The Birth Story

I woke up on Thursday, 2/12 at about 4:00 a.m. having contractions. They were coming every five to eight minutes, and this continued for several hours before stopping. I had a 41 week appointment scheduled that morning, so I went to my appointment. The doctor said I was 90% effaced and four centimeters dilated. She stripped my membranes and said that I’d probably have the baby within 24 hours. I had several bouts of contractions over the next few days, but nothing that intensified to “real” labor. At about 12:30 Sunday (2/15) morning, I awoke to contractions. Doug said that I had been moaning in my sleep, and he figured I was having contractions. These contractions were painful enough that I decided to get up and get in the shower – the hot water felt good on my back. Doug began timing the contractions, which were coming about every two minutes. I had to breathe through them, as they were painful. Doug called our doula, Danielle, and she said she’d head over to our house. Doug also called my doctor. She said that labor and delivery was full and to stay at home as long as I could. The doula got to our house, and I continued to labor at home until about 3:30. The ride to the hospital was fuzzy for me, as I continued to have contractions every two minutes. I remember walking from the parking garage to labor and delivery – several hospital workers offered me a wheelchair, but I wanted to walk. I had several contractions leaning up against the walls in the hospital corridor. When we got up to labor and delivery, they completed my registration. (Luckily, most of my information was already in the computer, so I just had to confirm a few things.) Since my doctor knew I was already four centimeters dilated, she allowed me to be admitted without having to go through triage. I was group B strep (GBS) positive, so I needed to get an IV of antibiotics to protect the baby from contracting the illness during delivery. The nurse started me on the first bag of antibiotics immediately, and an intern came to check me. I was five centimeters and 100% effaced. The contractions were still coming every two minutes, which made it hard to recuperate between contractions. After my IV finished, I decided to get in the shower. I had the water as hot as it would go, but I was still chilly. Doug stood in the bathroom and held the shower curtain shut to keep the steam in. I was in the shower for about an hour and a half. I remember coming out of the shower and seeing the sun coming up. At this point, the doctor came in to check me again. I was six and a half to seven centimeters dilated, and the doctor said I probably had another four to five hours to go. She said she could break my water, which would speed things up, but would also make things more intense. I didn’t know what to do. At that point, I lost it. I began crying and saying I couldn’t do it for that much longer. Doug and Danielle got me to calm down, and Danielle told me to just try for another 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, I could reassess if I needed an epidural or pain medication. I agreed to that. I was still trying to decide if I should have the doctor break my water, but I ended up not having to make that decision. I stood up, and my water broke – all over Doug’s shoes! Since my water had broken, the doctor wanted me in the bed. I couldn’t stand being on my back, so I had the exercise ball on the bed, and I was on my knees using the ball for support for my upper body.
The next thing I knew, Danielle told me I had labored over two hours since my water had broken. I started saying that I felt like I had to poop. The doctor came in to check me, and I was 10 centimeters. She told me I could push. I stayed in the position on the ball on the bed and pushed with each contraction. Danielle had me squat backwards with each contraction, as that movement opened up my pelvis, allowing the baby to move through more easily. After pushing like that for 45 minutes to an hour, my knees were getting sore. The doctor had me flip over on my back. She told me that she could feel the baby’s head. She put her fingers in my vagina to help me know where I needed to direct my pushes, which I found very helpful. There was something very liberating about pushing, and I remember thinking that the more I put into it, the sooner my baby would be born. I remember her saying that I had about 25-30 minutes of pushing left, but then I saw everyone (nurses, etc.) coming into the room and them prepping for the baby. The doctor told me that the baby was crowning. I could feel the “ring of fire” I have heard many women describe, but I don’t recall it being as painful as I had anticipated. Next thing I knew, I felt relief and could feel the rest of the baby come out – sunny-side up, which is why I had so much back labor. Someone told the doctor that we didn’t know the sex of the baby, and the doctor said, “Oh – it’s a girl!” Kate didn’t even really cry. She checked out her surroundings and was very alert. Doug cut the umbilical cord, and they put Kate on my chest. She got a 9 on both of her Apgars. Doug went over to the warmer with the nurses and took a video of them cleaning Kate, weighing her, and doing her measurements. She was 20.5 inches long and weighed 8 pounds and .6 ounces. I remember delivering the placenta but didn’t realize that was what was happening until the doctor said that the placenta was out. My placenta had three nodes. The doctor said that my placenta was extremely healthy; however, she said that if she had broken my water, she could have caught one of the veins in the extra nodes, requiring an emergency c-section. I believe there was some sort of divine intervention for my water to break when it did so I didn’t have to make that decision and possibly face a c-section. The doctor stitched me up for about 30-45 minutes. (I had third degree tears.) I tried to nurse Kate after they cleaned her up, but she wasn’t latching. Shortly thereafter, we were taken to the recovery room. We stayed there for about two days, and then we were homebound with our beautiful daughter!

