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Hello all and Welcome to Post-Natal week 15 (or 3.5 months),
Yay! Estella is here. I am back to work. And everything is right in my world.
Having a baby is the most scary, awesome and exciting roller coaster I have ever been on and I am loving the ride. I believe Eric and I are adjusting very well and Estella is... well, Estella is just perfect. Even when she cries it's ok. When she smiles it's better. And when she laughs, there is no better sound or feeling in the world. Everything she is, everything she does and everything she will be is positively overwhelming. I am continually surprised at how much my life has changed and yet so many things are the same. The most surprising change is in me. People always say that you don't know Love until you've had a baby. Those people are right. I love my parents, sisters, husband, all of my extended family. I LOVE daughter. It's not that anyone else you've ever loved now moves down a peg. That doesn't happen. It's just that my capacity for love has changed. It's grown and now shines brightly on Estella.
Now, all of you mothers out there completely understand what I am saying and may have a better way of describing the whole "love growth" phenomenon. Everyone else understands the concept in theory. All I can say is that there is nothing like it. At this point in time nothing makes me happier then being with my little girl.
So, I figure because there hasn't been an update in 3 1/2 months I should go through the birth story. Everyone's story is different and I think they are interesting.
Well, Friday November 21st I went in to work. It started out like a normal day and I was so excited it was Friday. I sent out an update where I complained about pain, heartburn, still being pregnant, etc. I was contracting most of the day and writing down how often the contractions we coming. They varied between 7 and fifteen minutes apart. About 1pm I called Eric to come and pick me up. He was working at home that day cutting glass for his last mural of the year. He was in the middle of something glass related so I told him to come when he could. An hour later he still hadn't arrived, but my contractions were getting stronger and I was getting a little more nervous. Not that they had increased in intensity or frequency, but I was becoming more anxious. He finally picked me up about 2:30 and we went home. I sat on the couch and ate some ice cream for the heartburn and I waited and timed my contractions. By 7:30 or so they had become somewhat regular. By 8:30 they had started to move to 4-5 minutes apart. At 9:30 pm, I called the midwives and they told me to come in. We got our bags, some pillows, some food and drove the 40 minutes to The Birth Center. The ride wasn't awful and I was thinking that if these are the strong contractions I'll be able to do this no problem. (By the way, I thought that because up until this point these were the strongest contractions I had felt by far. I was in for a surprise!)
Eric and I walked into The Birth Center and were ushered into the last room they had available. I talked to the midwife and nurse and told them everything I was experiencing. They had me undress and then they checked me. I was 1 centimeter dilated. They were kind, told me I was in prodromal labor and sent me home. They said that the contractions would probably move further apart as the night goes on and that I should try to get some sleep. They were kind enough to tell me that I would probably be back within 24 hours.
I felt awful. I didn't want to go home. I didn't want to waste Eric's time. I didn't want to be wrong.
Eric and I got home and we tried to relax. We had a bowl of ice cream to help my heartburn and then went to bed. To my surprise I didn't have any problem falling asleep. The contractions were moving further apart and weren't nearly as strong, just like the midwife said.
The next morning Eric and I just hung around the house. We worked in the baby's room to try to get all the gifts finally set up, put away or stored until the baby was old enough to use it. It was while we were working in the baby's room when the contractions had noticeably started again. It was 3:30 pm and it was the first contraction that I used to start timing. They were 15 minutes apart and were stronger then the previous days contractions. Still completely manageable, but stronger.
The contractions continued throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening growing in intensity and frequency. By 10 pm they were 4-5 minutes apart again lasting about 1 minute, but this time I had to concentrate to get through them. 10:30 we called the midwives. Again they told us to come in. This time the ride to The Birth Center wasn't as easy. I felt every bump in the road and some contractions were extremely strong. We got to The Birth Center at 11:30 pm. This time we are the only couple there. We walked into the birthing room and I sat on an exercise ball to move my hips which helped me through a contraction. I undressed, they checked me and I was dilated 3 centimeters this time. It was painful when she checked how far along I was. She said to get comfortable and that she would come and check me in an hour to see if I move along at all. It didn't take long it see that I was progressing fast. At 11:55 pm on November 22nd my water broke and I moved quickly into active labor.
Now at The Birth Center the birthing mothers are not attached to anything. There are no IV's, you are not hooked up to a fetal monitor. You are free to move around as you need. For me this was key because once active labor started I needed to move help ease the pain of the contractions.
So, for me, when my water broke it was not like the movies. I probably had a few tablespoons of clear liquid come out. But the minute that my water broke I knew there was no turning back. I was very excited but nervous as well. So far I had been able to deal with the contractions, but they became much stronger after my water broke.
There is no modesty in labor. After my water broke and the contractions had become much more serious, I was completely undressed. I wore an open robe for when I got a chill, but otherwise I was in my altogether. I know Eric had called our parents to let them know that I was in The Birth Center and this time it was for real but I have no memory of when he did this. I do know that my mother continued to call Eric to get more information so that she could meet us, but he was too busy helping me through the pain to concentrate on his phone.
