The Birth of Katheryn Anne Coker

I have to start this post with the birth of my oldest, Madelyn.

After having an uneventful pregnancy, my OBGYN wanted to induce at what I thought was 2 weeks overdue. I thought due date was September 28, 2004, but they had changed it at my last ultrasound to October 5, 2004 without informing me of the change. We went in for an induction October 8, 2004. I was 1 c.m. dialated when they broke my water, started pitocin and instructed me to get an epidural. At barely 20, I agreed to all they told me. I laid on my back, in bed for 12 hours and only dialated to 2 c.m. When it was time for my OBGYN to go home (5:00 p.m.) she told me that I could labor all night and get a c-section in the morning, or I could go ahead and get the c-section then. She said that Maddy was just too big for me, and I was just one of those women. We consented and Maddy was born on my moms birthday! She was only 7 lbs 9 oz. She had a lot of gas issues, issues with colic, etc. But I thought it was just how a baby was supposed to be.

Isabella's birth was supposed to be much different. After having Maddy I was determined to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean). I switched OBGYN's to one that was supposed to be VBAC friendly and began the pregnancy process. Izzy's pregnancy was also very uneventful until I hit 36 weeks. We had an ultrasound done and I was informed that something wasn't right. At 36 weeks she was already measuring, according to the ultrasound, very large and they were concerned. They wanted to do a c-section the day I turned 37 weeks. They had us scared to death and we consented. Izzy was born at just 7 lbs 1 oz. Two days later my OBGYN left for vacation. We were devastated. Izzy had a lot of trouble nursing, she had colic and had acid reflux from being born too early. She had a rough rough start.

Now enter Katheryn. The day we had Izzy, Justin and I knew it just wasn't right. So when we found out Katy was on her way, we did a lot of research, we prayed a lot and we decided to find a midwife and have a homebirth. After lots more research, we found Marilyn Green and Jeanne Stoltzfuz. I had an amazing pregnancy again, until about 30 weeks when I put myself into early labor trying to get our house ready to sell. Then we got up to our due date, June 4th, and we passed our due date....and another week passed....I was still healthy and so was Katy, so we kept going! Marilyn and Jeanne both agreed that I might just carry longer than the "normal" 40 weeks and that as long as Katy and I were fine, there was no need for intervention. We had an ultrasound done and Katy was measuring behind our due date. Not because anything was wrong, but because we probably conceived her later than we thought. So, we sort of "moved" our due date from June 4th to June 13th. Then another week passed and in order for my midwives to stay in good standing with their board I needed to go see an OBGYN. He was terribly uncooperative and unsupportive of what we were trying to achieve. He wanted to tie me down and do a c-section right then! Even though it wasn't medically necessary! We had another ultrasound and Katy, once again, looked perfect!! Justin, Jeanne, Marilyn and I all agreed that since Katy was perfect and I was perfect that we would go one more week. I will have to say that this entire pregnancy I was never against another c-section, as long as it was medically necessary. Justin and I understood that it might have just been our path, but we had left this pregnancy and birth up to God and were letting him take the lead. So, another week almost passes and we discuss how if she doesn't come by Monday, June 29th, that I'll have to go to Vanderbilt and fight my way to a trial of labor. My midwives were tremendously supportive, but their hands were tied because I was so past due (42-43 weeks).

