The past weeks have been a bit tougher than anticipated. DH's father unexpectedly-ish passed away. While he has been fighting cancer and effects of diabetes for sometime, he suddenly needed to go into the hospital to be placed on a ventilator. We were told he would come off and things looked good, only to find out the next day he had multiple strokes and heart failure. Needless to say he fought as hard as he could to make it to Magoo's birth, but his body just couldn't do anymore. I told him he had to watch over her because I could tell she would be a troublemaker like DH, so we know he will be there (probably egging her on at times knowing him).
In other news, Magoo is now full term and ready to pop out at any second. Of course she didn't come today - I was hoping the full moon would help things out. But everything looked good at our last appointment. We have our last ultrasound of the pregnancy this week and another appointment to ask questions and I have a lot! The hope is that her kidneys are at least not any worse since our last ultrasound and she will still only need antibiotics at birth and not a surgery.
Mainly, we found out this week I am GBS positive (Strep B, which for most adults is symptomless and harmless. It lives either in your bladder/genital area or intestine/rectum area and can be passed to the baby at birth. This could be potentially deadly to an infant). I was oddly surprised, when I should not have been. It comes and goes, so you aren't always positive, but it strikes people with compromised immune systems. So no surprise I have it. This means I already have to change my birth plan.
Initially, my birth plan included placing a hemlock in case of emergency, but not allowing IV fluids or IVs to be hooked up until an emergency so I was freer to move around. I will now need to get antibiotics every 4 hours until I give birth to her, meaning that I will be hooked up to the IV. The hope is that lets say the bag empties in 30 minutes, then they can unhook the IV and for at least the next 3 hours I can be free. I also want to know what antibiotics they will use because the ones most often used I will not have.
Overall, things are progressing well. We are still hoping she comes sooner rather than later to avoid an induction. DH will also have two weeks off to spend time with us prior to returning back to work, so ideally she comes on the 3rd. That means we have two weeks to bond as a family, get a schedule down and then he returns to work the same week my parents arrive. Plus Thanksgiving is the next week, so it would almost be like having three weeks off!
Until then, Halloween is only a couple days away. Maybe she wants to be a Halloween baby.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Mini-Wolverine.
My doctor called me last night to see how I was doing after I had emailed him some symptoms to see if they were normal. As it turns out, they are and are not. The weight of the baby is pushing on my vena cava - one of the main bloodflows in the body. Normally in pregnancy, its only bothered if you lay on your back. Mine bothers me sitting, laying on my left side, my right side, my back. Pretty much any position except standing - except I don't have the energy to stand and that can be painful on its own. I was told to stay away from any position that causes me to feel a rapid heartbeat, lightheaded, thirsty, dizzy, etc. Well that is pretty much impossible.
I also think homegirl may be sunnyside up or posterior (her face is at my tummy instead of my back) which causes back pain, back labor and quite possibly c-section dependent on the position. Reason being that the head has to go around my body's curves more and in an unnatural position so its harder. But currently, I feel like my back has been sliced apart and stabbed. Whether its just the giant belly or my girl takes after Wolverine has yet to be determined. I am pretty darn sure DH would be thrilled to have a female Wolverine.
Otherwise I am drinking lots of water, peeing a few times every night, having my first delivery dreams (I seem to be behind on those) and looking forward in 2 weeks to having a LOT of spicy food that may help with labor. Oh and, you know, rocking a few times in order to get off the couch or bed and grunting. Belly is overtaking body, but at least its only with a few weeks left.
I also think homegirl may be sunnyside up or posterior (her face is at my tummy instead of my back) which causes back pain, back labor and quite possibly c-section dependent on the position. Reason being that the head has to go around my body's curves more and in an unnatural position so its harder. But currently, I feel like my back has been sliced apart and stabbed. Whether its just the giant belly or my girl takes after Wolverine has yet to be determined. I am pretty darn sure DH would be thrilled to have a female Wolverine.
Otherwise I am drinking lots of water, peeing a few times every night, having my first delivery dreams (I seem to be behind on those) and looking forward in 2 weeks to having a LOT of spicy food that may help with labor. Oh and, you know, rocking a few times in order to get off the couch or bed and grunting. Belly is overtaking body, but at least its only with a few weeks left.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Absentee Brain
I really thought I had posted in October, I specifically remember thinking I posted about having 27 days left until I am full term. Obviously, this was either imagined or forgotten (pregnancy brain has landed), but was well-intentioned. Today is October 10 so I have only 17 days until full-term.
