Good Morning!
Katherine writing this time, while Mark is washing his face and getting dressed. So last night was an interesting night - again, it's very unreal waiting here to have our baby. It was very strange "settling" into our room for the night. Brushing our teeth, taking out contacts, turning off the lights and saying good night. Mark has a little couch to sleep on that's across the room, so he gave me a kiss goodnight, rubbed my back for a few minutes and then went to his bed. This was at about 1 AM.
It took us both a while to fall asleep. So nervous about everything yet to come! Around 1:30 AM, I decided to ask for an Ambien to help me sleep. Since I won't start the pitocin until 11 AM today, and my body has a lot of work to do to get this baby out, I wanted to make sure I had gotten some rest. The Ambien did initially make me feel drowsy, but it also gave me these CRAZY dreams, and I definitely did not feel like myself --- I felt a bit like I was on drugs (I guess cause I was). I dreamt that there was a large hole in the room, and we were trying to push all the furniture out (I think I even mentioned this dream to the night nurse, Teddy, during one of her visits... I'm sure she's used to whacked out women. :) ). I dreamed about large furry, feathered beasts. Don't remember much about them, I don't think they were scary, but they were part of the dream. A couple of hours later, I went to the bathroom, and I staggered there.
At some point (maybe 2:00 AM), Mark and I were both still awake, so he came and snuggled with me in my hospital bed. At first, we were reluctant to, but I'm really glad he did. It was very sweet and comforting, and a nice reminder that we're in this together.
We slept most of the night --- getting up occasionally to go to the bathroom, or being woken up by a nurse to take temperature, etc. At 7:30 our day nurse, Paige, came to say hello. At Patti's recommendation we requested Paige when we checked in last night. She is the daughter-in-law of our doctor, and she won a state award for excellence in perinatal care. I'm encouraged that we now have a team in place (doctor, nurse, doula) who have all worked together and are fond of each other.
At about 8:40, I couldn't sleep anymore, so I tried to get up quietly so Mark could continue to sleep (he didn't have the aid of a sleep pill). I brushed my teeth and hair and put in my contacts to feel more like it's day. Still in the hospital gown, though. :) Mark did wake up, anyways, and now we're ready to get this day going!
Now we just wait until somewhere between 11 and 12, when they will remove the cervidil and start the pitocin. Mark is going to get some breakfast, while I make do with ice chips and apple juice (thank goodness, I can at least have these!), and then I'm hoping they'll let us walk around for a while, to help baby put some pressure on my cervix.
Depending on how things go, maybe we'll update again later.
Happy Monday everyone! And happy birthday baby girl!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Getting started
Hi friends! We're hoping to provide little updates on here as much as possible, and here's the first one. Isn't wireless internet fantastic? After a lot of paperwork and plenty of waiting, we're in a hospital room attended by a friendly nurse named Teddy. We have the coolest OBGYN. He was on a weekend trip and stopped by the room on his way home from the airport just to check up on Katherine and let us know he was back in town.
The cervical "ripener" is in, and will work for about 12 hours. Katherine got a little nauseous and lost some color after that was placed, likely just from jittery nerves as it was a simple little procedure. It sounds like the induction will start around noon. Is it possible this will be our one chance to sleep in for the next many months??
We're going to bed now. More updates tomorrow!
The cervical "ripener" is in, and will work for about 12 hours. Katherine got a little nauseous and lost some color after that was placed, likely just from jittery nerves as it was a simple little procedure. It sounds like the induction will start around noon. Is it possible this will be our one chance to sleep in for the next many months??
We're going to bed now. More updates tomorrow!
Today's the Day!
Well, actually, if we're speaking technically about our daughter's birth day, then tomorrow's actually more likely the day.
I have not gone into labor spontaneously as I had hoped, but I do feel like my body is more prepared to give birth than it was a few days ago. I've had a few light contractions, nothing significant, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up for "good news" when they check my cervix tonight. But my body does feel rested (and not lethargic, as I had worried about when learning of the 4 days of bed rest I would be on), and I had one final "induction" massage with my Doula (Patti) yesterday, to try and kick things into action. Patti said my joints felt looser, so the prostoglandins (sp?) maybe have kicked in.
