Baby Tiley - 37 Weeks

Baby Tiley This Week:
Well I am officially 'full term', and have 22 days to go. I've made it! I can't believe it that I've made it through this week and my dear little boy will be at least born safely and at full term!
We had ANOTHER scan of baby Tiley and his decided that he would be in the posterior position, so his back is on my back. I didn't think much of it until I researched it... and holy moley I hope he turns. Apparently it can make labor alot worse, alot of back contractions, longer labor, stop and start labor (which I'm experiencing), water breaking early... so lets hope he does flip! His been moving so much lately so I think his trying!
Baby would be around 6 and half pounds according to the average fetal size, which is about 3 kilos (so we have a couple of 00000 outfits just incase he comes this week). His a bit over 19 inches now too, about 50 centimeters. Wowee.. his soo big now! His head diameter is about 9 centimeters too.
His shredding his waxy substance now, the vernix, although there will be some traces at birth most will disappear.

Tiley's Movements:

Wow, last night little Mr was right into my ribs, he would kick a foot right out into them and leave his foot in them for a while until he decided he had enough of hurting his mummy. We were laying in bed so I told Tim to feel his little foot, hopefully giving him an idea of what I complain about all too often. He was amazed. Tiley's foot was pushing his hand out through my ribs, he was giving my ribs a good whack.
When bub has the hiccups now they are big hiccups, before it was that I could just feel them in the inside of my belly, now my whole stomach jumps! It's amusing to look at ;).
Okay, so his movements are really starting to hurt now... but I can guarantee I will miss it!
Like I said above, Tiley has been moving so much lately. He is going absalutely crazy!

My Bump This Week:
I decided (don't know why??) to share a 'bare bump' photo this week, after all, this is all part of my journey... I didn't think I would rip so much, and I don't know how much my stomach can take! Here's my very ripped bare baby bump.

Yes, they can be as painful as they look. When they come I can feel a sting and my skin rip. It's a real unusual feeling, and I definitely don't like it. I guess I will keep you updated with the fading process after baby is born.

Symptoms This Week:
-Pelvic Pain
-Fatigue
-Sore Muscles
-Nesting.
-More Frequent Urination.
-Painful Legs.
-Nausea

Labour Signs:
-Contractions
-Cramps.
-'False' Labour.
-One centimeter dilated.
-Lost the 'plug'. (I think??)

Contractions:
I am still getting at least 3-4 contractions a day. After Friday/Saturday I had quite a few more contractions on Sunday night/Monday morning for about 6 hours at about 10 minutes apart. I've experienced some today at 20 minutes apart, and still, I'm not in labor. Waiting, waiting, waiting. I am only impatient now because on Friday the doctor said that it might take a few days or a week. So now I'm waiting for my time.

Finalising The Hospital Bag:
The hospital bag is completely finalised and finished now, I am ready!!

The Hospital Tour:
Well, I didn't end up going to the hospital tour because I had my own little tour throughout the week (if you missed it, read HERE)

The Final Birth Plan:
After our taste of labor my birth plan has changed/gone!! There's somethings that I still want to keep, but everything else I will just 'go with the flow' and see what happens.

Support People:
My husband, Tim, and my mother, Kelly, will be my support people during all stages of labour. Other support people will be visiting during the first and second stages of labour.

 Communication:
I would like to be told what is happening, how far I am dilating, if the baby is crowning, if there is any complications and anything else at all times.

Delivery:
Tim would like to watch the baby being delivered, from the crowing to the full delivery of the baby. Kelly will be by my side during delivery.
Tim will be cutting the baby’s umbilical cord.

Contact:
I would like to hold the baby as soon as possible after delivery.
Tim would like to hold the baby after the baby is cleaned.
I would like skin-to-skin contact and to attempt feeding after the baby is cleaned.

 Visitors:
Our family members will be allowed back after the baby and I are cleaned, and the baby is fed. This could possibly be a couple hours after birth.
A photographer, Tanya, will be arriving to take photo’s of the baby as soon after the birth and depending on her availability. We will let staff members know.
All other visitors will not be welcome to at least 24 hours after the birth.
 If I change my mind regarding visitors I hope that it could be respected.

Dummy:
I do not want a dummy offered to the baby.

Injections:
I would like the baby to have the vitamin K and Hepatitis B injections

C-Section:

 Although I prefer a natural labour I would like the decision for a c-section made as soon as it’s needed. Please do not wait for improvements in the baby or my labour to determine an emergency c-sections but rather take immediate action.

 I would like my husband, Timothy with myself in the theatre room.
I would like an epidural.

Three Weeks 'Till Baby Is Due.

Baby Tiley - Pre-Term Labor.

