Friday, April 26, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Our Newborn Photoshoot
A picture is worth a thousand words! I don't have much to say about our newborn shoot besides that Ella decided to pee on the photographer enough times to last her through out the next year. I swear every time she changed the fabric she was using Ella would pee.
I am in love with these pictures! Heidi (our photography) did a great job. I look forward to working with her more as Ella grows.
It amazes me to look at them. I can't believe that our baby girl is going to be two months old soon.
(I really should do a better job at updating the blog!) Anyway.... here she is!
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I am in love with these pictures! Heidi (our photography) did a great job. I look forward to working with her more as Ella grows.
It amazes me to look at them. I can't believe that our baby girl is going to be two months old soon.
(I really should do a better job at updating the blog!) Anyway.... here she is!
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She is just the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Sleep or snuggle
I can't decide if I want my child to sleep through the night or continue to wake up to feed. On one hand sleep is a beautiful thing that I would like to enjoy. On the other hand I love staring at that beautiful little face every 3 hours. Oh the dilemma!
Good thing I have no say in the matter and little miss diva will do what she wants, because I can't possibly decide!
And now pictures of my precious little one (that's really why you keep checking this thing, isn't it?)
Here she is in all her sleeping glory over the past few weeks. Comment and tell me which is your favorite :)
Good thing I have no say in the matter and little miss diva will do what she wants, because I can't possibly decide!
And now pictures of my precious little one (that's really why you keep checking this thing, isn't it?)
Here she is in all her sleeping glory over the past few weeks. Comment and tell me which is your favorite :)
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Prayers during labor
Wedding shower favors. Wedding favors. Baby shower favors. Gift bags at birthdays. You can spend a ton of money on these things! But there are so many cute ideas out there! I pinned a few ideas on Pinterest as we got closer to our baby shower that I thought about doing.
I had criteria though:
-It had to be inexpensive
-It had to be somewhat homemade
-It had to be something that everyone would use and not just leave on the table or throw away
Given our desire to have a natural birth, (and the fact we had a breech baby) we knew we would need some prayers. After giving it some thought I decided I wanted to do candles and ask everyone to light the candle and say a prayer for us when we went into labor.
I wrote two different poems to put on the bags:
Thank you for coming to share in our joy
We can't wait to welcome our new girl or boy
Here is a candle or you to light
Once the stork begins its flight
With the flicker of the flame
Please say a prayer in our family's name
Thank you for coming to share in our joy
We can't wait to welcome our new girl or boy
Here is a candle for you today
To light when baby is on its way
When you light it's flickering flame
Say a prayer in our family's name.
One of the issues I had as we got closer and closer to labor was that I wanted prayers- but didn't want a bunch of people to camp out at the hospital. I wanted my parents to be one of the first people to meet our baby. I think this was even more important to me because we didn't know what we were having- and I didn't want others to know before 'grandma and grandpa'
So my solution- the over planner in me wrote up a text we would send and who we would send it to and at what time (in the hopes my mom and dad could get there)
"Heather is in labor! Please light the candles you received at the baby shower and keep us in your thoughts and prayers! We ask that you please wait to hear from us before coming to the hospital (if you plan to) We will contact our family and friends to come see baby once mommy and daddy have had family bonding time with our new bundle of joy."
Did this go out?
Nope!
I have no idea who knew we were in labor. Matt called my parents and his parents. And I asked him to text a few people - I don't know what he said!
There wasn't really time to think- let alone send out texts.
My parents obviously didn't get there in time. We called them and told them that Ella was a girl and sent them a picture. There were tears. And they did get to come and see their grand daughter (after a snowstorm).
I can't remember who saw Ella first. It doesn't matter in the long run. She was here, she was healthy, we were in love!
We posted the next day on Facebook that she was here.
Ten little fingers
Ten little toes
One little heart
One little nose
Simply precious and oh so sweet
We have a baby GIRL we would like you to meet!
We didn't have many visitors at the hospital or once we got home- I liked it just being our little family. But now 6 weeks out- I'm ready to get back to life and being around people.
I had criteria though:
-It had to be inexpensive
-It had to be somewhat homemade
-It had to be something that everyone would use and not just leave on the table or throw away
Given our desire to have a natural birth, (and the fact we had a breech baby) we knew we would need some prayers. After giving it some thought I decided I wanted to do candles and ask everyone to light the candle and say a prayer for us when we went into labor.
I wrote two different poems to put on the bags:
Thank you for coming to share in our joy
We can't wait to welcome our new girl or boy
Here is a candle or you to light
Once the stork begins its flight
With the flicker of the flame
Please say a prayer in our family's name
Thank you for coming to share in our joy
We can't wait to welcome our new girl or boy
Here is a candle for you today
To light when baby is on its way
When you light it's flickering flame
Say a prayer in our family's name.
One of the issues I had as we got closer and closer to labor was that I wanted prayers- but didn't want a bunch of people to camp out at the hospital. I wanted my parents to be one of the first people to meet our baby. I think this was even more important to me because we didn't know what we were having- and I didn't want others to know before 'grandma and grandpa'
So my solution- the over planner in me wrote up a text we would send and who we would send it to and at what time (in the hopes my mom and dad could get there)
"Heather is in labor! Please light the candles you received at the baby shower and keep us in your thoughts and prayers! We ask that you please wait to hear from us before coming to the hospital (if you plan to) We will contact our family and friends to come see baby once mommy and daddy have had family bonding time with our new bundle of joy."
Did this go out?
Nope!
I have no idea who knew we were in labor. Matt called my parents and his parents. And I asked him to text a few people - I don't know what he said!
There wasn't really time to think- let alone send out texts.
My parents obviously didn't get there in time. We called them and told them that Ella was a girl and sent them a picture. There were tears. And they did get to come and see their grand daughter (after a snowstorm).
I can't remember who saw Ella first. It doesn't matter in the long run. She was here, she was healthy, we were in love!
We posted the next day on Facebook that she was here.
Ten little fingers
Ten little toes
One little heart
One little nose
Simply precious and oh so sweet
We have a baby GIRL we would like you to meet!
We didn't have many visitors at the hospital or once we got home- I liked it just being our little family. But now 6 weeks out- I'm ready to get back to life and being around people.
Vaginal Birth Plan
I posted my wishes for a c section birth a couple days ago. Here is what I had written had we been able to have a vaginal birth
The following are a list of items that we would like to accomplish during our labor and delivery with your help. We understand that certain emergencies or other medical circumstances may not allow for the accommodations of our goals.
We ask that if an event should arrive where assistance is needed that the benefits and risks (and alternatives) be discussed with both my husband and I; and private time given for discussion before making a decision.
I would like to give birth without the use of pain medication. Please refrain from offering me any type of pain medicine. I will inform you if I change my mind.
I would like that ability to walk, move around and change positions freely during labor, therefore would like the minimum amount of monitoring necessary.
As long as vitals for myself and baby look good, and I wish to continue, I ask that I am allowed to labor as long as I wish without intervention (including artificially breaking my waters, pitocin, etc.)
If interventions are needed we would like the most noninvasive interventions possible (nipple stimulation)
I would like to limit internal exams to once upon arrival and once before pushing. As well as any time that I feel the need to be checked.
We wish to avoid having a routine IV and would prefer to have a Hep-Lock if needed.
I would like to delay cord clamping for a minimum of five minutes.
My husband would like to cut the cord. We would like have the cord blood donated to the cord blood bank.
I would like my husband tell me the sex of the baby.
I prefer for the lights to be dim and noise kept to a minimum during delivery.
I would like the opportunity to be able to eat and drink at my will during labor.
There were only a few things my doctor said wouldn't be possible. The vaginally exams- she said I would have to be checked (every two hours I think) but she said she would extend it sometimes but she had to keep track of how I was progressing. And she also said I would have to have an IV per hospital policy. I did not fight her on either of these things because they honestly weren't top of my list.
The following are a list of items that we would like to accomplish during our labor and delivery with your help. We understand that certain emergencies or other medical circumstances may not allow for the accommodations of our goals.
We ask that if an event should arrive where assistance is needed that the benefits and risks (and alternatives) be discussed with both my husband and I; and private time given for discussion before making a decision.
I would like to give birth without the use of pain medication. Please refrain from offering me any type of pain medicine. I will inform you if I change my mind.
I would like that ability to walk, move around and change positions freely during labor, therefore would like the minimum amount of monitoring necessary.
As long as vitals for myself and baby look good, and I wish to continue, I ask that I am allowed to labor as long as I wish without intervention (including artificially breaking my waters, pitocin, etc.)
If interventions are needed we would like the most noninvasive interventions possible (nipple stimulation)
I would like to limit internal exams to once upon arrival and once before pushing. As well as any time that I feel the need to be checked.
We wish to avoid having a routine IV and would prefer to have a Hep-Lock if needed.
I would like to delay cord clamping for a minimum of five minutes.
My husband would like to cut the cord. We would like have the cord blood donated to the cord blood bank.
I would like my husband tell me the sex of the baby.
I prefer for the lights to be dim and noise kept to a minimum during delivery.
I would like the opportunity to be able to eat and drink at my will during labor.
There were only a few things my doctor said wouldn't be possible. The vaginally exams- she said I would have to be checked (every two hours I think) but she said she would extend it sometimes but she had to keep track of how I was progressing. And she also said I would have to have an IV per hospital policy. I did not fight her on either of these things because they honestly weren't top of my list.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
My C Section Birth Plan
Since I ended up having a c section I thought I would share my c section birth plan. I did not write up an exact birth plan for my c section like I did for my natural birth plan. But I did discuss some things with Dr. H and Dr. P.
