Category: Pregnancy

I just wanted to have this typed up before the details got all blurry.

I turned 39 weeks on Friday Dec 11th which was also J’s birthday and my first trial run of  maternity leave. I took friday off and planned on working monday Dec 14th. I had no idea how much my life would change over that weekend. Friday, J and I went out for a birthday dinner with my parents and then spent the evening watching the Christmas Story b/c it’s J’s fave holiday movie. Saturday was very mellow and we put up our christmas tree  and started getting in the holiday  spirit.

Sunday was like any other sunday, where J and I ran some errands, cleaned the house and he practically begged me to pack my hospital bag. I was pretty sure that I had a whole week ahead of me to get the final touches to the nursery organized and my bag packed, but Jeff was pretty adamant that I do it that morning. Not wanting to fight, I did throw in some stuff in my suitcase and had most of it packed. I was just resting in the afternoon, getting ready to drive my dad to the airport for his flight to DC when I felt a trickle of liquid. I hurriedly checked and it did have some blood. At this point I was sure it wasn’t anything to be concerned b/c I hadn’t had any contractions other than one or two irregular ones in the morning. Jeff insisted I call the OB Triage and they told us to come in.

The entire way over, I was convinced that it was a false alarm because I wasn’t really in any real pain other than random contractions. At the OB, I was joking and laughing while they checked me out and the Doctor said that they weren’t sure if my water had broken but given that I was at 39 weeks and around 3 cms dilated so they were most likely going to admit me. They told me to eat up as they wouldn’t want me eating soon. An hour later the Doctor came and did a cervical check again and said that I was 4 cms dilated but she could feel the bag of waters bulging, so they were thinking that my water was not broken all the way. We had two options to get admitted where they would induce labor or I could go home and be comfy and wait for labor to start on its own. Since I wasn’t really in pain yet and I was sure I didn’t want unnecessary pictocin we decided to go home.

My contractions were a little more intense on the way back, but still bearable. However, once I was home an hour later, the contractions were coming full force. It was unbearable, but I still was in some kind of denial and kept thinking it was early labor, finally they were about five minutes apart and I thought I was going to pass out.  This time checking into the hospital seemed to take twice as long and by the time I was in triage, I couldn’t focus on anything other than the pain. I even threw up everything I had eaten for dinner. The doctor said that I was 7 cm dilated and had to be taken into labor immediately. I had already asked for the epidural, but by the time, they had me hooked to the IVs etc, I was already at 9cm and the anesthesiologists were on their way.  The anesthesiologists arrived and decided they were going to try to put the needle in me with me lying down becasue me sitting up could be bad for the baby since he was already way down. I kept begging them to just stop the pain, even though I was at 10 cms by now and the nurses thought I should just start pushing. After 3 attempts at putting the epidural in, the anesthesiologists said that at this point it wouldn’t make any difference and that I should start pushing. They however did give me a phenelyne a morphine derivative to take the edge off. The next hour was the most painful of my life and I thought I wouldn’t be able to get this baby out of me. Finally, they said they could see the head crown and after three painful pushes, his head was out and my beautiful baby boy was out in the world at 12: 35 pm early Monday morning. I was exhausted and in pain but completely euphoric from having birthed him.

I do think I have a new tolerance for pain now because I never never never thought I would be delivering without an epidural. They stitched up the tearing that I had  and took Avi for his clean up and brought him back to me and he was beautiful! We were allowed to rest for a while and then taken to a recovery room.  I didn’t sleep at all that night because my adrenaline rush was so high but eventually we all settled down.

At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.

So this is the last fruit post. I can’t believe that once upon a time husib was as tiny as little poppy seeds and now he is huge!!! and making me huge as well. Its amazing to think that this is the last little bit where I get my baby all to myself before I share him with the world, but on the other hand, I’m really really excited to see him and meet him and see if he has hair and the color of his eyes. So much is going to change in just a few weeks that it feels overwhelming to think about it all at once so I’m just focusing on trying to enjoy having husib all to myself for a little while. Not that he makes it easy with the heartburn and the carpal tunnel and the insomnia.

How far along? 37 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 20 ish lbs total, but I’m okay with it, I think I’ll probably stay right around here hopefully until the end of the pregnancy.
Maternity clothes? Ready to not be wearing them anymore. Now I’m buying cute tops that I think I can wear after the belly is gone. And then I heard the bfing horror story of giant boobs where old clothes still don’t fit! Whats a girl to do?  Buy shoes, thats my xmas present to myself.
Stretch marks? Yep, still there
Sleep:  Very very bad. Some nights I wake up with terrible hip and back aches. Last night I almost made it all the way through the night but then my contacts started hurting. Like other things weren’t painful as it is

Best moment this week: Full Term y’all. No preemie baby for me I guess. Also, my friend Jessica had the cutest little baby boy earlier this week. I’m so happy for them.