On Thursday, June 25th I had contractions all afternoon. They were about 5 minutes apart and were not painful. A lot of pressure but not painful. By Thursday evening they were gone. Friday morning I woke up with contractions that faded. Marilyn came by to check on me. I had been 3 c.m. dialated for a couple of weeks without change. And sure enough, I was still at a 3, but was having lots of show, which meant some progress. And again on Saturday and Sunday I woke up with contractions that faded. Actually, Sunday I had a contraction wake me up from a dead sleep and I started having more show. But of course they faded. Justin and I, by this point, were tired and extremely frustrated. We decided to spend the day looking at houses and making preparations to head to Vanderbilt the following day. About 2 p.m. I started having contractions. But, I figured they would pitter off. By 3 p.m. Justin asked how many I had that hour and I guessed about 5. So, we decided to start timing them. They were about 10 minutes apart. By 3:45 they were about 5 minutes apart and I sent Jeanne a message. By 4:00 they were 3 minutes apart. I called mom (she had the girls at home) and Marilyn. Justin and I decided to try walking the mall to keep them going. They were not painful, just pressure. But I was only able to make it one lap around the mall before I decided to head home. Justin and I got home about 5:00 and Marilyn said she would come by about 6:30. She checked me and I was still about 3 c.m. dialated, having lots of show and contracting about every 3 minutes. But this time, I was a lot more thinned out and she decided to go run some errands and come back around 8:30 to check on me again. By 8:30 I was 4 c.m. and completely thinned. So she called Jeanne to head on up! Justin and I were still in denial. We still had the contraction master up on the computer timing contractions!!! We were exhausted, truly exhausted and tried to lay down for a bit. This is when I loose all track of time. I had already been in the tub for hours. Marilyn checked me and I was at a 6, we were so encouraged!! So we layed down and maybe 10 minutes later I was woken from my cat nap by a monster of a contraction. But that nap was much needed!! I was hitting transition. I knew that this was going to be hard. But I kept telling myself that I wasn't in pain, that it was just pressure and baby making her way out. That I was fine and so was she!! So we worked through transition in about an hour and a half. I became very vocal. But it helped keep my mind off of "pain". Finally, during one contraction Jeanne said I think you're ready to push!! She could tell just by my vocalization that I was ready!! And I was, my contractions immediately changed once I started pushing. I got a large break in between each one, and the contractions became much different. I lost a lot of control during my pushing phase. I was not prepared for it at all. It scared me actually, because I was in pain and didn't want to push through, but my body took over and I pushed anyway. So that scared me and I pushed for a good hour and a half before she was born. It was a good hour of pushing before I surrendered to my body. And she was out in about 30 minutes after that!! My water didn't break until right before she was born. Because I had already had two c-sections, Marilyn and Jeanne were extra vigilant about checking her heart tones, and she always sounded perfect!! She tolerated labor like a champ!!

I still can't believe we did it! I remember looking at her right after she came out and thinking holy cow!! That beautiful being just came out of my vagina!! Her cord was short so she couldn't be plopped on my chest right away. So she sat between my legs and we all ooohed and ahhed over her until her cord stopped pulsing. Justin got to actually cut her cord!! And then I got her!! She was perfectly amazing and alert, wow was she ever so alert!! And surprise surprise, No cone head!! We all just knew she would be because she had been engaged for weeks!! But nope, she's got such a perfectly shaped head!! And get this no tears!!! NONE!!!!

Katheryn was born at 6:35 a.m. on June 29th. She was 8 lbs 6 oz, 20 1/2 inches long with a 13 1/2 inch head! So the woman that couldn't have a 7 lb 9 oz baby vaginally because she was "too big" pushed out an 8 lb 6 oz baby, with a 13 1/2 inch head COMPLETELY DRUG FREE!!!! Haha!! I love it!!

She's such a good good baby!! She just fuses if she wants to eat!! She nurses so well, she's so alert and attentive and she will just stare into your eyes like she's looking deep into your soul!! She's got lots more hair than Maddy or Izzy did. We are so in love!!

And I feel amazing!! Being at home was great....sleeping in my own bed, eating my own food, and just...being mommy has been beyond awesome. I'm sore today (and so is poor Justin, I had him in a head lock the entire time I pushed) and I'm tired. But gosh, it's a million times better than after either surgery. I can actually walk with my baby and sit up and turn over in bed. And I'm not taking ANY pain killers!!

The only thing is that my blood pressure was low today when Jeanne came by. After delivery I lost more blood than they like to see. So, I was ordered to add more red meat into my diet to increase my iron level. But I feel amazing, I was shocked it was 100/55 today!!!!

We have to thank everyone that stuck by us during this process. We had a lot of stress put on us by friends and family who didn't believe in us. Who didn't trust in God's process like we did. We had a lot of people give up on us. Those that were supposed to support us the most were some of the first to tell us to go into the hospital. But we are so thankful for all of the support we did receive, the love and care and prayers that came our way through this journey!! It was testing and trying, but God had an amazing plan for us, and we give him all the Glory!!!





