May 2013 Moms

How are you keeping busy?

stanol — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:32:46 GMT

So, it's been two weeks since my doctor said "You're gonna have this baby any day now" (thanks for the false hope, btw). I've been trying to get my mind off of my approaching due date. We've gotten all the nursery stuff ready and the hospital bag is good to go. We did some light gardening and landscaping. And now I've started baking to distract myself. If this baby doesn't come soon, my husband is going to have his very own baby bump from all the baked goods.

What have you guys with inside babies been doing to keep yourself distracted?

Losing any "me time" I had

bhjones1980 — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:59:20 GMT

MJ is three weeks now and I am reading"happiest Baby on the Block" and it makes a lot of sense and I am trying to incorporate the 5 S's, but he is definitely getting more and more dependent on me holding him for naps and at night to sleep.

I am lucky if once or twice a day I can get him to sleep for an hour in his rock and play before he starts fussing and then wailing to be held. He is still not a fan of the pacifier and will spit it out after a minute or two.

I am not getting anything done since he wants to be held and sooth suck on me all day and night.

Anyone else? Will I just have to ride this out?

HDBD

LN1024 — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:45:51 GMT

Babies and Bumps!

My water broke...

jeremiahz_momma03 — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:45:58 GMT

I think. I woke up thinking I peed myself but noticed I kept having gushes and needed to change my overnight pad 4 times in an hour and a half. I'm in L and D right now waiting to be checked. I'm having contractions but they're pretty spaced out. Wish me luck I hope this is it. If not I'm scheduled to be induced tomorrow anyway.

MIL...

miraclemarie — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:16:43 GMT

So I know a majority of you ladies have seen me post throughout my pregnancy about my MIL. I'm a little nervous because I've been trying to make a common time to talk to her about how I feel in regards to my LO and I really wanted to have the conversation before Abby was born but it was so hectic with his grandmother coming from PR and a bunch of other things. I guess my point is we are finally going to sit down tonight over dinner just the two of us. I'm nervous because idk how she is going to react. My DH told me it is a good idea for me to express my concerns especially since she doesn't see anything wrong with how she's behaving. He also agreed that if he notices she keeps doing what she wants he will talk to her so that makes me very happy.

Cecilia is here :)

CharlotteJ2 — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:38:16 GMT

We were supposed to go in at 5 a.m on Friday, May 17th to be induced and just when we were getting our bags to go out the door the hospital called us and told us we had been delayed because they were completely full and to call back at 7 a.m. ! Needless to say I was so upset, but had been contracting all night off and on and by 6:45 I was having contractions that were about 8 minutes apart. (I guess losing your MP meant labor in my case)

I called and they told me there was no room, but since it was my second baby and they were 8 minutes apart to come in and they would check me to see if I was in labor and if I was they would keep me in the 1 room they had available. We got there at 7:40ish, and I had some really good contractions the whole ride there and we sat in the waiting area of the hospital until around 9 when they could actually get to me. When they checked me I was at a 5 and they broke my water and had me walk the halls. I walked for about 40 minutes and my contractions sped up and were right on top of each other and SUPER painful. We went back to the room and decided to get the epidural.

Times get blurry after this- I was checked at some point after the epidural kicked in and I was at a 7-8 and she stretched me a little. 20 minutes later I was REALLY feeling some pressure and told my husband to go get her that something was happening and when she came back baby was +2 station and sunny side up (10cm). I had to lay on my side and not push for about 5 minutes or so, it seemed like and eternity, until she had time to flip around so we could push. Pushing, thank God, only took about 10-15 minutes top and after an episiotomy and a nice little tear Cecilia Grace was born at 2:41 weighing 7lbs 6.5 oz and measuring 19 inches long.

We had some difficulty postpartum with me being sick and having crazy ups and downs hormonally. We went home the very next night and have been doing pretty well since then. We ended up having to supplement some formula until my milk came in because she wasn't having enough wet diapers, but my milk is in and we are doing excellent. :)

I'll leave you with a proof of our newborn session that we had today!

Birth Story (finally) PIP

rednecklover — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:11:26 GMT

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post Tucker's birth story. It has been a crazy 3.5wks!

Short version: Tucker Eugene was born at 38w2d on Saturday, April 27th @ 3:27pm after 1.5hr of active labor. He was 6lb 13oz 20.5in.

