We're Expecting #3!!

We're Expecting #3!!!

Well, here we are again. Expecting!! I am now about 10 weeks pregnant and this has been the WORST first trimester ever! But, let me back up just a little bit here.

Back in late October, I had my period, my first since having Joel. Mind you, he was 16.5 months at this time. So, I made it 4.5 months longer without a period this time than I did with Levi. That was quite a shock. I expected it back around 1 yr again. Anyway, we decided to finally paint the living room. We were just getting started when things kicked in heavy for me. It was back to my usual stuff, leg was killing me, back ached, head ached, couldn't move. I went to lie on the bed for a half an hour or so. Then it was over and I could go on with life.

I have minor discomfort but nothing that bad for the rest of the period. Which only lasted a few days. I figured that was to be expected, being the first one and all. Then Novemeber rolls around. My start date comes near. I'm feeling no signs. My start date comes and goes, nothing. No way, I couldn't possibly be pregnant already could I? After just one cycle? Well, a few more days pass, still nothing. So, I started to get rather curious, Brad of course just "knows" I am and is dying to get a test. It comes out a faint positive that gradually darkens by the end of the testing time. I've never had a "faint" line before. They've always been without a doubt BOLD lines. So, I kind of questioned it. Brad did too, he wanted an absolutely, positively, no mistaking it, dark line. We tested again in a couple days. Different brand of test, even fainter line. Well, I decided, two faints made a good positive for me.

So, now the hunt for a midwife begins. I start trying to get a hold of my last midwife in Louisville. I email her, no response after a few days. But that's normal for her, so I didn't worry about it. So, I call. No answer, left no message the first time. Called again, left a message. Expected her to call back that evening, but no call. So, I call her the next morning, I hear a message saying that number has been temporarily disconnected. AACK!!

So, now I'm thinking...great..now what? I don't even know where to begin to find a homebirth midwife. Both times they have just fallen into my lap. I don't know what to do. But I get online and do what I can. Searching all over my area. For someone, anyone within a cople hours drive!! Then a couple days later, I try my previous midwife again. She answers!!! OOh I was so happy! She had gotten my message from before so she was already pretty excited. We set up an appointment for that next week.

Ok, first appointment. Nothing special really, I'm only 6 weeks along, not much to do. We go over my history, check my weight and blood pressure. Everything's looking good. I have PROMISED to call her immediately this time. Since we waited last time, thinking no big deal, then she gets there as he's being born! And this time it'll be 2 hours from the time she gets the call until she can be at our house. So, I said I WILL call IMMEDIATELY this time. And she said she'll be searching for a back up midwife closer to us, just in case. And we'll meet with her later. Great! From there, we set up another appointment in 6 weeks.

Ok, now back to now. I'm about 10 weeks and feeling pretty cruddy. I thought I had 24/7 sickness with Joel...oooh no..that was nothing compared to this one. This one...this one is just horrible! There are many days I can barely function. I don't want to get out of bed. I don't want to get up to use the bathroom, to take a shower, to get a drink, eat. Anything! I just pray this ends with the first trimester. I don't know how I could do the entire pregnancy like this. I've never felt so bad in my life. So, I just keep waiting for my next midwife appointment. I'll be 12 weeks, hopefully the sickness will be subsiding and we should be able to hear a little heartbeat, reminding me WHY I'm going through all this. :o)

January 25 I FINALLY have my second appointment with my midwife. She was supposed to have come Tuesday but had back to back births so rescheduled, then another birth, so FINALLY, we made it!! Still not too much to do. I told her I had at one time gained a couple pounds but am back to my original weight now. So, that was nothing to worry about, as long as I'm not below that. I was 13 weeks and 1 day Thursday. She messed with my belly and measured me at 14 cm. That's real good! She told me the number of weeks and centimeters don't usually match up that close until about 20 weeks. She even got out her fetoscope to give it a try. She wasn't expecting to hear anything because it is still quite early to hear with that but she was anxious to try. She tried over here, over there, on this side...all over but only came up with a "I 'may' have heard the baby" but it was faint and just really hard to tell. She told me she DOES have a doppler if I wanted but I said I think I could wait another 6 weeks until we should be able to hear. Which is just wonderful for her. She was just offering in case I was feeling worried about it or anything.