An extra post this week, but wanted to share with all of my lovely readers (just incase I don't make it to my next post either ;) )

Pre-Term Labor:
Well... Friday afternoon about 2:00pm I found a few blood spots. I decided to take a nap and see if anything else came of it. At about 5:30pm I found more blood so called the hospital who said to come in to get checked out. After I got off the phone, about 10 minutes later, I started getting some cramps so I called my mum to take me to the hospital incase Tim was late home from work.
Tim ended up coming home about 30mins later so I got my mum to meet us at the hospital.
When I arrived at the hospital, it turned out my 'cramps' were actually early contractions and coming about every 15 minutes, they found that the bleeding was from my cervix thinning, which is fine, but there was quite a bit of blood. I was also one centimeter dilated. I was in very early labor.
Because I was only 36 weeks, they wanted me to stay (where they would normally send someone in so early labor back home). I was moved into a maternity room to watch my contraction progress.
My husband and mum stayed for awhile but weren't aloud to stay the night.
At about 12am, now Saturday early morning, the contractions went to about every 5 minutes and was starting to get fairly painful and consistent. I had two panadol's. They were still consistent at 1:30am, so I was moved to a delivery room on the labor ward. I texted my mum for her to come back, and she arrived about 2:30am.
We turned off the lights and tried to rest with my contractions still consistently 4-5 minutes apart. I couldn't sleep at all, and the midwife continued to offer me sleeping tablets (triazepam). At 6am I finally said yes to the sleeping tablets to try and get some rest, but that was unfortunately terrible timing because just after I had the sleeping tablets, by about 10 minutes, my contractions got bad.. very quickly. They became every 2 minutes apart and VERY painful.
We were convinced that it was time to call everyone that it was a go-ahead now. I got a catheter put in my hand ready for some anti-biotics because labor was well and truely established. I told my husband to come back in, by sending him one word text messages.. I was in so much pain, that's all I had the energy to do. I told him to call the family members too. He arrived about 7.15am.
After about two hours of these contractions I had two panadeine forte. I had actually asked for more panadol and the doctor insisted I take panadeine forte instead, because he believed the contractions were about to get much worse.
I had another physical check at around 8.30am.... and was still only one centimeter dilated. I was not dilating.
My dad had now arrived, because my husband had called him earlier. Now, apart from my contractions, I was just not progressing, so they were going to send me back to my original maternity room.
After the midwife returned I asked her if I could just finish up at home. If I was still only one centimeter it's going to take a LONG time and I could get some sleep at home. The doctors didn't want me to go, but the midwife asked for me and they decided to let me go home.
At home they were still painful but started dulling down about 12:00pm, so I went to sleep. When I woke at about 1:00pm I had about 6 or 7 continues sharp contractions and that was it, so I went back to sleep about 2:00pm. I woke again at 4:30pm feeling incredibly sick... realising I hadn't eating ALL day. Contractions had become very mild too... almost at no pain but my stomach was still tightening. Some leaving a sting. After eating (and deciding it was time to finalise my hospital bag) my contractions had finally completely stopped at around 8pm. So that was it... everything had finished... I am still pregnant, baby is still happy inside my belly but we are almost certain he will come before his due! A doctor even said it could take a few days or a week.

If you don't see any regular post's for a while, here's why!

Baby Tiley - 36 Weeks.

Tiley This Week:
Baby is gaining around about 28-30 grams a day now and weighing in at around 6 pounds (2.7 kilos)! His grown another centimeter too, 48 centimeters / 19 inches. I can really feel his length now because my insides and lungs feel SO squashed. I can't wait to see how he actually measures compared to the stats!
Tiley's fat layers are starting to build now and his starting to look like a chubby, rolly little newborn. He may even be forming his little dimples on his face, knees and elbows, how cute!
By now, many of baby's systems are pretty mature and just about ready for outside life like his blood circulation and immune system. His lungs and digestive system still need to be perfected. In fact, his digestive system wont fully mature until after birth!
Monday marked exactly one more month to go!! One month 'till the 22nd of November when baby is due. OH.MY.GOODNESS! Today marks 29 days to go :).

Tiley's Movements/Routine:
Lately Tiley has been moving alot more. His been really active and seems to be awake much more then usual. He is probably awake around three times during the night now, where before I would never wake to his movements. His awake till about 10-11pmish, then again around 3am and then again around 6am. If this is his newborn routine, I can deal with that.
I've felt Tileys hiccups this week more then I have the whole pregnancy, I think before this week I only felt them about twice or three times, and this week I've felt them about four or five times!
During Week 34 I wrote about how Tiley found my very uncomfortable left side... and yet again he has. Although he mostly kicks on the right side or the middle he seems to go into my left ribs every couple of days, If I place my hand on my rib I can feel him pounding it, I can feel his foot pushing into them.. His so strong!

