Hellobee Boards

Hi ladies! We welcomed our little lady Lilia Pearl to the world today at 3:43pm. 7lbs 9 oz and doing great! Will post more later. Hope all you ladies are doing well!

@JessLC: wow!!! How exciting! That makes you the first of the bunch, right?? Love her name! Glad you're both doing well - cant wait to hear more.

@JessLC: congrats! I hope you're enjoying your little girl. Can't wait to hear more about your birth story and see pics of the little one.

Waiting for them to bring her back to our room for the night...

@scg00387: @ChelseaRose: just fyi about the scoliosis, I had no problema with the epidural - my curve is in the upper part and they administer is in the lower back. But the nurse told me that they've been successful with spines that had such severe scoliosis that when the needle was removed it was crooked. I don't know if either of you were planning on getting one, but rest assured that it can been done successfully!

@Mrs. Tricycle: woo! What a nice mom you have

DH and I have been in wild nesting mode this weekend getting everything around the house organized. Things go so much faster when he helps lol.

Due Date: 11/5

Plans for induction: Nothing discussed with my doctor yet. I have a feeling this baby is coming on the early side, so it hasn't even crossed my mind to bring this up.

Weeks along, weight gained: 38w5d, about 18lbs. Still about 10lbs under what the doctors would have liked for me to gain, but it looks like the baby has grown well, aside from my difficulty gaining weight.

Boy, Girl, or Surprise: We are still Team Green! I have a very strong feeling of what this baby is and I am getting soooooo excited to meet him or her!!!!

Name(s)?: We think we have a frontrunner for both a girl and a boy and a few backups. I am hoping that we can use our first choices, as long as the baby "looks" like that name!

How many contractions away is the hospital?: On a normal day, it could be about 3. Given the fact that we are in a flood zone and right in the path of this lovely hurricane, who knows. I am definitely scared about this.

Any anticipated labour/delivery complications? None. I am definitely apprehensive about the unknown part of labor and delivery but I am also really looking forward to the experience.

Most recent appt stats: Baby appears to still be head down and the head has been extremely low at both my 37 and 38 week appointments My blood pressure was a bit on the high side at last week's appointment and this was very strange since I have been fine the whole pregnancy.

Guesstimated Birthweight of baby: 7lbs, 4oz. Just a random guess. That's how much I weighed!

Will baby have hair? From the last ultrasound we had at 35 weeks, this baby already has a full head of hair. I can't believe it since I have had very little heartburn so far and I had always been told that was what happened when the baby has a lot of hair.

Anything left to do?: Many "little" things but the big things are done. We just had the car seat inspected today and that is a huge weight off of my mind. Of course I could spend a million more hours in the nursery rearranging things but I am trying to force myself to just sit still. That is really hard for me.

Most anxious about: At the moment, the upcoming storm. We live in a low-lying area surrounded by rivers and canals and the hospital may be difficult to reach if there is a lot of flooding. I am also somewhat sad when I think that, because of the storm and travel conditions, my parent and my in-laws would not be able to make it down until potentially a few days after the baby arrives, if the storm is bad. I know this does not matter much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope we do not have to compete with a hurricane when our baby arrives!

Aside from baby arrival being safe, and baby and Mom being healthy, what are you looking forward to once your baby is here?: Getting to know this amazing person who has been growing inside my stomach (and my heart) for the past 9+ months. Even though I have been carrying this baby for all of these months, I am so curious to get to know him or her and learn about its personality and traits. Also, I can't wait for my husband to bond with the baby and enjoy the beginning of our new little family.

Looking forward to post-pregnancy? I am looking forward to hopefully not having to get up 5+ times a night to use the bathroom! I am also looking forward to getting back to my pre-pregnancy body, but there are also so many things I will miss about being pregnant. This has been a very special time for me and I have felt extremely confident during the majority of my pregnancy. I will miss that.

Post-pregnancy fitness goals? (If any!): Lose the weight PLUS get into better shape than I was before getting pregnant! Even thought I was happy-ish with my weight before getting pregnant, I could strengthen quite a bit. I really hope to increase my energy and stamina when I get back into shape.

