Blobbet

2 weeks, 1 day old.

2005-12-14T10:56:00Z

I thought it was about time I sat at the computer and did at least a mini update. If I do not start writing stuff down, I am going to loose it all in my memory, and I really do not want to do that.

Today we had the Early Childhood Nurse appointment at Camperdown/RPA. We opted for this centre because we don't want to have to deal with the druggie mummies in Redfern. The nurse understood this and said we were not the only parents to think like this either.

All in all, Tara is doing well. She is growing, she is putting on weight. We still have attachment issues with the boob, but we will get there. Eventually I hope.

I was asked lots of questions about basic info, family history and such. I also had to fill out a questionnaire regarding how I am feeling. This was after I had requested the social workers phone number for a session with her. I will visit with her after we come home from mum's, as I think I really need to talk about Tara's birth. If I personally think about it, I just start crying. I need to deal a bit I think. And the nurse thinks so too. Anyways, the questionnaire had some interesting questions on it, and apparently I "scored pretty well considering what I have gone through". The nurse thinks that I will be ok with parenting, and that I am well informed, and have some good social links... she just thinks that I would benefit from some time with the social worker. so do I.

One of the questions was about sleeping and nightmares/ability to sleep (I think). I thought this was interesting as I started having the occasional nightmare the night I went back to hospital. I could not sleep that night properly, and have had at least one nightmare every second night since. I am sure they will go away. They do not even need to relate to Tara or her birth... (except the whole Monte deciding to eat her dream)... but one of the vivid ones was Tiki/tribal faces in black white and red looming over me jeering and taunting me - and then haunting my every move.... for some reason this dream has disturbed me more than any others... maybe it is nothing. maybe it is something. who knows. I do not even know if it relates as much to the question....

Tara is going well generally. She sleeps well, she feeds well (most of the time). I have to start expressing out before she feeds a bit though, as my let down is too fast and she can choke trying to catch up with it all. We think that the antibiotics I am on might be irriting her tum a bit too (hell, I can taste them in my mouth the whole time, so it can't be good for her!)...

Anyways... I am tired. so should crash out.

Ni ni.

Home - again!

2005-12-10T08:51:36Z

Am home, again, after having another stint in hospital due to an infected c-section wound.

Let's hope this time I stay home.

I am really hoping I am on the road to recovery as I need to write out Tara's birth story and get some stuff down on paper/computer as things are starting to fade, and I really do not want that to happen... I need to process the last 10 days properly without a clouded mummy's view.

We are home...

2005-12-06T22:59:49Z

Just a very quick post to let you all know we are home...

Feeling sore and uncomfortable - more from a problem with my legs than the c-sec scar... but that hurts too.

Doing ok... very humid and feel yuck about that. But am doing ok.

Will hopefully start to post more here as I get more time...

Tara Kate has arrived

2005-11-29T10:30:42Z

Hi,

Tara Kate was born at 3:34pm, AEDST. 3.280 kg's, 29/100/2005. Delivered by C-Section after a very long labor.

Mum and Baby are resting in hospital and will be out in a few days. Tara has had her first feed and is sleeping comfortably next to mom. She's a quiet baby, so far, patiently waiting several hours for that first bit of milk.

I'll make an effort to provide more details shortly, and once Kristie is home I'm sure she'll inundate you all with details.

Regards
Ally
(the new dad)

40 weeks, 1 day

2005-11-28T09:58:31Z

It has begun... properly this time. OK, so my waters broke at 10.10pm Saturday night, and it is now Monday evening - but I actually have contractions now!

They are 3-5 mins apart, gaining intensity. I can still sit and talk through them, but I am thinking that I might have to get off the computer for a while ;)

But I thought I should update here first! Priorities!!!

Feeling ok... am thinking a sleep today would have been nice ;)

OK... will let you know when we are going to the hospital.

40 weeks, 1 day

2005-11-27T19:43:57Z

So much for a bloody due date bub. Perhaps Blobbet just wants to wait until December hits.

