Birth Story

At my Dr's appt Monday, March 22, Dr and I went over my birthplan. I ended up wanting to change a few things so she made scratches thru it and said to edit it and bring it to Monday, March 29's appt. I planned to. She hadn't turned at that time. My cervix was soft and anterior, but no other progress since she was still transverse and not putting pressure down. Ultrasound on Thursday showed she flipped sometime since Monday. Friday night we're doing stuff around the house and get to bed around 2am.

Bright and early (6:30am) my water breaks. I do some laundry because we weren't totally finished with everything. At about 7:30am I start feeling contractions 2 min apart and lasting about 1 min so they started pretty quick and intense. We hang out for about another half hour and then head to the birthing center at the hospital.

At 8:30am, I was 2 cm dilated and told my Dr was out of town, so unsigned birthplan goes out the window...I was pretty upset. Dr. on-call read my plan, told the nursing staff that she was only comfortable letting me get out of bed to get on the birthing ball, but I had to remain hooked up to the heartrate monitor, contrax monitor and IV...but that was it! My Dr was allowing me to get up and walk around, labor in tub, intermittent monitoring, etc...so this was quite the change.

I labored in bed with meds until about 5-6cm which was just more than I could handle since I attended 12 wks of Bradley Method classes of stretches and all. It hurt too bad just lying in bed. Her heartrate actually wasn't being picked up well on the monitor, so they had to insert this little screw antenna thing (I forget the name) into her scalp so I couldn't even sit up for an extended period of time, even though it felt better. So I opted to get an epidural.

4-5 hours later the epidural started wearing off once I got to about 8cm so I asked the anesth. nurse to only put another surge and not a continuous flow on since my goal was an unmedicated birth. He did but my legs and body felt completely aware. I had them on the side of the bed sitting up during contractions, moving around.

When I hit 10cm, they contacted the Dr (they'd been in contact all day with her) and she was "heading" up to the hospital. I waited a good 45 minutes with her ready to come out before I just couldn't hold her in anymore and the nurse and tech delivered her. She had a funky conehead from me holding her half out for what felt like forever. Luckily, her heartrate stayed great so there was no concern.

I told them I couldn't wait anymore for the damn Dr and she they said "Let's go." I pushed once and heard them suctioning her mouth out. They said push once more and she came flying out.

I did have a small tear that the Dr showed up just in time to repair that required a couple stitches. She went to stitch me and I squeeled in some pain. She said "I'm sorry. I thought you had an epidural." Yeh, but that wore off 2cm and 45 min of pushing ago! So I had to get some more local meds and wait for that to kick in so I saw the dr for all of about 5 min. Lotta good she did!

Catching up...

Sunday, March 14
Had a wonderful shower with tons of family and friends at my aunt and uncle's house. Our last one for this pregnancy.

Monday, March 15
I took off work to visit Babies R Us and buy any more necessities for our bebe's arrival. We also finish up the nursery -- for the most part.

Still going to the chiro this week to try and get bebe to flip.

Monday, March 22
Dr's appt. Bebe's still transverse (sideways), but my Dr still thinks she can flip. If she doesn't a C-Section will be mandatory. I'm not dilated any, but my cervix is soft and anterior so my Dr believe as soon as she flips, we'll have a little one on the way! We schedule an ultrasound for that Thursday.

Thursday, March 25
She flipped!!!!!! They predict her to be about 7lbs.

Saturday, March 27
The big day! Look for the "Birth Story" post next...

She get it from her momma!

Here's our lil girl at 33w1d...

Kisses

She kept her foot by her mouth the whole time. She's got daddy's BIG feet!

And looks like her momma's lips, cheeks (with possible dimples) and nose.

Nursery pics...

Crib and glider are done...

Aren't these the cutest frames?

And I LOVE this mirror!

HOLY SHIT!!!!

I'm going to have a child. I'm going to have a daughter. I'm going to be a mother. I'M PREGNANT? ....riiiiiiight......

Yes, I have had mild freakouts here and there. But none like the one I had yesterday. My cousin and I were emailing back and forth and all of a sudden she asked,

"What colors are you doing her room in?"

Something I have talked about many times. Something I've been planning. But, for some reason those words hit me like a ton of bricks. Her, I'm having a baby, a girl no less. OMG what am I going to do?

So, an update

I suck, yes I know!


An update...

We're Team Vag! Get to see her again next week, to be sure!

Stilllllllll puking daily.

Still losing weight, due to all the puking.

Debating on names.

Let the guessing begin!

Here we are at 16 weeks today. Our first gender determination U/S is NEXT WEEK -- Friday, Nov 6th. So, I set up a poll on the side for you to enter your guesses!!!

