As of today, Sophia is two weeks old. I cannot believe that two weeks has already gone by.
This also means that my mom is leaving very soon, but let's not think about that right now.
At the moment, I've got my little girl snuggled and sleeping in the Moby wrap, and I was attempting to go through a massive pile of clothes that we received from one of Art's Filipino Aunties. And then I decided to just go on the computer instead.
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Sophia's birth story. I'm almost done writing it, but I haven't had a ton of time to work on it. [Partly because we've been going out pretty much every day. And partly because I've been trying to organize a ton of baby pictures, but every time I open up my pictures folder, my computer slows right down to a crawl.]
But I promise: that post WILL go up before she graduates from college. ;)
Quick prayer request: it seems our little sweet pea is not gaining weight like she should. Ideally she would be back up to her birth weight by now, but she is several ounces shy of that (and has been for a few days). I've seen a lactation consultant twice, and they, along with my doctor, keep telling me that I'm doing everything right, and that Sophia is healthy.
I think the problem might be that Sophia doesn't eat with gusto when she's at the breast. She likes to get sleepy during feeding time, and she ends up burning the calories that she's taking in with prolonged, weak sucking. I'm trying not to be too worried about it (but that's akin to trying not to breathe. I'm just being a typical new momma). I know that I can always supplement for a while if I have to, but the point is that I want my little girl to grow.
Your prayers would be much appreciated.
And speaking of feeding, I must end this post because it's time for lunch for this one!
March 29, 2011
March 21, 2011
Mommy and Baby Update
Today is the first day since giving birth that I have had more than 20 minutes on the computer. So far, I have spent it reading blogs.
Sophia didn't eat very much at her last feeding, so I don't think I have much more time to be on here. Which means today will not be the day where I share her birth story.
But I will give an update.
She is six days old today, and her umbilical cord stump fell off in the middle of the night. When she was two days old, she had lost 9 ounces. At three days old, she gained back one ounce. She will be weighed today, and I'm praying that a few more ounces have been added.
She is a very sleepy girl, and hardly fusses at all. Which is a good thing, except when it comes to feeding. It takes an hour or more to get her fully fed, and sometimes (like the last feeding), she just falls asleep without getting as much as I think she could (and should), so then I know we'll barely make it two hours between feedings.
Actually, I would like to ask for your prayers about this one. I know it's not bad that she's a sleepy feeder, but what is bad is that she doesn't suck vigorously, which means she's not drawing enough breast into her mouth, which means she's only getting tiny sips when she needs to be gulping.
We went to see a lactation consultant last week, and I was given a nipple shield, which has helped. But it's not meant to be used forever. I keep praying that Sophia will learn to breastfeed without it. I don't think I'd be as worried if she wasn't also jaundiced. So yeah. Prayers are greatly appreciated.
Also, since she doesn't fuss a lot, she rarely cries when she's hungry. So we sleep with her in our bed, and I'm learning what her hunger cues are. I never thought I'd be a cosleeper, but now it just makes sense. I love having her that close at night, and I'm not worried about rolling over on her or suffocating her. Plus, I feed her right there in the bed at night, so once we're done, we can just lie down and go to sleep.
And how am I doing? I am healing well. I'm probably on my feet more than I should be, (and more than my midwife would like me to be), but sitting for long periods of time also hurts. Plus, I feel like the movement is helping me heal, as long as I don't move in such a way that would damage the area where I was stitched. I'm still very careful about that.
My friend Sozan, and Art's parents were here for two whole days after I gave birth. I am so very grateful for their help. I was able to stay in bed and just concentrate on me and Sophia, and they took care of everything else. And just when they had to go home, my mom arrived, and she'll be here for two weeks.
And after that, the church is going to set up a meal chain for me. I continue to be amazed and humbled by all the love and support and help and generosity and encouragement that is around me. God is so good. So very very good.
Art went back to work today. It was wonderful to have a full week with him at home, and he had the option of taking more time off. But he is now the sole source of income for us. I think it was hard for him to leave this morning, but that means he'll spend all evening cuddling with her to make up for it. He's such a good dad.
