The Birth Story

Aubrey is here! It is so funny because 2 hours after I wrote the last blog I starting feeling the signs that labor was near. Aubrey Elizabeth was born at 8:29am on Saturday August 18, 2012: her estimated due date. Only something like 10% of babies are actually born on their due date. Turns out Miss Aubrey is punctual after all!

Here is my Birth Story:

Friday at around 3:30pm I started feeling lower back pain and constant menstrual cramps. Both were bare able but I thought it was weird because I haven't had these pains through out my entire pregnancy. I also new in the back of my mind that these were some signs that labor was near. Since this was my first pregnancy I really had no idea what contractions or labor would feel like. My entire third trimester I would constantly google "what does a contraction feel like" because I really had no idea and was afraid I wouldn't know. Every thing I read said, "trust me, you will know!" (Turns out they were right!)

So the next couple hours I had constant menstural like cramps and lower back pain. I did things normally like eat dinner and the laundry. In the back of my mind I thought that this might be it. At around 10:00 the contractions started. The menstural cramp feeling that I was feeling intensified immensely and then would just disappear (the back pain was constant). When I realized the pain came and went I immediately started to time them to see if they were true contractions. They were lasting 50 seconds long and were 7 minutes apart. This went on for awhile, untill around 11:30 the contractions were now 5 minutes apart. Now I knew I was in early labor. Kesar helped me time them because at this point they really started to hurt and I could no longer speak through them. By 12:30am we called the doctor and were told to go to the hospital to get checked out.

We got there at 1:00am and I was only 1 cm dilated!! Fustrated that I was in this much pain and still so early, we walked the halls of the hospital for an hour. They defiantly intensified so I knew I had made progress. After an hour I was now 3 cm dilated and was admitted.

By this point my back hurt so bad and the contractions were intense. I was nauseous and afraid that since this was my first birth I would be in labor and feel this pain for hours and hours. (It's not uncommon for many women to labor for over 24 hours with their first baby). I decided to get an epidural. The epidural was no problem, didn't hurt at all.

Since being admitted and laying down my contractions slowed so my doctor broke my water and started me on Pitocin. This is when we realized the epidural was not doing its job. The right side of my body was almost 100% numb but I could still feel the left side. I was still feeling the contractions with intensity and started getting nauseous again. They started being worried about why the epidural wasn't working and realized it was probably the location.  They asked me if I wanted them to redo it and I said no. Even though I was in pain and the actual epidural didn't hurt, I didn't want to be stuck again in my spine. So I said no and went on to deal with the pains.

5:30am rolled around and I was 5 cm dilated. Aubrey's heartrate started to drop after contractions so the nurses were really monitoring me.  The had me switch positions a lot to see if that would help but finally put me on oxygen. The oxygen definatly helped and Aubrey's heart rate began to remain more stable. At almost 8:00am I began to feel incredibly hot and started to sweat A LOT. I didn't know it at the time but I was going through the "transition phase"... FAST. I told the nurse how I was feeling and she checked my cervix and saw I was 10cm dilated. It was time to push.

The pushing stage happened really fast. So fast in fact that I was instructed not to push for awhile in order to wait for the doctor to arrive. Even not pushing Aubrey was making her way out on her own. It only took 10-15 minutes of pushing and Aubrey was out. This is the part of the labor I was most terrified about, but really it was not that bad. However, a lot of first time labors can take forever and women can spend hours pushing. I was extremely lucky that Aubrey was anxious to get out.

Aubrey was born a healthy 8 lb 6 oz girl and 20 1/4 inches long. She swallowed a lot of fluid coming out of the birth canal so she was pretty swollen the first day and had a lot of fluid in her stomach.

I am so blessed and so happy she is finally here!

Here are some pictures of her during her first three days:

40 Weeks

We are now 40 weeks pregnant and I wish I had news! Well, I have a little.

She is head down and fully engaged but other than that my 9 month pregnant body is showing no signs that she wants to come any time soon. She defiantly takes after her Daddy on liking to be fashionably late. :) We scheduled an induction date of August 27th. I wanted it a little bit sooner but the doctor is refusing. He wants to wait until I'm 41 weeks because if you do it too soon when your body isn't ready it makes labor a lot longer, painful and increases the risk of a C-Section.

