So my appointment yesterday showed that no new advancement has occurred. Shucks!
However, the ball is in my court as to when I want go to the hospital to deliver this little one. It was pretty much indicated that I can call and say, "I would like to go to the hospital now and have them induce labor," to which my doctors will respond, "Okay." Scary thought.
Since he is healthy, not showing any signs of distress, moving regularly, etc. I have no desire to go through induced labor unnecessarily. Well other than the fact that I am sick and tired of being pregnant! But that is on me, not him. I will permit nature to take its course and only permit medical science to intervene if he shows signs of distress or if I hit week 42.
Natural forms of induction though are free game! Since nature will prevent those methods from actually working if the baby and mommy are not ready, I am comfortable with using them... frequently.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Stretching Membranes. Well, that doesn't seem all that bad.
So being awake since 3:15 AM and having a plethora of energy all day apparently made my blood pressure rather high. Whoops!
Trent's heart rate: 140s
Tummy Measurement: 35 cm
Dilated: 2.5 (and can still stretch it out to 3 cm)
Effaced: 70%
To assist things along, my doctor stretched my membranes. That is a nice way of saying that she put my fingers in my cervix and stretched it out as far as it would go several times over. That's rather... uncomfortable. The hope is that it will get my body to progress the next time I am having false labor for hours on end. So far tonight I have been in quite a bit of pain. Several contractions. Some stronger than others. Not really in a pattern. None are debilitating. I can pretty much talk during them still. Therefore, I know that I need to be in a lot more pain before this comes to anything that will result in a baby.
Trent's heart rate: 140s
Tummy Measurement: 35 cm
Dilated: 2.5 (and can still stretch it out to 3 cm)
Effaced: 70%
To assist things along, my doctor stretched my membranes. That is a nice way of saying that she put my fingers in my cervix and stretched it out as far as it would go several times over. That's rather... uncomfortable. The hope is that it will get my body to progress the next time I am having false labor for hours on end. So far tonight I have been in quite a bit of pain. Several contractions. Some stronger than others. Not really in a pattern. None are debilitating. I can pretty much talk during them still. Therefore, I know that I need to be in a lot more pain before this comes to anything that will result in a baby.
2.3 Mile Walk & Insomnia
This past Saturday I was determined to walk this baby out of me. (Son, you were issued your 7 day Eviction Notice last Friday and you are running out of time.) So my mother and I went for a walk Saturday morning with Laine before it got too hot outside. We ended up walking 2.3 miles. It sure did have an impact. Yup, once we came back I was in desperate need of a nap. That was about the only thing that it did. My hips loosened a little more, I guess that is positive as well.
It is the wee-hours of the morning. I have insomnia and I do not feel like laying in bed and letting acid reflex attack my throat. So, I am up with the kitties. Let's see, what to up-date you on.
My body apparently loves to give me false labor pains on Monday evenings. I had a couple of hours of it again this week. An hour or two after I went to bed last night it stopped though. Sigh.
Laine now waives. She sometimes says "bye-bye." Other spoken words: milk, dog, all done, up, your welcome, no, two shoes, and then the random phrases that you wonder if you heard correctly. Such as, "I'm going out the door." I swear that is what I heard in response to asking her, "Where are you going?"
Laine is learning the words to Ba-Ba Black Sheep. She watches and listens intently. She then sings Ba Ba Ba Ba... all in tune, but she is trying to figure out how to contort her mouth to make the word "black" and "sheep."
Trent is a cuddle bug still. I have a feeling he is going to be my laid back child. He slept a lot yesterday and thus far this morning. Maybe he knows something that I don't know. A rest before the storm, perhaps? Wink wink nudge nudge.
He is in the perfect position for child birth. His back is to my right side with his legs and arms to my left. His head is in my pelvis sideways, which is just perfect perfect. We are now 3 days away from his due date. Wink wink nudge nudge.
He has been having the hiccups 2-3 times a day, the poor kid. He does not get mad at them though. As a general whole, he has not minded having someone in his space either. He minds when people play with his feet, arms, and legs. But if I rest something on him (provided that it is not hot or cold) he doesn't try to kick it off. He is aware of temperature. He can tell when someone has their hand up to my bare belly. He will kick and wiggle against the heat source. He does not seem to mind it, he just knows that it is there.
He has dropped more and he is no longer able to use my ribs as a butt scratcher. Thank god.