Well, I expect Sophia to be calling any minute now (although she's cuddling with Grandma right now, so I might have a few more minutes yet). But I need to make sure that I get some food in my tummy.
I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of our sweet girl. Isn't she the prettiest girl in the world? :)
Sophia didn't eat very much at her last feeding, so I don't think I have much more time to be on here. Which means today will not be the day where I share her birth story.
But I will give an update.
She is six days old today, and her umbilical cord stump fell off in the middle of the night. When she was two days old, she had lost 9 ounces. At three days old, she gained back one ounce. She will be weighed today, and I'm praying that a few more ounces have been added.
She is a very sleepy girl, and hardly fusses at all. Which is a good thing, except when it comes to feeding. It takes an hour or more to get her fully fed, and sometimes (like the last feeding), she just falls asleep without getting as much as I think she could (and should), so then I know we'll barely make it two hours between feedings.
Actually, I would like to ask for your prayers about this one. I know it's not bad that she's a sleepy feeder, but what is bad is that she doesn't suck vigorously, which means she's not drawing enough breast into her mouth, which means she's only getting tiny sips when she needs to be gulping.
We went to see a lactation consultant last week, and I was given a nipple shield, which has helped. But it's not meant to be used forever. I keep praying that Sophia will learn to breastfeed without it. I don't think I'd be as worried if she wasn't also jaundiced. So yeah. Prayers are greatly appreciated.
Also, since she doesn't fuss a lot, she rarely cries when she's hungry. So we sleep with her in our bed, and I'm learning what her hunger cues are. I never thought I'd be a cosleeper, but now it just makes sense. I love having her that close at night, and I'm not worried about rolling over on her or suffocating her. Plus, I feed her right there in the bed at night, so once we're done, we can just lie down and go to sleep.
And how am I doing? I am healing well. I'm probably on my feet more than I should be, (and more than my midwife would like me to be), but sitting for long periods of time also hurts. Plus, I feel like the movement is helping me heal, as long as I don't move in such a way that would damage the area where I was stitched. I'm still very careful about that.
My friend Sozan, and Art's parents were here for two whole days after I gave birth. I am so very grateful for their help. I was able to stay in bed and just concentrate on me and Sophia, and they took care of everything else. And just when they had to go home, my mom arrived, and she'll be here for two weeks.
And after that, the church is going to set up a meal chain for me. I continue to be amazed and humbled by all the love and support and help and generosity and encouragement that is around me. God is so good. So very very good.
Art went back to work today. It was wonderful to have a full week with him at home, and he had the option of taking more time off. But he is now the sole source of income for us. I think it was hard for him to leave this morning, but that means he'll spend all evening cuddling with her to make up for it. He's such a good dad.
Well, I expect Sophia to be calling any minute now (although she's cuddling with Grandma right now, so I might have a few more minutes yet). But I need to make sure that I get some food in my tummy.
I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of our sweet girl. Isn't she the prettiest girl in the world? :)
March 15, 2011
I'm a Mom!
I think most of you guys are also my friends on Facebook, but I thought I would share here very quickly that Art and I had a baby girl this morning!
Sophia Grace was born at 12:36 am, 6lbs 110z, 19 inches. Art chose the name Sophia because it means Wisdom.
I had 18 hours of labor, but seriously, it only felt like 9, because the first 9 hours were so mild and inconsistent, I wasn't even sure if it was the real thing!
She was born in the water, after 45 minutes of serious pushing. I tore some, but nothing serious that won't heal in a couple of weeks.
I'm very much planning on doing a detailed labor and delivery post in the future. I feel like I could do one today, but I know I'm supposed to rest as much as possible, and I will do what the doctor ordered.
Sophia Grace was born at 12:36 am, 6lbs 110z, 19 inches. Art chose the name Sophia because it means Wisdom.
I had 18 hours of labor, but seriously, it only felt like 9, because the first 9 hours were so mild and inconsistent, I wasn't even sure if it was the real thing!
She was born in the water, after 45 minutes of serious pushing. I tore some, but nothing serious that won't heal in a couple of weeks.
I'm very much planning on doing a detailed labor and delivery post in the future. I feel like I could do one today, but I know I'm supposed to rest as much as possible, and I will do what the doctor ordered.
