Saturday, June 30, 2012

Grounded at my 37w apt today

Had my OB apt yesterday and we're all set to move my c-section up by 1 day, so this baby is coming no later than 7/11/12! Yay.

Also got a bit of some bummer news... I have to stop working now. So I went to work after my appointments and gathered some of my things. Finalized what I could and said my goodbyes. Hard to accept I won't be back there until September. But happy to get some downtime before the chaos. Even if I have to stay off my feet.

Oh... I have moderate SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction), so no more standing, walking, running, cleaning, etc. for me. But it should all go away when the baby comes.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

C-Section date may be moving up!

My head is spinning right now. My OB called and can't do my c-section on the 12th now. And because they "think" my EDD is 7/19, not 7/17 (which I know is correct based on when I ovulated) they couldn't schedule the c-section before 39 weeks exactly which by their calculation is 7/12.

So I mentioned to him that I technically am not due on the 19th. And that I stopped fighting with them over 2 days way back. He asked if I could "prove it" which of course I can. I have the chart!

There is NO WAY I made this baby 2 days later. I had Creamy CM on CD 19, and no DTD. I had EW CM on CD 17 and we DTD! It's kind of a no brainer, and it also happened on Natalya's 5th birthday (oops). So yeah, I know when this all happened. ;)


He wants me to bring my charts in on Friday and he thinks with all of this in their system we can move my c-section up to 7/11 instead and he'll be able to do the surgery! Yay.

I'm laughing because NOW an OB actually wants to see a FF chart. lol. They NEVER want to see our charts. Ha!

FX my chart will be enough. I also printed out some blog posts when I had my HPT+ on 15 dpo (by my calculation again) and my 2 beta tests, as well as the official dating scan when I notated they think I'm 6w4d when I'm really 6w6d. And all of this is date stamped from October and November.

The only thing I'm a bit worried about with my chart is that I didn't temp. But I know my cycles. Always 30-31 days long. LP always 14 days, and Ovulation always between CD15-17. And my CM backs that all up, plus my bedding. I think it's pretty conclusive.

Wonder if I should bring a couple earlier cycles too to show similar O patterns?

What's this all mean??? With a little luck and hope, I get to bring Hiccup into this world on 7/11/12 now.

I'll keep you all posted. I go in to see my OB this Friday!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

My Body This Coming Week

My Body This Coming Week
You have probably gained around 30 lbs (13.5 kg) by now and you won't gain much more at this point. You feel tired and ready for your pregnancy to end.

You may have an unusual sensation inside your vagina when the baby's head presses against the muscles of the pelvic floor.

You may experience false labor contractions before the real contractions begin. These are not like Braxton Hicks contractions and may feel as strong as real labor. The difference between real and false labor is that false labor contractions do not become regular and often disappear when you move around. While you are likely to really have no doubt when real labor begins, you may want to call your doctor or caregiver if you think you might be in labor and then he or she can help you assess whether or not you need to head off to the hospital. It is not unusual to go to the hospital with false labor pains and be sent home again.

My Baby This Coming Week
On average, at this time, a baby weighs about 6.8 pounds (3100g) and measures about 14 inches (35cm) from crown to rump and 21 inches (47cm) total in length.

Your baby is still growing and gaining weight. Your baby may gain as much as 1 ounce (28g) a day at this point.

If your baby is a boy, his testes should have descended into the scrotum by this time. Your doctor will check that his testes have descended after delivery. About one percent of boys will have undescended testes.

Your baby has been building up waste in his intestines for the past few weeks. Called meconium, this waste is greenish-black and is made up of material from blood cell break down, shedded cells from the lining of the intestine, skin cells and lanugo shed into the amniotic fluid and swallowed, as well as other sources. Meconium is the first waste your baby passes and the first diapers that you change will probably be comprised of this greenish-black, tar-like substance. There is also a chance that your baby will excrete meconium before delivery and have some covering his body.



Full Term Baby!

Full term today!!! 16 more days and this little guy will be here! Wow!!! To say I'm excited is an understatement. 

37w0d:

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Single Mom Saturday

It's been a long day. Got Craig up at 4am so he could make his 5am shift at Lowe's. Taly was sweet and let me sleep in (7:30am!) I got up and she announced she was dry! Slept for the very first time without a pull up last night and she was beaming with pride. So I decided to make her an extra special celebratory breakfast: French Toast, Blueberry's, and Sausage Links. Now mind you, I haven't cooked in the kitchen for close to 6 months now and was not at all prepared for how hot and tired that was going to make me.

But Taly loved the breakfast, so I guess it was worth it.

Of course 20 minutes later, I was the worst mom ever because I couldn't figure out how to make the VCR work. To be fair, we don't use it that often. Her grandparents (my in-laws) sent her a huge box of VHS movies... mostly Disney. So of course she really wanted to watch!!!

After tears and yelling and apologies on both sides, me and Taly made up, and I called Craig to see if he could talk me through it.

Now it's working. She and I are having a snack, then it's back to the kitchen in 1 hour to take on lunch.

