Birthing at Home

It has taken me a while to write down Samuel’s birth story. It was such an amazing experience and I wanted to process my feelings and experiences before I tried to write it down. I don’t think I will ever experience anything so powerful, wonderful, and amazing again.

It all starts the Saturday before. I had gotten my membranes swept for a second time, and was contracting a ton at the aquarium afterwards and late into that night, to the point that I thought I might actually be in labor. I laid down to rest and see what happened and woke the next morning, still pregnant. It was such a disappointment. I was tired of waiting, but more so I was starting to really worry about how truly safe it was to keep him in any longer. After loosing Cadence, and knowing so many other moms who have lost late term babies, it was starting to freak me out a little (ok a lot.)

So, Sunday afternoon/evening I got permission from my midwife (Terah) to use her recipe for a caster oil induction. She had me make a smoothie to help it work more slowly and not be such a shock to my system. It wasn’t that bad, and after only 4 hours, around 6:30pm, my contractions started just like they had the evening before. I was in complete denial. I didn’t want to get my hopes up and then have nothing happen.

I sat outside for a while with my mom and then, when she and the girls were in bed Robert and I watched some episodes of our TV shows. I set up my birthing ball so that I could lean against the back of the couch and completely relax. I was texting Terah and doula (Aliya), and kept telling them that I didn’t know if this was really it and that I felt like if I laid down everything would stop. I was timing the contractions and they were about every 2-3 minutes but only lasting about 45-50 seconds. The contractions were much more intense when I was up and moving, but more spaced out. Around 9 Aliya and I talked for a few minutes so she could hear how I was handling contractions. I felt like they were getting closer together, but not too difficult to breathe through.

At 10:30 I decided that I should lay down and see what happened. I went to my bed fully expecting everything to stop. On my way to bed I asked Robert to check on me in 30 minutes and wake me up if I was asleep so I could take more caster oil. Once I got in bed I continued to time the contractions, and started listening to my Hypnobabies birthing day CD. The contractions went to about 1.5 minutes apart and 1 minute long. Luckily, Robert came to check on me early because I had gotten to a point where I couldn’t text in between contractions. I had him text our birth team and tell them to come over. This was only 15 minutes after I had laid down!!

It took me a couple days to realize it, but this part of my labor was NOT painful! It was intense, powerful, and I had to work to keep myself focused on my breathing, but I was not in pain! I never moved, just laid on my side and stayed deep in hypnosis listening to my early stage labor CD track.

By the time Aliya arrived, probably only 10 minutes later, I was DEEP in hypnosis and didn’t really notice when she came in. Terah was stuck in traffic and her assistant and student got there before her. When they arrived, they apparently thought I was asleep and wondered if they were going to be heading back home! At this point, I was actually in transition! I was starting to shake between contractions, which I knew meant I was close to having a baby. I was still not feeling any pain, only the extreme power of my muscles working hard to birth my baby.

I remember noticing when midnight came. The app I was using to time contractions showed a line where a new day started. I’m not sure why I remember that part of the labor, but I do. Shortly after that, at 12:37 I had a contraction that was double the length that any of the others had been. It started, peaked, started to die down and then intensified and peaked again. It was just over 2 minutes long. According to my contraction monitor, I only timed one more after that before I left the bed to get into the tub. I didn’t remember to bring my phone with me out to the tub. The “Push your baby out” track completely slipped my mind, but probably would have been helpful in the hour to come.

Getting into the tub was wonderful! It lessened the intensity of the contractions (still not painful, just super powerful and hard to concentrate and breathe through) and renewed my birthing energy. It felt like I only had a couple contractions in the water before I started pushing, but apparently it was more like 30-45 minutes. This is when I started to loose focus. The CD track I had been listening to had been keeping me focused, deeply hypnotized, and grounded. Not having that shook my focus and things started to get uncomfortable and scary. I remember starting to feel a bit of fear every time a contraction would start because I wasn’t able to handle them as well. They weren’t overwhelmingly painful, but they were much more difficult to handle than when I was laying in bed. If I ever do this again I will make sure that a couple people know to switch my track to pushing baby out and bring it with me to the tub.

