Charlotte Rose: A Birth Story

I feel as though I've waited my whole life to tell this story.  So, on this day, her one week birthday, here is the story of how our Charlotte Rose entered our life.

Sunday April 13 started out like any other day.  We had a doctor's appointment Friday April 18 where we were 2 cm dilated, 0 station, and 90% thinned out.  Contractions were here and there, but still only Braxton Hick's, not uncomfortable at all.  I had been attempting to walk every day to help the process move along a little more swiftly, bouncing on a workout ball, dancing, eating dates, considering spicy foods.  But, all of these seemed unsuccessful.  So, Jeremy and I decided to take things into our own hands to try and induce labor.

So, after cleaning out the laundry room, top to bottom, changing the litter box, stocking up on essentials at Costco, we made a date for some bedroom time.  One hour later, labor had started and I was feeling menstrual like cramping, nothing like I had felt at any other point during my pregnancy.  We tried to go to bed, attempting to get as much sleep as possible, and around 1-1:30 I was having contractions every 15 minutes.

At this point they were uncomfortable, but not unbearable.  We started really timing things, and by 3:00 my contractions had grown closer together, nearly every 8 minutes apart.  Contemplating when to call my parents, we decided to hold out until they were every 6 minutes apart; when they got to every 5 minutes apart my OB advised us to head down to the hospital.

I'm not exactly sure at what point Jeremy called my parents, around 3:30 or 4:00 Monday morning (our due date), but by 4:30, we were making our 35 minute journey to the hospital.  I was thankful we left when we did as we avoided rush hour traffic, making the trek a little less stressful.

I was practicing my hypnobirthing, but it felt as though I couldn't concentrate enough during my contractions to relax and settle into that deep relaxation state.  Between contractions it was working like a dream, and I was able to rest well before the next one came along.

We arrived at the hospital, checked in, and Jeremy wheeled me back to triage.  The nurse hooked me up to the fetal monitor, the contraction monitor, checked my oxygen levels, as well as the blood pressure cuff.  She proceeded to ask me a million questions, which we knew were coming.  Explaining most of that was in our birth preferences, she said she still had to verbally ask us everything.  Finally she checked me, and to my surprise, I was still only 2 cm dilated, and was not contracting consistently enough to be admitted.

So, they sent us home.  When we asked, "How do we know when to come back?" the nurse replied, "Trust me, you'll know."  ...um...okay???

So back in the car for the 35 minute drive home.  At this point my parents had arrived at my grandmother's house, and we caught Jeremy's parents before they left to the hospital, explaining we were on our way home.

Within the next couple of hours, both sets of our parents headed over to our house to help support Jeremy and I during my labor.  I can't put into words how grateful I am for this time with them.  Jeremy's parents arrived first, and my mother-in-law stepped right into the job; rubbing my back when a contraction came, talking me through it.  She offered water and food, helped Jeremy take breaks when he needed them.

At this point my contractions were gaining in intensity and I made my way to the bathtub for some relief.  This worked a couple of times, but around noon my contractions were getting pretty intense and when I asked Jeremy what he though, he said, "Let's head back to the hospital, I think it's time."

So, our second trip, 35 minutes to the hospital.  Somehow our parents arrived before we did, which I found amusing.  Again we checked in, and made our way back to triage.

Once in triage for the second time, the nurse this time around was amazing.  She gave Jeremy and I some great advice.  She again hooked me up to all of the monitors, and asked me more questions.  Dying of anticipation, she FINALLY checked me.  "Sweetheart, you're 3 cm dilated."  My face must have show it all.  She immediately praised me for the progress I had made since my first visit.  She explained that she had done an all natural birth and advised us to go home once again.  She explained that I would most likely deliver in 7-14 hours and the longer I stayed home the more comfortable I would be, as I wouldn't have nurses constantly checking on me and I wouldn't have to be hooked up to monitors.

She asked us why we wouldn't want to go home, our only answer was of convenience.  It's a half an hour each way, and being in the car during contractions was nearly unbearable.  She said, "So go to the mall!  You don't have to go all the way home.  Walk around, it'll help."  THE MALL?!?!  Yeah right.

Once again, we all headed back to our house.  My MIL had made some food, so I attempted to eat a little to keep up my strength.  At this point we had been in labor for over 12 hours with minimal to no sleep the night before.  I took a few bites, drank some juice and headed back up stairs to our bedroom, which is where I labored the majority of the time while I was at home.