In the past few weeks a few things have happened:
Ultrasound: Magoo's kidneys are not doing well. The doctor's call them 'juicy.' This means that they are backlogged and the urine is causing them to swell instead of emptying fully into her bladder. She will definitely need antibiotics at birth, an ultrasound at 2 weeks and quite possibly surgery. It isn't the end all, but isn't ideal. We have a follow up ultrasound in a few more weeks and hopefully they haven't gotten any worse (it isn't expected that they will get better at this point). Luckily, the doctors have seen worse, which is always good.
Appointments: Everything seems to be going well otherwise. At 37w she can make her appearance (though at this point if I went into labor it wouldn't be stopped). Ideally she comes around 38w. Because of my thyroid problems, I will be induced if by my due date she hasn't come. I have a higher chance for delivering a stillborn than most people, so letting her go over isn't in anyone's best interest. That means by November 17th (unless labor is crazy long), a baby will be here.
My next appointment is in a week. I am gaining an insane amount of weight (8lbs in 10 days) so I am a little worried to get weighed in next week. My blood pressure has also risen from low to normal, but it has to be monitored because if it continues to rise it will get too high prior to my delivery date.
Magoo has a head full of hair, a perfectly round torso, a seemingly lovely thyroid (though it hasn't been seen and we don't know if its functioning) and loves loves loves to roll around. My uterus and ribs feel it. She is also head down and ready to roll (I think she can still drop farther however, but at least things are started). I learned a few days ago that if the baby can drop into position in your pelvis, then its wide enough to deliver vaginally. So things are looking good there.
Until then, meeting other new Mom's, going out at least once a week to socialize and finish projects before her arrival. All the sewing has been completed (planned sewing at least), now I am trying to finishing the last knitting project I had planned and started. Clothes are washed, diapers are prepped. If DH gets the dresser sanded this weekend, I can paint it next week and maybe in two weekends we can have an organized nursery. I can only hope!
In the past few weeks a few things have happened:
Ultrasound: Magoo's kidneys are not doing well. The doctor's call them 'juicy.' This means that they are backlogged and the urine is causing them to swell instead of emptying fully into her bladder. She will definitely need antibiotics at birth, an ultrasound at 2 weeks and quite possibly surgery. It isn't the end all, but isn't ideal. We have a follow up ultrasound in a few more weeks and hopefully they haven't gotten any worse (it isn't expected that they will get better at this point). Luckily, the doctors have seen worse, which is always good.
Appointments: Everything seems to be going well otherwise. At 37w she can make her appearance (though at this point if I went into labor it wouldn't be stopped). Ideally she comes around 38w. Because of my thyroid problems, I will be induced if by my due date she hasn't come. I have a higher chance for delivering a stillborn than most people, so letting her go over isn't in anyone's best interest. That means by November 17th (unless labor is crazy long), a baby will be here.
My next appointment is in a week. I am gaining an insane amount of weight (8lbs in 10 days) so I am a little worried to get weighed in next week. My blood pressure has also risen from low to normal, but it has to be monitored because if it continues to rise it will get too high prior to my delivery date.
Magoo has a head full of hair, a perfectly round torso, a seemingly lovely thyroid (though it hasn't been seen and we don't know if its functioning) and loves loves loves to roll around. My uterus and ribs feel it. She is also head down and ready to roll (I think she can still drop farther however, but at least things are started). I learned a few days ago that if the baby can drop into position in your pelvis, then its wide enough to deliver vaginally. So things are looking good there.
Until then, meeting other new Mom's, going out at least once a week to socialize and finish projects before her arrival. All the sewing has been completed (planned sewing at least), now I am trying to finishing the last knitting project I had planned and started. Clothes are washed, diapers are prepped. If DH gets the dresser sanded this weekend, I can paint it next week and maybe in two weekends we can have an organized nursery. I can only hope!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Mother's Unite.
I've been staying at home for too long, trying to figure out what I want to do with my life and what I am capable of doing. Then seeing how these two things can mesh. Things were falling into place until the pregnancy happened - not that the pregnancy was out of the blue, but definitely earlier than we thought (how many people get knocked up on the first not trying to not try attempt?). So what I was putting into place no longer worked.
A study was just completed this year because Portland has been nicknamed the place where young people come to retire. It turns out, people who come to Portland just want a laid back, environmentally friendly city that is relatively accepting of everyone. We are actually one of the most underpaid major cities in the country and people are okay with that because of the environment. But that means, even with a Master's, I could never make enough money to cover the costs of daycare. I may break even, but why work just to afford some other person watching our kid? This means I will continue to stay at home with our daughter, hoping to find some online job to do to make extra money because ends are not meeting. Even with a strict budget, once DH and I add in our student loans, the bills will outweigh all our income. That is stressful.
