2014 April Rainbows

[vietmamsie]

No, she is the only western one in this whole city! Plus I haven't heard of any vietnamese ones, don't know if they really exist out here!

You must be excited! I can't believe we are all about to meet our little ones over the next month and a half. What a magical time for all of us!

 

[Karinama98]

Did my pilates workout for the first time in a few weeks today and OMG...the belly is starting to get in the way of being able to do things well. And the indigestion/heartburn I was having while doing it didn't help. I felt so exhausted after.

Since today is the start of week 33 for us, we did our traditional every two week photo of my progression. To show how things have changed since early on, I have a picture with multiple weeks to show my changes.

Here's to another 7 weeks or so!


Weeks are 9, 15, 19, 25 and 33

 

[vietmamsie]

Karina - love the pictures! I like that you kept the same background/clothes. Makes it very easy to see how much you have grown!

Ok, maybe I complained too early... or my doula has esp... she called me yesterday and we finally settled on a date and time for next week. feeling better! Now I just have to make it though a million chores today before I head out and meet DH for lunch!

 

[Karinama98]

Vietmamsie: Thanks. My husband gets excited every 2 weeks when we have to take another picture. He then likes going through each of them that we've taken and see how things have changed. Oddly, he puts sound effects to it all as well when he does. LOL

 

[vietmamsie]

haha! Thats too funny!

My DH has taken a lot more interest in this whole thing lately. I think with the massive amount of movement we have been experiencing and the fact that it is all getting closer... I always catch him looking at my bump, waiting to see movement, then getting really excited when he does. It makes me so happy to see him excited! He spend a lot of time with his ear to my belly, claiming that he can hear the baby 'squeaking'. I think it just might be my gas, I go along with it! After our rough start in this whole ttc, I totally have understood his hesitancy to getting too attached too early.

Turns out I'm not going to meet the doula after all... she has to fly to Canada because of a family emergency. I think we are going to have to start practicing on our own. Boo!

Oh, and I had my first contraction. It was intense and I thought I was going to throw up, not to mention I was actually out to lunch alone when it came on! I managed, but totally broke a sweat, must have looked sick, and was a little scared! I kept thinking how I would get down the steep stairs of the restaurant in labor, and hail a taxi to the hospital all alone while it went on for over a minute - and cursing myself for not having a hospital bag packed. God knows DH would be helpless trying to pack one without me!

Weekend tasks: Last wash of baby things, pack baby hospital bag, pack mommy hospital bag.

 

[hope4rainbow]

Karina- Love the progression pictures, so sweet that your husband enjoys them as much as you do!

Vietmamsie- Glad to hear your doula called back, I've heard such good things about the support they can offer.

Brieanna- I hope you get your vbac! My mom had two vbacs after a c-section with me. My belly button has been loud since about week 20, welcome to the belly button club!

Kasey- The leg cramps aren't fun! I've started getting eye twitches that my doctor said is the same kind of thing.

Lisa- You'll definitely treasure those videos of her movements! My little guy gets camera shy and stops moving every time I try to video him...
I'm glad you're feeling better, that sounds scary.

We had another check up today and I'm 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced! I'm glad my body is starting the process since we're being induced early. I've heard that inductions when your cervix hasn't made any changes can be rough or not work.

I'm so ready to be done with work. It is exhausting to teach 22 2nd graders, get ready for a long term substitute, and grow Ian!! When my alarm goes off at 5:30 am each morning I just want to turn it off and go back to sleep. Only one more week until I'm on maternity leave...

 

[vietmamsie]

Hope - wahoo for maternity leave!!!! I am excited for you! Good news on your stats too, I am hoping for that kind of news at my next appointment.

Just curious, when is your induction planned and why did you opt for an early induction?

 

[Lindsay109]

Lisa, glad to hear you've got a plan and the hospital seems very well equipped to handle any difficulties you may encounter (which hopefully are none!). That's great that your OH can work from home 3 days a week too so you won't have to be alone. Not much longer now until you meet your little one!!!

Kasey, sorry to hear your OH has to be away for so long! I can imagine that would be really difficult. I'm glad to hear you've got lots of family close by who can help out I've washed a bit of the baby clothing, but between being very busy with work and doing more around the house because of DH breaking his leg, I haven't done as much as I had hoped. I'm trying really hard to cut back on work now so that I can feel a little more prepared before baby arrives.

