Emily is Here!

Well, we ended up going back up to the hospital on Thursday evening because my blood pressure was high again. They admitted me for observation and monitored my blood pressure. Early Friday morning the doctor came in and told me that my blood work didn't look good and that they were going to induce me. Yikes!

They hooked me up to the Pitocin and then an hour later came in and broke my water. The contractions started getting stronger, but I was able to handle them. Then they hooked me up to Magnesium for my blood pressure. They gave me a bunch of medicine in a short amount of time which caused me to feel sick, tired and very hot. I remember seeing Rob walking around wrapped in a blanket while I laid there sweating. They had me lay on my left side because of my blood pressure, so when my contractions got stronger, I couldn't move around or switch positions. I ended up asking for an epidural, which only worked on half of my body. The anesthesiologist came back in and gave me something else that worked for a little while.

I got to have three coaches with me to help me throughout labor--Rob, Kelly, and Mom. I feel so lucky to have been able to have them there helping me and encouraging me. I'm so proud of Rob--he cut the cord!! He did so great during the whole thing. He didn't gross out or anything! What a trooper.

Emily arrived at 6:01 pm weighing in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces and head full of brown hair. She is beautiful.

Exciting Day

I had my 39 week checkup yesterday and the nurse noticed that my blood pressure was elevated. My doctor said that if my blood pressure was still elevated when I see him on Tuesday that he would induce labor. He said to have my bags packed and in the car just in case!

Then around 9:30 last night I started to feel bad. I was afraid that my blood pressure was high so we had a doctor friend come over and take my blood pressure. It was even higher than this morning. I called the on-call doctor and told him what my blood pressure was and he said to go to the hospital to have it checked out. Rob and I scrambled around and packed our bags (which should have been packed already in the first place!) and drove to the hospital. I went through the ER and my blood pressure was even higher still. I was wheeled to the OB floor and admitted for observation. The nurse assigned to us was extremely nice and made us feel comfortable right away. I was hooked up to monitors to measure my contractions, my blood pressure, and Emily’s heart rate. I had very regular contractions—5-6 minutes apart—for about an hour or two and then they stopped when I got up to use the restroom. The contractions didn’t hurt but I am now dilated to a 1. When I had seen the doctor earlier, I wasn’t dilated at all, so progress…yeah!! Emily’s heart rate was great. The nurse even commented on how great she was doing. The baby moved around the entire time I had the monitors strapped on (she really hates those straps!)

We stayed at the hospital for a couple of hours and my blood pressure came down to a normal level. They sent us home with instructions to go in to the doctor’s office on Friday for a blood pressure check and a re-check of my labs. I feel good this morning—just tired. Not many contractions…at least none to write home about. So, there you have it, my exciting day.

Still Preggars...

I just realized that I hadn't updated my blog in a few weeks. Everything is going well. I'm going in once a week to see the doctor. He's still saying I'm going to have a small baby--like 6 1/2 pounds. I'm thinking more like 7 1/2. Actually, she feels like she weighs 10 pounds right now! My back is tired and I feel like I have to carry my belly around.

I went to see the doctor this week and I told him I had a sharp pain in my abdomen. I knew I wasn't in labor, but they hooked me up to some monitors just to be sure. They put a monitor on my stomach that showed the baby's heart rate and another monitor on my stomach that measured my contractions. (I actually had a couple!) Then the nurse handed me a button and told me to push the button each time the baby moved. I pushed that button A LOT! Apparently Emily doesn't like to be constricted (which makes me wonder why she's still in there!!). She moved and moved. The doctor says the baby is doing just fine and that the pain in my abdomen is probably the baby irritating the muscle and ligament. I guess it's just something I'll have to learn to deal with, just like her being on my sciatic nerve. Already Emily is on my nerve and irritating me and she's not even here yet!

Bottoms Up...Again!

I had a sonogram today and found out that Emily is no longer breech. What a relief! The sonogram showed she's in the right position. I posted some pictures. We also got to see her hair in the sonogram. I think Rob was a little disappointed that she's got hair--he wants her to be bald so he can rub her bald head.

I Miss My Stomach!

Actually, what I really miss is being able to see my feet without looking around my stomach. I also miss being able to sit up without looking like an overturned turtle. I miss sleeping on my stomach and on my back.

I love being pregnant, don't get me wrong. I love feeling Emily's kicking and rolling. I love knowing she is getting bigger and stronger every day. I love knowing that in a month she will actually be here. I love looking in the mirror and seeing my big belly.

Fat Feet!

I took some pictures of my fat feet. I had been working on some Scout stuff and I guess I had been sitting too long and my feet poofed up. Fun stuff!

Breech Again...

