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The birth story.

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I’ve been putting this off I suppose. It was a wonderful special day. How sad though that this will be my forever last birth story I get to share. I mean I have had 7 so I know that’s a lot but it’s all just bitter sweet for me. So I’ll just jump right to it.

So for my last pregnant night I just enjoyed those last few kicks and playing time. I actually fell asleep pretty quickly and got up early feeling so excited for the day. I did my hair and makeup and cried a little before I left. It was a good cry. I was just so happy we made it. There was a point when I thought we may not get here. With two failed attempts before transfer three that was meant to be. Then we had such a low first beta number I was sure it was bad news again. Then we had two scares of early bleeding that we couldn’t figure out. Needless to say this baby girl was hard work to get here. But so worth every sad and scary moment. I would do it all again for her and her family.

Once we got to the hospital they got us in the room and all set up. Karen and Roger arrived soon after. We were all very excited and chatty. Once baby Mac knew we had a time set for her to come she decided she was perfectly content staying. I am still shocked I was just walking around at 5cm and 50% effaced. I was half way done with labor. Dr Sammons told me the first thing to tell them was to make sure she was still head down! So they checked and all was good. Woohoo They started my pitocin and we waited. We all took a guess at the times we thought she would get here. The nurse said well definitely before my shift is over at 5:00! I don’t remember my guess but it was after that and everyone else was guessing afternoon times.

Kailynn thought this was a super fun game and enjoyed keeping track of the times and telling everyone when they had lost as everyone’s times kept passing. I was so happy that she was able to be there with us for such an amazing experience. I have had babies for other moms and dads for basically her whole life. This was the first time she was really really into it though. Like the birth and stuff. When she had asked me if she could come and watch the baby be born I was like on man what do I say? Once I talked to Karen and she said she was fine with it I told Kailynn she could. I made sure to explain that sometimes I would be hurting and might get quite or not want to talk but that was normal and ok. We also told her if she wanted to not be there last minute she didn’t have to be.

As the hours kept passing and the day nurses left I was still laboring. I finally got to the point they said they would break my water at 5:00 I believe. I was very proud of myself for turning down the epidural still. They always try to give it to me before I feel the need for it and I promised myself not this last time! I wasn’t going to get it until I really needed it. So they broke my water and soon after the contractions started getting more intense. But I wanted to really wait to need the epidural. So I decided to do the laughing gas option. I was a little worried because before I could take it they told me I might feel really sick from it. But I ultimately decided to take it. Thankfully I never felt sick from it. I did feel like it helped. I was able to push through for another hour or two I would guess before I was ready for the epidural. Then everyone stepped out except Karen. She was so great and held my hands and let me squeeze as much as I needed too. If you have had an epidural you know all the uncomfortableness that comes with it. Its always worth it but those 10 mins of getting it all set up and ready suck! Trying to stay still and then breathe through contractions while they shove an enormous needle into your spine and tell you to wait for the odd sharp pain down your leg/legs and odd taste in your mouth. Like I said it’s all worth it though. When it was over I opened my eyes and poor Karen was crying. I felt so bad. I was like did I squeeze too hard! She just felt bad I was in pain and thanked me for everything. It was so sweet of her. ❤️ I assured her I was fine and that would be the worst part for me. After this we were smooth sailing! I think it speaks volumes of Karen though. She’s so incredibly empathetic and loving. I told her I’m not even crying so she didn’t need to worry about me. It was a beautiful moment for us. These are the moments I know it’s all worth it. I am so blessed and lucky to be her friend and be able to help her and all the other incredible women I have helped.

The meds kicked in quickly and I was feeling great after that. Just getting hungry and feeling bad everyone was waiting on me after thinking it would go so quickly. Finally we ordered food before everything closed and I was hoping I could deliver and it would still be warm ish 😆. Good news I was PUSHING when the food came. The nurses went down to get it so no one had to miss anything. If you have been around for awhile you know I’m a super pusher! I love it. Kailynn was so excited and loved every second and Karen was so great encouraging her and being there for her when I couldn’t do much obviously 😂. She was next to Karen the whole time and watched the whole thing. She was amazed and not scared at all! I loved that we got to experience this moment together. Child birth is incredible and so cool that our bodies can do this. Of course we were all so excited to meet this sweet little girl we had all waited for and prayed for. Two whole pushes and she was out! It was SO FAST! They put her on my belly so all the cord blood could be beneficial for her. Karen and I touched her and admired her beauty. Roger got to cut the cord and Karen finally got her baby girl all to herself! It was so beautiful to see her enjoying skin to skin with her perfect little daughter she’s waited so incredibly long for. It makes all the hard times we had worth it one thousand times over.

It was a perfect ending labor and delivery of my very last pregnancy and delivery. My heart is so sad knowing I will never again feel a baby moving inside my body but my heart is also so happy knowing I was blessed and able to successfully carry my own two children. Then I was then able to go on and help three other mothers. My body is amazing and I’m forever grateful for all of these experiences. I can’t imagine anything in my life ever being better then this. If you have ever considered doing this please reach out. It’s not always easy but I swear it’s so worth it!

We got to spend the next day and a half loving on little Miss Maggie Jane. I was able to nurse her in the hospital so she could get all the extra nutrients before she went home. I got lots of love and snuggles before we all went home. As usual I cried when we left. It’s such an emotional experience. I never cry because I want to take the baby home. I cry because it’s all over. All the sudden it’s just finished. My little part in their whole big lives is over. I take my job of keeping them safe during pregnancy very seriously and once it is over I know my job is done and now their parents get to take on that roll. I obviously miss them and the joy I get from pregnancy but I love knowing they are safe and loved and that I now get the joy of watching them grow and flourish in this great big world! I’m so excited to watch and see all the amazing, incredible things these children do. Seriously how lucky am I!

While I was in the hospital Karen gave me my push present. Though it was only two pushes so we joked that I didn’t deserve it! So it’s a labor gift instead. 😆 It was a matching heart bracelet to match the heart necklace she gave me for our second transfer. Since I would be carrying her babies heart. The bracelet has 7 hearts on it. She had it made so that their would be a heart for each baby I carried and birthed!!!! You guys how incredibly sweet, beautiful and thoughtful is that. I wear it every day now just like I do my necklace. It was such a meaningful gift I just love it.