We have our hospital bag packed up. It is nice to know what to expect. We over packed last time with Laine's birth. I looked at a couple lists online and in my baby book. "Won't need that. Won't need that. That's packed. Won't need that" etc. Those lists make you prepare as if you are going to a back-woods hospital that doesn't have any idea what is involved in childbirth. Lucky for me, this hospital does.
Yes, I am still working. We have all the plans worked out if I go into labor there. Many people have offered to help at work. From driving me directly to my hospital, to riding with me on the train while I am in labor, I'm covered. I think I have previously mentioned that a woman on my floor used to be a Mid-Wife, who has also offered her services to me. Meanwhile, my supervisor says that she is very capable of calling 9-1-1. So, I really have all my bases covered. As long as I don't have an emergency, which would entail me going to the closest hospital to my work, I am good.
The closest hospital is very important to the city. It is one of the largest public hospitals in the country. They specialize in gun shot wounds... I mean, they have the only level 1 trauma center in the city. Seriously, if you are shot in Atlanta, Grady is the place to go! They also specialize in delivering drug-addicted babies... I mean, they have a very good Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With all sarcasm aside, there are many non-drug addicted women in the city who choose to have their babies there. If you were delivered there, you are known as a Grady Baby and there is a sense of pride in it. Again, a very important hospital for this city, but one I'd rather not deliver at.
It is now 5:20 AM. I have been awake since 3:15. I'm going to go lay down until the alarm goes off. Ain't insomnia great?
It is the wee-hours of the morning. I have insomnia and I do not feel like laying in bed and letting acid reflex attack my throat. So, I am up with the kitties. Let's see, what to up-date you on.
My body apparently loves to give me false labor pains on Monday evenings. I had a couple of hours of it again this week. An hour or two after I went to bed last night it stopped though. Sigh.
Laine now waives. She sometimes says "bye-bye." Other spoken words: milk, dog, all done, up, your welcome, no, two shoes, and then the random phrases that you wonder if you heard correctly. Such as, "I'm going out the door." I swear that is what I heard in response to asking her, "Where are you going?"
Laine is learning the words to Ba-Ba Black Sheep. She watches and listens intently. She then sings Ba Ba Ba Ba... all in tune, but she is trying to figure out how to contort her mouth to make the word "black" and "sheep."
Trent is a cuddle bug still. I have a feeling he is going to be my laid back child. He slept a lot yesterday and thus far this morning. Maybe he knows something that I don't know. A rest before the storm, perhaps? Wink wink nudge nudge.
He is in the perfect position for child birth. His back is to my right side with his legs and arms to my left. His head is in my pelvis sideways, which is just perfect perfect. We are now 3 days away from his due date. Wink wink nudge nudge.
He has been having the hiccups 2-3 times a day, the poor kid. He does not get mad at them though. As a general whole, he has not minded having someone in his space either. He minds when people play with his feet, arms, and legs. But if I rest something on him (provided that it is not hot or cold) he doesn't try to kick it off. He is aware of temperature. He can tell when someone has their hand up to my bare belly. He will kick and wiggle against the heat source. He does not seem to mind it, he just knows that it is there.
He has dropped more and he is no longer able to use my ribs as a butt scratcher. Thank god.
We have our hospital bag packed up. It is nice to know what to expect. We over packed last time with Laine's birth. I looked at a couple lists online and in my baby book. "Won't need that. Won't need that. That's packed. Won't need that" etc. Those lists make you prepare as if you are going to a back-woods hospital that doesn't have any idea what is involved in childbirth. Lucky for me, this hospital does.
Yes, I am still working. We have all the plans worked out if I go into labor there. Many people have offered to help at work. From driving me directly to my hospital, to riding with me on the train while I am in labor, I'm covered. I think I have previously mentioned that a woman on my floor used to be a Mid-Wife, who has also offered her services to me. Meanwhile, my supervisor says that she is very capable of calling 9-1-1. So, I really have all my bases covered. As long as I don't have an emergency, which would entail me going to the closest hospital to my work, I am good.
The closest hospital is very important to the city. It is one of the largest public hospitals in the country. They specialize in gun shot wounds... I mean, they have the only level 1 trauma center in the city. Seriously, if you are shot in Atlanta, Grady is the place to go! They also specialize in delivering drug-addicted babies... I mean, they have a very good Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With all sarcasm aside, there are many non-drug addicted women in the city who choose to have their babies there. If you were delivered there, you are known as a Grady Baby and there is a sense of pride in it. Again, a very important hospital for this city, but one I'd rather not deliver at.
It is now 5:20 AM. I have been awake since 3:15. I'm going to go lay down until the alarm goes off. Ain't insomnia great?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
It is not nesting...
