Emma: One Month Old

My little girl is a month old!! In all honesty, the first month didn't go too fast and I was very grateful for that! Birth was pretty intense and fast! My epidural only took for about 30 minutes so I felt EVERYTHING while pushing. But I think that helped me in recovery since I didn't have to necessarily didn't have to "recover" from the epidural. I felt great afterwards.

In the hospital, Emma had some crazy cluster feeding sessions. She would want to eat many times within about a 5 hour period and then she's sleep and/or be awake for 5 hours or so. Cluster feeding was intense, but I was SO happy that she was feeding like a champ. She latched on great!

At 3 days old she was still cluster feeding, but she wasn't acting satisfied afterwards. I was getting concerned that my milk wasn't coming in. She wasn't having a lot of pee diapers so that was also concerning. On that night I was feeling like my milk was starting to come in, but then the next day I wasn't sure. We also had a pediatrician appointment that day and everything look great except for her weight. She had lost 11% since birth so we were recommended to start supplementing. I was crushed. I knew that my body wasn't working properly. Even though Emma was an amazing nurser, my body wasn't able to produce for her. I pumped for about a week or two postpartum, but even that wasn't bringing my milk in. I decided to stop breastfeeding and went to formula 100%.

I didn't have very much baby blues this time. I was pleasantly surprised by that. I was pretty emotional the first week, but after that it went away. Also, my exhaustion wasn't too bad this time as well. The first week was rough and I did have to throw in the towel and let Marcus take over a few times, but I think my body just remembered how to deal with it all like last time. I only napped a handful of times within the first month.

Maggie has done amazingly well with the new baby. I couldn't be more happy with the way she is handling this change. She is eager to help and plays independently really well during the times I have to tend to Emma. She loves giving her kisses and hugs, singing to her, and showing her her toys. It has been so incredibly sweet to watch.

The first month was filled with lots of snuggles! She doesn't take a pacifier, but she loves car rides! She slept in her boppy longer during the day and in the bassinet at night. She was giving up 2-4 hour stretches of sleep at night. She spits up quite a bit and she is a very noisy baby! Witching started around 2 weeks, but it really hasn't been too bad.

She has been in newborn diapers & size newborn clothes for the whole month. We had her 1 month check-up and she weighed 10lbs 1oz and was 21.5" tall! Because she is such a noisy baby, our pedi is referring us to an ENT to make sure it's just something that she will grow out of. That appointment is at the beginning of August.

Emma's Birth Story!

It has been awhile since I have been able to update this blog! Emma is almost 2 months old now! Anyway, I made it to my induction date and I gave birth at 41w3d!! A couple days prior I had a NST and that went great, Emma was doing really well for being "late."

Here are notes that I took while in labor:

4:30am - inserted the foley bulb with ease. Almost 1.5cm & 60% effaced.
5:00am - started me off on lowest dose of Pitocin (1).
8:00am - Foley bulb fell out. 3cm.
11:00am - Nurse thinks my water broke. I'm at 4cm. But the doctor came in and said no, not broken yet. She broke my water, so much gushing! I had internal monitors put in since Emma was moving all over the place.
** contractions come fast and hard. I rocked on the ball while Marcus massaged/counter pressured my back. Contractions every 2-3 minutes. I threw up a couple times. Pit never went over a 5.
12:30pm - I asked for the epi and after screaming for it it was finally administer at 2:00pm. Sucked to have contractions through it, but it was placed within 10 minutes. I was now 7cm.
** epi immediately did its job and I could still move my legs well. I felt tightening in my upper belly, but that was it.
** After about 30 minutes I was feeling lots of pressure in my vag area that hurt! Then came the butt pressure that was even worse. "I AM going to poop" was said many times. I thought my ass was going to fall off. I farted really loud in front of the nurse!!!
2:30pm - checked and at 9cm. I had to push, but of course they told me not to. With every subsequent contraction I felt my body pushing more and more. I was in so much pain. Checked and at 10cm and +1 station. Checked after next contraction and I was crowning. Doctor was 6 minutes away still!
3:00pm - Doctor finally shows up and I pushed for about 15 minutes, but I was almost hyperventilating after each contraction. I said "I don't know if I can do this" several times. It was so painful and it was difficult for me to push correctly until I gave it my all the last 2 contractions.
3:15pm - she's born! Immediate skin-to-skin for an hour or so. I had a small "skid mark" tear that was stitched up (I could feel that too!). She was 8lbs5oz & 19" long. She breastfed right away on both sides! Loves to snuggle.

