37 Weeks & 5 Days -OR- The Day Baby H. Was Born

Well, Baby H. did not listen and stay inside of me for a few extra weeks so I could go off track before I had him.  This not doing what your mom says...let's not make it a habit, Baby H.  (Side note: I didn't mention this before but at my last appointment--Aug. 21--I was already 1 cm. dilated.  I should have known the baby would be here sooner rather than later but my doctor didn't seem too concerned.  He was still convinced I'd go over my due date.)

Here's the story:

I woke up like normal to get ready for work at 6:45.  As I was walking to the bathroom, I thought I was peeing my pants but for some reason couldn't stop it.  I figured out quickly that it was my water breaking. 

For some reason, I thought it would be okay to go into work and not worry about going in until contractions started.  Luckily, I called the doctor and he said to get to the hospital NOW!  I took that as "Take a shower and pack your bag.  Get here when you can." 

As we drove to the hospital, the contractions began.  I was expecting the first contractions I felt to be easy to get through...not these ones.  They were strong and they were happening frequently. 

We arrived at the hospital around 8 am.  They were not convinced that my water had broken (umm, hi.  I'm an adult.  I can control my bladder.  There is no other explanation for liquid leaking from between my legs.) but they kept me because I was contracting and Baby H.'s heart rate kept taking a nose dive with every contraction.

We were registered and ready to go by 8:15. 

And the contractions just kept coming...super close together.  (I have a high tolerance for pain but contractions...holy Hannah.  Those are intense.  Hats off to those of you who do it without pain medication.  You are amazing.)  The doctor checked me and I was dilated to a 2.  I was so disappointed...after all that pain and I was only a 2?  Luckily, the anesthesiologist was ready with an epidural.  (Those are magical.  I highly recommend them.)  Within a few minutes the drugs started kicking in and the contractions were nothing.

About an hour later, I was dilated to a 3.  I was excited that I was still dilating after the epidural because I had heard that some people stop making progress after they get an epidural. 

The nurse came back to check me about an hour later and I was at a 7.  Whoop whoop!  Labor was going beautifully...as long as you ignore the part where Baby H.'s heart rate kept dropping drastically with every contraction and the doctor began telling me how it was very possible that I would have to have an emergency cesarean...not fun.

Half an hour later I was a 9.  Baby H.'s heart rate was dropping into the 50s with every contraction and seriously scaring the nurses which in turn seriously scared me.  At this point there was less than a minute between contractions and I quickly dilated to a 10.  Because the contractions were coming so quickly and not giving me time to rest or Baby H. time to recover, the doctor gave me a shot of something to slow the contractions down.  After the shot, the contractions started coming about every 3 minutes allowing me time to rest between them but Baby H. was not recovering as well or as quickly as the doctor would like.

This began more serious conversations about the possibility of a cesarean.  The doctor told me he'd let me try to push for a little bit but if the baby didn't come out quickly we were going to have to have an emergency cesarean.  I wasn't about to let that happen.  I did 4 sets of 3 pushes and Baby H. was here...with the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times.  That would explain the heart rate dipping so much.  Thanks for scaring the crap out of us baby.

But, he's here and healthy and we love him so much already.

6 pounds 9 ounces
19 inches
Born at 11:57 am

37 Weeks

37 Weeks

Baby is the size of a watermelon
(about 19-22 inches long)

Weighs about 6.5 pounds
(according to yesterday's ultrasound Baby H. is 6.7 pounds)

 

How far along? 37 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Not yet...they're probably coming real soon though
Sleep: Much better this week but still not 1st trimester sleep...that, unfortunately, will probably never happen again.
Have you told family and friends: Yep
Miss Anything? Fitting through small spaces (pretty sure I've hit every student with my belly this year)
Movement: Just like last week...pushing but not a lot of kicking 
Food cravings:  Nothing really, water and cold fruit are pretty delicious though
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Have you started to show yet: Yes.
Gender prediction: It's a boy!
Labor Signs: I don't think so
Belly Button in or out? still in
Wedding rings on or off? generally off just because it's more comfortable but I will occasionally wear them
Happy or Moody most of the time:  I don't know that I would describe myself as either of those at the moment.  I'm tired and ready to be done being pregnant but I'm not quite ready to have a baby yet.  Very mixed emotions at this time.
Looking forward to: not being pregnant

Things I'm worried about: The baby will come earlier than his due date and I won't have a sub for my class...the sub I have can't start until September 12.

