Pregnancy Update

Wow...I have not posted anything in three months! However, I thought a good update on Zachary was needed. I like to journal when I can and I figured I'd "journal" this on the blog since so many have begun to ask numerous questions.
First things first--my due date is September 9--that's Thursday. So, only two more days after today. Since I had a c-section with Lenna-Grace, I have decided to attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesearn). This raises even more questions. HOpefully I can answer yours questions here.
1. What is the timeline for this baby? AKA--when will you have to give in and have a c-section or be induced?

You must know that being induced causes more problems and higher risk for c-section even for those who are not VBAC patients. Therefore, induction will not be an option for me. I do not want to be induced, but even if I did, my doctor's office will not induce VBAC patients. As far as my doctor's time table--well, they wanted me to schedule a c-section for my due date. However, I have managed my way around that one (will discuss in next question). Therefore, John and I have begun, just today, to discuss when WE might decide I need to say "okay," to the doctors' request and schedule a c-section.

2. Why have the doctors backed down on a c-section for the due date?

Typically, the longer you are pregnant, the larger the baby. The larger the baby, the higher chance for a c-section. Therefore, doctors were "forcing" me to have a c-section scheduled for my due date. However, they knew I was not given in. Since I was 28 weeks pregnant, I have consistently measured 1-2 weeks smaller than my due date. What's the mean? When they measure the fundal height, it should be about the same in centimeters as my weeks pregnant. However, I have been smaller in measurement. For instance, last week at my appointment, I was 38.5 weeks pregnant (so I should measure about 38 -39cm). However, I measured, 36 cm. This could mean Zachary is just a small boy (Lenna-Grace was not, nor was I as a baby). Or it could mean my due date is off by a week or two (I KNOW...even longer to wait). With this, doctors are not being as forceful with me on my due date.

3. Have you made any progress?

Yes! But not lately. Here's my "progress"

35.5 weeks -- 1 cm, 0% effaced

36.5 weeks -- 2 cm, 30% effaced

37.5 weeks -- 2 cm, 50% effaced

38.5 weeks -- 2 cm, 50% effaced, station -1

So--I have made some progress and Zachary's head is down and in position. However--I'm just waiting now.

4. What are our goals?

I go back to the doctor tomorrow--39 weeks, 5 days pregnant. Since it is considered my 40 week checkup, they are looking for me to put a date on the calendar. I am not sure I am up for that, but I can only fight my doctors so long on having a trial of labor and attempting a vaginal delivery. Therefore, John and I have discussed our thoughts. We have a date set, but I would like to keep it between us and the doctor only. I do not want everyone set on a date, or assuming anything. I have picked a date and can only pray that if God's will is for me to have a successful VBAC, then Zachary will enter this world prior.

5. LET ME CLARIFY...

I do not want a c-section. I am very set on trying to deliver this baby as natural as possible. However, doctors are being very forceful and against VBACs now. I can only listen to so much, before having to given in on their requests or sign a consent form taking liability out of their hands if I chose to go against their recommendations. Although I have no intentions to sue anyone for my decisions, I will not sign such a form. All in all--John and I have to make the best informed decision on what is best for Zachary and myself.

I'll try to update again tomorrow after my appointment!

Pregnancy Update

Hopeful Delivery

When John and I discovered we were expecting another baby, I immediately thought about when to schedule the c-section. With Lenna-Grace, I had to have an unplanned c-section after laboring and pushing. I assumed this would be the next course. I did hear a little about VBACs (Vaginal birth after cesarean), but thought my pregnancies were too close to be considered. After attending my first doctor's visit when I was 9-weeks pregnant, I learned that my risks were no greater just because the two children would be only 17-months apart. At each visit, I met with a different doctor (all in all, I've seen 6 doctors now) in the practice to discover they were all for VBACs and prefer I try a vaginal delivery if possible, and if I wanted more children later.

This began my research! Of course, when you look up VBAC online, there are numerous scary situations. However, when you look at OB/GYN studies and medical studies, you learn that the risks with a second c-section are far greater than risks associated with a VBAC. Many doctors, however, use scare tatics about the complications (which occur in rare cases, like 1% and can occur in regular vaginal deliveries and not just VBACs). A scheduled c-section simply helps cover a doctor's steps. It seems easier, more predictable, and much more (to a doctor).