Closing this chapter of my life sucks. I wish I could say I was ready or happy but that’s just not true. I will forever miss all things pregnancy and delivery. I’m still pumping and that’s helping me feel like it’s not all over yet. I’ve been producing a lot this time and feeding babies is pretty cool! We don’t really have any freezer space but I just keep pumping. It’s been 3 months now I’m pretty proud of that accomplishment as well. I’ll add some cute pictures now. Thanks everyone for following along on this last journey and all the others you have been apart of. All the prayers and well wishes. I will be forever grateful for all of it.

Last bump pics!
I loved these overalls 😍
Gas mask time!
Waiting is exhausting 😆
Things are getting real!
It’s finally time to push!
We are excited
Pushing look how excited Kailynn is!
Look who’s here!
She peed all over me when she came out. 😆
❤️❤️❤️
Dads time to shine!
First family photo.
Look at these cheeks
The hand off 🥰
She was pretty good at eating too!
First bath
Her first birthday cake. We ate it for her! 😆
How adorable are they!
So precious
Baby number 7 😂 Everett’s idea
Happy birthday! 🎂
My push gift from Karen and Roger. ❤️

36 weeks and 2/3 days. Guess what’s happening?

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Well I’ll start off by saying if Dr Sammons tells me she’s going out of town that’s how I know I’ll have an issue! 😂 So remember on Thursday I was 3cm and 50% effaced still. My Friday appointment went great actually baby girl FLIPPED! She was head down so the dancing, acupuncture, and cold pack stuff worked. I actually think it was mostly the cold packs but they were all still fun to do. What a relief. So on Saturday Ricky and I went to the farmers market for a bit to get out of the house and we took Bo to hobby lobby to get GG (our kids great grandma) a cute sign for her door. He enjoys the car rides and does well in stores. We came home and I took a nap. I don’t sleep much at night because she loves to kick and play.

I got up to go do a few pictures with our family photographer for something a little extra to remember this last pregnancy by. I wasn’t going to do anything but then one day getting in the shower I was looking at my body thinking this is really it. I am never going to look like this again. It’s really a bittersweet feeling. So I decided last min I was going to do something for just me if no one else. I may not always love the way I look or my body but I can’t forget the amazing things it has done. I’ve been so blessed to be able to get pregnant and carry my children and then five more for other women. Wow sometimes that even surprises me. My old uterus has been good to me and my body has held up well concerning how many babies I have grown and birthed.

Anyway after the pictures I told Ricky I was having a few contractions but nothing I was worried about yet. He came home and we were watching tv. The contractions kept coming so I decided I better start timing them just in case. Well they got pretty timeable! So I drank extra water and moved positions. All the things they tell you to do. I finally gave in and figured better safe then sorry I will go in to be seen. I wanted to make sure I gave Karen and Roger enough time to get here. So off we went.

Once I got to the hospital it was like the contractions were like haha never mind. I told the nurse I swear I was having them for like the last 2 hours! Well then they started again and were even getting stronger. The house Dr came in and checked me. I was 4cm and still 50% effaced. So that was a change from Thursday appointment. Because I am not 37 weeks though they can’t do anything to encourage labor. So they gave me some fluids and said we would check again after some fluids. I told Karen to wait until my next check for us to make a decision on what to do. So about an hour or hour and a half goes by and she came back in the re check me. You guys I was then 5cm! I called Karen and said I would feel more comfortable if you guys came. They were ready to go! So the hospital said they were keeping me over night for monitoring and they would keep pushing fluids and sugar water to see what happens.

I wanted to sleep but as everyone knows in the hospital that doesn’t happen. They came in constantly trying to get this girl back on monitors. One nurse was like no wonder you don’t get any sleep. I don’t mind too bad though we manage. Karen and Roger made great time and got to the hospital to say hello around 3am ish. They went ahead and went to a hotel since not much was happening. Once I got up they decided they were sending me home! 😳😬 That’s right I am literally 50% done having this baby and they are like go home and good luck. Just come back if contractions start coming again and get worse. I am sure I looked panicked because the nurse was like is everything ok? I said well I a mean this is my 7th baby and delivery we all know it can go fast at this point. She was trying to be kind and reassure me but I finally said well I am not trying to have a baby in the car! She was very sweet but also young. I know she was doing her job but I just couldn’t believe this was happening.

So I told Karen and packed up to come home. On the one hand I totally get it. They want her to stay in and healthy so do we I, but I can’t help to think I have NEVER been 5cm and not been in the hospital actually birthing! She is obviously trying her best to come out. To make things extra exciting I lost my whole mucous plug I think! I was losing a bit in the hospital I thought but couldn’t be sure. Well once I was home a huge amount came out. I was sure that was it! It was so yucky looking. I made Ricky come look because well I needed someone else to see it I guess. 😂 He wasn’t happy about it. So now I’m thinking how much faster will this make things? Dr. Google haha says hours/days. I am thinking soon for sure. I can’t imagine walking around have way done could last much longer. I guess we will see.

So now I guess we wait and see. I know whatever birthday she picks will be the perfect one. This is still my favorite part and I am so glad Karen and Roger made it safely for the birth. Whenever she decides it should be. I’m going to keep praying she stays head down! I actually may call the office today to just see if they had time for a super fast check just so it can put my mind at ease to make sure with all her moving she hasn’t flipped again. You all know how much I wanted to experience my water breaking naturally. I still kind of do but I will say I’m a bit more apprehensive now that I’ve naturally progressed so far. My fear is if my water breaks I really might have a baby in the car!

That’s all the information and updates I have so far. Let’s all keep praying for baby Mac and that her birthday is wonderful and that we all make it to the hospital in time. 💓

Happy 36 weeks! Did she turn?

