35 Week Appt/Newborn Class

Today marks just 30 days to go before my estimated due date! The midwife said 80% of first time Babies come around 10 days after the EDD. But I still wonder if ours will come closer to Oct 5th due to me knowing when we conceived more definitely than others going by their last period? I will ask that question this week at 36 week appt.

So last Thursday we had our 35 wk appt which went just groovy. I am measuring right, have gained 25 lbs (hope to not gain more as I am catching up to Jack) :-( His heartbeat was 140ish. And the midwife showed Jack how to find the head, body and hiney, so therefore the feet and knees too! I already knew where he was, but it was neat to see Jack learn that. And he did get to squish down hard and feel the head. Yes, Baby is still head down. The chance of him flipping breach now is slim to none, what a relief! I didn't mind this midwife (we have met all but 1 now) but Jack said she was too jumpy and made him nervous. I hope she is not the one on call when we go in! I don't need the MW making my birthing partner nervous! So far there are 3 out of 6 that i am hoping for. Hopefully when we meet the last one she can make that 4 out of 6.

After the appt we had our newborn care class which was fantastic. Jack listened quite intently. I learned one or two small things. But the information was just good, and flowed well. It was funny to hear the teacher (who is a biologist) mention how we came from primates and about the moro reflex we all developed as a defense mechanism for when we might fall out of a tree millions of years ago. Haha. I laughed. But that's a biologist/scientific mind for you.

One interesting thing about the class, was the other couples. When going around the room to introduce and chat, all the women except one (and myself) expressed their fear and anxiety of "losing their life as it is now" and "not being able to pick up and run, spend time alone with their husbands, losing sleep, those types of things. All legitimate, of course. But I found it surprising. There was only one other couple that actually seemed like they planned their Baby and really wanted it! The other dynamic I noticed, was the men were more interested in learning than the women. As far as, many men had specific questions, mentioned they had already done some reading, things like that. It was really cute. But strange to me. But it is just a different society now I spose.

I feel deeply that I am going to be a natural. Although I did and still do lots of reading and research on various things, and I don't regret the time I have spent or the confusion I have brought on myself at times, I don't know that I needed much of it. I can visualize myself caring for this little baby very clearly and easily. I am almost ecstatically looking forward to the "Baby Moon" we have decided to have. I have known from before I was pregnant that I wanted a period of just us three when he is born, but I did not know there was a name for it or how highly recommended it is. I have since read about its importance and the teacher spoke heavily on the subject as well. I will post separately on our Baby Moon plan!

This week, Tuesday, we have breastfeeding class! This one I am going to try and devour. I am thankful that the 6 hours after he is born I will have the midwife there to assist me with the number one goal (besides our health of course) of establishing breast feeding. And if after I get home we encounter trouble, I can call for help and I will have it. Friends have said go into breast feeding with an open mind because often times "it doesn't work" and is "a pain in the ass" and "does not come natural". They say be ready to just do what you need to do and offer a bottle and even formula. I say not me. I am going to breast feed this Baby. That's the end of it.

Friday, we have our 36 week appt/class. It is a 2 hour appt where we do the usual check up, but then go over all of the getting ready to labor and birth a Baby stuff! This class for me begins to mark the final weeks. Starting the natural birth classes the following Wednesday seals the deal.

I cannot say how excited I am for this life change blessing. I praise God every day for His awesome loving kindness and willingness to bestow on us this treasure. And I am so very happy for you all to be a part of the joy. I love you! Thanks for reading?