May12

Week 41: Our Birth Story

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Monday 4/16/12 11:30am
Today I had a fetal non-stress test at the OB’s office. The baby is perfectly normal and healthy of course, as confirmed again by the test, but they still insist on pushing for an induction on Friday night. I am still only 2 cm dilated and the doctor does not think I will progress on my own by Friday. I don’t really like the whole idea of chemically inducing the baby to come. I want a natural birth, which includes the baby coming on his own. We decided to go see my acupuncturist at 5:15p and see if he could help move things along in a more natural way.

4/16/12 5:15pm
We arrived at the acupuncture office and I asked Dr. Neff if he could assist me in inducing labor so that I could avoid a medical induction. He started by inserting some needles in my lumbar spine area and I felt the baby move right away. After a few minutes he put some more needles in my legs/feet and hands and I sat there for about 30 minutes. The fluid started to flow into my feet and they became swollen, which he said was normal because the focus is on moving things down and opening up. He also showed us the acupressure points to use and advised me to use visualization of a rose bud opening up to get my cervix to open more. I scheduled another session for Thursday just in case and headed home to finish my last final exam.

4/16/12 10:30pm
Shortly after I finished my test and started to settle down for the night, I started getting crampy feelings, like bad menstrual cramps. They progressively got worse and I attempted to lay down with my fiance and get some sleep at 11:30p, but the pains became much more intense and we started timing the contractions with an iPhone app we had downloaded. I was shocked that they were already 5 mins apart and they lasted for about a minute. I hopped in the shower since I couldn’t sleep with the pain and my fiance started loading the car up with our bags. It was finally time to meet our little boy!

Tuesday 4/17/12 1:11am
I finished my shower(The quickest shower I’ve taken in my whole life) and called the OB to let him know I was in labor while my fiance finished his shower. I told him that the contractions were strong and close together now, also that I noticed some bleeding while I was in the shower. I was instructed to head to the ER of the hospital we were going to deliver at. We left the house at 1:30am…the pain was pretty intense, but I was still able to breathe through it at that point. We sort of sped a little on the way there, I was so nervous about making sure we made it there in time. :)

4/17/12 2:00am
I was admitted to labor and delivery from the ER. They handed me consent forms to fill out while I was in the middle of having contractions. Then I was wheeled to the delivery room, we put down our bags, and I hurried to change into my pretty pushers gown. I laid down in the bed; the nurse took our information and hooked me up to a fetal monitor. The baby’s heart rate was a little fast on the monitor so I was given the choice to drink a lot of water or have an IV. I chose the water. I made sure to drink the Bodyarmor that we had grabbed from the fridge on our way out the door(I knew I’d need the electrolytes). My fiance was trying to make sure that I drank plenty of water in-between contractions because I was so exhausted from being up since 9am that morning I was dozing in-between contractions.

4/17/12 2:40am
The baby’s heart rate was back to normal after rehydrating myself. The nurse checked my dilation and I was still at 2 cm. She said that I’d probably be in labor for a while, which didn’t make me happy because I was so tired and had hoped that with such strong contractions that I’d be dilated further.

4/17/12 3:00am
I was so exhausted that the nurse suggested a morphine shot to quell the pains so I could rest a little bit. I was willing to try it if it meant I could get a little bit of rest(As much as I didn’t want any medication in my birth plan, I didn’t plan on being up all night either). I had no idea how long I would be in labor for and I hadn’t progressed any further than I had that morning at the OB’s office. After the nurse gave me the injection though, I didn’t really feel any relief. I still felt the contractions as strongly as ever and they seemed to be getting worse.

4/17/12 3:30am
Suddenly my water broke, it gushed out with each powerful contraction. It was so painful, I was gripping my fiance’s forearm and begging him to massage my lower back. After my water broke I started to feel a strong urge to push; I asked my fiance to go get the nurse and hurry! The nurse came back in and checked my dilation, it was now at 9 cm. She was very shocked that I dilated so quickly because she said, ‘If I hadn’t checked it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.’ She hurried to call the OB in to deliver the baby, and told me to try not to bear down. (Easy for her to say!) I couldn’t really help the pushing urge the contractions were so strong I just tried my best to hold the baby off.