Then we started talking a little more about the birth. Who I planned on being there and if Brad was going to catch this time. "Catch" meaning...JUST catch this time LOL Not actually delivering as he did with Joel. But, then again, if he wanted to deliver, that was fine too. But anyway....then I asked about waterbirth. I don't really know IF this is what I want to do. I am intrigued by it. I know the water is comforting, especially for back labor like I have had both times now. I really just asked about it because, I would like to have the tub of water there for labor, if I decide to birth in it, great, if not, that's great too. So, we talked about that, about the cost and such. She has a tub we can use. No heater in it, but that's no big deal. We can just warm up some water and add it in, besides, this baby will be born in the summer, I may not want it that hot. My main thing is MOVING water. I love those water jets! So, that gave us another idea. We could borrow her tub and buy one of those "home spa" things. Know what I'm talking about? Those little attachments that go on the side of your bathtub and swirl and jet the water all around? Yeah...one of those! Minimal investment but would do the job. That sounds much better to me than spending the minimum of $250 for a tub w/heater (but no water moving jets) and knowing me, we'd pay for that then I wouldn't want it. I'd end up stepping in for two minutes then say, ok, I'm done, can you get this out of my way? LOL The things that have helped me during labor have changed a bit each time so, just because all that water worked great the first time, doesn't mean it will this time. And I'm just not willing to take a $250 chance on that one. I like the idea of a $30-$40 investment much better! Then, my wonderful hubby, starts brain storming. He starts thinking about finding a used jet tub for cheap and we could just set it up downstairs or wherever. And...well...I don't know what else he's been thinking. I'm thinking..hey...talk to your boss...uh, can we borrow a spa?? They have some nice ones! So, who knows what will happen. But, I got to thinking...I don't like the idea of it being downstairs. We're in a bi-level, so that means, I'll be in labor, decide I want the tub and have to go down all those stairs to get to it. Then if I'm done laboring in it and want back in my bedroom or living room, I have to trek back up those stairs again. ICK!! I'm thinking...I want a tub UPSTAIRS, in my room or the living room. We'd have room. Oh well, we'll keep working on that one. We have lots of time yet. :o)

January 29 As far as how I'm feeling...well, still been pretty cruddy. I'm really hoping this will end soon. But I'm seeing a chiropractor now for my back. That has helped a lot! I've been going 3 times a week, but this is the last week for that. Then I will go down to twice a week. I mean, I'm glad it's helping and all but it's kind of a pain to have to get up and go into town to the chiropractor three times a week! It will help to be down to two days. She told me today that I'm in my second stage of healing. That my pain may come back briefly but for the most part should still be relieved as before. It's just that the tissues are now adjusting and stuff like that. Well, that's it for now...until next time...

February 23, 2001...Had my midwife appointment yesterday. 17 weeks..wow..can't believe it! I'm feeling better. The past week hasn't been too bad at all. Is the 24/7 sickness actually over? I'm hoping so. I've still been tired and occassionally get a little "icky" in the evenings but for the most part, I'm doing MUCH better now. I've even gained a few pounds. Yippee!

She told us last time that it'd still be a little early but that we could probably hear the baby's heartbeat with the fetoscope this time. So, she tried. She moved it around in a couple of spots. She said "it's so faint, I can't hear it over my own breathing" So, she placed it again and held her breath. LOL She couldn't get a good count on it because of that. She offered the doppler, saying it was totally up to us. Well, Brad was actually there this time. A very rare occurance. And he stood at the end of the couch the whole time she was trying the fetoscope. When she asked if we wanted to try the doppler, I looked at him, he just said, it didn't matter to him, he's just so impatient. And I know he is. :-) So, I said, "ok, we can do a quick one with the doppler" I wanted Brad to be able to hear it. And chances are....he wouldn't be at the next appointment to hear it with the fetoscope himself. So, we allowed a quick listen. She placed the doppler over the last spot she tried. We immediately heard a "thump thump thump thump" That was all we wanted. Only about 5 seconds of doppler usage. That's plenty as far as I'm concerned. She doesn't have the read out on her doppler like many do, but she said it sounded about 150. Oh, and we only heard one. So, either Levi's wrong or that other one is hiding. :-) We'll just have to wait and see won't we? Well, that's it for this update, see you in a month!!