~Blessings~

Labor Update

1:30 update. Baby's heart rate is still perfect. She's tolerating labor extremely well (go her!) Although she's making me lay on my back in order for us to hear her (which is uncomfortable), little stinker pot!! My blood pressure has been wonderful as well. Marilyn just checked me and I'm thinned even more and am at a 6 c.m. dialated. So, I guess there isn't any going back!!

Labor has slowed slightly. But, I know transition is coming so my body is probably trying to give me a little break. So far contractions have been intense, but tolerable. I've been reminding myself during them that this isn't pain that it's just pressure, just pressure. And it's been getting me through. Plus, dancing with hubby during them has been amazing...better than the tub actually.

I'm so excited! I never got past 2 c.m. dialated with Maddy and now I'm a 6!! My body isn't broken, wahoo!!!
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8:30 update. Baby still sounds amazing. I'm almost 4 c.m. dialated and more thinned. Marilyn thinks that most likely, this is it!!! She went to call Jeanne and tell her to head on up here. Justin went to go draw me a warm bath. Contractions are 2-3 minutes apart, lasting still about a minute. They are getting pretty intense. Shew. So I'm going to go soak and hope it takes the edge off. Will update later.
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Hubby and I decided to go look at more homes today. There were a couple of Open Houses we wanted to check out and several we wanted to just look at and see the neighborhood, etc. About 2 I started having contractions, but, I've been having contractions for days so I didn't think anything of it. They weren't painful, just pressure. By 3:15 Justin asked how many I had had within the hour...I told him I thought around 5, so we decided to time them. They were 10 minutes apart. By 4 they were 4 minutes apart lasting a minute. By 4:30 I was on the phone with Jeanne and Marilyn. Hubby and I tried to go to the mall and walk a bit, but I made it one lap. They were 3 minutes apart. Marilyn told me to call her when I got home. Which was about 5:15.

By 6:30 Marilyn came by to check on us. Baby sounded GREAT!! I'm still 3 c.m. dialated but she was able to reach my cervix a lot easier than she was able to on Friday. And I've thinned more. I'm also having lots of "show" (gross haha). So, she told me to eat and rest (I've secluded myself in my bedroom). She went to eat dinner, get gas and hang for an hour then she'll come check on me. Jeanne was in Chattanooga when I spoke to her around 4:30, so she's on her way back now.

We have made progress!! And these by far are the most uncomfortable contractions I've had. And they've stayed with me the longest. (The other times I've been contracting they've only lasted an hour or two....I'm on hour 4) I'm still in denial that it's real labor, but these are different. I've had three while writing this and have had to stop during each one and focus, focus, focus!!

I'll update more when Marilyn comes back and checks on me!!

~Blessings~

A.M. update June 27

Labor has stalled and I'm exhausted. I had random contractions all day yesterday but none were close to timeable. And I've stopped loosing my mucus plug, so no more funky discharge or anything. My back is bothering me today and I'm exhausted. Just plain exhausted. I slept normally last night but I feel like I didn't sleep a wink. So I hope I can take a nap today.

Yesterday mom took the girls out for hours and I took a bath and rested and read. But nothing. Justin and I went riding and walking around last night and nothing. I can't do much to help labor move along because we don't want to bring it on too hard or too strong. So, we are really relying on our faith and God to get us through this crazy time!!

Baby has been VERY active. So I know she's tolerating it all well. I'm just so anxious to meet her. My Monday deadline is creeping up fast!!

~Blessings~

A.M. update June 26

Midwife just left. I am still about 3 cm dialated. I'm having lots of show and my blood pressure is up slightly. Marilyn said that the blood pressure goes up a little when your in labor. So good signs! She said babies come at night typically, so we are praying I start contracting again soon and she comes at night.

I haven't had a contraction since about 6 a.m.

Marilyn told me to relax as much as possible, and go about my normal routine. We are doing SOMETHING!!

Hubby home now...praying I can just be left alone. Surely between mom and hubby my kids will be occupied!! The stress of them being....themselves...is really getting to me.

