The hormones are getting to me. It's been a little ridiculous. I've had random days over the last week where I just cry and cry and cry.
I haven't detailed what exactly is going on with us right now. I'm sure I've mentioned our upcoming move, but I haven't really explained it. Basically, the base we are on closed a couple of weeks ago. It has been taken over by the Army. Which means that a lot of the Air Force here no longer has jobs, including the vast majority of Hazen's squadron. So, his command wants us gone by April 15. But Baby Girl is due March 25. So making the move right after the baby is born is really stressful (we're moving 1400 miles). Plus, it's stressful if she comes by her due date...it gets much more stressful if she waits until 42 weeks (April 8!). Overall, I've been very calm about the situation, trusting that it will all work out and be fine. But this last week, I've had spurts of "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO????". Yesterday was one such day. I feel better now, but yesterday was like the end of the world. Hormones on top of stress...not good. :p
I'm still pregnant. Obviously. The anticipation is exciting, but, because of the move, stressful. I want her to come, but I'm also not sure if I'll ever be pregnant again. And I'm really not uncomfortable, at least not too bad. Yes, I have aches and pains and I'm not sleeping well. Yes, I have a tendency to freak out from the mood swings. And yes, I'd like to be able to not pee when I sneeze. But I just feel like this pregnancy has gone SO FAST that I really haven't had time to get tired of it. Looking back, it's been a long time. But being here at the end, it just seems like I slept through it.
Tonight is the "supermoon". I'm hoping that will get this labor thing started. I don't know how much truth there is in the full moon thing, but I did discover yesterday that Ian was born on a full moon. I did have Pitocin to help him along, but I was in labor and delivery for about six hours contracting every 5-7 minutes on my own before that happened (on the 8th...full moon was the 9th). So I wonder if I would have gone into full-blown labor by the 9th if we'd waited on the Pitocin (my blood pressure was high, fluid was low, and hubby was deploying in seven days). Who knows, but it's interesting.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
38 week appointment
Blah. That's really about all I can say about it. Three weeks ago I was 2cm and 60% effaced. Yesterday I was 2cm and 70% effaced. Total bummer to have had all those contractions and only effaced a tiny bit more. I'm doing all the "right" things: walking, sex, EPO, and all that for a 10% increase in effacement. I'm sure the next week will be more exciting, since I'm now full term and nearing my due date, but still...it was disappointing to hear 2cm!!
I did have my membranes stripped. That stretched me out to 2.5cm, so I'm technically more than a 2 now. It also caused me to bleed and cramp, but no real contractions. We DTD last night and I'm going to Sams Club in a bit to shop and walk (it's rainy out). The sun is supposed to come out this afternoon, and if it does I'll go for another walk outside. If the membrane stripping is going to do anything, it will be within the next 24 hours or so...if it works, it will be within 48 hours.
Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and hubby has been thinking it will happen then because then he can't have a beer. I've been shooting for this Saturday since that's the full moon. Fingers crossed she comes somewhere between tomorrow and Saturday--that would be fantastic!
I did have my membranes stripped. That stretched me out to 2.5cm, so I'm technically more than a 2 now. It also caused me to bleed and cramp, but no real contractions. We DTD last night and I'm going to Sams Club in a bit to shop and walk (it's rainy out). The sun is supposed to come out this afternoon, and if it does I'll go for another walk outside. If the membrane stripping is going to do anything, it will be within the next 24 hours or so...if it works, it will be within 48 hours.
Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and hubby has been thinking it will happen then because then he can't have a beer. I've been shooting for this Saturday since that's the full moon. Fingers crossed she comes somewhere between tomorrow and Saturday--that would be fantastic!
Monday, March 14, 2011
38 1/2 weeks
And I'm still (im)patiently waiting for this baby who as of three weeks ago "could come at anytime". Blah to that!
