Random tidbit of information...

Minutes can feel like hours when the baby is crying, but also when it's sleeping. :)

I should be napping right now, but the need for social interaction is winning. Blogging helps me keep sane I think. It'll also be fun to look back later and see what was going on in those first few weeks of Jenna's life. It's so weird that I have a daughter now. I think it hits home more when I say the word daughter. Her name somehow doesn't do it, nor the fact that I've held her and fed her and clothed her...but saying the word Daughter, man.

For Eric the moment she came behind the curtain in the hospital it became real. This is really happening...we have a baby. He stepped up immediately and even now when he's working, the times he's home he's more than willing to hold her, change her and if needed, feed her. Great husband and father he is!

I think things are still settling in for me in this transition period. I cannot imagine what it's like for people who just get married and have a baby right away. People do it, lots of people also divorce because of it. I am glad I had 4 years with my husband before the baby came along. It gave us time to experience some things together and to grow in our relationship enough to survive this next transition. It also gave us time to grow in our relationship with the Lord more...something we are still doing and want to be a good example for Jenna too.

It's just I think going to take longer for me for things to really really sink in. Don't worry, Jenna's going to be fine whilst I figure things out. The need to care for her and make sure she's safe is definitely there. I was just thinking the other day while we were in the mall with her how horrible it would feel be someone took her or harmed her. That's how I knew I had that protective instinct in there. When she cries I want to "fix" her problems the best I can to make sure she feels safe and secure. I just think the whole bonding thing will grow over time as she becomes more interactive.

It is however special when she hears my voice and calms even for a second. She recognizes who I am and definitely knows where the food comes from. ;) It'll be nice when her umbilical cord thing is healed completely and we can start baths. I want Eric to be the one to do a lot of the bedtime routine so he can have that special time with her. Right now things are just in survival mode until she is more regular and I figure out some form of routine that works. I have a few books to read thanks to some dear friends regarding this issue.... so those should help!

Okay... I've written quite enough. I do this for my own benefit. If people choose to read it, that's okay with me obviously because I've posted it up here. But if not it's here for me to look back and reflect upon.

Blessings,

Kristine

The sleep song :)

I think I'll be composing many songs with Jenna. Today's song:

It's okay to go to sleep, sleep

It's okay to go to sleep, sleep

Baby sleep longer to grow big and stronger

It's okay to go to sleep

When you sleep you will dream

In dreams you can be anything

You can be a princess

Or you can be a turtle

But you can't dream if you don't sleep so...

It's okay to go to sleep, sleep

It's okay to go to sleep, sleep

Baby sleep longer to grow big and stronger

It's okay to go to sleep.

I think I made up other silly verses.....but I mainly sang the chorus over and over again...

Losing weight....

We'll see how well this is one handed... I think I figured out why they say you lose weight breast feeding.... you literally have no time to eat yourself because of how demanding the feeding schedule is! :) Well that's how it's going here.

Anything for my baby girl....

Met with lactation today.... turns out baby girl has issues sucking when feeding. So that combined with my lack of supply is causing her not to get enough food when she feeds off me. Which in turn has caused her to cry more and gulp more air to have gas issues. It's a vicious cycle. They had me try out a nipple shield and that kinda helped some with her being able to latch appropriately and such better.

So... here's the current feeding plan. Feed the girl as much as I can during feeding times using a nipple shield.If she's still hungry, they want me to supplement either with formula or preferably my expressed milk. Then after I do that, they want me to pump for 20 minutes. At night I'll solely feed her and not worry about pumping. So all that plus the herbs to try to bolster my supply. If that works then great. If not, there are a few medications I can take to boost my supply. I hope it doesn't come to that...but anything for my baby girl is good.

That's the current update. Gotta make dinner...

Does it seem weird....

Okay again, I am not gonna lie...being a SAHM is hard. Particularly a breastfeeding SAHM. Today I have an appointment with lactation (almost forgot about that!) and maybe they'll give me some answers but I am uncertain. I think it might be due to my milk supply not fully coming in yet. Sometimes it can take a while with new moms, especially c-section moms like myself.