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I’ve been doing all the things to get her to go ahead and go in the right direction for exiting. Acupuncture twice a week, spinning babies moves, I even tried a bright light and music! Karen’s friend said it worked for her so hey why not. I’ll try it all! I found the brightest light I could and even danced a little to get her moving in the right direction. Out of all these things the most fun was definitely the light and dancing! I am really just trying my best to soak up each and every second of this last bit of pregnancy. Obviously we are so very incredibly excited for her to come but selfishly I just want to keep her inside longer.

I have been struggling to sleep at night. I pee a lot and getting comfortable is difficult plus she love’s moving about. As easy as it would be to complain about this I am still excited and grateful for these moments. I’ve been having off and on contractions still but nothing regular. I would love for her to stay in as long as she needs but I don’t really think we will make it to 39 weeks. I am excited to see what day she picks for her birthday though.

At my appointment today Dr. Sammons checked me again and surprisingly I am still 3cm and 50% effaced. She could feel something but wasn’t sure what it was so we took a peek via ultrasound and nope not a head. She was still laying sideways Or transverse as they call it. Her head was on my left side. I will continue to do acupuncture and hope that works. I am currently laying in bed with cold packs on my left side. Hopefully it encourages her to slide head down. Like I said I am trying it all. Worst case scenario we will try to manually flip her right before birth.

I have another appointment tomorrow with another ultrasound so we will see if maybe this ice pack thing helps. Dr. Sammons did mention that it’s probably helping me stay pregnant because if she goes head down she will obviously apply more pressure and labor could start. So I will just keep waiting and enjoying all these last little fun bits. I love birthing and surprises so I can’t wait for her to surprise us with her birthday. Ps I’m still hoping for my water to break spontaneously! Let’s see what she’s up to this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

In week 36, Baby Mac is probably close to 19 inches (47.8 cm), and 6 lbs (2.7 kg), about the size of a papaya, although variation in the height and weight of each individual baby increases as they get closer to birth, and when your little one arrives they should be just the perfect size for them! At this point, if Baby Mac is still in the breech position, your healthcare provider may talk to you about ways to try to get them into a head-down (vertex) position for safe labor and delivery. Your baby’s digestive system still isn’t fully developed yet. Although Baby Mac has had plenty of practice swallowing amniotic fluid, they won’t be digesting food until they start eating on the outside.

Speaking of which, if you haven’t thought much about it yet, you should spend some time thinking about how you want to plan to feed Baby Mac once they’re born. Breastfeeding is an excellent way to bond with your baby and make they get the nutrients they need, but it’s not the only way to do things. Bottle feeding can also be an intimate, special time. Many parents feed their babies with some combination of these methods. And while it can be helpful to plan for these things advance, once Baby Mac arrives you should do whatever is right for you and your little one.

Ice pack on the belly!
Enjoy my sweet dance moves and big belly

33 weeks more crazy stuff this week too.

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Just when I thought everything that could go wrong in two weeks had happened nope there was more to come! Our microwave broke silly I know but just something else crazy to happen. So we ordered a new one obviously. Then we FINALLY got news about our car. Kia agreed to fully cover our engine replacement! You guys this was seriously the best news I almost cried. I’m really hoping this car lasts a long time now and I won’t have an extra car payment for awhile so we can save more money. You know for vacations or purses or something. 😆 I was really impressed with Kia and the customer service really. I really thought we were going to have to fight with them over this so it’s nice that they did the right thing. They are even covering our rental car and the towing bill.

So then the next bad thing to happen was Sunday. It was a regular day a great day at church came home to relax etc. all normal stuff. Then at dinner I started noticing a few contractions. Braxton hicks are common. They seemed to keep coming though and I got a little worried. So I immediately knew what to do chug lots of water and lay on my left side and wait for them to go away. Unfortunately they just were not going away. After I started timing them my app said I should probably go to the hospital. I called Karen and Roger to let them know what was going on. I was just trying to make sure I got there in enough time that if I was in labor they could try to stop it. It was still to early for her to come.

Once they got me hooked up they gave me a bag of fluids to try to get them to stop. Even though they said I was actually very well hydrated! (We all know what an accomplishment that is for me) Well the fluids didn’t do anything. So they called an on call dr and he recommended some pill to try. So I took that. It still wasn’t stopped so I got another of the same pill but an extended release one. By then they had actually slowed back down so that was good news. They checked me just to make sure I wasn’t dilating They also decided to give me steroid shots to help mature baby girls lungs just in case. So I had to get one that night in my butt and go back on Monday at 8pm for a second one.

Ricky and I didn’t get back home until about 3am. Thankfully my dad came straight over and stayed on the couch so just in case the kids needed anything. We were all tired that’s for sure. I had to take Monday off and see My Ob. So thankfully she had one appointment available. I hadn’t seen her since all the the crazy things and new diagnosis’s of GD etc. literally as I am driving to the appointment I get a call that she had to go to the hospital for an emergency. Of course she did. I should have expected something else to go wrong. They put in on a new guys schedule. I am super hormonal at this point and just wasn’t happy about some random new guy anyway. I feel bad because I know I didn’t give him a fair chance but this guy knows nothing about me or my ob history. Dr Sammons does and I just couldn’t trust him after a 5 min conversation. He told me to go ahead and take the rest of the week off work and let’s see what next week brings.

I decided to text my Dr (I’m very thankful she trusts me with her number) I just explained I would really feel better if I could at least speak to her over the phone about my situation. She called me today and thankfully went over everything with me. She said she is ok with me going back to work next week. There are obviously conditions though. She said if I start having more contractions then I will be pulled and not able to work. I totally understand and don’t want to risk her health in any way. Hopefully it was just a fluke though and we can move forward no issues. Dr Sammons said we will induce at 39 weeks if I make it that far. She doesn’t have high hopes of that happening. She thinks I’ll go on my own before then. That’s honestly what I hope for because it makes birth easier. She just needs to wait closer to 38 weeks. I feel like that’s a good time frame.

