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Birth Story:

I was so excited to know I was going to be induced and meet my baby girl however she decided not to wait until then! As I had been for so long I kept having contractions after my doctor's appointment and they were getting stronger. Around 8 pm I started to realize that this was really it and began timing the contractions which were 7 minutes apart. My husband and I put the other kids to bed and I continued timing contractions until close to 10 pm when I told him that he needed to call his parents as we needed to go to the hospital. Even though the contractions were still 7 minutes apart the intensity was there. By the time we got to the hospital it was 11:30 pm. I was in tears with every contraction. Upon being checked I was 6-7 cm and the rush was made to try to get me an epidural which I was fortunately able to get! I have done it before without one and honestly for me there isn't reason to go without one. Audrey Margaret was born at 1:05 am on March 4th, eight days early. Just prior to her birth her heart rate was decelerating and she had her cord around her neck. Once her head was out I had to stop pushing so that the doctor could cut the cord from around her neck. Fortunately for me the labor was short and I only had to push for two contractions! Like with my other babies, I did tear but needed only 2 stitches and certainly feel less sore than I have before! The biggest thing I am wanting now is sleep. But Audrey is absolutely beautiful and I am blessed to have her!

38 Weeks 5 Days:

Great news at the doctor's today! I am 4 cm, 80% effaced and her head is at 0 station! Due to early dilation and a history of fast labor (my second baby was born 40 minutes after we arrived at the hospital when I was 6 cm), my doctor is going to induce me on Wednesday if I don't go before then! I am so ecstatic I almost cried at the doctor's office! I could not thank him enough. I want to make sure that my baby girl is ready and comes when she is ready but he assured me that at 39 weeks she is fully ready and my body is ready so I am so psyched! This past week has been especially miserable with all the contractions I have been getting I feel like I have been in labor forever. Two more days, I cannot believe it! I am so happy that I will see my baby girl in two days!!!!

36 Weeks:

My 36 week appointment was at 35 weeks and 5 days, and I found out I'm two to three centimeters dilated! I'm 70% effaced and her head is down and at -1 station. At least progress is being made! I had an ultrasound to check the fluid level which was good. The doctor said I measured a little small (33 cm) and that she was a little small at 5 and a half pounds but he was not concerned. I'm so ready as soon as she is!

34 Weeks:

I had my appointment at technically 33 weeks and 5 days, but I just have to consider it my 34 week appointment! Not much to report as thankfully the doctor said everything looked great. At my next visit in two weeks, I'll get an ultrasound to check the fluid level as it was too low with my last baby. I'm definitely going to ask the technician to verify that the baby is a girl! Baby does still have her head down (as she did at the appointment two weeks ago) so that is good news. I think she is very long; she seems to be stretching constantly these days. My girls all have my husband's height! I'll also get checked at my next appointment. I've always dilated early with my babies so I'll be surprised if nothing has happened. At my 32 week appointment my doctor thought I probably was dilated already but didn't want to check for fear of starting anything. Time is passing slowly and quickly right now! Already the end of January! I'm so ready to hold my baby but I know we have to wait at least a few more weeks!

33 Weeks:

Definitely time for an update! I couldn't possibly start any way other than by saying I am so ready for my baby girl, Audrey Margaret, to arrive! I know she needs some more time inside me still but the end of the pregnancy is always the hardest. Morning sickness finally stopped at 25 weeks and has only hit me once since then. Stress is still a trigger. Other than that I have been blessed with a healthy pregnancy. I did find out I'm anemic when I had my blood work and GD test done at 28 weeks. I am now taking what seems to be a mega-dose of iron. It has been working as I no longer have experienced episodes of nearly completely passing out. (Putting my head down between my knees was a super trick that worked for me.) I finished my MLS in December which has relieved an indescribable amount of stress. We will set up the baby's room the first week of February. I am so anxious to have everything ready! The weeks are flying by as my older kids and my work (even though it is part-time) are keeping me very busy! I plan to work until baby arrives. As long as I can walk that is - my legs and hips have been hurting so much! But the time will be here so soon. I'm hoping she's early like my other three were (4 days early, 3 weeks early, and 10 days early). And am curious to find out how big she'll be (my first three were: 7 lbs 1 ounce, 6 lbs 9 ounces, and 7 lbs 2 ounces and the first two were 20 inches and my third was 20.5 inches). I am looking forward to holding my darling baby! Good luck to everyone and thanks for visiting! Feel free to leave me a comment!

20 Weeks:

I am so excited to be having another little girl! My son really wanted a little brother but has resigned himself to having lots of little sisters! This is my fourth baby and the first time we found out what we're having. I loved being surprised but this time around I really needed to know! There just seems to be so much to do these days. I have gotten progressively more sick with each pregnancy. This time around I started being sick at week 4 and although the worst of it is definitely gone, the sickness still lingers!

I spend a lot of time online as I am finishing my MLS online this semester and would rather be conversing with expectant moms than studying these days! Hope everyone is feeling well and best of luck to you all!

Pregnancy Survey from Bzoink.com:

About You

Name?:

Age?: 32

Height?: 5' 4"

Pre-pregnancy weight?: 114

About The Father

Name?:

Age?: 33

Height?: 6' 1"

Are you still together?: yes, married nine years!

About Your Pregnancy

Is this your first pregnancy?: no, it’s my fourth

When did you find out you were pregnant?: July 4, 2007

Was it planned?: yes

What was your first reaction?: disbelief, excitement

Who was with you when you found out?: husband

Who was the first person you told?: sister

How did your parents react?: excited but surprised

How far along are you?: 22 weeks

What was your first symptom?: tiredness and nausea

What is your due date?: March 12, 2008

Do you know the sex of the baby?: yes

If so, what is it?: Girl

Have you picked out names?: yes, we're pretty sure....

If so, what are they?: Audrey Margaret

How much weight have you gained?: 10 lbs

Do you have stretch marks?: yes, on my sides from my previous 3 babies

Have you felt the baby move?: yes, she's a mover!

Have you heard the heartbeat?: yes

About the birth

Will you keep the baby?: absolutely!!!!

Home or hospital birth?: hospital

Natural or medicated birth?: hoping for medicated

Who will be in the delivery room with you?: husband

Will you breastfeed?: yes

Do you think you'll need a c-section?: hopefully not

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: yes

What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: Hi beautiful baby, I love you.

Would you let someone videotape the birth?: no

Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: scared about the delivery but so excited to have my baby!

	Tenderheart Bear You are thinker, organizer, peacekeeper, and leader all in one. You have a power to command attention and people listen to you. However, you are often so concerned about not hurting others' feelings that you don't tell them what they need to hear and this gets you both into trouble. But you always have loyal friends to help you out.
Take the Which Care Bear Are You? Quiz!

From JustMommies:

Get your bags packed early just in case you need them. Make sure your partner has a phone available when he's away because this baby just might come early. We predict your baby will come 2-3 weeks early. Your baby will most likely be born in the morning. Justmommies predicts that your baby will weigh approximately 6.8 pounds and that your labor will be about 6 hours long.