Then came the pushing. This is where things started to hurt. With Kaylee, not only did I had an epidural, but I only pushed 3 times and out she came, no big deal haha! I don’t know if I was expecting the same thing, but I wasn’t expecting it to be as difficult as it was. At first I was pushing on my knees holding on to Roberts hands over the side of the birthing tub. Then, they couldn’t find his heartbeat with me in that position so they had me turn over and lean back against the side. Right before I turned around my water broke, and that was when things got super intense. Being on my back, facing the middle of the tub, was much better for me because I could brace my feet against the opposite side when I pushed. It seemed like it took forever for him to start crowning, and it felt like my pushing wasn’t doing much to move him down.

Finally he started to crown, and that part did hurt. There is a reason it’s called the ring of fire! He head came out half way and then it felt like FOREVER before the rest came out! Then I pushed a couple times and his shoulders didn’t come out so my midwife reached in to make sure he wasn’t stuck. I remembered having an instant of preparing for things to get really crazy really fast if he was in fact stuck, but then Terah said “his shoulder is out” and I relaxed as he came the rest of the way out. 1:37 pm, exactly an hour after the crazy double contraction.

Finally he was here! There were a few scary minutes right after he came out because he wasn’t breathing. He got some attention from the midwives for almost 3 whole minutes before he took a breath and started crying. His color was good, and he was still getting oxygen from the cord, and I trusted Terah to know if something was an emergency or not. As soon as he was breathing he was handed to me, and it was amazing to finally hold him.

After delivering the placenta, Samuel went with Robert while I was stitched up. Then I got him back to nurse while Robert went to get Kaylee and my mom. Kaylee had requested that we wake her up to meet the baby even in the middle of the night. I’m so glad we did, because she was SO excited to meet him.

As soon as I was stitched up, he had nursed for a little while, been weighed, and measured he and I went to bed. My poor midwives had to stay for a while longer to be there for the 3 hours postpartum before heading home.

This birth was such an amazing, empowering experience! It was so much calmer and more controlled than I ever thought it would be. Having such an amazing home birth makes me wish I would have birthed this way from the beginning!

Birth Pictures

I wish I could have afforded a birth photographer, but my midwife took some beautiful pictures when she wasn’t busy with me and Samuel.

The birth space and tub. On the wall are affirmations

 

Contracting while trying to get into the birth tub

I love this one of everyone

The relief of him being out and being ok

Holding him was so amazing!

Kaylee meeting her brother

Setting up the scale

I love Kate’s face in this one!

When they weighed him and I saw everyone’s jaws drop and their eyes get huge I was really surprised. I hadn’t thought he was that big at all. I never imagined I would birth a 10 lb baby!

It fluctuated between 9.15 and 10 lbs, so we just called it at 10 lbs

Terah caught this smile doing lighting checks and decided to use it for the announcement she made up.

Amazingly cute baby feet

A picture with the wonderful organ that kept him alive and safe for 42 long weeks

Samuel Orion

We welcomed our little man on July 13th at 42 weeks and 3 days of my pregnancy. He is amazing and I still can hardly believe that he is finally here and that he is actually a HE! Yes, I had some worries that he would come out a girl.

Still Waiting……

Pregnancy Highlights: Robert’s mom was here helping this past week, but had to go home on Tuesday. My mom is here now, and is planning to stay until this little man comes out.
Guess Date: July 26, 2015
How Far Along: 42 weeks
Size of baby: Who knows!! They don’t put estimates of post date babies online haha!
Weight: 218.2 – I didn’t weigh myself this week so I’m just leaving last week’s here
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 21.8 lbs – I am very happy with this!
Maternity Clothes: Yes! Growing out of a few of the shirts
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We still haven’t decided on a name for sure! We have a few, and are trying to choose middle names. We have decided that we are going to be waiting to see him before we decide. We are leaning towards one more than the others though.
Movement: He has gotten much less active, probably because there isn’t any extra space anymore.
Sleep: I have had several episodes of practice labor that keeps me up in the evenings or wakes me up early in the mornings. Other than that, I still sleep very well thanks to Hypnobabies.
Exercise: I have been walking to the park with the girls a couple times a week, and this past week walked around our neighborhood hoping to get things started. No luck!
Hypnobabies: I am in the practice weeks of the home study class, which means I am cycling through all the CD tracks and practicing my hypnosis cues on my own. I have missed a few days of listening, but hopefully it’s ingrained enough that it will be ok.
Symptoms: Exhaustion, contractions every few days, some of them have gotten really serious and made me think it was time. When I lay down to relax and listen to my birthing time tracks they go away. It’s pretty frustrating. But I am still trying to be patient.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy, and having my house to myself. As nice as it is to have help with things, it’s extremely exhausting and stressful to have had someone living in our house with us for 2 full weeks now.
Cravings: I haven’t had any cravings for a while. I haven’t been very hungry much lately. Aversions: Nothing!
Things to do: We are ready!
Best Moment this week: Seeing that he is ok on ultrasound and knowing that it’s safe for us to keep waiting for him.
Looking Forward To: These contractions to turn into birthing day labor!

