First off I give stay at home moms a ton of credit though in that case you at least have a kid to take care of thoughout the day. I on the other hand found my first half day of work to be boring. After running a few errands, doing laundry, and taking a nap I still had time to kill.
I think I might need a quick new hobby to keep busy over these next few days. Though I do plan on getting into a good book to keep me busy I may need to start cleaning out some closets or something.
Any suggestions on how to keep myself busy over these next few days/weeks let me know...anything is better than focusing on what is about to come and when.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Still Waiting
Had our 38 week appointment today. Not much to say except NO CHANGE!! We are still 1-2cm dilated and 70% effaced. Heart beart is strong. I on the other hand am tired but patiently waiting.
Next prenatal appointment is Wednesday, July 2nd at 2:45. Hopefully we'll have more to report before then.
Next prenatal appointment is Wednesday, July 2nd at 2:45. Hopefully we'll have more to report before then.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Words of Wisdom from a Male Co-Worker
Notes from Ed:
1. The water breaking can smell
2. The umbilical cord when you go to cut it can be crunchy
3. Walk alot and have sex often
4. No castor oil
5. No enema
6. The placenta is kind of alien looking
7. Take your time before going to the hospital
8. You can be stuck at 2cm for what feels like forever- just don’t think about it
9. Have patience
Words from a man who has two young children. Thanks Ed!
1. The water breaking can smell
2. The umbilical cord when you go to cut it can be crunchy
3. Walk alot and have sex often
4. No castor oil
5. No enema
6. The placenta is kind of alien looking
7. Take your time before going to the hospital
8. You can be stuck at 2cm for what feels like forever- just don’t think about it
9. Have patience
Words from a man who has two young children. Thanks Ed!
My New Favorite Commercial
So I just had to share this commercial. I totally see my future son.
https://us.etrade.com/e/t/jumppage/viewjumppage?PageName=etrade_super_tv_ads
https://us.etrade.com/e/t/jumppage/viewjumppage?PageName=etrade_super_tv_ads
Group Strep B...the low down
For those, like me who were seeking a little more information on what I tested positive for here you go:
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally found in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 15% to 40% of all healthy, adult women.
Those women who test positive for GBS are said to be colonized. A mother can pass GBS to her baby during delivery. GBS is responsible for affecting about 1 in every 2,000 babies in the United States. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill.
Although GBS is rare in pregnant women, the outcome can be severe, and therefore physicians include testing as a routine part of prenatal care.
How can I find out if I have Group B Strep infection?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended routine screening for vaginal strep B for all pregnant women. This screening is performed between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy (anytime other than this time will not be significant to show if a woman is carrying GBS during the time of her delivery). The test involves a swab of both the vagina and the rectum. The sample is then taken to a lab where a culture is analyzed for any presence of GBS. Test results are usually available within 24 to 48 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all women who have risk factors PRIOR to being screened for GBS (for example, women who have preterm labor beginning prior to 37 completed weeks' gestation) are treated with IV antibiotics until their GBS status is established.
How does someone get group B strep?
The bacteria that causes group B strep normally lives in the intestine, vagina, or rectal areas. Group B strep colonization is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Approximately 15-40% of all healthy women carry group B strep bacteria. For most women there are no symptoms of carrying the GBS bacteria.
What if I test positive for Group B Strep infection?
If you test positive for GBS this simply means that you are a carrier. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill. Approximately one of every 100 to 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS will develop signs and symptoms of GBS disease. There are, however, symptoms that may indicate that you are at a higher risk of delivering a baby with GBS.
These symptoms include:
Labor or rupture of membrane before 37 weeks
Rupture of membrane 18 hours or more before delivery
Fever during labor
A urinary tract infection as a result of GBS during your pregnancy
A previous baby with GBS disease
In this case your physician will want to use antibiotics for prevention and protection.
According to the CDC, if you have tested positive and are not in the high risk category, then your chances of delivering a baby with GBS are:
1 in 200 if antibiotics are not given
1 in 4000 if antibiotics are given
How can I protect my baby from Group B Strep infection?
