SHE'S HERE!!!!

Yes she. For those of you who hadn't heard yet, I had a baby girl, Jessica Mykelle, on Friday October 23rd at 6:11pm. She weighed 9lbs 8oz, and was 22 inches long. My labor was great. I started thinking "I think I'm in labor" around 11:30, and called my doula so she could find a babysitter and such. I tried to take a nap, but my contractions were strong enough that I needed to concentrate through them. I used the HypnoBirthing program, and I would say that they didn't hurt. I wouldn't say they were quite comfortable either, but pain is definitely not the word I would use to describe them. I called my doula again around 1, and said that I would actually like her and Nathaniel to come, so she picked up Nathaniel from work and they got here around 2. So they helped me concentrate, and then around 4ish (I think) Megan (my doula) had me get onto my exercise ball. Suddenly the contractions were a lot closer together and a lot more intense. So we got ready and went to the hospital. We got there around 5:30, and I was dilated to 8 cm. They didn't say how effaced, but it was really close. I was on the monitors for the 20 minutes I needed to be, and then I got up, and sat on their birthing ball, which was a lot smaller than my exercise ball. I was only on it for about 5 minutes before my water broke and she started crowning. So I started bearing down. I did not push the way they show in movies "hold your breath, count to ten, tuck your chin, and PUUSH!!!", nor did I lie flat on my back. I definitely bore down though. During this stage there was some pain. A very intense burning sensation. If I had to endure that for the duration of labor, then yes, I would have gotten an epidural, luckily I didn't; and luckily, that's one of those things where you know the end is right there, so it makes it not quite as bad. 15 minutes of bearing down, and our little one popped out. She came out sideways, not posterior, but sideways, so I did tear a smidgen, but only a smidgen. It was so small that they didn't even need to stitch. We stayed in the delivery room for 3 hours, cause I was bleeding a bit too much, and we stayed in the hospital for the full 2 days because Jessica was having some respiratory issues. But then we came home, and all is well. ("Gory" details in the next post) So now, here are some of the cutest pictures. The rest of them are on facebook.

Liftoff!!!!

I mean... Labor? Well, it'd be nice at least. But no, even though I have reached my due date, which was officially today, there are still no contractions or anything. I woke up this morning feeling like my water might be leaking, and have continued to have that feeling all day long. However, nothing more has happened, except a lot of pressure on my pubic bone, so I'm wondering if I was just imagining it. Ya know, I want it so badly that my mind decides its happening, whether or not it actually is. I've just mainly been relaxing all day, which has been nice.
I did have my midwife appointment today though. That was good. No real changes to report. I gained 1 pound, so no big deal there. I found out that my blood pressure is actually on the lower end. Not too low or anything, but low enough that their old machine apparently had a hard time picking up the bottom number today. I asked, and I'm still about 20 above the danger point, so no worries. But apparently I don't need to worry about high blood pressure or anything. I opted not to get my cervix checked this week, with the possible leakage, I didn't want to chance breaking it fully before my baby is ready, so I was really hoping that I could get by without. I could. The midwife said it doesn't really mean anything until you actually start into labor anyway, so I was quite happy with that. She did check how big my uterus was, but didn't tell me what I measured, so I don't know on that one. Then we listened to the baby's heartbeat, and I went home. So yeah, that is how my due date went. I'm really hoping that I go into labor before midnight, but we shall see what happens. My baby knows when is the right time to come, and I'm not too keen on forcing an early arrival, especially seeing as the last few weeks they are in the womb, they are working on their brain development. I must be making a genius here. ;)

...1...

Well, the countdown has ended it looks like. Tomorrow is my due date, and there is still no sign of Baby J. I'm doing everything I can, but the baby just doesn't seem to be ready yet. Nathaniel and I did accompany a friend to a HypnoBirthing class tonight. We wanted her to see what some of the options are, but we will see where things go. While we were there, I did have a few people confirm that I have dropped since last Wednesday, so I guess that is good. One step closer at least. I also had a couple contractions while we were there, but nothing consistent. We'll see where things go. Hopefully I'll have some baby pictures to post up here soon.

...2...