Eric was unbelievably wonderful through the entire labor process. He was so tired. It's after midnight and I am moaning through every contraction every 2-3 minutes. He continually rubbed my back, told me that I was doing great and supported me through everything. I was not physically able to say thank you to him for about 3 hours. But I heard everything he said and it was so encouraging.
I labored on an exercise ball, on the toilet, in a tub of warm water and on the bed. I moved around every few contractions. I tried to labor in a tub for a while but I think I lasted about 20-30 minutes. I was experiencing some back labor so I couldn't lean back and "relax" I stayed leaning forward in the tub sitting on my knees. Not comfortable, so it didn't really help. The entire time I was laboring the nurse would come in every 15 minutes to monitor the baby's heartbeat. She had a hand held device that she used which allowed me not to be attached to anything.
I groaned and moaned through the contractions. I went into a type of trance. My eyes never really opened and I never screamed or yelled. I just worked my way through each individual contraction. Once it hit its peak I knew I could get through the other side of it, and I knew I could do the next one. However, I knew I was in transition when I was laying on the bed and I was having contractions on top of one another. It was the most intense feeling I have ever had. It's not just pain but its emotion too. Your body is letting you know that you are just about to have a baby so every emotion attached to that fact comes to the surface as well. It's nearly indescribable. At this point every time my body would complete a contraction my entire body would shake. I wasn't cold, it was the reaction of my muscles after the extreme tension. I was trying to let just my abdomen contract, but it was unbelievably difficult. I figured if I could keep my jaw slack then I was managing to partially relax through the contractions. I don't know how long I was in transition, but I think it was probably about an hour. Toward the end of it I wasn't sure if I would be able to continue much longer. I think I even tried to say that to Eric, but I'm not sure exactly what came out of my mouth. Probably just some garbled groans.
I started pushing a little before I announced to anyone that I had to. My body just did it. After 3 minor pushes I told the Eric and the nurse that I had to push. The midwife was called, she checked me and I was completely dilated and effaced. She hadn't checked me at all since that first time at 11:30 pm. It was now 3 am on November 23rd.
Pushing is a funny thing. Once your body goes through the crazy transition phase where the contractions are right on top of one another you get a break when you have to push. Your body knows you need to gather your strength to get the baby out. The contractions become slower, probably 2-5 minutes apart, and they not as strong. It was at this time that I opened my eyes and looked around. I had a new nurse named Carly and I introduced myself to her. I was able to smile and get excited about the baby coming. However I could not push laying on my back like you see in the movies. I pushed on all fours. You get gravity helping you and it was much more comfortable for me. I don't have many strong memories about pushing. It wasn't as painful as transitition and I felt that I could do it a little bit at a time. The nurse was now checking the baby's heartbeat after every push. It was when she checked the heartbeat after almost an hour and a half of pushing that there was a problem.
The baby was far down the birth canal and I thought just about to make an appearance. We had seen her head for a while, she was just slow to come out. The nurse checked the heartbeat and it had dropped suddenly. The midwife said that if I wasn't able to push the baby out with the next contraction that she was going to have to give me an episiotomy and get the baby out. It quickly became a dire situation. I pushed with all my might on the next contraction and she came out so fast, along with the rest of the amniotic fluid that she was blocking after my water broke originally. She had come out so quick that I though the midwife had given me the episiotomy. The midwife said to the nurse, "get the oxygen" because she was unresponsive at birth. Eric and I did not hear anything. It felt like forever before we heard the baby cry. She was born with her arm around her neck and the umbilical cord also wrapped around her neck pinning her arm. So when she was coming down the birth canal her arm and umbilical cord were cutting off her oxygen. I think they worked on her for less then a minute but I don't know for certain. All I know is that I was stuck on my hands and knees because I wasn't finished delivering everything, I can't see the baby at all because of my position, I'm soaked because of all the liquid that was just expelled, my baby isn't crying and Eric is praying out loud that the baby starts to breathe. I started to cry. The whole thing felt like an eternity.
Thankfully the baby starts to cry and then I cry harder. I think Eric was in shock. I don't know what he did. We finally hear that our baby is a girl and Eric says "Really?". He was shocked. He was completely convinced she was a boy. I was excited to have a little girl. She was born at 4:28am, just 5 hours after we arrive at The Birth Center.
Fifteen minutes later, having not heard from us at all, my parents arrive. They got to hear the baby's cries through the door. She was 8 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. Just perfect.
We didn't have a name for our baby girl when she was born. My dad was great and read an entire book of girls names to us while Eric and I kind of dozed in and out. We liked Lillian, Vivian and Estella. Emerson was a name we kicked around a bit as well. But we settled on Estella, which was my favorite. Eric likes it now, he was on the fence about it for a while when she was born.
This is now my favorite story of all my stories. I was home 12 hours later and was greeted by my most of my mother's family. I felt wonderful. I felt like I could have run a marathon after the birth. All of the endorphins and adrenaline running through my body made me feel like a superwoman.
