Week 37- Savannah Jean is full term!

It's a big day for us - we've made it to a full term pregnancy.

Life is so precious and unpredictable, we took every additional day she stayed in place, growing & getting stronger as a blessing.

Savannah Jean Wilson is now a full term baby! 

We're very anxious to meet her.  I had read and been told it was typical for baby's kicks to slow down at this time...she's not interested in slowing down.  Only difference now is that I have the equivalent of a newborn, not a fetus, kicking my insides. 

Here's a rundown of our pregnancy.

Date pregnancy confirmed: April 6th

Due Date: December 20th
Savannah is a Texan baby, but will be born in Dubai.

Her name:
Savannah: A group of Native Americans known as the Savannah figured prominently in Southern colonial history and, according to widely published accounts, gave their name to the Savannah River. At least some of the Indians in question were bands of the much traveled Shawnee linguistic group, and the vague similarity of the names has given rise to an etymology that derives both Savannah and Shawnee from ‘Saawanwa’, meaning, 'Southerner.' This is the Shawnee name for themselves. In essence, Savannah is Shawnee for 'Southerner.'
-Bruce L. Pearson, University of South Carolina

Jean: Adam's late grandfather was named Hermon Eugene Wilson, Jr. and was known as “Gene.” Since our daughter would have been his first great-grandchild, we thought it was appropriate she carry a part of his name, but in its female form, Jean

Click here to learn the full story and some family history.

Nausea: None - not once!  I was very fortunate to have skipped over any queasiness. 

Foods & Cravings:  At the end of the 1st trimester, I decided I hated red meat.  That lasted through the middle of the 2nd trimester, when I decided all I wanted to eat was red meat. 

Savannah brought on cravings of waffles and hot chocolate - hot chocolate love has lasted through the entire pregnancy. 
I'm not usually a sweets/chocolate lover, so it was quite a switch for me.
Since we moved to the Middle East at the beginning of the second trimester, my cravings also adjusted to local likes/dislikes.
I practically lived off of chicken schwarma and hummus.  I have also developed an extreme dislike of Indian spices.  I wasn't a huge fan of Indian food before moving, but tolerated it, now I can't even stand the smell of certain spices.

Babymoon:  We had a fantastic babymoon in August to Thailand!  Read about it here. 

Nursery: Her new home is all ready for her arrival.  Take a look at her nursery here.

Big Day Game Plan:  We took a 2 day prenatal course, have met with the midwife team and have had heart-to-heart discussions with the doctor about what we would like for the big day.  Luckily, our midwife and our doctor both have a very natural, non-intrusive approach to the entire process.  You can read about our prenatal classes here.

We have developed an extensive birth plan.  More than just to hand over to the staff, we wanted to discuss all of our options and make sure we understood, at least in theory, what we were facing.
As with everything else in life, I have found there's nothing better than to be completely informed before entering a challenge.  This is going to be one of those life-altering, defining days, so we researched everything, discussed all of our options and made some decisions about how we'd like to face that day.  We know the reality could go a lot differently, but we wanted to go in prepared with a best-case scenario.

Birth Plan:

HOSPITAL ADMISSION & PROCEDURES

Once I'm admitted, I'd like:

-my partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times

-only my practitioner, midwife, and nurses to be present (i.e., no residents, medical students, or other hospital personnel)

-to wear my contact lenses, as long as I don't need a c-section

-to try to stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids, ice chips and sports drinks (I brought with me) instead of having an IV

-to have a heparin or saline lock

-to walk and move around as I choose and only be strapped down for occasional monitoring as needed

OTHER INTERVENTIONS

As long as the baby and I are doing fine:

-If I go past my due date if baby and my health are not at risk, I would prefer not to be induced 

-Be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary.  
-Would like to avoid the use of Pitocin 

LABOR PROPS

If available, I'd like to try:

birthing stool

birthing chair

birthing ball

squatting bar

warm shower

PAIN RELIEF

Please do NOT offer me pain medication. I'll request it if I need it.

I'd like to try the following alternative pain-management techniques:

-walking

-acupressure

-bath/shower

-breathing techniques/distraction

-hot/cold therapy

-massage

-laughing gas

-I would like encouragement and updates relating to my progress and the baby’s health throughout labor.

If I decide I want medicinal pain relief, I'd prefer:

regional epidural

PUSHING

When it's time to push, I'd like to:

-be coached on when to push and for how long

-be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits as long as my baby and I are doing fine

-receive updates relating to my progress and the baby’s health throughout labor.

-I would like counting to help me push.

 

C-SECTION

I would like to avoid a c-section unless health of baby is at risk.

If I have a c-section, I'd like:

-my partner present at all times during the operation
-I would like to touch baby after birth.

-baby to be given to my partner as soon as she's dried, if appropriate

-I would like to breastfeed baby as soon as possible.

 

After birth, I'd like:

-to hold my baby right away (skin-to-skin), putting off any procedures that aren't urgent

-would like baby to breastfeed immediately upon delivery as long as baby is in good, stable health.  Please allow me to visit with a lactation consultant as soon as possible. 

-wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating before it's clamped and cut

-my partner to cut the umbilical cord
-I would like to have baby's first bath and assessment to be done in my presence

CORD BLOOD BANKING

I'm planning to bank cord blood privately

We have collection kit with us.

POSTPARTUM

After delivery, I'd like:

-all newborn procedures to take place in my presence

-my partner to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there

-stay in a private room

-have bed provided for my partner

I'd like:

24-hour rooming-in with my baby

FEEDING ISSUES

I plan to breastfeed exclusively – would like to meet with a lactation consultant as soon as baby is born.

 VERY IMPORTANT:

Do NOT offer my baby:

I do not want my baby to have a pacifier.

I do not want my baby given any formula or water.

I do not want my baby to have a bottle. I would prefer cup feeding or finger feeding if supplements are necessary.

Vaccination:
Please do not administer any vaccines without my written consent. 
After my consent, I would like all vaccinations done in my presence.

DISCHARGE

I'd like to be discharged from the hospital with my baby as soon as possible