Welcome Baby Girl "E"

This morning, 10/23/12, I woke up with painful contractions starting around 1:20 AM. I had bad cramps that were so bad and eventually made me feel the need to push. I knew not to push because I was going to do a c/s.

Even though I was fighting it, my body was trying to push naturally! It was the most uncomfortable feeling because I was resisting the urge to push and going through painful contractions that surged through my pelvis.

It's advised not to try vaginal deliveries after having a c/s in fear of the possibility of opening up the previous scar or have a uterine rupture.

My water didn't break this time around; so experiencing contraction pains were pretty painful that I was thinking/saying things I never thought I'd say to Big M. And I'm not really a emotional person when it comes to pain.

It seemed to take forever to get to hospital, but we made it 20 minutes later. They admitted me quickly to triage. But, when we were inside to OR, they seemed to be scrambling. Since it was unscheduled, I most likely wouldn't get my Dr. I got someone else.

I was already 9 cm dilated! They assumed I was going to do a vaginal birth at that rate. No way; I was in such pain that I didn't want to go through the entire labor for more hours. Just stop the pain and get her out please! The nurses were surprised and wasn't thrilled with my adamant C/S request because they literally had to scramble and get emergency staff for my surgery ASAP since I was already primed for pushing.

Even with time not being on our side, i truly believe that a higher power has been watching out for my baby and I all this time. As luck has it, they pushed me to a room that wasn't set up for surgery so I had to be sent to another room. Time's ticking!

During the surgery, I sense urgency in the way they talked. They were pretty calm so I didn't think much of it. Thank goodness because after the while surgery was done, I found out that my utereus had ruptured before they even went in! Evidently, when the surgeon opened me up, the umbilical cord popped out already, meaning the utereus had already opened up without them even slicing it open! They had to hurry up and look for baby to take out.

In the end, Baby E was born a healthy 5 lbs 8 ounces! That's good enough for me. I was so worried about her being less than 5 lbs.

After all the hardship these past months, she is here and we couldn't be any more thrilled to move on with our new addition. We love you baby!

Now it's baby's turn to look out the window of same hospital I was at months ago:

Week 38+3days

Everyone wants to know....Yes; I'm still pregnant! Don't worry friends, we'll tell you as soon as we have the baby. It's just a matter of when we get a moment that week.

Been off medication and full bed rest since Monday and still have contractions. Nothing serious yet. Ever since I started being a bit more mobile, it seems like I can sleep better. Also, not waking up at 11 pm and 5 AM to take medicine probably gives me more continuous sleep. I need lots of sleep where I can get it.

I got to go to eat pho yesterday and it was great. I started to go eat in kitchen now instead of in bed.

Just had my last Dr. appointment and NST today! We were able to get his OK for us not to go again next week. I mean we're only 5 days away from birth. What's the point if I can give birth already and we been fine during visits? I'll just have to continue to be aware of baby movements of course.

Just went to Costco shopping with Big M and it was a nice outing. I got their $1.35 swirl yogurt at the food court while waiting for our combo pizza order for dinner. I definitely get contractions being up and moving around. My mom thinks I'll have the baby this coming Monday instead of Wednesday (10/24). We shall see.

Week 38

Wow-I've passed the gestation age of Lil' M's birth gestation age (37-38 weeks). I've been off Nifedipine for two days now. I still get contractions, but nothing painful and consistent. I'm basically OK to get off bedrest and do more. Since I wanted to have more weight (possibly) to baby, I choose to lay low still.

However, I am allowing myself to get up more because it's pretty safe to have her now if I were to go into labor. I actually don't mind if it's this week. I'm ready as can be. I'd like to move on to the next chapter of our lives. I look forward to meeting our little girl. I look forward to not being in bed 99% of the time. I look forward to being part of my household again. I look forward to joining society again :). Multiple trips to BRU and Target here I come!

I'm nervous to do it all again, but I'm excited to have another chance to hold another beautiful baby again as I was blessed with Lil' M. I can't wait to physically hold and play with Lil' M. She's grown up so fast. I look forward to relieving my hubby from being Mr. Mom and Dad and caregiver. I'm lucky to have him take care of so much as I know not all men are like that. It's been rough, but it's going to be part of our past soon. I think it's made us aware of the bigger picture in life.

Speaking of BRU and Target, Big M took me there after my doctor's appointment. It was nice, but slow for me. My body can't exactly move like it normally does. Lots of rest. I enjoyed the brief outting. Well, if I want to go into labor now, there's no sense in not being mobile now. Just trying not to tire myself out. I do get contractions when up. I don't mind them if I want to go into labor, but the pressure on my belly/cervix feels uncomfortable.

Everyday's a different day-we'll see if it's this week or 10/24!

