Hospital Orientation

Sunday we went to Maternity Orientation at the Hospital where I will be giving birth. It lasted about forty-five minutes and although we were slightly skeptical, it was actually very worthwhile for us. When we arrived at the hospital we had no idea where anything was or which parking structure to park in. The class told us exactly where to park … or where to leave the car temporarily if I’m not up to walking from a parking structure to the Maternity Ward … and where to find the Maternity Ward. We also learned that the drive takes about 12 minutes ... at least on a Sunday afternoon.

The Maternity Ward is locked-down to the general public, so we were not able to tour the rooms. However, we got to see pictures! I was happy to learn that I will have my own room both for birth and for recovery. And also that the baby will share my recovery room and not be sequestered to a baby farm. Apparently, according even to the teacher teaching the class, the rooms are nothing special … but to me, they seemed more than adequate. There are even a few rooms with Jacuzzi tubs!

Next week we start Birthing Class. I guess this means that we are getting close …

Week 33 Update

Here's probably what's going on with Owen right now in his 33rd week of fetus-hood. (This is all assuming he is average.) I get these email updates weekly so I know what he is up to in there ... besides kicking me in the ribs!

This week Owen weighs a little over 4 pounds and measures 17.2 inches from the top of his head to his heels. Thanks to his recent weight gain, he's losing that wrinkled alien look. Most of his bones are hardening now, but his skull is still quite pliable. It's actually in separate pieces with spaces in between. This flexible structure allows his head to compress so it can fit through the relatively narrow birth canal. The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance. This is totally harmless, normal, and temporary. His head will quickly take on a more rounded appearance, but his skull plates won't completely fuse until he's about 9 to 18 months old.

Now don't you feel smarter?

Welcome

I decided today to start a blog for baby Owen who is currently roughly negative seven weeks old. Hopefully, after he is born, I will have time to update this blog to let those who live far away (that'd be everyone!) know what is going on with Owen on a day-to-day ... or week-to-week ... basis ... and allow me to post some pictures and video clips in a somewhat organized manner!