March 23, 2001 I'm 21 weeks. Officially over half way there!! Woohoo! Had my midwife appointment today. Everything is going great. My blood pressure is doing fine. Not that is was ever a worry, I run on the low side. But anyway, that's fine, weight gain is going well. I've gained 7 lbs so far. She measured me at 20 1/2. So, I'm still measuring right on schedule. Just perfect, right where you're supposed to be she says. Then she got out the fetoscope. Instantly heard the heartbeat! Then the little stinker kicked and wiggled and she lost it. LOL So, she respositioned and got it again. She said the baby's heart rate was 156. And he/she was kicking her like crazy the whole time she was listening.

I told her I felt a little tightening across the front of my belly last night. She said since this was my third, it wasn't at all uncommon to feel the Braxton Hicks a bit early. Just to let her know if they become too intense or regular. Which this wasn't. It was just a brief tightening. Ooh, I feel a tightening, tighter, tighter, tighter, ok done. That was it. I also talked to her about my concerns of tearing again. Since I had a minor tear with Joel that didn't quite want to heal, it's a fear of mine. Tearing period is a fear of mine but more so now that I've had this experience. She told me I'll just need to remember to relax. To try NOT to push when I feel the crowning. Then I told her how last time I didn't even feel the crowning, I just felt the urge to push and that was it. So, she said that she will be there to support my perenium (we're hoping she'll be there for the crowning this time LOL)and that she will talk to Brad about it ahead of time as well. Just in case he's left in charge of all that again. So, he will know what to do, to encourage/remind me to relax and really try not to push, to go slow to avoid that tear. And she also said that she can do, as she has on other women before, slightly push against the baby's head to make for a slower delivery, more time to stretch, less chance of tear. Plus, I "may" have a water birth, so that could help too. So, until then, just keep doing my Kegels and applyiing that vitamin E oil. She also said I could get the capsules to take orally. That would help too. But, that was it, our visit in a nutshell. See you back in a month.

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 My midwife just left from our 25 (well, almost)week appointment. As usual, things are going fine. She said I'm so normal, makes her job easy. Heehee She measured me at 24cm then listened for the baby. Got a reading of 148. Slightly lower than last time. She poked around a bit, trying to get a good listen of my placenta, but couldn't get it. Not much to talk about this time. Nothing really is going on. My bp is normal and my weight is up to 122 now, that puts me at about 12 lbs gained so far. I'm beginning to hit the uncomfortable stage though. I've already had a few of those moments. Just, general discomfort, that's the only way to describe it. No amount of moving, pillow propping, side switching, anything, can help. I just have to suffer though it. Thankfully, it has only been for about 10-15 minutes at a time and only a couple times a day, not every day though. Well, that about does it. I'm set for another month. Oh yeah, one of these days I'll get to meet the back up midwife...that still hasn't happened.

Ok, what is today? May 15, 2001. Just had an appointment. Wow..this was week 29 (almost) I can't believe that! Even my midwife couldn't. She sat down and said, "are you 30 wks already? is that what this is?" Almost!! So, what happened? Well, my bp is fine. My weight is up to 127!! I've gained 17lbs. Yea!! Yes, I'm excited. LOL I just don't tend to gain weight easily and was constantly harped on about it during my first pregnancy. I just ignored them because I KNEW I was eating well..but anyway. Oh shoot, I forgot to get the measurement! Oh man... Oh well, anyway, this time she got the baby's heartbeat, right away as usual, with a reading of 152. She just can't believe how loud it was. This time I got to hear it. :o) Just a thumping away in there and it WAS very clear. I asked if she could tell the position yet so she tried. Baby's doing great! The head is way down there. Bottom up under my ribs and back along my right side. She kinda wondered what was going on when she looked at my "pee stick". I had a touch of protein, but not enough to really be concerned about. That has shown to be normal with me. I've had a trace of it every visit. But this time she asked if I was having any symptoms of a UTI or anything like that. To which my reply was, "nope, not a thing" So, she said we'd just let it go. Just to let her know if anything DID show up and we'd be sure to check that one again next visit. That maybe I did have a little infection but that my body was doing a good job of fighting it off, that's why I didn't feel like I had anything.

