Mom On The RunPregnancy | Mom On The Run

Amber’s Birth Story

Janice — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 22:56:24 +0000

Oh boy! This week has been a whirlwind & I really don’t know where to start!

Perhaps with Amber’s birth story? (Beware… This is a rather long post, so grab some water & get comfy).

On Tuesday (Nov. 2nd), I dropped my two older girls off at daycare and Kindergarten, then went to my midwife appointment. At my appointment, my secondary midwife (Jen) discovered that my cervix was 5cm dilated and the amniotic sac was bulging, although I wasn’t in labour. My blood pressure was a bit higher than it had been through my pregnancy and I also had some protein in my urine – signs that my body was “getting ready”. She did a “stretch & sweep” to stimulate the release of prostaglandins to start labour. Afterwards, I went home and frantically cleaned the whole house knowing that the baby would be here soon & we’d be bombarded with guests.

Later that afternoon my primary midwife (Kathryn) called to check on me and to find out if labour had begun. She was very concerned because I have a history of fast (aka precipitous) deliveries. My first daughter was born after a 5hr labour, and my second was born after a 3.5 hr labour. Both were also born well before their due dates but were healthy and strong.

My midwife’s concern was that I could go into labour anytime and not have anyone with me to bring me to the hospital so she could deliver. She felt that with my history of quick deliveries, I was at risk for an unassisted home birth, so she advised me to call my husband home, and have my mom come over to stay with my daughters. Kathryn also wanted to come over after dinner to reassess me.

7:20 pm, Kathryn came over with my student midwife, Amy. We went upstairs and they both assessed my cervix. I was very ripe & had progressed to almost 6cm. At 7:35 pm my water broke with my midwives there. Great timing!

They monitored the three to four mild contractions I had at the house, then we had to make a fast decision… Stay & deliver at home, or have all of us parade as fast as we can the 40 min to the hospital. As my hubby has a reoccurring nightmare about me dying during childbirth, we made the decision to go to the hospital. I personally didn’t want to be bothered with the mess in the house either (I’m kind of a “Type-A” personality if you hadn’t already guessed).

Really strong active labour contractions started at 8:00 pm as we got into our cars. As we drove they became, longer, stronger & faster. We arrived at the hospital at 8:35 pm and I was beginning to transition. At this point the contractions were coming every 2 min and I bet it took me a good 10 min to make the short walk to my delivery room. At 9:00 pm I declared “Guys, I feel the urge to push”. After that contraction I crawled up on the birthing bed, Amy checked me & sure enough I was fully dilated. Three contractions & long hard pushes later, Amber was born into Amy’s waiting arms at 9:07 pm happily sucking her thumb! (Amber was sucking her thumb, not Amy – LOL).

I set a new PR! 67 min of labour! This record will stand as I have no plans on ever trying to break it

It’s Sunday now & we’ve had a few days to get to know each other. Amber rarely cries, her jaundice is clearing up, she’s a nursing champ with a perfect latch despite having a slight tongue tie, she loves her thumb & being swaddled. Her big sisters absolutely adore her (and fight constantly over who gets to hold her):

All in all we’re doing well.

I’d like to thank everyone for being there for me during my pregnancy. The support from the Mamavation Sista’s has been phenomenal! With your support & following your examples I was able to have my healthiest, happiest pregnancy ever! I gained the least amount of weight (24lbs), carried Amber the longest, she was by far my largest baby at 7lbs 8oz and definitely was my fastest delivery. I owe you all a wealth of gratitude!

I can’t wait to continue my journey back to fitness with you!

PS – Don’t forget to enter my Johnson’s & Johnson’s baby Bath Gift Set Giveaway while you’re here!

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Bath Gift Basket Giveaway!

Janice — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:17:11 +0000

[fergcorp_cdt] (UPDATE: Amber was born November 2, 2010 – Here is her birth story)

Wow! Time is quickly tick, tick, ticking away! Before I know it we’ll be bathing a new baby! I really can’t wait – not only because I’m completely DONE with being pregnant, but also because Johnsons and Johnsons sent me this awesome baby bath gift basket that’s literally overflowing with awesome Johnsons baby bath products:

Baby Bath Gift Basket

I’ve used everything except the NATURAL™ line of products on my kids, as they weren’t available when my youngest was a baby. I completely love the products. In fact, my girls have gotten into my basket and have begun using the BEDTIME® Bath and Shampoo – I love the smell of Lavender on them I can’t wait for my hubby, Sierra, and Brooke to bath baby (that’s their job).

To help celebrate our new addition, Johnsons and Johnsons sent me another basket to giveaway to you!!

