Erica’s Blog

  OK, OK, OK — I realize that this is a horrid picture of me, but that’s not the point.  I just started on the third (and last) ball of Moda Dea Floral (black) for this scarf.  How much longer do I need to make it?  Just a few more inches?  The whole rest of the ball?  Please send in your comments so I can decide.  Thanks.

I haven’t posted about it in a while, but it IS still P.A.I.L. (pregnancy & infant loss) Awareness Month.  Here is some information from www.firstcandle.org about stillbirth.

[To the two bereaved moms who shared their stories with me this week via email -- Thank you so much for entrusting me with your story and your pain.  I feel such a bond with you now that I wouldn't have had otherwise.]

 

Following are the most recent Facts on Stillbirth (PDF) and  ways to reduce the risk.  A printer friendly version of this document is available to use as a handy reference or handout. 

• Stillbirth is the death of an infant in-utero and past 20 completed gestational weeks.  More than 26,000 babies are stillborn in the United States each year.
   
• The majority of these deaths occur at or near full term – they are otherwise healthy babies that die shortly before or during birth.
   
• It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of all stillbirth deaths remain unexplained.  Researchers feel that this is more likely due to a failure to investigate the deaths, rather than a medical mystery.
   
• Stillbirth deaths are unpredictable, and there are no identifiable risk factors.  They cut across socio-economic classes, races, religions, body types and maternal age groups.  No woman is immune.
   
• There is no standardization or guidelines for autopsies and data collection when a stillbirth death occurs - policies vary from hospital to hospital. Autopsies are rarely performed and any data collected remains in the hospital files, rather than being shared with researchers.
   
• Mothers who suffer a stillbirth do not receive recognition in 39 out of 50 states.  There is no certificate of birth or death – making these babys’ births “invisible.”
   
• Some of the most common diagnosable causes for stillbirth are:  placental problems, birth defects, intra-uterine growth restriction and infections.

At this time, stillbirth cannot be predicted or prevented.  However, there are helpful strategies for pregnant women to follow to help reduce the risk of stillbirth: 

• Begin to monitor your baby’s activity at around 26 weeks.  If you feel less than 8-10 kicks during a two-hour period, or if the baby is moving less than usual and you are concerned, contact your doctor immediately.  Kicks Count
   
• Do not smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs (unless prescribed by your doctor)
   
• Report any vaginal bleeding, leakage or sharp pain
   
• If you are post-term, discuss options with your doctor. Pregnancies longer than 42 weeks may be at increased risk for stillbirth
   
• Do not hesitate to request a second or third opinion anytime during your pregnancy if needed to put your mind at ease.

This is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your doctor’s advice.

  This is the yarn Sherri gave me on Thursday.  She was SO funny about it — apologizing that it wasn’t as much as she had thought was in the box, etc.  Like I can complain about getting free yarn?! 

Adri, what do you think about those two balls of turquoise?  It’s not silk like she’d said, but cotton and viscose.

Sorry I haven’t posted much this week.  I really haven’t been feeling very good.  My allergies were acting up, so M-Th, I woke up with a headache every day that never completely left me.  I won’t gross you out with describing the “seasonal” issues.

Survived baking for the bake sale at school w/o pigging out.  The double-chocolate muffins were a hit.  Gee, and they never even knew it was a classic Weight Watchers recipe!  (What they don’t know won’t hurt them.)

Sadly, however, on Friday I discovered that WW has released some one-Point mini carrot cakes with the cream cheese frosting.  They’re tiny but yummy, and they come eight to a package.  I found them at Safeway when I was getting treats for Thing Two’s class.  Well, the box didn’t make it twelve hours.

Got a wig for Thing One for her costume last night.  Didn’t go up to the party store, but found one at Spencer’s (BOY, was THAT a DUMB idea, taking her in there!).  It goes down to her waist, so it’s long enough.  Any longer might not be too practical.

Hubby got Jenna a new collar so that I can take her for walks.  It’s not a choke chain, but it has these things that poke her if she pulls on the leash.  With this collar, even Thing One can walk her!  OK, now I’ll have NO excuse for not walking her.  She & I will be getting more exercise, and this should help 1) her behaviour and 2) my weight loss.

      What’s the origin of the word “hijinks” anyway? 

Thing Two’s kindergarten readiness class had their Halloween festivities on Friday.  It was cute — they paraded to the big meeting room, where the Alzheimer’s caregivers’ support group was meeting, and the folks in there gave them candy and had a good chuckle over them, then they went to the office for more candy, then back to class.  Each parent had brought snacks to share.  Theoretically, we’re only supposed to bring store-bought stuff for a couple of different reasons, but of course there’s always one person who doesn’t follow the rules (see the hard-boiled-egg mouse in the second picture).