33 weeks: hospital tour

Baby weighs about 5 lbs now and is about 18" long. She'll hopefully be moving into a head down position in the next couple weeks and stay that way until delivery. I think I felt her move transverse two days ago when I first stepped into the shower in response to the water hitting my belly - it's sort of a wrong feeling to me. Most of the time she's vertical, and since I feel "right" again, I think she moved back to her usual position. I got a food stain on this white t-shirt I've been wearing every week in the photos, curry I think. It doesn't look like you can see it in this picture. It also looks like this shirt is verging on Homer Simpson status. It just needs to last 7 more weeks, give or take. I feel committed to wearing the shirt.

Yesterday Evan and I went on a tour of the labor and delivery unit of the hospital where I'll be delivering (pictured below). I wondered if I would feel nervous for labor seeing everything in person. I don't generally get nervous about things until I'm walking into them. True to form, it didn't make me nervous, but I'm sure I will be once labor starts! We saw where to drop off and park, where to get wheelchairs if needed, where to check in, and the waiting room with snacks and beverages. Then we went behind the secure doors and saw the triage rooms where you get assessed to make sure you're truly in labor, which I'm familiar with from a few weeks ago. From there we walked down the hall to the labor and delivery rooms and on the way we passed by a room where we heard a woman that sounded like she was pushing and groaning at the same time. I could have done without hearing that but at least she wasn't screaming in pain. The rooms are all private and spacious, with dimmer lights, adjustable thermostat, a CD player, TV/DVD, and a couch with pillow and blankets for dad. There's also a fridge for bringing your own snacks, or you can order room service (which is hospital cafeteria food). There's a hotel-like bathroom with a regular tub, but then there are a couple big birthing tub rooms that you can labor in, too. They have birthing balls, birthing bars, and you can deliver in any position you want - on all fours, on your side, squatting, on your back, whatever. After the labor and delivery rooms we passed by the operating rooms where C-sections are performed but couldn't go in, so we headed up the elevator to the fourth floor to see the postpartum unit. You get transported up there 1-2 hours after delivery. Again, every room is private and has the dimmer lights, thermostat, fridge, couch with pillows and blanket for dad, TV/DVD, and bathroom except just with a stand-up shower. Again you can order room service as well for both parents. With a vaginal birth we'll stay here at least 24 hours after delivery, 3-5 days for a C-section. Baby stays with the mom the whole time, there is no nursery. The only time baby is separated from the mom is if there's a medical problem.

I feel really good about delivering at Kaiser Permanente. I've heard nothing but praises both from coworkers and people outside of Kaiser. I really want a vaginal birth, if possible, and Kaiser Permanente consistently has the lowest C-section rate of all the facilities in Portland according to the State of Oregon Health Statistics Unit. Data is still being scrubbed for 2012 but for 2011 we rang in at 21% of deliveries being C-section compared to the rest ranging 29-33%. The state average is 29% and the national average is 32.8% according to the CDC. Our doctors are not paid to perform C-sections like other hospitals. I really hope we have a smooth birth experience, but, whatever happens happens and as long as we both come out alive and healthy then it's all good. I can't wait to meet this little one on the outside!