Here’s what’s in it:

1 – JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ HEAD-TO-TOE™ Foaming Baby Wash
1 – JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Baby Shampoo
1 – JOHNSON’S® NATURAL™ Baby Lotion
1 – JOHNSON’S® BEDTIME® Bath
1 – JOHNSON’S® BEDTIME® Creamy Wash
1 – JOHNSON’S® BEDTIME® Shampoo
1 – JOHNSON’S® Baby Bubble Bath and Wash
1 – JOHNSON’S® Baby Lotion
1 – boon Odd Duck (bob) BpA-free, Phthalate-free & PVC-free ducky that doesn`t hold water, therefore doesn’t allow black mold to grow in it that kids love to suck out…
5 – Washcloths
1 – 2gb USB Flashdrive pre-loaded with Baby Bathtime Tips

WIN IT!!

(Ends on November 25 , 2010)

Required entry: Visit Johnsons Baby Bathtime Guide and leave a comment with a tip on how to bathe our new baby.

Extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each entry):
1. Subscribe to Mom on the Run = 1 entry.
2. Tweet about this giveaway (click that Retweet button at the top of this post) = 1 entry.
3. Follow me on Twitter (@fitcheerldr) = 1 entry.
4. Like the Fitness Cheerleader on FACEBOOK = 1 entry.

This giveaway will end on: November 25, 2010 at 11:59 PM

Good luck!

Disclaimer: I did not pay for these products. They were sent to me and in exchange, I’ve posted an honest review of them. I was not compensated nor was I encouraged by the manufacturer to post a positive review. This review is based solely on my experience with these products.

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

The Cuteness Never Ends (12)
Thank You Apple For The Best Customer Service Ever! (2)
More Relief (1)

I Could Get Used to This…

Janice — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:06:07 +0000

Last week Friday was my last day of work… I’m now on Maternity Leave for 1 whole year! (Being Canadian is AWESOME!).

Truthfully my last leave wasn’t all that fun – a terrible two year old, a baby who would only sleep in two hour spurts at night and a hubby who was either travelling or severely jet-lagged wasn’t what I had anticipated… But I lived through it.

While this time I’ll have 3 kids to care for, the girls will be 3 and 5, and play very, very well together. They’re each other’s best friends AND they BOTH sleep through the night! Hubby doesn’t *think* he’ll be travelling as much, though only time will tell.

This first week home has been AMAZING! I’ve had so much fun with the girls already, and it’s great that they’re older – they can do more things with me AND they can do more without me. We can do more advanced arts & crafts, and they play well with friends at playdates. The girls enjoy helping me cook and bake and they even enjoy helping me out at the grocery store (as long as we’re only getting a few things).

Monday: I had a midwife appointment, so I brought the girls – they played nicely together & enjoyed hearing baby’s heartbeat (it sounds like a train mom!), then we went to Toys R Us, McDonald’s & Chapters
Tuesday: Sierra had school and Brooke went to daycare – I spent the day visiting friends I hadn`t seen in a while
Wednesday: Took the girls to the park, had a nice lunch with them, they helped me clean up for a friend who brought her two kids over for a playdate – they played very well together & required very little supervision
Thursday:Sierra had school and Brooke went to daycare – Sierra`s class had a Halloween Parade, so Brooke and I stayed for that, then I dropped Brooke off afterwards, and I then spent the day cleaning and grocery shopping (took me 2 hours to waddle around the store to buy a week`s worth of groceries).
Friday/Today: Gonna take the gilrs shopping for some household things we need (ie: “big girl cups” because I’m tossing all of the sippy’s), we’ll bake some cookies, go to the park and fly kites, then cook dinner together

Truthfully – if every week is as enjoyable as this week has been, then I don’t think I’ll ever want to go back to work!

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

Head Down Low, Ready To Go !

Janice — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:53:52 +0000

Five and a half years ago, my OB told me at my 35 week appointment that our baby was “Head down low, ready to go!”. Hubby and I weren’t quite sure what that meant, and din’t really put much thought into it – how long will a baby sit in position until they’re born? It could be a month right?

One week later (at 36 weeks gestation), I sat up from a nap, suddenly having the urge to pee – as I sat up I peed myself, or so I thought… 20 min later I started having contractions, and more fluid leaked with each contraction… four short hours later we welcomed our beautiful (but small) daughter, Sierra into our family.

Today I had my 36 week midwife appointment. Guess what she told me? This baby is also “head down low, ready to go”. It could be any day – it could be a month from now.

I’m not taking chances.

My bag is packed.
My diaper bag is packed.
The infant seat is installed.
I got a beautiful new haircut, hi-lites and lo-lites. It looks AWESOME!
I have lots of help lined up to look after Sierra and Brooke when I go into labour.
My house is ~~spotless~~ somewhat clean.
My cell phone is charged.
There’s a full tank of gas in my van.

