Newborn Care Class.

24 hours later, I'm still thinking about that class. :)  I honestly think this is something they should make you take *before* you think about getting pregnant. :)  And it would do wonders for teenagers!   I'm trying to really place my finger on what it is that is causing me concern...uneasiness...anxiousness...and I think after last night it's more "real".  We have a baby coming - and it's not going to be all rainbows and lollipops when she comes! :)  My mom told my aunt how I felt after the class...and I have to laugh....Aunt Rosie said "well did she think she would come out in a tutu and headband?!" :)  You know, I think maybe I did! (But I promise you she will have those on shortly after she arrives!)

They talked a lot about what the baby will look like when she arrives - along with lovely photos to accompany the description.  How about these for you?  Blue hands and feet, conehead, swelling, bruising, rash/dry skin, jaundice, cradle cap due to "overactive hormones" from the mom (wha?!).  They told us a little about the APGAR score the baby receives after 1 minute and 5 minutes...and that they ideally should score a 7 or above.  Wow.

After that delightful information :), she then told us what happens after you deliver.  And friends, it doesn't get much better!  Especially for poor little Madison!   We do get to spend like an hour with her - where we will 'ohhhh' and 'awww' over her.  I guess I have to attempt to feed her at this point too.  After that time with her, they will take her to the nursery - for a bath (that she will hate they said), assessment and hearing test.  The family and friends can watch from the nursery window at that point.  Oh - and did I mention the Vitamin D shot she'll get in her thigh right after delivery?! :)  No wonder they scream!   And icky eye bacterial ointment - ewww!

We then got some "hands on" experience with life size baby dolls.  This, folks, is when it got hysterical.  I mean really...it was....awkward.  A bunch of grown adults playing with dolls.  I made Derrick go and get our "baby" (which was kept in a plastic tote by the way) - he of course picked one with blue eyes (but for the record, Madison will have brown eyes!).  We had to "practice" bathing the "baby" - then changing diapers and swaddling.  The nurse said "let the parent who has the least experience with babies do it" - so Derrick threw it at me. ;)  W-E-I-R-D.  Makes me wonder if I ever played with dolls - because it was really awkward.  Maybe it's because I'm 41. :)

Some things I did learn that I didn't know before (which isn't much evidently!):

1. You should wait 3-6 weeks before feeding a baby a bottle / using a pacifier if you are breastfeeding.  That gets them into a routine and "used" to the breast - but if you wait longer than 6 weeks, they probably will not take anything *but* the breast.  Interesting.   It's going to be along 3 weeks! :)
2. You can start 'tummy time' from the beginning - starting with as little as 5 minutes just laying across your lap.  I thought you had to wait until like 3 months or something!
3. We can't put her car seat in the middle of my back seat...because it has a pulldown armrest there.  Interesting.

I learned a lot more than that (obviously - considering this long post!) - but those were tidbits I found interesting.

Last night I was, um...amazed?...by all of the info.  But today, I think I've become more anxious/scared.  She's really coming.  And it's not going to be this super easy thing where she comes out painfree and is all pretty and clean and says "HI MOMMY!". :)  And I think what adds to it is that I'm 30 weeks today - she actually could come anytime.  Derrick said his ex-wife went into the hospital when she was 30 weeks - and delivered at 32 weeks!  Holy cow.  I could deliver a baby in 2 weeks?!   I'm no longer "i'm pregnant isn't it cute!?" - but more in the final countdown to "it's really happening!".  I wonder if all women come to this point in their pregnancy.  It's almost like I've been climbing to the top of a roller coaster....climbing....shopping!...climbing...shopping!....climbing....and now I'm at the top - and about to hurl headfirst to the bottom of the hill! :)

I had my 30-week check-up yesterday...it went really well.  I felt good about it.  I was pretty impatient last week about getting the results from my glucose test - and felt like I wasn't getting the attention I wanted/needed.  But the glucose test was fine...I passed "with flying colors" as Dr. Perkins said (so no 3-hour test now - hoorah!).   My iron is a little low - so he gave me a prescription for some iron replacement pills.  Blood pressure is still the same.  Only gained 1.4lbs. in 2 weeks (I guess I'm supposed to gain 1lb. week now).  We have our 4D ultrasound next Saturday - and I'm sure that'll bring on an entirely NEW set of emotions!

So that's it.  This may be my longest post ever. :)  I kept thinking thru the whole class "I so need a picture of this for my blog" - so we finally took one. :)  And yes, we did get a few odd looks.  Oh well.  Here they are! :)

Tomorrow we have our 8-hour Expectant Parent class. I may not even be able to do a post describing how I feel after that!  We have been instructed to bring a pillow and blanket..so I'm hoping there is a nap time in there somewhere. :)