Its a Girl!!!

Meghan Teresa Scolari was born on Sunday, June 26 2005 at 4:41AM. She weighs 8lbs 4oz and is 20 3/4 inches long. Meghan is healthy and Dave and I couldn't be prouder new parents. To see more pictures, check out the following picture gallery.

Week 40 - The due date comes and goes....

My Mom had warned me that both my sister and I were two weeks late. After months of hearing people say that it wasn't likely I'd make it to my due date, I've now gone beyond my due date.

I've tried a variety of things in hopes of "speeding things along". I've biked, walked, practiced yoga and cleaned the floors on my hands and knees. I've also tried eating greasy meaty pizza (sorry animals) and spicy foods. I guess this baby isn't ready to come out yet.

Now that I'm on maternity leave, I've been doing my best to both keep busy with those projects that I've wanted to do for years (i.e. reorganize the photo album treasure chest) and relax. To be honest, I don't know how many more naps I really need.

My spirits have ranged from enjoying this time of rest to getting the blues that I'm still very pregnant. I suppose I'll look back at this time and wish it had lasted for a year. For the record, I'm as ready now as I'll ever be to have this baby.

At least I'll have a clean house for both Newbie (now known as "THE CAMPER") and our summer guests. Hopefully the next entry will be the labor post!

Week 39 - The waiting begins

On Tuesday, I spoke with the OB folks to discuss the results of the ultrasound. They weren't so concerned about the large baby inside. However, they were alittle concerned with the extra amniotic fluid that was also discovered. Due to this, I was asked to get a NST (non stress test) to make sure that the baby wasn't living in a stressful environment. So Dave and I went to the hospital, and had the NST done. What happens during an NST is that two belts with monitors are attached to my belly for approx 20 minutes. One belt measures if/when I'm having contractions. The second belt (the important one) measures the baby's heart-rate. What they are looking for are any irregularties in the baby's heart-rate. Since the baby is moving, they want the baby's heartrate to go up a bit after moving, then return to a base line. If the baby's heartrate doesn't move at all or if the peaks and valleys are extreme, then the baby is in distress (and I'd be headed to an emergency C-section). Happy to say that baby passed!

On Thursday, I attended my regular appointment. At this point, we needed to decide what to do with this baby inside of me. The midwife, the OB, Dave and I decided on a plan of attack. If my cervix were close to being ready (i.e. softened and starting to dilate), we would induce. Well...they check my cervix and I was at zero dilation and zero effacement. In addition, the baby hasn't even dropped. Although inducement was still an option, the midwife and OB recommended against it. Pretty much, if they try to induce me, it is likely that my body will fight it and my labor experience will turn into a war experience with forceps and vacuums in a vaginal delivery. I could also just have a C-section (which seems popular these days). However, a C-section is still a major surgery and I prefer to go there only if I really need to. So we all decided to wait it out another week and see what happens.

Although Dave and I are happy with our decision, we are anxious to have this baby!

Newbie Scolari - Picture taken June 10, 2005

Week 38 - Exciting Week!

This week started out normal enough. It was my last week of work, so my efforts were spent tying up loose ends and saying goodbye to co-workers (for 20 weeks). On Wed, I went to my weekly baby appointment. The midwife noticed that a) my belly was XXL and b) there was a lot of fluid inside. Although all signs indicated both baby and I were fine, as a precaution she recommended I have an ultrasound to visually confirm everything was ok. So on Fri morning, Dave and I go to the hospital for our second ultrasound. We were both a little worried, because it is late in the pregnancy for another ultrasound. However, if there is a problem, better to know now than later.

The results: Baby is healthy and I do have extra fluid. However, the big news is that the estimated weight of the baby is 9lbs, 6oz. Yes, that is nearly 9 1/2 lbs of baby inside of me! I guess this explains the XXL belly. During the ultrasound, the tech unofficially told me what options may be presented, such as labor induction or even a c-section. It is likely that I will not be allowed to go far past my due date (which is OK by me).

That afternoon, I was able to go to work, tell my co-workers my ultrasound story, finish my goodbyes and officially start my maternity leave. I think I picked a good week to go on maternity leave, as I may be having my baby very soon!

Week 37 – I made it!

Newbie is officially considered full-term. Which means if I were to give birth today, the baby would not be considered pre-mature. Some days… I feel more than ready to have Newbie. The physical discomforts of late pregnancy have arrived. My ankles and feet are swelling (especially towards the end of the day), I’m getting some back pain and sleeping has become difficult. Actually, I can sleep just fine once I get into bed. Unfortunately, I don’t stay asleep very long because I need to go to the bathroom every two hours, which isn’t any fun.

Dave and I are pretty much set as far as being prepared for the baby. The nursery is ready, the car seat is installed and my hospital bag is waiting by the door. We still have a few things to do, like select music to bring to the hospital and pack the ice-chest full of labor foods (ice chips, Popsicles, food for Dave). But we can go without those things if needed. It’s very odd to wake up every morning and think, “this could be the day”.

Week 36 – Month Nine…

I can’t believe I’m 9 months pregnant. I’ll be sitting there and then I’ll say, “I’m 9 months pregnant!” Thankfully, I’m not swelling up, but I am getting uncomfortable physically. Honestly, I’m as big as a whale. But I’m still moving….

At the beginning of the week, I was convinced I’d be giving birth at any minute. After going for my checkup, I’m not so sure. I got my first internal exam, where they check the cervix to see if you’ve start dilation and how the baby is positioned. Well…I’m completely closed up and the baby hasn’t even dropped yet. So who knows? Maybe I’ll make it to my due date and beyond (but I hope not too late…).

Week 35 – Winding Down

Things are winding down. Dave and I purchased the final items we needed for Newbie (bottles, nursing stuff, diaper changing pad, etc.). The room is pretty much put together. I'm wrapping up things at work in preparation for my maternity leave. I can't say I'm totally ready...but I'm almost there.

Physically I have good days and bad days. Good days I can walk around the neighborhood, play Frisbee and take the stairs. On the not so good days, I just want to lie on the couch and sleep. Mostly my days are pretty good (although I’m told this will change as I get closer to my due date).