Here are the things that I had written down that I thought "would be nice" (not all of these were discussed with my doctors-- I only hit the really main things because I figured I would write up an actual plan and bring it with us. That however didn't happen so some of these things didn't happen. And I am ok with that!
My main wishes that I discussed with the doctor were:
* Schedule the c section after 40 weeks so that I have the opportunity to go into labor and see if the baby flips before having a c section. (We scheduled for March 7th which would be exactly 41 weeks. I went into labor at 39 weeks and 5 days)
* Go into labor and labor at home before going to the hospital for the c section (I'd say we definitely did this)
* Cut and stitched in a way so that I can attempt a vbac (vaginal birth after c section) in the future. (I later learned Dr. P is very good at what he does- so if I decide to have a vbac in the future I shouldn't have any problems. Unless our second child wants to jump into the work and land on two feet the same way Ella did)
* I would like my husband to cut the cord if he would like and donate the cord blood. (Matt did trim the cord but I never mentioned the cord blood so that is my fault that didn't happen. Our hospital actually has free cord blood banking bc it is housed at the facility, I think. The banking wasn't top on my list. But figured since it was free and could benefit others in the future I would do it- except I completely forgot to mention it in all the hustle and bustle)
* Delay all new born procedures. (Because I had a c section Ella was not pushed out, therefore she didn't have the fluids in her lungs pushed out like she would have if she were born vaginally. Because of this c section babies have to be deep suctioned and have to be taken away from the mother instead of instantly placed on their chests. Because they are taken to be deeply suctioned in the corner of the room the nurses typically want to do EVERYTHING at that time since they already have the baby. I told them I wanted to delay everything but the suctioning and hoped Matt would speak up if they tried to do anything else. Delaying these procedures was more for if I had birth vaginally because I didn't want to delay having her skin to skin with me. Anyway- they suctioned her, wiped her off, weighed and measured her, then swaddled her and gave her to Matt. Am I disappointed that all of that was done. No, I think because I knew I couldn't hold her until I was stitched up. I would have been highly disappointed had all that occurred if I had her vaginally though.)
* As long as there are no complications with myself or the baby I would like to have skin to skin contact immediately. If there is a complication with me I would like Matt to have skin to skin contact as soon as possible. (This did and didn't occur. Oh how I wish that when Ella came out she could have instantly been placed on my chest. I knew going into surgery that this was not possible though. Dr. P had told me that hospital policy is I can't do skin to skin due to possible contamination while I am being stitched up. But that Matt could- just wear a button down shirt and they would squeeze the baby in there. And that as soon as I was stitched I could do skin to skin.
We however PACKED his button down in the suitcase, since I was in denial about being in labor, and everything went so quickly that he didn't have a chance to put it on. Matt was able to hold Ella within the first couple minutes of her grand entrance and as soon as I was stitched I was able to do skin to skin- before leaving the operating room. )
* Have the opportunity to breastfeed my baby immediately after birth in the operating room or as soon as possible. (This goes along with the one above- I obviously wasn't able to try breast feeding as quickly as I could have had she been born vaginally; but as soon as I was stitched I held her skin to skin and she had the opportunity to try to go towards the breast. Once we got into the recovery room we were able to get her latched. So within an hour or so I'd say we were able to start our nursing relationship.)
* The amount of time baby is spent away from mom and dad should be minimized. (Matt was able to hold her in about 5 minutes. I was able to hold her about 50 minutes after she was born. And she roomed in with us and never went to the nursery. When they did need to take her do her hearing test Matt went with her and I believe this was 2 days after he was born.)
Some other things I wanted but didn't have the opportunity to share with anyone.
* I do not want my arms strapped down. (They weren't)
* I would like a mirror to be able to watch my baby come out or have the drape let down to see my baby born. (This was offered to me by Dr. P when I first met him- I was not sure if I was 100% on board with watching and said I would decide later. I didn't even think about it. Matt was given the opportunity to video tape the entire thing but he declined just incase he passed out or something.)
* Please don't carry on side conversations in the operating room. (This one DID NOT happen. But I think if I would have spoken up it cod have. I remember the nurses talking about their lunch or something. I remember thinking "I don't care about your lunch, shut up! I'm having a baby and don't want your lunch to ruin my thoughts! I was going to ask the nurse that was in charge of standing by my head to ask them to stop talking, but instead I asked Dr. P and Dr. H what they were doing.)
* I would like to be told what is going on and guided through the procedures. (I wasn't given a play by play- but they did tell me the main things that were going on behind the blue drape- and when I asked they did tell me.)
* I wanted warm blankets if I got cold. (My teeth chattered from the spinal, and they did help cover my arms up and rub them to help me get warm. It didn't help though)
* Have our music played during delivery. (Matt and I got a cd of all the songs played at our wedding, and we planned to play that during delivery. But we didn't bring it, and I never asked if it could be piped into the operating room anyway.
* Take pictures. (As I said in my birth story, Matt didn't bring the camera into the operating room with him, I wouldn't have remembered either. I asked where the camera was and he said he didn't know. I told him in my purse and he had no idea where my purse was. Poor boy was pretty shaken up. The nurse in charge of my head said they couldn't get it if it was IN my purse. And I said I didn't care if they went through my purse, I wanted pictures. The anesthesiologist took charge and made someone being Matt my picture. They took the camera out, got batteries out of my purse as well and put them in the camera and offered Matt the opportunity to stand behind the blue drape and take pictures. He declined, worried he would pass out, so the anesthesiologist took pictures for us.)
So all in all- our c section was a success. We have a beautiful baby girl and she arrived safely and they let us keep her. All of the "I wishes" aren't that big of a deal! There is always next time ;)
I will share my natural birth plan another day since I worked hard on writing it up!
Here are the things that I had written down that I thought "would be nice" (not all of these were discussed with my doctors-- I only hit the really main things because I figured I would write up an actual plan and bring it with us. That however didn't happen so some of these things didn't happen. And I am ok with that!
My main wishes that I discussed with the doctor were:
* Schedule the c section after 40 weeks so that I have the opportunity to go into labor and see if the baby flips before having a c section. (We scheduled for March 7th which would be exactly 41 weeks. I went into labor at 39 weeks and 5 days)
* Go into labor and labor at home before going to the hospital for the c section (I'd say we definitely did this)
* Cut and stitched in a way so that I can attempt a vbac (vaginal birth after c section) in the future. (I later learned Dr. P is very good at what he does- so if I decide to have a vbac in the future I shouldn't have any problems. Unless our second child wants to jump into the work and land on two feet the same way Ella did)
* I would like my husband to cut the cord if he would like and donate the cord blood. (Matt did trim the cord but I never mentioned the cord blood so that is my fault that didn't happen. Our hospital actually has free cord blood banking bc it is housed at the facility, I think. The banking wasn't top on my list. But figured since it was free and could benefit others in the future I would do it- except I completely forgot to mention it in all the hustle and bustle)
* Delay all new born procedures. (Because I had a c section Ella was not pushed out, therefore she didn't have the fluids in her lungs pushed out like she would have if she were born vaginally. Because of this c section babies have to be deep suctioned and have to be taken away from the mother instead of instantly placed on their chests. Because they are taken to be deeply suctioned in the corner of the room the nurses typically want to do EVERYTHING at that time since they already have the baby. I told them I wanted to delay everything but the suctioning and hoped Matt would speak up if they tried to do anything else. Delaying these procedures was more for if I had birth vaginally because I didn't want to delay having her skin to skin with me. Anyway- they suctioned her, wiped her off, weighed and measured her, then swaddled her and gave her to Matt. Am I disappointed that all of that was done. No, I think because I knew I couldn't hold her until I was stitched up. I would have been highly disappointed had all that occurred if I had her vaginally though.)
* As long as there are no complications with myself or the baby I would like to have skin to skin contact immediately. If there is a complication with me I would like Matt to have skin to skin contact as soon as possible. (This did and didn't occur. Oh how I wish that when Ella came out she could have instantly been placed on my chest. I knew going into surgery that this was not possible though. Dr. P had told me that hospital policy is I can't do skin to skin due to possible contamination while I am being stitched up. But that Matt could- just wear a button down shirt and they would squeeze the baby in there. And that as soon as I was stitched I could do skin to skin.
We however PACKED his button down in the suitcase, since I was in denial about being in labor, and everything went so quickly that he didn't have a chance to put it on. Matt was able to hold Ella within the first couple minutes of her grand entrance and as soon as I was stitched I was able to do skin to skin- before leaving the operating room. )
* Have the opportunity to breastfeed my baby immediately after birth in the operating room or as soon as possible. (This goes along with the one above- I obviously wasn't able to try breast feeding as quickly as I could have had she been born vaginally; but as soon as I was stitched I held her skin to skin and she had the opportunity to try to go towards the breast. Once we got into the recovery room we were able to get her latched. So within an hour or so I'd say we were able to start our nursing relationship.)
* The amount of time baby is spent away from mom and dad should be minimized. (Matt was able to hold her in about 5 minutes. I was able to hold her about 50 minutes after she was born. And she roomed in with us and never went to the nursery. When they did need to take her do her hearing test Matt went with her and I believe this was 2 days after he was born.)
Some other things I wanted but didn't have the opportunity to share with anyone.
* I do not want my arms strapped down. (They weren't)
* I would like a mirror to be able to watch my baby come out or have the drape let down to see my baby born. (This was offered to me by Dr. P when I first met him- I was not sure if I was 100% on board with watching and said I would decide later. I didn't even think about it. Matt was given the opportunity to video tape the entire thing but he declined just incase he passed out or something.)
