Birth Story - Part 2

The entire car ride, Daddy kept rubbing my leg, and reminding me to breath, while recording contractions. About halfway to the hospital Daddy stopped recording the contractions, they were one right on top of another and super intense. I didn’t know what the point of recording them anymore were - we were already en route to the hospital. Once we got to the hospital, Daddy asked me if I wanted to walk, but I could barely move the contractions were barely stopping, and they hurt! I had super intense pain in my hips all day, my hips flexors could not be relaxed! That’s where most of the pain was, in my hips. Daddy pulled up to the hospital entrance and unpacked the car - we had so much stuff! Poor Daddy, I think our hospital bag weighed about 50 lbs from all the stuff I packed. We had pillows and bags and a whole slew of things. Daddy unpacked the car, and helped me out, walked me in and I just walked through contraction after contraction while Daddy parked the car. I really though my water broke while I was pacing back and forth. So maybe people walked by, and I tried to smile at them, but no one talked to me or asked if I was okay - that kind of surprised me, I thought that I’d be whisked away to the L&D floor in a wheelchair like they do in the movies. But nope, I walked down to the elevators, and to the L&D once we got the the third floor. We buzzed in and the nurses were not very nice to us. They asked who we were and why we were there - so much for them being informed we were on our way. 

They had to find a room for us, meanwhile Daddy still had all our stuff and still had to help me through contractions, all while carrying as much as he possibly could. I truly could not have gotten through the day without him. Finally they got us a room, and I slowly walked to it, all while breathing through the constant contractions. The nurse was walking way a head of us, but I wasn’t going to try to keep up with her - I was going at my own pace. Once they got me to the room, the nurse gave me a gown and told me to take everything off, and keep the opening of the gown in the back. Daddy helped me change, I was moving so slow. I realized my water didn’t break like I thought, but it was just more mucus and blood. I finally crawled into bed, and the nurse was asking questions, taking my blood pressure, putting the contraction monitor on me - I honestly don’t know how I got through that initial questioning. You’d think they would ask you all that before you get to the hospital. Oh well, with Daddy’s help, I got through it. Once the nurses left, I knew I was going to throw up, thank goodness we took a puke bucket from Grammy’s house, or I would have thrown up everywhere in that room, not being able to make it to the bathroom and not having anything to throw up in. That was the only time Daddy left my side - he hates vomit, and it makes him vomit, which I knew. I threw up a good chunk, thinking in the back of my mind that a lot of women through up during transition, but I couldn’t possibly be that far. 

Once the nurse came back and threw the bucket away, she told me that Dr. Lincoln and Kathy were both there, and we said that if Kathy’s available, we’d love to have her - she’s the midwife Daddy and I met and we both really liked her. They told us they’d get her and once she came in to check me, I heard her whisper “complete, bulging bag” or something along those lines. The nurse was surprised, but I still didn’t get what they were saying. Then Kathy asked if she could break my water - I was completely dilated! Holy cow! I knew contractions were intense and right on top of each other, but in total honesty, the pain wasn’t that bad. Sure it was intense, but breathing helped out so much! I was so surprised that I wouldn’t have to labor in the hospital for hours and hours, even though we packed our bags prepared to do just that - we had a birthing ball, bathing suit, all kinds of snacks and drinks, but we didn’t need any of it! I told Kathy that she could break my water and she did just that. It was a warm gush that came out - and Kathy said it looked like it had a little meconium in it. Kathy said that the pediatrician would be on hand in case the baby didn’t cry right away, but if she did, they would put her right on my chest.

Somewhere in this process, Daddy texted family and told them that that I was complete, and they could make their way to the hospital soon - you were not going to take your time! We also showed our nurse our birth plan, and they were comfortable with it. Our nurse wanted to start an IV, but luckily Kathy had just mentioned that I didn’t need one, and we had her on our side and I didn’t get an IV at all! They only thing that strapped me to the bed was the contraction monitor, which I know they needed at least a 20 minute sample to make sure that you were doing okay and handling the contractions okay. I’m glad I didn’t have to labor long at the hospital, I feel like our nurse wouldn’t have been very helpful with anything. 

Once my water was broken, Kathy told us that she had to go speak at a conference, and we were just waiting for me to feel like I needed to push. She brought Dr. Lincoln in and told us that Dr. Lincoln was pretty much a midwife with a doctor’s title - she’d let me deliver on my head if I wanted to. Once she said that, it made me calm, knowing that I wasn’t going to have a doctor who was going to forget our birth plan and do what they wanted. Kathy said that she would be back around 7pm after she spoke, and if we waited that long then she could deliver you. It was about 5:45 at that time. The nurse joked and made sure I didn’t want any pain medication - there wouldn’t be time for it! I told her nope, that the plan was to go natural anyway! 