40 Week Bumpdate!

Well, I knew I would make it to 40 weeks and beyond! I am hoping and praying that this little girl decides to make her appearance on her own this week.

At my 39 week check-up, again, everything went really well. My BP, weight, & baby's heartbeat all looked great. I was checked again and was 1cm dilated and still 50% effaced. I was very happy for any progress!

Yesterday I had my 40 week check-up and still all the normal things were good, so thankful for that! We went over induction and we have a tentative date of Sunday, May 22. I am SO hoping she decides to come before then, but I am happy to have an end date in sight. I was checked and I have made very little progress. She said I was 1cm + a little wiggle and still 50% effaced. She was able to sweep my membranes (which was very uncomfortable) so I was happy about that. We then went in for an ultrasound and Emma is measuring great at 7lbs 5oz. She is in a great position and her fluid level was great too. Overall, I was very happy about my appointment.

So from here on out it's just a waiting game. I will be called in for an NST sometime this week (standard for those who go over their due date). I don't think the membrane sweep was successful, but that is okay, I wanted to give it a try no matter what.

• How many weeks are you? 40 weeks / 1 day

• How are you feeling? I have been experiencing more cramping this week. Feels like I am about to start my period. I have the same amount of BH's and pressure on my cervix. I am peeing constantly and it still pretty uncomfortable sleeping. I have also noticed that I am much more tired this week.

• What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to going into labor and having this baby! I pray that either my water will break first or labor contractions start so that I know it's go time!

38 Week Bumpdate

This pregnancy has flown by and these past few weeks are no exception! I thought for sure the last month of pregnancy was going to drag, but so far it has not. I feel really lucky to have made it this far feeling relatively good. My family threw a little "sprinkle" for me last weekend and it was so lovely!

Since my last update I have had 3 appointments. Everything was great at my 36 week check-up. My cervix was not checked. Last week at my 37 week check-up I was told that I was not dilated yet, but I was 25% effaced and baby was lower than at my 35 week appointment. They also did a quick ultrasound to make sure baby was still head down and sure enough she was! Yesterday I had my 38 week check-up and again everything looked great. I am now 1/2cm dilated, 50% effaced, and baby is even lower than last week. I am happy for the baby steps my body is taking! I didn't start to dilated until I was 40 weeks with Maggie so I am taking this as a win! Within these past 3 weeks my weight has stayed the same around 24 pounds gained so far. My blood pressure and baby's heart beat has looked great at each appointment too!

Over the past few weeks I have been losing small chunks of my mucus plug. Nothing that has been tinged with blood, but definitely losing bits here and there. I was barely feeling any contractions up until last weekend. That Saturday I was hit with a ton and since then they have kept coming. Nothing that is painful, but I will be on the lookout!

The car seat is installed, I have washed all over her newborn clothes & blankets, and the hospital bag is ALMOST packed.

• How many weeks are you? 38 weeks / 1 day

• How are you feeling? Baby is low and I can feel it! I feel a lot of pressure when I am standing and walking. I have had a few episodes of lighting crotch over the past few days. I am feeling a bit more tired, but I still have energy throughout the day. Sleeping through the night is uncomfortable, but I was still able to get enough sleep to not need too many naps during the day.

• What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to hitting FULL TERM in a few days! I really don't think Emma will come before her due date, but I am very much looking forward to going into labor soon!

35 Week Bumpdate

A month until my due date! Crazy! I have no feelings as to when I am going to go into labor. I am hoping around week 39. Last weekend I was getting about 2 hours worth of intense BH's, but they died down. That's about as excited as my week went.