* Please don't carry on side conversations in the operating room. (This one DID NOT happen. But I think if I would have spoken up it cod have. I remember the nurses talking about their lunch or something. I remember thinking "I don't care about your lunch, shut up! I'm having a baby and don't want your lunch to ruin my thoughts! I was going to ask the nurse that was in charge of standing by my head to ask them to stop talking, but instead I asked Dr. P and Dr. H what they were doing.)
* I would like to be told what is going on and guided through the procedures. (I wasn't given a play by play- but they did tell me the main things that were going on behind the blue drape- and when I asked they did tell me.)
* I wanted warm blankets if I got cold. (My teeth chattered from the spinal, and they did help cover my arms up and rub them to help me get warm. It didn't help though)
* Have our music played during delivery. (Matt and I got a cd of all the songs played at our wedding, and we planned to play that during delivery. But we didn't bring it, and I never asked if it could be piped into the operating room anyway.
* Take pictures. (As I said in my birth story, Matt didn't bring the camera into the operating room with him, I wouldn't have remembered either. I asked where the camera was and he said he didn't know. I told him in my purse and he had no idea where my purse was. Poor boy was pretty shaken up. The nurse in charge of my head said they couldn't get it if it was IN my purse. And I said I didn't care if they went through my purse, I wanted pictures. The anesthesiologist took charge and made someone being Matt my picture. They took the camera out, got batteries out of my purse as well and put them in the camera and offered Matt the opportunity to stand behind the blue drape and take pictures. He declined, worried he would pass out, so the anesthesiologist took pictures for us.)
So all in all- our c section was a success. We have a beautiful baby girl and she arrived safely and they let us keep her. All of the "I wishes" aren't that big of a deal! There is always next time ;)
I will share my natural birth plan another day since I worked hard on writing it up!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Breast feeding
I wish I would have written this post when I was newly breast feeding so I could be truly accurate- but I have been busy... Ya know- breast feeding and all.
I don't know what made me decide to breast feed- it was always just "yep I'm going to breast feed." It seemed like the natural thing to do. It outranked the whole wanting to have a natural childbirth. It was actually one of my biggest fears when I learned that I would have to have a c section. I had heard stories from friends who had had c sections that they struggled with breast feeding, that their milk never came in. They suspected it was because their body didn't really know they had a baby since it was for all intensive purposes ripped out of them and their body had nothing to do with it.
This reason was partly the reason I wanted to schedule my section for as far out as I could. I wanted my body I naturally go in to labor before they did the c section. Yes this waiting also had to do with the fact that I hoped out LO would flip head down.
Luckily for me I have not had to worry about breast feeding. I of course DID worry. I worried all the time. I STILL worry!
Can I just say breast feeding is damn hard. It is not that Johnson & Johnson beautiful picture you see in movies. It is frustrating, it is sloppy, it is painful. Boy is it painful! (This is where I wish I had written this post earlier so that my future pregnant self or pregnant friends could get a real world account of how hard it is). But now that I am over that hard part I forget how hard it really was. I guess it is a little like child birth. In the middle of it all people say it is the worst pain they have ever felt they would never wish it on anyone- then you hold that baby and look into its wide gray eyes and two+ years down the road you are doing it all over again. The joys make you forget the pain and sorrows.
But for future pregnant self and friends who read this blog who are pregnant here is a small recap so you sorta know what to expect.
* Breast feeding classes although helpful don't prepare you for squat
No one in their right mind would choose to breast feed if these classes told you what it is really like.
* It flippin' hurts- I don't know where nurses or lactation consultants get off telling you it doesn't hurt, and if it does you are doing it wrong. Stop making women think that pain is abnormal. That's probably why so many women quit breast feeding because they think they are doing it wrong. If there is pain- it IS normal. (Yes latch could be wrong causing pain) but those first few weeks you are going to be in pain- whether your LO is latched correctly or not. I mean REALLY you have a creature grabbing an already sensitive part of your body and sucking on it vigorously enough to pull liquid out of it for 20+ minutes. Then turning around and doing that every hour! It is going to take your nipples some time to get used to that.
I remember sitting in pain in the beginning. After what seemed liked 20 minutes of getting pillows set up all around me and getting situated I would finally get Ella latched. I would grit my teeth, stomp my feet, utter a few choice cuss words that I hoped my young child would never hear (and if you know me you know I DO NOT cuss) and would cry.
* You can't just whip the boob out anywhere (at least in the beginning). I spent the first couple of weeks perfectly placing pillows around me making sure I was comfortable and baby was comfortable. Like I said before I swear it was a twenty minute process getting ready to feed her. But now a month later- I have nursed at the doctors, I have nursed at relatives houses, I have nursed at the store, I have nursed in the car. I don't bed all those pillows anymore. And I know that the older Ella gets the easier it will be to just whip the boob out and feed her. We are still (a month in) not to the point that I can nurse without a light on. Ella still needs help finding the nipple sometimes and getting latched on correctly and staying latched on.
* It is sloppy. Classes did not prepare me for the amount of milk that would get dripped all over me as I tried to breast feed. No one told me that my little one would "play" at the nipple which would cause my milk to come down and squirt her in the face. No one told me that that one little squirt in the beginning would eventually turn in to numerous fountains of squirts. How in the heck are you supposed to nurse in public when you have fountains for boobs! Not to mention society thinks you should do it under a blanket. (Like I said earlier- a month in and I still need to see what Ella is doing to get it right- I can't see what she is doing if I have a blanket covering her). But this post isn't about my viewpoint on nursing in public- it's just nursing in general--- for right now.
* It is a 24/7 job. Why don't they tell you the time commit it takes! Sure they brag that you won't have to get up in the middle of the night and go to the kitchen to make a bottle. They even say you will get more sleep. HA! I'm sure this is an individual by individual basis. But my husband could go to the kitchen and make a bottle as I continue to sleep. Heck he can even feed her the bottle as a sleep.
It wouldn't be bad if Ella woke up and ate and that was it. We have it lucky- I have super boobs (as Matt affectionately calls them) and Ella is able to eat efficiently and it only takes her 10 minute or so to be full. And typically goes 3 hours between feedings now (keep in mind this is a month in). Some babies take 45 minutes to eat and eat every 2 hours--- that is from beginning of the feeding to the beginning of the next feeding. Do the math on that. You wake up at 2am. Baby feeds until 2:45. Then you burp (they tell you to keep baby upright for 20-30 minutes before laying them down) lets say you burp for 15 minutes. That puts you at 3 o clock. You get baby back to bed instantly and you are able to fall back asleep with no problems what-so-ever (because that is EXACTLY how it happens) and baby is ready to eat again at 4 o'clock. Congratulations momma! You just got an hour of sleep.
Who in their right mind would choose to do that!
I will say this is really so varied. Ella is an efficient eater. And I do get more sleep than an hour at a time. But it is time consuming!
* Just because your baby isn't eating 20 minutes on the right and 20 minutes on the left doesn't mean they aren't getting enough to eat! This (aside from the pain in the beginning) was the hardest for me. I worried so much she wasn't getting enough to eat because she would take one boob or about 7 minutes then fall asleep and be done. But let's just say my "super boobs" were/are doing their jobs. She was born 7lbs 4 ozs on a Tuesday. Thursday she was 7 lbs. Friday she was 7lbs 2 oz (breast fed babies typically lose 7-10% of their body weight and don't gain it back until about 10 days postpartum) she only lost 3% and gained some back before we even left the hospital. On Monday (3 days after discharge) she weighed 7 pounds 12 oz. At her one month appointment she was 9 pounds 6 ounces. You can't tell me that she isn't getting what she needs in 7 minute feedings--- but still I worry. Point is-- worrying is normal!
So this post wasn't to discourage anyone from breast feeding. it was to speak the truth so hopefully others will stick it out longer. I had this vision in my head that turned out to be completely different. I wish I had known that breastfeeding isn’t easy for everybody. I thought I was doing something wrong…that I wasn't a good mom because it wasn't going by the play book. I now realize that is completely silly.
In the beginning you have to take it one feeding at a time. It eventually gets easier. I know that in the next month or so I will be able to whip out the boob wherever I want. I won't have the issues I have now. There will be times in the beginning you will want to quit. You will want to run out to the store and buy formula so someone else can feed your baby while you sleep. You will shed tears and spray some milk. But the experience you have and that feeling you get when your LO looks up at you while he or she is eating. And grabs your shirt will make it all worth it. Feeding time will eventually change from being a chore to being a bonding experience.
I enjoy the time I spend feeding her now. I don't dread it. It’s such a special bond, and I would experience the pain all over again to get to where I am now. I
On a side note- just because I have "super boobs" doesn't mean I am super mom. Even if you don't have super boobs- don't think you need to e super mom. The most important job i have right now is to nourish my daughter. The majority of my day is (and should be) spent feeding her and concentrating on that. The laundry can wait, the dishes will be there later, I don't need to pick up or vacuum. Everything else can take a backseat. And stop feeling guilty about it!
I hope all new mommas realize that breast feeding will not be like in the movies, it will not be like the classes, it will not be like you imagined. And that's ok, don't beat yourself up if things don't go as you planned. Take it one feed at a time!
Now who wants to see how my boobs have nourished and made this little one grow!
I don't know what made me decide to breast feed- it was always just "yep I'm going to breast feed." It seemed like the natural thing to do. It outranked the whole wanting to have a natural childbirth. It was actually one of my biggest fears when I learned that I would have to have a c section. I had heard stories from friends who had had c sections that they struggled with breast feeding, that their milk never came in. They suspected it was because their body didn't really know they had a baby since it was for all intensive purposes ripped out of them and their body had nothing to do with it.
This reason was partly the reason I wanted to schedule my section for as far out as I could. I wanted my body I naturally go in to labor before they did the c section. Yes this waiting also had to do with the fact that I hoped out LO would flip head down.
