Neal and I had a date night last night! It's the first time we've been out without Kira since Neal's birthday back in June. Neal was given some movie tickets from his work (a "thank-you" for being there for a year), and we thought we're better off using them now, before Belly Bean arrives. We asked our sister-in-law, Virginia, to come and babysit Kira for us. We thought that would be a good way for them to get familiar with each other before I go into labour, as Virginia is going to babysit Kira then, too. Kira was very excited to see Virginia, and seemed happy for us to go. She was good for Virginia (so Virginia says) - I'm feeling more relaxed now about leaving Kira with her (I've been feeling a bit anxious about finding suitable babysitting arrangements for Kira for when I'm in labour).
We went to see the movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still", which was pretty good. I didn't realise it was a remake until later, but I felt like I'd seen it before (though I get that a lot!). We went out for dinner afterwards, to a Malaysian restaurant (great food, but not so great for my heartburn!). It was about 10pm when we were eating dessert, and I asked Neal where he felt like going next. His reply? "Home"! Which was fine with me, but when did we get so old?!?!? Goodness knows when we'll be able to go out sans kids again.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Notes On Being Pregnant
I know each pregnancy is different, but it wasn't until I became pregnant with #2 that I realised just how true this is.
With Kira, since she was IVF, we knew very early on that we were pregnant. After the implantation I had to have injections of the pregnancy hormone hCG, so I knew this could give me a "false" positive if I took a test, and false symptoms, so I tried not to get my hopes up too high when I started to notice changes.
My first pregnancy was "textbook" virtually all the way through. I started to feel nauseous and bloated, my breasts were swollen and tender, and I had my first true craving (for prawns, of all things!) the day before I was to have a blood test to confirm if I was in fact pregnant. The morning of the test (at 5wks), I threw up. I put it down to nerves, and a sensitive gag reflex (it's not uncommon for me to gag whilst cleaning my teeth, and this is what I was doing when I vomited). But, the blood test came back positive - I was pregnant! I got affected by the 
"usual" first-trimester symptoms, mostly fatigue and nausea, with the odd bouts of vomiting (usually once every second day, until about 17wks). I was working nightshifts then, and so I could spend all day in bed if I wanted to. Plus, the girls at work would often insist I take a long break so I could have a nap there, too!
In my second trimester, I felt great - we went on a holiday to the Flinder's Ranges, and took a 3-hour hike up to a lookout when I was 20wks pregnant! Even my third trimester was mostly uneventful - I was getting bigger, and more awkward, though the heat (summer time!) didn't help...I started to get puffy feet. I had holidays at Christmas time for the first time in years, and I wasn't about to give them up! But when it was time to return to work (at almost 35wks) I found I was just too uncomfortable to be on my feet for too long, and so I didn't go back. It's just as well, really, as the night that was to be my last shift (had I returned) was the night I went into labour! In the last week or so of my pregnancy, I noticed my Braxton Hicks contractions more, and noticed the night before my labour started that they'd become more frequent and intense, but still only "practice" contractions. I also noticed in the last few weeks that the swelling in my feet had moved up my legs - my thighs don't usually touch, but suddenly they were, and I couldn't pull my jeans up! Two days before Kira's birth, I had a scary moment whilst in the city - I felt "funny", and then realised I couldn't see out the side of my right eye! I had been telling Neal I felt "off", but couldn't explain anything more, so I sat down for a while (we were in a book store), and that's when I realised my problem. Neal approached my right side, knelt beside me with his hand on my knee, and while I was looking straight ahead, I couldn't see him at all!! Thankfully this resolved as we were heading to the car, so we decided that we'd just go home rather than to the hospital. I thought if it happens again, then we'll definitely go to the hospital, otherwise I'd just mention it to my midwife at my next appointment - I went into labour the day before this appointment! In hindsight, I think this vision problem was most likely due to swelling, affecting the optic nerve - I had the same issue with my hands (mild carpel tunnel syndrome).
This second pregnancy has been so different! For starters, I had no symptoms initially! Well, except for no period, but I'd been told by my fertility Dr to expect that, as he didn't think I was ovulating. No bloating, no swollen or tender breasts, no nausea...I just felt a bit "heavy" in my pelvis, like my period was due to start any day. By the time I was 8wks, I definitely noticed my belly starting to pouch out, and by 10wks I was noticing the odd flutter of movement, and occasional 
Braxton Hicks contraction. Also, starting around 10wks, I noticed I had developed the pregnancy waddle! My hips felt loose and unstable, and I felt I had to use all my other muscles to keep myself from falling. I also started to feel nauseous ALL the time, though sometimes I felt worse than others (it came in waves), and I noticed a sudden aversion to tea - although I wanted to drink it, it didn't agree with me and would either make me feel very nauseous, or I'd throw up! I had a craving for McDonalds cheeseburgers - it HAD to be that! I tried to nip it in the bud with a "quad-stacker" from Hungry Jacks (nauseating!), but I STILL wanted a McCheeseburger afterwards! The fatigue was really hard to deal with. I don't know if it's because I also now had a toddler to look after, or because I was no longer on nightshifts and therefore not able to spend all day in bed if I wished, or just because this pregnancy was more tiring - maybe all of the above. I tried to nap when Kira napped, but it wasn't always possible, and even when I did, it wasn't enough!
My pregnancy wasn't confirmed until my 12wk "Down's Screen" scan - the longest wait of my life. I found this time very tough - I often thought that my symptoms were all in my head/that I was "looking" for signs, and I worried that I might have a "false" pregnancy (a friend had recently had a molar pregnancy, and that played on my mind, too). This combination of uncertainty, fatigue, mild/vague symptoms, and hormones made for a very tough time for me emotionally - I often wondered if I needed help for depression. Anyway...having the scan was a HUGE relief! I got to see that I was indeed pregnant, and that all was as it should be, and I finally allowed myself to start to enjoy being pregnant.
I had hoped to feel better in my second trimester. The nausea left at around 13wks, though it took me a lot longer to be able to drink tea again, and the fatigue was still an issue until about 20wks. I was so glad when I started to feel "normal"! But that didn't last too long - the fatigue set in again at around 30wks. The waddling has persisted throughout the pregnancy, and because I use other major muscle groups to help keep me upright and mobile, I find I get tired very easily. At 27wks, I got 
sent home in a wheelchair halfway through a shift, as I could no longer walk/stand safely! I started modified shifts (where I could spend most of the shift sitting) at 28wks, but had to give that up at 32wks, as even running (walking!) short errands between rests was too tiring for me! In addition to feeling unstable, I also get sciatica (nerve pain shooting from my tail bone, through my buttock, and down my leg - either side, sometimes both sides at once!), and I have a "clicky" left ileo-sacral joint (just to the left of my tail bone). This clicks every time I shift position, or put my foot to the floor. My mild carpel tunnel syndrome returned at around 30wks, and I have had some nasty calf-muscle cramps. I'm eating antacids like they're lollies for the persistent heartburn/reflux. My belly is carrying differently, too - much lower than last time! If you believe the old wives' tales, that's supposed to indicate I'm having a boy, but I think I'm just stretched from last time! Oh, speaking of which, I have new stretchmarks! I didn't get any until my last couple of weeks with Kira, but I've noticed this time that not only have my old ones flared up, I have new ones! I can feel them happening, and they itch. Kira points to them and says "Aww, broken! Poor Mummy!" From around 30wks, I've noticed intermittent swelling of my feet, thighs, and labia! It's uncomfortable and "strange" when I sit down.
With Kira, since she was IVF, we knew very early on that we were pregnant. After the implantation I had to have injections of the pregnancy hormone hCG, so I knew this could give me a "false" positive if I took a test, and false symptoms, so I tried not to get my hopes up too high when I started to notice changes.
My first pregnancy was "textbook" virtually all the way through. I started to feel nauseous and bloated, my breasts were swollen and tender, and I had my first true craving (for prawns, of all things!) the day before I was to have a blood test to confirm if I was in fact pregnant. The morning of the test (at 5wks), I threw up. I put it down to nerves, and a sensitive gag reflex (it's not uncommon for me to gag whilst cleaning my teeth, and this is what I was doing when I vomited). But, the blood test came back positive - I was pregnant! I got affected by the 
"usual" first-trimester symptoms, mostly fatigue and nausea, with the odd bouts of vomiting (usually once every second day, until about 17wks). I was working nightshifts then, and so I could spend all day in bed if I wanted to. Plus, the girls at work would often insist I take a long break so I could have a nap there, too!In my second trimester, I felt great - we went on a holiday to the Flinder's Ranges, and took a 3-hour hike up to a lookout when I was 20wks pregnant! Even my third trimester was mostly uneventful - I was getting bigger, and more awkward, though the heat (summer time!) didn't help...I started to get puffy feet. I had holidays at Christmas time for the first time in years, and I wasn't about to give them up! But when it was time to return to work (at almost 35wks) I found I was just too uncomfortable to be on my feet for too long, and so I didn't go back. It's just as well, really, as the night that was to be my last shift (had I returned) was the night I went into labour! In the last week or so of my pregnancy, I noticed my Braxton Hicks contractions more, and noticed the night before my labour started that they'd become more frequent and intense, but still only "practice" contractions. I also noticed in the last few weeks that the swelling in my feet had moved up my legs - my thighs don't usually touch, but suddenly they were, and I couldn't pull my jeans up! Two days before Kira's birth, I had a scary moment whilst in the city - I felt "funny", and then realised I couldn't see out the side of my right eye! I had been telling Neal I felt "off", but couldn't explain anything more, so I sat down for a while (we were in a book store), and that's when I realised my problem. Neal approached my right side, knelt beside me with his hand on my knee, and while I was looking straight ahead, I couldn't see him at all!! Thankfully this resolved as we were heading to the car, so we decided that we'd just go home rather than to the hospital. I thought if it happens again, then we'll definitely go to the hospital, otherwise I'd just mention it to my midwife at my next appointment - I went into labour the day before this appointment! In hindsight, I think this vision problem was most likely due to swelling, affecting the optic nerve - I had the same issue with my hands (mild carpel tunnel syndrome).
This second pregnancy has been so different! For starters, I had no symptoms initially! Well, except for no period, but I'd been told by my fertility Dr to expect that, as he didn't think I was ovulating. No bloating, no swollen or tender breasts, no nausea...I just felt a bit "heavy" in my pelvis, like my period was due to start any day. By the time I was 8wks, I definitely noticed my belly starting to pouch out, and by 10wks I was noticing the odd flutter of movement, and occasional 
Braxton Hicks contraction. Also, starting around 10wks, I noticed I had developed the pregnancy waddle! My hips felt loose and unstable, and I felt I had to use all my other muscles to keep myself from falling. I also started to feel nauseous ALL the time, though sometimes I felt worse than others (it came in waves), and I noticed a sudden aversion to tea - although I wanted to drink it, it didn't agree with me and would either make me feel very nauseous, or I'd throw up! I had a craving for McDonalds cheeseburgers - it HAD to be that! I tried to nip it in the bud with a "quad-stacker" from Hungry Jacks (nauseating!), but I STILL wanted a McCheeseburger afterwards! The fatigue was really hard to deal with. I don't know if it's because I also now had a toddler to look after, or because I was no longer on nightshifts and therefore not able to spend all day in bed if I wished, or just because this pregnancy was more tiring - maybe all of the above. I tried to nap when Kira napped, but it wasn't always possible, and even when I did, it wasn't enough!My pregnancy wasn't confirmed until my 12wk "Down's Screen" scan - the longest wait of my life. I found this time very tough - I often thought that my symptoms were all in my head/that I was "looking" for signs, and I worried that I might have a "false" pregnancy (a friend had recently had a molar pregnancy, and that played on my mind, too). This combination of uncertainty, fatigue, mild/vague symptoms, and hormones made for a very tough time for me emotionally - I often wondered if I needed help for depression. Anyway...having the scan was a HUGE relief! I got to see that I was indeed pregnant, and that all was as it should be, and I finally allowed myself to start to enjoy being pregnant.
I had hoped to feel better in my second trimester. The nausea left at around 13wks, though it took me a lot longer to be able to drink tea again, and the fatigue was still an issue until about 20wks. I was so glad when I started to feel "normal"! But that didn't last too long - the fatigue set in again at around 30wks. The waddling has persisted throughout the pregnancy, and because I use other major muscle groups to help keep me upright and mobile, I find I get tired very easily. At 27wks, I got 
sent home in a wheelchair halfway through a shift, as I could no longer walk/stand safely! I started modified shifts (where I could spend most of the shift sitting) at 28wks, but had to give that up at 32wks, as even running (walking!) short errands between rests was too tiring for me! In addition to feeling unstable, I also get sciatica (nerve pain shooting from my tail bone, through my buttock, and down my leg - either side, sometimes both sides at once!), and I have a "clicky" left ileo-sacral joint (just to the left of my tail bone). This clicks every time I shift position, or put my foot to the floor. My mild carpel tunnel syndrome returned at around 30wks, and I have had some nasty calf-muscle cramps. I'm eating antacids like they're lollies for the persistent heartburn/reflux. My belly is carrying differently, too - much lower than last time! If you believe the old wives' tales, that's supposed to indicate I'm having a boy, but I think I'm just stretched from last time! Oh, speaking of which, I have new stretchmarks! I didn't get any until my last couple of weeks with Kira, but I've noticed this time that not only have my old ones flared up, I have new ones! I can feel them happening, and they itch. Kira points to them and says "Aww, broken! Poor Mummy!" From around 30wks, I've noticed intermittent swelling of my feet, thighs, and labia! It's uncomfortable and "strange" when I sit down.*Photo's of me pregnant with "Blob" and "Belly Bean" at 12, 24, and 32 weeks.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Conceiving "Belly Bean"
Discovering we were pregnant with #2 was a huge surprise, and shock! After trying for so long to get pregnant with Kira, and succeeding only with IVF, we thought we might be in for a similar process the next time around.
After Kira's birth, we didn't worry too much with contraception - I was breastfeeding, which provides a certain degree of protection, and I didn't want to take anything that might interfere with my hormones, and besides, we just figured we wouldn't be that lucky! And we were right, well, for around 15 months or so...
My GP had sent me off for an ultrasound as I'd been having heavy periods. The scan showed lots of cysts on my ovaries, and the Dr was worried I might have PCOS (Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). So, in May, I was referred to a specialist - my fertility Dr! This Dr did another scan, which showed my ovaries were fine - no PCOS, thank goodness. He commented that my uterus looked fine, empty (I'd just finished my period, after 10 days!, and was now on day 11 of my cycle). He also said that it looked as though I would have an anovular cycle, as there was no sign of ovulation. He told me to expect a lengthy cycle. He got that bit right!! But not only did I ovulate, we caught the egg, and got pregnant!! Our little miracle!! While I was with the Dr, I thought I'd ask him how we get onto IVF for #2, as Neal and I were thinking of trying for baby #2 later in the year, and we have embryo's remaining from Kira's cycle that we thought we could use.
My cycle is usually around 35 days - I got to day 43 before a friend convinced me to do a pregnancy test. I did the test, and let it do it's thing, while Kira had her bath. I could not believe it when not one but TWO stripes appeared!!! I kept checking and rechecking the test, but it was clear as day - the test line was even darker than the control line!! I was very happy, and in tears...Kira noticed my joy, and stood up in the bath, and clapped and cheered!!
I had to wait a few hours for Neal to get home from work to share the news. I'd taken a photo of the test, as I'd done with Kira's positive tests, and as Neal and I sat down to eat, I showed him the camera, saying I'd taken a few pics of Kira being silly during the day (which was true...). When Neal came to the photo of the test, he took a moment, then said "So we're pregnant then?!". And then, just minutes later, he started ringing his family to tell them the news! We hadn't even finished dinner!! I then rang my family. Everyone sounded surprised, and happy, for us.
I went to my GP for confirmation of the pregnancy, and a referral to the FMC Birth Centre. But I didn't get confirmation - I had to wait until our 12wk "Down's Screen" scan for that! That was the longest wait ever! But it was such a relief to see a BABY on the screen, with the heart beating away, and everything where it should be....and I got an overwhelming urge to call it "he"! We'll soon know if it is in fact a boy! I won't post a pic of the 12wk scan - the only one I have is of very poor quality, and it's too hard to see anything discernable. This one was taken at the 20wk "morphology" scan. I had my first appointment at the hospital when I was 12wks pregnant, and my first appointment with my midwife, Helen, at 20wks. This is the same midwife I had whilst pregnant with Kira! I'm hoping that she'll be able to be there for the actual birth this time - Helen's colleague, Bev, helped with Kira's birth as Helen was unavailable.
After Kira's birth, we didn't worry too much with contraception - I was breastfeeding, which provides a certain degree of protection, and I didn't want to take anything that might interfere with my hormones, and besides, we just figured we wouldn't be that lucky! And we were right, well, for around 15 months or so...
My GP had sent me off for an ultrasound as I'd been having heavy periods. The scan showed lots of cysts on my ovaries, and the Dr was worried I might have PCOS (Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). So, in May, I was referred to a specialist - my fertility Dr! This Dr did another scan, which showed my ovaries were fine - no PCOS, thank goodness. He commented that my uterus looked fine, empty (I'd just finished my period, after 10 days!, and was now on day 11 of my cycle). He also said that it looked as though I would have an anovular cycle, as there was no sign of ovulation. He told me to expect a lengthy cycle. He got that bit right!! But not only did I ovulate, we caught the egg, and got pregnant!! Our little miracle!! While I was with the Dr, I thought I'd ask him how we get onto IVF for #2, as Neal and I were thinking of trying for baby #2 later in the year, and we have embryo's remaining from Kira's cycle that we thought we could use.
My cycle is usually around 35 days - I got to day 43 before a friend convinced me to do a pregnancy test. I did the test, and let it do it's thing, while Kira had her bath. I could not believe it when not one but TWO stripes appeared!!! I kept checking and rechecking the test, but it was clear as day - the test line was even darker than the control line!! I was very happy, and in tears...Kira noticed my joy, and stood up in the bath, and clapped and cheered!!I had to wait a few hours for Neal to get home from work to share the news. I'd taken a photo of the test, as I'd done with Kira's positive tests, and as Neal and I sat down to eat, I showed him the camera, saying I'd taken a few pics of Kira being silly during the day (which was true...). When Neal came to the photo of the test, he took a moment, then said "So we're pregnant then?!". And then, just minutes later, he started ringing his family to tell them the news! We hadn't even finished dinner!! I then rang my family. Everyone sounded surprised, and happy, for us.
I went to my GP for confirmation of the pregnancy, and a referral to the FMC Birth Centre. But I didn't get confirmation - I had to wait until our 12wk "Down's Screen" scan for that! That was the longest wait ever! But it was such a relief to see a BABY on the screen, with the heart beating away, and everything where it should be....and I got an overwhelming urge to call it "he"! We'll soon know if it is in fact a boy! I won't post a pic of the 12wk scan - the only one I have is of very poor quality, and it's too hard to see anything discernable. This one was taken at the 20wk "morphology" scan. I had my first appointment at the hospital when I was 12wks pregnant, and my first appointment with my midwife, Helen, at 20wks. This is the same midwife I had whilst pregnant with Kira! I'm hoping that she'll be able to be there for the actual birth this time - Helen's colleague, Bev, helped with Kira's birth as Helen was unavailable.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Face Painting
Neal's work (Coca-Cola Amatil) held a Christmas BBQ at the Adelaide Zoo, which included admission, food, drinks, face painting, and a visit from Santa (which we didn't stay for, as it was getting late - we saw Santa a few days later at David Jones instead). Kira was entranced by all the kids, and loved seeing their transformed faces after they'd been painted. She spied a young girl (about 7yo) with a sparkly butterfly painted on her face - and kept going up to her, pointing, and saying excitedly "Buff-why! Buff-why!" So I took her to watch the painters at work. We had fun guessing what each child was about to become, and since she was so interested, I thought she might sit still long enough for a small picture of a butterfly or a flower on her cheek. I didn't think she'd like a full-face done, and besides, she ha
d a bit of a runny nose that day, so I could see the paint getting smudged! She eventually got a bit restless waiting in the queue, and I started to wonder if we should give it a miss after all. But then it was Kira's turn, and she was so good! She sat very still, and presented her cheek to the painter! After a little while, she was more interested in the paintbrush, but she still managed to remain seated long enough for the painter to finish her work. When she showed Kira a mirror, Kira was stunned. But then she broke out in a grin, and said "Aww, pretty girl! Pretty Kira!" She was very happy with her sparkly flower!
Kira's Birth Story
I went into labour in the early hours of Thursday, 1st February, 2007 - our 4th wedding anniversary! I was woken by what I thought was just a painful Braxton Hicks ("practice") contraction at around 4am (I was annoyed, because we'd gone to bed sometime after midnight - I was tired!). I got up and went to the toilet, and hoped everything would settle down. I managed to get back to sleep, but was woken again at 5.30am. This time I began to wonder if "this was it"! The contractions were stronger than my usual BH, and felt more "period-like". Still, I did as before, and tried to get more sleep. At 7am I was woken by a very strong tightening - it made me leap out of bed in tears! This woke Neal. I leaned over to him and said "I think you're going to be a Daddy today!", to which he said something like "Oh? Okay. Why do you say that?" I told him what was happening, and that I was too uncomfortable to go back to bed. He said "Okay", and went back to sleep! (But that's ok - I told him to!)
At around 9am, I had a mucousy show. It was around this time that I was starting to feel really uncomfortable, so I jumped in the shower. I loved being in there! When I wasn't in the shower, I was nursing a wheat bag - the heat was great for the pain! I soon found I was no longer comfortable sitting when the contractions hit, so I started to pace the house, tidying up a bit as I went. By 10am, I thought I'd better ring Jeni, whom I wanted at the birth, and my midwife, to let her know what was happening.
By 11am, I was getting concerned that I was wasting a lot of energy with all this pacing back and forth, so I tried to lay on the bed for a while. I was surprised to find I was quite comfortable - then I realised my contractions had stopped! This wasn't going to get my baby out! I ended up kneeling beside the bed, and found this to be very helpful - my contractions returned, and I found I could rest in between. I eventually set myself up in the lounge room with a dining room chair - I had a pillow under my knees, one over my legs (to rest on between contractions), and one over the seat of the chair, onto which I'd lean and rock with the tightenings.
My contractions gradually got more painful, but I was managing well. I wanted to stay at home as long as possible, and had it in my head that I'd probably go to the hospital some time after 4pm - 12hrs after labour had started. It was around 4pm when Neal asked me if I wanted to go yet - I think he was noticing my increasing discomfort! I said not yet, but suggested we start timing the contractions to see where we're at, and have something to tell the midwife when we rang. Neal timed the next contraction - it lasted 40secs! The next one started just 3mins later. In my head, as I'm dealing with this contraction, I thought we'd have to go soon, but I wanted to wait a little longer, as Jeni still hadn't arrived. But then my waters broke, and the intensity of the contraction magnified beyond belief! Thank goodness I'd put on a maternity pad for "just in case"! Then another one came straight on top of that - lasting almost 3mins total! When I could breath again, I said "Time to go!" I went to the toilet, and had yet another contraction - they were coming hard and fast now. Neal managed to help me dress (I couldn't get my shoes on!), load the car, ring the midwife, and ring Jeni, all within a few minutes. Thankfully, Jeni was at a servo just around the corner - Neal told her to stay put, and we'd drive past her on the way to the hospital. We left the house at 4.30pm.
When we got to the hospital, I was struggling to get out of the car as I was having another contraction. Jeni was yelling out "Help! My sister's in labour!", as Neal helped me out of the car. Several staff came rushing out to the carpark with a barouche, insisting that I get on it. I kept telling them I'm in labour, not pushing yet, and I'd be fine to walk, but eventually just climbed onto the bed. They raced me into a private room to examine me. I got my pants off, but before they could do the exam they decided I could go straight on up to the labour ward (I was booked into the birth centre, but my midwife hadn't arrived yet). They put me in a ricketty old wheelchair, and whizzed me to labour and delivery. I had a contraction as I arrived there, after which I was to lay on the bed for an exam, but during that one, someone called out "Bev's arrived!", and so instead I climbed back into the wheelchair and was finally taken to the birth centre, where Bev, my midwife, examined me. I was 8cm! It was now 5pm.
I laboured on all-fours on the bed for a while, leaning into a pile of pillows with the contractions. I followed my body's urge to push, but nothing seemed to be happening. Bev did another exam, and found I had some cervix still in the way, and it'd become swollen. She suggested I hop in the bath to try and help reduce my urge to push for a while, and that was fine by me - I'd wanted to have a water-birth anyway! The bath was great, but I found it difficult to find a good "pushing" position. I wanted to get into a deep squat, but felt like I was sitting on the baby's head. I ended up bringing my knees up to my shoulders while my hands pushed my bottom off the floor of the bath - rather awkward-looking, I'm sure! In between contractions, I'd lay back and relax - Neal helped stop me from slipping under the water. Jeni kept offering me water to drink, and she and Bev kept an eye on my progress!
Pushing was such hard work! In the end, I had to "get angry" - I told myself that I was going to push with all my might, and if that meant I tore completely in two, then so be it - I'll push even harder! I knew the pain would be over once the baby was out, and that any damage I'd done in the process could be repaired. So despite the pain, I PUSHED! I could feel myself tear, and I PUSHED even more! After about 2-2.5hrs of pushing, at 8.36pm, Kira was finally born in the bath! Her eyes were open, and she had so much long, dark (almost black) hair! Bev helped me lift her onto my chest - she c
ried as soon as the air hit her! I lifted her up to show Neal, and asked him, "Is it a boy or a girl?", but before he could answer, Jeni called out "It's a girl!!". I think she had a better view, and I think she was already on the phone to our parents at this time. Kira and I stayed in the bath for a while (about 10mins or so), then Neal cut the cord. Bev wrapped Kira up in some towels and gave her to Neal for a cuddle, whilst she and Jeni helped me out of the bath. Jeni had a cuddle, and then Kira came to me for a feed. She fed very well! Bev stitched me up, as I had a 2nd degree tear.
Jeni left to stay at our house at around 9.30-10pm; Bev left at 11pm. So the first night was just us 3! Kira spent much of that night sleeping on my chest - she was too unsettled for the cot, and I was too sore to get up and down to her all night. Plus I was still high on adrenaline! Neal was very tired though. We settled on her name, Kira Eve, the next morning. And after all the paperwork was done, we were finally discharged by 2pm Friday afternoon.
At around 9am, I had a mucousy show. It was around this time that I was starting to feel really uncomfortable, so I jumped in the shower. I loved being in there! When I wasn't in the shower, I was nursing a wheat bag - the heat was great for the pain! I soon found I was no longer comfortable sitting when the contractions hit, so I started to pace the house, tidying up a bit as I went. By 10am, I thought I'd better ring Jeni, whom I wanted at the birth, and my midwife, to let her know what was happening.
By 11am, I was getting concerned that I was wasting a lot of energy with all this pacing back and forth, so I tried to lay on the bed for a while. I was surprised to find I was quite comfortable - then I realised my contractions had stopped! This wasn't going to get my baby out! I ended up kneeling beside the bed, and found this to be very helpful - my contractions returned, and I found I could rest in between. I eventually set myself up in the lounge room with a dining room chair - I had a pillow under my knees, one over my legs (to rest on between contractions), and one over the seat of the chair, onto which I'd lean and rock with the tightenings.
My contractions gradually got more painful, but I was managing well. I wanted to stay at home as long as possible, and had it in my head that I'd probably go to the hospital some time after 4pm - 12hrs after labour had started. It was around 4pm when Neal asked me if I wanted to go yet - I think he was noticing my increasing discomfort! I said not yet, but suggested we start timing the contractions to see where we're at, and have something to tell the midwife when we rang. Neal timed the next contraction - it lasted 40secs! The next one started just 3mins later. In my head, as I'm dealing with this contraction, I thought we'd have to go soon, but I wanted to wait a little longer, as Jeni still hadn't arrived. But then my waters broke, and the intensity of the contraction magnified beyond belief! Thank goodness I'd put on a maternity pad for "just in case"! Then another one came straight on top of that - lasting almost 3mins total! When I could breath again, I said "Time to go!" I went to the toilet, and had yet another contraction - they were coming hard and fast now. Neal managed to help me dress (I couldn't get my shoes on!), load the car, ring the midwife, and ring Jeni, all within a few minutes. Thankfully, Jeni was at a servo just around the corner - Neal told her to stay put, and we'd drive past her on the way to the hospital. We left the house at 4.30pm.
When we got to the hospital, I was struggling to get out of the car as I was having another contraction. Jeni was yelling out "Help! My sister's in labour!", as Neal helped me out of the car. Several staff came rushing out to the carpark with a barouche, insisting that I get on it. I kept telling them I'm in labour, not pushing yet, and I'd be fine to walk, but eventually just climbed onto the bed. They raced me into a private room to examine me. I got my pants off, but before they could do the exam they decided I could go straight on up to the labour ward (I was booked into the birth centre, but my midwife hadn't arrived yet). They put me in a ricketty old wheelchair, and whizzed me to labour and delivery. I had a contraction as I arrived there, after which I was to lay on the bed for an exam, but during that one, someone called out "Bev's arrived!", and so instead I climbed back into the wheelchair and was finally taken to the birth centre, where Bev, my midwife, examined me. I was 8cm! It was now 5pm.
I laboured on all-fours on the bed for a while, leaning into a pile of pillows with the contractions. I followed my body's urge to push, but nothing seemed to be happening. Bev did another exam, and found I had some cervix still in the way, and it'd become swollen. She suggested I hop in the bath to try and help reduce my urge to push for a while, and that was fine by me - I'd wanted to have a water-birth anyway! The bath was great, but I found it difficult to find a good "pushing" position. I wanted to get into a deep squat, but felt like I was sitting on the baby's head. I ended up bringing my knees up to my shoulders while my hands pushed my bottom off the floor of the bath - rather awkward-looking, I'm sure! In between contractions, I'd lay back and relax - Neal helped stop me from slipping under the water. Jeni kept offering me water to drink, and she and Bev kept an eye on my progress!Pushing was such hard work! In the end, I had to "get angry" - I told myself that I was going to push with all my might, and if that meant I tore completely in two, then so be it - I'll push even harder! I knew the pain would be over once the baby was out, and that any damage I'd done in the process could be repaired. So despite the pain, I PUSHED! I could feel myself tear, and I PUSHED even more! After about 2-2.5hrs of pushing, at 8.36pm, Kira was finally born in the bath! Her eyes were open, and she had so much long, dark (almost black) hair! Bev helped me lift her onto my chest - she c
ried as soon as the air hit her! I lifted her up to show Neal, and asked him, "Is it a boy or a girl?", but before he could answer, Jeni called out "It's a girl!!". I think she had a better view, and I think she was already on the phone to our parents at this time. Kira and I stayed in the bath for a while (about 10mins or so), then Neal cut the cord. Bev wrapped Kira up in some towels and gave her to Neal for a cuddle, whilst she and Jeni helped me out of the bath. Jeni had a cuddle, and then Kira came to me for a feed. She fed very well! Bev stitched me up, as I had a 2nd degree tear.
Jeni left to stay at our house at around 9.30-10pm; Bev left at 11pm. So the first night was just us 3! Kira spent much of that night sleeping on my chest - she was too unsettled for the cot, and I was too sore to get up and down to her all night. Plus I was still high on adrenaline! Neal was very tired though. We settled on her name, Kira Eve, the next morning. And after all the paperwork was done, we were finally discharged by 2pm Friday afternoon.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Conceiving Kira
Kira was conceived through IVF. We had been trying to have a baby for over four-and-a-half years, and tried many things including surgery (I have endometriosis), charting my temperature, herbal potions, saliva tests, etc. Our first attempt at IVF went well, up until the retrieval. I had follicles, but not a single egg in any of them! We were devastated. We were told this is only the second time in 18 years that this has happened! But why us?! Fortunately, the Doctor had a plan - and it worked! Our next attempt produced our gorgeous daughter, Kira!
Our diary looked like this:
May 25, 2006: 8.30am - egg retrieval; a baker's dozen! 2pm - fertilisation.
May 26: We have 8 embryos!!
May 27: 9am - 1 "bun" inserted, on "slow bake" for 9 months! We got to see our baby at it's "3-day blastocyst (4 cells)" stage - very cool! (That's not her in the photo though!)
June 13: I woke with mad cravings for prawns by the bucket-load!
June 14: Blood test at the clinic confirms we're pregnant - YAY!!!
June 21: Blood test.
June 28: Blood test.
End of June: (around 7wks) I felt the first flutter of movements (confirmed by ultrasound at 11wks).
July 7: First ultrasound (8wks, 3days), confirming "viability". Baby now known affectionately as "Blob"!
July 25: Ultrasound (around 11wks) due to spotting - all ok! Phew!
Mid-August: (around 13wks) People other than family and friends are noticing my belly, and wanting to touch it. And my boobs leak!
Mid-September: (around 18wks) I felt my first strong kick; Neal felt his first one about a week later. A few days after that, we could see my belly move!
September 26: Ultrasound (19wks)
October 6: Our first appointment with midwife, Helen. There's not much left of my belly-button now!
December 28: I finished the mural in "Blob's" room.
January 7, 2007: We had "baby class" - all day!
January 14: We had our "baby shower".
February 1: Our 4th wedding anniversary! And I'm in labour...!!
Our diary looked like this:May 25, 2006: 8.30am - egg retrieval; a baker's dozen! 2pm - fertilisation.
May 26: We have 8 embryos!!
May 27: 9am - 1 "bun" inserted, on "slow bake" for 9 months! We got to see our baby at it's "3-day blastocyst (4 cells)" stage - very cool! (That's not her in the photo though!)
June 13: I woke with mad cravings for prawns by the bucket-load!
June 14: Blood test at the clinic confirms we're pregnant - YAY!!!
June 21: Blood test.June 28: Blood test.
End of June: (around 7wks) I felt the first flutter of movements (confirmed by ultrasound at 11wks).
July 7: First ultrasound (8wks, 3days), confirming "viability". Baby now known affectionately as "Blob"!
July 25: Ultrasound (around 11wks) due to spotting - all ok! Phew!
Mid-August: (around 13wks) People other than family and friends are noticing my belly, and wanting to touch it. And my boobs leak!Mid-September: (around 18wks) I felt my first strong kick; Neal felt his first one about a week later. A few days after that, we could see my belly move!
September 26: Ultrasound (19wks)
October 6: Our first appointment with midwife, Helen. There's not much left of my belly-button now!
December 28: I finished the mural in "Blob's" room.January 7, 2007: We had "baby class" - all day!
January 14: We had our "baby shower".
February 1: Our 4th wedding anniversary! And I'm in labour...!!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Christmas time
Kira LOVED Christmas! She loved all the pretty decorations and lights, and whenever she saw a "Santa" (even if it was just a Santa chocolate) she'd say "Santa! Ho-ho! Merrrry Mess-mess!" As you can see, she was thrilled to see Santa (though it helped that Santa's "helpers" had a little Elmo doll to get her attention for the photo!). She loved Christmas day, too - more presents than she could handle! Her favourite toy is the pull-along puppy that Gran and Gramps (my parents) gave her, but OUR fave is the art easel that Santa gave her - it keeps her out of mischief when we're busy cooking, or whatever. She LOVES to draw!
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