My Labor and Delivery!

I got the sweep on the 6th of november and had the show in the clinic and they tell you its only a slight pain but it was really sore! i started getting slight contractions then a few hours after but they were really irregular and gradually faded over the night which was so frustrating! Then around 3am that morning i woke up to some period pains and as i timed them they were 8 minutes apart. So i waited 2 hours and they were still the same so i finally woke Matty up at 5am and told him it was time to go :) I rang Kilkenny and they told me to come straight down. In the car my contractions got stronger and closer together every 4 minutes apart so i was freeking out i was gonna have her in the car ha!

When we got into the hospital they hooked me up to a monitor and made me click every time Sofia moved but she was being lazy and hardly moving. The nurse gave me lucozade and sure enough she was kicking like mad. Around 7am they moved me into the labor ward to let me progress on my own. I was getting contractions every 4-5 minutes till around 1pm and honestly i found it ok me and Matt were even laughing through them. I was wondering what everyone was talking about when they said it was hard, how wrong i was ha! Around 3pm I couldn't bare the pain anymore and asked for gas and air, they wouldn't let me have it until I was examined.

I was brought to the delivery suite where the nurse examined me and i was 4cm dilated and completely effaced! As she was checking me my waters broke and went everywhere it even filled up her glove, kinda grose ha! I got such a shock i started crying because i thought Sofia was coming out lol. The midwife left the room to get me pethadine so she got me to bounce on the ball. I finally realised what everyone was talking about how painful it is. I had constant contractions and the pain was unbearable, and the gas and air didn't take any of the pain away it just made me really dizzy. Finally the midwife came back and we explained what was happening, then she whispered to the student nurse "i think were ready to have a baby" this was about 40 minutes after my waters had gone!

She got me back up on the bed and checked me i was fully dilated so i didn't have time for pethadine or the epidural i never felt so afraid. I had the urge to push and carried on for an hour and a half before they realised she was facing the wrong way. Id never want to scare anyone but it was the most painful experience and really traumatised me! I was completely exhausted and so was Matty he was so good supporting me and keeping me calm. The surgeon came in and took over he did an episiotomy and got the vacuum to get her out. Her head was out and i remember Matty looking at me telling me she was finally here.

When she finally came out they placed her on my chest and i fell in love with her straight away i just couldn't believe she was mine after the hardship it took to get to that point. She was born on the 7th November 2013 at 7:34pm, weighing 7lb 15oz and looked just like me :) She had dark brown hair and blue eyes. The first thing Matty said was "she's not ginger" ha!

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect daughter Sofia Emily Crowson! x

40 weeks pregnant.

How far along? 39 weeks and 4 days.

Total weight gain/measurements: 3 stone! Although i did lose 5lbs from all the walking Ive done trying to get her out.

Maternity clothes: I have about 3 tops and 2 bottoms that still fit me so I'm constantly washing them now.

Stretch marks? I'm covered in them. even my belly has them now they look so disgusting! :(

Sleep: The past 2 nights Ive actually had a good 3 hours sleep where i haven't woken up which has been amazing.

Best moment this week:being so close to our due date, we are nearly there :D

Miss anything? my body i really cant wait to start exercising now.

Movement: it has slowed down a bit as she has run out of room in there now but shes still an active baby.

Food cravings:  Still nothing where i have to have it.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Fish or peas i still cant stand the smell or eat it!

Gender:Our little girl Sofia :)

Labour signs:Loads of pressure and some bad period pains so I'm just waiting now for some contractions to start happening.

Symptoms: Period pains which are getting more painful and loads of pressure especially when i walk.

Belly button in or out? Outie!

Wedding rings on or off?  Off. I tried to put my engagement ring back on but it got stuck, i miss wearing it.

Happy or moody most of the time: Fed up and so emotional this past week i had a meltdown over our kettle breaking but it's only because I'm getting so impatient. I just want to hold her now :)

Looking forward to: Tuesday is my due date and Wednesday fingers crossed they will give me the sweep :)

37 weeks! Full term!

How far along? 37 weeks and 3 days!

Total weight gain/measurements: 3 stone! way more than i wanted to put on.

Maternity clothes: I have a few that still fit me and im living out of tracksuit bottoms and leggings! I cant wait to get back into my jeans again.

Stretch marks? Tons! :( i have loads on my legs now and starting to get some on my belly.

Sleep: I get about an hours sleep before i get up to pee. I literally get up at least 8 times a night to pee so i get no rest.

Best moment this week: Getting to full term and Sofia's head is now engaged so could be any day now :D

Miss anything? SLEEP!

Movement: So much movement now. It's more her rolling around which really hurts. 

Food cravings:  Still nothing where i have to have it.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Fish or peas i still cant stand the smell or eat it!

Gender: Still a girl. We had it confirmed another 2 times :)

Labour signs: Ive been getting pains for the last month which doctor said is braxton hicks. The last week im getting so much pressure and some sharp pains so id say it wont be long :)

Symptoms: Backache- still hurts me everyday.Period pains- ive had these on and off which are more intense now.

Belly button in or out? Outie!

Wedding rings on or off?  Off which was sad taking them off!

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy now we are near the end :) finally!

Looking forward to: 19 days time which is my due date and she will finally be here :D

 

This picture is actually 35 weeks!