I was still breathing through the contractions, and honestly, I couldn’t tell you if they were more spaced out, I was so inside myself with my eyes closed and Daddy right next to me. Dr. Lincoln said to just call her when I felt like I was ready to push, and probably at about 6pm or so, in the middle of a contraction, I totally felt it. I told the nurse I had to push, and the grunted through the contraction, pushing a little bit. The nurse rushed off to get the doctor and everything set up for your delivery! Daddy said he never saw anyone move so quickly, they were all rushing around. Dr. Lincoln came in and was so patient with me and never told me when to push. In all honesty, I know that some people really like pushing, because they know they’re so close to meeting their baby, but pushing was HARD for me! And I didn’t even push that long! 

Anyway, Dr. Lincoln just sat there and encouraged me to hold my pushes, Daddy was right at my side. I was holding onto the bed rails for dear life, my hands actually went numb from holding onto them so tightly. I’m so glad I had no one counting to 10 for me, or demanding I push through a contraction. I actually skipped pushing for a contraction because I just needed a break. Dr. Lincoln was totally okay with that. I’m pretty sure she said something along the lines of “if you need a break, take one”. You were handling everything okay, heart rate was good, so I skipped just one contraction and breathed through it. I don’t even know how many contractions I pushed through, but it was very hard. It’s so hard to get to the point where you’re pushing correctly, and thank goodness for Dr. Lincoln to help me get to the point. Eventually they could see your head with dark hair. Daddy got to see it, too. I don’t know when, but at some point, I asked if I could touch your head and I got to! Daddy thinks that was my motivation to really push you out. I knew I just had to do it, and it would all be over. I also screamed, and it was so instinctual. Daddy said I took everyone by surprise, but that’s what my body told me to do, so I did it. It was primal and my soul was in it, that’s what I needed. 

More pushing, and more pushing until that famous, or infamous, ring of fire started! I yelled that it burned, and Dr. Lincoln said that’s when you know it’s almost over. At one point, I yelled “Holy crap!” and Dr. Lincoln said that wasn’t the only 4 letter word I was allowed to use! It made me laugh, and I’m glad for that. I was slower at pushing then, and took a few breaks. While I was taking a break, Dr. Lincoln said that I was doing so good, that’s how you prevent tearing, which didn’t even cross my mind! Eventually I felt like pushing again, and then the relief from your head coming out, and one last push for your shoulders to come out and there you were! The feeling of your body coming out of mine was incredible - something I’ll never forget. And it was over! Here you were - you started crying like a champ and they put you right on my chest and started wiping you down! At 6:37pm, after only about 40 minutes of pushing, and after being at the hospital for only about 1 1/2 hours, you were born - a May baby after all!

I kept saying “my baby, my baby, she’s really here” I looked at your Daddy and we both had tears in our eyes - we couldn’t believe you were here and with RED hair! I kept dreaming of a red haired baby, but I didn’t know if you’d actually have red hair. We of course checked to see if you were a girl, and then the nurse asked about a name. We didn’t even think about a name. I mean we had our list, but that was the last thing on my mind at the time. I asked Daddy what he thought - Marlee or Molly, and he kept saying it was up to me. It took me a good 10 minutes or so to make up my mind. With the red hair, you’re our Molly, Molly Kathryn, after Grammy. My middle name was after my Grammy, so I thought I’d carry on the tradition. Grammy is a wonderful woman, and she already loves you so much! And don’t tell Daddy, but since Mrs. Weasley from Harry Potter’s first name is Molly and she has red hair, I thought it was even more appropriate to name you Molly. 

Once the cord stopped pulsing, Daddy got to cut it, he said it was like cutting rubber with dull scissors, and then they took you to weigh you and do your length. You were on my chest for a good 15-20 minutes though, and I’m so happy about that. I’m glad you cried right away and we didn’t have to hand you over to the pediatrician super quickly. They actually shooed him away and told him they didn’t need him, and he was a little annoyed with that. You were a healthy 7.12 ounce, 19 inch baby. Sometime in there I delivered the placenta, I think you were still on my chest at that point, but I’m not really sure. That was nothing compared to you coming out though. Daddy was fascinated with that, and Dr. Lincoln showed us what it looked like. 

I had a second degree tear that had to get stitched up, but Dr. Lincoln was so friendly, she kept up the conversation the whole time and although it hurt a little bit, it was not problem. Daddy was with you making sure you were okay. Eventually they gave you back to me and we started nursing you about 30 minutes after you were born. You latched on like a champ! I’m not sure how long we fed you, but I’m so happy we got to so quickly. Daddy took some pictures and texted the whole family who was all in the waiting room. He texted them before we even had a name for you, and everyone was waiting for the decision about a name. Eventually, they helped me up and I was going to shower, but I was a little dizzy, and decided to wait for a shower. I knew the whole family would be anxious to meet you, Miss Molly, so while I was recuperating, Daddy was learning how to give you a bath and watched you get your shots - Hep B and Vitamin K. We declined the eye drops, but had no problem with that from any of the medical staff. At about 9:00pm or so, they got us all packed, put you in my arms and wheeled me up to the mom baby unit. 

