I had a major freakout when I thought I was leaking amniotic fluid this week. It turned out to be an infection easily cured with OTC meds. This close call got me inspired to complete the tasks that still needed to be done in preparation for this baby. I needed to buy a carseat, and that I ordered online this evening (check!), and we need to come up with a boy name. Daniel's in charge of the first name and the middle name's up to me, so I am going to try to come up with a list that I like to present to him for his vote (we always have veto rights on each other's choices). I find name-searching to be tedious and annoying and this is why I haven't done it yet.
At my emergency midwife appointment yesterday, I went ahead and did my regular checkup stuff. I had some protein in my urine and leukocytes (related to the infection), baby had turned head-down, yay!, and I had lost 3 lbs since my last appointment, bringing me down to a total gain of 15 lbs for the pregnancy so far. My midwife told me to be sure not to restrict my food, which is never a problem for me because I love to eat. I've never gained this little during a pregnancy before. I gained 42 with Chloe and 31 with Auron and I don't see myself doubling my weight gain in the next 9 weeks or so.
After she reviewed my ultrasound with the perinatologist, my midwife gave me the green light for an out-of-hospital delivery. I am so relieved to have this information so that I can finally plan my birth. I am clear to order my birthing kit and pack my birthing center bag. I don't have to worry about having a babysitter for what might be days at a time for the kids and have the option to have them there with me when I deliver. For this, I am keeping and open mind. If things go smoothly and work out, then we may bring them with us to the birthing center. I don't want to have any expectations about this so that I can try to make the best decision possible for the time, so I'm trying not to think about it very much except for the fact that I want someone to come with us to take care of them. But who??
So my pregnancy update checklist for week 31 is this:
•How far along?: 31 weeks.
•Total weight gain: 15 lbs. Thank you veggie subs and being way too busy!
•How big is baby?: depending on where you search, the baby is about 3- 3.5 lbs and can be up to 18 inches long.
•Maternity clothes?: Mostly, but I do have some jeans that ride low enough to wear under the belly.
•Stretch marks?: No new ones as far as I can tell, although there may be one on my breast...
•Sleep?: Sleep has not been great lately. I can't seem to get into a comfortable position and something ends up aching. Once I finally get in a good position, one of the kids always wakes me up for something. UGH!
•Best moment this week?: Finding out that the baby is okay- no premie so far, that he/she is vertex again, and finally being able to plan my sweet birthing center birth.
•Movement?: Of course movement is getting more intense and the baby goes through this moments of hurricane shaking. I'm not sure what's going on in there, but I can tell that this child is getting very strong!
•Food cravings?: Same as always, foot-long vegetable subs with extra cheese and mayo.
•Labor signs?: Besides the false leaking, no. I did have a few painful contractions last week when I was feeling completely exhausted physically and emotionally, but a 2-hr nap fixed that right up.
•Belly button in or out?: Forever out. But at least it doesn't hurt like it used to!
•What I miss: Being able to maneuver around without being slow or something aching.
•What I'm looking forward to: Getting closer to delivery time. I am excited about this birth!
•Milestone: I am now in single digit weeks! 63 days and counting although I am expecting to go late like I did with Chloe.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
In the clear...?
I had my ultrasound today to determine the location of my placenta in reference to my c-section incision. The tech was much better- seemed to be more experienced and knowledgeable. He did some (seemingly unnecessary) checking on the heart, measurements, etc., before getting to the point. After some "doing" he concluded that the edge of the placenta was about 2-3 centimeters from the edge of the scar but he's "not 100% on that." Okayy, I hope he's right because, and I don't know much about this but, it seems like 2-3 centimeters is pretty close! I'll get the full report when I go to my next appointment on the 30th.
He also said that the baby's in a breech/transverse position. This worries me because it's the exact position Chloe was stuck in when I had the version with her (luckily it was successful). I was told at that time that my septic uterus would cause my babies to gravitate toward being in this position. Although the version totally sucked and was painful and scary, it was definitely worth avoiding a c-section. Ironically, I had one anyway, but it was not because she was breech. If I have to have a version again with this baby, I will but I am interested to see if my midwife is willing to deliver a breech baby... I will update on that once I find out.
