36 weeks

We are doing really well, cocooning indoors with our sweet family! 
My family is all on route from BC to see us, I cant wait. I feel like a piece of this experience is missing without them. 

Our midwife came by today again to check out Finley and myself. She is impressed with how well everything is going. Feeding is going incredibly well, we no longer need to supplement with formula, or pump in addition. Finley weighs 6 pounds 6 ounces which is what she weighed the day after she was born, so that's good (she was born 6 lb 13 oz)! Within 2 weeks babes are supposed to gain back their birth weight. Momma has lost half of the pregnancy weight so far. I feel healthy, and euphoric! 

Sleep hasnt been much of an issue, a lot of people complain about sleepless nights. Not in this house! We wake up Finley every 2-3 hours to feed, she eats for half an hour (I am half awake) Daddy changes baby and then we go back to sleep. It's blissful. Im so happy to be a Mom, and that Dennis & I have become parents after our infertility struggle. 

Caroline, one of our midwives weighing Fin

Daddy setting up swings

My family all packed in, on route to see us. I appreciate their time and efforts to come here.

Newborn photos yesterday with Shima Studios

35/36 weeks

36 weeks. Introducing Finley!

We are so happy to welcome Finley Evelyn Adine Warren (she has both of her Grandmothers names, as middle names)!

The past few days have been overwhelming, the most joyous, blissful days of my life!

Sunday, July 19 I was making pancakes in the morning and all of a sudden had a bleed. I have been warned and prepared that if I have a bleed we would likely need to do an emergency cesarean section. Doctors have been impressed that I had held off as long as I had without a bleed.  Dennis & I quickly packed our hospital bags and headed to the South Health Campus. Along the way, I phoned our midwife, Alisha to inform her. Once at the hospital we were assessed in triage. I was put on a non-stress test for baby as well to monitor any contractions. Although minor, bleeding continued through the morning while in triage. Alisha joined us, and assessed me. We planned that I would stay on bedrest and stay in hospital for further assessment to see if bleeding continued. Dr Sulliman, the OB on came to chat with us and informed us that we would be monitored for the next 24 hours, and admitted us. They planned to continually assess and monitor me and indicated that I would likely stay on bed-rest for the week, however, it was a possibility that with increased bleeding I may need to have the section earlier than July 27 as pervious planned. Throughout the day the nurses noted that I was experiencing contractions, and with the continued bleed they paged the doctor. Dr Sulliman provided us with the option of doing the section that day, or waiting on bedrest. It is likely that if I continued to wait on bedrest I would have a big bleed and that it would result in an emergency situation to get baby out ASAP. The doctor weighed the pros and cons with us of doing the section on Sunday, but thought that considering I was experiencing contractions it would be best to go ahead with the section, especially with her understanding of the situation. Dennis & I agreed to go ahead with the surgery as it was going to happen regardless and this was our babies way of showing us that she was ready. Dr Sulliman had a surgery to attend, and informed us that we would start in an hour. Dennis quickly drove home to get our camera and have a quick shower, and came back just in time. We phoned our midwife, and she too came and joined us right before surgery began. Once we made the decision to go ahead with a section everything happened very quickly. I was brought into the OR; Dennis waited outside until I was prepared. I was given a spinal, and a catheter, and transferred to the operating table. Dennis & the midwife were brought in, and it was go time. 
The surgery itself went really well, however, mentally I kind of lost it after Finley was delivered. Due to the drugs I was given I felt drunk and high simultaneously, and also nauseous. Also the sounds of them suctioning, stapling and pushing my organs back into place were freaky. I could see the reflection of what the surgeons were doing; blood and guts from the reflection on the lights above, and I was terrified for our baby. The NICU team immediately assessed our daughter, and transferred her to Alisha, our midwife. Alisha further assessed our baby and assured me that she was well. Dennis cut her umbilical cord, and brought our bundled baby for me to see. I was so relieved and overwhelmed to see and touch her. She grasped her fingers around mine, and I knew we were going to be ok. It was so emotional and powerful. Finley was born at 5:06pm July 19th, 19.5 inches long, weighing 6 pounds 13 ounces, a great weight for a 36 week baby. Her Apgar scar came in at 9/10, which is normal for even term babies. Amazingly, she is measuring at 39-40 weeks gestation for her development!
Dennis, Finley and I were brought to recovery, where I was able to breastfeed right away. I am so grateful and proud that I have been able to breastfeed. Alisha helped for me to extract and nurse Finley right away. It was so beautiful, she did so well! 
Shortly after, we were brought back upstairs to our room, #16. Alisha stayed with us, and helped us feed again. She made sure we were comfortable and stable and headed out for the evening, but assured us she would be back in the morning. 
Nurses helped me to stand and go to the bathroom three times that night. It was important to them (and me) to get up as often as possible. I had a lot of pain but managed well. We continued to breastfeed through the night, which went well. I am proud of her for latching so well. We had one blood sugar test in the evening which passed, unfortunately through the night we failed 2 blood sugar tests. Due to Finley being born so early she is unable to metabolize sugars overtime, especially with the minimal amount of colostrum. The morning of day one was stressful for us, we had a very pessimistic nurse, negative Nancy! She threaten that we would be transferred to the NICU and said that we would need to provide babe with formula. She made me feel inferior, scared and incapable of providing our daughter what she needs. She gave us a bottle of formula which we regrettably gave to Finley. Alisha came by first thing in the morning, found out about this and was disappointed to hear about what had happened. Alisha communicated with the charge nurse, our negative nurse, the NICU and paediatric team and confirmed that we need to supplement to help our baby get through, and maintain healthy sugar levels until my milk came in but showed us a much more natural technique to providing the formula. We set up a contraption with a small tube at the nipple, so baby continues to receive as much colostrum as possible from me, learns that milk comes from the nipple and to stimulate the nipple to help in milk production but she also receives extra nutrients from the formula until my milk comes. Once we started supplementing Fin's sugar levels were stable and above 2.6. However, they needed 6 consistent sugar tests before giving us the green light. We were warned that if she had a sugar level less than 2.6 that we would have to start with the first test all over again. Dennis, Finley and I worked as a great team and thankfully all of the 6 tests were positive! It felt harsh and sad that Fin had to be pricked as many times as she had in her precious little feet. Her biliruben tests for jaundice have come back as normal, low risk (which is amazing for a premie)! As of last night she weighed 6 pounds 6 ounces, she has lost 6%, which is within the normal range.
Our hospital discharge was conditional upon a successful 6th glucose test, which we had at 8pm last night. Thankfully that too was successful and we were able to go home! It was so awesome to go home with our baby. It felt so good to lie with her in our bed, breastfeed at home and be a family here together. Our renovations only just finished (in fact the plumber was in our home yesterday while we were in the hospital and the tiler is coming back this evening too) we still have to put things back in place and settle in. Dennis has been incredible; helping to organize, move us back in, set things up, and taking time for intimacy with Finley and I. Today is the first day (day 3) that I have changed a diaper. He has done it all! I am so proud and in love with him and our family! He even brought me breakfast in bed this morning while I was breastfeeding and he was right beside me in the hospital during all of our feedings, helping with the tube. He is a great man, and a wonderful Daddy! 