42 weeks

Due Date!

Pregnancy Highlights: It’s officially my “Due date” and we are still waiting! Not a huge surprise to me, but I was a little hopeful that he would have come early.
Guess Date: TODAY!!
How Far Along: 40 weeks
Size of baby: About 7 pounds and over 19 1/2 inches long
Weight: 216.4 – I didn’t weigh myself this week so I’m just leaving last week’s here
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 20 lbs – I am very happy with this!
Maternity Clothes: Yes! Growing out of a few of the shirts
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We still haven’t decided on a name for sure! We have a few, and are trying to choose middle names.
Movement: He finally turned head down middle of last week, right before we decided to schedule an external version which is where the Dr would try to turn him from the outside. Not pleasant, and most Dr’s like to induce immediately after.
Sleep: One HUGE benefit to using Hypnobabies is that it has an instant relaxing effect, and makes me sleep quickly and deeply. Best sleep of my pregnancy so far!
Exercise: I have been walking to the park with the girls a couple times a week
Hypnobabies: I am in the practice weeks of the home study class, which means I am cycling through all the CD tracks and practicing my hypnosis cues on my own.
Symptoms: Exhaustion.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!!
Cravings: I haven’t had any cravings for a while. I haven’t been very hungry much lately. Aversions: Nothing!
Things to do: Only a few! I have all but a couple of things for the birth, and everything needed right away for baby.
Best Moment this week: Having him solidly head down! It was a huge relief that we can continue to plan for a home birth.
Looking Forward To: Meeting this little one and proving to myself that I can birth naturally!

Week 40

So Very Close!

Pregnancy Highlights: We are officially in the “waiting game” stage of the pregnancy. I am trying to be patient, but I am excited to meet this guy when he decides to come. Having gone so long with the twins without any serious contractions, both my midwife and I are expecting this guy to wait until at lease 40 weeks before making his entrance.
Guess Date: June 26, 2015
How Far Along: 38 weeks
Size of baby: 6.8 pounds and over 19 1/2 inches long
Weight: 216.4
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 20 lbs – I am very happy with this!
Maternity Clothes: Yes! Growing out of a few of the shirts
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet. I’m thinking we will be keeping it to ourselves until after he is born…..because we may not decide until then haha!
Movement: The past couple weeks we have gotten really serious about encouraging him to turn head down. I went to both my regular chiropractor and a different one who is known for being good at getting babies to turn. At our ultrasound he was transverse, but still moving a lot. I apparently have a lot of nice fluid and he basically has a swimming pool. Finally, a couple days after a major adjustment by the new chiropractor, he turned head down and seems to be there to stay.
Sleep: One HUGE benefit to using Hypnobabies is that it has an instant relaxing effect, and makes me sleep quickly and deeply. Best sleep of my pregnancy so far!
Exercise: Most of my exercise right now is from the spinning babies website for encouraging baby to get into a good position for birth.
Hypnobabies: I am in the practice weeks of the home study class, which means I am cycling through all the CD tracks and practicing my hypnosis cues on my own.
Symptoms: Exhaustion.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!!
Cravings: I haven’t had any cravings for a while. I haven’t been very hungry much lately. Aversions: Nothing!
Things to do: Only a few! I have all but a couple of things for the birth, and everything needed right away for baby.
Best Moment this week: My baby shower! It was fun to have time with a bunch of ladies in my church ward as well as my Doula. Yummy food and lots of girl talk. It was almost as refreshing as a girls night out with my Utah friends.
Looking Forward To: Meeting this little one and proving to myself that I can birth naturally!

