she's here

Introducing our Little Miss

July 9 (37 weeks, 1 day)
7 pounds
19.5 inches

35 weeks, 3 days

I had an appointment yesterday. They measured the baby's heartrate and movements, which were normal. Here's my new schedule:

June 29th - last ultrasound to measure baby's growth
July 1st - cerclage removed
July 6th - measure baby's heartrate and movements
July 13th - scheduled c-section

I have all Little Miss's clothes washed, folded and in the drawers. Her carseat is cleaned and ready to go. Both our bags are packed down to the belly brace for me and extra hat and chlorine-free diapers for Little Miss (I even found a Peanutshell sling on craigslist for more than half off!). Little Man's bag is packed and an emergency childcare plan is in place. Arrangements have been made for our dog and his little doggie bag is packed, too. I even made sure dh has a change of clothes in the car!

I also have my natural pain remedies on hand. I'm planning to use Arnica Montana 30C for pain, bruising, and bleeding after the cerclage removal and c-section. On the 3rd day (after c-section), I'll begin Bellis Perennis 30C for 3 days. I also have Aconite 30C and Chamomilla 30C if I feel anxious before surgery. Finally, after the wound closes, I'll be using a homeopathic Calendula gel which will eliminate scarring. This is a neat find because I do have the tendency to develop keloids (thick scar tissue) from deep cuts.

My mom arrives July 8th and she'll be here through the 24th, which is a blessing because dh is in school full-time and would be hard-pressed to be there for both me and Little Man. I think I'll need 10 solid days of help as I heal from the c-section, but honestly think 4-6 weeks of "easy" is not pushing it!

I'm still having lots of contractions, but by now am used to them. Yesterday, I decided to start walking around a bit more (i.e. no wheelchair at doctor appointments ... limited trips to the grocery store) just so my muscles aren't so wasted after baby arrives. Seriously, it is a struggle just to get up from the couch when I'm on strict bedrest. Aches and pains are more pronounced and digestion really suffers when I eliminate activity. I think I'm far enough along in the pregnancy where even if Little Miss is born this week, she would be fine. I walked (slooooooooowly) to and from the car to my appointment and we even went to Whole Foods afterwards. No problems.

Next goal is the 36 week mark (July 1st) ... it's right around the corner, ya'll!

Hugs!

what's new

Now for all the draaaaama ... (first want you to know up front that me and baby are fine) But yep lots of contractions beginning Thursday night, June 4th around 10 p.m. It got so bad we had to call the ambulance because I couldn't sit up or even move really. Just as the EMT's were trying to get me to answer questions I had to throw up of all things! After barfing my whole week's worth of meals, the intense pain left me. I think it was spasms and bloating from trapped gas that was causing the excruciating pain. It was so bad that I hoped I would pass out ... anyway there was not a moment of relief until I threw up and I know that is not what labor usually feels like.

I was having contractions every3-4 minutes at one point ... anyway I made it to the local hospital here and they were able to stop the contractions after 3 doses of Tributylene. I was released around 5:30 a.m. Friday, June 5, went home to bed then we had to get up and go to my already scheduled dr. appt at 10. It takes an hour to get to my doctor. Anyway ... here comes Friday nite and I start having contractions AGAIN. This time we decide to make the drive to the best hospital in the area (an hour drive) AND we took Little Man with us.

We took our son because the night before my neighbor came over and helped so much ... I'm so glad we know someone who is as generous as her! We just didn't want to use up all our favors when the contractions weren't painful although they were between 6 and 8 minutes apart. We got to the hospital around 1 a.m. and they eventually get the contractions to stop with one shot of the Trib and a couple bags of IV fluid. Released around 7 a.m. Sunday, June 6.

Okay, at this point I go home and we know I'm doing complete bed rest. That night, I get to bed by 9-ish, but the contractions began around 10:30 p.m. they were uncomfortable, but I knew it wasn't true labor. I decided not to go to the doctor although they were 6 minutes apart at times. Other times they would be 12 or more minutes apart. I basically couldn't sleep all night. I went back to the hospital Monday morning (June 7) and they gave me a drug that I can use if all else fails (i.e. drink water, use bathroom, rest w/feet up). They also recommend I try eating a good protein and carb combo before bed, keep it by my bedside at night so I can take a nibble whenever I get up to use the bathroom. The nurse thinks baby's activity is causing my uterus to be irritated, so it contracts. Lack of sleep also makes the irritation worse and other random preggo symptoms aggravate, too.

Bottom line is, baby is looking great and a test they did showed that my cervix was not changing with these contractions ... it wasn't true labor ... and the results of another test show that there was a 98% chance I wouldn't have the baby in the next two weeks. Since I got that news, we decided to stay home until my gut says there might be a problem, or if Little Miss isn't moving like she should or especially if there is a change to the contractions. If they become really intense, I know that could be enough force to cause my cervix to start to change.