My mom and my MIL right by my sides, supporting me as best they could.  reminding me to relax, to breath, rubbing my back, and hydrating me.  After about 45 minutes all of a sudden I felt like I had peed my pants.  I exclaimed, "I THINK MY WATER BROKE!" as I rushed to the bathroom, and sure enough it had.

This was also one of the stipulations the doctors had told us to go back to the hospital if my water broke as I was Group B Strep positive and required antibiotics immediately.  So at this point it's around 3:00 Monday afternoon and we headed back to the hospital for the 3rd and final time.  I had heard that once your water breaks your contractions get more intense, but I can't say that I for sure experienced this.  They were already very intense at that point.

One thing I feel helped, which I had learned through hypnobirthing was to breath my baby down.  This was a great focus for me and helped me to relax my upper body and concentrate on my breathing.  Another tip the nurse had mentioned was to wait until the peak of my contraction to close my eyes and start my breathing.  At this point, I would count backwards from 20 and the most intense part of my contraction was over.  This was a huge part of my labor, and really got me through some of the most intense contractions.  This way you're only concentrating on 20 seconds of the contractions instead of the entire thing.

So, once again, we check in, head back to triage and I was finally admitted.  They hooked me up to all the monitors and started my IV.  The nurse was the same one who had given me the tips during our last trip to the hospital, and she did comment that she felt I was much more confident and controlled during my contractions since the last time I had come it.  At this point I got very sick, the nurse told us this was very common during transition times of labor, hormones will increase causing vomiting.  It was terrible, but didn't last too long thankfully.  Soon after, they transferred us to our delivery room.

For the next couple of hours, the 6 of us were in the delivery room, with Jeremy and my mom once again stepping up to the plate and guiding me through each contraction.  At one point, they were getting so intense and painful that after each one I was having to us my essential oils, specifically peppermint to aide with the nausea.  I was checked around 5/5:30 Monday afternoon and I had progressed to 6 cm.  Within the next hour, the contractions were becoming more unbearable.

My mom and Jeremy were great at communicating with me.  The let me know when the contraction was starting, when it was starting to peak, and when the break was coming up.  Within this hour I was getting hardly any break though.  They were the most intense I had delt with, then they would go down to a medium one immediately, then to a smaller contraction, and then right back up to another intense one.  I was maybe getting a minute break in between these long stretches.  I was exhausted.  I had been laboring since 11:00 the night night before.  We were approaching 19 hours of labor and I needed HAD to be checked, I wanted to know how much progress I had made, how far along we had come in that time, how much more I needed to get through to get this little baby here.

So the nurse checked me around 6:00 PM Monday April 14.  Still 6 cm.  No change in that hour.  I couldn't do it anymore.  I was done, I was defeated.  Jeremy and I had a plan for when this time would come, because we knew it would.  He would talk me down, calm me, explain that we just have to concentrate on one contraction at a time.  I could do it just one more time.  "Let's get through one more," he said.  "I know you can do it, you're strong."

The next one came, and went.  Even more intense then the last, and I needed relief.  I needed a rest, a break, some time to regroup.  I begged for the epidural.  Within 30 minutes I was a completely different person.  I was happy, talking to my family, feeling nothing, resting, regrouping, and eventually sleeping.

My nurse advised things would probably start to move a little more quickly now that I had the epidural.  My body would be able to completely relax and do it's job in moving the baby down.  Sure enough within the next hour I progressed to 7 cm, then 8 cm in the next, and by 10:30 PM I was at 9 cm.  Things were looking good!  No C-section here, I was going to be able to do this!.

At 11:30 PM Monday April 14, the nurse came to check me again.  I was so anxious.  If things continued the way they had been, I should be at 10 CM and ready to start pushing.  If I was lucky, I would only push for a half an hour and deliver this baby on her due date.  "I'm ready," I thought, let's get this baby here!

To my surprise, I was still 9 CM, not any sign of being close to 10 CM.  I continued to rest during this time, with the nurse or resident coming in every hour to check me.  Still 9 CM at 12:30 AM Tuesday....1:30 AM still 9 CM... 2:30 AM 9 CM.  Things were not looking good for a vaginal delivery.

The resident thought the baby was possibly stuck in the birth canal, unable to descend any lower.  At this point Pitocin was administered because my contractions had decreased in strength and frequency.  My cervix thinned a little, but I was still at 9 CM at 5:00 AM Tuesday morning.