Not too much going on. The contractions are increasing and are actually getting to the point of being painful, so that is promising. I was getting a lot before that would just take my breath away or be uncomfortable, but they now start as low menstrual-like cramping and move up through my belly. I can usually walk through them (that's when they are most frequent, when I'm walking), but every so often they stop me. Of course as soon as I stop walking and lie down, they stop.
The other night (Saturday, I believe), I was getting painful contractions every 5-6 minutes for over an hour. They weren't lasting quite a minute, but they were happening so often I was getting hopeful that something was getting started...and then they stopped. Sigh. Hopefully this increase in activity is a sign that something more real will be starting soon!
Not too much going on. The contractions are increasing and are actually getting to the point of being painful, so that is promising. I was getting a lot before that would just take my breath away or be uncomfortable, but they now start as low menstrual-like cramping and move up through my belly. I can usually walk through them (that's when they are most frequent, when I'm walking), but every so often they stop me. Of course as soon as I stop walking and lie down, they stop.
The other night (Saturday, I believe), I was getting painful contractions every 5-6 minutes for over an hour. They weren't lasting quite a minute, but they were happening so often I was getting hopeful that something was getting started...and then they stopped. Sigh. Hopefully this increase in activity is a sign that something more real will be starting soon!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
37 week appointment
It was pretty uneventful. I saw someone other than my regular midwife, which is alright. She was nice and all, but I really love my midwife and she knows me and remembers me when I walk in.
I didn't get a cervical check. Protocol is 38 weeks and I was just shy of that...my regular midwife tends to round up for me, so I know she would have done it (she asked if I wanted it done last week). But that's alright...it's one more week for my body to make some progress so that I hopefully won't be disappointed by hearing I'm exactly where I was the last time!
My blood pressure cooperated this week, thank goodness. I gained three pounds this week, though...I think I was just making up for not gaining anything last week! My next appointment is next Tuesday (with my midwife...yay!).
I did get a quick ultrasound to verify that Baby Girl is head down. The midwife got to witness the lump that is on my right side and couldn't figure out if it was an elbow (that would be bad...that would be breech), or a knee. I had no idea what it was either, all I know is that it's uncomfortable and makes sleeping on the right side pretty much impossible. She tried to feel for her head on the outside and just absolutely could not find it--two weeks ago, Ms. S (my regular provider) could feel it just above my pelvis. So they wheeled in the portable machine and took a super quick look. They said her head is very low in my pelvis, which makes me happy. Even if I haven't dilated or effaced anymore, this is still some progress and she is getting herself ready for the big day. That was all I got to see in the ultrasound...just a quick look for the head, the round shape appeared, and that was the end. I was hoping to get a little bit of a look at my little girl (or verify that is, in fact, a girl!), but no such luck. Oh well...we'll be able to look in person soon enough.
Things are going well. I'm sore and tiring out quickly, but that's to be expected. No new stretch marks (knock on wood!). I am getting tired of people telling me how small I am (the lady who did the ultrasound even said it! I'm measuring 37 1/2 cm at 37 1/2 weeks...I am not small, I just carry differently!!). I've actually had people ask me if Ms. S is concerned that baby will be small (no) and if my son was small at birth (8lbs even, thank you very much...and I measured about a week BEHIND with him). I'm getting annoyed.
I didn't get a cervical check. Protocol is 38 weeks and I was just shy of that...my regular midwife tends to round up for me, so I know she would have done it (she asked if I wanted it done last week). But that's alright...it's one more week for my body to make some progress so that I hopefully won't be disappointed by hearing I'm exactly where I was the last time!
My blood pressure cooperated this week, thank goodness. I gained three pounds this week, though...I think I was just making up for not gaining anything last week! My next appointment is next Tuesday (with my midwife...yay!).