Luckily for me I have not had to worry about breast feeding. I of course DID worry. I worried all the time. I STILL worry!
Can I just say breast feeding is damn hard. It is not that Johnson & Johnson beautiful picture you see in movies. It is frustrating, it is sloppy, it is painful. Boy is it painful! (This is where I wish I had written this post earlier so that my future pregnant self or pregnant friends could get a real world account of how hard it is). But now that I am over that hard part I forget how hard it really was. I guess it is a little like child birth. In the middle of it all people say it is the worst pain they have ever felt they would never wish it on anyone- then you hold that baby and look into its wide gray eyes and two+ years down the road you are doing it all over again. The joys make you forget the pain and sorrows.
But for future pregnant self and friends who read this blog who are pregnant here is a small recap so you sorta know what to expect.
* Breast feeding classes although helpful don't prepare you for squat
No one in their right mind would choose to breast feed if these classes told you what it is really like.
* It flippin' hurts- I don't know where nurses or lactation consultants get off telling you it doesn't hurt, and if it does you are doing it wrong. Stop making women think that pain is abnormal. That's probably why so many women quit breast feeding because they think they are doing it wrong. If there is pain- it IS normal. (Yes latch could be wrong causing pain) but those first few weeks you are going to be in pain- whether your LO is latched correctly or not. I mean REALLY you have a creature grabbing an already sensitive part of your body and sucking on it vigorously enough to pull liquid out of it for 20+ minutes. Then turning around and doing that every hour! It is going to take your nipples some time to get used to that.
I remember sitting in pain in the beginning. After what seemed liked 20 minutes of getting pillows set up all around me and getting situated I would finally get Ella latched. I would grit my teeth, stomp my feet, utter a few choice cuss words that I hoped my young child would never hear (and if you know me you know I DO NOT cuss) and would cry.
* You can't just whip the boob out anywhere (at least in the beginning). I spent the first couple of weeks perfectly placing pillows around me making sure I was comfortable and baby was comfortable. Like I said before I swear it was a twenty minute process getting ready to feed her. But now a month later- I have nursed at the doctors, I have nursed at relatives houses, I have nursed at the store, I have nursed in the car. I don't bed all those pillows anymore. And I know that the older Ella gets the easier it will be to just whip the boob out and feed her. We are still (a month in) not to the point that I can nurse without a light on. Ella still needs help finding the nipple sometimes and getting latched on correctly and staying latched on.
* It is sloppy. Classes did not prepare me for the amount of milk that would get dripped all over me as I tried to breast feed. No one told me that my little one would "play" at the nipple which would cause my milk to come down and squirt her in the face. No one told me that that one little squirt in the beginning would eventually turn in to numerous fountains of squirts. How in the heck are you supposed to nurse in public when you have fountains for boobs! Not to mention society thinks you should do it under a blanket. (Like I said earlier- a month in and I still need to see what Ella is doing to get it right- I can't see what she is doing if I have a blanket covering her). But this post isn't about my viewpoint on nursing in public- it's just nursing in general--- for right now.
* It is a 24/7 job. Why don't they tell you the time commit it takes! Sure they brag that you won't have to get up in the middle of the night and go to the kitchen to make a bottle. They even say you will get more sleep. HA! I'm sure this is an individual by individual basis. But my husband could go to the kitchen and make a bottle as I continue to sleep. Heck he can even feed her the bottle as a sleep.
It wouldn't be bad if Ella woke up and ate and that was it. We have it lucky- I have super boobs (as Matt affectionately calls them) and Ella is able to eat efficiently and it only takes her 10 minute or so to be full. And typically goes 3 hours between feedings now (keep in mind this is a month in). Some babies take 45 minutes to eat and eat every 2 hours--- that is from beginning of the feeding to the beginning of the next feeding. Do the math on that. You wake up at 2am. Baby feeds until 2:45. Then you burp (they tell you to keep baby upright for 20-30 minutes before laying them down) lets say you burp for 15 minutes. That puts you at 3 o clock. You get baby back to bed instantly and you are able to fall back asleep with no problems what-so-ever (because that is EXACTLY how it happens) and baby is ready to eat again at 4 o'clock. Congratulations momma! You just got an hour of sleep.
Who in their right mind would choose to do that!
I will say this is really so varied. Ella is an efficient eater. And I do get more sleep than an hour at a time. But it is time consuming!
* Just because your baby isn't eating 20 minutes on the right and 20 minutes on the left doesn't mean they aren't getting enough to eat! This (aside from the pain in the beginning) was the hardest for me. I worried so much she wasn't getting enough to eat because she would take one boob or about 7 minutes then fall asleep and be done. But let's just say my "super boobs" were/are doing their jobs. She was born 7lbs 4 ozs on a Tuesday. Thursday she was 7 lbs. Friday she was 7lbs 2 oz (breast fed babies typically lose 7-10% of their body weight and don't gain it back until about 10 days postpartum) she only lost 3% and gained some back before we even left the hospital. On Monday (3 days after discharge) she weighed 7 pounds 12 oz. At her one month appointment she was 9 pounds 6 ounces. You can't tell me that she isn't getting what she needs in 7 minute feedings--- but still I worry. Point is-- worrying is normal!
So this post wasn't to discourage anyone from breast feeding. it was to speak the truth so hopefully others will stick it out longer. I had this vision in my head that turned out to be completely different. I wish I had known that breastfeeding isn’t easy for everybody. I thought I was doing something wrong…that I wasn't a good mom because it wasn't going by the play book. I now realize that is completely silly.
In the beginning you have to take it one feeding at a time. It eventually gets easier. I know that in the next month or so I will be able to whip out the boob wherever I want. I won't have the issues I have now. There will be times in the beginning you will want to quit. You will want to run out to the store and buy formula so someone else can feed your baby while you sleep. You will shed tears and spray some milk. But the experience you have and that feeling you get when your LO looks up at you while he or she is eating. And grabs your shirt will make it all worth it. Feeding time will eventually change from being a chore to being a bonding experience.
I enjoy the time I spend feeding her now. I don't dread it. It’s such a special bond, and I would experience the pain all over again to get to where I am now. I
On a side note- just because I have "super boobs" doesn't mean I am super mom. Even if you don't have super boobs- don't think you need to e super mom. The most important job i have right now is to nourish my daughter. The majority of my day is (and should be) spent feeding her and concentrating on that. The laundry can wait, the dishes will be there later, I don't need to pick up or vacuum. Everything else can take a backseat. And stop feeling guilty about it!
I hope all new mommas realize that breast feeding will not be like in the movies, it will not be like the classes, it will not be like you imagined. And that's ok, don't beat yourself up if things don't go as you planned. Take it one feed at a time!
Now who wants to see how my boobs have nourished and made this little one grow!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Our birth story
Wow! Where does the time go! It has been ONE MONTH since we became a family of three! Matt and I are officially parents to a beautiful baby GIRL!
Ella Marie Pressley
My last post was meeting Dr. P- who would be doing our c section if our LO didn't flip. I had a feeling there wouldn't be any turning happening- now I was jut waiting to here when the c section would be scheduled for.
I was woken up on February 26th by Dr. P's office letting me know that our c section was scheduled for Thursday March 7th at 1:30pm (I believe-- I can't remember exactly)
I remember calling my mom and telling her "how in the world are they going to tell a pregnant lady that she can't eat or drink anything after midnight and not do the procedure until after noon! I remember my mom laughing at me. I remember calling Matt at work and telling him to put in his paperwork to take his vacation time. I was excited that my parents would know exactly when our LO would arrive and hopefully be able to make it down for her birth. I was excited that Matt would be home with me for an entire 11 days. Then the following 7 days my mom and dad would be here.
Little did I know that our daughter had other plans (oh how strange that is still to say "my daughter")
It was a normal Tuesday until about 4 PM when I started feeling sick (like I ate something that didn't agree with me).
I am in a March Moms group on Facebook so I posted there and asked if anyone had ever had a baby flip this late in the game. I thought maybe the discomfort and oddness I was feeling was our LO turning head down.
It was a constant "blah" feeling but I wasn't feeling my stomach getting hard or tightening so I didn't think it was contractions. maybe it was Braxton hicks contractions but I doubted it. I really hoped it was a head down baby!
I posted again in my group around 4:30-5 saying I was still feeling blah. It was shortly after this the Matt got home and I laid down on the couch while he started cooking. dinner. He was making chicken and the smell of it made me nauseated. I thought for sure I ate something that didn't agree with me or was coming down with the flu.
You know that feeling when you are sick and feel like you are going to throw up or have diarrhea. And the smell of food makes you sick. That is exactly how I was feeling!
I went back and forth from trying to lay down and relax to trying to go to the bathroom. Then I started getting hot. More reason to think I was sick. I wanted to lay on the cold bathroom floor. Then I would be hot.
It was around this time my friend Stacy called me and asked how I was doing. I told her how I was feeling and she told me to go get checked. I said there was no reason- I thought I was sick but I wasn't in labor, I wasn't having contractions. I got off the phone with her and went back and forth from laying down to the bathroom. She ended up calling me back and said she talked to her sister and she really thought I should go get checked.
It was about 6 or so and I decided to go get checked out. If I was coming down with something maybe they could help me. Or if the baby had turned or was turning then they could tell me.
I was very reluctant to go. I thought they would give me a laxative and tell me I just needed to poop but was constipated from pregnancy. And I would feel like a fool. Or they would
Monitor me and say "yep baby turned- but you aren't having any contractions - now go home and wait for labor- you won't need a c section" and I would be happy.
Being so close to my due date (39 weeks 5 days) we did put clothes in he hospital bag and take t with us (although in my mind I thought we would be coming home that night and wouldn't need it.)