P.S. We're thinking girl.

14 Weeks!

*Sidenote: It's quite difficult to take a side portrait of yourself.

How far along? 14 Weeks!!!

Total weight gain/loss: -8 lbs still I guess

Maternity clothes? yes

Sleep: getting better

Best moment this week: looking at my belly growth. There's a baby in there!

Movement: Just gas

Gender: Still thinking girl.

Labor Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: Being energetic and feeling well.

What I am looking forward to: Looking at baby stuff when I feel better.

Weekly Wisdom: We're having a baby!!!!

Milestones: being in 2nd tri!

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

13 Weeks!

How far along? 13 Weeks!!!
Total weight gain/loss: -8 lbs
Maternity clothes? yes, with this fat/bloat/bump...
Sleep: here and there
Best moment this week: Having moments where I have a break from being sick, however few and far between they may be!
Movement: Just gas
Gender: Leaning towards a girl.
Labor Signs: No!
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Being energetic.
What I am looking forward to: Looking at baby stuff.
Weekly Wisdom: It's all for a greater good.
Milestones: Hitting 2nd tri this week!!!

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy.

Tomorrow's the BIG DAY!

We get to see bebe tiger tomorrow! Woot woot!

Send good thoughts that all is well!

ah, pregnancy firsts

I've been blessed with this child and I pray everyday that everything will be OK. I have also been blessed with glorious reminders that (s)he is doing well...ah symptoms! It's been a crazy experience of firsts.

A couple weeks ago, for like a week an a half I had this pressure in my throat and come to frickin find out it was heartburn. What a revelation! I've never experienced hb before. As unpleasant as it was, it was nice to figure out what the discomfort causing extra nausea was!

This brings me to yesterday, when I hit 8 weeks -- so did my bowels to a brick wall. Full on slow motion going on in there. In my 25 years and millions of pounds of cheese consumed, I have never experience the joy that is constipation. Yet, this child is quick to tighten up on my system. Eh, less bathroom trips I guess!

Love you lil tiger and whatever pain and torture you will find humorous to throw my way. I may bitch, but inside I really will gladly take it as a reminder of you. But sshhh, don't tell daddy. Mommy likes his concern and catering right now.

7 Weeks!

How far along? 7 weeks, OK and a couple days...shoot me!

Total weight gain/loss: 0

Maternity clothes? Well, I invested in a new bra (happens to be a nursing one) and a bella band.
Sleep: Still getting it until I have to pee at about 4 am.
Best moment this week: Realizing that I have heartburn because the meds I took have made such a difference!
Movement: Does gas count?
Gender: DH seems to think boy.
Labor Signs: Hellz no, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? Innie.
What I miss: Hot baths, yes again. I love me some steaming baths!
What I am looking forward to: 1st appt tomorrow and telling the last of our family after that!
Weekly Wisdom: Even though you may feel like utter crap at times, or all the time; Try to remember it's all for a wonderful and special miracle!
Milestones: Making it to 7 weeks. 10 weeks is my next goal!

Baby's now the size of a blueberry! Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about one hundred new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.

How about: Mother's Quote of the Day

My mom, the sweetheart she is, is a very excited Nana-to-be. She's awfully energetic as far as planning for her first grandchild is concerned. However, she's quite the worry-wart as well. I'd like to share her "wisdom" each day. Each day, you say? Yes, my mother provides classic lines everyday via 10 billion phone calls, e-mails and her newest, texts that I think are simply too much! I'm being quite presumptuous thinking I may provide liners from her each day. I'm sure if won't be hard. If I miss a day or 2, it's probably not from the lack of rollers, it's because I'm lazy. To kick off this giggle of a good time, I give you 2, TWO!

Mom: "I saw at walmart a thing in the baby section something that you put on your belly and you can email the sounds of the beating, etc. Not sure how it works but I may get it in a couple of weeks for you. That would be neat if it worked."

Loving daughter: "I can record gas too? That'd be neat. I'll be sure to send that to you!"

and

Mom: "You need to be careful with flu season coming up."

My response: "I have my mask already on. Or I can stay home this whole pregnancy and you can supplement our income..."

Maybe it's just me, but I find her absolutely hysterical. Seriously, I'm not even 6 weeks yet. Love her though. Doesn't mean I can't joke about the brilliance.