Other than that we just chatted a little. I told her about the things I had been thinking about and researching lately. They aren't things I was necessarily worried about. Just thoughts that crossed my mind that I didn't have answers for so, I decided to do a little digging of my own. So, I told her I had been hearing quite a bit lately about breech babies. Some of them breech during the last month or so of pregnancy and others being delivered breech. She thought that was awesome, she was glad to hear of the home breech births. The other thing that has crossed my mind lately is premature labor. Again, not that I'm at risk for that, but, it's just something I was curious about and didn't have any info on. So...I added that to my list of things to research, just because. :o) I told her that all I had found out so far was that of all the drugs they commonly use for stopping labor, only has has actually been approved for that purpose. That all the rest are approved for treating asthma. Hmmm So, just HOW DOES this work? How DOES that stop the labor and what effect do those drugs have on mother and baby? Again, I haven't found out too much yet. Just that the drugs often cause shakiness, jitters, nervousness type symptoms in the mom. My midwife said she would have to do some research of her own on how those drugs worked. She didn't "totally" understand it either. Now, going to the hospital to be pumped w/these drugs would be a last resort for us but I wanted to know these things anyway. In case that need DID arise. I want to know what could/would happen ahead of time because I know I wouldn't find anything out once at the hospital even if there was time to discuss things. So, for me, my options would be call midwife of course, have a stiff drink and lie down. Then she has some herbs that have definitely proved successful. Or actually, I could get those myself, I just need to know the dosage from her. But anyway...we had a nice little discussion about all that and about "women these days" How so many women don't seem to care what is going on w/their bodies during pregnancy and/or birth. How they just put themselves in the hands of their doctor and "assume" he/she knows best. How women don't think twice about labor stopping drugs. About the pain medications, etc. How some women don't even understand the importance of a birth plan or of having "expectations" for the birth. That just doesn't make sense to me, or her. But...I suppose that's enough about that. I didn't mean to turn this into a big lecture or whatever on birth. Those were just some thoughts I had and things I shared w/my midwife today. Once again, my entry comes to a close. See you again in a month!!

June 19, 2001 Well, here we are...34 weeks (tomorrow). Can you believe it? We sure can't. This pregnancy has just flown by. Well, once that horrible first trimester sickness was gone it has anyway.
I was supposed to have had my appointment last week, but, my midwife forgot her bag. So, we were rescheduled for today. I'm weighing in at 130 and my bp is normal at 90/68. She measured me at 31 cm. and the baby's heart rate was 148. This baby is always moving. She asked if I was getting more kicks to the other side now. I said I hadn't noticed, it always feels like this kid is all over and has numerous limbs. LOL The baby has switched sides. S/he was lying on my right side, kicking to the left, but now is lying on my left side. I do believe the baby has dropped. I have noticed it being a bit easier to breathe lately and the heartburn doesn't get me quite as often anymore. She felt for the baby's head and said it is indeed way down there. Maybe not completely engaged, but down low and not moving much. The "charts" say this baby is right around 4 lbs now. Brad just can't believe it! He says with all that belly, with it being THAT solid..that baby HAS to weigh more than that LOL But since I'm just measuring 31...I'd think that "estimate" would be rather close. I think it's just that I'm so small framed and have such a belly. A hard solid belly..makes ya think..ooh yeah..that's ALL baby there, that's gotta be a good sized kid.

