Pregnancy Thread ~ Tuesday April 26th

[chels_hoff]

GetNSlim...............Jonathan Charles..............Born 12/32/04
Kay&Lydi..............."Baby"..................... .......Born 01/06/05
Shandril105............Elizabeth Skye.................Born 01/10/05
Viki......................."Baby Girl".......................Born 01/18/05
Nyanchan...............Audrey Kay.....................Born 02/09/05
MadameX................Madeleine Jane................Born 02/09/05
metroames..............Grant David.....................Born 02/18/05
kimism....................Megan Elizabeth..............Born 02/25/05
shelly.....................Ethan Cole.................... Born 03/05/05
JennPayton.............Natalie Grace..................Born 03/09/05
blueyedgrl...............Reilly Grant ....................Born 3/23/05
Dar20.....................Alison Rozeta .................Born 04/06/05
Heather123..............Chad Avery....................Born 04/09/05

Marthad......................W42..............04/11/05......Boy
Jefinner.......................W41..............04 /16/05......Boy
GoJackets....................W39..............05/03/05
Hooligan......................W39...............05 /04/05
mom2twoboys..............W39...............05/07/05
chels_hoff...................W38...............05/15/05......Boy
Ravenly74...................W38...............05/15/05......Boy
Denise85.....................W37..............05/22/05......Boy
tekla...........................W37..............0 5/23/05......Boy
azktycat.....................W35...............05/31/05.....Girl
Luna...........................W34...............0 6/04/05.....Girl
nbecker.......................W32...............06 /17/05.....Girl
Vixendrop....................W32...............06/18/05.....Girl
naerenaenae................W32...............06/18/05.....Girl
jehcekah.....................W32...............06/22/05.....Boy
gilbabe75....................W31...............06/25/05.....Boy
Miss Gigl......................W31...............06/26/05.....Girl
rooney........................W31...............06 /31/05....Boy
Acutepenguin...............W29...............07/10/05
allibaba.......................W29...............0 7/12/05....Twins (Boy & Girl)

kclynn.........................W28...............0 7/22/05....Boy
Tbugs..........................W27...............0 7/21/05
Mandyhoward...............W26................07/31/05....Boy
melos...........................W26............... 08/01/05
SmileyAmy....................W25...............08/05/05....Girl
StarFire........................W21............... ..9/5/05....Triplets !!!
Ketosisgirl.....................W19.............. 09/22/05
vjfreddi.........................W18.............. ...10/01/05
jeepifer.........................W17.............. 10/04/05
Karingreen.....................W17..............10 /08/05
jojolw...........................W?............... .??/??/05
Tammeli........................W15..............10 /17/05


Karalynne7....................W?................?? /??/05
Jai...............................W9.............. ..11/27/05
saltire884......................W8................ 12/04/05
Kaillean.........................W8............... .12/08/05
cjthedog64 ...................W8................. 12/10/05
Diabolique.....................W5................. 12/24/05
jadefox26......................W?................. ..12/??/05

Green12........................................... ...Trying!
2BFitHourglass.................................... ..Trying!
lil miss.............................................. ...Trying!
Nicole134......................................... ....Trying!
StrawberryGirl.................................... ...Trying!
AnnieO............................................ .....Trying!
speckle........................................... ......Trying!
Alissaliz......................................... ........Trying!
AZParalegal....................................... ....Trying!
DasiyNYC.......................................... ....Trying!
Louise............................................ .......Trying!

[Marthad]

Hi everyone!

I'm finally back and holding a cute little boy! I'm totally behind on the thread, and don't have much time to post, but I did manage to get my birth story typed up and a few pictures uploaded. I hope everyone is doing well, I am completely overwhelmed (in all the best ways) and really enjoying mommyhood!

On Wednesday April 20th, my water started leaking while I was at the garden center with Mom and Dad. I had a midwife appointment that afternoon, and she said she was pretty certain I was leaking amniotic fluid, but sent me to the hospital to be checked for sure. That evening Alex and I went in to see a doctor who could not confirm that the water was leaking. He said my cervix was closed and about 50% effaced. Since he wasn’t sure the water hadn’t broken either, he said we should meet with a doctor Saturday morning to talk about induction because of risk of infection if nothing had happened spontaneously by then. We went home anxious and nervous about an induction.

