Finally... the birth story

Ok... almost a month late... but better than never, here is Lily’s birth story.

Our induction date was set for Monday December 1st, so the day before I went to the hospital to have the cervidil inserted to soften my cervix. I started getting irregular contraction just over an hour after it was inserted... they weren’t strong, and weren’t regular so they sent us away- but told us we couldn’t go home as we live an hour from the hospital and a big snow storm was due to come that night. We ended up staying at my sisters house. All day Sunday i was getting contractions, but we had things to do... I went to church and to a Christmas party. After the Christmas party my contractions started to get more regular and more intense. I was ready to go to the hospital when all of the sudden they seemed to go away! They ended up coming back but irregular and not very intense. I went to bed and tried to sleep, I didn’t get too much, but a bit.

The next morning I called the hospital to see if they were ready for me to come in and start the Oxytocin, but they weren’t. They said for me to take the cervidil out and to come in at noon so they could check on the baby. We went in at noon and all was good with the baby, so they sent me home and told me hopefully they would call me back soon. We headed back to my sisters and waited for a call. Finally around 10 pm they said we could come in!

When we checked into the hospital just after 10 they set us right up in a beautiful birthing suit, it was huge- had a bed, a large bench for DH to sleep, a big bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and an area for the baby. They checked me right away and I was just 1cm. The doctor came in and decided to break my water to get things going. At this time DH and my best friend were there- they left the room while he broke my water. Surprisingly it didn’t hurt horribly when he broke my water, was just very uncomfortable. Right after he broke it they set me up on the oxytocin drip- this was at midnight. I started to get contractions right away- way more intense than before. My best friend stayed until just after 2 and we all did crosswords and chatted. The nurse I had was amazing- she never left the room and just chatted with us the whole time. I started to get really uncomfortable around 2 and there was no chance of me getting any sleep- so the nurse gave me some morphine. This helped for less than an hour. At 3am I was checked again and was only at 3cm. They really wanted me to get some sleep because we still had a ways to go, so I got an epidural... again, didn’t hurt as bad as I was expecting and providing some GREAT relief!! I finally slept for a few hours. When I woke up at 5:30 I could feel my contractions big time and they hurt- it felt like the epi was hardly working... the nurse checked me and I was still 3cm... she said they would adjust the epi a bit and I should try to get some more sleep because I still had another 8-10hrs to go. I felt the contractions pretty bad from then on out. At 7am they were really bad and the day nurse who had just started decided to check me and then order a top up for my epidural...we were all shocked when she said I was 10cm... I had gone from 3-10 in 1.5hrs. She said I would start pushing in just over an hour, she started to get everything ready.

We called my parents and messaged our close friends on our BlackBerry’s and got ready to push. At 8:20 I started pushing and it HURT! It hurt so bad I threw up all over (TMI, lol)... I pushed for just over 40 minutes and at 9:02am Lily Grace was born!! It was the happiest moment of my life!!!

Worry!

How much can one person worry?? I have never considered myself a worrier or an overly anxious person... but having a baby has brought all of that out in me. I never thought it was possible to worry so much about one person... is she sleeping too much, is she eating enough, is she peeing enough, is she too hot, too cold? anything and everything possible I can worry about! I don't know how to relax, I try really hard... but it just gets worse.

At first I was really good about letting people pass her around and not worrying... but now I just want to keep her to myself and not have everyone else passing her around and breathing all over her. I don't want her to catch something and get sick.

Speaking of sick, she has been worrying me this week because of that. Christmas night, after a full day of people passing her around she went to be around 2 after her feeding, then all of the sudden I heard her coughing and I picked her up- the next thing I knew she was projectile vomiting all over me, herself and all blankets and clothing in between. She did it again 2 more times on Boxing day. Since then she has been sleeping a fair amount and not wanting to eat a lot. I make her eat because I don't want her to get dehydrated- but I worry. Since she isn't wanting to eat a lot because she falls asleep I have let her nurse, and then pumped out the rest and given it to her by the bottle so I know she is getting it. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but in my eyes she is getting the milk and staying hydrated, so that's a good thing!! She has been a bit stuffy too- I notice it when she is eating- so we bought some hydraSense, it seems to loosen things up!