Right now Ben and Mark are taking a nap. I slept for three hours this morning while they went to church and the grocery store, and I'm glad I did, because my stomach is all in knots right now --- no way I would be able to sleep! We had a nice lunch together (fancy sandwiches!), and then I lay on Ben's bed and watched Mark and Ben rough house for a little while before Ben's nap. We read two big brother books to Ben, talked about how his sister would be born tonight, and tucked him in for the last time as an only child. When he gets up (after the routine video and chocolate chips on the couch), he and Mark are going to make cupcakes together to celebrate both his sister's upcoming birthday, as well as Grandpa Howard's birthday, which was just this past Thursday. We'll then finish packing our bags, picking up the house (still trying to honor the bed rest, so I may just watch Mark pick up the house. :) ), and then we're all headed to Olive Garden for one last meal as a family of three. Once I get to the hospital, I'm expecting to not be able to drink or eat anything, although Patti says they may let me have juice, so we're packing a few juice boxes, just in case.
Then Mark and Ben are going to pick up my dad from the airport at 7:30. He and my mom were scheduled to arrive on baby's due date (4/1), but when we learned about the planned induction, Grandpa changed his flight so he could be here to take care of the B-dogg. My mom will still arrive on Thursday. They'll bring my dad back here to get settled in, and then Mark and I are supposed to arrive at the hospital at 10 pm tonight.
Depending on how things go tonight, Mark may try to post little updates on the blog, as the hospital is supposed to have wireless access. I'll get started on Cervidiil, a medicine that is supposed to "ripen" the cervix, and then supposedly sleep through the night at the hospital. Since I'm supposed to be able to sleep, I figured I wouldn't really be able to feel the medicine, but a friend told me that it actually causes contractions, which I guess makes sense, or how else would it work? So depending on how strongly it kicks in, will determine how much sleep we get tonight. That was part of the reasoning for the three hour nap this morning. :)
In the morning, they'll start the pitocin (which my doctor assures me will be "drip by drip," nothing fast or drastic, and then we hope to welcome our daughter sometime tomorrow!
So that's the plan. I'm both very nervous about the whole induction process and also excited that it's finally time to meet this little girl. We trust the doctor, and our doula has been encouraging and supportive, so we are all hopeful for the best.
Stay tuned!
I have not gone into labor spontaneously as I had hoped, but I do feel like my body is more prepared to give birth than it was a few days ago. I've had a few light contractions, nothing significant, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up for "good news" when they check my cervix tonight. But my body does feel rested (and not lethargic, as I had worried about when learning of the 4 days of bed rest I would be on), and I had one final "induction" massage with my Doula (Patti) yesterday, to try and kick things into action. Patti said my joints felt looser, so the prostoglandins (sp?) maybe have kicked in.
Right now Ben and Mark are taking a nap. I slept for three hours this morning while they went to church and the grocery store, and I'm glad I did, because my stomach is all in knots right now --- no way I would be able to sleep! We had a nice lunch together (fancy sandwiches!), and then I lay on Ben's bed and watched Mark and Ben rough house for a little while before Ben's nap. We read two big brother books to Ben, talked about how his sister would be born tonight, and tucked him in for the last time as an only child. When he gets up (after the routine video and chocolate chips on the couch), he and Mark are going to make cupcakes together to celebrate both his sister's upcoming birthday, as well as Grandpa Howard's birthday, which was just this past Thursday. We'll then finish packing our bags, picking up the house (still trying to honor the bed rest, so I may just watch Mark pick up the house. :) ), and then we're all headed to Olive Garden for one last meal as a family of three. Once I get to the hospital, I'm expecting to not be able to drink or eat anything, although Patti says they may let me have juice, so we're packing a few juice boxes, just in case.
