So I not only feel well, large, but I am trying to control my poor swollen feet by wearing support hose today! I am really not able to keep my feet elevated at work so by the end of the day, the swelling has become really noticeable in these 80+ degree days.

At my last prenatal exam, the nurse practitioner said the swelling was bad enough to try something like support hose. Last night I went three different places looking for them before I got some at Walgreens.

They are super thick and I struggled to even get the pair of knee highs on this morning. They're really not uncomfortable, surprisingly, but they are dark brownish orange and ugly. If they work, it'll be worth it! Carrie

I am beginning the 36th week of my pregnancy so I know driving long distances will only be more uncomfortable from now on and I'm still battling swollen feet that only get worse after being in the car. We just got back from a weekend of Lake Michigan salmon fishing in Algoma (just south of Door Co.). It was sunny and beautiful.

Even the smaller salmon you pull up are huge and my husband is a very good cook so they taste fantastic! We didn't catch as many fish as last year when we took the same trip but it was still fun. Our group reeled in 8. I was slightly queasy on the boat this time but just took some deep breaths and it passed.

The hardest part of the fishing trip is getting up at 3 a.m. and on the water before 4, as you can see, it's hard staying awake before sunrise. I bet we'll see plenty more sunrises when baby is here!

Tired Mama and my husband, Pete



If you're looking for a shorter vacation not too far from Wausau, I highly recommend Algoma. It's more affordable than staying in Door County but close enough to drive up for the shops and ice cream! We had wonderful dinners where we stayed at Hotel Stebbins (perch and red fish) and The Cork in Kewaunee (lamb chops and duck).


Carrie

I had a wonderful baby shower on Saturday that my husband's sister hosted, along with his mom, aunt, cousin, my grandmother and some former co-workers who were able to make it to St. Paul. Baby Hutton is all set for taking baths and got some really cute plush toys, baby music, blocks, clothes and a beautiful handmade quilt.

Before I left for the three-hour drive I needed help from my husband in putting on a pair of sandals that buckle. Problem was they wouldn't even close over my feet anymore. He graciously punched a new hole in the straps so I could wear them and then had to put them on for me! I can no longer reach my feet close enough with my growing belly.

So after the drive and sitting with my feet straight down a few more hours, my feet were super swollen. We all had a pretty good laugh because I hardly recognize my ankles without any visible bones. It looks like my feet were broken or something. You can see for yourself!



I just had another prenatal exam today and swollen feet with a high blood pressure can mean you have toxemia. Luckily, it's just the heat of summer taking its toll. Because so many of my summer shoes are too tight, I went shopping last night. Much to my shock, I have grown one and a half sizes larger! Did this happen to you too?
Carrie

Labels: swollen feet baby shower

We completed our childbirth education class last night at Saint Clare's and have the diploma to prove it! The second session focused a lot on what the coaches should do in labor and I really hadn't thought before about how much it should really help to have their comfort. I just figured they would stand around and maybe bring food! From verbal encouragement to massage (even with tennis balls on the back!), I really liked the concepts and can imagine my husband using a lot of them for me.

Another really helpful thing was seeing the tools of the trade. I could see up close the medical devices used for fetal monitoring, breaking the water, epidural needle, even the vaccuum to help babies out didn't look as scary as I imagined.

That brings me to the last point I'll dwell on from now one I suppose. I really like the idea of being in control of my labor and not knocked out or kept in bed. I know, I know, I know, I will likely wuss out in the end but I can envision myself walking the halls, taking a bath, rotating between standing and sitting and try my best to avoid being hooked up to wires on the bed. If I do get the epi, I'd like to start with a lower dose. My husband had one when he got a cortisone shot and could still walk around later.

I am willing to be flexible in my "plan" and go with the flow. I don't look forward to pain (who does) but I want to be aware of everything and look at this as a very special experience. So much can happen and it's very intimidating to me right now but I figure if women have always done this then, so can I, right?

We both really liked the phrase our instructor (Janet) told the class and I will try to remember it come labor-time- Trust Birth!

I'd be curious to hear about your birth plans, what changed and what worked for you. Carrie

I had to hold back tears several times last night while watching clips of some real women in labor during our first childbirth class. I don't know if I was just having an emotional day but the descriptions of early versus late stage labor and all the talk about the big day made it very real for me. We have 6+ weeks to go if I'm on time so I better start thinking about it.

In one exercise we did a relaxation technique on the floor and layed perfectly still while a soothing voice told you to focus on how heavy your arms and legs were. Baby was moving for me like s(he) knew we were learning about the big day. That also made me tear up. Next, we simulated a contraction and breathing. Pete pinched my arm until a high point of the "contraction" and then let go slowly as it went away. If only it would really just feel like a pinch!

We have 2 other first-time moms in the class and one on her second or third. I admit I am losing my bravery about the event. Having pains every 2 minutes for so long must be emotionally, not to mention physically exhausting. The reward will be very worth it I'm sure.

We also toured the Saint Clare's Hospital birth center and the instructor showed us what we can use during labor like a birthing ball and the rocker and how the bed converts during a delivery. There's even a bar that you can hold onto in a squating position if you prefer. The rooms are really beautiful and tastefully decorated and quite large.

