Dear Felix Raphael
Your expected date of arrival was unknown as there was some discrepancy with the dates but eventually, it was decided that your birth should occur somewhere between the 16th and 23rd of July, 2008. However, those dates meant nothing to you as you knew when you were ready to make the journey into Mommy and Daddy’s arms.
At 31 weeks, Mommy and Daddy had a scare when the bag of waters that were keeping you safe and warm sprung a leak and there was concern that you were going to be born early. Mommy was put on bed rest and she took very good care of herself. As a result, the bag resealed and you continued to grow in your safe environment.
In fact, you) were so comfortable that, as Mommy’s due date approached, there was concern you were going to need some encouragement to leave your watery home! On Monday morning, July 28th, Mommy saw her doctor and she determined that Mommy’s cervix was changing in preparation for your birth, so she separated the membranes from the cervix with her finger to help stimulate labour. Mommy had already been having some cramping and mild contractions so there was a good possibility of this working. If not, Mommy was scheduled to have you assessed on July 29th and to have a discussion regarding medical induction later in the week.
Around noon on July 28th, the walls around you started contracting and by 7:00pm the contractions were 5-6 minutes apart and more intense. By the time I arrived at Mommy and Daddy’s house at 8:30pm, the contractions were occurring every 2 minutes and were lasting any where from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Your Mommy is a woman of strength and your Daddy was an incredible support to her. She embraced each contraction with tremendous courage and strength, knowing that each contraction was bringing you closer to their arms.
While all of this was going on, Grampy and Grammy had come over to put your big brother Elliot to bed and to stay with him while Mommy and Daddy went to the hospital.
We arrived at the Early Labour Assessment Unit (ELAU) at the hospital at 9:30pm. The unit was full and the Birthing Unit was extremely busy so Mommy and Daddy and I waited in the ELAU lounge and the nurse working in ELAU that evening came in to check on you and Mommy. You were tolerating the changes very well and much to Mommy’s surprise, her cervix was dilated to 7cm and had completely thinned out. There was great excitement in the room, as that meant that you would soon be in Mommy and Daddy’s arms.
Your nurse arranged a room on the Birthing Unit for Mommy, and L was the nurse assigned to care for both of you. L was new on the unit so she had support from N, R and K, all of whom had more experience.
Dr L arrived around 11:00pm and examined Mommy to find that she was 9.5cm dilated. During a contraction Dr. L was able to push the remaining cervix over your head and within 15 minutes Mommy was feeling a very strong urge to push. She was encouraged to breathe through that sensation while Dr L got ready to assist you. Mommy’s body couldn’t wait and neither could you. You had made up your mind and there was no stopping you. You and Mommy define the term “effective team work”!
At 11:39 your head was born. The cord was wrapped twice around your neck, so Dr. L removed it. With the next contraction they expected you to slide into Dr L’s hands but your shoulders got stuck and it took some effort to get them to release. Happily, within a couple of minutes they were free, and, with one big push, Mommy birthed you into the world at 11:41pm July 28, 2008. Dr L cut your cord and you were whisked across the room to be checked over by the neonatal team. It wasn’t long until you let out some loud cries to let Mommy and Daddy know that you were indeed fine and that there was no need for concern.
You weighed 9 pounds 4 ounces and were 20.25 inches long. It wasn’t long until you were on Mommy’s chest and you were very vocal as you expressed your feelings about your experience. Mommy and Daddy were very happy to meet you and there were tears of joy as they welcomed you. Once you settled, you nuzzled at Mommy’s breast and took a couple of sucks. However, you seemed content to just be close to Mommy and food was not the priority.
Felix, you were born into love and that love will always be with you. Your birth is another thread woven into the tapestry of life that was started thousands of years ago when your ancestors brought their offspring into the world. Felix, I feel blessed to be a part of this tapestry and you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Journey well my little friend.
