Feb Mommies Countdown is on

[ultramichelle]

It is our month. Yeah:) :)

[Mini-Sea]

I AM ON PINS AND NEEDLES ALL OF THE TIME!!!

I had to call DH at work this morning (i never do, as he is a chef). The girl who answered the phone htought it would be humorous to tell him I was in labor. When he picked up the phone, he was so nervous that he could not even speak. Poor guy!! He was so mad. Atleast he wsa not upset with me!

WHO IS NEXT?????????????

JILL

[clathrin]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to check in quickly and let you know I'm still here and pregnant. Hope everyone is doing well (esp. Luv, where are you, girl?!?!) and I'll write more after my OB appointment tomorrow.

clathrin
37weeks6days

[Mini-Sea]

Seriously, where is our LUV? I am starting to get worried! Surely, she must have had her little one? There was alot of talk of her going early.

I hope everyone is doing ok...Clathrin, I think we are ALL still pregnant! Well, except for Mel, and maybe luv. Let us know how your appt goes tomorrow. It seems like one of us is always at the Dr.s' office.

JILL

[luv2laf]

Hi ladies--- I promise I will post my birth story and fill you in on all the little miracles going on with Eli's birth---- but right now we are back and forth to the hospital to see him-- he's still there and we are discharged.

We both had separate complications, but we made it through and are doing better every day.

Here's the email we sent our family and friends. That'll inform you of much of the details until I can get back and tell ya about my crazy labor.


2nd UPDATE:
Hi all! We didn't completely finish our call list before we went into labor, so if I missed you on the first email, I apologize!!---It's down below!

Here's an update.

We came home last night after checking on Eli one last time. We're planning to go back today for a couple of feedings.

He is still maintaining his body temp and breathing own his own.

The goal now is to get his respiratory rate consistently under 60 breaths a min. so that he can eat by bottle or breast without working so hard that he has to choose.

He was breathing slow enough last night for us to feed him the first time with a bottle. He did have a tube feeding him going thru his nose down close to his stomach. They still have the tube in place in case he begins to breathe fast again. When we were leaving the hospital last night, he was getting his second bottle feeding. While he was eating, he did open his eyes a couple of times. Until now, we haven't seen his eyes, so that was exciting. The nurses have done a good job of educating us about what to expect and how preemies do more sleeping and need much less stimulation so they don't get too tired and use up the energy they need to mature.

They are supplementing his feeding with any colostrum I can manage to pump.

I am doing fine--moving a bit slow, but recovering very well. Joe is going to get husband of the year award because he was the GREATEST coach for labor, which I did manage to do without an epidural, for those of you who are wondering! A few other drugs got involved because of my pre-eclampsia, and I had a very long, tough labor, but we got thru it purely on God's strength. Joe has been really wonderful since then attending to me and supporting me.

We will keep you posted, and thank you so much for all your prayers and support!

Love you all--Leigh Ann, Joe, and Elijah


1st UPDATE
Elijah (Eli) Joachim Fernandez

Info & Vitals:
- Born Saturday, January 28th @ 6.23PM
- 35 weeks 6 days
- 7 lbs 5 oz
- 19 inches long
- 34 cm head
- All around big moose!!!!

Although he was only almost 4 weeks early, his lungs were
underdeveloped for 36 weeks. He lacked the protein surfactant in his
lungs so his lungs were collapsing with every breath. Normal people
keep about 50% of their oxygen in their lungs with every breath. He
was keeping much less. He was sedated his first night with a breathing
tube and they gave him the surfactant orally, and he took it like a
champ. He began breathing normal air at 5:30 Sunday morning and has
continued breathing by himself. The doctors said he threw the
textbooks out the window and advanced greatly in one night. We were
able to hold him for the first time Sunday night for about 30 minutes
and have continued spending time with him every few hours on Monday.
His breathing is still a little weaker than they want so they are still
feeding him through a tube in the nose. The doctors think he should be
able to feed normally tomorrow. There are 4 hurdles he has to get
through before they release him. He needs to maintain “normal”
breathing, he needed to maintain a “normal” body temperature when they
took him out of the heat lamps, he needs to feed, and he needs to
resist jaundice or process it through his system quickly. He has been
off the lamps since about 10pm last night and has maintained a good
body temperature so he is progressing nicely with his body
temperature.

Thanks for all the support and prayers and we hope to have him home in
a week or so. The doctors are being very conservative, but he’s
already come so far.

I’ve enclosed a picture of my Mom with him. This was the only one I’ve
downloaded so far with a good face picture… Most of the pictures are
with him hooked up to numerous things. We’ll send more pictures as he
progresses.

I’ll keep everyone updated when we get new news.

Joe and Leigh Ann
__________________
Me--30
DH--29
DS on the way!
EDD: 2/26/06

[clathrin]

Congratulations, Luv!

I am so relieved to hear from you! I think we were all getting worried. I'm very sorry to hear that you had pre-e complicating your pregnancy and that you had to deliver early, but it sounds like you and Eli are doing great, and I know that the both of you will continue to get better and stronger every day. He'll be home before you know it! Thanks for the update and I'm looking forward to hearing all the details of your birth story....and hopefully seeing some pictures! :)

clathrin

[anagator]

Hey Luv,
Its great to hear from you again! I was seriously worried about you! Congratulations on your little man! I can only imagine how worried you and Joe must be about him, but I'm sure everything will be just fine! Sounds like Eli is making some fantastic progress! It also sounds like the doctors and nurses are doing a great job of taking care of him, and coaching you and Joe about what to expect!! I can't wait to hear more about your birth story, and of course, to see pictures when you're ready and able to post more!! For now, please take good care of yourself, try to get some well deserved rest! Know that my DH and I are thinking about your family, and will most certainly keep you in our prayers!

[Mini-Sea]

Luv,

I am so happy for you guys! Wonderful! I am so proud that you went all natural, with a complicated labor, too. It seems like little Eli jumping all of the hurdles pretty quickly. I bet the two of you are beaming with pride at this point.

How far do you live from the hospital? Hopefully not too far. All of us were concerned about you. It is good to know that you and your family are ok. Keep us updated on his progress. Can't wait to get more news.

JILL

[rlobrian]

Luv~ I am so happy for you and dh! How is Eli? Congratulations!!!!

[ultramichelle]

Luv Wow I hope he comes home soon. I wish your whole family the very very best. How exciting. I am sure he is making leaps and bounds everyday hope he continues to make those hurdles. Congrats. 19 days to go.

[Littlelulu]

Luv Congrats---hope You Get To Bring Him Home Soon.

[Melgrem]

Leigh Ann ~ I'm so happy for you and your dh. Congrats. Can't wait to see some pictures.

[luv2laf]

Hi ladies--DH and I are at the hospital. We live about 30 mins away. Can't wait to bring him home. Being at the hospital is exhausting. The worst part is that I'm now a slave to my boobs---wow--- didn't know they could be that demanding! They decide when things should happen, and I'm at the hospital trying to work around all the staff. The best part is that most of them have been extremely helpful, and he is in good hands until he is healthy enough to come home.

My emotions are running hot and cold. That has been really interesting for me to observe/experience. It's strange not to have control over it when it comes on. In about 5 mins, I gain perspective and get better, but it's a trip when it happens. It's just hard having all these experiences out in public, and not in the privacy of my own home. Eli's got a schedule, my boobs have a schedule. The hospital has shift change. It'll just be nice when everything comes together and we can take him home!

I did manage to breast feed some today, which is great because that helped the engorgment and plus for them to let me do that, his breathing rates have had to be fairly normal for the past couple of days. I'm hanging around the hospital to try again for his 9:30 feeding. I breastfed him with the lactation consultants help around 3:30. WE missed 6:30 because of their shift change. I had a absolute boob emergency and had to pump around 7, and now I'm hoping to be able to do his 9:30 feeding. I'm sittting here with ice packs on my boobs and dh is asleep in the chair in this little room we're in.........

Please keep us in your prayers. If he keeps progressing, they are talking about coming home in a couple of days! thanks for all your thoughts and congrats---I'll stay in touch!! Good luck to who's next!!!!

[Nechomah]

OMG OMG!! Leann I'm so happy for you that your birth is over and you did what you wanted as far as no epidural. :) :) I'm sorry that it was long and complicated, but the main thing is that it's over now and you're there for Eli while he gets ready to come home with you. I never posted anything about my kids, but I think I posted that we are observant Jews and live in Jerusalem. Anyway, any names that we use are Hebrew, often Bible-based. My littlest is named Eliyahu (which is the Hebrew variant of Elijah) and we also call him Eli.

Anyway, I didn't want my absence to infer anything about my giving birth EARLY, haha. That would be a record. I figure I have another 19 or so days to go, we'll see. I still have a lot to do. I am having guests this weekend - I get to see my not yet 4 month old great nephew for more than 5 minutes finally. My kids are very excited. I have a lot of work to do today though to get ready for them.

Still having insurance problems. The national insurance agency is getting ridiculous. :mad: They insist on a form that gives my estimated date of delivery - signed by the doc of course. They never required such a form before and I can only get it at their office - I'll call there this afternoon and see if they can fax it to me. But if not my DH suggested that I just go to the hospital and finish the registration paperwork there. They will want a post-dated check for some outrageous sum of money but I will be official in their computers. Then after the birth (when the date of delivery is obvious) the insurance cannot refuse to finish the paperwork. I'm going to take his advice and save myself a lot of running around.

Gotta run to the store to stock up before the guests come. Hope to still get a nap in today. So important to rest up before the big day comes and then there's no sleep anymore, lol.:)

Have a great day and hope you all have your babies SOON.

Nechomah
EDD Feb 8 '06

[ultramichelle]

Nechomah, Is your bag ready? :) You are worse then my DH he is not ready at all. if I had time and didn't only nap and eat all day long I would help you but my schedule is tight. :)

[clathrin]

Hi everyone,

I'm back from my OB appointment and everything looks fine. Baby's HB was 139 and she has been moving well. Last week I was at zero station, but she has slipped back to -2 station (so she is back in my abdomen above my pelvis...she's going to wrong way!!! :rolleyes: ). I'm 60% effaced but 0% dilated (sigh), so I guess I still have a ways to go. That's partly good news b/c DH and I still have a bunch around the house to do, but partly bad news b/c we are really looking forward to having her here. My legs are still grotesquely swollen, but my BP is fine (120/70), no swelling in the hands or face, and no protein in the urine. My hematocrit is finally rising, so I guess all those iron pills are finally working. I just realized that I forgot to ask about the results of my GBS, but I'll ask next week. What's the word on everyone else?

Ultramichelle, I'm almost afraid to tell you....but my bag isn't packed yet!:eek: I've been meaning to do if for at least a week now but it always seems like there is something more important to do when I get home. But I'll do it tonight!!! :)

Hope everyone is doing well!
clathrin
38 weeks today!

[ultramichelle]

Clathrin, So your kid is heading the wrong way, does htat mean you haven't dropped? or are you just not engaged? is there a differance? Get that bag packed.
I just took the dog for a walk around the bay and I started to have contractions so I can home now they have stopped I am wondering if I just keep walking will it all happen sooner? Should I not be walking the dog? I have an appt tomorrow but wouldn't mind things to start alittle sooner, but it gets very uncomfortable then I worry I may be too far from home and no one will find me.
18 days to go.

[anagator]

I'm 36.4 weeks today, and my bag isn't packed either! And you know what -- since you're all due before me, I suddenly don't feel so bad about it!! We have some essentials in there already for the baby, and pads for me... but no clothing yet for me... DH has been on me for 2 weeks to get to this task... but I keep telling him... "I don't know how BIG I'm gonna be after the baby comes, so I don't know what to pack!"... We don't know if we're dilated or effaced yet, and won't even be checked for a few more weeks... so its all good. Today I won't be needing a nap since I seriously just woke up and its after 1:00pm here. LOL. We may go out tonight to buy the nursing bra though... because my bbs have started to become a little tiny bit tender in recent days (maybe this means they are finally gearing up to do their job!)...
Anyhow... Clathrin... i had NO idea the baby could go back and forth?! That SUCKS! I wonder now if that happened to me, because the other day, I looked a bit dropped, and now I don't again?? LOL this kid is playing tricks on me!
Ultra -- if walking brought on contractions... imagine what Running might do? LOLOLOL...
Ok gals... I have to tidy the house (I think I"m nesting again today!)....
Check in later!

[Adelaide]

yay!!! did adie not tell you it would be within 2 weeks of your mucous plug?? i can't believe it! it just seems like yesterday that you joined on fertilitext and started ttc and here you are with a little baby boy!! can you believe we've been "e-friends" for a year?? we always had so much in common and you were always such a positive support system while ttc that i'm sure your birth story will be just as inspiring! my dh is now starting to gear up for l&d and i'm sooooo glad you made it possible after all our talks about natural birth! love you, luv! and once again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

adie

p.s. just keep pumping! don't give up, girl, you can do it!!

[clathrin]

Hi ultramichelle and anagator,

Yes, baby can move up and down until they engage. So although I had dropped originally to zero station, apparently she had not engaged and now she has popped back up! I think it's pretty common.

Ultra, I have been told my many OB physicians and residents that walking can encourage labor, so it doesn't seem surprising that you would have contractions while walking your dog. Whether you should continue walking is really up to you, but be careful b/c you dont want to progress too far in your labor since you are at risk of uterine rupture due to you fibroid surgery (I'm remembering that correctly, right?).

And I will definately pack that bag tonight! It already has socks, underwear, baby's coming home outfit, and a couple of diapers in there...what more could a girl want? (:p ). I'll work on it.

Hope everyone is hanging on!
clathrin

[Littlelulu]

I had my Dr. appt. today---I'm still only 1cm dilated but I am 70% effaced. She is still high. The Dr. said any time. I asked the Dr. whar is the lastest she would let me go and it would be the 19th. I sure hope I do not have to wait that long. I am thinking if nothing happens I am going to be done with work this coming week maybe by Wednesday or atleast cut back on my hours. Our bag has been packed for a little over a week and in DH truck ready to go. I just have my bathroom stuff to grab it's all in a case, but I am still using those things so it can't go out to the truck. We also have to grab the camcorderand camera just do not want to leave that in the car while we are out and about. Does everyone have there car seats installed? During our birthing class they said that 90% of people in the US have them installed wrong. We went to the fire department last weekend and both of our cars checked and we had them worng--too loose not close enough to the back of the seats. We needed to go and find pool noodles to help with the sliding. Finding pool noodles in Jan in Michigan is not a easy task, but we finally found them and bought a bunch for us and to donate to the fire depatment. They are now installed correctly just waiting for her to get here. If you need yours checked---check babiesrus they are doing safety checks this month here in Michigan it's Feb. 11th.

