Evan, Aidan, Bella & Sophia » September 2008 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Thu, Sep 25, 2008 1:10 PM
Happy 36th Birthday to me.
Yuk. I'm closer to 40 than I am 30 now. :(

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Dawnie: Happy Birthday Kryisa!! I hope you had a great day, and your feeling good!!
xx,
dawnie and boys

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Thu, Sep 25, 2008 7:12 AM
35 WEEKS!

Your baby weighs about 6 lbs (2750g) and measures about 20.7 inches (46cm) in length. Crown to rump measurement is about 13.5 inches (34cm).

Your baby now feels lower in your pelvis.

Your baby continues to grow, kick, and move about.

Your baby's face has filled out and the cheeks now look plump and full. Fat baby cheeks are caused by fat deposits, but also by powerful sucking muscles which your baby has been honing by sucking her thumb.

Your baby's skull is firm, but it is not hard as it needs to give a little when it is passing through the birth canal.

Your baby's head is probably down by now, but about three percent of babies present in a breech (bottom down) position. Your doctor may try to turn your baby around if it is in a breech position by putting pressure on your abdomen. This is called external cephalic version (ECV) and is effective in about 50% of cases. If your baby is in a breech position, ask your doctor about what your options are for the birth. You may or may not require a cesarean delivery.

My pregnant body:
You will probably now see your doctor or midwife once a week.

Now that the baby has settled lower in your abdomen, you may find breathing to be easier again. However, because your baby is now putting even more pressure on your bladder, you will have to urinate more frequently.

You may have gained up to 30 pounds or more by this point.

You are probably starting to get tired of being pregnant and you are probably focused on the birth ahead of you.

It may feel like you have been pregnant forever and you just want the baby out.

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Mon, Sep 22, 2008 1:13 PM
Today I had my Perinatology visit with Dr. Lambers, a Non-Stress Test and an Amniotic Fluid Index (Ultrasound). I lost 1/2 lb., making me still around 27 lbs. total weight gain. My blood pressure was 92/50 and my fundal height measures 37 weeks pregnant.

My non-stress test picked up a few contractions, which Dr. Lambers mentioned. I know, I am aware when I have them (of course!) They are painful and take my breath away. But my stitches aren't bleeding, so I figure that by this point (35 weeks almost), unless I am bleeding, I am fine! She agreed. She said if my cervix is changing or my stitching are pulling, I will show signs of bleeding. So no worries on the contractions. I don't think they would do anything at this point anyway! I am so close to full term now. She complimented me on my lack of weight gain. Yayyy! 27 lbs. FEELS like a lot to me, but she said it was awesome.

My NST (non stress test) experience today wasn't great. Sophie was "almost" reactive, I guess. The rule is that the baby's heartrate has to rise 15 beats per minute over baseline and stay over 15 BPM (over baseline) for 15 seconds or more. I watched her heartrate the entire time. It went from 135 BPM to 157 BPM or so, which is a 22 BPM variance. However, after 20 minutes, the nurse came in and said, "I have to buzz her - her heartrate isn't staying high enough LONG enough." Whatever. I hate that buzzer. It freaks the baby out and I feel so helpless. She buzzed Sophie (on my belly). Sophie got so angry and upset, her heartrate climbed to 190-200 BPM. I was very, very, VERY upset ~ seriously to the point of tears. I kept saying, "SHHH, Sophie, it's ok...." (knowing she doesn't understand, she's just totally freaked!) I called the nurse back and and mentioned to her that her heartrate was off the charts, in my opinion. She just laughed and said, "Well, we see this sometimes. We'll just monitor her a while longer. She's one angry baby!" Yeah, no kidding. You just freaked her out, what do you expect? It took a good 15 minutes for her heartrate to come down to around 160 BPM (high for her now, as her heartrate is typically 140-150 BPM now). I was upset. I hate NSTs! Next time I go, I will be sure to drink some juice before I have the test to make sure she is active and going (so MAYBE we don't have to be buzzed).

My ultrasound went fine - she is still measuring small, but looks healthy and has plenty of amniotic fluid.

Next trip to Good Sam Hospital is Thursday (another NST). Fun!

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Thu, Sep 18, 2008 8:15 AM
34 WEEKS!

Your baby now measures about 20.25 inches (45cm) in total length and weighs around 5.5 lbs (2550g). Crown to rump measurement is about 13.2 inches (33cm).

She continues to grow and fatten up, especially in the shoulder area, and kicks regularly.

The fine lanugo hair that covered your baby is shedding, though some may still be present when your baby is born.

Your baby's eyes are blue, though this may change soon after birth or much later after birth.

Your baby's fingernails are growing. They already reach the tips of his fingers and they may even look quite long and pointy by the time he is born. Your baby may even have some scratch marks from scratching his face with his fingernails.

