The Importance of Early Dental Health with the BC Dental Association

As a child growing up, I remember my regular visits to the dentist and how, after each visit, the dentist would determine my teeth were in excellent condition and that they remained cavity-free! It wasn’t until I became pregnant with Lil J back in 2009, that I realized how important dental health was during pregnancy.

In addition to the obvious physical changes your body endures while pregnant, it’s encouraged to maintain your regular dental checkups to ensure that your and baby’s health remains in top form. The main things I remember learning during my mass pregnancy research was that there is an increased risk of dental disease during pregnancy and flossing is extremely important. So much so that an occasional flosser, such as myself, started to floss once a day to ensure that my baby’s health had the best start possible. Other issues, such as the fact that bacteria in your mouth can transfer throughout your body possibly exposing health issues to your unborn child, definitely alarmed me and made me extremely conscious of the importance of maintaining my dental health.

the journey 2.0: the waiting game {days 4 & 5 of #bedrest}

Day 4

Yesterday was interesting.  I didn't have any doctors appointments so I just stayed in bed all day.  I got to sleep in until almost 11:30am {don't hate!} and caught up on all of my favourite TV shows.  Weirdly enough, my right leg started feeling sore even though I wasn't in any way mobile!  Must have been lying in one position for too long.

I also hit a milestone on day 4 - baby is now 37 weeks which is considered full term! 

Day 5

Today I woke up a little earlier and took a quick shower.  I had a NST test at the hospital and was anticipating that anything could happen at this point, so I figured I should wash my hair and keep myself fresh and clean just in case.  Turns out the test results were normal {yay!} so I'm not due back at the hospital until Sunday.

The rest of the day consisted of me in bed catching up on more emails and watching more TV shows.  I quickly discovered that daytime television is not extremely interesting - probably the reason why I hardly watch any TV on a normal day.  I also caught up on some reading {Glamour magazine} and my daily online gossip.

All of this waiting has made me feel kind of anxious - especially at nighttime.  I find myself waking up 4-6 times a night wondering and worrying if I'm going to pass my next NST test.  The true test will be on Tuesday when I'm scheduled for a NST test, ultrasound and my weekly checkup with my OB.  My OB advised that if my fluid levels show up as alarming on my ultrasound, she'll have no choice but to go ahead with a c-section.  That really scares me.  Especially since I'm really aiming for a VBAC.

I've also found out that I'm not a candidate for induction due to my previous c-section and the risk of rupture to my uterus.  So it's either I go into labour naturally or I have a c-section.  Definitely praying for the natural route.  I just hate the thought of being cut open again but if baby is in distress, I would do anything to get him/her out safely and healthy.

So now I'm going into a long weekend on bedrest.  At least I still have my own maid, housekeeper, cook, child minder, etc. - aka the husband - looking after my every needs.  I'm definitely enjoying this moment!

the journey 2.0: out and about {day #3 of #bedrest}

Yesterday was day #3 of bedrest.  It wasn't so bad - I stayed in bed for most of the morning reading magazines, catching up on emails and blogging.  I also took a picture of my bump in anticipation that it could be my last bump picture {possibly ever??}:

36 weeks & 6 days!

Then it was off to the hospital for a NST test.  Baby did wonderfully and actually moved around more than usual.  Definitely a happy, active baby!  After the test was complete, it was off to pick up Lil J from daycare and bring him to another hospital for an asthma evaluation.  He's had persistent coughs after his last two colds, which is relatively normal, but given my history of asthma the doctors wanted to be on the safe side.  Then it was off to Walmart where Lil J and I waited in the car and it took my hubby a good hour to find everything on the list.   He did really well too and came out with a $140 grocery bill.  Oooops!

The good thing out of this bedrest fiasco is that my responsibilities have gone to zilch.  And I'm loving it!  I have a personal chauffeur, a chef, a housekeeper, a nanny, a maid and a husband - all in one!!  Yup, I'm basking in my luck.

I know I didn't really achieve "bedrest" on day 3 but it wasn't like I was moving around constantly.  Hopefully my fluid levels are still on the mend.

the journey 2.0: be careful what you wish for {day 1 & 2 of #bedrest}

If you haven't seen my Twitter updates yet, you'll probably enjoy reading this post.

All throughout my pregnancy I was hoping I could have extra time off to get ready for baby.  I started cleaning up early but as you probably know, keeping a house clean for weeks on end with kids in the mix is a hard feat to accomplish.  Especially if you're already working full-time.  So I ended up leaving a lot of stuff for the last minute - stuff I could do next week while I was off work.

I really need to be careful about what I wish for.

