Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Birth & One Week!

Well.. I have now skipped THREE weeks. So I'll short recap before I write out our birth story.

38-40 weeks was uneventful. Literally. At my 40 week appointment (39w6d),  I was 5 cm but stretchable to 6; 50% effaced and S was still -2 station. We made progress from 38 weeks but not enough to cause labor.   We did another membrane sweep in hopes to cause something.

40 weeks came and went with no sign of labor. At that point, I kind of gave up the idea of having my baby. It really got me down that I was still pregnant even with how far I was progressed. I knew deep down I wasn't going to have an August baby. In fact, I was pretty positive I was having a Labor Day baby. Something in me just knew.

September 1. I woke up at 3 am with mild contractions, I was able to fall asleep in between contractions so I thought nothing of it yet. I went with it and got sleep in between. Around 4:15 I couldn't sleep through it anymore. I laid in bed and dealt with the contractions, they were much worse by this point. S was still at work, I finally texted him at 4:45 to see when he'd be home. He called me asking why I was awake. I told him I was having some contractions and wanted to see when he'd be home. He was actually about to head to the gym but came home instead. By this point, I was in tears from the pain. My contractions got strong much quicker than they did with C. He walked in our room and knew. He woke his mom to let her know and I called mine to let her know.

We headed to the hospital at 5 and were checked in by 5:30. I was checked but hadn't had progress yet. I was asked if I wanted an epidural and at first I said no because I wanted to try the tub. S could see it in me that the pain was getting unbearable and asked me again after the nurses left. I agreed. We called the nurses back in to let them know so they could get anesthesiology to come up.

 We did another cervical check at 6 to double check for progress, I was at 6 now and had thinned a little more. Success and we were on our way to having our little girl. I labored for about another 45 minutes before anesthesiology got up to our room.

Anasthesiology got up to our room at 6:45 to go over paperwork, risks and to start set up. It took half an hour of talk and setup before they were finally ready. Epi was placed at 7:15, it was slow to take effect and also gave me the itches really bad. I got some meds to control the itching and finally was able to rest with my epi working.

We had to adjust the levels a couple times due to it not fully working then working too well. We finally got the perfect dose and all was good.

Around 8:30am I started getting localized pain in my lower belly and thigh so we called my nurse to let her know. She came in and we talked about what was going on then she went to get my other nurse to come in so we can do a check. At 8:45 I was 10cm and complete.

We did two practice pushes at 9:15. Two was more than enough to convince my nurse it was go time and I was ready. Had I kept doing pushes, she would have been delivering S. She ran out to get my midwife up to our room. She came in with our other nurse and started getting things prepped for delivery.

We started pushing around 9:30am. My midwife saw some meconium in her fluid that happened at pushing and called for the Peds team to come up just in case. Savannah Paige joined us in under ten minutes at 9:37! It was amazing. I felt her shoulders come out and was amazing at how quick it happened. I didn't even realize her head was out. I was so focused on getting her into the world that everyone around me didn't exist. She had no problems with the meconium and we were able to do immediate skin to skin and delayed cord clamping. It was wonderful.

She came out at 19 1/2 inches and 7.5 lbs! She was half a pound heavier and 3/4 inch longer than her brother!

We had an hour or so to ourselves before S brought in C to meet her as well as my mom and his mom.

It was all in all a wonderful experience. My recovery has been phenomenal as well. So different than the first. It's amazing how much easier this has been. I'm sure it helps I had no tearing or any of that stuff this time.


Fast forward to now. S is ONE WEEK! My how time flies.

She is doing well. We are exclusive breastfeeding and trying to get our perfect latch. She is at 7 lbs now. We had some issues with her gaining weight so we had to do a second check after we went home. She dropped down to 6.13 at our two day check up.

We are up one or two times a night to nurse. Though I have to wake her up for it. She does wonderful. She is a pretty happy little girl. Unless she is hungry and I don't get her latched on quick enough. Then.. She has a pretty big temper.

She has her two week appointment soon. Speaking of, I still need to call and make it. I think that pretty much sums up our recent weeks. I can't believe I have an outside baby now!


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven, thirty eight

Man.. Talk about horrible blogger. Whoops.

How far: 38w! 
Size of baby: A pumpkin!
Physical symptoms: Belly belly belly. It's in the way all.the.time.  
Starting Weight: 105.
Gain/loss: +30lbs
Maternity clothes: I've given up on clothing. I wear S' stuff. 
Stretch marks: Yep, I found some on the bottom of my belly. 
Sleep: I want more. 
Best moment: Making it to term.
Movement: Slowing down. She's way down low and has no room. Most of her movement is kicking. 
Cravings: Carbs. 
Gender: Girl! 
Labor signs: 2 cm dilated, super soft, -3 station. I've been having sporadic contractions lately. 
Belly button: Out.   
What I miss: Belly sleeping.  
What I am looking forward to: Monday, I should be getting a membrane sweep! 
Milestones: We made it through C's birthday without a hitch! 