Aside from the negative nurse that we had our experience at the hospital was amazing. We had wonderful nurses. A nurse even made us a hat for Finley on her shift, as she was so smitten with her. Gratefully we were able to consult, and learn from lactation consultants each day. They helped us with latching and expressing, which has been super helpful for baby and I. 
It was a unique experiencing having both OB and midwifery care. We are so grateful and find the midwives invaluable in our experience. They didnt need to stay involved, as we could have been exclusively transferred to OB care, they chose to stay involved. They provide information, and explain everything; providing us with education and choice. The relationship we have is intimate, unique and personal. We wouldn't want to experience a pregnancy and birth without midwifery care. Their postpartum care is incredible! Alisha was at the hospital every day, and now that we are home they will visit every 2nd day.
Today our other midwife, Caroline came by the house to check on babe & I. My incision looks great, Caroline will take out the staples on Friday but everything is healing up well. I feel really great too. Dennis is concerned that I am doing too much, and I suppose Im at a risk for rupturing myself as I feel so great. My body is recovering rapidly. I don't have a belly, my stomach is quickly getting back to normal, and my energy level is great considering limited sleep and blood loss. I've lost 15 of 30 (or 35lb) pounds. My milk came in today! We are supplementing feedings by pumping extra, which is going so well! I am so happy to get her off of the formula. It smells, and tastes artificial. It feels good to be able to solely provide for my baby and give her what she needs. 

We are so happy to be home with our precious baby girl! Our family is doing so well!

Thank you for your love, support, and encouragement. 

When my family comes to Calgary we will have a family get-together at my Aunty Bobby's house!

And in September our wonderful friends, Alli & Steph are going to plan a BBQ get-together for all of our friends to come and meet Finley. 

We have a baby registry at https://babyli.st/brandi-and-dennis

xo

Non stress test for baby & contraction strap to test any tension

A nurse made this hat for us

36 +1 

HOME!! and first time wearing clothes :) We've been naked, skin to skin. 

