Our sweet baby girl is here! Aubreigh Grace arrived this past Saturday at 11:12 pm, weighing 5lbs 12 oz and 19.5 inches long. I woke up with a backache, then I got a headache and felt really crampy throughout the day. Darren insisted that I call the OB. I argued with him.....and then he threatened not to order me lunch if I didn't call. I figured this was just par for the course.
So I did. They wanted me to come in. When I got there I was contracting irregularly. I didn't feel a thing. I was dilated to 5 cm and fully effaced. They decided it was too dangerous to let me go home and decided to break my water.
Then we started the pitocin. I finally started to feel the contractions. I got the epidural...but it only worked on one side. I got through it, and then it was time to push. I pushed for an hour. It seemed like forever...but the whole episode was rather surreal. After a bit of pushing, I believe they used the vacuum to suck out the baby, and then she was born rather quickly. I must confess that I saw her being picked up by the OB and knew she was a girl!!! I was right....I definitely had a maternal instinct on that one!
It has been great being a mommy. The first night I just stared and held her all night long. I pretty much did the second night too! I couldn't bear to put her in the nursery. I have also been having a hard time just sleeping.....checking on her ever 5 minutes!
Breastfeeding has been miserable. She doesn't like to latch on. I have started pumping. I am going to try my best, but who knows what will happen. She has what is called an attached frenulum of the tongue. Basically, she can't move her tongue alot. This can be part of the problem. Some oral surgeons will just clip it. I am not going to do anything unless it will interfere with speech (which studies show is debatable). I am pumping some now...unfortunately I don't get alot....but I am trying.
The other weird thing that happened is that they sent my placenta to pathology. The OB said that he did it just because she was a little small and the placenta looked a little aged. Everything is fine with Aubreigh, but he said he just wanted to check it out. I guess I will find out those results at the exam.
I also had a grade 2 tear. That wasn't exactly pleasant, but it is starting to feel much better.
The photographer is coming tomorrow. I will also post some pics when I download them. Oh well, I better go pump a little now......
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Waiting on Baby.....
We are still waiting. I am still about the same 90% effaced and 3 cm dilated per my last OB visit on Tuesday. So now I am just waiting around, obsessing and looking into every little twinge, pain, etc.
However, this morning I woke up extremely crampy. I have had cramps a few times before and they were just attributed to an irritable uterus. This feels a little worse, but we shall see. I definitely don't want to get my hopes up!
I also got back the proofs to my maternity pics. The photographer put it to music in this nice little slide show and they were so cute. I am so glad that I had them done now. At first I was skeptical...I was not really in the mood to have them done because I had just gotten back from the hospital and figured I looked a mess. Now I am soooo glad I did it because I know they will be something I will treasure forever.
So today I will be doing a baby dance hoping the little peanut will make his/her appearance soon!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
I am a ticking time bomb!
That is what I refer to myself as now....
I can go at any time. I am waiting for my water to break at any minute. Each little pang makes me nervous.
I would really like to hold off for at least another week. I have been getting some stuff ready for the nursery...on my bed rest and all...and it looks really good. I know that I will truly never be able to be totally ready now...but at least somewhat ready.
I have to laugh. After my appointment on Monday I made a trip to the drug store. I had to buy maxi pads. I could not rest until I got them. I could only imagine the disaster it would have been to send Darren there and explain to him that I needed wings, etc. Yes, I am a maxi pad snob. If it isn't always with wings, it won't do!
I think I am going to start another list for other items that I may need for the baby. And maybe next week I will have my day out at the drugstore again! How exciting!
I can't believe that I may actually have a baby soon!
I can go at any time. I am waiting for my water to break at any minute. Each little pang makes me nervous.
I would really like to hold off for at least another week. I have been getting some stuff ready for the nursery...on my bed rest and all...and it looks really good. I know that I will truly never be able to be totally ready now...but at least somewhat ready.
I have to laugh. After my appointment on Monday I made a trip to the drug store. I had to buy maxi pads. I could not rest until I got them. I could only imagine the disaster it would have been to send Darren there and explain to him that I needed wings, etc. Yes, I am a maxi pad snob. If it isn't always with wings, it won't do!
I think I am going to start another list for other items that I may need for the baby. And maybe next week I will have my day out at the drugstore again! How exciting!
I can't believe that I may actually have a baby soon!
Friday, July 25, 2008
My 3 day vacation in labor and delivery...
Well, I thought i was just going to a normal check up on Tuesday. I mentioned to the doc that I thought I lost part of my mucous plug a week ago, and was concerned that I felt a little pressure.
He decided to check me out. I was 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. He asked if I was having contractions, but I didn't think I was.
He decided to send me to labor and delivery for monitoring just in case, and said that I should stop working for now. He also joked that I wouldn't be cooking anymore and that Darren should buy me some taco bell on the way home.