I hope my baby girl feels better soon and starts eating good again!!

Hopefully my next update will be soon!!

Things are going great

Its been awhile since I have updated... things have been busy! Lily has been doing great since we have been home! As of Tuesday she is back up at her birth weight and her doctor said she is doing great and the jaundice is still improving!

I couldn't be happier, although slightly sleep deprived, I am loving every minute of being a mom! Lily is wonderful and couldn't be more perfect!!

We have started a blog with pictures of her for our family and friends- if you want to check it out it is snlfreitas.blogspot.com.

There is a big snowstorm here today so we are stuck inside... I wish I could say we were warm inside, but our furnace isn't working! The repair man should be here soon! In the meantime Lily and I are curled up in my bed staying warm together!

Tomorrow we are going to a wedding, Lily's first! I am also getting my hair done in the morning, I can't wait! It took awhile to find a dress to wear to the wedding, but thanks to my best friend I found one that doesn't make me look overly like a cow!

I will try to get better at updating!

Going Home!!

We are going home!!!

She has gained 2oz since we have been here and her billiruben level has dropped from 404 to 224, so that is great!! We should be home by noon today!!

hospital update

Lily is doing much better today, her Billirubin levels are down and she has gained 1.5oz since 4pm yesterday! I have noticed a huge difference in her feedings and her energy level. She is now eating enough that there is nothing left for me to pump, so that is great!!

Her pediatrician came in this morning and said she looks great! Her levels went from 404 yesterday to only 313 today!

They are going to keep her for one more night just to be sure that she doesn't relapse and that she keeps putting on the weight with no formula supplement. I am good with that, I want my baby nice and healthy!!!

My poor Lily is in the hospital :(

Well no birth story today unfortunately... We are in the hospital :(

I knew Lily looked a little jaundiced, and her energy has been really low- we had a pediatrician appointment today and almost as soon as we were seen they had us heading to the hospital for a biliruben test. Well her levels came back at 404, when they should be well under 200. They immediately checked us in and had her put under the bililights. They were also concerned because her weight has dropped to 6.2lbs, when she was born at 7lbs and was 6.9lbs at discharge. They are having me feed her for 15 minutes on each side and then pump out the rest. We then use the pumped milk plus some formula to supplement her an additional 20cc's.

Her doctor came by tonight and said they will test her levels in the morning and weigh her again, hopefully she will have lower levels and will have gained some weight. If she responds well we could be out tomorrow night if we are really lucky... If not, hopefully the next day.

I am staying with her so I can feed through the night- but they don't provide any food for me- so DH brought me some food and snacks. I am soo tired, headachy and just drained. I keep tearing up seeing her in the incubator with the little sunglasses on.

I will update again soon!!

Our Little Family

I don't have time to write the whole birth story right now, hopefully early next week.

But we are doing great! It is amazing being a mom, more than I could ever ask for! They sleepless nights, achey body, and everything else is so worth it... I love this little girl more than I ever thought possible!!

Lily is an amazing baby- she is soo good. The poor thing has had a few upset stomach's, but I am sure it is because of what I ate- I felt so bad for her!!

We have had a pretty constant stream of visitors, but we don't mind- we love showing off our perfect little girl :)

I am going to be starting a picture blog that I will put a link to on the side of this one... it will be a link I can send out to all our family and friends without having to open this one up to everyone.

I will post another update soon I hope!

She is here... we are home! Life is perfect!

She has finally arrived and we are finally home!

I will post the whole birth story later, for now I just wanted to let everyone know Lily is here and she is perfect! She was born at 9:02am on December 2nd, weighing in at 7lbs and measuring 19 inches- which is bigger than everyone expected!!

Things are going great- I am really tired, haven't really slept yet- but that is ok- just running on adrenaline.

Here are a few pics of our baby girl:

Finally checked in

I am now checked in and have IV in and we are in our own room!!

They are going to start the oxytocin in 10 minutes. I was told it will be 10-12hrs from now! My nurse is soo nice- she is just with me all night!

We will update when we can!

mistakes...

Please excuse any misspellings over the next few days, most updates are coming from my BlackBerry and I can't really see what I am typing very well.

