Moms to be Part 4

[ead79]

Joanne and Elisabeth...Are y'all still hanging in there?

As for me, I've been doing well. The prometrium isn't messing with me too much, thankfully! I had my first ultrasound on Tuesday and saw the baby. Heartbeat was nice and strong in the upper 140s!! Measured about 4 days behind what I thought, so due date is August 29th instead of the 25th. I go back in a month for a regular OB checkup since everything looked good, unless I have problems before then. I had a little pink spotting after the ultrasound, but I think it was just from that. Dr. also put me back on Metformin. I had forgotten to take to to WDW , and then when we got home is when I found out I was pregnant so I wasn't sure if I should take it. She wants me to keep taking it.

Yep, still pregnant! Super duper pregnant at this point LOL. I had another NST today, and everything looked good with it, so that's good. Now I'll just have another midwife appointment on Tuesday unless Sweet Pea decides to make her appearance before then.

I'm so glad your ultrasound went well! Seeing that heartbeat is just the best! How many weeks along does that make you? I'm math challenged LOL.

Have been reading along, but mostly lurking. This pregnancy has been so different than with the girls! Much, MUCH easier physically (already in the hospital intermittently, on bed rest for the duration, and (still) on the Zofran pump with them)... but much more difficult emotionally. I'm struggling with antenatal depression but doing the best I can. Tremendously thankful for what I have.

We did find out it's a boy, which took a while to adjust to - but now we're all excited and wish it wasn't so long until we meet him! I'm 26 weeks, and he seems to be doing just great. We've had several u/s because they've labeled me "high risk" (thanks to my last pregnancy -- definitely not a necessity for this one, at least so far), and it's been nice for the girls to be so involved in waiting for Baby Brother.

Hope everyone is doing well!

I'm so glad that things are less physically demanding this time around for you. And so glad your little guy is doing so well. I actually enjoyed the extra ultrasounds (first because of an uncooperative baby who didn't want to show us all the measurements we needed and now because I'm high risk due to PIH), since they're a great chance to see the little one! Praying that your depression eases too.

Still hanging in there! Feeling more uncomfortable every day that goes by. I really never thought that laying on the couch would be such an uncomfortable thing! Even in the little pillow fort I lay in, it's still hard for me to get a comfortable spot.
I found myself doing some nesting this morning. Normally when I am in the nursery I have some sort of purpose, this morning I was in there just refolding blankets and clothes, moved some from one drawer to another and then back again! I also took everything off the shelf in his closet and put it all back in a different (yet quite similar to the original) way!
I am also so happy that I only work part time now. I don't think I would be able to work this far if I was working full time. I originally switched to part time so I could do some stress reduction and soul searching during infertility, then ended up finding out we were pregnant 3 weeks later! Having the extra days to relax and do nothing is so nice. I feel like I can barely manage the fatigue and discomfort sometimes and I'm on the couch doing nothing. What would I do if I was working full time in my fast paced hospital job?

Skuttle, glad the ultrasound went well! Also good to hear that you are tolerating the Prometrium well. I was on Endometrin for the first 12 weeks of this pregnancy. I had been on Prometrium in previous failed cycles and was not a fan of it, so I'm glad it's going well for you!

Man, I have all the respect in the world for women who work full time right up until delivery. I worked 4 days a week through most of my pregnancy, then I quit at the end of December. That wound up being quite helpful since now I have twice weekly doctor appointments and am on modified bed rest. I can't imagine trying to have a job on your feet at a time like this! I mean I can get pretty uncomfortable sitting on the couch.

 

[hipporina]

I found out at my 35 week appointment yesterday that my baby is breech. My dr says he has a 50/50 chance of turning. If he isn't turned by 37 weeks, we will try version. If he still doesn't turn, c-section.

I am so upset. I'm very thankful that he is okay of course, but the thought of a c-section is very upsetting to me. I was really hoping for a completely natural childbirth, and it looks likely that it may not happen. My husband doesn't understand why I'm so upset, but I just hate that things aren't going like I planned. I'm also terrified at the idea of an epidural and hate that I won't be able to hold and feed my baby right away. I'm trying to adjust, but just can't shake the sadness.