Vietmamsie, I hope you had a nice relaxing weekend and that your DH is feeling better now... I often forget that pregnancy can be stressful for my DH as well. I hear you on the swelling, my hands have been a bit swollen the last few weeks and the wedding rings are off for the duration of the pregnancy I think. The contraction you had sounds painful! I've had braxton hicks contractions, but nothing painful to date, just some tighenings. Hopefully your doula will make it back before your little one arrives!

Brieanna, that's great news that you found a hospital and doctor who will allow vbac, I hope your appointment on the 3rd goes well!

Karina, sorry to hear about your washer/dryer! What awful timing, those unexpected expenses are so stressful. Regarding child care, we're looking at in home child care as well - and for the same reasons as you (less germs, not such long wait lists, and can be less costly) My parents and the inlaws will be able to help us a little bit, but we'll still need some child care. I love your bump progression pics!!

As for me, I think my little one may be coming a bit early too... my blood pressure has started to creep up a bit and the OB said they typically recommend early induction (around 38 weeks) in this case. It will ultimately be my decision, so just going to wait and see what my body does - I'm being monitored quite closely now. I just hope DH will be back on his feet and able to help out by the time baby arrives.... I'm not sure how I will manage if he's still on crutches. We were not planning on hiring a doula, but are now considering it because it would probably be really helpful if he's still on crutches when I go into labour.

As for sticking around, I think we should definitely keep this thread going... I can't wait to read the birth stories and see pics of all the babies!!

 

[hope4rainbow]

Vietmamsie- We didn't opt for it, we knew all along we'd have to be induced early. After my first two pregnancy losses we did testing that showed I have a blood clotting disorder (blood clots during pregnancy can keep nutrients from getting through the placenta and can cause me to have a stroke). I've been on blood thinners since my positive pregnancy test (daily injection into my stomach) and I need to be off of them 24 hours before I'm induced to help keep away any possible complications like hemorrhaging during birth (but not too much longer than 24 hours because then a clot could form). I'll have to start them back up 6-12 hours after birth and continue until 6 weeks postpartum b/c I will still be at a high risk for blood clots myself.

 

[Kasey84]

Karina- love your progression pics

Vietmamsie- I've had some BH contractions, but nothing too intense yet!

Hope- Glad to hear your body is getting ready! Won't be long now I hear you about wanting to be done work! I'm so exhausted...hoping to finish up next week too!

Lindsay- Glad they're keeping an eye on your blood pressure. Hopefully you DH has recovered by the time baby arrives!

I'm feeling pretty productive this weekend...getting the baby's clothes and things sorted and washed I've also finally managed to catch my belly moving and jumping on video! Amazing!

 

[vietmamsie]

Hope - Wow, I can't believe you have been doing injections this whole time... You are a very strong lady! It is so amazing how on this thread we have several people (my self included) who would not have been able to stay pg without the help of modern medicine, or may have had very tragic ends to their pregnancy if it wasn't for testing and early fetal monitoring. I am just so happy that everyone's doctors have good plans and seem to know what they are doing!!

Kasey - I spent over an hour with camera in hand yesterday waiting... and waiting... just got one small kick on film. Will try again soon!

 

[Brieanna]

It does seem crazy how most of us have had to have medical help for things baby related. I read about stories from people who have little to no medical intervention in their pregnancy and birth and while I get a bit jealous sometimes, I am so glad that the medical advances have made it possible for us to have babies! I know my dd and I would probably be dead if not for medical intervention and I would not have as many choices in this pregnancy, so while it is nice that some people can go a more natural route, I am so thankful that we all will soon have our babies in our arms, even if we need a little "help", lol.

Vietmamsie-sorry you seem to be having a time with your doula. That would really frustrate me, especially since you are her only client!

Hope4rainbow-glad your cervix seems to be getting ready! I can't imagine injecting every day, I am such a wuss with needles.

Karina-I love your photos! They really show progression!

Lindsay-that sucks about your blood pressure, but at least you are being closely monitored. I might get a doula if I were you too. I imagine it would be hard to be a labor coach on crutches!

Kasey-glad you caught lo moving! I only have once, despite trying a lot!

Lisa85-not too much longer for you! How exciting! The other day my baby turned and it was crazy! Not painful, like yours, but I couldn't breathe and was extrememly uncomfortable all day and then suddenly there was this big, slow move and everything felt better. I was really worried, but baby has been just as active as before, just in different places!

Afm- I went to the doctor and she said I was a great candidate for a vbac, yay! The only thing I have going against me is that the baby is big (the ultrasound showed almost 7 lbs already, but I have heard how wrong they can be, so hopefully that is the case!) and I might go over my due date. OH and I decided to stay at an extended stay hotel if we aren't able to move in time so I can definitely attempt a vbac.