Then family came in - Grandma and Poppa, Grammy and Pappy, Aunt Colleen, and Great Grandma Crane were all waiting to see you. Grammy teared up, but I think she’s the only one who did. I thought Poppa would for sure, but I didn’t see him tear up anyway. You got passed around the room and Great Grandma kept saying how precious you are, and how much your name fits you. Even though Olivia was our top name for so long, I’m so glad we picked Molly, I think it fits you so much better than Olivia would have. Although Daddy and Mommy have both slipped and called you Olivia already, that’s what happens when you get into a habit of calling you a name even though we both knew it wasn’t picked out officially. Daddy definitely slips more than me though, I think I’ve only slipped twice. Daddy said he’s just going to have that be your special nickname from him, and that’s fine with me. 

Great Grandma & Molly

I am so blessed baby girl, and I already can’t imagine my life without you! 

M's Birth Story - Part 1

Here's Molly's Birth Story - It's a bit lengthy, so I divided it into 2 parts so your eyes wouldn't bleed from ready so much. I was going to cut out details, but it's almost impossible to do that! It's a little TMI perhaps - so read at your own risk! 

First things first. I lost a little bit of my mucous plug on Sunday (5/27) night before I went to bed, and had some painless contractions throughout the week, but nothing painful at all. Wednesday morning I woke up with a little bit of blood, so Daddy knew we were getting close and he kept his phone on him the whole day, texting me a few times to make sure I was okay. 

Last Wednesday night while getting ready for bed, I was talking to Daddy and wondering when you were going to be born. I said that I’d rather you wait until June 1 to be born because no one likes the end of the month, but then I remembered that Daddy’s birthday is October 31. Oops. He just laughed it off. I stayed up until about 11pm, Daddy was passed out, but I was watching TV - Chopped, I think, on the Food Network. I was envisioning how I’d like labor to go, and thinking that I’d actually like to wake up in the middle of the night in labor because that way Daddy definitely wouldn’t be able to go to work and I wouldn’t have to try to get a hold of him and worry about how long it would take him to get home and wondering when I should tell him I was in labor, so I planned it all out in my head - start labor during the night, have Daddy stay home, stay at home for as long as possible, but that’s as far as it got. About 11pm, I decided to go to bed finally, wondering when you were going to come. Oh how close we were!

I woke up thinking that I was getting my period - they felt like period cramps. I went to the bathroom and remembered that I was pregnant - they couldn’t be period cramps! I came back in bed and looked at the time - 12:23am. I just laid there, trying to go back to sleep, wondering if I was actually in labor, or if these were just Braxton Hicks contractions. I did walk around a lot on Wednesday, trying to start labor. I didn’t go outside, but I was doing laps around the house, doing squats, pelvic rocks, whatever I could to start labor. I don’t know if it actually worked, but anyways I was just laying there in bed on Thursday morning feeling the contractions coming and going. I didn’t want to start timing them yet, just because I didn’t want to jinx myself and have them fizzle out. After about a half hour or so, I turned my phone on and opened my contraction app and started timing them - first contraction recorded was at 12:50am. About 1:30, Daddy got up to go to the bathroom and I told him he might not be going into work that day, I thought I was in labor. He got so excited and asked me what contractions felt like. I told him and we both thought it would be best if we tried to get some sleep. At that point, my contractions were less than 10 minutes apart, but because they were regular - meaning not consistently every 8 minutes or something, I didn’t know if it was true labor. I couldn’t sleep all night though, and I don’t think Daddy got much sleep either. Every time I would be relaxed enough to fall asleep, I’d get another contraction and tense up again. I tried to relax myself as much as I could, knowing that tensing up wouldn’t help me, but it was so hard! Eventually I got up and packed my hospital bag, and I think we turned the TV on at some point, too.

At about 5:30am, we decided to get up, and I hopped in the shower. Okay, well not hopped, but took a shower anyway. Contractions were still less than 10 minutes apart, some 3 minutes apart and other 9 minutes apart. They weren’t too intense, I knew that they lasted about 1 minute and after that minute I could breath and relax again. Daddy and I came out to see Grammy, who was frantic wondering if I was in labor. She knew Daddy’s truck was still home, and knew what that could mean, and honestly, that would be the only reason he’d be home. She was on the verge of tears when I told her I was in labor since 12:30am, and she was wondering when we were going to call the hospital and what we were going to do. I told her that we were going to wait and see how everything went and we’d play it by ear. She quickly showered and Daddy and I ate - I had some chocolate mini wheats for breakfast and had a huge glass of water - I wanted to make sure that I was hydrated enough - I did NOT want to get an IV and knew that if I was dehydrated then that would be an excuse for them to stick an IV in me. I had 2 big glasses of water and kept timing my contractions. After I ate, my contractions started to get farther apart. Great, I thought, it wasn’t real labor, I knew I should have eaten something when I first woke up, but I just didn’t want to get up, I was hoping that I would be able to fall back to sleep. So I texted Grandma Crane and Krissy, and told them both that my contractions were fizzling out. 

