Early Arrival!!

Camille had plans of her own! She was brought into this world (rather quickly) on Tuesday, November 17 at 2:58pm. Being 6 weeks early, she was a good weight of 4lbs 14oz and 18 inches long. She tried to come through this world naturally, but we did have to have an emergency c-section.

10min apart contractions on Tuesday morning quickly led to some intense pain and an unscheduled visit to the doctor where we learned that I was 10cm dialated and ready to push! We were quickly rushed next door to Rex to have an emergency c-section since Camille was on her way whether we were ready or not.

We are all doing well. Camille is in the NICU until her temperature is more stable and until she begins to eat on her own.... but she is sooo precious and is making improvments each day.

Nick and I are very proud parents and can't wait for everyone to meet our little girl.

Please continue to pray for Camille and her speedy progression to coming home to us!

34 Week Checkup & Lots of Changes

It has been an interesting turn of events as of yesterday. I have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions for about a week or so now, but they began to get painful and more consistent on Monday afternoon. I figured this was all still normal, though I wasn't enjoying the discomfort. Nick and I decided that we needed to play it safe and go see the doctor just to make sure all this was normal.

They treated my visit like a normal checkup since my appointment was already scheduled for later in the week. I had only gained half a pound, but my blood pressure and everything else checked out fine. Camille's heartbeat was great and the nurses seemed to think things were fine, but they wanted the doctor to do an exam just to double check since my symptoms were a bit odd for someone at 34 weeks.

After taking a quick look, both through ultrasound and manually, the doctor said that I needed to come have a "pow wow" with him. I knew that that meant something had changed. Turns out that I am 70% effaced and 2cm dialated! Talk about shock! The doctor didn't seem completely worried, but said that I needed to go on immediate bed rest to try and buy some time for us. He said that Camille has developed enough to be delivered, but they just want to drag it out as long as they can since 37 weeks is full term. He was certain that she wouldn't be staying put for more than 3 weeks.... but that she could debut as early as this week! Again, complete shock!

I have been put on some medication to help relax the uterus and slow down the labor, but he said it is a 50/50 shot as to whether this will work at this point. He said just to relax, stay put as much as I could.... I can still work.... but just via email at home. He said my main focus needs to be relaxation and mentally preparing for an early arrival! She is still VERY breech, so a c-section is certain at this point. They don't want to schedule anything, since at this point, all we can do is listen to my body and see how the clock will work with us.

I am going back to the doctor on Thursday if nothing progresses further b/w now and then.

Nick has been amazing thus far.... making sure I don't lift a finger if I don't have to :) He is being so supportive and jumping in to take over some of my to-do's that we need to hurry and take care of before our little girl comes (installing the carseat, packing for the hospital, etc).....

Please continue to pray for a healthy baby!

Guess its on to Plan C :)

Birthing Classes- some funny commentary :)

So Nick and I have been going to some birthing classes offered by our hospital every Monday night. We have attended 3 thus far and have discussed things like pain medication options, the layout of the hospital, what to expect when you check in, breathing techniques, stages of labor, etc. They have been quite informative, sometimes too informative :)

I thought I would share some funny commentary from the class last night. We were doing some exercises, similar to role playing, though our teacher refuses to use the word role play. Each couple was given a card with a scenario on it (time of day, contraction length & strength, feelings, etc) and we had to put the cards in order of the stages of labor. When it came time for your card, you had to say what positions and breathing techniques were best used during this stage, as well as what the husband's role should be at that time. Nick and I had one of the final stages, so we got off fairly easy, but some other couples had some funny reactions.

A couple that had an early stage of labor had a funny answer. When our instructor asked the dad-to-be what he would be saying to his wife who was having mild contractions that were getting closer together, he replied, very casually, "How's it going?" The instructor shot him a look and told him that is never something you want to say/ask. She then asked him what he would be doing for her at this time and he replied "grab a rag and give it to her?" Wow! Our teacher quickly explained what some correct answers would be and quickly moved to the next couple. I think that guy is now in the doghouse, not only with his expecting wife, but with our instructor.

The next funny response came from a dad-to-be that had a card that was the transition phase of labor- the longest and most painful stage. When asked what he would be saying to his wife, he replied "Something positive, since I will be the sane one, I mean one of us has to be." Yikes! That didn't get such a good reaction from anyone... ha! This same guy later asked the instructor how clean the birthing room would be- were we not in one of the top birthing hospitals in the state? Guess he is a complete germ-a-phobe!

Anyway, thought these were funny enough to pass along b/c we got quite a kick out of them. I do have to say Nick was one of the best dad's in the class- he will be a great coach whether we are going with Plan A or B. I was proud! :)

32 Week Checkup

Sorry the picture turned out darker than I planned... the dark shirt didn't help...

I had my 32 week checkup this morning with Dr. Woodruff. My blood pressure and everything was good. I hadn't gained any weight since my last appointment, but he said that was fine as long as I hadn't changed my eating. I like that I didn't gain weight after having Halloween leftovers :) Mmmmm :)

I measured right on track and Camille's heartbeat was strong as usual. I actually got my H1N1 vaccine today too b/c they had gotten a shipment yesterday that they hadn't expected.

The focus of the appointment was on Camille's position. She is still very breech and Dr. Woodruff said that its very unlikely that she will move down on her own at this point. He said that they would be continuing to monitor the position, but that I should probably go ahead and mentally prepare for the option of a c-section. He said over the next appointment or two, they can do some of the manual versioning to get her to move, but that with my petitie figure he doubts that it will fully accomplish what we want it to. Not the news I wanted to hear, but I guess that you can never fully plan around a birth.... it goes the way God wants it to and I have no control of that. So while a c-section isn't 100% at this point, it is very likely that that is the path will be faced with.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as Nick and I begin to mentally prepare for Plan B. The doctor could tell I was upset by his news, but he did say that with me being such a planner, that their was good news in that I could actually pick Camille's birthdate..... :)

My next appt is on the 19th....

Camille's Nursery

The nursery is painted!! Thanks to the hard work from Nick and Christy, the nursery is getting closer to being completed :) Now we just have to get the furniture in, etc.... It is looking quite precious and girly!