As for me, I want more children if God desires so. John and I love the idea of having a house full! Most doctors recommend three, at most four, c-sections. And at the fourth, you are at high risk for needing a hysterectomy. Not long ago, doctors even recommended you stop at two c-sections. As well, every surgery puts you at a risk for complications.

Delivery is a natural process and our bodies were made to do it! I want to be in control of my labor and delivery. If I would have known as much as I do now, I would not have allowed them to induce me with Lenna-Grace. Inducing increases one's chance of having to have a cesarean. Lenna-Grace was fine, I was fine, and there really was no need except my doctor's office induces at 41 weeks. Would I still have needed a c-section had a went into labor on my own? Possibly, I don't know. And neither do the doctors.

For this pregnancy, I have read a lot more about natural labor, the mother's rights and requests, and even hired a doula to assist. Why do I need a doula? She is trained and taught on all the medical needs of woman laboring. She will assist me in making INFORMED decisions throughtout my pregnancy, labor, and delivery. If a doctor tells me the baby is not positioned well and I need to have a c-section, the doula can assist me in determining if there are natural ways to assist the baby in moving (and many times there are!). If labor begins to slow down, she can assist me in ways to help it progress so medicines are not needed.

So--for my hopes in this pregnancy, let God tell me when this baby is coming! My doctor's office will let me go about 41 weeks (or 41 weeks and 3 days). Inducing is typically not allowed with VBACs, so this little angel must start the process all on his/her own. Although my last was a c-section, this one is not planned and we will be praying that God helps this pregnancy and delivery go smoothly and everyone is healthy in the end!

One Year!!

Our Baby Girl

Lenna-Grace Caroline Robinson

April 8, 2009

8 lbs, 9 oz, 21.5 inches

Our baby girl is no longer a baby. Lenna-Grace is now a toddler! Last Thursday, Lenna-Grace celebrated her 1st birthday. Well, we actually held her party on April 3, but on April 8 she turned 1!!

It's hard to believe that she's already a toddler. Everyday with her is amazing. Here's some of her wonderful accomplishments in a year!

• Crawling--she began at SIX months!


• Going up and down the stairs! (she began going up at about 8-months and down at 11-months). She's so good at it now that she thinks she can go anywhere!


• Pulling up and walking with walkers, pushing chairs, pushing her own stroller, and holding onto one hand. Basically, walking but refuses to do it all by herself. But she LOVES pushing anything and everything.


• Sleeping well! She's a great sleeper. She sleeps 12 hours every night and takes two 1.5-2 hour naps during the day.


• NO BOTTLE!! At the beginning of 11-months, we took away her morning bottle and gave her whole milk in a cup with a straw. Then about two weeks later we took away the afternoon bottle. Last Tuesday she had her LAST bottle. She is doing perfectly fine without it.


• TEETH!! Wow--the little one has NINE of them now. She has the four top and bottom, as well as one back tooth on top. It looks like another bottom one is coming too!


• Independence. She is such an independent little one. She loves playing with anyone, but she can play by herself very well.


• Reading--she LOVES to have books read to her. It is great when your child points to the book shelf and groans at bedtime.


• Pointing-yes, she points at everything she wants.


• Vocal. Lenna-Grace giggles, babbles and talks all day. She says mama, dada, bye-bye, and cookie (twice).


• Dances. She loves to move to music. She will sway or bounce all day.


• Eating. She loves to eat. She loves green beans and oranges especially, but eats just about anything will give her.


• Patty Cake--this is the cutest! She will clap while I sing. She use to just clap, but now she will "roll 'em"!

Needless to say, our little angel is growing up so fast. We are so blessed. She is wonderful! She does know how to throw a small temper here and there, and we are beginning to address her outburst when she does not get what she wants. When we move into our new home (in 2.5 weeks), I will begin potty training--yes, she will only be 13 months, but I think she will do great.