Your doula,
Karen
Showing posts with label Labour and Birth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labour and Birth. Show all posts
Monday, August 4, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
July 30, 2008
Introducing Felix Raphael!!!!!!
Ok, short story for now, until I have time to type up the long one...
By the time Jay arrive home Monday night, ctx were 5 minutes apart and painful. Doula arrived by 8:30 and they were 2 minutes apart. As she arrived, they went to 1 minute apart, but were still very short. I was feeling pressure, so we soon left for the hospital... arrived there and got checked at 9:30... 6-7 cm and fully effaced!!!
Early assessment was full and they weren't sure if there would be a birthing room, but they found us one. My dr arrived at 11 and checked me - 9.5cm! She broke my water at 11:15, I started pushing at 11:25 and Boo was born at 11:41.
There was some distress - dr was tickling Boo's head as the heart rate dropped. Boo's head came out ok (holy hell, that ring of fire was horrid!!!) but shoulder's got stuck and they rushed in the neo-natal team. My dr literally pulled Boo's shoulders out. Cord was around the neck twice. I heard one quick wet baby gasp and then silence. Jay didn't get to cut the cord as they rushed Boo off for examination. Everything was fine and I finally heard baby cries a few seconds later.
Boo weighed in at 9 lbs 4 oz and 20.25 inches (same length as Elliot.) I did it 100% med free. I stood for the contractions at the hospital, which made them super intense but short.
The next concern was that my placenta didn't want to be delivered. We reached the half hour point and it still hadn't released. They called in the OB, who said my options were pain meds and an attempt at manual extraction in the room, but it was a one time thing - the next step was an epi and surgery. I flat out refused the epi and asked them if we could try waiting another 10-15 minutes to see if it would release. The OB agreed. He pushed down hard on my abdomen and I pushed and screamed some more and the placenta came out. It was HUGE!!! (everyone commented on the size.) And intact, thankfully.
I am a mom to 2 boys.... so proud!!!!!
Elliot loves his little brother. He keeps talking about Baby Felix and seems to have grasped the idea that it is the baby from my belly - he hasn't even mentioned my belly yet!
Nursing is going well... when I can get him to latch, that is. He latches good on Little Boob (and OW!! I never had pain with Elliot...) but just hangs out and licks Big Boob... so we're working on that. This is Felix. He licks.
Ok, gotta go change a poopy bum. Meconium poops are gone already and we're on to the real thing...
Ok, short story for now, until I have time to type up the long one...
By the time Jay arrive home Monday night, ctx were 5 minutes apart and painful. Doula arrived by 8:30 and they were 2 minutes apart. As she arrived, they went to 1 minute apart, but were still very short. I was feeling pressure, so we soon left for the hospital... arrived there and got checked at 9:30... 6-7 cm and fully effaced!!!
Early assessment was full and they weren't sure if there would be a birthing room, but they found us one. My dr arrived at 11 and checked me - 9.5cm! She broke my water at 11:15, I started pushing at 11:25 and Boo was born at 11:41.
There was some distress - dr was tickling Boo's head as the heart rate dropped. Boo's head came out ok (holy hell, that ring of fire was horrid!!!) but shoulder's got stuck and they rushed in the neo-natal team. My dr literally pulled Boo's shoulders out. Cord was around the neck twice. I heard one quick wet baby gasp and then silence. Jay didn't get to cut the cord as they rushed Boo off for examination. Everything was fine and I finally heard baby cries a few seconds later.
Boo weighed in at 9 lbs 4 oz and 20.25 inches (same length as Elliot.) I did it 100% med free. I stood for the contractions at the hospital, which made them super intense but short.
The next concern was that my placenta didn't want to be delivered. We reached the half hour point and it still hadn't released. They called in the OB, who said my options were pain meds and an attempt at manual extraction in the room, but it was a one time thing - the next step was an epi and surgery. I flat out refused the epi and asked them if we could try waiting another 10-15 minutes to see if it would release. The OB agreed. He pushed down hard on my abdomen and I pushed and screamed some more and the placenta came out. It was HUGE!!! (everyone commented on the size.) And intact, thankfully.
