AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[seltzer]

I AM BACK...and IT'S A GIRL!!! Tina, you were right. Oh my God, it was AMAZING. I have tears in my eyes as I type this. First things first, the stats:

Keira Grace, born Saturday, 8/2/08 @ 11:27 p.m.
7.0 lbs, 21 inches

We just came home from the hospital this afternoon, and it's great to be home. I am going to post pics of her right away, but I do have to nurse her shortly so I may have to wait till tomorrow. I am so glad to be sitting here typing my birth story, and I am so glad to hear Karen had her baby (Congrats, Karen, I love his name). I feel SO much better now that I'm not pregnant. I have already shrunk, LOL. Well, here's what happened: I last posted on Fri. morning, 8/1. Things sped WAY up after that, with heinously painful contractions. DP and I went to the hospital Fri. night, and I was still only 3 cm. I was told I was in prodromal labor (meaning labor that does not open your cervix). I was crying & just beside myself b/c I hadn't slept in almost 24 hrs., getting through contractions about every 5 minutes. I was a mess. So they kept me overnight and gave me some morphine so I could rest. I ended up getting 3 hrs. of sleep, which was a godsend. The nurses were great, and my OB was there. I woke up @ 3 a.m. on Sat. morning in the hospital w/contractions again. At around 7 a.m. my OB came in & said it was still prodromal (still at 3 cm) & SENT ME HOME! I was sobbing. I spent that morning at home in my bedroom just trying to get through the contractions. Oh and by the way it was total back labor the whole time, ugh. At around 10 a.m. they were 3-5 min. apart again and very bad. I then realized I wasn't feeling the baby move, and I FREAKED. We went right to the hospital, and I spent until 1 p.m. in triage. They hooked me up to a monitor and the baby was fine; actually she never had any problems during the entire L&D (the nurses kept saying, "What a happy baby!"). Thank God I'd dilated to 4 cm & they admitted me. I took a hot shower b/c I felt like a total skanky dirtbag at that point & then got a shot of Nubane. It helped for a while. The doc decided to break my water at around 4:30 or so to speed things up, which it certainly did. I got an epidural first, but it did not numb the pelvic floor at all. So I couldn't feel the contractions...but delivery was rough. Anyway, a little before 9 p.m. I was around 9 cm and things got difficult b/c I had the insane urge to push but I couldn't yet. From 9 to 11:27 I pushed...and pushed...and pushed. My mother and sister came and they were great: washcloths on the head, they were all holding my legs, everyone was cheering me on. The nurses were AWESOME. I thought she would NEVER come out...it was so difficult and exhausting. When she did come out and she was so beautiful and healthy and screaming up a storm I just started sobbing. It was the most profound experience of my entire life. She has been nursing like a champ from right after she was born, and everything is going great with her. She is SO sweet: very mild mannered and very petite and calm. I cannot believe it!! I love her so much already.

OK, I have blabbed enough. Tina, Shari, and Michelle, you will still not be posting to yourselves b/c I would like to continue posting, LOL. I missed you guys & couldn't wait to share my news. Just wait till your days come, you will not believe how awesome it is. Shari - where are you?

[tinaO]

SELTZER!!!! A GIRL!!!!! How WONDERFUL!!!! I don't have time to post much as I am still up working, but so HAPPY for you!!! SO happy for you!!! Your story was such fun to read. I am crying!!!!

Noah and I are still hanging in here....hoping he gets me until at least next Wed and then he can make his arrival!! Who am I kidding - he is going to come when he is damn good and ready and I know I have no say!!!

CONGRATS TO YOU AND DP!!!!!!!!! LOVE the name Keira and LOVE the name Grace. BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Wonderful choice of names!!!!

[sharishu]

Hey Everyone,

Okay, first things first- CongratuLATions Seltzer, on your beautiful baby girl ! You are a real trouper, what a birth story! I can't believe you had to go home with those painful contractions. I'm glad that's all behind you. It's great (and encouraging) that she's nursing so nicely already. You really sound great, I'm so happy for you that everything went well, if not bumpy. Can't wait to see the photos. Beautiful name by the way! (Once again, all misty eyed reading your great news).