He estimated that the baby weighs 3 pounds and is a week ahead of my due date. He/she passed the heart check test, "8 out of 8." That's my baby! Gettin' A's already! =)
He also said that the baby's in a breech/transverse position. This worries me because it's the exact position Chloe was stuck in when I had the version with her (luckily it was successful). I was told at that time that my septic uterus would cause my babies to gravitate toward being in this position. Although the version totally sucked and was painful and scary, it was definitely worth avoiding a c-section. Ironically, I had one anyway, but it was not because she was breech. If I have to have a version again with this baby, I will but I am interested to see if my midwife is willing to deliver a breech baby... I will update on that once I find out.
He estimated that the baby weighs 3 pounds and is a week ahead of my due date. He/she passed the heart check test, "8 out of 8." That's my baby! Gettin' A's already! =)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Post-Appt Update
The appointment went well; I had my blood drawn for the glucose test, signed some consent forms for some of the newborn procedural stuff, and found out that I gained 10 lbs since my appoitment 5 weeks ago. This isn't surprising since I have been pretty immobile from this stupid back pain. I have had a few episodes of faintness accompanied by shakiness and some nausea despite my continual nourishment. She suggested that I buy iron drops since it sounds to her like I'm anemic and that's what's causing these problems. Oops, I should probably start taking that!
Anyway, we talked about the ultrasound that I had done and the report that she received on it. She spoke with the peri and they agreed that it has to be redone since the tech didn't know what the frick he was doing and didn't get enough shots of the placenta to know if I'm in the clear. I have yet to hear back from the office for scheduling of that scan.
After the appointment, I went to my chiropractor appointment and it took him about 4 minutes to realign my pelvis, which he said was all outta whack. I have felt much better since that adjustment. I go back in 3 weeks when my next midwife appointment is scheduled.
So I'm down 28 weeks, up 18 pounds, and still don't know where I will be delivering. I'll hold off ordering my birthing kit until I know if I'm high or low risk.
Once I get over this cold that is surfacing, I'm going to make it a point to start being more active so as to avoid blimping out and gaining a bunch of weight.
Anyway, we talked about the ultrasound that I had done and the report that she received on it. She spoke with the peri and they agreed that it has to be redone since the tech didn't know what the frick he was doing and didn't get enough shots of the placenta to know if I'm in the clear. I have yet to hear back from the office for scheduling of that scan.
After the appointment, I went to my chiropractor appointment and it took him about 4 minutes to realign my pelvis, which he said was all outta whack. I have felt much better since that adjustment. I go back in 3 weeks when my next midwife appointment is scheduled.
So I'm down 28 weeks, up 18 pounds, and still don't know where I will be delivering. I'll hold off ordering my birthing kit until I know if I'm high or low risk.
Once I get over this cold that is surfacing, I'm going to make it a point to start being more active so as to avoid blimping out and gaining a bunch of weight.
Monday, August 9, 2010
3rd Trimester!
I am officially 28 weeks pregnant and man, am I feelin' it! If I am up and around very much I get pretty wiped out. This child is definitely getting stronger. Sometimes he/she will kick so hard, it hurts!
I see my midwife this week and I have my glucose draw. I have to remember to eat complex carbs and protein 2 hours before my appointment. If I fail, I have to drink the glucola for my 3-hour. I've never failed, so I'm not worried about it. My chiropractor appointment is also coming up this week. Hopefully it will be a miracle cure for this creaky old back 'o mine. I've got to make it a point to get my abs back in shape after this baby's born.
Life Update:
Chloe starts Pre-K next week and I'm thrilled/a little freaked out. I am going shopping this week for clothes for her and Auron for the winter and hopefully I can find a few neutral items for this baby. I also have to find her a backpack- particularly one WITHOUT freakin' Dora or any other stupid-ass character. I really hate for my kids to be walking advertisements. Daniel thinks it's cute which is bad for me because it makes it a bigger struggle to fight against it.