Yup, that's right. 2 days left until my due date. Unfortunately, seeing as the "normal" gestational period for humans is anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks, the "due date" doesn't mean a whole lot, and therefore, I could still have a while. Thinking positive though. "This baby is coming now, this baby is coming now" So yeah. Not much as far as Baby J is concerned for today. I've just been going around my house cleaning, and I've been quilting and drawing as well. I had a great idea for another blog, but it will take me a bit to get it up, so just know that is coming, and that's part of what I was doing today. Other than that though, just waiting on the baby, who will come whenever they're supposed to.

...8...7...6...5...4...3...

Oops, I missed writing for a while again, but don't worry, you haven't missed much. Here are the pictures for today though. (even though today's happenings won't be until a little closer to the end.)


















I couldn't decide which picture I liked better, so I'll let you decide.
























...8...
Well, we had our last HypnoBirthing class on day 8, (Wednesday). Everything went well. I think both of us feel very prepared and able to go into this and have the birth that we want, barring any special circumstances.

...7...
One week left!!!! This day was also my midwife appointment. Baby J has been moving much slower the past few days. Not to the point where I would worry, but more as though there is less room. (go figure huh?) As I said, I went to the midwife appointment. I weighed in at 167 pounds, so I gained 3 pounds over last week, and am at a total of 42 for the pregnancy. I measured at the 39-40 cm mark again, so no change there. I'm thinking probably that means the baby is slowly dropping, not that the baby isn't growing. The heartbeat sounded good, but I didn't get my cervix checked this week. They may make me this week (when I hit 40 weeks) but as long as they'll let me not check, I won't. Blood pressure is staying low. I'm not sure exactly where I was last week, but currently I am measuring at 47 inches around the midsection.

...6...
One more week gone, and still nothing. I'm really wishing something would happen soon. So much so in fact, that I decided to take Nathaniel and I on a walk after he got off work. Well, I figured I would combine it with taking some autumn pictures, so we went up to Bridal Veil Falls. I did want a somewhat longer walk, so I kept us walking past the falls. I actually had us walk all the way up to Vivian Park, which was 3 miles away. In my defense, we got a ways past Bridal Veil, and I needed to use the restroom. Well, I thought we were closer to Vivian than to the car, so I had us keep going. By the time we realized our mistake, we were definitely closer to the top. So we ended up taking a 6 mile (2 1/2 hour) walk, (but to no avail, still no labor) and then we went out to dinner, because there was no way I could spend more time on my feet to cook.

...5...
Saturday was quite a fun day actually. We spent a good portion of the day with my family. My dad had received tickets to the Scarecrow Festival out at Thanksgiving point, so we all went. I love watching my little nieces and nephew having so much fun. However, it was another 3 hours of walking, so we weren't able to stay quite as long as everyone. I was just far too exhausted. Again, it was to no avail though. Still nothing with Baby J. The movement even picked back up, so not even the slowing down of movement before labor.

...4...
Unfortunately I did not feel well on Sunday. So while I went to Sacrament meeting, (where there was the Primary program... so cute!!!) I wasn't able to stay the whole time. So Nathaniel brought me home, and then he went back so he could teach his class. No major changes yet. My mom decided to take pity on a pregnant lady, and so we went over there for dinner. As we were leaving, I realized just how swollen my feet were, when even my flip-flops were too tight. It was pretty bad. So I stayed off my feet as much as I could while there. When we came home, Nathaniel gave me a foot massage as part of our nightly routine, so that helped.
There was 1 change that happened right before I went to bed. At least I think so. I was walking past our full length mirror, and noticed that I seemed at more of a slant from the top of my belly, and more rounded underneath. We're pretty sure that means that Baby J has finally made that final drop, so hope keeps blooming. Maybe I'll have a baby before this week is out. (I sure hope so).

...3...
Well, today has been rather slow for me. Nothing major happening with Baby J. To the point where I'm even wondering if we imagined the drop last night. I didn't think babies went back up once they drop, but with how obvious it seemed last night, and the fact that I don't notice a difference at all today, I wonder if maybe they do go back up. As I said nothing much with the baby, but I did get my kitchen cleaned, and I folded my laundry, and put up Halloween decorations, so I'm completely ready. Baby J can come right this minute and I'd be okay with it.
We'll see how things go as I keep getting closer and closer.

...9...