Yesterday at my ultrasound and non stress test everything went well. She was even head down. Though I feel her moving so much I don’t think she’s staying down there yet. I think she’s going to be long at least because she really likes to get up under my ribs! My extra fluid is still high but it was lower then last week so I feel like that’s a good sign. Next week they will do another growth scan to measure her again and we can check weight and see how much bigger she’s gotten. Today we are doing a 3/4 D ultrasound and Karen and Roger are in town to see her. I love that they are able to come to so many appointments. At today’s appointment we got some cute face pictures and her squishy cheeks are just the best. I can’t wait to see them in real life too. They also said it looks like her hair is really growing. I think that’s a fun perk also. After our appointment we went to St Charles Main Street since the weather was so great! We just enjoyed walking around and nice weather. It was perfect. I am really hoping that now all the crazy things that have happened are now over with and we can just enjoy now. I am really really enjoying these play sessions. We are not getting a lot of sleep but it’s totally fine because she’s so fun to play with. With only 7ish weeks to go I am just going to enjoy all of this. I am going to forever miss all of these beautiful things I have been able to experience. Closing this chapter of my life is definitely going to be hard. Pray for me.

I got some great videos of her kicking and playing I’ll share them as well as what she’s up to this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is growing up so fast! Your baby is 17-19 inches tall, the size of a cauliflower blossom, weighs between 4 and 6 lbs. At this point in pregnancy though, there is a large variation in size from one baby to the next, and it’s harder to give an estimate for how big Baby Mac is getting. Baby Mac is going to keep putting on about a half pound (230 g) a week, and as long as your healthcare provider says they’re on track, it’s safe to assume that your little one’s growth is just perfect for them.

Your baby is also beginning to keep their eyes open while they’re awake, and before too long you’ll get to see those eyes look right into your own! Baby Mac’s bones are still forming, and though relatively soft, they keep hardening. And your little one’s brain is developing more and more every day. 

Is Baby Mac still causing a ruckus in there? While their kicks should have become more regular now, counting kicks is as important as ever as it can go a long way in helping you monitor your baby’s health. So it’s a good idea to pick a moment each day to count the kicks. 

What’s new with you?

Your growing body may increasingly be making some of your normal activities harder and more uncomfortable. So take care as you move through your days — take your time getting in and out of bed, cars, or up from seats; be careful moving in crowded spaces as you might accidentally bump your belly into furniture, and just be patient and forgiving as do your usual activities with an amazing body that’s still changing every day. 

Many folks also experience insomnia during their third trimester, which you can blame on a restless mind, restless hormones, and trouble finding a comfortable position to sleep in. Getting enough rest is very important though, so try to get as comfy and cozy as possible so that you can sleep as much as you can. And if you haven’t started using a sleep pillow yet, this may help you get more comfortable and feel more supported so that you can get in those zzzs. If you’re being kept up at night by prolonged or severe feelings of sadness or extreme worry and you think you might be experiencing anxiety or depression, seek out professional support. You have lots of options. 

She’s so fun! 😍
Non stress test
Little miss sweet cheeks! 💓💓💓

32 weeks and growing!

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Well we have made it to 32 weeks now. I would be lying if

I said the last couple weeks have been easy. We have just had so much going on in our personal lives as well as the pregnancy. I am doing my best to stay as stress free as possible. It’s just crazy to me that everything can just seem to happen at once. Our grandma has been Ill and we are trying to get her moved to a nice place where she can be safe and closer to us. Plus I had literally 5 drs appointments last week plus work! Then on top of that Ricky texted me that our car just stopped working on the highway!!! Thankfully he was able to not crash and get it to the shoulder. We had it towed to the house and we’re hoping it was an easy fix. Nope of course it wouldn’t be… Apparently the whole motor just locked up and quit working! We almost had it paid off and I was really really excited to not have any car payments for a bit.

Maybe some good news though Kia is trying to get the motor covered under warranty because our year had recalls for bad motor issues. It’s extra stress though just waiting to hear if they will cover it or not! Plus only having one car is not ideal. So everyone pray and cross your fingers and toes that it can be covered. That would be such a relief at this point. Other good news is my Bistro MD meals came. They are a meal delivery service and you can get meals for diabetics! Honestly they are actually really good. It’s super simple and convenient and that’s what I like about it! I don’t have to worry or stress about if it’s good or not. So far all of my blood sugar tests have been great too! That’s such a relief for me.

The drs seem to think I will be just fine controlling everything with diet. Since I only had a few high numbers anyway. Baby girl is moving great and I am really trying my best to stop focusing on all the crazy and negative things going on in my life and enjoy these last few weeks of my last pregnancy. 😭

I really want to soak up every little kick and wiggle all the hiccups and rolls. She’s been a great little last belly buddy and I want to treasure this last little bit of time we have together. I know her whole family can’t wait to have her and she’s going to be so spoiled and loved. I just need to focus on enjoying these last few weeks and that’s it. 7 weeks or less now! It’s just going so fast. These are for sure my favorite weeks. Preparing for all the early labor signs and symptoms. Over analyzing each contraction thinking are these the ones? Hoping and praying my water breaks this time. Hoping she gets in that head down position! Wondering how long labor will take. Then that incredible high you get after birth and seeing so much Joy and happiness on someone else’s face. Knowing you had a part in that. Nothing can compare to that happiness and joy that fills a hospital room after birth. My heart always feels like it could just burst!

So these last few weeks my focus will be on this sweet baby girl and keeping her as healthy and happy as I can. Enjoying each and every movement and even pain knowing this is it. It’s all worth it! Now let’s see what baby Girl is up too this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

As Baby Mac keeps getting closer and closer to being born, they now measure in at 17-18 inches, are the size of a pomelo, and weigh about 4.3 pounds. Your little one’s head also has a coating of fuzz, and their skin is continuing to fill out. Baby Mac is still a little ways away from their first mani-pedi, but they already do have a full set of fingernails and toenails! In fact, one of your baby’s favorite activities right now is sucking their fingers, which is not only cute, but actually improves their coordination and familiarizes them with their body. 

And Baby Mac is really practicing for the big stage, breathing and “swimming” like crazy. Your baby is also probably already in the head down position with their head moving closer to your pelvis as they prepare for delivery.

