pictures part 2 - Maternity

The last few months in pictures - part 1

I realized I've been slacking on posting pictures lately so here's a little catch up.  (I'm also quite annoyed  with this blog - I'm posting this for the second time because I just lost the whole thing... urg!) 

Christmas

Relaxation exercise - hand in cold water and using breathing techniques... it works! but is probably not a true comparison to labor. 

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What we were actually doing during that exercise... This couple was very interesting and quite entertaining to watch/listen to.  He like to pet her and looked at her with longing eyes every time the teacher referred to mom's support partner.  Yes, they are spooning during the exercise, not quite sure that would be practical during labor but to each his own.  It was quite tricky to get this picture and be quiet!


At the hospital for the version, obviously not in labor

My first time actually being a patient in the hospital, it was very different

The babymobile - Nissan Murano
I'm quite jealous that Stephen gets to drive this more. 

The end of an era

This week marks the end of Stephen and I being just a married couple with no kids and I have mixed emotions about it!  I've loved the time we have together - just the two of us, being able to go out to eat without distractions (which I've heard is priceless), jumping in the car to go wherever without a second thought, quiet evenings, mornings of sleeping in, sleeping through the night... all of this I know is about to change which makes me a little sad.  It's crazy to think about, how everything will be different at this time next week.  Right now we're sitting on the couch, Stephen is working on a sermon, Lilly is laying in her spot, and it's so quiet and relaxing. I've just finished cleaning up from dinner and I know that I don't have to get up again to do much of anything until I want to... However, I know what's waiting for us on Monday is going to be great too.  It's a new chapter that we're excited about.

Last night Stephen and I decided to go on a really big date!  He suggested when I got home from work that we skip out on childbirth class and go to The Melting Pot.  Since it seemed like they had covered pretty much everything in childbirth class and were doing a tour of L&D I felt ok to skip out, but the Melting Pot is a pretty big deal for us!  Both being savers, we don't often... or ever think to splurge on a meal but since it was our last date night before baby we decided to make it extra special and it really was!  The food was great but the whole experience of the evening was perfect.  It was nice and quiet and we were able to just talk, spend time together, and eat great food - we really enjoyed it and I know it will be a great memory to look back on in the following weeks when we're sleep deprived.

I can finally say I'm at peace with the baby coming.  If he decided to come tonight, that would be OK.  I'm still ok with him coming Monday too though, it will be good to have the weekend for last minute things and to rest.  Everyone at work is really excited for me and they're sharing all kinds of stories about breech babies and c-sections.  I'm not too freaked out though, I know it will all work out fine.  I was sharing tonight with Stephen something kinda silly.  I've been noticing lately in my bible reading many references to labor pains and I kind of want to experience labor pains.  I will probably quickly regret saying this if I actually go into labor but part of me wants it... the other part of me is ok without.  Anyway, we're getting pretty excited! Car seat is installed, hospital bag is almost packed, and we're ready to welcome him home!

Still down... but one week to go!

Well I spoke too soon yesterday, last night I started feeling really bad again but thankfully I slept well through the night.   I'm home today taking it easy but I'm so ready to be well and out of the house.  I went for a short walk around the neighborhood and quickly realized how out of shape I am, I wasn't even walking fast or going far and I was so winded by the time I got home.  I guess that's what 20+ extra pounds and being sick does to a person.  I'm not too worried about it though, I know I will get back to my previous fitness level in time... hopefully a short amount of time.  It's crazy to think that at this time next week we will have a baby!  He's kicking and moving around now and I'm so glad to feel him moving.  I was worried about him through the weekend since I knew I wasn't getting enough fluids and nutrition but my doctor says he will take what he needs and it makes me feel better to think I'm the one suffering and he's doing just fine.  I go in for my last OB appointment today so looking forward to a good report and a healthy baby to come!

Ups and Downs

I'm glad to say I'm feeling much better today.  Friday after work I was hit with a flu/bug/tired sickness not exactly sure what it was but it had me in bed or in the bathroom until this morning.  I haven't had much to eat today but I'm starting to feel better so hopefully I'm on the mend.  There were times yesterday that we thought about going to the hospital.  I was having contractions 5-15 minutes apart but they were lasting 4-5 minutes.  We called labor and delivery and they said true contractions would last that long so I needed to be drinking more water.  I think it was dehydration but it had me worried about my little one.  Last night I almost thought I'd passed it along to Stephen, I was laying on the couch watching TV because I couldn't sleep and he came out to check on me then passed out on the way back to bed.  I didn't even hear him pass out but he came crawling to the living room and told me he wasn't feeling well.  I felt so bad I couldn't even take care of him.  He seems to be doing fine today though... it's not good to have both of us sick at the same time.  

Earlier this week I was really on a nesting kick.  I had Monday off (Thank you Martin Luther King) and was able to get the nursery mostly done as well as exchange some things around town.  It was a really productive day and made me feel good.  

Also, we are scheduled for a c-section next Monday.  February 4th is the big day!  Hopefully he'll turn and come on his own time but I'm thinking it's not likely.  I can still feel his head up by my ribs.  It's nice to have a date to expect him though.  I know my last day of work and can plan better that way - unless of course he doesn't agree with the plan.  