It is pouring outside. The rain is such a soothing sound.

I am having no contractions. None, Zip, Nada, Nothing. Maybe some crampiness, but that is it. Going to go for a bit of the nipple stim today I think.. see if that will do anything. Talk to my yoga teacher who will hopefully give some information on what I can do.

Mum arrived just after 10pm last night. It is good to have her here. She just needs to stop panicing ;) Information has changed when it comes to birth. Hell, it changes daily. She is worried about a "dry birth" and that I will be left too long before being induced. I am happy to wait :P

I got up this morning to find the cats have eaten my bag of snakes, my apricots and dried nuts mix for labour. Bastard Animals. Anyone want four cats? they are free to good home :P

I got a pretty good sleep last night. My hip is hurting a bit - it seems to be out of alignment and is causing a bit of grief at the moment. It is actually one of my minor concerns for labour - that my hip is going to pop at a crutial moment and I'll have to stop pushing or something LOL. S'ok. have massage mum here!

OK... so I am thinking I should go and have a hot shower... "Poke my boobies" (thanks Siobhan!) and drink a gallon of Raspberry Leaf Tea....

Oh. I have to go to hospy today to have fetal trace done... but all is good.

40 weeks, 0 days

2005-11-27T01:09:44Z

Daddy now has a "Running Commentary"

http://www.su.com.au/~allanon/runningcom.html

I think he is going to try and make it SMS enabled later for him to do updates...

At least, that was his plan earlier...

40 weeks, 0 days

2005-11-27T00:49:56Z

Well we have just gotten back from the Birth Centre. I went in to have my check up to make sure all is ok. Because my waters have broken, I had to have a trace done on bubs. All is perfectly fine. No distress, all is well.

We discussed whether I would have a blood test done then or later, and I opted for later because I have to have the canula anyways - better to be jabbed once rather than twice.

One of my favourite midwives is on - Georgia. I really like her and she makes everything feel so calm. Would be happy if bubs decided to come on her shift ;)

I had a Vaginal Swab done to test for nasties so that if my waters stay broken for an extended period of time they know whether I need further stuff done (ie: antibiotics, inducing yada yada)... but they do not think that is necessary at this stage.

I have had a few cramps/contractions since we left the hospital, so things might actually get going.. who knows. Going to go do some last minute shopping so that we have everything ready.

I have a mild headache at thist stage - nothing to worry about (well, not for me yet) but this is the first headache I have had in months.

So.. that is where I am at. Just playing the waiting game now....

40 weeks, 0 days.

2005-11-26T20:18:59Z

Morning All.

Well I left the computer at about 2am and decided to go to bed and get some rest. The moment I started walking my waters started leaking more... and more! I made it up the stairs feeling as though I was floodingMorning All. Excuse all the non-cuts that will appear today. Well I left the computer at about 2am and decided to go to bed and get some rest. The moment I started walking my waters started leaking more... and more! I made it up the stairs feeling as though I was flooding - but had changed from a pad to a nappy instead. This works much better!!

Slept bits and pieces through until 6.45 where a mild crampiness woke me (and the All Blacks playing Australia in some sort of Rugby on the TV - and now I have the NZ anthem stuck in my head!). Decided to try and sit up and more fluid leaking. Hello!! I had a definate amount of waters flowing at one in the morning - can't this stop! I came down stairs and hopped in the shower and more waters breaking. Blobbet must have the head bouncing around opening and closing the vaginal area like a plug. Little Brat.

Ally is still asleep and I probably should be too. I am still tired. But it is hard to sleep when you feel like you are pissing yourself constantly! When he gets up I will send him to the shops to get Eggs and bread and some bacon so that I can have a high protein breakfast. Will get him to get some yoghurt too so that I can have that during the day for a little bit.

All in all. doing well. I am totally calm and just calling this baby to come. Let's see if I'll have it before midnight so I can have a Due Date Bub!

Updates later.

40 weeks. 0 Days

2005-11-26T14:54:54Z

1.10am

And my waters just *really* broke.