I am a mom to 2 boys.... so proud!!!!!
Elliot loves his little brother. He keeps talking about Baby Felix and seems to have grasped the idea that it is the baby from my belly - he hasn't even mentioned my belly yet!
Nursing is going well... when I can get him to latch, that is. He latches good on Little Boob (and OW!! I never had pain with Elliot...) but just hangs out and licks Big Boob... so we're working on that. This is Felix. He licks.
Ok, gotta go change a poopy bum. Meconium poops are gone already and we're on to the real thing...
Monday, July 28, 2008
July 28, 2008
Had regular contractions every 10 minutes before bed last night. Hoped I'd end up in pain and with a baby by now. If they continued, I slept through them.
~~~
5:32pm
Well... semi-painful contractions every 10 minutes again... for the last 5 hours! The closest they've been is 4 minutes, longest was about 20, but the average is 10.
I've been alternating between squatting on the floor playing ball with Elliot, sitting on the ball (right now!), walking around the block with Elliot, and curled up on the couch. I'm soooooo tired. I didn't get my nap this afternoon because the cats were being assholes and the phone kept ringing. Another hour and Jay will be home so I can go rest... might be in for a long night!!!
~~
6:25pm
Now we're alternating between 2-5 minutes. I need Jay home NOW because they hurt and Elliot gets really upset if I even say "ow." I should call my doula...
I also ate a bunch of plums & nectarines today and feel really gassy and the two types of pain really suck.
~~
6:57 pm
Jay's home now... 6 minutes apart, but still only lasting 15-25 seconds. But OW!!!
My doula is checking back in with us within the hour. Jay's dad will be here in 30 minutes or so to take over bedtime routines... my mom is driving up (3 hours away) for the morning and will stay here with Elliot until Thursday.
~~~
5:32pm
Well... semi-painful contractions every 10 minutes again... for the last 5 hours! The closest they've been is 4 minutes, longest was about 20, but the average is 10.
I've been alternating between squatting on the floor playing ball with Elliot, sitting on the ball (right now!), walking around the block with Elliot, and curled up on the couch. I'm soooooo tired. I didn't get my nap this afternoon because the cats were being assholes and the phone kept ringing. Another hour and Jay will be home so I can go rest... might be in for a long night!!!
~~
6:25pm
Now we're alternating between 2-5 minutes. I need Jay home NOW because they hurt and Elliot gets really upset if I even say "ow." I should call my doula...
I also ate a bunch of plums & nectarines today and feel really gassy and the two types of pain really suck.
~~
6:57 pm
Jay's home now... 6 minutes apart, but still only lasting 15-25 seconds. But OW!!!
My doula is checking back in with us within the hour. Jay's dad will be here in 30 minutes or so to take over bedtime routines... my mom is driving up (3 hours away) for the morning and will stay here with Elliot until Thursday.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Mommyhood
I'm loving it! It's challenging, we're by no means in a set routine, but things are going very good with us. Whenever Elliot wants to eat/sleep/poop, we accommodate him. And he's so good at snuggling and cuddling!
We started a bedtime routine, as getting him to sleep is sometimes a battle. So at night, we feed him, bath him, swaddle him and rock him for 20 minutes then put him down to sleep. He usually sleeps for 2 hours, then wakes to eat again. Then there's a diaper change and more rocking, and (usually) another 2 hour sleep. This is repeated as long as possible! During the day, he's alert more (we had a few nights were he was wide awake - not fussing, thankfully - for 5-6 hours... so not good for mommy and daddy!)... our daytime "routine" is pretty much eat, change, rock/hold for 20 minutes then we put him down to sleep in the swing. Usually get about an hour at a time, longer if someone is holding him.