When the times get tough... I pray and then I think to myself somehow these teenage moms and single moms and junkie moms and other moms babies thrive and survive. They make it past these crazy stages in the beginning with the baby crying and feeding and sleeping. That might sound horrible to some of you....I'd also like to add I think of the many women who've gone before me who are strong wonderful SAHM's in caring loving homes that have gotten through these stages too. Sometime it helps to think of that for hope, that this stage will pass and I'll miss it. I'll miss when she was so tiny I could use one arm to pick her up. I'll miss when my husband lays her on his chest at night sometimes to sleep. I'll miss a lot of things. So I gotta take the good with the bad....

Okay baby girl is waking up... gotta go...

On being a SAHM....

Here I am, on day two of being a SAHM. Yesterday was a huge day for me because it was the first day of being here without Eric around to help out. I would be lying if I said I wasn't afriad! My friend Jill blessed me with a visit and made me some lunch. It was good to be able to visit with someone who knew what I was going through.

Yesterday morning Jenna did great...was calm and alert and active, then she hit a wall by mid day and was fussy. Eric came home around 1 something and later we went with Jenna to the hospital so she could get her foot pricked for her two week test. While we were in the waiting area at the lab there were two women there. One woman was waiting and talked about our little girl with us. The other was an older lady who noticed we had a baby and asked if it was a boy or a girl. (Since the flowery green pink daisy hat wasn't obvious....nor the brown and green and pink spotted blanket..) She went on and on about how our girl needed to wear pink, always wear pink and how we should tie a bow on our car seat so everyone would know she's a girl right away. I just smiled and nodded. What else could I do? :) The other lady was like yeah I knew it was a girl (cause it was obvious). Anyways.... Jenna and I went in and she got her foot stuck. She cried and I was trying to prepare myself for waterworks since I heard it was the hardest thing a mom would have to go through this early on or something.

Surprisingly I wasn't emotional at all. I just focused on calming my baby and being there for her. I guess I tend to take the strong approach to things like this because I feel the baby needs to see a strong calm mom to be able to calm down herself. Eventually once we got her in the car seat she calmed down. Then I noticed a huge wet spot on my shirt...and that she was wet too. Yep...she peed on me during the shot. Awesome. Glad I packed that extra shirt for myself in the car...no wait... I didn't. At least I packed an extra onsie for her. We went to the doc's office next.

Since we were at the end of the day the doc was quite backed up. We waited a good 40 minutes or so until we were in the room. Once there I changed the baby girl, they weighed and measured her and we waited a little longer for the doc. Unfortunatley Jenna wasn't cool with waiting to eat. So I made up the bottle of formula I brought with us just in case, but she needed more so I ended up breastfeeding in the room. Of course that's when the doc came in. The doc said Jenna was looking great and finally above her birth weight. The doc also approved of us giving her gas meds if she needs them and said that us having her in the swing sometimes at night is totally fine. It made me feel better as a parent haha.

Jenna did okay the rest of the day. Of course at night she decided she wanted to be fussy and not sleep.... but it's getting a little better. Ended up feeding her some of the bmilk from the fridge last night plus some formula. I hurt so much that I didn't want to nurse. Hopefully we'll get some answers on Wednesday.

Today is going alright. We went to the grocery store and she did great. Got what we needed and were out of there without any meltdowns. Came home nursed a few times and she's been in and out of the swing. It's nice to have a safe place for her to be so I can have some me time, or cook or go to the bathroom. Soon I'll figure out a carrier for her..

But things are getting a little easier even on day two. The SAHM stuff isn't scaring me as much and seems doable at this stage. I just wish I had more things that I could do with her at this stage of her development. We're trying to use sign language when we can so she sees that. I read the little bible book to her.... I think we'll start singing some more with educational songs. :) Seems better than watching TV. ALthough we do that as well.

Okay I am tired. I might take a nap while I can! Peace Out.

Oh the joys of b. feeding...

I realized I haven't posted in a little while, well that's because I've been slightly busy with a fussy little girl. :) Jenna's decided that nursing is going to be a little extra difficult. She fights me all the way until I get her latched on, then she calls a truce and plays fair. We've met with the lactation people and things were going great there, but they still want me to boost my supply so I am taking some Fenugreek to help that. Apparently it's going to make me smell like Maple Syrup.... that should be interesting.

