Week 40 & Day 0: DUE DATE 3/23

I cannot believe I am finally writing the post about my delivery experience.  This is the last post to write on my blog, so here you go. 

A Couple of Days Before 3/23

I was still feeling good several days before Saturday.  I did have cramps here and there but nothing major.  I even went to get a pedi with my mom on Friday and we went out to have dinner that night.
I did take a long walk, ate a lot of pinapples, etc

A bad snow storm was heading to Cincinnati on Sunday, so we were very worried.  Our house is about 40 min away from the hospital, so we had a Plan B to stay in a hotel close by if nothing happened on Saturday.

3/23

3:30 am - I woke up to go to pee.  I felt cramps afterwords, but I went back to bed and fell asleep. 

6:00 am - I woke up again and went to bathroom.  There I saw some blood and I immediately thought it could be "blood show".  My heart was pounding and I told DH that I am going to take a shower just in case.  After I took a shower, I started having light cramps (feels like period cramps), so I decided to time how frequently it was coming by using a free app called "Full Term". 

8:00 am - 9:00 am - Cramp were coming in 7-8 min apart, but I still wasn't sure if they were contractions.  I called my OB and he told me to go to the hospital if I would like, so we got ready and left.  I didn't eat any breakfast because I was told in a birthing class, try not to eat too much before labor.  I grabbed a banana and snack bar hoping to nibble when I get to the hospital.   

11:00 am -  2:00 pm - We checked in @ Triage.  I didn't know what a triage was for, but I learned that women are monitored to see if they might go into a labor.  I asked the nurse if I can eat something small.  She said the only thing I can eat at this point is ice chips.  I couldn't even drink a juice at this point!! 

I was only 2 cm dilated, so a nurse told me to walk around a little bit.  At this point, I was getting more uncomfortable cramps.  We came back from 30 min walk and I was 3 cm dilated.  I was told that I had to be dilated at least 4 cm in order to stay.  There was NO WAY I wanted to be checked out and go home at that point.  Suddenly, I felt a release of water.  It was strange feeling, so I told the nurse "My water might have been broken".  Yes, it was indeed, so things changed quickly.   

2:00 pm - I was moved to a labor room.  The nurse in the room was so nice and cheerful, and she hooked me up with an IV.  My DH brought a relaxation CD, so we were listening while waiting for contractions to get stronger.

3:00 pm - My contractions were getting stronger and stronger.  It came in 3 min apart and my mom and DH could tell when they were coming from looking at the monitor in the room.  I was given a permission to start an epi at this point, but the nurse said "Hold until as long as you can if possible because an epi can delay the labor process".  I used a bouncing ball to ease the pain and DH was helping me with breathing techniques, but I could only tolerate the pain 45 min more.  It was so painful that I started crying, so I asked if I can get an epi.

4:30 pm -  An anesthesiologist came into the room and started setting up the epi.  It didn't take too long and it wasn't a bad experience.  My legs started feeling numb and I didn't feel my contractions afterwords.  I was smilling and chatting with DH & mom.  Wow, what a difference an epi makes!  However, I started feeling cramps on my right side after a while, so the nurse tried to make me sleep on other side, but it didn't fix.  I was still feeing my contraction, so an anesthesiologist came back and increased the dose and adjusted.  I felt good again. 

7:30 pm - My labor process stolled.  I was only 6 cm dilated at this point, so I was told that they would start small dose of Pitocin.  I read about Pitocin, so I didn't like the idea of having an induction, but I wanted to listen to my doctor's recommendation. 

8:30 pm - Pitocin worked!  I was 8 cm dilated.  I was getting exhausted little.  I haven't eaten anything and I wanted to eat something, but I couldn't. 

