She's Here!

Our baby girl is here! We just got home and it's been a very long and tiring few days but all is wonderful. She was born 4/26/06 at 11:27 pm after a quick labor but long delivery - 3 hours of pushing and a very difficult time getting her into the world.

8 pounds, 13 ounces and 21 inches long. She is perfect and I'm still amazed she's mine!

I'll post my birth story and all the details very soon.

Thanks again to everyone for your support!

No Room at the Inn

The hospital called at 6am - they have no open rooms for me! I have to call back at 10am and hopefully they'll have something. She said there are 4 people going home today but who knows when...so we're waiting to see.

Aaaaahhh :)

Wish Us Luck!

Tomorrow's the big day! I am so full of emotions right now. I thought today would go by very slowly but it's really gone by fast. I'm finishing up my nesting and getting things ready for the whirlwind to come.

Thank you to everyone for your support, I really appreciate it. I'll update with baby news as soon as I can!

Wednesday is THE DAY!

I am being induced Wednesday morning at 8am.
Thank the Lord! :)

Dr. F is the best, I love her! She said Dr. H should have scheduled my induction *last* week - she can't believe I've been 4cm dilated for over two weeks and they didn't induce me. SIGH. No kidding! Ha!

At any rate, she's really nice. She asked if I was induced when we lost the baby before, which is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, but I told her no, I had a D&C. She wanted to make sure I hadn't been through the induction (and birth) route, which I thought was really nice of her. Nobody else had even mentioned it before. Interesting.

Anyway, I gained 5 pounds this week - yikes!! That puts my total up to 34 pounds. I haven't been as hungry lately so I'm surprised I gained that much but oh well. I think I'm bloating up too, in my hands and face (nothing serious, just hot weather and a LOT of water!) but I'm glad my weight gain is almost done.

AND she thinks the baby is NOT 9 or 9 1/2 pounds. WHEW! Her guess is 8 to 8 and a half. She thinks Dr. H's guess of 6 1/2 to 7 pounds is a little on the small side. I guess when it comes down to it, they don't really know :)

I am so happy and so relieved to have the induction date! YEAH!! I can't believe that later this week she'll be here. Well, I can kind of believe it, but I'm so excited that it's actually going happen. Yey.

Think Good Labor Thoughts

My doctor's appt is a about 9 hours from now. Not that I'm counting or anything.

Please, please hope they schedule for me an induction SOON. I'll update as soon as I get back.

Have a good night, everyone.

One More Week Still Pregnant

I am 41 weeks pregnant today. Still pregnant and 7 days overdue. I was thinking earlier that if my doctor hadn't told me I was going to have the baby TWO Thursdays ago, I might not be so surprised to *still* be pregnant. The whole "any minute now" thing is high overrated.

Ha.

Today was a great day! My mom took me out for the day, which was awesome. I had two women ask me when I was due and they were both surprised that I'm late. That was nice of them.

I only have to get through one more whole day until my doctor's appt. Sweet. I need some kind of answer, a date as to when the waiting can end. I know I'm going to be feeling crappy after the birth but it'll be SO nice not to have a 7-10 pound baby living in my pelvis and sleeping on my bladder. Having her in my arms will be much nicer, that's for sure.

Congratulations to Isabel, who's sweet Prince is here!

Surprise Weight, Good Fluid and a little Zapping

We're back from the u/s and nst this morning. Whew, what a crazy morning!

First, everything's fine. Baby is happy as a clam in there and just doesn't want to come out.

The ultrasound was interesting! The tech was mostly looking for baby's size and the fluid level, because if either weren't right they would induce me. I figured her size was not an issue since Dr. H said on Tuesday she's a smaller baby, 6 1/2 to 7 pounds.

During the u/s, we couldn't get a good look at her head because it's sooooo low. The nose to chin was all we could see! The tech tried and tried (and we did get the good tech by the way!) but no luck. So then she moved on to her limbs to measure and then her belly. Her belly is BIG! So the tech measures it and puts it all in and then shows me the stat screen.

She's measuring 9 pounds, 6 ounces!! Eeeks! I kind of don't believe it, since my monthly u/s until this point have shown her to be right on track for about 8 pounds. The weight for a red flag(and an induction!) is 4500 grams and she's measuring around 4215 grams. So she passed (barley!) The tech also pointed out their measurements could be a pound and a half off either way - soooooo, my baby is somewhere between 6 1/2 pounds and 11 pounds. Haaaa.

And then the tech looked at the fluid level. Anything under 8 is a red flag. Mine was 13 (which is high but goes along with the big baby theory). Dh offered to pay the tech $50 for a level of 7 but she just laughed. Nice try!