I did get a quick ultrasound to verify that Baby Girl is head down. The midwife got to witness the lump that is on my right side and couldn't figure out if it was an elbow (that would be bad...that would be breech), or a knee. I had no idea what it was either, all I know is that it's uncomfortable and makes sleeping on the right side pretty much impossible. She tried to feel for her head on the outside and just absolutely could not find it--two weeks ago, Ms. S (my regular provider) could feel it just above my pelvis. So they wheeled in the portable machine and took a super quick look. They said her head is very low in my pelvis, which makes me happy. Even if I haven't dilated or effaced anymore, this is still some progress and she is getting herself ready for the big day. That was all I got to see in the ultrasound...just a quick look for the head, the round shape appeared, and that was the end. I was hoping to get a little bit of a look at my little girl (or verify that is, in fact, a girl!), but no such luck. Oh well...we'll be able to look in person soon enough.
Things are going well. I'm sore and tiring out quickly, but that's to be expected. No new stretch marks (knock on wood!). I am getting tired of people telling me how small I am (the lady who did the ultrasound even said it! I'm measuring 37 1/2 cm at 37 1/2 weeks...I am not small, I just carry differently!!). I've actually had people ask me if Ms. S is concerned that baby will be small (no) and if my son was small at birth (8lbs even, thank you very much...and I measured about a week BEHIND with him). I'm getting annoyed.
Monday, March 7, 2011
37 (and a half-ish) weeks pregnant
I'm still doing well, but starting to get to that anxious "when is it going to happen??" stage. I've been having a lot of contractions, but still nothing regular. Yesterday during church they were starting in my back and wrapping around to the front, but those fizzled after awhile. I'm pretty sure that is a sign that something "real" is starting to happen and I probably don't have too much longer until I get to meet my little girl, but I also know it can still be a few days/couple of weeks.
I think what frustrates me is that as of 11 days ago, I know I have no mucus plug. Labor is generally within 3 days of losing that (ha!) but can take 2-3 weeks. Being at the 11th-day-after-finding-out-it's-gone point SHOULD mean no more than 10 days...right? RIGHT?? I really dislike all the pregnancy signs that could mean nothing or something. They don't bother me at all and I'm fully aware of them all until I get to this point. And then I'd just really like some kind of definite indicator that something is about to happen. I actually feel like I wouldn't care if my water broke in some embarrassing display at the store because at least then I would KNOW.
The nesting urge is strong right now...very strong. On Saturday, I spent the entire day cleaning and organizing Hazen's and my bedroom to make room for the baby. I even emptied out both closets, boxed up things we don't need, moved some of the baby's things into Hazen's closet (that really made him happy, haha), went through my clothes and made a donation pile...I've been busy. Yesterday, I put all the numbers in my cell phone into our address book (I had nightmares about it the night before, so it *had* to get done), cut up an old shirt to use as diaper liners for the meconium days, and made our emergency contact list and list of things to grab as we're running out that door that I can't pack in advance (pillow, IPod, birthing ball, make-up, etc). I would have done much more, but we had church and errands that took up a lot of my day...and totally wore me out. Today, my plan is to put together the broken dining room chair (long story), make my IPod playlist, load my IPod...and clean the house. Yes, the entire house. It's a mess and I can't stand it anymore. I know I need to be careful and not overdo it, and that I should be spending these last days resting, but the overwhelming urge to DO things is just too much. I know the baby isn't going to care if the house is a mess when we get her home, but gosh darn it I WILL! And I'm feeling good, so that has been helpful. I think she has dropped--breathing is easier, my rib pain is much less pronounced (thankfully...that was really awful), I can eat again, and my waddle is something impressive.
My next appointment is tomorrow at 5:00. I'm so nervous she will tell me I have made zero progress in the last two weeks. Again, I KNOW it doesn't matter (you can be 0cm and have your water break, or 4cm and hang on for days), but it would still be really nice to find out there has been some change. I'd be happy with a little more effacement...I don't even need another cm to be happy, but going from 60% to 70 or 80% effaced would be great. Just SOMETHING.