March 14, 2011
37 Week Checkup
A friend of mine told me that it wasn't fair to leave ya'll hanging, as far as my last dr. appt is concerned. And she's right. :) So here's how it went.
First, she did the Group B Strep swab. I have read about this test, so I was all prepared for it to be kind of invasive. And it totally wasn't.
For anyone who doesn't know anything about Group B strep, it's a bacteria that a pregnant woman can have "down there", but the mother experiences no symptoms, so she couldn't possibly know on her own. However, she can pass it on to her baby (if she has a vaginal delivery), and her baby could get quite sick.
If I was found to be a carrier, my midwife would give me antibiotics, both now, and during labor. Thankfully, I wouldn't have to go the hospital if I did have Group B Strep, because she can give me an IV at home or at the Birth Center.
Anyway, the way to test for it is with a swab. I'm trying to think of a way to explain this as delicately as possible. Basically, they swab everything down there. However, it's very quick. Just a quick swipe with a q-tip, and it was over. It really wasn't awkward like I thought it would be. She said she gets the results pretty quickly, and that she would call if I tested positive. I haven't heard from her yet, and if I don't get a phone call by the end of tomorrow, I'll know the results were negative!
Then she checked my cervix, and again, this wasn't as big a deal as I thought it would be. I was all prepared for it to hurt. I mean, yeah, it was a little uncomfortable, but it certainly didn't hurt. We were chatting casually the whole time. Maybe it has to do with the type of person that I am. Like, I don't make a big deal out of doctor's appointments, no matter what they have to look at or touch.
Anyway, I found out the following: I'm effacing some, and not dilated at all. She didn't give me a percentage for how effaced I am, and I'm glad. I feel like I'm less likely to be anxious and impatient if I don't have a number to obsess over. And it's not like knowing the percentage is going to change anything. It won't tell me when labor will start, or what my labor will be like.
She also told me that my baby's head is quite low. I wanted to roll my eyes at this, but then she laughed and said, "Where else would the baby's head be? You're just so small, and the baby is so packed in there!" My sentiments exactly.
Then she measured my stomach (I'm still measuring small, but she's not worried, although there is a small possibility of another ultrasound in my future). She also took a blood sample to test my iron levels, took my blood pressure, weighed me (apparently I lost a tiny bit of weight), and it was all over!
My appointments are every week now, so each one will be pretty much like that (but without the tests).
I feel mostly ready for this baby to come. We still don't have everything that I'd like to have (like a stroller), but we have enough. We'd be fine. However, even though I'm terribly uncomfortable and I don't want to be pregnant anymore, I know it would be better if the baby arrived on or after my due date, mostly because Art is still in school. His final exam is two days before my due date.
I know he could work something out, but it would be better if he was completely done. Then his attention wouldn't have to be divided. But all I can do is leave it in God's hands. He knows what will happen and when, He knows the desires of our hearts, and we know that His plan is the best one, whatever that will look like.
So for the most part, I'm at peace (as long as everybody else around me isn't anxious or impatient).
First, she did the Group B Strep swab. I have read about this test, so I was all prepared for it to be kind of invasive. And it totally wasn't.
For anyone who doesn't know anything about Group B strep, it's a bacteria that a pregnant woman can have "down there", but the mother experiences no symptoms, so she couldn't possibly know on her own. However, she can pass it on to her baby (if she has a vaginal delivery), and her baby could get quite sick.
If I was found to be a carrier, my midwife would give me antibiotics, both now, and during labor. Thankfully, I wouldn't have to go the hospital if I did have Group B Strep, because she can give me an IV at home or at the Birth Center.
Anyway, the way to test for it is with a swab. I'm trying to think of a way to explain this as delicately as possible. Basically, they swab everything down there. However, it's very quick. Just a quick swipe with a q-tip, and it was over. It really wasn't awkward like I thought it would be. She said she gets the results pretty quickly, and that she would call if I tested positive. I haven't heard from her yet, and if I don't get a phone call by the end of tomorrow, I'll know the results were negative!
