Gender Predictions

Feb/23/2013

17 weeks 1 day 

So I got this idea off Pintrest and I thought it was a really cute and creative idea to record some popular gender predictions! 

Well 8 predictions say girl and 3 predictions say boy. Also, almost all my family and friends who have commented say baby B is a girl! I'm so anxious to find out! 

How To Do The Gender Predictions:

1) Chinese Calendar: This chart will show each expectant mother what gender her baby is predicted to be based on the month of conception and maternal age. 

2) String Test: Loop your wedding ring in a piece of thread and let it dangle over your belly. If the rings swings in a back and forth motion, it's a girl. If the ring moves in a circular motion, paint the room blue.

3) Cravings: If you crave salty foods it's a boy. If you crave sweets then it's a girl. 

4) Skin: It's a girl if you get acne due to the increased levels of the female charged hormones. A girl steals her mother’s beauty.

5) Morning Sickness: No morning sickness, it’s a boy.  A girl if you were sick or nauseous during your pregnancy.

6) How You're Carrying: If you're carrying low, it's a boy. If you're carrying high, it's a girl.

7) Baby's Heartrate: A heart rate over 140 beats per minute (bpm), it's a girl. A boy's heart beat is slower. 

8) Moodiness: If you are moody, you are having a girl because of all the extra female hormones.

9) Dad's Weight: If dad gains weight, it's a girl. If his weight stays the same, it's a boy.

10) Baking Soda: What you do is put a little bit of baking soda in the bottom of a disposable cup and then add a little bit of your urine to it. If it fizzles like a soda pop, it may be a boy. If there’s no fizzle, it may be a girl. 

11) Mayan Calendar: There's a Mayan system that predicts gender based on the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If both the year and the age are even, or both are odd, it's a girl. If one is even and one is odd, it's a boy.

For other fun ideas check out this site:

 http://www.theempoweredmomma.com/2012/06/28-old-wives-tales-for-baby-gender.html

17 Weeks!!!!!

Feb/22/2013-Feb/28/2013

17 Weeks-Sweet Potato Baby!!!!!

Size of baby:  Right now, my baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long from head to bottom.

My baby this week: Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — his lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. He can move his joints, and his sweat glands are starting to develop.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, although a few pre-pregnancy clothes still fit. 

Sleep: I'm waking up twice to pee just like always, but it's becoming really difficult to get a good nights sleep lately because I feel like my belly hurts no matter what position I lay in! Will be ordering that pregnancy pillow ASAP. 

Best Moment of the Week: Knowing that next week I will be able to call my baby by their name! 

Movement: Still not sure what I'm feeling...

Food cravings: I really want spicy salmon sushi rolls but of course I can't have them! 

Gender: We find out on March 2nd!!!!!!!!! 

What I Miss: Being able to sleep comfortably. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Seeing my baby in 2D and 3D next week during the ultrasound. 

Milestones: The top of my uterus has grown to the middle of my abdomen and the baby's parasympathetic nervous system is active. 

Emotions: Been pretty happy this week considering my discomfort. 

Symptoms:  Nausea, vomiting, gas pains, shortness of breath, acne, and glowing skin! 

Third Midwife Appointment!

Feb/19/2013

16 weeks, 4 days

Today I had my third appointment with the midwife and fortunately, my husband was able to come as well! 

Today at my appointment, the midwife took my blood pressure and listened to my heart and lungs. Everything checked out great! Also, she weighed me and measured my uterus. Turns out that I have not gained a single pound so far and the top of my uterus is now in line with my bellybutton! It really is amazing how much the baby has grown in one month! 

I also got to hear the heartbeat, which has slowed down to 150 BPM. The midwife told me that the reason the heartbeat is so fast is because initially, the baby only has a sympathetic nervous system (which is the one in charge of the fight or flight response which makes your heart beat fast), but as the baby grows the heartbeat slows down as the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in! 

I have decided on which hospital I am going to deliver in. Although there is a hospital like 5 minutes for my house, I have decided to go to one that is about a 30 minute or more (depending on traffic) drive away. My reasoning is that I am guaranteed a private room and each room is equipped with a bath tub, which is really important to me as laboring in water can relieve a lot of pressure and pain. Also, I was told that I do not have to have an IV and that I can labor in any position I want and I can deliver standing up, on the bed, squatting, on the toilet ect ect. I was told that unless I have an epidural, I can also eat and drink until I get into very active labor and by then I'm sure the last thing I would want to do is eat! 