Here's her Easter picture/1st birthday picture. She's beautiful!!

Enjoying her birthday cake

22 lbs, 6 oz, 30 inches!

Happy Birthday Lenna-Grace, we love you!!

Couponing and CVS

That's right--Since I have become a full-time stay-at-home mom, I have also begun couponing. When I say "couponing," I do not mean I clip a few coupons and use them when I need them. Nope--I learned that there is a right and wrong way to coupon. Did you know that? You should only use coupons when the item is on sale and stock up on it! For example, two weeks ago I received a coupon for $1.50 off two boxes of Raisin' Bran. John and I love this cereal; however, I did not use right away. This week I received another coupon for $1.00 off two boxes of Kellogg's cereal. CVS was running a special for 4 boxes of Kellogg's Cereal for $10.00--that's $2.50 a box. PLUS--I had two coupons I could use. So, I bought two boxes of Raisin' Bran (received $1.50 off) and one box of Apple Jacks and one box of Fruit Loops ($1.00 off). That made my purchase 4/$7.50 ($1.875 a box). PLUS...CVS gave $5.00 in Extra Care Bucks--which actually made it 4/$2.50 ($0.625 a box).

Yes, I know, CVS is way more expensive than a grocery store and Wal-Mart, but if you read the sales paper, use coupons, and use Extra Care Bucks, you can really save a lot of money!! Let me share with you my trip to CVS today:

Here is the regular prices and what I would have paid.
4 packs of 12 cans of Pepsi ($4.99 x 4 = $19.96)
4 boxes of cereal ($4.49 x 4 = $17.96)
2 Oral B Toothbrushes ($4.99 x 2 = $9.98)
2 Almay Eyeliners ($7.99 x 2 = $15.98)
TOTAL: $63.88

Now...here's the sale
4 packs of 12 cans of Pepsi (4/$12.00)
4 boxes of cereal (4/$10.00)
2 Oral B Toothbrushes (2/$8.00)
Buy 1 Get one free Almay (2/$7.99)
TOTAL: $37.99
2/$1.50 of Raisin Bran
2/$1.00 of Kellogg Cereal
TOTAL: $35.49

Plus--I used $11.00 from previous trip in Extra Care Bucks (it's like a store credit)
TOTAL: $24.49

Finally...I received more extra care bucks
$5.00 - Cereal
$3.00 - Pepsi
$8.00 - Oral B Toothbrush
Earned -- $16.00

TOTAL SPENDING: $8.49 WOW--for 4 boxes of cereal, 48 can drinks, two eyeliners, and two toothbrushes!

That's major savings to me!!

Last week, I went to Foodlion. My original bill was $143.96; however, my total after coupons and sales was $91.38. That was 37% savings! My goal--to save more than 50% from now on. I've begun to get my coupons weekly. I also look at Southern Savers blog daily. She does an excellent job of posting sales and coupons! There are other bloggers as well, but she is very detailed.

9 Wonderful Months

Lenna-Grace is now NINE-months-old. Oh how time flies. She's an angel to be around and such a joy to spend time with daily. She is a wonderful baby. I know every parent thinks they have great babies, but we truly do. She slepts well, she eats great, she's independent, and she's rarely fussy (unless something is wrong). God truly blessed us with an angel.

Just to sum up some of her outstanding accomplishments so far.

CRAWLING--yes, she is fast. She did this by 6-months-old. She's a quick one. You can't turn your head or she's gone!

Crawls up stairs--baby gates are now needed.

Eats real foods--loves to eat just about anything. She uses her pincher grip very well. She puts a spoon in her mouth but not with food on it yet.

Naps twice a day for about two-hours; sometimes three times if needed.

And she LOVES BOOKS. We read every night and she loves it.

New Year...New Blogger

That's exactly what I mean--Since it is a New Year, I've decided to become a new blogger and actually BLOG!! As you can see, my last post was when Lenna-Grace was 3-months-old and she is now 9-months-old. WOW!

So to begin my new blogging experience, I am going to try to update this more often. I feel I have a little bit more time to do such now. So let's see how well I can do this time!