The NST was good. It was uncomfortable - baby didn't want to cooperate (I think she was sleeping) so the nurse tried a few waker-her-up things...like buzzing her with this razor-like device, which didn't hurt but made me jump everytime she put it on my belly. Then we tried drinking cold juice and then she pushed around on my tummy (ouch!) and by then, I was done. Thankfully, baby did give them enough to show she's doing fine and the placenta's doing it's thing too so all in there is okay.

We did get to see her face on the ultrasound and she's SO cute. Chubby cheeks and dh's chin...I just can't wait to meet her.

Sooooooo....Monday morning it is. The nurse said Dr. F would make the "plan" so I'm assuming that means induction. Monday can't come fast enough!!

41 Week Tests Tomorrow

When I made the appointments for the ultrasound and non stress test a few weeks ago, I had NO idea I'd actually make it to them! I thought "Wow, a week late, let's hope not". Haa haa haa.

Tomorrow morning's agenda: ultrasound (I think it's with my favorite u/s tech, that would be so nice!) and then the NST with one of the ob nurses. I wish I was seeing the doctor after but he said no need. I'm thinking if anything's wrong they'd let me know and I plan to ask a LOT of questions.

I'll update when I get home tomorrow late morning!

Running Out of Patience, Clothes and Words

I'm trying not to make every post a whine about being overdue. It has taken over my life these days and I'm sure everyone's as sick of me saying "No baby yet" as I am of saying it. I'm frustrated and, at some moments, pissed off. But I know I have no control over this and my body's going to do whatever it wants to do, regardless of how much I walk, how much spicy food I eat or how many times I have sex (which is still an no in my book, but you get the hint).

So funny story - I have outgrown all of maternity shirts. I started out wearing size small from Motherhood but last month bought a few xl shirts and those fit but they're the only ones. So my wardrobe is 2 shirts and 2 pairs of jeans. It's quite comical, since it does take the "hmmm, what will I wear today?" time out of my day. It's whichever one is clean and I'm good to go!

And here are the top 10 things that people say to me on a daily basis. It's funny that EVERYONE I talk to (they're usually calling to 'check in') says these or a variation there of. Haaa.

1-"Oh, you haven't had the baby?" or "Did you have the baby?"
2-"You're going to go into labor any minute now. You're ready"
3-"How are you feeling?"
4-"You must be sick of everyone calling to check in"
5-"Well, you're only so-and-so days late."
6-"The baby's already not listening to you!"
7-"I can't believe you're 4+cm already! When I went into labor....."
8-"When's your induction?"
9-"You'll get your epidural pretty soon after going to the hospital so that's good"
and 10-"Maybe today/tonight/this morning/this afternoon"

"Are you ready yet?" "Have you been nesting?" and "Are your bags in the car?" are honorable mentions.

Cheers to today, 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant.

But they had THEIR babies

TomKat, aka Katie Holmes and Brooke Shields both had baby girls in the last few days. I think this is funny since Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields had that tiff about Postpartum Depression.

I think this is NOT funny that they got to have their babies and I didn't! SIGH. Anyone know when the Trump baby is due? Or if it's here??

Answer is....Won't I

I am not being induced.

We just got home from the appt. I am 4 to 4 1/2 cm dilated, 90% effaced and the baby is at a +1 station. Therefore the doctor thinks I'll go into labor on my own soon. By soon, he doesn't have a time frame but that it'll happen since I'm "already progressing" in my labor.

I am more than frustrated. I'm crampy and grouchy and now I'm off to take a nap.

However I am VERY happy that baby girl is fine and just taking her time in there! I can't wait to see her, finally. The doctor estimates she's about 7 pounds.

Come on baby. I hope you decide to come out SOON.

Will I or Won't I?

No baby yet.

That pretty much sums up my phone calls these days. Although, the calls have tapered off since late late week - I think after the false alarm of the Dr. D telling me I'd have the baby on Thursday, people have decided that maybe it's not so close afterall.

Tomorrow is the big doctor's appt at 2pm!! Everyone - keep your fingers crossed that I'll get an induction date!! I'm worried he's going to tell me to wait it out and send me on my merry way. No, no, no!! I can even cry if it means being induced...I just need a bright light at the end of this pregnancy tunnel.

So we'll see. I wasn't able to change my appt with Dr. H, Dr. D is out of town until Friday so Dr. H it is. SIGH.

I've had some on/off contractions all day but nothing of concern. I've also had some pressure in my hips and belly but it goes away when I sit down. Of course, my mil tells me to keep walking around I get the pressure but she forgets that I have a full grown small child in my stomach and it just flat out isn't comfortable to walk a marathon with 8 (or more!) pounds of baby pressing on me. But I'm walking around and staying on my feet as much as I can - for what it's worth, since it doesn't seem to be helping right now!!

So, here's to tomorrow's appointment. 4cm dialted as of last Wednesday and I just want something to assure me I'll get to hold my sweet baby girl in my arms sometime very soon.