After Grammy left for work, Daddy and I tried to sleep some more, and we watched a few episodes of CSI Miami. I think Daddy actually got some sleep, but I was never able to sleep, I just kept timing my contractions. They were still pretty far apart, but they never went away. Once Uncle Billy came home from school at about 10 or so, Daddy and he went to play tennis. They made sure I was okay, and Daddy texted me while they were playing to make sure I was okay. I was pretty shaky, so I had a few pieces of pizza and more water to hold me over. After I ate, I was okay, I’m thinking my blood sugar was low or something. Once they got back from playing tennis, they wanted to play horse, so I sat on the rocking chair outside and watched them play. Grammy came home about 2pm or so, and she was still so nervous and wondering why I was still home. My contractions were a little closer, and a little more intense since I couldn’t talk through them anymore, but they were still manageable. They were averaging about 7 minutes apart, but I just breathed through them. Some were still about 15 minutes apart though, so the average on my app was kind of high. They were always about a minute long though. Grammy just sat with me once she got home and couldn’t believe how calm I was. 

After Daddy and Uncle Billy were finally done, I thought I should call the hospital and just let them know I was in labor for about 15 hours, even though the contractions weren’t close enough to go to the hospital, I wanted some confirmation that I was in labor and would eventually have a baby. So Daddy came in and made ramen noodles - actually I made him ramen while he was getting ready, and still timing my contractions. About 2:30 or so, I finally made the call, and the nurse asked me a bunch of questions - I wasn’t leaking any fluid and she asked about my bloody show and a bunch of other things. She put me on hold while she talked to the doctor on call, Dr. Lincoln, but told me to wait until my contractions were about 5 minutes apart and then to call again once that happened. I was a little frustrated, contractions were getting stronger at that point, and I didn’t know how much longer I’d be in labor. I cried a little bit, and your Daddy was so helpful. 

Almost as soon and I got off the phone, my contractions got closer together. And way more intense. I could only lean over your Daddy and have him hold me through the contractions. Eventually my average frequency was 5 minutes and I called the hospital again at about 4:30 or so and told them they were closer. They told me they would let the labor and delivery floor know that I was on my way. Daddy finished packing, while holding me during contractions. Grammy was in tears when we left, and of course, both neighbors Michelle and Mr. Becker were outside as I was walking to the car, so they knew I was going to the hospital. We asked Grammy for a puke bucket in case I got sick. We also put garbage bags down in case my water broke on the way. Honestly, I barely remember leaving, my eyes were closed most of the time, and Daddy kept recording my contractions.

..... Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow! 

She's Here!

Meet Miss Molly! She was born last Thursday evening at 6:37pm, weighing in at 7.12 and measuring 19 inches long. I have her birth story typed up, but it's 5 pages long, so I'll take out some details for the blog. She's also already (!) a week old, so I'll be typing up a 1 week post, which will still be in letter form. It'll hopefully go up next week, too. So stay tuned - in the meantime, enjoy Miss M's pictures!

About 30 minutes after she was born.

Daddy holding Miss M.

Family of 3.

Not getting sleep, but enjoying our bundle of joy!

Ready to go home!

Birth Wishes

Okay, so I know that birth "plans" can be controversial, and honestly, I understand why. There are so many ready made birth plans on the internet where you just check boxes, print it out and take it in without thinking about why certain boxes are being checked. I understand that I've never been in labor before, and can't plan for everything, but I know I've prepared myself and I've done my research and prayed about my ideal birth. I understand why I've included everything in my birth plan, and I understand that some things are totally out of my control. In the end, my baby is my goal, and I'll do whatever I need to in order to have her arrive in my arms safely. 

Here's my birth wishes:

Dear Birth Team,

Please help me to achieve the most natural birth possible. I’m so grateful for everyone who is helping me through this event! I have never been in labor before, but have spent my entire pregnancy reading and preparing for this experience. I am hopeful, prepared and determined, and am asking for as much support as I can get. 