Things I'm loving: Meeting pregnant ladies that are not nearly as far along as I am but look just as big as I do...that sounds so horrible but it makes me feel better about myself after all the "Your baby is going to be HUGE!" and "I can't imagine you getting any bigger than you already are." type comments I get on a daily basis.


Also, Baby H. is head down (phew!) and the ultrasound made it look like he's already really chubby.  They didn't give me any prints this time (bummer!) so I can't show you but he's not nearly as scary looking as he was a 20 weeks.

36 Weeks

 
36 Weeks

Baby is the size of a  crenshaw melon (about 19-22  inches long)

Weighs about 6 pounds

  

How far along? 36 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Same as last week...pants but not tops
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: I've been sick since Sunday so it's been a super difficult sleep week.
Have you told family and friends: Yes
Miss Anything? Sleeping
Movement: Very small movements.  Lots of pushing but not kicking.
Food cravings: I'm not really that hungry so I'm not craving anything right now.  I did devour a steak dinner on Thursday night though.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope...stomach of steel.
Have you started to show yet: Yes.
Gender prediction: It's a boy!
Labor Signs: Not yet, though I think I've been having some Braxton Hicks contractions...though that's just a guess.  I have no idea what I'm doing.
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? Off, they're just too uncomfortable now.
Happy or Moody most of the time:   Moody this week with the being super sick.  I was ready to jump over the pharmacy counter and beat the pharmacist who told me to "suck it up" when I asked if there was anything I could take for my myriad of symptoms.
Looking forward to: My last baby shower and a family reunion

Things I'm worried about: If the baby's head is down or not.  I think I'm getting an ultrasound on Tuesday to see but it scares me to think he might not be turned.

Things I'm loving: Everyone thinking I'm superwoman for doing normal things.  Teaching every day...superwoman.  Carrying 2 folding chairs into the house...superwoman.  Taking out the garbage...superwoman.  Breathing...superwoman.  It's pretty awesome.

35 Weeks

35 Weeks

Baby is the size of a large cantaloupe
(about 19-22  inches long)

Weighs about 5.5 pounds

 

How far along? 35 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Pants, yes.  Shirts, not so much...thank you stretchy fabric.
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Remember this day?  Yeah, sleep and I are not friends right now though I desperately want to be his BFF.
Have you told family and friends: Yes
Miss Anything? Unsore hips, sleeping on my stomach, sleeping in general, touching my toes, my ankles not being wider than my calves
Movement:  all the time.  It's more moving from one side to another and less kicking but he's moving all over the place.
Food cravings: I haven't really wanted much to eat lately, mostly (I'm assuming) because baby is making it so my stomach is about the size of a dime but I still do love salt.  I could eat Chick-Fil-A french fries for every meal and be one happy (bloated and fat) momma.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really, I've got a stomach of steel apparently.
Have you started to show yet: Yes.
Gender prediction: It's a boy!
Labor Signs: Nope.  I haven't even noticed any Braxton Hicks. Though I don't really know what I'm looking for.
Belly Button in or out? Still in because it was a cavern...pretty sure my belly button could have been a wading pool if it was a bit wider before I was pregnant.  Now it's about an inch deep.
Wedding rings on or off? Off, I can still wear them, they're just uncomfortable.
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy...tired and sweaty but happy.
Looking forward to: Finishing the nursery.
Things I'm worried about: Figuring out how to get to my 4:10 appointments when I work until 4:00.
Things I'm loving: Feeling the baby move all the time.