Hello Ladies...Happy 4th of July.

I have caught up on everyone and wanted to reply but the little one will be stirring soon for her feeding and so much has happened on here the last five days it's crazy.
I will say this Destiny was talking about milk supply and I had supply issues with Ben at least in my opinion...I too know people who swore by Mother Milk Tea...I only had it once...this time around we have put in a very agreesive plan to nurse the baby every 2 hours for at least the first two weeks during the day and no more than every 3 hrs at night time so my supply will come in nice and strong...so far it's working but let me tell you getting a sleeping baby up and nursing is easier said than done.

Ok.here's the story
Hanah Anais was born on June 29th at 1:26 pm

On Thurs night I sent my update here and went to bed around midnight with no labor pains or any signs of labor. I was pretty sure I would make it to the induction date.
Around 4am on Friday, I was awaken by a sharp pain in my womb...and I was like wow that's a labor contraction it was the strongest one I had had since the weekend prior so I lay there and tried to go back to sleep to see if anything else would happen. I felt like 3 or 4 more contractions so I decided to get up and see if they stopped once I started moving. So I got up and put together the food Ben needed for the day just in case I was in labor and put together his bag and timing the contractions. They were coming about 3 or 4 mins apart. So I called my mom who had gone back home on Tuesday and told her the contractions were coming strong and 3 or 4 mins apart and she should get on the next plane otherwise she may miss the birth then I told baby he/she better stay in until my mommy got here. After an hour I woke up hubby and we called Ben's nanny who never wakes up before 8am but Thank God she answered her cell at 5:30am and said she would come and stay with Ben until our family friend could come pick up Ben. I called the doctor on call line and when she called back I told I was going to head to the hospital she asked if I thought it was time or if I was going to labor a bit more at home. I told her that I live 45 min from the hospital so I was going to head there. Once the nanny arrived around 6:15am we jumped in the car and went to the hospital. At that time the contractions were like a 6/7n a 10 pain scale. Once I got in the car and sat down the contractions slowed down to about 10 min apart...oh no...was I in false labor...sigh...

Anyway, we got to the hospital and decided to walk around the hospital grounds...we did that and then got hubby some breakfast did some more walking then my mom arrived and I got something to eat...just a smoothie. All the time the contractions were like between 5-8 mins apart. Then at about 10:30 we decided to check in got in the room and settle by 11:30 was about 5 cm so I got out of bed,I asked them not to run an iv but the had to start the iv line, and I opted out of the epi, signed paper work got out of bed walked aroung come more...rocked bent over my ball at about half past 12 the contractions were 1-2 mins apart...so they wanted me to get back in bed to check me...but it was hard because the most comfortable position was standing up and I was at my 10 on the pain scale..I kept thinking I can't do this I need pain meds...and then my mom or hubby would say I could...hubby was surprising really helpful and encouraging...rubbing my back and walking the halls with me...and my mom was as always the best rubbing my back and helping me rock my hips...once I got back in bed and they check I was completely dilated so I couldn't get back out...they said I still had a little bit but the baby was down and doc could feel the head...this was to me the most intense part. I wanted to be standing up...I found it hard to focus through the contractions laying down for some reason...I would shut my eyes which was not helpful at all and they they said I could try pushing ( which according to a doula I probably started too early as I didn't feel the overwhelming desire to push) and they they were explaining how to push and I just couldn't focus. The doc I will say was amazing...really patient and nice...she told me I could scream if I wanted but it didn't help so my energy would be better spent focusing on pushing...sounds mean but what i needed to hear. Anyway, I did about 3 sets of bad pushing and then they decide to break the water bag...for some reason my water never breaks...once the bag was broken things progressed at lightening speed and with in 3 sets of pushing baby was out.

We were all so happy she had to be seen right away because she had pooped in the womb and so we were like great job and then we remembered we didn't know what baby was and the doc hadn't looked so the nurse was like ...oh we have a girl...lol...surprisingly I was happy about it...hubby was a bit disappointed at first but she has grown on him like I knew she would and she looks even more like him then Ben which is hard to believe.