Yesterday, I went for my routine two week ultrasound at the hospital where I'm delivering and the first technician advised that my fluid was low.  She didn't know how low the fluid was so she told me she would measure it against her chart.  While she was working on her report, a second technician came in.  Then I started to worry.  She said she was going to try to find something the other technician couldn't find.  Oh great, I thought.  Then a guy came in.  The technician introduced him as someone that was working with her that day.  Ok.  But then I noticed his jacket said "Dr".  A doctor?  Why would a doctor have to come and monitor my ultrasound?  All I remember afterwards was him taking over and trying to find whatever it was that the other two technicians couldn't find and him telling me I couldn't leave until they talked to their bosses about what to do.

Cue the waterworks. 

I just started bawling.  Right there in front of the doctor.  He was a young guy and he looked just horrified.  And he felt really bad.  I tried telling him that it wasn't his fault and that I just felt like I was reliving my experience with Lil J.  Daddy G wasn't with me and I was afraid they would make me deliver the baby that day.  I was also afraid I wouldn't get ahold of my hubby....again.  But I did and he was at the hospital within 15 minutes.

After waiting around for the technicians to get ahold of my doctor, they advised me to go up to the maternity ward for fetal monitoring.  I thought I'd be in the clinic but they actually ended up admitting me and putting me in a private room.  It was nice but I knew this could mean something serious.  You don't get put in a private room unless the doctors were anticipating something big.  After my fetal monitoring test {or non-stress or NST test} was done, there was more waiting.  I had now been at the hospital for more than four hours and was getting more and more anxious by the second.  My hubby looked extremely uncomfortable trying to sleep on a chair and I was so exhausted and worried, I couldn't even think about sleeping.

A resident came into the room and went over my chart with us.  He told us that the attending doctor would be up to talk to us as soon as possible.  That meant two hours later.

A nurse came in to give me a tray of good 'ol hospital food.  I was hungry again even though I just ate a Timmy's breakfast meal that my thoughtful hubby bought me so I forced myself to eat something resembling vanilla yogurt, a soggy grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup concoction.

Finally, the attending doctor came in and explained our options.  Either I could deliver via c-section that day {WTF?!} or I could go on bedrest.  The results of the ultrasound showing low fluid was borderline severe which meant at least I had an option.  I chose bedrest.  I'm really aiming for a VBAC but, at the moment, my chances of that happening look low.

Today is day #2 of bedrest and it's definitely trying.  There's so much to do around the house and I can't actually do anything about it.  Luckily, my sister-in-law kept me company this morning and brought over my cute godson and some awesome trashy reads:

I was also able to enjoy a bit of sunshine on the way to my doctor's appointment and we had a maternity photo shoot out in our backyard.  Yeah, I kind of cheated on my bedrest today.  Oooops.

Tomorrow I go for another NST test at the hospital so at least I get to get out of the house again.  Have you ever been on bedrest?  Any tips on how to get through it? 

the journey 2.0: the calm before the storm

It's 9:40pm on a Thursday night and there's dead silence.  Not a TV on, not a kid screaming or running around.  Just me.  I don't get a lot of days like this - where Lil J and Daddy G are sleeping and Miss S is off with her mother.  My weekdays usually consist of chasing Lil J around the house, feeding him, bathing him, getting him ready for bed, struggling with Miss S and her homework, making Lil J's lunch, packing his bags for the next day and, finally, getting myself ready for bed.

This is the calm before the storm.

As I marvel at my 36 week belly, I can't help but wonder how much life will change in four short weeks - give or take a couple.  I can't believe my journey has almost come to an end.  Is this the last time I'll be on this journey?  That I can't answer yet...hubby and I haven't made a final decision as to whether this will be my last pregnancy.  It's kind of nice to keep it open like that.

36 weeks :)

I'm really enjoying tonight.  After I finish writing this post, I'm going to take a trip down memory lane and revisit our photos from a few years back.  I'm planning to put together a photobook for Daddy G from the kids - a perfect Father's Day present!  Can't wait to see his face when he opens it.

I know this calm won't last too long.  It almost feels too good to be true.

What do you do after the kids go to bed?

the {joys} of pregnancy

 To celebrate my 33rd week of pregnancy glow, I've compiled a list I'd like to call "The {Joys} of Pregnancy".  Here it goes:

33 weeks & 4 days :)

The {Joys} of Pregnancy

1. You may have morning sickness and/or nausea during the first three months of your pregnancy.  For you unlucky ones, this could last the whole damned time.  That means 40+ weeks people!  For you lucky ones {yes I am one of the lucky ones - don't shoot me}, you won't experience any of this.  Actually, I lied.  I did experience a week or two of slight nausea - but only while driving.  Go figure.