On Thursday, we went in for a standard 41 week ultra sound to check the fluid levels and the condition of the baby. The baby looked great and the fluid was on the low side of the normal range, but no one seemed concerned. The technician did estimate him to be 4.3 kilos—9 ½ pounds—and I got pretty freaked out by that. I basically spent the day trying not to think about his size too much, wishing we hadn’t had that ultra sound, stop worrying about tearing and trying to relax as much as possible. Our doula explained that big babies usually are just bigger around the abdomen and they deal with delivery better and can help contractions work more effectively—so she calmed me down a bunch.

Friday morning around 4 am I started having what I thought were contractions, but I wasn’t sure (it turned out that they were indeed contractions). It felt like serious lower back pain combined with menstrual type cramps in my lower abdomen. They were coming every 15 or 20 minutes, but I managed to sleep a little longer. This continued throughout the day and eventually got closer together—about 12 minutes apart. Around noon, I noticed that the water leaking seemed a little darker. We called the hospital and, of course, they asked us to come in. We ate some lunch (macaroni and cheese and salad) and then went in around 4pm. Again, the doctors couldn’t confirm that my water had broken but because it might have, they wanted to induce immediately, since it had been over 48 hours and I could be on the verge of an infection. This wasn’t our plan, but the doctors/midwives said they could start the Pitocin drip off very slowly and give me as little as necessary. Alex ran home to pick up a few items as we hadn’t intended to stay the night. He and our doula, Katarina, came around 6 and they started the Pitocin at level 6 (the lowest). 15 minutes later they upped it to 12, and then no more. They did end up putting the baby on a continuous internal monitor so they could see how he was doing. Fortunately, he was, and continued, doing really well. By 8:30 I was 8 centimeters and the full 10 by 9pm. Transition was the worst, there was so much pressure in my rear I could barely stand it, and I kept getting this intense burning sensation inside somewhere. Alex was a fantastic coach though and the midwives were really impressed by how much he helped out and by how well we worked together. I had a lot of trouble getting relaxed during this transition stage and he and Katarina really helped me focus on breathing. Once I was able to control myself a little and breathe deeply into my abdomen, the pain was 1/10 of what it was before. I can highly recommend the Bradley Method! I found out after the fact, but they upped the Pitocin for the pushing stage. I pushed from 11:30 until he was born at 12:26am on April 23rd, 2005. I think I tried 3 different positions. First, I was on my knees leaning over the back of the upright bed. My knees started getting stiff and tired, so I tried lying on my side. This was not as effective, but it gave me a chance to rest a bit and get my strength back. In the end I used a sitting squat that worked really well.

Logan Harold weighed 9lbs 8oz, and was 20.4 inches long. His APGAR scores were 9, 10 and 10. Alex cut the cord after it stopped pulsing. I did have a rather deep internal tear that required “many” stitches, and I had to stay in the hospital a little longer because I bled twice as much as normal. I think it took them over an hour to stitch me up. My overall impression of the birth is great. It was hard and by no means painless, but absolutely manageable without drugs. I feel like I could have done a better job focusing on relaxed breathing and deep relaxation, but it I think the Pitocin made things happen faster and a little harder than I expected. I did get out of control quite a few times, but my coaches helped bring me back. No one offered me pain relief and I am certain that is why Logan is so healthy. He was completely alert for hours after the birth, making lots of little kitten noises and trying to suck on everything in sight!

Logan is a great baby, he's getting the hang of latching on, though my milk hasn't come in yet. He sleeps a lot and only crys a little. He wants to suck constantly! The only issue I'm dealing with is that he doesn't want to sleep alone...and I'm afraid I'm falling into something by letting him sleep with us...but he just gets so lonley...not sure how to deal with it. Any suggestions?

And now, some pictures:


Excuse the boob--hubby took the pictures and there is boob in most of them!! LOL




Good labor vibes to Jennifer!

[BrattyChelle]

Martha......OMG great birth story and to Logan!!!!

Your post sounds so positive and full of love for that little guy

[Snapdragon]

Martha: Great Birth Story! I hope I do half as well when my time comes!

Chelle: Thanks for getting me added to the list! Yay!

Morning to everyone else! Another day, a bit cold out - we actually had some snow here last night, though it didn't stay. I'm getting sick of the cold, but then, I've been so warm lately that its probably a good thing. I've also got the flu something awful. Grrrrrrrr

[GoJackets]

What a little chunk!!! I love chunkie babies!!! He is a doll and I can't wait to see more pictures of him. Those techs did a good job estimating his weight, huh? You look so peaceful sleeping together. I'm so happy for your family Martha. That was a great story too!!!