Naming Ceremony:

The hall we are wanting to
book for the naming ceremony!

I have started organising baby boys naming ceremony which is still months away and will be on the 23rd of March. Tiley will be around 4 months!

A naming ceremony is a non-religious celebration of the arrival of a new child. An alternative to a dedication or christening. It is a way of welcoming the child and officially introducing him/her to family and friends.
During the ceremony, important mentors for the baby/child are introduced. Poems, readings, speech's, wishes for the baby, gifts from the parents are presented, signing of a certificate and anything else symbolic that you choose to do. Basically you can do whatever you would like to represent the beginning of your child's life.
Naming ceremonies are often held by a celebrant but as they have no legal status or anything we are going to run the ceremony ourselves with family.

Symptoms This Week:
-Heartburn.
-Pelvic Pain
-Fatigue
-Mild Back Pain
-Insomnia
-Increase In Allergies
-Out of breath.
This week 'pregnancy' has really hit my body. I'm not 'over the pregnancy' but I have struggled to be comfortable this week. At times I feel incredibly weak physically because I can't bend properly or move quick enough. I'm quick to get frustrated at myself and I'm always asking Tim if it's frustrating that he has to help me out all the time... yes ladies, his always quick to say 'not at all' ;).
I am really thankful for my husband, his always quick to help me out. Pregnancy is really a team effort thing!
Besides that though, this week has been another incredible learning experience :).

Labour Signs:
-Sharp Pains 'Down There'.
-More Painful Braxton Hicks.
-Baby More Active.
-Stomach's Changed Shape.
Still could mean that labour is 4 weeks away, or I may even go over but I thought I would start documenting my labour signs!

Breast Feeding Class:
Monday we went to a breast feeding class at the hospital I'm going to give birth at. It was much more informative and helpful then I expected. Tim came along with me too. At the start there was only one other male (we thought Tim would be the only one, so that was good) and then another male came late. It was great to see the males supporting there partners! Tim probably felt awkward at the start but afterwards when we spoke and debriefed about the things we had learnt it sounds like he really took alot in. We not only just learnt about everything breastfeeding, like how to position the baby, how the baby should suckle, how often around about baby should feed but also what and what not to feed/ give to drink baby when his a little older, and about baby's teeth when his older.
Everyone that were there, but two people, were due in November as well. There was one lady due on the 7th of November and then the next due was ME!! There was the 24th, 26th, 27th and 29th (Friends of ours), so we were all due around the same time.
While we were there I booked into do a tour around the birthing unit for next Tuesday.

Packing My Hospital Bag:
It's official, the hospital bags are 'almost' all packed and ready to go. I am finally parting with my dressing gown for a few weeks!! I'm waiting on the baby's first outfit to come in the mail and then it can be officially organised! There are the last minute things to do, like charge my camera and put it in my hand bag ready to go along with my birth plan, phone charger and other last minute things.
Inside the bags:
I've put a 00000 and a 000 suit just encase, two outfit's in 0000, two wondersuits in 0000... singlets (3), socks (2), bodysuits (2), beanie (1), mittens (1) and booties (1).
Nappies (20), wipes, apricot oil, bags for soiled nappy's, photo shoot items, face washers.
Two tracksuit outfits, underwear, two packets of maternity pads, breast pads, toilet paper, ural, lanosah, jumper, dressing gown, slippers, thongs, shampoo, conditioner, comb, toothpaste, toothbrush, plastic bags, moisturiser, winter socks (3), Nighty and a hot water bottle.

The Capsule:
The capsule is now in the car and ready to take the baby home! Probably a little early but we are just so excited and it's one thing we could tick off our to-do list. Yeeyy!!

The Nappy Stash:
Our Newborn & Small MCN stash is complete now, all washed and ready! And all ready for someones cute hieny! We have a few OSFM (one size fits most) too...

One & half weeks 'till we do our next progressive shoot!

Baby Tiley - Week 18

Tiley this week:
I can't believe how far I am all ready.. 18 weeks!! that's CRAZY!! I think it's gone really quick. And I'm almost half way! This week and from now on all of Tiley's organs are in the correct position and from now until bub comes out all they have to do is grow and strengthen. Tiley's chest is starting to move up and down to mimic breathing although Tiley's not actually taking in air. Tiley's now whopping 200grams, DOUBLE the weight over the last couple of weeks.

