Newborn Pictures

Carson got some wonderful photos taken of him when he was 5 days old. We love Yarrow Photography!!
It was so hard to decide what pictures to order. I am so glad we got to capture this special time in our lives. Carson was a champ and slept through the whole session!

Carson David Lloyd

The story of getting Carson out of my uterus is very similar to getting him into it…difficult.

Friday, April 27 ended as any other night does in our house. Brent was finishing up watching something NASCAR on TV, so I went ahead and get in bed around 9:30, and he came in shortly after, and we both fell asleep. About 11:00, I woke up and rolled over in bed, and decided I needed to get up and use the bathroom. When I stood up, I felt a huge gush of liquid, and thought that I had peed my pants. I finished my business, and went back to the bedroom to get a clean pair of underwear, and the liquid started running down my leg. It took me a minute, but then I realized, my water had just broken!!

I woke Brent up and told him my water had broken, and it took him a minute because he was asleep, but then he sprung into action and grabbed the last few things for my bag, loaded the car, and kept me calm. I called the Dr.’s office and he told me to head on in. I thought it would be the longest car ride to Waterloo ever, but it turns out it wasn’t too bad, I wasn’t really even having any contractions yet.

Once we got to the hospital, a nurse checked the fluid to make sure it was my water breaking, and it was, and then she checked to see if I was dilated at all, and I wasn’t. They told me that baby had had a bowl movement inside, which is called meconium, so that was something we needed to watch. They got me all checked in, changed, and started an IV with fluids. They had to also get me an IV with antibiotics because I tested positive for Group B Strep, but that took several hours, because like anything else, I have to be difficult and be allergic to a lot of medicine. Eventually they got that started though.

I started having some mild contractions around 1:00 or 2:00, and for awhile they weren’t too bad. The whirl pool tub in the room provided some nice relief for me. Around 4, the contractions started to get worse and closer together, but when the nurse checked me, she said I was only dilated a fingertip, and I had to be 3 to 4 centimeters before I could get the epidural. Brent and I walked several laps around the labor and delivery floor trying to speed things up. That was fun.

We continued on like that for hours…I was in a lot of pain, but wasn’t progressed enough to get the drugs!! Around 10:00, Dr. Hintz came in and checked me, and to my surprise, he said I was 4-5 centimeters. I will save you all the details, but apparently my cervix is difficult as well, and once he checked me, it sort of “popped” open farther.

The anesthesiologist was called, and finally around 11 or so, she came in, and gave me the epidural. I was terrified of getting it, but it really wasn’t bad at all, and the contractions were so distracting, I honestly didn’t even mind that there was a giant needle being stuck in my spine.

The epidural was wonderful. It took away all the pain and made my legs feel tingly. But shortly after I got it, my blood pressure dropped and baby’s heartbeat stopped registering on the monitor. I freaked out internally while they gave me oxygen and called in Dr. Hintz. Luckily he was very relaxed, and stuck a monitor of some sort inside and put an electrode on baby’s head, and the heartbeat showed back up right away. I could breathe again, that was scary.

About an hour or so later, they decided to come in and stuck another tube inside me to measure how strong the contractions were, because I was only dilated to a 6 after more than 12 hours since my water had broken. They decided to give me some Pitocin to try and speed things along. It worked for awhile, and the contractions got stronger, but baby’s heartbeat would slow down during the contractions, so they kept adjusting the amount, turning it up and down. Luckily, with me being numb, I couldn’t feel it.

A couple of hours later, I was STILL at a 6, and baby was still not tolerating the contractions very well, so they nurses came in and put me in a lovely position, with my knees to my chest and my butt up in the air. Baby actually liked that better, as uncomfortable as it was, so we stayed that way for awhile. Eventually, I did dilate to an 8.

They came in to do an ultrasound to double check the baby’s position, and it turns out he was what they call sunny-side up, or with his face facing up instead of the back of his head. So Dr. Hintz tried to turn him with no luck. One of the nurses had me lay almost on my stomach on both sides for awhile trying to make baby mad enough to move, even though Dr. Hintz said it wouldn’t work. He was so convinced it wouldn’t work, that he told the nurse he would buy her a new car if it did. Unfortunately for her and for me, it didn’t.

The words c-section had been tossed around a couple times at this point, but finally Dr. Hintz said we will give it another hour or two, but with the size of your pelvis, the fact that you have a very protruding pubic bone, the fact that you’re not dilating past an 8 (I think we were there for over 2 hours, it’s a little blurry at this point) and the fact that the baby is face up, we can give it another hour or two, and then we will have to do a c-section.

An hour later, he came in and checked me again, and there were no changes. By this point the epidural was starting to wear off, I was exhausted, and I was terrified that I was going to have a c-section, the whole pregnancy that is what I said I didn’t want. I was in a lot of pain from the contractions, and I was just so ready to have the baby.

It took them about 30 minutes from then, but they wheeled me in and gave me some more good drugs in my catheter, and started the c-section. Luckily Brent was able to be in there with me, that really helped my anxiety.

About 15 minutes into the surgery, Carson David Lloyd was out. 8:04 P.M. on Saturday, April 28, 2012. He was so beautiful, and the tears just started coming when I saw him. Brent took lots of pictures. He came out crying like mad. He weighed 8 lbs. and 9 oz., and was 20 inches long. They had to suction out his lungs because of all the yucky stuff he inhaled, but 21 hours after we started, I finally had my little boy. Brent brought him over to me so I could see him, but since I was still having surgery, I didn’t get to hold him, which made me sad.