Oh, and Marilyn told me I had until Monday to have her or we would have to do something. Either let the Dr. we saw last week do a repeat c-section or go to Vanderbilt and fight with them to give me a trial of labor (which they will, since baby is fine and I'm fine, it'll just be a fight the whole way). Sigh. Praying this is it!!

Labor Has Begun

Yesterday (June 25) morning I woke up nauseated and exhausted. By 9 a.m. I had the girls in their room playing and I dozed in and out on their bed. Around noon, I was laying on the couch and had some cramping, then a contraction. So THAT's what they feel like! Ok...then a couple of minutes later I had another one. I had to get up. I told mom that I needed to go sit on my ball that my back was hurting. I came to my room to get some peace and started timing them. They were about 5-6 minutes apart lasting 30 seconds each. Not painful, just a lot of pressure with each one. I let Justin and Jeanne know.

Fast forward to 4 and they are now 3-4 minutes apart lasting 1 minute. Justin and I go walking at Wal-Mart, Lowes and Target and the contractions space out. Get back home and they pick back up. Justin and I eat dinner and go lay down to rest. We are both pretty exhausted. We both ended up getting a great nights rest!! I had some contractions last night that woke me up, but all in all I feel great!!

So now, I'm waiting on them to come back again! And I'm so thankful God gave us such a great nights rest! We needed it!! So now, bring on the labor!!

I'm not updating the blog much, but I am updating facebook & twitter so you can follow me there:
www.facebook.com/lesliecoker
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~Blessings~

Biophysical Profile & OB Visit

Boooooo for this OB!! What a day that tested my strength and faith, shew!!

SO, I'm past due, very past due. Since my original due date puts me past the 42 week mark, I had to go see an OB to get a second opinion in order for my midwives to stay compliant with their board. So we go, I fill out all of my paperwork. Blood pressure was 118/65, no temp, up a pound from last week, etc. Get into the room, the doctor comes in and reads my chart, introduces himself and then immediately says we have to get a biophysical profile (BPP) immediately and schedule a c-section ASAP. He didn't ask me about my previous c-sections, he didn't examine me, listen to baby's heart rate, didn't touch me other than to shake my hand! I was by myself because the nurse said he wanted to talk to me first and then bring Justin and Jeanne (one of my midwives) back. So I was shocked. But I put on my game face and said that we were not ready to schedule a c-section and we really just came out of necessity and wanting to check on Katy. He gets a very stern "doctor" look/voice and proceeds to try and scare me by LYING about statistics, etc!!!! I calmly told him that we have done our research, extensively, that we respectfully decline his request to schedule but I would take him up on the offer of the BPP to check on Katy. He starts to get a little huffy/puffy because I rejected him :) and I just requested that the nurse bring Justin and Jeanne in. Once they came in I didn't let the Dr. speak, I told Justin and Jeanne that the Dr. wanted to schedule a c-section, but I declined and we were going to go to the hospital for a BPP. When we went to leave for the hospital, the Dr. shakes Jeanne's hand and says, "c-section immediately!". Jeanne is wonderful, she just smiled and said, "Thanks for seeing us!"

So they scheduled the BPP as "stat" status, so we could get in quickly. We still sat in the hospital for an hour. The BPP took, oh 20 minutes. Then we had to wait until the radiologist read the results. Aggravating! So Jeanne went and ran errands and Justin and I went to do some work at his office. The Dr.'s office calls about an hour and a half later to tell me the results were ready and wanted to know if we had made a decision.....WHAT?!?! I told the nurse that we hadn't, that we were waiting on the results, she needed to fax me a copy, and that we would all talk (Me, Justin, Jeanne and Marilyn) and I would get back with her. She made sure I knew that the Dr. still STRONGLY recommended I schedule a c-section ASAP. So, we get the fax:

Cervix length: 3.4 c.m. (didn't get that measured last week)
Baby's Heart rate: 142 (she's always been 130s-140s)
Fluid Level: 10 (it was 10.6 last week)
Active movements shown, breathing present, baby normal size and acted normally (same as last week)
Placenta anterior and not too mature (same as last week)
Baby head down (same as last week)
Baby's score 8/8 (same as last week)

SOOOO this OB wanted to take my perfectly healthy baby out of her perfectly healthy incubator JUST because I'm overdue and I've had c-sections before!! Makes NO sense!!!! She's PERFECTLY fine!!!!