So this is our story. I will update you all on how she is doing at the end of the week. This was a bit of a feat to write, and I'm sure it is just the same to read. I'm sorry it took so long to get to everyone. I've been a little busy as of late.
Love to you all,
Desiree
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Week 40
Hello and Welcome to Week 40!
So, I am just starting my 40th week. My due date (at the conclusion of my 40th week) is 1 week away and I am excited, nervous, scared and anxious. I wonder if I will know when the contractions I have been experiencing turn into the contractions that will ultimately bring the baby. I'm at the point where every contraction or pain is a trigger in my head to take note of the time and length. I went to the midwife yesterday and she said everything looks great. They will start giving me internals next week (if I make it that long) and the fundal measurement (the size of my uterus) is actually smaller then it was last week which means I have probably dropped. This is a great thing to hear because anything other than time passing that makes me feel closer to delivery puts a smile on my face. But other then that everything is still exactly the same. Nothing else seems to be happening. However, the only thing that could happen that would feel like progress at this point would be labor. So I will continue to sit here and wait.
I dream about the baby almost every night. Last night I dreamt the baby's hand pushed through my belly and was hanging out I guess just saying "Hi". It freaked me out. I knew that I had to get to the hospital but I never made it there. I just held the baby's hand to keep the rest of the body from pushing through. It was a little insane.
We finished our Bradley Birth Classes this week. We learned a lot and I am so glad that we took the course. I highly recommend everyone that finds themselves pregnant take some sort of birth class, even if you know you do not want to have an unmedicated birth. I considered myself well informed before we took the course. I really thought it would be mostly for Eric, but I learned so much too. And arming yourself with knowledge is the best way to combat the fear that will undoubtedly creep in at some point. For me it was worth the 8 weeks every Wednesday night. I found myself really looking forward to the course every week. So in addition to good prenatal care please consider taking an in depth birth class. You have to know your options to be able to access them.
There isn't much to report this week. I think I am all "updated" out until this baby is born. I waddle. I groan. I snore. I breath heavy. I complain. I get tired. I eats lots of ice cream to combat my heartburn. I have stretch marks. All of this and so much more will continue until this baby arrives. So think good pregnancy thoughts and let's all hope this baby comes soon!
Let's get the the good stuff! The baby is positioned with its head facing down and the bottom toward your ribs. (For me, the butt is right in my ribs 90% of the time). If this is your first baby, your baby may "drop" a few days to a couple of weeks before delivery. "Dropping" simply means your baby moves further down into your pelvis, readying for birth. (I would say that this baby has dropped simply because my pelvis is killing me most days). The baby may be seven pounds or more and 14 inches long from crown to rump this week. Below are the weekly renderings.
Love to you all,
Desiree
So, I am just starting my 40th week. My due date (at the conclusion of my 40th week) is 1 week away and I am excited, nervous, scared and anxious. I wonder if I will know when the contractions I have been experiencing turn into the contractions that will ultimately bring the baby. I'm at the point where every contraction or pain is a trigger in my head to take note of the time and length. I went to the midwife yesterday and she said everything looks great. They will start giving me internals next week (if I make it that long) and the fundal measurement (the size of my uterus) is actually smaller then it was last week which means I have probably dropped. This is a great thing to hear because anything other than time passing that makes me feel closer to delivery puts a smile on my face. But other then that everything is still exactly the same. Nothing else seems to be happening. However, the only thing that could happen that would feel like progress at this point would be labor. So I will continue to sit here and wait.
I dream about the baby almost every night. Last night I dreamt the baby's hand pushed through my belly and was hanging out I guess just saying "Hi". It freaked me out. I knew that I had to get to the hospital but I never made it there. I just held the baby's hand to keep the rest of the body from pushing through. It was a little insane.
We finished our Bradley Birth Classes this week. We learned a lot and I am so glad that we took the course. I highly recommend everyone that finds themselves pregnant take some sort of birth class, even if you know you do not want to have an unmedicated birth. I considered myself well informed before we took the course. I really thought it would be mostly for Eric, but I learned so much too. And arming yourself with knowledge is the best way to combat the fear that will undoubtedly creep in at some point. For me it was worth the 8 weeks every Wednesday night. I found myself really looking forward to the course every week. So in addition to good prenatal care please consider taking an in depth birth class. You have to know your options to be able to access them.
There isn't much to report this week. I think I am all "updated" out until this baby is born. I waddle. I groan. I snore. I breath heavy. I complain. I get tired. I eats lots of ice cream to combat my heartburn. I have stretch marks. All of this and so much more will continue until this baby arrives. So think good pregnancy thoughts and let's all hope this baby comes soon!
Let's get the the good stuff! The baby is positioned with its head facing down and the bottom toward your ribs. (For me, the butt is right in my ribs 90% of the time). If this is your first baby, your baby may "drop" a few days to a couple of weeks before delivery. "Dropping" simply means your baby moves further down into your pelvis, readying for birth. (I would say that this baby has dropped simply because my pelvis is killing me most days). The baby may be seven pounds or more and 14 inches long from crown to rump this week. Below are the weekly renderings.