Still Waiting

We are still waiting to get a call from the hospital to go in and start the oxytocin. I did go in earlier for some monitoring and an assessment- we were only there about an hour.

Unfortunately the Cervidil didn't do much other than start contractions- I was checked earlier and am still the same amount dilated as I was when they inserted it yesterday. :( The charge nurse earlier had to send me away again because they were too busy to start the induction, but she said I still couldn't go home home. So we have been hanging out at my sisters all day.

I called the hospital again about an hour ago and the charge nurse said there was a really good chance that I would get called in tonight to start the induction- so that is great!! Unless they get a bunch of walk in's in labor during shift change I should hopefully get a call soon!

As for me, I am still getting contractions- they are stronger than they were earlier, and mostly in my back, although my belly is also tightening and turning rock hard.

Hopefully I will soon be at the hospital hooked up to the IV.

I can't wait to meet my baby girl!!

It's 6am...

I have been having contractions regularly, but they aren't too bad... I managed to get 3-4 hours of sleep, waking up often, but still it was sleep!

We had quite the snowstorm/snowfall here last night- so I am kinda glad we didn't have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night!

DH and I have to call the hospital at 7 and they will tell is when to come in- could be right away, could be later. I hope its soon- because all the contractions I am getting are really getting bad in my back- sooo not comfy!

I am still not nervous- just want my baby girl here safe and healthy!!

Will update when I can.

update

This morning went ok... DH got sick when we pulled into the hospital lot, so he was pretty out of it. One of my girlfriend came and waited with me so he could sleep in the car for a bit. He is better now, slept all day.

- had to sit with the monitors on for an hour before they put in the cervidil, and then another hour after. It was very uncomfortable going in, but fine after. I started getting very small irregular contractions soon after. The doctor said we had to stay in town, so we are staying at my sisters.

They are about 8-9 minutes apart, but they are ok. We just arrived at a Christmas party- so I have to log off. Will update when I can.

On our way!!

It's 6am and we are enroute to the hospital, I am writing from my BlackBerry. I am not really nervous, just want to get to the hospital... We have just under an hour drive. I feel pretty crappy this morning, really bad heartburn :( I am trying to down water in the car and I had some milk at home... I hope it helps soon.

I kind of hope that the ceridil does something today and I go into labor from it... I really want to get this started and meet my baby girl!!

I will update when I can again, we will see what the day brings!!

Part 1 is tomorrow!

Tomorrow morning at 6am DH and I will head to the hospital to start part 1 of the induction!! I am having the Cervidil inserted to help with cervical ripening- this can cause me to go into labor, but chances are I will be back there Monday morning for the oxytocin. After they insert it I have to stay at the hospital for a few hours to be monitored and then I am free to go as long as nothing has changed yet. If all stays the same we will head to church and go to my parents store's Christmas party... if not, we will stay at the hospital- the bags are in the car!

I am oddly not nervous or anxious- I just want to get things going and meet my baby. I am so uncomfortable all the time I am looking forward to holding her in my arms and not being pregnant anymore!

I will update tomorrow night if I can!! We are planning to bring the laptop with us in case I go into labor- but not sure about Internet access there!

Wish me luck!!!

We have a date!!!

I am going to be induced on December 1st!!! I go in for cervical ripening on November 30th! I can't believe it's so soon! I am so excited! I just want it to come now!!

I had my regular BPP and growth scan today, all went well! The fluid levels are stable, HB was great, and she weighed approx 6.3lbs. I then had my appointment with my OB- she did a check of my cervix- said it was softening and she got a finger right through (ewww and ouch).

I will update again soon!!

Today's update

All went well at the ultrasound and my appointment, the baby is still head down and the placenta is still clear of my cervix. The fluid levels are low, but still ok. But now my blood pressure is high, which is something they need to watch closely because it has been sooo low. It explains why I have been so nauseous, hot and headachey this week, my ankles are also swelling a bit now. She didn't seemed worried, so I am not going to either (or at least I will try not to). We are still on track for December 1, 2, or 3rd- we will firm up a date at my next appointment depending on how my cervix is.