... it is called “ensuring that there are no pine needles on the back patio.” Why is it important? I don’t know! It just had to be done! So there I was, 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant, in 90-some-odd degree weather, sweeping the back patio of all pine needles. (Patting myself on the back.)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Dear Lord- Get him out of me!
From 4 PM to 9 PM yesterday I was having rather strong false labor pains. I could walk and get them stronger, and I managed to get 3 full contractions, but nothing stuck. At 9, everything just went away.
My mom is here now awaiting the arrival and helping with Laine. It is nice to know that we will not have to call anyone to watch Laine when I go into labor.
My mom was playing with the little man last night. Rubbing his back, chasing his foot/leg, etc. Suddenly my mom said, "You are having a contraction." Of course I was. It was small but certainly present. As one would expect, my uterus had turned into a stone and my mom was unable to play her games with the little one until it went away. Well, I admit, I got up and started walking to make it get stronger. (Whistling and acting innocent.)
When I got in to work this morning, Myrtis said (in response to me coming to work and not having the baby), "I am very disappointed in you." I laughed. On my way out this afternoon, she said, "I hope not to see you tomorrow!" "That is the sweetest thing you have ever said to me," I responded.
Stats from today's doctor's appointment-
Tummy measurement: 34 cm (Smaller because he dropped a wee bit more. See next stat.)
Head engagement: -2/-3
Dilation: 2.5 cm but my doc was able to stretch it out to 3 cm with her fingers. (Note- that is not comfortable)
Effacement: 50%
Heart rate: 130s
My doc indicated that it is very likely that I will go into labor in the next week. THANK GOD! Oh, did I say that out loud? Whoops. If I do make it through the week, a new plan may be introduced.
Oh and were you aware that putting pressure on the pressure points that induce labor really work? I MAY have been rubbing those spots recently and I MAY have been able to induce a small contraction or two or three or more. (Whistling and acting innocent again.) Oh, and there is a spot on the hand as well.
My mom is here now awaiting the arrival and helping with Laine. It is nice to know that we will not have to call anyone to watch Laine when I go into labor.
My mom was playing with the little man last night. Rubbing his back, chasing his foot/leg, etc. Suddenly my mom said, "You are having a contraction." Of course I was. It was small but certainly present. As one would expect, my uterus had turned into a stone and my mom was unable to play her games with the little one until it went away. Well, I admit, I got up and started walking to make it get stronger. (Whistling and acting innocent.)
When I got in to work this morning, Myrtis said (in response to me coming to work and not having the baby), "I am very disappointed in you." I laughed. On my way out this afternoon, she said, "I hope not to see you tomorrow!" "That is the sweetest thing you have ever said to me," I responded.
Stats from today's doctor's appointment-
Tummy measurement: 34 cm (Smaller because he dropped a wee bit more. See next stat.)
Head engagement: -2/-3
Dilation: 2.5 cm but my doc was able to stretch it out to 3 cm with her fingers. (Note- that is not comfortable)
Effacement: 50%
Heart rate: 130s
My doc indicated that it is very likely that I will go into labor in the next week. THANK GOD! Oh, did I say that out loud? Whoops. If I do make it through the week, a new plan may be introduced.
Oh and were you aware that putting pressure on the pressure points that induce labor really work? I MAY have been rubbing those spots recently and I MAY have been able to induce a small contraction or two or three or more. (Whistling and acting innocent again.) Oh, and there is a spot on the hand as well.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Today's Stats
Tummy measurement: 35 cm
Dilation: 2 cm
Effacement: almost 50%
Head engagement: -3
Heartbeat: 130s
So, this explains why I have to pee every hour and a half or so, and the max capacity of my bladder is equivalent to one of those individual coffee creamer thingys.
Apparently two weeks ago I was-
Dilated: 1.5 cm
Effacement: 25%
Of course I wasn't told any of that two weeks ago. This is why I favor the doc I saw today and is the one who delivered Laine. She also happens to be the one on call this week. (Wink wink nudge nudge, little man.) The less favored of the two is on call next week. Of course Al and my mom are all aiming for next week. *Humph* THEY were not the ones who were woken up at 12:45 AM by a contraction, therefore, I do not believe that their votes count.
Dilation: 2 cm
Effacement: almost 50%
Head engagement: -3
Heartbeat: 130s
So, this explains why I have to pee every hour and a half or so, and the max capacity of my bladder is equivalent to one of those individual coffee creamer thingys.