I'm trying to get an idea of lunches for Chloe because I will not subject her to public elementary school food. Barf. And since she's ridiculously picky, that probably means a lot of pb&j, but at least it's organic and whole grain! If she could have cereal easily, I'd do that because she can eat cereal for every snack and meal. I think lunch is my #1 concern right now because I won't be there to tell her to finish her food. Hopefully by strategically making it super cute, she'll gobble it down.
The other thing I'm wondering about is how Auron is going to handle being Chloe-free for 32 hours a week... I think I'll be able to take him to work with me since they each are infinitely better behaved for me when I they are separated. It will be nice to have some alone time with him for a little while before the new baby comes. He's never had that and I loved my time with Chloe when she was little.
I see my midwife this week and I have my glucose draw. I have to remember to eat complex carbs and protein 2 hours before my appointment. If I fail, I have to drink the glucola for my 3-hour. I've never failed, so I'm not worried about it. My chiropractor appointment is also coming up this week. Hopefully it will be a miracle cure for this creaky old back 'o mine. I've got to make it a point to get my abs back in shape after this baby's born.
Life Update:
Chloe starts Pre-K next week and I'm thrilled/a little freaked out. I am going shopping this week for clothes for her and Auron for the winter and hopefully I can find a few neutral items for this baby. I also have to find her a backpack- particularly one WITHOUT freakin' Dora or any other stupid-ass character. I really hate for my kids to be walking advertisements. Daniel thinks it's cute which is bad for me because it makes it a bigger struggle to fight against it.
I'm trying to get an idea of lunches for Chloe because I will not subject her to public elementary school food. Barf. And since she's ridiculously picky, that probably means a lot of pb&j, but at least it's organic and whole grain! If she could have cereal easily, I'd do that because she can eat cereal for every snack and meal. I think lunch is my #1 concern right now because I won't be there to tell her to finish her food. Hopefully by strategically making it super cute, she'll gobble it down.
The other thing I'm wondering about is how Auron is going to handle being Chloe-free for 32 hours a week... I think I'll be able to take him to work with me since they each are infinitely better behaved for me when I they are separated. It will be nice to have some alone time with him for a little while before the new baby comes. He's never had that and I loved my time with Chloe when she was little.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
26 Weeks
Wrapping up my 25th week, I'm beginning to feel heavily pregnant. The rate at which I get up from sitting is increasing and I have begun to enlist the help of my kids to do so. I'm feeling more tired and achy every day and my back (via diastasis recti), I'm sure, is the culprit. I got a massage for my birthday last week, thank you mom!, and that helped me feel better for a few days and I go see my new chiropractor on Friday- hopefully it will do wonders! Of course, by then, I will be so sore from sitting for almost 3 full days that it will probably be INCREDIBLE!
I'm going to be in training in the big city for 3 days (8 hours each day) for work. It's a training for trainers, so it will enable me to travel and train other peer counselors and others who may need/want this training. I'm not thrilled to be away from my family for so long, but I suppose it will be nice to have a change of pace for a little while.
My new term starts this week as well. The class that I'm taking is called Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spritual Aspects of Healing. Sounds fun. I'm very relieved to have a break from my classload for the rest of the year. I hope that I'm ready to get back to my full-time status once the new years starts and the new baby's a couple months old.
Oh yeah, this is a pregnancy update... This baby is doing very well, according to the ultrasound that I had on Wednesday. I went in to see if my placenta was clear of my incision site so that I can be cleared for out-of-hospital birth. I expected a simple and clear answer and shame on me for that. The tech was nice; was understanding of my rowdy kids in the room, was happy to explain his process and seemed very knowledgeable about his job.