Well- we got to the hospital and started the registration process. Why we pre-registered I have no idea because they still asked us a ton of questions. I say there through most of it with my eyes closed and breathing. At this point I still don't think I was having contraction I was just uncomfortable and was using what we learned in our Bradley class to help myself relax and breath. I remember them asking me numerous times if I was ok, and Matt telling them I was fine- I was just breathing and relaxing. I denied the wheel chair and walked back to our room and peed in a cup. It was difficult to pee. I changed into a gown and laid down.
They hooked me up to a monitor and
asked about contractions and I told them "no I don't think I'm having any."
They left the room and I asked Matt if he could see if I was having contractions on the monitor. He had no idea. At some point they checked me and I was 5 cms. They did an ultrasound and said the baby was still breech.
I asked if we would be having the baby tonight and they said yes. This really surprised me. I couldn't believe I was 5 cms and that we would be having our son or daughter that day. I assumed that it would still be awhile, since I had eaten lunch and they wouldnt want anything in my stomach. Still a chance maybe my parents could come! I told Matt to call my mom and dad. Then asked him to send a message to a few of my close friends and tell them to light the candles they were given at our baby shower and to say a pray for us.
It was around this time I think that I was feeling more uncomfortable and was trying to lift my butt up off the bed to try and get more comfortable. I don't remember what was happening in the room because my eyes were closed most of the time. Someone came in and said my scheduled c section doctor was on call and that they called him. And luckily I remembered right then that I didn't mention my regular doctor (who planned to scrub in). I remember the woman saying something about me being with such and such practice and why hadn't I called that doctor and her saying she was going to call her now.
An anestialogist came in at some point to explain the c section and prep to me and I remember him asking if I had any dental work done. I told him I had three implants and rods in my mouth and he wanted to see. As I opened my mouth I remember letting out a slow groan/moan like we learned in our Bradley class. He asked if I was having a contraction and I shrugged. I figured at this point it probably was a contraction- but not what I expected it to feel like. Someone checked me again and before I know it there is a million and 3 people in the room and I hear someone say "she's a 9 we gotta go NOW." And I was rushed out of the room.
(I later learned that I went from 5 centimeters dilated to 9 centimeters dilated in less than a half hour)
I saw Dr. H and Dr. P. We got into the OR and someone explained to me that I was progressing really really fast and they may have to put me to sleep bc there won't be time for a spinal. Luckily I had spoken with the c section doctor about my wishes (the previous day when I met him to schedule) and he said no, she wants to be awake for this we need to get the spinal done now. And told me if I felt any sort of pressure at all I needed to tell them. I worried bc I thought "I just went through active labor and transition and didn't know- don't tell me to say if there is 'pressure' I obviously have no idea what I am feeling." I leaned against the nurse as she held me and explained to stay still as they did the spinal. I remember grabbing her waist and her saying it was ok.
I remember asking where Matt was and they said they had to finish prepping and they would get him.
When he came in the anestialogist asked if we had a camera and wanted to take pictures. Matt had no idea where the camera was, he had no idea where my purse was, he was obviously shaken up. I said "I want pictures" and someone told me they won't go through your purse. And I said I don't care- I want pictures- get my camera. The anestialogist told them to go get it and they brought my purse in and he took some pictures during the procedure.
It one point I remember the nurses talking about eating and I was the slightest bit annoyed that they were talking and wanted them to shut up. I almost asked the nurse that was in charge of my oxygen to ask them to shut up but instead I asked what the doctors were doing. And Dr. P explained what part of the procedure he was on.
Blur blur blur and then I said "I want Matt to tell me what it is. And they joked that they would have to tell Dr H to keep her mouth shut.
Blur blur blur and Matt announced to me it was a girl :) I remember Matt leaving my head and going over to wear our daughter was and I remember listening to her cry and smiling.
Matt got to cut the cord. Well trim it down as they suctioned the baby. Then he was able to hold her. Had we had him change into his button up before leaving the house he could have done skin to skin but "I wasn't in labor" so we just packed it in the bag which was left in the car.
They delayed doing a lot of the newborn procedures and as soon as I was stitched up I was able to hold our little girl, Ella Marie. Before that Matt held her close to my head and cried and stared at her. This also is a blur to me-- I remember my teeth chattering and me shaking and asking for a warm blanket.
We went eventually went to recovery and I was able to breast feed. Not being able to breast feed because my body didn't know I had a baby (due to surgery) was one of my biggest concerns.
Everything after this is sort of a blur to me. I wish I could go back and be a fly on the wall and watch how everything went down.
Ella Marie's Stats
February 26, 2013 9:08 pm
7 pounds 4 ounces
20.5 inches long
Looking back at the events of the day I can see some signs of labor--- I was so irritated with the registration process and remember thinking how ridiculous it was that I was in pain and they were asking all these questions. I remember how we were told contractions hurt when you are laying down and strapped to a bed and can't move. (But at that point I honestly didn't care- I don't think I would have thought to get up and move if someone didn't tell me to- but then again I was still in denial that I was in labor) Everything just seemed to come naturally to me. I didn't have to think "breath". I didn't have to think "relax". I did tell Matt (probably rather sternly) to rub me. And touch me as I felt "pain" in my lower nether regions.
I wasn't as scared during the c section as I thought I would be. I completely forgot to tell them to flip the mirror down so I could watch our baby enter the world.
At some point they informed me that Ella had the cord wrapped around her neck three times. And that I was built to have babies- and not to wait at home next time. (I think this may have been during when they were stitching me. )
Matt may have some more things to add- so I will have him write up his version of the beginning of our family of three soon.
Ella Marie Pressley
My last post was meeting Dr. P- who would be doing our c section if our LO didn't flip. I had a feeling there wouldn't be any turning happening- now I was jut waiting to here when the c section would be scheduled for.
I was woken up on February 26th by Dr. P's office letting me know that our c section was scheduled for Thursday March 7th at 1:30pm (I believe-- I can't remember exactly)
I remember calling my mom and telling her "how in the world are they going to tell a pregnant lady that she can't eat or drink anything after midnight and not do the procedure until after noon! I remember my mom laughing at me. I remember calling Matt at work and telling him to put in his paperwork to take his vacation time. I was excited that my parents would know exactly when our LO would arrive and hopefully be able to make it down for her birth. I was excited that Matt would be home with me for an entire 11 days. Then the following 7 days my mom and dad would be here.
Little did I know that our daughter had other plans (oh how strange that is still to say "my daughter")
It was a normal Tuesday until about 4 PM when I started feeling sick (like I ate something that didn't agree with me).
I am in a March Moms group on Facebook so I posted there and asked if anyone had ever had a baby flip this late in the game. I thought maybe the discomfort and oddness I was feeling was our LO turning head down.
It was a constant "blah" feeling but I wasn't feeling my stomach getting hard or tightening so I didn't think it was contractions. maybe it was Braxton hicks contractions but I doubted it. I really hoped it was a head down baby!
I posted again in my group around 4:30-5 saying I was still feeling blah. It was shortly after this the Matt got home and I laid down on the couch while he started cooking. dinner. He was making chicken and the smell of it made me nauseated. I thought for sure I ate something that didn't agree with me or was coming down with the flu.
You know that feeling when you are sick and feel like you are going to throw up or have diarrhea. And the smell of food makes you sick. That is exactly how I was feeling!
I went back and forth from trying to lay down and relax to trying to go to the bathroom. Then I started getting hot. More reason to think I was sick. I wanted to lay on the cold bathroom floor. Then I would be hot.
It was around this time my friend Stacy called me and asked how I was doing. I told her how I was feeling and she told me to go get checked. I said there was no reason- I thought I was sick but I wasn't in labor, I wasn't having contractions. I got off the phone with her and went back and forth from laying down to the bathroom. She ended up calling me back and said she talked to her sister and she really thought I should go get checked.
It was about 6 or so and I decided to go get checked out. If I was coming down with something maybe they could help me. Or if the baby had turned or was turning then they could tell me.
I was very reluctant to go. I thought they would give me a laxative and tell me I just needed to poop but was constipated from pregnancy. And I would feel like a fool. Or they would
Monitor me and say "yep baby turned- but you aren't having any contractions - now go home and wait for labor- you won't need a c section" and I would be happy.
Being so close to my due date (39 weeks 5 days) we did put clothes in he hospital bag and take t with us (although in my mind I thought we would be coming home that night and wouldn't need it.)
Well- we got to the hospital and started the registration process. Why we pre-registered I have no idea because they still asked us a ton of questions. I say there through most of it with my eyes closed and breathing. At this point I still don't think I was having contraction I was just uncomfortable and was using what we learned in our Bradley class to help myself relax and breath. I remember them asking me numerous times if I was ok, and Matt telling them I was fine- I was just breathing and relaxing. I denied the wheel chair and walked back to our room and peed in a cup. It was difficult to pee. I changed into a gown and laid down.
They hooked me up to a monitor and
asked about contractions and I told them "no I don't think I'm having any."
They left the room and I asked Matt if he could see if I was having contractions on the monitor. He had no idea. At some point they checked me and I was 5 cms. They did an ultrasound and said the baby was still breech.
I asked if we would be having the baby tonight and they said yes. This really surprised me. I couldn't believe I was 5 cms and that we would be having our son or daughter that day. I assumed that it would still be awhile, since I had eaten lunch and they wouldnt want anything in my stomach. Still a chance maybe my parents could come! I told Matt to call my mom and dad. Then asked him to send a message to a few of my close friends and tell them to light the candles they were given at our baby shower and to say a pray for us.
