And she came a day early!!! I can't believe my little girl actually got to wear her newborn st. Pattys day jumper! At 2am on march 16th her movement became very active, so active that I called the on call who reassured me. At 6am I started have mild contractions. They really ramped up by around 7 and by 8 we were rushing out the door they were so intense. My daughter was born at 12:31pm just 6 and a half hours after the early contractions. She was 7 pounds 15 oz , 29 abd 3/4 inches and she is a healthy little dream come true. She turned two weeks old yesterday. She is a very mellow and easily consoled baby. She just started wanting to be held all the time but in general she is easy going. Her brother adores her and has handled her arrival very well although he is having some mommy cling and has been throwing epic tantrums the past three days. He loves to look at her and be near her though. He does tummy time with her and generally just enjoys having her in our family. Dad has adjusted better this time although he is starting to find her boring which upsets me. He is such a dipshit sometimes.
I am over the moon with joy that she is here. It's bittersweet to watch her grow as she is more than likely my last. Husband is adamant that she is the last. I am just trying to soak it all in and make it last as long as possible.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Our little girl is here!
Telling this whilst its fresh in my mind!
At around 1:30am last night I started feeling radically increased fetal movement after a couple of days of not much going on. I was 39 weeks 6 days (due the 17th) and figured I would be making it to my due date and probably going past again. The movement was really intense though with little to no breaks. Being the crazy person that I am I decided to google and read that sometimes increased movement can be a sign of distress such a cord wrapped around baby. I felt bad but to err on the safe side I called the on call doctor at my clinic after about an hour of the movement. She called me back annoyed and tired and basically told me that increased movement was a very good sign unless I had pain or bleeding and I should go back to sleep and not worry. I felt relieved. The movement didn't slow but I was able to sleep for a few hours. At around 6am though I started feeling very strange. I felt like I was having menstrual cramps that would tighten my tummy. after a couple i decided to time them but they were very quick and only lasted about 30 or 40 seconds with 6-7 minutes between them. This went on for about an hour. By 7am my husband was waking up for work. I debated telling him to go since contractions were so sporadic but they started to really become borderline painful. I told my husband who was shaving and he called out of work and started trying to time my contractions which were now coming about 5 mins apart and really starting to hurt. We texted his mother who came over quickly to watch our son who was just waking up. I grabbed my bags and realized that I was having my contractions really close together but the were super short. I thought maybe that meant it was not quite time yet but continued to get ready. Then I realized that I could hardly speak or move through the contractions. I was in denial because it was only around 8am but it was time to go! We grabbed a towel for the seat and got in the car. We called my doctor who was on call it so happened and she realized when I couldn't finish my sentence with her that it was go time! By the time we got to the hospital I was already a 5 and having very strong contractions that were about 5 minutes apart. They asked if I wanted an epidural and I said yes if the timing was good and wouldn't slow down labor. They said not to worry. By around 10:30am the epidural was placed and I stopped feeling anything. Baby was still sunny side up and floating a bit so we positioned me so that I could help get her to turn. She was very active the whole time and made the nurses laugh with her wild movements. I was a 6 by then and the nurse said to just rest and we would change sides I was laying on in 30 mins. Once we chased sides age said that I could rest but to let her know if I felt any kind of pressure like I had to have a BM cause that could mean it was time to push. I called my parents and told them that I was well and predicted I would see my baby in about 6 hours. Just then I started to feel the pressure of BM and hung up on them and had my husband get the nurse. When she returned and checked me I was 9.5 with bag of waters floating and burst outside me. I was in shock. I had the teeniest bit of a lip of cervix but they said I was so soft and she was moving down so quickly that they felt I would only have to move on my back and she would drop low and resolve it. She had turned by this point and they were right after I moved it was go time. My doctor came in and has me take a deep breath and push, "a lot of hair" she said, push, "come in she's almost here!", push and she was out! Born at 12:31am, one stitch with barely a tear. She weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and she is as sweet as can be.