What’s new with you?

This late in your pregnancy, you know your own unique symptoms pretty well. Symptoms are different for every pregnant person, but one of the most common symptoms of the third trimester is the increased need to pee. Hemorrhoids, flatulence, and constipation might continue as well. And you’ve probably reached a peak in the increased blood flow that’s, by now, been contributing to any number of symptoms. That extra 50% of blood does have a purpose though — currently it’s helping to keep Baby Mac snug and safe, and it’s also going to help make up for the blood you lose in delivery. 

It’s also time to start thinking more about your hopes and plans for labor and delivery, including thinking about if you may want to use any pain management. Talk to your provider about your options and what makes most sense for you. Epidural anesthesia is among the most common pain management options, though many opt for other medications, or elect to have medication-free births. It is also possible to labor without  analgesics (pain meds) but need other medications like pitocin and/or antibiotics. Ask your provider about the pain management options available to you and any other questions you have about labor and delivery. It does help to go into labor with an understanding of your options, but keep in mind that you can always ask more questions even when in labor if you change your mind then. Everyone’s desires and needs are different, and your provider and care team will help you do what’s best for you. 

It’s also important to prepare for life after delivery — you want to be as prepared as you can be for Baby Mac’s arrival, since you’ll be busy with your little one before you know it. If you’ve finished with some of your baby prep basics — Crib? Check! Diapers? Check! — and want another project to keep you busy as you count down the days to your little one’s arrival, it’s never too early to start with some baby-proofing. Putting up baby gates, getting some cabinet locks and door knob covers, and mounting furniture (like dressers, changing tables, or bookcases that can tip over) to the wall so it’s not a fall hazard are all items that can be added to your baby-proofing to-do list, whether now or later. Certainly, Baby Mac is several months away from trying to climb dressers or explore under the kitchen sink, but if you have some extra time to do some of this prep now, you’ll be glad to have dealt with any potential safety hazards long before your little one is particularly mobile.

My stretch marks are really coming out now!
My amazing friend and client got me a survival bag! 😂 Ps the jolly ranchers are delicious

30 weeks with not great news.

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So last Thursday and Friday I had my appointments. One with regular OB and one with the specialist in the hospital since I am old and we have a two vessel cord again. My OB appointment went great on Thursday then on Friday I went for the specialist and they did the scans and then said they wanted the Dr to talk with me. That’s never a good sign. So I texted Karen and told her this should be something she was on the call for too. It sounded important. They said I had extra fluid and baby was measuring bigger then she should be. 4.2 pounds. The Dr told us it could be that I actually do have gestational diabetes and the tests just didn’t pick it up. Or it could be a fluke but they need to know for sure. So I am now doing at home blood sugar levels multiple times a day to check and see where I am at. So far they have all looked pretty good. I did have one high reading after I ate a super big carb heavy meal and the next morning was at the top of the range but within range… The dr said to just eat this week like I normally would and on Friday I will send over all my numbers and they can let me know what they think. I also have to do weekly ultrasounds and non stress tests now until baby is here. That is because of the high fluid levels. They call it polyhydramnios. I really didn’t know you could have too much fluid. I assumed more is better then not enough. Obviously I was wrong. Emotionally I’m doing ok with all this I guess. It’s hard to not worry and feel like I am not providing the best home for her. I did talk to another surrogate who also had this issue and she said she felt fine until the end and that’s when she could really feel the extra fluid. She said she was pretty uncomfortable and did end up on a little bit of bed rest at the end. I am hoping I don’t need any bed rest but whatever this little girl needs we will do. I am hopeful that even if I do get diagnosed with gestational diabetes that I will be able to control it with my diet. All I want is a happy and healthy baby. I knew the risks go up each and every pregnancy for things like this to happen plus with my age. It’s obviously not what I wanted or expected but we will deal with whatever comes our way.


Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid)

Polyhydramnios is where there is too much amniotic fluid around the baby during pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb.

Too much amniotic fluid is normally spotted during a check-up in the later stages of pregnancy.

It is not usually a sign of anything serious, but you’ll probably have some extra check-ups. You’ll usually be advised to give birth in hospital.

Will I have a healthy pregnancy and baby?

Most women with polyhydramnios will not have any significant problems during their pregnancy and will have a healthy baby.

But there is a slightly increased risk of pregnancy and birth complications, such as:

  • giving birth prematurely (before 37 weeks)
  • your waters breaking early
  • a problem with the position of the umbilical cord (prolapsed umbilical cord)
  • heavy bleeding after your baby is born because your womb has stretched
  • your baby having a health condition

You’ll need extra check-ups to look for these problems. You’ll usually be advised to give birth in hospital.

Symptoms of polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios tends to develop gradually and there may not be noticeable symptoms.

Some women have symptoms like:

These can be common problems for pregnant women and are not necessarily caused by polyhydramnios. Talk to your midwife if you have these symptoms and you’re worried.

In rare cases, fluid can build up around the baby quickly. Contact your midwife or doctor if your tummy gets bigger suddenly.

Let’s see the fun stuff now on what baby Mac is up to these days. All 4.2 pounds of her! ❤️

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is growing like crazy, now 16-17 inches, the size of a cantaloupe, and probably weighing somewhere near three and a half pounds. At this point, most babies will start to move from the breech position (head up) to the birth position (head down) where their heads are delivered first. If your healthcare provider says Baby Mac doesn’t appear to be moving from the breech position, you can ask them about exercises to encourage Baby Mac into a head down birth position. In all likelihood, though, your little one is already rotating towards that birth position as you both move closer to that special day! 

How else is your little one developing this week? Baby Mac’s lanugo, the furry coat that’s been keeping them warm in the womb, will begin to fall off this week as they put on enough fat to keep them warm without it. Your little one is going to start putting on up to a half pound each week until they’re born — they’ll be far less little in just a few weeks! 

Your baby’s eyes are also still developing. And while they can open their eyes, right now their vision is extremely poor. It will continue to improve while Baby Mac is in the womb, and soon this development will speed up. They might reach the point of being able to track objects moving horizontally and vertically in just a few short weeks, and by week 34, they’ll probably have vision that’s just as strong as it will be at birth.

