Easter...Well, the Egg Side of the Story

Trip to the Pet Store

A few weeks ago, Mike and I were feeling especially stir-crazy so Mike came up with a brilliant idea.   A trip to the pet store!   Big hit...

Thea's First Photo Shoot

We had pictures taken of Thea at the hospital today.  For those interested in seeing and/or ordering them:

-Go to www.bellababyphotography.com
-Click "view my photos"
-Password: 0411theoschwartz

If you are going to place an order, which obviously all of you will, you need to do so by 4/26/13.

Dilation, I Mean Doctor, Update

The whole family trooped off to my OB this morning.  Thankfully this time Mike was able to hold Matthew so that he didn't try to play peek-a-boo with my sheet cover.  While that was super fun for last week, we don't need to scar him anymore than we will do so naturally.  Anywho...

I am now 3cm dilated.  This definitely got us excited as it indicates that my body is progressing towards delivery and if nothing else it will make my labor shorter because I will have less centimeters to dilate while in actual labor.  We discussed plans for post-due date ultrasounds, for if my water breaks, and/or when to head to the hospital if I'm having contractions.  We learned that we need to head to the hospital if my contractions are occurring every 5-10 minutes for an hour with a second labor vs. every 4 min for 2 hours in a first time mama.

Here's to getting last weeks things done and maybe a baby!

Hello Unknown, Sometimes I Strongly Dislike You. Thought You Had the Right to Know.

I went to the OBGYN on Monday and found out I was 1cm dilated.  If you are keeping track, this actually means I un-dilated by a half centimeter.  This sounds too familiar (Matthew reascended after being engaged).  In truth, my doctor said "it's probably the same exam."  Nothing like hearing that there is no progress being made, especially when you have a strong desire to not be induced.  However, I went to playgroup on Tuesday and someone told me their sister-in-law sat at 6cm dilated for 2 weeks!  So, to conclude with what is already known to be, it doesn't matter how dilated you are--you will go into labor when you go into labor.  These exams are simply meant to be a reference for if I go to the hospital thinking I am in labor.

Back to Monday's exam.  My doctor brought up induction for the second time, asking if I was feeling the need/desire to get labor started.  On the one hand, I appreciate the offer given how I was just getting over my 4th episode of vomitus.  However, because I strongly believe in and desire a natural labor and delivery, this discussion of induction has created a large amount of (unnecessary) anxiety.  While I know that what will be is what will be it has been hard to lean into that and to let go of my worries.

And in the meantime, I am just treasuring every last day that it's just me and Matthew.  Today, like most shopping trips to Target, Matthew requested a long and wonderful hug from me multiple times.  Nothin' better.

Oh Boy! A Trip to Labor & Delivery!

Beginning at 3am Monday morning, I was experiencing a lovely episode of heartburn.  That lasted until 6am...when the vomiting began.  After 4 more episodes of barfing, we called my OB's nurse to ask what we should do.  I had been unable to hold down fluids and dehydration is a risk for going into early labor.  While Baby is "full-term," meaning that all of his/her major organs have developed and birth at this stage would be quite viable, it's thought to be best to let a baby come when ready vs. because Mama was puking so much, a lack of fluids pushed he/she out.  Not quite the best birth story.  Nor would that be a pleasant labor experience.  Not that it's super fun regardless, but I digress...

The nurse consulted with the on-call doctor because mine is out of town (awesome).  I was told it was important to get re-hydrated   The ER is apparently afraid of pregnant women so I was sent to the Labor and Delivery unit.  And was admitted.

I received two bags of fluids and lab work (which all came back normal) in the first 3 hours that I was there. I have been experiencing some contractions since before week 30 (when I was last blessed with an episode of vomitus).  The residents observed somewhat regular contractions that they thought would dissipate after the first bag of fluids.  They did not.  They also did not cease after bag 2.  After observing Baby's heart rate drop a few times during my regular contractions, they decided it was important to check my amniotic fluid and do a pelvic exam.

My amniotic fluid was measured to be 9.6, well in the normal range.  To remind you, I was induced with Matthew because of low amniotic fluid, so this was relieving information for me.  I told the two residents and nurse that I did not know the gender of Baby, so they would not tell me the gender during this ultrasound.  While the new resident was moving around my belly, the training resident said "and there's the umbilical cord."  I had to pseudo-bring Mike into the room since he was still at work and I said, "And there's the penis!"  They all looked at me with fear and surprise, like "OH NO--THIS DID NOT GO AS PLANNED!".  I quickly said, "Oh my gosh, I'm totally kidding.  I didn't see anything!  I was just thinking about if that just happened!"  They were totally relieved and the training resident, "Yeah, cause we weren't even in that area and I didn't see anything."  Hmm...didn't see anything.  Girl?

Anyway, pelvic exams (yes, exams as both trainee and trainer checked me--FUN!) revealed that I am 1.5cm dilated, 50% effaced, and baby's engagement is at -3 (scale goes from -5 to +5).  The resident wanted to check with the on call OB, but said that it was likely that I would need to stay for a few more hours for observation to ensure that labor wasn't starting.  Enter tears.  Reality check that labor and baby are near setting in.

10 minutes later...

The resident came back and said that she had not known that this was my second pregnancy and that after talking with the OB, I was free to go.

My Favorite Team Won Today

The emotional roller coaster that is the 2012-2013 Indiana basketball season continued today, albeit barely, after the Hoosiers overcame an upset bid by Temple.  IU trailed almost the entire second half before taking a one-point lead with 1:19 to play and then nailing it down with a three from Oladipo with 14 seconds left.  Similar to last year's Round of 32 win, E taped me to get my reaction to the game.  She did it largely because our friend, D.J., wanted to see just how much of a basketcase I was during the game.  I honestly did not try to ham for the camera, although I am assuming no one will believe me when I say that.  Also, the line at the end about my prayers is the truth--the last three minutes of the game went exactly as I prayed for it.  No more Temple scoring and a back-breaker three that made the final 14 seconds far less stressful.  I just couldn't take anymore anxiety.  You have your problems, I have mine.  But I can honestly say I am thankful.  The stress of this season has been ridiculous and exhausting.  And I desperately hope the stress lasts for four more wins.

 

One last thing--there is nothing better than celebrating IU wins with Matthew, who never gets upset when I go nuts; he joins in every time.