Truth be told, I don’t like the unknown. If I am venturing into uncharted territory, I make it a point to do as much research as possible to prepare myself for the journey. Childbirth is no different.

Hubby and I completed Kapiolani’s Prepared Childbirth classes, I’ve been reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting, seeking the advice from every mom I know, and reading up on personal birth stories on HawaiiMoms.com. When I was researching the topic of epidurals on HawaiiMoms.com, a veteran mom in favor of natural childbirth suggested searching for videos on YouTube.

Not only did I find videos on natural childbirth (caution: nudity), but I also found videos on epidurals being administered. Honestly, the epidural looked scarier to me than the actual childbirth. There’s something about a large needle being stuck in my spine that I find somewhat disturbing.

There is a great divide between the epidural advocates and those in favor of natural childbirth. You rarely find anyone who’s on the fence about the topic. For those that got the epidural, it’s the best thing ever. On the flip side, for those who delivered without drugs say that it’s safer for baby and mom — and by using relaxation techniques, the assistance of a doula or midwife, or even opting for a water or home birth, you can have a great birthing experience with limited medical intervention.

I am leaving open the possibility for an epidural, should the pain be more than I can endure or if my blood pressure starts skyrocketing. Historically, my blood pressure tends to be low, but in times of anxiety, it can become elevated: such as just before my laparotomy when it hit an all-time high of 155/99.

It’s too bad that giving birth wasn’t as easy as getting knocked out with general anesthesia and waking up with a baby in your arms.

I’m really hoping for a smooth delivery without the need for drugs. I just hope I am not overestimating my pain tolerance.

I suppose I should talk to my OB and see what she says. In the meantime, perhaps I should just watch humorous classics like the Bill Cosby stand-up act from the 80’s on natural childbirth. Still hilarious after all of these years. (Click the “continue reading” link to the right to watch it.) Continue Reading »

If you’ve been reading my blog, it’s nothing that you don’t already know, but I realized that I hadn’t done a videolog on the topic of IVF since December 2007 when I said I would keep you updated. So, this is a very belated update.

And if you’re curious about how to do glucose blood testing, I do a demonstration in this vlog, too. Woo, I know you can barely contain your excitement. :p

Tonight, as is customary every second Thursday of the month, we had a potluck at our Bible study group.

What wasn’t customary was the pink and lavender balloons and Hello Kitty decorations. “SURPRISE!”

It was a surprise baby shower for Baby Champuru! I’d have pictures, but I didn’t bring my camera — because, after all, it was a surprise.

The food, as always, was delicious and the baby shower games were hilarious! I especially loved the Tootsie Roll baby game. Participants were each given a Tootsie Roll and were instructed to sculpt a baby out of it. Of course, I was the impartial judge. It was tough trying to pick just two winners, as they were all quite creative. Who knew Tootsie Rolls made such great play-doh?

Oh my goodness, the gifts were so cute. That’s one of the nice things about having a baby girl — they have the most adorable clothes and accessories for them! The generosity of friends always blows me away.

At the end of the party, I allowed myself to indulge in a small slice of chocolate cake. Luckily, the Sweeter Choice nurse allowed me a “finger break” today and said I didn’t have to take my blood tests after lunch and dinner tonight, but to resume tomorrow. I’d cringe to see how much that little piece of chocolate decadence jacked up my levels.

What a wonderfully unexpected evening!

I should be sleeping, but instead I’m sitting here with my t-shirt hiked up over my preggie belly and I’m watching Baby Champuru put on a show for me.

For some reason, she’s particularly active tonight. It still amazes me to see her moving inside of me. Right now, my tummy is actually lopsided. She seems to favor my right side.

The doc suggested doing kick counts to make sure baby is healthy and active in the womb. She should move or kick ten times within an hour. She’s already exceeded that within the past ten minutes. Good girl!

Photo by Lisa Hoang of Windwardskies Photography

Today marks my 34th week, which means I have six more weeks to go — if Baby Champuru doesn’t get impatient.

The To-Do list got whittled down quite a bit this week, thanks to the tireless efforts of Hubby. But, by golly, I still haven’t packed my hospital bag! I must get that done this weekend. The baby’s room is not ready yet, but I’m not going to worry myself too much about that right now since we plan to have her in our bedroom in a co-sleeper for a couple of months anyway.

I forgot to share the latest stats from my last visit with the OB.

08/08/08 Stats:
Blood Pressure: 100/60
Weight gain so far: 13 pounds (I lost 3 lbs. since my last visit due to being on the low-carb diabetic diet.)

So far, I’ve been managing the blood glucose levels pretty well. I discovered that having cereal in the morning makes my levels spike, so I have been eating a piece of toast with peanut butter and sugarless jelly and a yogurt for breakfast. I’ve also been eating Glucerna and South Beach bars for my snacks, since it’s an easy way to monitor exactly how many grams of carbs I’m getting per serving. I’d like to re-introduce fruit back into my diet — and reduce the processed stuff (such as the aforementioned snack bars). Aside from that, the gestational diabetes has been pretty manageable. Mahalo to everyone who has been so kind in sharing their suggestions with me! It has been very helpful as I’ve been trying to get a handle on my GD.

Photo by Lisa Hoang of Windwardskies Photography

Hubby and I created a command post that details everything for the preparation and arrival of Baby Champuru. The focal point is a calendar with all of our appointments annotated neatly and September 24, 2008 (my due date) highlighted in yellow and embellished with stickers. Next to that is a whiteboard with a detailed To-Do List, color-coded to indicate which tasks belong to me and which are for Hubby. Adhered to the white board is a typewritten packing list for the contents of my hospital bag, which is at the top of my priority list. (Thanks, Steph, for your suggestions!!)

Although having an at-a-glance visual of everything that needs to be done before Baby Champuru arrives is helpful, it’s also a little overwhelming at times. As my last day of work before six months of unpaid maternity leave looms on the horizon, apprehension about finances also begin to gnaw at me. It doesn’t help that both Hubby and I both had major car repairs this month, totaling over $2000. Often, it seems that the best laid plans make great monkey wrench magnets.

All of these things in addition to the million and one uncertainties of facing our role as new parents has caused me to feel overwhelmed. This gives way to an urgent need to accomplish everything immediately. I feel like if I don’t do something right this instant, that the backlog will only get worse. This causes me to go into a frenzy of purging, cleaning, and nesting — but, it also gives way to a melancholy disposition. I suspect that it’s exhaustion, coupled with pregnancy hormones that cause this crash every now and then. It seems that after the frenetic activity is over and every ounce of energy has been spent, I can’t help but to walk around with droopy shoulders and my chin dragging on the floor. Honestly, I can’t stand that feeling — and I know it concerns Hubby to see me like that.

When I put things in perspective, I understand the root cause. It’s me, trying to do everything in my own power: organize, prepare, work hard, and control everything. Really, it’s not that those things are bad in themselves, but when I make the mistake of cutting God out of the equation, that’s when things start to go south. Like my mood.

It’s almost as though God is reminding me that I shouldn’t lean on our own understanding — or even our own resources. I’m taking this as a call to come back to seek Him. After all, He brought us this far and worked miracles beyond imagination, He can help us get through this phase in our lives, too.