[clathrin]

bumping us up!

[young2me]

Congratulations Luv2laf on your little boy, Eli! You were a February mommy and you delivered a day before me! I thought I would have been a February mommy, but Alayna entered the world on 1/29 (my actual due date was 1/30). Alayna was 7lbs, 10 oz, and 20 inches long.

By birth story was quite a scare at first. I woke up at 2:45am on 1/29 with menstral-like cramping, but I tried to ignore it and sleep through it. Then, I felt somewhat wet, so I headed to the bathroom. At that point, I wasn't sure if my water broke or what until I saw bright red blood gushing out! We hurried to the hospital, for we didn't know what was wrong. Once at the hospital, the blood flow did not stop, so they checked the baby right away, and her heartbeat was found. What a relief! I seriously, thought I was going to lose this baby...I was so scared. Anyway, we are not sure what the blood all was...doctor said it could have my water breaking along with losing my mucous plug or it looked like I passed a clot. I progressively dialated through the day, and I decided to get an epidural at 5cm (thank goodness, for I didn't know what was ahead of me). Things did slow down a little, so they did inject pitocin in my IV, and at 3pm, I was ready to push. I pushed and pushed for 3 hours...Alayna was not coming down! Finally, the doctor advised a c-section (which at that point I said anything to get her out). So, she was delivered c-section within a half hour. They found out she was sunny-side up and my pelvic was slightly tilted, adding to the difficulty of having her vaginally.

We just got home from the hospital yesterday, and we are all adjusting. It's been difficult to move along freely with the surgery, but things get better each day. Everyday I have a beautiful girl to see, and I think how lucky I am to have such a gift.

How is everyone else doing? Any more birth stories? Hope everyone is doing well!

Carla
DD 1/29/06 --Alayna (7lbs 10oz, 20in)

[Kirastin]

Hi all well here is my birth story.

I had my check on 1-23 and it showed that my fluid level had gone right back up to almost 30, my baby looked like he could almost be 8.5lbs and I was only 50% effaced and 1.5cm dilated. I was hoping to have a VBAC but it really was not looking good so we sceduled my c/s for 1-25. The two nights before that I had contractions through the night but not consistent enough to bring on labor. So I had a repeat c/s 1-25 and David was born at 4:13P weighing 7lbs 8oz and 21" long. And when they took him there was so much fluid it came shooting out in an arc and my OB said that David was up high he was not going anywhere anytime soon! Boy did the contractions from the uterus shrinking get my attention it was much more painful than the first time. I am finding that in some ways the recovery has been harder and easier if that makes any sense.
David lost a fair amount of weight and it had me concerned at first until he had his check two days after we were released and found that he had started to gain weight. I am curious to see how he is at his two week check next week. I have been nursing and he has taken to it like a champ I am happy to say. I do miss my sleep since I am the only one who can feed him until I start pumping enough for DH to help but it is so sweet to spend the time with him and bond.
I hope everyone else is doing well and I will come back soon and read everyones updates to see how you are doing.

[ultramichelle]

Wow congrats what a story. the bleeding wouyld have freaked me out. Welcome home with your new family. Yeah
17 days to go

[ultramichelle]

Kirastin, Congrats also, Are you trying to sleep when the baby sleeps? I guess thats what they say but does it really work out that way? When your not staring at the baby and nursing get some rest. Congrats again

[Nechomah]

Wow Kirastin and Carla, Congrats!!!!! Enjoy your precious bundles, when you are awake enough to appreciate them, lol. Until then just try to get some rest. Hope you both are recovering from your c-sections without complication.

As for me, Michelle, you are too funny. No, my bag is not finished - for the same reason as someone else who posted somewhere here - I am still using some of the things so I don't want to take them out of their place yet. I did put a few bathroom things and some new books to the side. I am going to take the suitcase out of my storage room tonight (I hope) and start putting the stuff in it. Then I can put the suitcase either in a closet which I cleaned out or back in the storage room - to be taken out at the last minute.

I bought myself two new housecoats today. Where I live these are the most common attire for women, especially after birth. It is the most comfortable. The only time I put on "maternity" clothes is when I go out into town to go shopping or to a doctor's appointment out of my neighborhood. I don't even have to change to go to my regular doc. These coats are stylish and practical. I love them and live in them even when not pg. Anyway, since I had lost so much weight before, everything I own for winter is 2XL or 3XL. I saved them from last winter because I hoped I'd be big pg this winter and I fit in them with my big belly even now, so you can imagine how fat I was before. Anyway, I didn't want to wear things that say XL or bigger, so I treated myself to two size L today. They'll go straight in the suitcase.

I do have a list that I re-wrote today and I hope not to lose so that I can just pop the stuff in when I go into labor. I still think I have a couple of weeks so I'm not in a big rush. My only problem will be if there is a problem at an appointment by the doc or at a post-date check, since my bag will be at home and I won't be. How will I get it? I don't know. We'll see.

Had a bit of a reality check the other day. I suddenly realized that I'M HAVING A BABY. hahahaha. Don't you think I figured that out a long time ago right (like 9 months almost). But really, it suddenly hit me that within less than 3 weeks I WILL BE HAVING A BABY, G-d willing. It's no longer just a theoretical exercise to prepare my house/kids/laundry, etc. for someone to have a baby. Now it's REAL that I am the one who is having the baby. I guess it's good I realized it now instead of when I get to L&D, right?!?!?!?!

I've been freaking myself out about the baby's movements. The baby has seemed quieter in the past few days, so I find myself getting all bent out of shape not knowing if everything is OK or not and then shoving my belly around a bit to wake the baby up and feel movement. :eek: Silly, no?

Well, that's about all for me for now. Hope to hear some more birth stories from you ladies soon. I think I'm next on the list, but don't expect any big news for a couple of weeks. I read the posts daily but don't always post until I have time to sit and type (thus the novels that I routinely produce, lol). So don't worry if I go MIA a bit.

Hope you're all doing terrific and not waddling too much.

Nechomah
EDD Feb 8 '06

[ultramichelle]

Hi all,
Nechomah you are funny. Yes it really is going to happen. Lucky for you you go after your EDD.
I am leaking so much out of my BB's is this normal?
I have been having terrible pain but it will go away after an hour or so and I can't seem to time it. I have 15 days left until c-section but i just don't think I will make it. My best friend is visiting from Florida this weekend and it would be great if it happened now. This goose is dcooked I am ready.
My dog is all over me and can't seem to get close enough I think she knows something is going on, she is an 80 pound lab that keeps trying to lay on my ever shrinking lap.

[anagator]

Just checking in to let you all know that I'm still here, and still very pregnant :)
LULU - congrats on your baby!!
I'm due in precisely three weeks, and have finally started having what we think are actual contractions (BH?) - I had two tightening, crampy feelings across my lower abdomin on Thursday night a few minutes apart, then nothing. Then yesterday, every so often, light cramping on the lower right side. All day! These have got to be BH! My doc is aware, and she says that its likely BH, and that these CAN be uncomfortable, even painful at times. Hopefully these are starting the labor process for me! My bag isn't packed either yet -- but I did finally complete the "ceremonial purchasing of the fist nursing bra" LOL... my dh is too funny... he is SUPER excited that we've got the bra - seems to make this more a reality for him (actually everything we purchase in preparation gets him all giddy). I suppose we'll do the bag later today or tomorrow just so its ready - no one seems to think I'm going all the way to Feb 27 -- but who knows?
LUV - how is ELI doing?? I can't wait to get some updates -- when you're ready and able of course!
Anyhow, I should get going .. I have to get some stuff done before DH gets home from work so we can do some shopping together.
Hope to hear from you all soon!

[anagator]

:o Sorry guys,
I accidentally congratulated LULU on her baby when I should have offered congrats to Young,
I'm sooo humilled!! Sorry about that! LULU I hope you're doing well, and YOUNG, Congrats on YOUR bundle!!!!
I must go... as I hang my red face in shame ;)

[Nechomah]

Hello ladies,

OK Michelle, I've almost finished packing my suitcase. I made a good list and put everything in it that is not to be used beforehand (even the camera). I put new batteries in it, too and am charging the old ones so they'll be fully charged on the big day.

I've still got to buy a couple of small items to put in the bag, but that'll be in a couple of days. Hopefully nothing will happen before that;)

Well, I've joined the leagues of pooping multiple times a day (sorry TMI). I literally have to run or else have major problems. I don't know if there is anything significant to it, probably just the baby's head way down there causing lots of pressure on my bowel and not letting everything out at one time (sorry more TMI).

Well, just two weeks left for me now so I've gone into high gear with the nesting - rearranging furniture to be able to put the baby's bed (which we borrow from a friend who loans out portable beds for babies) in my room. I've still got too much to do, but I'm trying to prioritize what needs doing so my DH won't be left with a catastrophe. The last time I gave birth I came home to such a mess I was angry at him on a day that I was supposed to be very happy. He is generally a perfectionist when it comes to MY cleaning the house, but somehow he didn't see the mess he left for me to come home to:mad: - Typical male!!

Gotta run, more cleaning up to do, lol.

Nechomah
Only 15 days left WOOOHOOOO!!!

I'm having some BH these days, but nothing too serious, lots of pressure too. I have my doc appointment this Thursday and I'm sure by next Sunday I'll have to start going for post-date testing - what fun:mad:

[Melgrem]

Nechomah ~ I remember how you feel. I felt like I could never get everything together to bring to the hospital. You will get it. 15 day's is not very long. Can't wait.

[ultramichelle]

Just got back from Dr and had a long nap. I am 70% effaced and no dilation. I wish htis kid would pick up and move on out i can't wait to see him. Sat night I thought was the big night was up for about an 1 1/2 hours with contractions or really strong BH, I did get very nervous. My DH doesn't seem to think I need to worry about him coming early we had a big fight since he was partying watching super bowl with about 40 people and I said it really could happen anytime and I need him to be sober and 100% there. I swear I would have had to have my c-section alone if baby came last night. I wonder if it doesn't seem real to these men? or if I just have an immature one? OK I am done venting.
14 days left.

[Mini-Sea]

Michelle,

I understand about the guys needing to be a their best....basically, they should be living as if it is going to happen RIGHT NOW! I went through this with my DH on Saturday. I think it may be denial, or perhaps just not totally in tune with what is truly going on!

JILL

[allisonjad]

its official ..im being induced on monday evening so i think i may end up with a valentines baby! baby only weighs about 5 pounds 5 ounces right now but looks healthy enough...i will be 36.3 weeks then.
can't wait!

[Mini-Sea]

ALLISON IS NEXT!!!! That is so exciting!

Did any of you see my thread about fetal movement at 38 weeks? Any input?

Nkochma, thanks for responding so quickly. I drank some juice, as well as ate, and layed on my left side last night, and felt a little movement. But not enough to ease my mind. You are officially due tomorrow! How does it feel, even though you usually go late?

JILL

[anagator]

Hi Everyone,
I'm just popping by to say hello... no news to report... not about me anyhow... just some braxton hicks going on which we hope are helping to move me towards labor - though I still have about 3 weeks before my due date. Last night, we went to see our friends... they had a c-section yesterday morning, and now they're holding their baby girl... She was due on Valentine's day... It certainly made it more real for DH and I to see and hold their brand new born baby! Soon that will be us! Made us even more curious about who this little guy looks like too! I am wondering if my doc will opt for a c-section for me, given the separated pelvis thing... though she keeps saying she would prefer me to try to go naturally and will do c-section when/if labor is not progressing... Either way... I just want this to be safe for the baby!

As for DH... he is AMAZING! He TOTALLY gets it, and seems ready to go at the drop of a hat! He didn't do the superbowl thing (he didn't want to leave me alone for that long). He doesn't drink a drop, and he dotes on me constantly! I tell ya.. I'm the luckiest girl on the planet!

Sears... I haven't seen your post yet about fetal movement, but sounds like you're concerned... if so... call the doc!! My doc always says to call about worries about fetal movement... even just to ease your mind!

Allisonjad -- Monday!! You're sooo lucky!! I hope this induction goes well for you -- I can't wait to hear the birth story and see some pics (when you're ready and able!).

Ultra-how is it going? Any news??

I'm definately gonna be last :) ahhh well... whenever... we're just glad to be getting a Bean!!

[Melgrem]

It sounds like alot of you are getting close. I can't wait to hear some stories and see some pictures. Hang in there.

http://b1.lilypie.com/B885m6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[luv2laf]

Hi ladies--I did get a chance to read--& i'm gonna try to post personals later. i'm typing w/ 1 hand.

here's an update--copied and pasted fr email w/ some pics...

Hi all!! Thanks so much for your prayers and your support!!

Eli fought his way out of that hospital way earlier than was originally expected!! We were able to bring him home late Thurs night!

We are getting things figured out and trying to learn our little dude and maximize the sleep we are able to get. I actually got more sleep last night than I did while he was in the hospital due to lactation issues-----ouch!!! Being in the special care nursery for days on end will sure get things moving more than they should!


The dr's said his jaundice score is fine now, and he's passed all his tests and his lungs are working fine! Pediatrician visit Friday confirmed this as well, and he was gaining back up to his birth weight. He gained 2 oz the first day home! She said for us to be a bit paranoid about hand washing and exposing him to germs for the first couple of months because he's a preemie, but he should be fine.

Here are links to the pics.
http://i1.tinypic.com/nd349k.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nd35w3.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nd38xu.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nd3brd.jpg
__________________
:)

[ultramichelle]

Luv, Your little man looks great. I can't wait.
Jill, has your baby when moving more?
Anagator I was willing to trade you husbands but my DH says he will be 100% on duty ready for action from now on. I believe him.
Hope all is well.
Im meeting my mom for lunch.

[Melgrem]

Leigh Ann ~ I'm so glad everything is going well. Eli is just beautiful!!

http://b1.lilypie.com/B885m6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[clathrin]

Hi Luv,

Congratulations on getting Eli home...he looks adorable! And you and DH look so happy!

Everyone else still waiting...I'm waiting right along with you! My girl is showing absolutely no signs of wanting to come out. I'm not even having BH. My next appointment is on Thursday (39 weeks) and I think I'm going to have a little induction discussion with my OB! This is mainly b/c, although I can start maternity leave as soon as I go into labor, if she is not here by my due date (2/16), I have to start maternity leave on 2/17 b/c otherwise I will lose maternity dates. So if she is not here, it would be great if he would agree to induce on 2/17. What do ya'll think?