4/17/12 5:00am
The doctor arrived and by this point I was so tired I just wanted to push the baby out already. I asked for a squatting bar; I tried to squat and push but it was hard to hold myself up being so tired. I was willing to try it anyway since I had read how well it works. The OB persuaded me to lie down in the traditional lithotomy position. I gave in and went with it. My fiance held one leg and the nurse had the other. I gave a few good pushes and the baby’s head crowned. The doctor asked me if I wanted to feel his head. I replied sure, and reached down to caress his little head full of gooey hair coming out from between my thighs. It was pretty amazing.

4/17/12 5:32am
A few more pushes and he was out, crying and healthy. My little baby boy Rafe, all 7 pounds 4 ounces of squishy love. The doctor said I had a small tear and he proceeded to stitch me up. They had Narcan ready just in case the morphine had crossed the placenta, but it wasn’t needed, he was very alert and crying. The nurse handed Rafe to me, all covered in fluids and vernix, and I hugged him tight to me. It didn’t even faze me that he left a smear of bloody fluid on my upper arm, I was so enraptured by this little boy I had carried inside of me for 40 weeks. We finally get to meet, my little love. ♥

Apr15

40 weeks

Posted at 12:37 AM • No Comments

Today was the big day. Rafe’s due date, 4/14/12. Unfortunately, it has passed now. I was very much hoping for him to come on time, but I know how uncommon that is. My OB visit yesterday revealed that the baby is still head engaged, very low, but only 1 cm dilated so far. I thought it was strange I went from 2 cm to 1 cm a week later. I guess I let the stress get to me. I’m trying to walk and relax more now, and I’m trying the evening primrose oil method too to try to stimulate something. If he doesn’t show any progress by Monday, I have to have a fetal non-stress test. At that point I will call my acupuncturist and have him stimulate the uterus to get going. Anything is better than a chemical induction in my opinion. Especially since I plan on this being my only child, I want this to be as natural as possible. The doctors will try to force me to get an induction next weekend if he doesn’t come on his own. I just can’t wait to meet my little man already, I feel like I’m wasting my precious little maternity leave time now by not having a baby to bond with.

Apr7

39 Weeks

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My visit to the OB this time was not so much fun. I headed to my appointment right after work, and was a bit stressed and flustered. They took my blood pressure and it was 140/90, which is borderline for hypertension. No more weight gain this week, but the pressure and swelling has started, even though it’s not as bad as most women I’ve seen experienced. I was instructed by my doctor that he wants me out of work on partial bed rest. I told him no thanks, I already scheduled my last day and unless I go into labor I’m not leaving early. I explained that I have a good blood pressure monitor at home and I will watch it myself. So we erm.. sort of compromised and I agreed to take it easy, do my homework assignments in bed, and stay out of the gym, but I refuse to leave work. America has terrible maternity leave, and I want every second I can get with my baby before I have to go back.

I had an internal exam(which was quite uncomfortable!), and he said that the head is way down now and I’m at 2 cm dilation. So now we play the nerve wracking waiting game. I have no idea when the baby is going to come, could be tonight, tomorrow, Tuesday, or next weekend. There is no way of knowing when labor will begin, and it drives me crazy, because I like to write everything out and plan ahead for everything. I hate surprises. I want him to wait until at least the 13th if he plans to come early, but who knows if he’ll cooperate with mommy’s wishes. A Friday the 13th baby would be fun. ;)

I pretty much have my bag packed for the hospital for whenever he decides he is ready. The only thing I’ll have to add would be my laptop maybe, and our drinks that I picked out for energy during and after labor, Bodyarmor and Orgain. Bodyarmor is a natural drink with antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins & amino acids in every bottle. Orgain is an organic protein packed meal replacement shake made with organic whey protein and a fruit and vegetable blend. I know they will come in handy because the hospitals really only carry water or crap like soda and nutrient-lacking processed juices. You can find these drinks in natural food stores like Whole Foods, or online. They are delicious and healthy too!