1.50am

Contraction.

..... I should sleep.

**info to add now so that I do not forget later on**

I have to have a canula (sp) put in my hand from the get go due to my anaemia. I am actually quite fine with this now (have had time to process and release). My veins are very bad, and my iron levels have probably dropped some even though I have been on double iron tablets. In prep that there could be issues later, I will have this in my hand. Now that I have that info, and have accepted it, I can move forward.

*a six hour labour for baby and me*

39 weeks, 6 days.

2005-11-26T11:48:44Z

1 hour and 50 mins from my due date.... and my waters just broke.

No one get excited yet - this can go on for ages...

I was waiting to do a post about my "D Day" and all that jazz.... and voila... I gotta do it early!

Perhaps I will be one of those 2-4% of people who give birth to a due date baby.

Then again, as I said previously, this can go on for ages (days).

I have not had a contraction yet... so will go to bed and get some rest.

PLEASE no phone calls or emails. Only messages here.

39 weeks, 3 days

2005-11-23T04:17:53Z

Well it looks like Blobbet has decided to stick around inside my tummy. Little Parasite.

STILL not freaking engaged!! This means that if my waters break I have to go to hospital immediately to ensure that I do not have a prolapsed cord (which could possibly result in an emergency c-sec as the cord could get squished and suffocate bubs). Joy Joy.

I HAVE STRETCH MARKS!! *wails* I was dealing very well with this pregnancy - until I developed stretch marks in the last week. They hurt... I do not want them any more. And the more Blobbet grows, the more they will too. They are swirling around my belly button. Not Happy Jan.

It is now written on my "yellow card" that I am to have a blood test on admission to test my Hb levels to see if a physiological third stage of labour will be permitted. The midwife expressed some minor concern on Monday on just how rapid my Hb drop was. As I said, it's a Little Parasite!

Things Yet to Buy:

Hills Clothes Airer
Microwave Steriliser
Snugglebed type thing (not an ACTUAL snuggle bed, as I do not like the tetra ones - but My Baby Warehouse has the one I like so I will try and get one there)
Face Washers - need a bunch of these.
Towels - need some of these... will need to work out my colours for bub. Probably aqua... need to go to Go Lo for them. they are cheap :D
A pair of thongs... for me :D Kmart has these.
Razors - for me... because I need to shave my legs before I go to hospital...
a new brain - for me.... because I lost mine.

Is it wrong to eat two BIG bowls of fried rice, and then want icecream to follow (after eating icecream for breaky?)

I am in a fair bit of pain at the moment (pubic pain)... and it makes it difficult to walk. Heaven forbid the pain when Blobbet engages!

No one had ever better dare tell me to "put that baby down, you are spoiling it" or anything along those lines. I do not care how many people tell me that I am causing issues or problems in my child because I insist on carrying it.... you will be met with hostility - be warned. It is NOT NATURAL to leave a newborn to cry. It is CRUEL as it is their one method of showing displeasure and communication and ignoring it is JUST PLAIN WRONG. It goes against every fibre of my body to ignore a crying child, and I refuse point blank to do it. Do it to your own kids... I will not tell you it is wrong. Just let me deal with my child my way.... and all will be well in the world!

I need to go to spotlight and get some special fabrics.

*bounce*

I am tired. Very Very VERY tired.

38 weeks, 5 days.

2005-11-17T20:50:43Z

Another photo from the photo shoot that I had done...

39 weeks, 4 days.

2005-11-17T05:42:43Z

Yup... still here :P

I got some Fluffy Mail today!! not one, but TWO hand knitted, already lanolised, ready to use, newborn BLACK KNITTED COVERS!!! Katy - THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU.

I have been looking on Ebay today.... http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7723822279&ssPageName=MERC_VI_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT if someone is feeling generous... I want a few of these type nappies... but have not got any yet...

I am wanting to get a christmas cover too... I need to find a nice one.. :)

EEp. bubs just got hiccups again...

38 weeks, 1 day.