Love to you all,
Desiree
Friday, November 14, 2008
Week 39
Hello and Welcome to Week 39!
I am so pregnant it hurts. I don't want to hear any more about people that are having babies unless it's me. This week 3 people that are all on their 1st baby and due within a week or 2 of me had their babies this week, early. One woman was a month early and still had a 6 lb 5 oz baby! Everyone is healthy and happy and no longer pregnant. Now, I had enjoyed most aspects of being pregnant. On more then one occasion I have mentioned in these messages all the pros and cons of my pregnancy but I hope with a distinct emphasis on the pros. Today I am fully in the con column. My feelings will probably change tomorrow. I am just jealous of the families that currently can hold the babies they've been carrying for the last 8-9 months. I know my time is coming soon, but right now time is moving at a snail's pace.
Eric and I both have colds. We are getting over them now, but it's been annoying all week. I think I've had 6-7 hours of sleep over the last 2 days. I am uncomfortable all the time and the heartburn is destroying my esophagus. I am actually concerned about any lasting damage to my esophagus because the acid from my stomach has been an issue this entire pregnancy, but it is insanely bad right now. It is keeping my up at nights and I have no idea what else I can do. Giving birth is the only thing that will relieve my stomach. I am also snapping at Eric and I don't mean to. I am just so tired and uncomfortable and I have been taking it out on him a little because he lives with me. I am trying to be nice however my success rate has dropped dramatically. And I don't want to do anything. I don't want to cook, clean or think. I have to get my bag together for when I do go into labor and I haven't even done that yet. It's as if Eric has to hold my hand and walk me through all this. I know what has to be done and I have no motivation to get anything completed. The only thing I want to do is finish the blanket I began knitting for the baby a few months ago. I haven't touched it in 6 weeks and the last 3 nights I've had marathon knitting sessions. It is almost done, but it will probably take another 10 hours or so.
I had a wonderful baby shower last weekend. Everyone was so generous with their time and gifts. And it was so nice to see family that I haven't been able to in the last few weeks or months. It was great. My Aunt Andrea was kind enough to host the event, and I have to say I'm glad she did because I sometimes forget the vast number of my extended family and she has a very large house! I know that she and my mother worked very hard to make it a lovely event so I want to thank them both very much. The baby is definitely set for the first few months and I don't think I'll need to buy any baby lotion, shampoo and soap for at least a year! This baby is very lucky to have such a large family that is so excited to have a new member. And I am very lucky to be able to be a part of its arrival. And during the shower I found out that my cousins wife is expecting twins! How wonderful is that. I love that we are beginning a whole new generation.
Eric and I went for my weekly check-up yesterday. So far I've gained 29 pounds and the midwife is pleased with the amount of fluid surrounding the baby. She estimated that the baby is about 6.5 pounds and the heartbeat was in the 140's. And she basically told me to get comfortable. Although the baby could come at any time she said that Eric and I should go out to eat, see some movies and enjoy ourselves. Great advice if I felt like doing anything and if Eric wasn't up to his eyes with work. Right now a date with my couch is all I'm really looking forward to!
Now for the fun stuff: The baby's internal organs and systems are now fully developed. The baby is ready to enter the world. Its once spacious home inside my uterus has become cramped, and it has little room to stretch out arms and legs. The baby is now 6 pounds 13 ounces (so this baby is right on target according to my midwives) and is about 14 inches long from crown to rump. Below are the weekly renderings.
Love to you all!
Desiree
I am so pregnant it hurts. I don't want to hear any more about people that are having babies unless it's me. This week 3 people that are all on their 1st baby and due within a week or 2 of me had their babies this week, early. One woman was a month early and still had a 6 lb 5 oz baby! Everyone is healthy and happy and no longer pregnant. Now, I had enjoyed most aspects of being pregnant. On more then one occasion I have mentioned in these messages all the pros and cons of my pregnancy but I hope with a distinct emphasis on the pros. Today I am fully in the con column. My feelings will probably change tomorrow. I am just jealous of the families that currently can hold the babies they've been carrying for the last 8-9 months. I know my time is coming soon, but right now time is moving at a snail's pace.
Eric and I both have colds. We are getting over them now, but it's been annoying all week. I think I've had 6-7 hours of sleep over the last 2 days. I am uncomfortable all the time and the heartburn is destroying my esophagus. I am actually concerned about any lasting damage to my esophagus because the acid from my stomach has been an issue this entire pregnancy, but it is insanely bad right now. It is keeping my up at nights and I have no idea what else I can do. Giving birth is the only thing that will relieve my stomach. I am also snapping at Eric and I don't mean to. I am just so tired and uncomfortable and I have been taking it out on him a little because he lives with me. I am trying to be nice however my success rate has dropped dramatically. And I don't want to do anything. I don't want to cook, clean or think. I have to get my bag together for when I do go into labor and I haven't even done that yet. It's as if Eric has to hold my hand and walk me through all this. I know what has to be done and I have no motivation to get anything completed. The only thing I want to do is finish the blanket I began knitting for the baby a few months ago. I haven't touched it in 6 weeks and the last 3 nights I've had marathon knitting sessions. It is almost done, but it will probably take another 10 hours or so.