WOOT!!!! I'm into single digits now!!! Holy cow, it really won't be that much longer and then I'll be a mommy. That's really kinda cool. I'm excited. The baby is moving more today than yesterday, but still slower than it has the rest of the pregnancy. Other than that, I sadly must report that nothing is going on. I just end up overly warm, and under slept. That's all I can think of though. Trust me, I'm hoping for excitement just as much as you are.

...10...

That's right! Only 10 days left to D-day! And I'm feeling fantastic! No major changes today really, though Baby J does seem to be moving a bit slower. Still moving, so I'm not worried, but a little more slowly. I'm also going a bit more slowly, and randomly falling asleep. I don't know if those are actually signs of labor coming, but I'm going to say yes, just cause I want to be optimistic. So yeah. As I said, I would have pictures to post today, but unfortunately, I don't think I held the camera quite still enough on the side view. I'll let you be the judge though.



















I must say though, when your maternity shirts get too small for you (yes that would be my belly hanging out, if not for the panel on the pants. I don't know how well you can see it, but if you get the picture larger, you can see the difference on the colors.



















And here is the view from the front, and I'm not sure I like this picture, but its up for you discretion. My reason for not liking it is because I can tell that I've gained weight in my face, but its not really too bad. So yeah, there are my pictures, and my update. All's well, and hopefully we'll have a little one soon.

...11...

11 days left!! Sorry, I was wrong about having a picture to post today. It was a hormonal (and therefore emotional) rollercoaster today, so I didn't get much of anything done. I would say that there are still no changes, except that I think I noticed that my belly has dropped some. So if there was a noticeable difference, then hopefully that means that its getting closer. My feet are swelling more as well, so I'm looking on the bright side and hoping that it means that I'm almost done. That is what my emotional rollercoaster seems to be about. I seem to be just ready to be done. The funny thing is, most of the time it isn't that I'm so uncomfortable, or so sick of being big and unable to do as much. I just want to be able to see my baby. So yeah. I'm hoping that my blog will get more exciting tomorrow, but there should at least be a picture. :D

...17...16...15...14...13...12...

Well now, apparently this week has not been good for my countdown. So now I have multiple days to write about.

17... Nothing much happened, Baby J is still moving just fine.

16... No changes in the baby, but we did have an appointment with our doula, so that was cool. Everything there was fine. Basically just went over our birthing plan, and figured out what was most important to us.

15... Again, no changes in the baby. Baby J is just being very active, and liking it inside still. Probably just hearing the complaints about the cold, and deciding not to come out yet. We had our 4th HypnoBirthing class on this day. That went very well. I love the HypnoBirthing stuff, it just makes so much sense to me.

14... Still a very active baby, but Baby J seems to have dropped some. I hit 38 weeks this day, and also had my midwife appointment. I still stayed at 40 cm, so the baby, while growing, just keeps dropping at the same rate. My blood pressure is still good, so no worries there. I weighed 164, so it seems that I actually lost a pound there. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I think that at this point it doesn't really matter. The baby's heartbeat still sounded great, so nothing wrong there. I did NOT have my cervix checked. I figured I have a starting point to go from because of last week, I didn't need to know again, and I didn't need to increase my chance of infection or of going into labor earlier than God, nature, and Baby J intended.

13... Very slow day again. I did have a few contractions towards the end of the day, but nothing really to talk about.

12... Hey, that's today! Again, its been slow. Baby J keeps moving lots, and I've been extra tired the past few days, other than that, nothing of note. Hopefully we'll have a baby this weekend. I would really love that, but no guarantees . The only real problem that I've been having is that my feet get swollen, and hurt. But really, since that is it, it's no big deal. I should have a picture to post tomorrow, so hopefully I'll actually keep up with the countdown. ;)

...18...

Yup, 18 days left. Nothing major to report here. Very active baby, so that's good. I did get all sorts of goodies from family that didn't make it to the baby shower, so thats cool. But thats about it. Sorry, maybe tomorrow there will be something to report.

...19...