Labor

• Please do not separate my husband and myself during labor or delivery
• I ask that no students or residents attend my labor/birth
• I would like to be free to walk around and get in any position that seems comfortable to me during labor. I brought my own birthing ball to use, and would like to be free to use the shower whenever needed, as well as walking to manage labor pains.
• I would not like to be hooked up to an IV unless it is medically necessary. If it becomes medically necessary, please explain why to my husband and myself. 
• I would prefer to continue drinking fluids (water, juice, gatorade) to keep myself hydrated
• I request that the hospital staff suggest natural ways to manage pain. I am aware pain medication is available, and I will discuss with my husband if I feel I need it
• I would like a hand held doppler to monitor baby’s heartbeat as much as possible so that I can move around freely during labor
• I prefer to eat if I wish to in order to keep my strength up
• I would like to labor without a time limit. If my labor stalls, please suggest natural ways to get labor going again without using medication. I would also like to have an unlimited amount of time if labor seems to stall - as long as the baby is not in distress

Environment

• I would like the door to remain closed
• I would like the lights dimmed, if it is daylight, I would like the lights to be off
• I may wish to play music, or I may wish for it to be quiet, please ask my husband which I’m preferring at that time

Pushing 

• I would prefer to push for as long as my body needs to, as long as the baby is not showing signs of distress
• I would prefer to push instinctively, in whichever position seems the most comfortable to me at the time
• I would rather risk tearing than having an episiotomy, and ask that the ob/midwife suggest different positions, use a hot compress, as well as guidance in when to push or stop pushing to minimize tearing
• Please ask me if I would like to touch the baby’s head as I am crowning
• Please ask me if I would like a mirror to see the baby being born
• If possible, I would love if my husband “caught” the baby, or if I could pull her up onto my chest as she’s being born

Post-Birth

• I would prefer that the placenta is delivered spontaneously without the use of  pitocin, and/or controlled traction on the umbilical cord.
• As long as the baby cries and has no obvious health problems, I would like to delay all procedures (including the vitamin K shot) until she is 1 hour old, or at minimum until I have breastfeed my baby on both breasts
• I would like the baby to be placed on my chest as soon as she is born for skin to skin contact & for me to nurse her
• I would like the staff to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating before clamping and cutting it
• I would like my husband to cut the umbilical cord
• Please do not give me Pitocin post-partum unless there are signs of hemorrhaging.
• I would like all newborn procedures to take place in my presence, while I or my husband is touching the baby.
• Please do not give my baby eye drops, I am willing to sign a medical waiver if need be

Hospital Stay

• Please do not offer formula, pacifiers, any artificial nipples or sugar water to my baby at any time
• I will be exclusively breastfeeding my baby
• I would prefer my baby stays in the room with me at all times, and if she needs to be taken from the room for any reason, my husband accompanies her

Cesarean Section

• I strongly hope to avoid a cesarean, but if the ob/midwife decides one is necessary, please explain the reasoning to my husband and I, and give us some time to discuss it and make our decision
• If a cesarean becomes necessary, I would like my husband to be present at all times during the operation
• I would like to be conscious
• I would like to hope or touch my baby immediately afterward, before an examination
• I would like my husband to accompany the baby wherever she needs to go
• I would prefer a low transverse incision on my abdomen and uterus
• Please keep me informed as to what is going on during the surgery
• I would like the screen to be lowered a bit so I can see my baby being born, or have a mirror so that I can see

If baby’s health is in jeopardy

• I would like to be transported with my baby if possible
• If I cannot go with the baby, I ask that my husband accompanies her
• I would like to have as much bodily contact with my baby as possible
• I would like to breastfeed or pump for my baby

I took this to my appointment yesterday and the only things she wanted to review with me was the eating - I think she thought I wanted like full meals, which I don't - I just don't want to be denied food. She also talked to me about laboring without a time limit, just warning me that if baby doesn't descend, she just might not fit through my birth canal, but I don't think I'll have a problem with that. Also, monitoring the heartbeat, there will be times I'll have to be hooked up to the monitor for a period of time, and if everything is good, I'm free to move around. She was great with everything else and has a copy of our "wishes" to keep in my file for when I need them!

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What do you think about birth "wishes"?

Thirty-Eight Weeks.

My sweet baby girl,

Time is getting closer! Family has officially put my on watch-every-move-she-makes-she-might-go-into-labor mode, and while it's a little bit frustrating to make sure I don't breath too heavily, or look like I'm in pain at any time, I know they're all super excited for your arrival and want to help as much as they can. Texts are coming daily from various family members asking how we're feeling. Daddy and Grammy ask every day if I've had any contractions yet, and how I'm feeling. I have to make sure I post regularly to Facebook so that people know I'm not in labor yet. I still haven't quite decided if I'm going to post anything when I go to the hospital - I'm kind of hoping it's at night so that we don't really have to tell anyone, but I know you run the show, not me. 

Each morning I wake up and wonder if today will be your birth day, or at least the day my labor started. You seem to be quite comfortable in there though. I'm definitely ready to meet you. It's not that I'm sick of being pregnant, or I'm so uncomfortable I'd do anything to get you out, I'm just excited to start this new chapter of our lives. I wouldn't endanger you by asking for an induction just because I want to meet you, and if I was told I'd need to be pregnant for another month, then I would be perfectly content with that. I'm just so EXCITED! Sure, Daddy and I might be trying some things to get things a-movin' but I will appreciate every day I can, and be as prepared as I can for you.