No one talks about how difficult it is to breastfeed a newborn. Seriously...every few hours?!? And with a battle at every session it proves quite the effort to keep it up. Oh I am supposed to try to pump too.. In my spare time. :) It's kinda maddening really this whole process. But I keep reminding myself that this stage is the stage where they eat all the time, sleep all the time and wet diapers all the time. Oh and cry all the time. I remind myself that it hopefully will only last a few months, then the fun begins with her being more interactive. I've decided this stage of the baby's developement isn't for me, not my fav. Especially the crying at night part because of gas pains and nothing helping. Yeah, that's awesome.

Eric's been great about changing her diapers occasionally and holding her and feeding her from bottle when I do express some milk. But he goes back to work next week...which means it's just me and baby. I can't lie and say that I am looking forward to this alone time. It's been kinda rough for me regarding this whole process and I just hope to keep my sanity when it's just me and baby 24/7 with no help until Eric comes home from working all day. I am trying to think about how to make things easier for myself...and things are getting a little easier but it's going to take some time.

I guess I look forward to the stage when the baby is more interactive.....right now there's not much to do other than read to her and talk to her (oh and feed and change her). I am debating on joining a mom's group or helping one to start forming. I also am going to start BSF on Tuesdays since I can take her with me and see how that goes. Social interaction will be key I think to my sanity. Now if only I could figure out the trigger to these headaches...

I love my husband :)

I wasn't sure how I could love my husband more until we had our sweet little Jenna. He stood by my side during the long 36 hours it took from going into labor until she entered the world. Since I got a c-section I couldn't go with her when they cleaned her off, checked her to make sure she was okay and the other stuff they do immediately after the baby was born. From the moment she entered the world he became more my hero and I fell in love with him more.

He stepped up in so many ways. He went with her to the nursery, learned how to swaddle and change her and soothe her. He did everything I couldn't do and it was amazing to watch him naturally and wonderfully step into the role of a father. He's mastered taking the car seat in and out, opening the stroller, changing her, swaddling her, holding her, feeding her my milk from a bottle.... everything. It's really amazing.

He not only stepped up to be the amazing man I knew he could be for her, but he also stepped up for me. He helped me with my c-section stuff, made sure I had food by ordering it or cooking it, made sure I took my meds, offered to hold and feed the baby so I could rest...I say this over and over again but it's really really amazing to me. I love him more and more every day. Right now he just came back from going to the grocery store to get the long list of items we need at the house. Just anything we need as a family he steps up and does. It's amazing how having a little one changes your life. I am thankful and blessed to have a wonderful husband like Eric Reed. :)

I know that sounds cheesy....but I wanted the world to know via blog how I feel about this man. It's indescribable, yet I am overjoyed he picked me to be his wife and the mother of his child. :)

Long night...

Ah yes... we knew what we were in for when the baby slept most of the day yesterday, a long night. Baby seems to be on the opposite time schedule we are sometimes, and then other times she's right on. Last night she woke up often, was hungry often and just wanted to be held. This is all normal and fine, until you factor in that mom and dad forgot to sleep during the day when the baby slept and were completely exhausted! :)

It's hard being a milk machine. Being the only on to satisfy your baby's hunger needs. I am going to try hard to pump more today so that Eric can feed the baby too. He really loves her and loves interacting with her, especially feeding. He told me last night that if I could pump enough that he would take over a feeding so I could sleep 4 hours straight. Unfortunately last night it didn't work out that way...but tonight might!

Today I think is going to be another good lazy day around the house. We do have some things we'd like to get, but we might stick to ordering them online at this point. ;)

Well I need a nap, baby is taking a nap...so it's perfect timing. We'll write more later...

Meeting with the Lactation Specialist

I posted new photos to Facebook, soon they will be on here too. But I have a feeling I should take a nap!

We met with the Lactation specialist at the hospital today and when she weighed Jenna, it showed that she gained 5 or 6 ounces! She had me breastfeed Jenna and then weighed her again. While I breastfed she gave us hints and tips about it. When Jenna was weighed it showed that she was indeed getting enough of what she needed and if anything adding feedings would help supplement the rest until my milk gets in.