Long version:

It was Saturday, April 27th @ 7am when I woke up to my water breaking. I woke DH up and we got moving. OB had told us to get up to the hospital should my water break since DD was born so fast (3hrs start to finish). We got DD dropped off and headed for the hospital.

It was about 8am when we arrived and I was at 5cm. Sadly, I wasn't having any regular contractions. The nurse called my OB to tell that I had arrived and he said he just getting ready to leave town for the day! I continued to have irregular contractions all more but I was still dilating. Another OB came in to talk to us and said my Dr. would be back by 7pm so they weren't going to give me and Pitocin. They wanted to see if I would start contracting on my own.

At about 2pm I was 8cm and starting to have regular contractions that were 3min apart. I had back labor, but the best part was I wasn't in pain! I just felt like I had to go to the Chiropractor.

At 2:50pm I was 9cm. At 3pm it felt like he dropped down. It was heard on the monitor and I had instant pressure on my pubic bone. The nurse checked me again and I was 10cm. That's when I started to feel pain and lots of pressure. My nurse called the OB that had came in to talk to us and told him to get up to the hospital. I started to feel really hot and the urge to push. After 15min of pushing Tucker Eugene entered the world at 3:27pm, 6lb 13oz 20.5in.

We weren't able to hold him until an hour and half later. He had what they called retraction. It looked like was having a hard time breathing the way his chest was moving. Tucker was also grunting which sounded like he was sighing all the time. He finally stopped early the next morning. His other issue was low blood sugar which he fought his first day and a half.

At 3.5wks Tucker is growing and changing everyday. Big sister Dallis absolutely adores and can't get enough of him. He is a really good eater and BFing is going well (we had some issues the first week)

Congratulations to all the mommies that have had their babies!!

Tucker at 1 day old

Dallis and Tucker (1.5wks old)

Edit: I can't figure out how to get the pictures smaller. Sorry they are so big!

Edit: Hopefully they are smaller

WTF Wednesday

kmcd23 — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:56:16 GMT

I don't see one started, so let's hear 'em...

cervix question..

kateronium — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:17:38 GMT

random and probably a question: can my cervix undilate after its been manually dilated? I had my membranes stripped today and he had to manually dilate me to 1 cm. is it possible that it might close back up?

SO EXCITED and RELIEVED!

dadriana — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:47:06 GMT

YAY! Even though today is my EDD, and I would love to have our little boy here---I am so relieved to report that he has made a HUGE comeback since our last check up. His growth has skyrocketed from the 17th to the 40th percentile, and his kidney dilation has significantly diminished. So, while we were originally preparing for a need to be induced asap, we are clear to wait another week and see if he arrives on his own! Thank God he's looking well!

Only downside is that I am not dilated at all, and baby boy is still at station -1...so, it looks like we have a while. Thanks for listening, everyone.

Sad about C-Section, but decision finally made.

Jackateolive — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:56:08 GMT

While it weighs on me, and I wish I could safely pick anything else, I have decided to go ahead with the C-section for my presumed 10lb baby next week. I delivered my first two at 37 weeks (7.7 and 7.11) and they were both fantastic, but my doctors have repeatedly emphasized to me the dangers while extraordinarily minute in chance to have shoulder dystocia and the consequence of potential permanent neurological damage and even death, the consequence is just too high to risk. While I do not want an unnecessary surgery, and I feel like I could do it, I would rather have made the wrong decision in terms of surgery, than have made the wrong decision for my baby girl.

Feeling off

Ctweito — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:09:05 GMT

Did anyone feel kind of nauseous and sick to their stomach before labor? I know it's common to have diarrhea and vomiting but so far in just nauseous and my stool is little softer tmi. Sorry

Did you notice anything different before you went into labor?

Our little guy has arrived!

April! — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:12:07 GMT

My water broke at 2 a.m. Monday and after what felt like a fast and furious labor and three hours of pushing our boy was born at 3:04 p.m! He was 6 lbs 13 oz and 20.5". We haven't decided on a name yet.

I managed to do it completely unmedicated, but mostly because I was too out of it to ask for them. I sure thought if it, but couldn't get the question from my head to my mouth! I had one tiny tear that didn't need stitches but I am sore just about everywhere, and think I strained my ribs pushing. That was really hard!

The pedi says based on the look of him my original 5/16 due date was correct, so I was 40w4d.