Your baby is probably feeling quite cramped right now and his movements are restricted by his growing size.

My pregnant body:
You have probably gained between 20-29 lbs (9-13 kg).

You may have continued backache as you relax the muscles supporting the joints in the small of your back.

You probably feel cramped and heavy.

You will probably find it easier to eat a little bit, but often, rather than eating large meals since your stomach is compressed.

Your ankles may be swollen and you may be having a hard time moving around. You may be able to avoid or reduce the swelling of your ankles by getting extra rest and changing positions frequently.

You are probably experiencing emotional changes along with your physical symptoms of pregnancy. If this is your first birth, you are probably becoming increasingly concerned about labor and childbirth. There's no doubt about it, though: You can do it. Knowing what to expect though can help you to feel prepared and can help you have a better birth experience so read, talk to your friends and family, your doctor and your childbirth educator about your concerns.

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Wed, Sep 17, 2008 1:52 PM
Heffer alert!

3 women coworkers of mine were standing in the lobby at my work when I came back from a shopping spree at Gymboree over lunch, and one of them said:

"Christine, how much longer do you have to go?"

I said, "4 weeks! Not much longer!"

She said, "Oh no, I don't think you are going to make it 4 more weeks, honestly!"

I said, "Well, I hope I make it 4 more weeks. That's actually 2 weeks earlier than my due date, which is actually 6 weeks from now. 4 weeks is my c-section."

They all just smiled and shook their heads.

Heffer here, signing out.

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Mon, Sep 15, 2008 1:46 PM
The rest of Cincinnati is without power, from the aftermath of Hurricane Ike - but Clifton Ave. in Cincinnati has power - which is where the big hospitals are (including Good Sam, where I go).

I just got back from my appts.

Level 2 Ultrasound & Amniotic Fluid Check:
Sophie weighs 4 lbs. 13 oz. (42nd percentile). She has plenty of amniotic fluid and is as cute as can be with her puckered lips and long, brushable hair. Donna, my fav. sonographer, said she has enough hair in the back to comb! She showed me the waves of hair! LOL Sophie is still frank breech.

34 week checkup:
Fundal height = 35 weeks. Blood Pressure = 88/40, weight gain 2 lbs. in 1 week! YIKES! (27 lbs. total) Dr. Hinton said I am overdoing it. I have some bad hemmorhoids. She said I need to stop lifting my kids ASAP. I lifted Aidan a few times this week out of necessity - and ALWAYS carry Bella. She said that my hemmorhoids are just warning me of what I could be doing to my stitches, and that I need to stop NOW with the lifting. At work, I should be keeping my feet propped up at all times.

I got the amnio date/times and c/section date confirmed with time:

10/13/08 @ 10 am = Amnio
10/16/08 @ 11:30 am = C/section (38 weeks)

Non Stress Test:
Sophie was reactive. I had 2 contractions while I was there and they brought it up, asking me to go home and rest. I mentioned that physically it is easier for me at work than at home, so my Peri agreed I could go back, but if I have more than 6 an hour, I have to go back to the hospital.

That's all! Thurs is my next NST.

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Thu, Sep 11, 2008 8:59 AM
33 WEEKS
Your baby weighs almost 5 lbs (2250 g) and is 12.8 inches (32cm) from crown to rump and about 19.8 inches (44cm) long.

If your baby were born now, she would be considered "pre-term" rather than premature. This distinction is based on fetal maturity, particularly the maturity of the fetal lungs. A pre-term baby, unlike a premature baby, is likely to have well-developed lungs and is less likely to need intensive care.

Your baby is surrounded by a red glow when sunlight shines on your belly and may be aware of this as she is able to differentiate between light and dark.

Your baby's hair is getting thicker, though it may be a different color when she is older.

She is currently shedding her lanugo, the fine downy hair that previously covered her body.

More vernix, the waxy coating that protects your baby's skin while submerged in amniotic fluid, is building up.

Your baby's adrenal glands are producing more steroid hormone, the androgen-like hormone that indirectly aids your milk production. Your baby is currently producing ten times more of this hormone than a normal adult and the adrenal glands are currently the same size as those of an adolescent. They will shrink after birth.

Your baby is laying down bone. To do this, she will draw calcium from you.

Your baby has taste buds and it has been suggested that she can taste and develop tastes for flavors found in the amniotic fluid, particularly flavors that you eat on a regular basis.

MY PREGNANT BODY:
Your baby is beginning to drop in your pelvis and you may have noticed that the shape of your abdomen has changed because of this. This may also cause increased pressure in your pelvic region.

While Braxton Hicks contractions are probably becoming more regular, you may also experience false labor. This is different from Braxton Hicks contractions because false labor, unlike Braxton Hicks, can be very painful. These contractions are irregular and usually last under 45 seconds and are not sustained. If you are unsure if you are experiencing false labor, you should contact your care provider.