So the new plan, she told me to do the skin to skin thing and to feed Jenna often, like way often. So that my milk will come fully in. So that's what we plan on doing! I will pump some or hand express some to supplement and let Eric give that to her. She kinda showed me how to use my pump, so we'll see how that helps us.

Difficulties in Feeding

We are finally home! We got home yesterday, but it was kind of a crazy day. They weighed her and she was 6lbs 14oz.... meaning she lost 10 percent of her body weight. Which meant that they wanted to see why this was happening. I explained to them about our difficulties for the past few days with feedings and how that most likely contributed. I told them about how we were getting the hang of breastfeeding finally and felt like we had some actual success. The hospital still wanted the lactation specialist to come and weight her before and after a feeding.

They came in, weighed her and said that for some reason she wasn't getting enough milk (or colostrum right now) from me by breastfeeding. They think maybe she's not latching right or something, but they did notice that I had an okay supply of it coming out. So they suggested that I pump after I feed her with a double breast pump and feed that to her as a supplement in the next feeding. In the mean time I can supplement with formula. I said okay to that plan...afterall it was just me feeding her, then Eric could feed her the supplement while I pumped. Easier said than done!

When we got home and it was time for a feeding she was falling asleep after feeding from just one breast. We tried to wake her up to have her feed on the other side, but she wasn't having it! Which meant how could we really supplement her? Man...it's been frustrating. I tried to use my breast pump but I can't figure out how to get it to pump my breasts right..so I haven't been able to supplement that way. We've been using formula to supplement, but since I can hand express colostrum, there shouldn't be a reason for me to have to do that if I can figure out the pump. We meet with the lactation person tomorrow, and she'll look at our form to see how our baby has been feeding to see how she can help. I wish I had someone to call 24/7 that could show me how to use my pump right, and could help us figure out how to effectively feed our little girl.

Okay baby girl is up.... will write more later..

Sleep Glorious Sleep...

Yes it was only for 5 or 6 hours total...but seriously, I think we're getting the hang of things! We figured out a good combo of a bobby and rocking chair to nurse Jenna and so far we've been able to help her to latch without many problems. We fed her, then she fell asleep and slept for a good hour and a half, she was hungry, we fed her again and then she slept for another hour and a half and it continued. So we slept when she did and it was great!

She got weighed this morning and I think she was 6lbs 14oz. So she's lost quite a bit of weight. We are still on track to leave today since my incisions and stuff are looking good, but before we can go we have to prove to them that we've got nursing down and that she's getting enough food. The doctor came in this morning to check on us and her and she said she wasn't concerned about the weight, especially knowing what we'd been going through with the nursing and how we've (by the grace of God) tackled that. I think we are on the right track to help her. I told the doc about what the nurses/hospitals said about nipple confusion and she said as long as we can tell she knows the difference between the nipple and pacifier, that by all means give her one and just smile and nod to the hospital people. :) So that made us feel a lot better to have the doc on our side.

Right now she's sleeping, Eric's showering and I am taking a moment to check e-mail and update the blog. We really appreciate all your prayers and support. It's been kinda a blessing to be able to have internet here and to check comments and know that we have so many wonderful friends and family supporting our journey into parenthood. It's also been nice to share these moments with you guys as well!

We don't know when we'll be going home today, I guess it might be later after Jenna's figured out and they take out my staples. (yikes!) But we look forward to going home and being a family without the constant interruptions from doctors and hospital personnel. So I guess prayers that she gains enough weight during these next few hours from feedings. (Which I think will work since my milk is coming in....) Thanks!

Oh the joys of parenting....

Looks like we might be able to go back home tomorrow! We've been in the hospital since Friday. We would really appreciate your prayers regarding our little one. She's getting a hold of breastfeeding finally today, but when she is not eating... she's pretty much screaming. We aren't sure what's going on, whether it's gas or stomach issues or that she's scared or overstimulated... it's been quite frustrating trying to soothe her. The only way to sooth her seems to be by sticking a finger in her mouth. We wish we had a pacifier here, or that they would offer us one...but no...they don't want her to have nipple confusion. We don't think she has any confusion between our fingers and my nipples, so I am not sure what's the deal.

She's crying again... please pray that God will help soothe her and give us the wisdom about what to do in this situation so we can take care of her effectively. As you can imagine, not being able to sleep is exhausting.

