Callan's arrival

I figured I should write Callan's (pronounced Cal-in, not Kay-lyn) birth story before I totally forgot and before too much time had passed.

For the past few weeks I had been having strong Braxton Hicks, but no real painful contractions or anything that would be real measurable. The past few pre-natal appointments I had been dilated and somewhat effaced with a little bit of progress each week. But without real contractions I figured I was going to go past my due date and would probably have to be induced. Baby G though had other plans.

Friday morning, April 22, 2011:

I went to bed on Thursday feeling about the same as usual. At 2 am I woke up with pretty painful cramps/contractions, but they weren't very long and I was able to fall back asleep in between. By around 5 am, I realized that this could be it -the contractions were getting stronger and more noticeable. Excited Huge and I started thinking that this was the day baby would arrive. We started timing the contractions and although they were measurable, they were only lasting about 30 seconds, varied in intensity and about 7-8 minutes apart. Realizing that labor was not going to start in the next hour we decided to go about our day as usual. Thankfully Friday was a holiday for me, so I had no plans, but around 7 am, Huge left for a photo shoot and then to go help a friend pack up for a move cross-country. By 10 am the contractions were picking up and hit the magic 1 minute length, 5 minutes apart for at least 1 hour. Of course being kind of stubborn and thinking that I would be able to labor as much as possible at home, I dragged my feet about doing anything. I emailed/texted Huge while he was out and a friend (hi Jess!) at work about my progress. Of course, they two of them were kind of freaking out and trying to take this more seriously since I had already been 3 cm dilated on Tuesday. Finally after taking a shower I called the doctor at 11 am and she told me to eat something, relax and then head to the hospital in about an hour. Huge made it home and made me lunch while I got our bags ready and got myself ready. Finally around noon we made our way to the hospital in the slowest cab in Chicago.

At 12:30 pm we arrived at the hospital with good contractions and dilated to 4 cm -so unfortunately that meant some progress had been made at home, but not nearly as much as I had hoped. The good news was that meant I was staying and that baby was going to arrive soon. We walked around the hospital and had the contractions measured until around 2:30 when the contractions were coming on much, much stronger and much, much faster. The worst of it was the shooting pain in my back that did not ease up with breathing, walking or massage. I assumed that meant that I must be doing a great job laboring, but when I got checked I had only progressed 1 measly centimeter! I had hoped to labor as much as possible au natural, but since we did nothing to actually prepare to labor that way (i.e. take a class of any sort) we were totally unprepared to cope with the amount of pain I was feeling and I decided that I would need an epidural. I had said that I wanted to make it to at least 4 cm before getting an epi since some theorize that sometimes epidurals slow down labor and would lead to unnecessary medical intervention and I wanted to try to avoid that as much as possible. Of course, that decision was made before I felt real contractions! I finally received an epidural at 3:15 pm and although it was a little painful -that numbing medicine and needle poke is a bit more uncomfortable then they let on - it was totally worth it. At 3:30 pm they broke my water in the hopes of speeding up my labor and I was dilated 6 cm, -1 station and 90% effaced so I was confident that I was in the homestretch. With the epidural in place I was able to rest and relax through the contractions however, I think labor did slow down a bit. At 5:30 pm I had only progressed another cm, but I was at 0 station and fully effaced. It was decided to start a slow pitocin drip to try to get the contractions a little stronger and a little closer together. Finally a bit before 8 pm I was fully dilated, effaced and ready to push!

I started pushing and at 8:19 pm (yes, your math is correct, it was 20 minutes of pushing), Callan Joseph Galdones was born. He was 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. This part was a bit surreal and something out of a bad slasher flick -Callan's limbs flailed a bit while coming out and some of the amniotic fluid few towards me (yes, it hit me) and then when Huge went to cut the umbilical cord there was some blood still pulsing that sprayed the doctor!

When my bag of water was broken they noticed that there was muconian in it (i.e. the baby had pooped) so a team of pediatricians were there to take Callan and check him out immediately after birth and to suction out his lungs to get out all the gunk. Thankfully when he was born he was already whimpering/crying so we knew things were ok -his Agpar scores were good and they were able to suction most of the fluid junk. After a check out by the pediatric team Callan came to do a little kangaroo care, and even though he cried the whole time, I knew I was in love.