I had a midwife appointment on Monday, and she did an internal exam. I don't think she expected any progress at all, but you proved her wrong - I'm already 1 cm dilated. She did say the cervix is pretty thick though. I know that's not much, but you're lower than she expected. She warned me that the exam might be really uncomfortable because you might be up so high, but then said "oh, she's right here" pretty quickly. Everyone I told was really excited, and I am too! I know that doesn't mean a lot, but it's nice to know that things are moving in the right direction, especially since I don't think I've had any Braxton-Hicks contractions at all. Every once in a while, I get a quick gas pain like feeling, or my belly gets rock hard, but then it goes away pretty quickly. I'm not sure if they're considered contractions, but that's the only labor symptoms I've had, I think.

My fingers are a bit swollen, rings have been put away. I think it's just the combined warm weather & being pregnant. If I was this pregnant in the winter, I don't think that I'd have a problem with my rings. I've also retired my jeans. Yoga pants are way more comfortable anyway. I think my thighs have gotten wider during pregnancy, and I'm not sure if that's going to be a permanent change or not. We'll see.

My last day of work was this past Friday, so now my official title is stay-at-home-mom in waiting. Has a nice ring to it, don't ya think? So far this week I've done laundry, meet with two pediatricians, wrote my birth wishes, packed what I can, and wrote a list of the rest of the things I need to pack for the hospital. There's not much more I can before you come baby girl! I'd like to bake some banana bread or muffins or something to take to the hospital for the nurses/doctors/midwives, but if I don't do that then it's quite alright. I really need to do some yoga, too. I've been doing my pelvic rocks and squats with no problem, but I've been seriously slacking on my yoga. I should take some walks too since it's so nice out.

Oh, the midwife also said that you weigh about seven pounds, so an average size baby. I was a little worried that you'd be a big baby since I was showing so early, but she said she definitely doesn't think you're going to be massive, which is music to my ears. Great Grandma Crane said she thought I've dropped even more, so she thinks you'll be here quite shortly. The pediatrician Daddy and I met with yesterday said that baby will be quiet 7-10 days before you're born, and now that I think about it, you've been pretty quiet today and yesterday. Hopefully that's a good sign? Although you've spent your time in there being quite stubborn when I try to get someone to feel you moving around, so maybe you'll just be stubborn and either come when no one expects it or come late after everyone's predictions.

Sleeping has gotten pretty rough, but now that I'm home during the day, I can sleep in. My hips are the worst. I guess the pressure of my belly makes them out of wack or puts more pressure on them so each time I wake up to pee, which is at least 5 times a night, my hips really hurt, both of them! That's my only complaint this week I think. Heartburn as pretty much stopped for the most part, it's never been too terrible. Back pain is minimal and tolerable. The worst is going to your uncle's volleyball games where I have to sit on the bleachers, but that should be over now. They lost in an intense game last night, and I was going to fully credit them if I went into labor, but I guess that's not happening today.

Guess that's really it this week. Just playing the waiting game now. I did ask the midwife how far past my due date they'd let me go and she said 10 days, which doesn't seem that long, but we'll see how that all goes. I would love, love, love if you came by your due date. This weekend looks pretty good, and next week looks awesome too! But I know it's all up to you, and I won't force you out baby girl! Everyone is just getting quite excited to meet you!

Love always,

Mommy


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P.S. if you want to make sure I haven't gone into labor yet and would like to follow me on twitter, there's a link on the right to follow me!

Full Term: Thirty-Seven Weeks.

My little sweet pea,

We made it to full term! You can come out any time now, Daddy and I are quite ready for you! I've had a few people ask if I'm anxious and I'm truly not. I'm comfortable knowing (as much as I can) what's coming up, and I know it's all in God's hands. I have loved - and still do love! - being pregnant, watching my body change and grow. Sure, I complain a bit, especially at night if I'm on my feet all day, or sitting too long. I'm tired, it's hard to change into my pj's, my feet and back hurt, but then I sleep, and wake up the next day feeling refreshed again. But, on the other hand, I'm so excited to meet you and be a mom, that I'm ready for you to come! I'm excited to see what my body can do to deliver you, and experience that special part of womanhood - becoming a mom! I'm excited to start the next chapter of our lives with you. To watch your Daddy turn from a husband into a father, to see him hold and protect you and love you! So to sum it up, we're ready for you - come whenever you'd like!

Your Grandma Crane is still adamant you'll be early, which is fine with me, but I have a feeling you'll be stubborn and just because she's insisting that, you'll be late just to prove her wrong. 