The short and quick (I'll write more details later)

I'll post more details later when I get a second to write it all down. (Or add to this) But basically my water broke and I labored for 20 hours without medication and got to 7cm. Then I labored another 4 (STILL without meds) but there was no progression. So this now was 24 hours after my water broke.

Then they wanted me to do pitocin to help it get the rest of the way, so I got an epidural. I labored down for 7 hours and got to 10cm, then I pushed for 2 1/2 hours. The baby was moving down but basically got stuck and would move no further. Turns out my pelvic bone or hip bones or whatever were too narrow for the baby to make it out. Unfortunately for the last part of the pushing, my epidural wore off and I felt the full effect of the pitocin! :(

Because there was no way the baby was coming out vaginally, the only choice was to do a c-section. The baby was also face up. I had to have double to dose of the epidural because I could still feel stuff with just one. But 36 hours after the time we originally came to the hospital we had our little girl! She came out of the womb literally eyes open when they went in to get her. She was head up and was kinda crooked in there as well. :) I am so glad she's here!

Born 09/12/10, 7lbs 10ounces at 7:55am. Jennavieve Elizabeth Reed

Eric's been AWESOME throughout this whole process. He's stepped up and totally took over care of Jenna, changing her, swaddling her and whatever else she's needed while I was confined to a bed. We're still working on breastfeeding...it's kind of hard and she's stubborn, but we're hopeful. :)

Okay...this is the first chance I get to eat REAL food...so I gotta go! Write more later but those are the details.

Meet baby Jennavieve Elizabeth Reed! (Updated Photos)

I don't have tons of time to post, as you can imagine...but later when I have time I'll post the birth story. But... through 36 hours from start to finish we have our little Jennavieve! I'll post more later...especially the cute pictures of Eric and her. My camera was having issues the first day so some of the first pictures were a little blury or lined. But here are some to tide you over!

No baby yet...

After 24 hours of labor having dilated 7 cm and having sporadic contractions, for the health of my baby and me, my doctor decided I should go on pitocin. Because I'm exhausted and a little emotional I decided to get an epidural so I would be able to focus through the rest of the labor. We hope to have our little baby within the next few hours!

More Progress

Well... I am still here. It's 1:29pm and the doc and the nurse just left. The doc checked me and said that I am 7cm dilated now! The baby is still in +1 position and I am still way open. So they said that's great! I am so glad I made progress. Honestly, it's by the grace of God that I've been able to hold on this long sans medication. It's my hope and goal to make it the entire labor without it. The doc and nurse think I can do it...and I think I can too.

Let me tell you, it's been nice not having to be strapped to an IV or electronic monitoring. Soon when my nurse comes back from her break she'll monitor me a little more then let me labor in the tub. I am looking forward to that. I hear it's nice to have the warm water to soothe contractions. We'll see! These contractions sure are harder and more painful. My method of dealing with them is a mixture of prayer and singing hymns, well one hymn in general "All Creatures of our God and King". Like I said...it's by God's grace I've made it this far! Keep us in prayer I make it all the way!

Progress! :)

So here we are....it's 9:46am. Around 9:15 or so my doc came and checked me and I am at 5cm dilated, fully effaced and the baby is in the +1 position. Yay! Which means they won't make me take pitocin or be on continuous monitoring, which is such a blessing! Praise God! The contractions have been bearable..... Eric's been a great help. :) I have had a considerable amount of back pain, but by the grace of God I'm breathing through it. It's amazing what you can do with the strength of faith in Christ.

My mom is hanging out with us and my dad is hanging out at the house. Hopefully we'll progress even more. I've had another bag of antibiotics and am scheduled to have another bag then. :)

Okay, that's my progress. I wish I could just be on facebook but at least this keeps everyone updated!

In labor!

They won't let me log into Facebook, but I know this will post to Facebook! Muhahaha! At around 8pm last night my water broke and we went to the hospital. They admitted me and here I am. I've had two doses of the antibiotic for group B strep (given every 4 hours) and have so far by the grace of God alone been able to bear the contractions without medication. They checked me a long time ago and I was still only at 3cm, but... that was a while ago!

