Two months just flew right by. It's incredible that the last two months of my pregnancy seemed to take forever, whereas the last two months with Abigail have absolutely flown by.
She is growing and changing with no two days being the same. I have gone through the troubles and heartache of waking every two hours of the day, learning to breastfeed, coping with the pains and adjustments my body went through at a rapid pace, and the joys of having a newborn baby in my life.
Abigail is now 8 weeks old and a very happy little girl. I love waking up in the morning, peering over her bassinet and seeing a smiling face looking back at me. I love hearing her coos and squawks, her sneeze attacks and even hiccups. There are so many rewards to motherhood, that it overshadows all of the hormonal moments where you think you can't go on any longer and feel like handing off your baby only to miss her when she is away for only a few minutes.
I want to dedicate the next few blog posts to a series that I'd like to call "Secrets from your Sister". I'd like to dive into things I wish people had told me about pregnancy, labour and raising a baby. These are things that I have either learned on my own or thought I was going through alone only to learn that others had experienced the same...or worse.
I hope you enjoy and can share your experiences as well. After all, we're not in this alone!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
She's Here! - Abigail's Birth Story
Baby's Name: Abigail Lillian Joy
Due Date: September 10, 2009
Birth Date: September 7, 2009
Weight: 7lbs 3oz
Length: 19.5 inches
Birth Story:
On Sunday the 6th I was experiencing contractions on and off all day. By evening they started to get stronger and closer together. Around 7pm I called L&D and asked when I could come in. They said to wait until the contractions were 5 mins apart, 45 sec to 1 min long and were consistent for 2 hours. Unfortunately for me, mine never made it to 5 mins apart, and at 1am DH called in telling them they were 6 mins or 2-3 mins apart. They were also getting more painful for me to cope with and I was looking forward to some pain relief. They told us to come on in and off to the hospital we went.
While in triage I was told I was 3cm, which meant they would admit me, woo hoo! It felt like we were in there forever as the nurse filled out paper work and DH helped me through the contractions and tried to keep things light by making jokes. My mom arrived in the meantime, which finally started making things feel real. The RN then took us to our room to finish admitting me at 2:00am. I got my IV in (which hurt a lot) and then requested Demerol. I got it mixed with Gravol which immediately made me dopey and did not help the contractions at all.
I laboured with DH and my mom's help until about 6am where I couldn't take the pain anymore and asked for an epidural. The anesthetist came in pretty quickly and the overall procedure wasn't painful or as scary as I thought I could be. Within two contractions, the pain was gone and I was a happy, sane person again! On the third contraction, I felt my water break. The RN checked me and confirmed that it broke, but it was high up and that my forewater was still intact. She tried to break it with her finger, but it didn't work. She did tell me that I had progressed to 9.5cm though. We were so shocked that it happened so fast, but definitely weren't complaining.
The RN told us that the on-call DR was doing a c-section at 7am and that we would deliver after that. So DH and I got some sleep. Well, I slept until I felt pressure from the contractions where I thought that baby's head was going to fall out!
At just before 8am, the DR arrived and I began pushing. I began to tear internally and my contractions were still 6 mins apart, so I was given pitocin and was told to consider an episiotomy. I really didn't want to have either done, but both helped. On one contraction, the DR made the cut and the baby's head popped out! The cord was wrapped around her neck once and her body twice, so they didn't completely deliver her until she was free. I didn't know that she was tangled because I just wanted to know what gender she was. Then, at 8:55am they pulled her out and there was my baby GIRL, which they put on my belly.
DH cut the cord and went with her for all the measurements. She scored 9/9 on APGAR and was a lot smaller than any of us had thought. I spent a long while after her birth getting stitched up, but soon got to meet our little Abigail. We are so thrilled to have a daughter.
Due Date: September 10, 2009
Birth Date: September 7, 2009
Weight: 7lbs 3oz
Length: 19.5 inches
Birth Story:
On Sunday the 6th I was experiencing contractions on and off all day. By evening they started to get stronger and closer together. Around 7pm I called L&D and asked when I could come in. They said to wait until the contractions were 5 mins apart, 45 sec to 1 min long and were consistent for 2 hours. Unfortunately for me, mine never made it to 5 mins apart, and at 1am DH called in telling them they were 6 mins or 2-3 mins apart. They were also getting more painful for me to cope with and I was looking forward to some pain relief. They told us to come on in and off to the hospital we went.
While in triage I was told I was 3cm, which meant they would admit me, woo hoo! It felt like we were in there forever as the nurse filled out paper work and DH helped me through the contractions and tried to keep things light by making jokes. My mom arrived in the meantime, which finally started making things feel real. The RN then took us to our room to finish admitting me at 2:00am. I got my IV in (which hurt a lot) and then requested Demerol. I got it mixed with Gravol which immediately made me dopey and did not help the contractions at all.
