Birthing plan...new and improved

A little preamble before posting...This may be TMI for you (Charles...Ange) so don't feel required to read.

Lauri and Alan Filar’s Birthing Plan – Baby Sawyer Filar due 10/29/10

We would like, whenever possible, to follow the plan we have set in place. We understand that unforeseeable circumstances may make it necessary to deviate from it. We are planning to have the help of a Doula, by the name of Lisa Saldaña.

Induction: I would like to be allowed to go over my due date of October 29, 2010 by two weeks, to November 11, or possibly longer, if there are no signs of fetal distress, lack of Amniotic fluid, etc., before being induced. If there is danger to myself or the baby, I am glad to discuss induction before that.

Monitoring: I would like periodic fetal monitoring or telemetry, as available, in order to be more mobile throughout labor. I will certainly be fine with constant monitoring if any problems arise.

Medications: It is my intention to give birth naturally. I DO NOT want Intravenous narcotics, and would rather they not be offered. I would like to use relaxation and other pain management techniques, including our TENS unit to help cope with pain of contractions. My husband or Doula will notify you if I need pain medications.

Laboring: First stage of Labor: I would like as much freedom to move as possible. I anticipate wanting to walk, use the tub/shower and be out of bed, or have music on, lights low for most of the first stage of labor. Being flat on my back has been especially uncomfortable for me, and I wish to avoid this whenever possible. I have brought my own birthing ball and plan to use it as needed. I would like, if allowable, to be able to have drinks and snacks, including popsicles and juice, brought from home.

Second Stage of Labor: I would like to avoid directed pushing, and be allowed to push when I have the urge. I understand that this may lengthen this stage, but I do not wish to tire myself needlessly with pushing when my body is not telling me to do so. I wish to be allowed to push in whatever position I would like, be that squatting with or without help, on hands and knees, or semi-inclined. I have had problems, following my first birth, with urinary incontinence and believe it may be better for my pelvic floor to avoid being on my back for pushing.

Interventions: Natural Vaginal delivery without intervention is my preference. I am; however, open to any and all interventions that will aid in the safe delivery of our baby. The use of Pitocin, cervical ripening agents, Intravenous fluids, and having the amniotic sac broken are acceptable if necessary. I will consent to the use of forceps, vacuum, or caesarean section, if medical necessity dictates it. I would, however, like to exhaust all safe options of natural vaginal delivery prior to this choice being made. I would to avoid an episiotomy if at all possible. If a tear seems inevitable, then obviously I would be OK with the procedure.

Upon Delivery: Assuming the baby is vigorous and healthy, I would like for (him) to be placed on my chest. I believe Alan would like to cut the umbilical cord, but you should ask him. I would like to keep the baby on my chest for as long as possible. We would like for Alan and me to be able to care for the baby as much as possible during the delivery of the placenta/repair of any tears or episiotomy. We understand that some measurements and procedures need to be done in a timely fashion and cannot be performed either on my chest or with Alan holding him, but would like him back immediately following.

Rooming-In: I plan to breastfeed exclusively, so we would like for the baby to be with us in our room, but may feel differently once we are completely exhausted. We’ll let you know.

Visitors: Are welcome. We would like for our daughter, Evie, to be able to be in the room in the early stages of labor. We will have her leave with a friend or family member before the point where it may get scary for her. We would like her to be able to come in soon after birth to meet her baby brother and visit with Mommy and Daddy.

Thank you to everyone involved in helping us bring our baby into the world!

Lauri and Alan Filar

I heard somewhere, 'If you don't have anything nice to say..."

In which case, I guess I shouldn't say anything at all. Let's see what has been happening...

The Good...Everything else in my life not having to do with my pregnant body

The Boring...I had my 34 week appointment on Wednesday and it was entirely uneventful. Trace protein, low blood pressure, measuring right, slight swelling in feet. Then I brought up my new plans for this go 'round. For once I couldn't read Dr. Ehrenberger, and he asked me to just bring in my birthing plan next time. I went ahead and updated it and emailed it to him. He is probably thinking I am a nut job...type A-like behaviour for sure. I have posted it for your perusal. For you (at least that I know of) male readers...you may want to skip that - TMI. Other than that...we are just curious to see how long I will go on my own. I am still sticking with my guess of Arrival Date - November 7th (which would be nice, since I could then say that he and Evie are EXACTLY 2.5 years apart,) but who knows?