9:30 pm - The nurse said "Ok, it's about time.  Let's get ready to start pushing because you are finally at 10 cm dilated."  A reality hit me and DH at this point.  We told my mom to stay outside with DH's parents.  "OGM, this is it!!!!!!"  My legs were so numb and I had no idea how I was going to know if I am pushing.  I pushed for 30 min as I followed what the nurse told me to do.  I was out of breath and so exhausted.  I had NO IDEA how exhausting pushing can be, but I kept pushing somehow. 

The nurse called my OB, so he came in.  My OB said "Well, she is almost there and I see her head."  I pushed a couple of more and saw an black object coming out in the mirror.  It was the baby's head and she has a lot of hair!!!!!!! 

10:22 pm - HALEY SAKURA was born @ 10:22 pm, weighed 7 pounds & 1 oz and 19.5 inches long.  Sakura means "Cherry Bloosom" in Japanese.  I heard her crying as she was born and they put her on my chest right away.  I cried, but my first impression was "Who is this???"  I couldn't believe it was my little girl and for some reason, my mind denied what was happening.   She had a lot of black hair like me, but she didn't look like me or my DH.  I don't know why, but I was confused and the reality didn't hit me right away.  I had so much connection with her during my pregnancy and envisioned to have the highest moment when I hold her for the first time, so I was really taken back by how I couldn't establish a connection with her right away.  Maybe, it was because I was looking forward to this day so much, however my mind couldn't process it right.        

I had a second degree tear and it was after midnight by the time we could call our parents into the room.  We were all exhausted, but it was such an emotional moment.  My mom was crying and DH's parents were over the moon to meet the baby.  We finally revealed her name and they loved it.                             

It's unbelievable that she was born on my original due date.  I know she has been an amazing baby since I got pregnant, but this was a icing on the cake. 

Like I mentioned in the beginning, this is my last post on this blog.  I am so glad that I had this blog to express my true feeling and document my experiences during one of the toughest time of my life.  I no longer feel like I am walking on the winding road of IF and this chapter of my life has closed. 

I have never blogged before this one, but I am actually thinking to start another new blog with an appropriate blog title about post birth experiences as I went through a lot of events since she was born and I love to keep a journal to remember each experiences. 

Oh by the way, as the time went by, my mind started working normal and I am so in love with my daughter Haley.  In fact, I cannot stop looking at her sweet face and smelling her baby scent.  She is just perfect and I cannot wait to spend many more years with her. 



Haley Sakura!!!

Week 39 & 3 Days: Almost to the Finish Line

4 days till my due date of March 23rd (Saturday).....OMG!!
It felt forever at some point, but it indeed went so fast.  I cannot believe that a count down has began.

OB Appointment

Everything looks great and there was a progress!!  I was a finger tip dilated last week, but it's 2cm now.  I know it doesn't really mean too much since a progress can stall anytime, but according to my OB, the baby will probably be born this weekend or earlier!!  He told me that 4% women have their babies on their original due date.  He asked me to give them a call if I have labor symptoms like water breaking, contraction b/w 3-5 min apart, bleeding, etc.  If I didn't have any of those, my next appointment would be next week.   

Physically  

I am still feeling ok, but I feel a lot of pressure down low.  I noticed the my discharge has increased.  My baby is moving tons.  I read somewhere that baby movement can decrease as the time gets closer, but I am not sure if it's true for everyone.  My mom said I was moving tons even after her water broke.  I read somewhere if I excercise tons, eat pinapple and spicy food, have sex, etc, I can naturally induce the labor.  I have no clue if they are true of not, but I might give it try around this Thursday or so except having a sex!  My baby is so down low and my OB can feel her head when he does a cervix check, so there is no way I want to have a sex now!

Mentally

My DH and I had a little fight over the weekend and it temporary pushed me away from "the happiest person in the world" mood, but I think I've recovered from it.  I am back on having a good spirit about everything. 

A new feeling developed yesterday though. I went to my last prenatal yoga class last night.  I can still go next week if I didn't have a baby, but it's like 40 minutes drive from home.  I love the instructor, Kate, so I wanted to keep going to the same studio as long as I could, but I decided that it was the last class. 