I laboured with DH and my mom's help until about 6am where I couldn't take the pain anymore and asked for an epidural. The anesthetist came in pretty quickly and the overall procedure wasn't painful or as scary as I thought I could be. Within two contractions, the pain was gone and I was a happy, sane person again! On the third contraction, I felt my water break. The RN checked me and confirmed that it broke, but it was high up and that my forewater was still intact. She tried to break it with her finger, but it didn't work. She did tell me that I had progressed to 9.5cm though. We were so shocked that it happened so fast, but definitely weren't complaining.
The RN told us that the on-call DR was doing a c-section at 7am and that we would deliver after that. So DH and I got some sleep. Well, I slept until I felt pressure from the contractions where I thought that baby's head was going to fall out!
At just before 8am, the DR arrived and I began pushing. I began to tear internally and my contractions were still 6 mins apart, so I was given pitocin and was told to consider an episiotomy. I really didn't want to have either done, but both helped. On one contraction, the DR made the cut and the baby's head popped out! The cord was wrapped around her neck once and her body twice, so they didn't completely deliver her until she was free. I didn't know that she was tangled because I just wanted to know what gender she was. Then, at 8:55am they pulled her out and there was my baby GIRL, which they put on my belly.
DH cut the cord and went with her for all the measurements. She scored 9/9 on APGAR and was a lot smaller than any of us had thought. I spent a long while after her birth getting stitched up, but soon got to meet our little Abigail. We are so thrilled to have a daughter.
Friday, September 4, 2009
39 Week DA
I've progressed! My OB did another internal today. I had told him about the bloody show I've been having and he seemed encouraged by it. When he checked, he said that my cervix is open and that I am dilated 2cm. Woo hoo!
He told us that if we wanted, he could get things moving along next Tuesday. I was confused why he said Tuesday since my due date is next Thursday. It turns out that he is on-call at the L&D then and wanted to offer the induction so he would be around for the birth. Very nice of him, but I think at the moment we would prefer to let things naturally happen instead of going for an induction.
So I go back next Thursday, my due date, but have no idea when this LO will decide to show up. At 2cm, I'm hoping something gets started today and that the full moon gives it a hand!
He told us that if we wanted, he could get things moving along next Tuesday. I was confused why he said Tuesday since my due date is next Thursday. It turns out that he is on-call at the L&D then and wanted to offer the induction so he would be around for the birth. Very nice of him, but I think at the moment we would prefer to let things naturally happen instead of going for an induction.
So I go back next Thursday, my due date, but have no idea when this LO will decide to show up. At 2cm, I'm hoping something gets started today and that the full moon gives it a hand!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
38 week DA
I didn't post about my DA last week, but it was so uneventful that I didn't really have anything to share.
Today, DH expected a long wait, because usually we wait for an hour and have a 5 min visit which costs us a lot in patience and in parking fees. He was grumpy because he forgot his PSP in the car. He had told me yesterday that he was going to bring it in because of how long the wait was. Good thing he did!
When we arrived in the office, there was no patients. I was weighed almost immediately. I've gained 1 lb this week which puts me at a total of 36 pounds gained. My BP was 105/77 which I was told was excellent. Within minutes we were put into the examination room. I barely caught the nurse then tell me to uncover from the waist down. Now, DH vehemently said that he did not want to be in any appointments where I would get an internal, but now he was caught!
The OB checked baby's position, HB and then did the internal. In retrospect, DH said it wasn't bad because the OB wasn't looking when he checked (lol) he really likes this doctor. The OB said that my cervix is changing and is soft, but that's about it. It looks like this LO is in there for the long haul.
I go back in a week where I'm sure I'll get another internal. I can't believe that puts us in September already!
Today, DH expected a long wait, because usually we wait for an hour and have a 5 min visit which costs us a lot in patience and in parking fees. He was grumpy because he forgot his PSP in the car. He had told me yesterday that he was going to bring it in because of how long the wait was. Good thing he did!
When we arrived in the office, there was no patients. I was weighed almost immediately. I've gained 1 lb this week which puts me at a total of 36 pounds gained. My BP was 105/77 which I was told was excellent. Within minutes we were put into the examination room. I barely caught the nurse then tell me to uncover from the waist down. Now, DH vehemently said that he did not want to be in any appointments where I would get an internal, but now he was caught!
The OB checked baby's position, HB and then did the internal. In retrospect, DH said it wasn't bad because the OB wasn't looking when he checked (lol) he really likes this doctor. The OB said that my cervix is changing and is soft, but that's about it. It looks like this LO is in there for the long haul.
I go back in a week where I'm sure I'll get another internal. I can't believe that puts us in September already!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Paying Homage to My Poppy...
I just had to share this with everyone...*warning, may induce tears*
Today marks the 5th "anniversary" of the passing of my grandfather. He was a highly respected and loved man in my family. He loved having grandkids and passed two days before my older brother's wedding. At that time, two of my cousins, who are SILs were expecting their first babies. Now, 5 years later, my SIL and myself are also expecting our firsts.