My doctor said she wasn't going to do any estimates. I think I will get an ultrasound if they think they have to do a c-section...but other than that she said we would all find out how big this baby is when it gets here.

Poor Jefinner......please, please be having this baby today. I think she is 41 weeks and 3 days!!!

[Jefinner]

YAY MARTHA!!! Big babies really aren't that hard to birth. I think I've had easier labors than some women who've had 6 and 7 pounders. Although, since I'm going over my due date with this one, and I am quite a bit bigger, I'm a little scared that he's gonna be over 10 pounds, but what do ya do!?!?

You did such a wonderful job. It takes a real woman to go drug free with the pitocin drip. Natural contractions are nothing compared to those (well, they still hurt, just not near as much...) He is a doll, and don't worry about the boob shots. Last I heard, all of us here have them. (And you're not showing anything anyway...)

Hi to everyone else... I'll check back later and do personals!

[vjfreddi]

Congratulations Martha, Great job. Wonderful birth story too. Logan is such a doll! You are inspiring to me who has many weeks to think about how delivery will go.

Good morning to everyone. Hope everyone is having a great day. We are pretty chilly here and have had to turn the furnace back on the last couple of days. Sigh.
But feeling great so all is well.

[SmileyAmy]

Martha ~ Great story and he is such a chubby bug!! OMG, I just want to pinch his cheeks!! Congrats on doing it drug free - wow!

Meg ~ How scary!! I am glad everything turned out well. I was panicing reading your post. I thought you were going to tell us you were in the hospital and they were trying to stop labor. I have to say, I am horrible at drinking water, etc. I am just so busy I don't think about it and if I do, I have to be a gazillion times!

Jennifer ~ Just wanted to give hugs and send some labor vibes!

So, this is going into the third day that I keep forgetting to take my iron pill!! Either I am at work and remember, or it's the middle of the night and I remember!! I need to get on the ball.

So, after only sleeping like 4 hours the night before last, I went to bed at 9:00 last night and was out like a light and slept until 7:20 this morning! We "fixed" the bed and it is on a new frame, but I was so afraid to turn over all night!

Well, got to go...BBL!

[Karingreen]

Martha, that is a wonderful birth story. Enjoy you new bundle of joy. The pictures are wonderful.

Well yesterday Donna (my midwife) came over. We had a really good lunch and then started my prenate. I could barely pee a few drops for her to check all my stuff, protein, ketones, hydration, that sort of stuff on that stick. Well it said I was spilling ketones and was dehydrated. I told her everything I had eaten and drank and she just seen me finish a huge salad, glass of water and triscuit crackers. So anyway we went about the visit, blood pressure was great, baby's heart beat was in the 140's, and I am measuring perfect 16 plus. So all was great, then I said I had to pee bad so she had me pee in another cup and checked all that stuff again and everything was great, not ketones spilling and I was well hydrated. She said my body had not absorb all my food and liquids before. So long story short everything was super.

Hello to everyone and have a great day.

[Mrs Sarah]

Martha: Congratulations!!! He is just adorable! Your labor sounds awesome... you did so well! I'm so proud of you!!!

[Luna]

Congratulations Martha! to Logan, he is adorable! I was really hoping your absence meant you were having him. Great pictures and story.

Jefinner, *labor vibes*

[Miss Gigl]

Wow, Martha!!! What an amazing birth story! I'm so impressed, pitocin and natural? You are my hero!! Logan is totally adorable!!!

I hope everyone is well, I'll try to check back in later.

Meg

[jeepifer]

Hey everyone, just a quick drive-by.

Martha, thanks for the story and welcome to Logan!

Jefinner, good labor vibes to you...

I got a call from the perinatal clinic this morning. My first thought was "Uh-oh" because they don't call unless the results are bad, right? Not this time! They were calling to let me know that the outcome of my triple/quad screen was negative, and that things look great. Whoohoo! Now for "not shy" vibes so we can see what sex my little one is during my big ultrasound on 5/13.

-- Jenn

[vjfreddi]

Just a question here.
Did anyone have some weeks where they gained more than expected. For no reason that I can think of last week the scale was up 5 lbs and I am a little concerned.

[Dar20]

{{{{{Martha}}}}}

Logan!!! What a great story! I'm so so happy for you guys! We've been with each other since BEFORE day one, and it's so wonderful that we have our bundles of joy. Brings tears to my eyes. I hope you can post more pictures soon. He's such a cutie and you look SO happy.