It was around this time I think that I was feeling more uncomfortable and was trying to lift my butt up off the bed to try and get more comfortable. I don't remember what was happening in the room because my eyes were closed most of the time. Someone came in and said my scheduled c section doctor was on call and that they called him. And luckily I remembered right then that I didn't mention my regular doctor (who planned to scrub in). I remember the woman saying something about me being with such and such practice and why hadn't I called that doctor and her saying she was going to call her now.
An anestialogist came in at some point to explain the c section and prep to me and I remember him asking if I had any dental work done. I told him I had three implants and rods in my mouth and he wanted to see. As I opened my mouth I remember letting out a slow groan/moan like we learned in our Bradley class. He asked if I was having a contraction and I shrugged. I figured at this point it probably was a contraction- but not what I expected it to feel like. Someone checked me again and before I know it there is a million and 3 people in the room and I hear someone say "she's a 9 we gotta go NOW." And I was rushed out of the room.
(I later learned that I went from 5 centimeters dilated to 9 centimeters dilated in less than a half hour)
I saw Dr. H and Dr. P. We got into the OR and someone explained to me that I was progressing really really fast and they may have to put me to sleep bc there won't be time for a spinal. Luckily I had spoken with the c section doctor about my wishes (the previous day when I met him to schedule) and he said no, she wants to be awake for this we need to get the spinal done now. And told me if I felt any sort of pressure at all I needed to tell them. I worried bc I thought "I just went through active labor and transition and didn't know- don't tell me to say if there is 'pressure' I obviously have no idea what I am feeling." I leaned against the nurse as she held me and explained to stay still as they did the spinal. I remember grabbing her waist and her saying it was ok.
I remember asking where Matt was and they said they had to finish prepping and they would get him.
When he came in the anestialogist asked if we had a camera and wanted to take pictures. Matt had no idea where the camera was, he had no idea where my purse was, he was obviously shaken up. I said "I want pictures" and someone told me they won't go through your purse. And I said I don't care- I want pictures- get my camera. The anestialogist told them to go get it and they brought my purse in and he took some pictures during the procedure.
It one point I remember the nurses talking about eating and I was the slightest bit annoyed that they were talking and wanted them to shut up. I almost asked the nurse that was in charge of my oxygen to ask them to shut up but instead I asked what the doctors were doing. And Dr. P explained what part of the procedure he was on.
Blur blur blur and then I said "I want Matt to tell me what it is. And they joked that they would have to tell Dr H to keep her mouth shut.
Blur blur blur and Matt announced to me it was a girl :) I remember Matt leaving my head and going over to wear our daughter was and I remember listening to her cry and smiling.
Matt got to cut the cord. Well trim it down as they suctioned the baby. Then he was able to hold her. Had we had him change into his button up before leaving the house he could have done skin to skin but "I wasn't in labor" so we just packed it in the bag which was left in the car.
They delayed doing a lot of the newborn procedures and as soon as I was stitched up I was able to hold our little girl, Ella Marie. Before that Matt held her close to my head and cried and stared at her. This also is a blur to me-- I remember my teeth chattering and me shaking and asking for a warm blanket.
We went eventually went to recovery and I was able to breast feed. Not being able to breast feed because my body didn't know I had a baby (due to surgery) was one of my biggest concerns.
Everything after this is sort of a blur to me. I wish I could go back and be a fly on the wall and watch how everything went down.
Ella Marie's Stats
February 26, 2013 9:08 pm
7 pounds 4 ounces
20.5 inches long
Looking back at the events of the day I can see some signs of labor--- I was so irritated with the registration process and remember thinking how ridiculous it was that I was in pain and they were asking all these questions. I remember how we were told contractions hurt when you are laying down and strapped to a bed and can't move. (But at that point I honestly didn't care- I don't think I would have thought to get up and move if someone didn't tell me to- but then again I was still in denial that I was in labor) Everything just seemed to come naturally to me. I didn't have to think "breath". I didn't have to think "relax". I did tell Matt (probably rather sternly) to rub me. And touch me as I felt "pain" in my lower nether regions.
I wasn't as scared during the c section as I thought I would be. I completely forgot to tell them to flip the mirror down so I could watch our baby enter the world.
At some point they informed me that Ella had the cord wrapped around her neck three times. And that I was built to have babies- and not to wait at home next time. (I think this may have been during when they were stitching me. )
Matt may have some more things to add- so I will have him write up his version of the beginning of our family of three soon.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Meeting our C section Doctor
I met Dr. P today. He will be the one doing my c section if bebe doesn't flip (I had another chiropractic appointment today and acupuncture. My right toe didn't hurt as much today- don't know if that is a good or bad sign.) The chiropractor said that if a baby is going to turn it typically will do so within a week- so I guess if it doesn't happen this week it is probably not going to happen.
We are waiting to here back from Dr. P about what day our c section is scheduled for. I asked for Friday March 8th- that way Matt can take a week of vacation, and the following week is my moms spring break so she can be here the week after. That's two full weeks of help at home- I think I will be ok after that.
I was a little disappointed by my appointment today. I was nervous about the whole thing so was shy I suppose. But Dr. P just wasn't personable. Maybe because I am used to Dr. H who is just fabulous. This appointment seemed very matter of fact. I peed in a cup. Got my blood pressure checked by a nurse then went into Dr. P's office to discuss the c section. He explained the procedure and said he would call me and tell me when it was scheduled for. Obviously this didn't go over well with me. (I briefly explained our desire to have a natural birth and wanted to wait as long as possible to give bebe the chance to turn. I also told him I would like the 8th. He said Fridays aren't good because they have office hours and so I said the 7th. He still has to call the hospital and see what is available and said he would call me in the next few days to let me know. I asked about being able to vbac for our next child, and about skin to skin in the operating room, and delaying newborn procedures. He said he didn't see a problem with any of that and told me to tell Matt to wear a button down. He did said that the newborn procedures were up to the nurses in the OR with us.
So here we are- we will be finding out if this LO inside of me is a boy or girl in 10-11 days.
We are waiting to here back from Dr. P about what day our c section is scheduled for. I asked for Friday March 8th- that way Matt can take a week of vacation, and the following week is my moms spring break so she can be here the week after. That's two full weeks of help at home- I think I will be ok after that.
I was a little disappointed by my appointment today. I was nervous about the whole thing so was shy I suppose. But Dr. P just wasn't personable. Maybe because I am used to Dr. H who is just fabulous. This appointment seemed very matter of fact. I peed in a cup. Got my blood pressure checked by a nurse then went into Dr. P's office to discuss the c section. He explained the procedure and said he would call me and tell me when it was scheduled for. Obviously this didn't go over well with me. (I briefly explained our desire to have a natural birth and wanted to wait as long as possible to give bebe the chance to turn. I also told him I would like the 8th. He said Fridays aren't good because they have office hours and so I said the 7th. He still has to call the hospital and see what is available and said he would call me in the next few days to let me know. I asked about being able to vbac for our next child, and about skin to skin in the operating room, and delaying newborn procedures. He said he didn't see a problem with any of that and told me to tell Matt to wear a button down. He did said that the newborn procedures were up to the nurses in the OR with us.
So here we are- we will be finding out if this LO inside of me is a boy or girl in 10-11 days.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
39 Weeks
How far along: 39 weeks. Wow! We are in the single digit countdown- if baby arrives on his/her own. 7 days left. If bebe doesn't come on his/her own then we will still have a baby in the next couple weeks. Dr. H doesn't do c sections so I have to go Monday to meet another doctor and schedule for the first week in March. I can't believe we are going to have a baby in the next two weeks or so!
We are still crossing our fingers that bebe will turn. I went to the chiropractor today and got my hips adjusted (un-aligned hips/pelvis is one reason why some babies don't turn). The chiropractor also did acupuncture to help the baby turn-
Focusing on four points on my feet. The right pinky toe is supposed to be the point to help the baby turn, and that needle hurt- so here is to hoping! (I can't remember what the other needles were for)
This week, baby is the size of a: watermelon
Next appointment: March 1st with Dr. H. I also have an appointment Monday with Dr. P to schedule my c section and also have chiropractic appointments next Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Labor signs: I'm still 1 cm dilated. No other signs stand out. I think this LO is here to stay and I will make it to my due date.
What I miss: nothing really.
What I'm loving: I love my preggo belly.
What I'm looking forward to: meeting this precious little one in the next few weeks!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
High Risk Uktrasound
I had to go for a high risk ultrasound today to recheck my fluid levels. This ultrasound was better than yesterday but still not "great news". Fluid levels are fine. Bebe is measuring 37 weeks 5 days. His/her head is of a normal size- but that normal sized head is still lodged under my right rib and doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
I have a doctors appointment Thursday the 21st so Dr. H and I will probably discuss a c section more in depth. We still want to try to wait as long as possible to schedule to give this LO a chance to turn on his/her own.
I have a doctors appointment Thursday the 21st so Dr. H and I will probably discuss a c section more in depth. We still want to try to wait as long as possible to schedule to give this LO a chance to turn on his/her own.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Ultrasound
Today was a rough day. An emotional day full of tears and fears.
I had my ultrasound, after having to wait almost an hour due to a mix up in paperwork that had to be fixed before I could be registered. The baby is indeed breech with a foot lodged rather low. They took all the measurements and the machine estimated the baby to be 37ish weeks, with a head that is off the charts. She said its a really big baby- 8 pounds and 4 ounces already, give or take a pound. How do they come up with that anyway?