Hang in there, everyone!
clathrin
38 weeks 5 days

P.S. Congratulations to young2me and kirastin! Woo, hoo, ya'll are getting me all fired up!
P.P.S. Ultramichelle, the bag is packed! Good luck with your DH, he sounds like the impending birth is finally becoming real to him!
P.P.P.S. Anagator, saw your post about fetal movement at 38 weeks. It's pretty common to feel less movement that far along b/c your baby is getting big and so there is not as much room to move around, especially once the head is engaged, their range of motion becomes limited. But you still should be feeling movement, it just might not be a vigorous. If you get concerned, call your OB's office and let them know! I had some worry myself today b/c it had been a while since I felt her move, but I poked her a few times (thanks, nechoma! ;) ), and that stirred her up a little.
P.P.P.P.S. Sorry for all the P.S.s! :p

[clathrin]

Sorry, Sears, just realized that the movement at 38 weeks post is yours, not anagators! My apologies!

clathrin

[Mini-Sea]

Luv, let me start off by saying that Eli is so adorable!He looks wonderful and healthy. The pic of you holding him on your chest is great. You look so good, too! I am so happy for you and your DH. I chuckled when you said that you were typing with on ehand...that seems to be the new way of typing when you have a baby!

I don't have too much time to do any more personals, just wanted to update everyone. I called my Dr. about the lack of movement, and he rushed me right in. I was hooked up to the fetal heart monitor for an hour, and his heart rate was ok, but was not flucuating like they would have liked. I felt a few bumps this afternoon, but nothing like I have been up until yesterday. My Dr. thought for a bit that he would send me to the hospital, but then after some poking and pushing (ouch, he grabbed his head from my lower abdomen and pushed it around!), he seemed to be satisifed with the heart rate. Movement was not up to par, but the heart rate was good enough. I have to do kick counts every couple of hours, as well as take it easy to be totally alert on his movements. SO, needless to say I am not returning to work. I am ok with it, for I was so tired that it was getting really hard to go everyday.

I hope we see some more babies soon! Nkochma, I hope you are next. Maybe this one will suprise you!

I will check in and do personals when I can!

JILL

[ultramichelle]

Jill its great to hear peanut has a fine heartrate. The little bugger just needs to get out so you can see for yourself that he is okay. soon.
Clathrin, Good luck moving that date up, I would think they would be very receptive since you are so far along.
Mel, Hows the 2 little ones? I hope your getting rest.

[Nechomah]

Wow Jill,

I think YOU'LL be next - I'm not expecting any surprises. Yes, TODAY is my due date, but I'm not feeling anything particularly special, other than being at the end of the 9 months and being very impatient for this bugger to get out already. I am getting nervous about fetal movement also. I woke up this morning thinking - Oh, I didn't feel kicking when I went to sleep, and who knows what was up when I was asleep, so this baby has to wake up and kick NOW!! So I gave it a few shoves and now I am being all kicked around - mostly on my left side. I think the baby is facing halfway around to my back, who knows. I feel like my uterus is hard 50% of the time, but I know it's my imagination. I'm having plenty of BH, but nothing consistent. I know the difference in contractions - the real ones sweep around from the back and then the stomach tighens up. This is just my belly getting hard. I feel a lot of pressure in that place, but I don't know what exactly is going on since my belly is so low, lol.

I've been driving myself and my kids crazy with my nesting. We have some big religious holidays coming up in the next two months, the second being Passover, which most people have heard of but few people know that the observant Jew cleans his ENTIRE house to make sure there are no remnants of leavened bread ANYWHERE. It's the time of year we do a lot of unnecessary (but practical) organizing in the house, which is the time we find everything that we couldn't find the whole year, lol. It's a lot of work but worth it. I've never had a baby so close to this holiday before and the only other time I had been in Los Angeles and came back to my apartment that was basically clean from my not living in it for four months so I only had to keep it basically clean and to clean up my kitchen (which is a tremendous job all by itself as it is). Plus, at that time I only had a newborn and a 1 1/2 year old to take care of, not quite as many as this time around, lol.

Anyway, I've decided that this baby is coming too close to Passover for me to plan any organizing after the birth, so I'm trying to do all of it NOW. That means cleaning out cabinets and the kids' toys. I am also a WAHM with two jobs and am trying to keep up with both of them until I give birth, so needless to say I am VERY busy. It helps keep my mind off things, but distraction only goes so far. I've been making lists of what I need to do and trying to get things done a little at a time, but with time getting short, I'm getting nervous. DH is almost never home, so he's no help. OK, I'll stop venting now, I either do it or I don't, no point in getting upset.

I forgot to tell you yesterday that I got the insurance business straightened out, thank goodness. I went to the hospital and it turns out that they had the paperwork from the insurance all along, but it was with my maiden name (which I haven't used in more than 10 years since I got married to DH), but the insurance cannot change my name for silly computer reasons. My documents all read in my married name, only the insurance can't change it. I was so relieved to get the paperwork done. Now I can go to the hospital at the big moment and not worry that they're going to give me a hassle. What a relief.:)

OK, gotta run, it's 7:30 in the morning where I am and my day is just starting. Gotta get going.

Have a great day (night)

Nechomah
Due TODAY but still hanging in there

[allisonjad]

nechomah you sound just like me these days, heavy nesting going on here too. have lists everywhere, and also my dh is working all the time so of no use to me basically...he just left an hour ago to travel 4 hours to alexandria, egypt to have some business meeting for the borg lab...dont know if you guys have al-borg in isreal or not...its a brand name laboratory basically, got them in all the middle east countries. anywho, he will be gone till friday.
im being induced monday night, so i expect a valentines day baby, which is kinda neat. how far overdue do u think u will go this time? i was one week late with my dd, she was still pretty small tho at 6 pounds 4 oz.
cant wait to hear more birth stories...keep em coming!
stupid me...the signature below should read being induced february 13th

[anagator]

Wow,
nkochma - that DOES sound like a heavy case of nesting! How long will they let you go over your date? Will they induce or c=section after a certain point?

I don't think I COULD nest right now, even if I wanted to -- my pelvis (which is separated) is very sore today. Every movement is very uncomfortable. Not to mention, I suspect that the baby may be starting to descend into the pelvis (feels like I have to PEE when I sit straight up - and great pelvic / abdominal pressue when I stand, walk. I don't have "foot in rib" syndrome anymore either! LOL, and the heartburn seems to have decreased significantly (these are the signs of lightening / engagement, right?)... I'm not sure because last doc appointment she stated he was still pretty high up... but I was only 35 weeks then. I'm 37 and change now.

Allisonjad - Again, I'm sooo excited for you, that you will be induced on Monday night! I'm thinking that must totally heighten your anxiety about things, while bringing relief all at the same time! I know I'm nervous about the baby coming, and how to care for him, but I think I'm ready to be done with being pregnant for right now!

I'm very emotional right now and tearing up at everything! (So not normal for me)... and my nipples have started to be just the slightest bit tender in the last few days (this has to be a good sign that SOMETHING is happening right!)... and maybe it means I will be able to breastfeed (one major worry for me throughout the pregnancy for some reason has been that I wouldn't be able to)... No colostrum noticed yet though - but I guess this is ok. I'm sure things will be fine.

Michelle - how are you feeling? Whats going on with your munchkin!?

Sears - I'm glad that you're bean is moving around, and that the doc has said he is satisfied with the movement! I am sure like me, you'll feel much better when the baby is actually here, and we can see them and hold them to know for sure they are fine!

Ok everyone, I have to get waddling back upstairs to put lunch on for DH who is making a special trip home from work just to see little old me! Gotta love my man... he is the best!

[Nechomah]

bump

My computer is giving me problems so I can't type normally.:mad:

All was good at the doc today. Start post-date checks Sunday am. I'll keep u posted.

Where is Jill? How is everyone else doing?

Nechomah
EDD 2/8/06 Still hanging in there:) :)

[Littlelulu]

I just got back from the Dr. and we set up a induction date if I need it. It's 6am on the 20th. The Dr. said that all I need is a couple of contractions even BH to throw me into full labor. I am 90% effaced--but only 1cm dilated. As for nesting I did that a couple weeks ago then it went away--I really wish it would come back I would love to scrub everything down. I think all my energy is going into work we are having a lot of problems with a new girl that started and I have had a employee walk out and is not coming back because of her and a second one is well on her way. These are the two girls that I trained for my job and now they have left or will be leaving in the next couple of days. The new girl does not know how everything is done. I thought that my BP would have been high today, but it was normal. Which is good for me and the baby, but the Dr. said if it was high she would have sent me to hospital to be induced today.
I hope all is well with everyone--it's so fun to see everyones babys that have arrived already.

[clathrin]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to update you on my doctor's visit today. I am unchanged from last week (60% effaced, 0% dilated), but my blood pressure was high at 160/88. My OB sent me down to labor and delivery and kept me until a little bit past lunch time to observe me and the baby. My blood pressures started out high, but gradually went down as a lay in bed. Baby looked fine the entire time. He also did a bunch of blood work and a urinalysis, which were fine. However....I think he is concerned about my BP, so I am scheduled for induction on Monday (the 13th, my due date is the 17th)!!! I'm getting admitted on Sunday night and they will give me some meds to "ripen" the cervix. I'll get checked Monday morning, and if it worked, I will be induced then. If it didn't work, I'll get another round of meds for the cervix and get induced on the 14th! Wow! I'm really glad that my OB is being agressive (b/c I had a previous elevated BP around 36 weeks), but I am getting a little nervous about labor and actually having a baby....now I know, I've been pregnant for a while now (:) ), so you'd think I would have gotten used to the idea of having an infant around, but it just never quite seemed real before!

Anyway, the OB has officially put me on bed rest, so I am to relax at home until it is time to come in. Maybe I'll be lucky and just go into labor on my own, but either way, I just want everything to be ok with the baby. I'm having a little anxiety about work b/c my immediate "boss" is supposed to take care of some things for me dealing with getting paid, but he is being rather vague right now and not inspiring a great deal of confidence. But I don't want to stress myself out right now; I guess I'll just deal with it later. Hopefully, it won't be a problem after all.

How is everyone else holding up?

clathrin
39 weeks today

[ultramichelle]

Wow girls it is coming along, I wish I was going alittle earlier. Lulu maybe our kids will share a birthday on the 20th if you don't go sooner.
Clathrin, Are you all ready to go in on Sunday that is so soon? I wish you the best. Smooth sailing. Did you do any of the primrose oil? I can't remember who used that and I was wondering if it worked.
11 days to go.

[anagator]

And so far things are fine. The doc didn't do an internal, so don't know if I'm effaced or dilated or anything. She won't do internal until I hit about 40 weeks... I'm 37 weeks and a few days right now, and appointments are scheduled so far for every Thursday morning. Guess she'll check me in two weeks, because I'll be like 39 weeks and a few days by then. Relieved b/c no internal, but frustrated, because wouldn't mind knowing how things stand!

Finished the hospital bag tonight, at last, and DH is going to ensure it follows us each time we go on any lengthy day trips because its far between the house and the hospital (about 30 minutes away from home). We probably WAY over packed... but better to overdo than underdo we guess.

I have had some braxton hicks, and doc says I could go anytime now. So who knows. I am looking forward to meeting the baby, and scared all at the same time!! Still don't know if it will be a c-section - even with separated pelvis, she wants me to try the vaginal route first, then c-section if no progress. Grrrr. I hate not knowing. I think I"m hormonal and cranky today so nevermind my frustration.

Anyhow, glad things are going well for everyone! Can't wait to hear more from everyone! Being off work is very boring right now, so I'm on and off about a dozen times a day from this site and every other pregnancy site!

Take care.

[ultramichelle]

Anagator, I totally know how you feel I just eat and sleep and run errands being off work I miss my co workers as weird as that sounds. They call everyday just to check if I am in labor. I have been so grumpy lately maybe its a sign we will deliver soon I look for signs everywhere. Soon we will be holding our bundles. Scarey and exciting.
11 days left.

[ultramichelle]

Hi all, Hey I woke up last night and I as so swollen I can't get my rings off and my fingers look like sausages I stuck them in ice water and in olive oil, I wrap floss around I tried everything and my weight just went up 5-6 pounds in the last 2 days, I have a NST today but I am getting nervous that I am swelling too much. I am drinking water right now but feel huge and I am worrying alittle too.

[anagator]

Hi There,
Yikes, you sound very worried! Please try not to worry! My suggestion would be
that now would be a good time to call your doc and advise him/her? Maybe they should check you out --- is your face swollen at all? I've heard this can be an early sign of pre-eclampsia -- but I am not 100% about this. Call the doc... I'm sure they'll want to have you checked out! I'm sure everything is fine...

I'm gonna be checking the site periodically all day (and night) since I can't sleep... I hope you'll come back and update us!

[ultramichelle]

I just got back from the Dr and am now waiting for a phone call re lab results for preclampsisa, you were right on track. They seemed concerned too. My BP was high but just during the contractions I had while I was there and that is normal.I passed the NST with flying colors they just called while I was writing this all tests are normal. So they have my coming back on Mon for Dr visit and tues for NST and then Fri NST then I am done on Monday. Yeah I am relieved and am going to drink lotrs of water and take it easy so the swelling goes down. They told me to watch for headaches that wont go away with asprin and blurred vision and right side pain. I am goign to go veg by the tv with the old dog.
10 days left

[luv2laf]

Hi ladies-- Seems like Feb Mamas are having a stand off now!!

Michelle and Clathrin-- Please keep an eye on the pre-eclampsia. That's exactly what I had and probably why I went early. I'm almost done with my birth story, and I'll post it, but I don't want you all to get freaked out when you read it. It was an ordeal, BUT keep in mind that 2 weeks later Eli and I are fine. Please, Please, Please, use this as a total excuse to stay off your feet and take it easy. I had a stressful week that week and had checked my BP which was high again--had been high the week before as well, but by the time I got to the dr. it was down. I had planned to get the dr.'s office to check it again on Monday. I was working Friday evening, went to dinner with our pg friends on Friday night, and water broke at 1am on Sat. just as soon as I got to sleep for a couple of hours. So, get as much rest as you can, and if they give you Magnesium while in labor for pre-eclampsia-----Take the pitocin as well, unless you want to be in labor forever like me!! That's a lesson I learned. I'll post my birth story as soon as I finish it. almost there. Also-- though--- pitocin doesn't mean you need an epidural. My nurse all but told me that twice, and I did it without. If it's any incentive to you all, I got the bill for delivery already-- and I saved a bunch of $. lol. I bet Eli's bill is going to be a doooooozie.