He started when the baby was asleep, went right to the face and saw several little yawns. Adorable. Continued with his anatomy scan (I was sure to tell him NOT to let on about the sex) and the kids became increasingly obnoxious. I was pretty stressed out because I couldn't get them to settle down and was stuck on the table, unable to physically restrain them. It appears that the baby was getting stressed too because when he went back to the face, baby had the hand up on the head with the mouth open in an adorably stressed-looking gesture:
I'm going to be in training in the big city for 3 days (8 hours each day) for work. It's a training for trainers, so it will enable me to travel and train other peer counselors and others who may need/want this training. I'm not thrilled to be away from my family for so long, but I suppose it will be nice to have a change of pace for a little while.
My new term starts this week as well. The class that I'm taking is called Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spritual Aspects of Healing. Sounds fun. I'm very relieved to have a break from my classload for the rest of the year. I hope that I'm ready to get back to my full-time status once the new years starts and the new baby's a couple months old.
Oh yeah, this is a pregnancy update... This baby is doing very well, according to the ultrasound that I had on Wednesday. I went in to see if my placenta was clear of my incision site so that I can be cleared for out-of-hospital birth. I expected a simple and clear answer and shame on me for that. The tech was nice; was understanding of my rowdy kids in the room, was happy to explain his process and seemed very knowledgeable about his job.
He started when the baby was asleep, went right to the face and saw several little yawns. Adorable. Continued with his anatomy scan (I was sure to tell him NOT to let on about the sex) and the kids became increasingly obnoxious. I was pretty stressed out because I couldn't get them to settle down and was stuck on the table, unable to physically restrain them. It appears that the baby was getting stressed too because when he went back to the face, baby had the hand up on the head with the mouth open in an adorably stressed-looking gesture:
Poor baby.
He said that after the full anatomy scan, that the baby was measuring about 2 weeks ahead and was already 2 lbs 1 oz! A baby at this age is usually only about a pound and a half. Everything looked perfect.
Then I asked him where my placenta was, attempting to explain the situation and he didn't get it. He told me it was anterior (on the front) and so I was clear to have a vaginal birth. This is great news but not what I was asking or concerned about. I asked him again if he could tell me if it was attached at the c-section incision site and he repeated what he had already said: anterior, not posterior, blah, blah, blah. He pissed me off after that because he decided it was necessary to explain the difference between anterior and posterior (I know this!). In the end, he finally said that he could not visualize my incision but that it seemed like my placenta was around there. UGH. After an anxious call to my midwife, she assured me that he was just the tech and that the report would be sent to and reviewed by a perinatologist who would forward the results to her. If I have to have a repeat ultrasound, I will. I just wish I knew whether to plan for another hospital birth or if I could mentally prepare for my desired birthing center/home birth.
My next appointment is August 11th, so I hope to learn more by then.
Here are the rest of the pics I got from the ultrasound. (I think it looks like Auron)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
24 week update
We are viable!
I met with my midwife last week and everything went well. I gained 6 lbs since my last visit, bringing me up to 8 lbs total so far. We got to hear the baby on fetoscope and stethoscope with heartrate at about 140. I decided to opt out of a pap for this pregnancy because I had one last year and everything has been normal for the past few years, so I can afford to put it off until 3 years from now on. YAY! I scheduled my placental location ultrasound, which will be next Wednesday, July 21st and I won't have to drive to the big city for that, which is always nice. At that point, I will be able to plan on where to give birth. If it is close to or beneath my c-section incision, I will go in for another one at the end to check the location before I go into labor. As long as we're in the clear, I'll be able to deliver in the birth center or at home if I don't feel like driving an hour to the birth center. I have no clue how long this labor is going to be since my last was induced at 38 weeks because of Pre-eclampsia, so I'm going to have to just listen to my body.
Besides that, I talked to her about my increasingly horrible back pain, which is directly related to my diastasis recti. She checked its severity while I was there and it was 3+ fingers. That means that it is advanced, hard to repair, and causes some seriously painful/uncomfortable problems. She referred me to a chiropractor who is experienced in treating pregnant women and I was able to make an appointment for July 30! Unfortunately, I'll be going to the city at least twice that same week, so that is definitely going to be tiring but at least I'll get paid for those two days since it's a training.