Week 38

Week 37

“Full Term”

Pregnancy Highlights: It’s so exciting and scary to be so close to meeting this little boy!
Guess Date: June 26, 2015
How Far Along: 36 weeks
Size of baby: About 6 lbs and roughly 18.1/2” long long
Weight: 215.8
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 19.4 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yes! Growing out of a few of the shirts
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet. I’m thinking we will be keeping it to ourselves until after he is born…..because we may not decide until then haha!
Movement: He decided last week to mess around with being transverse and breach with a little bit of the proper head down position. Stressful for me being so close to the end. I’m working hard to do everything in my power to encourage him to turn. If he is still not in the optimal position at our ultrasound things will get really serious.
Sleep: One HUGE benefit to using Hypnobabies is that it has an instant relaxing effect, and makes me sleep quickly and deeply. Best sleep of my pregnancy so far!
Exercise: I’m nesting a little, and it makes me randomly clean the whole house.
Hypnobabies: This week is officially week 5 for Hypnobabies. After this week, it’s on to just practicing and listening to tracks. Good thing. I haven’t been as diligent at practicing as I should have been.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Not quite as exhausted as the last update, but still pretty tired and ready for bed at the end of the day.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!!
Cravings: I haven’t had any cravings for a while. I haven’t been very hungry much lately. Aversions: Nothing!
Things to do: I have a list of things to buy this week or next, but we got a lot done this week to prepare. The room is set up, clothes are washed and put away, and pretty much any other purchases will wait until after my baby shower.
Best Moment this week: Finally having a place set up for him. Crib, changing table, dresser, and clothes are all set up for him.
Looking Forward To: Our 36 week ultrasound and my baby shower! Both are happening this week, and should be wonderful.
Week 36

35 Weeks:

How?!?

Pregnancy Highlights: It hit me this week. I am a MAXIMUM of 8 weeks away from having another baby!! How did that happen?!? Something my Doula said at our meeting on Tuesday triggered some freaking out. It was like I suddenly realized how stinking close I am getting to having a 4th child. It also hit me how unprepared we are!
Guess Date: June 26, 2015
How Far Along: 34 weeks
Size of baby: About 4 3/4 lbs and almost 18” long
Weight: 213.8
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 17.4 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yes!
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet. I’m thinking we will be keeping it to ourselves until after he is born…..because we may not decide until then haha!
Movement: He spends his time head down for the most part now, which means big kicks up top, knees rolling from side to side, and punches or head buts to the cervix (not my favorite)!
Sleep: One HUGE benefit to using Hypnobabies is that it has an instant relaxing effect, and makes me sleep quickly and deeply. Best sleep of my pregnancy so far!
Exercise: I’m nesting a little, and it makes me randomly clean the whole house.
Hypnobabies: This week is officially week 3 for Hypnobabies. I have only managed to stay awake through 1 track so far, but hopefully my mind is still soaking it in.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Not quite as exhausted as the last update, but still pretty tired and ready for bed at the end of the day.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!!
Cravings: I haven’t had any cravings for a while. I haven’t been very hungry this week. I think there is too much baby.
Aversions: Nothing!
Things to do: This part is freaking me out a bit. It seems like there is SO much to do!Best Moment this week: Officially hiring a Doula! Getting my birth kit in the mail.
Looking Forward To: Our 36 week ultrasound. Getting a space set up for him. Deciding where he will sleep, getting a dresser set up for him, feeling more prepared.
Week 34