Today we have a play date with the other 2 couples from our Lamaze classes. They both had boys, too! It will be neat to see them all together!
Yesterday we went for our newborn photo shoot. The little proofs he showed us on the screen looked amazing. He said we should have real proofs in about 2 weeks - I can't wait!! Elliot was such a cooperative baby, and he only peed on daddy once! (The dangers of naked-baby photo shoots!)
We *seem* to have solved the breast feeding issue. His latch still isn't perfect, but he's able to nurse on the right side without using the fake nipple shield. Turns out I have flat nipples, and he has a recessed chin and a curved hard palate (newborns tend to have a flat palate that curves as they mature), all of which contribute to him having to work very hard at a proper latch. Poor little guy, the deck is stacked against him! But we're determined and are muddling through it all.
He's such a big boy! Last week, we had him weighed and he was already 9lbs 14.8 oz - which was an increase of 19 oz in 9 days - and newborns usually average a gain of 1 oz per day! So he's a hefty little man - so adorable!
We started a bedtime routine, as getting him to sleep is sometimes a battle. So at night, we feed him, bath him, swaddle him and rock him for 20 minutes then put him down to sleep. He usually sleeps for 2 hours, then wakes to eat again. Then there's a diaper change and more rocking, and (usually) another 2 hour sleep. This is repeated as long as possible! During the day, he's alert more (we had a few nights were he was wide awake - not fussing, thankfully - for 5-6 hours... so not good for mommy and daddy!)... our daytime "routine" is pretty much eat, change, rock/hold for 20 minutes then we put him down to sleep in the swing. Usually get about an hour at a time, longer if someone is holding him.
Today we have a play date with the other 2 couples from our Lamaze classes. They both had boys, too! It will be neat to see them all together!
Yesterday we went for our newborn photo shoot. The little proofs he showed us on the screen looked amazing. He said we should have real proofs in about 2 weeks - I can't wait!! Elliot was such a cooperative baby, and he only peed on daddy once! (The dangers of naked-baby photo shoots!)
We *seem* to have solved the breast feeding issue. His latch still isn't perfect, but he's able to nurse on the right side without using the fake nipple shield. Turns out I have flat nipples, and he has a recessed chin and a curved hard palate (newborns tend to have a flat palate that curves as they mature), all of which contribute to him having to work very hard at a proper latch. Poor little guy, the deck is stacked against him! But we're determined and are muddling through it all.
He's such a big boy! Last week, we had him weighed and he was already 9lbs 14.8 oz - which was an increase of 19 oz in 9 days - and newborns usually average a gain of 1 oz per day! So he's a hefty little man - so adorable!
Friday, September 29, 2006
The birth story...
The first contractions started at 9am on my due date. They didn't really hurt, but they were coming every 30 minutes. I went on with my day (a chiropractic appointment and lunch with friends) and they got more intense. By 4pm, they started to hurt. By 8 we called our doula, Karen, and she said she would stop by to check on me at 9. From 9-1, I spent my time throwing up and labouring in the tub, on the exercise ball and in bed, the contractions coming irregularly but still getting closer together. By 1:30, they were 2-3 minutes apart and lasting anywhere from 30-60 seconds, and I heard Karen say quietly to Jay "I think we should start making our way to the hospital."
We got to the hospital by 2:30 and they checked me - only a fingertip dilated and still a lot of thinning needed to be done! I was crushed - I'd been having very hard pains (especially in my low back) for almost 12 hours and made no "real" progress.
The nurse took pity on us and asked if we wanted to stay in assessment, as my contractions were still coming regularly. I told them I wasn't going home without my baby! They put us into a birthing room to labour but didn't admit us to the hospital. (Turns out I was part of a research study: should they let women in early labour wait it out at the hospital or send them home, and how would it effect baby.)
The nurses pretty much left us alone all night - we were checked on a few times, but since we weren't admitted, they stayed away. I threw up more, walked the halls, had baths and tried sitting on the ball. My back was so sore - Jay and Karen took turns pressing on my sacrum during contractions to ease the pressure. I was terrified I was having back labour.