The resident came in and asked how we felt about a C-Section.  We commented that we knew it could be a possibility as my mother had a C-Section with my brother and I.  "But, can't we increase the Pitocin for a couple more hours to see if it will work?" I asked. 

She replied that we could, that she had a C-Section scheduled and if we were going that route we'd have to wait a couple of hours anyway.  So they increase the Pitocin, stopped all food intake only allowing me ice chips (remember I have been in labor now for 30 hours and was STARVING!) and attempted positioning me in a number of new and different position.

The nurse came in and checked me around 5:30 and said that I had started to thin out again, and she thought I would be able to deliver vaginally!  And when I asked for food, she said she would contact my doctor personally to get the okay.  10 minutes later I had Jell-o and juice!!! I was on cloud nine!

At around 6:00 the new nurse came on shift.  She discussed with the other nurse where I was and within minutes I was checked one last time and told, "Okay, with the next contraction I want you to try and push."

WHAT?!  Hold on, a couple hours ago I was basically being wheeled in for a C-section.  Now I'm dilated 10 CM and ready to push?!?!  I was in shock, the reality of what was about to happen had not settled in.

Our families left the room so just Jeremy and I could experience the miracle that was about to happen.  I started pushing at 6:30 AM Monday April 15.  Things moved quickly from this point on,  Many doctors, residents, nurses and baby nurses filled the room.  Endless counts to ten, praising for being a good pusher, "GO GO GO!"  I had an amazing team in front of me, guiding and coaching me through it all. 

The doctor said the baby was coming in transverse (sideways) and had turned "sunny side up."  This is where the baby is facing up towards my belly instead of facing down at my spine.  This is a more difficult type of delivery as the head doesn't fit as well into the birthing canal.  Luckily with a few pushes, and some coaxing from the doctor, she was able to turn the baby the right way.

After two hours of pushing, Charlotte Rose Rials was born at 8:35 AM Tuesday April 15.  When she came out I though I saw that she was a girl, but I exclaimed, "Let me see what it is!" to make sure, as I was the one who was going to announce the gender of the baby.  "It's a girl," I cried!  A girl.  I turned to Jeremy, tears streaming down my face, him with tears in his eyes, "We have a baby girl."

For the next hour and a half it was just the three of us, getting to know each other, infatuated with our daughter.

33 and a half hours of labor, 2 hours of pushing, on the verge of a C-Section.  It all seemed like a dream once I was holding her in my arms.

Welcome to the world our beautiful Charlotte Rose.

Charlotte Rose: Week 1

I can't believe I'm writing this post about our 1 week old!  It has gone by in a flash, and we are still getting to know our little one.  I'm in the process of writing up her birth story, which I have already cried through multiple times.

In this week we have learned:

Charlotte loves being rocked by her daddy
She's a tough one to burp
I now fully understand the term "blow out"
We're slowly getting into a schedule of some sort
She loves being in the Baby K'tan carrier with mommy
The cats are adjusting as well as can be expected
I never knew how much my mom loved me until I held my daughter in my arms
I have a daughter

Here's a few pictures from the hospital and our first days home, a little out of order.  Enjoy!

Grammy D and Grandpa

Nana and Gramps

Jeremy cutting Charlotte's nails

First visit with Dr. Ross

Happy Birthday Uncle Travis!

Uncle Travis and Auntie Sam

First Easter basket from Nana and Gramps

Happy Easter!

In the MamaRoo swing

Born at 8:35

6 lbs 11 oz

Foot prints

Aunt Lisa

The Rials Family

Aunt Melissa

First bath with daddy

Happy Easter!

39 Weeks: "Patiently" Waiting

Well 39 weeks has come and gone and tomorrow is the baby's due date.  We had a doctor's appointment on Friday and have progressed to 2 cm dilated.  I am so grateful I have progressed!!!  Seems like walking and bouncing on the physioball is doing something.

I will say I wasn't quite happy with how our appointment went.  As she was checking me she asks, "Do you want me to swirl my finger around, or get outta there?"

UM...WHAT????

First of all I have no idea what you're talking about, and second, this is totally uncomfortable...so GET OUTTA THERE!

So after she finishes checking me, I asked what she meant by, "swirl my finger around."  She explained what she meant was if I wanted her to strip my membranes.  What does that mean??? 