Karen- Congrats to you as well on your baby boy. Also a beautiful name. Sorry they had to stop the epidural, sounds painful. Enjoy your precious bundle.

I feel like it's been AGES since I wrote. I must say, I missed you guys; We JUST got phone and internet service yesterday, hence my absence from the forum. No, Tina, no labor yet. TG, the move went well, and I am hanging in, and my mom is here being very helpful. How is everyone??? You all sound good, if not uncomfortable like me. Michele- How the heck did you kneel down at the wedding in your late stage of pregnancy?? God bless you! Tina- So sorry about that horrible exam you had yesterday. I know, things are crazy sensitive down there. I was wondering why the doc hasn't checked me, but I guess I'll live without it based on your experience!

I did have an appt. with my ob yesterday. He said baby looks good, good amount of amniotic fluid still. He did order another NST and ultrasound (I'm going today) to see the size of the baby, and based on those results, he may send me immediately for a c-section (if baby seems to have grown a lot). If not, I go till my due date, and on that date (august 12), he told me to go to the hospital to be induced (assuming I didn't go into labor before then), since the protocol here is not to let GD women go past their due date. So that's the newest with me.

I am feeling really tired, I am pushing myself to straighten up the new joint (which is coming out nice, BTW) before the little one arrives. I think today I need to rest a little more. DH went back to work today, and so it'll just be bonding time with mom . All in all, all is well.

Have a great day, ladies. Stay comfy and relaxed!
Shari

[CT_Michele]

Seltzer- Congratulations! I knew you must have gone, and what an amazing brith story. I can't wait to see the pics.

Shari- Glad to see you are still around, but we know you will be sharing your amazing birth story with us very very soon! At the latest, aug 12 is only 6 days away! You must be getting excited.

Tina- Good to hear from you too, and glad you are still here. It is just the 3 of us now, and shari will be going soon and then it's just us two. Thanks for the info about the pelvic exam. I too have been anxious to have one and know if anything is happening yet, but I think I won't push it now.

I went for my 4d u/s yesterday and it was great. We didn't care how good of pics we got, we just wanted to see her since we haven't seen her since 20 weeks and our dr won't do an u/s unless there is cause for concern. We payed $200 and got a 25 min dvd, a picture cd and some take with pics. It was better than we expected, it took awhile to really see her face, but we got to see, and I think she looks like dh. DH edited the video and put some still shots with it and posted it on youtube. The link is below, just copy and paste it. If the link doesn't work for some reason, you can go to youtube.com and type Ella Michele, it will be the second video up that is titled "Ella Michele at 36 weeks." The technology today is just amazing. We were blown away, and now can't wait to see if she will really look like that when she comes out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2ylvrF79kU

I am also going now to post a couple of nursery pics on photobucket. I know these pics will be outshined soon by everyone's baby pics, but I thought some of you still hanging around might like to see.

I go for another appt tomorrow, and tomorrow night we are going to our hospital for our parenting class. I will let you all know how it goes.

[seltzer]

It's so good to catch up w/everyone's progress. All of you hang in there, OK?...I know it is agony at the end, and it seems endless. But before you know it you'll be giving birth. Really, it happens that fast. And your zits will be popped, LOL. I have already lost weight and my stomach has gone WAY, WAY down. I posted a little pic of Keira on photobucket. When I have more time I'll post some better ones.

Shari - Glad your move is done. You are almost there. Sounds like you are hanging in there great and baby is doing well.

Tina - hang in there!! The exams suck but you'll forget all about that later. Just rest now while you can...I would definitely recommend a lot of rest prior to L&D.

Michele - love Ella's nursery. You have it decorated so nicely.

I wish I could write more but I am SO tired. I was up all last night w/the baby b/c my milk didn't fully come in till today. My boobs are KILLING me, agh. But still, all of this is WAYYYYYY better than the miseries of pregnancy. No comparison. Believe me!!

[CT_Michele]

Seltzer- Thanks for posting the pic. Keira is beautiful! You must be so happy. And thanks for keeping us posted every though we know how exhausted you must be.

[tinaO]

Ah - so good to hear from everyone!! You brightened my day!!! I can't post much as I am swamped as usual with work. Will check out the pics later!!