The next morning, the new early labour assessment nurse came in to check me and said I was only 2-3 cm dilated, and still needed to thin quite a bit. She started saying that I might be stalled and that I should go home. She pushed that I should also let them break my water and get induced.
Around 3pm, she checked me again and there was no change. She told me that if she'd been on duty the night before that she wouldn't have let us stay. (I guess she didn't know about the study.) She asked if I wanted to be admitted and start getting medications. I was exhausted at this point, but knew that despite the slow progress, I was making SOME progress, and that I wouldn't have been able to cope at home.
I asked not to be admitted, but requested a shot of Demerol to help me relax, hoping I could get some sleep. It relaxed me, but there was no sleep to be had - the contractions picked up and became very regular and I was then in active labour!
The nurse checked me around 6pm and said I was at 3 cm and that they would start the admissions procedures. Around 7, they moved us to a new room closer to the nurses station, assigned us a nurse, and started monitoring my blood pressure and the baby's heart rate every 30 minutes.
The back pains and pains shooting down my thighs had greatly intensified. I needed someone to rub my thighs and press on my back during each contraction. Around midnight, I was checked again and heard 4-5 cm, still not completely effaced. I was so discouraged! Somewhere in the middle of the night I started asking about medications - but I knew that Demerol likely wouldn't work again, that I didn't want an epidural and that the Nitrous Oxide gas could only be used for a limited time, and I wanted to save that for transition. I decided to keep going without anything. I had found a position in the rocking chair that helped control the pain, and I was really focusing on a light socket above the bed. Usually I could manage the contractions, but every 3rd or 4th one was super-intense.
Finally around 2am, I was 7 cm. YAY! I laboured for a while longer, and nearly gave up a few more times. They checked and felt bulging membranes, as my water still hadn't broken. I agreed to have them broken and we waited 30 minutes for my doctor to arrive. When they broke, it was only a small amount, but baby's head came down a bit further.
After a while, I felt strong urges to push so they checked me again - still only 7cm - NOT good! They started me on the gas to try to control the urge, and we tried different positions - walking, hands & knees, the ball - but I still badly wanted to push. A new nurse came in to let the other one have a break and she put me on the toilet so gravity could help. I fought her on this, since I was scared that my natural instinct to push would be much stronger on the toilet! She found a longer hose for the gas machine so I could sit there and suck back the gas! Worked for me - the gas made me VERY loopy!
They checked me again at nearly 6:30 am and said I was completely effaced and dilated and gave me the go ahead to start pushing! Sitting on the toilet worked! They called my doctor in. After an hour of ineffective pushes, they checked and found that I still had a lip of cervix!! They pushed against it while I contracted and pushed (PAINFUL!) and it stayed back out of the way.
I pushed for almost 2 more hours and then our son was born. He came out screaming and didn't stop for 20 minutes! His head came out with no problems, but he decided to be like superman and have his fist up next to his shoulder and I ended up with a 3rd degree tear. They had to call in an OB to determine which way to best stitch the muscles back together.
Elliot was so tired after his long journey that he didn't want to latch on to start breast feeding. It took us 5 days to find a solution to that problem, and now he nurses all the time. It's hard to believe how quickly the time is passing. We love our little "milk dud" and can't imagine life without him!
We got to the hospital by 2:30 and they checked me - only a fingertip dilated and still a lot of thinning needed to be done! I was crushed - I'd been having very hard pains (especially in my low back) for almost 12 hours and made no "real" progress.
The nurse took pity on us and asked if we wanted to stay in assessment, as my contractions were still coming regularly. I told them I wasn't going home without my baby! They put us into a birthing room to labour but didn't admit us to the hospital. (Turns out I was part of a research study: should they let women in early labour wait it out at the hospital or send them home, and how would it effect baby.)
