Week 40: Baby is born!

I don’t have time to write up our birth story right now, but wanted to let everyone know that my little one is here! She came right on time, on her due date. Only 5% of first time moms have this happen.

She is gorgeous and big- 8.45 pounds (3.76 kilograms) and 21.25 inches (54 centimeters) long. Beautiful hair, lighter than either of ours. Blue eyes- they’ll change, so we don’t know what color they’ll actually be for a long while. This link has a nice explanation of eye color in general.

I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to update the blog in the next few weeks. I hope to get into a routine with baby girl soon. Thanks for all the support!

 

Post-Pregnancy Tracking Questions

How old is she: She is 1 week old (because I couldn’t do a scheduled 40 week post as I was in labor!)

Size of Baby: Born 8.45 pounds (3.76 kilograms) and 21.25 inches (54 centimeters) long. She lost a little more than she should have in the first 4 days, but is now catching up.

Sleep: I wake up every 1-4 hours, depending on baby and my own sleep habits.

Maternity clothes: I fit back in my old, stretchy/elastic clothes, but I had put most of my regular things away, so I’m still kinda wearing the maternity stuff. No jeans yet.

Don't be fooled- I looked like crap 15 minutes before...

Tummy: I have no idea what size month to compare my belly to. I was not expecting it to be so “jiggly” after. I did make sure to buy a belly binder to wear- I hear that it does wonders.

Stretch marks: None have appeared after the birth (which can happen!).

Wedding Ring: Haven’t tried yet.

Things bought/given: We’ve had one friend drop by to give us food and bring us extra nappies/diapers.

Best moments this week: Meeting my little girl. She is perfect and innocent.

Worst moments this week: When baby was lying down and choking on her spit up. She was flailing her arms and legs and I thought she was mad about something and didn’t react right away. When I saw how distressed she was, I immediately got her into a position so that she could spit it all up. Then she pooped. I felt so bad and guilty- I was crying, she was; it was awful. Still brings tears to my eyes to think about it.

Miss anything: Feeling her kicks in side my tummy. But I can’t miss it too much, when I have her right here next to me!

Outings: Went to the store nearby for craft supplies to do with/for her.

New Aches and Pains: Never knew how sore my body would be after labor and stitches. I’m only now feeling like I could walk more than a block.

Looking forward to: Our baby experiencing all her firsts!

Worried about: How to keep her safe and healthy.

Song of the Post: Danny’s Song as sung by Anne Murray. Then sentiment is lovely (even though its about a boy) and so appropriate to our situation/station in life.

Week 39: The first signs.

Beware, there may be a little TMI in this post (but not much). On Thursday, when we had our weekly midwife appointment, I had my first cervical check ever. It wasn’t painful, maybe because I used some relaxation techniques to get through it. She said I was very soft, but not really dilated (but not closed up tight), she couldn’t really judge effacement because she had no previous checks (of my cervix) to compare it to and everyone is different. I spotted just a little afterwards. Hours later, I started having some really low cramping below my belly and some major back ache. It really didn’t have a consistency to it, and would ease up and increase on its own. When I fell asleep, I was fine, but woke up 3-4 more times feeling it again. I used more relaxation techniques and was able to fall back asleep quickly, before the back ache had even gone away. The night’s sleep was totally ruined though. On Friday, I found just a little bit of mucous from my plug, but nothing gross looking (yet).

The midwife told hubby and me that she would be the midwife on call after Monday; and we did a little happy dance inside because she’s our favorite! I just gotta make it through the weekend (to have her be the one to assist me in labor). But optimally for our schedule, I wouldn’t go into labor until after hubby’s work on Thursday (he has a conference he’s scheduled to present at that day). 

But our little girl will of course take he time and come when she’s ready to. Just like her momma...

The Bump and Baby Center say this about Week 39:

“Your baby's waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. She's probably able to flex her limbs now. Her brain is still rapidly developing -- she's getting smarter by the week! Her nails may extend past her fingertips.”

 Pregnancy Tracking Questions

How far along: 39 weeks.

Size of Baby: Weighs as much as a small watermelon.

Sleep: I wake up every 2-3 hours to rotate sides or go to the bathroom.

Maternity clothes: At home, prefer to wear a big XXL stretchy peasant skirt. So much more comfortable than pants!

Stretch marks: None.

Wedding Ring: Off.

Things bought/given: Nothing.

Worst moments this week: Feeling tired and sad yesterday, Saturday. Change is hard for me. And when I’m physically not as my best, it affects my mood. Which is why I worry about the continued/worsened sleep I anticipate soon. The rainy, cloudy day that we woke up to didn’t help.

Best moments this week: Today, Sunday, when hubby and I got into major nesting mode. We rearranged our bedroom and kitchen, and cleaned a lot. We listened to music and worked well together.

Movement: She’s still moving regularly. Her head is firmly in my pelvis and does not move around- it does put a lot of pressure on my bladder through!

Miss anything: Being able to bend over easily to pick things up.

Cravings: I really got it in my head that I wanted boneless buffalo wings this week. The only place that I thought could do them justice around here was Hooters. I was mistaken. We went there for lunch today, and I was completely, utterly disappointed. I think what I really wanted was Buffalo Wild Wings. Sigh.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Interesting observations: Ever since I hit 37 weeks, people are always asking me when I’m due. I think it’s when I really obviously “dropped” and looked way pregnant. It was funny to say yesterday “in a week” to someone and watch their eyes widen.

Annoyances: Having a small house. A messy and house full of things is not what I’d like to bring my baby home to. But this is my life, so I must make the best of it.

Belly button in or out: In.

New Aches and Pains: Nothing new.

Braxton Hicks: Still nothing regular.

Looking forward to: Our baby, hopefully in the next week!

Worried about: Breast feeding.

 

Song of the Post: Come Rain or Come Shine as sung by B.B. King and Eric Clapton. Unfortunately, there isn’t a performance of their duet, but please take a listen anyways!

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