On the way home from the class, it suddenly hit me that I am so close to the finish line.  My pregnancy journey is almost till the end.  I have a whole another life with the baby after she is born and I am so thrilled to share her with my DH, family & friends, but I am going to really miss the special and intimate bond I've shared with her.  I did spend every moment with her for almost 10 months.  Feeling her movement, hearing her HB, seeing her U/S pictures and a growing belly were beyond amazing experiences for me.  I was the only person who knew when she was moving every time, so I felt like it was a little secret just between us.    

GAME ON, MISS H!!!!   LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER!!!!!! 

Week 38 & Day 6: Only 8 Days To Go!

"One 8 Days To Go!"  That's my pregnancy ticker was showing when I logged into TB today.  That's right, my due date is next weekend!!!!  I have so many updates.

OB Appointment
NST -   It was another success one!  She was a bit sleepy when I got hooked up, but she eventually started moving, so my OB said she is an A+ baby :)
Effaced - Still around 80%
Dilation - Fingertip dilated, so looks like I am tiny bit dilated.
Station - -1 station.  This was new to me, so I looked up what it means.  Station is how far the baby is away from my cervix, so looks like my baby's head is 1 cm away from my cervix.  My OB said, the baby is dropped quite low and he can feel her head (eeeeks!!)   

Mom
Mom is here!!!  She came all the way from far away land of Japan and I am so happy that I didn't go into a labor earlier because I wanted to spend some time with my mom catching up.  She is staying for about 2 months, so she will be a big help.  However, my DH and I had to sit down and talk about this.  I learned that many men feel a bit out of loop when in-law is helping with a newborn, so we made sure to openly talk if my mom gets on our way.  My DH will be the only person during the labor and everyone will be outside to wait until the baby is born. 

Animals    
I am little bit concern about our 3 fluffy daughters...  My dog is very spoiled and attention freak, so I hope she does not get jealous of the new baby.  I've looked into tips on how to prepare for my pets.  We have baby stuff everywhere in the house and I let my dog smell the diapers, but she was so indifferent!  I am also worried about cats because I heard they love the smell of milk. They can jump really high, so the last thing I want to discover is that cats are snuggling with the baby in bassinet or crib!!!

I also took my pup to a grooming salon today. (She goes to the Petsmart grooming salon more frequently than I go to a salon lately!)  She is clearn, so she is ready to meet her new sister :)



Got haircut and shampoo for my sis!


Baby Showers from DH's Work   
This was unexpected and was so sweet of girls at his office to throw us a shower!!!  We had a lunchen and they gave us great baby gifts!  2 years subscription of Parent magazine, Video monitor from my registry and tons of cute outfits and rockstar (Ed Harley) onesies!!!   

Prenatal Massage
My in-law gave me a gift card for a massage at a spa called "Becoming Mom" which specializes prenatal massages.  I wanted to go after I am full term as a treat, so I booked an appointment on Saturday afternoon.  O.M.G.  I had the best massage experience!!!!  I told the masseuse about my sciatic & back pain and her technique and pressure level was heavenly.  I usually don't talk during a massage, but since she knew so much about becoming mom, we kept talking the entire time!  It was really great, so I am going back to her postpartum massage for sure.

Me
I am still doing great.  I had a lot of cramps and problems walking normal last Friday, so I thought that was it that I was in labor, but nope, I was wrong.  My discomfort went away after I slept well that night.  I was curious how my mental state would be the week before my due date, but I am as happy as I can be.  At this point, I am not scared of anything in terms of epi, c-section, labor pain, etc.  I feel ready to welcome my daughter, but DH and I are swamped at work, so we won't mind if she arrives around our due date!  I just feel so much excitement from ppl around us and I cannot keep my thoughts away from my little girl who is still moving quite bit.  Let the countdown begin for the big day!!!!!!       

