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!

29 weeks

Went to the Dr this week and all was well. Yet on Thu evening I started to feel really strange like I was having contractions and some tightening of my abdomen. So around 10 ish PM of course called the after hours line. They called me back and told me to come in. So now at 1 AM we just got home and I am happy to report all is well.

It is hard not to second guess oneself - but better to be safe than sorry. The nurse was really nice and told me the same thing. So for over an hour I sat and listened to our baby's heart beating and felt her kicking like crazy.

I feel like she has dropped a lot, or has gotten noticeably bigger because my stomach is bigger than it was a few days ago! I am happy to say that all is well. She weighed around 3 pounds 2 ounces this week at the ultrasound on Tue which is in the 53% or so. Yay she is not huge!!

28 Weeks

28 weeks and all is well - except for the daily back ache that I can't seem to prevent. But the checkup yesterday went well and was prety much short and sweet. A urine sample, weigh in, blood pressure check then wait wait wait for the doctor- then a measure and listen to the heartbeat. The regular OB appointments seem so tedious when there is nothing new to do.

The High Risk appointments are so much more engaging. So until next week there is not a lot to report :)

27 weeks!

We went to Dr. Robertson (high risk) today and Pepper is now around 2 pounds 7 ounces which is back down to the 65 percentile. So she had a little growth spurt last time. He said she looks perfect and there is plenty of room for more growth.

He said we will get to 36 weeks and see how everything looks and then start discussing when we might want her to be born. She needs to get to 6.5 pounds to leave the hospital and he doesn't see any chance of her not making that. I will be going back to him in 2 weeks and in the alternate weeks seeing Dr. Gernhardt.

It is very exciting to know that she will most like be here sooner than later! Now we just need to finish getting ready for her arrival :)

26 weeks and counting

I had my prenatal diabetes check today and a blood count. The good news is that I don't have the diabetes. I do have low iron so will be starting a supplement! So I am so relieved to hear that. Pepper is growing fine and we listened to her heart rate today (150 BPM). She was kicking when we were listening so that was kind of fun.

I will now be going to Dr G every 2 weeks and Dr R every 2 weeks so pretty much going every week between the 2. I am just happy to report there is a healthy albeit big baby girl growing inside :)

She is a big girl!

We found out today that she is around 2 pounds which is in the 90th percentile for size. Which means that she is just a big baby, or I could possibly have gestational diabetes. I am having my diabetes test on the 4th and then going back to Dr. Robertson on the 8th. Hopefully she is just a big girl and I won't have to worry about diet and stuff. If she is bigger, it means she might be born sooner. So I guess we will wait and see.

He said she is healthy though and we got to see another 3D picture of her face which is really awesome.

She is a big girl!

We found out today that she is around 2 pounds which is in the 90th percentile for size. Which means that she is just a big baby, or I could possibly have gestational diabetes. I am having my diabetes test on the 4th and then going back to Dr. Robertson on the 8th. Hopefully she is just a big girl and I won't have to worry about diet and stuff. If she is bigger, it means she might be born sooner. So I guess we will wait and see.

He said she is healthy though and we got to see another 3D picture of her face which is really awesome.

Pepper's growing

I had my appointment yesterday with my regular OB. She said I was measuring a little big, but not to worry it could just be where she was sitting at the time. And the high risk doctor has never said anything about her being big, so I think we are in great shape! She has been growing though as I feel like my stomach is constantly expanding! And there are times where I can't possibly imagine her getting any bigger because I feel like my stomach is going to explode as it is :)

Oh and I am totally obsessed with my baby registry now. I find myself looking at it online and adding and deleting things from it. I did make another trip to the store to do a little registering as well. I also bought something off the registry that I wanted and some really cute baby clothes! So at least she will have something to wear and an exersaucer!

I am almost 25 weeks now! Time is flying, yet sometimes I feel like I can't wait to meet her and wish I was at 35 weeks. But I don't want to wish this time away because I will never get it back.

Well we head to Dr Robertson on Monday for another ultrasound (YAY). We will see how much she has grown in the last 2 weeks.

Had 3D Ultrasound today

Had my checkup with my high risk doctor today. We had Libby with us so they took some extra time taking some ultrasound pictures so she could see her baby sister. They pulled out the 3D wand and we got to see Pepper's little face. It was so cool. Almost like looking at a photograph of the baby.

I can't wait to show you all! Everything else was perfect and they estimate that she weighs 1 pound 3 ounces which is right on target for her age of 22 weeks!

Again my cervix is in good shape so no progesterone shots! YAY! We will go back to see Dr. Robertson on Aug 25 for another check!

We Registered!

Well yesterday Jim and I made our first attempt at registering for the baby. Neither one of us had ever done this before. We went to Babies R Us after hearing that was the place to go! We did manage to pick out a stroller/carseat combo, a pack and play -bassinet combo and few other odds and ends.

Needless to say the store was kind of overwhelming and overrun with noisy mom's yelling at their screaming kids, so we didn't stay very long. Jim left with a headache and my stomach was tight and very uncomfortable.

But hey it's a start and now we can update it online or make another day to brave it again!

20 weeks to go

Well I have hit the half way point. I went to the high risk doctor today and everything checked out okay. Pepper looks great and was moving around a lot. My cervix is in tact so there will be no progesterone shots for now! YAY!

I go to the regular OB tomorrow for my checkup. I should get frequent flyer discounts or something for as often as I go to the dr. Anyway, we are just relieved to hear that she is doing well.

My hips and back have still been sore off and on, especially at night! Hopefully some therapy and massage treatments will help.

Pepper scored big today!

We made a trip to Mall of America this weekend with Daddy, Libby and Libby's friend Becky. We found some great buys at Gap, Carters and a few other places! We got some great stuff for Pepper's arrival - cute little clothes, sweaters, hats, socks, onsies and a few other things. We also got some great maternity stuff for Mommy for this fall!

It was a great weekend for all of us, but I am a little tired. Thankfully I got fitted for a maternity back brace on Friday which was perfect timing for all the walking. It really made a difference.

It was a lot of fun to go with Jim and the girls.

Definitely a Girl!

We went back to Dr. Robertson today for the full ultrasound. He is certain that it is a girl! Her name is Pepper Peach. She was looking great. She was moving around plenty and he said her heart and brain all look normal. There are no signs of down syndrome and she is on track for her due date. He said she looks like a perfect kid for her age!

She has gotten quite active lately. She was moving around constantly and has her body stretched out across my tummy. Her feet are very active on my right side. We got a really good picture of one her feet (so cute). And some really nice pictures of her spine and one of her face.

No progesterone shots are needed at this point (whew!). They said everything is progressing nicely and I will be rechecked in 2 weeks. If the cervix starts to shrink then I will start the shots for sure, but for now I get a break because all is well!

My next round of appointments is in 2 weeks. I have them on consecutive days with both doctors!

First Major Purchase

Okay so it's not huge, but I just went to diapers.com and bought some diapers, wipes, lotion, baby wash and some soothing leg cream for me.

I have had many nights where my feet and legs ache. My wonderful hubby has been so kind to rub my feet and legs for me several times this week when it has happened. Even in the middle of the night when I know he was tired, yet I could not get comfortable, he rubbed them for me. I love him!

Anyway if you want to save $5 on your first order at diapers.com use my referral code NANC5343 and then I will save $1 as well. They accept coupons and ship to your door for free if your order is over $49! Hence my large purchase. I did shop in the clearance section and got what I believe is a good price for diapers and stuff.

How long will 96 newborn diapers last is my burning question? I also bought one box of the next size up!

Well that's a minor dent in what we need, but at least it's a start!