 

[acejka]

I found out at my 35 week appointment yesterday that my baby is breech. My dr says he has a 50/50 chance of turning. If he isn't turned by 37 weeks, we will try version. If he still doesn't turn, c-section.

I am so upset. I'm very thankful that he is okay of course, but the thought of a c-section is very upsetting to me. I was really hoping for a completely natural childbirth, and it looks likely that it may not happen. My husband doesn't understand why I'm so upset, but I just hate that things aren't going like I planned. I'm also terrified at the idea of an epidural and hate that I won't be able to hold and feed my baby right away. I'm trying to adjust, but just can't shake the sadness.

Why won't you be able to hold or feed the baby right away? Forgive me, I'm pregnant with my first and know nothing about labor and delivery... Does it have to do with getting an epidural?

I don't want an epidural either, I'm hoping I can make it through without one, but I'm scared of being breech and needing a csection also. I really don't want anyone screwing with my spine, and I have a huge fear of not being able to move-like had a panic attack when I found out I was strapped to the table during surgery to remove my appendix, and I never knew I was ever even strapped down, they did it after I was asleep and obviously took the straps off before I was awake again.

Everyone just tells me I'm a moron for not wanting an epidural though.

I hope he turns for you!!

 

[joanne312]

Why won't you be able to hold or feed the baby right away? Forgive me, I'm pregnant with my first and know nothing about labor and delivery... Does it have to do with getting an epidural?

It has to do with having a c-section. You are being stitched up and all that fun stuff and I don't think you can hold the baby until you are in the recovery room.
If you don't have a c-section, regardless of epidural or not, you can hold and feed your baby soon after birth (after you deliver placenta, baby is cleaned/weighed, etc.)
Someone correct me if I'm wrong as this is my 1st also!

 

[ead79]

I found out at my 35 week appointment yesterday that my baby is breech. My dr says he has a 50/50 chance of turning. If he isn't turned by 37 weeks, we will try version. If he still doesn't turn, c-section.

I am so upset. I'm very thankful that he is okay of course, but the thought of a c-section is very upsetting to me. I was really hoping for a completely natural childbirth, and it looks likely that it may not happen. My husband doesn't understand why I'm so upset, but I just hate that things aren't going like I planned. I'm also terrified at the idea of an epidural and hate that I won't be able to hold and feed my baby right away. I'm trying to adjust, but just can't shake the sadness.

If it makes you feel any better, my baby was insistent on laying on her side with her spine facing out towards us for weeks 21 - 36 of my pregnancy. Then she moved to a head down position right before my 36 week appointment (in fact, we're pretty sure she did it during the middle of the night before). So I'd just remember that a 50/50 chance still is pretty favorable that the little guy will move on his own.

I think it's normal to feel sad when what you planned doesn't work out. But on the plus side, you've still got decent odds for a turn, plus the version might work too.

Why won't you be able to hold or feed the baby right away? Forgive me, I'm pregnant with my first and know nothing about labor and delivery... Does it have to do with getting an epidural?

I don't want an epidural either, I'm hoping I can make it through without one, but I'm scared of being breech and needing a csection also. I really don't want anyone screwing with my spine, and I have a huge fear of not being able to move-like had a panic attack when I found out I was strapped to the table during surgery to remove my appendix, and I never knew I was ever even strapped down, they did it after I was asleep and obviously took the straps off before I was awake again.

Everyone just tells me I'm a moron for not wanting an epidural though.

I hope he turns for you!!

I don't think you're a moron! I wish people wouldn't be so judgmental of decisions pregnant women make. I personally want an epidural right away, but I support other people's rights to choose differently. I guess I'm not too freaked out about it because I had an epidural years ago when I had surgery on my tailbone. Also, apparently I'm a big weenie when it comes to cervical exams, as I found mine to be extremely painful (which it seems most women don't). So that makes me leery of a natural birth for sure LOL.