Well, we never made it home on Tuesday night, and I never got dinner. The contractions were 2-5 minutes apart and weren't subsiding. I ended up needing magnesium sulfate (which was horrible and made me vomit 6 times). They had to up the dose 3 times. The OB came in at 3:30 am to see if things were progressing (she had thought I went from 75% effaced to 90%). At this point I had a "bloody show". Fortunately, however, I wasn't progressing. The magnesium started working and my contractions subsided.
The next afternoon I was just a drugged up gal. I was still on the magnesium, but they were tapering it. My speech was slurred and my vision was blurred. The neonatologist came by, and explained that the biggest obstacle would be feeding. Breathing could also be an issue, but we were able to get the steroid shots, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal. I also saw the 2 OBs, and they joked with me in my drugged up state. Finally at 6:30 pm, the magnesium was stopped. It was heaven.
Darren got me a blue (as he joked he hoped for a boy) ice pop and it tasted like heaven. Then at about 8 pm they gave me a meatloaf dinner. For hospital food, it tasted fabulous! The nurse was going to help me try to shower as well, but I was too unstable for it. Then I was switched to a regular room on the floor. The nurses were all so nice and brought me graham crackers and peanut butter as a snack.
The next morning I met with another OB and he said that I would not be released until Friday morning. He also told me that if the contractions started again....more Mag! I was having some cramping and had this terrible feeling that the contractions would be back shortly. The nurse put me back on a monitor, and fortunately no contractions. I was just having an irritable uterus. The baby also looked great.
Later that evening, a different OB came by and said that things looked fine and that I could go home. That was great. I couldn't wait to sleep in my own bed.
So now I feel like a ticking time bomb. I am just taking things easy and hoping to last another week or so (though, I feel like this baby is impatient and will be making his/her appearance shortly). I am concerned that I may not feel the labor or contractions in the beginning and have no clue what is going on. I am sure that I will feel them at the end, however!
I am just so excited to be a mommy! I can't believe it can be right around the corner! And as horrible as the whole experience was....I would do it in a heartbeat if it meant that my little peanut would benefit!
He decided to check me out. I was 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. He asked if I was having contractions, but I didn't think I was.
He decided to send me to labor and delivery for monitoring just in case, and said that I should stop working for now. He also joked that I wouldn't be cooking anymore and that Darren should buy me some taco bell on the way home.
Well, we never made it home on Tuesday night, and I never got dinner. The contractions were 2-5 minutes apart and weren't subsiding. I ended up needing magnesium sulfate (which was horrible and made me vomit 6 times). They had to up the dose 3 times. The OB came in at 3:30 am to see if things were progressing (she had thought I went from 75% effaced to 90%). At this point I had a "bloody show". Fortunately, however, I wasn't progressing. The magnesium started working and my contractions subsided.
The next afternoon I was just a drugged up gal. I was still on the magnesium, but they were tapering it. My speech was slurred and my vision was blurred. The neonatologist came by, and explained that the biggest obstacle would be feeding. Breathing could also be an issue, but we were able to get the steroid shots, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal. I also saw the 2 OBs, and they joked with me in my drugged up state. Finally at 6:30 pm, the magnesium was stopped. It was heaven.
Darren got me a blue (as he joked he hoped for a boy) ice pop and it tasted like heaven. Then at about 8 pm they gave me a meatloaf dinner. For hospital food, it tasted fabulous! The nurse was going to help me try to shower as well, but I was too unstable for it. Then I was switched to a regular room on the floor. The nurses were all so nice and brought me graham crackers and peanut butter as a snack.
The next morning I met with another OB and he said that I would not be released until Friday morning. He also told me that if the contractions started again....more Mag! I was having some cramping and had this terrible feeling that the contractions would be back shortly. The nurse put me back on a monitor, and fortunately no contractions. I was just having an irritable uterus. The baby also looked great.
Later that evening, a different OB came by and said that things looked fine and that I could go home. That was great. I couldn't wait to sleep in my own bed.
So now I feel like a ticking time bomb. I am just taking things easy and hoping to last another week or so (though, I feel like this baby is impatient and will be making his/her appearance shortly). I am concerned that I may not feel the labor or contractions in the beginning and have no clue what is going on. I am sure that I will feel them at the end, however!
I am just so excited to be a mommy! I can't believe it can be right around the corner! And as horrible as the whole experience was....I would do it in a heartbeat if it meant that my little peanut would benefit!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
It all WORKed out...
...at work. I talked to my practice manager and we figured out a plan. Some of it is actually too good to be true.
I nearly had a heart attack when he said I wouldn't qualify for FMLA (which I thought was rather hincky, and I would have looked into it more, had he not offered me a great deal!)
Basically, they need me to just check in a few days a week to do some chart work ( I can bring the baby etc)...and there is no need to change or fire/rehire me...and I can still earn a few bucks while I am out for my 3 months.