2. You will get fat.  It doesn't matter how small you were before you got pregnant.  You will still be bigger than you were pre-pregnancy.  This isn't a bad thing as gaining weight is beneficial to your growing fetus and the amount of "recommended" weight gain varies from person to person.  But you will feel fatter than your usual self.  Guaranteed.


3. The pregnancy "glow" will wear off after 3-5 months.  Trust me.


4. You  may or may not get cankles.  I was lucky when I was pregnant with Lil J - I only got it for about two weeks and then they went away.  Unfortunately, this Baby Making Machine was not as fortunate.


5. People will come up to you and caress your belly.  Sometimes without asking.  Whether you like it or not.


6. If you're carrying extremely small, people will automatically think you're not eating.  Or remark, at least once a day, that you're really small.  I get it people.  My baby is small.


7. You may be constipated.  Or you may be lucky like me.


8. You will look at those hideous maternity jeans at least once.  Whether you decide to buy them or not is up to you.  Myself?  I live in black leggings.


9. You just may need a whole new wardrobe.  As in maternity clothes.  That's like a down payment on a house.  Well, no, not really.  It will be a huge investment.  Again, lucky me was able to make do with my current wardrobe of stretchy materials.  Viscose is my best friend.


10. If you're pregnant with your first baby, you will go gaga over everything baby.  You will also probably buy a lot of unnecessary stuff that will never see the light of day, so plan what you need very carefully.


11. Also, if you're preggos with baby #1, you will spend countless hours and days researching nothing but the best for baby.  Even after all that research, a number of your purchases will get recalled within the first year and baby will most likely surprisingly survive his/her first year without any serious mishaps.  Our ancestors did and they didn't even have half the resources we do nowadays.


12. Your partner will ask why you're in a bad mood.  You will respond with, "(#&$* )*#($&^ (#$&&**!!!!!!!"


13. You will finally snore louder than your partner and you won't even know it.  Luckily, your partner will make sure you know you snore like a horse {do horses snore?}.


14. You will be constantly hungry.  The kitchen, fridge & pantry will be your best friend.
    


15. Being tired all the time is an understatement.  If you are pregnant with baby #1, you will have the luxury of taking naps or sleeping whenever you want.  If you are pregnant with baby #2, #3 and so on, you will be exhausted 24/7.


16. In the later months of pregnancy, you won't be able to give yourself a pedicure due to your growing bump.  Use this as an excuse to escape to the spa!


17. Take maternity pictures!  It's a great way to remember your journey because as much as you think you'll remember your pregnancy, you probably won't remember how big you got.


18. Ever heard of pregnancy brain?  The rumours you hear are true.  Short term memory loss is a side effect of pregnancy.  If you think it ends there, it's also a side effect of motherhood.


19. You'll have to swear off your favourite foods, drinks and alcohol for 9 months.  No vino for 9 months??!!  That's enough to make a woman go insane!  And to top it off, I abstained from vino and spirits until Lil J was at least 6 months old because I was worried I would harm him while breastfeeding.  Truthfully, I don't think I'll have that kind of will power with baby #2.


20. You might have trouble sleeping.  This doesn't help with #15 on this list but you don't really have a choice. 


21. The toilet is your new best friend.  No, really.  In between bathroom breaks and/or morning sickness, you will really bond with your toilet.  The bathroom breaks definitely contribute to #20.


22. You may experience back pain.  With Lil J, I was fortunate enough not to go through this but with this little bugger, the lower back pain is here with a vengeance.  Plus it doesn't help that I strained my back during our recent Disneyland vacation.  Thank goodness for my Warm Buddy {a heat wrap not a sex toy, you sickos!}.


23. Nesting is a wonderful thing.  It could mean, although, that you'll go crazy rearranging the house, purging anything you think you don't need, etc etc.  It's not a bad thing though but it might make your partner go crazy.


24. You will receive unsolicited advice from family, friends, colleagues and complete strangers.  Take the advice with a grain of salt.  Only you know your body best.  Not some random Joe Blow.


25. You may be hit with serious congestion.  Congested sinuses that is.  I haven't been able to breathe since I found out I was pregnant and had to stop my allergy meds.  At least I'm not subjected to my husband's fart smells anymore.


26. People are extremely nice to you when you're pregnant.  Enjoy it while it lasts.  When baby comes and is screaming and crying in public, everyone will look the other way.  Parents will give you that knowing look while thinking, 'Thank god that's not my child'.


27. You get to lather your belly in moisturizer or "butter".  My absolute fave must-have is Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Butter.  Yum!


28. Your first pregnancy will probably go by super slow.  Your second, third and so on - super fast.  Like lightening speed.