Introducing Jameson... PIP

snowgirl427 — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:48:35 GMT

Short story Jameson was born May 15 via unplanned csection. He was 9 lbs 2 oz and 22 inches long. Not to mention a 15 inch head. He is perfect in every way and we can't believe how lucky we are.

Long story went to the dr last Tuesday expecting to be admitted at 7pm for induction. Surprise extremely high protein in my urine and still not being dilated they admitted me immediately instead. Cervadil was placed around 6pm. My cervix was so high they had to bring in a nurse who could basically "place it in your tonsils". Around 2 am they checked me. I was still not dilated. They gave me a pain med cant remember the name and told me to get some sleep. At 4 pm I woke up in excruciating paing. Contractions were every few minutes. Since I was checked and not dilated I thought I was being a baby so I didn't call the nurse. They came in at 6am an saw the pain I wa in. Checked me and I was 6 cm!! I said yes to the epidural. I will say that getting the epidural was a bit painful as I was one of the lucky you experience the sensation of being electrocuted in my leg. Also, my contractions were so close together I was struggling to stay in position. It wa so worth it though for a few reasons.

They broke my water at 10 am. By 12:30 they checked me and I hadn't progressed despite 2 bags of pitocin. Dr. Said he hadn't descended and it was likely the pressure of the bags of water that made me dilate to begin with. I was in the OR within 20 minutes petrified. My DH came in and all I could say was that I was scared. He was great though. A few minutes later LO was born. They placed him on me for a few minutes before he and DH went to recovery. I followed 15 mins or so later.
LOs glucose stores were low so they gave him a bottle before I got to recovery. Once there I was able to breast feed him as well and he had a great latch. He lost a lb by Thursday and I had to supplement with formula.. Crying the whole time. We went home Saturday. I'm still committed to bfing and now pump to supplement with breast milk instead of formula.

And now what you've been waiting for... The love of my life

Right after birth

Tonight hanging in the mamaroo

Edit: please excuse typos and lack of punctuation. Bumping mobile with LO in my arms.

Postpartum Heart Failure Update

missbrittneynicole — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:54:57 GMT

Hey guys I'm sorry it took so long for me to do an update.

The week before last I told you all about my trip to the ER one week after baby was born. I was having a hard time breathing all day. I thought it was just a cold, but in the back of my mind things just didn't feel right.

At the emergency room they told my my lungs were filled with fluid and there was fluid around my heart. I was diagnosed with postpartum heart failure. I spent three days in the hospital away from my one week old boy. It was awful!

The ended up draining 31 lbs of fluid off of me! I was told that once the fluid was gone that my heart muscles got stronger and it didn't look bad any more. :)

So, as of right now, everything looks good. Although, I am still taking a water pill and heart medicine. And because of the medicine I had to quit breastfeeding. But that's okay.

I feel like a million bucks compared to how I felt.

I appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers, it was a very scary situation.

It's a Girl...with no name help!

AshleyHJ — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:08:07 GMT

Team green became team Pink today and we are thrilled. Unfortunately, we are having a hell of a time finalizing the name. Big sister is Avery Grace. I think we are down to two maybe three and I would love any input. I know these names are on the gender neutral trend but we like that...

Which do you prefer Lastname similar to Jones:
Eliette Elizabeth
Alden Elizabeth
Emerson Elizabeth

Thanks in advance!

new mamas with fur babies

cesmiley — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:15:27 GMT

So, we've been home since Friday with DD, and our dog still seems really weirded out. She is curious about the baby and will sniff her when we lay on the floor with her. She freaks out and wants to hide when baby cries. Then last night during a storm, which the dog would normally be terrified during, she was totally fine and guarding the pack n play where DD was sleeping. Oh, and my dog, who was my cuddler beforehand, now wants almost nothing to do with me.

Anyone else experiencing strange behavior from their fur babies?

AW: Jacob Michael newborn photos

megandscott07 — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:30:19 GMT

Hey ladies, This is sort of an AW post so I'm sorry but also just a hello! I haven't been on here for the past six weeks since my little guy was born 5 weeks early! I am finally starting to feel like things are under control. He's doing great and he's over 7 lbs now (5lb 8oz at birth.) I just wanted to drop in and see how everyone is doing, good luck to all of you mommas still waiting for your LO's to arrive! Here is one of my favorites from his newborn photo session

Sick newborn

lovingmygirl — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:21:50 GMT

Worst part of being a parent? Having your babies get sick :(

Long story short DD had a cold which I caught and in turn my almost 3 wk old now has...I tried everything to prevent him getting sick but he's now congested and with small cough, I feel sooo bad having him sick

I cried from guilt and sent DH to Urgicenter with our DS to get him checked out and I stayed with DD...