What’s new with you?

Around now, you might notice a return of the mood swings you may have thought you left behind in the first trimester. You also might have paradoxical symptoms, like increased tiredness right alongside difficulty sleeping. These issues are common, and the important thing is that you’re three-quarters of the way done with all of these frustrations, and three-quarters of the way to meeting Baby Mac.

And as you approach delivery day, it’s increasingly important to start planning for some of the important, practical things in Baby Mac’s life, like their nursery or sleep space. The transition from the womb to the world is a pretty drastic one, and you want Baby Mac to be in a comfortable and nurturing environment so that they can be as happy and healthy as possible. So it’s also a good time to start thinking about things like where you’re going to get baby supplies, like diapers (you’ll need diapers!), and set up a crib or bassinet if you haven’t already. 

If you have a partner, it’s great to include them in all of this prep. It can make for a nice bonding experience for you both and help them prepare for the big change happening in both of your lives — and get used to the idea that they’re going to be changing a LOT of those diapers! This is also a great time for them to spend some quality time with your growing bump, which can be a sweet way for them to nurture their bond with Baby Mac even before your little one is born. Let them talk to Baby Mac, touch your bump, and try to feel some of your growing baby’s movements so they can appreciate just how huge, and how wonderful, this change in your lives is going to be.

25 weeks and 4 days!

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We are still moving right along with not much big news. I like it that way! I can definitely tell I’m hitting the 3rd trimester my back and hips are hurting a bit more and I feel like my belly is getting pretty big now. 😆 Everyone says I’m tiny but I feel large and in charge! Taking a bath definitely helps with the uncomfortableness in my back and hips. I just wish they made bathtubs for regular size people. If I’m in there either my boobs and belly stick out or I’m trying to roll side to side to stay warm. I need a deep bath I can actually lay in. Plus I know I’m short and my legs barely fit I can’t imagine all the regular or tall people out there trying to get in. 😂

Home life has been good but busy. Bo got his staples out from his emergency surgery so that’s a huge relief. In the mean time our ceilings have been needed to be repaired. The popcorn ceiling was not repaired correctly and we just decided it would be better to have them ALL removed. Oh my is my house a mess. Dust and yuck everywhere. Not to mention these guys come to work on it at 7am! We all know I need my beauty rest. I’m hoping they will be all done by the end of this week. I’m sure it will be worth it once it’s done.

So much white dust!

In the meantime I’m soaking up all the baby wiggles and kicks I can get from this precious little girl. She’s so much fun and I’m loving every second of our time together! I know realistically we don’t have much more time and that makes me a little sad but so very happy for her mommy and daddy. I know they can’t wait to get their hands on her. She’s been so wanted and so loved for so long. She sure is going to be a lucky little girl with all the love and attention she’s about to be getting. I picked out a dress for the baby shower I think I like but I will keep my eyes open for anything else just in case. I’m excited to get away and go spend time with Molly and the family and of course Karen too in a few weeks. I have been feeling a little stir crazy lately with this winter weather. I miss sunshine and warmth. I want to go for walks outside and do fun things with family and friends. Winter is just not for me. I feel lonely and cold! I’ve not been exercising as much as I wish I was because it’s cold out. I need to at least get on the treadmill down stairs or something. Someone needs to get onto me so I will be more active!

This week on Thursday is my sugar test and regular ob appointment and another growth scan! Needless to say it will be a busy day. I have never had any issues with the glucose test except once I failed by a couple points and had to do the 3 hour one but I passed that. I think that was with Grace maybe. I’m crossing all my fingers and toes that this last pregnancy stays the same and everything will go just as smoothly. I feel so lucky that with 6 pregnancy’s everything has always been so smooth and basically easy for me. I just want to continue the last one that way! So everyone pray, send good vibes whatever you like to do. ❤️ All in all things are really going well here.

How’s Baby Mac?

Your little one is now 13-14 inches long, the size of a cabbage, and weighs about 1.7 pounds (785 grams). Baby Mac’s hair is thickening, just like yours. And even if you can’t see it, they probably have a hair color by now, though this can sometimes change after your baby is born. Baby Mac’s nostrils are starting to open and the air sacs in lungs continue to develop, priming them to breathe air in just a couple of short months.

What’s new with you?

As you approach the third trimester, this may be when some more unsavory symptoms of pregnancy begin to manifest, including gas, constipation, and hemorrhoids. 25-35% of pregnant women experience hemorrhoids because of their uterus pressing down on veins in the rectum. Kegels and avoiding constipation through exercise, hydration, and adequate fiber intake may help to prevent them. Gas is common, and may be harder to control than it normally would be, because pregnancy tends to slow down your gastrointestinal tract because of all the extra progesterone in your system and because your larger uterus has now grown to put more pressure on your abdominal cavity. Gas is inevitable for a lot of pregnant folks, but paying attention to your diet could help a bit — you may want to avoid fried foods, carbonated drinks, or any foods that you notice to be a particular trigger for you. You should also take care to hydrate, eat slowly, and chew thoroughly.

Your hormones may be acting up again, which could leave your whole body aching. These aches can be hard to avoid entirely, but there are some ways to limit them. Like a lot of things about pregnancy, when it comes to feeling good, sticking with the basics can really help: like eating a range of nutritious foods that help you feel your best, including fruits and vegetables, exercising or engaging in movement that you enjoy, and getting the rest that you need. It’s also time to start bending with your knees and engaging your core muscles instead of leaning over at your waist when you lean down to pick things up, because even simple motions like this can put a lot of extra strain on your back. And try to relax as much as you can. Maybe take a warm bath, listen to a meditation or favorite album, or ask a partner or loved one to give you a gentle massage — anything you can do to help yourself have a calm and relaxed pregnancy.

So cute!
How is this even possible! Only 14 weeks left 😍

22 weeks is she still a girl???