Because I really do not want an epidural, I was told that I have a few other options for pain relief! I have access to laughing gas, Phentanol, and another med that can be put into an IV. 

I discussed the fact that I really do not want an epidural and my midwife told me that my best chances are to be prepared (by taking pre-natal classes) and to have a doula. Thankfully, I was already planning on taking classes and I already have a doula booked! 

The next step is to go to the hospital for a consult with an anaesthesiologist, who will check my spine and determine if I would be a good candidate for an epidural, should I want one. Also, they will check my heart and lungs as well, as they want to rule out any potential problems should I require any general anaesthesia. Hopefully I can kill two birds with one stone and do a tour of their labor and delivery wing.

Overall, after this appointment this pregnancy seems a bit more real...

Cosleeping

Where Should My Baby Sleep?

The practice of cosleeping, or parents sharing a bed with their infant, is controversial. Supporters of cosleeping believe that a parent's bed is just where an infant belongs. But is it safe?

Why Do Some People Choose to Cosleep?

·     encourages breastfeeding by making nighttime breastfeeding more convenient

·       makes it easier for a nursing mother to get her sleep cycle in sync with her baby's

·       helps babies fall asleep more easily, especially during their first few months and when they wake up in the middle of the night

·       helps babies get more nighttime sleep (because they awaken more frequently with shorter duration of feeds, which can add up to a greater amount of sleep throughout the night)

·       helps parents who are separated from their babies during the day regain the closeness with their infant that they feel they missed

Is Cosleeping Safe?

Despite the possible pros, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns parents not to place their infants to sleep in adult beds, stating that the practice puts babies at risk of suffocation and strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the practice of room-sharing with parents without bed-sharing. The practice of room-sharing according to the AAP is a way to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Cosleeping is a widespread practice in many non-Western cultures. However, differences in mattresses, bedding, and other cultural practices may account for the lower risk in these countries as compared with the United States.

Cosleeping advocates say it isn't inherently dangerous and that the CPSC went too far in recommending that parents never sleep with children under 2 years of age. Supporters of cosleeping feel that parents won't roll over onto a baby because they're conscious of the baby's presence — even during sleep.

When You Shouldn't Cosleep

·       other children — particularly toddlers — because they might not be aware of the baby's presence

·       parents who are under the influence of alcohol or any drug because that could diminish their awareness of the baby

·       parents who smoke because the risk of SIDS is greater

Other Options

·       Put a bassinet, play yard, or crib next to your bed. This can help you maintain that desired closeness, which can be especially important if you're breastfeeding. And the AAP says that having an infant sleep in a separate crib, bassinet, or play yard in the same room as the mother reduces the risk of SIDS.

·       Buy a device that looks like a bassinet or play yard minus one side, which attaches to your bed to allow you to be next to each other while eliminating the possibility of rolling over onto your infant.

Source: kidshealth.org

My Opinion

    For the reasons stated above, I believe that cosleeping is dangerous. I believe that cosleeping is a great option for some families, but for me, it is not something that I am comfortable with. What I have decided is best is to put my baby to nap in their crib, so that they are used to sleeping in their nursery and then sleep with my baby at night in my room.  I am planning on buying a cosleeper that attaches to my bed so that I can breastfeed at night and conveniently keep an eye on my baby for the first six months. Once they outgrow the cosleeper, it changes into a playpen which packs up easily for travel.

16 Weeks!!!!!

Feb/15/2013-Feb/21/2013

16 Weeks-Turnip Baby!!!!!

Size of baby:  Right now, my baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom.

My baby this week: Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, although I can still fit in some pre-pregnancy clothes. 

Sleep: Still sleeping around 8-10 hours a night and getting up twice to pee. Lots of very vivid dreams. 

Best Moment of the Week: My doctor measuring my uterus and showing me how much it has grown. I couldn't believe the difference a month has made! 

Movement: I think I feel flutters and little pokes but I can't be sure. I'm excited to feel the baby for sure.  

Food cravings: Hmm, this week I craved toasted bagels with cream cheese and gummy worms. I still don't have much of an appetite and there are less and less days where I feel really hungry. 