***Continue reading if you're so inclined, if you don't want to read the details of pregnancy skip on down a couple of paragraphs***

Stripping of the membranes is a way to attempt to induce (start) labor.  In this procedure, the doctor will use a gloved finger to gently separate the amniotic sac from the wall of the uterus. This releases hormones that can trigger contractions.  It can be uncomfortable (painful from testimonials I have read).  I'm having trouble finding reliable statistics on the effectiveness of stripping the membranes in assisting with inducing labor, but from what I've found so far, it only works about 50% of the time.  In addition, the more I research, if you're Group B Strep + you should not have your membranes stripped as this could increase the baby's chance of infection (although the CDC says there is no data to support this yet).

So, I was not warned or asked prior to my doctor checking me if I wanted the procedure done, nor was there any discussion regarding me being GBS + and the risk involved with stripping my membranes.  Needless to say, my next appointment I will most definitely be bringing this up!

I've been feeling much more tired the last couple of days, taking 2-3 hour naps each day.  My feet and ankles have really started to swell up and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of it.  Baby is continuing to try and move around in there.  When I'm in the tub relaxing with the music on seems to be this little one's favorite time to try out new dance moves.

At this point, although I am more then ready to have this baby, I feel as though this little one will come when the time is right; and although I'm uncomfortable I should not rush the timeline this baby has.  Our next appointment is Wednesday, I'll be 40 weeks and a couple of day and we'll reevaluate at that point.

In other news, I went to the fire department and had our car seat checked.  Jeremy installed it correctly behind the drivers seat, but in fact, the safest spot is in the center back seat.  We initially installed it behind the drivers seat because that's where the hooks were to strap the base in, rather than using the seat belt.  But the lady explained that even though we'd be using the seat belt in the center spot, it was still safer then behind the drivers seat.  She also scolded me about using these cute owl strap covers that my mom had purchased and the mirror to see the baby in while driving.  She explained we should not use anything in the car seat that did not already come with it, and in regards to the mirror, she explained that in an accident it could become dislodged and fly at the baby and cause additional injuries.  So, all in all, I'm glad I went and now know exactly how to install our car seat.

Jeremy and I spent all weekend continuing to prep for baby.  We made a Costco run and are stocked up for months on toilet paper and paper towels.  We also bought more than enough cat food and cleaned their areas up so we won't have to worry about that once the babe is here.  We did some relaxing too and watched movies and laid in bed for hours.  I'm trying to really soak up this alone time with my husband knowing any day now it won't be the two of us any more (yes I'm tearing up just thinking about that).  He is continuing to support me unconditionally, holding me while I cry for no apparent reason, and jump at my many foodie demands.  If being pregnant hasn't made me fall in love with him more every day, I can't even begin to imagine what seeing him as a father will do. 

Fingers crossed my next post will be baby's birth story!  Until then...

38 weeks

Well, we have made it through the 38th week.  It's really interesting how much my perspective has changed in just this one week.  At the beginning of the week I was feeling great, in fact, I remember saying to myself, "I could definitely do this for a couple of more weeks."  Fast forward to the end of the week and I have been singing a different tune...

I CAN'T GET COMFORTABLE.  No matter which side I lay on, sitting, or standing; I feel squished all of the time.  There is literally no more room in this belly.  I had a twinge of guilt as I told Jeremy, nearly in tears the other night, "I just want my body back."  I've housed this little one for nearly ten months and my body is TIRED.  I know this is the safest place for this little one, and that the baby will come when it's ready.  But...I'm tired; my back is tired, my feet are tired, I'm tired of wearing maternity clothes...I'm just plain tired.

Okay, enough complaining.  I really have had an easy pregnancy.  Although, now I completely understand why women say the last couple of weeks creep by at a snails pace.  We are "fully" prepared for baby, clothes purchased, baby gear bought and assembled, nursery complete, classes taken; now we just wait....and wait..and wait for this little one's arrival.  Hopefully, fingers crossed, not too much longer. 

We had a doctor's appointment on Thursday.  Everything was pretty much the same, except the baby has dropped a little more from a -2 station to a 0 station.  We reviewed our birth preferences with our provider, and felt really good about how the conversation went.

Baby is measuring at exactly 38 weeks, and I have gained back the handful of pounds I had lost a couple of weeks ago.