 

[AKL_Megs]

It has to do with having a c-section. You are being stitched up and all that fun stuff and I don't think you can hold the baby until you are in the recovery room.
If you don't have a c-section, regardless of epidural or not, you can hold and feed your baby soon after birth (after you deliver placenta, baby is cleaned/weighed, etc.)
Someone correct me if I'm wrong as this is my 1st also!

Hi Ladies! You are all so close to having your LO's in your arms!!!

I had an epidural and a v-delivery. I had an episiotomy, so I don't know if that matters or plays a role, but I held DD for about a minute after she was delivered, and then they rushed her off to do the weighing, measuring, etc. I was stitched up and THAT took forever. It was probably a good half hour before I got to REALLY hold her.

The epidural IS NOT BAD at all. It is truly, truly the most wonderful thing ever. But in all seriousness, it is not bad. They give you a numbing shot first, and that is as bad as it gets. It feels like any old shot, a stinging pinch. The rest takes about two minutes, and then you are in heaven. I too wanted a natural birth, but after about 18 hours of excruciating pain, I stopped being a hero. I didn't want to have one because I had been so SET on not, that I was embarassed to admit that I needed one, so I waited and suffered. Don't do that. If you need one, get one!

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I don't want an epidural either, I'm hoping I can make it through without one, but I'm scared of being breech and needing a csection also. I really don't want anyone screwing with my spine, and I have a huge fear of not being able to move-like had a panic attack when I found out I was strapped to the table during surgery to remove my appendix, and I never knew I was ever even strapped down, they did it after I was asleep and obviously took the straps off before I was awake again.

I'm entirely with you. A c-section was my biggest fear when I was pregnant with my first, and I'm still totally paranoid now, even though I had an easy unmedicated birth the first time. Honestly, you decide what you want. If avoiding an epidural is a priority for you (it was for me - the whole idea of being "numb" freaks the heck out of me), then you'll have more willpower to hold off. If you decide that you need one, then you'll be at the point where all the needles in the world couldn't stop you. Don't let anyone tell you that you're silly for not wanting an epidural, though. I joke that I can handle natural childbirth, but the idea of the epidural/IV/catheter almost sent me over the edge. I managed to avoid all of those things - part of it was sheer luck (my delivery was totally uncomplicated - and I was lucky for that), but it's also about willpower and focus.

Having said that, now I've probably jinxed myself for this kid.

I had an epidural and a v-delivery. I had an episiotomy, so I don't know if that matters or plays a role, but I held DD for about a minute after she was delivered, and then they rushed her off to do the weighing, measuring, etc. I was stitched up and THAT took forever. It was probably a good half hour before I got to REALLY hold her.

It really depends on what your hospital's policy is. Some hospitals are big on getting all the "paperwork" done after a baby is born, before allowing bonding time. Other hospitals are more relaxed. No matter what the "norm" is, you can communicate to your doctor what your desires and expectations are, as long as there is no medical reason to hold off from early bonding.

I had a second degree tear and needed stitches, but was still allowed to hold my son while I delivered the placenta and was stitched up. It was at least a good hour before they took him to measure/weigh him and they waited until after he had breastfed for the first time before giving him his first bath.

Again, this just applies to v-births. C-sections are a whole different animal.

 

[LaurenLC]

I too was worried about having to have a c-section, and after 33 hours of induced labor, that's exactly what I got. I obviously have nothing else to compare it to, but it really wasn't that bad. It took about 45 minutes- 1 hour before I was done being stitched up and was able to hold my daughter, but I took advantage of that time to take a nap! My husband was able to stay with my daughter while she was being weighed, measured, poked, prodded, etc. which I think allowed for some great boding time for them. I was able to nurse her when I was reunited with her, so I didn't feel like I missed out on much there. In regards to recovery it couldn't have gone better. I had my daughter at 5:45 am and was up and walking around that afternoon. Getting in and out of bed was a little difficult at first, but the wonderful hospital bed helped a lot. I left the hospital on a Friday morning and was probably 100% back to normal by Monday... I actually remember mopping the floor that day! I'll be having another c-section when my son is born (wasn't interested in trying a v-bac) and I hope things go just as well this time!
So yeah, having a c-section isn't ideal, but it's not the worst thing either! I do understand you being disappointed or scared though!