They also say that Tiley may have the same sleep pattens as a newborn baby. The last couple of nights Tiley's been really active from about 8pm all through the night and keeping me awake for quite a few hours. Between Tiley's kicking and Tim's snoring I'm bound to be super tired!! Last night was a strange night, Tiley was quite active in the morning and then slept, bub was still asleep when I went to bed at about 11pm. I was so cautious not to wake the sleeping darling (so maybe I could get a few hours of sleep!!). I made the mistake of rolling quickly and the little monster woke up! haha. If bub is sleeping while we are wanting to feel it move we like to leave Tiley to sleep. I only get Tim to feel bubby move when it's awake, I don't like to disturb the bubby, it's is doing such a great job and growing and learning.. but it sure likes to disturb it's mumma!! I do have to admit, from what I can feel, bub is a good sleeper though. When bub does sleep, it's for hours!
* There is no scientific link to if a baby's sleep pattern in the womb will effect a baby's sleep pattern outside the womb.
What Tiley would look like this week:
 How Perfect. So much like a baby! :) PERFECT

Movements:
People who have felt Tiley's little movements so far:
*Tim, *My Dad, *My Brother Jordan, *My Brother Jyle.

Only 2 more weeks until we find out what gender Tiley actually is, so if you haven't done so all ready, make sure you do our poll:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q7RBXTH

Our 17 week progressive photo shoot:
So we didn't have time last week to do our 17 week progress, we will have to do it this week.

Birth plan:

This week I've also roughly thought of my birth plan. More of an ideas list. I've only got 22 weeks left till bubba is due to arrive so thought I would roughly research everything now and put it all into an actual plan closer to when bubba's due. I am completely open to changing my mind, and completely aware that things change. During my pregnancy I have reflected so much on my mum being pregnant with my baby brothers. The oldest one, soon to be Uncle Jyle, had a very scary birth so I am aware that possibly NOTHING will go to plan. No one at the hospital will probably read the birth plan but if not I want to have enough research and be confident enough to say what I want, why and how. I will also be writing an 'emergancy c-section' birth plan later on just encase. I hope I don't offend anyone with what I feel is best for my little one but the beauty of pregnancy and birth is we have SO many options to suit everyone. A lady recently said in my birth club "There is no medal awarded. We don't all walk around with badges saying "I gave birth ...naturally" or "I breastfed for 12 months" if you do that's great for you." which I thought was PERFECTLY said. This is what I believe is best for baby and me :)

• Labouring position ideas:
  I would to like to consider water therapy in the shower standing (using gravity) and leaning on my husband and on the wall during contractions. I also want to begin this at home when my contractions are are too far apart to go the hospital. My husband is shy so I would like his privacy respected as much as possible while we are in the shower and be left alone.
  
  I would also like to avoid laying in bed during early labour and the second stage of labour to use gravity by walking around, sitting on a chair, kneeling and using a fit ball. I would like my husband to be my support by leaning on him and having him rub where most painful.
  I would like to be encouraged to try new positions and not be forced to use just one position. I can then find which position gives the best pain relief.
• Pain relief:
  I would like to not be offered any pain relief and it be left up to me to have gas IF I feel I need it. I would like to aim for a medication-free birth. The reasons I've chosen to have a medication-free birth is so I can freely move around more into different positions if I feel the need. Also that back pain during labour maybe a sign that the baby needs to be turned so I would like to avoid suppressing what my body is telling me. I would also like a faster recovery after birth.
• Checks:
  I would like regular checks to see how I am progressing through labour. I would like to be kept aware of my progress at all times.
• Visitors:
  I do not mind my parents visiting during the first and second stages of labour as I'm hoping that visitors will be distracting from the pain. During the final stages of labour, the pushing, I would like it to be just my husband and I. I would want my husbands parents and my parents allowed back after the baby and I are cleaned, and the baby is fed. I do not want any other visitors until we are settled into St Vincents Hospital, at least the next day after birth. If I change my mind regarding visitors I hope that it could be respected.
• Breast feeding:
  I would like to see a lactation consultant as soon as possible after birth and try feeding as soon as the baby is cleaned and settled. I don't want any formula offered to my baby. If I have trouble breast feeding I would like as much help as possible and then a second option being expressing. I would also liked to be checked by the lactation consultant as much as possible to have continues checks if the baby is feeding correctly.
• St Vincents Hospital:
  I am going to be moved to St Vincent's hospital after the baby and I recover at the Launceston General Hospital. I would like to be moved as soon as possible. I would like the baby, my husband and I to be given sometime after being moved to get settled without visitors.
• TK Photography:
  Tanya from TK Photography will be doing a newborn shoot while I and the baby are still in hospital if she is available.

There's still LOTS I need to decide, research and plan and my birth plan will be drawn out much simpler but these are just my ideas for now :)

2 more weeks till I'm half way! WOOHOO!!!