If the baby has hair, it could be up to 1 inch long now.  My feet and hands are swelling, and tending to stay that way; so, sadly, I am no longer wearing my wedding band and engagement ring :(

I think we have finally narrowed down two boys names and two girls names.  The girls names I have liked from the very beginning and I'm glad Jeremy was on board with my suggestions.  I went through our baby name book (for the 15th time) and found a few more to add to the boy name list, then had Jeremy look it over.  We both liked a name that neither of us had mentioned before.  This name is really growing on me, and now that we have names pretty much narrowed down, I'm even more anxious to meet this little one.

This week we also went to pick out the baby's take-home outfit.  We both walked into the store, and had the sales associate show us around to the newborn outfits.  We ended up in the little girls section first, and I'm not sure if I was looking too much into things, but I felt like we spent a long time in this section.  We found an adorable dress, then headed over to the boys section.  Not as many outfits seemed to jump out at us, but we finally agreed on a little boys outfit.  Then I left the store and headed to the car while Jeremy paid for the outfit we will eventually bring our little one home in.  He hid the bag in the trunk, snuck it inside the house, washed and dried it, then put it in a gift bag to take to the hospital with us.  I absolutely CAN'T wait to open it!!

Last but not least, Jeremy took me to one of my favorite spots: The Coffee Shop at Agritopia.  He could sense my spirits weren't quite as high as they usually are, and said he wanted to treat me to something sweet.  So we got a chocolate chip cookie dough whoopie pie and it was amazing!

Well that sums up the week.  I have a feeling the baby is either going to come on the 10th, or wait until after the 14th, don't ask me why haha.  See you all in a week!

37 Weeks: Group B Strep Test

Well, with the week starting off VERY non-eventful, I have decided to work on something fun to take my mind off of the waiting game.  OF COURSE I could be doing some nesting (believe me, I have a notebook paper FULL of things I would like to get done before baby arrives), but I saw this idea and loved the thought behind it.

In honor of my 37th week being pregnant, let's celebrate by going through 37 things pregnancy has taught me: (Um...yeah right.  I got to 10 and called it quits haha)

1.  Maternity clothes are the best invention EVER! No buttons, zippers, AND elastic waistbands!!!
2.  Babies need A LOT of stuff!  Holy baby equipment overload!  And I'm pretty sure every mom-to-be cries when registering.
3.  Cravings are for real, but husbands will not rush out the door at 3 AM to get them for you ;)
4.  Those baby calendars where they compare your precious little one to a fruit make no sense...but it's something fun to add to the pregnancy chalkboard.
5.  Pregnancy chalkboard updates are cute, but get ready for a weekly commitment of figuring out how the hell you're going to pull that off week after week when feeling like you drank an entire bottle of tequila the night before.
6.  On that note, morning sickness is real...but it can be all day long; and just because your not puking your brains out does not mean you have it any easier or worse then any other mother-to-be.
7.  If you haven't done so already, you will know where EVERY restroom in every store or restaurant is, and exactly how many steps and how long it will take you to get there from any corner of that place.
8.  Ice cold fruit is THE BEST!  From smoothies, to Popsicles, or just keeping the fruit bin stacked in the fridge; I can't get enough of the stuff!
9.  Naps are amazing, take full advantage.
10.  Your pets will undoubtedly know you're expecting and start giving you more and more attention.  My never cuddly cats are constantly by my side while I'm at home and I LOVE it!

Okay, now onto the pregnancy/baby updates:

 Friday we had a doctor's appointment and I'm so happy my grandmother was able to come with us.  She was able to sit in and listen to the baby's heartbeat; once again I loved seeing her face light up to the sound just as our parents have in the past.  We're going to the doctor on a weekly basis now, and I was anxious to see if I had made any progress since our last appointment.

I had totally forgotten about the Group B Strep test the doctor had done last week, so I was completely blindsided by the results. 

First let me explain what Group B strep is. Only about 25% of  of pregnant women carry group B strep. It's a bacteria that may come and go in people’s bodies without symptoms.  If it is present during labor, it can be passed on to the baby and make the baby very sick.  So they give the mother antibiotics during labor to kill the bacteria so the newborn doesn't get it.

I was so shocked by the positive test result so much so  that I immediately started to cry.  Testing positive for Group B Strep is NOT that big of a deal.  The reason I got so upset was because I really didn't want to be hooked up to an IV during labor.  I didn't prep myself very well for this visit, and when what you have planned for your labor all of a sudden is changed, it was hard to hear.  (For all of those mom's out there, I realize this is only a taste of what is to come, and I think I'll be able to prepare myself a bit better for changes in course of treatment later on).  Of course I'm okay with everything now.  I fully understand that whatever needs to be done to keep the baby safe is what we will do, it was just a bit of a shock at first.