Off to get my stuff done...I need to fit a walk to the park in there somewhere, too, since it's supposed to be such a beautiful day.
I think what frustrates me is that as of 11 days ago, I know I have no mucus plug. Labor is generally within 3 days of losing that (ha!) but can take 2-3 weeks. Being at the 11th-day-after-finding-out-it's-gone point SHOULD mean no more than 10 days...right? RIGHT?? I really dislike all the pregnancy signs that could mean nothing or something. They don't bother me at all and I'm fully aware of them all until I get to this point. And then I'd just really like some kind of definite indicator that something is about to happen. I actually feel like I wouldn't care if my water broke in some embarrassing display at the store because at least then I would KNOW.
The nesting urge is strong right now...very strong. On Saturday, I spent the entire day cleaning and organizing Hazen's and my bedroom to make room for the baby. I even emptied out both closets, boxed up things we don't need, moved some of the baby's things into Hazen's closet (that really made him happy, haha), went through my clothes and made a donation pile...I've been busy. Yesterday, I put all the numbers in my cell phone into our address book (I had nightmares about it the night before, so it *had* to get done), cut up an old shirt to use as diaper liners for the meconium days, and made our emergency contact list and list of things to grab as we're running out that door that I can't pack in advance (pillow, IPod, birthing ball, make-up, etc). I would have done much more, but we had church and errands that took up a lot of my day...and totally wore me out. Today, my plan is to put together the broken dining room chair (long story), make my IPod playlist, load my IPod...and clean the house. Yes, the entire house. It's a mess and I can't stand it anymore. I know I need to be careful and not overdo it, and that I should be spending these last days resting, but the overwhelming urge to DO things is just too much. I know the baby isn't going to care if the house is a mess when we get her home, but gosh darn it I WILL! And I'm feeling good, so that has been helpful. I think she has dropped--breathing is easier, my rib pain is much less pronounced (thankfully...that was really awful), I can eat again, and my waddle is something impressive.
My next appointment is tomorrow at 5:00. I'm so nervous she will tell me I have made zero progress in the last two weeks. Again, I KNOW it doesn't matter (you can be 0cm and have your water break, or 4cm and hang on for days), but it would still be really nice to find out there has been some change. I'd be happy with a little more effacement...I don't even need another cm to be happy, but going from 60% to 70 or 80% effaced would be great. Just SOMETHING.
Off to get my stuff done...I need to fit a walk to the park in there somewhere, too, since it's supposed to be such a beautiful day.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
36 week, 4 day appointment
Overall it went well. I haven't gained any weight since my last appointment, which doesn't concern my midwife. I am sitting at a current weight gain of about 26 pounds, and she is happy with that. I'm sure the scale will move a little for me next week anyway. ;)
My blood pressure decided to go up, which was so disappointing! My BP with Ian was higher than was desirable for several months, but this pregnancy hasn't been a problem at all. I've been right around the 115-120/70 mark for the entire time. Yesterday, however, it was 137/82, quite a bit higher than it's been. Again, my midwife isn't too worried. I didn't have an excessive weight gain between appointments (actually, I technically went DOWN .3), no swelling, no headaches or dizziness. So we'll be watching to see what it does over the next weeks until delivery, but hopefully it's nothing to worry about. If I have nausea, vomitting, dizziness, or headaches I'm to call L&D, though.
I opted out of my cervical check. I'd rather wait another week to give me more time to progress...I would have been so disappointed to hear that I was exactly the same as last week, which is silly. I KNOW it doesn't mean much...you can be zero and have your water break an hour later or be 4cm for weeks...but it's still fun to hear that things are moving in the right direction.
And for some good news: GBS swab was negative. Woo-hoo!