32

Pregnancy Highlights: Time is still flying on by. Life is busy as usual, and I’m happy I am not just sitting around waiting for my guess date to get here
Guess Date: June 26, 2015
How Far Along: 32 weeks
Size of baby: Roughly 3 pounds and measures 16 inches from head to heel
Weight: 213.4
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 17 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yes!
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet. I’m thinking we will be keeping it to ourselves until after he is born…..because we may not decide until then haha!
Movement: He spends his time head down for the most part now, which means big kicks up top, knees rolling from side to side, and punches or head buts to the cervix (not my favorite)!
Sleep: One HUGE benefit to using Hypnobabies is that it has an instant relaxing effect, and makes me sleep quickly and deeply. Best sleep of my pregnancy so far!
Exercise: I’m nesting a little, and it makes me randomly clean the whole house.
Hypnobabies: This week is officially week 1 for Hypnobabies.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Not quite as exhausted as the last update, but still pretty tired and ready for bed at the end of the day.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!!
Cravings: I haven’t had any cravings for a while.
Aversions: Nothing! That isn’t a good thing either, because then I eat everything.
Things to do: I bought some boy clothes and a few bedding pieces, and bought my homebirth kit, but beyond that I still need to set everything else up.
Best Moment this week: Hearing his heartbeat and talking with my midwife. And finding a DOULA!! I’m so excited to have a Doula this time around. There will be so many supportive people attending my birth. Two midwives, a midwife assistant (who is also a doula and midwifery student), a doula, and of course my husband.
Looking Forward To: Getting a space set up for him. Deciding where he will sleep, getting a dresser set up for him, feeling more prepared. I am really looking forward to getting some people lined up to take the girls when I go into labor.

Week 32

30 Weeks–10 to go!!

Pregnancy Highlights: I am so shocked that I am already at 30 weeks! As of today there are 70 days until the guess date for this little man! I think the pregnancy affirmations have been working. I’m more at peace with this pregnancy even though it’s still not the easiest physically or mentally this time around.
How Far Along: 30 weeks
Size of baby: Roughly 3 pounds and measures 16 inches from head to heel
Weight: 211.8
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 15.4 lbs – Just under 2 lbs in 2 weeks. That’s a gain I’m comfortable with
Maternity Clothes: Yes!
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet. I’m thinking we will be keeping it to ourselves until after he is born…..because we may not decide until then haha!
Movement: Movement has changed a little. I don’t know if his position has changed and I’m feeling different body parts, or if he is just getting more squished.
Sleep: I have been sleeping better, and it’s SO nice!
Exercise: Catching up on housework and doing some major organizing/decluttering has been my exercise for the past couple weeks.
Hypnobabies: I listen to the pregnancy affirmations a few times a week, but wont really start the rest of the CDs until around 32 weeks
Symptoms: Exhaustion. This week especially I have been extremely exhausted throughout the day. The other night I went to bed before 9!
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!! My sanity, patience, and the awesome workout routine I had going before getting pregnant.
Cravings: I haven’t had any cravings for a while.
Aversions: Nothing! That isn’t a good thing either, because then I eat everything.
Things to do: Still everything! I seriously need to get going on things!!
Best Moment this week: Realizing just how close we are to having another little one in this house. It still shocks me to think we will have a boy around here.
Looking Forward To: Getting a space set up for him. Deciding where he will sleep, getting a dresser set up for him, feeling more prepared.
Week 30

Third Trimester!

Pregnancy Highlights: Reaching the third trimester! This pregnancy has seemed to go by really quickly and take FOREVER at the same time.
How Far Along: 28 weeks
Size of baby: Roughly 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches from head to heel
Weight: 210.2
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 13.8 lbs – Getting more healthy with my diet actually resulted in me losing a pound.
Maternity Clothes: Yes!
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet.
Movement: His movement has been crazy this week! Moving all the time, even during the night!
Sleep: I have been sleeping better, and it’s SO nice!
Exercise: I got on the treadmill a few times, but then sickness overtook our home…..again.
Hypnobabies: I listen to the pregnancy affirmations a few times a week, but wont really start the rest of the CDs until around 32 weeks
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Less so than it has been, but still most days are so exhausting.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!! My sanity, patience, and the awesome workout routine I had going before getting pregnant.
Cravings: I haven’t really paid enough attention to pick out specific cravings. I have been extra hungry these past few weeks though.
Aversions: Nothing! That isn’t a good thing either, because then I eat everything.
Things to do: Still everything!
Best Moment this week: Hearing this little’s heartbeat at my midwife.
Looking Forward To: JUNE!! I really can not wait for this little guy to be here. I am not loving pregnancy this time around.