I'm not looking for a pity party but just needed to let it out...moments like this makes me long for my mom for guidance and a shoulder to cry into

I can't believe this happened.

Boo0512 — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:38:03 GMT

I am currently 5 days overdue and have an induction scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Today when I was out running some last minute errands my DH called me and said that his grandpa had a stroke this morning. His grandpa lives just down the road from us and DH is very very close with him. I actually saw the ambulance go by, I just didn't know where it had come from.

We live in a rural area about an hour and a half away from the metro and his grandpa was transferred to a hospital there. So far it looks like he is stable and will recover but I just feel so awful for grandpa, my in-laws and DH.

This baby is our first and also the first grandbaby on DH's side. His parents are going to stay in the metro area so they can be with grandpa. This means they will most likely not be able to come see us at the hospital when baby is born.

I feel so bad for DH, he is very close with his parents and it will break his heart to not have them at the hospital. I really don't want anything to bring him down the day our daughter is born, I'm just so bummed about the circumstances.

Trust your instincts!

MrsRed09 — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:34:47 GMT

I have always been one to listen to my instincts when something just didn't seem right, but this time I failed myself. I don't know if it was the lack of sleep/food/shower that made me second guess myself, but its something that will not happen again. My child suffered because I didn't trust myself.

Long story short, if you think you are having issues breastfeeding see a LC immediately! It is so worth any amount of money you may have to spend to see one. My LO is no longer starving!

Here is the long story: I knew something was off around the 5th day home. LO didn't seem as calm as he did in the hospital and was super cranky. I never got the feeling of milk coming in that everyone said I would feel, but I have always been different when it comes to what they say will happen to your body medically. We went to our first peds appointment and he had maintained his weight from the hospital, which the ped said was normal as it had only been 4 days since being discharged. However, if he hadn't gained any weight by the next week we needed to do more digging. I knew something wasn't right, but I did nothing because I told myself that it was just first time mom nerves and everything was fine.

Today we go to our 2 week appointment and LO has lost weight. Not a scary amount of weight, but he has now lost 10% of his birth weight. My heart just sank, because I knew last week that something was wrong, yet I did nothing. We immediately went to see a Lactation Consultant for a weighed feeding and for help. LO has a great latch, but come to find out I have a really low milk supply and LO was basically starving. For todays feeding, he only ate 20 ml which is less than an ounce from both breasts total!

We are now supplementing through a Kangaroo tube so LO is getting the calories he needs, but we are still stimulating my breasts to make more milk. Without her help, I probably would have just gave up and started only formula feeding.

Induction tomorrow!

nbatchen — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:28:59 GMT

Just left the doctors where I had an NST and an internal to see if I have dilated anymore! I an still just a little over 1cm but we are gonna induce late tomorrow night! I am so excited we are finally going to get to meet out little man! I am a little nervous about the induction but my body does not want to let this baby out on its own! Wish me luck!

No such luck (FX update)

nonniedee — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:45:42 GMT

My contractions stalled at five minutes, and then started back up at ten. At my appt they scheduled me for an induction on the 29th. Hopefully that doesn't happen. Now contractions are back to five minutes apart, but DH is stuck in New Jersey. Today has been hellish. I'm just praying that if anything happens DH makes it on time.

how many are into their 41st week?

dadriana — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:24:48 GMT

Just curious...how many moms out there are more than 40 + 7?

I'm really worried about baby's size--VENT

dadriana — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:40:35 GMT

All of this waiting around is making me anxious. I can't stand it anymore.

Not even due until weds, but the doctors are freaking me out. Saying that I am not "eligible" to go to 42 weeks, as baby is only measuring about 6lbs 1 oz (17th percentile)--and one of his kidney's is slightly dilated. So, I have to be induced if he does not arrive on his own this week. It is what it is....

but, I'm completely freaked out....What if he is actually LESS than what they estimate? I keep seeing all of these posts about doctors telling parents that their baby will be HUGE...and the baby turns out to NOT be huge. So, if my little guy is only estimated at 6lbs...what if they are wrong? What if he's actually LESS? I'm worried. Thanks for letting me VENT