My aunt, and my grandfather's only daughter, went to visit his grave site today. She just told me that she told him all about my baby (Baby Bee), my SILs baby and all the babies that have been born since he died. I couldn't help but burst into tears when she said this because I was only 20 when he passed and never got to see me get married or now become a mom.
I am so glad that my father reminds me of my grandfather. I can't wait to be able to put my baby in his arms and remember being held by my grandfather.
I'll stop blubbering now...I just wanted to share what my Aunt told me and to pay homage to my "Poppy". DH and I have decided that if we have a boy, we will name him Liam; a short form of my grandfather's name...
William Alan H****** - June 22, 1925 to August 19, 2004
Today marks the 5th "anniversary" of the passing of my grandfather. He was a highly respected and loved man in my family. He loved having grandkids and passed two days before my older brother's wedding. At that time, two of my cousins, who are SILs were expecting their first babies. Now, 5 years later, my SIL and myself are also expecting our firsts.
My aunt, and my grandfather's only daughter, went to visit his grave site today. She just told me that she told him all about my baby (Baby Bee), my SILs baby and all the babies that have been born since he died. I couldn't help but burst into tears when she said this because I was only 20 when he passed and never got to see me get married or now become a mom.
I am so glad that my father reminds me of my grandfather. I can't wait to be able to put my baby in his arms and remember being held by my grandfather.
I'll stop blubbering now...I just wanted to share what my Aunt told me and to pay homage to my "Poppy". DH and I have decided that if we have a boy, we will name him Liam; a short form of my grandfather's name...
William Alan H****** - June 22, 1925 to August 19, 2004
Thursday, August 13, 2009
week 36 OB appointment
Here I am home again from another DA. The office was crazy busy today so I was expecting a short visit, but I have to say that I had one of the more satisfying appointments than I have had in weeks.
I have gained 3lbs in the past two weeks which puts me at 33 total pounds gained. My OB told me that I can use pregnancy as an excuse, lol. (as an aside, my SIL has only gained 18 lbs, which bummed me out a little cause she's a week ahead of me).
The RN had to do my BP twice because we were chatting the first time. She said the first one was too high so I tried to stay quiet the second time. It's good, but then again I'm not sure I know what "normal" is.
In the OB's office I was told that my GBS culture came back negative, so I am practically healthy as I can possibly be! He told us that we were right about the position of the baby because we both felt that the bum was nice and high and that s/he is to the right. The HB is also nice and strong. DH asked about the speed and the OB explained that it'll stay that fast, even after birth. During labor, we should expect it to be around the 140 range.
I then asked OB if there were any more tests. He said no, that the next test was labour (lol), but that he might send us for another u/s to check on the size and position of baby. I figure that it'll be nice to see baby one more time before the birth...that is unless I give birth before we can have the u/s!
So, all is well and we go again next week. Time is counting down and as my OB put it "we'll see each other each week and become a big happy family!"
Thursday, July 30, 2009
34 week OB appointment
DH and I just got back from my 34 week appointment. As usual, the OB was in a rush so didn't get to spend much time with me.
I've gained another 4 pounds putting me at a total weight gain of 30 lbs. I was told that my last u/s was normal and was told again that my GD test came back normal.
It was then that he said to me that I was due for another test...the dreaded strep B swab. He asked me if it was ok if he did it today, to which I said yes. DH said he was leaving the room, because he didn't want to see it, lol. So I undressed from the waist down and the OB came back in just as I was sitting back down on the table. To my surprise, he only swabbed one location of the two that I expected (I'll let you use your imagination).
He checked the heartbeat for all of two seconds, declared that the HB was good and that he would see me again in two weeks. After my appt in two weeks, he'll start seeing me once a week. WOW time has flown!
So me and my little herculean baby (I swear baby is so strong now!) have a lot of OB appointments coming up. I'll be seeing my family doctor soon and I think he'll either become baby's Ped or refer me to one in the building.
I'm excited, there's only 6 weeks left!
I've gained another 4 pounds putting me at a total weight gain of 30 lbs. I was told that my last u/s was normal and was told again that my GD test came back normal.
It was then that he said to me that I was due for another test...the dreaded strep B swab. He asked me if it was ok if he did it today, to which I said yes. DH said he was leaving the room, because he didn't want to see it, lol. So I undressed from the waist down and the OB came back in just as I was sitting back down on the table. To my surprise, he only swabbed one location of the two that I expected (I'll let you use your imagination).
He checked the heartbeat for all of two seconds, declared that the HB was good and that he would see me again in two weeks. After my appt in two weeks, he'll start seeing me once a week. WOW time has flown!
So me and my little herculean baby (I swear baby is so strong now!) have a lot of OB appointments coming up. I'll be seeing my family doctor soon and I think he'll either become baby's Ped or refer me to one in the building.
I'm excited, there's only 6 weeks left!
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