Pregnancy Update; 32 Weeks

Just a quick update! I am really getting anxious for this baby to come! The weeks are counting down!

I will most likely be induced at 38-39 weeks so they can stop my blood thinners before I go into labor. Which means we only have 6-7 weeks until baby-day!!

There's still a lot that needs done until she arrives and she does not have a name, but I am calm...for now!

I have routine OB appointment next Tuesday and ultrasound to see if she turned from being breech! I also scheduled a breastfeeding class for next week as well since I did not breastfeed our first!

Still trying to plan how we will handle A being home for the delivery (praying I do not go into labor before induction date!) and we are hoping he can take at least a week off to be home with me and our newborn!

10 Tips for New Trucker Wives; Take Charge on the Home Front

As I said before there is not much information out there about "How to be a Trucker-wife" or how to make this life easier on yourself and your family. It took a while after my husband started OTR to get a handle on things and to be content with this decision. At the time I had wished there was somebody there to give me advice in the beginning, maybe it would not have taken me so long to accept this life and make the most of it!

So I decided to comprise a list of tips for new trucker-wives and how to handle the transition easier. This list can also be useful if your significant other has any job away from home.

Last week I discussed how planning out your time together can be beneficial. This week I will continue on with this series and talk about taking on responsibilities at home.

So here goes, tip #5...
5. Take Charge on the Home Front

With your husband now gone, most of chores that were once split down the middle have disproportionately got laid down on your plate! Do not let yourself feel resentful because of this. Take this opportunity to start "wearing the pants!" (but don't let your husband know this! ha) Take charge of the checkbook and bills, make decisions yourself, organize your home they way you want it!

My husband did a lot around the house. We both worked full time before he started trucking which meant we both had to share responsibilities around the home because neither of us were home often. A lot of things were left un-done and/or disorganized. When he went over the road...I stood up and took charge. I looked at it as an opportunity to run my house the way I wanted to!

Start taking it upon yourself to take your vehicle to get serviced, take the garbage out, learn how to fix things and do the "man-work". Not only will your house stay more organized and taken care of but you might also start to feel pride that you are able to take care of things on your own!

By filling your days with a routine and getting things accomplished, it leaves you little time to sit and think about your significant other being away. It is easy to fall into a depression when all that you think about is him not being there...fight that urge to mope and make yourself up a routine to follow each day and goals you want to accomplish! It may not sound like fun, but it is rewarding!

Also, by taking care of most of the responsibilities at home, it will give you and your trucker more quality time to spend together during his home-time! Don't get me wrong, there are still things I refuse to do, like mow the lawn, change the kitty-litter, or carry very heavy objects! So do not think that I am saying do EVERYthing and leave nothing for him to do, I am just saying pick up a few of the shared chores and take charge of your home! Believe me you will feel proud of yourself!

How have the responsibilities in your home changed since your trucker has been on the road?

Sickness Over the Road

Recently my home was hit with a stomach sickness. Luckily it was during the week and I was able to take care of things and disinfect our house before A got home. I took the time and bleached EVERYthing, I tore the bed clothes off the beds, washed every sheet, blanket, and pillow, and doused our bathrooms with bleach.

When Friday rolled around I was proud of myself. The house was immaculate and I did my part to help keep my hubby healthy so he could work his hardest and provide for his family. We went on to have a very nice weekend and nobody got sick. I did my duty.

A left Monday morning with confidence that he was going to be okay.

Then Wednesday rolled around and I got the phone call. A was sick too. Crap!

I did everything I could to try to keep him from getting any germs. Now I sat and worried about him being on the road. I sat and thought about all the things I should have packed for him in case this scenario popped up.

So I went to work at creating a medicine cabinet for my hubby to take with him!

 

1. Ibuprofen: Fever and Pain Reducer
2. Acetaminophen: Fever and Pain Reducer
3. Phenylephrine HCI Tablets: Non-Drowsy Nasal Decongestant
4. Guaifenesin, USP: Non-Drowsy Cough Medicine
5. Loratadine: non-sedating Anti-histamine
6. Pepto-Bismol: Nausea, Heartburn, Indigestion, Upset Stomach, Diarrhea (You know you just sung that like the commercial!)
7. Cortisone Cream: Anti-Itch Cream
8. Icy-Hot: rub-on muscle pain reducer
9. Thermometer

Always remember to purchase NON-DROWSY drugs at all times! This is very important when they will be behind the wheel all day long. It is also always a good idea to keep well-hydrated at all times, especially when fighting an illness because dehydration can happen quickly. Drinks such as Gatorade and good old fashion H2O are best for this! Encourage your trucker to pull over and rest if it is that bad. He does not want to risk hurting other drivers on the road or himself, and find the closest urgent care or emergency room!

I meet lots of sick truck drivers at work because I work in a small rural hospital located near a turn pike off ramp. It is a common stop for drivers who are having health problems. Many of them have asked to keep the adult diapers and urinals or bedpans in case they get sick while driving....I brought this up to my husband half joking, he adamantly refused! haha!

Another thing you might want to think about adding to your trucker's medicine stock, a good daily multivitamin! I am not sure about your significant other but I am sure A does not eat as well as he should be eating while on the road. A good multi-vitamin will help him get the nutrients his diet is lacking!

It is also a good idea to purchase a medication to help support the immune system, such as the name brand product Airborne or a vitamin C tablet. It is very important for us all to stay healthy, but I think its more important that A stays as healthy as he can because he is driving all day long, away from home, and away from convenient health care.

Whatever kind of medicine box you put together for your significant other, keep it as simple as possible and as small as possible so it can tuck away in his bunk until needed! Also remember to check the expiration dates after so long, many medications expire after a year!

If you have any other suggestions of things I must add to hubby's medicine chest, leave me a comment! Also keep checking back to read about the first-aid kit I am planning to put together next!