I had a wonderful baby shower last weekend. Everyone was so generous with their time and gifts. And it was so nice to see family that I haven't been able to in the last few weeks or months. It was great. My Aunt Andrea was kind enough to host the event, and I have to say I'm glad she did because I sometimes forget the vast number of my extended family and she has a very large house! I know that she and my mother worked very hard to make it a lovely event so I want to thank them both very much. The baby is definitely set for the first few months and I don't think I'll need to buy any baby lotion, shampoo and soap for at least a year! This baby is very lucky to have such a large family that is so excited to have a new member. And I am very lucky to be able to be a part of its arrival. And during the shower I found out that my cousins wife is expecting twins! How wonderful is that. I love that we are beginning a whole new generation.
Eric and I went for my weekly check-up yesterday. So far I've gained 29 pounds and the midwife is pleased with the amount of fluid surrounding the baby. She estimated that the baby is about 6.5 pounds and the heartbeat was in the 140's. And she basically told me to get comfortable. Although the baby could come at any time she said that Eric and I should go out to eat, see some movies and enjoy ourselves. Great advice if I felt like doing anything and if Eric wasn't up to his eyes with work. Right now a date with my couch is all I'm really looking forward to!
Now for the fun stuff: The baby's internal organs and systems are now fully developed. The baby is ready to enter the world. Its once spacious home inside my uterus has become cramped, and it has little room to stretch out arms and legs. The baby is now 6 pounds 13 ounces (so this baby is right on target according to my midwives) and is about 14 inches long from crown to rump. Below are the weekly renderings.
Love to you all!
Desiree
Friday, November 7, 2008
Week 38
Hello all and Welcome to Week 38!
I have lost the battle with the waddle. It saddens me to say this, but I have had to come to terms with my current duck-ness. When I walk my belly moves in one direction and my butt moves in the opposite. I have also had to move to sneakers (which I hate) in the past week. The reason is two-fold: 1. With the weather conditions and wet leaves blanketing the streets in Philadelphia, it is just safer for a clumsy pregnant woman. And 2. my feet begin to swell at the end of the day in my regular shoes, so it becomes uncomfortable to walk home. So sneakers (for the time being) it is. Not necessarily the fashion statement I want to be making, but with 3 weeks left until my due date I figure I can live with it.
So I am in my 37th week, just about to enter my 38th and it is evident that my body is getting ready for this baby to be born. I experienced 3 hours of painful contractions Tuesday night. They were 10-20 minutes apart and lasting between 45 seconds and 1 minute. And then they were gone. Yesterday I had waves of back pain for about 7 hours. I wasn't experiencing any painful contractions, just the normal painless Braxton-Hicks, but the back pain was quite distracting. And the baby completely changed position yesterday for the midwife. The baby was positioned on my right side for the last 2 months. No change, it was very happy there. Yesterday in the car ride to the birth center the baby moved from head down, laying on my right side to head down laying on my left. Right now the baby's butt is high and dead center in my belly with the head and face facing downward. The perfect position to be born. So everything is moving right along. I feel like I'm now on the clock and this baby can be born any minute. In reality I'll probably have a December baby. And as if I wasn't already keenly aware of every movement, hiccup and pain that I experience, there is now the added "Could this be it" that goes quickly through my brain. I know that this is all normal and veteran mothers probably have become accustomed to this process to a certain degree. However, but for my calm exterior I am a body of goo and nervousness. I still feel like I have nothing completed. In fact the baby didn't have a stitch of clothing until I went to the store yesterday in a slight panic that I wouldn't have anything to dress it in to come home. My mom had to remind me that I have to wash the clothes before the baby wears them. I know I'll be a fine mother, but there are times I am such a dolt. I was so glad she said something about washing the clothing. I would have remembered, but not at that moment.
Eric painted a Keith Haring inspired mural in the baby's room this week. I love it. He put a pregnant figure in it to represent me and 2 cats to represent ours. It looks great. If you don't know who Keith Haring is here are a few photos of the mural he did in Philadelphia that Eric restored about 8 years ago. He was a very famous pop artist that died of AIDS in the 1990's. You may recognize his work from other projects.
The mural that Eric painted in the baby's room is monochromatic to keep with the subtle color and light concept that we have in there.
As a quick side note, I have mentioned to you all about how much being pregnant has slowed me down while walking. Last week I was waddling underground in the Philadelphia Concourse on my way to the subway when a man with 1 leg on crutches zooms past me to get the the El station. He literally had 1 leg and handily beat me in speed down the corridor. It was then that I knew I was truly slow.
Now for the fun stuff. The baby is developed enough to survive outside of the womb. The lungs, now filled with amniotic fluid, are ready to take their first breaths of air. The eyelids flutter open and shut preparing for its first view. The baby is just about done growing inside me (Yay!). According to babyzone.com the baby is nearly 6 pounds, six ounces and 14 inches in length from crown to rump. However, according to my midwife yesterday I do not have a 6 pounder inside me. She said average size. I'm hoping between 7 and 8 pounds. We'll soon see. Below are the weekly renderings.