Hoppy Easter

Happy Easter, if you celebrate the holiday. Dh and I didn't make any plans, since we weren't sure what would be going on with baby. So we're having a relaxing day at home and we'll probably have Chinese for dinner. (Leftover, and no, it didn't bring on labor last night - hee hee).

I've had a few strong contractions here and there. Again today I had the thicker cm, it usually happens in the middle of the night and/or in the first part of the morning. Then it stops. I'm feeling a little discouraged again today. I'm trying to think about my drs appt on Tuesday, since Dr. D mentioned being induced at my appt last week, but I'm seeing Dr. H this time. Actually, I'm going to call in the am to see if I can see Dr. D instead. Once I get the induction scheduled I'll feel better - having the date set.

Anyway, we had company last night for a few hours, which was a nice distraction. I did a LOT of walking yesterday and all it's done is make my legs and hips very sore today. So today I'm taking it easy.

I hope Isabel is having her baby today!! And a HUGE congratulations to the new mommy Sara whose baby girl is now in the world safe and sound. I'm also sending big happy labor thoughts to Holly!

I'm Due! I'm Due!

This is what my pregnancy ticker says - I'm Due! I'm Due! No time left! ha. Yesterday I had quite a few strong contractions - dh and I timed them all last night and they were, for a brief time, about 12 minutes apart. Then they stopped. SIGH. Today I had a few random strong ones - mostly after I go to the bathroom (which is every half hour or so!). I also had some other signs of labor - lots of cm, some super light pink cm yesterday and on/off backache and crampy feeling. But nothing that lasts, it all comes and goes. Hmmmmmm.

So I'm going to be tonight happy that I made it to my due date - 40 weeks! I can't believe I made it through a full term pregnancy and I'm here, but I am and that does feel good. It's the positive side to all of this waiting.

Happy Easter or Happy Passover, everyone.

Spring has Sprung!

The weather here is SO gorgeous. It's almost 70 degrees and very sunny, I love it. It's like coming out of a cocoon after a long, dark, cold winter. Very nice. I opened all the windows and attempted to do some outside stuff but then I got hot and came inside to enjoy the fresh air. hee hee.

The baby, however, has not sprung! She's still kicking around inside.

There are two new babies though - our friends from baby class had a scheduled c-section on Wednesday and they have a new baby girl. They go home tomorrow. And the girl that dh sits next to at work - she had a baby boy yesterday. 9 days early, might I add.

Hopefully there are more babies in blogland to report too! Sarah's sweet baby girl should be here by now...and Holly and Isabel are next! Babies, babies!!

Insert Impatient Sigh Here

No baby yet. I had a rough night, with some contractions but still no pattern at all. SIGH. I'm feeling defeated which, I know, is a little silly but I was really hoping the doctor was right and today would be something. It's only 2pm so there's lots of today left - I'm trying to stay positive.

And, here's my quick list of labor-inducing hints that everyone has given me. And by everyone, I mean everyone...people at the day spa, the girl in the elevator at the doctor's office, my husband's co-workers, my friends from out of state, my family...you name it.

*Sex (ummm, NO. Just not pretty at this point, not that it's pretty ever.)
*Shall we say...."taking care of business" for myself. (another NO.)
*Nipple stimulation (see above)
*Riding down a bumpy road (because that would be comfortable!)
*Eating spicy food (a good thing to do with major heartburn and nausea - NOT)
*Doing jumping jacks (I could really hurt myself!)
*Pelvic tilts, sitting doggie style on the floor, lying in the labor/pushing positing (haa haa)
*Getting an ankle/achilies tendon/foot massage (I did get a pedicure today!)
*Walking (trying it, not sure if it's working or not)
*Walking uphill or upstairs (do my house stairs count?)

Anyone have anything to add??

4 is the Magic Number

So today was the 39.5 week doctor's appt.

I am 4cm dilated.

Holy CRAP! I have been grouchy and not feeling well for days now and it turns out, I have a good reason why. The doctor did the internal exam and kept saying- "Oh yeah, wow, she's right here. And ready! Oh there's the head..." It was not painful but very uncomfortable and then he said, "Yup, you're ready, she's ready and you're 4cm." I almost fell off the table!! I was so excited I didn't ask how effaced I was but I'm thinking it must be pretty good for his reaction.

Then he said he'd be on call tomorrow - and that he'd probably see me over at the hospital.

WOW! I'm so excited, which is a little odd but the thought of actually having the baby - and in the next few days - is awesome. He said there's not a chance I'd make it to my next appt on Tuesday but if for some odd reason I did, they'd induce me. SWEET!

Now I just have to get the contractions going. I'm hoping his poking-and-proding session might start things moving along, or that nature will kick up it's course and fast. Bring 'em on!