Since I am going past my due date, they wanted me to get an ultrasound today to make sure the baby is healthy and can withstand a longer stay in her cozy "home". If my fluid were low, or if she was too little or too big, they would induce me sooner. However, I am HAPPY to say she appears to be a completely healthy and CHUBBY baby girl (she's still a girl- I made sure they confirmed it again!) The ultrasound technician even made a comment on how big her belly is, and I made a comment to Kesar, "It must be all of those cookies I eat!" (I have really had a sweet tooth this third trimester) But really, her belly looked HUGE! It was even bigger than her head! She is weighing in at 8 lb 9 oz. With another week at most to go, she will gain another pound before she makes her entrance into this world: almost reaching the 10 lb mark. Sooo, let's just say I am ready to get her out ASAP.

Some more great news: My Mom flies in tomorrow for 2 weeks. This relieves a load of stress for when I go in labor. My crazy self has been more worried about who is going to take care of the dogs and less about the actual labor! So, this calms me :) The following week my Dad and Brother will be here so everything will be pretty much perfect as Aubrey makes her debut into this world!

My next post will be the Birth Story. Till next time! <3

39 Weeks

We are at the one week mark! There is only one week (ok, 8 days) until my due date. Of course I could still go late so this is just an estimate. But my fingers are crossed that she will come soon!

 I found this neat little survey on one of the pregnancy sites I frequently visit and thought it would be fun to fill out. It's the perfect time to look back and reflect on the past 9 months!

 How much have you gained this pregnancy?
 I've gained 38 lbs. It all came during the second trimester, so for awhile I felt like such a cow, but in the end I stayed pretty much near the recommend gain the doctors gave me of 35 lbs.

 Due date?
My first due date was August 18th, but by the last ultrasound it got switched to August 17th. The Docs said one day is not really a difference so to use which ever date I wanted!

 Gender?
A Girl!

 Name?
Aubrey

 Nursery Colors/theme?
No theme, purple/yellow/green color scheme

 Stretch marks?
 No

 Do you have braxton hicks?
 Yeah

 Did you get any medical issues?
 No, I have been incredibly lucky.

 Have you been checked for dilation/effaced?
I got checked today at 38 weeks 6 days, and I have not dilated but she is head down and ready to go. This is very disappointing but I realize that dilation can happen suddenly and quickly so I shouldn't be discouraged!

 How much does baby weigh?
I haven't had an ultrasound since 20 wks, so I really have no idea!

 Have you started nesting?
 It's hard to say because I have always been a cleaner. I am not the type of person that can sit still for very long.

 Latest craving?
 I'm ALWAYS craving chocolate!

 Bags packed? 
Yup! Since 37 weeks. Only the last minute stuff has to go in yet.

 If yes, are they in the car?
 No, I can grab and go!

 Car seat ready to go? 
 No, that's a grab and go thing too. Except I might install the base in hubby's car tomorrow. But that's easy.

 C-section or vaginally?
 I'm hoping I can give birth vaginally!

 Do you think it will come early or late?
 I have a feeling she will come around her due date.

 Biggest fear? 
Labor! Specifically the pushing part.

 What are you most excited for?
 Meeting her for the first time!

 Looking back, do you regret anything you did during this pregnancy?
No. The only thing that I did that might be regretful to SOME people is drinking caffeine. But I was told as long as its under 200mg/day its fine. I only drank about a cup or two of tea a day (2nd/3rd trimester) and I needed it!!

 Are you going to miss being pregnant?
I don't think so, but it hasn't been an awful experience by any means! 

Favorite memory of your pregnancy? 
 Feeling her move in my belly.

 Any sure signs labor is near yet (loss of plug etc)?
 Just increased Braxton Hicks!

A little non pregnancy news: My parents have had an offer on a house down here in Florida for FOREVER and it finally got approved! This is probably the best news we have heard since 9 months ago when we found out we were pregnant! That means that soon my parents will be joining us and Aubrey in Florida :)

37 Weeks. (FULL TERM!)

We made it!!!

I am officially 37 weeks and full term! Which means that if Aubrey were to come now her rate of survival is very high since all of her major organs are done forming and fully functional. From this point on she is just practicing breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid and is continuing to pack on the pounds.

She still is a wriggle worm and has hiccups all the time! Last week at the doctor they checked on the ultrasound to confirm that she is indeed head down. I got to see her big, round head on the machine. :) The heartburn and general uncomfortableness has increased, but other than that I'm good. I'm not working any more, which is nice. So now I am just relaxing and taking advantage of the freedom! Most days I walk every morning before it gets too hot and then I have been cleaning and organizing around the house.

Next week it starts getting exciting at the doctors office. They are going to start checking to see if I'm dilating. I'll be just about 38 weeks and I am hoping Aubrey comes sooner rather than later! The Doc said if I am a week late they schedule an induction, which I REALLY do not want. So I'm hoping she doesn't get stubbornness from her Mamma and comes out when she is supposed to!!