Week 28

26 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights: I sorted through my little girl clothes, and decided which I am going to keep until we decide for sure if we are done or not. It was harder than I thought to sort through everything!
How Far Along: 26 weeks
Size of baby: Roughly 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches from head to heel
Weight: 211.4
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 15.1 lbs – Yep…..I need to watch what I eat lol.
Stretch Marks: I haven’t noticed any new ones, but I feel enormous so I’m sure new ones are coming.
Maternity Clothes: Yes!
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet.
Movement: He is an active little man! He is the first that I have had with a predictable movement pattern. He has active times and calm times each day.
Sleep: I have been sleeping better, and it’s SO nice!
Exercise: Nothing other than keeping up with the girls. I need to start being more active so I don’t gain too much more weight.
Hypnobabies: I listen to the pregnancy affirmations a few times a week, but wont really start the rest of the CDs until around 32 weeks
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Less so than it has been, but still most days are so exhausting.
Throw up tally: 0!!
What I miss: Energy!! My sanity, patience, and the awesome workout routine I had going before getting pregnant.
Cravings: I haven’t really paid enough attention to pick out specific cravings. I have been extra hungry these past few weeks though.
Aversions: Nothing! That isn’t a good thing either, because then I eat everything.
Things to do: Still everything!
Best Moment this week: Kaylee talking to her little brother in my tummy several times a day.
Looking Forward To: JUNE!! I really can not wait for this little guy to be here. I am not loving pregnancy this time around. 

Week 26

24 Weeks

 

Pregnancy Highlights: I got a big box of boy clothes, so I feel like I have done something small to prepare.
How Far Along: 24 weeks
Size of baby: About 12 inches long, and 1 1/3 lbs
Weight: 207.6
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 11.3 lbs – This has changed really quickly, and I’m wondering if I need to look at my diet.
Stretch Marks: I haven’t noticed any new ones, but I feel enormous so I’m sure new ones are coming.
Maternity Clothes: Yes! This was actually an interesting phenomenon several weeks ago. I was wearing my normal pants, took them off to take a shower, and when I went to get dressed they wouldn’t fit at all! I even tried the larger of my two “normal” pants and couldn’t even zip them! Since then, I have been in maternity pants.
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet.
Movement: His movement has gotten much more obvious, and I can feel and see him from the outside sometimes now. He hasn’t kicked much for any of the girls, but I’m excited for when he does!
Sleep: Sleeping has been rough since Christmas. I have been sick, coughing, and now have very sore ribs that make sleeping pretty painful.
Exercise: Nothing other than keeping up with the girls. I am hoping to get more active once my ribs heal completely, but I’m still pretty exhausted.
Hypnobabies: I got the tracks put on my phone today so I can start listening to the affirmations. I feel like I’m not really prepared mentally for a home birth and I need to start somewhere.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Finding out the gender has helped me feel a little more connected with this baby because I have been feeling very irritated about being pregnant. SO different from absolutely LOVING being pregnant the other 3 times.
Throw up tally: Other than the times caused by coughing last month, I don’t think I have thrown up at all this time around!
What I miss: Energy!! My sanity, patience, and the awesome workout routine I had going before getting pregnant.
Cravings: I haven’t really paid enough attention to pick out specific cravings.
Aversions: I guess salad would count, but other than that, not really many aversions either. I’m not hungry very often, but it’s not really because food doesn’t sound good, just not hungry.
Things to do: Still everything!
Best Moment this week: Feeling him have the hiccups for the first time!
Looking Forward To: Selling a bunch of girl clothes and loading up on baby supplies. I need to get some more cloth diapers which may take some research because things have changed in the cloth diaper world I’m sure!

Week 24!