Love you all,
Desiree
I have lost the battle with the waddle. It saddens me to say this, but I have had to come to terms with my current duck-ness. When I walk my belly moves in one direction and my butt moves in the opposite. I have also had to move to sneakers (which I hate) in the past week. The reason is two-fold: 1. With the weather conditions and wet leaves blanketing the streets in Philadelphia, it is just safer for a clumsy pregnant woman. And 2. my feet begin to swell at the end of the day in my regular shoes, so it becomes uncomfortable to walk home. So sneakers (for the time being) it is. Not necessarily the fashion statement I want to be making, but with 3 weeks left until my due date I figure I can live with it.
So I am in my 37th week, just about to enter my 38th and it is evident that my body is getting ready for this baby to be born. I experienced 3 hours of painful contractions Tuesday night. They were 10-20 minutes apart and lasting between 45 seconds and 1 minute. And then they were gone. Yesterday I had waves of back pain for about 7 hours. I wasn't experiencing any painful contractions, just the normal painless Braxton-Hicks, but the back pain was quite distracting. And the baby completely changed position yesterday for the midwife. The baby was positioned on my right side for the last 2 months. No change, it was very happy there. Yesterday in the car ride to the birth center the baby moved from head down, laying on my right side to head down laying on my left. Right now the baby's butt is high and dead center in my belly with the head and face facing downward. The perfect position to be born. So everything is moving right along. I feel like I'm now on the clock and this baby can be born any minute. In reality I'll probably have a December baby. And as if I wasn't already keenly aware of every movement, hiccup and pain that I experience, there is now the added "Could this be it" that goes quickly through my brain. I know that this is all normal and veteran mothers probably have become accustomed to this process to a certain degree. However, but for my calm exterior I am a body of goo and nervousness. I still feel like I have nothing completed. In fact the baby didn't have a stitch of clothing until I went to the store yesterday in a slight panic that I wouldn't have anything to dress it in to come home. My mom had to remind me that I have to wash the clothes before the baby wears them. I know I'll be a fine mother, but there are times I am such a dolt. I was so glad she said something about washing the clothing. I would have remembered, but not at that moment.
Eric painted a Keith Haring inspired mural in the baby's room this week. I love it. He put a pregnant figure in it to represent me and 2 cats to represent ours. It looks great. If you don't know who Keith Haring is here are a few photos of the mural he did in Philadelphia that Eric restored about 8 years ago. He was a very famous pop artist that died of AIDS in the 1990's. You may recognize his work from other projects.
The mural that Eric painted in the baby's room is monochromatic to keep with the subtle color and light concept that we have in there.
As a quick side note, I have mentioned to you all about how much being pregnant has slowed me down while walking. Last week I was waddling underground in the Philadelphia Concourse on my way to the subway when a man with 1 leg on crutches zooms past me to get the the El station. He literally had 1 leg and handily beat me in speed down the corridor. It was then that I knew I was truly slow.
Now for the fun stuff. The baby is developed enough to survive outside of the womb. The lungs, now filled with amniotic fluid, are ready to take their first breaths of air. The eyelids flutter open and shut preparing for its first view. The baby is just about done growing inside me (Yay!). According to babyzone.com the baby is nearly 6 pounds, six ounces and 14 inches in length from crown to rump. However, according to my midwife yesterday I do not have a 6 pounder inside me. She said average size. I'm hoping between 7 and 8 pounds. We'll soon see. Below are the weekly renderings.
Love you all,
Desiree
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Week 37
This week I realized for the first time that when I sit down my belly actually rests on the top of my thighs. I’m sure it’s been that way for a couple of weeks, but I only just noticed this phenomenon. The heft of the belly is amazing. It makes complete sense that the belly would be heavy, but I really didn’t know or think about it at all beforehand. I’ve gained 26 ½ pounds so far and it is all in the front. Moving around is a joke anymore. Eric was making fun of all the odd breathy noises I now make when I try to do just about anything. But he sees me when I am not trying to save face in front of anyone. When I am around any of you the chances of hearing a loud sigh out of me is slim. I do have an image to keep up (even if it’s in my own head)! J
I am so excited to be moving into November! I know my due date is at the end of the month and I could easily go into December, but I have hit the warning track. I am just about done the pregnancy and I am elated. I can’t wait to meet my baby. I can’t wait to start this new adventure. I can’t wait to get my body back! The closer we get to the due date the more impossible it becomes to get this whole event out of my mind. The pregnancy and the baby is the complete focus of my life at this point. I am annoyed when I have to concentrate on something else. I just want to stay home and prepare. I am not nesting as much as I am anxious for everything to get started. I am feeling contractions more often, but they are not strong and they have no pattern so they mean nothing. Just my uterus getting ready. Not that I am looking to rush anything, the baby will come when it wants to, but the anticipation I feel is crazy.
I’m just excited. There is nothing else to say about it. Happy and excited.
