Week 23

Merry Christmas!! This is going to be a quickie since it's that busy time of the year. ..

This past Tuesday I spoke with a woman from Nurse Midwifery Associates of WNY to inquire about possibly changing from an obstetrician to a midwife. Even though their website provided many answers to my questions, I still had my list of questions to ask. Well, if my experience on the phone with Mary is any indication of what our experience there will be like, we are going to LOVE it!!! I was astounded when this woman had no problem giving me over 15 minutes of her undivided attention to answer my questions. I would have NEVER been able to do that with my current obstetrician!

With this change I believe we're going to have the best of both worlds now! We will have the personability of a midwife with the medical security of a hospital (they deliver at Children's and work closely with University Obstretics if there is a need for a cesarian). I was also told that whatever midwife is on call when I go into labor will be physically by my side during just about the entire time I am in labor. And...it's ALL covered by insurance!!!

At last, on Thursday afternoon, I let the pregnant cat out of the bag to my students' parents through a newsletter. I am relieved to have finally let them all know (even though my principal still did not want me to until February). I now don't feel as if I need to 'hide' it from them. Although a few were definitely suspicious - I apparently was the talk among the moms at our classroom's holiday party!

Have a GREAT Christmas and hope to see many of you during this next week!!!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.
• Bones located in the middle ear harden.
• Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?)
• The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
• The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
• If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day.
• The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.

(pictures from prenancy.org)

Week 22

Today I officially had a student question me if I was "going to have another baby." My quick-witted reply to avoid the obvious answer was that I haven't had one yet. His reply was, "Well, I hope you have one so you can bring it in." I guess that means it's time to spread the news to the parents!! Especially the way by belly has 'popped' these past two weeks. It's like there was a sudden growth spurt. Nothing, nothing, nothing and then bam!

Speaking of the belly, it's been interesting how my uterus continues to grow upward. I had read about it, but thinking about it tonight I can 'see' the path it's taken. Right now I feel as though it's directly behind my belly button. Almost time to take out the belly ring!!

Oooo...there's more big news in the family. My step-brother, Brian, and his wife, Barb, are expecting a baby in July!! That will make four grandbabies for Mom and John within three months next year!!! How fun it will be to have a cousin just months apart and only minutes away.

Other than that just getting ready for Christmas, but more excitedly for 11 days off from school!!! What I am looking forward to most is spending time with DJ (who's coming in from California on Wednesday) along with many of our other family members...from all 3 sides!

It will be a fun, but a busy few days as Christmas Eve will start at Sally and Chip's and then end at Gram's. Christmas morning will start at Mom and John's this year and then end at Todd's Mom and Dad's. Then we'll do a brunch and gifts with Dad and Heather on the 26th. Oh boy, what the baby has to look forward to in the years to come!

In the meantime, feel free to comment to any of these entries by clicking on comments at the bottom of the post. HOWEVER, you do NOT need to sign in or sign up. Instead, either use a Nickname or click on Anonymous at the bottom of the comments window. And don't forget to vote in the upper left corner as to whether you think it's going to be a boy or a girl!

Hope your enjoying this holiday season!!!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Your baby weighs close to a pound at this point!


• Your baby can now hear your conversations more clearly than before! When you talk, read, or sing, expect her to hear you. Studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in utero.


• Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.


• Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.


• Be prepared for all those "Why" questions coming! Your baby's brain has entered a stage of rapid growth, especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly before birth. But the brain's amazing expansion program continues until around the fifth birthday.


• With some help from mom, baby's liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells.


• If your baby is male his testes begin their descent to the scrotum.


• Primitive sperm have formed and he is producing testosterone.


• Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1 pound (430gm).

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 21

So my goal is to get a new post up around Monday of each week. As I just spent some time going through and adding a Baby's Development section (easier to read than the paragraphs from WhatToExpect.com) to each entry, it gave me the opportunity to see the progress Baby Rassman and I have made since first finding out 16, yes 16, weeks ago. Not to be cliche, but it really is a miracle that this baby started off as a countable number of cells and then somehow 'turns' into a human being...crazy!!!

I feel that in the last two weeks by belly has certainly grown. Sometimes it feels like my stomache is trying to stretch more than my skin is letting it! But, I guess it still can be unnoticeable as I went through 17 parent conferences and no one seemed to know (or at least they did not elude to it). I figure that I will officially let them know just before Winter Break so that they will have time to take in the information without immediately panicking - you never know with parents of kindergartners. But, as I have told many people, this will be a hard class for me to leave because they have been one of my best classes ever - full of personalities, hugs, kisses, and just cute kids.