My blood pressure decided to go up, which was so disappointing! My BP with Ian was higher than was desirable for several months, but this pregnancy hasn't been a problem at all. I've been right around the 115-120/70 mark for the entire time. Yesterday, however, it was 137/82, quite a bit higher than it's been. Again, my midwife isn't too worried. I didn't have an excessive weight gain between appointments (actually, I technically went DOWN .3), no swelling, no headaches or dizziness. So we'll be watching to see what it does over the next weeks until delivery, but hopefully it's nothing to worry about. If I have nausea, vomitting, dizziness, or headaches I'm to call L&D, though.
I opted out of my cervical check. I'd rather wait another week to give me more time to progress...I would have been so disappointed to hear that I was exactly the same as last week, which is silly. I KNOW it doesn't mean much...you can be zero and have your water break an hour later or be 4cm for weeks...but it's still fun to hear that things are moving in the right direction.
And for some good news: GBS swab was negative. Woo-hoo!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
I feel like an idiot...and updates.
One of the "big" things I wanted for this baby is a bouncy seat. It saved me with Ian since it was the only thing he would allow me to set him down in. It's not that I mind carrying a baby all the time, but sometimes I need to do things alone like shower or cook.
Well, yesterday I had a shower with my small group and got TONS of great things, but not a bouncy seat. So this morning I pulled up Craigslist, found a chair, asked if it was available, BOUGHT it, Hazen pointed out it was a bit dirty but I thought "no biggie...I don't mind cleaning something up a bit to save some money", get it home, take it apart to clean and discover: it's been jimmy-rigged, it's crooked, and the batteries left in the battery compartment had exploded. Oy.
I know better. I always ask what kind of condition something is in if it's not mentioned in the ad. I've gotten diapers online, and always ask "is there smoking in the house? What kind of shape is it in? Any staining? etc". But this time I asked NOTHING and feel like a big dummy. I can't even donate the thing is how bad of condition it's in...I would feel guilty forever.
I hope the Bebe au Lait nursing cover I ordered on eBay shows up in great shape or I'm going to lose it. As it is, I have to make a trip to the store tomorrow to buy a bouncy chair...again. Ugh.
In happier (?) news, I am having a lot of contractions. Sometimes they hurt quite a bit, sometimes I don't even notice them, and sometimes they are just enough to get my attention. But I am having several an hour every hour, so I'm hopeful that my body is getting geared up for labor. I'm still hoping and planning to make it to at least Friday (full term) but Baby Girl is more than welcome to make her appearance any time after that. Next appointment is Tuesday and I'm hopeful that I will have made some progress since last week. It will be a little disappointing to find out I haven't after all the contractions over the last few days.
Well, yesterday I had a shower with my small group and got TONS of great things, but not a bouncy seat. So this morning I pulled up Craigslist, found a chair, asked if it was available, BOUGHT it, Hazen pointed out it was a bit dirty but I thought "no biggie...I don't mind cleaning something up a bit to save some money", get it home, take it apart to clean and discover: it's been jimmy-rigged, it's crooked, and the batteries left in the battery compartment had exploded. Oy.
I know better. I always ask what kind of condition something is in if it's not mentioned in the ad. I've gotten diapers online, and always ask "is there smoking in the house? What kind of shape is it in? Any staining? etc". But this time I asked NOTHING and feel like a big dummy. I can't even donate the thing is how bad of condition it's in...I would feel guilty forever.
I hope the Bebe au Lait nursing cover I ordered on eBay shows up in great shape or I'm going to lose it. As it is, I have to make a trip to the store tomorrow to buy a bouncy chair...again. Ugh.
In happier (?) news, I am having a lot of contractions. Sometimes they hurt quite a bit, sometimes I don't even notice them, and sometimes they are just enough to get my attention. But I am having several an hour every hour, so I'm hopeful that my body is getting geared up for labor. I'm still hoping and planning to make it to at least Friday (full term) but Baby Girl is more than welcome to make her appearance any time after that. Next appointment is Tuesday and I'm hopeful that I will have made some progress since last week. It will be a little disappointing to find out I haven't after all the contractions over the last few days.
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