And last week I gained zero pounds, making my grand total weight gain 30. Not too bad. My blood pressure was good - 129 over something - and protein was negative. My belly is measuring 40cm. All good signs. I asked about the nausea and he said that was normal, especially for somone dialated to a 4 without any regular contractions.

So, everyone, PLEASE send me your labor vibes and hope we have the baby soon!

Ah, the Nausea Stage is Back

Since yesterday I have been nauseated. Last night I threw up once. This morning, I had whatever you want to call them "contractions" for almost three hours, all in my back, but in no pattern at all. Then they stopped. Dh went to leave for work after the ended and I had a total breakdown so he worked from home today. Thank Goodness. I'm just not feeling good - I didn't sleep last night and I'm sure that's not helping my cause.

Maybe these are the flu like symptoms they say happen before labor in birthing class?? Stay tuned!

1WW

Here I am in a totally different yet still stressful one week wait. 6 days actually. And that's just to my due date, which of course there are no guarantees. I've been keeping busy by resting and running errands - it's nice to get out of the house but I get so tired so easily. Hence the resting. Everything at home is pretty much in order and ready to go - I'm trying to keep the laundry caught up and the house clean so that if it is ever time, things are somewhat in order. I have a few errands to run tomorrow and some groceries to restock and I think we're good to go.

We just need baby to cooperate!

Now everyone's thinking the full moon this week might speed things along. That's fine, whatever makes her come out - I'm jumping on that bandwagon.

Doctor's appt Wed afternoon which seems so far away. Until then, I'm going to try to keep busy and hope & pray that this baby decides to make her big appearance very soon kicking and screaming into the world.

The Waiting Continues

This morning was another doctor's visit. I saw Dr. D today. After almost having an anxiety attack just getting there, I was a few minutes late and Grouchy Nurse was waiting at the elevator for me. It was two minutes past my appt time, sheesh. After the now weekly weigh in and finding out I've gained THREE pounds in one week (actually 6 days!) we went to do the pee stick test for the protein check. Grouchy Nurse decides the desk is too cluttered and then cleans it - I'm standing there thinking, " You just met me at the elevator and now you're housekeeping?" but I kept quiet. The test was negative as expected - although she did grab a hcg test at first and I pointed it out to her that it would be positive. Haa haa, she didn't find it that funny.

Anyway, I'm a little disappointed after my appt today. Only because there's not much to report. Again I didn't get an internal exam. Dr. D didn't think it was necessary since I'm not having contractions and there's no reason to strip the membranes yet. I did tell him I thought I lost my mucus plug and he said it sounded like it so that's a good sign.

Then he ordered an ultrasound and non stress test for one week past my due date. WHAT?! It was all I could do not to try. I think he could tell that because he said, "Oh, I'm sure you won't need these appointments but we'll make the rest of them, just in case". He then added he thinks I'll go into labor "in days" but that could be 2 days or 12 days so who knows. Sigh.

Baby's doing good though - active and a strong heartbeat. Belly is measuring 38 cm.

So my u/s and NST are schedule for Friday, April 21st and they'd probably induce me that day or the following Monday, April 24th. That's WAY too far away. Please, God, please, let me go into labor before that.

I know I'm being a brat but my nerves are frayed and I'm just....ready. Think happy labor vibes everyone!

Pregnant Forever

I am a total mess. Emotionally, physically, you name it. After losing my so-called plug on Sunday, I was really hoping it was a sign of things to come. Nope. Other than some totally sporadic contractions, I got nothing. Yesterday was a rough day. I feel like I'm on my last nerve and with my hormones all over the place like they are, it's not pretty. I'm still terrified of something going wrong and it's so close...all I want is to go into labor, end up at the hosptial and have a baby in my arms.

With 11 days to go until my due date, I feel like I might be pregnant forever. There are a lot of ironic things about this feeling. First, it's been two years to the month that my husband and I decided to start a family. It's one year since we started trying for the second time. This feeling of wondering what my body is doing is similar to that of the ttc process. It's very strange.

So tomorrow is doctor day and we'll see what happens. With my luck, he'll tell me to wait until I'm two weeks late and then I'll be induced. Ha. I'm just impatient, I know but it's so hard waiting. It's no fun.

But the waiting continues.

Mucus Plug Anyone?!?!

I think I have my lost some of my mucus plug!! This morning I went to the bathroom and there was this white/yellowish snotty looking blob of mucus on the tp. It was a pretty good amount. I'm thinking it was my mucus plug or a random ball of cm. What do you girls think?

I'm actually happy to think I may have lost it - that means things might be starting here, sometime down the road! Yesterday I said to my husband that I felt like something was going on - it felt like the baby kept banging into my cervix. It was a weird feeling. I'm not having any contractions or any more Braxtons, but we'll wish.

I hope this is it!