2005-11-13T20:40:02Z

Well I made it to 38 weeks :)

I had a midwife appointment last Monday and everything was fine, but she wanted me to see the OB to check out the heart pulpitations that I have been having as they have been quite regular. So on Thursday I saw the OB and she sent me to go and get some bloods done. On Saturday I got a phone call from a Midwife saying the results were back and I am Clinically Anaemic (as opposed to just low Hb). All of my platelets are down and anything else that is to do with anaemia is down too, apparently.

So I was told to get out and start on the suppliments straight away. Initially the midwife said that I should start on one tablet and work up to two - "because you have plenty of time before you give birth". I laughed and scoffed at her and said "you do realise I am 38 weeks, right?". She read my chart wrong and thought I was at 28 weeks. So I have bitten the bullet and am taking two iron tablets a day. The ones I am taking have vitiamin C in them as well. I have also gotten onto the Blackmores Pregnancy and Breastfeeding tablets because they have increased magnesium in them. I've also got some fibre to drink each morning with orange juice because apparently Iron can back you up... charming.

The problem with all this is that I may not be able to have a physiological third stage of labour (delivery of the placenta naturally, cord stopping pulsing). I will have to have a talk to the midwives next time I see them - or when I check in *laughs*. I will ask my yoga teacher today whether or not she knows the policies behind a managed or physiological third stage of labour within the hospital.

So I have been told I need to rest more (conserve energy) and eat as much protein as possible. I have also increased my yoghurt consumption to allow for the anitbodies to build up a bit in my system. I should get some pro-biotics, but I quite like eating lots of yoghurt. It has filled my milo craze for now...

It seems my body is depleted in something - or this pregnancy is depleting me of everything ;) It explains the milk cravings- Calcium (2 litres a day! though it has dropped a bit now!). The banana smoothie cravings - Potassium... the Cramps in my legs - not enough magnesium... and now Iron. So hopefully things will start to get back into wack soon.

I have yoga today - but I am almost tempted to just go there and sleep. I have not had much sleep... grr. I am thinking of walking to the hospital, but I am not sure if that is going to be a bit too adventurous for me...

I am still sewing a fair bit too. :) I am loving it as I find it relaxing and calming - most of the time. I need to make some more nappies today as I have been doing a few clothes instead the last few days. I need some more nappies though.

Anyways, I need to finish getting ready. If I get ready I can waddle over to the hospital easily.. :) or easier... ha!

Toodles for now

37weeks, 2 days.

2005-11-08T01:54:41Z

Someone asked me today what I want for christmas/birthday...

*wrap around tops
*singlet tops
*maternity bras (target - specific type)
*thai fisherman's pants
*spotlight voucher
*coles myer voucher

I hope this helps :)

37 weeks, 2 days.

2005-11-08T00:15:28Z

OK! a proper update as promised!!

yesterday was my 37 week checkup at the Birth Centre - with one of my favourite midwives (I have two). Being a bit overwhelmed with a lot of stuff that has been going on, I promptly cried lots. She's a bit concerned, and I guess I am too, but Ally and I had a good sit down the other night and I think things will be ok. No one is to get worried about me yet though :P

Blood Pressure is good 120/75. This is a little higher than my previous visits, but it is still good. I let the midwife know that I have been having quite a lot of heart pulpitations (3 or more a day) and so she has booked me in to see the OB on Thursday to make sure that it is nothing.

I was sitting talking and then "bam" Blobbet kicks and the hiccups start... Baby hiccups are funny. Anyways, I got up on the bed and the midwife went to pulpitate my stomach. She looks at me and said.. "mm. Braxton Hicks". I was like, yup - I get lots of those. She explained that the ones at the top are more likely BH, and the ones down low are contractions. I have been getting lots more of the contractions over the last couple of days. Added with a lot more period like back-ache. Midwife said it is all good signs... Bubs has spine on my left hand side still. Is also still head down - but not yet engaged. "Is sitting at the brim". She pushed her fingers above my pubic bone area and was talking about the head. She asked if I could feel the head - I said I'd not so far. She took my hands and positioned them and helped me move them to the right spot. I got to feel Blobbets head. The midwife looked at me and said "It's a good size - not too big!". She compared notes to the ultrasound I had last time and thinks that bubs is about 2.8kgs now.