 

[hipporina]

Thank you all for your encouraging replies. I'm doing better adjusting to the idea, but I still hope he will turn!

Acejka - It is the section, not the epidural, that will keep me from holding him immediately. I will have him when I go to recovery, but I think dh will have him while they finish the surgery except when they are doing what they need to with him.

 

[DisneyBabies]

I found out at my 35 week appointment yesterday that my baby is breech. My dr says he has a 50/50 chance of turning. If he isn't turned by 37 weeks, we will try version. If he still doesn't turn, c-section.

I am so upset. I'm very thankful that he is okay of course, but the thought of a c-section is very upsetting to me. I was really hoping for a completely natural childbirth, and it looks likely that it may not happen. My husband doesn't understand why I'm so upset, but I just hate that things aren't going like I planned. I'm also terrified at the idea of an epidural and hate that I won't be able to hold and feed my baby right away. I'm trying to adjust, but just can't shake the sadness.

Oh, I know how you feel. Although my first baby wasn't breech, I wound up having a c-section (he stopped moving, heart rate wasn't bouncing back from contractions, induction literally got me nowhere, and there were several indications that he wouldn't fit through the birth canal even if I did get to that stage). I don't know how many people were telling me that I couldn't get through a natural birth and I wanted nothing more than to prove them wrong. I had my birth plan all worked out and I was ready for 'anything' . . . except a c-section.

It's not easy to 'get over' and you may never get to that point. In the end, I had to look at the surgeries as cesarean BIRTHS rather than cesarean sections. And I now have two healthy, happy children who may not have done so well otherwise.

I hope you begin to feel better about it soon.

 

[DisneyBabies]

Hello everyone. Thank you for the wonderful replies to my first post. I am still nutty with the crying, but what can you do?

I thought I'd give a little background, I hope you all don't mind.

I was told for years that due to several fertility issues, it was very unlikely that I would be able to have children, so DH and I left it up to God, fate and good old fashioned luck. DH never believed the doctor's were right and swore up and down that I didn't have the problems they said I did .

Well, we managed to get pregnant within 3months. And DH's head swelled bigger than you'd believe . Still, at the first appointment, before the Dr left the room he said that he had really though he was going to have to tell us that the test was wrong, because according to my previous medical records, it just wasn't possible for me to be pregnant. We also found out that there were 2 babies! But at 7w3d, we miscarried one of the babies. It was . . . difficult, but we were both very grateful that we still had one baby. The rest of the pregnancy was uneventful and we found out that it was a boy.

Five days before my due date, DS stopped moving. DH was at work, so my mom took me to the hospital and DH was going to meet us there. They did several tests including banging pans over my belly to try to get DS to move as well as a biophysical profile (U/S). They induced me, but I got nowhere; no centimeters, no effacement, nothing. They finally broke my water (which, up to that point, was the most painful part of the induction; it hurt even more than the pitocin contractions) and found that DS had had a BM while still inside; he had basically no amniotic fluid. The contractions were painful, but I was dealing with it ok; however, DS wasn't. His heart rate was not coming back up after the contractions anywhere close to when they should have. The only other option was a c-section.

To make a long story short, the epidural didn't work, but they didn't believe me until after DS was already out and it was a bit late to do much about it. They did knock me out after that, but I'd gone through everything but the sewing by that point. I disassociated myself so much during the surgery, just to be able to get through it, that I don't really 'remember' anything. I have pictures that show me seeing DS for the first time and I have nightmares about the surgery, but it isn't a conscious memory. I hate that, but now I have a beautiful, healthy little boy and that is what matters.

DD was a little different story. We got pregnant with her on the first try which reinforced DH's belief that the Dr's were wrong. Because of the first pregnancy, DH and I were very careful about watching the weeks go by. At 7w4d I started bleeding and of course went straight to the hospital where they diagnosed me with a threatened miscarriage. After being on bed rest for a week, everything seemed to go back to normal.