Finally, I have definitely been feeling movement this week. I think I have been feeling it here and there over the past two weeks, but it's just taken me a while to figure it out. It truly is a neat feeling, makes it even more real that a little guy or girl is in there getting ready to come out in just 4 short months!

Time to get Team Rassman to bed - we had a busy weekend finding and cutting down our Christmas tree! Have a wonderful week!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes (or white blood cells) form our body's defense systems. They help fight infections and diseases.
• Your little one's skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque. Your infant's tongue is fully formed. If you were able to peek you might catch your son or daughter practicing giving you a raspberry!
• If your baby is a girl, her womb and vagina are formed. Unlike males, females have a limited supply of eggs in their lifetime. At this point your daughter will have 6 million eggs. This amount decreases to approximately one million by birth.
• Baby swallows more this week. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good practice for his digestive system!
• Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some research suggests that baby sets her internal clock to match the outside world's even before birth! Your eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.
• Length is now measured crown to heel; therefore, take notice of the difference between this week's length and last week's!!
• Baby measures about 10.51 inches (26.7cm) and weighs nearly 12.7 ounces (360g).

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 20

So this is it...we're half way there!!! Feeling like I may be at the peak of my pregnancy - feeling great with a lot of energy. So much energy that even Todd has told me to take a rest here and there!!!

I didn't mention last week how disappointed we were with the OB we met with after our sonogram. Not only did she rush us through the appointment, when I very gently brought up the fact that I could opt for a home birth, she just about wrote us off. Told us we should find a midwife and pick up our records - yikes!

Therefore, I contacted a doula that was recommended to me by two friends, Michelle P. and Michelle T. I spoke with Cindy tonight and she mentioned that United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia actually does water births with a midwife!! Wow...this could be just what we are looking for - a natural birth in a hospital - the best of both worlds. I also asked Cindy to recommend some OBs as we would like to look into changing to a doctor who is not so medically driven since I have been categorized as a low-risk pregnancy. We're excited to meet with Cindy in a few weeks to further explore our options. If Batavia wouldn't work out, I believe we'd still opt for a hospital birth but make sure that Cindy was at our side to be our patient advocate!

In the meantime, I have 'reserved' the substitute who will take my place when I leave school in April. She is a GREAT teacher and I will feel so relaxed leaving the kiddos and my classroom in her hands. I am now just waiting to finally tell my parents and students.

Oooo...a really cool thing happened to me last night!! As I was cleaning up from dinner I kept feeling something hitting my tummy. When I looked down I was actually able to see a small spot of my lower tummy pop out. I'm not sure, but it certainly looked and felt like the baby moving. When I showed Todd he got a little 'freaked' out - it definitely was weird to see something inside moving the outside.

Keep checking back!!

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• You're half way there!
• The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.
• The baby's heart grows stronger. Find a quiet place, lay flat on your back. Locate your own heartbeat by finding your pulse. Next lay your hand on your belly. You may be able to distinguish the two heartbeats!
• His legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, you will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!
• Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now. These immune cells will protect her from viruses you've already had for up to six months after birth!
• The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
• Your baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Amazingly, she can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during her development stages often are calming after birth.
• If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to develop. She has approximately six million eggs in her ovaries. About one million will remain at birth.
• Baby is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g).
  
  
  (pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 19

Weight: 115 lbs. (+ 1.5 lbs.)

Yikes...we're almost half way there...yikes!!! Many highlights this week - our sonogram on Tuesday and then many family visits Wednesday through Sunday.

Our sonogram went very well, saw almost everything from the brain to the heart chambers to the liver and kidneys to the spine, arms, and legs. Everything is measuring normal for where I am in the pregnancy which apparently confirms an April 21st due date.

So with all the family visits the question of the week has been if we have come up with names yet. So for Bill's sake - Henry Rassman, for Gram's sake - Tiffany Rassman, for Breanne's sake - Emma Rassman, for Gary Server's sake - Rex Rassman, otherwise it's going to be Dapper Tan Rassman - named after the Sherwin Williams paint on our walls, or maybe we'll just change it to Dapper Dan Rassman!!!

Other than that I have been feeling well, I have a good amount of energy, and have been maybe feeling some movement too.

Have a great week!!!


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Your baby has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. He has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
  
• Throughout baby's body, nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.
  
• Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow.
  
• The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth.
  
• If baby is female the uterus starts to develop. If you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place.
  
• If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognizable.
  
• Your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine.
  
• Your little one's size is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm) and 8.47 ounces (240gm).
  

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 18

If the Bills win against the Patriots, we will have twins too. Hmmm...is there any liklihood of either of those happening??? We'll leave the twins up to Deej and April!