If you test positive for GBS and meet the high risk criteria, then your physician will recommend giving you antibiotics through IV during your delivery to prevent your baby from becoming ill. Taking antibiotics greatly decreases the chances of your baby becoming ill.
For women who are group B strep carriers, antibiotics before labor starts are not a good way to get rid of group B strep bacteria. Since they naturally live in the gastrointestinal tract (guts), the bacteria can come back after antibiotics. A woman may test positive at certain times and not at others. That’s why it is important for all pregnant women to be tested for group B strep between 35 to 37 weeks of every pregnancy.
If you are at a low risk, the decision to use antibiotics is up to you. There are herbal remedies that you can take 2-3 weeks before delivery that a midwife or homeopathic physician can recommend.
How does Group B Strep infection affect a newborn baby?
Babies may experience early or late-onset of GBS.
The signs and symptoms of early onset GBS include:
Signs and symptoms occurring within hours of delivery
Breathing problems, heart and blood pressure instability
Gastrointestinal and kidney problems
Sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis are the most common complications
Newborns with early-onset are treated the same as the mothers, which is through intravenous antibiotics.
The signs and symptoms of late-onset GBS include:
Signs and symptoms occurring within a week or a few months of delivery
Meningitis is the most common symptom
Late-onset GBS is not as common as early-onset
Late-onset of GBS could be a result of delivery, or the baby may have contracted it by coming into contact with someone who has GBS
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacterial infection that can be found in a pregnant woman’s vagina or rectum. This bacteria is normally found in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 15% to 40% of all healthy, adult women.
Those women who test positive for GBS are said to be colonized. A mother can pass GBS to her baby during delivery. GBS is responsible for affecting about 1 in every 2,000 babies in the United States. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill.
Although GBS is rare in pregnant women, the outcome can be severe, and therefore physicians include testing as a routine part of prenatal care.
How can I find out if I have Group B Strep infection?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended routine screening for vaginal strep B for all pregnant women. This screening is performed between the 35th and 37th week of pregnancy (anytime other than this time will not be significant to show if a woman is carrying GBS during the time of her delivery). The test involves a swab of both the vagina and the rectum. The sample is then taken to a lab where a culture is analyzed for any presence of GBS. Test results are usually available within 24 to 48 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all women who have risk factors PRIOR to being screened for GBS (for example, women who have preterm labor beginning prior to 37 completed weeks' gestation) are treated with IV antibiotics until their GBS status is established.
How does someone get group B strep?
The bacteria that causes group B strep normally lives in the intestine, vagina, or rectal areas. Group B strep colonization is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Approximately 15-40% of all healthy women carry group B strep bacteria. For most women there are no symptoms of carrying the GBS bacteria.
What if I test positive for Group B Strep infection?
If you test positive for GBS this simply means that you are a carrier. Not every baby who is born to a mother who tests positive for GBS will become ill. Approximately one of every 100 to 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS will develop signs and symptoms of GBS disease. There are, however, symptoms that may indicate that you are at a higher risk of delivering a baby with GBS.
These symptoms include:
Labor or rupture of membrane before 37 weeks
Rupture of membrane 18 hours or more before delivery
Fever during labor
A urinary tract infection as a result of GBS during your pregnancy
A previous baby with GBS disease
In this case your physician will want to use antibiotics for prevention and protection.
According to the CDC, if you have tested positive and are not in the high risk category, then your chances of delivering a baby with GBS are:
1 in 200 if antibiotics are not given
1 in 4000 if antibiotics are given
How can I protect my baby from Group B Strep infection?
If you test positive for GBS and meet the high risk criteria, then your physician will recommend giving you antibiotics through IV during your delivery to prevent your baby from becoming ill. Taking antibiotics greatly decreases the chances of your baby becoming ill.