29. Go on date nights with your partner.  Go to a movie, take a walk on the beach, take a mini weekend vacation.  After all, you're growing a baby right now - you don't have one yet.  Once baby comes, you'll be covered in spit up and poop and you'll seldom find time for just the two of you.  If you have other children, arrange for family or a babysitter to look after them for the night.


30. You get to pick out multiple names and daydream how well they flow with your last name.  You will also find out your partner's taste in names as well as your family and friends {all of which will be quickly crossed off your list}.  If you choose to share your name choice, be prepared to receive both positive and negative feedback.  Basically, tell everyone to just screw off.  You didn't name their poor child Dick or Gertrude.


31. Eat as much junk food as you can.  It's good for baby {don't quote me on that!}.


32. You will probably experience pre-contractions also known as Braxton Hicks.  It feels sort of like minor period cramps, only more annoying.  The first time I felt them they lasted half a day.


33. Even though you are pregnant, you are still the cook, janitor, doctor, psychiatrist, lover, coach, teacher, caretaker........  You still need to do laundry, cook dinner, kiss boo-boos, give baths, read books, lie halfway falling off your toddler's twin bed while you get him/her to sleep........any of this sound familiar?

This list was compiled out of love and to make mothers around the world laugh.  All sarcasm aside, I actually really do enjoy my pregnancies and hope that I can have at least one more little one in the future {if Vancouver becomes livable again}.

Here's to the {joys} of pregnancy!

the journey 2.0: prenatal classes

When I was pregnant with Lil J, I dragged my reluctant hubby to a prenatal class at our hospital in the early hours of the morning - much to his demise.  What did I get out of it?  I can't remember a thing.  All I remember is downing a cup of coffee and being completely sleep deprived.

I noticed that a lot of couples were into the class.  Me and the hubs?  Not so much.  I don't know if it's appropriate to say it's not our thing because you can never be to prepared for baby right?  I mean, it's good to get a sense of what could happen and what to do during labour.  But it definitely wasn't our thing.

This time around, even given the fact that I still have not experienced labour, I really don't feel the need to take a pre-natal refresher course.  The first class felt like a nightmare that would never end so why would I sign up for another one?!  I figure I'm going to take it as it comes and hope for the best.  The best meaning a short labour.  Too bad it's out of my hands!

So I guess all we can do is hope for the best.  And hope that I don't take a crap during labour.  I heard that happens a lot.  I could care less if my hubby sees it but a bunch of strangers?  I guess they are used to it though.  Plus I figure I'll be in so much pain I won't have time to care.

Did I mention I'm terrified?  And excited but more terrified.  Terrified of the unknown, terrified of the pain.  Just terrified.

While writing this post, I decided to search "prenatal classes" on Baby Center and I found out that they offer a free online childbirth class with unlimited access!  Seriously?  I'm so checking this out over the weekend!

Did you take a prenatal class before having your child?  Would you recommend it to others?  Would you take a refresher course for your second, third or fourth baby?

 

the journey 2.0: entering the final stretch

THIRD trimester!!

Wow really?!

Where did time fly?  According to Baby Center, I only have 77 more days to go.  That sounds like a lot but it's just a little over two months.  Crazy.  And I have so much to do.  Like plan Miss S's belated birthday party, clean the house, paint the house {hopefully!}.........and the list goes on and on.  Yes, you could definitely say I'm in full nesting mode.  Weirdly enough, this didn't happen when I was pregnant with Lil J so it's nice to experience something different.

In preparation for our house clean and "new" furniture {purchased from Craigslist}, I've been constantly nagging my husband over the past couple months to make sure that he puts our new wardrobe up in our room so that he can clear his clothes out of Lil J's room.  I have to admit, with our growing family, we are running out of room even though we have three bedrooms.  There is never enough room!

Surprisingly, my husband started bringing up all the pieces of the wardrobe from our downstairs foyer last night.  I'd post pictures of our large foyer but they are not pretty.  In fact, it's pretty much become a storage area.  At 9:25pm, he asked me if it was too late to start putting together the wardrobe in our room.  Ummmm yes........I was just getting ready to put Lil J and myself to bed!  We decided to do it on the weekend instead.

So we're progressing and things seem to be on it's way to being done.  Now I just have to encourage hubby to put up our over-the-range microwave which has been sitting in its box since I purchased it at Christmastime.  Sigh.

Did you go through a nesting phase while you were pregnant?

out of the mouth of: daddy g

Last night we were heading out to see my parents for my mother's birthday which is about 20 minutes away from our house.  I had just finished buckling Lil J in his car seat when I realized I needed to use the bathroom.  I told my hubby that I had to quickly run into the house for yet another bathroom break and this was his response:

"Can't you just wait until we get there?"

I'm almost 29 weeks pregnant.  Did you really just ask that??!

Has your partner or significant other said anything crazy while you were pregnant?