The Bad...This fricking pregnant body of mine. My Attitude has gone quickly downhill, from somewhat contrary to outright malevolent, at times. I swear, I wasn't like this last time, not even at the very end. I am officially having trouble shaving my legs, not peeing myself, and being anything but a dour biatch. I think I collectively got about 3 hours of sleep last night between the tossing, turning, overheating, peeing and general discomfort. I think I am going to try the floor in the basement tonight, where it is cool, and I can get a little more leverage while trying to toss this abdomen and other front baggage from side to side all through the night. And about the heat...It just shouldn't be this hot. high 80's, 90? Really? Whenever I think of hot summer days, in the middle of summer, I hear Cicadas, screeching along in my mind...Well guess what? I heard them for real on the way to my car the other day, while soaking through my shirt. I literally had to take my shirt off in the car on the way home and crank the A/C. My fellow commuters on 270 got an eye full. I finally hear that tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 70's...Thank you Baby Jebus!, but Wait!!! Sunday, High 80's...I quit.

I just looked at a picture of me at 34 weeks last time today. I look like a reasonable size for a pregnant person. My breasts weren't crowding Alan out of the picture, and my tummy wouldn't have eclipsed the moon. What happened?! I still don't know my weight, but I can tell you that they are now saying "good" when they refer to it, so I can't have packed on much extra. So what is the deal? This cup size thing...it is getting both old, and expensive. I got my third bra in one month today in the mail off ebay(I had tried it on at Nordstrom last Friday and it was $48 (apparently "big busted" ladies are S.O.L. on affordable support) down from $82... No Way, Jose. After wearing a bra today which CLEARLY did not fit (think obvious overflowage,) I was pretty uncomfortable and very excited to have one additional bra that might work, since up until yesterday, I wore the same one for 8 days straight. I put it on and asked Alan if it fit. His reaction (and you think this would be good, coming from a guy) was , "Holy Crap, those are huge!" Ugh...Thanks, Babe. I went ahead and ordered a size 36H, as the first bra I bought a month ago was a 36FF, which quickly has become almost unwearable, and with 6 - 8 weeks to go...there could be and "I" (I-mmense, I-mpossible, I can't believe those are real...you get the picture) in my near future. The other pregnant woman at work, Beth, turned me on to Theresa Strasser's (you'll know her, if you watched 'While you were out') BLOG from last year when she was pregnant. It is g-d hysterical and refreshing. I was right with her on every point until I got to an entry today about her boobs. She wrote a whole entry (almost as long as this rant, if you can imagine,) about how awful it was that she was having to wear a "real bra" in size C, no less, and how she missed her A-cup and "bralette." First things first...I haven't been able to wear a bralette for the last 25 years...no exaggeration. I was so p/o'd reading this bitch fest about her 36C bra that I had to tell her. I NEVER comment on people's Blogs, and this is futile, as it was over a year old, but I just had to vent and tell her that she was quickly making her way onto MY "people I want to punch" list. And I felt much better afterward...and proceeded to read more entries, which made me love her again. But if she mentions it again...so help me. Enough about the girls, but they really are a source of great discontent right now.(ya think)

What else? (In case you couldn't get enough of the positive energy flowing so freely from me right now...) My back really aches, I now have an almost constant cramp in my right calf...not just limited to middle of the night anymore, and I am getting more and more impatient. I need to get busy, and keep my mind off this all. The only things coming up are; 1) Tomorrow: The illustrious Broomfield Days, so that will be most of the day, 2) Rockies game a week from tonight, 3) Our 6th Anniversary on 10/10/10 (Cavalia, Chop House...night alone with my man...can't wait,) and 4) A 1st birthday party. I have got some filling in to do. I also need to find some time and motivation to get sewing. Curtains for the guest room, a blanket for Sawyer and then there is the artwork for his room and Carly's room that I need to get done. Tick tock, tick tock.