I don't know....I am starting to think Noah is anxious to make his arrival soon.....maybe it is just gas. HA HA HA

More later....

Tina

[tinaO]

Ok, I am back nd I checked out the pics!!

Seltzer - HOW BEAUTIFUL little precious Keira is!!! OMG!!! I have this big goofy smile on my face seeing her picture and thinking - wow - you are a mom now to this pretty little angel. How amazing!!! It was neat to re-read your birth story again and realize my time is coming soon - I still can't seem to grasp it! Thank you so much for sharing it all with us. I still can't believe they sent you home at one point. I would have freaked out. It was also so good to hear how much better you are already feeling. Last night my husband was up late working on his presentation and I was doing some work and I walked into the study where he was and started dancing around in my nightgown and I was just so disgusting. I had not washed my hair in like 2 days (I have been working at home) and had it all stuck up in a ponytail on top of my head and started shaking my hips and pretended like I was going to start hiking up my nightie and he looks at me and says, "Oh - please don't". I laughed so flippin hard. It was like trust me - I wouldn't want to see any of it right now either!!! ha ha. We both cracked up. I did us both a favor today and washed my hair and fixed it, got dressed and put some make-up on again. I just had felt so bad for a couple of days after that horrible pelvic exam the other day. I am starting to feel better now. Thankfully! Keep us posted on the breastfeeding. I SO want that to go well for me. I am glad you are doing ok with it so far - hopefully your milk is coming in now!

Shari - Yeah for you!!! You got through the move!!! Awesome!!! I thought for sure you were having your baby!!! But wow - looks like yours is dragging this show out, too!!! It must be such a relief though to be moved into your place and have your mom there. That is wonderful.

Michelle - Love the nursery pics! How fun it is to have a girl! There are just so many decorating ideas when it comes to girls. The room is beautiful. You look like you are ready! It was good to see what you look like also - you look very pretty pregnant - you have a glow!

Well, I hope the other ladies come back soon.

I am still hanging in there and my husband is done with his presentation for school - yeah!! I am wrapping stuff up at work which is wonderful. My husband has his last final next Wed and hopefully the pool will be done in the next 10 days. It all is working out well at this point! I asked Noah to give us a few more days and he seems to be complying. I will miss being pregnant though...as hard as these last few weeks are...I have really enjoyed most of this experience. I am getting anxious to meet our little guy, though. It still seems so surreal....

Ok all, love to all of you!!! Keep me posted on EVERYTHING.

Tina

[sharishu]

Hi ladies,
First of all, thanks so much for your well wishes on my move. It has gone pretty smoothly over all, and I'm glad that the bulk of it is behind me.

I had a trying day and I'm exhausted, so I just wanted to give everyone a quick update. Yesterday I went for a weight estimation u/s, and was told because of the weight estimation (8.9 lbs.) plus the GD, I'd need a c-section. I went this morning to the hospital, and the docs there concurred with the need for a c-section. They were gonna do it today, and I began fasting and waiting for HOURS, only to find out in the end they couldn't fit me in. So now I am on standby for a sunday c-section. Meaning, I have to go back sunday, fast, and still may be sent home! It's craaaazy, but they are so overbooked. Tina- I had one of those lovely pelvics. I SCREAMED so loud, and clutched the doctor's hand. She told me to please unclaw her (paraphrasing a bit). Anyway, she told me I was pretty much closed, and also that the baby is pretty high up.

Wish me luck for sunday!

Tina, Michelle- Hang in there! Hope you're both feeling well.
Seltzer- The baby is really precious! Enjoy this special time...

Have a great weekend!
Shari

[tryw8]

Hi Shari, Tina and Michele:

Thanks for your well wishes! I'm doing as well as I can with the sleepless nights. Thank goodness for my DH for helping out. I don't think I could do it all by myself. Although, the first two nights, I think he had selective hearing. He wouldn't hear when Cody would cry but he'd feel me come back into bed.

My DH had chosen the name before hand when we decided not to find out the sex. If it was a girl, I chose Kady Joy. We were in tears when he came over to tell me it was a boy!