Due to the fact that we were not sure what caused the problems with DS and we certainly didn't want to chance it again, my Dr wanted to take DD a week and a half early by c-section. I went to the hospital that morning and found out that my pre-op bloodwork showed that my platelets were low, so they wanted to rerun my bloodwork. I sat there for several hours and by the time they came back to tell me the platelets were still low, but they could give me a spinal, I was so scared I told them to just knock me out. I was shaking and near hysterical, so the Anesthesiologist brought in someone else to handle my medications and she sat with me through the whole surgery since DH wasn't allowed in the room. I fell asleep with her holding my hand and I woke up with her holding my hand.

DD was perfect and DH got to transport her to the nursery. It was really a lot better than the first c-section and I didn't mind so much the second time.

Fast forward 4 1/2 years and DH and I decide to try again for #3. He's thinking this will be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, my issues have gotten worse as time has gone on and I no longer ovulate on my own, my progesterone is EXTREMELY low and the Dr put me on several medications to try to help us conceive.

We started in January 2011 and I was on 100mg of chlomid, glucophage and had a prescription for 200mg prometrium and baby aspirin as soon as I got a positive HPT as well as information to make sure I get a beta Hcg and a progesterone level test. Nothing, nothing, and nothing happened. By August, the Dr changed my medication to 7.5mg Femara, kept the glucophage and added an ultrasound on day 14 to check my follicles and give me a shot of HCG to force ovulation. We went through a lot of ovulation predictor kits as well as pregnancy tests last year . December was going to be our last cycle of trying and I was really discouraged. On day 22 I took a test and it was negative. Then I took another on day 24 which was negative as well. And I cried and cried and cried some more. Then waited for the hated first day of the cycle.

But it never came. So on day 35 I took my last HPT . . . which turned POSITIVE after 30 seconds!

My kids were home, so I did the quietest happy dance known to man and called to let my Dr know so that I could get the lab orders for the bloodwork she wanted.

My Beta on day 35 was 925 and my progesterone was 18.7 (which is the highest it has been all year). On day 37 my Beta was 2,522 so I more than doubled in that 48 hours.

I have my first appt as well as an ultrasound on Friday. Depending on what we find on the ultrasound, I may have more bloodwork on Friday as well.

I am anxious about week 7, but my Dr thinks the progesterone and baby aspirin will take care of the miscarriage issues. Crossing my fingers that she is right.

One question though. With DS and DD I didn't get the exhaustion until about week 9, but I have been taking daily naps while the kids are at school since before we even got the positive test. Anyone else have this happen?

Thanks for everything ladies.

 

[ead79]

I'm beyond thrilled to announce that Carlen Louise has arrived!

January 18, 2012
11:51 p.m.
6 pounds 14 ounces
19.5 inches long

I went to my appointment with my midwife on Tuesday, and since I had made some progress (2 cm dilated, 80% effaced), she felt comfortable letting us pick an induction date. My blood pressures were still acceptable, but they had been creeping up a bit, so I told her I just felt better about inducing sooner rather than trying to stick it out another day or two. She totally understood that and got us a list of which midwives and doctors were on call on which days. She and one of my favorite OBs were both on call the next day (Wednesday), so we went ahead and scheduled it for then. Since my cervix was favorable, she said there wasn't a need to go into the hospital that night for any Cervidil, so we would just start directly with the Pitocin the next morning.

After an oh-so-refreshing 3 hours of sleep (talk about being too excited to sleep, LOL), we checked into the hospital the next morning. I was checked in and hooked up to the Pitocin by 11 a.m. They started it on a very slow drip, then they would increase it every half hour until they saw regular contractions. Unfortunately, while I was having contractions somewhat regularly, they just weren't intense at all. In fact, it was really not painful in the least other than the occasional feeling of a mild menstrual cramp. My midwife was super busy that morning (I think she delivered 7 babies the same day as mine), but she stopped in and checked me. I had made it to 4 cm, but the Pitocin was maxed out and just wasn't producing the results she had hoped for.