So right now I am getting together a page to sell crafty things - we need to put together a lot to be able to afford the birth I want, the little things babies need and the big things an old house needs. Writing little articles and doing what I can. And I am starting to meet other Mother's in the area. Because before when I was home figuring things out if I didn't like it the only person I had to blame was myself. I don't want to be at home, not doing things and blaming my daughter. I went to a meeting to meet other Mom's a couple weeks ago (luckily free since I didn't have a baby yet) and today met up with a couple other Mom's for a hike. The hard part is not being able to afford to do extra things, so having to do things that are free. But we are making it work and every person I met has been extremely friendly and welcoming. I am back to getting out there. Not in the way I expected and still trying to figure out how to be a parent, a friend and an adult (as in having more to do than just parent). And knowing I can't figure it out until she is born, we are acquainted, I know her personality and schedule and how things will work for us as a family. So 5 more weeks, c'mon! There is a full moon on October 29th. Everyone keep your fingers crossed!
A study was just completed this year because Portland has been nicknamed the place where young people come to retire. It turns out, people who come to Portland just want a laid back, environmentally friendly city that is relatively accepting of everyone. We are actually one of the most underpaid major cities in the country and people are okay with that because of the environment. But that means, even with a Master's, I could never make enough money to cover the costs of daycare. I may break even, but why work just to afford some other person watching our kid? This means I will continue to stay at home with our daughter, hoping to find some online job to do to make extra money because ends are not meeting. Even with a strict budget, once DH and I add in our student loans, the bills will outweigh all our income. That is stressful.
So right now I am getting together a page to sell crafty things - we need to put together a lot to be able to afford the birth I want, the little things babies need and the big things an old house needs. Writing little articles and doing what I can. And I am starting to meet other Mother's in the area. Because before when I was home figuring things out if I didn't like it the only person I had to blame was myself. I don't want to be at home, not doing things and blaming my daughter. I went to a meeting to meet other Mom's a couple weeks ago (luckily free since I didn't have a baby yet) and today met up with a couple other Mom's for a hike. The hard part is not being able to afford to do extra things, so having to do things that are free. But we are making it work and every person I met has been extremely friendly and welcoming. I am back to getting out there. Not in the way I expected and still trying to figure out how to be a parent, a friend and an adult (as in having more to do than just parent). And knowing I can't figure it out until she is born, we are acquainted, I know her personality and schedule and how things will work for us as a family. So 5 more weeks, c'mon! There is a full moon on October 29th. Everyone keep your fingers crossed!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Six Weeks, Two Days
until full term. Not necessarily birth as not one person can predict that (if you can please let me know). That is like 44 days. Pretty darn soon when its put that way.
Today I had my first ever visit with a chiropractor. I have been having a lot of pain in my back (what's new, right preggers ladies?). Massages, heat, cold, tylenol, DO. None of it really helped, so I gave into my slight fear of being bent awkwardly and wrongly. The dude was really nice - I told him no snapping my neck. So he used what he called a "jackhammer" on it instead. There was a lot of cracking, popping and discomfort. Even though my body is overly tense, it doesn't like being forced into the correct joint holes. Either way, I walked in with a somewhat waddle and walked out with swinging hips - even 8 months knocked up.
We also put up our decal last night over the crib. Definitely more work than we anticipated, a few hours worth. Not ideal when one of the people is pregnant and can't stand up on a stool with her arms in the air for more than a few minutes. A frustrated husband wondering why I can't hold it up and that he can't put it up if I don't help him. And taking breaks to lay on the floor while the blood went back to my head. But eventually it all worked out (picture to be posted). It will go perfectly with the curtains that we picked out for her.
And in the best of news, I finally figured out why my MIL's sewing machine hated me. A smart person would have figured this out much much sooner. It is a Viking and with my machine, I can use generic size bobbins. Whatever, make it work. Viking's require custom sized bobbins. So my generic ones were getting trapped. Now I can sew and sew quickly and it works. Baby quilt almost done. Then onto a cute little dress, a travel wetbag, a large wetbag and finishing the pillow for DH. Oh and maybe some bibs. And things to sell because extra money is definitely a necessity with a kid coming soon and student loan payments beginning up again. Being an adult is stressful. And my dog just let out a minute long fart next to my head, which means I need to move as fast as I can.