Oh...and I have quit TWO books in one week. I don't often give up on books, but if you'd like a review of each, here you go:

Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth from the Garden of Eden to the Sperm Bank - Randi Hutter Epstein:

I heard an interview with the author in February, or something, and thought it sounded very interesting, about how the socioeconomic classes dictate womens views on childbirth, and the resources available to them, and how men really created the field of obstetrics in order to have more control over it. But reading it...I needed a Ritalin, or several. This lady jumps from century to century, within the same paragraph. I really wanted to like it, but I could not hang in there. I can't believe she is a writer for NY Times, and other pubs...Some editor at her publishing house needed to grow some balls and tell this lady to focus.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Childbirth by LM, CPM, HBCE, Jennifer L. West

I got this from the library, thinking it might be a more "moderate" approach to natural childbirth. I only made it through three chapters, and that was torturous. I am still committed to having Sawyer's birth be about what he, my body, and I need and know how to do...but if I hadn't made that choice already, this lady might have just talked me out of it. As many times as she says that each birth is up to the mother, how she would like it to go, you get the distinct impression that it is this lady's way, or the highway. She is sure judgmental. She obviously realizes that not only first time mothers are reading this book, yet goes ahead to make you feel like a failure if you had anything in the past or are planning on anything other than a home birth. Sheesh lady. Some of us would like to do it on our own, but have some back up if things don't go well...Ease up on the hospital hating. Can't tell you much more about it...

I am now on to "birthing without fear" - I'll let you know.

I am going to go have some bad for me snack, some drink that will surely necessitate five trips to the toilet, and hit the sack. I have Little Miss Independent all to myself while Alan is racing tomorrow, so I better get some zzzzzzzz's. As if.

Mumma, Out

timber!

Gawd...Apparently I am unable to navigate even the easiest terrain (the area surrounding my kitchen table.) Since I cannot see what is in front of me, having the triplets (twins plus my baby bump) obstructing my line of sight, I tripped and completely wiped out AGAIN. This time right in front of Evie, Alan and Maria. Thankfully, I didn't hurt myself. Poor Sawyer is probably getting used to this and is probably wondering to himself if he is in safe hands ;)

Otherwise, just back to the grind after a great weekend with my little family plus Maria. Sandra sent all sorts of Wyatt's clothes, so that was fun to go through and stash away. I swear, I won't have to do laundry for weeks, if I didn't want to, with how many clothes I have amassed for Sawyer. I almost think he has more newborn stuff than Evie did, and that is saying something.

Physically...I have this weird thing going on where for the last four or five night, the top of my abdomen really hurts...like a pulled muscle. I am thinking it is because I have been standing and walking so much, away from work for the long weekend, and not supporting my belly as much. This is gonna be a long two months! What are you supposed to do for that? I already have one of those belly support belts, but it doesn't really help the top! What else? I am now up to a 36 g, and in one bra it was a H/I. Depressing! The Lady at Bosom Buddies who did my fitting said she wouldn't even be surprised if I got bigger, so maybe I should wait to get a bra until my milk comes in. This could get ugl-y/ier. My feet are still swelling, but let's just say I have not been cutting back on the salt over the long weekend. I definitely have to get up at least once each night to pee. I have been trying to be very gentle and quiet when I get up, but it has been backfiring, and Sawyer has woken up the last few nights and kicked around a while when I am trying to get back to sleep. I can already see he is going to not be the sleeper Evie is...we were spoiled with her! Next appointment is my 34 week on the 15th, but I am sure it will be more of the same...weigh, pee in a cup, listen and measure and out...So far Dr. Ehernberger has been very flexible with my birthing plans, and has no problem with what I want...the last time I talked to him about maybe not doing coached pushing. I want to talk to my doula about that, and if she has experience just having people push when they get the urge, and not on someone else's count. Hopefully she does, because I just want to do what my body needs this time around.

Getting very excited to meet this guy, but we definitely have a lot to do before he gets here. Since Alan's back has been out since last weekend, no painting has been going on. We need to do that and then pick up the curtain rods and drapes and put those up. In the meantime, I plan to work on artwork for buddy boy's room and also start on artwork for Carly's room...Hopefully they both come out cute!

I will fill in anything else that happens, but hopefully I won't be taking anymore trips (or falls) soon.