They also said that I can work 4 days a week when I return. I was sooooo excited. So my new tentative schedule will be Tues-Thurs. Yay for 3 day weekends! Basically I just wanted an extra day during the week to spend with the baby. Weekends can be so busy and rushed, and I just wanted a day to cook, and play, and snuggle (especially during the winter months!). Darren will also work 4 days so it looks like we will only need daycare Weds-Fri. Plus Darren goes in at 11 and works late on Thurs, and often finishes early on Fri, so those 2 days won't even be full days.
I am so ready to meet my baby!!! (well, just hold off for a few more weeks until I finish the nursery and the peanut is a little bigger!)
I nearly had a heart attack when he said I wouldn't qualify for FMLA (which I thought was rather hincky, and I would have looked into it more, had he not offered me a great deal!)
Basically, they need me to just check in a few days a week to do some chart work ( I can bring the baby etc)...and there is no need to change or fire/rehire me...and I can still earn a few bucks while I am out for my 3 months.
They also said that I can work 4 days a week when I return. I was sooooo excited. So my new tentative schedule will be Tues-Thurs. Yay for 3 day weekends! Basically I just wanted an extra day during the week to spend with the baby. Weekends can be so busy and rushed, and I just wanted a day to cook, and play, and snuggle (especially during the winter months!). Darren will also work 4 days so it looks like we will only need daycare Weds-Fri. Plus Darren goes in at 11 and works late on Thurs, and often finishes early on Fri, so those 2 days won't even be full days.
I am so ready to meet my baby!!! (well, just hold off for a few more weeks until I finish the nursery and the peanut is a little bigger!)
Monday, July 14, 2008
33 week u/s....and it's a...
BABY!!!
I held out. I stayed strong. I have come this far....and I can wait for my surprise!!!! It will be the best surprise ever. Really, I mean there are truly very few real surprises in life.
The baby is measuring exactly on its due date! The tech said that this is rare. What is even more unbelievable is that the baby measured at exactly its due date at the 20 week u/s. The baby is also measuring over 4 lbs.
I do have to call the OB tomorrow though. I think I may have lost part of my mucous plug....I know-- gross. I think everything is OK, since this can happen a few weeks before the baby is born and there was no blood. However, I think I should call just to make sure everything is OK.
My practice manager also said that tomorrow we would talk about my schedule and time off. I have already let them know that I want to take off 3 months once the baby is here. I also suggested only working 4 days a week when I return. I don't know if they will go for this or not....so fingers crossed. I hope that I don't leave work too disappointed tomorrow.
Oh well, I guess I better get to bed and get a good nights sleep. Baby, just stay put until 37 weeks. I want you to be healthy (even though I can't wait to me you!). I also have a lot more things to do. I have to call tomorrow about getting the furniture delivered and still lots to do with the nursery. I have lists everywhere. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown yesterday when I realized that we don't have any cotton balls in the house for the baby...lol!
I held out. I stayed strong. I have come this far....and I can wait for my surprise!!!! It will be the best surprise ever. Really, I mean there are truly very few real surprises in life.
The baby is measuring exactly on its due date! The tech said that this is rare. What is even more unbelievable is that the baby measured at exactly its due date at the 20 week u/s. The baby is also measuring over 4 lbs.
I do have to call the OB tomorrow though. I think I may have lost part of my mucous plug....I know-- gross. I think everything is OK, since this can happen a few weeks before the baby is born and there was no blood. However, I think I should call just to make sure everything is OK.
My practice manager also said that tomorrow we would talk about my schedule and time off. I have already let them know that I want to take off 3 months once the baby is here. I also suggested only working 4 days a week when I return. I don't know if they will go for this or not....so fingers crossed. I hope that I don't leave work too disappointed tomorrow.
Oh well, I guess I better get to bed and get a good nights sleep. Baby, just stay put until 37 weeks. I want you to be healthy (even though I can't wait to me you!). I also have a lot more things to do. I have to call tomorrow about getting the furniture delivered and still lots to do with the nursery. I have lists everywhere. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown yesterday when I realized that we don't have any cotton balls in the house for the baby...lol!
Monday, July 7, 2008
So not a boob person...
So that is why i am petrified to breast feed. I went to a class today, hoping to gain some insight or pointers...but it was pretty stupid. At least it did give me some insight on which pumps work best for which situations. And they gave some horrid handout with pics of all these diapers and the types of poop to expects for the first week.
But I am going to try. I will persevere. I know that this is best for my baby, so I will give it all I can. And if that isn't good enough, I will just be accepting of it and formula feed.
Though the thought of painful nipples send shivers down my spine. I don't even like it if a towel rubs my nipple and I always wear a padded bra for extra coverage. Call me crazy, but I think sometimes I have a nipple phobia.
This is why I am so not a boob person!
But I am going to try. I will persevere. I know that this is best for my baby, so I will give it all I can. And if that isn't good enough, I will just be accepting of it and formula feed.
Though the thought of painful nipples send shivers down my spine. I don't even like it if a towel rubs my nipple and I always wear a padded bra for extra coverage. Call me crazy, but I think sometimes I have a nipple phobia.
This is why I am so not a boob person!
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