22 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights: Nothing too big going on lately.
How Far Along: 22 weeks
Size of baby: About 11 inches and roughly 1 pound
Weight: 202.4
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 6.1 lbs
Stretch Marks: I haven’t noticed any new ones, but I feel enormous so I’m sure new ones are coming.
Maternity Clothes: Yes! This was actually an interesting phenomenon several weeks ago. I was wearing my normal pants, took them off to take a shower, and when I went to get dressed they wouldn't fit at all! I even tried the larger of my two “normal” pants and couldn't even zip them! Since then, I have been in maternity pants.
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet.
Movement: His movement has gotten much more obvious, and I can feel and see him from the outside sometimes now. He hasn't kicked much for any of the girls, but I’m excited for when he does!
Sleep: Sleeping has been rough since Christmas. I have been sick, coughing, and now have very sore ribs that make sleeping pretty painful.
Exercise: Nothing other than keeping up with the girls. I am hoping to get more active once my ribs heal completely, but I’m still pretty exhausted.
Hypnobabies: I got the tracks put on my phone today so I can start listening to the affirmations. I feel like I’m not really prepared mentally for a home birth and I need to start somewhere.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Finding out the gender has helped me feel a little more connected with this baby because I have been feeling very irritated about being pregnant. SO different from absolutely LOVING being pregnant the other 3 times.
Throw up tally: Other than the times caused by coughing last month, I don’t think I have thrown up at all this time around!
What I miss: Energy!! My sanity, patience, and the awesome workout routine I had going before getting pregnant.
Cravings: I haven’t really paid enough attention to pick out specific cravings.
Aversions: I guess salad would count, but other than that, not really many aversions either. I’m not hungry very often, but it’s not really because food doesn't sound good, just not hungry.
Things to do: Still everything!
Best Moment this week: Finding out that it’s a BOY!!! I am still so shocked and thrilled that I am finally getting to have a little boy!
Looking Forward To: Buying little boy clothes!! Selling a majority of my little girl clothes!!
Week 22!

Half Way!!

Yes, I have been a horrible blogger this pregnancy. Here I am, half way to having a baby and haven’t made a real update post yet.

Pregnancy Highlights: Finding out that we are expecting a healthy baby boy!! After 4 girls, we are getting a whole new adventure thrown our way.
How Far Along: 20 weeks
Size of baby: About 6.5" head to bum and 10" from head to foot and weighing about 10.5 oz – I am hoping to get the actual measurements from our ultrasound soon.
Weight: 198.8
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gain: 2.5 lbs
Stretch Marks: I haven’t noticed any new ones, but I feel enormous so I’m sure new ones are coming.
Maternity Clothes: Yes! This was actually an interesting phenomenon a couple weeks ago. I was wearing my normal pants, took them off to take a shower, and when I went to get dressed they wouldn’t fit at all! I even tried the larger of my two “normal” pants and couldn’t even zip them! Since then, I have been in maternity pants.
Gender: BOY!!!!
Name: We have a couple boy names, but I am not set on any of them yet.
Movement: I am still only feeling flutters and small kicks on the sides sometimes. My placenta is in the front so that explains it. I can’t wait to feel this little guy more.
Sleep: Sleeping has been rough since Christmas. I have been sick, coughing, and now have very sore ribs that make sleeping pretty painful.
Exercise: Nothing other than keeping up with the girls. I am hoping to get more active once my ribs and cough heal completely, but I’m still pretty exhausted.
Hypnobabies: I got the tracks put on my phone today so I can start listening to the affirmations. I feel like I’m not really prepared mentally for a home birth and I need to start somewhere.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Finding out the gender has helped me feel a little more connected with this baby because I have been feeling very irritated about being pregnant. SO different from absolutely LOVING being pregnant the other 3 times.
Throw up tally: Other than the times caused by coughing in the past month, I don’t think I have thrown up at all this time around!
What I miss: Energy!! My sanity, patience, and the awesome workout routine I had going before getting pregnant.
Cravings: I haven’t really paid enough attention to pick out specific cravings.
Aversions: I guess salad would count, but other than that, not really many aversions either. I’m not hungry very often, but it’s not really because food doesn’t sound good, just not hungry.
Things to do: Still everything!
Best Moment this week: Finding out that it’s a BOY!!! I am still so shocked and thrilled that I am finally getting to have a little boy!
Looking Forward To: Buying little boy clothes!! Selling a majority of my little girl clothes!!

20 Weeks!

18 weeks of pregnancy in one post

This pregnancy has been rough. Mentally and physically. From the beginning I have been really overwhelmed by the idea of having another child, even though it was planned and I am excited. The idea of having 4 children to take care of, when I feel like I’m drowning much of the time taking care of 3 is overwhelming.

