Maternity Photo Shoot

Last weekend Matt and I did a maternity photo shoot with our friend and amazing photographer, Kevin Wong. We started off at our house and then moved down to Alki Beach here in West Seattle to finish up. The whole shoot was a lot of fun and we both felt very comfortable. We got the pictures back and could not be happier with the result. The pictures turned out really well and were exactly what we had hoped for. It definitely feels like we captured this time in our lives in an amazing way. Granted, I was feeling extremely large and I was very concerned about double chins and love handles, but I feel like we avoided photographing those unfortunate side effects of pregnancy. Yay!

I have been growing at an astounding rate these days as well. I tried to put on a pair of pants this morning that I wore LAST WEEK just to find out that they no longer fit. I suppose that is something I'll have to get used to for the next two months. Our little peanut certainly is taking up a lot of space. I'm pretty sure that she is still head up as she likes to push it out, which is not terribly comfortable. Matt and I are going to make a concerted effort to go for regular walks in the next two months to help coerce her into the head down position in time for delivery.

We have also attended a couple of childbirth prep classes in the last few weeks and though I feel pretty well educated already, I have picked up some important information on breathing tactics as well as the medication options available during labor. As crazy as people may think I am, the more I learn about these medications, the more I would prefer to have a natural delivery. Matt and I agree that our birth plan will be flexible should I change my mind or that we require medical intervention, however, I am going to do my very best to do this without the help of medication. I don't think that people realize that every woman's birth experience is different and though there is always an EXTREME amount of pain involved, there are plenty of women out there that can make it through on their own. The only frustrating thing is that anytime you tell anyone that you hope to have natural delivery, they launch into every horror story of labor they know of...as if that is supposed to make me feel better...where's the support people??!!

Sugar is Bad, and Yet Oh So Good!!!

We went this week for our regular doctor's appointment with the added fun of a glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes and a RhoGAM shot (in the butt, ouch!). We arrived and were sent directly to the lab to get a glucose drink, basically sugar in a 10 oz bottle that is fruit punch flavored. You get 5 min to drink the whole thing and then must wait an hour. It really is disgusting stuff! I was pretty light headed and nauseous after chugging it, not something I would recommend first thing in the morning...

We went through our normal exam while we waited and our doctor found that my uterus was measuring a bit small for 29 weeks. She said that to be sure the baby was developing properly, she would send us over for an ultrasound. I then got the horrible RhoGAM shot which is required if you have a negative blood type (had some trouble walking for the rest of the day, though Matthew found it utterly hysterical). I have another one to look forward to when the baby is born as well, yay!

After waiting out the rest of the hour I had my blood drawn for the glucose test and hope to find out the results soon. If I do not pass the one hour test, I have to go back to do the 3 hour test, which consists of 3 disgusting sugar drinks and waiting around for 3 hours, trying not to throw up...here's hoping I pass!

We then went directly across town to our impromptu utlrasound. It was wonderful to see our little peanut! She is getting so big and has absolutely beautiful features from what I could tell, though I may be biased :) We were also offered a 3D picture of her, however our ever stubborn daughter would not cooperate. She kept covering her face with her hands making it impossible for the tech to get a good picture where she didn't resemble a mutant. So although we didn't get a 3D picture we did learn that she is healthy and growing just fine. She is a little bit small, but let's face it, Matt and I are not big people and I doubt I am destined for those crazy 12lb babies. She is however weighing in within normal range at 2lbs 14oz and my uterus measured small because she was folded in half in the breach position at the time. It was exciting to see her, as always, and we are really looking forward to meeting her in a few short months!