I had a check-up yesterday and it went really well. My BP was perfect and I didn't gain any weight this week. Baby's heartbeat was in the 140's. They did the GBS swab and checked me for the first time. No surprise, I am not dilated and baby's head is way up there (but at least still head down). I didn't expect anything different. I think I am going to try and hold off being checked again until 38 weeks. There's really no point to it!

• How many weeks are you? 35 weeks / 1 day

• How are you feeling? Still uncomfortable sleeping, my knees get sore and I am constantly having to flip back and forth. BH's have become a little more intense, but still the same amount. I am a little more tired, but not too bad. Definitely feeling more pressure and aches down there.

• What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to hitting early term in a week and a half! Can't wait to hit full term in under 3 weeks! 

*** I am GBS negative! Yay!

33 Week Bumpdate

Wow, it has been awhile since I have updated! Over a month! I am definitely feeling PREGNANT and big right now. At lot has happened, but thankfully Emma is doing great!

I had a check-up and growth scan at 29 weeks and it was discovered that I have high amniotic fluid and I was sent for twice a week NST's starting at 32 weeks. At the ultrasound she weighed 3lbs 2oz (54%) and was as cute as can be! Since then I have had 3 NST's and baby has looked perfect at each one.

Today was my 33 week check-up and fluid check. Thankfully, everything looked absolutely perfect. She weighs 4lbs 12oz (52%) and the fluid level is back to normal! Since I didn't see my actual doctor today she couldn't cancel my upcoming NST's, but I should be getting a call tomorrow about that.

• How many weeks are you? 33 weeks / 1 day

• How are you feeling? I am uncomfortable sleeping, but other than that I am doing well. I have off and on sciatic nerve pain, but not much heartburn like I did with Maggie. Braxton Hick's come and go about 5 times a day, but they aren't painful.

• What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to hitting the "1 month to go" mark! I am looking forward to my next appointment at 35 weeks were they will be checking me for the first time. 

** I passed my GD test with flying colors (I think my number was 91) and I have gained a total of 22lbs so far this pregnancy. 

27 Week Bumpdate

Hello 3rd trimester! The past few weeks have flown by and I can't believe I have hit yet another milestone.

I had a regular check-up yesterday and things went really well. My blood pressure was great (115/70) and baby's heartbeat was loud and strong! I gained 4lbs since my last appointment making total weight gain up to 15lbs. I know I am going to gain more than I did with Maggie, but I am hoping to stay around 20lbs...we will see. I had my glucose test yesterday as well. I am hoping that I passed! Now appointments are every 2 weeks and I have a growth scan at the next one!

• How many weeks are you? 27 weeks / 1 day

• How are you feeling? I am feeling large, but honestly I cannot complain. I have been having upper back pain at work from sitting too long in my chair. Lately, I have been feeling out of breath, especially in the mornings. This baby likes to move ALL THE TIME! I don't remember Maggie being this active.

• What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to spring and not being coped up inside all the time. I am also looking forward to the ultrasound in 2 weeks to see the baby again!

Also, we finally decided on a name! It took a long time to find something we both liked. Our daughter will be named Emma Christine :-)

23 Week Bumpdate

I can't believe that I am already hitting the uncomfortable stage! Sleeping has become a challenge and I believe this baby had a growth spurt because my belly is noticeably bigger!

I had a regular check-up yesterday and all is well, thankfully. My blood pressure was great at 120/70 and even though my doctor wasn't concerned with my weight gain, I was. I gained 5lbs since my last appointment which makes a total of 11lbs. It is hard not to compare pregnancies, but I was hoping to gain around the same as I did with Maggie (16lbs), but it looks like I will likely go over that number. The baby's heart was beating strong at 150bpm and it was reassuring to know that she was head down. We went over the glucose test I will be taking at my next appointment and she also gave me the hospital registration forms to fill out.

• How many weeks are you? 23 weeks / 1 day

• How are you feeling? Movement has increased substantially which is wonderful. I feel her move many times throughout the day, but there are still days that I don't feel her as much so I know it won't be consistent until a little while longer. In the evenings and at night I have become more uncomfortable. My energy seems to still be up so that's good!

• What are you looking forward to? I am looking forward to hitting the viability mark next week!