Before we left, she asked a new mom in her room to tell the class what she wished she'd done more of in labor and her answer was "more relaxing". Relaxing! I know you're supposed to keep calm and peaceful to allow your body to do its job. But, I have this vision of me screaming and swearing. Hmmm.... I will strive to relax!
Carrie

Time seems to be speeding up a little because it seems like I jumped from month 7 to month 8 really fast. I assume it's because summers are always short and we're trying to wrap up a half dozen projects before the baby arrives. I am carrying a honeydew melon for size comparison.

The nursery is set up except for any decorations on the walls, I just changed the living room curtains and we'll be ordering a large area rug because we have hardwood floors that would hurt baby's head, and the biggest project is repainting our front porch- a project started months ago when we got serious about scraping off the old cracked stuff. I'm about to have 3 straight weekends of travel so time is precious to get it all done.

We had our very own "Rib Fest" on Saturday with some of my husband's co-workers. Yes, baby likes ribs (and everything else!). I was going to wear a sun dress but tops and pants or shorts are more flattering at this point. I am tempted to measure my waist just for my own curiousity!

Anyway, the coming week we'll have our first childbirth prep class and I'm sure it'll offer plenty to blog about. All for now, Carrie

I asked my colleague Jeff Starck who covers local crime and courts for the Wausau Daily Herald to write his version of their baby boy's birth on Sunday, June 29. He just got back to work this week and shared his beautiful pictures. Enjoy:




Nicole and I went to Aspirus Wausau Hospital Friday June 27 for her to be
induced as she was then nine days past due. Our doctor had given indications
that our son might be a big baby, and thought it was time to bring the
guy into the world since Nicole was not having any contractions.

We arrived at 6 a.m. and Nicole took a pill that was supposed to jump start
the contractions. Two rounds of this failed to work, so at 3 p.m. Nicole was
given Pitocin. It is a common drug used to induce labors that required her to
be hooked up to an IV drip and have her vitals monitored. Sometime after 9
p.m., she started having some contractions, but none that seemed to speed
the birthing process. At 10:30 p.m., the nurses stopped giving her the
medicine and we called it a night.

We stayed at Aspirus and resumed the Pitocin Saturday morning. Finally at 3
p.m., Nicole’s water broke (just after several family member ended their
visit). The contractions came hard and fast and after an hour in a hot
shower, Nicole decided she wanted an epidural. We agreed ahead of time to do
this once the pain started to make her extremely uncomfortable.

She dilated to 9 cm by 9 p.m. and delivery seemed imminent, however she
could not quite get to 10 cm as the doctors wanted. By 11:30 p.m., the doctors
said it was time to consider a cesarean. We agreed and instantly the room was
full of doctors and nurses. At 12:32 a.m., Sunday, Ethan Cameron Starck was born.
He weighed in at 9 lbs, 1 oz and 21 1/4 inches long.

Afterward the doctors said a cesarean was inevitable because of Ethan’s
size. We left the hospital Wednesday afternoon after a five-and-half day
stay. I asked Nicole afterward if she regretted trying the pill prior to the
Pitocin, but she thought it was still worth the try. We both underestimated the
effect the C-section would have on Nicole. It took several days before Nicole could
move around and hold Ethan for more than a few minutes at a time. More than a week
later she is still in pain and has to be reminded not to overdue it.

As a man I can never know what a woman goes through during the birth
process. I am immensely proud of my wife for the way she handled the entire
pregnancy. Though by choice Nicole took the painkillers and by necessity a
cesarean, I give all women credit for going through the birthing process no
matter what options they choose. There is no way I could have done this
(even if it was possible). Jeff


Footnote: We were all anxiously awaiting the news of Ethan's birth and worried when it
took so long for them in the hospital. I have to agree with Jeff's view on childbirth. And yes,
it scares the heck out of me! Carrie

Labels: labor cesarean picotin

I was super close to the action at Marathon Park last night getting video for our website of the Jaycees 4th of July fireworks. (the link is: http://wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080705/VIDEO0901/80705048/-1/FRONTPAGE) I could feel and see the shell debris falling onto the stage and kept thinking "I wonder how loud this is for baby". A few weeks back, my husband and I also watched the fireworks display at the old barn in Wittenberg and it was even louder. I suppose the sounds are fairly muffled in the amniotic fluid.

The funny part is although I didn't notice movement during the fireworks, when I started to edit the video this afternoon and heard the pops and crackles again through speakers, baby moved a lot! I don't think it was necessarily responding to the sounds. S(he) moves at regular intervals about every 4 hours now.

I did feel a little guilty about the excessive noise I've been around lately. I'll make up with it with a quiet, early bedtime tonight! Carrie

I don't know what it is about pregnancy that makes you clumsy but I've got it.

Over the weekend, my grip just sort of loosened on two eggs I was holding to make french toast. I am always dropping my car keys. A while ago, I dropped a gallon of milk from the grocery store in the parking lot so it leaked all over the car. I've juggled my mascara brush, lots of pens, etc. Today, I just spilled water on myself.

I don't dare carry anything fragile these days!

It happens so fast but there has to be a reflex issue in pregnancy. Has anyone ever heard why pregnant women are clumsy? Carrie