Week 37 & 6 Days: Full Term!

I am soooo happy that I reached this milestone.  Full term is considered 37 weeks because that's when the fetus's lungs are supposely fully developed and that's the last organ to develope.  At the same time, I am paying attention to any signs of labor because technically, I can go into a labor anytime!!!  On the 3rd tri check-in, I am the 3rd top one from the list in terms of the due date, eeeeeekkks!!!

OB Appointment

Now, I have a weekly appointment.  I really like that becuase it gives me peace of mind and I can get to hear my baby's HB for 20 min for NST!  My OB did a quick cervix check and he said "You are effaced about 80%, but 0% dialated.  This is great".  I didn't know exactly what he meant, so I did research about this, but there is no real conclusion because many women can be effaced or dialated a couple of weeks before giving birth and looks like everyone is different.  I did learn that my body is definately getting ready for the big day and effacement at this point can mean a smooth delivery.  Also, when this is the first baby, cervix will probably efface before it dilates.  For some reasons, I have a feeling I might go into a labor before my due date, but let's see if my prediction is true.....  

I forgot to ask him about the result from Group B Strep test.  I am assuming I am ok becuase they haven't mentioned anything about it.  My blood pressure was higher than normal at last appointment, but looks like it's back to normal, so I am glad!  I am not completey out of woods yet.  I still have concerns and anxiety about PreE, Still birth, etc.  I am still praying for everything to go well until I see my healthy baby.        

Baby Stuff

We got big baby items assembled and successfully (?) installed the baby car seat!  As for installing the car seat, we followed the instruction, but we aren't sure if it's correct as the base still moves.  At the birthing class, we were told to contact a fire department because they will correctly install a car seat for us, so we are going to do that this weekend.    

I love this Pack'N Go from BRU!  It was on sale and it's teddy bear!!  We will have this in our living room so that we don't have to go upstairs to change diapers, etc.  It took a while to assemble, so it's not as "Pack'N Go" as I thought!

I was told that having a bouncer is nice because it's very portable and you can carry it around with the baby.  If I am taking a shower, I can put my baby in there, so she will be under my supervision all the time.

Our house has many baby stuff now, so it feels so real that we are welcoming LO soon to this house! 

Graco's Travel Stroller

 

Pack'N Play for downstairs

 

Bouncer

 Freezer Food:

I LOVE cooking.  To me, cooking is so much fun and gives me such a Zen moment, so I was actually looking forward to this task!  I love buying fresh products and I enjoyed making 4 frozen dishes for post baby arrival.  I made "Cheesy Casserole", "Greek Lasagne", "Chicken Lemon" & "Creamy Tortellini"
 

They are all new recipes, so I hope they are tasty!

DH Letter:

This was also on my check list of week 37.  I wanted to write a very personal letter for my DH once I hit the full term.  I usually write letters /cards when I want to be reallly personal with someone.  Basically, I wanted to share my feeling with him and thank him for every support he's provided through this journey.  He was my rock during this ups and downs past years and I am so lucky to have someone like this in my life.  I couldn't stop crying while writing this letter, but I did complete it!  It's safely sealed and packed in the hospital bag for now.  It's surreal, but he will be reading this letter when we are at the hospital before the baby's arrival.


Very special letter for my soul mate

Other things....

I am physically and mentally still doing ok, but I am definitely walking like a prego!  I feel like my tail bone will break at some point.  My hands are quite swollen and are bit painful to bend fingers, but my feet seem ok.  I had my last chiropractor session and my sciatic pain is better.  I am still trying to walk on the tredmill for 30 minutes, but it's getting a bit more uncomfortable now.  I am still going to a prenatal yoga once a week and I am finally the oldest in terms of pregnancy week among the class, so I get to pick how many squat flows we do!   

I feel good about what has been accomplished so far, but there are still small things to do here and there.  Oh, I need to look into the 529 college saving plan!!