Peanut's Due Date is Here!

But Peanut is not! Today marks 40 weeks of pregnancy and Peanut's due date. I had my 40 week appointment today. I am dilated 3 centimeters and am still about 80% effaced. The doctor is confident that I'll deliver in the next week. So now we just have to wait!

Perhaps the most exciting thing about today's appointment was finding out that I've lost three pounds. Losing weight at the end of pregnancy is common because there tends to be a reduction in fluid.

Here's a 40 week picture.

39 Week Update

We're down to one week until the due date, but Peanut could be born any day! At the doctor today, I had made some progress. I am now between 2.5 and 3 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced. The baby is at -2 station. The baby's station tells where the baby's head is in relation to the pelvis, with 0 station being at the pelvis.

Also, here is a picture of me at 39 weeks.

38 Week Update

At my 38 week appointment, the doctor told me that I am two centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. The baby is still head down, which the doctor confirmed with an ultrasound. And I was glad to find that I hadn't gained any weight since week 37 - woohoo! Thus far, I've gained 28 pounds, which is ideal. Here's the breakdown of weight gain during pregnancy:

Baby: 7-8 pounds
Placenta: 1-2 pounds
Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
Uterus: 2 pounds
Maternal breast tissue: 2 pounds
Maternal blood : 4 pounds
Fluids in maternal tissue: 4 pounds
Maternal fat and nutrient stores: 7 pounds

Essentially, I could lose 10-15 pounds before I leave the hospital from the weight of the baby, placenta, and fluids! Woohoo!

The house is ready for Peanut. The nursery is completely done. The glider came last week, and Doug put it together. We got the Pack n' Play, and Doug set that up as well. We also finally got monitors and the diaper bag. Now we just need our baby!

The 29th is my last day of teaching, so hopefully I will make it until then and Peanut will make an appearance soon thereafter!

37 Week Update

37 weeks is the full-term mark for pregnancy! This means that the baby is fully developed, and I can deliver at any time!

At today's appointment, I found out that I have dilated another centimeter (1.5 cm total) and I am still 50% effaced. The doctor seems pleased with that progress, given that the estimated due date is still three weeks away.

I have two weeks of teaching left, so hopefully I will make it!

Updated Picture

Here I am at 36 weeks and five days - two days shy of being full-term!

36 Week Update

Thursday (January 8th) was my birthday, and Peanut gave me the best birthday gift ever - he or she turned back into head-down position! Looks like our week of trying to coax the baby into position worked. Several times a day, I had to lie upside down (first on an ironing board, but then the ironing board bent, so then on stacks of pillows) to allow Peanut to become dislodged from my pelvis so he/she could turn. I also played an iPod with classical music in my pants - supposedly the sound makes the baby want to turn to have its head closer to the music. I also kept a bag of frozen veggies at the top of my belly; the logic is that the baby wants to move its head away from the cold. These techniques must have worked, as silly as they seem!

At my doctor's appointment on Thursday, I also found out that I am one centimeter dilated and 50% effaced (meaning the cervix is halfway thinned out). The doctor was pleased with my progress and thinks the baby will be born right around the due date.