For women who are group B strep carriers, antibiotics before labor starts are not a good way to get rid of group B strep bacteria. Since they naturally live in the gastrointestinal tract (guts), the bacteria can come back after antibiotics. A woman may test positive at certain times and not at others. That’s why it is important for all pregnant women to be tested for group B strep between 35 to 37 weeks of every pregnancy.
If you are at a low risk, the decision to use antibiotics is up to you. There are herbal remedies that you can take 2-3 weeks before delivery that a midwife or homeopathic physician can recommend.
How does Group B Strep infection affect a newborn baby?
Babies may experience early or late-onset of GBS.
The signs and symptoms of early onset GBS include:
Signs and symptoms occurring within hours of delivery
Breathing problems, heart and blood pressure instability
Gastrointestinal and kidney problems
Sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis are the most common complications
Newborns with early-onset are treated the same as the mothers, which is through intravenous antibiotics.
The signs and symptoms of late-onset GBS include:
Signs and symptoms occurring within a week or a few months of delivery
Meningitis is the most common symptom
Late-onset GBS is not as common as early-onset
Late-onset of GBS could be a result of delivery, or the baby may have contracted it by coming into contact with someone who has GBS
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
YEAH BABY!!!!!
Today's appointment went great. We are 2cm dilated and 70%. So with a little luck our little guy will be here soon. Heart beat is perfect. Our mid-wife actually got to feel his head. He is right there ready to come. Plus I figure of she can feel his head already there can't be that much pushing involved in this whole thing. OK so I have HIGH HOPES. We have decided that we will be calling the mid wife and not the doctor when the time comes. We have a great one named Stacy at our OB and she has just made Gene and I very excited about the whole process, where the doctors just STRESS me out.
I do have to have some anitbiotics when I go into labor cause I tested positive for Strep B. No big deal just need to protect JC before he comes through the canal. If I can't get the antibiotics in time then we will need to spend an extra day in the hospital being monitored. So since Mom delivered so quickly with me (God Bless her 3 hours...I am all for it) we will be heading to the hospital ASAP so I get everything I need to protect our little boy.
Stay tuned hopefully delivery is right around the corner...well either way it's in the next few weeks.
I do have to have some anitbiotics when I go into labor cause I tested positive for Strep B. No big deal just need to protect JC before he comes through the canal. If I can't get the antibiotics in time then we will need to spend an extra day in the hospital being monitored. So since Mom delivered so quickly with me (God Bless her 3 hours...I am all for it) we will be heading to the hospital ASAP so I get everything I need to protect our little boy.
Stay tuned hopefully delivery is right around the corner...well either way it's in the next few weeks.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Car Seat
Took our car seat safety class today. That was a lot of information but hey now we are officially ready for JC. We have the car seat installed and now all we need is baby.
For those of you not counted we are 37 weeks today meaning 21 days until our due date. Haven't made your guess on http://www.expectnet.com/ give it a try under the name JCBouchard.
Well the Celtics are playing so for the my sake and JC's I hope he at least holds off until the end of the game cause I think Gene may actually send me to the hospital by myself if I went into labor during the play offs. LOL!!! Seriously not funny cause I think he would.
For those of you not counted we are 37 weeks today meaning 21 days until our due date. Haven't made your guess on http://www.expectnet.com/ give it a try under the name JCBouchard.
Well the Celtics are playing so for the my sake and JC's I hope he at least holds off until the end of the game cause I think Gene may actually send me to the hospital by myself if I went into labor during the play offs. LOL!!! Seriously not funny cause I think he would.
Visit to Labor and Delivery
FALSE ALARM...kind of. I started having contractions on Sunday afternoon about 1:30 but with no real pattern and not alot of pain just some extreme discomfort. So by 7pm that night we used what we learned the day before in class and headed to the hospital.
After being monitored for about 2 hours my cervix has softened and I am having prelabor contractions. YEAH!!!! Question is for how long do I get to have these contractions...only baby knows for sure. I basically feel like I have the weight of several rocks on the front of me and one GIANT menstraul cramp taking over my whole abdomen. Not much I can do but go to work, clean the house, and be as normal as possible while I wait.