Then she checked my cervix, and again, this wasn't as big a deal as I thought it would be. I was all prepared for it to hurt. I mean, yeah, it was a little uncomfortable, but it certainly didn't hurt. We were chatting casually the whole time. Maybe it has to do with the type of person that I am. Like, I don't make a big deal out of doctor's appointments, no matter what they have to look at or touch.
Anyway, I found out the following: I'm effacing some, and not dilated at all. She didn't give me a percentage for how effaced I am, and I'm glad. I feel like I'm less likely to be anxious and impatient if I don't have a number to obsess over. And it's not like knowing the percentage is going to change anything. It won't tell me when labor will start, or what my labor will be like.
She also told me that my baby's head is quite low. I wanted to roll my eyes at this, but then she laughed and said, "Where else would the baby's head be? You're just so small, and the baby is so packed in there!" My sentiments exactly.
Then she measured my stomach (I'm still measuring small, but she's not worried, although there is a small possibility of another ultrasound in my future). She also took a blood sample to test my iron levels, took my blood pressure, weighed me (apparently I lost a tiny bit of weight), and it was all over!
My appointments are every week now, so each one will be pretty much like that (but without the tests).
I feel mostly ready for this baby to come. We still don't have everything that I'd like to have (like a stroller), but we have enough. We'd be fine. However, even though I'm terribly uncomfortable and I don't want to be pregnant anymore, I know it would be better if the baby arrived on or after my due date, mostly because Art is still in school. His final exam is two days before my due date.
I know he could work something out, but it would be better if he was completely done. Then his attention wouldn't have to be divided. But all I can do is leave it in God's hands. He knows what will happen and when, He knows the desires of our hearts, and we know that His plan is the best one, whatever that will look like.
So for the most part, I'm at peace (as long as everybody else around me isn't anxious or impatient).
March 8, 2011
37 Week Update
I decided to blog on a whim, so forgive me if my thoughts seem disjointed. I haven't had time to put it together in my head.
We're officially at term. Not to be confused with "full term", which is at 40 weeks. I'm at just "term", or 37 weeks. If the baby were to be born today, he or she would not be considered premature. Baby is at a good weight, and all systems are mature enough to do just fine outside my tummy.
However, I know that every day that I stay pregnant is beneficial for Baby, because the eyes, brain, lungs, digestive system, and immune system continue to mature and develop. Thankfully, weight gain slows down significantly at this point. The baby is not going to grow a whole lot more.
I realized that somewhere, deep down, I considered the 37 mark to be some sort of threshold. Now that I'm in the "safe zone", it's like I suddenly expect this baby to show up any minute. I feel silly that I'm suddenly looking for signs of labor every other 10 minutes. It's ridiculous. The chances of my going into labor at 37 weeks are pretty small.
In fact, since it's my first pregnancy, I should fully expect to go to 41 weeks. And even though I've known this and been okay with this the whole time, I can't seem to stop expecting labor to be right around the corner. And now I'm beginning to understand the impatience that women experience as their due date gets closer and closer. I'm trying not to be impatient, but I can see how that's going to become more and more difficult.
Especially with people asking me if I'm in labor.
I get up a lot at work. I go to the bathroom, walk around, stretch, stand in one spot and rotate my hips a little... Staying in any one position doesn't feel good, so I try to move, frequently. And then my coworkers ask me if I'm in labor. And so I have to keep telling them that I'm just really uncomfortable, all the time, and it feels good to switch it up. I wish more people understood this.
Even women who have had babies before seem to forget the aches and pains that accompany the last few weeks, and when I'm waddling around, they look at me as though the baby is going to fall out on the floor right then and there. I just want to wear a big sign around my neck that says, "I'm not in labor! Calm down!" Perhaps I should take my own advice..... :)
What's new with me, besides being increasingly sore and uncomfortable and cranky?
My feet are swollen pretty much all the time. My ankles have been swollen for months, but now my feet are too. And my hands are starting to join in. I decided to start wearing my wedding ring on around my neck, because I don't want to wake up one day and not be able to get my ring off. Better to be safe than sorry.
