Labor

It all started around 3a.m. June 19th.

I woke up to contractions every 10 minutes that lasted for about a minute apart. Funny because all I could think was that he waited till after his daddy's birthday to start his big appearance. LOL.

Any who, I was excited and scared all at once. I knew this was it and that by the weekend our little Alejandro would  be here. I sat in bed and emailed my sister and brother so that they'd be prepared and then rolled over and bared it out.

Before I knew it, it was morning. I went to the restroom and got what people call "bloody show." Basically, my mucus plug had come loose and again, was another sign of labor. I remembered this perfectly from last year. Only that last year I knew that there would be no baby in the end.

The whole day came and went and I got contractions throughout but nothing to drive to the hospital for.  Besides, on Thursday, the 20th I had a Dr's appointment, so I wasn't too worried.

The day came and went and before I knew it I was at the doctor's. He checked me and verified what I thought. He said "oh yeah... you're in labor... I wouldn't be surprised if you had your baby between now and Saturday."

The news wasn't a shocker because  I KNEW that was IT! Ha! At that moment he said I was somewhere between 3 1/2 and 4 cm dilated. This is when he swept my membranes in order to "speed" up the process, gave me kudos, and sent me home to wait it out.

Hubby and I left and stopped by my sis's house to give her the news. She was excited as were my nieces. While with her the contractions became stronger, but again... nothing to go in for.

Hubby and I went home and I went straight to bed. It had now been about 36 hours of no sleep and off and on contractions. Then at around 3:30p.m., Thursday, the 20th the contractions came every 5 minutes each around a minute long. I knew that was a sign to head in to the hospital.

My mom drove me and hubby to my sister's who's in route to hospital. I remember feeling every single bump on the road. It was painful! Then my sister drove me in to the hospital. As soon as I came in I was greeted by friendly nurses who took me in and tied me up to machines to check on both baby and I.

To my surprise... or maybe out of nervousness, my contractions literally STOPPED when I was being checked! I couldn't believe it! However, being that I was 4 days overdue the doctor on call decided to take me in.

They checked me into a beautiful room with an amazing view of the mountains. Now, this is nice, but when you're in labor, you're not really paying attention to the view! LOL.

Now normally feeling good is a good thing, but the on call doctor wanted to see me dilate. She checked me again and nothing had changed from earlier. I was 4cm dilated. Still long way to go. She recommended I take picotin to induce contractions and therefore help me dilate.  She recommended I take the epidural along with the picotin so that I would be able to handle the pain. Which I opted in to do.

So late that night around 9p.m. the anesthesiologist came in and started me on the epidural. I was so scared. I was shaking. I couldn't stop myself. I seriously had no control over my body. Luckily everything went good and before I knew it I didn't feel a thing waist down. Soon after, they started me on picotin.

Now, everyone recommended I sleep because I was going to need all the energy the following morning. I tried and tried and nothing. I couldn't do it. I was dead scared. Now all this time my hubby is there, but even he couldn't help me.

Now I have to mention that while I was literally a vegetable I was proded with a bunch of medical instruments to check on both baby and I. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a NO, NO!, but I was so out of it that I just let the doctors do their thing.

After several hours my body was much too heavy. I managed to move myself a bit to the other side... when the nurses came in and said that the baby didn't like that. They said his heart beat did not react positively when I laid on my left side. So again they positioned me on the right.

By then I wasn't necessarily in pain as more in severe discomfort. I didn't feel the contractions, but I felt the heaviness of every piece of me. No one ever mentioned that to me. Then I realized the epi was wearing off. I started to feel the contractions and the panic set in again. Then at 5:30 a.m. the doctor on call came in and checked me. I had not dilated past what I had the previous night. Then they went over the baby report and showed me how he reacted negatively to every contraction that I got. He was stressed out and that could possess some sort of negative impact if we continued trying for vaginal delivery.

I was heartbroken. I remember praying to God and telling him that I left everything in his hands. Now I could've pushed for a vaginal delivery, but so many things could go wrong and I wasn't willing to risk my  babies life for it. So before I knew it I would be giving birth via c-section.

I was wheeled in to the OR and soon the surgery began. I gotta say, I didn't feel pain. I felt kicked and punched over and over again in my gut. Sort of like a big bowl of jello. Only the jello was me :/

The surgery took no more than 45 minutes beginning to end. And although drugged up, I cried when I heard his scream.