Apparently two weeks ago I was-
Dilated: 1.5 cm
Effacement: 25%
Of course I wasn't told any of that two weeks ago. This is why I favor the doc I saw today and is the one who delivered Laine. She also happens to be the one on call this week. (Wink wink nudge nudge, little man.) The less favored of the two is on call next week. Of course Al and my mom are all aiming for next week. *Humph* THEY were not the ones who were woken up at 12:45 AM by a contraction, therefore, I do not believe that their votes count.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
New Update
Holy crap these past several days have sucked. Thursday I was inducing uterine tightness by walking (not quite to the point of full contractions though). Friday I had it a couple of times. It has also been doing it on its own, just more so when I walk and stand.
I ended up sending out an Emergency Back-Up Plan email to friends in the area. So now I have a list of people I can call if this little guy makes an early escape. My mom arrives on the 12th.
On my appointment on Tuesday, I will have the doc check to see if I have any physical advancement in conjunction to all this pain I have been feeling. Like right this second... breathe breathe... oh this hurts... (pause from typing)... aaaand there we go. Moving on!
So I promised I would post about the baby shower that work put on for me last week. It was organized by my supervisor, Rosalyn, and the theme was Sweets & Treats. There was a spread of sweet junk food and a plethora of presents (aka- treats).
Of course, Cassandra would not let the shower go by without making me wear a foolish hat. She maintained it throughout the shower so that I would have maximum embarrassment. (Me sitting next to Linda reading an email she received. Cassandra adding accessories to the hat while I opened presents.)
There was a mishap when the red velvet cake was brought in. So it was turned into "dip." It still tasted excellent though. (Linda scooping Rosalyn's Red Velvet cake into a bowl.)
Some of us did not leave our work at our desks. (Judy and Melissa hard at work on their Blackberries.)
Lots of good presents were received. (A Linus onesie from Melissa. A handmade photo book about Laine from Christina.)
And many people came.
(L to R: Me, Raelene's back, can't remember her name, Stephanie, Valerie, Rosalyn)
(L to R: Melissa's foot, Shelia, Cassandra, Christina, Lee's legs)
(L to R: Rosalyn, Stephanie, Valerie, the back of the head of the woman's name that I can't remember, Judy, Melissa, Shelia, Cassandra, Christina, Lee's legs again)
(L to R: most of Ricki, Melissa, Linda, Dazara, Wendy, half of nameless woman. I hope I can remember her name just in case she finds this site.)
More people than that came, but I only have really bad shots of them or the back of their heads.
I ended up sending out an Emergency Back-Up Plan email to friends in the area. So now I have a list of people I can call if this little guy makes an early escape. My mom arrives on the 12th.
On my appointment on Tuesday, I will have the doc check to see if I have any physical advancement in conjunction to all this pain I have been feeling. Like right this second... breathe breathe... oh this hurts... (pause from typing)... aaaand there we go. Moving on!
So I promised I would post about the baby shower that work put on for me last week. It was organized by my supervisor, Rosalyn, and the theme was Sweets & Treats. There was a spread of sweet junk food and a plethora of presents (aka- treats).
Of course, Cassandra would not let the shower go by without making me wear a foolish hat. She maintained it throughout the shower so that I would have maximum embarrassment. (Me sitting next to Linda reading an email she received. Cassandra adding accessories to the hat while I opened presents.)
There was a mishap when the red velvet cake was brought in. So it was turned into "dip." It still tasted excellent though. (Linda scooping Rosalyn's Red Velvet cake into a bowl.)
Some of us did not leave our work at our desks. (Judy and Melissa hard at work on their Blackberries.)
Lots of good presents were received. (A Linus onesie from Melissa. A handmade photo book about Laine from Christina.)
And many people came.
(L to R: Me, Raelene's back, can't remember her name, Stephanie, Valerie, Rosalyn)
(L to R: Melissa's foot, Shelia, Cassandra, Christina, Lee's legs)
(L to R: Rosalyn, Stephanie, Valerie, the back of the head of the woman's name that I can't remember, Judy, Melissa, Shelia, Cassandra, Christina, Lee's legs again)
(L to R: most of Ricki, Melissa, Linda, Dazara, Wendy, half of nameless woman. I hope I can remember her name just in case she finds this site.)
More people than that came, but I only have really bad shots of them or the back of their heads.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
New Stats
Be careful, they are boring:
Heart beat in the 130s
Tummy measurement: 35 cm
Yeah, that's all I got.
Heart beat in the 130s
Tummy measurement: 35 cm
Yeah, that's all I got.
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