Then she got the doppler out to have a listen to the baby's heart. Blobbet still had the hiccups though and this made it very difficult to hear the heart - but I could listen to the hiccuping. It was so cool! very funny.

I have not been sleeping well recently. The heat, the dog not liking the heat, ally not liking the heat.. you name it - made it really hard. Last night - although sleep was a little broken, I had a good nights sleep. I am still very tired this morning though. We had a thunderstorm last night and Gilbert had a panic attack and climbed the stairs to come and find me. He's not climbed the stairs for months. He was so scared. But he slept well in the end, and so did Mika and Ally. I just need more sleep.

I have been on a Nappy Making Spree. I have made 7 nappies since thursday, after being inspired by the group of ladies at "OzClothNappies Inner Sydney". One, I was inspired. Two, I felt truly at home in that group. It was great. I clicked well with the ladies, and it was nice to feel very comfortable with them. I am looking forward to our next get together. It is planned for the 7th of December. Hopefully I will be able to show off bubs in my hand-made creations!

I need to work out what things I still need to purchase before bubs comes.

Toiletries - little travel pack for shampoo/conditioner. A new toothbrush. Body wash soap.
Hills Clothes Airer.
Little Squirt.
Curtains

They are the main things I think. That is part of my problem.. I cannot think! LOL

Anyways, I am going to attempt to do a wash of bub's clothes - and get them dried today. Then I can put them all away and know what I have to pack for holidays.

I am so excited about christmas at the moment - I just cannot wait.

Toodles for now.

37 weeks, 1 day.

2005-11-06T21:30:49Z

These are just a couple of quick samples from Bec. She was just playing around. I have to say I love the bottom one...

37 weeks, 0 days.

2005-11-05T20:08:21Z

I AM CLASSED AS FULL TERM!!!

*big old happy dance*

I know I know!! I have not updated... ;)

My keyboard was out of action for a bit, as was my email, and things went a little nutso... ;)

Anyways, to day I am having my preggo belly shots taken. Very excited. I have a middy appointment tomorrow and I will update then.

I have been on a cloth nappy making frenzy.. woot! I will take any and all gifts of flannel fabrics ;)

Does someone want to buy me this??? Note: it is in the states http://www.thestorkwearhouse.com/a_mice.jpg $14.95 or this http://www.thestorkwearhouse.com/a_blueflames.jpg - its black! They also have some other funky stuff there... but the first one has got MICE on it!

35 weeks, 4 days.

2005-10-27T10:56:25Z

I have been told I need to update this site. I will try and do some backdated entries tomorrow if I get time.

Quick run-down:

*Bubs is doing well
*Bubs is head down
*Bubs is NOT engaged (Ceph 6)
*I have discovered I am fat - discovery date: today
*I have an ultrasound tomorrow to measure baby growth
*I had a blessingway on Sunday. Some people showed up.
*We have requested that Lachlan, the student Midwife not come to the birth. This was more Ally's decision than mine, but Lachlan had not been to any of our appointments and it was making Ally a bit uncomfortable. I am still feeling uncertain.
*Still have things to buy. Guess I will get around to that soon
*Made a will today. I need to decide if I want to be cremated or buried.
*My legs ache when I sleep
*It is bloody hot
*Barely even getting BH anymore... they seem to have just stopped???
*Still having issues with deciding on Vit K (I think yes, but orally), Vaccination Protocols (Again, thinking yes, but not all)...
*Getting pestered to print out my final birth plan
*have not packed bags. don't have a decent bag to pack as such... procrastinating I guess.
*Do not have an electric oil burner...
*Need to listen through my CDs...
*Missing my mum. Missing my family. Scared of raising Blobbet so far away from them all. Feel very isolated at the moment, and am wondering why on earth I am starting a family when I can't even get friends to stand by me here...
*Am hoping that Ally will be more enthusiastic about the actual labour, than he has been about discussing it.
*Apparently I can call him a husband now, because everyone expects it

Thats enough for tonight.