The nurses pretty much left us alone all night - we were checked on a few times, but since we weren't admitted, they stayed away. I threw up more, walked the halls, had baths and tried sitting on the ball. My back was so sore - Jay and Karen took turns pressing on my sacrum during contractions to ease the pressure. I was terrified I was having back labour.
The next morning, the new early labour assessment nurse came in to check me and said I was only 2-3 cm dilated, and still needed to thin quite a bit. She started saying that I might be stalled and that I should go home. She pushed that I should also let them break my water and get induced.
Around 3pm, she checked me again and there was no change. She told me that if she'd been on duty the night before that she wouldn't have let us stay. (I guess she didn't know about the study.) She asked if I wanted to be admitted and start getting medications. I was exhausted at this point, but knew that despite the slow progress, I was making SOME progress, and that I wouldn't have been able to cope at home.
I asked not to be admitted, but requested a shot of Demerol to help me relax, hoping I could get some sleep. It relaxed me, but there was no sleep to be had - the contractions picked up and became very regular and I was then in active labour!
The nurse checked me around 6pm and said I was at 3 cm and that they would start the admissions procedures. Around 7, they moved us to a new room closer to the nurses station, assigned us a nurse, and started monitoring my blood pressure and the baby's heart rate every 30 minutes.
The back pains and pains shooting down my thighs had greatly intensified. I needed someone to rub my thighs and press on my back during each contraction. Around midnight, I was checked again and heard 4-5 cm, still not completely effaced. I was so discouraged! Somewhere in the middle of the night I started asking about medications - but I knew that Demerol likely wouldn't work again, that I didn't want an epidural and that the Nitrous Oxide gas could only be used for a limited time, and I wanted to save that for transition. I decided to keep going without anything. I had found a position in the rocking chair that helped control the pain, and I was really focusing on a light socket above the bed. Usually I could manage the contractions, but every 3rd or 4th one was super-intense.
Finally around 2am, I was 7 cm. YAY! I laboured for a while longer, and nearly gave up a few more times. They checked and felt bulging membranes, as my water still hadn't broken. I agreed to have them broken and we waited 30 minutes for my doctor to arrive. When they broke, it was only a small amount, but baby's head came down a bit further.
After a while, I felt strong urges to push so they checked me again - still only 7cm - NOT good! They started me on the gas to try to control the urge, and we tried different positions - walking, hands & knees, the ball - but I still badly wanted to push. A new nurse came in to let the other one have a break and she put me on the toilet so gravity could help. I fought her on this, since I was scared that my natural instinct to push would be much stronger on the toilet! She found a longer hose for the gas machine so I could sit there and suck back the gas! Worked for me - the gas made me VERY loopy!
They checked me again at nearly 6:30 am and said I was completely effaced and dilated and gave me the go ahead to start pushing! Sitting on the toilet worked! They called my doctor in. After an hour of ineffective pushes, they checked and found that I still had a lip of cervix!! They pushed against it while I contracted and pushed (PAINFUL!) and it stayed back out of the way.
I pushed for almost 2 more hours and then our son was born. He came out screaming and didn't stop for 20 minutes! His head came out with no problems, but he decided to be like superman and have his fist up next to his shoulder and I ended up with a 3rd degree tear. They had to call in an OB to determine which way to best stitch the muscles back together.
Elliot was so tired after his long journey that he didn't want to latch on to start breast feeding. It took us 5 days to find a solution to that problem, and now he nurses all the time. It's hard to believe how quickly the time is passing. We love our little "milk dud" and can't imagine life without him!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
New arrival!!
We welcomed our son, Elliot Jay, on Wednesday September 20th at 9:18am. (2 days overdue.) It was a marathon labour - "officially" 41 hours, but well worth it in the end. And I did it mostly natural... No epidural for me!