5 Weeks!

[Bloat pic coming later]

How far along? 5 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: -1 lb
Maternity clothes? Nope, but I'm sure I'll be needing a Bella Band soon enough.
Sleep: Liking going to bed early but not crashing and burning yet.
Best moment this week: BFP, of course...well that was last week, I guess!
Movement: Nope, just twinges from the wittle appleseed. Just the body getting used to things.
Gender: Have my moments of thinking both, so who knows?
Labor Signs: NOPE!
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: HOT baths, but that's OK!
What I am looking forward to: Just this pregnancy and our little tiger arriving in April!
Weekly Wisdom: Today I am pregnant and I love my baby.
Milestones: Making it over a week of being pregnant! Woot!


Baby's now the size of an appleseed! Your embryo, which doesn't look like much more than a tadpole right now, is actually starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in your uterus triggers production of HCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests), which triggers the production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which triggers all those great symptoms you've probably been noticing!

Telling mom...

Friday night, Mr. Pink and I decide to tell mom (and stepdad) about our pregnancy. We took them out to eat. I wrapped her a present...



And she about flipped she was so freakin' excited!


It was so nice to tell her. She's been asking me how I'm feeling everyday and checking on me. She even sent me an e-mail yesterday about some cute diaper bags she found. This will be a long 8 more months! But that's OK. That's what I get for being the only child! :)

Really? A "craving" already? Seriously?

I woke up this morning with DH still sleeping. I decide to stay in bed watching TV. Then about 10 a.m. I suddenly want Chili's chips. No salsa, just chips. I have never wanted something so urgently before. Luckily mom was heading back from church and brought me some. I had to wait until about noon, but they still tasted delish and hit the spot.

1st appt schedulded!!!

August 28th...I'll be in my 8th week. I just so happen to be off that day too! Whoo hoo! This is becoming all too real! If I can make it thru this week OK, then after the appt, I'll feel a lot better. I just can't wait. It seems like an eternity from now. How will I ever concentrate on anything else..

Love--hate relationship

As I sit uncomfortably in my chair, feeling like I have to puke; Or attempt to lie down, still feeling the urge--my nausea is graced with a smile. 'Tis a bittersweet relationship, my dear morning, err, all day sickness. I've never been happier kneeling over a porcelin John. Because you know, Crown Royal and Diet Coke doesn't come up as gracefully and the gut you get from it isn't a purdy as a "bump."

So, I haz a present

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Picture sucks arse...way darker in person. Still early because I couldn't help but test at 11 dpo. I just felt it and had some symptoms too! But we shall see! PLEASE BE A STICKY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things can come and go so fast

Don't mind me if I just sulk for a minute here. I'm having a bad evening.

I cannot believe last week, this day, we got the best news of our life. I took aim at my $.99 pee cup and waited and waited and waited. Pretended to cook dinner without an obvious look of wonder and hope that in 3 minutes, maybe, just maybe we'd be pg. I go to check the results assuming it was a negative only to see the most wonderful word uttered by a $15 stick that you treat so poorly to pee on but that holds your future so excitingly, "PREGNANT!" I fluttered about the house to grab another stick. Thank God I used the cup and didn't attempt 10 seconds mid-stream. Ah, should I waste another digi? Wait, I have a generic brand. We'll see what it says. There's a cross. OMG, OMG!!! Stirring dinner. Oh yeah, you can use an OPK to test too. A second pink line on it. WE'RE PREGNANT!!!

I grab DH's gift of an LSU onesie and the closest gift bag I could find...a Christmas one, how lovely! I give him the bag saying it's an early anniversary gift. After some blank stares of trying to figure out what a stick that says "PREGNANT" on it actually means, he grabs me, kisses me and it's the most wonderful evening ever.

Just 2 days later I begin to feel worrisome. Cramping, but that's normal. Pg symptoms can = PMS symptoms. Some spotting.....I freak but yes, brown is ok....now pink....try to stay calm. I cannot be going crazy already. I cannot believe I stayed at work that Friday. I was a wreck all day. My Dr called me back to schedule my first appt. After speaking with the nurse and telling her what's going on, I get slightly reassured it could be normal.

That night and Saturday was horrible. Saturday began the worst day of my life, so far. How can something I was given just 3 days ago, be already taken from me? That's not fair. Brown and pink turned to red. Uncomfortable cramps led to the worst I've ever had. It was not a good day. I did not want to do anything....Sunday either. I spent most of the weekend in bed.

I guess I had that feeling. A feeling I tried to ignore because I was pregnant, actually pregnant! I was going to have a child, be a mother. It CANNOT be taken from me already. But that Saturday I figured out it could and it was. My fears of a chemical pregnancy was a reality.

So I look back to an exact week ago and think man, things can come and go so fast. I'm sitting here in a whirlwind still and my only hope is looking forward to trying again and our future. One day we will get pregnant again. One day. But yet it also scares me. What if this happens again?