Movement: He’s a squirming machine

Food cravings: still cake. Gatorade too
Gender:  Boy
Labor Signs: Head down, some BH contractions
Pregnancy Symptoms: All. of . them
Belly Button in or out? All right the coworkers win, its out
What I miss: Walking, not waddling
What I am looking forward to: beginning of maternity leave. Going to the hospital, seems like such a weird thing to be excited about.
Weekly Wisdom: I still have way too much to do to go into labor. Gaaah

Milestones: Full Term

Oh Beastie Boys, so applicable to pregnant women. I mean I’m still too early for labor physically, but god dammit I’m ready to pop out this kid. Well okay, mostly.  I keep saying I’m ready, but I thought I was having early labor in Target yesterday it scared me to death. Anyway, the point is that the end is in sight!

How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 20 lbs total, but I’m okay with it, I think I’ll probably stay right around here hopefully until the end of the pregnancy.
Maternity clothes? Ready to not be wearing them anymore. Now I’m buying cute tops that I think I can wear after the belly is gone.
Stretch marks? Yep, still there
Sleep:  Very very bad. Some nights I wake up with terrible hip and back aches. However, my doc has said that its okay to take some benadryl or tylenol pm to help and I actually might take her up on it.

Best moment this week: Finding out that the kiddo is head down and in position, not ready to come out or anything, but at least facing the right direction. Good job husib!

Movement: He’s a kicking machine

Food cravings: nothing new other than cake. J and I are on a cake eating spree- This week we ‘ve had German Chocolate and Tiramisu
Gender:  Boy
Labor Signs: Head down, a little more pressure on my cervix and pelvic floor. Also some unexciting but painful cramps.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Heartburn continues, swollen feet and new for this week- carpal tunnel, now my hands  hurt too.
Belly Button in or out? All right the coworkers win, its out
What I miss: Walking, not waddling
What I am looking forward to: Thanksgiving-Wooo hoooo. Also seeing my dad for the holiday
Weekly Wisdom: You are not as prepared for labor as you think! Yet!
Milestones: Less than a month to go! Wow

This weekend I crossed the big 35/35 milestone . So basically, this means I have completed 35 weeks of pregnancy and have 35 days until my due date. So 1 month and 5 days ( or in my case today, 3 days). So here’s my 35/35 survey-

How far along? 35 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: not sure since last visit, but I know I’ve gained some b/c some clothes fit differently. I’ve stopped caring at this point.
Maternity clothes? Ready to not be wearing them anymore
Stretch marks? Yep, still there
Sleep:  Very very bad. Some nights I wake up with terrible hip and back aches.

Best moment this week: Getting 80% of the nursery done. Also, I had the most delicious baby dream last night where I was chilling with the husib.

Movement: He was very quiet all weekend, but he is a kicking machine this weekend. Or maybe I just notice more when I’m at work. Also this kid definitely has his times mixed up, cuz his most active time is 10pm onwards.
Food cravings: Grapes, waters, grapefruit and water and grilled cheese sandwiches, or mac cheese…okay pretty much anything with cheese.
Gender:  Boy
Labor Signs: What about your kid kicking the crap out of your cervix? Does that count? I mean  he obviously has figured out that thats the way out. Also some unexciting but painful cramps.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Heartburn continues, swollen feet and new for this week- carpal tunnel, now my hands  hurt too.
Belly Button in or out? My coworkers say its out, I say its still flat
What I miss: A Dirty martini and oysters, from watching MadMen this week. Sigh
What I am looking forward to: Being a 100% done with the nursery. Getting the baby out.
Weekly Wisdom: There is nothing fun about doing manual labor (setting up the nursery) this late in the game. Should have done this when I had more energy.
Milestones: Finished our Childbirth class…I am now armed with all sorts of labor and baby care information. J changed a diaper on a practice doll for the first time in his life. We are on our way to becoming parents.

And I still live. It wasn’t that bad but I did I squint a little bit so maybe I got a distorted picture. I love childbirth class because the massaging rocks and our homework is practicing the massage, so hopefully I’ll have a super nice backrubs from J this weekend.

Baby’s senses are continuing to improve — when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

Time has been really getting away from these days! The weeks seem to just fly by and fatigue has completely taken over my evenings. I mostly just want to sleep sleep and sleep, but I can’t sleep in long stretches anymore. Last night J and I had our first childbirth class and it was educational and fun. Fun b/c we spent 45 mins on the dads massaging the moms. Loved it!!! I’m a little nervous because my teacher seems to be more biased towards non medicated childbirth and I ‘m definitely more on the medicated side. She said she is going to give us information on both options, I just need to remember to ask good questions. Other than that, there are no huge changes, just lots of little ones in my body and mind.

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 4lbs since the last doc visit- Yikes but my doc says that I’m still on the lower end of healthy weight gain. So I don’t need to worry but of course I still do.
Maternity clothes? I had two fave tee shirts that were non maternity that I was successfully wearing until this weekend. This weekend, it was hopeless, unless I wanted the whole world to see my love handles.
Stretch marks? Yep, still there
Sleep: Terrible, naps have gone from being a luxury to essential.

Best moment this week: Not doing anything baby related this weekend. J and I were just us…it was nice.