Mumma, Out

week 32 picture

So...I know I haven't shared a picture in a while, so here you all go. I am not sure how this is supposed to go on for another 2 months! There will be no where for him to go but out!

I guess I forgot

so in the last post, I mentioned our trip down the stairs, but I didn't realize I hadn't written about it. So...Evie had gotten out of bed and came to find me upstairs. In an effort to not wake her up anymore that she already was, I started to carry her down the stairs to her room, without the lights on. Me and my mongo pregnant body slipped on the top stair, and down I went, holding Evie. I held her tight and tried to brace myself in the stairwell, but I slipped down 5 of the stairs, landed hard on my butt, top of my foot, and cut-up my elbow. Evie kind of rolled to the carpeted floor. I didn't want to scare her, but my eyes immediately welled up with tears and my voice was really shaky. Evie asked , "Mumma fall down, Mumma all right?" and I was trying to talk but couldn't really...I just tried to stay really still and see if I could feel anything wrong, like contractions, or leaking or whatever. Thankfully, nothing. I just sat there for a bit and Evie was obviously VERY concerned and went to go get Daddy. Seeing as he was in the garage and she can't open the outer door, she came back to me and tried to help me up. I hobbled over to her bed and laid down. Alan came in shortly after that and when she heard him come in upstairs, she went running to get him. I heard her saying, "Daddy, Mumma fell, hurt." and then they came hurrying downstairs. I let him know we were all fine then burst into tears...I was so scared and shaken up.
I got upstairs with help and put ice on my foot and raised it for the next few hours. Sawyer was almost frantic with activity, which kind of freaked me out, but still no contractions, etc. so I wasn't too worried. I was supposed to go in the next morning for my glucose challenge test anyway, but I called into work, as there was no way I could walk the 1/4 mile from my car to my building and I couldn't really put a shoe on my foot, as even flip flops hurt the top of my foot. I called the Doctor's office as soon as they opened and let them know what happened. They got me in right away with the doctor who'd been subbing for Dr. E. Thank goodness, because they first tried to put me in with Dr. Robertson, who I swear is the most condescending person I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. I think they probably looked in my chart and saw that i have specifically asked to not see her again, unless an emergency.

I went in and Dr. Salas-Myers listened to my belly with the Doppler and made sure I was not having any contractions...She thought I looked good and she was not worried. :) I got my test done and drove home, put my feet up and watched movies for the rest of the day. Sadly, it meant I had to cancel my mani/pedi for the next day, as I could not have anyone touching my foot :P There goes my vanity!

So...My foot is still not right, and I am guessing I had a stress fracture in one of the tarsals, my elbow is finally healing over and the bruise on my right hip/butt is finally gone. I am not holding on to the railing and turning the light on each time I go up or down stairs, too. Who would have thought that your ability to navigate 6 stairs would be impacted?

Oh...my GCT came back fine...no diabetes, in fact, on the low side. Did I mention that I am anemic and had to start iron pills, too? We all, at work, thought it was funny when they called to tell me I had to start supplements, and that maybe I should add more fiber to my diet so I didn't get constipated. I just laughed...I am not sure how I could possibly get more fiber, but I said I would try.

My next appointment is this afternoon (week 32) so I will write more if there is anything to report. LF - out

I'm back

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I have two whole months, at least, left. I think this second time around is so much harder. I do have Evie, who makes me laugh a lot, and Alan, who I love more than ever, to help me live my life until this little guy comes...But geez, it is taking forever.

I am not really able to get comfortable anymore. like...never. Sawyer is SUPER assertive with the kicking. I remember Evie being VERY busy, but not forceful enough to make me feel like I am being bruised from the inside. I feel like Bella Swan in the last twilight book, like he might just bust some ribs. I had my week 30 appointmnet before we went to Boston, and apparently I measure correctly, and his head is down and fairly low in my pelvis, which explains the constant feeling that I need to pee. I have a few of the newborn diapers and some other things ready to go into the hospital bag, so that makes me excited. I can't wait to just hold him...Yes, he'll be easier to take care of while he is still on the inside, but then, how can I look at that little face and feel his breath against my cheek :)

