Happy Thanksgiving

Pepper Peach Bergantzel decided that Thanksgiving - Nov 27 2008 - was the day that she was going to be born. I had some contractions before going to bed for the night but after a warm bath they seemed to slow down. But at 3:27 AM I was awoken to sharp stabbing pains (contractions) on my right side mainly. They started to come every 3 minutes. So I called the after hours service and they paged a different doctor because mine was out for the holiday and they told me to come up to the hospital to labor/delivery.

So we got our bags in the car and woke up Rick and Libby to let them know we were going to the hospital, called our mom's and got ready to leave. When I went to get into the truck, my water broke and then I knew that Thanksgiving was going to be the day :) So I called the hospital to let them know my water broke and away we went (after sending Jim in for a towel for me to sit on).

We arrived at the hospital just a little before 4 AM and went up to labor and delivery. They settled me into a room and got me on a monitor and got Dr. Bassett. I had to give this new doctor a quick rundown of my past 8 months. The monitor had shown that I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes so Dr. Bassett said there was no point in waiting and I would have my csection within the hour. And he decided to page Dr. Robertson because he was available. This was very comforting to Jim and I because at least someone that I had seen throughout this whole pregnancy would be there for the birth.

So after a little bit of prep, we walked down to the operating room. Jim got his scrubs on and I was given a spinal to numb the lower half of my body. Then it was only a matter of time before they had me ready to go. And at 5:12 AM the most beautiful sound was heard. Our daughter's tiny cry as she entered the world. They showed her to us above the tent that was blocking the surgical view. And at that moment our hearts melted. They took Pepper off to the warmer for cleanup and Jim was able to cut the cord. They then wrapped her and briefly brought her over for me to see before taking her to the nursery while they finished putting me back together.

Pepper weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She has dark blue eyes and lots of light brown hair.

After recovering for a bit, Jim returned to my recovery room and we waited to be wheeled up to my room in the hospital. Then they brought Pepper in to see us for a little bit. But then she had to be taken for a bath and further newborn tests, etc. This allowed for a little rest for us. At least as much as you can get while people are constantly coming into the room to do vitals on me, etc.

We were in the hospital until Saturday and then we got to bring our little blessing home.

New date given

Okay so after going to see Dr. Gernhardt today, she said not to worry about the numbers. She said that some babies that have been born within a couple days of someone having the same results I had came out screaming and were fine. They think that the lungs might accellerate maturity during labor. So she said not to worry.

So our new date is December 3rd unless divine intervention states otherwise. Yesterday one of our friends, Linda Ried, who is a very prophetic person prayed for her. She felt that the Lord would have her be born at a symbolic time when he felt it would have meaning for us. We were saved 4 years ago on the 28th of November (1st Sunday after Thanksgiving). So we will see what happens. We trust that she is strong and healthy and will be born thriving.

Birth Date Extended

Well we went to the dr on Friday Nov 14th to have the fetal lung maturity test done for Pepper. I am sad to say that she didn't pass so she will not be born on the 17th. Her test results came back at 32 and needed to be at least 52 in order for her to be born able to breathe on her own.

So we are going back to see Dr. Gernhardt on Monday to see what the plan is for her arrival. The doctors say that the points for her lung maturity go up 1 per day and if that is the case hers will be ready on Dec 8 which is her original due date. So more waiting and wondering for us.

Contractions

Well on Sunday at church I was having some contractions - having never experienced this a lot in previous pregnancies I was a bit concerned. So we talked to the Dr. and she had us go to the hospital for some monitoring. Turned out all was okay - the contractions were not regular enough to be concerned about and Pepper was doing fine.

Then on Tue night I started having contractions again every 3-6 minutes. So I was instructed to lay down, drink water, take Benadryl and see if they slowed down. Which they did. But as soon as I would try to get up they would start again! So again on Wed we went to the Dr. for some additional monitoring. And yet again, all is fine.

So now I just need to focus on sitting still more and doing less. Which is very hard for me! I have things I want to do! You know the basics - laundry, dishes, last minute nesting! Only 11 more days to go and this little one will be here. I am very excited and pray that she will stay put until that day :)

We have a birth date

We went to both doctors yesterday and we now have a scheduled date for the CSection. She will be delivered on Nov 17 barring any unforseen circumstances. All looked good on the ultrasound - she was quite wiggly and opening and closing her mouth. She was also trying to put her fist in. It was really cute. We are so excited now to know when she will be born. It is just after Libby's birthday and before Thanksgiving! Only 18 days to go!!!

32 Week Check

We went to the high risk doctor yesterday and she is looking great. She weighs around 4 pounds and 7 ounces. She is getting so big. She also has some hair on her head! So cute. I had no idea you could see that in a regular ultrasound. I can't wait to meet our cutie pie.

I have next week off as far as doctor visits (YAY). I will go to both doctors on the same day during week 34. As long as nothing exciting happens, we will have made it through the danger zone! It will just be a matter of time before they decide when to take her. I don't think there is any risk of her not hitting 6.5 pounds though. She is once again a little above average for weight right now. And all the fluids looked good around her and the placenta was good as well. Praise the Lord for blessing us with good health!

31 weeks and counting

I will be 32 weeks on Monday and I am really feeling this pregnancy now! She is moving around quite a bit - as we speak for one. She is really pressing into my ribs at times and making it harder to breathe and move around. I can't wait to hold her on the outside!

I didn't have any doctor appointments this week as my regular OB appt was last week and my high risk doctor was off this week. So Monday I will see the high risk doc and get some new pics! I feel like she has shifted into a new position. I cannot tell if she turned and is no longer breech, but there is definitely a change in how she is laying. It could be that she is sitting up still but has no where to go :)

I have had some restless nights lately. My hips and legs have been sore and at times she feels like she is bulging out of my tummy and it is hard to get comfortable. Not to mention that I have to get up to go to the bathroom every couple of hours.

There are times when we talk about wanting to have just one more baby after this one so they can be close in age. But there are other times when I think would my body be able to go through this again. So we will wait and see after the delivery how it goes.

I had lunch today with one of my friends who is a labor and delivery nurse and I got to ask her all kinds of great questions. This baby is going to be my first planned c-section (at least that's the plan). So I got the scoop on the process and stuff. She definitely said waiting longer to have her the better so that her lungs are fully developed. She also said that the week of Thanksgiving on Mon thru Wed is very busy at the hospital with many doctors scheduling inductions those days to avoid working TG and the day after. My 36th week is Nov 10 so I am trying to get through that week so we can celebrate Libby's birthday on the 14th. I would really like to get through the next week as well because Libby has a science fair. But we will just pray for a healthy birth and be thankful whenever that glorious day arrives!

Her official name for those that may not know is Pepper Peach Bergantzel. Yes it is unique, but we love the name. And we can't wait to meet our little "Spicy Sweet" girl!