At around 1:30am last night I started feeling radically increased fetal movement after a couple of days of not much going on. I was 39 weeks 6 days (due the 17th) and figured I would be making it to my due date and probably going past again. The movement was really intense though with little to no breaks. Being the crazy person that I am I decided to google and read that sometimes increased movement can be a sign of distress such a cord wrapped around baby. I felt bad but to err on the safe side I called the on call doctor at my clinic after about an hour of the movement. She called me back annoyed and tired and basically told me that increased movement was a very good sign unless I had pain or bleeding and I should go back to sleep and not worry. I felt relieved. The movement didn't slow but I was able to sleep for a few hours. At around 6am though I started feeling very strange. I felt like I was having menstrual cramps that would tighten my tummy. after a couple i decided to time them but they were very quick and only lasted about 30 or 40 seconds with 6-7 minutes between them. This went on for about an hour. By 7am my husband was waking up for work. I debated telling him to go since contractions were so sporadic but they started to really become borderline painful. I told my husband who was shaving and he called out of work and started trying to time my contractions which were now coming about 5 mins apart and really starting to hurt. We texted his mother who came over quickly to watch our son who was just waking up. I grabbed my bags and realized that I was having my contractions really close together but the were super short. I thought maybe that meant it was not quite time yet but continued to get ready. Then I realized that I could hardly speak or move through the contractions. I was in denial because it was only around 8am but it was time to go! We grabbed a towel for the seat and got in the car. We called my doctor who was on call it so happened and she realized when I couldn't finish my sentence with her that it was go time! By the time we got to the hospital I was already a 5 and having very strong contractions that were about 5 minutes apart. They asked if I wanted an epidural and I said yes if the timing was good and wouldn't slow down labor. They said not to worry. By around 10:30am the epidural was placed and I stopped feeling anything. Baby was still sunny side up and floating a bit so we positioned me so that I could help get her to turn. She was very active the whole time and made the nurses laugh with her wild movements. I was a 6 by then and the nurse said to just rest and we would change sides I was laying on in 30 mins. Once we chased sides age said that I could rest but to let her know if I felt any kind of pressure like I had to have a BM cause that could mean it was time to push. I called my parents and told them that I was well and predicted I would see my baby in about 6 hours. Just then I started to feel the pressure of BM and hung up on them and had my husband get the nurse. When she returned and checked me I was 9.5 with bag of waters floating and burst outside me. I was in shock. I had the teeniest bit of a lip of cervix but they said I was so soft and she was moving down so quickly that they felt I would only have to move on my back and she would drop low and resolve it. She had turned by this point and they were right after I moved it was go time. My doctor came in and has me take a deep breath and push, "a lot of hair" she said, push, "come in she's almost here!", push and she was out! Born at 12:31am, one stitch with barely a tear. She weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and she is as sweet as can be.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Me, unplugged.....
I'm 39 weeks pregnant. Full term and dancing for joy. Soon enough I will meet my little girl. 12 days being the most time because at 5am on March 23rd I will be induced if I do not go into labor in my own. I'm really hoping I don't have to be induced this time. This is most likely the last pregnancy I will experience and I would love to know what it feels like to go into labor sponaniously. To all the sudden be in labor! It's such an exciting thought. Even though I had a very smooth induction last time and it was nice to wear makeup and plan it all out so thoughtfully. There's something magical about the idea of all the sudden it being go time. I know most women labor at home during the early portion and it can be hours. We shall see how it all goes. So far on my March baby board only 3 out of the 12 babies born have come spontaneously. All the others were induced for either medical reasons or post dates. It's kind of nuts if you think about it but it's the way of the world these days. if I were not so concerned about the placenta and my age I would beg to be allowed to wait but I've heard both sides and it seems like going more than a week overdue wouldn't be wise so I will be induced if need be.
Here is the part where I get graphic about labor signs so now is your chance to either stop reading or continue on knowing you've beem warned.