At exactly 6:09 a.m. on June 21st my son Alejandro was born. To my surprise, he looked nothing like I imagined! He was, if at all possible even more gorgeous. Alejandro weighed 6 pounds 13.3 ounces and measured 19 inches. Perfect in every way.

His skin, nothing like mine because he has a very milky white complexion. He has to have gotten that from his dad. But I can definitely claim those perfect little lips and eyebrows (lack of). Everything else, he's all daddy.

Pregnancy Update

 How far Along?

I'm 37 weeks today (aka FULL TERM!)

How big is Baby?

According to my Sprout Pregnancy app on the iPhone baby is somewhere around 6 1/2 pounds and 19 inches long.

How am I feeling?

Feeling pretty good. Lazy at times, but most of the time just good and relaxed. 

Weight?

I haven't weighed myself this week, but at my last appointment I had gained about 27 pounds. 

What do I miss?

Hiking, doing 5k's, and biking. Who would've thunk! I guess because the weather has been beautiful and perfect for those activities that I just can't wait to get back out there (only this time with my little chubster). 

Symptoms?

Peeing like CRAZY! And I don't know why, but when I'm laying down seems like that's when I gots to go even more! lol

Cravings?

Mango. Mango. and Mango. I do crave other fruits as well, but Mango is little Alejandro's favorite :)

Highlights of the week?

Two things. One he's full term now! Which means he can come any day now :) and Two... we got his cool new stroller. I never ever thought getting baby gear would make me so happy. I couldn't even sleep just imagining having him in it and going for a stroll. :)

3D Ultrasound

Got to see my little man today... it was so exciting. Seeing him move around and YAWN was the cutest. At first he did not want to cooperate. He had his foot right in front of his face for like 10 minutes! However, soon after he moved it and let us take a peek at his face. I truly think he's a perfect mix of both hubby and I, but his lips are all ME! It's actually funny because when I texted these pictures to my sis and brother that is the first thing they both commented on. LOL

Overall, it was a good experience and we're pleased to have this memory of him :) BTW, he is still a HE :)

Profile

Covering his face with his little hand

Here he is with his foot right at his cheek... he's a flexible lil guy!

... and my favorite, the yawn :) LOL

The bump

I was getting ready to head on to work when I looked int he mirror and Lord behold, this is what I saw!

I laugh because for along time I just saw myself as chubby, but today wow I could tell HE's really in there. It just became sooooo real! Glad I caught this because truth be told, I haven't really taken any bump pics this pregnancy. So yeah.... 33 weeks 4 days :) About four to seven weeks left!!! eeeeek!

The Not-Nursery

At first hubby and I thought about giving the baby his own room, his nursery. But after careful thought and sudden first time parent anxiousness we changed our mind. You see the room we want to use is far from our bedroom and I just can't do it. I can't see me leaving my chubster so far from me. And our bedroom gets pretty cold. Sooooo.... the solution was to create a calming space for both baby and us. We've already painted the room a beautiful green called "safari green" and bought a few pieces from ikea to fill the space. We still need to get a shelving unit and a queen bed for us to sleep in. We figure when baby gets older we can ween ourselves back to our bedroom and he can have his own space.

I've also done some baby shopping the past couple of months. I've gotten my start-up cloth diaper stash, some wipes, a few newborn outfits, some 3 month outfits, receiving blankets, grooming kit, etc.

Just thinking about the baby being here is making me sooooooo excited. I know it's going to be hard, but my goodness we've waited soooo long! I can't wait!

28 Week Prenatal Appointment

Appointment went great. Got to see chubster's little heart beating away. We also got to see him on screen where he was showing off the family jewels like always! LOL... Every time I see him I feel that he is looking more and more like my hubby. At least his body type. His legs are long and slim. Nothing like mine, which are short and chubby...lol. Don't get me wrong, he IS chubby! According to doc's measurements, he's a little over 3# already! That pretty much measures him at 30 weeks. Dr. wasn't too concerned, but did reiterate to try to eat healthy sensible meals. He said to keep taking the metformin and try to walk at least 30 minutes daily. All of which I'm doing :)

Doc asked me about my maternity leave and he is suggesting maybe 3-4 weeks pre-labor. So, that would mean mid May. I am so excited about that! But at the same time I could probably go a little further. We'll see how I feel about it down the road.

Since I'm now in the third trimester doc wants to see me every other week. So my next appointment is April 10th.