We’re ready baby!

How much do you want to bet that because we’re all ready, baby will arrive in a month from now, right on it’s due date?

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

10 Signs That Your Pregnancy Is Almost Over

Janice — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:18:24 +0000

Since this is my third child, I feel that I’m somewhat of an expert on determining when a pregnancy is almost over:

Your shirts no longer cover your belly
Your pants and underwear no longer fit
Your husband starts to help out around the house (well… sort of)
You feed your family dinner from a heat and serve can – every night
You can no longer reach the keyboard on your laptop (meaning you have to tap out blog posts on your iPhone, iPod or Blackberry)
Your dog/cat suddenly gets very protective of you (and very cuddly which you find incredibly annoying)
You can no longer reach around your belly to wipe when going to the bathroom
Cleaning the house means grabbing an industrial broom and sweeping all of your older children’s toys into a pile in the corner
Your super long toenails that you haven’t been able to reach for 3 months begin to put holes in your socks
Everyone in your family has to sleep without a pillow because your using them all

Are there any other signs I missed?

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

Who Would Have Ever Thought Low Blood Pressure Could Be A Problem During Pregnancy?

Janice — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:05:48 +0000

Throughout this pregnancy I’ve felt dizzy, fatigued, short of breath and have had trouble concentrating. At times I have a rapid heart rate and find myself almost hyperventilating trying to get enough oxygen. It’s really not fun and causes me a TON of anxiety. Panic attacks & low blood pressure don’t mix well. I have low blood pressure – not slightly below normal low, but super low, like 80/50 low. I’m not sure what causes this, and it’s really not a cause for concern when it comes to the baby, or me – unlike high blood pressure which is dangerous.

It just sucks.

I hate feeling tired, dizzy, nauseas, and out of breath. When I try to lay down and sleep, baby slids up a bit & places pressure on my lungs making it harder to breathe. I then have a panic attack and have to sit up to try and catch my breath. I’m sleeping on my side on top of what the girls call “Pillow Mountain”. Half-sitting, half lying. Not sleeping well at all. My midwife told me today that in 22 short days baby is free to come out. To just hang in there for 22 more days – then I’m free to try whatever natural technique I want to start labor. Raspberry Leaf Tea, Evening Primrose Oil, walking (though I’m already walking 10 km +/week and that isn’t doing anything), and my favourite (cover your eyes mom) sex.

What have you done to start labor? What worked? What hasn’t worked? In 22 days from now I’ll be ready to try EVERYTHING!

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

5 Tips for Making Money from Your Blog (3)
Fort Knox (0)
D’apres une Quebecoise (0)

I Saw Our Baby

Janice — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:07:09 +0000

I’m not much of a dreamer… Well I day-dream, but I don’t dream at night. If I do dream I don’t generally remember it. But last night was different. I had an incredibly vivid dream where I SAW our baby! I swear – it was her! We don’t even know what we’re having – but in my dream it was HER! It was AMBER. (And of course she was adorable).

I dreamt I went into labor – it was a weekday about 2 weeks before I’m due. It was in the morning and both the girls were away – Sierra at school and Brooke at daycare. I called hubby & took a cab to the hospital. Hubby and my midwives met me there. I labored for an hour (I walk around when I’m laboring) then felt dizzy from my low blood pressure, so I laid down on the birthing bed. The midwives said I was transitioning and I began pushing shortly after. My dream kind of gets fuzzy at that point and re-starts about an hour later. I’m in recovery – no longer pregnant, without a lot of perineum pain, and baby is in hubby’s arms – they’re cuddling in a rocking chair. I ask him what happened. He replies that I passed out, but baby was far enough in the birth canal that the midwives were able to pull her out, without tearing my perineum – therefore no episiotomy. Hubby asks if I want to hold her and try nursing her. I say yes – he hands her to me and take some of her blankets off – she’s beautiful – has hair like Sierra and a face like Brooke. Hubby has already told everyone that we’re naming her Amber…. Then I woke up.

It was all a dream – a very, very vivid dream.

Have you ever had a very vivid dream about your baby while you were pregnant? Did the dream come true? Is this perhaps a glimpse into the future? Did you SEE your baby when you were pregnant?

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

David Beckham’s Love Child

Janice — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:35:57 +0000

Kick, kick, kick…. Poke, poke, poke…. Squirm….

This baby does not ever stop moving! I swear that David Beckham was a very busy guy last February because based on how much this baby kicks I’m having his love child!

