Coconut!

Little baby g is the size of a coconut at 31 weeks! He weighs around 3.5 lbs and is an estimated 16 inches long.  Since coconuts are not easy to find in Minnesota in December, I took a picture with shredded coconut. This is more common in our house since I love it over strawberry frozen yogurt. And...it usually lasts a long time because Dan hates anything coconut flavored.

Shredded coconut- the best ice cream topping

The BEST coconut ice cream in Thailand 

Dan is not a fan of coconut ice cream but still gave it a taste! 

According to my research, baby g now has all five senses but Dan is mostly concerned he has a sense of humor. And yes, he made that joke when I told read to him our 31 week fetal update. 

Most of my reading lately has been centered around labor and delivery. We had our first birthing class on Sunday. The class was 8 hours long and focused on the signs and stages of labor, breastfeeding and newborn safety. It was helpful to see videos of couples working as a team and I think Dan liked having a preview of his role in pain management and emotional support. I got some specific tips about knowing when I should go to the hospital. The 5-1-1 rule was useful (contractions that are 5 minutes apart for 1 minute and the pattern lasts at least an hour). 

There were a few other tips I wrote down but overall, I was hoping for more. There was definitely a bias toward getting an epidural and I know that is the norm but I wanted to hear more about my labor pain coping options, breathing techniques, benefits and risks of different medications etc. But instead I left feeling like I have more to research. Is fentanyl more dangerous than an epidural because it is systemic and does reach the baby? Could an epidural really slow down labor and lower my already low blood pressure? What pain options are less harmful for our baby- an epidural or systemic medications? 

I have heard from numerous mothers and doctors that a birth plan is just a plan and not a guarantee. However, I want to at least go into this feeling educated so that I can be my own advocate. I will trust the doctor to do what is best for our baby and me but I want to avoid any unnecessary procedures such as constant fetal monitoring, laboring on my back and being hooked up to an IV in bed the whole time. We are still considering a doula and/or taking a natural birthing class to learn more about our options but with the Holiday season and a busy work schedule, I am lucky to be even finding time to blog. So, if labor comes sooner than our expected 63 days...we at least know when to go to the hospital, the basic procedures and how to strap our baby into the carseat (we don't yet own). AND, Dan got to practice swaddling and diapering a baby doll. Not bad, right! 

Dan's first diaper change

Biggest surprise from the baby class according to Dan: the woman in the video that give birth on her hands and knees!?!?!

Biggest surprise according to me: the doctors usually give pitocin after labor to birth the placenta!?!?!

Current cravings: salt and vinegar chips (do they still sell these!?!)

Discomforts: painful kicks on my bladder, frequent urination and tightening of the uterus 

Favorite pregnancy moments: thinking about all the growing and developing that is taking place even as I sit here blogging and feeling his kicks! 

Favorite quotes from kids at our schools about my belly: 

1st grader: "Is there a baby in there?" 

Me: "Yes". 

1st grader: runs back to the lunch table and says to his friend "I told you, she is huge!" 

or 

Kindergartner: "That is too bad you are having a boy. I hate boys."