The basics, and I mean basics, of how our hearts work. Blood comes into the heart on the right side low on oxygen travels through the two right chambers down to the lungs and then from the lungs to the left side and out to the body again. So I guess there is this little side road if you will that takes the most oxygen rich blood and sweeps it first to the brain, heart and lungs so that those vital organs get the best blood and the rest goes off everywhere else and so on. Well with a babies since the blood comes in with oxygen already by the time it would make this path the blood would be getting low on oxygen so that little side road wouldn't have the best blood to take to the brain, heart and lungs. So in a fetus there is this tiny flap from the right side of the heart to the left. Then with the lungs full of fluids they are pressure filled and "close" off the path to them. So the blood comes into the right side of the heart and gets swept directly to the left side by this flap and while still oxygen rich is swept off that way. As soon as the baby is born the fluids are pushed out of the lungs (partly by passing through the birth canal - all that pressure) or with some help if needed, so the pressure is released and the blood can now travel down to the lungs and that flap immediately closes and basically the heart muscle heals over it so it is gone. Crazy how the body can figure what to do and make things work just like that.
Now I just feel like we are in waiting mode. I have a couple more two week doctor appointments before we start the being checked every week. It is strange that it is so close, but it is just a waiting of when is it going to happen? My belly is very tight now and I am less comfortable and have a harder time sitting for long times, but otherwise feel pretty good. The hot weather hasn't been too much of a problem, it helps that I have air conditioning here at home and at work so we aren't left completely to the elements as they are.
I have the new job as a bit of distraction for now too, it has been hard for me to mentally transition I think because I don't feel like I can really take anything fully on, between getting computer access all sorted out and set up and the fact that everything is sort of this will be your job, but for now and while you are out on your leave... I think I won't be able to really settle in and get comfortable until after my leave, but I guess that is okay because the baby and that time is sort more on my mind now than the work anyway.
My sister and niece should be headed north here at the beginning of August so it will be good to see them even if for a quick visit and have them get to see my belly. Then they should be able to see this little guy before they head home and I think my brother-in-law will get to see him too. My mom will be coming in September for two weeks as well which will be nice and my dad will either be with her part of that time or maybe all, not certain what he will decide. I am planning to go up that way for a good week or more probably in October though I definitely want to show baby off to the grandparents and aunts and uncles and I am sure they will be anxious to meet him too. Hopefully he will travel well for me and eat and sleep easily, that is what newborns do right? Schedule their needs to match your travel arrangements perfectly. Okay well we'll do our best.
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