They said the heart and spine look exactly how they should and they are normal without anything to worry about. They are still worried about the ventricles in his brain. They would like the width to be about 1cm or just under. Right now his are at 1.06cm. You'd think that is such a small amount but for such a little guy right now that is more than they'd like. At the previous appointment it was 1.07cm so at least they were hopeful in the fact that it hasn't gotten bigger. They now have me going in every 4-6 weeks to measure the ventricles to make sure they continue to stay the same or get smaller.
This has taught me a lot about mother's intuition. I could be totally off base and we won't know until he comes but I honestly feel like there is nothing to be worried about. David and I had a heart to heart about it and he was very sweet about saying if we have a child with special needs it will be hard but we will have an angel on earth because that is what they are. While I don't think there will be anything wrong since the ventricles are the only marker, its nice to know that we're both somewhat prepared if our baby has Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or something of that sort. Maybe my work with children with disabilities in the past has lead me to this point where I can be okay. I could be crying everyday in fear that something is wrong with him but I'm not. I'm trying to be strong for him and for David. Plus I honestly don't feel like there is much to worry about at all.
The ultrasound tech and the OB at the ultrasound office were so great. I don't like bothering this little guy with ultrasounds so they made it real fast. I can only imagine how fast it will go when all they have to measure is the brain in the following months. They kept telling me how easy it was for them to find the right places for measurements because I was thin. I don't know about you, but when I look at these pictures "thin" isn't really the first word that comes to mind:
In the time between the ultrasound tech and the OB I was watching my belly and you could see my little man moving around. It was so foreign looking. Like that scene in Space Balls where the alien comes out of the man's stomach at a restaurant and starts dancing on the counter. Of course my baby will be MUCH better looking though :)
How big is baby?
According to WebMD he should be about 8 inches and 12 ounces. He's measuring a week ahead in weight and almost 2 in length right now so I'm trying not to guess what that would mean for our measurements at this point.
How is mom feeling?
I'm doing much better these last couple weeks. I was able to have a very restful and low-key Christmas vacation which was exactly what I needed. When I got back I jumped right back into the pool and its been feeling so good. I still get heartburn pretty bad some nights but usually I'm so tired I can fall asleep without letting it keep me awake.
Also I would like to hear from you! I would love suggestions on the following products if you have experience and any other things you would like to suggest:
bottle system (I'm hoping I don't have any hang ups in breastfeeding)
breast pump
monitor
crib (we're trying to keep this at a manageable price please)
pacifiers
Gliders/Rocking Chair
anything else you might think I need to know about or would like to relate your horror/success stories
Happy New Year!!
15 comments:
Britta I am so excited for you. You look so happy and beautiful pregnant. :-)
I am sure you get alot of advice but here is mine as far as baby items go. Looking back at our past year with David:
- I would not have bought a crib (seriously) even the cheapest ones or used can cost alot and then you have to get a breathable bumper so the poor babys legs don't stick out of the crib and make them uncomfortable so unless someone is buying you a crib I would have gone with a porta crib. they are way cheaper mobile and well awesome! we cart it with us when we go to visit the parents and David is much more comfortable sleeping when we are away from home.
Go used on the baby swing or bouncer seats. If you have someone giving them away take them up on there offer. We go our bouncer and swing used for free from friends and they were wonderful! Also since you are having a boy I have loads of cute baby boy clothes if you are interested! :-)
-Lissette Knight
One more thing...if someone does want to buy you a crib and you have a small space this one is great and under $200 (Look up: DaVinci Annabelle Mini Crib). It can convert to a twin bed later. I would also recomend a breathable bumper(Look Up: BreathableBaby Breathable Safer Bumper) instead of a solid one because the babys can press themselves against the crib.
Ok I will stop now.
-Lissette Knight
Thank you!
We are getting the bouncer and swing from David's uncle who just had a boy a year ago. Along with other big items (i.e. newborn and regular car seat, bath, etc). Thank goodness!
I've been pretty apprehensive about the crib. I definitely want to go with the pack n play for at least the first 4-5 months or so. I think I've found one I like. I'm just torn over the crib so I'll look up the DaVinci crib. I had just looked at a $100 simple crib from Ikea. I don't think we need anything special and it allows me to get the changing table and breathable bumper.
I'll be having a shower in Hollister sometime in Feb so I'd love to see you there Lissette!
Aliyah always measured 2 weeks ahead...just means you will have a big baby!! Which is good, because big babies sleep better. As for bottles...Dr Brown is what we liked best. Breast pump...you know Aliyah's feeding issues. I had a medela and lansinoh. The Lansinoh in my opinion, sucked better. Crib...we bought on ebay, used. Made it a lot cheaper (it was local and we picked it up.) I think your mother intuition will be right on. Go with it. Healthy baby is on his/her way. Yeah!
EEEE!!! Omigosh Britta, this is just so exciting. I'm loving the updates!