Unlike with my son where the signs were few and far between this time I'm having a lot of labor signs. After my first check at 37 and a half weeks where I was 60% effaced, 3cm dilated externally and 1cm internally I lost bits of mucus plug and had some cramping immediately. Although I do believe my plug regenerated I was also a 4 externally, a 3 internally and 75% effaced by the time my next doctors appointment came at 38 and a half weeks so clearly things had been happening. The doctor said I have a very favorable cervix. Nice and soft, very dilated and effaced. Her biggest concern was baby's positon. At the time of my last appointment baby was head down but she was turned sunny side up. This means her face was facing my front instead of my back as it should. This position can cause intensely painful back labor and make it very difficult for the baby to drop into the birth canal. I've been doing a lot of exercisea such as inversions and widening my pelvic stance in order to hopefully turn her around. This morning I have a doctors appointment and I'm hoping she has turned. I have no idea. Sometimes I worry I am making it worse not better. Another strange but coon thing about second time pregnancy is that baby doesn't drop until labor is imminent. For this reason I'm told many women can't really turn their babies until they are already in labor with second time and I'm also told many do turn once labor starts. I've also heard stories of women delivering sunny side up babies vaginally with no problem. The pain scares me and so does the idea of vacuum or forceps or c section. Hopefully none of those will be necessary. Another development in my labor progress is that I started losing a lot of plug again Monday. This time it was blood tinged and a lot more than last time. It also didn't coincide immediatly with my cervical checks so I feel that it might be more of a genuine sign that things are moving. I also have had some nausea and looser bowel movements. A lot of cramping and back pain. Not a lot of Braxton hicks which is funny because I've had so many during this pregnancy but I did have a few here and there. We shall see at my appointment today of any of this has made me progress further. Right now it's a crap shoot because I've heard of a lot of women losing big pits of plug and still not going into labor for a week or longer. In any case I know it will be soon.
I finally put together the bassinet, packed bags for myself, baby, and my son. My friends and mother are on high alert and my mother in law will be here in 3 days. I would be seriously shocked if this baby came before her due date. Even with all the signs I still expect to go over and yeah I'll probably make it to that induction. If I do it will be hard on my physically. My body really aches these days and I feel tired from not sleeping well. And yet I will also enjoy more time to go out and do things. It's supposed to rain a lot in the coming days but it will still be mild temperatures. I want to go on little lunch and play dates with my son. I want to sleep more than two hours uninterrupted. I want to go on a date with my husband. I want to get my place cleaned up and stocked with food. There are things to do with this time. So I'll try to be wise about it. I'm not able to sleep more than 5 or 6 hours a night lately but I am resting when I can and savoring what I can. I'm also trying to soak in pregnancy. To appreciate this big round belly and the kicks and the doctors appointments and all the fun and specialness. My sister is pregnant for the first time right now and I'm so excited for her! I love watching her experience it and I am glad that we get to be pregnant together but also glad that soon I will be done and pregnancy will be hers and hers alone for a while. She is due the same day as my son was with a sweet baby girl. It's just wonderful. I think I will feel relieved and happy to have my body back and no longer be in her position but also joyous and nostalgic in watching her go through it all. And about 5 months after I have my daughter she will have hers which will also be exciting. And that's the other ridiculously exciting thing about all this, and really the crux. I will get to meet this sweet person residing in my uterus. I will be able to kiss her and smell her and gaze upon her. I wonder what she will look like, what she will be like. I wonder how she and her brother will get along. It's all a bit intimidating but also an exciting adventure. When they first put her on my chest how will I feel. With my son I was in such an epidural haze and it was so surreal. He was such a funny little stranger. Then the love starts gushing from your heart.
Above all sweet baby girl please get here safe and healthy. You have a wonderful family awaiting you. We can't wait for you to join the tribe.
Here is the part where I get graphic about labor signs so now is your chance to either stop reading or continue on knowing you've beem warned.