Anyway, Todd says the pregnancy is official now because I am starting to get a more noticable belly (not because we've heard the heartbeat twice). A few girls at school have noticed my growing belly as well and wanted to know when I will tell the parents. My principal has suggested that I wait to share the news until we know who will take my place. I know who I would like to sub in my place, now we just have to be sure she will be available. We'll see what comes first, me knowing my sub or a belly that will no longer be able to hide!!

On Saturday, Todd and I went with our friend, Michelle Thorpe, to see a documentary at the Market Arcade theatre entitled "The Business of Being Born." Our other friend, Michelle Parks, recommended we see it as she was quite disappointed with her birthing experience at a buffalo hospital. Below is a synopsis of the movie (taken from http://thebusinessofbeingborn.com/about.htm):

"Birth: it’s a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business. Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to examine and question the way American women have babies. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal. Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?"

To say the least, it was absolutely eye-opening to the options a woman with a low-risk pregnancy (that's the key word) really does have - that is never discussed at the Ob/Gyn's office nor in many birthing books. If you want to know more, as either of us!!

Even before seeing the movie and after hearing many birth stories from friends and family at how disconnected the doctor was when dealing with a low-risk pregnancy, Todd and I were considering having a doula accompany us during the birth. However, after seeing this movie, we are going to explore (that's the key word right now) the option of the possibility of a home birth. Since you all know us so well, can you believe either Todd or I would even think of this option?? In fact, I have to admit that it was Todd that brought up the possibility after seeing the movie!! If anything I do have to say that a home birth looks a heck of a lot more 'comfortable'. So either this week or next I will start contacting both doulas and midwives to explore our options!!

In other news, we received the delivery of our new familyroom furniture this past week and are getting ready for a Rassman Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad Rassman and Aunt Donna (Mom R's sister) will be staying overnight Wednesday (and possibly Thursday) so we can celebrate Thanksgiving in its true all-day fashion. Kim and Jeff will join us on Thanksgiving as will Dad and Heather.

Since we won't be spending Thanksgiving with Montantes, Roba, and Lavins in Colden, we will go Friday to spend the day in Colden to visit with the Aunt Gigi, Uncle Bill, Bill, Erin, Rose, Natalie, Michael, and Heather.

Get ready to watch the sonogram movie...

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material) forms on baby's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs); both serving to protect your baby's skin during the months in water.
  


• Your placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby. Don't forget those prenatal vitamins!
  


• Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs. He'll be putting these lungs to good use in just a few months!
  


• Her vocal chords are formed. She goes through the motions of crying but without air she doesn't make a sound.
  


• Features of your baby's heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an ultrasound.
  


• Your baby measures about 5.59 inches (14.2cm) this week and weighs about 6.7 ounces (190gm).

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)

Week 17

Alrighty...back to the updates. On Friday, I received results from my last blood tests (Fifth's Disease and Maternal Serum). I am immune to Fifth's Disease (yoo-hoo...especially since it shows up in the classroom at least once a year) and the Maternal Serum results came back normal. "Normal results of the screening, which is the case over 90 percent of the time, should be reassuring. This typically means that no further testing for Down syndrome or spina bifida will be necessary. Unfortunately, screening tests for Down syndrome and spina bifida do not always identify an affected fetus. It should be comforting to know, however, that maternal serum screening detects over 85 percent of fetuses with spina bifida, and multiple marker screening identifies 60-75 percent of fetuses with Down syndrome."

My appetite seems back to about normal along with my energy levels. Although I am quickly losing the ability to button up my pants. Instead of running out and buying maternity pants, I am going to try ordering a Bella Band - http://www.ingridandisabel.com/bellaband0708/how-to-wear.html. At this stage, I would wear it as an extra layer to disguise the fact that my pants are unbuttoned. We'll see how it works. Apparently, at this point I may start feeling the baby move. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to determine if it is movement or something else. I have had little 'sharp' pains (not painful) that I can pinpoint to a specific spot here and there, but I have no idea if that is the baby or not???

In the meantime, we're getting ready for Thanksgiving, delivery of our new family room furniture, and our first sonogram next Tuesday.


Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• By week 17, your baby weighs about 4.97 ounces (140gm) and is 5.12 inches (13cm) long.
  
• He or she has a much more normal "human" appearance now. She holds her head more erect and her body and limbs are longer in proportion to her head.
  
• Pads are forming on his tiny fingertips and toes. Soon those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent.
  
• Her eyes are looking forward now, but they are still firmly closed.
  
• Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating in the bowel. This black gooey substance will become your baby's first poop!
  
• The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger and continues to rush blood and nutrients to your growing baby.
  
• If your child is male the prostate begins to develop.
  
• Her skeleton is tranforming from cartilage to bone. The bones remain flexible to make the journey through the birth canal easier.

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)