At my next appointment, I will have my blood drawn for the glucose test but my midwife is really nice and isn't making me drink the flat orange soda; I just have to eat two hours before my appointment, a meal that includes complex carbs and protein. I have to limit any juice that I drink that morning to 4 ounces or less. If I do not pass that test, I will have to drink the orange for the follow-up 3-hour test. I've never failed the test so I'm not worried about it.
The baby is obviously getting much bigger; I can see and feel rolling and almost every movement. The night before last, Chloe had a middle-of-the-night-pillow-freak-out tantrum that woke up the baby and made him/her really upset. There was furious kicking and squirming and I swear, if I could see into my uterus, I would have seen my poor scared baby crying silently in there. ='( At least I know that hearing isn't going to be an issue!
That's the gist at this time. I'll probably wait to post again until after my ultrasound. Maybe I'll take a giant-belly picture for that one.
I met with my midwife last week and everything went well. I gained 6 lbs since my last visit, bringing me up to 8 lbs total so far. We got to hear the baby on fetoscope and stethoscope with heartrate at about 140. I decided to opt out of a pap for this pregnancy because I had one last year and everything has been normal for the past few years, so I can afford to put it off until 3 years from now on. YAY! I scheduled my placental location ultrasound, which will be next Wednesday, July 21st and I won't have to drive to the big city for that, which is always nice. At that point, I will be able to plan on where to give birth. If it is close to or beneath my c-section incision, I will go in for another one at the end to check the location before I go into labor. As long as we're in the clear, I'll be able to deliver in the birth center or at home if I don't feel like driving an hour to the birth center. I have no clue how long this labor is going to be since my last was induced at 38 weeks because of Pre-eclampsia, so I'm going to have to just listen to my body.
Besides that, I talked to her about my increasingly horrible back pain, which is directly related to my diastasis recti. She checked its severity while I was there and it was 3+ fingers. That means that it is advanced, hard to repair, and causes some seriously painful/uncomfortable problems. She referred me to a chiropractor who is experienced in treating pregnant women and I was able to make an appointment for July 30! Unfortunately, I'll be going to the city at least twice that same week, so that is definitely going to be tiring but at least I'll get paid for those two days since it's a training.
At my next appointment, I will have my blood drawn for the glucose test but my midwife is really nice and isn't making me drink the flat orange soda; I just have to eat two hours before my appointment, a meal that includes complex carbs and protein. I have to limit any juice that I drink that morning to 4 ounces or less. If I do not pass that test, I will have to drink the orange for the follow-up 3-hour test. I've never failed the test so I'm not worried about it.
The baby is obviously getting much bigger; I can see and feel rolling and almost every movement. The night before last, Chloe had a middle-of-the-night-pillow-freak-out tantrum that woke up the baby and made him/her really upset. There was furious kicking and squirming and I swear, if I could see into my uterus, I would have seen my poor scared baby crying silently in there. ='( At least I know that hearing isn't going to be an issue!
That's the gist at this time. I'll probably wait to post again until after my ultrasound. Maybe I'll take a giant-belly picture for that one.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
23 Weeks and VACA!
Alrighty, so I've been MIA because I went on an INCREDIBLE vacation in Los Angeles! We stayed with some great friends who took great care of us. We went to the Long Beach Aquarium, Venice Beach, Redondo Beach, took a quick tour of LA hotspots, and ate at some delicious restaurants- although I have to say that I had the best food at home where our hostess prepared authentic Japanese cuisine! I think shabu shabu was my favorite! Here are some pics from the trip:
Now onto the pregnancy update.
I am now 23 weeks and the baby's movements have gotten really strong and fun! I do not enjoy when s/he kicks my downstairs, but it's so fun when s/he squishes all to one side and my belly is lopsided. Everything is going well; my next midwife appointment is this week on my birthday and my mom is going with me. I am going to ask to schedule my anatomy scan so that, if my placenta is attached at my C-section incision site and I have to deliver in the hospital, I have time to mentally prepare for that. I'm praying that it is good and out of the way because I really want a better birth this time with few interventions.
I'll update again after that appointment.
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