The birthing class we are taking is going well. I really like what she has to say and it gives me confidence that I am able to go through this process naturally without any medication. It’s a very personal decision to attempt a no medication labor. I’ve been very honest and straightforward with everyone when they ask me about my labor plans but this may have been a mistake to a certain degree. I know that everyone either has their own birth story or have heard many from friends and family. Inevitably people want to tell me about their (or someone else’s) horror stories. Or they think I have no idea what I am getting into wanting a non-medicated birth. I understand that everyone wants to pass along helpful information, but this is not helpful to me. If anything these comments place small seeds of doubt in my head. I am a very strong believer in positive reinforcement and encouragement. The faith that Eric has in me to do this well has helped me throughout this entire process and it will continue when we reach labor. Even if he doesn’t completely understand how the relaxation and visualization techniques will help me, he never doubted me or my desire to do this. It’s a very funny line. I think that I am as well prepared for a non-medicated birth as I possibly can be. I am going to do my best to make this happen. I feel that I have chosen to have this baby in an environment that celebrates natural birth. This is very scary for some people however; I am perfectly at ease with my choice.
Now for the fun stuff: The baby now favors certain body positions. Typically the baby enjoys resting with its head down and its rump toward my ribs, which so happens to be the ideal placement for delivery. (Yay baby!) The baby’s movements will become less frequent as it has less wiggle room. From now on the baby’s growth will be slow and steady as it continues to put on weight and fill out. The baby weighs in around 6 pounds this week and its length hovers around 13.2 inches from crown to rump. Below are the weekly renderings.
I am so excited to be moving into November! I know my due date is at the end of the month and I could easily go into December, but I have hit the warning track. I am just about done the pregnancy and I am elated. I can’t wait to meet my baby. I can’t wait to start this new adventure. I can’t wait to get my body back! The closer we get to the due date the more impossible it becomes to get this whole event out of my mind. The pregnancy and the baby is the complete focus of my life at this point. I am annoyed when I have to concentrate on something else. I just want to stay home and prepare. I am not nesting as much as I am anxious for everything to get started. I am feeling contractions more often, but they are not strong and they have no pattern so they mean nothing. Just my uterus getting ready. Not that I am looking to rush anything, the baby will come when it wants to, but the anticipation I feel is crazy.
I’m just excited. There is nothing else to say about it. Happy and excited.
The birthing class we are taking is going well. I really like what she has to say and it gives me confidence that I am able to go through this process naturally without any medication. It’s a very personal decision to attempt a no medication labor. I’ve been very honest and straightforward with everyone when they ask me about my labor plans but this may have been a mistake to a certain degree. I know that everyone either has their own birth story or have heard many from friends and family. Inevitably people want to tell me about their (or someone else’s) horror stories. Or they think I have no idea what I am getting into wanting a non-medicated birth. I understand that everyone wants to pass along helpful information, but this is not helpful to me. If anything these comments place small seeds of doubt in my head. I am a very strong believer in positive reinforcement and encouragement. The faith that Eric has in me to do this well has helped me throughout this entire process and it will continue when we reach labor. Even if he doesn’t completely understand how the relaxation and visualization techniques will help me, he never doubted me or my desire to do this. It’s a very funny line. I think that I am as well prepared for a non-medicated birth as I possibly can be. I am going to do my best to make this happen. I feel that I have chosen to have this baby in an environment that celebrates natural birth. This is very scary for some people however; I am perfectly at ease with my choice.
Now for the fun stuff: The baby now favors certain body positions. Typically the baby enjoys resting with its head down and its rump toward my ribs, which so happens to be the ideal placement for delivery. (Yay baby!) The baby’s movements will become less frequent as it has less wiggle room. From now on the baby’s growth will be slow and steady as it continues to put on weight and fill out. The baby weighs in around 6 pounds this week and its length hovers around 13.2 inches from crown to rump. Below are the weekly renderings.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Week 36
Hello all and Welcome to Week 36!
I guess this makes me 9 months pregnant, or at least a few days shy of that official mark. I am due in 36 days, November 29th. As far as my physical body is concerned the actual birth day can’t come soon enough. In terms of everything else I can afford to wait the 4 weeks or so. I feel a little like Jabba the Hut. When I’m down I stay there for a long time and it takes a huge effort for me to move. My couch just sucks me in. Eric called me a Weeble the other day. All of these analogies work. Pregnant women are funny. Our bodies are completely taken over by this alien growing inside us and we don’t mind. In fact, we find it exciting, even though our daily activities are dramatically altered by this unknown being in the bulging belly. My abdomen is a rock. If only it was this solid when I wasn’t pregnant! Eric is amazed daily by the hardness of my belly. It may give me the motivation to do some sit-ups after the baby is born. Probably not, but who knows.