Other than these test results, not too much has changed.  The doctor said I'm still at 1 cm dilated, about 85-90% effaced (cervix has thinned out) and still a -2 station.  I have been feeling practice contractions nearly every day, anywhere from just 1 to a handful throughout the day.  I know they're just practice because they don't hurt, just a tightening of my belly.  Baby is still moving around a lot and we have discovered that Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream creates a dance party in my belly, baby goes nuts over it!

Saturday was also a special day.  It was my best friend Erin's bridal shower.  She invited me and our friend Shaina to a dry bar when they wash, blow dry, and style your hair.  It was great spending time with these two and getting a bit of pampering in before the party.  I HIGHLY suggest getting this done if you are getting professional pictures done, or are going to a wedding or fancy party.  Well worth the time, effort, and money... I mean, look at our hair!!

I will do an extra post this week about Erin's bridal shower, so stay tuned.

Also, if you haven't done so already, please visit our Baby Hunch website to submit your guesses for Baby Rials.  Remember, whoever is closest will win a prize!!! Just click here to submit your guess.  You will have to enter in your email address, but this is just so we can contact you if you have won, you don't have to sign up for anything, promise :)

See you all next week!

36 Weeks: 9 Months!!

4 weeks left until our little one arrives!  This was one of the first tough lessons I had to learn when I became pregnant, you are not pregnant for 9 months, you're in it for nearly a full 10.  It didn't bother me so much the previous 36 weeks, but now that we're here, I'm ready for this baby to come!  Well, half of me is; the other half of me is currently making another list of last minute things we need to get done.

This weekend we put up the birch tree wall decals in the nursery.  We ordered them from In An Instant Art Schop on Etsy.  They turned out SO cute, I absolutely love them!  There are a few more DIY projects that I'm trying to complete before posting a full nursery reveal.  I found a foot stool for the glider and a decorative wall display shelf at an antique mall that need to be recovered and painted.  I'm also putting a cute tiered basket on the dresser/changing table that needs to be repainted.

My parents and brother came into town Wednesday after I got out of class just in time to join us for our final birthing class.  Mostly it was my mom who sat in, but I'm really glad she was there to get a sense of what we want our birthing experience to be like. 

Thursday we went to the new Chicago Cubs spring training site to see them play the Mariners.  It was a little overcast, but still a beautiful day.  The facility reminds me a lot of the Diamondback Salt River Field.  I heard it was supposed to replicate Wrigley Field with brick, but there was hardly any.  I was a bit disappointed in that.  Everyone drank ice cold beers while I noshed on chocolate ice cream.  It was delish, but I miss beer!!

Friday morning my mom and I headed to Target to get a few things for the delivery and after the baby comes home.  It was nice to just spend some alone time with her.  I loved walking through the baby isles with her as she gushed over how cute this was and how cute that was.  Jeremy never does that!

Now onto the good stuff!

Update on baby and I.  I thought a couple of weeks ago I had strained my right groin muscle.  It hurt every now and then, but nothing too bad.  Well, I got home Tuesday and I could hardly walk I was in such bad pain.  Every time I took a step it was like an ice pick stabbing me in my groin.  I, of course, had a bunch of stuff planned for that afternoon to get ready for my parents coming into town.  Instead, I curled up on the couch with tears streaming every time I changed positions.  I was also experiencing some pain in my low back, more like surges; not like a back ache - different.  I tried timing them, but they were so inconsistent.  Still worried, I called the nurse triage at my OBGYN office and they explained I was experiencing round ligament pain probably because the baby has dropped further into my pelvis.  Since I had an appointment a couple of days later, she saw no need for me to come in.

So, my mom, dad, Jeremy, and I drove into Ahwatukee for my doctor's appointment on Thursday.  I was anxious to hear what the doctor thought of my symptoms.  My parents were able to come into the room to hear the baby's heartbeat.  I love how their faces light up every time they hear it.  Once they left, the doctor did an exam.  She explained that I was 1 full centimeter dilated, 80% effaced, and a -2 station.  An alarm sounded in my brain, "I'M IN LABOR, I'M IN LABOR, I'M IN LABOR!!!"  But, as calmly as I could, I asked, "so what does that mean?"