Well, she gave us our supplies list and birth kit order form. We'll have to hurry up and get that sent off. Last time we had "just" gotten our birth kit, only it was still at the post office across the street when Joel was born. So...we might wanna make sure we get that taken care of as soon as possible this time, so we have everything we need. We're at 2 week appointments now. My midwife said I gotta keep this kid in here until our next visit, after that... LOL Gee, will we get our birth kit ordered and delivered in 2 weeks?? Brad has a feeling this kid is gonna be early. We're just looking at making sure we make it to 36 weeks, for safety and so we can stay home. My contractions have slowed down a bit though so I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see. Because when those contractions kick in...they KICK IN and I have them for a good little while and they haven't exactly been wimpy ones either. So..here I sit. Waiting on 2 diaper orders. Gotta put in my birth kit order, wait on it. Waiting to get the money so I can do a belly cast. I gotta get on that too if it's going to happen. If this kid comes early.... Well, that's about it. I'm feeling fine, just a little tired once in a while. Oh but I think I had a little "nesting" last week. I went crazy, cleaning the boys' play room and finishing the trim upstairs. It's been taped off, needing a coat of paint for some time now...it's finally done! I'm still seeing the Chiropractor every 2 weeks. Still have some aches once in a while. Nothing too bad, just aches. The visits sure do help. Well, that's it for today. See ya in a couple of weeks.

July 3, 2001 36 week midwife appointment: Well, almost 36 weeks. Everything is still going great. I'm still having some contractions but nothing "real" intense. I've been getting some leg twinges, not sure if that's related or not, midwife didn't talk like it was. But anyway..details of the visit. I peed on the stick, as usual. Everything came up fine. No proteins this time, I've always, ALWAYS, had a tiny bit of protein. But absolutely NONE this time. Everything was clear and great! I've put on some pounds the last couple of weeks. I'm up to 135 now, that last pound I put on in like a day LOL I don't know where that came from. My appetite didn't change or anything. Baby just got a boost I suppose. Baby's heart rate is still a 148. I'm measuring 33cm. This baby has really dropped recently. My belly WAS right up under my bra strap but now there's all kinds of room there. The baby's head is engaged and ready to go. Brad was able to make it to this appointment, so he got to hear the baby's heartbeat. :o) Then he asked if my midwife could tell about how big the baby was now, by feeling it. She guessed it to be around 6-7 lbs. That, of course, is nothing too accurate. Just a guesstimate. But..anyway...baby is growing strong in there. We still feel this baby's gonna be early, but, like I said before, we'll see huh? Anyway, we're ready. We have all our supplies purchased. We didn't order a birth kit. Since we have this "feeling" we thought it might be best to just try to buy the stuff, that way we'd have it here, ready to go, a lot sooner than if we had to order it. So, we have everything for the kit except cord clamps, which, the midwife has plenty of extras. So, we're ready to go! Come on baby!!! Oh and I got one of my orders of diapers yesterday, the 2nd should be here today. So, then we'll really be ready. HeeHee Honest, I'm NOT getting impatient (yet) just anxious. There IS a difference ya know. :o) Next visit is next week, so, see ya then.

Tuesday July 10, 2001 I'm a day away from 37 weeks. Had my midwife appointment just a little bit ago. I finally got to meet the back-up/assistant midwife this time! She seems really nice. I like her.

Ok, now for the stats. I was a bit groggy this weekend. Just kinda tired and a tad "yucky" Not throwing up kind of yucky, just a "not quite right" kind of yucky. Didn't have much of an appetite. Not for meals anyway..would have rather snacked on little stuff/junk food all day LOL But, got over that. Monday was better. Anyway...I lost about a pound, but I'm measuring 34cm now. So, it apparently didn't affect that baby any. :o) She got a 132 for the baby's heart rate this time! She said that was ok, normal for it to drop like that. And, the baby has changed sides, again. We're back with the baby's back along my right side. I haven't had ANY contractions since July 4th. I had some 6 hours of 'em then, then they just stopped. Not a single contraction, twinge, nothing! Until just a day or two ago. I started feeling that heavy feeling and a hard, tight, lower abdomen again. So..when I had all those contractions that day, the baby must have shifted up out of my pelvis a little bit and gotten turned around, but has now settled back in. The midwife did feel a little bit of wiggle with the head this time though, where as last time, it didn't move. So...who knows. "Maybe" this kid is just around the corner, then again.... We'll just have to wait and see. We are very ready to see this baby though. But I don't feel "too" impatient. I had a week or two of..ok ok..come on baby..you can be born NOW..But I've since relaxed. I'd still like this baby to come soon but I don't feel as intense about it anymore. Oh well, that's it for this update. She comes back in a week, provided we don't call her before then of course. Hey..we're still hopeful! I said I still hoped the baby would be here soon just that I wasn't "as" intense about it anymore LOL