We had another appointment last week, and we'll have them every week from here on out. We met another midwife, and I found out that midwives are only on call Sunday - Thursday nights. If you aren't born during that time, then I'll have to have one of the doctors. I know I just said come whenever, but I would absolutely love it if you came at night during the week so a midwife could deliver you. When they measured me, I was still the same 34 cm that I was at our last appointment two weeks ago. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but then I started to get worried that you weren't growing, so I turned to the internet and started googling. I also put it in the message boards on one of my pregnancy apps, and it seems like it might be a sign that you've dropped! So I'm going to stay on board with that one. I also got tested for group b strep, and that came back negative. I'm excited for that so hopefully I won't have to be hooked up to any IVs during labor, as long as I keep myself hydrated!

We took our maternity pictures yesterday, and I'm super excited to see how they turned out. Daddy is a little worried because he's self conscious about his smile, even though I think his smile is super cute. At first, it was hard because there were a lot of people around, but then I got more comfortable with it, and didn't care what other people thought about my big belly.

With my maternity pictures done, I'm finally getting my hair cut today! I'm really excited to get my "mommy" hair cut. I'll be cutting off about 11 inches to donate to locks of love and going back to short. I've never been nervous about getting my hair cut, but I've gotten so accustomed to having long hair now I'm a little bit worried I won't like my hair short! I know it'll be easier with you though!

Your height should be somewhere in the 18.9 - 20.9 inch range, and weight 6.2 - 9.2 pounds. I had a woman in church tell me you were going to be small since my belly wasn't that big, but then I have a feeling that you'll be big because there have been a lot of big babies born around me in the past few weeks.

The only things we did this week to finish up getting ready for you was put the car seat back in the car, and we got a mirror so that I can see you when I'm driving. Daddy cleaned the car out for me, too! I also bought a breast pump on Saturday, but it's still in the box so that if I don't need it, I can take it back.

My hospital bag isn't really packed, but I don't know what else to put in it! Most of the things I'll need I'm still using, all my toiletries, my clothes - since my wardrobe is shrinking I don't have extra clothes to pack! So right now, the bag is out, and all your clothes are in it, along with my birthing/exercise ball, but I can't pack anything else, I don't think anyways. When we lived in Maryland, Daddy would pack most of my things to come home, so hopefully he still remembers what to pack and he can finish that up for me.

You're still moving around in there, but a lot of it is more dragging movements rather than flailing. I'm sure you're just running out of room! I still feel the same, heartburn is a barely there symptom, my hips hurt if I sit too long, back hurts by the end of the day, but I wouldn't change anything. I've had a wonderful pregnancy. I still don't think I've had any contractions, but a few times a day, my stomach gets really hard, it's a little uncomfortable, but I can't tell if that's your butt moving somewhere or if it's a contraction. I might mention that at my appointment this week and see what she says. I've heard Braxton-Hicks can be painless, but I'm not sure if I'm just reading into it too much.

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but 2 weeks ago Daddy got laid off, but he's back to work now, and I think the permits for the job are going to come in soon, so he'll be back to working long hours! Hopefully that means we can get on board with our bills and such again, especially with me quitting my job - this week is my last week yay! - but he's hoping to take a few days off once you're born to help me out. Grammy wants to take a few days off, too, and if you come on time, Grandma Crane is off the week of Memorial Day and she'll help me too! We'll be playing it all by ear, it all depends on you!

Can't wait to meet you!

Love,

Mommy

Second Childbirth Class

Monday night, we had our second of childbirth classes. This is the one I was most looking forward to/anxious about - labor and delivery. First things first I suppose - and I am really going to try to not offend anyone. This is all my own opinion, and I might come out of labor with differing opinions. I'm not judging and each woman should have the birth she wants, whether that's medication free, or not. 

Please be respectful of my opinion.

I really would love a natural birth. Talking to other women, my mom and my mother-in-law who have all had natural births, aside from my husband's birth - emergency c-section, the cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, and my brother's birth - my mom was pressured into taking some medication through her IV, but just talking to her about the differences between my birth and my brother's birth is eye opening. I really want to experience womanhood in the raw state. And as a Christian, it might be a lame excuse, but God's punishment to women was to bear children through painful childbirth. It's one thing to do things to alleviate pain naturally, but another to take pain medication to make it go away. That's my opinion. Even when talking to Mr. Skinny's family, both of his aunt's have told me I'll change my mind because it was the worst pain they've ever felt, and I'm sure it was. My mom hasn't said that though, and neither has my mother-in-law. Neither of them have looked at is as painful, but necessary to deliver a baby. That's they way that I'm looking at it, too. 

I've always wanted to be a mom, and I knew that there was pain necessary to give birth, but I've never been caught up in that or nervous about it. Even before I started researching options, I know my body can do this, it was made to do it. I want to feel my daughter coming out and I want to be 100% completely present with her right away, and I want her to be there with me too, not groggy or sleepy. I want to feel when to push, and not have a doctor or nurse tell me when to push by looking at a machine. 

Let me say this, too. Technology is wonderful. I know plenty of babies who's lives were saved - including my husband's - if it hadn't been for our medical technology, and I know that I very well could be one of those people whose lives or baby's life is saved. I also think that women have the right to know what their bodies are capable of, and should be treated that birth is a normal process of life rather than a disease or sickness. 