I guess I do feel a little frustrated by everything, but not scared. I never felt a moment of fear ... just disappointment because I don't want Little Miss to live in the NICU even for a moment. Now that I'm moving through week 34 I do feel a little better (remember Little Man was born the day I turned 34 weeks and he was just fine - small, but fine), but still will feel much better when she is on the outside and I can see what's going on!

Next ultrasound and appointment is on Tuesday ... I'll update more around that time!

Hugs!

3D ultrasound pics

Lots to update everyone on ... but until I get to it, I'll leave you with a few 3D pics. Today marks 32 weeks, 6 days preggo. Little Miss weighs 4 lbs. 9 ozs. and has a head full of hair. Sadly you can't see her hair in these pics.

big girl

Mother's Day was a trip ... I was sooo emotional ... I think I cried from the moment we arrived at church until I was shuttled away after service. It's just been a bittersweet day, but through it all I can't help but raise my hands in thanksgiving. God has taken away my reproach before men and has caused me to be a joyful mother of children! That thought alone breaks me down everytime. I usually like a private cry, but there was nothing private about the tears I shed openly (and quite profusely)!

Today's appointment went well. Ultrasound revealed that Little Miss is 3 lbs. 6 oz. and is in the 82nd percentile. Cervix looks good, too.

For the last several ultrasounds I've had the same technician and she does a wonderful job explaining everything she is measuring and why, but the pictures she sends home with us are usually blurry frontal views. Other techs take the more clear profile, or side views. Yeah, it might sound petty considering how well baby is doing, but there have been way too many times when ultrasound pics were some of the few pieces of evidence that my baby even existed. Our memories of our children begin early because we never know how things will play out, of course it is our continued hope that everything will go smoothly.

Anyway, I plan to ask for a profile view next time ... I haven't done so up to this point because the tech always seems so busy trying to take care of the business side of the appointment and it seems clear that pictures are only a courtesy.

Baby shower date has been officially changed to June 20 ... I'll be heading into week 35 at that point, so am taking a risk that Little Miss might actually be here already! Turns out May 23rd is graduation weekend for many on my guest list and the following weekends were all booked up for the host and my husband, so the 20th it is!

28 weeks, 1 day

We just hit my latest milestone - the 28 week mark. I can't believe I'm actually inching toward 29 weeks! Last appointment on April 27th, doctors did another test that supposedly predicts the likelihood of preterm labor occurring in the next 2 weeks and it was negative. (deep sigh of relief).

I don't think I blogged about it, but 2 weeks ago, I was stuck in bed with lots of contractions. I drank gallons of water and only got up for the bathroom and the contractions subsided. I was concerned, but not worried simply because they weren't getting stronger and they did seem to get better when lying down. I never had another episode like that and of course now I keep a huge jar of water upstairs and downstairs so I'll never go without. The water also helps with another big headache - trying to regulate digestion. I finally had to go to the health food store and buy an organic fiber supplement. Today is day 2 and I can say YES it works. I actually lost a half inch around my waist because it was so effective.

I also bought a juicer - which I love! Me and little man usually have a huge smoothie in the morning and some sort of juice concoction in the afternoon. Cleaning that thing is time consuming, but that is my only complaint. I have to find a cheaper way to get fruits and veggies because between the juicer and blender, I go through a huge bag of organic apples in like 3 days. Same thing with carrots, oranges and even beets! Yeah, yeah I know eating the whole fruit is healthier and has more fiber, but I will not even pretend I'd eat this much raw fruit/veggies without the blender or juicer. I'm getting a ton of vitamins, a smidge of fiber, and a boatload of variety in my diet. Win-win.

Getting full on the fruits and veggies instead of my favorite burger and fries has caused me to lose another pound, so total weight gain to date is 22 lbs. I have another appointment and ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday May 12 and I look forward to seeing Little Miss again. I predict she'll be at least 3 or more pounds.

Next milestone: 32 weeks

update

Well after my small breakdown last week, I had a complete major collapse. I cried until I didn't have tears and then I prayed. I felt soooo comforted by God ... just the knowledge that such an amazing God can hear little ole me and that regardless of how things play out, my best interest is at heart. Those simple truths are relevant and true whether I understand how a painful experience can be in my best interest or not.

Update

I scheduled an earlier appointment since obviously I couldn't wait until April 20th! Well, just to alleviate my concerns the doctors did every test imaginable. They tested for amniotic fluid - negative. Infection - negative. Dilation/funneling/shortening of cervix - negative. They even squeezed me in for an ultrasound so we could check Little Miss's growth. She is in the 93rd percentile and weighs in at 1lb, 14 ozs. That's a pretty big baby!

We also scheduled my next two appointments for every 2 weeks, then the next three are 3 weeks apart.

All is well .... and YES I am beyond relieved.

Keep us in prayer ...