So basically she said we had 2 choices: 1) stop the Pitocin and go ahead and put in Cervadil overnight, then re-start Pitocin the next morning hoping the Cervadil would help bring on stronger contractions or 2) break my water and see if that made my contractions stronger. In the end she said she really felt that my cervix was in totally favorable shape, so she didn't think the Cervadil would do a thing to help things along. She said let's just commit to doing this thing today and go ahead and break your water. So that's what we did.

Within 10 minutes of breaking my water, I'm having quite strong contractions. While I could handle the intensity of the pain, the contractions were coming quite close together super quickly--every 2 to 2.5 minutes. So I didn't really have much of a chance to recover in between each one. Given the fact that I already knew I didn't want a natural childbirth, I talked it over with the nurse and decided to go ahead and get the epidural. To be 100% honest, I felt like a bit of a weenie to get it so soon after I started to be able to feel the contractions, but they were quite strong and close together. In the end I decided why suffer trying to be brave if I know I don't want to try to go natural in the end anyway.

About 2 hours after breaking my water (and about 1 hour after the visit from my new BFF the anesthesiologist), my midwife came back to check me. I was at 8 cm, much to her surprise. That made me feel better about having gotten the epidural--those strong contractions weren't just my imagination LOL. She went off to deliver another baby, and she said to rest and to let the nurse know if I felt strong pressure in my bottom, as that would mean it was time to push. She also said that if the pain was more sharp than strong pressure, to just let them know to increase the epidural.

I felt nothing much at all for about 45 minutes, then I felt some "breakthrough" contraction pain that felt sharp. Given that I didn't want that sucker to not be working well when the time to push came, we let the nurse know and she upped the epidural. I felt great, other than I kept shivering from the side effects of the epidural. After delivering another baby, my midwife came back to check me again. Well, unbeknownst to me, I was at 10 cm and nearly crowning. She quickly got the room setup, and we started pushing. 50 minutes later we had little Carlen.

She's just so tiny and precious! And it proves that those weight estimates they do from the ultrasounds are WAY off. She's certainly not a big lady LOL!

We'll work on posting some pictures, but I just wanted to update y'all.

Also, in the end it was good we decided to induce when we did. Once they ran my bloodwork at the hospital when I checked in, it turned out I was at risk for developing HELLP Syndrome if I had gone another few days. So they would've wound up calling me in to induce me anyway.

 

[LaurenLC]

I'm beyond thrilled to announce that Carlen Louise has arrived!

January 18, 2012
11:51 p.m.
6 pounds 14 ounces
19.5 inches long

I went to my appointment with my midwife on Tuesday, and since I had made some progress (2 cm dilated, 80% effaced), she felt comfortable letting us pick an induction date. My blood pressures were still acceptable, but they had been creeping up a bit, so I told her I just felt better about inducing sooner rather than trying to stick it out another day or two. She totally understood that and got us a list of which midwives and doctors were on call on which days. She and one of my favorite OBs were both on call the next day (Wednesday), so we went ahead and scheduled it for then. Since my cervix was favorable, she said there wasn't a need to go into the hospital that night for any Cervidil, so we would just start directly with the Pitocin the next morning.

After an oh-so-refreshing 3 hours of sleep (talk about being too excited to sleep, LOL), we checked into the hospital the next morning. I was checked in and hooked up to the Pitocin by 11 a.m. They started it on a very slow drip, then they would increase it every half hour until they saw regular contractions. Unfortunately, while I was having contractions somewhat regularly, they just weren't intense at all. In fact, it was really not painful in the least other than the occasional feeling of a mild menstrual cramp. My midwife was super busy that morning (I think she delivered 7 babies the same day as mine), but she stopped in and checked me. I had made it to 4 cm, but the Pitocin was maxed out and just wasn't producing the results she had hoped for.

So basically she said we had 2 choices: 1) stop the Pitocin and go ahead and put in Cervadil overnight, then re-start Pitocin the next morning hoping the Cervadil would help bring on stronger contractions or 2) break my water and see if that made my contractions stronger. In the end she said she really felt that my cervix was in totally favorable shape, so she didn't think the Cervadil would do a thing to help things along. She said let's just commit to doing this thing today and go ahead and break your water. So that's what we did.