Version

So my sweet baby boy seems to be confused on which way is up and down.  He's been breech or transverse for most of the pregnancy and rather than jump to the conclusion that he's just being rebellious and stubborn I truly believe there is some reason he can't be in the correct position.  Today we tried the version.  It happened so quick, Monday at my appointment he was still breech and so after discussing the options we decided to go for the 37 week version since it was most likely to be successful in turning him.  Thursday morning the office called to tell me to come in Friday!  So today we went and sadly it was not successful.  The worst part of the whole thing was probably the epidural.  It really hurt when the lidocaine went in and my blood pressure dropped to 55/20 right after it was all done which made me feel horrible.  My doctor tried her best and another doctor came in to help who is really good at versions but he wouldn't budge.  Although I couldn't feel anything, I could see from their faces that they were pushing really hard - good thing I couldn't feel it.  My doctor even said at one point she was shaking from how hard she was pushing.  The baby did great through the whole thing though and didn't have any problems so that is a relief.   As we left it was crazy to think that next time we leave there we'll be taking our little guy home!

Anyway, Stephen and I made a list of all we have left to do and I think we should be able to get it done by the end of the weekend.  Pray for our house though - it seems things are falling apart right now.  We had windows put in this week which uncovered termite and water damage :( and our hot water heater wasn't working last night so it may be going out :(  It seems fine today but I'm not sure what the deal it with it.

Happy Sabbath and love you all, I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend and am thankful for a day off Monday (you have to love state holidays!)

It's all about baby...

So much has happened this week!  (which explains the length of this post)  It seems like my week has been mostly focused on baby which is good since he's coming soon.  Monday I went to the doctor and was really hoping our little guy was head down.  My whole pregnancy he's either been breech or transverse on ultrasound and even when I do the exercises my doctor prescribed, it doesn't seem to help any.  Last week my sis and I felt him flip and go head down so I was hoping he was still there Monday but nope.  He seems very comfortable being turned around.  She told me to think about what I wanted to do and we discussed some options (c-section, version at 37 weeks or 39 weeks to try and turn him). I really wasn't sure what to do with all the options because there's no guarantee he will stay head down if he's turned at 37 weeks but if you wait until 39 weeks, he may not have room to turn.  I really want to avoid a c-section but I'm more comfortable with the idea.  One of my families I work with mentioned chiropractors can do something to help babies in breech position so I researched all my options and came up with the following plan of least to most invasive:

1.) First try going to the chiropractor for the Webster Technique which has a 86% success rate (from one website I found - may not be too reliable though) which I consider the least invasive options and it's not going to hurt anything.  Most babies should flip with 1-2 treatments... sometimes 3-4.

2.) Version at 38-39 weeks (since I feel him moving so much still) with an epidural (haven't decided if I want to be induced at 39 weeks if it's successful but that's still a few weeks away)

3.) C-section... because when it comes down to it, I just want a healthy precious baby and it doesn't really matter all that much how he gets here.

So Thursday I saw a chiropractor who specializes in working with pregnant women and babies/children.  She was really knowledgable and told me that in her experience 75% of babies will go head down with this technique and the other 25% have some explainable reason for being breech (cord is wrapped, etc.) Later that day I felt him moving a lot and I believe he is head down now, just praying he stays and we will find out for sure on Monday at my next appointment.

I started going to breastfeeding and childbirth class this week.  I really enjoyed the breastfeeding class and feel more comfortable about the whole process.  I've been really nervous about breastfeeding, I've heard it's pretty painful but I learned that if he latches correctly it should be ok... Anyway, they gave some really good resources and I feel more prepared.

I also started and almost finished painting the dresser that Stephen found at a garage sale.  I wanted to do an ombre effect with yellow on the drawers and it's looking really good.  Almost done... I will post a picture when it's complete which I'm hoping will be tomorrow!

This is also the week of baby showers.  My work shower was Wednesday and it was perfect! I'm not typically a big fan of showers simply because they can be really awkward and I'm not a fan of being the center of attention opening gifts.  My coworkers decorated everything so cute, we had great food, and everyone was chatting while I opened gifts so I didn't feel too on the spot.  I got some really cute things and great practical stuff so I'm really appreciative of them going to the trouble, especially since I've not been working there too long.  Here are some pictures:

One of the PTs, April handmade these super cute boots for him.  I absolutely LOVE them!!!  She's also making a sock monkey hat which I'm excited about.  Melissa is organizing the rest of the gifts now which is so nice.  I have a feeling this week will consist of a lot of organizing so hold off for a few more weeks baby!  On that note, I've been having about 20+ Braxton Hicks a day so it really could be any day... but hopefully in a few more weeks.

34 or 36?

So tonight I realized a very startling fact... I am 36 weeks instead of 34.  I'm not sure how I was off by 2 weeks this whole time.  In fact, Baby Center sends me an email every week with an update as to how our baby is growing and it reminds me how many weeks we are, they were wrong too.  My sister kept telling me also that I was further along than I thought but I guess I just wanted more time to prepare.    Monday I start a breastfeeding class and Tuesday we start going to a childbirth class.  I know we are pretty last minute with this but I figure a little info is better than none.  The last class is Jan 29 so we probably won't make it to all of them but you never know! Well I'm off to bed!