In sadder news one of my very close friends found out this week, at 10 weeks pregnant, that her baby's heart has stopped beating. I went to the emergency room with her on Monday night when she had a little bleeding, and then they had an ultrasound Tuesday morning and got the sad news. My heart is breaking for her and her husband- they were so happy and excited to be pregnant and now they are having to go through this. She is having a D&C tomorrow- I am going to go with her and her husband. I am so glad she is seeing Dr. O, I know that she will take great care of them and help them through this. I wish there was something I could do to help them, but I know it is hard and a horrible time and what they need most of all is time and space and just to know we are here for them.

36 Weeks!!

I made it to 36 weeks, have 2 weeks to go!! I kind of wish it would happen now, but that's unlikely!

Lily has now started stretching alot more- way less kicks, more stretching and poking, lol- its funny when she stretches- i can feel her pushing out on both sides of my belly!

I will update again tomorrow after my ultrasound and OB appt!

Not so patiently waiting...

I am ready... the nursery is done, the baby clothes and bedding are washed, the carseat is installed, my house is decorated for Christmas... and I am ready! My bags are packed, my support people are set... all I need now is for my induction day to come, or to go into labor.

I am not a patient person... at all. I am tired and sore, nauseous and swollen... I just want our baby Lily to be here now!

I will be 36 weeks tomorrow, I know I have 2 more to go... they are going to be the longest 2 weeks ever!!!

I was at church this morning with DH and I thought for sure I was going to either pass out or throw up... it was brutal. DH was cold, I was dying of heat- I couldn't wait for mass to be over today.

Now I am trying to relax in my big comfy chair but I can't get comfy- my whole body hurts and I am beyond nauseous. We have friends dropping by in a few minutes, I am hoping the tea DH is making helps my tummy.

Thats my complaining for today... hopefully my next post will be a little more upbeat! I will try to get some pics up this week of my belly (which is growing sooo fast) and of the finished nursery!

Today's Appointments

I had an ultrasound and OB appointment today... both went ok. My OB appointment went well, she didn't have the ultrasound results yet, but she said she would call if she had any concerns. I asked about a date for the induction and she said it would be December 1, 2 or 3rd... she wont know until the week before! She also did an internal to check my cervix and a swab for strep b... the internal was sooo uncomfortable, but the swab was fine.

I am getting so uncomfortable and sore- so I am looking forward to the next 3 weeks flying by!! I am almost done Christmas shopping- thank goodness!!

Trip to L&D

So after my shower ended last night I was feeling kind of uncomfortable and sore, I figured it was just due to the long day... but then on the way home I started to get really sore and my belly was like a rock. By the time I got home I just wanted to lay down, but nothing relieved the pain and I couldn't get comfortable at all. I was constantly peeing, having brutal pains across my whole belly every few minutes and crazy pressure. I called my best friend and she headed over, I also called L&D and they said if it kept up for another half hour to head in. Well the pain just got worse and worse, so DH started to run around and pack a bag (which was on my list of to do's for this week). Once my best friend got here we decided to head to the hospital. We live about 40 minutes away and the pain was brutal, horrible! Every bump was worse than the last and I was in tears.

Finally when we were about 5 minutes away everything started to relax and didn't hurt as much, we got to the hospital, were admitted to the triage area and hooked up to the monitors. By this time my belly was much softer and then pain almost gone. The monitor showed some small blips, but other than that not much. When I saw the doctor he said it was most likely just false labor and he sent us home!

Hopefully that will be our first and last false alarm!!! But DH and my friends were amazing!!

Today I am tired and achy, so I am going to try to take it easier, we have to head to my aunts house to celebrate some family birthdays- but I will make sure I sit the whole time I am there with my feet up and relax. Before we get there we just have to stop at Sears and pick up a few things we didn't get at our showers that we need before Lily gets here- a change pad and a nursing pillow.

Another thing I have been experiencing the last week or so is absolutely brutal heartburn- it is horrible!!!!

I will update again tomorrow with how I am feeling.