We now have the carseats installed, the bassinet put together, and the nursery done (with the exception of the glider that we're waiting to arrive via FedEx this week). I made a playlist on iTunes to have in the labor room with me - hopefully the music will help me relax and get into the zone to be able to manage the pain. I still have to pack my hospital bag, but for some reason I keep putting it off.

We need to post a picture but haven't taken one since Christmas. I'm much bigger than I was a couple weeks ago!

35 Week Update

We went to the doctor this morning for our 35 week appointment. (From now until delivery, I will have weekly appointments.) The baby is healthy, but we did learn some disappointing news. Although the baby has been head-down for weeks, the baby seems to have moved into a breech (head-up) position. Doctors will not allow a first birth to be delivered breech, so I will have to have a c-section if the baby does not turn. My doctor told me of an exercise I can do to help the baby turn. I also have done some research online and learned of some other exercises and techniques that hopefully will coax the baby into turning head-down.

When I go to the doctor next week for my 36 week appointment, the doctor will check to see if the baby is still breech. If so, they will schedule a version for 37 weeks. A version is a procedure where the doctor manually tries to turn the baby head-down. It works about 60% of the time. There are some risks - if my water breaks or there is damage to the placenta, they would have to do an emergency c-section. If the version is unsuccessful, they will schedule a c-section.

Please keep Peanut and me in your thoughts and prayers. I am hopeful that he/she will turn head-down so I am able to have a natural birth.

34 Week Update

Merry Christmas! It's hard to believe that I am now 34 weeks pregnant. And what's even harder to believe is that Peanut is expected to be here in about six weeks!

Peanut's nursery is just about ready. Doug and I are both off of work until January 5th, so we plan to finish the nursery during these next weeks. Other things we still have to do: install the carseats and get them inspected (research shows that 90% of carseats are installed incorrectly), sterilize all of the pacifiers and bottles, and pack the hospital bag.

We are thrilled to have found a doula who will be with us through childbirth. Danielle, who was also our childbirth instructor, will meet with us during the next couple weeks to discuss our expectations and wishes for birth. She will then be with us through labor and delivery and will assist with breastfeeding both at the hospital and once we come home. I am really excited to have this kind of support, as I hope it will help me achieve the birth experience I desire.

Here is a 34 week picture!

33 Week Update

We went to our childbirth class last weekend. We got a ton of great information and resources. The class confirmed for me that I really hope to have a natural, unmedicated birth. Doug and I agree that a woman's body is designed to give birth. When you start introducing medications and interventions, it interferes with the body's ability to do what it naturally does. We have decided to hire a doula for the birth, which I believe will help with natural means of pain management and will increase the likelihood of having the birth experience I want.

I went to my 33 week doctor's appointment yesterday. The baby is still head down and in birthing position. He/she was not too cooperative with having the doppler used to assess the heartrate. Every time the doctor would place the doppler on my belly, the baby would punch or kick it right off of my belly! By the time the doctor was able to get a reading, the heartrate was 147. Previously, the highest it has been is 134. Apparently the baby was very worked up!

I am still feeling good, although sleeping is getting more and more uncomfortable. I don't think I have any ab muscles left to speak of, so turning over is a chore.

Here is a link to a Monty Python video - this is how I don't want my labor to be!

32 Week Update

Peanut is growing quickly. He/she is about 16 inches long now and nearly four pounds. The doctor said we can expect Peanut to gain about a half pound a week throughout the rest of the pregnancy, which would result in an eight-pound baby. I was 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and Doug was 8 pounds, 1 ounce - so an eight-pound baby seems just about right based on our genes.

At my 31-week doctor's appointment, I found out that Peanut is head down and in position to come out. His/her feet are tucked up under my right rib. I'm lucky that Peanut doesn't kick too hard because bruised ribs would not feel good!

We go to our childbirth classes this weekend and hope to learn a lot of good information.