I had a bit of pregnancy brain! I have most of the stuff I need for baby and me packed and ready to take to storage near the new house ready to move in as soon as closing and then suddenly it occurred to me, I forgot to buy the car seat! I haven't even looked around at the different kinds, and I am one who has to do TONS of research on everything, lol. I can't believe I forgot about something so important!

 

[Kasey84]

Brieanna- So glad your dr thinks your a good candidate for vbac! I've heard that weight estimates on ultrasounds can be off too. Hopefully all goes smoothly! I'm sure you'll find a good car seat! I have major pregnancy brain too, do don't feel bad

AFM- Saw my dr this week and tomorrow is officially my last day of work!!! So excited I'm really looking forward to taking it easy and preparing for baby!

 

[Lisa85]

I too am very glad for medical intervention... if i tried to have this baby normally we would both die!!! bit of a scary thought!!

Brieanna, if it helps i went to the website (which is australian) www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au they have a section for car seat safety ratings and i just picked one that had a high safety rating and high ease of use rating and bought that one. Im sure america would have a similar website.

5 more sleeps!!!!!

 

[Kasey84]

Lisa- can't believe you'll meet your little girl in just 5 more days! I can't wait to see some pictures of her Make sure to keep us posted!

 

[Lisa85]

I will!!! Im taking my laptop to the hospital so i will jump on as soon as i can.
If anyone wants to add me on Facebook to get the news sooner send me a private message.

Im kinda jealous of all of you that get to wait around for labor to come and get the full experience!!

 

[ebonymama]

hey ladies,

wow a lot has happened.......

you all seems to be getting along nicely and inching closer n closer
jus wanna update which is long overdue......from the last time i had 2 complete a GTT test which went AOK....had a growth scan done and that was AOK as well ..have another next Thursday when i will be at 35 plus weeks.....

i'm gonna be induced at around 38 weeks....i'm excited but really nervous n fussy over my blood pressure which has been holding steady thank GOD.....

so d weekend is here.....any plans.....

my plans is 2 stay in bed.....

 

[vietmamsie]

Ebony - I have the same plan for the weekend... Taking it easy! Glad to hear everything is going well!

Lisa - WOW! 5 more days! So soon! Don't get too jealous... I have a feeling the last few weeks of pregnancy are going to be rough... Its just getting so hard to do anything!

Kasey - welcome to FREEDOM! It has been so nice not working! I have gotten to cook everyday, spend so much more time with DH, rest, put my feet up in the middle of the day and NAP! Plus have gotten pretty much everything done in preparation for this little one. Take this last bit of free time in, it will be over before you know it!

Brieanna - Wahoo for VBAC! I really hope everything goes as planned and you get your natural birth!

AFM, I had an appointment on Thursday. All is well, baby is also measuring big... just shy of 7 lbs. But I don't think their calculations are anything to put too much trust in. They are just guesses after all. I feel like they OVER estimate as well. But everything looks good. Baby is still head down but hasn't dropped yet.

I finally found out why I have such a massive belly - I have more fluid than normal. I guess it isn't enough to be concerned, but it explained a few symptoms (heartburn, etc.) that have been sort of exaggerated in the past few weeks!

My doctor seems to be pretty sure I can do a natural delivery at this point... we went over the birth plan and he seemed to think about 99% could be done! Getting excited!

 

[Lisa85]

Vietmamsie, You need to post another pic of your belly... i want to see if its heaps bigger than mine now. I wonder if i have extra fluid as well. People ask me all the time if I'm sure I'm not having twins.
I hope my LO is around that size coz she's coming out tomorrow!!

Ebony, glad everything is going good with you. Looks like a lot of us will be having our babies early!!


So ladies.... This time tomorrow i will be checked into the hospital and getting ready for the c section. Its supposed to be in the morning so it could be happening very soon this time tomorrow!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cant wait to meet her!
I will update you as soon as I'm able to get on here. Wish me luck and see you on the other side!!

 

[Kasey84]

Ebony- Good to hear an update from you and know all is well Looks like your getting closer to your induction date!

Vietmamsie- it was amazing to wake up this morning and not have to go to work

Lisa- Good Luck tomorrow!!! Can't wait to hear an update and see some pics of your little beauty!! Sending lots of positive thoughts your way

I spent the weekend catching up on some much needed sleep/rest. It's amazing how much better I feel not having to get up early, make the long drive to work, and be on my feet all day! In between resting, I did some more baby laundry