If your water breaks, you should contact your doctor immediately.

You may have bloody show that occurs as the cervix stretches and dilates, especially right after a vaginal exam. You may also pass a mucus plug. Neither bloody show or passing the mucus plug necessarily indicates that labor will commence right away, but it will not be far away.

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Tue, Sep 9, 2008 10:00 AM
Well, right after Sophie's birth, looks like Evan has to have surgery. (At least that's what Children's Hospital called it). His surgery is scheduled for 10/23/08.

They told us this morning that Evan does not have a sufficient layer of enamel on his teeth, and that they are VERY VERY soft. (I hope and pray his adult teeth aren't this way, and that this only affects his baby teeth).

I noticed he had what looked to me like a cavity on his front tooth where it meets the gumline. Then I noticed another small one on the tooth behind the canine tooth. He went in to Children's Hospital today for a dental exam and they confirmed that he needs surgery and that sugar and candy are off limits for his soft teeth. He also needs to be brushing 4 times a day, they said - after every meal, every snack, and any liquid that isn't just water.

So 10/23/08, we will take Evan to Children's Hospital. He was be under general anesthesia - and they will fill all his cavities. Apparently he has some in the very back, as well (ones I didn't see). They put toddlers and young children under general anesthesia because they can't handle the drilling and such.

I hate the idea of him going under general anesthesia at his age. :(

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Mon, Sep 8, 2008 11:00 AM
I had my appt. with Dr. Brady this morning. He agreed to push my c/section out from 10/10/08 (37w1d) to 10/16/08 (38w0d)!!!!!!! WOO HOOO!

I am VERY happy with that. I feel much better about 38 weeks vs. 37w1d.

I will still have an amnio - scheduled either 10/13/08 or 10/14/08. He made me consent to that. But I won't complain as I got the week I wanted for Sophie's delivery!

I gained 1/2 pound in the last 2 weeks. And the last appt. I had gained only a pound, as well. So that's only 2-3 pounds in the last 6 weeks! Dr. Brady mentioned he is shocked at how little weight I have gained this time. (Actually, not THAT little, as I have put on a total of exactly 25 lbs. so far.) I tend to just do most of my gaining in the 2nd trimester (when the 1st trimester morning sickness is over and before the 3rd trimester when I get so big and uncomfortable).

Blood pressure 90/65.

5.5 weeks & counting!

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Thu, Sep 4, 2008 12:08 PM
Today was a much better day for the boys on the bus. Evan was excited about riding it this morning and climbed on and waved goodbye. Aidan did fine, too. So, all is well!! So glad the bus situation worked out.

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Thu, Sep 4, 2008 9:02 AM
32 WEEKS! (5 weeks until c-section!)

Your baby now weighs about 4.4 lbs (2000g) and measures about 12 inches (30cm) from crown to rump and about 19.4 inches (43cm) in total.

Now that your baby is running out of room in your womb, you can probably see your belly moving as your baby kicks.

Your baby may dream as he sleeps and when awake he may be alert, listening, feeling and even seeing dim shapes.

Though your baby is still inside the womb, he is learning all the time as billions of neurons are making connections.

Your baby is probably in his birth position by now.

Your baby's lungs may be sufficiently developed by now, though if he were born now, he would probably still need an incubator to stay warm.

My Pregnant Body:
Your weight gain by now may be as much as 28 lbs and you are gaining weight faster than at any other time in your pregnancy. This is because your baby is growing rapidly right now.

Your blood volume has increased 40% to meet your baby's needs and your uterus has grown 500 times since before you were pregnant.

You may be feeling uncomfortable and feel the need to urinate frequently.

You may be experiencing vivid dreams.

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Wed, Sep 3, 2008 12:06 PM
Today Evan and Aidan rode the bus for the first time. Evan had some serious anxiety about the bus. Mom and Dad both had to climb on in order to get him to stay ON the bus. :( I worried about him a lot. I even sent his teacher an email asking if he was crying/upset when he arrived. Miss Jennifer said he was fine, but I was still concerned. Mom said he did not want to ride whatsoever, but did stay after being given some cars to play with. Aidan did just fine. He climbed on, sat down and looked out the window.

Mom said both boys were fine on the way home, and got off the bus all excited. Hopefully tomorrow is better. Maybe Evan just didn't understand where the bus was taking him?

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Tue, Sep 2, 2008 9:04 AM
Today was Evan and Aidan's first day of preschool for the 2008/2009 school year! So exciting! We didn't have the bus lined up for them today, but they will ride tomorrow.

I am a little nervous because we have split the boys up this year. Evan will be with Miss Jennifer's class (a new teacher) and Aidan will stay with Miss Kim (their teacher last year). Hopefully they do well being separated and Evan does fine with a new teacher/new class.

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