class towards the end of the demo (I wont go into details in case there are squeamish people reading this).

The breathing exercises at the end was nice. We learned three different types for the three different stages of labor. She even made sure all the guys practiced with the moms so that they are aware of how much work it actually takes to breath a certain way for a minute or longer. It also good for them to know so they can look for cues if we're not doing it right.

Pediatrician
In other news, we picked out a pediatrician :) I am part of a parenting message board called BabyGaga and I have met a lot of women who are due in the month of February. One lady is from Hawaii, so I asked her who her pediatrician was and she highly recommended the one she has. So I called the doctor and Matt and I had a sit-down interview with her last Friday. She has a lot of the same view points as we do (like with breast-feeding, circumcision, etc) and seems really nice. Her name is Nadine Salle.

Heartburn
So a few entries ago I mentioned how my doctor prescribed me Nexium for my heartburn... boy does it WORK!!!!!!! The very first night I was able to sleep well for the first time in a long time (well, except for having to get up to use the restroom, but I can at least quickly fall back asleep upon returning to bed). The next night, we tempted fate and had pizza for dinner, knowing for sure I was going to be up all night with heartburn. NOPE! No heartburn at all. It's been almost a week now and it hasn't returned. I'm so very happy :)

The newest thing happening now though, is that my hips/pelvic bone REALLY hurt. I'm not quite sure why, as I don't think the baby has dropped yet (at least it doesn't look that way to me). It hurts to go from sitting to standing.. I walk with a limp/waddle now because of the pain, and night whenever I have to switch sides while sleeping my hips will pop really loud and hurt while I move. I've tried taking pain meds but nothing has really worked... I think the only cure, at this point, is to have the baby haha! Only 3 weeks and 1 day left to go!!

Coming up this week: Turning 37 weeks (full term!) and OB appointment on Friday

OB Appointment on 1/27/10

Had an OB appointment today and it went really well.

I was hooked up to the NST machines (NST = Non Stress Test) for 20 minutes first thing again. The baby didn't really start moving/doing what he needed to do until the last part. The nurse told me that I may have to do the test again if the doctor needs me too. Thankfully, he didn't. I have to lay almost flat on my back and when I do that, the baby crushes my lungs so its kinda uncomfortable.

After the scan, I had my blood pressure and weight taken. Blood pressure was normal and I gained 2lbs since my last weigh-in, which was 2 weeks ago, putting me at a total of about 15lbs weight gain this pregnancy so far. Not too shabby :)

Then I met with the doctor, who measured my belly and I am still measuring a little small at 34.5CM (I should be almost 36) but he said it's ok. He did a very quick ultrasound and we found that the baby is head down again! YAY!! My hope now is that he stays head-down.

I was also able to get a prescription of Nexium for heartburn! I told him how TUMs, Rolaids, and Maalox just wasn't doing it anymore. I said that I found two Class B heartburn meds that I hope I could take and he agreed to write a prescription for one of them. Now I just have to wait to see if it helps. If its not helping by my next appointment (next Friday) then he will probably give me a bigger dose.

I turn 36 weeks tomorrow meaning there is only 4 more weeks left to go!!!!!!!

Parenting Class #2

So last night Matt and I had our second parenting class. It's held at our Hospital (Queens Medical Center) in a small auditorium. Our first class was last Monday, but nothing really interesting happened there. We took a tour of the hospital again (Matt and I took one right before visiting family in November) and signed registration paperwork.

Yesterday is what I consider the first "real" class session. Each week, the class is taught by someone different, from different areas of the hospital. Yesterday's class focused on Labor and Delivery.

During the first part, the lady talked about water breaking, dilation, and all that fun stuff. Then she showed us tools that they have that are used to help the baby during birth (such as the vacuum and forceps).

We then got to watch a few short videos, which contained both 3D video and real-life video of a vaginal birth and all that goes on in the uterus, the baby, and the mom during the different stages of labor. That was fun! haha... actually, thanks to TLC and other various TV stations, I've seen a few live vaginal births before, so it really didn't phase me. I believe Matt was doing good as well. I did hear a few others getting a little squirmy in their chairs though (especially when they showed a live birth of the placenta. FUN!! haha..)

The video also talked about medications during birth and we got to see how an epidural was administered. I know I am definitely getting one, and honestly, it doesn't seem to bad to have done... ask me later if I still feel that way though haha!!!

Overall, it was a very informative class. My head was full of lovely images and information, which played out in my dreams last night, whenever I could fall asleep. The little guy was moving around A LOT, making me cramp a bit at some times. My heartburn has been getting worse at night.. I'm going to beg my doctor to let me take something stronger then TUMs, Rolaids, or Maalox. They just are not doing their job anymore, except giving me bad upset stomachs and even some nausea now.

I have my NST Scan and OB appointment later today. I will update with that information either tonight or tomorrow morning :)