Mar29

38 weeks

Posted at 12:29 AM • No Comments

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I went to the OB today for my now weekly visit, and the great news is my blood pressure was fine. Rafe is still doing well and has a strong heart beat. He is in the proper position for optimal delivery still, head down. I am 1 cm dilated already which is a good sign. Little Rafe is eager to get out already and see the world perhaps…only time will tell. I am still lingering on when to leave work, since I only get about 12 weeks I want to wait until the very last minute. My best friend Megan made a spa appointment for us this weekend for a much needed massage and facial. I feel like such a hot mess lately with blotchiness and swelling in different areas. I’m sure it will all be over soon though and I’ll have my body back. So far I have gained about 31lbs, up to 166 now.

This week we ordered his stroller and car seat, and a bunch of nursing supplies. I should do some fun posts and show you what I’ve bought for the baby, and why we chose the particular items. I just ordered some great nursing bras from HOTmilk, they are on sale right now at Zulily for a huge discount. I couldn’t bring myself to buy cheap frumpy looking nursing bras, especially with summer coming up right after Rafe is born. I’ll be stuck wearing nursing bras for quite a while so I wanted pretty, sexy bras like I have always worn. Zulily always has great sales if you watch you can find really pretty maternity and nursing bras and clothing for a nice affordable price. I got a really cute nursing bra from Cake Lingerie on their website a few weeks back too. If you haven’t signed up for this great discount site yet, make sure you do, it’s worth it.

Mar24

Happy Full Term Rafe!

Posted at 10:39 AM • No Comments

So here we are, 37 weeks already. It’s been what seems like forever, yet at the same time it feels like it went so quickly. I still feel at times like I’m not ready for him to come yet. I have read that it’s quite normal to have an emotional roller coaster the last few weeks, so I suppose it will pass. I guess it’s new first time mommy nerves. You really don’t know what to expect, or what the birth will be like, or how you will feel emotionally. Will I instantly fall in love with my baby and everything will just fall into place? Or will it take time to adjust to having this new little person around? I feel like all the reading in the world cannot prepare me for motherhood and all the surprises and uncertainties it will bring. I’m so glad I will have my mother around to help me and my fiance. It’s good to have a veteran to give you advice.

So far, my total weight gain is 28lbs, not too bad I suppose. The OB said he should be a good size for a vaginal birth. I plan on having a completely natural birth, and I get nervous that something might not go the way I planned it. I printed out my birth plan and my OB has gone over it, plus I made extra copies to bring to the hospital with me too for the nursing staff and physicians there. I’ve been doing prenatal yoga to prepare for laboring since I found out that I was pregnant. At my 36 week checkup the OB found my blood pressure to be a little high so I’m trying to relax this week. No signs of pre-eclempsia thank goodness, my vegetarian diet + yoga + gym should prevent that. I have a slight swelling towards the end of each day now, that lovely common side effect of pregnancy. It’s not that bad though, so I really shouldn’t complain, I have seen some women get so swollen they can’t even wear shoes.

Right now I am finishing up my final semester of school so I am trying to stay in work as long as I can. I will only have 12 weeks off for maternity so I want to spend as much time with Rafe as possible. I will also be studying for my RHIT certification exam whenever he is napping or daddy is around to amuse him. It will be the perfect chance for me to really get study time in since I will not have to go to work, I can schedule the exam to be taken before I go back. I have been sifting through websites to get ideas for my hospital bag and I will share what I compiled as my must haves to pack for us in my next post.

Mar4

34 weeks

Posted at 9:51 PM • No Comments


Only 6 weeks left to go! It’s getting rather exciting and nerve wracking now. I have had a rough couple of weeks in the pregnancy. I had awful acid reflux to the point where I couldn’t sleep through the night no matter how many Tums I took or how little I ate hours before sleeping. I ended up aspirating some bile in my sleep and had a nasty case of aspiration pneumonia. I had to go on antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor to prevent a relapse. I somehow also got a sinus infection on top of the pneumonia. I’m not used to being sick ever, because I’m normally super healthy and never miss a day’s work. I was very against having to use a PPI, but I have no choice unless I possibly starved myself. Even on an empty stomach, the acid burn would come. At least it’s a Category B, so it should be safe enough until he is born.