Here are some new pics of Eli.

http://i1.tinypic.com/ngw07b.jpg



http://i1.tinypic.com/ngw0lv.jpg


http://i1.tinypic.com/ngwlew.jpg


http://i1.tinypic.com/ngwlq9.jpg




We went to the dr. again yesterday, and he's back up to his birth weight. Everything's fine except his billi ring on his circumcision is not coming off. The dr. has me working bacatracin in it several times a day to try to get it to come off. It was supposed to fall off by itself, but hasn't yet. As long as that falls off, he's not due back until his 2 month check up!!!

[Skye]

Congratulations Luv!! It seems I wanted to be just like you - little Hayley came 4 weeks early, last week. We were VERY fortunate to come home together, after a week. She was tube fed for a few days like your little one, then she pulled the tube out of her nose herself - so we tried a breast feed. And another, and another! We came home on the condidion we take her back every morning for a weigh-in. So far she hasn't gained, but her total loss is still within limits. Hopefully tomorrow we'll see that gain. If she hasn't gained by the day after that, she'll have to be re-admitted :( .

Just wanted to say hi - so glad you are home!!

Hi to everyone else too, not long now!!

[ultramichelle]

Skye I hope she is gaining so you can avoid the readmitance.
Luv, Can't wait to read your story he is a beauty and both you moms look so good holding your babies. I think Luv your husband looks tired. The kids are both so beautiful and I can't wait to see mine now.
I already know he will be very hairy with probably one eyebrow since DH and I are so furry. I have another waxing on Mon for touch up.
Today we started a landscaoping remodel that will last a month I don't know why I have planned things this way my schedule is so full, Maybe its part of the nesting where I need everything ready.
10 days left

[Skye]

That's funny - Hayley has no eyebrows at all :eek: and I never did get in for the waxing - it was booked for next week!! :rolleyes:

[Mini-Sea]

Hi everyone....Skye, you went early! Hayley looks healthy, and I am glad she did not have to stay in the hospital for a while. That's great. It seems like we are all either waiting impatiently, or holding the new little ones. I must say that Luv, you look great! Little Eli seems like he is already getting a little bigger from the last set of photos you had posted for us to see.

I have not been on for 3 days, and it seems like there has been alot of activity. It would take me forever to do personals! I stopeed work on Tuesday, and my 'puter at home pooped out on us, so I have to visit family and jump on th enet when I can. I am having withdraw from this board. I used to be able to post/check all the time, every day.

As far as I go, I had an appt. yesterday. 50% effaced, 1.5 cm dilated...my Dr said that as far as he is concerned, I should be done. I have to agree! My next appt. is on Thursday of next week, and if I do not deliver by then, then they will probably induce me by breaking my water. I hope I go on my own, as I do not want to be induced.

Nkochma, what's going on with you? Any sign of your new little one?

It's raining babies!

JILL

[anagator]

I'm SOOOO glad you got checked out by your doctor, and even more glad your results are normal! As others have suggested, get comfy on the couch, and just relax! I'm sure you'll have your bean very soon given all your contractions!

SKYE - congratulations!! Wow!! I'm sooo happy for you and your munchkin! Hopefully baby will have gained by tomorrow to avoid re-admittance!! I can't imagine how worried you must be!

Sears - I hope you can avoid the induction -- but even if you can't... at least you also have an end in sight (not that I'm complaining, but really -- I want him to "GET OUT" already so I can meet my bean!)

To everyone else... we're getting there... slowly but surely... and I'm sure to be heading up the rear! :)

[ultramichelle]

Every morning I ask my husband what the date is and see if I like the sound of it for a birthday, I ve been doing this for aweek now and I like almost everyday next week so I am holding on as weird as this game is I am playing in my head. I got my wedding ring off and I am so releived it is so red since it took over 1/2 hour with ice cold water and jojoba oil. Thank god I got my braces off a few onths ago so I am not ringless with braces and pregnant in my pjs all the time that looks funny.
Jill, Good luck before thurs but that date is my 9 year anniversary of my blind date with my husband. So it s a good one.
Anagator hop eyou see that bean soon. I did eat a whole package of starburst jelly beans today so my kid may actually be that shape.
Skye your hairless girl is a beauty.

[Nechomah]

Hello ladies,

Well, I'm still here. I couldn't post on this thread because my computer keyboard got dripped on by accident and several keys wouldn't work. I was using a mouse-operated keyboard on my screen and any typing was like pulling teeth :mad: (and I hate going to the dentist, lol).

Anyway, I finally got a new one today and I'm thrilled to be able to type normally. I went for NST today. Everything was great. Baby weighs about 8 1/4 lbs., which is on the low side for me. Head-size is still low, like it was before, consistent with 36w0d, so that of course has me worried, but I have about 9 days to go, according to my calculations, so not worth worrying when I have SO MUCH TO DO.

Don't worry Michelle, my bag is all packed. Just waiting now. You make sure to get your BP monitored FREQUENTLY. I don't like the sound of your weight gain. Like Leigh Ann said, drink a lot and stay off your feet. Read up on the other signs of pre-eclampsia, don't wait to get to L&D if you feel things are right.

Jill, I'm glad you checked in. I was convinced you had gone and had your baby, leaving Anagator and me behind in limbo.

BTW, there is no inducing me because of my previous c/s. The contractions that pitocin cause are stronger than those produced by natural oxytocin, so the risk of uterine rupture is greater, so I can't take a chance. They already told me at my last birth that it's not advisable to induce. I also have absolutely NO desire to lay on the bed my whole labor. The best labors I had were when I was able to walk around, get in the shower, etc. I really hope that this labor is like one of those two.

Anyway, gotta run. I just discovered that something sort of expensive that I bought this morning is missing, which really pisses me off. I really hope I can find it tomorrow.

Hope you are all feeling well and are all ready to have your babies!!!

Nechomah
EDD Feb 8 '06
4 days late - Still hanging in there :)

[ultramichelle]

Nechomah, Hang in there I haver nothing plan ned today except watch my husband complete his honey do list and go to breakfast with a friend from work.
Had some very strong contractions last night while making dinner and through the night I couldn't move it hurt so bad. I hurt all the way down my inner thighs. I am still peeing about 5 times a night, I think his head is vey comfortable on my bladder.
Glad everyone else is still checking in and can't wait to hear more.
8 days to go

[anagator]

I'm still here....
Like Michelle - I think my little one has decided to use my bladder as some sort of pillow / trampoline (depending on what he's up to in there). We think he has moved down a bit but we're not completely certain. I pee more. I have no more heartburn... I can eat bigger meals... moreover, I have a 10 inch scar just under the pubic bone from where I had a 10lbs tumor removed as a teenager... previously you couldn't feel anything hard there, but as of this morning, its hard like a rock just under the scar (think below bikini line scar). That HAS to mean something right??

I have also felt crampy at times, and irritable. I'm pretty sure I've had some braxton hicks yesterday. I must be supper cranky, because DH is now calling me "preg-zilla" at times LOL.

Anyhow... DH and I are going shopping in a minute, so I should get moving. I'll check in later... Take care everyone.

[Mini-Sea]

Hey everyone,

No babies over the past few days, huh??? I was convinced that there would be one or two more popping (maybe not a good choice of words!!) up on here! I was convinced I was in labor last night. COntractions going from 40 min, to 20, to 15, and getting stronger. But of course after 5 hours they stopped. My luck. I thought I would be able to avoid an induction for sure! But, it was a test for DH and I, and we both were very calm and collected. I fugured when it would start, we would freak and get all stressed, being nervous and all. SO atleast we reassured ourselves.

Nkochma, will they section you after two weeks late?? I wish they would not let you go that long! I am sure you do, too. But atleast you are hanging in there like a pro. You know, I never asked about how your children feel with the new edition? Excitement I hope. With having a large family, I highly doubt there is jealousy and such. I am the youngest of 6, and we never resented each other, it was a wonderful experience.

Anagator, I am scared of the induction. I do hope to avoid it. With this being my first baby and all, it is all a bit intimidating, and then add induction, and WOOH! I am a wreck. I hope to avoid it by all means. I bet you have dropped, with the heartburn easing up and all. That is a definate effect of lightening. Well, according to my Dr, and I suppose they all will have something a bit different to say. I have dropped, and my heartburn is 1/2 of what it was.

Ultramichelle, I hear ya going 5 times a night! It drives me insane! I have not gotten a good nights sleep in forever, and of course that will continue anfter the baby is here. That is so cool that you and your DH met on a blind date. Stories like that make me smile! It makes for a cool story when your childern/grandchildren ask how you met.

I hope to have more birth stories!

And Skye, even with minimum hair, your baby girl is darling! In no time, she will have the curls like her sister!

I wonder how Luv is doing with Eli?????

JILL

[Nechomah]

Hi all, just want to answer Jill's question about any c/s for me.

The answer is an unequivocal NO. There is no simply sectioning me simply because I have gone past their "desired gestation period" (my terminology, nothing technical intended).

I also do not believe in all of this induction business. I think doctors are doing it to put the birthing process more in their control - a lot of hooey in my opinion. Women have been giving birth for centuries without any help from the doctors and now all of a sudden we have to be induced. Induction simply means you are unable to labor in a comfortable manner because you must be monitored the entire induction process and must be in bed for the monitoring. If induction (augmentation) is done for the health of the mother or baby then I'm all for it, but not simply for mother/doctor convenience. I know it isn't pleasant to be 9+ months pregnant - I did it with a 10 lb. 14 oz. baby in my tummy - try walking around with that strapped to your belly!! But I think 99.9% of women will go into labor on their own when their body is ready (or some higher power decides it is time). There is no need for doctors to dictate to us when/how we will give birth. From what I've seen the increased induction rate has simply caused the c/section rate to sky rocket. There are many cases when this is necessary (I had one case myself) so I am not opposed to c/sections on principle, simply opposed to c/section on demand or those caused by UNNECESSARY intervention.

I am holding strong being late because I know it is par for the course for me. My first two births I was getting nervous when I passed my due date, but I certainly wasn't looking to give birth BEFORE the date even arrived with either of those births. By the time I got to the 3rd, 4th and 5th, I realized that the best attitude is to add time onto this magical date that they gave me and not to anticipate anything until well past that point and then I wouldn't be nervous/upset/anxious if nothing was happening before.

With my fourth I waited 2 days, with my fifth - 6 hours.

To Michelle and others who have had to have c/sections - I hope you don't take offense to my post. For those who have had previous c/sections after difficult labors, I probably also would opt for a repeat, since I was extremely nervous at my VBAC, but I knew it wasn't my first birth and I felt I would be able to manage. Also, if you have had previous abdominal/uterine surgery requiring a c/section for yours and the baby's safety, so be it. Better to plan in advance than to have an unanticipated/undesired complication requiring emergency surgery.

Well, sorry for the vent and the long post. Now that my keyboard is working I am able to write my novels again. Sorry. I posted a very short response to a woman who had had her membranes stripped 4 TIMES because her doc was going on vacation and wanted her to deliver before he left. What a crock. That's not in her or her baby's best interest. She was in a lot of pain after the strippings and did not go into labor - which happens sometimes after stripping (NOTHING).

I don't know if anyone will change their opinion about induction based on reading this post, but if it makes anyone rethink their doctor's advice and opt for letting her body take nature's course, whether it is convenient or comfortable, then maybe I will have been a help to that peson.

Nechomah
EDD Feb 8 '06
4 days late and still hanging in there:)

[Mini-Sea]

Nechoma,

I agree 100% on the hooey of inductions being on the rise. It seems like Dr.s are so quick to get it over with theses days...mine included. I would love to be able to postpone it, if I can. I am measuring ahead of schedule, but I do not think the baby is too big....nothing compared to what you deliver! ANd the situation with the Dr. stripping membranes 4 times because of vacation???? That is just ridiculously insane. I have heard that the rate of infection is high with stripping, so a lot (including mine) of Dr.s won't do it any more. Just goes to show you who's more important, right? I hate to be judgemental, but it does seem that the convienence of delivery for the Dr. is outweighing what is best for the Mommy.

I think you have a wonderful attitude on you carrying late with all of the babies. You will go into labor when your body is ready, and the baby, too. It is quite simple, really. I love reading your posts, you seem to be so level-headed, and you give wonderful advice. I am sure no one will take any offense to anything you said, as you were not disrespectful at all. You are sinply sharing your knowledge, as well as your opinion. We have a nice group here, with all of us Feb Mommies.

JILL

[Littlelulu]

I am still hanging in, she is just not ready to come out yet. Everyone keeps saying it cold outside I wouldn't want to come out either it's nice and warm in there. My Dr. is sending me for an induction on Feb. 20th if nothing happens. That is 10 days after what both ultrasounds showed as a due date. The thing is everyone in my family has big babies with the largest being just under 13 lbs and the smallest being in the high 8's even the babies that were 3 weeks eary were big. My Dr. was going to do another ultrasound in Dec. because I was measuring big, than I started to measure normal so no ultrasound, I would of loved to see another picture and her size. Everyone keeps asking if I am ready--I am ready for the baby and labor. I only thing that I really am worried about is her size. I do not want to go thru full labor start to push and have her get stuck and need a C/S. I hope to go on my own sometime this week, so I do not have to be induced. I am off work as of Monday. I worked in labor and del. for several years and I know that being induced is really not the best way to go. I know if I would call my Dr. and tell her that I do not want to be indced and just wait it out, she would let me, but if she gets too big I would need the C/S not sure what would be worse induction or C/S?

[ultramichelle]

Hi there I difinatley don;t take offense, I am just so glad Nechomah has her bags packed, you know your body well. I just hope they check placental function with a nonstress test as you go post dates the fluid can also decrease and the risk of shoulder dystosia increases, since these kids need to get out of there. I am sure little one is comfy. For myself I would love more children and since my prior surgey on my uterus was less than 1 year ago the risks for me are getter as well as how the incision was made in hte past. I feel comfortable I am getting the best care possible with the least amount of risk to myelf and this little man in there,
Littlelulu I would be calling my Dr everyday to check my growth since an almost 13 pound baby makes my want to cross my legs tight right now:) maybe our kids will share a B-day.
Anagoator I know we will be ready for those middle of the night feeding and our bladders have prepared us well. Maybe it will be easier????yeah right.
jill, you are so right I have always thought we had a great group of women on our sites.
We are almost ready can't wait to read more.
8 days left, Dr visit tomorrow I wonder if I am dilated?

[Nechomah]

Hello ladies,

Glad to see that everyone is still hanging in there. I'll take a second to do a little personals.

