Baby Bump 2012

Expectations, dreams and inspiration, on our way to parenthood.

Olivia

At 11:55 p.m. last Sunday the water broke with a pop. Almost 24 hours later, at 10:05 p.m. Monday, after some complications, Olivia was born through an emergency C-section. My contractions didn’t come frequent enough, and after 21 hours of labour the baby’s heart rhythm was unstable, and the delivering doctor and midwives started to worry. An examination showed that I was fully dilated, but the baby’s head was still to high for me to be able to push without help. They took a blood sample from baby’s head which showed that she was stressed, so it was quickly decided that I should push through two contractions with help from vaccum extraction (not sure about translation), and if that didn’t work they would take her out with a Caesarian section. Which is what happened. 

When they opened me up (I was under anesthesia), they saw that she had the umbilical cord around the neck, and that’s probably one of the reasons that she wouldn’t sink down into the pelvis. She was a bit taken but quickly recovered and was brought down to her waiting father so that he could care for her while I was stitched up and then held in post-op for a few hours.

No matter how much I wanted a natural birth, and though nothing went as I planned, I am not the least bit disappointed. I am just so happy that they got her out safely and that she is here with us. 

She weighed 2995 grams (=6,602 lb), and was 49 cm “tall” (=1 foot, 7 inches).

I’m so happy, even though I’m quite affected by the operation and nothing’s as I had expected. We’re home now and my husband does a great job at taking care of both me and Olivia.

Do wishes come true?

Because I have been wishing a lot the past days, may I tell you. But still nothing. Nothing! Not the slightest hint. We’re now nine days past the due date. Five days more are considered normal. Then we’ll see.

Entering the 42nd week of pregnancy. Big woop.

Entering the 42nd week of pregnancy. Big woop.

Still no baby

We are now five days past our due date, and still no baby. There has been some minor signs of labour though, so I hope it’s not too far away. Friday morning I started “leaking” small amounts of amniotic fluid, and saturday night I had regular contractions for little over an hour. An hour is nothing, but since I’ve only had Braxton Hick’s before it’s still a change. That’s all… so no idea when the wait is over… going slightly nuts here! 

Today was our due date, September 5th. But no baby in sight. 

Today was our due date, September 5th. But no baby in sight. 

The last week?

So we’ve reached the 40th week of pregnancy. Wow! These months went by pretty fast, huh? 

No signs yet though that labour is near, and I suspect I will pass my due date. I feel well, for being this pregnant. But my pelvis hurts, or aches, a lot more now and I’m over all uncomfortable most of the time. I barely sleep during the nights, partly due to the discomfort and partly because of my brain is running wild. I have my last scheduled OB-GYN appointment on monday, hopefully baby’s head has sunk by then so that this pain has some purpose. 

I have some Braxton Hick’s contractions, but not a lot (who knows what defines as a lot though?). They say when it’s a “real” contraction you’ll just know, but will I? 

My head spins around like this, and a thousand times more, 24/7. I’m ready for labour, I’m ready to become a mom, and I’m oh so ready to meet our baby. 

The “bump” at 40 weeks (39+1) and an updated comparison. 

Today I received a book on introducing solid food to babies, “Baby-Led Weaning” by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. It’s a guide on letting your baby feed itself from the beginning instead of spoon feeding it. I’ve actually read most of it already on my iPhone, but wanted the real deal as well. Partly because I’m a sucker for books, and partly because I want to be able to go back to it easier, when I need tips or inspiration on food. If your interested, here’s a wiki on the subject, and here’s Amazon’s book description: “The Natural, No-Fuss, No-Purée Method for Starting Your Baby on Solid Foods Baby-Led Weaning explodes the myth that babies need to be spoon-fed and shows why self-feeding from the start of the weaning process is the healthiest way for your child to develop. With baby-led weaning (BLW, for short), you can skip purées and make the transition to solid food by following your baby’s cues. At about six months, most babies are ready to join the family at the kitchen table and discover food for themselves. Baby-Led Weaning is the definitive guide to this crucial period in your child’s development, and shows you how to help your baby: Participate in family meals right from the start Experiment with food at his or her own pace Develop new abilities, including hand-eye coordination and chewing Learn to love a variety of foods and to enjoy mealtimes Baby-led weaning became a parenting phenomenon in the UK practically overnight, inspiring a fast-growing and now international online community of parents who practice baby-led weaning—with blogs and pictures to prove it! In Baby-Led Weaning, world-leading BLW authority Gill Rapley and early BLW practitioner and coauthor Tracey Murkett deliver everything you need to know about raising healthy, confident eaters.”

Today I received a book on introducing solid food to babies, “Baby-Led Weaning” by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. It’s a guide on letting your baby feed itself from the beginning instead of spoon feeding it. I’ve actually read most of it already on my iPhone, but wanted the real deal as well. Partly because I’m a sucker for books, and partly because I want to be able to go back to it easier, when I need tips or inspiration on food. If your interested, here’s a wiki on the subject, and here’s Amazon’s book description:

“The Natural, No-Fuss, No-Purée Method for Starting Your Baby on Solid Foods

Baby-Led Weaning explodes the myth that babies need to be spoon-fed and shows why self-feeding from the start of the weaning process is the healthiest way for your child to develop. With baby-led weaning (BLW, for short), you can skip purées and make the transition to solid food by following your baby’s cues.

At about six months, most babies are ready to join the family at the kitchen table and discover food for themselves. Baby-Led Weaning is the definitive guide to this crucial period in your child’s development, and shows you how to help your baby:

  • Participate in family meals right from the start
  • Experiment with food at his or her own pace
  • Develop new abilities, including hand-eye coordination and chewing
  • Learn to love a variety of foods and to enjoy mealtimes

Baby-led weaning became a parenting phenomenon in the UK practically overnight, inspiring a fast-growing and now international online community of parents who practice baby-led weaning—with blogs and pictures to prove it! In Baby-Led Weaning, world-leading BLW authority Gill Rapley and early BLW practitioner and coauthor Tracey Murkett deliver everything you need to know about raising healthy, confident eaters.”

Week 38+0

Week 38+0