Within 10 minutes of breaking my water, I'm having quite strong contractions. While I could handle the intensity of the pain, the contractions were coming quite close together super quickly--every 2 to 2.5 minutes. So I didn't really have much of a chance to recover in between each one. Given the fact that I already knew I didn't want a natural childbirth, I talked it over with the nurse and decided to go ahead and get the epidural. To be 100% honest, I felt like a bit of a weenie to get it so soon after I started to be able to feel the contractions, but they were quite strong and close together. In the end I decided why suffer trying to be brave if I know I don't want to try to go natural in the end anyway.

About 2 hours after breaking my water (and about 1 hour after the visit from my new BFF the anesthesiologist), my midwife came back to check me. I was at 8 cm, much to her surprise. That made me feel better about having gotten the epidural--those strong contractions weren't just my imagination LOL. She went off to deliver another baby, and she said to rest and to let the nurse know if I felt strong pressure in my bottom, as that would mean it was time to push. She also said that if the pain was more sharp than strong pressure, to just let them know to increase the epidural.

I felt nothing much at all for about 45 minutes, then I felt some "breakthrough" contraction pain that felt sharp. Given that I didn't want that sucker to not be working well when the time to push came, we let the nurse know and she upped the epidural. I felt great, other than I kept shivering from the side effects of the epidural. After delivering another baby, my midwife came back to check me again. Well, unbeknownst to me, I was at 10 cm and nearly crowning. She quickly got the room setup, and we started pushing. 50 minutes later we had little Carlen.

She's just so tiny and precious! And it proves that those weight estimates they do from the ultrasounds are WAY off. She's certainly not a big lady LOL!

We'll work on posting some pictures, but I just wanted to update y'all.

Also, in the end it was good we decided to induce when we did. Once they ran my bloodwork at the hospital when I checked in, it turned out I was at risk for developing HELLP Syndrome if I had gone another few days. So they would've wound up calling me in to induce me anyway.

Congratulations! Enjoy every minute with your little girl!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I'm beyond thrilled to announce that Carlen Louise has arrived!

January 18, 2012
11:51 p.m.
6 pounds 14 ounces
19.5 inches long
.

Bless you all.....Welcome Carlen Louise

 

[joanne312]

I'm beyond thrilled to announce that Carlen Louise has arrived!

January 18, 2012
11:51 p.m.
6 pounds 14 ounces
19.5 inches long

I went to my appointment with my midwife on Tuesday, and since I had made some progress (2 cm dilated, 80% effaced), she felt comfortable letting us pick an induction date. My blood pressures were still acceptable, but they had been creeping up a bit, so I told her I just felt better about inducing sooner rather than trying to stick it out another day or two. She totally understood that and got us a list of which midwives and doctors were on call on which days. She and one of my favorite OBs were both on call the next day (Wednesday), so we went ahead and scheduled it for then. Since my cervix was favorable, she said there wasn't a need to go into the hospital that night for any Cervidil, so we would just start directly with the Pitocin the next morning.

After an oh-so-refreshing 3 hours of sleep (talk about being too excited to sleep, LOL), we checked into the hospital the next morning. I was checked in and hooked up to the Pitocin by 11 a.m. They started it on a very slow drip, then they would increase it every half hour until they saw regular contractions. Unfortunately, while I was having contractions somewhat regularly, they just weren't intense at all. In fact, it was really not painful in the least other than the occasional feeling of a mild menstrual cramp. My midwife was super busy that morning (I think she delivered 7 babies the same day as mine), but she stopped in and checked me. I had made it to 4 cm, but the Pitocin was maxed out and just wasn't producing the results she had hoped for.

So basically she said we had 2 choices: 1) stop the Pitocin and go ahead and put in Cervadil overnight, then re-start Pitocin the next morning hoping the Cervadil would help bring on stronger contractions or 2) break my water and see if that made my contractions stronger. In the end she said she really felt that my cervix was in totally favorable shape, so she didn't think the Cervadil would do a thing to help things along. She said let's just commit to doing this thing today and go ahead and break your water. So that's what we did.

