It’s a big week! Monday I have a lab appointment to get my antibodies checked and re do my gestational diabetes test because it was done to early. I need to get my antibodies tested as I need to get my RhoGAM shot at my midwife appt on Wednesday.

I need this special shot because I have RH negative blood. RHESUS factor is an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells . My blood lacks the protein ( I’ve always wondered if there is a connection with my Pku. ) so I am Rh negative plus A- blood. very super rare. When a mother is pregnant with an RH positive blood baby the mothers immune system could attack the baby’s blood. So they give us this shot now in case that our blood mixes at delivery for some reason. Luckily Madelyn has the same blood type of me so risk to this baby is low. Had Madelyn had a different blood type and her blood was left over in my body it would have been bad for this baby. 

 

Here is what babycenter.ca has to say about week 26

 

*** Measuring your baby from top to toe with her legs extended, she is about 14 inches/35.6 centimeters. She weighs a little more than 1.6 pounds/ 760 grams. Your baby’s eyes begin to open around now. Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. She also continues to take small breaths and although she’s only breathing in water and not air, it’s still good practice for when she’s born.

Since your baby is now growing so fast, and brain development is so intense at this stage, your nutrition is very important. Continue to eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of grains and vegetables. Fiber-rich foods, including whole-grain breads and cereals, lentils and brown rice are high in vitamin B and help fend off constipation.

 

We wont be doing prenatal classes this time as we did them with Madelyn. I will start reading some breastfeeding books again tough, My favorite is by Ina May guide to breastfeeding.  I am also thinking of some post partum work books for anxiety and the “fourth trimester” as i have been battling with a lot of anxiety around birth and having 2 kids.  I am getting closer to deciding on a home water birth vs hospital and still leaning towards home but having a lot of anxiety about keeping it private, not wanting to have any family at our house or staying with us, but what to do with Madelyn. If I let someone take her for a couple hours, when they come to bring her back they will want to see baby and i dont want any outside interruptions or visitors for at least 24 hours. I want the time for us to bond as a family of 4 with out grandparents, aunts, uncles or friends. Many people are telling me this is unreasonable and making me feel bad and pressured. I would rather Madelyn go across the street to our friends and come back asap if need be. But i’m worried that when its time they will be at work and we wont have anyone when we need them.  So I still have a lot to think about and time thankfully to think about it.  I want to be comfortable and I want to be respected and listened to and I want to be heard but I am having trouble speaking up about what I want because I dont feel supported in my wants.

 

here are some photos of some of my favorite meals I have made this week.

One thing I am really looking forward to is to be able to indulge in Chinese food again ! i cannot wait for a big bowl of chow mien noodles dripping in sweet and sour sauce and some veggie spring rolls!

I cant wait for my tolerance to really start to climb. It is a lot slower then with Madelyn as at this point i was already at 1150 mg phe.  But i am approaching 3rd trimester in the next couple weeks and will all the development and system building nearly behind us baby will be working hard to gain weight for birth and thats when my tolerance really starts to go up.

I told Madelyn today that her sister can now hear her when we talk and sing so Madelyn wants to sing ” twinkle twinkle little star ” to her tonight when we go to bed! I thought that was so cute.

I find myself getting more and more tired , I actually napped today. I am also finding my belly hurts! I can feel stretching and muscles tearing. I am getting blue veins and stretch marks, something I have never had before.  I am rubbing my belly alot and find going up and down the stairs difficult or getting up and down alot . By the end of the day when they daycare kids go home I am so beat!  I am looking forward to being done work at the end June.  and enjoying the summer building memories with Madelyn before she becomes a big sister and our family is completed!