I need to get some laundry done, but my body says "No". I hope to get a second wind after this snack, cause I could easily lay down for a few hours right now.

Being a single mom on a weekend when I'm this exhausted is such a challenge. I can not wait for Craig to get home. He's off at 2pm. Just over 2 hours from now.

Friday, June 22, 2012

36 week check up: a-ok

So I had my routine check up today. Kind of boring actually, but I guess no new is good news.

My BP is 128/80 (a bit higher then my normal, but not out of the range of normal for them)

No weight gain (not surprised with the puking)

Got my cervix checked... no dilation, no progression, closed up tight. And the baby's head is down.

Did have the GSB+ swab today. Will have the official results next apt., but it doesn't much matter either way since I'm having the c-section (where you automatically get antibiotics regardless) and am in the hospital a min of 3 days anyway. But it'll still be nice to know if I am or not I guess.

I asked about the "catheter" and wanted to see if there was any way I could get the spinal first before they put it in. He said that's their standard procedure, and was surprised it didn't go down that way with my DD's c-section/delivery. He added a note to my chart to say that the spinal needs to happen first! And he advised me to "Speak UP!" no worries on that one.

Next week I start the NST checks and another OB.

His final words to me were: "Stay Pregnant, see you next week!" He's got a great sense of humor.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Rocking Remote - at around 25 seconds

My Body This Coming Week

My Body This Coming Week
Your baby will probably "engage" in your pelvis this week, but this may happen slightly later, especially if this is your first pregnancy. This is when your baby's head drops down into your pelvis.

Pressure on your ribs and internal organs will ease when your baby engages. This is known as "lightening" and breathing and eating usually become easier again once this happens.

Your uterus is putting increased pressure on your bladder, though, so you will probably have to go to the bathroom even more often!

Your baby is still growing, so even though he has dropped, you will probably feel his feet on your breastbone again before the end of your pregnancy.

You will probably not gain much more weight during your pregnancy, but you feel pretty uncomfortable by now.

You're probably wishing this baby would be born already!

My Baby This Coming Week
Your baby is now considered full term. He weighs approximately 6.5 lbs (2950g) and his total length is about 21 inches (47cm). Your baby's crown to rump measurement is about 14 inches (35cm).

By now, your baby's head may have engaged into your pelvis.

You may feel that your baby occasionally has hiccups from his "practice breathing".

Though your baby is considered full term, he is still growing and developing both his body and his brain.

He is still laying down fat at a rate of more than half an ounce every day.



Friday, June 15, 2012

So over throwing up!!

Went out to dinner tonight to celebrate Natalya's last day of school. I finished eating, felt a burning burp, started to choke. Excused myself to the restroom, and lost all my dinner. It was horrible. I'm in a public restroom. I just know all the diners can hear me. The floor was wet so I refused to kneal. It was awkward and miserable. And the first time I have ever gotten sick like this in public. I'm mortified and now home in bed. I know I shouldn't complain. But I don't know how much more of this I can take. I suppose four more weeks. That seems an eternity away.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Stress Testing and More Fun!

Apparently I get to have stress tests twice a week starting the end of this month.

So now I get to go every week, and then twice a week for another 45 min each time!

All this scheduling is making my head spin. I guess the stress test is something my MFM group does on all the AMA's. What fun. I didn't have this with DD.

I'm hoping to go to work until the day before my c-section, but with all these new appointments, it's going to be interesting maintaining full time.

Plus... if the stress test goes poorly, up to L&D I go! Not sure how we're going to work that all out. We have one car. I'm doing all the driving right now and DH hasn't been coming to routine appointments because of time constraints with his temping and new job.

So if I drive myself to the apt, and they don't let me leave, how am I going to get DH there? And who's going to get DD???

Okay, a friend can get DD, and DH can take a cab. But I'm thinking I really need to get those bags packed and stored in the car, just in case. More now then ever.

My prenatal's are taking about an hour now, and the stress tests are anticipated to be 30-45 min. I foresee lots of hanging around the OB waiting room in between. Boring and nothing I can do about it. I can see why so many people just take the month before the baby comes off. It's a logistic headache trying to get DD, DH, and myself to/from work and daycare with this added "to-do" list.

Look at this crazy schedule:
6/22 prenatal
6/29 prenatal, wait there for 1 hour, then stress test. 1/2 my day gone.
7/3 stress test
7/6 stress test, then right into prenatal. less of my day, but still a chunk.
7/10 stress test
7/12 have the baby!

And the scheduler was on a role, she kept trying to get me more stress tests up to my EDD. I said to her if she really wanted to hear my baby's HB after the 12th, she could just use a stethoscope, since he'll be out.

TODAY'S APT STATS:
BP 110/78
WEIGHT - Up 24 pounds total.
IRON LEVEL CHECKED - NORMAL

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

My Body This Coming Week

My Body This Coming Week
You will probably now see your doctor or midwife once a week.

Now that the baby has settled lower in your abdomen, you may find breathing to be easier again. However, because your baby is now putting even more pressure on your bladder, you will have to urinate more frequently.

You may have gained up to 30 pounds or more by this point.

