We toured the UC Davis Birthing Suites tonight. The point of the tour is so that you are more familiar with how everything is going to work and where you are going to go so that you feel more at ease about the whole process.
It was definitely educational and the suites are pretty nice. But I'm feeling far from "at ease" now. In fact, I have even more concerns and questions.
A very nice nurse named Molly gave us the tour. When we were done, I asked her a few questions about the gestational diabetes. I was told that they will test my blood glucose levels frequently during labor and that I'll be given insulin during that time as well. As soon as the baby is born, they will take him to neonatal care to monitor him for four hours. FOUR HOURS. I knew that he would have to go there...I just didn't realize for how long. And I'm not sure if Cat will be able to stay with him during that time or not. He is even more concerned about this than I am. Tonight he half-jokingly asked me if permanent marker would be harmful to a baby. Why? Because he's thinking of writing the baby's name across his forehead to ensure that he doesn't end up with someone else's parents.
By the way, as soon as the baby is born, they stop giving me insulin and they don't monitor my blood sugar any more. When they say this is a temporary condition suffered during pregnancy, they really mean it. They assume the "condition" is gone as soon as I'm not pregnant anymore. Although I will have to go have the three hour test again six weeks after the baby is born.
Apparently the four hours after birth are most critical for monitoring the baby and his glucose levels. They will be taking blood from his heel and watching to see if his sugars go too low. Because of the extra sugar in my blood, his pancreas is making more insulin than he will need once he is born. That could cause his sugar level to crash. I had read that I would be encouraged to breastfeed if that happens. However, when I asked Molly about it she said that wouldn't necessarily be so. I need to ask Marion about it because she scheduled the lactation consultant to visit us after the birth.
If all goes well, I will labor in deliver in the same room. Then, depending on how many people are having babies at the same time, I may be moved to the "Women's Pavilion". This whole time we were under the impression that all the rooms were private and that Cat would be able to stay at the hospital with me and the baby. That also isn't the case. Molly said that they "try" to keep one patient per room but that sometimes that doesn't work out. If I am the only one in the room, then Cat can stay the night. If I have to share the room, then he has to leave. We won't know until the time comes.
The baby is considered "full term" on Saturday. It would be entirely ok with me if he decided to be born then. Really. I won't mind at all. I have been having contractions. Teeny tiny contractions. Itsy bitsy, random, "warmup" contractions. But, still. Contractions!
Tomorrow I go for fetal monitoring and I also see Marion. On Friday, Cat's workplace is throwing a shower for us. I can't believe how quickly this first week of maternity leave is flying by!