So let's focus on 44 days. 44 days and I *might* get my body back and a daughter to dress up for Halloween.
Today I had my first ever visit with a chiropractor. I have been having a lot of pain in my back (what's new, right preggers ladies?). Massages, heat, cold, tylenol, DO. None of it really helped, so I gave into my slight fear of being bent awkwardly and wrongly. The dude was really nice - I told him no snapping my neck. So he used what he called a "jackhammer" on it instead. There was a lot of cracking, popping and discomfort. Even though my body is overly tense, it doesn't like being forced into the correct joint holes. Either way, I walked in with a somewhat waddle and walked out with swinging hips - even 8 months knocked up.
We also put up our decal last night over the crib. Definitely more work than we anticipated, a few hours worth. Not ideal when one of the people is pregnant and can't stand up on a stool with her arms in the air for more than a few minutes. A frustrated husband wondering why I can't hold it up and that he can't put it up if I don't help him. And taking breaks to lay on the floor while the blood went back to my head. But eventually it all worked out (picture to be posted). It will go perfectly with the curtains that we picked out for her.
And in the best of news, I finally figured out why my MIL's sewing machine hated me. A smart person would have figured this out much much sooner. It is a Viking and with my machine, I can use generic size bobbins. Whatever, make it work. Viking's require custom sized bobbins. So my generic ones were getting trapped. Now I can sew and sew quickly and it works. Baby quilt almost done. Then onto a cute little dress, a travel wetbag, a large wetbag and finishing the pillow for DH. Oh and maybe some bibs. And things to sell because extra money is definitely a necessity with a kid coming soon and student loan payments beginning up again. Being an adult is stressful. And my dog just let out a minute long fart next to my head, which means I need to move as fast as I can.
So let's focus on 44 days. 44 days and I *might* get my body back and a daughter to dress up for Halloween.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Growing, growing, grown.
Magoo and I ended up in Labor & Delivery triage two weeks ago. The combination of my back curving inward along with my abs weakening from stretching out causes me a lot of back pain. And then I began having a lot of abdominal pain with inconsistent contractions while exerting myself. I called my doctor wanting to pee in a cup (possible uti) and be checked for BV again. Last time, my only symptom was abdominal pain. Next thing I know they are telling me to go to L&D for preterm labor. I thought it was completely unnecessary, but having never been in labor before couldn't really say no. Magoo hated, hated, hated the monitor and kept thrashing it. The tests came back negative, there were no contractions and we were free to leave. It turned out the front pain was due to round ligament stretching - Magoo hit a growth spurt and my body was being forced to grow bigger in ways it was fighting.
DH and I then had our baby shower that weekend, which went very well. Only 9 people showed up - kind of the perfect number. We could talk to everyone, hang out and not be overwhelmed. My SIL planned the event and got delicious finger foods, onesies that our friends painted and a balloon game where the guests had to shape balloons into the shape of a baby. She had them do that while we were opening gifts because she knows I don't like people staring at my constantly. It ended up being quite relaxing, intimate and fun. And of course, our family and friends were extremely generous and we are grateful for that. Magoo will not need an outfit for the first few months of her life!
We also were about to get the crib ordered and it arrived this past weekend. DH and I took about thirty minutes to put that together (a solid ten minutes of that was spent when DH lost the tool it came with to put it together). It is a massive, massive, beautiful crib. We hope it ends up being the right taste for Magoo or DH said we will take it to use as our bedframe! Through the generosity of our family, we also secured a top rated car seat and her mattress. Now just to finish the dresser and we can start cleaning clothes, unpacking and getting the nursery organized. I will be full term in a mere(ish) nine weeks and we have a lot to clean and organize before then! Only a full house worth :)
And I believe we are hitting another growth spurt again - the abdominal pain is back, Magoo is moving less and when she does move its much stronger. I can't even imagine what it feels like when she reaches full birthing weight!
DH and I then had our baby shower that weekend, which went very well. Only 9 people showed up - kind of the perfect number. We could talk to everyone, hang out and not be overwhelmed. My SIL planned the event and got delicious finger foods, onesies that our friends painted and a balloon game where the guests had to shape balloons into the shape of a baby. She had them do that while we were opening gifts because she knows I don't like people staring at my constantly. It ended up being quite relaxing, intimate and fun. And of course, our family and friends were extremely generous and we are grateful for that. Magoo will not need an outfit for the first few months of her life!