Baby Shower

Yesterday I had my big baby shower with all of my friends and my mom's side of the family... it was so nice, it was perfect!! So many people came and they gave us so many nice things- it was wonderful. My sisters and friends who planned it went above and beyond and made the day so perfect- I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Here are some pics from the day:

Update

Today I had an appointment with Dr. O... unfortunately she hadn't received the ultrasound results by the time of my appointment, but she said she would call if she had any concerns. I asked again about the 38 week induction and she said for sure the week of Dec 1st. So that is less than 4 weeks away... eeek!! She also sent me for a blood and urine test to see if there are any other reasons I have been feeling so crappy- she thinks its just the pregnancy taking a toll on my body, but wants to make sure!

I finished the favors for my baby shower on Saturday, I can't wait!! A few friends are coming that I haven't seen in a long time, so it will be great to see them again!

I am going to take a nap now- can't seem to sleep much at night so I end up napping during the day!

Today's Ultrasound

I had a BBP and Growth scan today... everything with the baby seemed fine from what I got from the tech, but I will get more details about it tomorrow at my appointment with Dr. O. BUT... while I was getting the ultrasound done I felt brutal. I was fine on the way up there, but once I was lying on the table I started to feel worse and worse, first I got sweaty and hot, so i sat up a bit, then i had to sit all the way up and she got me some water,I could feel myself black out momentarily... once i felt a bit better she continued... when she was finally done I sat up again, feeling worse this time i actually got sick and she got me more water, again I blacked out. I don't know how much more of this I can take... I have passed out, or come close to it one too many times... and I have thrown up more in the last 9 months than the rest of my life added up!!

I know right now it is best for her to still be inside, but I am really looking forward to her coming out, and me feeling better again- or at least having some more control over my body!

34 WEEKS!!!!

We did it! We made it to 34 weeks!! We can now have the baby with our regular doctor at our regular hospital!! Woo Hoo!!

This weekend was nice, we went to a Halloween Party on Friday night and took it easy the rest of the weekend! I did have a short baby shower to go to yesterday, it was nice, the baby was cute!

I am at home today waiting for UPS to deliver the dresser for the baby!!

Here are some Halloween pics (we changed DH's costume to a Banana... its was too funny):

My little Webkins:

Meringue Bone Cookies in dirt with worms:
DH and I:
Our pumpkins:

Ultrasound Update

I had another BPP yesterday, it went well... nothing new! Lily scored 8/8 again, did all of the movements within 20 minutes so that was good! My cervix was also long and closed. I don't go back to Dr. O until next Thursday and I have another BPP and growth scan next Wednesday.


Here is a pic from yesterday, its getting hard to get good pics because she is squished and bigger now...



I didn't update yesterday because I was absolutely exhausted... I haven't been getting much sleep, I toss and turn (as much as I can, lol) all night and just can't seem to get comfy! So as soon as I got home from my ultrasound I passed right out and slept all afternoon!


Halloween is almost here- I helped my little cousins carve 2 pumpkins on Monday- Annie and June from Little Einstein. I also carved a pumpkin for my grandparents- Diego. Tomorrow I need to carve our pumpkins- not sure what I will do yet, but I need to wait for DH to scoop them out tonight.


I am also going to attempt to make DH's Halloween costume today- he is going as a scarecrow and I am going as a pumpkin. I have to sew some patches to an old plaid shirt and glue on some straw. I also have to get some twiney string to tie around his legs and elbows. We have a party to go to tomorrow night- its at a friends house, so I am going to go and just sit on the couch and enjoy everyones company! I am going to attempt to make meringue bone cookies- we will see how they turn out. I will be sure to post some Halloween pics tomorrow or Saturday!

No Sleep!

I am always tired, and since I am on modified rest, you'd think I would be getting a lot of sleep... but sadly, that is not the case! I cannot get comfortable for the life of me... and if and when I do finally get comfortable I have to pee! I am sore and tired, whiny and hungry, lol... but still trying to keep a smile on my face. Whenever I start to get cranky and miserable I try to remind myself of how lucky I am... in 5 more weeks Lily will be here!!

I am also very itchy, especially my belly- I am constantly applying cream to stop the itch. Another new change for me is my belly button... I was, and still am hoping that it doesn't pop out... but it is slowly disappearing and I fear it may just pop out.

Well I am 33 weeks now, into my 34th! By next week I will have reached my 34 week goal and be working on our 38 week induction goal!