Week 40-41: The end (and beginning)

Guess I don't have a pregnancy update for week 40-41 because I am no longer pregnant!

Callan Joseph Galdones made his entrance into the world on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 8:19 pm. He was a healthy 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 21 inches long.

We are all in love.

So no more pregnancy updates, but I'm sure there will be lots more pictures of this little guy.

Week 39-40: Still here

Well, it's week 39-40 and I'm still here or more accurately, baby G is still on the inside. I was pretty convinced that he'd be here by now, but sadly he's not.

Weight: According to the doctor's I've gained another pound.

Maternity clothes: Same as usual. The stomach is getting bigger, but I'm thinking the rest of me has stopped growing (thankfully).

Stretch marks/belly button: Still no stretch marks and the belly button is still in.

Baby movement: Same as before. I had a non-stress test today at the doctor's and the baby seems to be doing well.

What I miss: Not being so paranoid. Every ache/pain/cramp makes me convinced that I'm about to go into labor -which, clearly has not panned out yet.

Other: Nothing new to report.

Dr's update: I'm dilated a bit more, almost 3, and things seem to be progressing, but just not as fast as I want. At this point we're going to wait to see if I make it to my next appointment next Tuesday before we make any definite plans for our next step -so if you're paying attention baby G, you should try to make your appearance soon.

Here's this week's picture...

Week 38-39: Days are numbered

The countdown has begun. At this point I really could go any day now... Huge is hoping I go sooner rather than later and to be honest so do I. My mother would like him to wait until she gets here, but I'm ready to be done working and I'm ready to meet the little guy.

Weekly update:

Weight: According to the doctor's scale I stayed the same/lost a little. I'm hoping that means this is it until the end, but who knows.

Maternity clothes: Same as usual

Stretch marks/belly button: Still no stretch marks and the belly button still fluctuates.

Baby movement: Same as before. Same hiccups/rolls/jabs/pokes. He does seem to have a lot of quiet moments, so I hope that means he's a good sleeper!

What do I miss: My wardrobe, being able to roll over easily and sleeping through the night. I haven't been cursed with having to get up to pee 100 times a night, but I started getting really severe leg cramps that will wake me up from a deep sleep. I'm also getting weird aches and pains, which are totally normal being this far along (and this heavy), but it has made sleeping a little bit uncomfortable recently.

Other: Nothing really new to report. Just waiting for the little guy to arrive. I'm still working and my energy and enthusiasm for it has definitely diminished. I'm hoping to finish up everything on my desk and organize my projects enough so that I can go on maternity leave and not look back.

Dr's update: I'm still about 2 cm dilated, but I've thinned a bit more and am about 70% effaced. She still doesn't think I'll make it full term, but at this point with only 10 days left until my due date I wouldn't be too surprised if I did. I still don't have any real regular contractions and any cramps/contractions/pressure I do feel usually waxes and wanes throughout the day. Maybe it'll pick up soon and hopefully it means that labor will be easy.

Here's today's picture. I'm looking pretty huge. His head is down, but I don't think it's engaged yet b/c he still seems to kind of move up and down a bit (or at least his body does -maybe he's just stretching?). I'm definitely anxious to meet the little guy and maybe we will before my next update!

Bucket List

I figure my days as a pregnant lady are numbered and I've already gained a ridiculous amount of weight so why not go out with a bang? Not that I'm never going to eat junk food again (because that's not true), but I know that I won't be able to with the reckless abandon that I have been. So with that in mind I have come up with a bucket list of treats I plan on indulging in without guilt until baby G makes his appearance and a recap of those that have gotten me to this (heavy) place I am now:

1. Scones from Starbucks: I don't know how much sugar (or butter) these things have, but they are delicious. I recently acquired a hard to find (may actually be out of circulation) maple oat scone c/o Huge via Denver... and it was exquisite -just as good as I remembered. It had probably been years since I've had one.