The c-section was painful. You’re numb, but you can still feel a lot of what they’re doing, and it’s not pleasant. The whole surgery lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. My Dr. is very meticulous, and I only have a very tiny little scar to show for it.

The recovery has been slow and painful, but every day I feel better, and I am so in love with my little man. He’s growing like a weed, already back up to his birth weight. Breastfeeding is not quite going how we planned, which I suppose shouldn’t surprise me. I can’t produce enough for his piggy ways, so we are supplementing with formula, and I am pumping and giving him breast milk in a bottle because he won’t stay latched on, and rather than frustrate both of us, we have found what works for us.

40 Weeks, Due Date, Swollen Feet!

Well, Baby Lloyd didn't get the memo that we are not just on time in this family..we are EARLY. I guess he/she must me nice and comfy in there. 

 I guess I get to enjoy these pretty elephant feet for a little while longer!!

 

How your baby's growing:

It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.
See what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

After months of anticipation, your due date rolls around, and... you're still pregnant. It's a frustrating, but common, situation in which to find yourself. You may not be as late as you think, especially if you're relying solely on a due date calculated from the day of your last period because sometimes women ovulate later than expected. Even with reliable dating, some women have prolonged pregnancies for no apparent reason.
You still have a couple of weeks before you'll be considered "post-term." But to be sure your baby is still thriving, your practitioner will schedule you for testing to keep an eye on her if your pregnancy continues.

You may have a biophysical profile (BPP), which consists of an ultrasound to look at your baby's overall movements, breathing movements (movement of her chest muscles and diaphragm), and muscle tone (whether she opens and closes her hand or extends and then flexes her limbs), as well as the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds her (important because it's a reflection of how well the placenta is supporting your baby).
Fetal heart rate monitoring (called a nonstress test or NST) will generally be done as well — by itself or as part of the BPP. Or, you may have what's known as a modified BPP, which consists of an NST and an ultrasound to assess the amount of amniotic fluid.
If the fetal testing isn't reassuring — the amniotic fluid level is too low, for example — you'll be induced. If there's a serious, urgent problem, you may have an immediate c-section.
Your practitioner will also check your cervix to see if it's "ripening." Its position, how soft it is, how effaced (thinned out) it is, and how dilated (open) it is can all affect when and how your labor is induced. If you don't go into labor on your own, you'll be induced, usually sometime between 41 and 42 weeks.

38 Weeks!!

I found out last week that I did test positive for Group B Strep. This means I will have to have an IV antibiotic while in labor just to make sure nothing gets passed on to baby. Of course, I am allergic to the usual medicine, Penicillin, so I get to take something rare and special. Yep, sounds like me!!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
See what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.
Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

36 Weeks!!

My appointment this week was rather exciting. Dr. Hintz decided to check my cervix while testing me for the Group B Strep, just because he was down there already. :) I was about 50% effaced, but not dilated at all yet. Baby's head is really low, apparently, so low that he decided to do an ultrasound just to check things out and make sure everything was okay. Of course, I was extremely nervous, but everything turned out fine. We found out that Baby Lloyd is about 6.5 pounds right now, and has a big head and skinny legs. Dr. Hintz predicts baby will be between 8-8.5 pounds when it's born based on this ultrasound. I've been having a lot of swelling in my feet and my blood pressure was elevated today, but so far, so good.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.
See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.
Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

Eating in "Start collecting take-out and delivery menus from local restaurants. You won't have time to cook in the early weeks after giving birth. Even restaurants without a visible take-out business will usually accommodate a to-go order (especially if it's for a new mom!)." — Kristina

Surprising Facts: The stages of labor

For first-time moms, labor takes an average of 15 hours, though it's not uncommon to last more than 20. (For women who've previously had a vaginal birth, it takes eight hours, on average.) The process of labor and birth is divided into three main stages. Here are the highlights on how childbirth progresses:
First stage The first stage begins when you start having contractions that progressively dilate and efface your cervix and it ends when your cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases, early and active labor.
It can be tricky to determine exactly when early labor starts. That's because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that you may have been feeling for some time.
Unless there are complications or your midwife or doctor has advised you otherwise, expect to sit out most of your early labor at home. (Be sure, though, to check in with your caregiver to make certain.)
Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to speed up. At this point, you enter what's known as the active phase of labor. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger.
The last part of the active phase — when your cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters — is called the transition period because it marks the transition to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of the first stage, with contractions that are usually very strong, coming about every two and a half to three minutes and lasting a minute or more.
Second stage Once your cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. This is the "pushing" stage of labor, and it can last anywhere from minutes to a few hours. (It's likely to be quicker if you've previously given birth vaginally.)
Your baby's head will continue to advance with each push until it "crowns" — the term used to describe the time when the widest part of your baby's head is finally visible. After your baby's head comes out, your midwife or doctor will suction his mouth and nose, and feel around his neck for the umbilical cord. His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside the pelvis to get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be coached to push as his shoulders deliver, one at a time, followed by the rest of his body.
You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement (to name a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.
Stage three The final stage of labor begins immediately after the birth of your baby and ends with the delivery of your placenta. The contractions in the third stage are relatively mild.

Get a more detailed account of what happens during each stage of labor.

35 Weeks, and Maternity Pictures

My dear friend from high school, Andrea Benning of Yarrow Photography took some wonderful maternity pictures for me this week. Here are some of my favorites.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
See what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.
From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.

This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

34 Weeks!!

 

 

 

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.
See what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable.

Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short).

Video

Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.
Slide your way to slumber "In the third trimester, turning over in bed is a nightmare. The solution? Big satin pajamas and even satin sheets — the slipperiness of satin helps tremendously!" — Carrie