I've since gotten some rest and had some more contractions of course. They are getting progressively harder, so I think that might be a good sign that something is happening. I am letting Eric rest since he's been under the weather. My parents drove down from Washington, but instead of going to our house, they've insisted on waiting at the hospital. I couldn't change their minds so I figured whatever...it's their decision. I am going to worry about myself!

So far I've found singing through hymns and breathing deeply have helped me deal with contractions. I don't know how much worse they are going to get, or if they'll just get more intense as time goes by. I plan on trying to do what I can to deal with them by the grace of God so I can stay mobile and do what I would like to do. We'll see what happens though!

I am not sure if I'll be able to update this before later on today, but I thought I'd post something so people could know! Prayers are definitely appreciated!

Doc Appointment Update

Well today I had my scheduled appointment with my doctor. I am officially 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I do feel it too! I had a different nurse this time, but she was nice. I think they train new nurses from the colleges or something sometimes.

Okay here are the details. Hopefully I've left enough space so that it doesn't show up on my facebook page for those who don't want to know. :) That's mostly why I preface most entries with some intro paragraph. Cause I am sure my guy friends don't want to know the intimate details of my pregnancy. So TMI alert, if you don't want to know details...don't read further.

Things are going well! I gained 1-2lbs, which I fear is all baby weight gain and not me. The doc said the baby definitely is bigger. My blood pressure is great, pretty perfect. My fundal height is 40-41cm now and I definitely feel bigger! My cervix is lower, the baby is lower and I she said I am WAY more effaced than last time. (And last time I was 80 percent effaced.) I am also 2-3cm dilated. She said I've done most of the hard work already. :) She said my body is definitely ready for labor. Now if only the baby would get the picture and decide to trigger it!

We also talked about why she chose to have me scheduled to be induced on Monday. Turns out because this is a small hospital, many times you can't get in to be induced on the date you set. Often times she said patients have to wait a few days before being able to get induced. She didn't want to schedule me for later on in the week and then have me wait beyond 42 weeks to get induced.

When Eric and I went to get the non-stress test yesterday the hospital was PACKED and every available room was taken. We had to do the test in the nursery! The hospital of course places priority on the women who are in labor or in emergency situations. So knowing how it was when we were there, I do agree with the doctor's decision to schedule induction for Monday. At first I couldn't understand and I was frustrated, but I do understand the reasoning and why and I know of the possible complications. I also know God has a plan and will protect me and the baby. :)

So that's where I'm at right now! The doc and I agreed that prayer is the most important way I can prepare for the baby. God knows when this baby is going to come. I hope it's before I have to get induced, but if I need to get induced...it'll be okay. I am in good physical condition and have faith it will all go well.

40 weeks and 4 days. :)

Well here I am...eating my words of having an early baby. I think my baby is pretty rebellious and independent because my baby wants to come on it's own time. Just like it didn't want us to see it's gender all the way. It's got a mind of it's own and is using it!

Today we had to go to the hospital for the scheduled non-stress test. Eric went with me this time. I told him the room would have cable and a bathroom and well be a normal room. When we got there the hospital was SUPER busy. We had to wait 30 minutes for them to find a space for us. When we returned after 30 minutes, they still had no room but decided to have us go in the nursery. So here I was lying on a bed in the nursery with the probes on me and all the curtains were drawn. I am glad Eric went with me because there wasn't anything really to look at in there. He was interested in the data we were getting from the baby.

At first the baby was sleepy, so it wasn't really active. So they had me drink some juice to try to get the baby to be active. Although, as when I am home, I noticed when I started to feel like my bladder was full..the baby got really active. So they got some great data and said that the baby is doing great. :)

Tomorrow I go to check in with the doctor. On Monday I am scheduled to be induced if the baby hasn't come yet. I am hoping and praying the baby comes before then! :)

Due! :) 40 weeks pregnant

So here I am....40 weeks pregnant! Did I think the day would come, no. Am I glad it's come, well yes in the fact that it's come and the baby is still alive and moving inside of me. No in the fact that the baby is still inside of me! :) I've been trying all sorts of things (safe things) to encourage the baby out but it's just too comfortable in there. Silly baby.