I feel great otherwise and our next prenatal appointment is tomorrow (6/18) so stay tuned for whatever is to come on this wonderful journey of Holy Crap just get this kid out of me.
I think I may head to Wal-Mart for a brisk walk since many women seem to have their water break there. Or will be trying a few natural ways to induce labor besides walking...let me know what your suggestions are.
After being monitored for about 2 hours my cervix has softened and I am having prelabor contractions. YEAH!!!! Question is for how long do I get to have these contractions...only baby knows for sure. I basically feel like I have the weight of several rocks on the front of me and one GIANT menstraul cramp taking over my whole abdomen. Not much I can do but go to work, clean the house, and be as normal as possible while I wait.
I feel great otherwise and our next prenatal appointment is tomorrow (6/18) so stay tuned for whatever is to come on this wonderful journey of Holy Crap just get this kid out of me.
I think I may head to Wal-Mart for a brisk walk since many women seem to have their water break there. Or will be trying a few natural ways to induce labor besides walking...let me know what your suggestions are.
Birthing Class
Well now that Gene and I are comfortable with the hospital setting we are scared to death about the labor. You know I have always been the person who needs to know everything but frankly after the birthing videos we sat through this weekened, somethings should just remain a mystery.
In all seriousness I think we are much more prepared for what is to come and now we know what all of our options are. We got to see the labor and delivery room, the post partum room and the C-Section room (also known as the opperating room but I would rather not think about it as an opperation).
Now we are practicing our breathing and getting ready for the big day. Bags are packed and come Tuesday the car seat will be installed.
In all seriousness I think we are much more prepared for what is to come and now we know what all of our options are. We got to see the labor and delivery room, the post partum room and the C-Section room (also known as the opperating room but I would rather not think about it as an opperation).
Now we are practicing our breathing and getting ready for the big day. Bags are packed and come Tuesday the car seat will be installed.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Romantic Weekend
So what a better way to prepare for the arrival of a new baby than by having a romantic dinner for two. After a lazy day pool side Gene and I spent our evening at the Melting Pot. After a 2 hour dinner I think we covered just about every topic for awhile.
Spent Sunday shopping at the outlets for my birthday gift. I got a Coach Purse! What do you think? After another lazy day poolside after shopping it was rough getting back to work on Monday.
Spent Sunday shopping at the outlets for my birthday gift. I got a Coach Purse! What do you think? After another lazy day poolside after shopping it was rough getting back to work on Monday.
36 Weeks and Counting
We had our 36 week ultra sound today. JC is looking good. He is head down and currently weighing in 6 lbs 7oz. So with only a few weeks left to go hopefully we will come in just under 7lbs- GOD WILLING. Not much of a picture to share but here is JC's head. Oh and my most recent belly shot. I know I am getting BIG.
So besides being HOT in this aweful summer weather I feel great. We are having lots of movement. I am loosing sleep and I am counting down to June 30th when I start working 1/2 days. Oh so on the so not cool side I might be getting a case of hemroids- PERFECTO!!! Hopefully I'll be a lucky one and not get them but I see that as being a slim chance.
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About Us
- Bouchard Family
- "Yankee Born...Southern Living" Christine: Born and raised in Naugatuck, CT. I moved to SC to be closer to my dad when he retired. I am a graduate of Southern Connecticut with a degree in Liberal Studies. I currently work for Merrill Lynch and Old Navy but being a mom is the best job I have ever had. Gene: Claims to have grown up in NY but he spent most of his life in CT. He graduated from Taconic Hills and then headed to Porter and Chester for a trade in automotive- that he has never used. Gene currently works at Osprey Marina and loves spending his days outside with boats. He is also training to be a volunteer fireman. JC: Is the perfect toddler...or atleast he is in my eyes. He is still on a schedule that you can tell time by. He love country music, dancing to whatever beat he can find, helping with chores, and reading.