After we got the results we called Jeanne and Marilyn, and we decided that none of us was comfortable having a c-section at this point. Baby is fine and I am fine. And we've done everything we needed to do to be "compliant" with the state's midwifery rules. So we are just going to hang out....

I do have to say that I understand that OBs are typically scared of a double VBAC like me. I understand that their malpractice insurance doesn't like patience like me and I'm sure I scared him to death!! I just didn't want to have to defend our decision....AGAIN....but I don't blame the OB for being concerned. It's what he was taught and he doesn't know any better. (Not saying I know better than an OB, just in this case, he obviously isn't properly informed on all of the up to date VBAC statistics, reports, etc.)

So, yah!! Baby Katy is great and so am I!! I'm so thankful today is over with!! I'm exhausted! And I'm so thankful to have my midwife team. They are amazing! Even Justin was like, wow that was night and day (midwife vs this OB). I'm so thankful for my husband being my rock. And I'm so very very thankful that Katy is doing so well!!! She just needs more time, and by golly, I'm going to give her every moment she needs!!!

~Blessings~

Midwife Appointment ~House Update~

Jeanne came by to see me today. Have I mentioned how much I love midwife appointments?

Blood Pressure was 120/65, perfect. Baby's heart rate was still in the 130's and showed great fluctuation, perfect. AND she's dropped another c.m.!!! My fundul height is 37 c.m. now, and it's been 38 c.m. for the past two weeks!! Wahoo!! I am swollen some today, but Jeanne wasn't concerned because I haven't been swollen at all this entire pregnancy. So she chalked it up to it being so darn hot and that I'm retaining water because of the heat. My blood pressure is still perfect, so we are not concerned with Pre-Eclampsia at all.

So, the bad news. My original due date was June 4th. So that puts me at 42+ weeks pregnant. Now, we went last Tuesday and had an ultrasound done. Roy (the ultrasound tech) thinks that my due date was off, and that she should have come around June 13th. That still puts me at 9 days past due. So, in order for my midwives to stay compliant with their "board" I have to go see one of their Dr. back-ups tomorrow. *Sigh* At 42+ weeks I'm having my first OB appointment. My husband, and both of my midwives are going with me, so that's good. And we are just going for a consultation to make sure all is well. He'll check my blood pressure, Katy's heart rate, etc. etc. And he'll do an internal check for dialation/effacement (which is why we didn't do a check today). And he might order another ultrasound since it's been a week since i've had a Biophysical Profile done, and maybe a Non-Stress Test to see if I am contracting, etc. So, a basic work-up! The great thing is that he and his entire staff are VERY VBAC/Home birth friendly, so there isn't going to be a guilt trip about our home birth choice, etc.

SO, if he gives us the ok, then we are ok. We will keep going on and keep trucking!! But if something is a miss (the placenta is getting too mature or if my fluid levels look low or if baby looks "stressed") then we will all be there to talk about my options. Since I'm a double VBAC, doing an artifical induction isn't an option for us (using Pitocin) because it'll cause too much stress on my uterus/baby. Which I'm against anyway, I DON'T want an artifical induction. And they might push for a repeat c-section, which I'm also dead set against (unless baby is not doing well of course).

So we will know more tomorrow. It is very frustrating and somewhat annoying that we are having to do this. BUT it's important to know that Katy is doing well. So, we are going with it! I'm SO releaved that Jeanne and Marilyn are going too!!! That way they can answer all of the questions, etc!! And with hubby, they'll be my rocks!!

So pray for us, say lots of prayers that Katy is well and that this OB gives us the ok!! My late grandmother's (Mom's mom) birthday is on Wednesday (June 24th) so we are praying Katy will come then. It'll at least give this delay a purpose....a reason....and how amazingly cool would that be?!?!
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Ok, on another note! We've got a contract on our home!! We should close at the end of July!! I'm so excited to have that off of our shoulders!! And we are going to look at two homes tonight. We are really hopeful about one. It looks perfect online....so we'll see!!! Wahoo for new homes!! How fun!!