I don't know if it was the big head, or the weight, or the feet planted firmly in my pelvis that broke the wall of tears- but I got into my car after the appointment and I cried. I cried when I got home. I cried when I told Matt. I called Dr. H's office and left a message with the nurse asking her if she had recommendations for a chiropractor who specialized in pregnancy and the Webster technique to try and get baby to flip. Pretty much immediately after hanging up Dr. H called me back and told me about the ultrasound. She also said that my fluid was measuring a little low and she wanted to schedule another ultrasound for the next day to get I looked at. She wanted to make sure I wasn't leaking. She explained that if fluid was fine we could try some different things to get baby to flip but that our LO (or should I say big one) has been in the same position for quite awhile now and just may be stubborn and not move. But she didn't want me doing anything until after he ultrasound. If fluid was low we would talk about scheduling a c section (she did say not until the first week in March though). Unless I went into labor and started contracting.
We got off the phone, and I cried.
I cried when I told Matt, I cried when I told my mom. I cried when I texted friends. I cried. I researched c sections and I cried. I sat and thought and I cried.
I knew the baby was more than likely breech. And I knew that more than likely meant a c section. But to hear Dr. H say we will talk about scheduling a c section hit me HARD!
With low fluid, a big baby, feet down, and an anterior placenta I knew an external version probably wasn't going to be successful. And I didn't really know if I wanted to try and manually turn the baby anyway.
I worked myself up and thought that I was having contractions. At this point I had "okayed" myself with the fact that a c section would happen if the baby would flip. I of course don't want a c section, but I thought if it were scheduled it would give my parents the opportunity to get here for it. And I liked that idea.
But of course my next freak out started soon after because "what if I go into labor- then it would be an emergency c section and that would be done immediately. And there is no way my parents would get here." I was not ok with this.
I took a bath, ate some dinner and relaxed. I just finished adding some things to a c section birth plan I'm working on (just in case) and wrote down some questions to ask Dr. H.
Fingers crossed for good news tomorrow.
I had my ultrasound, after having to wait almost an hour due to a mix up in paperwork that had to be fixed before I could be registered. The baby is indeed breech with a foot lodged rather low. They took all the measurements and the machine estimated the baby to be 37ish weeks, with a head that is off the charts. She said its a really big baby- 8 pounds and 4 ounces already, give or take a pound. How do they come up with that anyway?
I don't know if it was the big head, or the weight, or the feet planted firmly in my pelvis that broke the wall of tears- but I got into my car after the appointment and I cried. I cried when I got home. I cried when I told Matt. I called Dr. H's office and left a message with the nurse asking her if she had recommendations for a chiropractor who specialized in pregnancy and the Webster technique to try and get baby to flip. Pretty much immediately after hanging up Dr. H called me back and told me about the ultrasound. She also said that my fluid was measuring a little low and she wanted to schedule another ultrasound for the next day to get I looked at. She wanted to make sure I wasn't leaking. She explained that if fluid was fine we could try some different things to get baby to flip but that our LO (or should I say big one) has been in the same position for quite awhile now and just may be stubborn and not move. But she didn't want me doing anything until after he ultrasound. If fluid was low we would talk about scheduling a c section (she did say not until the first week in March though). Unless I went into labor and started contracting.
We got off the phone, and I cried.
I cried when I told Matt, I cried when I told my mom. I cried when I texted friends. I cried. I researched c sections and I cried. I sat and thought and I cried.
I knew the baby was more than likely breech. And I knew that more than likely meant a c section. But to hear Dr. H say we will talk about scheduling a c section hit me HARD!
With low fluid, a big baby, feet down, and an anterior placenta I knew an external version probably wasn't going to be successful. And I didn't really know if I wanted to try and manually turn the baby anyway.
I worked myself up and thought that I was having contractions. At this point I had "okayed" myself with the fact that a c section would happen if the baby would flip. I of course don't want a c section, but I thought if it were scheduled it would give my parents the opportunity to get here for it. And I liked that idea.
But of course my next freak out started soon after because "what if I go into labor- then it would be an emergency c section and that would be done immediately. And there is no way my parents would get here." I was not ok with this.
I took a bath, ate some dinner and relaxed. I just finished adding some things to a c section birth plan I'm working on (just in case) and wrote down some questions to ask Dr. H.
Fingers crossed for good news tomorrow.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
38 Weeks
Had my first internal check.
Had blood work done.
The internal wasn't as bad as I thought it may be. I am 1 cm dilated already (Dr. H was surprised by this) She wasn't able to tell if the baby was head down or not. She thought there may be a hand or foot down there. I'm thinking we have a breech baby :/ We will see on Monday. Cross your fingers.
I told Dr. H about my freak out moment and she said she would be there to get me through it. And assured me that everything would be ok. It eased some fears. I am glad that I have a doctor that I can trust and takes time to listen to my fears. She doesn't brush them off or make me feel stupid, and doesn't rush in and out of the room. You don't always find that in a doctor.
Friday, February 8, 2013
37 Weeks
Pregnancy has been very good to me the past nine months. I still "forget" that I am pregnant. I have only had a bout or two with heartburn, haven't had issues with constipation or hemroids , no real sickness, sleeping has become "less easy" than before- it takes longer for me to fall asleep- but before I was pregnant I'd be asleep in a matter of minutes. Now when I first lay down it takes me awhile, but I still fall asleep quickly after using the bathroom in the middle of the night. I really can't complain. I probably should never get pregnant again though, because I'm sure the second time around will be 100% different.
I think that the fact that I've felt so good has held me off from having a "holy crap" freak. But that finally came at our Bradley class last night. Our instructor was asking questions and going a mile a minute and I thought to myself "how am I ever going to do this?!? I don't know what she is talking about- what's the difference between the first stage of labor and the second stage of labor. When do I call Matt? When do I call my parents? When do we go to the hospital? My head was spinning and I had to hold back tears. Let's hope Matt has been paying attention and will be able to handle and coach me through labor. I'm just along for the ride.
I am going to be a mom. Wow.
Friday, February 1, 2013
36 weeks
Well 36 weeks has brought some excitement to this household. I've had a cough and stuffed up nose/drainge for the last week or two. Which is miserable when you aren't pregnant- add pregnancy to it and it beyond sucks. It ended up turning into a sinus infection and I got put on a zpack. About a week into the cough, I coughed and felt like I broke a rib. I survived through it without taking any medicine- didn't even really mention it to much to the doctor bc there was nothing they could do.
But yesterday while I was getting ready for my doctor appointment I coughed in the shower and heard a pop (same area my rib was hurting before but instead of being in the front it was in the back). It hurt to bend down and pick my phone up off the coffee table. It hurt to sit in the car, to turn my head. It hurt. Since my appointment was that day I mentioned it to Dr. H and she said that I may have pulled a muscle or moved a rib out of place but that there wasn't anything I could do. Just take it easy. Hold that spot when I cough. And I could take Tylenol. I took it easy the rest of the day which helped but as soon as I moved it would hurt again.
Well fell asleep Thursday night, turned from my left side to my right side, or maybe it was my right to my left (doesn't really matter). But that turn did me in. I couldn't breath. I couldn't move. I had to have Matt help me sit up in bed. Sitting was helping so I thought I would get up. I was hot, and in a lot more pain than before. It took a lot of effort to walk to the bathroom and had to stop half way because I thought I was going to pass out. We ended up going to the ER (I was afraid that with the breathing issue that I had punctured a lung or something)
Looking back now I guess I should have just stayed at home- because they didn't do anything. The ER doctor listened to my lungs and said I sounded good, felt my ribs and said he couldn't feel a distinct break but that that it didn't mean I didn't have one. We got some pain meds and went home. I was hesitant to take medicine while being pregnant but I needed it the first day or so. I would only take it before bed to help me sleep instead of taking it every 4 hours. And would take tylenol to help at other times.
In other news- Dr. H doesn't think that the baby is breech anymore so that's good news. We also went over my birth plan- she was on board with most of it. There were a few items that we discussed in depth that she said she wasn't comfortable doing or not doing. I was ok with it. YI plan to discuss it more with her at a later appointment as well.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
35 Weeks
Survey
How far along: 35 weeks- 5 weeks left!
This week, baby is the size of a: large cantaloupe - about 20 inches long and about 5 and a half pounds
Next appointment: January 31st
Exercise: the weather here has been rather crappy so there hasn't been much walking outside. I will walk around inside stores for awhile and do some stretching exercises from our Bradley class.
Swelling: still no noticeable swelling
Maternity clothes: My maternity pants don't like to stay up anymore. They keep slipping down- not sure if my belly is getting too big or if the shape is changing.
Belly button: shallow shallow shallow
Sleep: I relax in the evenings with Matt and will feel my eyes getting heavy, but once I lay in bed I'm not able to instantly fall asleep like usual pre-pregnancy. So I stay up until about midnight most nights messing on my phone. And sleep til 8 or so (with a bunch of pee breaks and turning and flipping because my hips or left ribs hurt) then I usually relax in bed for an hour more.
Food cravings/aversions: I am very unsatisfy-able recently. Nothing really sounds good. Not that it sounds bad but it just doesn't sound like what I want. I eat and nothing hits the spot- so I eat more- and that doesn't hit the spot either- so I eat more. Lets see what the weight gain is at my next appointment. I may just make up for the fact that I haven't gained since before Christmas.
Symptoms: I'm hitting that "freak out and worry stage" I can't believe we have 5 weeks left. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that I'm going to be a mom. And this baby is going to come out of me. Then it's mine (and Matt's to take home and raise for the next 18+ years.)
Movement: the movement I'm feeling now feels so strange. It's very low below my belly button, and feels like the baby is crossing and uncrossing it's legs or twisting and turning. It actually sorta hurts.
Labor signs: at night when I wake up to use the restroom my belly seems tight- not sure if this is Braxton hicks contractions or just pressure from how the baby is laying and a full bladder.
What I miss: being satisfied.