Then Mark and Ben are going to pick up my dad from the airport at 7:30. He and my mom were scheduled to arrive on baby's due date (4/1), but when we learned about the planned induction, Grandpa changed his flight so he could be here to take care of the B-dogg. My mom will still arrive on Thursday. They'll bring my dad back here to get settled in, and then Mark and I are supposed to arrive at the hospital at 10 pm tonight.
Depending on how things go tonight, Mark may try to post little updates on the blog, as the hospital is supposed to have wireless access. I'll get started on Cervidiil, a medicine that is supposed to "ripen" the cervix, and then supposedly sleep through the night at the hospital. Since I'm supposed to be able to sleep, I figured I wouldn't really be able to feel the medicine, but a friend told me that it actually causes contractions, which I guess makes sense, or how else would it work? So depending on how strongly it kicks in, will determine how much sleep we get tonight. That was part of the reasoning for the three hour nap this morning. :)
In the morning, they'll start the pitocin (which my doctor assures me will be "drip by drip," nothing fast or drastic, and then we hope to welcome our daughter sometime tomorrow!
So that's the plan. I'm both very nervous about the whole induction process and also excited that it's finally time to meet this little girl. We trust the doctor, and our doula has been encouraging and supportive, so we are all hopeful for the best.
Stay tuned!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Day at the airport
Hi friends! This is Mark writing. Lots of blog entries in the last few days - cool! Today Ben and I went to the Houston Intercontinental Airport Festival. It's sponsored by the Houston Chamber of Commerce and features lots of local merchants and organizations, food, a bounce house for kids, and lots of really, really big airplanes. We left a little early and stopped at one of my favorite locations - the viewing lot at the end of runway 27 at IAH. We watched the airplanes land for 20 minutes or so then proceeded over to the festival, which was held in and around one of the gargantuan Continental maintenance hangars. Here's our list of activities:
1. Arrive and scope out the hangar - mostly tables for eating and booths with local non-profits.
2. Check out our first airplane - one of the Air Force's "hurricane hunters." Very, very cool.
3. Despite all the cool airplanes, the bounce house was irresistable, so Ben did that for a while.
4. Wander all around and underneath a Boeing 777. I already knew it was an extremely large bird but came to a new understanding of that standing right next to it. Unbelievable. While we were there, we watched the Lifeflight helicopter land next to us.
5. Did the same with a Boeing 767. Also huge, but not as big as a 777. We were allowed to go inside this one so we went up the stairs and inside. We were allowed to sit in the pilots' seats but told not to touch anything. Hmmm. Didn't stay very long there. Then we wandered around the cabin playing with the window shades and checking out the galleys. It was actually pretty weird to be on a passenger plane without having bought a ticket.
6. Time for lunch. I really enjoy sharing meals with Ben, just the two of us. When we were living with our friends after the flood, Ben and I occasionally ran off to Denny's for breakfast. Sharing a meal is always a good bonding time with anyone, including little children!
7. After lunch we went to check out the helicopter. It appeared to be almost brand new. It's such a cool aircraft. I wish I didn't have to be near death to get a ride on one.
8. Spent a moment looking at the airport fire trucks. I don't really know why, but these things are built like tanks.
9. For our last plane, we climbed the stairs up to a massive Fedex cargo aircraft, an Airbus A300. This one was really cool - the entire floor is covered with rollers. One of the workers I talked to said they actually just push those huge metal containers into place by hand. Ben really liked walking around that one. I did too - it was neat to see how cavernous these planes are inside.
I think Benjamin had a really good time. I hope so anyway, because I had an AWESOME time. Airplanes are one of my biggest passions in life, and it was tremendously rewarding to share that with him. When you begin to consider entering fatherhood, it's days like today that you imagine.
Next to the landing gear of a 777. These tires look small from a distance but they're about 4 feet tall.
In back of the Lifeflight helicopter.
Thanks for the good times Fedex!
This happened before I even turned on the car.