I'll be writing a more thorough plan, hopefully, once I write up my birth plan. 

Anyways, we went into our class armed with questions. Seriously, I had like 50 questions written down. Most of them were about things I've read or research I've done, and I wanted to know how the hospital felt about them. Since I don't have one doctor that I go to, but a bunch (16 doctors and 3 midwives), I wanted to know that the standard procedures were for the hospital. And how normal, healthy labor and deliveries go. 

Once they explained the stages of labor and basic information, we watched a movie that just really showed the labor and delivery process. I was surprised that the video didn't mention pain medication at all. The nurses did, but it was a very neutral explanation. In the video though, they showed women laboring in a tub, with a birthing ball and they showed different laboring positions. Since the nurse hadn't brought up any of these options, I asked. The main nurse is mostly a C-section nurse, but the other nurse stepped in to answer my questions. She said depending on how labor is going, you can be detached from the fetal monitoring and walk around, take a shower, whatever you feel you need to be comfortable in labor. This answer totally relaxed me. I know that they're going to stick an IV in me right away, and last class they mentioned about the monitoring system and I was nervous that I would be stuck laying on the bed for my entire labor. They also told me that you can deliver in a number of positions as long as baby is healthy and okay. I was pretty excited about this, too. 

Mr. Skinny and I came home and talked about our decisions a bit more. I haven't mentioned this on here, but we read the book "Husband Coached Childbirth" which is the basis for the Bradley childbirth classes if you've ever heard of them. It's a 12 week class teaching mom and "coach" how to deal with labor and delivery. I am very excited about this, I think it's really helped Mr. Skinny and I talk about things that we wouldn't talk about normally, and I know that he's been paying attention is going to be an amazing support in labor for me. I am fully confident that he's going to be able to encourage me and support me throughout my labor.

I also read a book called "Natural Hospital Birth" and loved this book as well. Mr. Skinny isn't comfortable having a home birth, which is understandable and because our insurance pays 100% of maternity, I understand his reasons behind his decision and I understand his apprehensions. So I told him that I need him there then, and I need his support during labor, and we agreed on that. Between these two books, I learned a ton and really feel prepared to conquer labor. 

So, instead of a summary of our second class, you got a part one of my labor wishes. Hope you don't mind. Next week I'll have a summary, hopefully, of our final childbirth class and in the next few months expect a more detailed birth plan, if you're interested!

Tell me:

Would you be interested in a detailed birth plan?

Do/did you have a birth plan? Did it work out for you?

Baby Class, Part 1.

I just got back from the doctor's office - everything looks fine with baby, no problems at all. We set up our next 3 appointments - 2 weeks apart. I'm not nervous, but I know that my due date is looming closer and closer when my appointments are only 2 weeks apart. I'm excited to meet my baby!

Anyways, as promised, my overview of our first childbirth class. This was supposed to be a 4 week session, but the main teacher/nurse is going to be on vacation next week, so no class. Mr. Skinny is pretty excited about this, I'm just hoping that they don't miss something big because we don't have the same amount of time that we should.

Monday, we started with introductions, there were only 2 only couples in the class with us. We went over some very basic information. Seriously, basic. What your bag of waters, placenta, cervix and cord is. I know that some people go into this without knowing this information, but I was a little bored. Even Mr. Skinny was bored. I had my list of questions with me, not wanting to be that annoying kid that asks a million questions, I asked my questions when they fit in. I was taking notes, and got a few of my questions answered.

The nurses went over what the signs of labor is and where to go when you come to the hospital - hospital entrance if it's between 6am and 8pm and emergency room if it's between 8pm - 6am. I asked how long I have to have the baby if my water breaks and my contractions don't start before they start pitocin and they said it depends on the doctor, but you have 18 hours before they start an anti-biotic.

After our quick break, we did exercises. They strongly recommend that we do these at least 3 times a week, but Mr. Skinny and I have such a problem remembering to do them. I know they're good for me, but I'm so forgetful and by the time we get to our room, we're exhausted and want to go to bed. I will try though.

Honestly, that was about it. I'm antsy about the delivery class, that's when a ton of my questions are going to come out. I'm hoping for natural birth, but if my labor is super long then we'll see how that all goes. Mr. Skinny is my coach, and we've been doing a lot of research, well scratch that, I've been doing the research and filling him in, but we're ready. We know what we want and I'm hoping that the hospital is understanding and works with us and our wishes.

All in all, the first class wasn't awesome. I wasn't expecting it to be. The only reason we're taking the class is to see what the hospital's procedures are and to see where we'll be able to be pushy about what we want vs. what they usually do. Since we live in such a rural area, we don't have much choice about hospitals or classes.

Tell me:


Do you think you'll go/did you go to childbirth classes?