39 Weeks - Full Term!

Yikes, I went from 26 weeks to 39 weeks.  Poor 3rd child... I'm so on top of things right now. 

Here's a quick update on how things are going.  I'm exactly 39 weeks today and baby Anna dropped more last night.  This has made my breathing a little bit better and my waddling a little bit worse.  I've been sore for over 2 months now, so getting around has been a challenge.  Walking is super painful and I'm beyond caring what I look like.... although I did tell Jason "it's not waddling, it's swagger".  He didn't agree but that's ok.  It made me feel better :). 

Baby is around 7-ish lbs right now and 20-ish inches long.  So specific, right?  She's about the size of a pumpkin, which I believe.  I've been waiting for the fruit-vegetable comparisons to line up with how I'm feeling and it only took 39 weeks 😂.

The kids are ready for her to make her appearance.  Logan is on Fall break for school and apparently he has been talking about the baby a lot in school.  His teacher said he has to bring a baby picture to class once she's born.  He has been so sweet.  Every night, he says "goodnight" to the baby, kisses my belly, and tells her "you're so cute".  He says he's going to help with the baby after she's born, but laughs when I tell him she'll poop a lot and require lots of diaper changes.  Oh well... baby steps, I suppose.  Elise doesn't seem to be overly interested in the baby or her movements.  I'm not sure if she's just super chill about it or if she's ignoring the fact that she won't be the youngest or the only girl anymore.  She surprised me earlier this week by saying she's so excited about seeing the baby but she hasn't said much since then :).  I think they will both be great with her when she finally makes her appearance.

As with my other 2 pregnancies, my body is rebelling against dairy.  I'm also having a TON of Braxton Hicks contractions.  The combination of these 2 things is making me question whether I'm starting to have real contractions or if I'm just experiencing indigestion pains.  Either way, it has been very uncomfortable.

My 39 week checkup is tomorrow and the doctor will be checking to see if I'm dilated and effaced at all.  Hopefully the raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil have been helping!  Anna has been head-down for a while, but she's kind-of sideways.  My midwife suggested wearing a belly band or tying something around my belly to try keeping her in an upright position.  When I was in labor with Elise, the nurse had to tie a sheet around my belly.  Why are my kids so stubborn? 


39 Week Appointment Update:
I had my appointment today and I consented to a cervix check.  The nurse said it's soft but closed.  The baby is head-down but not engaged... so there's nothing going on yet.  I'm not really discouraged yet because I'm only 39 weeks but I'm really hoping things will start happening over the next week so I can avoid a C-section.

Birth Plan #3!

I sat down to write my birth plan for this baby and laughed when I looked over my previous plans.  I deleted the parts about "no pain medication" and "no interventions".  I think those could've been realistic had I not been attempting my first VBAC and if they hadn't hooked me up to pitocin as soon as I arrived.  Anyway... this one is a bit more flexible since I'm attempting a repeat VBAC and there are a lot more ifs involved.  Here it is for anyone who might be interested :).

Birth Plan:

The person present for the birth will be Alexis’s husband, Jason Snooks.  My ultimate goal is to successfully achieve a repeat VBAC.  I understand that compromises may need to be made, however the following are my preferences.

Labor

• I want only Kaiser Permanente doctors, nurses, and midwives to attend to me.
• I would like to be out of bed as much as possible during labor (walking, etc.).
• I would like to be able to drink clear liquids as well as a protein supplement, if possible.
• If continuous fetal monitoring is required, I wish to be upright and mobile while connected to the monitor.
• In the past, I have progressed very slowly.  Please be patient with me! 😊
• Due to having severe acid reflux, I will need a dose of Zantac every 12 hours.

Delivery

• I would like the option to be in a position other than lying on my back when I give birth (squatting, lying on my side, etc.).
• As long as the baby and I are healthy, I prefer to push instinctively and to have no time limits on pushing.
• I am fine with an episiotomy.  If needed, please perform.

 After Delivery

• I would like my baby placed immediately skin-to-skin after delivery.
• The umbilical cord shall not be clamped or cut until the baby is breathing and pink, and until all pulsation in the cord has ceased.
• If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, Jason will accompany her.
• I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible (within the first hour)
• I would like to meet with a Lactation Consultant as soon as possible after delivery.
• I want all procedures that are done and all medications that are given to my baby explained to me before they are carried out by the medical staff.  If I disagree with the administration of an immunization or medication, I am willing to sign a formal waiver.
• I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
• Prior to our discharge, I wish for my baby to be placed on pulse oximetry to rule out any obvious heart conditions present at that time.

Cesarean

• FYI, I have had 2 hernia surgeries with mesh and 1 previous C-Section.
• Please ensure all medications administered are suitable for breastfeeding.
• I would like to have warm blankets during the surgery.
• Please inform my husband when the baby is being delivered.
• In the event that a cesarean is necessary, we would still like to delay the cord clamping until pulsation has ceased.
• I would like to have skin-to-skin contact with the baby as soon as it is possible in the delivery room.
• I would like to nurse the baby as soon as possible after surgery (within the first hour).
• If the baby is doing well medically, please bring her to me as soon as she is suctioned, weighed, and measured. Please do not worry about cleaning her up much before bringing her to me.
• I do not wish to be separated from the baby after her delivery.  I would like for her to remain with me and my husband, even while I am in recovery.
• I do not want any medications following surgery that will make me drowsy or that may interfere with my ability to remain aware and conscious.
• I would like to be weaned off of the spinal/epidural as soon as possible after surgery and given an alternate form of pain relief (Percocet, etc.).
• I would like to have my catheter and IV removed ASAP after my recovery period.

I would like to eat and be free to stand up and walk around as soon as possible after surgery.

26 Weeks

I've done a terrible job with documenting this pregnancy.  My last post was at 11 weeks, so here's an update.  We found out we're having a girl on May 18th.  Logan was upset because he really wanted a little brother, but he got over the disappointment pretty fast.  Now he says goodnight to my belly every night and he loves to feel her kicks.  It's really sweet watching the kids experience this pregnancy since they're a bit older now.  They went to my 26 week checkup last week and heard her heartbeat, which they said was really cool.

We traveled to Oregon a couple weeks ago and it was nice to spend time with my family.  The kids got to do loads of fun stuff while we were there and the weather was amazing (in my opinion).  It was in the 60's and 70's during our entire stay, which was a welcome break from Atlanta's 80's and HUMID that we returned to.  Summers here are my least favorite, especially when I'm pregnant.  I basically turn into a hermit and hide in air conditioned places :). 

While we were in Oregon, I started having very sharp pelvic pains.  They come and go and don't seem to affect the baby but they still worry me a bit.  The doctor I saw yesterday (the same one that delivered Logan) said it sounds like they are just stretching pains, but I think it's something else.  They feel more like nerve pain and at times hurt so bad I can barely walk.  I will probably ask a different doctor for her opinion but in the meantime, warm baths and a heating pad (not together) seem to help alleviate the pain.  I've also been having Braxton Hicks contractions for at least a month. 

Baby is now the size of an eggplant and she kicks a lot, especially when I try going to sleep at night.  She might be a bit of a night owl.  She has certainly been keeping me awake at night.  She moves a lot when I eat and she seems to like hearing the kids talk. I have another ultrasound (and my glucose test) next week.  They will be checking her heart again now that she's bigger.  Prayers for a normal healthy heart are appreciated!

That's about all I have for now.  I will try to post more consistently going forward :).