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Yesterday we had had our big ultrasound! Karen and Rodger came in Wednesday for the festivities. We had a wonderful dinner at Charlie Gittos my favorite St. Louis restaurant. My family dressed nice even the kids! We didn’t even get a picture. Surprise surprise. Sometimes I think not having pictures means we had even more fun because we are so wrapped up in conversation and fun that we don’t think of anything else. So it’s memory pictures we will have to remember. ❤️ Ricky was stopped and asked if he was a famous star from Top chef! 😂 Our waiter was incredible and just swore it was him. We looked the guy up and there was a resemblance! The kids thought that was just great. I really wanted baby Mac to move so Karen could try to feel because the other night Ricky said he could feel it! Apparently baby Mac enjoyed dinner so much that it was straight to bed! I was so excited to get home to sleep I was beyond full and sleepy.

So Thursday morning our appointment was at 9:30 am. I don’t really like early appointments. I feel more rushed but it was fine. Baby Mac was moving and kicking like CRAZY during my ultrasound even the tech could feel it. They went ahead to re check and make sure she was still a girl and she definitely was! That would have been quite a surprise and shock if we had seen something different lol. She was moving so much she put on a great show. She was so precious and perfect. We even saw her sucking her fingers! They said her size was perfect and right on track. She was estimated at one pound and 3 ounces. ❤️❤️❤️

You guys are not going to believe this but it looks like I have a two vessel cord AGAIN this time! How weird is that. Thankfully I know because of last time that it’s nothing to worry about it just means I get more ultrasounds and appointments to go to. I won’t complain about getting to see her cute face more often. I’m honestly wondering if this is more common in ivf or it really can just be a fluke and happed to me two times in a row?

They also said at 36 weeks they want me to do non stress tests. Basically I will go in once a week and be hooked up to monitors and they will just watch her I guess and make sure we are all good to go. It was funny though because she said it was because of ivf pregnancy but as we know my last 5 pregnancy’s were ivf and I have never had these before. 😆 Weird but I’ll be there. After the appointment we left and went to the hospital for a hospital tour. They showed us the birthing room and told us they will do their best to get us rooms close together. I made sure to get a cup of that great ice before I left! All in all we had a great time. It’s so exciting to be getting so close. Today I have a regular appointment with Dr Sammons. Oh I almost forgot to mention baby is also already head down. Well at least so far! She obviously has lots of wiggle room and can be switching it up any time but I hope for my sake she stays like this.

Let’s see what baby Mac is doing this week.

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is now just under a foot long — about the size of an ear of corn — and weighs just over a pound (478 grams). 

When Baby Mac isn’t sleeping the day away (which at this point is 12-14 hours a day), they’re trying to touch anything they can. Whether it’s their face, body, or umbilical cord, your baby is working on their physical abilities and motor skills by practicing movement and getting a feel for things. Your little one’s inner ear is also developing their sense of balance. While Baby Mac may not be using that sense of balance on any gymnastics equipment yet, the more their ears develop, the better the chance that your baby is hearing you when you talk, and learning your voice, so that when they arrive, they’ll recognize you!

Their eyes are still developing, and right now your little one still lacks pigment in their iris, so doesn’t have an eye color just yet. And his pancreas is already busy creating its own hormones, which helps alleviate all of the hormonal heavy-lifting you’ve been doing. 

What’s new with you?

Your feet and hands may be some of the next places to feel pregnancy’s side effects, as some swelling is not uncommon during these months. You might notice that any rings you wear on your fingers might start to feel tighter, and your feet could grow a whole size bigger. Wearing maternity compression stockings may help improve your circulation and reduce swelling in your feet and legs, in addition to helping with varicose veins if those have been an issue for you. 

And your expanding womb may have turned your “innie” into an “outie” by now. Don’t worry, it’ll go back to normal after you give birth. Your newly out-facing belly button might be a little sensitive, especially as it rubs against your clothes, but that’s generally nothing to worry about. If, on the other hand, it’s causing you pain, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure that you’re not dealing with an umbilical hernia. 

Really, as any strange symptoms or discomforts pop up for you, be sure to ask your provider about it. Even if there’s nothing wrong, it never hurts to know exactly what’s going on in your body, and it can help you feel better knowing that whatever’s going on is normal.

We celebrated Bo’s first birthday yesterday!
We needed a picture by the expectant mothers sign!
Mr. Shawn Brock from top chef. Who they thought Ricky was. 😆

17weeks!

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This is our last day at the beach and I’m sad to say the least! I’m trying to figure out a way to buy a beach condo so we can use it whenever we want. It’s been so much fun just lounging and enjoying the sun and sand. The weather has been so perfect every day. 80 plus degrees in December I’ll take it! We did disney too and I can say disney pregnant is hard work. 😂 I did have a great time though. I’m so excited to start feeling little miss Mac move. Sometimes I think maybe I feel her but then I’m not sure so I’m not counting it yet. I did lots of snack eating at Disney and that was so much fun. The Disney weather was also great. Usually when we go it’s so darn hot! I think if we go back now it will be a January or February trip!

Tomorrow we fly out in the afternoon so we have to pack up today but I’m putting it off for as long as I can. I love that I can hear the ocean waves and the kids counting loudly on the beach. They are trying to play hide and seek on the beach…. 😂 At least they are getting along. Ricky is out in the ocean looking for treasures. I’m just happy to lay in a beach chair in the sunshine. Still no weight gain. My ice craving is going great! My teeth hurt but it’s worth it. We found a ice machine in the club house here and I get like 3 cups a day! The fish tacos here are also so good. I love all the fresh fish when I’m in Florida. We have had such a great time here and I love that I got to see Jen, KC and the Boys. They are getting so big. Let’s see what baby Mac is up to now!

How’s Baby Mac?

Baby Mac is almost 8 inches long, and the soft cartilage that makes up your little one’s skeleton is ossifying, or laying the foundation for bones. You can help Baby Mac out with the bone-hardening process by making sure you’re getting all the right nutrients: calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, C, and D, as well as riboflavin and phosphorous.