Right now, we are in the midst of repainting the nursery area; the painting will take place while I’m out at work. I picked out Sherwin William’s Harmony 0 VOC paint in Tibetan Sky, a pretty light blue. The baby shower is over now and after we finish the room we can wash and rearrange all his things in the room. I also found a cute toy and book storage piece from Pottery Barn to put his toys in, it’s on backorder though until April. Nesting fever has officially begun, let the cleaning begin!

Feb15

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! This is a video my fiance made for me once as a surprise. It’s a little love story. ♥

We are avoiding the crazy restaurant rush as usual and going out to eat on an off day so that we can enjoy a nice quiet evening together. There won’t be so many of them once the baby is here. Only 8 more weeks to go! I can’t wait to meet him.

Jan31

The Third Trimester

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The end is almost neigh! I’m at 29 weeks, approaching 30 in a few days. I am starting to have more of those lovely symptoms that I’ve only read about so far, like volcanic acid coming back up my throat at 3am. Waking up coughing and reaching for my bottle of Tums is something I won’t miss for sure! Lots of heartburn and indigestion now if I’m not careful about what I eat. I’ve also experienced some pelvic pain now which is quite the sensation. I’m also getting some of that first trimester exhaustion back now. But overall, I’ve been pretty darn lucky with my pregnancy so far. Rafe loves to kick around inside whenever it is quiet and calm. He especially loves when daddy rests his head against my belly and talks to him. He gets so excited, it’s cute.

I’m starting to get the nesting syndrome pretty badly now with only 10.5 weeks left. I feel like I’ll never be ready for his arrival! I keep thinking about all the things I have to do still and the appointments I have to make and the baby things I still need. On top of all that I have school work to do too. I’m just always in GO mode. I almost can’t wait for a reprieve from working 6 days a week when I get to take my maternity leave for a few weeks. :D

We’ve been planning for the baby shower too since I want a casual co-ed brunch instead of an all female party. I want a yellow/green/brown jungle theme to go along with Rafe’s nursery. We have less than a month to go before the shower. It makes his approaching arrival more real to me, like… “Wow, I only have a few more weeks to go before labor.” So exciting!

Jan4

Happy New Year!

Posted at 11:55 PM • No Comments

Christmas 2011 2012, this is going to be such an exciting year! We have so many huge milestones coming up this year. April will be the birth of our son, June is my college graduation, and December we are getting married. I don’t think I have ever had so many big things happen in one year before. It is also the Year of the Dragon, which is very symbolic to me. I’m thinking this is really going to be my year for once. I hope everyone had a great holiday and an amazing New Year’s! ♥ My resolution is to update the blog more. ;-)

Dec26

It’s a boy!

Posted at 5:58 PM • No Comments

After weeks of anticipation, we went for our 20 week ultrasound and neither of us could resist the urge to know what our future child will be. I was sort of hoping for a girl because I can’t resist all those cute clothes they sell for little girls, the tutus and accessories are so adorable. I used to babysit little girls when I was a teenager, and I loved playing dress up with them and doing their hair and makeup. I grew up with all brothers, became a complete tomboy throughout high school, and after graduation I went back to being girly again.
Alas, you can’t really pick the sex of your baby unless you pay for expensive medical procedures. So, when the ultrasound technician came around to the genitals, we clearly saw a boy. Now that we know we are expecting a little man, I am excited to meet him in a few months, and I know that I’ll save money on clothing at least! I’ll just continue to buy cute girly outfits for my niece instead.

We’ve been thinking about names, and we keep coming back to the name we picked for a boy years ago, Rafe. Rafe \r(a)-fe\ as a boy’s name is pronounced rayf. It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Rafe is “counsel of the wolf”. From Raedwulf. The wolf is known for being crafty.

I have loved this name ever since I first heard it years ago; I kept thinking that I would want to give my son that name. I had a dream about our baby back in 2006, which I luckily had documented in my journal. ‘It was a boy, he had light brown hair and big blue eyes. It was Anthony and my baby. My parents were so happy and excited when I brought him home. Everyone was adoring him.’ I find it so interesting that I dreamt about him years before he was conceived. Now I have to see if he has blue eyes and brown hair, that would be really exciting, that one of my premonitions came true again.