I'll be checking back in from time to time.

Karen

[CT_Michele]

hey girls

Well, I had my first scare yesterday, but I don't even know if I would really call it a scare. DH and I went for my regular ob appt at 2. The hospital is right across the street and we had a parenting class there at 6:30, so our plan was to go to the dr's, run a bunch of errands, go to dinner and back to the hospital for class. The dr did my strep b test, which was a little painful and super uncomfortable, and was concerned b/c the nurse who took my blood pressure got a high reading. She didn't like that b/c my feet have also started to swell alot along with some headaches.

We then proceeded to have a conversation about the baby being in the breech position. She said we will have to make a choice to either have the her try and manually flip the baby at the hospital probably next week or we would need to schedule a c-section for 39 weeks. If we schedule the c-section and go in at 39 weeks and the baby has flipped, they will send me home, if not, we will have the baby via c-section a week early. This was a pretty nerve wracking conversation, b/c she said there are risks to the baby with flipping, and of course I don't want a c-section and 39 wks is less than 3 weeks away. She then told me they were going to take my blood pressure again and if it hadn't gone down I would have to go over to the hospital.

It was higher when the nurse took it. (I actually think it is this nurse. Everytime she takes it, it is high.) So they sent us over to be admitted. They ran all the tests, fetal monitoring, blood work, u/s, and everything was normal, so we were discharged just in enough time to eat and make it to parenting class. Dr. told me to take it easy (which I have been since I haven't worked in almost 2 months). This whole event made dh and I realize how close we really are and how unprepared we still are. We definitely need to packa hospital bag and start taking his truck to out, since that is where the car seat is.

Karen- I am afraid my dh won't hear either, he sleeps through anything and everything and I hear the tiniest little noises. I am glad you are enjoying this time as much as you can.

Shari- Wow, almost time! Of course we wish you good luck and hopefully they can fit you in. It must have been frustrating to think yesterday was the day and then told you have to wait some more. I hope that doesn't happen on sunday too. Please keep us posted. If we don't hear from you on sunday, I guess we can assume you are having your baby!

Tina- You still hanging in there? Funny story about how you looked for dh. I do shower everyday, but a lot of times I can be found hanging out in front of the tv in undies and a tank top, or even less b/c of the heat. Sometimes I have no bra on which must make my enourmous boobs look just lovely, but I just don't care b/c atleast I am somewhat comfy. DH must think I am crazy when he sees me!

Well, sorry to ramble on, it was just the first eventful ob visit I have had, and a little bit scary too. I go back to her next thursday unless symptoms of ossible preeclampsia get worse. To top it all off, I think I am getting a little sick, dry throat and such, but nothing I can't handle. Enjoy your day girls, and I hope to hear from you all soon!

[tinaO]

Hello ladies! Hope all is well with everyone! Noah and I are still doing our thing. I went to lunch with friends yesterday and it was so much fun. One of my good friends Chris brought me a baby present that clearly his girlfriend had picked out and it was these adorable blankets with Noah's name momogrammed on them in colors that totally matched our nursery. She even had one done in his initials. So cute! I was walking out the door to meet them and my husband kept complimenting me on how good I looked. I had put on some cute jeans and this cute sleeveless maternity top and the poor guy was probably just in shock to see me all made up for the 1st time in the last week! I came home and worked the rest of the day and cleaned the house some and then I was just so exhausted. I started aching in places I never thought possible. I don't know, ladies. As much as I tell Noah to hold out another week, I think he is getting ready to make his arrival. My body is doing some weird things and I am going to try to really take it easy this weekend. I just have a feeling maybe he is ready to meet his mommy and daddy! The again, I think part of it is that he is starting to drop slightly. Will keep you posted nonetheless!