I just about 10 days ago started to get ankle swelling, and my foot apparently actually sustained some damage in my fall down the stairs (I think I mentioned that, right?) because it feels like I have a hairline fracture, or something on the top of my foot. Speaking of feet...this little gem of a new development really makes me sad. Seda and I were shopping the other day and I was trying on shoes. Time after time, they were not fitting right. I thought it was the swelling, after going to the zoo and Thai/Chinese food, but no...I realized that my left foot, which has always been a teensie bit bigger than my right, is now SIGNIFICANTLY bigger. I am guessing it is a whole half sizer bigger. I am so hoping that my right either gets bigger, too, or the left goes back to normal :(

I was hoping Alan would be able to paint Sawyer's room, since we bought the paint and are all ready to go, but his back went out the other day at the track, so we are kind of at a stand still. I ordered the curtains and rods for the room, so I am just hoping that the room is painted by the time those come. Then to do art for the walls! My fave task!

Maria is coming to visit this weekend, so I think we are all excited about that. Sunflower Farm Kidsfest and whatever else, hopefully to include my new fave...Sweet Action Ice Cream, on Broadway. Fried chicken and Ice Cream could pretty much be all I ate for the next months, and I would be perfectly happy :P

That's about it, because if I write anymore, I will only complain more about how it sucks to be preggers right now. C'mon fall!!! Mumma, out

tick tock, tick tock...

Huh...I am not sure where I left off last time...
So, I went to the second ultrasound and it didn't look to me like the placenta had moved much away from the cervix, so I was pretty bummed. It looked as though the little man was doing well in there, though, so that was all that mattered. He was being very stubborn so we did not get a lot of good shots of him this time. A few days later, my doctor called and said that he felt like the placenta had moved just enough and that he was not worried at all. Phew...He is a pretty prudent type of guy, so if he is not worried, I am not worried :) Since then, he must have gone off to some other exotic land (he was in Italy last month) so I had to have my 28 week (actually on my 27 week day) with the same substitute doctor. Not really much to report there...She just wanted me to go in for my glucose test, so I guess I will do that this Friday or something.

What else? Well...I was completely engrossed in reading the Twilight Saga, and made it through all four books in 10 days. Not proud, just explains why I have not written in quite some time. That and the new obsession with the Tudors. After I finished with the reading, I began watching at least one episode a night. I am all the way through season 2, so 20 episodes down. Damn Netflix. It will be a good thing, though, when I am up nursing and don't have anything to watch since we canceled our satellite subscription.

Evie is being a full-fledged two-year-old. I love how much she is changing everyday and the new things she comes out with all the time, but the willfullness and attitude I could do without. She is NOT interested in the baby in mommy's belly, but she still seems interested in babies in public, so hopefully that will continue. She has been sleeping in the big girl bed for the last month straight, so that is a relief. No need to buy a new crib. She had her first dentist appointment today and it was really great. She needs to get rid of the nookie really soon, though, so I am a little nervous about that. Otherwise, she did fine and I loved the doctor and the setting. I think she will really like it there over time.

Wow...this is supposed to be a pregnancy blog, but at this point there is really nothing new to report. I have been absolutely ravenous, so that's no good and I am definitely not "cute pregnant," just large pregnant. There is nothing cute about how I look right now, so I am hesitant to share any pictures. I cringe every time I see myself from the side and then immediately think of the 3 months I will have left to get bigger. Yikes. Sciatica is starting to kick in and the sleeping really kind of stinks. I really can't wait to get my body back...I will share the breasts for as long as possible, but the rest I am taking back. I have been really hot and I can't wait to get to New England to at least be near the lake. That should be pretty...bathing suit and me right now doesn't sound like a good mix.

What else? Sawyer Vaughn...that is what we came up with for sure, in case I hadn't shared that previously. Evie and Sawyer. We don't know what to call him for short though, so it will just be the full name, I guess. We think when he is a rebellious teenager that he will tell people, "just call me Saw." Bad Ass. lol

Did I mention that Sandra and Matty are having a girl? So the great baby item swap is about to take place. Maria is coming for Labor Day and she will shuttle much of it back and forth. And Melanie made plans to come November 8-12 or something, so I am hoping I have sprung this kid before then.

All else is good...just living large. Will report more when there is anything to report.

Mumma, Out (It's root beer float time)