We went to get our Christmas tree last weekend. We went to a Christmas tree farm that we've been going to for several years now. We found a great tree. We can't wait until next Christmas when Peanut is here to celebrate with us!

Here is a 32 week belly pic!

28 Week Ultrasound Picture

It took us awhile to get this picture in digital format to post. We attempted to go to Target to scan it, but there was a woman in front of us in line who was taking the red-eye out of every eye in 50-some pictures. After waiting for 20 minutes, we gave up.

So, here it is - 28 week ultrasound picture!

29 Week Update

Last week, at 28 weeks, we went for another ultrasound to check on the baby's heart. The ultrasound tech has been unsuccessful in getting a picture of it the last two times, but this time was a success. Peanut's heart looks great! At 28 weeks, Peanut weighed two pounds, nine ounces, which is the 53rd percentile. Looks like Peanut is right on target - not too big, not too small. I also had to do my glucose test, which is a test for gestational diabetes. I was glad to find out that I passed, but my bloodwork did show that I am slightly anemic. I will have to take iron supplements for the remainder of the pregnancy.

It's amazing how fast my belly is growing now. And, unfortunately, I didn't get the good genes when it comes to stretch marks. (Thanks, Mom!) I put on the cocoa butter stretch mark prevention cream daily, but to no avail.

We have a couple of exciting weeks coming up. We will be traveling to Michigan for Thanksgiving, I have my 10-year high school reunion, we are getting professional maternity pictures done, and we're going to cut down our Christmas tree.

Here is an almost 29 week belly pic - it was taken at 28 weeks and 5 days.

27 Weeks - and Third Trimester

We've officially made it to the third trimester! It's exciting that Peanut will be here in about three months! However, Peanut is growing so fast, and it is getting to be uncomfortable. At the beginning of the third trimester, the baby starts to settle lower in the uterus towards the back to prepare to drop later in the trimester. This is very uncomfortable! I just keep reminding myself that it's all for a good reason.

Peanut is about two pounds now and a little over a foot long. It's amazing to think that he/she will gain another 4-6 pounds in the next three months.

Here is a picture from Election Day - Peanut's first trip to the polls at 26 weeks, 5 days.

99 Days to Go!

It's hard to believe that we have less than 100 days until Peanut's due date! We have received some wonderful gifts from family and friends. Uncle Zack and Dennis sent our jogging stroller and an umbrella stroller. I can't wait to use them! (I suggested trying them out on one of the cats, but Doug nixed that idea pretty quickly.) We also got a bouncer from Julie. Seeing
Peanut's room start to fill up with baby stuff is making this all seem so much more real.

We have started to read to Peanut each night before bed. We read the book "Daddy Hugs," which I got for Doug right after we found out that we were expecting. Research says that the baby will recognize a book after he or she is born if it was read a lot during pregnancy.

I am thrilled that Peanut has finally moved off of my bladder after being parked there for over a week. The pressure made just about everything uncomfortable. I guess having to go to the bathroom six times a night is good practice for getting up for nighttime feedings.

Here is a picture from 25 weeks and 5 days. My belly is definitely growing. I've noticed that I have to bend forward slightly to see my toes now!

24 Week Update

Last weekend, we cleaned out the room that was our office and began to get it ready for Peanut. Our nursery furniture was delivered on Saturday. Doug put the crib together on Monday night and the changing table together tonight. They look great! My mom is giving us the rocking chair she used for me and my sisters, which will be a wonderful addition to the nursery. We still need to get decorations for the room - things for the walls, a small area rug, curtains, etc.

We went for a follow-up ultrasound today since Peanut was not cooperative at the 20-week one. The tech was able to get the necessary measurements, but she was not able to get as good of a view of the heart as she wanted. She said as far as she could tell, everything looked great, but she wants me to come back in four weeks to see if she can get a better view of the heart. And the baby has gained some weight in four weeks - he/she now weighs one pound, eight ounces.