What I'm loving: taking long hot showers
What I'm looking forward to: our next baby shower with friends is next weekend!
Best moment this week: We had our baby shower with Matt's family.
I have put together several to do lists for the next 5 weeks. Now I need to start checking stuff off.
We have the following lists:
* Things to do around the house
* Things to do in the nursery
* Things to buy for baby if we don't get them at our next shower
* Things to stock up on
* Freezer meals to make
There are quite a few things on each list- but really if it doesn't get done it will be ok.
All the baby needs is
A place to sleep (check)
Something to eat (check)
A way to get home (check)
Bed, boobs and baby carrier- we are going to be a-ok!
Now for some fun picture comparisons---
 |
| Here is a comparison shot wearing the same shirt. 15 weeks on the left and 35 weeks on the right. What a difference twenty weeks makes when you are growing a baby!  I think I look smaller- baby must be moving around in there. |
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Baby Shower with Daddy's Family
Today was our baby shower with Matt's family. It was so nice to see everyone.
Good company, good conversations and good food.... (Look at those cupcakes- chocolate and a spice one- YUMM)
what more could you ask for from a baby shower?!?
Predictions you say- well here you go!
Out of twelve guests seven predict that Bebe will be a boy (Matt's mom, grandma Anne, Aunt Tammy, Aunt Kirsten, Aunt Debbie, Cousin Heather, Jimmy)
Fives guests predicted Bebe will be a girl (Matt's sister, Aunt Kelly, Aunt Teresa, cousin Kaitlin and cousin Ashton)
The boys won again. Oh boy oh boy! I guess we will see. I can't wait :)
So what does everyone think our little one will look like?
Eight guests think Bebe will have blonde hair, two think it will be brown and one person thinks it will actually be red! (Matt does seem to have some red in his beard depending on the light). Six guests think Bebe will have blue eyes, five think the eyes will be brown and one says green.
Let's move on to predicted birthdate and times
Great Grandma Anne- February 15 (1:00pm)
Jimmy- February 19 (3:00am)
Grandma Melanie-February 27 (2:00pm)
Aunt Amanda- February 28 (noon)
Heather- February 28
Kelly- February 28 (1:15pm)
Kirsten- March 2 (8:35pm)
Debbie- March 2 (10:12)
Tammy- march 3 (1:30am)
How much do you think Bebe will weigh?
6 pounds
7 pounds
7 pounds
7 pounds
7 pounds 5 ounces
7 pounds 6 ounces
7 pounds 11 ounces
8 pounds
8 pounds 2 ounces
8 pounds 10 ounces
10 pounds
What do you think Bebe will be when he/she grows up?
*teacher
*architect
*electrician
*gymnastic
*scientist
*engineer
*professor
*NFL football player
I just love seeing everyone's predictions! And again reading the traits that people hope that our little one inherit from us brought tears to my eyes. You don't always think about yourself in those ways, pointing out the positives. But to have someone else write them just makes me smile. And such wonderful wishes everyone had for our future child. Again I hope they ALL come true!
I didn't realize how chubby in my face I looked that day- maybe it's just how my hair is laying. Look at that hottie beside me though :) Here's a close up of the cute corsage that they made for me to wear.
And a picture of the cute baby toy decorations, and a sign telling everyone to take a candle and say a prayer for use once they hear we are in labor. (I didn't cry this time when I handed them out-- I cried at another point.... I guess tears are a given.)
Good company, good conversations and good food.... (Look at those cupcakes- chocolate and a spice one- YUMM)
what more could you ask for from a baby shower?!?
Predictions you say- well here you go!
Out of twelve guests seven predict that Bebe will be a boy (Matt's mom, grandma Anne, Aunt Tammy, Aunt Kirsten, Aunt Debbie, Cousin Heather, Jimmy)
Fives guests predicted Bebe will be a girl (Matt's sister, Aunt Kelly, Aunt Teresa, cousin Kaitlin and cousin Ashton)
The boys won again. Oh boy oh boy! I guess we will see. I can't wait :)
So what does everyone think our little one will look like?
Eight guests think Bebe will have blonde hair, two think it will be brown and one person thinks it will actually be red! (Matt does seem to have some red in his beard depending on the light). Six guests think Bebe will have blue eyes, five think the eyes will be brown and one says green.
Let's move on to predicted birthdate and times
Great Grandma Anne- February 15 (1:00pm)
Jimmy- February 19 (3:00am)
Grandma Melanie-February 27 (2:00pm)
Aunt Amanda- February 28 (noon)
Heather- February 28
Kelly- February 28 (1:15pm)
Kirsten- March 2 (8:35pm)
Debbie- March 2 (10:12)
Tammy- march 3 (1:30am)
How much do you think Bebe will weigh?
6 pounds
7 pounds
7 pounds
7 pounds
7 pounds 5 ounces
7 pounds 6 ounces
7 pounds 11 ounces
8 pounds
8 pounds 2 ounces
8 pounds 10 ounces
10 pounds
What do you think Bebe will be when he/she grows up?
*teacher
*architect
*electrician
*gymnastic
*scientist
*engineer
*professor
*NFL football player
I just love seeing everyone's predictions! And again reading the traits that people hope that our little one inherit from us brought tears to my eyes. You don't always think about yourself in those ways, pointing out the positives. But to have someone else write them just makes me smile. And such wonderful wishes everyone had for our future child. Again I hope they ALL come true!
And here is a picture of all the goodies that Bebe P got. We are truly blessed and can't thank everyone enough for coming out and celebrating with us and showering us with such love and thoughtfulness. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And Thank you again!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
34 Weeks
Sew I decided to try my hand at making a blanket. Get it "SEW" I decided to try my my hand at making a blanket. Haha. Oh I'm sure my child will not think I'm funny at all. But I make myself chuckle :)
Anyway- I wanted to make a big blanket for our little one using the fabric that I had bought for the nursery. I wasn't so confidant in making something big though since we don't own a sewing machine and I've never really seen anything by hand. So I decided to start small and go from there. Here is a closeup of the finished product- a taggie blanket.
I'm super excited how it turned out. Next on my list is a laundry bag, and a runner for the dresser we redid. (I thought about adding pockets on each side to hold diapers, cream, etc.
Stay tuned to see how they turn out!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
33 Weeks
We bought our first cloth diaper this past week. I guess with only 7 weeks left we should start thinking about how we will be keeping number one and number two contained (meaning poop and pee- we AREN'T having twins- no matter how big I may look)
Matt and I went and checked out a new store- The Baby Grocery store. Customer service was amazing. As soon as we entered the building someone greeted us and have us a short tour of the place pointing out organic food in one area, cloth diapers along the entire back wall, baby carries (slings and such) a frozen food section. It was really cool. We browsed for awhile then had a very knowledge girl help us with the cloth diapers. I had down some research and jnew some of the different kinds: prefolds, pockets, all in ones- but never really had the opportunity to see the differences in brands hands on and explore them. So she gave us the overview and answered a lot of our questions.
Will we cloth diaper full time? Who knows. But we are planning on giving it a go and seeing where the cute cuddly cloth diaper train takes us. We bought some prefolds and two precious thirstee covers to use until our baby can fit better into all in ones. We decided that buying sized diapers was not the way we wanted to go. We like the pockets and all in ones the best- but since they don't fit newborns as well we are starting with the prefolds- which we can later use as spit rags or to help with overnight protection.
And since I'm sure you are thinking "what are you crazy? Do you know what is inside of a baby's diaper?"
I think seeing THIS on the outside covering up that little heiny- will help soften the blow of the mess we are seeing on the inside.
Hopefully I will be able to add more to this blog as we go on this cloth adventure and people can learn from our experiences (or lack there of experience)
Now some updates:
How far along: 33 weeks- 7 weeks left
This week, baby is the size of a: pineapple
Next appointment: still going every two weeks. I only have a few more two week appointments left (1 or 2) before I start going weekly. I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is going. It seems like yesterday I was in Gatlinburg telling Matt he was going to be a daddy :)
Total weight gain: according to my last weigh in I've gained 21 pounds. I've been holding steady since before Christmas. Now THAT'S a feat in and of itself to not gain weight over Christmas. That's hard to do when you're not pregnant!
Stretch marks: I have developed a few stretch marks here and there- it comes with growing a baby I suppose.
Swelling: No swelling, I'm still able to wear my wedding rings and haven't noticed any swelling in my feet either. I do feel like my face is starting to "fill out" a little more though-
Belly button: Matt is the official belly button tester- he says it is getting shallower everyday. Will it become an outie by the end???
Sleep: third trimester has brought my tiredness back. I however have been staying awake longer at night and struggling to fall asleep recently. Add to that the fact that I got a cold and cough which has taken my sleep away.
Movement: movement is less kicks now and more of a "rolling" now. It's such a strange sensation- I wish I could see through my belly sometimes to see what exactly this little one is doing in there.
Labor signs: I don't believe I have had any Braxton hicks contractions. I could be wrong on this though. There are times spots on my belly get hard but it seems to stay that way for awhile- so I assume its how baby is laying and not BH.
What I miss: being able to breath. I've had a stuffy nose this entire pregnancy- add a cold onto it and breathing is practically impossible without sitting with your mouth wide open.
What I'm loving: Getting closer to meeting our child.
What I'm looking forward to: our baby shower with Matt's side of the family next weekend. And we also have our 7 hour childbirth class at the hospital this weekend. I hope it is useful!
Best moment this week: I don't know if I would call it the best moment but it was a highlight of the week- I got all of the Christmas stuff out away. Not only put away but organized into different containers and labeled so we should easily be able to find things next year when at Christmas time we will be a family of three+dog.
Goals: I would like to make a blanket for our little one out of fabric I bought for the nursery.
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