Our dresser should be in later this week as well as some books I ordered for Lily... I will post some pics once they are all here!

For appointments this week all I have is an ultrasound on Wednesday morning... other than that, I will be carving a few pumpkins and pulling together DH's costume.

:)

More of Lily's Room

Here are some more pics of Lily's room, with the letters up, crib ready to go, and our glider in.

Me, with 5 weeks to go.

Our Glider

The light that is getting mounted on the ceiling tomorrow:
Wall Letters up on the wall

Wall Letters

I have been trying to decide for awhile what I wanted for wall letters for above Lily's crib... well I finally found some letters I liked at Michael's and then mimicked the pattern from her bedding.

Here is how they turned out:

Ultrasound and Appointment!!

Today's ultrasound and appointment went pretty good! The baby scored 8/8 on her bpp, weighs around 4lbs, and her AFI is now at 90. The AFI has dropped a bit, which is expected, but its on the lower side. My cervix is still long and closed!

When I got to my doctors appointment I mentioned the pain in my butt and the cramping I have been having. She said they are just braxton hicks, and they will get stronger... which I am not looking forward to. I was up this morning at 3am with them, and with heartburn- I haven't been back to sleep since :(

Anyways Dr. O gave me some good/exciting news today... she has decided that since the baby is on the small side, and the AFI has been low and borderline that she is going to induce me at 38 weeks... which is 6 weeks from now, the first week of December! She said by then the baby will be better outside, get more nutrients, etc. I am so excited about that... she will be here in plenty of time for Christmas- which I was worried about!

I go for my next ultrasound next Wednesday, but not to Dr. O for 2 weeks! She will call if she has any concerns from the ultrasound!

I am so excited now!!! Here are some pics from today's ultrasound...

National Infertility Awareness Week

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. If you have time, please take a few minutes to check out the site below and learn a bit more about infertility. Infertility affects approximately 10% of the population- and whether you realize it or not, you most likely know a couple dealing with infertility. The best thing you can do for them is to listen and offer support!

http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?pagename=evt_niaw08_home

Shower Pics

Here are some pics from my first shower:

Pain in my butt... literally

I have the WORST pain/pressure in my butt... right around my tailbone. It's horrible! It happens when I sit for too long. I almost feel like I need to sit on a pillow, lol. I wonder if this is going to continue for the rest of my pregnancy... if it does I am really going to have to figure out a way to relieve it!

First Shower was today!

I had my first baby shower today hosted by my Mother-In-Law and sister-in-laws, it was really nice! It was just DH's family and I loved that it was small (my wedding shower had over 100 women). We played a few games, ate, and I opened my gifts. We were definitely spoiled, we got our playard, high chair, bassinet, baby gates, monitor, portable high chair, clothes and so much more!! Sometimes this all seems so surreal, like I am not really 8 months pregnant, and this stuff isn't really all for us! We are so lucky and so happy!! I will post some pics from the shower in the next few days!

My uncle also dropped off a full disk of our pregnancy pics, I am posting a few more that I really love!

The flu :(

I have the flu :(

I woke up this morning feeling really achy and uncomfortable, thought I had just slept wrong. But I got up and decided to throw some ingredients in the bread maker for some fresh bread- this takes maybe 10 minutes. Well I got so tired, sweaty and light headed doing this I had to stop and lay down on the couch. I started to feel worse and worse and very nauseous. I called my doctor just to make sure everything was ok and they had me come in. My mom drove me up and it turns out its a touch of the flu... I really hope it passes fast.

I am soo tired and so BLAH... plus the baby is rolling and flipping and kicking like never before... doesn't make it easy to sleep, but I love the feeling.

I am going to take a nap, can hardly keep my eyes open.

Specialist update

I went to McMaster today for my growth scan, bpp and my specialist appointment... they all went great!!! She got 8/8 on her bpp, weighs about 3.6lbs, and her heart rate was 141bpm.

When I saw the specialist she said everything looks great, just a small baby! and the fluid is still a little below normal, but still good!! She is releasing me back to my doctor in Kitchener- which means she doesn't think I will have to go early... I could even make it to term!!!