I also had my 24-week check-up today. I have gained a whopping seven pounds in four weeks! The doctor didn't seem concerned and said this was necessary "catch-up weight," as I had only gained several pounds before this month. Now that my foot is pretty well healed, I'm looking forward to exercising again and hopefully getting a better handle on the weight gain throughout the rest of the pregnancy.

Here is a belly pic at 24 weeks.

23 Week Update

I have really been slacking on updating the baby blog! The last few weeks have been busy. My broken foot is healing well, and I'm back in normal shoes (no boot, no crutches). Doug and I went to Atlanta last weekend for a conference I had for work. It was the baby's first time on a plane, and he/she was fairly active.

There are 119 days left until the due date, and I'm getting anxious to meet Peanut. I can't wait to hold him or her!

Mom and Dad Pemberton ordered our nursery furniture, and it's being delivered on Saturday. We have not cleaned out the nursery, which is currently our office. We hope to get that done soon so we can get the nursery set up and ready for Peanut's arrival.

Our good friend Sara is throwing us a baby shower in early November, and we're very excited! More details to follow.

Finally, we bought some clothes for Peanut - two fleece onesies, which will be great when our winter baby is born. It is kind of tricky to find gender-neutral baby clothes, but I'm sure Peanut won't need a lot of clothes to start.

Below you can check out the 23 week belly pic as well as the outfits we bought for Peanut.

20 Week Update

We were scheduled for our 20 week OB appointment and an offical ultrasound on Friday. The OB appointment ended up being canceled because the doctor had a patient go into labor. We were able to go to the ultrasound, but Peanut wasn't too cooperative. Peanut decided to roll up into a ball on the left side of my uterus and wasn't interested in changing position. The ultrasound tech tried to get him/her move by pushing on my belly, but Peanut was stubborn.

The tech wasn't able to get the measurements she needed, so we'll have to go back again in four weeks to try again. We did find out that as of Friday, Peanut weighed 12 ounces - right on target.

We are feeling a lot more kicks from Peanut. At first I could only feel them if I was lying down, but now I'm starting to feel them during the day as well. Fun!

Below are the 20 week ultrasound pictures and a belly pic from 20 weeks, 4 days.

Baby's Feet

Baby's Spine

Profile

Profile (Doesn't Peanut have a cute nose?)

20 weeks, 4 days

Mid-Week Update

I never got around to the 19-week update last week. Things have been very hectic. On Sunday, I fractured my left foot walking down our front steps. As I have been told, balance is off when you're pregnant. My balance was off when I was walking down the steps, and I tried to compensate by turning to keep from falling forward on my belly. In doing so, I broke my foot. The good news is that I didn't fall and my belly wasn't affected. The bad news is that a broken foot hurts like hell and the only thing I can take is Tylenol. I have an appointment with an orthopedist on Friday to find out how severe the damage is and how long I will need the walking cast and/or crutches.

One of my students told me that she has broken bones and has also had two babies. She said that breaking a bone is far more painful than giving birth. If she's right, I'll be in good shape!

We also have two baby-related appointments on Friday - the 20 week checkup with the OB and a 20 week "official" ultrasound. The ultrasound will be more in depth than the previous ones at our OB's office and will confirm that the baby is developing appropriately and on schedule. Look for pictures soon!

18 Week Update

Sorry we missed the 17 week update. The camera batteries died, and we finally replaced them to take a new belly pic.

Peanut is now about eight inches long (about as long as a dinner fork) and weighs about a half pound. He or she is about the size of a sweet potato.

We received the results of my blood tests, which test for things like Downs Syndrome and Spina Bifida. Everything came back normal, so we're happy to know that Peanut is healthy.

I've been able to feel more movement - still no kicks, just flutters. I'm hoping to feel more distinct movements soon, and Doug is really looking forward to being able to feel the baby from the outside.

We went to Babies r Us to create our registry last weekend. Whew - that is overwhelming! We are lucky to have friends with babies who have looked over our registry and tell us if we're missing anything important.

Here is an 18 week belly picture - I actually look pregnant now!