Week 26

Weight: 124 lbs. (+ 11 lbs)
Fundal height: 26 cm (determined by measuring from the top of the pubic bone the top of the uterus (called the fundus) which is just above the belly button right now)

It's been a busy week. I'll start with today's big event - our visit to our new caretaker: Nurse Midwifery Associates of WNY. Apparently, they used to be housed in a Victorian home on Linwood. However, as of July they joined the Kaleida Healthcare System and are now housed in a traditional medical building on Hertl near Elmwood. I can tell they miss the intimacy of the house, but I assume they had to merge with Kaleida probably for insurance cost reasons.

I will say that I had my doubts if I made the correct decision when we walked in - it was not the best decorated waiting room to say the least. But then I quickly learned that this building houses a few different practices which means you need to check in at a general desk and then wait in this room to be called by your specific practice.

To add to the doubts, we ended up waiting almost 45 minutes to be called back. We found out later that there was a problem earlier in the day and we can expect to be called back within 15 minutes of our appointment time from now on. My doubts continued as we were taken to the exam room which was just as bare and thin-walled as you can expect in a medical building.

Fortunately, things started to turn for the better when we met Sarah, one of the midwives. I think we spent at least 1.5 hours with her - answering medical history questions, asking questions, and then doing the exam as well. We then needed to wait another 30 minutes to have my blood drawn for the big glucose test. So Sarah brought us back to their office which was much more comfortable and inviting than the front waiting room.

There we met Mary (the woman I initially talked to on the phone) who was just as friendly and helpful. Another great aspect of this practice is that they encouraged us to set up appointments for the next four months so I could pick the exact time and date for each one to save Todd and me from taking time off from work.

And to top off the experience, while we were waiting, Sarah made sure we were introduced to the two other midwives, Martha and Elaine, who seemed just as friendly. In all my appointments at Audubon's Women Medical, I think I had only met three of the seven doctors by the time I left. Today I met all three in one day!! I even found a picture posted in the office of a student I previously taught who was delivered by the midwives!

Our next appointment is in four weeks - before we fly down to Marco Island for our last hurrah. I am only hoping my experiences will continue to be just as pleasant.

Rewinding to this weekend, Todd, his parents, and I went to H.A. Whites on Kenmore Avenue between Delaware and Colvin to check out baby furniture. Holy cow...what a selection!! It was initially quite overwhelming, but after a couple hours we were educated on crib manufacturers, car seats, and even strollers. Needless to say we did not make any selections. But our visit did do a good job of getting the wheels turning.

Fortunately, my cousin-in-law, Gen, e-mailed me her registry which at least gave us a starting point. I have also been working my way through the book Baby Bargains to help us start a list of items we would like to purchase. So much to think about and decide on!!!

Time for bed! Check back for new pictures. Will see you next week!!!!


Baby Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length.
• To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple.
• Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
• Air sacs in the lungs form now.
• Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.
• Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.
• Retinas begin to form.
• Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.
• Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.

(from Pregnancy.org)