I am now going next week for a bpp in Kitchener and an appointment with my regular OB, Dr. O... I will still have weekly appointments- but just in Kitchener.

What a crazy turn of events- I am so relieved!!!

Pregnancy Pics

I am so excited, we went out this morning and got our pregnancy pics taken- my uncle took them for us... here are some of the sample shots he sent us- he took over 200!! I absolutely love them!!

Finally some Belly Pics

I know it has been awhile, but here are a few belly pics:

Week 30

Week 31
Week 31

I feel like I have really ballooned the last few weeks, so I am hoping this means good news for the growth scan I have on Tuesday!! I have now lost track of how many ultrasounds I have had... over a dozen for sure!

Last night was Oktoberfest here... pretty much all of my friends went, and I had to sit out... I think this is the first time in almost 10 years I have missed Oktoberfest, but keeping my little girl in there awhile longer is worth missing out! Most of our friends are feeling pretty rough today, including DH!

Its Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada- which means many Turkey dinners- I am looking forward to all of the food, since I can't seem to get enough these days!!

I will update again soon- wish me luck on the big growth scan on Tuesday!!!

Monday... week 31

Well I made it to 30 weeks, starting week 31. Just need to make it 4 more weeks to get to the goal of 34 weeks!!

I had an appointment with Dr. O today- she was really happy with my progress and said to keep up the rest and stress free lifestyle and I should be able to keep going!! She also measured my belly and said its starting to grow faster, which is great... I really feel it too- my belly is def getting much bigger! I really notice it when I am trying to sleep and my back is killing all the time now! I have also gone to more of a waddle than a walk, lol.

I have no more doctors appointments this week, next week I have the big growth scan and BPP!!

This weekend is going to be busy- DH is going Oktoberfesting Friday night, I sold my ticket when I was put on bedrest, so sad I have to miss it :(, Saturday we have an engagement party and Sunday and Monday we have Thanksgiving dinners. The doctor said its Ok if I go, I just need to sit and relax while there. Monday DH and I are also getting our pics taken out at my Grandparents lake... I am really looking forward to having some pre-baby pics taken of us.

I am sure I will update again this week... I will be home all week! I am planning to get a lot of scrapbooking done!!

Specialist Appointment

Today I went to the specialist in Hamilton again, it went really well.

The baby scored 8/8 on her BPP... I even got to see her practice breathing- it was adorable and so reassuring to see! Her heart rate was 159bpm and her AFI was up to 118. Also... my placenta shifted and is now measuring 7.5cm away from my cervix, which is awesome!!

The specialist told me if all continues well like it is and the growth scan on the 14th goes well, then she is pretty sure I will make it to at least 34 weeks... which would be amazing!

While I was in Hamilton I went to visit my friend who had her baby this week- they are both doing well. I got to see the baby in the NICU, she is adorable and doing well. It was kinda scary to see some of the other babies who were in there... they were sooo tiny... one baby is 780 grams (1.7lbs), the baby was born at 26 weeks- this baby was seriously the size of a medium soft drink from McDonalds.

On my way home from the hospital I quickly stopped at a higher end maternity store in the town next to mine and finally found a diaper bag! I bought the OiOi Pink Herringbone Hobo bag, I love it... pics are below!

WOW

One of my very good friends, the one that was due a week before me had her baby early this morning at 30 weeks! Her husband called me this morning to tell me her water broke last night and they had to do a c-section. Both Mommy and baby girl are doing well. The baby is over 4lbs too- that is amazing for 30 weeks! I guess our little girls both want to come out early! Her little girl is getting some help breathing and I hope to talk to her again later today to see how the pumping and tube feeding are going!

This is the same friend I have been doing everything with throughout my pregnancy- our prenatal yoga, walking, aquafit, and sharing all the little details about pregnancy. Just last week she was telling me she is there for me and everything will be ok... it's crazy how fast the tables turn!

Knowing her little girl is doing well makes me feel a little better about the idea of having to deliver sooner than later!

I will get to see them both on Friday when I head to that same hospital for my next specialist appointment! I will for sure be bringing some frilly little girl preemie clothes with me!!