~Blessings~

Thanking God for Patience

I have been asking GOD for more patience for a while now. I told him that I knew that it would be a long, hard lesson. But, I knew it was a lesson I needed, and I was ready. I just realized today that I'm getting that lesson!!

I'm learning a lot by living with my parents again, selling my house, buying a new house, and waiting on a very overdue baby. I really feel like I've finally learned to let things go to God, and to not "sweat the small stuff" anymore! I'm so thankful for that. I've always had a hard time letting God have control of my life fully....I want to be in control, I want to do things MY way, you get the drift. But, I have finally learned to give it up!

Life isn't about me, it just isn't. It's about what God wants for me and my family. It doesn't matter what I want or what I think, etc. It's all about God's plan. And I'm so appreciative of that!!

The biggest challenge has been waiting on Katy. EVERYONE has their opinion on when she should come, what we should be doing to get her here, etc. But they just don't understand that, quite frankly, we don't care what they think. We know God has picked the perfect birthday for her and we are waiting on her. I get rude comments ALL the time from friends AND family about Katy. It's very discouraging to think that the people closest to me wouldn't be supportive. But I guess it's "human nature" to judge. Haha, sometimes I think if one more person says something about this baby I'm going to just punch them!! But I wouldn't ever...it's just tacky. Like I'm not feeling what they are saying.....like they are helping me or making me feel better by saying things about her being overdue. It's just tacky and rude of them.....but I know they don't realize it. Most people don't go overdue now because Dr.'s induce. And since we are homebirthing, it's throwing people off!! YES you can have a baby when your baby needs to come, not when your Dr. needs your baby to come.....I know what a NOVEL idea :) haha!!

See, here is my lesson. I'm so thankful, truly thankful, that God has control of my life, that I am walking with him, and doing all I can to be who he wants me to be. Gosh, it's hard!! It's the hardest thing I've ever done. But I love it!!

Well, thanks for listening to me vent/be joyful!!

~Blessings~

Praise GOD!!!

Today has been just full of blessings!!!

First, Maddy had her VGUC test done. Basically it's a test to check to see if her pee was refluxing to her kidneys or not. Well, thank the Lord, her's isn't!! So, she's perfectly healthy!! She even did well for the test. I couldn't go because I'm still pregnant, and would have been exposed to the x-ray, but my husband and my mom went with her. She did ok, she cried and was scared, but she trusted that all was going to be ok, and she got ice cream afterwards, so all is good!!!

Second, I think we've found the house we want haha! It's just perfect! So once we sell our house, maybe we can buy it!!

And last, but not least, we went and had an ultrasound to check on baby Katy and I have some GREAT news! So, by my last period I should have been due June 4th. When we went for our ultrasound at 20 weeks, Katy was measuring 19 weeks, but we didn't change her due date. Today, Katy was measuring 40 weeks 3 days, not 41 weeks 5 days. So it looks like we conceived little Katy a little later in my cycle than we thought. Which is GREAT news! That means I'm just around 3 days over due...not 12!!!!! Ya'll might think I'm weird to be glad that my due date was a week off, but I am! It means we are no where near our "end" point!!

He did a full Biophysical Profile on her and gave her a score of 8, which is great! Her fluid level measured 10.7 c.m. and they don't worry until it gets to 5 c.m. or less. And he checked her heart, kidneys, bladder, etc. etc. and all looks perfect! She was "breathing" as well and in a good position. Also, he guessed she is measuring right at 7 lbs 6 oz. Perfect!! So, since we aren't as far past as we thought, he's guessing I'll have her within the next 5 days! Cool!

I'm such a happy mama!! Not only is my big baby perfectly healthy, but so is my littlest!! What a day of blessings and joy!!!

