Otto!

Otto is here! We are so happy. It was the most intensely difficult experience of my life. Here's a quick version of the birth story (about all I have time for!):

Went in to get induced on Sunday night. (There was concern about decreased fetal movement and my group b strep status so they convinced me to agree to an induction.) Midwife gave me prostiglandin gel to get things moving and my water broke at 3 am. At 9am the following morning, they started the pitocin. I labored all day and the contractions got more and more intense. Around 3 pm I got in the tub which provided some much needed relief, but stalled my labor. So out I came and got hooked up for a bit more pitocin. Ouch. During transition, I was in so much unrelenting pain, it was unbelievable. Finally I asked if there was anything they could do to help me out. The midwife gave half a dose of nubaine (sp?) which gave me just enough of a rest between contractions to think that I might actually make it. Unfortunately, I didn't know that the baby would be stuck behind my pubic bone and I would end up pushing for 2 hours and 15 min. It was horrible. They actually called in the OB/GYN on call because the midwife thought forceps or vacuum extraction might be needed. Fortunately, I somehow managed to push him out myself. Not really sure how I accomplished this! And I only tore minimally.

But he's here, he's incredibly healthy and we are both home now getting to know eachother.

Otto was 8 lbs. 7 oz. and 20 3/4 inches long.

T + 2

40w2d. No baby yet. Which is good, because every day that goes by increases the chances of the midwife making it to our birth. But is also bad because NO BABY YET. Gah. Guess we'll see what happens this weekend...I'm getting anxious to meet this little guy.

And to stop retaining water. Because, seriously. I'd like to at least be able to wear my rings...my hands feel totally nekkid, yo.

T-1

(One day until my due date. Eeep!)

Me -oh- my, what fun, what fun!! Been having all kinds of excitement here at Chez Bird Brain. Aside from just the general excitement and anticipation, that is. I got a phone call last week informing me that my midwife had been in a bad bike wreck and shattered her ankle. Ack! Fortunately, she will be ok, but it casts doubt on whether she will make it to our birth or not. Supposedly, she's supposed to be back part time this week, so we are crossing our fingers.

Due to the midwife being laid up, I saw an OB/GYN in the same practice for my appointment on Friday. I've seen her before and she's nice enough, I suppose. She did, however, strip my membranes without asking me- she was doing the cervical check and when I yelped in pain, she said, "oh, I just stripped your membranes to see if we can get something going." JEEBUS. NOT cool. It did seem to stimulate something, however, as I lost my mucus plug yesterday. (FYI: This was pretty gross. Imagine an enormous, bloody booger. Aren't you glad I'm here to share these things with you?)

So we are just twiddling our thumbs, waiting for Otto to make his appearance. I'm still working, which sort of goes against every instict I have right now...I feel like I should just be home nesting and waiting in my safe coccoon, not interacting with nosy people at work.

39 weeks...

...and no signs of impending labor. Not that I was expecting any, really. I don't even think the kid has dropped yet- I'm still carrying very much out front. I've had some low, dull mentrual-like cramps but nothing with a pattern or anything. I'm thinking it will be at least another week, if not longer. At my last appointment, I was only dialted "a fingertip." The midwife said they will "let" me go up to 41 weeks and then I'm assuming they will want to induce. I really hope to avoid that if I can...I hear nothing good about induction and don't really want to go there unless its absolutely medically necessary. But maybe I'll feel differently in two weeks if the kid hasn't shown his little face yet...

Otherwise, I'm feeling pretty good. Not really sleeping much, but I think that's par for the course. Trying to do alot of relaxing and de-stressing when I'm not at work: reading a good book , watching lots of movies with the Husband, taking long, hot baths, going to my knitting group, lunches with friends, etc. I'm fully aware that my time for these sorts of activities may be in short supply very soon. And something tells me that I should just be taking it easy and conserving energy. Because of my leg, I can't work out but walking has been ok'd so the dog and I have been taking nice moderate walks in the mornings and I'm still walking to and from work (only 8 blocks or so.)

In other news, we ordered a part for the Husband's car and hopefully will get it up and running sometime soon. In the meantime, we've been using my little car which (knock on wood) is still running fine and the Husband has been able to borrow a friend's van as well.

He's also getting help for his panic attacks, which I am so proud of him for doing. I think there are alot of guys who would resist talking to drs, therapists, etc. but I think he realizes that he needs help and by helping himself, he's helping me to not be so worried about him.

So, all in all, things are looking up. Next midwife appointment is this Friday. Wonder if she'll notice any signs of progress...

38weeks2days

Oh. My. Lord. We are getting so close! For so long, September seemed eons away...some remote time in the future. All of a sudden, its here. Argh! I think we're pretty much ready, though...well, as ready as you can be, which is to say, not at all! But we have a co-sleeper and a carseat and some diapers and stuff so I think we'll manage.

That said, I'm really not feeling any urgency yet. I'm kind of just enjoying my time right now- taking lots of long walks with the dog, spending time with the Husband, enjoying some long hot baths with a good (non-baby/child related) book...Physically, I'm feeling pretty good. Now that the superficial blood clot in my leg has cleared up and I'm no longer in searing pain, just being pregnant doesn't seem all that bad. Sure, I have some hip/crotch pain and pressure and sleeping is just not very comfortable, but those things aren't really bothering me. Really, I feel pretty centered and content at the moment.

They started a baby pool at work. So everyone's been coming down to my desk to ask me if I'm "feeling anything." I have to be honest- not really! Or at least, I'm not feeling anything different than I have been the past couple of weeks. Otto will come whenever he is ready and I'm not really all that keen on hurrying him up. Although, I might change my story if my due date comes and goes and still no baby...;-)