 'Till next time! <3

35 Weeks

I'm posting to continue my every 2 week pregnancy update post, even though not much has changed!


I am going to the doctor now once a week. Baby still looks good. I'm still measuring a week ahead but this doesn't mean much. Apparently it only means something when you are measuring 2 or more weeks ahead or behind. She is still really active and Kesar finally got to feel the difference in her moving. When we first started to feel her move it was more like bumps and kicks, now you can feel her feet (or whatever it is) moving across the top of my belly. Now it feels like an actual baby (or as Kesar calls it, an "alien"). We realized she moves A LOT when we are in the car and the radio is playing. Maybe she takes after her Daddy and has a love for music??


I'm still feeling pretty good. My last day of work is this week so I'm looking forward to relaxing the last 4 weeks at home with absolutely nothing to do. It is important to me to take a break between work and baby. I want a chance to be lazy and prepare for the big changes ahead.


One more thing I'd like to share... I have started drinking Red Rasberry Leaf Tea. It has properties that is supposed to help strengthen your uterus. For pregnant women this means it helps promote uterine contractions during childbirth and also helps to reduce the pain experienced during and after labor. (Stronger uterus, less pain!) It also helps your uterus go back to its normal size at a faster rate after birth if you continue to drink it. Tons of people swear by it and I figured it was worth a shot. Any thing to help! It's also insanely delicious! :) Till next time! 


(33 Days!)

Savings!

Since the beginning of my pregnancy there has always been one thing I have debated about getting: a swing. I have heard such great things about them, such as how much of a lifesaver they are. However, I also heard how a lot of babies HATE them. Swings aren't cheap. Some of the best ones are over $100 so you can't blame me if I had always been scared of the purchase, especially with so many more important things to buy. I always questioned if I was willing to make the $100/$150 gamble.

Sooo, I ventured to a local consignment shop and purchased a $150 swing for $45! The only thing wrong with the swing is that it's missing an AC adapter. I am so excited because now I have a great swing that works perfectly and I didn't spend a fortune! Now, if Aubrey hates the thing I won't be kicking myself for wasting a ton of money. I am so excited for my purchase and defiantly think some things are worth the savings!

Above is a picture of the swing and a picture of my 34 week belly. I just posted a picture a week and a half ago at 33 weeks, it's crazy how much I've grown so I had to share! I am going to work on a timeline of all of the belly pics I have and will make a post soon of my growing belly. Some people who see my belly swear I'm having twins, but I'm certain Aubrey is going to be a heavyweight, (fun for me!)

33 Weeks Pregnant

I am now 33 weeks pregnant and I am still feeling pretty good (besides the whole uncomfortable oh-my-gosh-my-belly-is-huge-i-cant-get-around feeling of course) No major swelling, no backache, only slight heartburn. I'm pretty fortunate to feel as good as I do. I am just incredibly exhausted all the time and well, big.

The baby was head down and getting ready at my last doctors appointment. The Doc said there is a chance the baby could still switch positions but they don't worry about that until 36 weeks. I figured she was head down because she keeps kicking my ribs and upper belly. She is so active I wonder if she ever sleeps!

Kesar and I had the tour of the hospital this past week. It's a new building so it's very updated and beautiful! I get my own room and everything happens in the same room. Labor, Delivery and Rest! There is even a place for the baby to be monitored and weighed so the baby never has to leave the room unless Mommy needs some rest or if there is something wrong. It was kind of surreal taking the tour. There are still these moments I get that reminds me that this is all VERY real and in less than two months I'll have a baby girl!

I've slowly been working on the nursery. We don't plan on having her sleep there for a couple months so I am only doing a little bit at a time. I am not really aiming for a "theme", I just buy and do what I think looks nice! The only things I want to do yet are put some things on the wall, which will probably be photo's of Aubrey and art prints I found on Etsy right here in purple, yellow and green.

We have our internet connection hooked up in this room, so we obviously have to get that little black box on the dresser with the cords moved!

And that's me, of course, at 33 weeks. I really am "all belly" even though I've gained very generously through out the pregnancy!

Till next time!

31 Weeks Pregnant

As of today I am exactly 31 weeks pregnant and doing good! I have had it pretty easy with the pregnancy. In the beginning I only had very slight nausea but major backaches. The middle of the pregnancy was pretty easy, just the slight cramping here and there and now, into the third trimester, I have heartburn, swelling and trouble sleeping. The heartburn is still pretty bearable, I control it mostly with the the occasional tums. My hands started really swelling a month ago and I had to stop wearing my rings, and now by the end of the day my feet are throbbing and I can not wait to prop them up! I'm sure the summer heat doesn't help but I do my best by wearing sneakers as much as I can, which seems to provide a little bit more comfort than flip flops. The lack of sleeping is due to my constant need of still having to pee every hour during the night. Above all of this I am surviving just fine and still think I have had a pretty easy pregnancy!