She explained that this could mean I go into labor the next day... or in 3 weeks (pretty big time frame, huh?!).  But that the baby has definitely dropped down.  We need to get the cervix to 100% effaced (so we're not far from that) and when the head is crowing I'll be at a +5 station (still far from this number).  So, in other words, the process has started, but there's no telling when I'll go into full on labor.

I'm paying much closer attention to my body and any signs it gives me, but so far things seem fairly normal.  My groin pain has become much better the last couple of days, and I'm nearly walking without any pain.  I've been doing pelvic tilts and cat/cow yoga positions to attempt to help.  I'm feeling the surges in my back every now and then, but nothing consistent.  We are packing the hospital bag this weekend and car seat base is in the backseat.  I'd love for this little one to grow a bit more before entering this world (plus I have a group presentation next Wednesday that I really need to attend).

So, for now, we'll continue on as normal.  See you in a week :)

OH!  One last thing.

I decided to use BabyHunch.com to put together a Baby Pool where you can guess certain things such as Baby's Birth date (date and time, Baby's Sex, Baby's Weight, etc, etc.).
If you'd like to play, simply click the link provided below to submit your guess!
Once you visit the page, click 'Enter New Hunches' to submit your hunches...Who ever is the closest may just win a prize!  (It's free, you don't have to sign up for anything)
Just click here--> Tess and Jeremy's Baby Pool

35 Weeks

It's been a busy week!  Tuesday we put the pack-n-play together and also received the video monitor.  Those pack-n-plays are NOT easy to assemble!  Directions were terrible, and I was constantly having to go back a step or two to re-do and switch things around.  No wonder people like the 4moms Breeze playard so much, one step and it's ready to go!

We also went to our first baby class.  It was a baby care class where we learned baby care skills, safety information, feeding, diapering, bathing, and comforting a baby.  We also learned about symptoms of illness and when to call/see the pediatrician.  In addition, we received info on what happens the first hour of the babies life and what tests/procedures to expect.

We had to bring a stuffed animal to practice on and I absolutely LOVED seeing Jeremy put a diaper on a teddy bear and then swaddle it, haha.  I have to admit, I thought I knew a good amount about babies, but I learned a TON at this class!

Then, I got a bit of a surprise on Wednesday.  (this may be too much info for some, so skip onto the next paragraph if you don't want to read more detailed pregnancy issues :)) I believe I lost my mucus plug late Wednesday morning.  This was the one and only time I wish I had one of those "What To Expect When Expecting" pregnancy books.  I had no idea what this meant, was I labor?!?!  I immediately called my doctor's office to talk to the nurses on call.  She explained that it's not necessarily a precursor to labor, and gave me all the signs and symptoms of labor to look for that would indicate me coming into the office before my next appointment (next week) to get checked out.  I'm not leaking any fluid (my water hasn't broken) and I don't believe I'm experiencing any contractions.  So, we're just at a wait and see what happens stage.

But what a wake up call!  So this weekend we will definitely be tying up lose ends, purchasing the rest of the necessities, hopefully finishing up the nursery, as well as the big one: PICKING OUT NAMES!

Friday we started our birthing classes.  We are doing hypnobirthing.  Every time I work on my relaxation techniques...I end up falling asleep!  I immediately felt comfortable with our instructor Sara, and knew this is exactly who we were supposed to be working with and the way we are supposed to bring our baby into this world.  Here is more info on Sara and hypnobirthing: http://www.saravaughanetc.com/   Our session lasted nearly 3 hours, she came to the house and it was like having a friend on the couch to talk to.  It was so refreshing to talk to someone about this birthing technique who completely understood why we chose this route and to hear her stories, tips, techniques, and really discuss everything about our labor from nearly top to bottom.  We have some homework to accomplish over the next week, and I'm feeling more and more comfortable each day with the though of bringing this little one into our world.

Update on baby:  The baby is the size of a coconut and over 5 pounds.  Hearing is fully developed and Jeremy and I have started playing lullabies for the baby.  They say the baby will be able to recognize these songs once the baby is born.

I've received quite a few comments that it looks as though the baby has dropped.  This little one is also getting stronger by the day.  There have been a couple of nights where the baby has kicked my ribs so hard it takes my breath away!  This definitely happens more often when I am laying on my right side, which is my favorite side to sleep on!

Well, this post has gone on and on!  We have another busy week ahead of us, my parents will be visiting, we have a doctor's appointment, and another spring training game.  We also added some to the nursery that I will post next week.  See you then!