Unlike with my son where the signs were few and far between this time I'm having a lot of labor signs. After my first check at 37 and a half weeks where I was 60% effaced, 3cm dilated externally and 1cm internally I lost bits of mucus plug and had some cramping immediately. Although I do believe my plug regenerated I was also a 4 externally, a 3 internally and 75% effaced by the time my next doctors appointment came at 38 and a half weeks so clearly things had been happening. The doctor said I have a very favorable cervix. Nice and soft, very dilated and effaced. Her biggest concern was baby's positon. At the time of my last appointment baby was head down but she was turned sunny side up. This means her face was facing my front instead of my back as it should. This position can cause intensely painful back labor and make it very difficult for the baby to drop into the birth canal. I've been doing a lot of exercisea such as inversions and widening my pelvic stance in order to hopefully turn her around. This morning I have a doctors appointment and I'm hoping she has turned. I have no idea. Sometimes I worry I am making it worse not better. Another strange but coon thing about second time pregnancy is that baby doesn't drop until labor is imminent. For this reason I'm told many women can't really turn their babies until they are already in labor with second time and I'm also told many do turn once labor starts. I've also heard stories of women delivering sunny side up babies vaginally with no problem. The pain scares me and so does the idea of vacuum or forceps or c section. Hopefully none of those will be necessary. Another development in my labor progress is that I started losing a lot of plug again Monday. This time it was blood tinged and a lot more than last time. It also didn't coincide immediatly with my cervical checks so I feel that it might be more of a genuine sign that things are moving. I also have had some nausea and looser bowel movements. A lot of cramping and back pain. Not a lot of Braxton hicks which is funny because I've had so many during this pregnancy but I did have a few here and there. We shall see at my appointment today of any of this has made me progress further. Right now it's a crap shoot because I've heard of a lot of women losing big pits of plug and still not going into labor for a week or longer. In any case I know it will be soon.
I finally put together the bassinet, packed bags for myself, baby, and my son. My friends and mother are on high alert and my mother in law will be here in 3 days. I would be seriously shocked if this baby came before her due date. Even with all the signs I still expect to go over and yeah I'll probably make it to that induction. If I do it will be hard on my physically. My body really aches these days and I feel tired from not sleeping well. And yet I will also enjoy more time to go out and do things. It's supposed to rain a lot in the coming days but it will still be mild temperatures. I want to go on little lunch and play dates with my son. I want to sleep more than two hours uninterrupted. I want to go on a date with my husband. I want to get my place cleaned up and stocked with food. There are things to do with this time. So I'll try to be wise about it. I'm not able to sleep more than 5 or 6 hours a night lately but I am resting when I can and savoring what I can. I'm also trying to soak in pregnancy. To appreciate this big round belly and the kicks and the doctors appointments and all the fun and specialness. My sister is pregnant for the first time right now and I'm so excited for her! I love watching her experience it and I am glad that we get to be pregnant together but also glad that soon I will be done and pregnancy will be hers and hers alone for a while. She is due the same day as my son was with a sweet baby girl. It's just wonderful. I think I will feel relieved and happy to have my body back and no longer be in her position but also joyous and nostalgic in watching her go through it all. And about 5 months after I have my daughter she will have hers which will also be exciting. And that's the other ridiculously exciting thing about all this, and really the crux. I will get to meet this sweet person residing in my uterus. I will be able to kiss her and smell her and gaze upon her. I wonder what she will look like, what she will be like. I wonder how she and her brother will get along. It's all a bit intimidating but also an exciting adventure. When they first put her on my chest how will I feel. With my son I was in such an epidural haze and it was so surreal. He was such a funny little stranger. Then the love starts gushing from your heart.
Above all sweet baby girl please get here safe and healthy. You have a wonderful family awaiting you. We can't wait for you to join the tribe.
Monday, February 16, 2015
The last weeks of my pregnancy era
It's funny how bittersweet it is to be in the final stretch of what will probably be my last pregnancy ever. There are so many mixed emotions. On te one hand there is the wonderful excitement of meeting our beautiful daughter and completing our family in a way that I wondered for a while if would even be possible. Between my husbands doubts about another child and my concerns about my age and fertility it was not easy to get here. Being here now is a dream coming true. It's hard though too knowing that this is probably the last time ill ever feel a baby kick inside my womb. This will be my last birth experience. My last newborn to hold and smell the top of her head. These are the final weeks ill have to enjoy this big round belly. The final weeks to go on little one on one dates with my son and cuddle him close while we sleep. The final weeks of having our groove in my marriage and with parenthood.