That night in the hospital we had horrible storms and lost power some people are still without power...so I am happy I went into labor friday moring...

Ben has been doing well, he came to see us in the hospital and was like...who's that? lol but was super excited because he had been asking for me. We got home Sunday afternoon and our power came back Sunday night...Ben is excited still and wants to hold baby sister and keeps asking who's that...lol...the only thinkg he seemed worried about is when I breastfeed he keeps saying no...lol.

otherwise we are well and trying to get on some kind of schedule...thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.

I hope you all have speedy deliveries.
I will check back in a few days and see who else has had their little one and then will be moving on to the post partum site...I hope to see you all over there soon so we can continue our fit mommahood together

Kelley...
outside baby 5 days old.

mpederson- I look at my arms in EVERY picture of myself these days lol I swear they are getting pretty large & in charge, despite my efforts to stay active and do light weight lifting. My boobs however have stayed the same since the 1st trimester, they got a little swollen, maybe a C-cup and that was it, I was expecting GIGANTIC ta-ta's lol

kelly_m - CONGRATS!!! It sounds like you had a fairly smooth delivery, and I'm glad you delivered a healthy baby girl I'm so jealous! I'm having a girl as well, and I can NOT wait until the big day

AFM- It's getting harder and harder to take walks lately, I'm getting a sharp pain under my belly (I'm guessing round ligament pain due to the baby's growth spurt and my stomach muscles accommodating her) so I've been sticking to the elliptical and the stationary bike for the most part. My only other complaint is this HEAT!! Lordy, it's going to be a heat index of 110 degrees today, phewww! I'll be glad once fall/autumn is here, it's not only my favorite season, but because baby girl will be here, and I can stop sweating so much and having thigh chaffing like the devil! lol

Michelle – welcome! Even though you’re joining at the end, lol! You and I must be due around the same time so we can motivate each other to get back in shape, etc. 7 weeks is a tight deadline, hopefully you ordered the dress a little larger than usual or it’s a forgiving style!

yahyamommy – congratulations of your little one, the jaundice will be gone soon enough if it’s not already. I’m sure taking a pic with a little tan wouldn’t be so bad…

Jalyn – Hey, sounds like baby is pressing down on your cervix to trigger contractions as well as pushing out. The pushing happens to me a lot. Only a few contractions here (see below) it will be a race between us! Except I think they’ll let me go to the 14th or so (sigh). I kind of like it when it hurts to walk cause it means the baby is putting pressure down there. If you haven’t gone already I hope it happens soon for us both!

Brunettewife – glad your back pain is gone and your AFL is normal. Congratulations on the nursery and the extra cash! I missed the 300lb man comment… just wrong!

Helen – thanks! Been getting + and neg on the name so it’s a little funny. Congrats on a healthy checkup! Your L&D sounds nice, we don’t having a birthing pool so far as I know…

Emily – sounds like you’re really progressing along (grrr). If you’re still preggo wait for me! But definitely finish that hospital bag as you’re running out of time!

xosugarbabie – I love the new pic, it’s gorgeous! Hopefully they’ll keep and eye on your LO’s growth just in case. I have to admit, those 3Ds are amazing, DH and I are staring at the pics all the time. I am forcing veggies as well, really I just want fruit and carbs but trying to get my son to be a veggie lover! Walking hurts me too recently but I keep thinking it brings me closer to delivery so I keep trying it

misslouisianna – yay on your gain being in your belly, mine was in my thighs and hips forever and it sucked. The next few weeks will fly by!

Destiny – LOL my DH has been driving me nuts as well, mainly cause I want him to keep the home just so and finish up the honeydo list before the baby comes. Peanuts help with milk supply? I have been craving peanut butter recently. I bought some mother’s milk tea months ago but haven’t started drinking it yet (might soon since it is supposed to promote labor!)