I was speaking to my mom last night about how long it takes me to walk home now (about 36 minutes, just so you know) and how much it bothers me. In my head, pregnancy is a small issue and I should be able to overcome the physical limitations. Logically I know that I have to take it easier and that I shouldn’t be discouraged about how long it takes me to get places. But in my head I know how long it used to take me (22 minutes) and I feel that I should be able to still make that pace. I would actually rather take a 15-20 minute walk after I get home because I have no time or distance pressures being generated from my own head. It doesn’t make sense logically, but it makes sense to my ego. Some days I can get over it. Yesterday was not one of those days. Yesterday I didn’t get much sleep and was awoken by the worst Charlie Horse of my life. It brought tears to my eyes, my ears started ringing and I saw stars. My calf was sore all day and when it came to moving around my pelvis screamed out every time I took a step or tried to get comfortable. I was very happy that a co-worker offered to drive me home otherwise I would have probably taken a cab. Even with the ride I got home at the same time I would have had I walked. I need to get over this time thing and soon because, let’s face it, walking around with a baby I’m not going to be winning any time trials.
Everything continues to be going well. I have gained 25 pounds so far, which is completely normal. I was freaked out about gaining 6 pounds in 2 weeks, but the baby probably went through a growth spurt and I haven’t been shying away from the Halloween candy that has been lurking in my house and office. Generally speaking I eat healthy, but there is something about a tiny Snickers bar that calls my name and sings in my ear. Not a big deal, but I think I did my part in the 6 pound gain this last time.
Eric surprised me earlier this week by putting all of these weekly messages on a blog website. So if you ever want to go back and read previous weeks emails without the hassle of looking through your inboxes, you can now just go to the blog. Here’s the link: http://desireesbabyupdates.blogspot.com/
You can also reach Eric’s website and blog from my page as well. Let me know if you have any issues.
Now for the fun stuff: the baby is considered full term at this point and it looks completely developed. The soft, fuzzy hairs that once covered the body begin to disappear. The baby continues to add fat layers, which will help it stay warm once it leaves the womb. During these last weeks the baby has developed sleeping patterns, and it often has very little to do with night and day! The baby weighs in about 5 pounds, 10 ounces and stretches to around 12 inches from crown to rump. Weekly rendering are below.
Love,
Desiree
I guess this makes me 9 months pregnant, or at least a few days shy of that official mark. I am due in 36 days, November 29th. As far as my physical body is concerned the actual birth day can’t come soon enough. In terms of everything else I can afford to wait the 4 weeks or so. I feel a little like Jabba the Hut. When I’m down I stay there for a long time and it takes a huge effort for me to move. My couch just sucks me in. Eric called me a Weeble the other day. All of these analogies work. Pregnant women are funny. Our bodies are completely taken over by this alien growing inside us and we don’t mind. In fact, we find it exciting, even though our daily activities are dramatically altered by this unknown being in the bulging belly. My abdomen is a rock. If only it was this solid when I wasn’t pregnant! Eric is amazed daily by the hardness of my belly. It may give me the motivation to do some sit-ups after the baby is born. Probably not, but who knows.
I was speaking to my mom last night about how long it takes me to walk home now (about 36 minutes, just so you know) and how much it bothers me. In my head, pregnancy is a small issue and I should be able to overcome the physical limitations. Logically I know that I have to take it easier and that I shouldn’t be discouraged about how long it takes me to get places. But in my head I know how long it used to take me (22 minutes) and I feel that I should be able to still make that pace. I would actually rather take a 15-20 minute walk after I get home because I have no time or distance pressures being generated from my own head. It doesn’t make sense logically, but it makes sense to my ego. Some days I can get over it. Yesterday was not one of those days. Yesterday I didn’t get much sleep and was awoken by the worst Charlie Horse of my life. It brought tears to my eyes, my ears started ringing and I saw stars. My calf was sore all day and when it came to moving around my pelvis screamed out every time I took a step or tried to get comfortable. I was very happy that a co-worker offered to drive me home otherwise I would have probably taken a cab. Even with the ride I got home at the same time I would have had I walked. I need to get over this time thing and soon because, let’s face it, walking around with a baby I’m not going to be winning any time trials.
Everything continues to be going well. I have gained 25 pounds so far, which is completely normal. I was freaked out about gaining 6 pounds in 2 weeks, but the baby probably went through a growth spurt and I haven’t been shying away from the Halloween candy that has been lurking in my house and office. Generally speaking I eat healthy, but there is something about a tiny Snickers bar that calls my name and sings in my ear. Not a big deal, but I think I did my part in the 6 pound gain this last time.
Eric surprised me earlier this week by putting all of these weekly messages on a blog website. So if you ever want to go back and read previous weeks emails without the hassle of looking through your inboxes, you can now just go to the blog. Here’s the link: http://desireesbabyupdates.blogspot.com/
You can also reach Eric’s website and blog from my page as well. Let me know if you have any issues.
Now for the fun stuff: the baby is considered full term at this point and it looks completely developed. The soft, fuzzy hairs that once covered the body begin to disappear. The baby continues to add fat layers, which will help it stay warm once it leaves the womb. During these last weeks the baby has developed sleeping patterns, and it often has very little to do with night and day! The baby weighs in about 5 pounds, 10 ounces and stretches to around 12 inches from crown to rump. Weekly rendering are below.
Love,
Desiree
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