He weighed in at 8 lbs 12 oz and was 20.25 inches long. We got home from the hospital on Friday and have been muddling through this parenting thing since then. We're all exhausted, but so happy to be a family. Having some breast feeding issues, but am hopeful that they will be resolved soon... we just love this little man!!!
He weighed in at 8 lbs 12 oz and was 20.25 inches long. We got home from the hospital on Friday and have been muddling through this parenting thing since then. We're all exhausted, but so happy to be a family. Having some breast feeding issues, but am hopeful that they will be resolved soon... we just love this little man!!!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Happy due date!
Wow, I really didn't think I'd make it all the way to the end. I was sure i'd go a bit early, but nope, here I am, still preggers... No signs that things are immediately about to happen, but things feel "different", so something must be in the works... I'm just so impatient to meet this creature!!!
Have plans to go for coffee with a bunch of friends and their babies today - maybe all those babies will encourage this one to come out and play?? Keep your fingers crossed!
Have plans to go for coffee with a bunch of friends and their babies today - maybe all those babies will encourage this one to come out and play?? Keep your fingers crossed!
Saturday, September 2, 2006
September 2, 2006
Had my doctor's appointment yesterday - ok, so at my appointment last week, dr said I was 50% effaced... I've had cramping and more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions since then, and figured I'd see a bit more progress by this week... well, somehow I went backwards, as she said I was only 30% effaced yesterday.
huh???
I know it's subjective, and I'm trying to stay positive - I'm calling this no additional progress, instead of backwards progress... but still, effaced is effaced, and it means I'm that much closer!!
Otherwise, it was a good appointment. She felt baby's head again, I'm only up another pound (42 total), blood pressure was great, baby's heart rate was strong at 136 BPM, and, a big bonus, I tested negative for GBS, so I don't have to be hooked up to an IV with antibiotics while labouring!
huh???
I know it's subjective, and I'm trying to stay positive - I'm calling this no additional progress, instead of backwards progress... but still, effaced is effaced, and it means I'm that much closer!!
Otherwise, it was a good appointment. She felt baby's head again, I'm only up another pound (42 total), blood pressure was great, baby's heart rate was strong at 136 BPM, and, a big bonus, I tested negative for GBS, so I don't have to be hooked up to an IV with antibiotics while labouring!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
August 24, 2006
Had a doctor's appointment today. She checked to see if anything was happening, and I'm pleased to say I'm 50% effaced, although I haven't started to dilate yet. I think it's common for dilation to start once the cervix is 80% effaced (or "thinned" and getting soft)... but often you can start labour without being effaced at all, which can lead to a much longer and harder labour!
Yay, my body is working properly!!!! Hopefully this easy pregnancy is setting a trend towards an easy delivery, too!
Yay, my body is working properly!!!! Hopefully this easy pregnancy is setting a trend towards an easy delivery, too!
Monday, May 8, 2006
May 8, 2006
Daddy Delivers!
Friends of ours had their baby over the weekend, in what must break records for quickest delivery ever. They didn't have time to call for a ride to the hospital. They didn't have time to wait for an ambulance. Daddy delivered his daughter in their bed within 10 minutes. Mom and baby are doing beautifully and are expected home today. Isn't that the most awesome birth story ever??!!
Of course Jay is now very jealous and has asked me if i would consider a home birth! (EEP!) He's only half serious, but we're going to ask our doctor if it's possible that Jay be the one to catch our baby and be the first to help him/her into the world, when our time comes. How beautiful would that be! Wow...
Friends of ours had their baby over the weekend, in what must break records for quickest delivery ever. They didn't have time to call for a ride to the hospital. They didn't have time to wait for an ambulance. Daddy delivered his daughter in their bed within 10 minutes. Mom and baby are doing beautifully and are expected home today. Isn't that the most awesome birth story ever??!!
Of course Jay is now very jealous and has asked me if i would consider a home birth! (EEP!) He's only half serious, but we're going to ask our doctor if it's possible that Jay be the one to catch our baby and be the first to help him/her into the world, when our time comes. How beautiful would that be! Wow...