Michelle, I was following the posts a bit when you had your surgery, so I'm sure that you are doing the right thing by scheduling a c/section, no questions there. How is your swelling and BP doing? I am confident you are all set and you and Dh and baby will soon be returning to your well-prepared nursery to start your lives as a family. You should enjoy every moment you have with them and watching your baby as he grows, changes and develops - it's truly a miracle.

Littlelulu - I hear you about the induction and big babies - as you saw my biggest was 10 lb. 13 oz. Thank G-d this one is measuring MUCH smaller than that. I attribute it to my having gone on a good diet - regular portions and low fat - about 15 months ago, through which I lost about 60 pounds. I've been watching myself the whole pregnancy, since I have tended to gain weight AFTER birth rather than during the pg, so I thought it better not to gain a lot while pg so that I wouldn't have to do the weight loss thing twice over. I was about 10 lbs. away from my goal range, so it would be a pity not to get there before this baby is a year old, no. Anyway, I've only gained about 20 lbs. and the estimate is that the baby is around 8 1/4 lbs. right now. Where I am we measure in kilos, so this baby isn't even yet 4K. It would be a miracle for me to deliver a baby less than that weight naturally. The only one I had that was that little was born by c/section due to fetal distress. So my question is, why can't they do an ultrasound NOW to estimate the weight.

I just had my NST yesterday (OK Michelle?) where they did an u/s to check the amniotic fluid levels and get an estimate of the baby's weight. There is a 10% error rate, but it at least gives an idea. My fluid levels have gone up a lot since my previous u/s a month ago, so all is looking good for this baby so far. I will go again on Thursday to make sure all is OK before the w/e, and then if I'm still around (which I truly hope I'm not at that point) then I will go one more time on Tuesday of next week.

Jill, it's good that you and DH were able to handle false labor calmly. It is surely a sign that you will handle true labor in the same calm manner. There is definitely reason for excitement, but not panic, unless there are signs that something is wrong, G-d forbid, when real labor starts. As long as there is no blood, then you can expect almost anything when starting labor. My first labor started with my waters breaking. I thought I peed my pants, but it happened a second time before I could get to the bathroom, so it dawned on me that maybe my waters broke. I waited while my parents and DH ate dinner so they wouldn't be starving throughout my labor/delivery before we went to the hospital since there weren't any contractions. The other time I had waters break at home, though, they were brown, and when my doula got to my house, she saw the color and said, "Come NOW, we're going to the hospital." I left DH at home to see to the kids for an hour or so since it was before school and no one could come at 6:00 a.m. He did get there in time, so all ended up OK even though there was a bit of a panic about the baby's condition. Otherwise, my other labors were basically calm and progressed without panic.

Gotta stop for now to get kids off to school. I'll do more personals later, hopefully.

Nechomah
EDD Feb 8 '06
5 days late and still hanging in there:)

[ultramichelle]

I can't go to sleep my uterus is so crampy, I do hope something obvious happens and I feel discouraged that if my water breaks I will just think I peed myself, I have not been good about kegels. I hope I know when it is the real deal. Nechomah how long do you remember after your water broke did you have contractions? I am peeing all the time sometimes right after I just go. I don't have a bladder infection at all.

[Littlelulu]

The Dr. said because this is my first that I may not follow what my family members have done as far as the weight of the baby. I have gained about 38lbs, when pre baby I am 5ft 1 1/2 inches tall and 105 lbs. She has seen women who are smaller then me deliver 10lb babies no problem and has see 300lbs women who can't deliver a 5lbs baby. She wants me to try and then do a C/S if ness. They try to avoid the C/s thing if possible. I just would hate to go thru full labor and start to push then find out I can't get her out for the reason of her being big. The Dr. said that beacuse I am only measuring about a week larger which she considers to be normal. she does not see a reason to do a ultrasound.

[Nechomah]

Lost my mucous plug. Never saw one before. UGGHH!!

Guess things are moving along:)

[Nechomah]

BTW, I forgot to tell you that I found my lost bag. I was really upset because it has in it a supplement for milk. I almost always have milk supply problems and I saw this supply advertised a long time ago. I bought some right after my NST yesterday and picked up my new keyboard right afterwards. It turns out that I left it at the electronics store and they didn't answer their phone for hours after I left there, so I couldn't know that they had left it there. Now I can put it in my suitcase so that I'll have it for after I give birth. I want to start it straight away and see if it helps.

Glad to have found it. Sorry for the double post. Nesting in a MAJOR way - afraid that I'll go early - hahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Nechomah

[anagator]

Hey everyone,
Just popping by to see how you're all doing! Nkochma -- you lost your mucous plug??!! Ewwww!! Yay!!! Ewww!! As you can see -- I'm not sure of the proper response to that LOL... that must mean something is going to happen for you soon!! And the nesting... definately a good sign! I think I'm nesting too! Even though I'm supposed to be resting, I'm contemplating cleaning the bathroom, cleaning the fridge and vaccuming all before DH comes home in 3 hours... LOL... I just don't want the house to look so awful when the baby arrives... knowing that my 5 siblings, their spouses, children, and all of the "outlaws" (said with much love and adoration)... will be visiting the house!

My mom has stated she thinks I'll go before the weekend... how she knows this is beyond me.. haven't even seen her in 3 weeks! I think she is trying to plant a subliminal message to me and the baby because she is leaving for Florida on March 1 and won't come back until April 3 or so... I think she is worried that if I DON"T go early, or at least on my due date... she'll have to wait a whole MONTH just to lay eyes on the baby!! LOL serves her right for not planning HER life around MINE!! LOL... just teasing...

Anyhow... I posted quite a novel today... asking for help regarding my SIL who has had 2 m/c since I got pregnant... I'm wondering how to be supportive to her and her DH =-- knowing we'll have our baby in a few short weeks... and how hard it will be for them... if anyone has any suggestions or insight... please let me know!
Ok, gotta run... the vaccum is calling me!!

[ultramichelle]

Hi there I am not dilated at all still. I feel like my body is working overtime. Nechomah great news about the plug.right? Is it obvious when you lose it?
Anagaotr will it be hard on you to have that many people coming around after your delivery? That is something I worry about. My brother is coming the very day I am released from the hosapital with his wife and 1 year old adn i will have my mom and stepdad also. I am nervous that it will be overwhelming. I don't know what to say about your SIL that is aweful. The timing is horrible during a time whenyour so excited. But we are excited for you.

[young2me]

Littlelulu,
I just wanted to comment to your last post regarding the baby being too big and having a c-section. I feared the same thing, and my doctor told me the same thing about little women having big babies and some bigger women can't even have small babies. It all depends...you can't judge by looking at someone if they can fit a baby through. (I'm also petite...5'3'', 110lbs) I feared trying vaginally and then, ending up with a c-section. And, if you read my birth story...I had exactly that! :( My doctor wanted me to try vaginally first, which I did...3 hours of pushing and I knew well before that that she wasn't coming out the southern route! The doctor wasn't convinced until AFTER the 3 hours of pushing! When she delivered my baby via c-section, she even commented that a vaginally delivery was almost impossible due to my baby being sunny-side up and my pelvic structure. All I can say (for this helped me), expect that anything is possible. I had a hunch that I would have a c-section... and I was slightly disappointed, but after seeing my little girl--I could care less how she arrived, for she was healthy and happy!

I wish you the best!
Carla

[ultramichelle]

Came back from NST all well BP is just fine today. Maybe I have white coat fever, it goes up when your around Drs. I don't think so. Made all final plans to check in on Monday and get this big boy out of there.
Nechomah are you having contractions yet?
My mom bought expensive champange is it okay to have it at the hospital for a celebratory toast?

[anagator]

Morning ladies...
Its about 4:50am... and I cannot sleep :( .... I was anxious at bedtime... wondering if I might go into labor soon... so I had to put on my walkman to distract me -- that was at 12:45am. I eventually fell asleep, but then I woke up at 2:45am... again... couldn't get back to sleep. Everytime I started to doze off, I'd wake with a start, thinking "was that a contraction?" .... "is my back sore at all??"... its crazy!! This is the second night that this has happened to me this week!! Good thing I"m not at work, and I can sleep during the day if I need to! Why are nights soooo bad for me for this anxiety?? We see the doctor this morning at 10:15am... I think I am going to talk to her about this... strange thing is... right now... I'm hoping labor DOESNT start today! There is a storm watch... we expect a ton of freezing rain today, with snow on top, then gusting winds and snow squals!! Eekk! We live 30 minutes from the hospital we plan to deliver at so this would not be ideal! Ahhh... I'm sure we'll be fine! If this baby is at all like his dad... he'll be LATE for everything!! LOL.

In the meantime... I've had a wicked bout of nesting in the last few days! On Monday, I scrubbed out my fridge, because it was bugging me! Tuesday I didn't do anything, because my pelvis hurt so damn much (probably from the cleaning). Then I slept decently on Tuesday night, so Wednesday, I was essentially uncomfortable but not in pain... so I managed to vaccuum my living room and dining room... AND got the main floor bathroom scrubbed!! I am soooo pleased to have these things done!! Maybe thats why the anxiety? You know ... the whole "you get a sudden burst of energy, then you have the baby"? Who knows. I don't think I'm contracting, and as I write, my eyes are growing very very sleepy!! LOL.

Michelle... glad to hear your appointment went well the other day! As for the visitors after the baby comes -- I don't know. It probably is going to drive me insane! But... the good news is... my family really won't visit for long periods of time. My dad's expression is -- "company is like fish... only good for a couple hours, then it rots!"... even family dinners are max 2 hours!! So I suppose I'll be fine! Plus, I'm comfortable enough with my sibs to tell them to get lost or not come if I don't feel up to it. Its more DH's family that I worry about. They are already crowding us a bit (long story)... and are not taking well to being told "no" lately. I fear they'll want to be here, or have us there all the time once the baby comes... and Dh is really close to them, and eager to please them... so him telling them NO might be more difficult... I'm sure we'll sort it out though.

Necohma---how are you doing?? I suspect you've started labor, or had that baby already -- because I didn't see you on here on the 15th at all!! Am i right? Am I right?? Hope so!!

Ok, too tired now to do more personals... but hopefully we can all check in again with one another soon!

[ultramichelle]

Anangator, should have checked the computer I am up at all hours. I love the fish line. I may have to borrow it.
Good luck at the Dr visit today I too have been having horrible back pain at night and I get up on all 4s and it takes the pressure away. I wish my husband would rub my back more, but i'd have better luck from the dog.
Nechomah, I hope you are busy having a baby. I am excited to know.
Good luck to everyone else, this month is moving along.
Today is my anniversary of my blind date with DH 9 years ago, it sure would be nice to have my boy today. My mom is taking me out for a birthday luch today since my big day is Sunday and I don't think I will celebrate it again once this kid comes.

[Littlelulu]

Just got back from the Dr. No change from last week. Just waiting Friday I will be one week over due per ultrasounds. Induction for Monday at 6am if nothing happens before then. I asked her how long she thought it would take after I was given the meds. She said it's hard to say. I have been 1cm dilated for weeks. She told DH and I that she just delivered someone at 12:30 this morning that was induced this past Monday at 6 am. So it could still be a week before I have her.

[ultramichelle]

Lulu, Wow it took 4 days for the meds to work? I hop ehtings go much more quickly for you. Maybe this weekend?! If not I will be thinking of you on Monday when I go into the hospital.

[Littlelulu]

I think if by Tuesday nothing is happening I will be asking for a C/S. Michelle good luck to you on Monday. What time to you have to go to the hospital?

[ultramichelle]

Lulu, I will check in at 10:30 am then have the section at 1:00 pm it seems so strange to have it that orchestrated. I still can't believe that it could take 4 days for meds to work for an induction, would they send you home to progress or do you stay in the hospital the whole time?

[Littlelulu]

I have to stay in the hospital the meds are given by IV and will cont. to increase the dose as needed and they need to monitor me and the baby. The hospital that I am going to have hot tubs in the rooms and I will not even be able to use those because of the IV. I really hope that it does not take long. My cousin was induced because her water broke and was not have contractions, only took her about 10 hours to have her baby. That's what I am going for. I am 90% effaced so I have that in my favor. I told my Dr. that we all thought that I would go early because of all my morning sickness issues until about 61/2-7 months, large babies running on my side of the family and now we are over due and most of them delivered early.

[Skye]

Nechomah - are you there? Just wondering if your new keyboard broke too?! My guess is that it is BABY TIME!! Can't wait to hear from you :o .

[Skye]

There must be lots of babies being born!!

Michelle - 2 days for you! (one if you were in Australia! hee hee it's Sunday here now :p ).

[Littlelulu]

Michelle Happy Birthday and Good Luck!! I have to be at the hospital 2/20 as well 6am they are going to start Pitocin. Hopefully we both will have healthy babies in the afternoon.

[ultramichelle]

I hope it goes fast for you Lulu, I'll be thinking of you. My kid will pop out the front door at 1:05 Pm.

[Littlelulu]

Leaving for the hospital in an hour. I can't belive it the day is finally here.

[Melgrem]

Lulu & Michelle ~ I'll never forget the day I went in to have my two babies. (Even though it was not that long ago) It was wonderful to know that when I leave I was going to have my babies with me. I can't wait to here your stories. Best of Luck for a wonderful delivery.

http://b1.lilypie.com/B885m6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[luv2laf]

Anyone else yet??

Eli and I ARE hangin in there!! He eats all the time, so I don't have as much time to get on here!!

I got one of those Moby Wraps to carry him around in, and boy, he likes that. We just took a walk on the treadmill with him in it.

I still haven't finished my birth story, but I plan to on his next nap so that I can finish it before I completely forget it! I have forgotten the pain already. This kid is too cool. I guess their absolute adorableness will give you amnesia.

Well--- I'll keep popping in here!! Gotta see who's next and wanta hear stories and see pics!

[Nechomah]

Well, I'm back!!! Yes, you guessed it - I had my baby and a week early (by my calculations) too. What a surprise!!! She's a sweet little girl!!! We are so happy. (Well, I can't say that everyone is happy - my 2 year old is definitely feeling a little put out since Mommy can't hold him in his favorite places sometimes already).

I just came home today after being in the hospital for 2 days and then in the maternity convalescent hotel for 4 after I got discharged. It was very restful. All I had to do was take care of nursing my baby - no changing diapers, no doing laundry, no preparing meals. It was like being in a 4 star hotel with a nurse there 24 hours a day. I miss it already. I came home to laundry, no food in the house, no food prepared for our dinner, no bed for my baby, plus two kids with strep throat. The doc said that I could come home even with the strep, just that whoever is sick can't kiss the baby.