Tuesday July 17, 2001 A day away from 38 weeks. Not a lot to report. Weight is fine...got back that pound I lost before...and another. Oooh 136 heehee The baby is laying with his/her back along my right side, although he/she had flipped earlier this/last week. Baby's heart rate was 132 again. Head low but slightly wiggly. I had 4 or so hours of contractions again Sunday night. I felt them and decided to get up, to see if they changed. Walked around a bit, no change, decided to go back to bed. If it was real, it'd wake me up. I slept for a few hours, then, of course, had to go potty. So, woke up, still feeling contractions. Felt the same as before. So, after my potty break, went to kitchen to get a drink of water. Decided to just hang out a little bit to see what, if anything, would happen with those contractions. Well, it didn't take long for them to die off. So..here we are. Week 38 and still no baby. So much for our "feeling" huh? Well, that's it until next week. Unless I actually have this kid before then. Now, that would be nice wouldn't it?? Hey, I'm still hopeful!!

Tuesday July 24, 2001 Almost 39 week midwife appointment. As usual, everything is going fine. The baby has flip flopped several times since our visit last week, but ended up back on the right side again for this appointment. The baby's heart rate was 128 today. I asked her today about it. Why such a drop? She said it was ok, nothing to worry about, it's just because the baby's getting bigger. Perfectly normal. My weight had dropped a tad since last week's visit but I've picked it back up. I'm at 137 today. Wow!! That's 27 lbs this pregnancy. Oh and I had forgotten my measurement from last week, it was 35 then today I measured 38.5 cm. Goodness gracious! Hello? Baby?? You can come out now! LOL
I had an end of pregnancy break down Sunday. It was pretty rough. I was tired, depressed, uncomfortable, didn't want to be pregnant anymore but didn't want to go through labor either. All I wanted to do was curl up on my bed and cry myself to sleep. So, Brad and I talked, I got some of it out. That helped some. But mostly, I just needed to cry and vent it out that way. That helped more than anything. So, I recovered. Yesterday went by just fine as has today. I'm still very ready for this kid though. So, my next appointment is Wednesday, my "due date", but of course, we're hoping to see my midwife before then. :-)

August 1, 2001. My official "due date" and guess what....still no baby. This one is being a stinker! I had yet another break down Saturday. I seem to have a problem getting through weekends. I'm doing alright now. But I don't know if I can do another weekend. And poor Brad...I don't know if he can handle another break down either. As for now, I'm doing alright. I'm hoping there's some truth to that "full moon" theory though.
Ok, now for the stats. My midwife measured me at 36.5 cm. this time. Whew! Knew it had to have just been baby position last time. My bp is fine and my weight was up another pound. Baby's heart rate was a 140 this time. Gone back up a little bit. He/she is back down there good. When my midwife went to wiggle the head, she wiggled my whole body. :-) Baby is still with his/her back against my right side. So..hopefully we're in "the" position now and will soon be ready to go. I have another appointment next Tuesday. And again, we're hoping we DON'T make it. *grins* I'm just really tired of being pregnant. I'm tired, weak, can't breathe half the time, uncomfortable, can't sleep, etc. etc. I'm just...DONE. Come on baby!!

Well, the baby's finally here!! I'll get to work on the birth story page as soon as I can.

Birth Story!!

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Here's a GREAT site I just found! The Online Childbirth Class

This site has some great info. The Language of Birth - talks about positions during labor, how your body "knows" what's right and what's not. What homebirth will be like. Even some info on birth plans and "routine" prenatal testing. Very good reading, short, but informative. I loved this site!