What do you anticipate will be the most difficult part of learning to parent or the hardest adjustment to being a parent?: Oh wow, there is a lot that I am thinking about/anxious about on this topic. I just hope that I will be comfortable and able to be the best parent I can be. I want to be able to make decisions for our baby that will benefit it most comprehensively and safely. I am nervous that I will be too hard on myself, even though we will be learning to parent for the very first time!

Return to work date (if returning!): February, if all goes to plan.

As of now, how many children do you think you will have: We'll have to wait and see! I would like to have more than one but we'll have to evaluate this after we begin parenting.

Up crazy early, and don't want to grade papers, so this is a great alternative.

Due Date: 11/14 (it was revised a few weeks ago)

Plans for induction: I hope not!

Weeks along, weight gained: 37w, 5d - about 34 lbs.

Boy, Girl, or Surprise: It's still a surprise, though everyone (except DH and I) has a guess. I even got some very specific boy clothes at a school shower because people are SURE I'm having a boy.

Name(s)?: We're ready with a girl's name - and to be honest, I wouldn't have picked the middle name, but it honors someone important to DH, so we're going with it. Is it bad that I know it doesn't sound fantastic with the first name, but I really, truly don't care? We're 99% sure on a boy's name, though we have a few back-ups just in case. The middle name is another family name.

How many contractions away is the hospital?: If they're four minutes apart, than six or seven?

Any anticipated labour/delivery complications? None yet! Still watching for definitive IUGR, but at the moment looks like everything can happen on its own schedule.

Most recent appt stats: Everything looks great - just a small abdomen so far.

Guesstimated Birthweight of baby: The ultrasound estimate was 5.25 at 36 weeks, so maybe 7.25 at delivery?

Will baby have hair? No clue! No heartburn, so maybe not?

Anything left to do?: Install the car seat, order a few final things off the registry, finish packing hospital bags, order breast pump from insurance company, get my long-term substitute ready to take over my job

Most anxious about: Having this baby! And figuring out what the heck to do with said baby once we get it home. Luckily, DH has zero concerns about either aspects, so we're balancing each other out quite nicely.

Aside from baby arrival being safe, and baby and Mom being healthy, what are you looking forward to once your baby is here?: Cuddling!

Looking forward to post-pregnancy? Being in control of my body again! Getting my butt off the couch and doing things for myself.

Post-pregnancy fitness goals? (If any!): Slowly getting back into shape -- giving myself a little time, but it would be nice if I could fit into my work clothes come February.

What do you anticipate will be the most difficult part of learning to parent or the hardest adjustment to being a parent?: All of it. Though, mainly, functioning on no sleep.

Return to work date (if returning!): End of February.

As of now, how many children do you think you will have: Three.

Due Date: 11/12
Plans for induction: I hope not!
Weeks along, weight gained: 38w, 33 lbs at my last appt.
Boy, Girl, or Surprise: Girl
Name(s)?: some variation of Lily Joy, not sure what just yet
How many contractions away is the hospital?: 5, if they are 5 mins apart
Any anticipated labour/delivery complications? Hoping for smooth sailing
Most recent appt stats; midwife has not been checking me but I'm curious! No contractions yet that I know of.
Next appt? Tomorrow, unless hurricane gets in the way
Guesstimated Birthweight of baby: no idea but they are saying she's one week behind.
Will baby have hair? ?
Anything left to do?: survive hurricane, make food to freeze
Most anxious about: labor, her coming on time!
How are you feeling?: trying to be patient!
Aside from baby arrival being safe, and baby and Mom being healthy, what are you looking forward to once your baby is here?: staring our life as a family of three!
Looking forward to post-pregnancy? Wearing cute clothes, working out hard, cocktails
Post-pregnancy fitness goals? Running! Getting in great shape
What do you anticipate will be the most difficult part of learning to parent or the hardest adjustment to being a parent?: No sleep
Return to work date (if returning!): Feb, if I go back part time
As of now, how many children do you think you will have: 3

@jesslc you are so kind to think of @chelsearose and I - I am glad the epidural worked out fine for you!!

