36 weeks and counting!!! As expected,
Jacob has continued to grow every week! If you follow me regularly on Instagram and Facebook, you'll find that belly has now taken an egg shape.
I am totally bigger than I was with Frankie. This is true for most women. I have read that after their first pregnancy, the bellys get bigger and they also begin to "show" sooner. I didn't really notice it at first, but now that we're near the end, I feel a lot heavier and am a lot more tired.
I had some discomfort this week which landed me in urgent care. Maybe I'll elaborate on it later on. I'm kind of embarrassed about it and I'm not ready to discuss it with anyone. I'm just happy to be healthy and most importantly, Jacob is doing well.
Aside from the growing belly and discomfort, I have really began to think about my birthing plan. I hadn't really thought about it too much. Since my birthing plan went way different last time. I met with a parent coach from the hospital I'll be delivering at and i received great information that I later on researched.
For starters, I wasn't able to take advantage of the "Golden Hour" too much with Frankie because I had a c-section. Now, I learned that I'm still able to establish skin- to-skin contact right after baby is born. It may not be totally immediate because things don't always go as planned. She, however reassured me that in the event that I'm not available for any reason, dad can begin skin-to-skin contact too.
Why is this important to me?
Well let me explain. Baby is already used to listening to my every word, heartbeat and is already beginning to establish an attachment to you since birth. Imagine being ripped away from your security/ lifeline and suddenly, you're alone in this big, scary world. Being placed on moms chest immediately after birth will not only ease the stress of birth it will also create a sense if security and research says help the breastfeeding process. So does that mean I'm planning to breastfeed? Yes, I am.
My concern is not being able to obtain a good latch. This was the hardest part of breastfeeding for me the first time around. I did struggle. It wasn't easy for me. I cried, I was in pain and I felt like I didn't have much support from lactation consultants. I kept hearing everything I wasn't doing right and felt insecure about what I was going.
Luckily, my family was very supportive and I was able to keep going. I am proud to say that I breastfed Frankie for one year!
Naturally, I want to also breastfeed Jacob and I want to create the same bond I did with Frankie. I want to be able to make this a memorable experience for me and well as for Joe. This is our last child and I want to look back and say yes, we tried this and we tried our best at that and just have a memorable experience bringing our son into the world.
We are well aware that things don't always go as planned, but at least we're going in with a plan.
Now that I'm on Maternity leave I've also began to gather things for my hospital bag. So far I purchased a gown, nursing bras and we have Jacob's going home outfit. I haven't packed everything yet. I still have time (fingers crossed)
There is still so much to be done. Last night I had a dream that I hadn't washed any of Jacobs clothes and I was getting overwhelmed. So that's on my To-Do List as well.
December 3rd is the day, unless I go into labor before. I don't think I will though. Until then, there's still lots to be done. Naps included of course!!
