Last Wednesday we went to our scheduled ultrasound that would determine whether or not I still have Placenta Previa. I am happy to announce that I no longer have Placenta Previa. Yea! Luke and I were so relieved to hear the news. My next task is to write up a birth plan with a natural birth in mind rather than a cesarean.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with Placenta Previa it basically makes it impossible to have a natural birth and you have no other choice than to have a cesarean. There are also other complications that can come about such as bleeding and early labor just to name a few.

Baby is also doing quite well. He is growing as he should and was practicing breathing when the doctor was doing the ultrasound. He is also in the head down position where I hope he will continue to stay. I attached a picture of my sons 33 week check-up for your viewing pleasure. It’s not the best picture, but he’s a lot bigger now.

As we are starting day 5 of the wildfires and evacuations, the devastating fires around San Diego county are starting to take a toll on San Diegians.

I live in a central location of San Diego where the likely hood of evacuation is slight, but even though I am somewhat disconnected from those who are going through such tragic trials, I am still very much a part of this story.

My family is affected- My parents were evacuated Monday night and found refuge by going east to Arizona. Unfortunately their area is still under mandatory evacuation even though the fires are not in close proximity. What a huge difference from 4 years ago when Crest was engulfed in flames. So, for now they wait until they are able to return to their home.

My work is affected- I work out of my parents home and since it has been under mandatory evacuation since Monday, business is closed until further notice. That means I am stuck at home, waiting for my job to resume.

My body is affected- I am 33 weeks pregnant and because of the smoke and ash, I have been restricted to my home, my car or places with air conditioning. I haven’t been outside for longer than a few minutes and I’m starting to go stir crazy. The heat has also been an issue because I’ve had to keep the windows closed in my home in order to keep the smoke out. We don’t have air conditioning, so even with the fans going it’s still warm inside.

My community is affected- 20 minutes to the North, South and East of me are either under evacuation or on fire. People in areas of San Diego such as Ramona are getting restless as well. They have been evacuated since Sunday or Monday depending on their location and want to go back home to their neighborhoods to assess the damage, but are still being told to stay away. I can only imagine the frustration they feel and have recently been experiencing some myself as I wait for my parents community to be lifted off of mandatory evacuation. It is hard to be rational when all you want is to make sure your home, business and previous life still stands. Unfortunately, that is what many are faced with…waiting and wondering. It is like that all over…Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Jamul, Chula Vista, Julian, Fallbrook…and so many more. Slowly but surely people are and will be allowed access back home and they can only hope that their homes are still standing.

My friends are affected- I recently heard from my friend Angie that a gal we both know, her families home was burned down in the fire that tore through Fallbrook. They didn’t even have a chance to gather their belongings because they were out of town and heard about the fires over the news. I can’t imagine how that must have made them feel. They couldn’t even go back if they wanted to because of the mandatory evacuations going on…they just had to wait. Unfortunately, they were one of many that lost their homes.

The up side is that soon the fires will cease, the homes will be rebuilt, the grass will grow, people will go back to work and life as usual. Nothing on earth is permanent, everything is temporary.

Planet Bump (now a cord blood bank) is asking pregnant women to submit photos of their decked out for Halloween belly bumps. If your picture is chosen, you could win a Baby Bjorn Carrier. Just log on to their website and submit your picture…it’s that easy.

BOO-TIFUL BUMP!
Show us how you go bump in the night! Trick out your baby belly and you could be treated to a Baby Bjorn Carrier. Whether you dress up your bump as a cool ghoul or a prego pumpkin, scare up an idea and send it in. All photo entries must be submitted by the witching hour of 11:59 pm (EST) on, November 30, 2007.

Just e-mail us a photo of your belly creation to enter and it will be featured here on PlanetBump.com. Visit our website often to see other approved submissions. The entry that our judges determine to be the most “Boo-tiful Bump” will win the Baby Bjorn Carrier.

Visit our website often to see other approved photo submissions.

The photo that our judges determine to be the most attractive and innovative way to feature your bump will win. Submitted photography must conform to certain criteria, and must not contain inappropriate images.

Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. VOID IN CALIFORNIA AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS ONLY OF THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. Contest ends on DATE.

Review the Official Rules and download the entry form to submit a photo.

I previously blogged on an example of a simple birth plan, but I also wanted to provide you with an example of a more formal birth plan format for those of you who want to be more detailed. Remember to keep your birth plan to a page and be as clear and specific as possible.

Birth Plan for (mother’s name)
Due Date: ________
Patient of Dr. _________
Scheduled to deliver at ________ Medical Center

Dear Dr. __________ and the Medical Center Staff:

I look forward to sharing my upcoming birth with you. I have created the following birth plan to help you understanding my preferences for my upcoming labor and delivery. I fully understand that in certain circumstances these guidelines may not be followed, but it is my hope that you will assist me in making this the experience I hope for. If you have any questions or suggestions let me know.

Sincerely,
(mother’s name)

Labor
• I would prefer to avoid an enema and/or shaving of pubic hair
• I wish to be able to walk, move around and change position at will throughout labor
• I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labor
• I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum
Monitoring
• I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required or an IV put in my arm “just in case”
Labor Augmentation/Induction
• I do not wish for my amniotic membranes ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring
• I would prefer to be allowed to try positions before pitocin is administered
Pain Medications
• I do not want any kind of medication/anesthesia offered to me during labor, though I would like it available if I specifically request it. I will ask if I need any pain medications, including an epidural
Cesarean
• I would like my husband present at all times if my son requires a Cesarean delivery
• I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
• If my son is not in distress, I would like my son shown to my husband and I immediately after birth
Episiotomy
• I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby’s safety. I realize that mean I may tear naturally.
Delivery
• I would like my husband &/or mother to support my legs as necessary during the pushing stage
• I would like to have my son placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery
After Delivery
• I would like my husband to cut the cord
• I would prefer my son be examined and bathed in my presence
• If my son must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband will accompany him at all times
• I would like a private room if available
Breastfeeding
• I plan to breastfeed and I do not want any bottles given to my son (including glucose water or plain water). I do not want my son given a pacifier.
Photos
• I would like to make a video recording of labor, not necessarily the birth
Other
• My husband, ______, will be with me throughout the birth as well as my mother, _______.

I became interested in scrapbooking and card making a few years back when a gal I knew would host Close To My Heart parties at her house and invited anyone and everyone to come and make a pre-designed card &/or scrapbook page using Close To My Heart products. We all became hooked right away because we saw how simple and fun the products were to use as well as amazing quality and prices they offered. The best part was when we left, we left with an awesome homemade card or scrapbook page.

I became a Close To My Heart consultant back in March of 2007. Knowing that Close To My Heart specialized in the very best scrapbooking supplies and that they have everything you can possibly imagine &/or want such as paper, acrylic stamps, stamp pads, tools galore as well as albums…I figured why not join the team. I believe in the product and I enjoy using it. I have to say, the greatest part about being a CTMH consultant is that they have other trainers and consultants that help train and build up new consultants. They also have newsletters updating consultants of upcoming events, company incentives, in home demos of the latest products, fellowship, and of course a nice perk for becoming a consultant is the amazing scrapbooking kit worth over $400.00 in merchandise you receive as well as a discount on all products ordered. You just can’t go wrong!

“we show you how to celebrate relationships through the art of scrapbooking and stamping. Faster. Simpler. Easier.”