~Blessings~

Midwife Appointment Today

So, I have a midwife team. And they decided they did want to see me today after all and not wait until after the ultrasound to have an appointment. So, Jeanne came on up and we had an appointment! My blood pressure was 110/70, perfect. I've just put on a pound, wahoo! And my fundul height is still 38 c.m. (which it has been for the past two weeks). Which means baby is still fully engaged, and there isn't any wiggle room around her head. Wahoo! I asked Jeanne if she thought baby was in a good position. I've been thinking maybe she was a little crooked, or "off", maybe that's why she hasn't come yet. But Jeanne said that she was in a GREAT position, not Sunny Side up, not "off", she was great! Wahoo! Also, I had her do my first internal check. I'm already 3 c.m. dialated and fully thinned out!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!! When I labored with Maddy, I never got past 2 c.m. dialated, so I've already made more progress, and I'm not even in labor yet!! That makes me feel soooo much better! My body isn't broken!! Whoop Whoop!!

We also had a LLLOOOONNNGGG talk about the what ifs. And they are not going to let the 42 week mark be an end point for us. Baby WILL come out, so we are just going to let her be! I feel so much better, because I was getting really worried that we were getting to our end point!!! I am still going to have an ultrasound done this week (just waiting on the guy to call me back to schedule) and we are going to check on her placenta, her size, and her fluids!

We also talked about ways to "help" baby move on out! I have been given way too much advice on ways to "self-induce". But I haven't tried anything more than just walking, oh and eating Eggplant Parmigiana (which didn't do anything but was very yummie)!! And I'm so glad I haven't wasted my time. Jeanne said that since I have had c-sections before we don't want to add any stress to my scar. And many of the self-induction techniques, such as Castor Oil, would probably put me into labor now, but it would also put too much stress on my uterus. And it would put me into labor too hard, too fast. It's best if we let my body naturally go into labor, gently, and at it's own pace. It knows best, baby knows best, GOD knows best. And we need to leave it that way. Jeanne did say the best way to "help" baby come, is to RELAX!!! So I'm going to work on that!!

So, what a great appointment! What a huge weight off of my shoulders. I do feel so much more peace now!! Isn't GOD soooooooo good?

~Blessings~

Update

We are still here, still pregnant and still doing great!!

I'm going to go in for an ultrasound this week to check on Katy's growth, fluid levels, placenta, etc. And if all is well then we'll just continue on. If something is a little off then Marilyn will want to start talking about natural induction techniques. If something is really off, then I'm sure we'll have to be referred to Centennial for a medical induction with Marilyn's OB back up. So pray this little girl comes out soon!! We want her to be safe and healthy!!

The girls were in a fashion show on Saturday and they both did SOOO good!! Maddy of course was Mrs. Diva! Love it! And the Dance Recital was Sunday and OMG my girls are stars!!! Of course Maddy was spot on with her dances. She did just beautifully!!! And other kids were watching her so they could keep up with the right steps!! Oh and her ballet, was really beautiful!! This year she has really learned true ballet steps, and she did just an amazing job!! Izzy, she did the dances, but she was SO funny!! She sort of just did her own thing, that was sort of part of the dance!! She loved it, and laughed and clapped and had a GREAT time!!! She was one of the youngest in her class, so I'm so proud she wasn't scared and she had fun!!

I promise to post pictures soon!!

~Blessings~

Midwife Appointment

Not too much to report! We are 5 days overdue. Katy's heart rate is still in the 130's and showed great fluctuation! My blood pressure was 110/70, which is perfect. I just noticed some swelling today, when I put on my rings, but it's not anything major at all. Marilyn thinks it's because of the heat. I've put on 2 lbs in a week...oops! But total weight gain is 44 lbs. I'm fine with that, a little bit more than I wanted, but hey, I'll deal with my weight later!! My fundul height was 38 cm, same as last week. So baby has still "dropped". Also, there was zero wiggle room around her head, so she is fully engaged, low and ready!

We set up an appointment for Monday. Next week I'll need to go to see Roy, the ultrasound technician our midwives use, to check on fluid levels, etc. Just to make sure. Marilyn said in all of her years being a midwife (35+) she's had only two women go past 42 weeks. And one went one day past and one went two days past. She also said that most women have their babies this week (the week they are past due). So, that gives me hope!!

So how am I? I'm doing ok. I'm sleeping just about 45 minutes at a time at night because my back hurts so bad. It's my lower back...so there isn't anything I can do about it. But I'm exhausted because of the lack of sleep...which causes me to be crabby and not so tolerant of unwanted comments, suggestions, etc. And not a happy/tolerant mommy. My hips also ache because of her being so low. But I would much rather her do her thing now....because the more we progress now, the less we have to do during labor :) And I can't walk or be on my feet for very long. I've been trying to exercise, to walk the mall, etc, but I just can't do much because it hurts so badly.

But in all honesty, I'm doing perfectly fine!! I'm just about 41 weeks pregnant, and my aches and pains are nothing, we are so very blessed!! We have fully given this birth over to God. And he has already determined the perfect birthday for her, and so we are waiting!! I know I won't be pregnant forever!!! And I know that every moment she spends in the womb is a moment she needed to be in there. This isn't about me, or my family, or how uncomfortable I am, or how anxious everyone is to meet her. This is about her, her safety, her health, her well being. And so we wait!!

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I'm planning on updating my blog and facebook and twitter throughtout labor as I can. I want to document as much as I can while it's happening, so I can remember this amazing moment!!!!!

~Blessings~

Awesome News!!

Well we are officially overdue. Ha, I love due dates!! Just kidding! But I didn't expect Katy to come this week. But it's getting hard not having her. There is a mommy that was using the same midwives as I am, who was due today actually, who had her baby two days ago!! And there have been so many mommies on my babycenter birth board who have had their babies, I can't even get on there anymore!! I know she'll come, and I'm not doing anything to rush her! But I REALLY want her to be here! I can't wait to hold her and see what she looks like, to smell her and hear her little coo's!!! Ugh, I'll be pregnant for another week and a half, watch!!! Haha!

Well, our house has been on the market for a little over a week now and we had 3 showings yesterday (two of them by the same people) and one offer made! And it was a good, legitimate offer!!! So we countered, and are waiting to hear what they think!! I'm thrilled! They want to close by the end of June! The sooner we get out of this house, the sooner we can purchase our next house!! We found one we love! I just don't know if we can honestly afford it or not....we will see!!!!

Here lately we've had lots of little bumps in the road, lots of challenges and frustrations. And I'm amazed at how easily we've been able to turn it all over to God. That's one of my biggest struggles with my walk with faith....letting God handle things. And I've really been tested on this issue this week. And it's working nicely!! God never promised the road would be easy, but he did promise that you would never walk it alone. And I've felt that this week!!

Please continue to say prayers for baby Katy. Our next appointment is on Tuesday, but hopefully I won't keep it :) Please pray for our house, and for all of us! Thanks!!!

~Blessings~

Midwife Appointment/ House on Market

Had a midwife appointment today. We've got 3 days until our "due date".

My blood pressure was 100/60. Low for me, but still good. I've been having a hard time staying hydrated here lately, so we think that has a lot to do with my lower blood pressure. I still have good pee. Katy's heart rate was still in the 130s, but once again showed great fluctuation! So she's developed perfectly! My fundul height has been dead on (I was 32 weeks and my tummy measured 32). But today, I'm 39 weeks and my tummy measured 48. So that means baby has REALLY dropped. She felt her head, and confirmed how low she is. I told her my lower back has been bothering me and my hips ache, and just about every movement she makes is painful for me. She said that is normal for this "stage of the game". Which I figured. Katy's developed sleep/wake patterns now. So, her activity level has slowed, but she has definite periods of sleep and awake. I opted out of being checked. I DO really want to know if any progress is being made (dialation, etc). But I don't want to know I'm at a 4cm dialated, and get my hopes up, and then not go into labor for another 2 weeks!! So, I chose just not to know. Knowing it doesn't mean anything, so I'm choosing to just remain in the dark! So we are doing great, and we are healthy!! We are just waiting on her to decide when she wants her birthday to be!!

We finally got our house put on the market!! It's been listed since last Thursday! We are so excited and are praying it sells quickly!! Here is the MLS# 1085990. Go check out the house and do the virtual tour!! So fun!!

That's all for now! I plan on updating my twitter/facebook/blog with my labor as it comes! So stay tuned!!

~Blessings~