As far as sleeping, do you put him down when he's still a little awake? I have to make sure Alison is fully asleep (and usually snoring!) before I can feel confident she'll stay down. Sometimes rocking her in her swing will help her get into that deep sleep if nothing else works. But usually cuddling up against me while I sing or rock her does the trick. It's time consuming, but also feels wonderful when it works. Remember, they love to be cuddled and close to you, so being in a big crib is kind of scary.

Look at me.. giving advice already. What a trip! LOL..

Hey, is that the Graco Blackwell car seat? That's the one we have.. Purdue colors!

vjfreddi, some weeks I'd gain several pounds, other weeks nothing.

Hi to everyone else!

[GoJackets]

Originally Posted by vjfreddi

Just a question here.
Did anyone have some weeks where they gained more than expected. For no reason that I can think of last week the scale was up 5 lbs and I am a little concerned.

Yes! Try the time I gained ten pounds in two weeks!! I was devastated, but most of it was water retention.

[mandyhoward]

Congrats Martha! Logan is absolutely beautiful.

Here is my 26 week belly shot. I feel huge.




Please excuse how horrible I look. I don't even dry my hair. I just pull it up into a ponytail when I get out of the shower, so it sticks up and curls everywhere. And what is up with fat accumulating around my back? Yuk. My boobs have also ballooned since I've been in the hospital. I'm sending my friend out for nursing bras this weekend. Hopefully they'll accomodate some of my added girth.

All is going ok here today. I expect Dr. C today or tomorrow, so I'll be sure to give you that update when he comes in. I'm going to write a letter to the head of the edu dept today and plead my case. Hopefully she'll reconsider the whole graduation thing.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Mandy

[SmileyAmy]

Mandy ~ You look great! Your belly is so cute. I still have two big rolls. Can't wait to hear an update today or tomorrow. And let us know what happens with the letter. If you want us to proof read, let us know.

[Louise]

Originally Posted by mandyhoward

Here is my 26 week belly shot.

Mandy, . I think you look great! I am SO happy you have made it to 26 weeks . I have thought and prayed for you every day since you went into the hospital. I even told my DH how brave you are. The other day I mentioned you to him and he said "that lady is STILL pregnant??" And I told him yes, that you and the baby were doing fine! I know you were praying to make it to May 1st......well, that's just around the corner now .


Martha! Wow! What a handsome boy. Congrats.

[chels_hoff]

Martha ~ Congratulations to you and Alex, Logan is absolutely B-E-A-uuuutiful. Loved all the details in your birth story... but I can help asking how the food was. I remember you talking about the weird sandwich thing with the big flag...LOL

Jeffiner ~ Hang in there, he will be worth the wait.... I would SO change my outgoing message on my machine if I where you. People are already starting to call our house...uuuggghh!!

Dena ~ No need to be sorry, I know you have my best interests at heart!! You speak up cause you care and that is a good thing! Unfortunately the doors had to be done, and there was NO one to help David. I got them all painted last night, while he was at training (on his day off) the hardware just needs to be put on. But this is the last thing we have to to and I am planning on taking it easy the next few weeks. I will even prove it to ya...LOL. Friday I have all my pampering/overhaul appointments set. Getting my nails filled at 1:00, waxing 1/2 leg and extended bikini at 2:30, then a Facial, deep condition and trimming my hair, and a pedicure. Then at 9:00 am Sat I have a massage appt, and she is going to "hit" all the pressure points for labor. Cute pics of your kitty's, we have the same Boppy & swing!! We need to have another random photo day on the PG thread, maybe tomorrow.

Dar ~ How is the BF going?? So she seems to be a pretty good sleeper, and she is SO young still, good for you!! Hope I am as lucky....

Mandy ~ I would raise hell (but in a nice way of coarse...lol) now, maybe it will get you some where. Keeping my fingers crossed that the school people get their heads out of their hind ends!! Love the belly shot... I am so jealous!! Cant wait to hear your Spencer update!!

Amy (smiley) ~ Sorry to hear about your bed, but glad to hear that Ziggy is adjusting well!!

Becca ~ thanks for all the tips!!

Vixen ~ my ball came wit a tape measure thingy that you put around it while you where inflating it. My ball is a 65 cm one and the thing that goes around it is 254 cm so I guess it needs to be about 4x bigger around. Hope this helps!!

Meg ~ So glad that you and your little sweet pea are OK!!

Portia ~ did you want to be added to the list??

Luna ~ I do not know her, if I did I would be way freaking out!! Just wait your comfort level gets worse... I never thought that the end of pregnancy would be so rough!!

