On being pregnant

Is this really my third post today? I don't know what the deal is with that. I may make yet another one before the night is out.

As miserable as I've felt the past few days, I've still found a few isolated moments of 'Oh my gosh, I love this pregnancy thing!' I'm nearly ashamed to write this, but as soon as I get home from work I change into a sports bra and rarely put a shirt on. Once I get the chance to lie down (on my left side, preferably) for a bit I feel close to new. So as I was walking around the house earlier and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I had to stop, as I almost always do, and inspect my new shape once again. It's strange -- as much as I hate the weight I've gained and dislike how it's transformed the rest of my body, I LOVE my belly. It's so perfect and round, and for some reason it makes me feel like a goddess of some kind. It's a similar feeling when I'm sitting here and a little foot starts poking at the arm resting loosely on my stomach. Or when I look down and see the normal round shape contort into an indescribable shape and then wobble around. And I think "Wow. I'm growing a human. There's a real live person in there and I'm his mommy."

I wish I could bottle up these moments of bliss for later, when I'm not feeling so hot.

something to be egg-stremely happy about!

I like eggs and have eaten quite a few this pregnancy, mostly because they're high in protien and easy to make for one. But I've felt pretty guilty about it. Now I definitely don't. I've been released from egg guilt. Share my joy. ~Cilla

Crack Wise

Think eggs are unhealthy? The yolk's on you.

By the Editors of Women's Health

More on Cholesterol in Health & Fitness

Pity the poor egg: It gets cracked, scrambled, and whipped—not to mention unfairly maligned as the villain of the breakfast world. That's because there's a misguided belief that the cholesterol in eggs (found in the yolk) raises the cholesterol levels in your body and puts your ticker at risk. But good news, frittata fans: Research supporting the health bennies of eggs is piling up. And several studies—including a recent one in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found no link in healthy people between eggs and either heart attack or stroke—have debunked the bad-egg myth. Four reasons eggs rock:

They may reduce your risk of cancer.

Whole eggs are one of the best sources of the nutrient choline (one large egg has about 30 percent of your RDA). A study published this year found that women with a high intake of choline were 24 percent less likely to get breast cancer. Note: Choline is found mostly in the yolk, so feel free to ditch the egg-white omelets.

Eggs keep your peepers peeping.

Yolks are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that have been shown to ward off macular degeneration — so you'll still be able to eyeball hotties from afar when you're 80.

An omelet a day can shrink your waist.

Louisiana State University system researchers found that obese people who ate a two-egg breakfast at least five times a week lost 65 percent more weight and had more energy than women who breakfasted on bagels. "Eggs are more satisfying than carbs, making you feel full longer," says Kristine Clark, Ph.D., R.D., assistant professor of nutrition at Penn State.

Your abs eat them up.

These little orbs contain a certain sequence of amino acids that makes egg protein easy for your body to absorb. Which means a hard-boiled grade-A is an ideal muscle-repair food after a butt-busting workout.

Which eggs are best?

All eggs contain the same basic good stuff, and the large ones pack only 72 calories each, so you really can't go wrong. But depending on your eating habits, special eggs may be worth the extra cash.

Labels to look for:

• Organic: These eggs were laid by chickens that aren't fed nasty slaughterhouse byproducts, antibiotics, or certain additives.
• Pasteurized: Using raw eggs? Look for this word on the label. It means the eggs have been placed in warm water to kill bacteria.
• Omega-3 Enhanced: If you rarely eat fish, buy these to snag more of the heart-healthy fatty acids.

Labels to skip: Cage Free, Free Range, and Pasture Raised don't guarantee happy chickens.

Provided by Women's Health

I am loved

There is nothing more special than walking into the house on a Tuesday night and finding my husband, who should have been in class, just finishing up dinner and the house well on its way to being sparkling clean.

I really do have the best husband in the world.

I have been feeling like crap this week so far, with the little bean still giving my ribs a severe beating. Yesterday I drove up to the chiropractor, who made things feel a little better, but the drive up there was torture because I was fighting with bean boy the whole time. He would push into my side, I'd gently massage and push him away and he'd push right back. Stubborn little guy. I felt a million times better on the way back, but sadly that doesn't mean I was pain free. I passed up the house and went around the corner to give Amanda a check as deposit to hold a spot in her home daycare for Ethan (more on that later) and ended up chatting with her and her husband for several minutes. When I got to the house, I was pleased to see the 4Runner in the garage, and even happier to find my husband inside with the aforementioned dinner (spagetti and meatballs) and clean house.

What did I do to deserve to be so well taken care of? I can't think of anything... I just know I'm blessed beyond measure.