We just keep pluggin' along. Again, no major changes today, except that I had to change my mental attitude. For some reason, that I don't know, I had this picture in my head of going into labor yesterday, so I would have had the baby already. Well, obviously that didn't happen, and I was having some real struggles yesterday. Well, I realized today that I needed to refocus on the fact that my little one will come when the time is right, and when they have "cooked" for as long as they need to. I needed to focus more on what is best for my baby, and that is for the baby to come naturally in their own time. So I've been working on changing my mindset today.
Other than that, I had gotten a little bit worried earlier because I couldn't feel the baby move. However, I wasn't sure if it was just the time of day, because I'm usually not sitting still right in the middle of the afternoon, so that is what it could have been. Baby J would respond to pokes and prods, so I decided to wait until the time when they are normally most active. Well, Baby J is quite fine, and quite active now, so no worries. It just hurts when the "kicks" (or punches, or headbutts, etc.) go directly downwards towards my cervix. That wasn't fun. But at least I know my baby is alright. But that is it for today. 2 1/2 weeks left until my due date, and I'll keep you posted on if anything happens.

...20...

Yup, 20 days left. As I said, counting down. *wink* At this point I weigh 165, having gained 40 pounds since the beginning of my pregnancy. I don't think I'm doing too badly, since I am doing everything I can to stay healthy.
Things have not changed much from yesterday. No contractions, no water breaking, nothing major like that. I do believe that I am beginning to lose my mucous plug, but I'm not sure on that one. The only real change today from yesterday is my mental state. I didn't get enough sleep last night, and so have had a harder time staying positive today. I've been in the state where I just want to be done. I want to be a mommy, and my arms are aching to hold my little one. It even brought me to tears a couple times today.
I have done some things to prepare for the baby though. Last night, we installed our car seat, but we couldn't get it to stop moving from side to side. We had done everything we could though, so we left it, and decided to get one of the car seat professionals to take a look at it and help us get it installed correctly. I had that appointment this morning, and the only thing we had done wrong was that we didn't lock the seatbelt, using the belt's own locking mechanism. So we got that fixed, and now it works properly. I also packed my hospital bag, since its getting to that point where the baby could come anytime, and while I don't think we'll be in a huge rush"oh my gosh the baby is coming now" rush out the door, and get there with moments to spare, I don't know what it will be like, so I figured it was better to be safe than sorry, and have a bag packed.
Then, today, I made a receiving blanket, since currently I only had 1 in my possesion. I figured that it would be good to have at least 2 when we first had our baby, and even with us in the hospital, just in case. So I needed to make the 2nd one. I love it!! One side is a whole bunch of musical staves!! It was perfect, at least for me. We'll see how musically inclined this child is in a few years. The other side is a piece of flannel that just has a bunch of baby stuff on it in browns and blues and pinks. Its way cute. I was quite happy with it. But yeah, thats about it for this day of the countdown. I didn't get the nesting urge really today, so I didn't do much in regards to the baby. We'll see how things go tomorrow.

The Countdown Begins

Yes, I am officially counting down now. Today I hit 37 weeks into my pregnancy, so really, my baby can come any time between now and the 4th of November. But I'm just going to count down to my due date, so that is 21 days. YAY!!!

So, I had my midwife appointment today, and I am still measuring 40 cm.


















I measured that a week ago, so it isn't much of a surprise, except in that I didn't grow any. Last week it was more of a surprise because at that point I was measuring 4 cm ahead of schedule. I did also have my cervix checked (yay for actually being asked if I wanted the exam, not just having it forced on me). I am dilated to 2.5 cm, and 50% effaced. The dilation isn't exactly indicative of anything, but its nice to know where I'm starting from. I have not really had any contractions, well... I have a few in my back, but only one or 2 a day, so its probably more Braxton-Hicks contractions.
The thing that was the most exciting to me was that I tested negative for the Group B strep!! Yay!!! That means that an IV really isn't necessary, so I don't have to be hooked up to that while I am trying to relax and go through labor. (For those of you interested by that statement, I am using Hypnobirthing, and I will be glad to talk to you about it after my baby is born, but I have been ridiculed too many times to do so before.)

So, other than that, we have most everything that I know of that we need before the baby is born. I'm sure we'll find out some things once the baby is actually here, but for now, we're doing good. Our crib came about 3 weeks ago,



















and we put it together.









It is not the prettiest crib on the market, but we thought it was the safest, so it's the one we bought. It does transform into a toddler bed, and it also has an 11 year warranty, so I'm pretty good with it.



So, the countdown. I will (try to) post every day, and tell of any changes taking place, so if you're wanting to follow along with where we are, then you can. If you don't want to, then you don't have to. :D

So that is that, and until tomorrow, keep making your life what you want it to be.