Val ~ I just had a significant weight gain this last month, I think a bunch of it has to do with swelling/water retention. I wouldn’t worry just look at the big picture!!

Welcome Melissa, Star and Jade!!

Hello to Michelle, Ames, Sarah, Tammara, Karin, Jenn... I know I am missing some so sorry!!

Hope I got all of the updates when I started the thread...... please let us know dates if there are any ?? next to your name.

Thanks for all the hugs yesterday guys, needed them!!! Unfortunately I keep my mind off of things by staying busy!! But like I said to Dena after the door hardware is installed I am going to take it easy. Cant wait for all of my appointments on Friday. Well yesterdays Dr appt was pretty routine.... weigh in, blood pressure, pee in a cup. My Dr was concerned at first by my weight gain since my last appt, but after looking at all the factors she was ok with it. I gained 10 lbs since my last appt, but it was a month ago. Then you throw in the swelling and the lack of weight gain before that in my pregnancy. She just wanted to make sure that I don’t continue to gain like that. I am not concerned, and kind of happy that I did gain some. She did my group B strep and I asked her to check me. She just used her fingers, didn’t hurt or wasn’t uncomfortable at all. First thing she said was "well there is his head" (so that is what I felt when I self checked) she said I wasn’t dilated at all, but my cervix was on the soft side. She also said that she has had women who go around for weeks dilated before they give birth and other that she has checked that where closed and not effaced that gave birth the next day. She assured me that everyone is different and it will happen when my body is ready. My next appt is May 6th and I *hope* that I don’t make it till then!!

xoxo Chelsea
*Pregnant with Our First*
It's a Boy!! Cant wait to meet you Payton Wayne !!


Baby's Web Page
Mom & Dad's Website

[Mrs Sarah]

Mandy: Awww... you look adorable!!!

Smiley: Have you taken any belly shots?

[vjfreddi]

Congratulations Mandy on things going well still. I hope the Doctor has a great report for you tomorrow. You look great.
I am glad your check up went well Chelsea, a difficult wait now at this point but not far now.

Thanks everyone for the info about weight gain, I feel like I am just gaining so fast. I am trying to focus on the big pic though and know it will all be worth it, Just praying for a healthy baby.

[vixendrop]

From last night:

Originally Posted by Luna

Amy (Vixen), The instructions for my exercise ball say the diameter should be 65cm and the circumference should be 80 cm. Doesn't sound right, does it?

Sorry, I probably wasn't clear (I have a habit of that)... the ball is 70cm size, so the diameter SHOULD be 70cm, but when we measure it fully inflated it is 80cm, but if we measure it just top to bottom then it measures 67cm... so I don't know which way I'm supposed to measure it... either it's overinflated by 10cm, or under inflated by 3cm... but I don't see ANY way of inflating farther, so I'm inclinded to say it's over inflated... but it's still smaller than the 65cm I tried at the birth class! It SHOULD be 5cm bigger!

Originally Posted by chels_hoff

Vixen ~ my ball came wit a tape measure thingy that you put around it while you where inflating it. My ball is a 65 cm one and the thing that goes around it is 254 cm so I guess it needs to be about 4x bigger around. Hope this helps!!

Alright, circumference... let's try that... hmm, it's 170cm all the way around... now, that really doesn't sound right! ARGH!!!!!!!!

[Dar20]

Originally Posted by chels_hoff

Dar ~ How is the BF going?? So she seems to be a pretty good sleeper, and she is SO young still, good for you!! Hope I am as lucky....

Meh, if you can call it BFing.. it's still the same. She doesn't get much from me. If I had to guess, I'd say she gets about 1/2 oz. or so from me, then she eats her formula. She's now on pretty much a formula-fed baby schedule.. eats every 3-4 hours. So that leads to my supply diminishing even more. But, I now only plan to "BF" for a couple more weeks, anyways. I certainly won't be able to do the BF then supplement when I go back to work, and I only have the pump for two more weeks. The bummer is, while Rob's at school, it's hard to pump. I haven't had a chance to do so today.. I keep forgetting.

Um.. well, the sleeping is a day to day thing. Last night was good. The night before was terrible! The only consolation, when she's fussing and won't sleep, is that I know EVENTUALLY she'll sleep. And it's not like anyone's expecting me to keep the house in order at this moment. That helps keep me sane at those fussy moments!

Mandy, you look great! Looking forward to hearing what the dr. says.