@Meggo5 you're in my thoughts with the storm hope it turns out just fine and is a story to tell to your little one once they're older!

@highwire We were busy yesterday at the hospital and then at Costco and today.. I did laundry and promptly passed out for a long nap and now am watching TV. So, I'm feeling lazy!!

@JessLC: Congratulations on your new arrival! I hope that you are both doing well!

@ChelseaRose: Sorry you're feeling so blah. It is hard towards the end, I have days like that but in general I'm just soooo excited about meeting baby that it gets me through. Hope you feel better soon.

@highwire: I saw your maternity pics on another thread, they were so gorgeous!

@kml636: Aw, that name's pretty!

@Mrs. Tricycle: No heartburn? Me and my bumper bottles of gaviscon are insanely jealous right now : )

I had a friend over for dinner last night and she was quite vocal about how she couldn't believe how much weight I'd put on! Ha ha! I'm so close to the finish line now that I really don't care. I just smiled, lay back in my rocking chair and ate more pizza, ha ha.

I hope you all are safe from the crazy storm in the NE!

Due Date: 11/07

Plans for induction: I will find out more about this today. If I am induced it will be because my blood pressure is too high.

Weeks along, weight gained: 38w5d, a little under 15 pounds (started off very overweight)

Boy, Girl, or Surprise: Boy

Name(s)?: Yes, but it will not be announced until he's born. No one other than my husband and me know the names.

How many contractions away is the hospital?: 3-4, depending on time of day/traffic conditions.

Any anticipated labour/delivery complications? Possible induction, high blood pressure, not sure about epidural due to scoliosis.

Most recent appt stats: Last fundal height was only 35 at 38 weeks, but my measurements have varied week to week. Doctor said it is likely due to baby dropping a little. Not dilated or effaced, but my next appointment is today.

Guesstimated Birthweight of baby: Baby was estimated at 4-5 pounds at 32 weeks, so I'm hoping he's not too big. I was smallish, but a few weeks early (mom had high bp way worse than mine) and my husband was average sized.

Will baby have hair? Don't know. Heartburn has been minimal and only within the last couple of weeks. My husband and I were both blond as kids, so he may have very light hair or be a baldy.

Anything left to do?: Not really. My husband installed the car seat last night and I just want him to take it to get inspected today. I just need to sleep/rest as much as possible.

Most anxious about: Whether or not I will need to be induced.

Aside from baby arrival being safe, and baby and Mom being healthy, what are you looking forward to once your baby is here?: Getting to snuggle with my little one, learning to breastfeed, seeing my husband as a dad.

Looking forward to post-pregnancy? Sleeping on my stomach.

Post-pregnancy fitness goals? Getting in better shape than I was in pre-pregnancy. I was working out regularly until 30+ weeks, but stopped due to high bp. I'd love to do the couch to 5k and take some classes at my gym.

What do you anticipate will be the most difficult part of learning to parent: not getting enough rest, everything being new to us.

Return to work date (if returning!): March 1st.

As of now, how many children do you think you will have: 2-3 total. If number two is also a boy then we may be open to having a third.

@travelgirl1: um, screw your friend... SO RUDE

@highwire: Take it easy! I will get my first internal exam next week at 39 weeks, also.

Hi ladies! I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe and dry if you are anywhere near the storm.

I was supposed to have my 39 week appointment today but it was cancelled due to the weather (the whole area is under a State of Emergency). Not that I would have ventured out if the weather was bad anyways, but I am bummed that I won't have another regular doctor's visit this week, or perhaps even at all before the big day. I was curious to see if I had made any progress at all but I know that a measurement taken at the doctor's office could change 5 minutes later if labor progresses.

We're just hoping that this baby is in the mood to hang on for a few more days, at least until the bulk of the storm and damage has passed. Otherwise, we might have a crazy story to tell the baby about its arrival!!!!

@highwire: Thanks so much! I am hunkered down with lots of "storm food" (think popcorn until the power goes out, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) and comfy for the moment, so will hopefully be OK for the next 24+ hours or so.

hi ladies - thanks for all the kind words! we just got back home today, before Hurricane Sandy hit. LO is sleeping right now and my mom is here to help, so I have some downtime. Honestly I had a really easy pregnancy and my delivery was pretty textbook as well, so I feel really lucky. So here is my birth story...a little long.