Anyway, for a birth story, I'll try to keep it short. I told you last week how my mucous plug came out. I really thought it would still take time for me to go into actual labor, but I was wrong. The contractions started right after that, but I wasn't actually convinced they were true labor contractions. They were lasting about 30-45 seconds and weren't too strong. I felt it mostly in my back (which by the way my DH said meant it would be a girl). The only thing I took as a positive sign that things were starting was that I was having them about every 15-20 minutes and I was feeling it all the way around from my back. I didn't have too many BH contractions the whole pg so any consistent contractions were a good sign.

I spoke to my coach around 11:30 and told her that I needed to go to sleep because I was already exhausted after a very busy day and would be too exhausted to labor properly if I didn't sleep some. I laid down around 12 midnight and slept for about 1 1/2 hours. I woke up and, sure enough, I was still having contractions, but they were still about every 15-20 minutes, UGH:mad: . I couldn't fall back asleep right away, mostly because of anticipation, not because of pain. I started reading a book and kept going to the bathroom to pee (about every 1-1 1/2 hours I had to empty my bladder). I finally went back to sleep around 3:45 and didn't get up until around 6:10 (not including going to the bathroom at least once or twice).

The contractions were still far apart and I had even sent my DH out for his usual morning activities that start around 5:30 a.m. and finish around 8. I told him to come home as soon as he finished and figured that would be around 8:30. I was planning on doing a few things here around the house after my kids left, especially getting in a hot shower to relieve my back pain.

I woke my girls up at 7:00 and got them off to school, making sure to tell them that I wouldn't be home when they finished, so they should go straight to their friend's house, like I had planned. My 2 year old was already up and soon I got his brothers up. I noticed the contractions coming closer together, but since I was busy by now I couldn't really tell how close they were. I told my oldest son that he had to get himself dressed since I had to go back to the doctor. My two little ones were dressed by 8:05 and I started getting food ready.

Only by now I had a problem - my back pain wasn't going away. I started to get nervous and a little afraid. My DH wasn't home and wouldn't be there for about 1/2 hour more. I had no way to get in touch with him (not good planning I know). I also had 3 small boys at home that needed my help to be able to leave the house. I finally called my neighbor over to help me prepare their food. The expression on my face told her that I was clearly in labor.

By the time my boys had left I talked to my coach and called for an ambulance. My two choices of transportation were ambulance or taxi and I didn't relish the thought of giving birth in a taxi. By now my back pain wasn't even going away completely and I realized that maybe I was actually in transition - oh no. I was even feeling pressure, like maybe I needed to push, but I resisted that feeling and started doing whatever breathing exercises I could remember to do.

Anyway, thank G-d, DH came home right after my boys left and I sent him out to show the ambulance people where to go. As soon as they came I walked down the stairs and out of the building - right there my water broke all over the ground - how embarrassing:eek:

They brought the bed from the ambulance and wheeled me in. As we drove off the ambulance was bumping over the speed bumps on my street. I thought I was going to die and screamed for them to stop, it hurt so much. The woman staff member of the ambulance team asked me if I felt I needed to go poop (which I knew was a signal of needing to push). I didn't need any further suggestions. I didn't say anything, but simply turned a bit on my back and started pushing - oh no!! The head came out in that first push - WOW!! The woman got frightened because the baby was blue and she wanted me to push her out, but I couldn't since there wasn't any more a contraction. But in a minute there was and I pushed again - out came the shoulders and the rest of the body!!! What a relief. Anyway, she was still blue, but the woman suctioned her nose and mouth and she started crying and turning pink. They wrapped her in a sterile sheet and also a blanket and off we went to the hospital, now with me in a complete state of relief.

It turns out I was the first woman this staff had helped to birth a baby. I told my DH that I think the department owes us money for being an on-the-job training program for their staff - right?!?!?!

Well Michelle, I sure hope you have an easier birth story, even though mine was pretty good since it was so quick. It's a good thing you made sure to keep nudging me to pack my back. I was there 5 minutes before the ambulance came stuffing my slippers into the bag since I had been wearing them that night and hadn't had a chance to put them in the case yet. I didn't forget anything critical, thank goodness.

I was really surprised that it was a girl since I had been thinking that it was a boy all along. Fertilityfriend had my ovulation before BD, which is usually how to conceive a boy. But it is so nice that it's a girl. Now I understand why her head is small (compared to the rest of her body). It was so quick to get it out compared to babies with big heads like I'm used to.

Anyway, I want to take this chance to wish Littlelulu and Michelle and extra special day having their babies. Enjoy these special moments and we'll wait with anticipation to hear your birth stories.

BTW - Where is Jill??? I think she went and had her baby too since I haven't seen any posts for a while from her. Anagator, I'm really surprised that they didn't keep you at the hospital after your water broke. They usually give antibiotics if the water breaks and you don't give birth for 18-24 hours after they do. I sure hope you go into real labor soon. I do understand what your doc says about the probable results of induction if they tried when you went in.

Gotta run.

Nechomah

[luv2laf]

testing for sig pic.

[luv2laf]

wow!!!!!!!!that's an amazing story!!!! I'm glad everyone's ok... How fast was that?
what did u name her?

Here's some new pics of Eli.

http://i1.tinypic.com/o7odpk.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/o7oexj.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/o7oh1j.jpg

[luv2laf]

Also--- forgot to ask---what did she weigh? length?

birthdate?

[Nechomah]

Sorry it's taken so long for me to get back with the rest of the details, but she's giving me a good run for my money with the sleeping business. Often when you first come home it takes some adjusting with the nursing and sleeping extended periods. I find especially with having a big family and things that need to be done at certain times that it takes more time to adjust. Sometimes she wants to sleep only 10 minutes, other times 2 hours. It's frustrating not knowing what to expect, especially if I want to rest.

Anyway, her name is Chaya. We have a tradition of naming babies after dearly departed relatives. My mother-in-law passed away almost 3 years ago, so this baby is named after her. She weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz., by far the smallest baby born in my immediate family in recent memory (like the past 60 years). Where I am they don't measure length until the first well baby appointment. Because she was born in the ambulance, they even forgot to measure her head circumference, which is usually measured at birth. Oh well. No apgars either because the ambulance staff didn't know how to measure them.

I'm attaching a couple of links for pictures taken in the hospital.

http://i1.tinypic.com/oa8c2w.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/oa8x1h.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/oa90g4.jpg

I hope this works.

Nechomah and Chayaleh (means little Chaya) - 9 days old

[luv2laf]

You Know Chaya And Eli Look A Bit Alike!!!!!!!!!

[Littlelulu]

Well I am home with Madelyn. Here's my birth story...I was getting ready for my induction Monday morning. Within a few minutes of my last post contractions started they were about 8-10 minutes apart. We left and went to the hospital not sure if I was going to be induced or not and if they were not going to induce would they send me home. The nurse said we are going to keep you no matter how far apart contractions were, if they needed to they would start with Pitocin. They hooked me up to the monitors mine and baby. Contractions were gettting stronger and closer they checked me I was 1 1/2 cm dilated and contractions were strong and 4 minutes apart this was about 6:15am. The Dr. came in at 6:45am and wanted to break my water and we would hold off on getting pitocin. She tried twice to break my water and if anything she only got a small hole, but I was already dilated to 3cm. We thought things were going to be going fast. My DH had just gotten off the phone with my parents telling them that I was having contractions on my own and dilated to 1 1/2 and within minutes had to call back and say 3cm. I treid walking, but contractions were getting too strong and by 9am I had my epidural. At this time I was dilated to 4cm. Thiought this isn't so bad everyone thought by the afternoon we would have a baby. Well they did start pitocin just to help things along faster. Then I was not making any changes in dilation. They even did an internal monitor for measuring how strong the contractions really were. They were really strong, but I had no idea epidural such a wonderful drug. Finally around 6:15pm I was 6cm and at 7:15pm I was still 6cm and they called a C-Section. Was taken in for a C-section and they did everything they could to increase the dose of the epidural, but I could still fell the pin pricks they do to test to make sure you would not be able to feel the cut. I never completely numbed so they did a spinal. Finally at 8:09pm she was born kicking and screaming, APGAR 8.5 and 9.5. She was 8lbs. 7ozs. 20 3/4 inches long. They said I would have never been able to deliver her--her head was turned sideways and she was stuck. I will post pictures soon.

[anagator]

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to pop in and announce that we had our SON -- Daniel on February 22, 2006 at 11:25am! Its a crazy story, which I'll share shortly, when I get a second (plus I'll send pics when I figure out how!).... WE just got in from the hospital 2 hours ago, so I'm insanely busy...
Congrats to all the other new February Mamas!!!!!
Can't wait to read / see more!!
Take care
Anagator and Daniel.

[Skye]

YAY!!!!!! That's AWESOME!! How's the pelvis? I'm very curious how you're feeling in that department.

I posted instructions the other day on March mommies - if you want to see how to post pictures, check it out :p .

Congrats again :) I can't wait to read some birth stories. I knew I should have done the same as Michelle and joined Feb Mommas. I was a March Mommie and went before you all :rolleyes: . hee hee...

[ultramichelle]

wow, it is hard to type while holding a baby.
Byron Laird Cunningham 8lbs 5 oz 20 inches long at 1350 on Feb 20.
Had a few complications but am now out of the hospital. Had to stay a bit longer. Big problems with BP 70/30 at the start of surgery and Ray heard they were going to call a code on me, so now I feel alittle strange to say the least about life and I am much more nervous about this little man, way more than myself. I also have an infection in amy abdomen. Iam home and so glad to be mending here. Ray is incredible and tonight we just sat and cried together we get overwhelmed but are now such a unified force I am sure we can get thru anything. I am proud of him. We feel like we are hanging on the last rung sometimes and are both very emotional.
I am so glad to see all of the new babies born. Congrats to all the moms and dads that were born the day their babies arrived. Can't wait to catch up.
Michelle and Ray
Byron 2/20/06 Beautiful Baby Boy

[Arismom]

Congratulations Anagator and Michelle on the birth of your sons....I am so excited for you two. Can't wait to see photos of your boys.

3 more days until my c-section. Can't wait to see her.

[Skye]

oops - luv went before us all ;).

[Skye]

Great to hear from you michelle :). I too had an infection after my 1st c/s. Not the incision, but in the uterus. The medication I was given gave Tayla thrush in her mouth (white patches in her cheeks) and she transferred it to my nipples (red and itchy) and that made feeding SOOOO painful. So just watch out for that. I had to get a thrush oral gel for her mouth and use it on my nipples and areola too.

How are you getting around these days? Have your visitors gone? I bet you arranged to stay in the hospital a few extra days because of your brother being over :rolleyes: just kidding.

Glad to see you're home now, there really is no place like it.

[young2me]

Congrats to all the new mommies! Hope everyone is feeling okay and trying to get some rest! (Alayna is 4 weeks and we are still sleep-deprived!)

I finally think I figured out how to post my pics. The first pic is Alayna when she was born (with her proud father holding her)...
http://i1.tinypic.com/op3era.jpg

This next pic is of Alayna at 3 weeks old...
http://i1.tinypic.com/op3c6p.jpg

Look forward to seeing more pics!

Carla

[Littlelulu]

This is Madelyn Emily, everyone is doing great. She's eating alot, 2 to 4 oz at a time every 2 hours or so. DH is doing most of the changing and feeding, giving mommy a break. How is everyone else doing?

http://static.flickr.com/34/104337379_e75a2fad03.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/38/103606388_3ce1dc603f.jpg

[Nechomah]

Congrats to Michelle and Littlelulu. Hope you're both recovering from your procedures (sorry to hear you had some complications Michelle). Sounds like Your Byron is ready for the football team already Michelle. Post some pics soon. Your babies are beautiful Carla and Littlelulu.

Here is a new pic of the baby, after her bath:

http://i2.tinypic.com/oqds2r.jpg

Here she is with her brothers and sisters:

http://i2.tinypic.com/oqduhi.jpg

Life has been fun with a not-yet 2 week old and a 2+ year-old. He still wants to be the baby and she wants to nurse ALL DAY long :eek:

Gotta run, she wants to eat AGAIN.

Nechomah and Chaya (almost 2 weeks old)

[young2me]

Nechomah-Wow, I don't know how you do it...with all your children and a newborn?!?! What a beautiful family, you have! Chaya is adorable...she had lots of hair like Alayna! You must be "Super Mom!" My hands are full with just my newborn...I can't imagine taking care of a two-year old too and then some!

Hope everyone is getting some sleep...I know I'm getting very little. :( We kept track of her sleeping yesterday, just to see how much Alayna slept...she only slept 9 hours in a 24-hour period?!?! Is that normal? I always thought newborns slept 15 or more hours in a 24 hour period.

Michelle and Littlelulu--how are you recovering from your c-sections? My incision looks pretty good; however, I feel some numbness above the incision...are you experiencing that?

Should we be transferring to the "We're Parents!" forum?

Carla

[luv2laf]

I only have a second because he's stirring, getting ready to eat!

Congrats everyone!!! I knew after that lull, we'd be popping babies out right and left!!

Anybody's baby pooting like a grown person?

Eli is having Reflux..... It's not good.

WE had to put him on zantac!

I'll post a little later, he's fussin me out!

[luv2laf]

http://i2.tinypic.com/orrvjt.jpg

U gotta get a sling!!He LUUUUUvvs it.

http://i2.tinypic.com/orrwix.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/orryap.jpg
sitting in his boppy

http://i2.tinypic.com/orrz3k.jpg
w/ daddy

[anagator]

Hi All,
I have only a few seconds... but wanted to update you all -- Daniel is doing really well, and will be one whole week old tomorrow!! Yikes! Where does the time go?? We had him seen by the doctor last night for a 'well baby check up' -- in ontario canada, this is mandatory check up that has to be done within 48 to 72 hours of release from hospital. Daniel has put on four ounces since his homecoming, and now weighs 7lbs and 8oz (he was 7lbs 11oz at birth)... so we're very proud.

I'm sadly having issues breastfeeding -- the baby's latch is awesome, and he clearly wants to do it, but I'm terrified! When the baby was born, he had a wicked tongue tie, which required surgery before he was even 24 hours old (this is nothing major, just the frenulum under his tongue was too short, so he couldn't suck or swallow at all)... the surgery -- a quick snip of the frenulum to free it up to move properly was like 2 minutes long and he never even cried! Anyhow... due to the tongue tie, breastfeeding hurt me like nothing ever before! As if this weren't bad enough, we've now discovered (despite latching him on, and pumping like crazy)... that I have "insufficient milk supply". I'm really crushed by this, because I really wanted to breast feed... and I simply cannot. He already takes about 4oz in a feeding, but I only produce about 1 to 2oz (sometimes less, never more) in a pumping session... clearly not enough to sustain him. That said, we were cup feeding him until today -- hoping that milk would come in, and we could get going on breast feeding... but since thats not likely to happen... we're now on to the bottle. The plan appears to be that we'll feed him soy formula, with a supplement of whatever breastmilk I can pump out for him. :( I cry every time I think about it... and DH just keeps saying "this was the baby we were never supposed to be able to have... who cares what he eats, as long as he eats!". I don't know... I guess it just is sad for me. But DH is right, the boy does eat, and he is healthy as a horse! I'll work through it!

