Lots Going on This Week!

We have a jam-packed week of baby-related events coming up!

Tuesday Evening: We are going to our last Prepared Childbirth class at Hoag. I have been instructed not to sit in the front of the class this time as Jay does not want to be so close to the movie screen when they show diagrams of episiotomies. haha.

Thursday Morning: Our growth ultrasound!!!!! I've been waiting for this for what seems like forever. We haven't seen our little guy in about 8 weeks and I am starting to go through ultrasound withdrawals. We are going back to the high risk center and should hopefully get another great 3D shot of Joaquin to share with you all. Mostly importantly though, we are going to check to make sure his growth is on track.

Thursday Evening: We are meeting with a potential doula. Most of you probably just said to yourselves "What is a doula?" I didn't know about doulas until after I was pregnant, so don't feel bad. Essentially, a doula is a trained birth assistant. They are not doctors, but usually have attended hundreds of births (the one we are interviewing has attended over 300) and they are hired to come to your home when labor begins to help you labor as long as you need at home, then come with you to the hospital to assist once you are there. They generally help you find comfortable positions, help you remember to breath properly, give you massages, help advocate for you at the hospital, and also provide lactation assistance. Doulas also help dads a lot - they tell them what to do and make sure they don't feel clueless or helpless during the process. Jay also thinks I'm much less likely to yell at a doula when she tells me to do something during labor than I would be to yell at him. I think he has a fair point.

If you want to read a little more about doulas, click here for the Wikipedia entry (scientific, I know).

Friday: I have a dental appointment. Hopefully no pregnancy gingivitis for me!

Saturday: Baby shower #2!