So I had my membranes swept at my Thursday dr's appt and felt crampy/contraction-y the rest of the day and Friday, but nothing that became regular or more intense. I went to bed on Friday thinking that I could run some errands the next day, but woke up at 2am with contractions coming every 7 minutes, lasting >1 minute and getting stronger. They started in the lower back and wrapped around to the lower belly, but I would say the pain was largely concentrated in my back. I noticed that if I got up and walked around the apartment, they'd come <5 mins apart but were shorter than 1 minute. They were averaging around 5-6 minutes apart, so I called the doctor at about 5:30am and she said to just head into the hospital. It took about 15 minutes to get there, and I had 2 contractions in the car. My doctor had pre-admitted me (I think she knew I was ready to have the baby TODAY), and they hooked me up to the monitor, which showed that I was having contractions every 7 minutes or so, so they had slowed down a bit. I was still only 3-4 cm dilated (I had been 3cm at the Thurs appt), so they just left me for a couple hours to see how I was progressing on my own. Contractions were painful at this point, but on a scale of 1-10, maybe a 5 - totally manageable.

I made it to 5cm on my own, and my doctor started pitocin to get things moving, which made the contractions a lot more intense! Holy moly, I respect women who go through without drugs, because that pain at just 5cm was excruciating for me. I would say an 8-9 on a scale of 10. Maybe it was the pitocin, or maybe that is just how they are, but I started sobbing after a particularly intense one. So I got the epidural (which was a relatively painless procedure) and the relief was immediate. Unfortunately, the pain came back on my left side pretty quickly and at full strength. The anesthesiologist had to adjust the needle a little, after which I blissfully felt almost nothing and fell asleep for about 30 minutes. I progressed to 9cm in over the next couple of hours, but never made it to 10cm - my cervix had stalled and doctor wanted to see if I could push her past the cervix. I started pushing at around 2pm. Baby was also facing the wrong way, she was face up. Was able to push her past the cervix pretty quickly, but her heartrate went down so doctor had to push her back in a little bit, after which it stabilized and I continued pushing as normal. Baby turned into the correct spot as I continued pushing. The epi started wearing off after an hour in, so the anesthesiologist had to come back and add on some fentanil (sp?), which worked wonders. The pain was debilitating for me, I really don't know if I would have been able to keep pushing without it. The last 30 minutes of contractions were they type where i felt the unbearable urge to push, and she finally made her appearance at 3:43pm after 13.5 hours of labor. As soon as her head popped out, I stopped pushing and watched my doctor pull the rest of her body out from me, which was amazing! She started with a little cry, and then was pretty quiet and looking around, very alert. I am so in love with her. She is feeding well and has a good latch, although it took a little bit of practice in the beginning!

I think my delivery experience was so much better than I had imagined it would be. My doctor and nurse were a superstar team - so wonderfully supportive and they both had such fantastic bedside manner, and having both my husband and my mother in the room created such a positive and warm environment to deliver a baby. I am so happy about how it all happened, I really could not have asked for anything better. Minus Hurricane Sandy, which is bearing down on us now! Fortunately we got home right before the rain started this morning.

How's everyone else feeling/doing? Its so close for everybody, I'm so excited for you guys!!

So it looks like I'm being induced on Thursday, starting at night with cervadil. My bp was awful at the office and not much better at the hospital, although my diastolic came down by about 40 points when resting. I'm now on super strict bed rest until my OB appointment on Thursday morning. I'll be 39 weeks on Wednesday so baby should be healthy. The OB is just concerned that I'm not dilated at all yet (as of Friday), but I'm optimistic that the induction will be successful.

@scg00387: it is very exciting to know when he'll be here, but I'm feel crappy overall and it makes Thursday seem sooooo far away. I know I will probably feel differently once he's here. I'm going to try my best to enjoy these last few days, but I haven't been able to sleep well for a while and I don't feel all that rested. I need my energy for labor!