Michelle - You poor thing - that was quite the scare! I have had a friend go through preclampsia and it can be scary, so make sure you watch the headaches and sweeling and BP closely. And don't freak out about a c-sec. It can happen at any time regardless, so just be open to whatever comes. I was feeling the same way about really not wanting a c-sec and now I am just kind of like...whatever happens, happens. I feel like I have had such an overall perfect pregnancy and therefore should deliver normally, but who knows. I could be WAY wrong! I didn't know Ella was breach...girl, you better be prepared if you decide to try to turn her. At lunch yesterday, one of my friends was telling me that is what they tried to do with her daughter - yeah, didn't work and she said the pain was excrutiating. Have they said what they think the chances are they could turn her or that she could flip? I am sure every woman is different. You may still have time for her to be able to flip! And yes, pack your hospital bag. You will feel so much better knowing it is packed and that the car seat is in the vehicle ready for action. It was a huge relief for me. OH!!!! And stay away from those pelvics if you can help it. The strep test was uncomfortable for me (and thankfully came back negative), but Oh geez - the pelvic exam is way worse. Don't do it unless you really need it. It really jacked up my body for a couple of days.

Karen - Hi! Glad you are hanging in there! I got a call from a hysterical friend of mine who has a toddler and a 6-week old and she is ready to kill her husband because he works all the time and then will never gets up to help with the baby. She sounded like she was losing her mind. Poor thing. I felt so sorry for her. I am glad your hubby is helping a lot (even if he "accidentally" sleeps through a few cries!!).

Shari - THIS IS IT, HUH???? Sounds like you continue on your crazy roller coaster that is finally going to come to a halt!!! How exciting!!! I am sorry you had one of those lovely pelvic exams - THEY SUCK!!! So, are you still around and going in tomorrow????? I wish you the very best!!! I am sure it will all go wonderful!!!! Sending you lots of love and support across all the miles!!!!

Seltzer - How are you??? How is beautiful little Keira??? Keep us posted!

Maybe our new round of posts can be post-baby weight loss. I am going to need some support on that. I have gained 32 pounds now, although now I am starting to lsoe some as I am just not hungry. I hope a lot comes off at birth!

Ok, I am off to watch some Olympics events on TV with my husband and then do some work. Later today we are going to get the baby monitor - the last thing we need!!!

[2ndtimer]

Hey Everyone,
Sorry I've been MIM Connor does take up a lot of my time, but overall it's really not that bad. He's a really good baby. AND It's way better having him on the outside than the inside!
Seltzer -CONGRATS on the beautiful baby girl! I'm sure at this point you're feeling much better even if you're a little sleep deprived.
Sheri -I'm thinking about you today! I hope you aren't waiting & fasting for nothing. Hang in there -post op day #1 is the worst, it's starts to get much better by the 2nd day after surgery, then each day gets a little better than the one before. Take your pain medicine for the first few days around the clock and accept all the help you can get.
Tina & CT -I want to wish you 2 the best of luck & smooth deliveries! I may not have time to come back & congratulate you guys but I want you to know that I'll be thinking of you.
In fact, THANKS so much to all my August Bump Buddies. You guys have been great. We made it, we really did. This has been such a long journey for me, and now here I am with a 2 week old baby -I can't remember not having him around.
The only problem I've had with recovery from the Csection is back pain -apparently I've dislocated a rib or something like that. My MD has referred me to a chiropractor on Monday to get realigned. No problems at all with the incision or belly pain.
Again, thanks for being there for the past 40 weeks. You guys are the best.
Rebecca

[seltzer]

I am still trying to catch up on the posts...little Keira is keeping me busy and exhausted. Before I read everyone's updates, though:

Shari - GOOD LUCK TOMORROW (that's assuming it's a go). I hope everything goes smoothly, and I look forward to hearing your exciting news.

OK, now I am off to read the rest of the posts...

[CT_Michele]

Tina- I don't think we are going to try and flip her, I have heard similarily horrible stories about the painfulness of the procedure and I don't want to risk any harm to the baby. We will just see if she has flipped come thursday, and if not, we will schedule the c-section and deal with it. I think dh kinda wants c-section now b/c he likes the idea of having Ella a week earlier and knowing exactly when to be prepared.

Shari- Hopefully you are at the hospital delivering right now, or holding your baby. Be sure to tell us when you can!

Rebecca- thanks for updating us, you must be having a blast being a new mom!

Well, I just wanted to say hello, I will probably post again later. I am running to my grandma's house, she is going to let me borrow her blood pressure monitor so I can keep track. I will talk to you all soon!