My due date is August 17th and medically every thing looks great! I've gained more than what the doctor wants me to but I'm not letting it get to me or stress me out. I'll work my butt off after the baby comes to lose any weight I've gained and I am not worried at all.

I'm still working but it's starting to become VERY physically exhausting. I work with a bunch of 1 year olds, so the constant getting up and down off the floor, bending over to pick up things and just keeping up with them is really hard the bigger I get. Kesar wants me to just quit now (since I don't plan on going back after Aubrey comes) but I'm trying to hold out to at least July 20th. Every paycheck counts when it comes to getting ready for the baby!

29 Weeks

Now that I have entered my third trimester I really need to be better about writing!

Right now I am 29 weeks. I have to see the doctor every 2 weeks now since I have entered my third trimester. Symptom wise I'm pretty good. I do get heartburn a lot, but if I eat a couple of tums it seems to help. Everyone tells me that the heartburn is only going to get worse! My feet get swollen occasionally, but its usually only on the weekends when I'm wearing flip flops or up walking around a lot.

Kesar is finally able to feel Aubrey kick on a consistent basis. Last night he was able to feet her kick a lot, and watch her move through my belly as well! At night if I am laying down I can watch my stomach move like a wave. It's so amazing to think our daughter is in there squirming around. It just made me tearing eyed! Oh, the emotions have come back full force as well!

The doctor has been on my case a tad bit about my weight. Instead of the 1lb a week they want me to gain, I've been gaining about 1.5lb a week. I blame it on the sweets I am still indulging in. But I have to stop! I took the glucose test last week (the drink was not bad at all) and I will hear any abnormal results early next week. If not, I'll hear the good news that I am diabetes free on June 14th when I go back for my next appointment. Her heartbeat went down a little, it was 140 bpm (17 beats down from last time) this isn't a big deal, as long it stays above 130 or something like that) The doctor said heartbeats fluctuate all the time.

Until next time!

22 Weeks

After much thinking I have decided to start a blog. I am 22 weeks pregnant and my intentions of this blog are to keep track of pregnancy and baby related things and keep friends and family I don't see very often updated as well. I know it is great to record milestones and nowadays it is so much easier to do this online than in a book.

We found out the sex 2 weeks ago.. IT'S A GIRL! We have decided to call her Aubrey. We are still unsure about the spelling of the name: Aubree or Aubrey. I have a feeling everyone is going to call her "Bree" so Aubree would be cute, but I don't want her to grow up having to correct everyone when they try to spell her name. I'll spell it Aubrey until we know for sure.

This past week I have finally started to feel Aubrey move inside of me. The doctors told me it may take awhile because I have an anterior placenta. This basically means that the placenta (big pillow that protects the baby on one side) is on the front of my uterus (near outside of belly) rather than the back of the uterus where is usually is. The doctor says this is common and doesn't mean anything other than it will take me a little bit longer to feel the baby kick because shes kicking a big pillow and not the lining of my outside abdominal area.

Anyway, seems like Aubrey is most active around 9pm, which is after dinner and when I'm laying in bed. Last night she was really moving. I can't wait until she is kicking enough so Kesar can experience it too.

Last check up we heard the heartbeat: 152 bpm and I am measuring 21cm, which is all normal. At the 20 week ultrasound where we found out the sex we found out she was 14oz, which is heavier than average but still normal. I have a feeling Aubrey is going to be a big baby since I was 9 lbs and some oz when I was born.

Here is a quick recap of my pregnancy symptoms up to this point:

- Little morning sickness 1st trimester (I only got sick when I over ate)
- Headaches!!! But this could have been from going cold turkey on the caffeine. I avoided caffeine the entire 1st trimester but since have been enjoying a cup or two of tea a day. Which the doctor says is fine, just keep it below 200mg/day. I just can't function with out that pick me up and it keeps my headaches at bay.
- Major backaches first trimester, and since then they have subsided

And that's pretty much it! I think I've had it pretty easy, lets just hope that keeps up!

Kesar has started to paint the nursery this weekend. We are going with a lavender color for the walls. We are going to get it set up and ready now but Aubrey will not move in untill she is about 5 months old (or consistently sleeps through the night) Until then she will sleep downstairs so Mommy doesn't have to constantly run up and down through out the night!

That's all for now.. until next time!

PS- Kesar just said he likes the spelling, "Aubree"