Glad to hear the rest of you are doing well with your munchkins... I love looking at the pics, and when I get some onto my computer, I'll happily send a bunch!

Ok, thats my vent for the day... the whole breastfeeding issues have me down. Talk to you guys later.

[Nikkie]

id just like to say congrats to you all, your stories are amazing and you sons/daughters are absolutly beautifull, congrats again
hugs nikkie xxx

[luv2laf]

Ladies-- this is really long, but I didn't want to write a separate one for the thread. I've been working on this one, so that I could remember the whole experience with Elijah's birth.


Joe and I went to dinner Friday night, 1/27, with our pregnant friends. They were due on 2/3/06, but I was having more signs of labor coming than her. I had had menstrual like cramps for days and felt alot of pressure from his head. I took a picture two days before delivering him, and he looked like he had dropped. When we got home, I was doing a few things around the house and around 10:30, I started bugging Joe about us needing to go to bed and get a good night's sleep. I was planning to take my friend Leslie to breakfast for her birthday at 9am the next morning at Briggs, and Joe had a long list of stuff he wanted to do. He instead stayed up later until about 11:30pm. I got up at my customary limit for my night peeing schedule at 1am. When I was climbing back into bed after peeing, my water broke. I wasn't in the bed quite yet, so I ran back to the bathroom, and water was just rushing out of me. It was the weirdest feeling. I yelled for Joe, and said, "My water just broke--I'm not kidding--this is for real." He said, "Are you serious? What should we do- go back to bed or get up." For some reason, I couldn't remember what we should do from our class, so I got out the book and started trying to look it up. I knew when your water breaks, you can get contractions going by walking, but I didn't know if I should go back to bed for a couple of hours and then try to get up and walk after getting some rest. I looked it up on the internet, and couldn't really find the answer. I emailed my birth class instructor and told her what was going on, thinking maybe she'd check her email early in the a.m. and get back with me--maybe...I text messaged Leslie, my friend who I was having breakfast with the next morning, saying, "Breakfast is a no go. My water broke." I emailed my pregnant friend we had had dinner with that night and told her my water broke.

Before I could figure out whether or not to move around or go back to bed, Eli made up my mind for me! Contractions started coming at 2am. By 2:20am, they were 5 mins apart. I kept timing them because I could not believe it. For about 25 mins, my contractions continued to be 5 mins apart, so I told Joe I probably needed to call the dr. and at least find out who was on duty and tell them what was going on. So I called the dr., and Dr. Holton, my favorite dr. at the practice called me back around 2:30am. He said I should go ahead and make my way to the hospital. After he called, I told Joe he said we needed to go, so he said, let me take a quick shower. I said, Ok, but make it REEEALLLYYY quick. We had learned that contractions following a regular pattern for an hour this close or closer, plus taking into account the mood and behavior of the mom together warrant the trip to the hospital. By the time Joe got out of the shower, I was telling him that we needed to get moving FAST, because they had been 3 mins apart for the last 15 mins! He started running around the house trying to get the rest of the things together. We had a birthbag packed, however, we didn't have last minute things like tolietries, change of clothes, insurance card, etc. etc. Thank God we already had that birthbag packed.


Luckily, no one was on the road that time of night, so we got to the hospital in about 20 mins or so, I guess.. I was pretty out of it from then on out, not really conscious of time and the minor details of things. Joe has had to help me with the details of what happened at what time because all I remember is what time I started pushing.

When we got to the hospital, we got checked in and had a really nice nurse who was on until 7am. At the rate I was going, I thought I'd probably deliver by 7am. Not even!
When they began asking questions and checking me for this and that, they told me that my Strep B test had come back positive, so I would have to have the IV with antibiotics. I was hoping to have the heparin lock without having to be hooked up the whole time, but needing the antibiotics trumped that. My blood pressure had been elevated, and I had a large amount of swelling in the last two weeks. I had been to the dr. the week before, but my BP and urine checked out fine when I went. I had checked again since that visit, and was going to call them again on Monday about my BP. HIgh BP and protein in urine would suggest pre-eclampsia. The cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery. When my labs came back at the hospital, my blood pressure was still elevated. While I was in labor, it ran in the 150s to 160s. So they added another drug to try to get that under control---Magnesium... Blasted drug.. If pre-eclampsia developed into full blown eclampsia, I would have had seizures and then we really would have been in trouble. The dr. explained the condition and that the magnesium may slow things down, but hopefully not, since I had a good labor pattern established. My contractions had slowed some, but they were still around 5 mins apart, and I had dialated 4cms on my first check, then 6cm by around

At 7am, there was a shift change and I lost my nice nurse. Nursezilla, it turned out, came on board after that. During labor and delivery, I knew I didn't really like her style and thought she was being unreasonable about my requests, but I didn't realize how much trouble she truly was until the whole thing was over and put some things together. Because of the magnesium, she basically took a quick look at our birth plan, but threw it all out and pretended as if it didn’t exist because I had pre-eclampsia. She used that as an excuse to try to keep me in the bed lying down the whole time even though I did not feel dizzy or the side effects they were expecting from the magnesium. I fought to get in the shower because my contractions were steady coming 3 mins apart and 5 mins apart, and I thought I'd be more comfortable in there. She didn't want me off the monitors, even though the last nurse monitored around 30 mins out of an hour. Eli had been doing fine the entire time. When she finally agreed to let me get in the shower after talking with my dr, she disappeared for over an hour without checking on me. She came back and wanted to put me on the monitors immediately, but I was doing really well in the shower. I wanted her to check me, monitor for 15 mins or so, and then let me back in the shower, but she would not let me. She said I guess I need to document that you are refusing to check on the well-being of your baby or something like that, so I got back in the bed like she wanted me to. With the previous nurse and before the Magnesium was administered, I was dialating an average of 1 cm an hour, which is good, but once the Mag drip and new nurse got on board, my contractions were still 3-5 mins apart, but they were irregular in strength and weren’t coming regularly at 3 or at 5 mins apart. Sometimes I’d have 2 in a row after three mins. Sometimes I’d have 3 in a row after 5 mins. Bottom line, they weren’t dialating me.

So here’s my times and checks.
4cm @ 5am
5cm @ 6am
6cm @ 7am

7a.m.ish - Mag was administered

8.5cm @ noon-ish
8.5cm @ 2:30pm

When the nurse reported no progress between noon and 2:30pm, after being in the bed in the SIMS position she recommended, which was super uncomfortable, I was so distraught, and just cried. Around noon, she had completely gone against my birth plan, which specifically stated not to mention pain relief, that I knew it was available and would ask for it if I needed it. Transition, between 7-10 cm is the most frustrating, vulnerable time during labor, but it’s supposed to be the shortest, except in my case!! Joe really let her have it after she said it the second time and told her that we specifically asked her not to mention “drugs” in our birth plan and that she was deliberately going against it. He was specifically talking about the epidural, but he was ticked at her because she was being manipulative, he was tired, and was emotional. She specifically said, “Medically, what normally happens here, is that we administer pitocin to counteract the effects of the magnesium, then the woman typically can’t handle the strength of the contractions and will get an epidural.” When she said it the first time, I heard her and was really discouraged by it. I remember thinking, if she, the nurse, thinks I can’t handle it, then why the heck am I listening to Joe’s encouragement. Why do I think I can do it? She said it again, I suppose, because I didn’t respond to her, and I remember being really aggravated then relieved when Joe advocated for me and got her off my back. After that, I think she went to my doctor and told him we were against any intervention—all drugs—which we weren’t against the pitocin at that point because the effects of the Mag were definitely stopping progress, and she wasn’t letting me out of the bed to get things going in natural ways.

[luv2laf]

Dr. Holton came in after the check at 2:30pm, and said, “This is going on way too long. The Magnesium, unfortunately, is wrecking any progress, and we are going to have to administer pitocin.” He acknowledged that I was trying not to have the epidural, so he explained that they would administer it very slow to get the contractions more regular and gradually stronger. Joe and I agreed. I was relieved that I was actually going to start progressing.

The nurse was somehow convinced that the baby was turned the wrong way—nose up, instead of nose down, so she insisted I lie in the bed in the SIMS position to get him turned. Sims position is lying on one side with the top leg bent at a 90 degree angle resting on a pillow.

By 4pm, my contractions were at 100% strength, sometimes double peaking. Joe said he learned not to say it’s almost over because the monitors would then show that I was peaking again. The doctor came in a checked me, and said I was OK to push. I had begun to feel the urge and had told the nurse.

She instructed me to push by lying flat on my back and grabbing both knees and pull them toward my chest. When I felt a contraction coming on, I would take a breath, then begin pushing as the nurse instructed, tucking my chin to my chest. After an hour, Eli had crowned a little, but was not really making much progress. He seemed to be stuck behind the lip of my pubic bone. She then instructed me to get on my side and do more of the same. I repeatedly asked her if I could lift my bed, and she said that it was better this way, with me flat on my back, but I felt I was spending a lot of needless effort pushing this way. Joe repeatedly tried to help hold my legs back and suggested lifting my bed, but she kept saying that I was resisting and pushing against him when he would help hold my legs. After about 1.5, I realized that I was not arching my back when I was pushing. I was tucking my chin, but my back was relatively flat when I was pushing. But I was giving it everything I had. Dr. Holton came in after about 2 hrs and immediately said to the nurse, “Why don’t you raise her bed?” Like it was the most obvious thing in the world. After he got there and we raised my bed, I started making some progress. Although he would slip back in behind that bone, he would come a bit further out each time.

Since he was 4 weeks early, there was a whole team of special care nursery professionals waiting in the corner while I pushed for the last 30 mins!!! Sounds humiliating, but at that point, I really did not care. I was pushing 3 times to every contraction, sometimes 4. Joe was getting worried about me because I was working so hard. I was quoting Phil. 3:14—I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me—in my head. That really helped, especially toward the end. Having Dr. Holton and Joe working together really seemed to counteract the psychological effect the nurse had had at that point. I felt taken care of. I believed what they said when they said I was making progress. They offered to let me see while I was pushing. I was a little reluctant to look at the damage that was going on down there, but I did catch a glimpse of his hairy little head. When I started pushing though, my eyes were squinched up too much to see what was going on after that.

When he started slipping past that bone, I felt a burning sensation and something bony up against the front of my pubic bone. There was a lot of pressure and it burned slightly, but wasn’t too uncomfortable. Dr. Holton prepared my perineum with hot water compresses and oil for the last 20-30 mins. Toward the end, he did offer an episiotomy to give him room to get past that bone since he kept slipping back in. I agreed because I had been pushing for 2.5 hrs.

When his head finally slipped out, I felt extremely relieved. When Dr. Holton delivered the shoulders and the rest of his body, I felt the worst pain then. It felt as if my insides were being ripped out. Then the worst was yet to come. He was born at 6:23pm. He weighed 7 lbs, 5 oz, and was 19 inches long.

He placed Eli on my stomach. I was so amazed and excited to see my little guy. I remember looking at his hair, which was curly and dark blonde and thinking, “Who the heck did he get that hair from?” I may have even said it. As soon as he put him on my stomach, the special care staff rushed over and began evaluating him on my stomach. He let out a few good cries, but then he began to gasp and sort of pant, and I remember hearing the special care folks say that he wasn’t pinking up as fast as they wanted. Dr. Holton was trying to keep him on my belly as long as possible and was asking about what they were seeing. Then Dr. Holton was yelling at the nurse to stop doing her paperwork and help warm up the baby while he was trying to do the cord cutting with Joe and deliver the placenta. He kept hitting his pager every few seconds because O.R. was paging him. After maybe 30 seconds to a minute, the special care staff took him off my belly and began working on him in the room bassinet. They continued to say his breathing wasn’t right. During this time, Dr. Holton was delivering my placenta without the help of the baby on the tummy to stimulate the proper hormonal switch to expel it naturally. He was also still getting calls to come to O.R. and not getting much help from the nurse who was on the computer trying to wrap up her shift. As he “helped” out my placenta, I yelled and screamed like a fool and asked him what the heck he was doing to me and told him it hurt!!!!!!! He apologized but kept right on. Once the placenta was out, he showed it to us and said it looked good. He then stitched me up and headed to O.R. and said he’d be back to check on us. Before he finished with me, the special care staff said that they needed to take Eli to the special care nursery to get him “stabilized.” They let me kiss him really quick and there went my baby. With all the hormonal shifting, the magnesium started really taking an effect on me, and I was really out of it. My eyes felt crossed. Everything felt like chaos one minute, then everything seemed to go in slow motion. My parents came in. Joe’s parents came in. They told me how proud they were. The special care PA came back and gave us a report saying that he was functioning at a maturity level under 35 weeks 6 days and that his lungs had not yet produced surfactant, which keeps the lungs from sticking together as he inhales and exhales. They explained that he would need to be given the protein in his IV and be on a breathing machine until then. I was so confused from the MAG. I looked around at my parents and his parents, and they looked so concerned. Joe had tears in his eyes and so did my mom and his mom. I felt like an observer, unable to comprehend what was going on. I was still sort of on cloud 9, that the delivery was over, but I felt so sad, so confused that my baby wasn’t with me. It all didn’t seem real at all. The main neonatal Dr. “P” came in and explained more of the same. He stated that his birth weight was great, but that usually good weight didn’t help preemies progress any faster. He said that in fact, they sometimes did worse because they were healthy, progressing babies in the womb, and Wham, they come out and aren’t yet ready to be here. He also said that white males tend to do worse than any other gender/race. He said that black females usually progress the fastest. He said that he was on a breathing machine and had the surfactant being administered. He told us that he had to master the following things before coming home: breathing on his own, maintaining his body temperature on his own, breathing slow enough to be able to feed (without the tube in his nose), and get past jaundice.

Dr. Holton came back to check on us while our parents were still in there, and said that God was holding Eli in his hands and that things were going to be fine. He squeezed my hand and kissed me on the head.

