10.13.2009

As posted on BBC

Your Name/Screenname: Susan/fozbend11
Baby's Name: Alice Wrenae
Date of Birth: 11:43pm Oct. 7th
Original Due Date: Oct. 11th (U/S said the 7th!)
Weeks Pregnant: 39 weeks 4 days (40 weeks)
Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz.
Height: 20 in.

I went into active labor at 11 pm on the 6th. I had been having false labor since Monday morning and so I figured it was the same but as the time went by the contractions got stronger and timeable. By 2 am we decided to go to sleep and I couldn't so I got up and started timing and by 2:30 I called the midwife to let them know what was going on. At 3 am I woke up DSO and told him it was time. The contractions were making it so I couldn't sit and hardly stand. We got to the hospital and settled upstairs by 4:30 am and I was already exhausted since I hadn't slept since Monday night. They started me on nubane to help me relax between contractions as I was only 3 cm and 50% effaced. I got in the tub at 8 am and for the next 2 hours and tried to see if the water would help the pain and it didn't. At this point I was passing out between contractions and screaming in pain during. Alice's Godmomma showed up after I got out of the tub and I told her "Don't ever do this! It sucks!" LOL I opted for the epi at this point because otherwise I wouldn't be able to make it through the labor. By 11 am on the 7th I was resting and able to nap for 2-3 hours. From then on I didn't have a care in the world. I was at 5 cm before my nap. By 6pm I had jumped to 8-9 and at 8 pm they broke my water. I was 10 cm by 9 pm and started pushing at 10 pm. Alice came into the world at 11:43 pm and I delivered on my side with Godmomma holding my leg. She came out face up so I had been having back labor all day. The midwife delivered the head and shoulders and DSO delivered the rest and put her on my belly. That was the best experience he has ever had! She was slightly fluidy so they worked on that and she's perfectly fine now. She's gorgeous!

10.01.2009

Week 39!

Time has definitely flown! It's been 9 1/2 months since Alice became a mass of cells that now makes up this huge alien in my belly! Things started getting uncomfortable around week 31 and everyday since is a new level of discomfort. You never know how many levels of discomfort there until you discover new ones everyday.

Alice started dropping around week 36. I'm pretty sure she finally got ALL the way down around 37-38. And since then I can tell she's engaging more by my hip discomfort. I haven't had too many hip discomfort days yet but plenty of cramping days. Last Friday was my first full-out false labor day. I had my midwife appointment in the morning and after that I started cramping more and ended up with contractions through most of the day until I finally fell asleep that night. When I finally got the chance to lay down and time them they were anywhere from 3 minutes to 12 minutes apart ... so I knew it was false ... but boy was it not comfortable! I woke up Saturday just fine and today I was kind of crampy and woke up to contractions but they stopped. Grocery shopping made things worse but I'm not getting consistent contractions out of it.

Found out I was 9 days late and Chris was 6 days late. I'm hoping that I don't go that far over! They say genetics play a part but also my mom was 13 years younger than me and a stick at the time! The only thing I can hope is true is that labor with me took 11 hours and Chris was 7 ... that is doable.

The full moon is today and so far nothing. Out of my baby group of about 20, 10 have had their babies so far but none this weekend. We were all hoping the full moon would bring out some more little ones ... no such luck unless someone goes into labor tonight! We'll have #11 tomorrow being born in Germany :) I love the internet and the fact that all of us from across the country (and world) and connect and provide encouragement and support ... even though we have never met.

Everyone is excited though. My Dad calls every Sunday to make sure Alice is still inside. I find it sweet and good to have my Dad checking up on me :) This has been a good year+ in being able to connect with my family again. My first niece was also born in August and Grace Carol is waiting patiently for Alice Wrenae to make her appearance on the scene. My Punk Princess will be here soon enough and we can all celebrate in all this new love that has come into our lives. And, of course, Daddy Dave can't wait. All he wants is Alice in his arms and I think that will seal the dream right there ... no dream, baby, it's reality! She does exist!

I spoke to soon! #11 may be coming tonight :) One of my girls messaged me on Facebook and she's going into labor and delivery. Go Momma Go!