Celebrity Homebirth

I don't know what it is about homebirth lately. I guess most of the natural birth things I read tend to lean in that direction - quite understandably of course - and it's something that will always be fascinating to me. Anyway, here is an article about homebirth as it pertains to celebrities that I found interesting. An incredible percentage of celebs have opted for homebirth. Ricki Lake, Demi Moore, Nellie Furtado, Charlotte Church, Pam Anderson, Cindy Crawford and Kelly Preston. Laila Ali recently planned a homebirth but ended up changing plans - she was induced due to suspected IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction).

...Interesting. With about 1% of births in America being homebirths, it almost seems like the percentage of celebrities giving birth at home is rather high. Wonder what's motivating them?

Natural Childbirth a multi-million dollar industry?

I've seen this article once before, but Nicole's most recent blog brought it back up. She did a much better job of debunking the misconceptions that were presented than I would, so go on over and read it too.

There are so many things that get me about this doctor's comments but I would really love to interview him and find out his basis for this comment,

“Natural childbirth has become a multimillion-dollar industry. The fear of
epidurals is promoted by those who discourage their use - and who have a
vested interest in doing so."

What vested interest, exactly? Is there a monetary gain to be had from encouraging women NOT to spend thousands of dollars on analgesia during labor? Actually, come to think of it, insurance companies could certainly turn a profit from this practice but if they had realized it don't you think they'd be doing more to support out of hospital births? Homebirth midwives and birthing center fees in our area range from about $2500 to $4000 (and choices are extremely limited). I can almost guarantee you my insurance company will be paying twice, three times or more than that amount for my hospital birth plus all of the doctor's fees and whatnot (A quick google search says the average hospital cost is $5000 - $7800, not including doctor's fees). The rising cost of insurance could certainly be curbed by insisting that obstetrical costs be lowered and limited to high risk patients. But considering the current lack of coverage for home/birth center fees, somehow I seriously doubt that the insurance companies have 1) figured this out 2) any interest in taking on that battle.

Any other takers? Certainly not pharmaceutical companies. I haven't seen "midwifery" on the career builder list of 'Top Ten Best Paying Jobs' lately.

Hmm... anyone have any other ideas where there money from the Natural ChildBirth "industry" is going? Because if it's that lucrative, I'd love to get in on it.

After my son is born, I will hopefully be more qualified to address the hideous comments made in the article comparing childbirth (purposeful pain) to an appendectomy. For now I shall step down from my soapbox and stow it away until next time.

As you were.

Fetal Development - 35 Weeks

Taken from babygaga.com

Fetal development in pregnancy week 35:

Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulationg baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home.

And how's mom doing?
We’re sure you’ve noted that the contractions are picking up and despite the obvious appeal of getting the pregnancy over with at this point, try not to jump the gun too soon by declaring actual labor. Of course, if it’s getting to the point where you’re having contractions continuously— you’re in labor and yes, it’s time for the grab your bags we’re gonna have a baby" rush. For the rest of you not yet in labor, your watermelon-betwixt-my-legs waddle is as charming as ever, not to mention the glorious ongoing back pain and fatigue. Hang in there! Once you’ve got your miracle baby on the outside, this will all be a dim memory. So, catch the cat naps whenever possible and keep yourself hydrated with water and try to imagine how all of this will (hopefully) be much funnier in hindsight.

Week 34 Midwife appointment

I saw Ann again today. Ethan seems to be coming along perfectly. He's head down, facing my right side (which is how he's supposed to be) and growing right on schedule.

Weight - 172.5
BP - 121/60 (I think...)
Fundal Height - 34 cm
Heart beat - in the 130s

Unfortunately, babies pushing ribs out of place isn't all that uncommon, and being in the perfect position only gives him easy access, but there's not much that can be done. The ice is fine, and they also said Tylenol might be good. I tried that a couple of times at work but I only took one so it may not have been enough. I'll still try to avoid that just because I don't want to take medicine.

We discussed my birth plan... Apparently I don't have anything shocking on there so it won't be any big deal. The main thing is that I don't want it to be offensive or off-putting to the hospital staff and make them feel like I'm handing them my 'order.' In a way though, I think it'll be most important as something for Darrell and Sarah -- not that they don't already know, but it's always good to be prepared.

I think when I go into labor I'll bake some brownies to take for the nurses. Should make them like me more, right?

My lower back is achy today. I hope it's just from not sleeping too well last night. My ribs were hurting and I had a really hard time turning over each time I woke up last night. At one point I woke up on my back and just stayed that way for a while because I couldn't move. Oh well, at least I was sleeping. I'm still very lucky in that regard. No insomnia (which is very common in pregnancy) or physical complaints that keep me awake for long periods.

5 weeks 1 day until the due date. Darrell keeps hoping that Ethan will come early. While I've been convinced he's going to be late, more and more I'm hoping he won't. I don't want to be one of those women whining and griping that they're tired of being pregnant. I've done a little of that and should really spend more time enjoying this.