I went to see my doctor today and he says Emily is breech again. She's lying in there sideways. I go back to see the doctor in two weeks for a sonogram and we'll decide what to do from there.

I've been having problems with retaining water. The doctor said I have about five pounds of water weight. That would account for my rapid weight gain these past two weeks. I just need to continue to drink my water and elevate my feet while lying on my side to relieve the pressure on my kidneys. Sigh.

Bottoms Up!

Emily is no longer breech. I went to see my doctor this morning and he said she's in the correct position. Let's just hope she stays there! I've been feeling more kicks in the rib area and I just thought her feet were by her ears.

Nesting?

I think I've been nesting. We received some baby clothes from a friend and it's been fun going through them. I find myself wanting to clean stuff (not that I actually clean, though). So maybe I'm just being more energetic than normal.

We went to a Lamaze class this weekend. We learned a lot. Rob seems to think he'll be okay when I go into labor, for the most part. We watched a film on childbirth and he didn't gag or retch once! I'm proud of him for going to the class with me and I appreciate his support.

Emily is doing well. She's been active--moving a lot and changing positions. She's still breech, but I think she's working her way to being bottoms up. She's sideways now. Her movements sure do funny things to my tummy!

Active Girl

Boy, Emily has been very active! I didn't sleep well because she was moving a lot. It concerned me a little bit, but she didn't seem to be in any distress. I'd just rub my stomach and try to calm her down to get her to sleep. She's finally stopped moving and now I'm afraid to move because I might wake her.

New Photos Added Today!

I added new photos today. I added belly pictures, Emily's sonogram pictures, and pictures of Chloe.

I think I'm starting to show now.

3D Ultrasound

We went and got a 3D ultrasound yesterday. It was very interesting. We got to see how cute she is (like there was any doubt). We now can put a face to the lump in my belly.

I posted the pictures in my photo album. You can see she was using the uterine wall as a pillow. She was all snuggled up. Very cute. We had problems getting good pictures of her because the umbilical cord and her arm was in front of her face. We also found out she's breech.

Tap Dancer or Bicyclist?

Emily was really moving last night. It felt like she was practicing riding a bicycle or tap dancing on my ribs. It was funny. I called Rob over to feel her moving but as he put his hand on my stomach, all he felt was, what he called, a karate kick.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe 2006 is here. I'm looking forward to the new year! I haven't made any New Year's resolutions yet, but I'm planning to. Maybe one of my resolutions should be to not procrastinate. Yeah, I'll work on that later.

I've added new pictures of my belly to my photo album. I think it's looking bigger. I feel bigger. I measured my waist and it's increased four inches.

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Ours was great. We are greatful for our families and the love they have for us and for Emily. Emily even received her own gifts! Thank you so much!

Emily is doing great. She's moving a lot and is getting bigger and bigger! She's still sitting on my sciatic nerve, which is causing a lot of back pain. The doctor says this is normal, so I'll just deal.

My Girl

Emily is lying on my sciatic nerve. Sometimes when I sit a certain way or bend a certain way I get this shooting pain down the outside of my right leg. It feels like a needle is poking into my thigh right above my knee, yet when I touch the spot that hurts, the skin feels numb. It's weird.

Emily is sure moving a lot lately. I was working late last night and I had my stomach up against the desk and she was kicking at it. I told Rob, "She doesn't want me to work." I'd sit back a little and then move back against the desk again and she'd kick again. It was funny. Of course, she wouldn't move when Rob put his hand on my stomach. Rob just says she's a momma's girl. Yep!

Emily Christine!

We found out today that our baby is a girl! We're so happy! We're naming her Emily Christine. We can't wait until she gets here in April!

I've posted pictures in my photo album.

Belly Gallery

I've finally taken a picture of my belly. Just click on the link for my photo album and you'll find my belly gallery. We'll start taking pictures once a week so you can see it grow!

We're both feeling Little Bit!

Rob got to feel the baby move the other day. He put his hand on my stomach and felt a little push back. He was very excited to be able to feel what I've been feeling. Little Bit moves a lot now, especially after I've eaten something.

I wonder what would happen if I ate peanut butter and sardines now? I'm sure I'd get punished by Little Bit. Maybe if I added chocolate...

Feeling Flutters!

I started feeling flutters on Sunday. I wasn't sure if what I was feeling was actually the baby or if I was just feeling me. I was laying down and I felt the flutters three separate times. Then I laid really still and slowed my breathing down so I could concentrate...and then I fell asleep.

I felt some movement yesterday that I know was the baby. I had eaten chips and salsa for lunch and afterwards the baby was jumping around. I don't know if the baby really liked or really hated the salsa, but there was something going on in there! It was neat, though. I know it was the baby moving this time and not just my imagination. So COOL!