We're definitely in the home stretch of pregnancy and feeling pretty prepared for d-day. Labor can come at anytime now! Looking back, here was the initial list and the updated checking-in list. Final updates are below in green and all notes are new.
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Everything is packed except for my clothes. I can't decide on what to bring. I also need to write a formal last minute packing list.
- Start
I've been drinking RRLT for a few weeks now, but I've been a chicken about taking EPO because I didn't feel ready. I'll probably start taking EPO this week now that I'm done with work and have almost everything ready. I've made sure we put pineapple in all our smoothies lately. Planning to make some date-based energy chunks.
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I'll probably make some extra date energy chunks
- Gift for doula
Stumped. Any ideas?
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Appt. made for next Wednesday.
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Installed and checked by the Carseat Lady. She was great!
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Appt. made for next Tuesday.
- Pack the diaper bag!
We're going to need it at some point ;)
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The process was much simpler than I anticipated. Our midwifery gave us a template to fill out that was very basic and essentially just a few check boxes with two lines to write in any special requests. I learned that a lot of what I thought I was going to have to fight for on the birth plan is already standard procedure for the midwives (immediate skin-to-skin bonding, no episiotomy, no hep lock/IV fluids unless truly necessary). Papa K and I both feel like we're in really good hands and have little to worry about.
- Make a labor plan—
Update: List with contact phone numbers made and also an email group created for the "She's here!" email.
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Update: Our last prenatal visit was on Wednesday. Details coming in Monday's post.
- Meet with our financial advisor to come up with a new budget (
Update: We won't meet with our Christian financial advisor to come up with a budget until after the birth and we have settled into a routine. We also plan to find someone to advise us on our investments and more of that grown-up stuff shortly down the road.
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Update: We are going to do delayed cord clamping as the first priority and cord donation as the second. We hope to get it just right so we can do both. I was told that we can delay about three minutes and still have enough cord blood to donate. Although the whole thing seems kind of out of our control, so we'll just go with the flow. This wish is listed in the birth plan.
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Done and done (as much as we can master the art without a baby)! Cloth diaper class through Parent Trust was a total win and though I already knew most of what we talked about, Papa K left feeling super confident is his ability to cloth diaper and how awesome it is. I definitely learned a few new helpful tips myself.
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We didn't really learn this in CD class, but I was told to just visit the manufacturers website and they will have prep instructions there. I'll cross this off the list, but I haven't prepped them yet. We won't start using them until a few weeks after she's here anyways.
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I feel pretty confident in how it all works now. Still need to purchase a detergent, but it will probably be either Country Save or Charlie's based off my research. I was happy to learn in CD class that although I void the warranty of most of the diapers by doing so, I can put the shells in the dryer. Hallelujah! She said she dried her stash that lasted two kiddos and they held up just fine. She also pointed out that it would be really difficult to get some styles to air dry without getting really mildewy in our Seattle climate, which is exactly what I was thinking.
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Update: I thought that coconut oil would work, but the instructor at our CD class said that it likely won't heal a rash. The best method to avoiding rashes is keeping the "environment" super dry with a talc-free powder. She suggested just using cornstarch with every changing if baby is prone to rashes. I still want to find or make a CD safe diaper balm. Another option is using regular rash cream, but putting a piece of flannel in between the baby and diaper to protect the diaper from the cream. I've heard Earth Mama Angel Baby and Motherlove both have decent cloth diaper safe balms.
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We were supposed to go over it in our CD class, but never did. So bummed! I'll have to just look into it myself.
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Coconut oil for dry skin. I did a ton of research on baby soaps and was feeling confident in just using lavender Dr. Bronner's castille soap, but I bought some to try it out on my skin and find it too drying and kind of irritating in various places, especially my face. I was given some of these Everyday Shea products (wash, shampoo and lotion) and am really excited to try them out—they smell wonderful and are a super local company. I also have a small bottle of Dr. Bronner's Baby castille soap, which claims to more moisturizing than their standard formula that I will definitely try.
- Post birth:
Talked about this in our Centering notes here.
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Wrote about it here!
- Questions to ask a midwife:
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Found one! Dr. Carol with the Kids Clinic in north Seattle. It's a bit farther from our house than is ideal, but she seems like the best fit. I have a meet and greet with her on 10/8. We will use the Swedish West Seattle children's clinic as a back up option in last-minute situations where we can't get in to the Kids Clinic. I have a couple recommendations for great Drs there, but probably won't do any formal meet and greets.
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We set up a meal sign-up using Mealbaby.com for our friends and family to come visit postpartum. Not going to worry about cleaning too much. I will try to keep the house tidy from here on out so we start off in good shape.
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Started making these awesome freezer burritos. Also made a batch of our favorite chili. I have veggie lasagna, pizza, veggie pot pies, and coconut milk curry tofu on my to-do list this week.
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- Read Hypnobirthing
Update: Not sure I'm going to get to this, but I'm thankful I've learned a bit through Centering.
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Update: Planning to skim it again to get myself pumped!
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I still need to find art for the walls and cover a handful of throw pillows with new fabric. Otherwise it's pretty much done! Will post a nursery tour soon.
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Portland babymoon vacation photos posted here.
- Have a postpartum exercise plan and potentially sign up at a gym this fall
Update: Still need to look into our two local gyms and decide on one.
- Labor playlist
TBD
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We've started gathering a few every night. Planning to put them in a document that Arthur can read from during labor. I will post the list eventually.
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Update: I got some Thirsties cloth wipes as part of a shower gift and think they are going to make awesome washcloths. They seem way too nice to wipe poop! Still have my Ikea 100% cotton ones in the stash too.
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Need to catch up?
Pregnancy Posts:
Weekly Updates:
Good job! As far as a diaper balm, I was talking to another cloth diapering momma in my area and she recommended the grovia magic stick. I ordered it with our diaper stash we just got and it seems really nice, smells good too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I'll definitely check it out.
DeleteHi Kelsey! Have you thought if you'll allow your baby to have vitamin k shot?
ReplyDelete