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
March 14, 2006
13w1d, 136 lbs
Had our second prenatal on the 10th and got to hear the heartbeat. I cried. Such an amazing experience! The baby at first was directly below my bellybutton, closer to the pubic bone and we got to hear the heart - 144 beats per minute - for a bit, then the baby moved about an inch to the right. She chased him/her with the doppler so we could keep listening. So we have a happy, healthy & active baby in there!
I went to a "Preparing for Birth" workshop over the weekend. Our doula gave a talk as well as an obstetrics student who brought all kinds of scary instruments with her. There was a nutrition talk and some prenatal yoga.
I was quite freaked out by the scary instruments. I didn't realize how terrified I was/am about having anything put up inside me to assist with the birth. I'm also still scared of having a miscarriage, although at 13 weeks, the chances of that happening now are diminished.
I'm meeting with our doula later this week to talk about these fears. I know they will effect the pregnancy and delivery if they're not dealt with soon.
Our doula is really nice. I feel comfortable with her. She will be supposrting all of us - me, Jay & baby - during the labour. She will develop our birth plan and help ensure the doctor's follow it, if possible. She told us about something called the "Breast Crawl" - just after birth, the baby is put on the mother's stomach. Since the baby is covered with (and has been feeding on) amniotic fluid, s/he will recognize the same hormone that is secreted from the nipples during labour. The baby will then slowly sort of crawl up to the breast and begin to nurse.
This would be the baby's first out-of-womb experience with self-esteem and would be an incredible bonding time. Also, the motion of the baby's tiny feet on the stomach as s/he pushes forward would help the uterus contract to push out the afterbirth!
So cool!
Had our second prenatal on the 10th and got to hear the heartbeat. I cried. Such an amazing experience! The baby at first was directly below my bellybutton, closer to the pubic bone and we got to hear the heart - 144 beats per minute - for a bit, then the baby moved about an inch to the right. She chased him/her with the doppler so we could keep listening. So we have a happy, healthy & active baby in there!
I went to a "Preparing for Birth" workshop over the weekend. Our doula gave a talk as well as an obstetrics student who brought all kinds of scary instruments with her. There was a nutrition talk and some prenatal yoga.
I was quite freaked out by the scary instruments. I didn't realize how terrified I was/am about having anything put up inside me to assist with the birth. I'm also still scared of having a miscarriage, although at 13 weeks, the chances of that happening now are diminished.
I'm meeting with our doula later this week to talk about these fears. I know they will effect the pregnancy and delivery if they're not dealt with soon.
Our doula is really nice. I feel comfortable with her. She will be supposrting all of us - me, Jay & baby - during the labour. She will develop our birth plan and help ensure the doctor's follow it, if possible. She told us about something called the "Breast Crawl" - just after birth, the baby is put on the mother's stomach. Since the baby is covered with (and has been feeding on) amniotic fluid, s/he will recognize the same hormone that is secreted from the nipples during labour. The baby will then slowly sort of crawl up to the breast and begin to nurse.
This would be the baby's first out-of-womb experience with self-esteem and would be an incredible bonding time. Also, the motion of the baby's tiny feet on the stomach as s/he pushes forward would help the uterus contract to push out the afterbirth!
So cool!
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
December 7, 2005
8:15 am
Sitting at the hospital, waiting for blood collection. Had to fill out a form that goes on file with the IWK/Grace for when I go there to deliver. I got a little teary.
Told G&D yesterday when they picked us up after Jay's surgery. They're very thrilled for us. D & I will get together soon to talk babies!
Sitting at the hospital, waiting for blood collection. Had to fill out a form that goes on file with the IWK/Grace for when I go there to deliver. I got a little teary.
Told G&D yesterday when they picked us up after Jay's surgery. They're very thrilled for us. D & I will get together soon to talk babies!
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