Last week we had our 33th week Drs' appointment. Everything is on track in spite of my belly measuring a bit smaller than what it should. The Dr. said that the belly should measure from the top of your uterus to your pubic bone as much cm as the # of weeks you are pregnant. Well my belly measured 30 instead of 33; the Dr. didn't seem concerned though since the 32nd week ultrasound showed that our little girl was measuring exactly as she should for 32 weeks and my fluid levels were outstanding (as he put it). I guess I just have a smaller frame and my belly can not expand much more; that is maybe why I feel Corina moving all the time; she might be running out of space in my belly, but she needs to stay put for another 4 to 5 weeks. I have another Dr.s appointment this week (now I am seeing the Dr every other week until week 37th when I will start seeing them every week). Hopefully my belly have grown a bit more; although I just can't imagine it has any more skin, muscle or space to grow.
This past weekend my friends and cousin threw me a baby shower. It was a very nice brunch at my cousin's place and also my aunt who was visiting was able to attend. We all had a good time and everyone brought some very useful and pretty things for Corina. We have been so lucky with the stuff we have gotten; I can say we are pretty much covered with the essentials. Thanks so much to everyone who came to the shower, it was great seeing everyone and thanks so much for the gifts as well.
Today we had a brunch in our house for 2 couples friends of ours who we met at the Hypnobirthing class. We had a great time; it is a lot of fun to get together with people that are going through the same experiences we are going through; plus we are all due at around the same time so it will be fun in the future since our kids could definetely be buddies. They are also very much into natural birthing; one of them is even having a home birth which I think I might have been open to if I would have a bigger place to put the birthing tube. I wish hospitals here will offer the choice of birthing in water, it just seems to be so much easier than a regular birth. They are also questioning the American vaccine schedule and considering, like us, to selectively vaccinate as well as delaying the shots.
I have had lots of work on the past two weeks; I don't mind it because I do enjoy what I do but it has gotten a bit out of hand and I have gotten a bit stressed with that and getting closer to my due date. I have tried to manage that stress as much as possible so that it doesn't affect me, the pregnancy or the baby; the last thing I want is to go into labor before it is time because of that. I have discover that swimming helps me a lot to relax, and just letting it go and leaving work at the office. Although last Saturday I did have to work all day, but it wasn't too bad.
That is it for today's updates. I will update everyone on this week's Dr.s appointment and any other interesting things I might go through during this last month and a half. (A month from today my baby could be here), well she needs to wait until at least June 21st when my parents arrive.
So we are getting closer, and it seems that time has decided to fly. I am really excited about the arrival of our little one but at sometimes I do want to put a stop in time; just for a few weeks and figure out all the things I need to figure out before Corina decides to make her appearance.We met the guy we are considering for to be her pediatrician. We liked him and we liked the fact that he is a sole
practitioner and not part of a big group where they treat you more like a big factory assembly line. In addition we liked that he has the philosophy of doing whatever is necessary to avoid unnecessary antibiotics or visits to the hospital. He was open to delaying vaccines and to not administer some vaccines as long as we have a plan in place and tell him in advance; and of course as long as we sign all the corresponding release forms needed. So far we are considering a couple vaccines (DTaP and IPV) which stand for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
and Polio (IPV). We do want to delay their administration though until Corina is at least 9 months or 1 year old. Of course I want to share this information with the Dr. before so that he knows we have a plan and we are not wasting his time on the actual appointment trying to make him make a recommendation. I have to say though, I am still a bit scared. I have read a lot of info about vaccines (pros and cons) and it is definetely a difficult area to make a decision on, you want the best for your child and neither side seems to offer an answer; and the anti-vaccine group seems to offer more sound research on the dangers of vaccines than the pro-vaccine group on the benefits of them. In addition the other diseases they administer vaccines for such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chicken pox, hepatitis A and B, Flu, Rota virus are not life threatening diseases and can be easily treated.
I am also debating about the Vitamin K shot that newborns receive at birth as a standard practice in the US. This shot is administered to babies because many babies are born with a deficiency in Vitamin K mainly due to their underdeveloped digestive system; Vitamin K deficiency occurs because there is an absence of bacteria in the gut flora which helps in the production of it in newborns. Since Vitamin K is needed in blood clotting, this deficiency can lead to HDN (Hemorrhagic Disease of the newborn) especially after a difficult delivery, the use of forceps, circumcision, or the use of certain types of anti-convulsive drugs or some pain killers sometimes used on epidural. The risk for this disease is about 1 y 10,000 and although it is a dangerous condition it can be controlled by administering Vitamin K when it happens. If everything goes as planned my kid will not fall under any of the risk conditions and shouldn't be in need of this shot; apparently they can also test to see if the baby's blood is clotting property; however, here in the US it is just a standard for all babies. It appears pretty harmless but I have come across a lot of information linking this shot to an increased risk of Leukemia and other childhood cancers, and an increased risk of developing bacterial meningitis among other less serious side effects. In addition, synthetic vitamin K is not well absorbed by the body so it makes you wonder if it really make sense to inject it to newborns as a precaution when
1.- they might not even need it,
2.- It is not doing much and
3.- It can be toxic and has dangerous side effects.
On the other hand, there are also studies saying that infant cases of HDN and mortality due to it has decreased since administration of Vitamin K became routine; and that exclusively breastfed babies are at a slight higher risk because breast milk does not com fortified with this vitamin as formula does. I plan to exclusively breastfeed so there is another dilemma to solve. I will like to know if in my country this is also a standard procedure, if it is not it will make me feel better to opt out of it unless there are difficulties delivering the baby that will put her at the high risk category. Other wise I have found more evidence of the dangers rather than the benefits of it.
Those are my big time dilemmas now.
Then I am still deciding on a crib and dresser/changing table. I have found some that I like but need to make a decision on and soon. Some of them are available only online and I don't know if I am 100% into buying that type of stuff without ever seeing it or feeling it..
Last weekend we went to Birmingham for a Baby Shower that Dave's family put together for us. Everything was very beautiful and we got some very nice gifts including our most desired Jogging Stroller and a brand new bed for ourselves. I tested the stroller today with my 4 yr old nice and we both loved it. We are very thankful for all the work the family put into the shower and the generosity of everyone; many of who I have just met. Thanks so much!!
This week we had our 32W Ultrasound to take measures of the baby and track her growth. She is growing as a champ, every measurement is on track and everything looks very healthy. She is already turned and in a good position; the ultrasound technician doesn't think that she will turn back up b/c there is not enough space for her to do so. She already weights 4pounds 6 ounces and should be gaining 1/2 a pound a week. So if she keeps that rate of growth and wants to stay in there until the 40th week she should be an 8pound baby!! Big baby for my Ecuadorian standards!! Our technician was really nice and got us some 3D pictures of the baby, she didn't want to show us her mouth, she was enjoying very much her tasty hand but we were able to get her to move it. I am posting a picture of my growing belly and the beautiful life growing inside of it.
If anyone who visits has any advice on my Vaccine/Vitamin K dilemma please post a comment or send me an email!!
Thanks for visiting.