Within 10 minutes of breaking my water, I'm having quite strong contractions. While I could handle the intensity of the pain, the contractions were coming quite close together super quickly--every 2 to 2.5 minutes. So I didn't really have much of a chance to recover in between each one. Given the fact that I already knew I didn't want a natural childbirth, I talked it over with the nurse and decided to go ahead and get the epidural. To be 100% honest, I felt like a bit of a weenie to get it so soon after I started to be able to feel the contractions, but they were quite strong and close together. In the end I decided why suffer trying to be brave if I know I don't want to try to go natural in the end anyway.

About 2 hours after breaking my water (and about 1 hour after the visit from my new BFF the anesthesiologist), my midwife came back to check me. I was at 8 cm, much to her surprise. That made me feel better about having gotten the epidural--those strong contractions weren't just my imagination LOL. She went off to deliver another baby, and she said to rest and to let the nurse know if I felt strong pressure in my bottom, as that would mean it was time to push. She also said that if the pain was more sharp than strong pressure, to just let them know to increase the epidural.

I felt nothing much at all for about 45 minutes, then I felt some "breakthrough" contraction pain that felt sharp. Given that I didn't want that sucker to not be working well when the time to push came, we let the nurse know and she upped the epidural. I felt great, other than I kept shivering from the side effects of the epidural. After delivering another baby, my midwife came back to check me again. Well, unbeknownst to me, I was at 10 cm and nearly crowning. She quickly got the room setup, and we started pushing. 50 minutes later we had little Carlen.

She's just so tiny and precious! And it proves that those weight estimates they do from the ultrasounds are WAY off. She's certainly not a big lady LOL!

We'll work on posting some pictures, but I just wanted to update y'all.

Also, in the end it was good we decided to induce when we did. Once they ran my bloodwork at the hospital when I checked in, it turned out I was at risk for developing HELLP Syndrome if I had gone another few days. So they would've wound up calling me in to induce me anyway.

Congats! Welcome Carlen!
I'm so happy that the induction and birth went well. And I'm happy that all your worries of having a huge baby ended up being for nothing! I hope your adjusting well to life with a newborn.

Hopefully I won't be too far behind you... I am not so patiently waiting for my little guy to make his arrival. I am so uncomfortable that all I can think about is getting him out of me! I just hope at my 39 wk appt on Monday I've made some progress, or better yet, I won't have my appt Monday because I'll be in labor!

 

[skuttle]

Congratulations, Elisabeth!! Love the name Carlen. Very pretty and different. Can't wait to see pictures!

Joanne, you still pregnant? I hope not!!

 

[joanne312]

Joanne, you still pregnant? I hope not!!

Still pregnant.... sigh...
I wake up every morning and tell myself today is going to be THE day. So let's hope that it is today!

 

[hipporina]

A few weeks ago I thought I would really miss being pregnant. Today, I am ready to be done. I have had a really easy pregnancy for the most part, but it is getting rougher here at the end. My belly is achy, my underwire digs into the top of my belly all day long, and I am nauseous a huge percentage of the day. 37 weeks on Friday, possible c-section at 39 if he stays breech. I'm counting down the days!

 

[cherbear]

I'm finally joining!!!!!!!!!! I think I'm finally convinced that we are actually going to have this baby in our arms come August!!!! (or end of July)

My story will have to come later. I recognize a couple of you here and those of you I'm talking about know of my 3 year journey. By the way.....CONGRATS Elisabeth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't believe I am actually here.

 

[cherbear]

A few weeks ago I thought I would really miss being pregnant. Today, I am ready to be done. I have had a really easy pregnancy for the most part, but it is getting rougher here at the end. My belly is achy, my underwire digs into the top of my belly all day long, and I am nauseous a huge percentage of the day. 37 weeks on Friday, possible c-section at 39 if he stays breech. I'm counting down the days!

OMG I just noticed your siggie! I am pregnant by the miracle of donor embryo! In our state embryos cannot be destroyed, so my clinic has a program where couples can donate their embryos, and DH and I are one of the blessed and lucky recipients. It's so awesome that you adopted an embryo too! Did you use snowflakes or miracles waiting?