Week 33- Clinical experience?
In my experience there are two types of patients, Those who want as much clinical information on their condition/procedure as possible and those who find too much information overwhelming and fearful. Having been a Nursing student I have a lot of clinical information (one might even call it an education) in Maternity, Birthing, Growth and Development, Pediatrics and many other aspects related to the clinical side of becoming a parent. Yet I don't feel even remotely prepared.
And being an “older women” giving birth for the first time I worry, but find I am often comforted by my experience. For example... When we hit 20 weeks, I was comforted by my knowledge that medically my baby was now considered “viable” and should I go into labor... many attempts would be made to save her... (Tho at 20 weeks, chances are slim slim slim). At 26 weeks I was even more comforted because I had seen a 26 week old born during my clinical rotation at Kaiser, and not only did he live but 3 months later was thriving and just about to go home. At 33 weeks, my seamonkey's lungs are still not ready to support her outside of my womb without assistance, but with assistance she has a nearly 100% chance of survival. I can talk myself through what would happen if I went in to labor today and know that the outcome (provided no major screw ups) would be positive... In 2 weeks time when we are at the 35 week mark, I will be able to follow through with my intended birth plan and go to St. Luke's to deliver (they can't deliver babies prior to 35 weeks because they are not equipped with Ventilators small enough to sustain newborns, so before 35 weeks I would be shunted to CPMC, which is across town, and NOT my first choice of hospitals.)
In all reality I know, given my history, age and health status that it is much more likely that she will come late and I will gestate until 41 or 42 weeks. Which let me tell you, I am NOT looking forward to those last few weeks. But if it keeps her healthy... then OK.
In other news, I am finally beginning to feel like we are making some progress on the “Baby Prep” list. I have been cleaning out the closet in the baby room and we got a filing cabinet so I have been attempting to organize the “office” space. We bought a few new rugs (we really need to get rid of our old ones but were waiting until Cobain's exit) and I have done some preliminary on-line and window shopping for fabrics and other decorating things. We have some good friends coming over tomorrow to help move furniture around and that should help me feel like we are making a space for her and will be ready when she gets here. Maybe I will get the babies room painted... maybe I won't, well see (I have been hatching and evil plan... but I may be too lazy/busy/rather take a nap to execute it.) Max has figured out what he would like to ask for in regards to Paternity leave, if we are lucky they will let me (and seamoneky) have him full time for 4 weeks, and then part time for another 4 weeks after she gets here. He is anxious about leaving his kids at work for so long, but he is also really excited about his own Baby Girl and looking forward to bonding time with her.
There are still several Very Important things to get settled before then, like figuring out insurance for her and picking a pediatrician. Plus I just got my authorization to take the NCLEX exam and would really like to get that out of the way as soon as possible so it is off my plate (and yet at the same time it is a Big Scary Test and I am reasonably afraid of it.)
And being an “older women” giving birth for the first time I worry, but find I am often comforted by my experience. For example... When we hit 20 weeks, I was comforted by my knowledge that medically my baby was now considered “viable” and should I go into labor... many attempts would be made to save her... (Tho at 20 weeks, chances are slim slim slim). At 26 weeks I was even more comforted because I had seen a 26 week old born during my clinical rotation at Kaiser, and not only did he live but 3 months later was thriving and just about to go home. At 33 weeks, my seamonkey's lungs are still not ready to support her outside of my womb without assistance, but with assistance she has a nearly 100% chance of survival. I can talk myself through what would happen if I went in to labor today and know that the outcome (provided no major screw ups) would be positive... In 2 weeks time when we are at the 35 week mark, I will be able to follow through with my intended birth plan and go to St. Luke's to deliver (they can't deliver babies prior to 35 weeks because they are not equipped with Ventilators small enough to sustain newborns, so before 35 weeks I would be shunted to CPMC, which is across town, and NOT my first choice of hospitals.)
In all reality I know, given my history, age and health status that it is much more likely that she will come late and I will gestate until 41 or 42 weeks. Which let me tell you, I am NOT looking forward to those last few weeks. But if it keeps her healthy... then OK.
In other news, I am finally beginning to feel like we are making some progress on the “Baby Prep” list. I have been cleaning out the closet in the baby room and we got a filing cabinet so I have been attempting to organize the “office” space. We bought a few new rugs (we really need to get rid of our old ones but were waiting until Cobain's exit) and I have done some preliminary on-line and window shopping for fabrics and other decorating things. We have some good friends coming over tomorrow to help move furniture around and that should help me feel like we are making a space for her and will be ready when she gets here. Maybe I will get the babies room painted... maybe I won't, well see (I have been hatching and evil plan... but I may be too lazy/busy/rather take a nap to execute it.) Max has figured out what he would like to ask for in regards to Paternity leave, if we are lucky they will let me (and seamoneky) have him full time for 4 weeks, and then part time for another 4 weeks after she gets here. He is anxious about leaving his kids at work for so long, but he is also really excited about his own Baby Girl and looking forward to bonding time with her.
There are still several Very Important things to get settled before then, like figuring out insurance for her and picking a pediatrician. Plus I just got my authorization to take the NCLEX exam and would really like to get that out of the way as soon as possible so it is off my plate (and yet at the same time it is a Big Scary Test and I am reasonably afraid of it.)