1. Arrive and scope out the hangar - mostly tables for eating and booths with local non-profits.
2. Check out our first airplane - one of the Air Force's "hurricane hunters." Very, very cool.
3. Despite all the cool airplanes, the bounce house was irresistable, so Ben did that for a while.
4. Wander all around and underneath a Boeing 777. I already knew it was an extremely large bird but came to a new understanding of that standing right next to it. Unbelievable. While we were there, we watched the Lifeflight helicopter land next to us.
5. Did the same with a Boeing 767. Also huge, but not as big as a 777. We were allowed to go inside this one so we went up the stairs and inside. We were allowed to sit in the pilots' seats but told not to touch anything. Hmmm. Didn't stay very long there. Then we wandered around the cabin playing with the window shades and checking out the galleys. It was actually pretty weird to be on a passenger plane without having bought a ticket.
6. Time for lunch. I really enjoy sharing meals with Ben, just the two of us. When we were living with our friends after the flood, Ben and I occasionally ran off to Denny's for breakfast. Sharing a meal is always a good bonding time with anyone, including little children!
7. After lunch we went to check out the helicopter. It appeared to be almost brand new. It's such a cool aircraft. I wish I didn't have to be near death to get a ride on one.
8. Spent a moment looking at the airport fire trucks. I don't really know why, but these things are built like tanks.
9. For our last plane, we climbed the stairs up to a massive Fedex cargo aircraft, an Airbus A300. This one was really cool - the entire floor is covered with rollers. One of the workers I talked to said they actually just push those huge metal containers into place by hand. Ben really liked walking around that one. I did too - it was neat to see how cavernous these planes are inside.
I think Benjamin had a really good time. I hope so anyway, because I had an AWESOME time. Airplanes are one of my biggest passions in life, and it was tremendously rewarding to share that with him. When you begin to consider entering fatherhood, it's days like today that you imagine.
Next to the landing gear of a 777. These tires look small from a distance but they're about 4 feet tall.
In back of the Lifeflight helicopter.
Thanks for the good times Fedex!
This happened before I even turned on the car.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
(Almost) 39-week update
We had the ultrasound this afternoon. The good news is that the baby is head down! I was really surprised, as I thought she was probably still sideways. I went for a massage with our doula on Monday, and I could definitely tell that she was able to move her to a more head down position, but from what I could tell, she didn't exactly seem to stay that way. So, yeah, baby girl --- now please just stay that way!
However, the ultrasound showed less amniotic fluid than the doctor would like to see, so I am now on bed rest for the next few days. So yes, I am typing this laying sideways with a laptop in our bed. And we are scheduled to go in for an induction on Sunday night.
It is really strange to know what the probable birthday will be for our daughter (Monday, March 29). I'm really hoping to spontaneously go into labor before that, but it seems unlikely, as I have so far had very few contractions, and my cervix is still completely closed and not at all effaced.
It's also strange to have a sudden ending to this stage of our life, which just feels premature. We're no longer just a carefree family of three, as I can't play Benjamin's hiding games or dance with him now. And come Monday, we'll have a new baby, so our lives will be so different. We knew this change was coming - and coming very soon - but it just feels so strange, and somewhat sad, to be in this limbo of true waiting now. Partially because I felt just the same as I did this morning, but now I have to be "careful" of my activity.
And I am scared of being induced. Scared that it won't go well and that I will end up with a c-section. Scared that it will be too early, and the baby won't be ready to be born, particularly because she is measuring quite a bit smaller than Ben (she is now just under 7 pounds, whereas Ben was 8.5 lbs when he was born). Logically, I know the induction is just three days before her due date, and since we used family planning methods, we are certain of her conception date. But this sudden change of plans is hard to embrace. I'm scared that my body will not show any more signs of being ready to have this baby come Sunday night, since I will be in bed in the interim, which is supposed to have the opposite effect of kicking your body into labor. And sad that potentially my last birth experience may not be the "natural" one that I had been hoping for.
But will all this said, I am so grateful that she turned head down. I really did not want to make a decision about how to proceed with a breech baby (which most likely would have been the decision to schedule a c-section). Grateful that I still have a chance to have the birth experience we hoped for, even if it starts out a little differently than we had planned.
And of course, I am so grateful to meet this daughter of ours very soon!