Gender: We find out on March 2nd! Two more weeks...I can't wait! 

What I Miss: Being able to eat a meal with an appetite. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Buying more baby stuff!

Milestones: The baby moving....I think. 

Emotions: Feeling rather sorry for myself lately. I'm getting uncomfortable and I'm tired of throwing up. 

Symptoms:  Nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, acne, headaches, gas pains, shortness of breath. 

The Britax B Agile Travel System

Feb/10/2013

15 weeks, 2 days

After doing extensive research and reading many consumer reviews, Jamie and I decided to buy the Britax B Agile travel system. Both the stroller and car seat are very highly rated on multiple websites and are featured on many top 10 lists! It is really easy to manouver, it's lightweight, stylish, and compact! I can't wait to push my little one around in this. 

Britax B Agile Travel System

Britax B Agile Travel System 

• The B-Safe Infant Car Seat, features side impact protection which distributes crash forces, shields from vehicle intrusion and contains the head and body

• The B-Agile Stroller, suitable birth to 55 pounds, features a lightweight aluminum frame and a one hand quick fold design

• The B-Agile Stroller, features a tangle free, five point harness, and energy-absorbing foam liner

• The B-Agile Stroller, has three-wheel design which provides improved steering and maneuverability

• The B-Agile Stroller from Britax is a lightweight, compact stroller featuring a one-hand, quick-fold design with an automatic chassis lock. The B-Agile is also compatible with other major manufacturer’s infant car seats when used with the Briax infant car seat adapter (sold separately). The padded, supportive seat features a 5-point harness system with head pad that is adjustable without having to rethread or unhook any straps. With a weight capacity of 55 pounds and an infinite recline, the B-Agile is suitable from birth. The extra large canopy with a mesh ventilation window allows you to see your child and, and your child to see you. The comfort-ride suspension ensures a smooth ride, and the swivel front wheel improves maneuverability.

15 weeks!!!!!

15 Weeks-Avacado Baby!

Feb/8/2013-Feb/14/2013

Size of baby:  My growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).

My baby this week: He's busy moving amniotic fluid through his nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in his lungs begin to develop. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all of his joints and limbs. Although his eyelids are still fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but he is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.").

Maternity Clothes: Yes and I just went and bought some more tops and sweaters. I'm looking forward to all the cute summer dresses and capris! I can still fit into some of my pre-baby clothes though. 

Sleep: Still having crazy dreams and getting up once or twice to pee. Sleeping between 8-10 hours a night but still really tired most days. 

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling like i "popped" and I look pregnant and not just fat. 

Movement: I swear I feel something but I can't be sure what it is yet. 

Food cravings: Fruit, random stuff. 

Gender: We find out on March 2nd! The day cannot come soon enough. 

What I Miss:  Being able to eat all the time with an appetite. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Feeling the baby move. 

Milestones: Officially making it into the second trimester according to every book and online resource. 

Emotions: Really cranky, starting to get frustrated. 

Symptoms:  Exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, acne, headaches, gas pains, shortness of breath. 

14 Weeks!!!!!

14 Weeks-Navel Orange baby! 

Feb/1/2013-Feb/6/2013

Size of baby:  From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

My baby this week: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb. Your baby's stretching out. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but I'm finding that most of the pants don't fit too well, as I don't have a big belly to hold them up. I'm going to need to get some tight tank tops to hold them up. 

Sleep: Lots of crazy dreams! This week I dreamt that my husband was cheating on me, that I was the nanny for Ben Affleck and Cameron Diaz's three children, and that I was the founder of an underground cult...Seriously so wacked out! And I have to get up once around 7 and once again around 11 to pee. 
Best Moment of the Week: Feeling all the movement-what ever it was! 

Movement: This week I have been feeling a lot of movement but I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is the baby migrating further up into my stomach or if I am actually feeling the baby move?

Food cravings: This week I wanted a Twix and Chinese food. 

Gender: I booked a 3D gender scan and I get to find out on March 2nd!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!

What I Miss: Being able to get up early without vomiting. 

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Going to Bellingham in one month to find out the gender!

Milestones: Feeling more defined movement. 

Emotions: I have less patience for my husband-poor man. 

Symptoms:  Nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, acne, lack of appetite, food cravings and aversions.