Actually, in all seriousness, I’ve reached that point in pregnancy where the novelty of being the giver of life has completely worn off and I’m ready for this baby to come out of me, even if it is David’s love child. I’ve had the cute kicks, and have watched weird lumps under my skin roll around. I’m now looking forward to being able to take a deep breath, sleep (as broken up as it will be) on my stomach, walk without my back hurting, and be able to wipe myself without worrying that either my water just broke or bending over just squeezed more pee out of me.

The baby daddy?

I’m tired.. ALL THE TIME! My nausea disappeared several months ago, so from that perspective I feel a 100 times better – but I know that once the baby is born (and I’ve fully recovered) that my body will feel even more better.

But alas – I have several weeks left to go, maybe even as many as 7 (though I’ve never made it to 40 weeks). Yes 7 long hard weeks to go until we get to meet David Beckham’s love child. *Sigh* I hope these weeks go by quickly!

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

The Next Person Who Buys My Children Crafts Will Get Held Hostage Until They Do The Craft With Them

Janice — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:42:53 +0000

My oldest daughter, Sierra, LOVES to do crafts. Colouring, card making, cutting, gluing, scrapbooking… She loves it all! Unfortunately though, at 5 years old she still needs a substantial amount of supervision and assistance when she’s crafting. Guess who gets to be the lucky person to help her? Yep me. In between cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, exercising, blogging, working full time and gestating a third child, I get to help her with all of the crafts people buy her. Apparently at birthdays and Christmas it’s no secret that Sierra LOVES crafts, ’cause she gets a lot of them to do.

Her most recent craft gift is a My Friendship Bracelet Maker:

My Friendship Bracelet Maker

Pretty cool, right? Unfortunately making friendship bracelets isn’t easy – even with a nifty board to hold the strings in place (when I was a teenager I tied the strings to my thigh to hold them in place). The other caveat to making these is that it takes a long time – it’s not like you can whip one out in 30 min. Much as Sierra loves crafts, 2-3 hrs for a bracelet is a little outta her patience level. So, being the nice mom that I am, I promised her that I would make her a bracelet… Then Brooke asked for one too…

For the past day all I’ve heard is, “Mommmmm…. When will my bracelet be finished?” or “Mommmmm… why aren’t you making my bracelet?”.

As soon as I woke up this morning Sierra asked for her bracelet. Three times before I even had my morning coffee, she nagged me to start working on it…

I finally finished it this afternoon and she’s happier than a pig in sh*t. Now Brooke has begun the nagging (though thankfully, at 3 years old her memory is shorter and she doesn’t nag near as much).

Brooke's bracelet - in progress

There’s now a new rule in my house (hey, it’s my house and I can make rules whenever I feel like it!):
The next person that buys my kids any sort of craft set is going to be held hostage at my house until they complete the craft with the kids!

Actually – I’m making some more rules (because I’m in a rule-making mood): if you buy my kids anything that requires adult assembly YOU NEED TO ASSEMBLE IT FOR THEM! And batteries? Please make sure you buy some to go with the toy. Thanks!

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...

Random Posts

32 Week Midwife Apointment

Janice — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:38:15 +0000

So I haven’t really written much about this pregnancy at all. I guess that’s what happens when it’s the third one. It’s not that I haven’t been thinking about this baby (’cause trust me – I’ve been thinking about him/her nonstop for months!), or that I’m not excited about it – it’s just that this has been such an easy pregnancy. It’s been very uneventful, which when you’re pregnant is a good thing.

Today I had my 32 week midwife appointment. Can you believe I’m that far now? I have to go see my midwife every two weeks from now on. At my appointment we did the usual stuff: My midwife weighed me, took my blood pressure, measured my belly and listened to the baby’s heart beat on the doppler. Since I can feel the baby moving, and can tell my belly is getting larger (oh joy), I almost feel like these appointments are a waste of time. If my feet suddenly began swelling, or I didn’t feel the baby, I could warrant spending the time going to see her. I guess the biggest part is getting comfortable with her before I go into labor, though it’s not like my labors or deliveries have been that long or complicated. (Here’s Sierra’s birth story, and here’s Brooke’s birth story)

This is the EXACT position our baby is in.
(Picture from spinningbabies.com)

One of the most comforting things about my appointment was to find out that baby is sitting comfortably in a head down position – not engaged yet, but most definitely head down. Brooke was breach until a week before her birth, so she stressed me out something awful – I was completely afraid of having a c-section and was visiting the website SpinningBabies.com almost daily to find exercises I could do to encourage her to turn. I guess they worked because one night I was kicked an insane amount, and at my next appointment she was no longer breach!

All in all it was a great appointment – things are going well, baby is growing and in 5-8 weeks we’ll get to meet a healthy happy new member of our household! I can’t wait!

Mom On The Run - My life is a marathon, not a track meet...