You are probably starting to get tired of being pregnant and you are probably focused on the birth ahead of you.

It may feel like you have been pregnant forever and you just want the baby out.

My Baby This Coming Week
Your baby weighs about 6 lbs (2750g) and measures about 20.7 inches (46cm) in length. Crown to rump measurement is about 13.5 inches (34cm).

Your baby now feels lower in your pelvis.

Your baby continues to grow, kick, and move about.

Your baby's face has filled out and the cheeks now look plump and full. Fat baby cheeks are caused by fat deposits, but also by powerful sucking muscles which your baby has been honing by sucking her thumb.

Your baby's skull is firm, but it is not hard as it needs to give a little when it is passing through the birth canal.

Your baby's head is probably down by now, but about three percent of babies present in a breech (bottom down) position. Your doctor may try to turn your baby around if it is in a breech position by putting pressure on your abdomen. This is called external cephalic version (ECV) and is effective in about 50% of cases. If your baby is in a breech position, ask your doctor about what your options are for the birth. You may or may not require a cesarean delivery.


Saturday, June 9, 2012

Parenting... Why It's Worth It!


With anything in life there is good with bad. BUT... the good so outweighs the bad. 


Parenting is one of the most challenging things you'll ever do, but also the most rewarding. 


The first time your baby clings to your finger. The first time your baby naps on you. The first time your toddler successfully uses the potty and the pride is overflowing off them and you. The first time your toddler says I love you and gives you an unprovoked hug... and so many more things to come. 


I'm still so in love with my daughter. And she can be a handful. At the end of the day, I still love our snuggle and story time. I love that she loves us and wants to be a part of this crazy thing called life. 


With all the ups and downs, having a child, and now two, really makes it all worthwhile


Won't sugar coat it... it is going to be a change. Sometimes a very challenging change (to put it mildly), but a worthwhile change. 


Your childless years are now over, on to the next great chapter... Parenthood! 


Friday, June 8, 2012

I have amazing friends!

So yeah, I'm stressed OUT! Why wouldn't I be? This baby is coming, ready or not. And I'm not ready. But out of no where a wonderful co-worker surprised me with pack n play sheets, and a bath gift set.

I'm overwhelmed.

I'm humbled.

I'm thrilled!!!

Thank you SHARON! :)


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Circumcision/Bris Headache!

Back to square one. I spoke with our Rabbi and the MW Mohelet. She's perfect. Done hundreds of these in the last few years alone, and even teaches how to do them out of Tufts University. I'm on board. Let's do it.

The Rabbi is available on the date the bris would need to happen. The Mohelet is not. Asked if I changed my c-section to the 16th instead of the 12th would that work for everyone? Answer is "NO" from both.

So now what? I'm kind of mad actually. I listened to all they said and advised. I researched. Finally got to a place where I'm comfortable with this decision and nothing. I feel like I'm failing my son before he's even here. Maybe it's just my hormones, but I'm really upset now.

Craig is going back to talk to the Rabbi on our behalf to see where we go from here.

Last night when I found all of this out I was in tears. It's just all too much for me. So for now the circumcision discussion is back on "pending" and I don't know what we're going to do. I just know we need to figure it all out and soon.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

34w OB check in

Had a good uneventful OB appointment today.

BP 116/72, fantastic.
Baby's HB 155 BPM.
Weight up a total of 22 pounds.

Next apt on 6/22 at 9am with Dr. Young. Will have the strep-b test done. (boo)

C-Section and Tubal scheduled for 7/12/12!

It's OFFICIAL!!!

Here's me today at 34w0d:


My Body This Coming Week

My Body This Coming Week
You have probably gained between 20-29 lbs (9-13 kg).

You may have continued backache as you relax the muscles supporting the joints in the small of your back.

You probably feel cramped and heavy.

You will probably find it easier to eat a little bit, but often, rather than eating large meals since your stomach is compressed.

Your ankles may be swollen and you may be having a hard time moving around. You may be able to avoid or reduce the swelling of your ankles by getting extra rest and changing positions frequently.

You are probably experiencing emotional changes along with your physical symptoms of pregnancy. If this is your first birth, you are probably becoming increasingly concerned about labor and childbirth. There's no doubt about it, though: You can do it. Knowing what to expect though can help you to feel prepared and can help you have a better birth experience so read, talk to your friends and family, your doctor and your childbirth educator about your concerns.

My Baby This Coming Week
Your baby now measures about 20.25 inches (45cm) in total length and weighs around 5.5 lbs (2550g). Crown to rump measurement is about 13.2 inches (33cm).

He continues to grow and fatten up, especially in the shoulder area, and kicks regularly.

The fine lanugo hair that covered your baby is shedding, though some may still be present when your baby is born.

Your baby's eyes are blue, though this may change soon after birth or much later after birth.

Your baby's fingernails are growing. They already reach the tips of his fingers and they may even look quite long and pointy by the time he is born. Your baby may even have some scratch marks from scratching his face with his fingernails.

Your baby is probably feeling quite cramped right now and his movements are restricted by his growing size.