2. Caramel sundaes from McDonald's: I've actually only had 2 during my pregnancy, partially because I don't go to McDonald's very often, but also because I mistakenly believed they were no longer in circulation. I discovered at the airport on my way to Florida that they did indeed exist and not only quite fantastic but also only a dollar! I forgot how good they were, and I don't think they are *that* bad for you so I'm sure I'll be eating quite a few of these during the summer (if I remember).


3. Blueberry muffin from Dunkin Donuts: I've been talking about this muffin for weeks (maybe even months) and I finally indulged in one yesterday. I don't know if they're different in Chicago than they are in Boston, but it was kind of disappointing. It was much smaller than I remembered and not quite as buttery. Maybe I'll have to try another Dunkins. :)


4. Jellybeans/Easter Candy: This is something I've been indulging in without abandon already. I'm trying to keep it down to 1 "serving" (i.e. pig out) a day and for the most part it's worked, but it's been tough going. The unfortunate part is that there is no nutritional value in this splurge -it's all sugar, but it's been fun.


5. French fries: This hasn't been quite as bad as the sweet stuff since I generally only get them with a meal (not as a snack), but I've definitely been opting for fries instead of salad or veggies as a side throughout this pregnancy.


6. Chips: This one was terrible for awhile, but gave way once my sweet tooth took over.


7. Cookies/Dessert: I was actually out of control for awhile -so much so that I needed to give up cookies for Lent in order to break free. This pregnancy has really exacerbated my sweet tooth.


8. ??

So there you have it, a list of my indulgences that have plagued me throughout this pregnancy and probably will continue to do so for at least a little while longer. The time will come soon enough where I'll have to get back to working out and eating like a normal person, but for now, I plan on having some fun! Just remind me that I consciously decided to do this when I'm moaning about all the extra weight I have to lose once this baby comes!

Week 37-38: Let the countdown begin

I'm officially full term and at this point baby G is just freeloading! I'm ok with having him stay put for a little while longer, but I'm not sure exactly how long until he overstays his welcome. I've decided to do the weekly updates on Tuesdays now because that is when I have my doctor's appointments and I'm *sure* that you're all dying to know how those go too (ha) and I'm much too lazy to do two posts in a row.

Weight: Still gaining. According to doctor's scale I'm up 2 lbs and I think it's about the same at the home scale. I've officially broken 45 lbs. yikes.

Maternity clothes: Same as usual

Stretch marks/belly button: No stretch marks and the belly button is still fluctuating. I have however discovered I have cellulite. I know that this shouldn't be so earth shattering especially since I've gained 45 lbs, but even for a kind of chubby girl I never had cellulite before (unless I squished my fat together), but now I think I'm starting to get it. Sigh. I'm hoping once I pop the baby out and lose the weight the cellulite will go away.

Baby Movement: Same as before. Lots of stretching and rolling. He's been getting the hiccups pretty regularly as well, which is always reassuring.

What do I miss: Still walking with a limp and although I don't think I'm quite waddling yet, it's definitely uncomfortable to stand or walk for long periods of time. I also miss being able to walk briskly. I have become a s-l-o-w walker due to the discomfort and I am not used to it at all. I enjoy walking with a purpose!

Other: The last few days have been the first where I'm feeling done with being pregnant. I have been lucky that since about week 16/17 I have been feeling pretty good and not too bogged down by pregnancy ailments. However, the last few days have brought on the fatigue, backaches, soreness and cramps almost full time and I could really do without all of it. I'm also still working, but my head is not in it 100%. I need to get cracking on a plan for when I'm on leave, but somehow the days keep getting busier and busier with less and less getting done on my to-do list!

Dr's update: So my doctor cracks me up. She told me today how I have a "beautiful cervix"! I love it. Only she could say it with a straight face and mean it. Anyway, I'm almost 2 cm dilated and about 50% effaced... Granted I could be like that for weeks, but we both have a feeling I'll go before my due date. She said for a first time mom that's a lot of progress and the cramps/contractions I've been feeling seem to be working.

Here's the picture of the week. I always am a little surprised when I see how big my belly is. I think it also looks a lot bigger this week because the little guy changed positions so his butt is more in front rather than to the side as it has been. The bump isn't as wide and is more long now. Still can't tell if I've "dropped", but his head is definitely down.