My sister came in to see me with Kelli, my niece, and the nurses wanted me to try to use the bathroom, so I had just got the bedpan placed under me. I felt the need to go, but couldn’t quite get the muscles to do it. The nurse said she really thought I should get catherized because of the mag, and I negotiated that if I could urinate in the next 15-20 mins, that she would not catherize me. So she kicked everyone out of the room, except Joe of course, and I was actually very relieved. I liked having the support and wanted to see everyone, but I was really confused and the sadness and worry was starting to catch up with me.

[luv2laf]

Later that night around 10pm, they called us and said that we could go see Eli in the nursery if we wanted, so Joe and I went down after everyone left. Our little boy was in a bassinet with a tube coming from the side of the bassinet and taped to his mouth going down his throat. He had a IV type thing going into his belly button. He had several monitors strapped to his chest and on his feet. They told us we could touch him but not to stroke him because that would be too much stimulation. They said he needed all the energy he could muster to get better. So we held his hand one at a time and talked to him. The nurses were very good to us and with us and not only helped Eli get better fast, but addressed our emotional situation and encouraged us often. The night nurses were extremely helpful. Several of them had had personal experiences with their own children being in special care, and they shared their experience and put it in perspective. One in particular was checking in with our emotional condition the next night while we were in there, and I said I was doing ok for the most part, but that it just wasn’t supposed to be this way, that I never imagined it would be like this. She said that life is never like we think it’s supposed to be, but that we would get through it, and so would Eli. She talked about how he would leave special care and go home in just a few days and in the future, he wouldn’t be different than any other kid. She really helped put something that seemed so monumental into perspective, saying that it was only going to be a few days of our lives, even though it seemed so huge at the time. She shared her experience of having 2 preemies in special care and told about what they were doing now.
That night, I didn’t sleep much at all. I worried about Eli. The nurses came in a few times to poke and prode me. I was still hooked up to the IV tree with a pitocin drip and magnesium still. I had the IV until 5pm the next day. Joe seemed to sleep pretty soundly through all the nurses visits. The next morning, Dr. Holton came in to check on me. I was still trying to wake up and get all my necessary things from my new nurse, so he said he would go run check on Eli and come back to give me a report. A couple of minutes later, he came running in the room and was all excited, almost shouting, that Eli was breathing room air!! He said they had taken him off the breathing machine and he had been breathing on his own since 6am. He said, “Come see, Come see!!” Joe pushed me down in the wheel chair and we went down as fast as we could. It was so great to see him without the breathing tube in. He still had the tube in his nose and the monitors and IV, but he looked so much healthier without the breathing tube in. Dr. P said that he sucked down the surfactant much better than they expected, and that Eli apparently forgot to read the textbooks about how it was supposed to work!!

Each day, he seemed to master one of his tasks—the next day, they took him off the heated bed. The next we fed him with a bottle. The next day we tried breastfeeding since his breathing had been slow enough for that. The next 2 days, they monitored for jaundice. We had to go home on Monday, and we didn’t leave until 11:30pm so that we could be close to Eli as long as possible. It was sad going home without our baby, but I was able to snuggle up the cats and get reacquainted with them before their world was to turn upside down.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we slept in and went to the hospital around 1pm or 2pm to try to make his feedings in the afternoon and evening. It was extremely difficult on us both. My body was of course trying to get back to normal, and we were running all over the hospital, sitting in uncomfortable chairs, having to be sensitive to the nursery’s schedule. My milk came in on Monday within a matter of 30 mins. I was engorged and the nursery called a LC who came promptly with a pump and helped me relieve the engorgement. I had to pump every two hours from then until Eli got home probably because of all the crying babies I was hearing. If I didn’t, I would be in serious pain. From Monday thru Thursday, the most frustrating part was trying to get my breasts pumped every 2 hrs, be there right when Eli woke up and was hungry to feed--- and hopefully not have just pumped. Also, shift change was between 6:30 and 7:30pm, and the nursery wanted us out during that time, but there were a few times where my breasts wanted me in there to pump. Once we were able to take Eli home, my milk supply regulated to his needs, but while he was in the hospital, it seemed I had enough milk to supply the whole special care nursery.

On Thursday morning, we called the nursery to check his feeding schedule, and they asked if we would be interested in bringing him home around 8pm if they could get all the tests done!!! They said we could wait until Friday if we wanted, but we jumped on the chance to get him home. We went off to the hospital that day and were able to bring Eli home that night around 10pm.

[Nikkie]

wow that is such an emotional and heartfelt story, i wish
you all the best for the future,
give eli a kiss from me, and congrats to you and your dh ,
hugs nikkie xxx

[Amy Rose]

Wow, Luv!! What a story! And that nurse! She sounds awful. I'm glad evrything worked out fine in the long run and that Eli is home and healthy. He is such a beautiful baby, I just saw the pictures. I like the verse you said to yourself while you were pushing. God did give you the strength you needed. I'm focusing on the verse where it says "all things are possible"! Thanks for writing all that out for us, I had been curious!

Amy

[Skye]

Luv, I am trying to resist reading your story until later tonight... I pop on here when I'm up feeding in the middle of the night, and am looking forward to a nice long post to read !!


Everyone, I have started a Feb/March 2006 mommies thread on the we're parent's board if any of you are interested. Half of us March mommies delivered in February (6 or 7 of us now!) so I thought I'd make the thread to cover both months. Come join us there if you're interested, as we'll be reaching the next round of issues/problems/joys and milestones within weeks of each other.

[Melgrem]

Luv ~ That was such a wonderful story. I had to wipe away the tears. You and your DH are such strong people. I'm so glad that everything worked out and little Eli is at home safe and well.

http://b1.lilypie.com/B885m6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[ultramichelle]

Hi there, Anagator I hope Daniel is well and eating discpite his surgery.
Luv2laf, I had a horrible nurse and 2 equally horrible students I never want ot see another student in my life. My hospital experience was the worst. and I feel these nurses should be of the most patient souls since us first timers can hardly take in all the newness of this life changing experience.
I will go ove rto the parent board too. See you all on hte other side we did make it.
I am healing well the larger seroma is starting to get smaller on my abdomen and I am getting the hang of things.
Talk more later,
Byron's mom

[ultramichelle]

OKay I did have to go back and get caught up on everyones stories and found that Dh came home for lunch from school so I have a moment.
Nechomah, Your family looks great and large and I am sure you have this parenthood thing down pat. It does not come naturally for me. I like your photos can't believe you have a bath time one, my hands are so full doing a sponge bath with all his yelling and I am a nervous wreck.
Skye, My seroma is healing nicely it is down to a mere 6 inches instead of almost 12 inches. I had to stay longer inthe hospital for that and the drop in BP was due to the spinal and nothing else just too much meds and I was anemic. My incision is okay I still can't see that area, Thank Gosh I am getting smaller so I hope to see that area again so I can shave and forgo the painfully waxing :) I don't care anymore about that stuff. The family is stillabout 40 minutes away and only came over 2 so it was not so bad. Are you all healed up?
Luv2 laf, It looks like your husband need some sleep in that photo but he looks blissful as well, same look my DH has all the time now, very proud. Your baby is beautiful.
Carla, Hope your healing well, hows your incision? are you getting around well? I forgot all about mine since it is all about the baby now and I have no time for myself, I read you said your still sleep deprived after 4 weeks is this normal? YOu are giving me a scare :) :(
Littlelulu you are so lucky to have your Dh doing so much, I feel so sorry for mine he is so busy and feels so bad that he can't do more. Some night we both just cry since we are so overwhelmed and little Byron is known in our neighborhood for being so so so so loud.
Arismom, hope you are well.
I hope I covered most bases. If I forgot someone, it is because I have dumbed down significantly. Hope my brain returns.
I do have a case of the blues mostly at night but I am getting the hang of things slowly but surely everyday is easier and I learn more about this little man.

[luv2laf]

Hi ladies-- thx for the sentiments about my birth story. I took forever to write it because it was a bit hard to revisit, but I definitely wanted to record it for myself and for you all to see. It was truly an ordeal! God has blessed us so much during that time and since.

Anagator-- I wanted to tell you really quick that I got a guide from the nurses in postpartum in the hospital about maintaining or boosting your milk supply. It said for 48 hrs pump every two hrs and that boosts your supply.

When my milk first came in, I was in the special care nursery a lot and was so engorged I had to pump every 2 hrs so that my boobs wouldn't explode. They were like spare tires!! My milk supply was ridiculously plentiful after a couple of days of doing that. Don't know if it was the pumping or all the screaming babies or a combo of the two, but if you can rent a pump from the hospital, it might be worthwhile to try if you still want to give bfing a try.


Good luck!

[young2me]

Anagator, I also had breastfeeding issues. My milk didn't come in until day 7. With the recovery from an unexpected c-section, taking care of Alayna, and then trying to sleep and eat for myself, I was too drained to pump often. To complicate matters, my thyroid meds was not given to me at the hospital for almost 3 days. I think my body had taken its toll, and it was too great to produce adequate amounts of milk. When the milk finally came in, I could only pump about 1/2 oz, if I was lucky. It was very sad. I cried for a couple days about it, but then realized how lucky I was to even to have Alayna. She was a blessing. It's weird though...my breasts never really hurt, as if I didn't have the hormones to create a milk supply and I'm dried up now. So, I too feel your sadness. Try to continue breastfeeding whatever you have...every little bit helps from what I've heard.
Michelle, I know what you mean about caring for your baby and forgetting about your own health. For the first two weeks, I was lucky to eat twice a day. Sometimes, I forget to eat and take in fluids--it's horrible. I believe my incision is healing nicely...no real pain, just numbness in some areas. And, yes, still sleep-deprived...almost worse now. We believe she's colicky. We are trying a different formula today to see if her fussiness gets better. She barely ever sleeps in my mind...I thought newborns were supposed to get a lot of sleep. We had some blood work done on her today, too...I was such a basket-case...seeing her poked with a needle in her arm. I couldn't watch! The nurse and my fiance had to hold her down.
Anyone else having colicky symptoms with their newborn???
Carla

[clathrin]

Hi everyone,

I finally feel human enough to send a quick post...

First of all, congratulations to everyone, all the baby pics look very adorable.

Quick birth story:

When I last posted, I had just been put on bed rest by my OB at 39 weeks (a Thursday) and I was to go in on Sunday and be induced on Monday (Feb. 13). Well, long story short, I ended up going into labor on my own that evening. I could hardly believe it when my contractions started getting close together! My DH kept telling me to call the hospital to let them know but I was convinced that it was false labor and that they would just send us home. But when the contractions started being less than 5 minutes apart, I finally caved in and called and they told me to come in. Got hooked up to the monitors, and my water broke when they checked me (3cm dilated). Got admitted and labor rapidly progressed (painful, but bearable). Got my epidural a few hours later (6cm dilated), which then slowed my labor down and they started pitocin. Had that several hours, but baby stopped tolerating it, so they turned it off. Managed to get 90% dilated but couldn't get any further and the baby was turned the wrong way (sunny side up) and was stuck, so they sectioned me and Tabitha Grace was born on 2/10 at 1222pm (just in time for lunch!). She is a cutie patootie and weighed 8 lbs 7 oz and was 21.75 inches long. I'm so greatful that they did the section b/c it turned out that not only was she stuck but her cord was wrapped around her neck twice, which is why she wouldn't tolerate the pitocin. Apgars were 9 and 10, so she was fine. Stayed in the hospital for 4 days (as long as they would let me, so that I could get some sleep!), and came home on Valentine's Day.

It's been an adjustment...ultramichelle, sounds like you and I are having much the same reaction! I've had many a teary day. Thank goodness that my parents were here for almost three weeks (they just left), b/c I'm not sure I would have made it otherwise. DH has been great, but he only was able to take a week off, and he works in the OR so he can't help me at night except on the weekends. Tabitha is actually a pretty good baby, she cries some, but there usually is a reason for it (hungry, dirty diaper, etc.), it just takes me a while to figure it out. Lately, she has only been waking up once at night, plus about 5 or 6 am for her feedings, so not unreasonable. Hope this continues so I can get some zzzzzz. I'm doing better everyday, getting used to things and feeling less overwhelmed (although it was rough when my parents first left, especially when Tabitha had a crying spell and was hard to console - but even that wasn't bad, just for an hour.) I'm getting my apetite back...it was rough when I first came home. I have already lost all of my pregnancy weight, infact I weigh less that I did before I got pregnant. I guess it's a combination of stress, lack of apetite, lack of time to eat, and breastfeeding.

Tabitha is a great nurser and has been able to latch on right from the beginning. Unfortunately, I am not a great producer (never more than about 2 oz if I'm lucky) so I have to supplement with formula. I guess it's not the end of the world, at least she is getting some breast milk. She's already 10 lbs!!!

Hope everyone is doing well!
clathrin

[Skye]

Congrats Clathrin! I was a March Mummy (due tomorrow 5th march!) but my little one came 5th Feb instead. I just wanted to say your story sounded almost identical to my DD#1's birth. Induction started Wed 6pm, 2cm by lunchtime Thurs and they broke my water, got epidural, then pitocin to help contractions, baby wouldn't tolerate it, got stuck at 6cm, then section at 1.18am Friday. She too was posterior (sunny side up, as you said!) and cord around neck 3 times. Her apgars were 9 and 10 as well!!

Glad you're settling into things. My little one wakes like yours. I just fed her and got her down at 10pm, so I'm off in a sec. She'll wake around 1-2am and then again around 5-6am. Not too bad for a newborn! Only problem I have is DD#1 waking every hour crying and wanting to come in our bed. Poor thing is teething (didn't plan that too well, did I??!!).

Ok, off to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[Kirastin]

Wow I have been trying to catch up on all the birth stories. I love all the pictures the babies are beautiful/handsome.

I knew that I would be busy since this was #2 and it has been interesting since dh left 2/27 on business and I am hoping he will be back by Thursday 3/9. I have yet to get my dd to school on time since he left and even though David is sleeping pretty well she wakes me up inbetween his feeding making my sleep even shorter.
He is nursing about every 3hr and has one 4hr stretch at night between feedings it is usually around 8 to midnight so I try to get everyon in bed so I can go to sleep for his next feed usually around 3am and then again around 6am. He does have a terrible time with gas and he turns bright red poor little guy when he is working through it sometimes. And because of his spit up I usually have to or three of those thick cloth diapers to mop up all the liquid. Having said all that he really is a happy go lucky little guy and I am in love with him as much as I am with my dd. I still catch myself and realize that I am not dreaming and I have truly been blessed with 2 healthy children.
They truely are amazing and I love watching all the new developments. Big sister is really sweet with him although she has her moments that she says she does not want to be a big sister any more.
Hope everyone is doing well.