We also were about to get the crib ordered and it arrived this past weekend. DH and I took about thirty minutes to put that together (a solid ten minutes of that was spent when DH lost the tool it came with to put it together). It is a massive, massive, beautiful crib. We hope it ends up being the right taste for Magoo or DH said we will take it to use as our bedframe! Through the generosity of our family, we also secured a top rated car seat and her mattress. Now just to finish the dresser and we can start cleaning clothes, unpacking and getting the nursery organized. I will be full term in a mere(ish) nine weeks and we have a lot to clean and organize before then! Only a full house worth :)
And I believe we are hitting another growth spurt again - the abdominal pain is back, Magoo is moving less and when she does move its much stronger. I can't even imagine what it feels like when she reaches full birthing weight!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
98 Days and Counting.
We have finally hit the double digits. That means half a year has gone by that I have been pregnant - that is a long, long time and we still have a third of the way left. But at least it is getting closer, six months done. Three months to go.
Today, DH and I spent the day having doctors who wanted more skills in doing ultrasounds looking at our baby. It was a long five hours - and something I did not anticipate was that after pressing on my abdomen for so long, I would get nauseated and lightheaded. I only lasted through half of my first session, needed a five minute break in my second session and then was able to last through the entire last session after putting my old first trimester tricks into play.
Through these ultrasounds we learned we are definitely having a girl. There is no question it is all labia and no penis. She is measuring on average a week ahead (yay!), which means basically nothing but leaves me hopeful maybe she will want to arrive early. Her brain cysts have disappeared. She has the most beautiful cerebellum they have ever seen and they anticipate her having amazing balance. She is textbook perfect. Except for her kidneys. The kidneys were quickly glanced at and the supervising doctor pointed out he thought they looked slightly enlarged/filled/off (I can't remember his exact wording). And he noticed it in both kidneys. So that problem has not yet corrected itself. She still has sometime and we will go in for her official follow up this Friday. I don't anticipate it will be better after today, but we are hopeful that the measurements at least stayed the same as where they were before or have gotten better. A movement in the right direction.
Besides letting us see glimpses of Magoo, the ultrasound study also paid us (wohoo!), offered a lunch (DH got some pitas, I was so jealous. They did not have gluten free options). And gave us gift bags that included: a bib, washcloth, rubber duckie (we are up to 5 now), a few diapers and 4 bottles. Not bad for a day's work.
Tomorrow (Monday) my goal will be to find a chiropractor - my lower back hates hard. Even with a heating pad on, it still aches. And then only 4 more days until our next follow up ultrasound. This one we pay for, but I'm going to try to convince them how much a picture of her sweet face in 3D is needed. They showed us a 2D one yesterday and it looked like she had a wider nose and chubby cheeks, but then 2D can't register fat, only bone. So who really knows.
Today, DH and I spent the day having doctors who wanted more skills in doing ultrasounds looking at our baby. It was a long five hours - and something I did not anticipate was that after pressing on my abdomen for so long, I would get nauseated and lightheaded. I only lasted through half of my first session, needed a five minute break in my second session and then was able to last through the entire last session after putting my old first trimester tricks into play.
Through these ultrasounds we learned we are definitely having a girl. There is no question it is all labia and no penis. She is measuring on average a week ahead (yay!), which means basically nothing but leaves me hopeful maybe she will want to arrive early. Her brain cysts have disappeared. She has the most beautiful cerebellum they have ever seen and they anticipate her having amazing balance. She is textbook perfect. Except for her kidneys. The kidneys were quickly glanced at and the supervising doctor pointed out he thought they looked slightly enlarged/filled/off (I can't remember his exact wording). And he noticed it in both kidneys. So that problem has not yet corrected itself. She still has sometime and we will go in for her official follow up this Friday. I don't anticipate it will be better after today, but we are hopeful that the measurements at least stayed the same as where they were before or have gotten better. A movement in the right direction.
Besides letting us see glimpses of Magoo, the ultrasound study also paid us (wohoo!), offered a lunch (DH got some pitas, I was so jealous. They did not have gluten free options). And gave us gift bags that included: a bib, washcloth, rubber duckie (we are up to 5 now), a few diapers and 4 bottles. Not bad for a day's work.
Tomorrow (Monday) my goal will be to find a chiropractor - my lower back hates hard. Even with a heating pad on, it still aches. And then only 4 more days until our next follow up ultrasound. This one we pay for, but I'm going to try to convince them how much a picture of her sweet face in 3D is needed. They showed us a 2D one yesterday and it looked like she had a wider nose and chubby cheeks, but then 2D can't register fat, only bone. So who really knows.
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