Tuesday's appointment

Today's appointment was uneventful, she just checked my weight, blood pressure and the heartbeat. All seemed good, my belly is measuring a bit behind now- which is to be expected with how tiny my little baby is right now! She said to just keep doing what I am, resting, relaxing, and going to all of my doctors appointments. She did say I am off work for sure until the baby comes- which I kinda figured.

My next appointment isn't until Friday- so I will have to find some things to do to occupy myself until then, lol. My chapters order arrived today- so now I have some new books to keep me busy!!

Monday!

Well I am officially 29 weeks now, in week 30! 5 more weeks to go until I reach my goal of making it to at least 34 weeks!! At 34 weeks I can deliver at my regular hospital, as opposed to the one an hour away!

My regular OB changed my appointment with her from Friday to tomorrow, as my specialist scheduled me on Friday.

My weekend was pretty uneventful, our good friends came over Friday night with dinner and we all played Scene It... it was really nice. Saturday my in-laws came over and my FIL helped DH finish the crown moulding in the nursery and they set the crib up, and yesterday we had my mom's surprise 50th birthday party. Thanks to all the help from my friends who came and helped us with everything- it really let me stay sitting most of the time and not moving around too much!

Today I am just at home watching TV and videos... and thanks to my aunts and mom I know have a lot more movies, magazines, and books to keep me occupied!! Hopefully they will keep me from getting too bored and lonely... I am not enjoying all this alone time- I need to be around people- talking and interacting... Thank goodness for thenestbaby, facebook, MSN, BlackBerry messenger, email and texting... these things are keeping me sane!! I really am so thankful for my Blackberry, lol.

Update from today's appointment

Today's appointment was fairly uneventful, I went for the ultrasound first thing this morning- and the tech was really nice, she told me everything as she went. The baby scored 6/8 on the BPP, they just didn't see her practice breathing, which is common. Her heart rate was 140bpm, which is great, her amniotic fluid level is at 72, which is on the low side of normal, and her weight was 2lbs 4oz, which is good for a small baby.

When I went into the actual appointment with the specialist I saw her resident first, she was nice enough- asked a bunch of questions and then got the doctor. Basically they didn't tell me anything I didn't already know- they said the babies abdomen was measuring small, which could be an early sign of a growth problem, or could equally be a sign of nothing... basically they just want to watch everything very closely.

I am going back there next Friday for another ultrasound and appointment, and then again on the 14th for a full scan and appointment. She said each week they will decide if the baby is better in or out, and make the call based on that.

Now I am really tired, from just lying around for 2 days to being out and running around the hospital I am beat. I am going to take a nap before our friends come over for pizza and a movie!

Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts!!

Appointment is Scheduled

My appointment with the specialist is tomorrow at 11, but first I am having an ultrasound at 8:45 am at the same hospital.

Hopefully it will all go well and we will have a better idea of what is going on and what we can do about it!

Update!

After leaving my doctors office Tuesday kind of in shock I realized I didn't ask a lot of questions or clarify things- so I called today and talked to Dr. O's assistant/nurse clinician- Pat... she was so sweet.

Basically bed rest isn't as strict as I thought- I am allowed to sit up, make a quick meal, scrapbook, etc... just have to relax and rest a lot- take naps when I am tired, stay off my feet for the most part. If I want to go out to a friends, just sit and relax while I am there... that kind of thing! Don't overdo anything! I feel much better that its not really strict!

I also got some more details on the baby and the fluids. According to the ultrasound from Sept 19 she weighs approx 1lb 8oz, which is in the 13th percentile, on the low end, but still in the normal range. They just want to make sure she doesn't drop in to the below normal range. The fluids are low, placenta and amniotic- and they want to know if its just because she is a small baby, or if there is another cause... the specialists in Hamilton will help determine that. As for the low lying placenta- its not completely covering my cervix, it is 2.6cm from the external opening- which isn't horrible, but it is still in the "c-section required" range. They said there is still a chance it could shift... they will keep a close eye on this as well.

I will update again when I get my appointments with the specialists!

Thanks to everyone who has called, emailed, or given me suggestions on what to do with my time!!

More pics

Here are the pics from last weeks ultrasound, just realized I didn't post them: