Silas's Birth Story- Part 1

I think this might be long so I'm going to break it up in two parts

Eli's birth story can be found here at the top of it is a summary of Rowan's birth story too.


I'll start a few months back since I didn't blog too much during this pregnancy...
-32 weeks an ultrasound discovered I had a high amount of amniotic fluid (26) so they decided to watch that with weekly appointments including NST's and sonograms.
-33weeks fluid was 25.6. This is when I found out normal is 13-25 but usually goes down towards the end of pregnancy so even though I wasn't that high I was for how far along I was. I had a sono and NST and everything looked great.
-34weeks- just NST and appointment.  Everything good.
-35weeks- Sonogram, NST, and appointment.  Discovered Silas had flipped and was breech! Fluid was 29  Apparently extra fluid means lots of room to flip around.  I was given excercises to do to try and get him to flip back and we discussed what would happen if he didn't turn.
-36weeks- Sonogram- he's head down again!  yeah!! fluid- 27
-37weeks- a regular appointment!  I didn't know what to do when I didn't have to spend over an hour at the hospital! ;)
-38weeks- I measured at only 39 so we think fluid went down!
-39weeks- measured at 44!!  I had a sono to see if fluid went way up, it was only at 23 so probably just his positioning.  Dialated 1-2cm
-40weeks-dialated to 3! Had membranes stripped. ouch!
-41weeks- NST, sono. fluid back up to 28.  Still dialated to 3, got membranes stripped again.

So, this pregnancy I really wanted to go into labor on my own. I was induced with Rowan and Eli at 40weeks 6 days and I really wanted to know that my body could do this own it's own.  A common problem with extra fluid is preterm labor so I hoped that maybe for me that could just mean I'd go into labor by 40 weeks.

Since I'd never gone into labor on my own I felt like a first time- would I know when it was time?? A [part of me thought my body still wouldnt go into labor and I'd end up induced.  The hospital will only let you go to 42weeks usually. 

On Wednesday, June 20th I had my membranes stripped at my appointment.  Mike had taken that day off because the boys had to go to camp at Homer Lake.  After the appointment I met my friend Sarah for lunch- Mexican- yum!  I started to feel a little yucky towards the end of lunch and went home to nap before the boys came home.  I had another appointment scheduled for that Friday that would also be a NST and sono.  I knew we would set an inducion date then too.  Since Eli's birthday was my 42weeks(the next Wednesday) I would either be induced that Monday or Tuesday.  I tried to talk Mike into taking off the rest of the week since we knew he would be here by Tuesday but he had a lot to do.  We did decide he would take off Friday and that would start his leave - it was always easier to have him watch the boys during my appointments and those long ones meant I could be there for a few hours.  They were usually great about getting me in early but there was no guarantee.  I finished packing my bag that night just in case.  I had some cramps that night and was hoping to wake up in labor!

I woke up feeling fine :( The boys had swimming lessons so I had to actually get up and get dressed and get moving.  I really started to hate all their activities towards the end of the summer- baseball for Rowan, swimming and Eco-camp for both. I got constant questions about when I was due and that last week most people were shocked that I was a week over due! I was pretty surprised how everyone just thinks being induced is the way to go....

                                     I wore this dress almost daily at the end! I decided it was too much work for
                                             pants or shorts.  I loved the green dress in the pic above but it was too short for public!

So we go to swimming lessons and I talk to my friend Sarah about still being pregnant and the books I'd been reading I borrowed from her (50 Shades of Grey- great way to take your mind off not having a baby!) come back home and I fixed lunch.  Then we started our usual afternoon routine- I layed on the couch and attempted to nap and they watch cartoons (it was really hot around this time too so no one wanted to be outside). When I woke up I was having mild contractions....

34 weeks and new snacks

We had our 34 week appointment Thursday, we saw a midwife we hadn't met yet and didn't really care for her, she is now on the bottom of my list of who I hope I get for delivery. She mentioned that the Dr. will have the final say on when or if I'll be induced!? Whatever! My blood sugars are still good and everyone- except for the DR. seems to agree that they are NOT going up.
I've been craving sweet stuff more and more, and getting burnt out on my plain yogurt w/ fruit and light chocolate syrup. I decided to check out the snack aisle at the store and discovered the wonderful little 100 calorie packs!! I don't know why I never looked at these things before, they are perfect usually a little more than 1 serving of carbs and 10-15grams of sugar- just the amount I can eat without feeling sick!! And they don't have any artificial sweeteners- which I can not stand the taste of! I really like the Lorna Doons, and the mini chocolate hostess cupcakes!!

Fun at home

I finally bought Rowan some play-doh and he loved it, first we made snakes Then we made a bear/bunny not sure what it turned out to be but he was having fun!Last weekend it was finally nice out so we went out and played with bubbles, Rowan was having problems actually "blowing" the bubbles so instead he just ran with the bubble wand and it worked just as well.

Rowan falling, from running so fast with the bubbles.
Of course the nice weather can't ever last forever, and this weekend will be cold rainy and maybe even snowy!! Rowan and I are getting colds again so I'm sure we'll have a fun sick weekend stuck in the house again!! Next week it is supposed to be in the 70's so maybe spring will stick around eventually!! We are ready for it!!

We had another appointment this week, I am now 30 weeks! I saw the midwife and everything looks good. Baby is head down- which I pretty much knew since his head is pressing on my bladder constantly! My blood sugars have been really good and I think I am doing a lot better with the diet, no cheating! I guess I just won't get sugar till he's born. In 2 weeks we see the Dr. and will have another sonogram, we had a 32 week sono with Rowan and they estimated his weight at 4lbs. 9oz. so it'll be neat to see how this baby compares to Rowan.

28 weeks

27 week pic, in Chicago

I think this puts us in the 3rd trimester now!! 12 weeks to go, we have finally started buying some things we will need- Rowan loves the car seat! I had an appointment this week with the midwife and everything was good, I measured the right size, and we think he was head down. I will be having another ultrasound in a month so they can check his size, she also said that typically the Dr. starts doing NST at 36 weeks and once a week till birth, but we could always refuse to do this. Will just see what happens when we get there, I don't really want to sit in the office for an hour every week hooked up to a machine! We now will start going every 2 weeks, so I'm sure it will go pretty quick from here.



My blood sugars have still been good, but I think I am starting to feel the effects of anything sweet I eat. I even don't feel right after having even a drink of coffee- not sure if it's the caffeine or the tiny bit of sugar I put in it. They tell me it is harder for your body to regulate as the pregnancy goes on, so I guess that is why I am feeling it more. I will just have to be a lot more careful so I will hoepfully not need insulin. I have to start doing kick counts now, which is no problem since he moves constantly!



I got a prenatal massage this week, and it was great, so relaxing! I am hoping to get another one closer to delivery, since I'm sure I will be in more pain by then.