Feeling a constant low level of stress now that I am in the third trimester. Probably not good for the baby or myself.
Kim’s been a legend, helping pick out items and setting up pretty much all of the nursery. Feeling guilty I haven’t done too much of it and that there are still so many little things to prepare for the baby.
We had the “having a baby” classes the past two Saturdays at the Royal Hospital for Women. It helped to set basic expectations and went over a lot of resources that are available.
Highlights for me from last week’s class:
- every birth is different
- labour is a lot longer than I initially pictured in my head
- the pushing part isn’t actually the majority of everything in labour (thank goodness)
- being calm for labour is most important
Highlights from this week’s class:
- Newborns are in the present and need lots of immediate-response care
- Watched videos to identify signs of hunger and tiredness
- Watched videos on breastfeeding – really hoping that baby and I will get the hang of it
As I get closer to finishing the list of things we still need to buy, I’m starting to wonder what to prepare for postpartum. Care for me and Kim will be just as important since we need our health and energy to care for the baby.
I prayed for a bit today hoping that we’ll have the support and strength to get through the next while. Even if it’s difficult I feel like it will be something we would miss. Already a little bittersweet thinking about not being pregnant too, from the chatter over the internet it seems like it’s good to take time and appreciate this stage too. It’s flying by too quickly already as-is!
I hope things go well with work for the next few weeks. Also hope the partner visa won’t be an issue, it’s been slow getting all the info but it’s all been trickling in.
This post was a roundabout way to get from my anxieties to feeling gratitude.
I am thankful that:
- Both Kim and I have work
- Our financial wellbeing helps support everything that’s happening now – such as my visa, our private OB care, and preparing for the baby,
- We both have our health
- We have family who are supportive even though they’re not physically here
- Tyrone, who’s been a huge help in random errands and helping us move
- We managed to move into a place we can call home for the next while
- Baby is healthy and growing steadily
- The fact that we can have a baby together, some people really struggle to even get here
- Baby is so close to me at this stage – despite the movements that feel like snake squirms in the tummy and making me feel super weirded out, it’s comforting to know she’s staying active
- I have the option to rest or work from home when I’ve needed it, not everyone has this luxury – so much respect for working mums
- Having Kim to go through all this with, we make a good team