Movement: Kid wants out. I  think I felt a heel the other day
Food cravings: Fruit, water, breadsticks ( thats just for right now, cuz I know I’m going to UNOs for lunch with my friends)
Gender:  Boy
Labor Signs:No braxton hicks this week- yippeee
Pregnancy Symptoms: Hello heartburn! I guess, you are here to stay? yes?
Belly Button in or out? Its flat
What I miss: Did I mention beer? Also this week I went to a seafood place and did not get raw oysters. I think I died a little on the inside. I want oysters. My friend F has given me the terrific idea of having a forbidden foods party after husib has made an appearance
What I am looking forward to: Meeting husib. I’m having a “I’m excited to be a mom week” as opposed to “wtf was I thinking week”
Weekly Wisdom: Not to get sentimental, but I’ve been feeling very lucky this week in terms of this pregnancy. I guess gratitude is the word of the week.
Milestones: Husib went to his first concert for his dad! He kicked around to ABBA in the car and made his mama happy. I discussed my cervix with strangers at my birth class.

Week 32- wow! 5 more weeks and I will be considered full term. In 8 weeks, I will stop working. This is too bizarre to even contemplate. I’m getting really excited about meeting husib and seeing if all the personality traits that I’ve assigned him are actually true.  Also, I can’t wait to do fun things with him. Overall things are good for the moment. Also I love my  new car!!!

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I don’t think about it anymore, and no one should as well. I however do have a very chubby cheeks at the moment, so I don’t look in the mirror. According to reputable sources, I’ll apparently be gaining a 3-5 more lbs. Joy!
Maternity clothes? Maternity pants are pretty awesome. I now own five pairs and I plan to not own anymore! I do need to buy a maternity formal dress for a friends upcoming wedding however. Still trying to wear non maternity shirts in larger sizes
Stretch marks? Yes. Moving on.
Sleep: Some days are good , some days are bad. yesterday was great, only got up twice, the night before got up 5 times. I’ve been trying to nap a little bit in the afternoons to make up for the lack of sleep.

Best moment this week: Buying baby gear- stroller, car seat, crib, a cool chair ( not really for the nursery, but a good excuse). Big items bought, Breath exhaled.

Movement: Rolling now, instead of jabs and kicks, except for in the cervix, I think the kid wants out, but I’m not sure
Food cravings: Rocky road ice cream, grapefruit, Cheese
Gender:  Boy
Labor Signs:No braxton hicks this week- yippeee
Pregnancy Symptoms: swollen feet, huge belly, everything?
Belly Button in or out? Its flat
What I miss: Not being pregnant and a beer, dear god, I want a beer.
What I am looking forward to: Non pregnancy related- J’s band playing on friday night. Childbirth classes, starting next week.
Weekly Wisdom: food is your friend, veins are not. Getting hair washed at a salon at 7.5 mos will result in fainting.
Milestones: Project nursery has begun

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though — as you’ve also probably noticed — they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Week 30! yikes, I can’t believe in 8 more weeks, husib will be considered mostly full term. J and I are still struggling to come to grips with impending parenthood. We have decided on a stroller, car seat, crib, rocker/glider, and a few other items which makes me feel loads better. I also bought a boppy the other day since I heard such good reviews of the product. I’m excited to see how it will all work out. J and I have also started car shopping, something that I  hate, but I think we are more focussed and committed than we were while buying the Element. I have my heart set on another Subaru so I’m hoping that works out. Husib is a kicking junkie and squirms and wiggles all the time. Some kicks are not very fun but the wiggles sometimes feel like a massage. I’ve also had a some Braxton Hicks contractions which scare me and send J into panic mode but my doctor says everything looks good so far. So onwards then-

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I think +10-15lbs, Lets not talk about it. K
Maternity clothes?Love some of my maternity clothes, a few that I bought over the summer are not going to work out though as fall sets in, so I’m going to have buy more pants. I’m still sticking to mostly non maternity shirts.
Stretch marks? Belly is stretch free as of now but lets not venture into boobs or thigh region
Sleep: Terrible, the belly is in the way, I have to get up to pee and lying on my sides hurts my pelvis sometimes. Also anxiety is feeding my insomnia.

Best moment this week: Realizing that I’ll have baby in 2.5 mos.

Movement: All. the . time
Food cravings: Meat aversion is back. Grapes, cereal and pasta
Gender:  Boy
Labor Signs: Some Braxton Hicks but I guess they are not really labor signs
Pregnancy Symptoms: Insomnia, a giant belly , starting to swell feet
Belly Button in or out? Its flat
What I miss: Not being pregnant
What I am looking forward to: Having a baby, followed by Not being pregnant. This was fun y’all, I’m ready to move on now. Thanks
Weekly Wisdom: From my doctor, ways to avoid Braxton Hicks is to stay hydrated and have an empty bladder. That is pretty much impossible, given the rate I’ve been peeing
Milestones: I guess its Tri 3 officially

Note to self- Goldgirl, pregnancy is not for you , it makes you whiny, bitchy, weepy and other negative ending in y words. You don’t feel like yourself and you feel intense amounts of guilt b/c you can’t reconcile your negativity with the love you feel for your child. So do the the world and yourself a favor and stop reproducing after this.

Goldgirl to Self- Check! I’m on it.

I’m done whining now.