Baby Boy is Here!

 (just an hour old)

Baby boy was born on April 17th at 0145 am. It's a long story and maybe someday I'll get around to posting the birth story, but short version is his heart rate was dropping during contractions and it got real scary real fast. Just when I thought I was in for a C section, I was able to have him naturally without any meds other than pitocin. He was 5 pounds, 9 ounces, 19 inches long and totally healthy! Hope you enjoy the pics! I'm going to go take a nap :-)

 (one week old)

Yay, We Made it to 37 Weeks!

Yay, we made it to 37 weeks! Baby boy is no longer considered a preemie! What a relief that he has stayed in this long after all the scary preterm labor. I'm still hoping he holds out the full 40 weeks though. Thanks everyone for your prayers and concerns! :-)

I continue to have contractions on and off, and I'm starting to dilate, so who knows when this little guy will make his appearance. (PS. Let's just pretend I actually put makeup on for this pic. Oh and ignore the puffy face too. Um, okay, thanks ;-)

These Darn Contractions!

I hit 34 weeks yesterday! I just keep praying baby boy stays put until at least 36 weeks for more lung development.

Last Wednesday at work, I had three child abuse cases that were all breaking at the same time. I had officers out at two of the scenes, child protection ringing my phone off the hook and the local children's hospital on the line while I tried to coordinate everything. It was chaos. And in the middle of it all, I started having contractions. I tried to ignore them as I was juggling the mess but after about four good ones, I started timing them while at my desk. I quickly realized they were about 1 min long and coming every two to three minutes! There was no one else around in my unit to help me, so once I got things stabilized with my cases, I finally went to our chaplain's room where there's a couch and put my feet up. After a couple more contractions, they started to slow down, but still did not stop. I finally called my midwife who said to come in to the clinic. Long story short, they put me on medical leave until I'm 36 weeks. It's obvious the stress of my job is bringing on these contractions. Why 36 weeks? I guess at that point, if baby starts to come, they don't do anything to stop it.

So now I'm off work for two weeks and trying to relax. I wasn't put on bed rest, just rest in general but I am not supposed to lift anything, no laundry baskets, no picking up my 4 year old, not even vacuuming! So I guess my house will become a pit, but of course a healthy baby is worth it!

Oh and kind of a funny story...when we went for the ultrasound yesterday, my hubby was in the waiting area while I went to use the bathroom. The nurse saw me and told me to go right in the room when I was done. I told her hubby was out in the waiting area. Keep in mind, he was the only guy there and it's an OB/GYN clinic. The nurse went out and said, "(Hubby's name), you're next!" as if HE was the PATIENT! LOL! I guess he got some strange looks from the women waiting who didn't see him come in with me. Gotta love it!

Preterm Labor at 32 Weeks

Once I hit 32 weeks, my midwife and the overseeing clinic doctor recommended I go in for a special ultrasound (called a bio-physical) and non-stress test every week due to a large fibroid and a slightly elevated neural tube test result. Being a natural-as-much-as-I-can-be mom, I don't really like my little peanut being exposed to that much US, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

So last Wednesday, my baby boy passed the biophysical within minutes and everything looked great! (Just look at his cute little profile up above!) The sonographer said he was so low she could hardly get a good measurement of his head. I thought he might have dropped already and she confirmed it. "But wait, I'm only 32 weeks," I thought to myself....little did I know...

Then it was time for the non-stress test. I had to sit in a reclining chair and hit a button every time baby boy moved. I had two monitors on me also, one for me, one for baby. When my midwife came in and read the strip from the monitors, she looked concerned and asked if I was in pain. I said, "No." She said it showed I was having contractions! Off to an exam room and a check showed I was slightly dilated, but not even a one. I told her the night before I had a bunch of what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions in a row and felt nauseous. She said they were more than likely REAL contractions! The midwife took a swab for a protein test that can detect if labor will happen in the next two weeks, then sent me home instead of letting me go back to work. Six hours later, she called and said the test was negative. I did some research and found that the test, called fetal fibronectin, is very accurate and if you get a negative test, you are pretty unlikely to deliver in the next two weeks. My midwife said I can keep working but I still need to try to take it easy. Um, yeah right, full time police investigator, mom to a 4 and 6 year old, and hubby is in school full time, working part time. Sure, no problem! :-)

Today, I made it to 33 weeks! I just keep praying he stays in as long as possible. 34 weeks for lung development, 37 for brain development, and 40 full term. Yet, I'm also trying to be ready in case he comes sooner. I got my hospital bag packed, took the car seat out of the box, bought some newborn diapers and wipes, and even brought a change of clothing to work in case my water breaks there (how terrible would that be with all male co-workers!) I even read up on what to do in case you have to deliver at home in the tub!

With my other two, I went full term with no complications. So all of this is kind of new to me. But, as I type this, he's doing his usual acrobatics in my tummy and I just keep praying everything will be alright. :-)

30 Weeks, 10 More until Baby Boy is Here!

I had an ultrasound this week and baby boy is doing great! He's already three pounds! Considering Sprout was only 6lbs, 2oz and Cubbie 5 lbs, 3 oz, I'm wondering how big this little guy's gonna be.

I'm so glad to be in my 3rd trimester. The nauseousness is gone and I'm feeling pretty good. Even my heartburn has lessened, which is weird considering it usually gets worse towards the end.

I am feeling pretty huge though. This picture doesn't really show how far my belly is sticking out. It's safe to say I'm carrying in front!

Today, we are taking a trip to Babies R Us, possibly to buy a new infant car seat (the one from the boys is expired) and a travel size pack and play that will double as a bassinet. It's funny how with your third child, you don't feel the need to go all out but just to have the essentials. Not that this one isn't as important, it's not that at all. It's just I think you realize how little a baby really needs in those first few months.

I'm due April 22nd. Hubby is due to graduate May 18 with his RN, then take boards in June. It will be interesting to see how we manage a newborn with hubby studying for his final and his boards. I'm just praying for a nice, warm Spring so I can get out of the house and go on walks with the baby!