I have three cribs in my house. Yikes. If you are worried, get a pack and play for now. Easy to move, take on trips, store. You can always upgrade later and save this. It's nice to have handy when a friend comes over with a baby who needs to nap or something like that. Take it on trips with you. Put your next baby in it when they are both too young for a bed :)
I use a Medela pump in style (a lot. I actually just sold a bunch of milk for $2.00 an oz. Awesome.) I used a hand pump for the first three months with Brigham. I wasn't sure my body would make enough milk, or that I could pump, so I wasn't ready for the investment of a big double pump. I eventually got one, have used it at least once a day for the last three babies. It's more than paid for itself!
I use Dr. Browns as well. Good for feeding.
Glider or rocking chair? Yes. I love mine. I use a boppy, but I have to sit in the chair because the arm rests hold the boppy up high enough than just sitting on the couch. I am too long waisted and the boppy alone wouldn't put the baby at the right place. If that makes sense. You could always use a second pillow too. Or whatever. This probably isn't making sense anyway.
You'll do great! Baby will be big and totally healthy and you can do this1
Britta! Breastfeeding pump.... I'm telling you right now that Kat had Misty Warren Okada as her personal lactation specialist and she was amazing. If you don't have her number, CALL ME!!!! She's really the best and certified INTERNATIONAL lactation counselor and helps so many!!!!
I would still recommend getting a breast pump even if you are breast feeding. IT is nice to be able to pump extra to have available for times when you and David go out on dates(maybe not the first couple months but it is good to have sometime just the two of you) or having some milk stored allows for daddy to have some time feeding the baby.
as for pacifers I highly recomend the nuby ones with the round tip(shaped more like nipple) IT really helped nathan sooth himself much better. he wouldn't use a regular one and started using me and since he couldn't be on mom all the time these worked great.
oops I actually think the paci is Binky brand.
Good luck!
We used Dr. Brown bottles too and loved them. I used the Medula double pump and actually needed it right away. My milk comes in really late and the pump helped increase my milk production. And just remember that you should do what is best for you and your baby. Breastfeeding isn't always easy and you should never let people make you feel bad for choosing to give your baby a bottle sometimes. Every one wants to be able to breast feed there baby but sometimes things happen that make that out of your control. Liam was colicy for the first 3 months and it took me that long to figure out he was lactose intolerant and actually did better on special formula. It changed my life when we switch to formula. We were all so much happier but I still felt guilty. There is so much pressure out there to breastfeed. (sorry, I hope you don't mind me sharing that)
And for pacifiers I would get several different types because sometimes babies will like one but hate another. Aidan and Liam used completely different pacifiers.
More advice. Since every baby is different make sure you keep the reciept for things if possible for returns if things dont work out for ya. I was all for the dr brown bottles and opened them all up becuase I was sure they would work (same with pacifiers too) and David ended up prefering a different type of bottle and does not use pacifiers! If you want my Dr browns bottles they are yours to have for free (these bottles can add up in price)! I only used one and the rest are brand new and lovely. :-) tape your reciept to stuff not used yet. I tend to lose reciepts unless I file them away imedately or tape them to things!
It looks like you are getting a TON of advice on here! AWESOME!
MONITOR:
we bought a VIDEO monitor and i swear by it!! it's awesome. It's a little more pricey than normal monitors, but it's soooooo worth it to be able to push a button and immediately SEE your baby without having to go into the room and possibly wake baby up! we love love love ours!
A mothers intuition is real! Go with it!
Beast pumps---RENT ONE FROM THE HOSPITAL!
You buy your own pump pieces . but the pump itself you rent from the hospital. Best for the $. You won't need one for long. If you even use it at all. I didn't use one with Cody and with the twins I was "attached" to the pump that I rented from the Hospital.
This is the monitor we have for Lia. It was the cheapest and the best for the price. It allows you to hear the baby cry or see the baby cry with the lights. I like being able to turn down the sound and just see the lights. Especially when training the baby to sleep well!! : ) http://www.target.com/p/First-Years-49MHz-Monitor-with-2-Receivers/-/A-535722
Pacifiers- we like the one they give you in the hospital. It's ugly. but the babies love it! you can buy different colors too, instead of the green from the hospital.
Crib. I actually got my crib from a garage sale. It was oak in color and not the cutest. But we sanded it and painted it white and it's perfect. and the best part it was $25 for the crib and mattress.
Rocking Chair. We actually bought a NICE lazy boy (big rocking chair) for the room and then for the family room for after! It's been nice.
Congratulations again!!!! Can't wait to see your cute boy!!! : )
Are you having a baby shower??????
also a swing and bouncy seat! Especially the bouncy seat! ; )
oh I used the dr. brown bottles too, and I then I switched to the playtex drop ins. LIKE PLAYTEX WAY BETTER!!!!
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