So please wish me patience and peace of mind as I lay here waiting for the next few days. Perhaps the next post will have pictures of our newborn daughter!
However, the ultrasound showed less amniotic fluid than the doctor would like to see, so I am now on bed rest for the next few days. So yes, I am typing this laying sideways with a laptop in our bed. And we are scheduled to go in for an induction on Sunday night.
It is really strange to know what the probable birthday will be for our daughter (Monday, March 29). I'm really hoping to spontaneously go into labor before that, but it seems unlikely, as I have so far had very few contractions, and my cervix is still completely closed and not at all effaced.
It's also strange to have a sudden ending to this stage of our life, which just feels premature. We're no longer just a carefree family of three, as I can't play Benjamin's hiding games or dance with him now. And come Monday, we'll have a new baby, so our lives will be so different. We knew this change was coming - and coming very soon - but it just feels so strange, and somewhat sad, to be in this limbo of true waiting now. Partially because I felt just the same as I did this morning, but now I have to be "careful" of my activity.
And I am scared of being induced. Scared that it won't go well and that I will end up with a c-section. Scared that it will be too early, and the baby won't be ready to be born, particularly because she is measuring quite a bit smaller than Ben (she is now just under 7 pounds, whereas Ben was 8.5 lbs when he was born). Logically, I know the induction is just three days before her due date, and since we used family planning methods, we are certain of her conception date. But this sudden change of plans is hard to embrace. I'm scared that my body will not show any more signs of being ready to have this baby come Sunday night, since I will be in bed in the interim, which is supposed to have the opposite effect of kicking your body into labor. And sad that potentially my last birth experience may not be the "natural" one that I had been hoping for.
But will all this said, I am so grateful that she turned head down. I really did not want to make a decision about how to proceed with a breech baby (which most likely would have been the decision to schedule a c-section). Grateful that I still have a chance to have the birth experience we hoped for, even if it starts out a little differently than we had planned.
And of course, I am so grateful to meet this daughter of ours very soon!
So please wish me patience and peace of mind as I lay here waiting for the next few days. Perhaps the next post will have pictures of our newborn daughter!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
38 week update
Thanks, Mark, for updating this blog --- I've only authored a handful of posts for this whole pregnancy!
Yesterday was my 38-week appointment. I had my first "exam" to check for any changes to the cervix. We skipped the exam last week, but I was sort of curious myself this time around, so I let him go ahead. The "good" news is that nothing is at all happening yet. I guess that's only sort of good news, as my body is certainly getting worn out, and I am ready to have this baby! But, there are still a few things I would like to do before our daughter arrives. We're getting much closer to being ready, especially since I took a fair amount of time off of work this week to spend time with Ben (who is home from school on spring break), and to allow for some final nesting. We really are close now. Still have that darn hospital bag packing on the to-do list (I hate packing!), but most everything else is in some state of order.
The "bad" news (or potential bad news) is that it appears that the baby may be laying transverse (sideways). Her head is not yet engaged in my pelvis, and most of the movement I've been feeling has been on my sides, over my hips (which is actually a fairly painful place to receive kicks and elbow blows). We go in Wednesday for an ultrasound to check her position, so please keep your fingers crossed for us!!!
Obviously, a baby can't come out sideways, so something's going to need to change. My doctor still thinks she could rotate one way or another, so has encouraged me to do walking, to let gravity help pull her heaviest part (her head) down, and my Doula suggested I wear a maternity belt to lessen the sideways space, to encourage her to turn. Our Doula is a massage therapist, and I already had an appointment on Monday for a massage :) , so she is going to try to work her magic to help the baby move (nothing medical, I think it has more to do with opening up my hips to help the baby move down).
I've done a bit of internet research, and it appears that in a second (or more) pregnancy, transverse positioning can be due to too much room (I would swear that there is no extra room in there right now). The good news is that it looks like most babies don't stay transverse through labor... they move one direction or another. The bad news is that there are three options for positioning at this point (to stay transverse, move feet down, move head down), and 2 of 3 would require a c-section. :( I know that there are many worse things that could happen, but I am a little sad, as this may be our last pregnancy, and I was really hoping to do it naturally.