Dragon - Sorry to hear about your frustrations at the clinic. It’s good that they are watching you so closely though. I also get irritated when medical professionals use “baby words” at work, lol

sas – Glad to hear from you and happy for DH starting his new job. It’s also excellent baby is doing well. Now get to walking and doing some squats, kegels, and pelvic thrusts to get ready for labor!

mpederson – Glad you’re feeling great, keeping active is going to be huge in preventing too much weight gain and losing it afterwards as you know. You also may stop gaining on your own, it seems like I did. I am watching my arms too, frantically doing my shoulder, bicep and tricep work!

Kelley – thanks so much for the story, you were amazing but I don’t think I’ll pass on epidural. Is there still the birth announcement thread? Should probably copy it there if you haven’t. Can’t wait to see pics of your beautiful family!

myiceisonfire – Beautiful pic! Congrats on the weight loss and healthy baby, I know you will do great!

AFM - Can't believe I've been off almost a week. Mainly been working on the nursery collecting baby stuff, doing laundry, etc. I have also been tired and sleeping a lot. Mostly done and ready except need to practice the car seat. Was hoping to have a July 4th baby but no dice. Had an appointment on Monday and finally got checked - was 50% effaced and 1cm, -2 station. It's kind of weird cause the baby keeps moving between 0 and -2 on my checks, wish he'd just stay there. My OB actually swept my membranes and I got cramping the whole day, convinced my DH to do the deed for once (he's worried about hurting the baby :grumble: ) and lost my mucus plug the next day, but other than some extra back pain and occasional cramps nothing since. Sigh. I'm due on Saturday and like the ring of 7/7 so I'm going to be going all out on the exercise and all other types of labor induction techniques by tomorrow night! My DH is so scared about having a stillbirth from him being overdue and I'm kind of freaked as well, especially about losing another week with my son! Between extra sleeping and eating I'm sure I've gained more but I WAS happy with my weight gain. We'll see how it is tomorrow!

Melissa
39 weeks, 6 days, +25ish?

Congrats Kelley!! You are much stronger than I! I know my pain tolerence, I'm getting the epidural, unless for some reason I've progressed farther than they thought and I miss the chance to get it. Congrats again!

AFM Hubby made it home at 1:30am Wed and leaves Mon. Almost a full week with him Doc appt later this afternoon, if any news I'll post, if not, have a great weekend and 'see' ya Monday!

Kelley- Thanks so much for sharing your story. You are awesome!!! Hope you are recovering well and getting into a nice routine with little Hanah. And I hope Ben is adjusting to being a big brother.

Dragon- I'll have to look into that tea. The fenugreek has the same maple syrup effect. Sorry about your ordeal at the Dr. I'm assuming you had to switch Drs when you moved? That has got to be frustrating!

Emily- Congrats on your little boy! Can't wait to hear your story!

Sarah- So glad your hubby has a new job!

Helen- Wow your maternity ward sounds awesome! Before I had Olivia we went to a breastfeeding class and they made it sound really easy and that as long as you WANTED to bf then you could. But when I took Olivia to her first Dr appt at 2 wks she had lost weight (and at that point they want them back at their birth weight, at least my pediatrician does) so he told me that I needed to supplement with formula. And I definitely WANTED to bf so obviously there's more to it. And it was downhill from there LOL

Melissa- The lactation specialist I saw with Olivia said that the combination of peanuts and root beer together helps milk supply. I didn't notice much of a difference, but I've told other people about it and they saw an increase. Good luck with your home induction techniques! Definitely let us know if any of them work! Someone told me eating pineapple helped :laugh:

AFM- I worked an 8 hour shift for the first time in months yesterday. It was pretty rough, I don't know how I managed to work up until the day before Olivia was born, especially since I was about 30lbs heavier. But I got a lot of "You're due this month??? You're so tiny!" So that was nice, even if they were just being polite :laugh: Today Olivia woke up with a low grade fever that has been going on all day. Poor thing fell asleep on the floor in her room twice this morning. She's taking her nap now, and I can hear her whining and moving around on the monitor. I think she might be cutting her 2 yr molars. Hopefully if thats the problem she'll get them cut and done with before Sissy gets here. I can't imagine a newborn and a teething toddler. :noway:

My goal was to walk at least a mile everyday until baby arrives but I was so tired yesterday I didn't go. Instead I fell asleep on the couch around 8:30 :happy: My big goal for this weekend is to make some lactation cookies and get them in the freezer so they're all ready to go when I need them. I'm looking forward to spending a couple days with my grandma before she and my mom head up to Oregon. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Destiny
37w2d +28lbs

Helen – Thanks for the encouragement! You’re doing a great job with the walking, I say squeeze in Pilates when you can! I used to be one of those people that though a c section was better so I could avoid potential vaginal tearing, etc, but surgery is surgery so I agree with you. Hope your niece heals soon, poor little thing!

Brunettewife – so glad hubby could visit, hopefully your LO’s timing will coincide with his! I am with you on the epidural, even if the cramps were okay I’d be afraid for the delivery part in case I tear or something. Hoo ha pain is the worst!

xosugarbabie – Thanks!

Destiny – yay on the compliments you got. Hope Olivia feels better soon. It’s funny how we get tired so quickly towards the end, but keep pushing!

yahyamommy – You JUST had your little one! Don’t fret about losing weight yet! You have already done well but it will take weeks for the fluid shifts to kick in, not to mention actual fat loss. If you are breastfeeding just concentrate on doing that as well as you can and slowly incorporate walking.

AFM - so here's the deal. I tried the castor oil Friday night and Saturday am and got a few lousy contractions. However, the baby wasn't moving as much for the last 2 days so we decided to go to L&D to get him checked out. He looked great but they checked my cervix and no change! She swept my membranes again though, which left me with cramps that died down as the day went on.

I woke up this am, the hospital's due date (7/7 by US, 7/8 by LMP) depressed with only slight contractions. Decided to do one of my crazy circuit workouts since the baby looked good even though DH said take it easy. I'm in the middle of trying to impress the non-preggos in the gym with my plank twists when suddenly - POP!!! MY WATER BROKE! It was quite a gush of fluid and unmistakable, had to hobble to the bathroom and then home after doing some clean up. Felt bad ditching my workout actually, and still have nagging guilt but apparently anything beyond walking might compromise the remaining fluid and the cord. I guess they usually make you go right in but I asked my colleague yesterday and she said since I'm GBS negative I could wait 8 hours or so for labor. So here I am having contractions that hurt but still allow me to surf the net and pack my bag. My parents are coming and I will see my LO by tomorrow! Will update my story later!

Jaylyn...yeah on your little guy. It sounds like labor and delivery was quite the roller coaster but all that matters is you and Tayt are healthy. Definitely take it easy so you heal. I too feel like super woman and try to do things all day and ended up ripping my sticthes from my tear...so let hubby and anyone else that can help. Great attitude on the breastfeeding...I am there with you... Sometimes it seems to last forever rather than the the 15-20 mins they say. Do you have tricks for waking the little guy up...Hanah is impossible to wake up.

Melissa - ok...so it's not funny but I have to admit hearing your water broke at the gym made me laugh. I guess you were determined. Hopefully by now you have had your little guy. Hope you are resting. I hope the padres made it in time to share the moment and all is well.

For others hang in there and enjoy the last few weeks or days. I would definitely say walk if you can but I know that can be too much some days.