Never Forget. 1 year on.

September 13th 2013 marks a special day as it would have been our little girl Jade's first birthday. It's hard to believe a year has passed already and to think we would have had a 1 year old now is crazy!
It's bitter sweet as we are having another little girl in 8 weeks time, I think it would be a lot harder if I was not pregnant now!
I think about her every day and wonder what she would look like and how she would have been and I would have loved for Sofia to have a big sister here.
It has got easier as time has gone on and I know she's happy wherever she is and i know my dad will be spoiling her on her birthday!
So happy 1st birthday baby girl we miss you everyday xx
Never forget xxx

30 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!

How far along? 30 weeks and 1 day!

Total weight gain/measurements: i have put on about 20 pounds since the start which is more than i wanted to.

Maternity clothes:I am living out of leggings and long t-shirts as nothing else fits me! with only 10 weeks to go im not going to buy any maternity clothes its just a waste of money!

Stretch marks? My sides have got a lot in the last week but none on my belly yet so im hoping it stays that way.

Sleep: Sleep is on and off now as she is sitting on my bladder i have to get up to pee about 5 times a night so i never get a full nights sleep.

Best moment this week:Hitting 30 weeks and realizing how close we are now to having our little girl with us :)

Miss anything? My body! i have no control over it anymore so il be glad when i have it back ha.

Movement: Movement and kicks are so strong now to the point where it hurts sometimes so i know she is getting bigger and stronger everyday! 

Food cravings:  Still nothing where i have to have it.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Fish or peas i still cant stand the smell or eat it!

Gender: A little GIRL :D our little baby Sofia x

Labour signs: Nothing yet.

Symptoms: Heartburn still have it but im learning to live with it now! Backache is getting worse each week. Swollen ankles which i was not expecting it just looks worse more than anything. Leg cramps, i get it mostly at night so im using a foot pillow to help.

Belly button in or out? Pretty much out now!

Wedding rings on or off?  Off which was sad taking them off!

Happy or moody most of the time: Il say moody now im just ready for her to be here now im getting too impatient.

Looking forward to: Our next scan next week to see her again and check her size as she was measuring bigger last time. 

6 months!!! 24 weeks!!

How far along? 24 weeks and 4 days!

Total weight gain/measurements: In total i have put on about 14lbs so 1 stone heavier! Its been hard for me to get on the scales and not cry when i have put on a few pounds I forget sometimes I'm pregnant and its only baby weight ha!

Maternity clothes: So far i have only bought 2 nursing bra's and 1 maternity top as it's so expensive! I just get a few Penney's tops in bigger sizes because they are so cheap and I'm only going to be wearing them for a short time.

Stretch marks? YES!!!! which I hate. I only have them on my boobs so far but i get them anyway so I'm just waiting for them to appear on my belly soon. I'm using Avon's stretch mark cream and baby oil at the minute but nothing is working!!

Sleep: I get very little sleep in this heat and i need to buy a pregnancy pillow to support my belly at night.

Best moment this week: Watching our baby from the outside seeing him/her kicking and rolling around.

Miss anything? Fitting into all my lovely summer dresses i have :( It's just more motivation for me to get my body back after little bambino is out!

Movement: Loads of movement especially at night baby seems to come to life at around 1am or early in the morning, guess it's just preparing me for when it's born ha!

Food cravings:  Nothing really strong cravings, i guess mayonnaise I'm addicted to it anyway but i have to have it with pretty much anything i eat now!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Fish or peas i still cant stand the smell or eat it!

Gender: We still don't know! But we find out in 6 days which is so exciting :D

Labour signs: No.

Symptoms: Heartburn, it has eased off alot but i still get it at least twice a day! Tiredness, i find myself so tired all the time again maybe it's just the heat but i fall asleep so early now! Backache, I have bad backache where i cant get comfortable unless I'm lying in bed.

Belly button in or out? Almost out!

Wedding rings on or off? On but it's starting to get a little tight so id say by 30 weeks it will be off!

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm gonna say a bit of both I'm sure Matt would say more moody though ha!

Looking forward to:Friday when we have our 4d scan and we get to see our baby's face and find out the gender and i can finally buy clothes and tell everyone his/her name :D

10 things people do not tell you about pregnancy!

1. You will get dark hairs growing on your stomach which make you look like an ape!
2. That glow everyone talks about doesn't exist! You just get a face full of spots! 
3. Feeling your baby kick for the first time is amazing but also very weird its like there's an alien in your belly!
4. Whenever you have to bend down to get something you have to plea or squat, not the most attractive look!
5. What baby wants baby gets. Even if you want chocolate if baby doesn't want it, it will let you know by making you get sick after it! 
6. If you laugh or sneeze too hard you WILL pee a bit!! Be prepared!
7. Using bio oil will not stop you getting stretch marks if you are prone to them you will get them anyway!
8. You wont be able to run anymore and if you try you will look ridiculous. You will also have to hold your boobs as they will feel like they are going to fall off!
9. Everyone will touch your belly even strangers and its SO awkward, if you didn't put it there don't feel the need to keep poking at it!
10. You will loose all your dignity even before you give birth, you will be surprised how many people get to poke and prod at you throughout your pregnancy!