This is the first time during a pregnancy that things haven’t been all rainbows and unicorns. I haven’t loved being pregnant this time. It’s been exhausting and depressing sometimes. I think a lot of it is that I went from being sick from morning sickness to having a bad cold/cough that has lasted over a month now. I’m feeling huge already and that makes keeping up with the girls even more difficult.

Haha, this post is so sad and depressing! But, it is honestly how I have felt so far. I am just so done this time around and I’m not even half way.

Here are the belly pictures I have so far. A far cry from the amount I usually have taken at this point.

12 Weeks

14 Weeks

16 Weeks

18 Weeks – Today

I’m hoping that finding out the gender (if we decide to) will help me feel more connected and excited about this baby. Hopefully it will be the push I need to get through the second half of this pregnancy.

Incarcerated WHAT??

This pregnancy is apparently supposed to keep me on my toes. The Monday before Christmas I started feeling like I might be getting a UTI. Odd pressure, constantly needing to pee, just odd feeling “down there”

Monday night I woke up during the early hours of the morning, desperately needing to pee, to the point that it was painful. When I tried to go NOTHING happened. I tried walking around, wiggling, squatting super deep, and some toilet gymnastics, and I was finally able to go almost 2 hours later. I was on the verge of waking Robert to take me to the hospital for a catheter when I was finally able to go.

A little reading in the morning told me I may have an incarcerated uterus. That is where the uterus gets trapped, somewhat upside down in the pelvis, with the bladder pushed up above it….which makes urinating pretty impossible. After talking to my midwife we decided that it was probably what was going on. She gave me some exercises to try before sending me in to try to have an OB fix it….which is both very painful, and requires a hospital stay and an epidural (not something I wanted on Christmas with my family visiting.

Tuesday was ok during the day, but that night I was unable to go again in the middle of the night. This time, I tried some of the exercises, and laid on my back for a while. I had been sleeping leaning forward onto a body pillow, mostly on my stomach. After laying on my back for an hour I was able to go enough to make it through the night. The next day, Christmas Eve, it was difficult to go every single time. I did my exercises like crazy, and spent a lot of time laying on my back because that seemed to help.

Finally, for Christmas Eve night, I made a specific effort to sleep mostly on my back. I didn’t have any problems that night and from then on it seemed to be a non-issue. I am so very lucky that I was able to fix the issue on my own.

Something interesting that happened once things were working again was I suddenly felt hugely pregnant. I felt like suddenly my uterus was in the way of everything. I had to figure out a new way to walk up the stairs because I couldn’t lift my knees straight up for each step. Very strange when it happens basically overnight.

Week of Chaos

 

10/20/14:
Today I found out I am PREGNANT! Robert and I had been trying, but I was sure that it wasn't our month and that my period had started (TMI, sorry!). When it went almost 4 days longer than normal, I started wondering what was going on. Today, I didn't know what else to do so I took a pregnancy test completely expecting it to be negative. It was not only positive, it was VERY positive!

I am so confused and scared. I am bleeding, and that has never happened in all 3 of my pregnancies. It isn’t just a little bit of blood either. I am trying to keep a positive mind set, while not getting to attached to being pregnant just in case I’m miscarrying.

10/23/14:

I had my first Dr appointment and blood draw today. The Doctor didn’t do an ultrasound because I was too early and they wouldn’t be able to see anything. So, we are doing blood tests every couple days, one today and one on Monday, to see if my HCG numbers at least double every 48 hours. Fingers are crossed. I have been pretty nauseous in the evenings the past few days so I’m feeling hopeful. I think I have taken enough pregnancy tests by now!

Top to bottom – Oldest to newest

10/27/14:

My bleeding has stopped!! It was getting less and less, and finally yesterday I had none at all. This morning I got the results from my first blood draw and the number was 1142. That’s a good number for 4 weeks and 5 days. I went in and got my blood drawn again (with the twins in tow) and am hoping to hear back tomorrow.

This morning’s test was awesome!

Edited to add – I got the results from the second blood test and they almost tripled at 3392! The Dr said he doesn’t feel like I need to come in for another draw, and everything looks good to him. I’m so relieved, and starting to get so excited!

As far as posts during this pregnancy, I think I will stick with a weekly post with a picture.