34 weeks, 0 days.

2005-10-16T00:16:26Z

34 weeks, huh? wow.

I think blobbet has moved down a bit. I seem to have a bit of room today. That, or I could be imagining things.

Anyways... I am after wool. If people would like to buy me something - wool is good :)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8210433876&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8220245337&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8224159875&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MERINO-8-ply-Knitting-Wool-Pistachio-280g-CLEARANCE_W0QQitemZ8210887043QQcategoryZ36599QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

If buying wool - please make sure there is at least 100grams, preferably 8 ply. It must be 100% pure animal fibre (Angora, mohair, wool etc). The above links are samples to stuff I like... I am open to anything though.. :)

33 weeks, 3 days

2005-10-12T00:54:39Z

Had another midwife appointment on Monday. All is good. Blood pressure is great, bubs is moving, heart is beating.

Blobbet is in "Ceph 6" position, meaning Head Down, Bum Up, Sitting High, Not Engaged. At least bubs is still in the right position :) I am strep b clear, bloodcount is good and everything seems to be going very well.

Midwife raised her eyebrows at the mention of me getting period-like pain across my back at least once a day. This can be pre-labour contractions... She quizzed me on how often they came (once a day, usually only once, but maybe up to 3 times in a row)... Not concerned because bub is so high up so nothing is happening early at this stage.

I would not mind bubs moving DOWN though. My airways seem to have been restricted a bit and breathing has become a bit shallower, and I get tired VERY quickly.

Pregnancy brain hit be big time yesterday - I lost Ally's ATM card. Don't have a clue how - but I did. Feel great for that one...

In the next couple of weeks I will go through and write out a list of everything I really need for the first 3 months... I am sure I have forgotten some stuff (like mini bottles for expressed milk feedings! and a steriliser!!)... but most stuff, I am not worried about as I am sure I have it all.

I have fallen in love with a cushion type chair from Spotlight. It is an armrest chair thing you use in bed, or on the floor etc.. I think it would be perfect for breastfeeding in bed. Or even on the couch downstairs. It only comes in fluffy red fabric, but I could live with that. Spotlight has quite a few things that I like, so we might have to do a shopping trip there before bubs is born...

I need to get an electric oil burner... no candles in hospital... need to stock up on stuff for the labour ward - have done some though.

Will start cooking meals today too (for freezing)..

It is all getting so close. Occasionally I have heart pulpitations when I go "Oh Fuck! I am having a baby!" Nice time to realise this huh?

I am SO looking forward to my Blessingway... I just need to send off some invites today... ack. Still do not have some addresses... LOL

anyways... here is a pic of me last week... did I post this already? oops if I have...

32 weeks, 6 days.

2005-10-08T09:44:33Z

50 DAYS TO GO

give or take ;)

32 weeks, 5 days.

2005-10-07T04:10:52Z

For those who would like to knit me something...

http://www.birdcrossstitch.com/soakers/pattern/ (feel free to adapt the patterns as this is for a LARGE baby... and mine will not be needing that size for a while :P)

or

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/PATTcargo.html in the small size...

using the multicoloured 8 ply wool from here...

http://www.thewoolcompany.com/products/?c=5&pc=1&catname=Knitting+Yarn

Any colours will do :)

32 weeks, 4 days.

2005-10-06T05:59:27Z

http://www.mbeleko.com.au/

Thanks to anastasia for pointing out this above website. I have put my name on a waiting list for the Serenity Sling.

This sling is one that I have been 100% in love with from the start, unlike most of the other slings I have gone on about on this site. It is light weight for summer, airy and not as heavy as some others. It has gathered fabric that I can ruffle down the arm to distribute the weight, and the leftover fabric is not TOO long (like some others) so that it is not getting caught in stuff...

YAY!