Baby Mac’s heart is now beating 120-160 times a minute and is controlled by their brain rather than beating at random intervals. Furthermore, your little one’s brain is continuing to develop their senses of sight, smell, sound and touch! The umbilical cord is strengthening this week too. Your baby’s arms and legs will also have reached normal proportions around now and will continue to grow at this constant rate from here on out. And Baby Mac is developing their coordination, so that they’ll be ready to take on the world in just a little more than a trimester and a half! If your little one is female, they are also already producing millions of eggs in their ovaries that they could use to have a baby themselves someday! 

What’s new with you?

One notable pregnancy symptom for a lot of folks right around week 17 is round ligament pain, which is discomfort felt in the lower stomach and pelvis as the uterus expands and puts pressure on nearby ligaments. To alleviate these pains, try lying on your left side rather than your back in order to most reduce the amount of pressure that your uterus puts on its surroundings. You may also want to pick up something called a maternity belt, which can help support your belly and baby and ease some of the discomfort that’s normal as your body continues to grow but certainly doesn’t feel great. 

You may continue to notice bodily fluids like vaginal discharge, sweat, and mucous flowing a bit more than normal, as a result of the increased blood circulating in your body. Your appetite is probably going to pick up soon as well, because your growing baby needs more and more nutrients each day to keep their development on course.

You might also start experiencing strange or vivid dreams, which is often due to a disrupted sleep schedule. Pregnancy hormones and the fact that you’re going through a major life change may play a part, but it could also be the case that you’re just remembering your dreams more vividly than before. If you’re waking up a few times each night for a bathroom run, because of new aches and pains, or due to insomnia, you have a better chance of remembering the dreams you were having right before that wake up than you do of remembering dreams from the middle of the night when you sleep through the night until morning. Jotting down a few notes on your dreams, especially if they’re particularly vivid, can be an interesting way to track your state of mind as your due date approaches. While your sleep schedule might look different these days, if it’s negatively impacting your day, there are lots of options that can help. Talk to your provider about pregnancy-safe options including meditation, routine exercise, therapy, and certain medications.

12 weeks!

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Next week I will officially be in the second trimester and I’m sooooo happy and excited for it. This is when I love pregnancy most. No more shots or drugs. Baby girl is going to be moving around a lot and soon I’ll get to start feeling it! That’s my most favorite. I seriously can’t imagine a better feeling in the world. I hope I never ever forget the joy and happiness I feel when I get to play with all these babies I’ve had rolling around inside me.

I have had a crazy last week. We unfortunately had a big scare last Friday. I went the the bathroom and there was so much blood. As crazy as it sounds I was confused on where the blood was coming from. Ricky of course was great and jumped into action. He called my mom and my dad came straight over and got Everett and also got our pizzas we had just ordered. We got to hospital and of course they took forever. 3 hours later we finally got in a room and the drs came in. They did the ultrasound and he was super secretive with it and that made me more nervous. Thankfully though he finally said he could see her and she was moving a lot! So I asked to see and he showed me. The ultrasound looked awful lol it looked like it was from 1972 lol. The quality was just so bad. I didn’t think she had a head. He assured me it was there. 😆 So Saturday I stayed in bed all day and did nothing. Thankfully I had no more bleeding all weekend. Monday I went back to my OB and we did another check. Baby girl still looks great. Praise Jesus! I don’t think I’ve ever been so relieved and happy to she her sweet little hands moving all around. She was touching her face and just wiggling all over. It was so great.

I’m just so happy and relieved we have made it this far. I know it’s all going to just fly by from here now. I’m happy for Karen and Rodger of course but oh so sad for me. I wish human pregnancies could last longer. 😂 I know most people don’t feel the way I do about that. I’m just going to do my very best to soak it all in and enjoy each day with sweet baby Mac! I can only imagine how sweet and perfect she is going to be. ❤️❤️❤️

How’s Baby Mac?

Your sweet baby continues to grow rapidly, measuring just over two inches long, about the size of an apricot.

Right now, Baby Mac is starting to develop reflexes as their brain continues to grow and their body to curl their fingers and toes. Your baby’s nerve endings are developing right along with their reflexes, and at this point, if you poke your abdomen, Baby Mac will respond by wriggling (though you almost certainly won’t feel it). And your wee one’s neck, which they’ve only just started to form in the last few weeks or so, has already begun to straighten as they lift their chin off of their chest.

Baby Mac is also just starting to practice breathing by inhaling and exhaling the amniotic fluid that surrounds them, which is made up of mostly water, their skin cells, and their waste. This may seem a little icky, to be sure, but it’s also just one of the many incredible ways your little one is preparing for life on the outside.

Pretty soon, your little one’s intestines are going to  move into their abdomen. Baby Mac is beginning to form the waste that will become their first poop, a tarry substance known as meconium.

What’s new with you?

The good news? As you move toward the end of the first trimester, it’s likely that many of the more unfortunate symptoms you experienced in the first trimester may be behind you, like fatigue and nausea. You may, though, have a few new symptoms popping up. Symptoms like increased vaginal discharge, headaches, saliva, and flatulence along with a heightened sense of smell are all common symptoms right now.

Heartburn is another notable symptom that causes many pregnant folks a lot of discomfort. This is because the same hormones that relax your muscles to make it easier to give birth also relax the valve that keeps the stomach acid out of your esophagus. Your expanding uterus, which by now has grown to the size of a softball, doesn’t help either. As your uterus grows, it puts pressure on your stomach, which can push acid into the esophagus. Thankfully, there are a number of steps you can take to try and reduce your heartburn. You can eat nutritious food in smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, and take your time when eating. You can also avoid food and drink that increases heartburn for you (for many people this can include spicy foods, caffeine, greasy or fatty foods, acidic foods like citrus or tomatoes, and carbonated beverages), and avoid lying down right after eating or eating shortly before going to sleep. And while staying hydrated is important and you should be drinking water throughout the day, some people find it helps to drink water between meals but not during meals. It may take some trial and error to find what works for you, but hopefully some of these will help. And don’t feel that you have to go it alone — speak to your healthcare provider if your heartburn is persistent so they can help you find some relief.

I just love acting crazy. 😂