We are all set for it to arrive. As I said before, bags are packed, room is ready, grandparents on standby... it just doesn't know what a rockin' time it's going to have out here where it can actually SEE what it's been hearing for nine months. Today Eric's decided he wants to get some projects done around the house (yay!) and I get to figure out something productive to do. Guess there's always more cleaning and organizing. I wish the weather was better! I wish we lived further north so there'd be something to do.

Not that where we live isn't interesting... but seriously, there's nothing really do to around here. Everything is up in Portland or Vancouver. Including mommy friends that would love to visit! Looking down I see my little one moving from side to side inside my abdomen. It's really rather interesting. I've gone beyond the creep factor into the loving it factor because it means my baby is alive and well. :)

Well I should get going, eat breakfast and figure out something to do with my day today! God Bless.

Woah Nelly...

Okay... I've had time to sit, vent and reflect upon the events of today. I think my hormones might have had a surge or something because I went crazy for an hour there! God knows when this baby will come, and hopefully it'll come before my induction date. I think I just kinda freaked out because I felt trapped, like I had no choices or flexibility in when to have the baby. I want the baby to come on it's own and to set a date for it to come "no matter what" seemed kinda scary for me. Induction is scary to me, because it does lead to other interventions typically like epidurals and c-sections. However, maybe since I am SO ready to have the baby physically, if the baby hasn't come by then it'll be okay and just progress fast and there won't be need for other interventions.

I had a chance to talk with some good friends about it and talked with some family. Nine days might be long enough and I might be ready for the induction AND the baby will probably even come before then! :) I am just glad that so far the baby is well, I am doing great and there have been practically NO complications in this pregnancy! Praise God for that! After going through the miscarriage with the first baby, all I want is to have a healthy baby. No matter how I get to that result, having a healthy baby is what I desire! :)

I think I might try to figure out good ways of relaxing and taking it easy these next days before baby comes and really enjoy my time while I have it! :) Thanks for being patient with my rants and frustrations! I'm just a crazy pregnant women trying to figure out the impossible!

Trying to chill...

I think this whole talk of induction just got me going. Most doctor's don't even mention it to their patients until they are overdue. Then they talk of their options. My doc apparently is a planner, like me, and wants to get everything in a row. I don't think waiting two more days probably would make much of a difference in the end. I just wanted the freedom to have the choice to wait I guess. It's my body, it's my choice. If the baby was in danger, I would not wait!

Maybe I can just clear my head, take a bath and relax. I feel like driving far from here. Far from even thinking about this. I just need to trust in the Lord and wait and see. I think I get worked up so easily these days, especially when it's medically related. I guess I wanted my doc to give me a medical reason for wanting it done on that day. I didn't want to hear, oh it's only because I am in the office that day and it's more convenient for me. I've known several women who've gone closer to the 2 week mark and delivered naturally and fine. But it's okay... the 13th will probably be fine. I need to chill about it.

Week 39 (and 4 days) of Pregnancy doc visit and NST

So.. I promised details to those who follow the blog and I guess I have to deliver! The doctor's visit went well overall. I still haven't gained much weight over the past couple of weeks, even though I've been eating more..which seems crazy! I am not heartbroken though. :)

The doc said everything looked great. The baby's heartbeat is strong and my cervix is low and easy to find. My baby is head down, I am still 2cm and my fundal height is still measuring 39-40 which is essentially full term.

Even though things look great, since I am close to my due date the doctor wanted to schedule the induction ahead of time. She gave me two dates, the 9th and the 13th. Out of those I chose the 13th. I thought it seemed weird that she thought that was the end all date for me..when that's only 9 days after my due date. She also scheduled a NST (Non-Stress Test) today which was weird because usually they only do that after you are due. I went through that and of course the baby was completely fine.

I called the doc and left a message asking why I had to be induced on the 13th..why that would be the last day I could wait until my baby comes. I also asked if I could wait until a little later on in the week, you know closer to the 2 week mark. They called back and said that there was no medical reasoning for the 13th date. It was just when she would be in the office. She didn't want to go beyond that date at all because that would be "waiting until the last minute". Yeah I am not happy. Hopefully this baby will come and it won't be an issue! I think I am just going to roll with it since 9 days may not be that bad and I'll probably be ready for the baby to come if it hasn't come by then. :)