Friday, July 11, 2014

Thirty, Thirty one, Thirty two, Thirty three

Again.. I am slacking big time. 

How far: 33w
Size of baby: I have no idea. 
Physical symptoms: Ugh. Humungo belly.  
Starting Weight: 105.
Gain/loss: +22lbs
Maternity clothes: At this point, I live in elastic waist band shorts and giant shirts
Stretch marks: I don't think so. At least that I have found.  
Sleep: Sucks. I wake up way too often and can never get comfortable. 
Best moment: I've started counting down the weeks until I'm full term, rather than when I'm due. It gives me a little hope. 
Movement: She's settling in I think. She still tries to stretch out into my ribs with her legs. I have a feeling she's going to be a bit longer than her brother was. She also likes to push her head into my cervix. 
Cravings: Sleep? Does that count?
Gender: Girl! 
Labor signs: Just everyday contractions. Nothing my MW is worried about though.  
Belly button: Half and half.  
What I miss: Breathing. 
What I am looking forward to: My next MW appointment. It's only 3 weeks away. I can make it. I think at that point, they wouldn't stop labor if it happened too.
Milestones: I got C's birthday planned and set up! 

Monday, June 16, 2014

Twenty six, Twenty seven, Twenty eight, Twenty nine

Well… It's been a while since I've posted. Whoops. 

How far: 29+2
Size of baby: Acorn squash
Physical symptoms: The giant ball under my shirt. 
Starting Weight: 105.
Gain/loss: +17 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yep. 
Stretch marks: Nothing new yet. S recently found some varicose veins on my legs though 
Fun at the fair with the boys! 
Sleep: All the time. I nap almost daily with C now.
Best moment: Third tri! The homestretch.
Movement: She has slowed down and her movement isn't as pronounced as before. 
Cravings: Carbs.
Gender: Girl! 
Labor signs: Nothing legit. We spent an afternoon in L&D for decreased movement, BHs and tinged CM though. Luckily nothing was really happening. 
Belly button: Half and half.  
What I miss: Eating a full meal. 
What I am looking forward to: Getting down to single digit weeks left!
Milestones: Meh. 

Monday, May 19, 2014

Twenty four, Twenty five

How far: 25 weeks
Size of baby: Cauliflower
Physical symptoms: My belly has gotten huge in the last few weeks. 
Starting Weight: 105.
Gain/loss: 8 lbs. 
Maternity clothes: Yep. 
Stretch marks: Not yet but my belly is itching so I know it's stretching. 
Sleep: I miss it. 
Best moment: Making it to V Day!
Movement: Oh yes.  
Cravings: Sweets.  
Gender: Girl! 
Labor signs: No. 
Belly button: Half and half.  
What I miss: Completely emptying my bladder.  
What I am looking forward to: It's a boring couple of weeks coming up.
Milestones: V DAY! 

Monday, May 5, 2014

Twenty two, Twenty three

I look exhausted but we had a great time at the Safari!
How far: 23 weeks
Size of baby: Grapefruit
Physical symptoms: Same ole. 
Starting Weight: 105.
Gain/loss: 8 lbs. 
Maternity clothes: Yep. My tanks are starting to not cover. 
Stretch marks: Nothing yet. 
Sleep: It's a love, hate relationship.
Best moment: Hmm.
Movement: She's pretty active in there.  
Cravings: Cheese. Carbs. Sweets.  
Gender: Girl! 
Labor signs: Nothing newer since last time. 
Belly button: Half and half.  
What I miss: Not feeling full after two bites. 
What I am looking forward to: S and I are going to a live taping of Conan O'Brien on Wed! And our scan is Thurs morning! 
Milestones: Waking up at 6 am with C?

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Twenty One

How far: 21 weeks! 

Size of baby: Pomegranate 
Physical symptoms: Heartburn still and trouble breathing
Starting Weight: 105.
Gain/loss: 8 lbs. 
Maternity clothes: Shorts for sure. 
Stretch marks: Not that I've noticed
Sleep: Ugh. 
Best moment: C got to find her heartbeat at our midwife appt, he was so thrilled!
Movement: More and more every day! 
Cravings: OMG they hit out of no where. Anything sweets and Mexican food. 
Gender: Girl! 
Labor signs: I've been having Braxton Hicks that are very painful and what not. We'll be doing another scan in a couple weeks to check cervical length again. 
Belly button: Still in but making it's way to an outie. 
What I miss: Drinks.
What I am looking forward to: Our next growth scan! Not for the reasons we are having it  but to see S! 
Milestones: MMM...