I feel the pressure and weight of my belly not just in my abdomen and hips, but also all the way down my legs, as if I have weights wrapped around my thighs and my shins and my ankles. Doing anything is a chore now. And I clearly haven't reached the nesting phase yet, because I have a bunch of crystal bowls and trays on my counter that need to be washed and put away, and I couldn't care less.
I had another baby shower on Sunday, and I just had no idea how blessed I was, and how many wonderful women I have in my life. Art's mom is throwing me a baby shower next Saturday, which will bring the shower total up to five! Blessed indeed....
I definitely feel a lot more ready for the baby, but still not completely ready. Art has a final exam right before my due date, so I think once that's done, THEN I'll feel completely ready. So even though I am soooooooooooo ready to not be pregnant anymore, I keep reminding myself that the best time for Baby to come is after Art is finished with this quarter.
We'll see if my mind games actually work, and if I can actually trick myself into not being impatient. Of course, I do have my first cervical check tomorrow, and if my midwife tells me that I'm already dilating and/or effacing, all my level-headedness will likely go right out the window.
Stay tuned!
We're officially at term. Not to be confused with "full term", which is at 40 weeks. I'm at just "term", or 37 weeks. If the baby were to be born today, he or she would not be considered premature. Baby is at a good weight, and all systems are mature enough to do just fine outside my tummy.
However, I know that every day that I stay pregnant is beneficial for Baby, because the eyes, brain, lungs, digestive system, and immune system continue to mature and develop. Thankfully, weight gain slows down significantly at this point. The baby is not going to grow a whole lot more.
I realized that somewhere, deep down, I considered the 37 mark to be some sort of threshold. Now that I'm in the "safe zone", it's like I suddenly expect this baby to show up any minute. I feel silly that I'm suddenly looking for signs of labor every other 10 minutes. It's ridiculous. The chances of my going into labor at 37 weeks are pretty small.
In fact, since it's my first pregnancy, I should fully expect to go to 41 weeks. And even though I've known this and been okay with this the whole time, I can't seem to stop expecting labor to be right around the corner. And now I'm beginning to understand the impatience that women experience as their due date gets closer and closer. I'm trying not to be impatient, but I can see how that's going to become more and more difficult.
Especially with people asking me if I'm in labor.
I get up a lot at work. I go to the bathroom, walk around, stretch, stand in one spot and rotate my hips a little... Staying in any one position doesn't feel good, so I try to move, frequently. And then my coworkers ask me if I'm in labor. And so I have to keep telling them that I'm just really uncomfortable, all the time, and it feels good to switch it up. I wish more people understood this.
Even women who have had babies before seem to forget the aches and pains that accompany the last few weeks, and when I'm waddling around, they look at me as though the baby is going to fall out on the floor right then and there. I just want to wear a big sign around my neck that says, "I'm not in labor! Calm down!" Perhaps I should take my own advice..... :)
What's new with me, besides being increasingly sore and uncomfortable and cranky?
My feet are swollen pretty much all the time. My ankles have been swollen for months, but now my feet are too. And my hands are starting to join in. I decided to start wearing my wedding ring on around my neck, because I don't want to wake up one day and not be able to get my ring off. Better to be safe than sorry.
I feel the pressure and weight of my belly not just in my abdomen and hips, but also all the way down my legs, as if I have weights wrapped around my thighs and my shins and my ankles. Doing anything is a chore now. And I clearly haven't reached the nesting phase yet, because I have a bunch of crystal bowls and trays on my counter that need to be washed and put away, and I couldn't care less.
I had another baby shower on Sunday, and I just had no idea how blessed I was, and how many wonderful women I have in my life. Art's mom is throwing me a baby shower next Saturday, which will bring the shower total up to five! Blessed indeed....
I definitely feel a lot more ready for the baby, but still not completely ready. Art has a final exam right before my due date, so I think once that's done, THEN I'll feel completely ready. So even though I am soooooooooooo ready to not be pregnant anymore, I keep reminding myself that the best time for Baby to come is after Art is finished with this quarter.
We'll see if my mind games actually work, and if I can actually trick myself into not being impatient. Of course, I do have my first cervical check tomorrow, and if my midwife tells me that I'm already dilating and/or effacing, all my level-headedness will likely go right out the window.
Stay tuned!
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