It's spring like in Portland this week and looks to continue throughout. With the eary spring will come my sweet daughter. A new soul to whom I will be utterly devoted and madly in love with. A little girl who will bring my son the joy of a sibling and built in friend and playmate. I'm tired and my body is full of aches and pains. Being pregnant is wonderful but I am entering the phase that makes me crave the completion. I look forward to having my body back and holding and enjoying my little girl. In the end there will always be an end no matter what. If you have 2 babies or 7 babies eventually you will be on your last one. The only difference is if you have 7 your body, your finances and you household will be a shambles. So perhaps this the way it's supposed to be. A small family of four where no one is outnumbered and the sexes and parent to kid ratio will be evenly matched. I just have to embrace this era in the moment as best I can for as long as it lasts and when a new era arrives embrace that one as well.
It's spring like in Portland this week and looks to continue throughout. With the eary spring will come my sweet daughter. A new soul to whom I will be utterly devoted and madly in love with. A little girl who will bring my son the joy of a sibling and built in friend and playmate. I'm tired and my body is full of aches and pains. Being pregnant is wonderful but I am entering the phase that makes me crave the completion. I look forward to having my body back and holding and enjoying my little girl. In the end there will always be an end no matter what. If you have 2 babies or 7 babies eventually you will be on your last one. The only difference is if you have 7 your body, your finances and you household will be a shambles. So perhaps this the way it's supposed to be. A small family of four where no one is outnumbered and the sexes and parent to kid ratio will be evenly matched. I just have to embrace this era in the moment as best I can for as long as it lasts and when a new era arrives embrace that one as well.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Close enough, Far enough
I am 33 weeks pregnant as of yesterday. There is something so wonderful about this time. It's true that my body has become a big liability when it comes to accomplishing much of anything in my day. I get back and leg aches. I have trouble breathing when I try to sleep. I can't walk very far anymore without becoming tired and winded. Sometimes I wake up with numbness in my thighs. It's very challenging physically to be this pregnant and it will only get more so. Getting out of bed makes me feel like a bug on its back. It takes a couple of tries. Yet it's also such a great time. I am so close to meeting my sweet little girl. I feel her kicks and movements well. I have gotten to a point in my pregnancy where things are so much more secure than they were. I am excited to hold her, see her, have her safe in my arms. i am close enough to the birth and getting a big portion of my body back. its hard to have to be so careful all the time beause i am protecting this little life inside me. its hard not to be able to run or bend or jump. I also love that I still have some time. I am very excited to meet my daughter but I am also relishing this time without the chaos throwing a newborn into the mix is sure to bring. I still have most likely 7 or 8 weeks to enjoy spoiling my son. We snuggle deeply when we sleep and throughout the day. Our little family of 3 and a half ( the cat) enjoys a group cuddle on the couch and hysterical laughter over funny things my son or my husband say or do. The house is struggling a little bit but not like it will once I have a newborn and a toddler and no sleep. It still can look cute enough if I try. I can still make dinners and go on little lunch dates with my little boy. Today we went for pizza and he danced to 80s music whilst munching away at his slice. This morning I made fresh loose earl grey tea with reusable mesh bags I have in my beautiful mug. I may not sleep as well as I did prior to third trimester but I am still sleeping pretty damn good compared to what awaits me. I get 8 hours of sleep and then some. I am pregnant and have this big round belly for perhaps the last time in my life. It seems highly likely that's the case and I don't want to wish it away anymore than I want to wish away the newborn days ahead that will be my last. My son will be very hurt by sharing me so I am enjoying the chance to make him my all for as long a we have whilst still happy to know that he will indeed have the sibling that I've dreamt of for him.
It's a beautiful time. As the weeks go by it will get more and more intense. With a month and a half or so left it still feels like a calm before a storm. Something to wait in and cherish as I plan to cherish the storm as well. But with more ease.
It's a beautiful time. As the weeks go by it will get more and more intense. With a month and a half or so left it still feels like a calm before a storm. Something to wait in and cherish as I plan to cherish the storm as well. But with more ease.
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