Lil' M's Early 3rd Birthday

Thank goodness I'm still pregnant ;). Reason is we wanted to throw her
a third birthday party earlier this year because we don't know when baby is coming. Her birthday's actually 10/25, so slightly early. We just had a successful one with our immediate family and Ninongs.

It was a Princess and the Frog theme. One of her favorite Disney Princesses aside from Rapunzel. We bought her the dress up costume and matching doll for Princess Tiana. She wore it the whole day! Her friend "A" (our co-worker's daughter) came and had a great time with each other. She enjoyed her Tiana cake, too.

We were worried baby was gonna try to debut her entrance on party day, but she was kind enough to hang on for her Ate ;).

I made all the little Princesses that came to the party crochet crowns and it seemed to be a hit.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I'm scheduled for the c-section on 10/24/12 (39 weeks). Per my doctor's OK, I'm going to stop taking the contraction stopping Nifedipine pills next Monday. I'll be one day shy of 38 weeks. I can also be off bedrest, but I will most likely stay put to not over exert myself and keep baby cooking for a little longer.

My secret wish is to go to the newly opened Nordstrom Rack down the street from our place at the end of next week (38 weeks). Just for an hour at most. I'll see if hubby will let me. I just went into a store (Target) just now because I had to pee. We just came from doctor's office. That was the first time I've stepped foot inside a store since July 26. I caught a glimpse of clothes and accessories from far away as I left the restroom. I miss real physical shopping!!! It gets a bit tedious shopping online because you can't touch those things and get it on the spot. Though, I did enjoy the goodies I bought come to our front door weekly ;).

We've been blessed to have made it this far. From starting at 26 weeks to making it to 37 weeks of being PTL is awesome. I was terrified I wouldn't see it up the thirties. Mind over matter and following doctor's instructions seems to have helped.

Scary beautiful

Art piece making fun of the extreme Lady Gaga-like heels out there.

Yeah no....

http://thelook.today.com/_news/2012/10/10/14342075-painful-to-look-at-front-heeled-shoes-are-scary-beautiful?lite

Week 37

We are officially 37 weeks today, which means we are considered full term. :) Unit 2 is kicking harder and it's hard to breathe nowadays. My sleeping or lack of sleeping has been inconsistent. Most nights I think I get about 4 hours of sleep. I wake up at 11 AM and 5 AM to take my Nifedipine pills. The pills sometimes gives me acid reflux. Then, getting up to go bathroom.

Guess it's a preparation for the upcoming sleepless nights with baby. I'm excited and nervous to meet the baby. Even though this is the second time around, it's a new and different baby. Not all are the same. Still waiting for what day I'm going to do the C/S.

P.S. Here are the latest child and newborn crochet bear beanies I completed.

Almost there

We saw the High Risk Specialist yesterday and got good news. Baby is growing, but of course not as big as the "average". Sonogram says she's 4 lbs 12 oz. I hope she's going to be at least 5 lbs (and some change) when she is born.

Since everything else looks good, we will schedule for the C-section when I'm 39 weeks. Wow. It's coming closer. Of course, when I turn 39 weeks, it'll be 2 days away from Lil' M's third birthday. Doh! For the most part, we are good with planning life events, but not this time. Well I just hope for our baby to be healthy.

My doctor said its up to me if I stop taking Nifedipine at week 37 (which means next Tuesday!). At 37 weeks, babies are considered full term. Though, the possibility of me going into labor right after I stop taking it may happen. If baby was a good size right now, I'd consider stopping and letting whatever happen naturally. However, I hope for her to gain more weight, so I'll take it as long as possible. Though at 38 weeks, I may consider it. Sometimes nothing will happen. I'll still put myself on bed rest because it promotes good blood circulation to baby and added weight.

It'll be nice to hold our precious baby girl and get out of bed rest! I'm nervous even though it's our second time around the block. It's a different baby and we have a toddler to tend to now. I hope to be able to give equal attention to both kids.

I'll post when I'm to have my C/S.

Week 36

We made it to week 36! I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I find that I can't settle down the night before a doctor's visit. I get nervous and keep hoping that the visit and NST goes well at the visit. Today's visit went fine. Lately, baby keeps snoozing during the monitoring and we have to wake her up (eat snacks/ice water/buzz her) and it makes the session longer than 20 minutes. We are thrilled when it's done.

This week's full (Tues: Checkup & NST; Thurs: High Risk Specialist Appt; Fri: Checkup & NST).

Thursday's specialist appointment will be the last one. I know Unit #2 is smaller than "average", which I'm not surprised b/c I am petite and Lil' M was the same . They just makes me a little nervous. We'll find out more accuracy in this next appointment if all is ok. I just want to bake her a little more.