Another option if she doesn't turn is an external version, where she would be rotated manually. It is not a simple procedure - it requires pain medication, and you have to do it in an OR, so that she can be immediately removed via c-section if things go wrong. This procedure is not without risks, so not really sure if it will be a decent option. We didn't talk much about any of this with our doctor --- I imagine we'll have a more in-depth discussion on Wednesday if she is indeed sideways.
So please say a prayer/keep your fingers crossed for us! I'll post again on Wednesday when we find out how she is laying!!!
Yesterday was my 38-week appointment. I had my first "exam" to check for any changes to the cervix. We skipped the exam last week, but I was sort of curious myself this time around, so I let him go ahead. The "good" news is that nothing is at all happening yet. I guess that's only sort of good news, as my body is certainly getting worn out, and I am ready to have this baby! But, there are still a few things I would like to do before our daughter arrives. We're getting much closer to being ready, especially since I took a fair amount of time off of work this week to spend time with Ben (who is home from school on spring break), and to allow for some final nesting. We really are close now. Still have that darn hospital bag packing on the to-do list (I hate packing!), but most everything else is in some state of order.
The "bad" news (or potential bad news) is that it appears that the baby may be laying transverse (sideways). Her head is not yet engaged in my pelvis, and most of the movement I've been feeling has been on my sides, over my hips (which is actually a fairly painful place to receive kicks and elbow blows). We go in Wednesday for an ultrasound to check her position, so please keep your fingers crossed for us!!!
Obviously, a baby can't come out sideways, so something's going to need to change. My doctor still thinks she could rotate one way or another, so has encouraged me to do walking, to let gravity help pull her heaviest part (her head) down, and my Doula suggested I wear a maternity belt to lessen the sideways space, to encourage her to turn. Our Doula is a massage therapist, and I already had an appointment on Monday for a massage :) , so she is going to try to work her magic to help the baby move (nothing medical, I think it has more to do with opening up my hips to help the baby move down).
I've done a bit of internet research, and it appears that in a second (or more) pregnancy, transverse positioning can be due to too much room (I would swear that there is no extra room in there right now). The good news is that it looks like most babies don't stay transverse through labor... they move one direction or another. The bad news is that there are three options for positioning at this point (to stay transverse, move feet down, move head down), and 2 of 3 would require a c-section. :( I know that there are many worse things that could happen, but I am a little sad, as this may be our last pregnancy, and I was really hoping to do it naturally.
Another option if she doesn't turn is an external version, where she would be rotated manually. It is not a simple procedure - it requires pain medication, and you have to do it in an OR, so that she can be immediately removed via c-section if things go wrong. This procedure is not without risks, so not really sure if it will be a decent option. We didn't talk much about any of this with our doctor --- I imagine we'll have a more in-depth discussion on Wednesday if she is indeed sideways.
So please say a prayer/keep your fingers crossed for us! I'll post again on Wednesday when we find out how she is laying!!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Hello friends! The baby's due date is April 1st, which is coming up in a hurry! We spent a big chunk of last weekend getting things ready - sorting baby clothes, cleaning the swing, etc. I'm hoping to paint the nursery before she gets here, but all the essentials are pretty much done. We're really looking forward to meeting this young lady! Here are the 8 month photos, as well as a few others. Doesn't Katherine look fantastic!? BTW, this is Mark writing. :-)
If you need a kiss, come see our boy. He likes kissing now.
"Is that [insert name] in there?"
Mmmmm. Banana muffins.
After a year and a half, Ben is finally growing. This wasn't staged, he really is carrying that 10 gallon tupperware from the other room. We were impressed!
If you need a kiss, come see our boy. He likes kissing now.
"Is that [insert name] in there?"
Mmmmm. Banana muffins.
After a year and a half, Ben is finally growing. This wasn't staged, he really is carrying that 10 gallon tupperware from the other room. We were impressed!
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