AFM - Hanah and I are doing well. We had her one week appt today and she is back at birth weight plus 1 oz...so great news. Breastfeeding is still touch and go so I will be contacting a lactation consultant tomorrow. Also, we have decided to change the spelling of her name so I have to get that taken care of soon because we have a wedding in the beginning of August and I will need to get her a passport...sigh so much to do. Otherwise, I am recovering well and Ben is doing awesome wanting to hold his sister all the time. Hubby is really stepping in and my mom comes back tomorrow for a few days...yippy. Still not getting the kind of sleep I want...maybe 6 hours spread out through out the day but it's amazing how your body will do what it needs to in order to fuction. Alright the little one is stirring...have a great week ladies.

kelley

Melissa- OMG! I can't believe how amazingly dedicated you are to your workouts!!! I hope you had a smooth labor, and I can't wait to hear your story!

Jalyn- Congrats on your little man! Sounds like a whirlwind labor and delivery. Hope your family is adjusting to being home and getting on a routine. I hear you on missing the nursing staff. When Olivia was born she had some issues so we had to stay in the hospital for almost a week. At the time I hated it and wanted to be home but shortly after we got home I was grateful that I had a few extra days to catch up on sleep and have extra help. Take it easy and make sure you accept help from anyone who offers it!!!

Kelley- Glad that you and your little one are doing well! Its nice to hear that Ben loves being a big brother, gives me hope for Olivia! LOL! Hope you can get some rest. Has your hubby taken any time off work to help out? Do you know who to contact about the mommy board?

AFM- No change at my Dr appt yesterday. Still dilated 2 cm. Not feeling many contractions. For the most part I'm feeling ok. I'm still trying to walk everyday, but that's when I feel the most crampy. We got the new baby's crib, we just need to put it together. My due date is 2 weeks away!! Ahhh I'm so not ready. I go back and forth between thinking she'll come early and thinking I'll go past my due date. Also, I guess my mom isn't interested in being around when she's born. My SIL in OR had a baby boy on Saturday so my Mom headed up there this morning until the 21st. I knew this trip was coming, and in my mind I was really just counting on my Dad to help out with Olivia if baby comes before she gets back. But yesterday she told me that the day after she gets back from OR she AND my Dad are taking my niece to Disneyland until the 25th. My sister (the niece's mom) will be here while they're gone so she'll be able to help with Olivia. Maybe I'm just being a baby, but I'm kinda hurt that this birth seems to be the last thing my mom is concerned with.

Well Miss Olivia is waking up and we have 2 big boxes of hand me downs from her cousin to go through! Hope you all have a great week!

Destiny
38w +28ish lbs

So many birth stories in the last week, I love it! Congrats to all you wonderful ladies
Not much to report from this side of the pond - we may get to see a glimpse of some sunshine today so I'm going to try and get a walk in if my bladder allows me to be away from a toilet for more than 10 minutes!
Woke up with a sore throat the last 3 days but it's worn off as the day progresses so I'm hoping it doesn't come to much more than that.
A few braxton hicks contractions here and there but nothing to complain about. (Usually after I've eaten, is this normal?!)
Have a great hump day ladies and once again, congrats to all those that now have babies on the 'outside'!
Sarah xox
37+3 weeks

Has anyone seen the movie What to Expect When You're Expecting? It got moved to our cheap theater now, so I can watch it for $3. Wondering if it's any good though. ...

I lost those 5lbs i gained from subway, just to gain them all back from being naughty and eating almost a whole family size bag of doritos, I'm down 1lb... so 4 more lbs to go to get back to where i was. Which will be hard since baby's starting to gain more and more weight lately... I bought flavored water yesterday, grape, lemon, and peach.... Tap water about a week ago started to smell and taste funny to me. So now I have to go with flavored if I want to drink any... Also, today I'm going to get some protein powder. Everyone's talking about how great it is, and even though i'm not into "trends" this is something healthy and it's hard for me to get my protein in, so I'll give it a try.

I've been craving sweets, so yesterday I decided not to buy junkfood and buy a lot of fruit (natural sweetness), i got about 10 peaches, 10 plums, and 4 kiwis!... i could seriously eat 5 peaches in one day i like them so much lately! At least it's a good craving though right?

33wks (+42.8lbs).... trying to get back down to a 35lb gain and maintain