35 weeks, July 16

With less than 2 weeks left in this pregnancy I am feeling nostalgic and sad that I am just about done carrying our daughter. I dont feel ready, and feel overwhelmed and anxious about delivering so soon; Im not ready. That being said, I am excited and so looking forward to meeting her and carrying our baby on the outside. I also am so looking forward to seeing Dennis as a Dad. 
I have been feeling great! I still have some swelling in my hands and feet, however, it's not as bad as it was (or Ive gotten used to it). 
I had 2 appointments this week. I met with our OB on Tuesday morning, the doctor is so impressed by how well baby and I are doing. I was in and out of her office within 10 minutes. Its interesting getting both perspectives, having both midwifery and obstetric care. I much prefer the midwives, and wish they could solely provide our care. Today I met with my favourite midwife, Caroline. She hugged me! Its a much more personal experience. I feel connected with them, and that they truly care about our experience. I feel so fortunate and grateful. Caroline will be in the OR with us, immediately after the surgery she will assess baby and put her on my chest. This is a much different experience than other Moms experience in the OR. By the sounds of it, after a typical cesarean section babes will be assessed and taken away from Mom for a period of time, seemingly much longer than the midwives will allow. Caroline will prioritize getting baby skin to skin, and feeding as soon as possible with me. I cried hearing about her involvement with the procedure and that she will ensure that our baby is with us as soon as possible. I love that Caroline will be there with our family, and I know that she genuinely wants to be there as well. I absolutely trust her, and can be vulnerable with her in an easy way. Dennis too really likes her.
As per usual for all midwife appointments, Caroline felt our baby, listened to her heart beat (150, it was also 150 on Tuesday at my OB appointment- the OB said she must be hyper), as well as my blood pressure, weight and belly measurement. Everything is measuring perfectly. I have gained 30-35 pounds, which is really normal and healthy.
Our final pregnancy appointment with the midwives will be a home visit, next Tuesday, at 11am. I hope that our home will be in order by then, and presentable! I also have an OB appointment next week, and one last ultrasound appointment. I cant believe this pregnancy is coming to an end so soon. 
Our renovations finished today, officially; what a relief! The hardwood floors and baseboards were done Monday & Tuesday, today we had shower doors installed as well a plumber in for all shower, bathroom fixtures new toilets. We finally have access more than one toilet! We will be able to move upstairs (we have been living in the basement, and sleeping on a mattress on the floor) and start putting things back in place! Dennis is caulking, and filling nail holes in the baseboards. We have both been so busy, Dennis & I have been up until 11:30pm most nights working on the house. I have been cleaning, organizing, painting and putting things away, as much as I can. We missed our prenatal class this week, as we have too much work to do (apparently the 2nd class is all about labouring, and I wont be able to experience that so Im not worried). 
Tomorrow we have someone coming in to clean our furnace and ducts, and on Saturday someone coming to steam clean the basement carpets and couches. With the renovations, and especially the demolition of the tile we feel it's necessary. 
Thanks for following along, for your love and support. 
x0

Acacia Hardwood Floors complete! 

This is what our nursery currently looks like. :(

34 weeks, July 10 Surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa!!!

At 34 weeks our baby is about the size of a squash, about 17.2-19 inches and 4.2-5.8 lbs. 

I'm so excited, before I get to anything more about our baby I need to share my surprise this week! Grandma and Grandpa surprised Dennis & I, and arrived from Quesnel to visit us on July 8th. It was my Moms Birthday wish to be here with me for her Birthday, July 8th! I feel so delighted, spoiled, ecstatic, and overjoyed that they would travel all of this way to see me! I phoned my Mom on the morning of her Birthday to wish, and sing to her a very Happy Birthday. She informed me that her and Dad would be going out to the cabin for the day. I didn't think anything out of the ordinary. It sounded like a lovely way for her to spend her Birthday. 

Wednesday night, Dennis & I were at our first Birth and Babies class with AHS, from 7-9pm. At the end of the class I took out my phone to check for messages and noticed the following pictures on my phone, in a message from my Mom. Initially I thought that my Mom and Dad had taken these photos in front of their own home, and then realized that they were standing on our porch! I couldn't contain my excitement! We hurried home to see them! I am so happy to have them here, however our house is in disarray, Dennis & I are still living in the basement and renovations are incompletely! Luckily my parents are able to stay at Aunty Bobby's house during the renos. 

My Mom wanted to see me again, and be with me before the baby comes! 

Back to the baby... 

We had an ultrasound on Tuesday, July 7th to check on the previa, and babe again. Everything is really well with our baby girl, she was moving a lot and measured perfectly, she is approximately 6 pounds and in the 90th percentile. However, the placenta is completely in the way still, covering my cervix by 6cm. I thought that this would be our last ultrasound, however, they booked us back in for another peek at 36 weeks, July 21st- exactly a week prior to the little girls' arrival. 

On Tuesday afternoon, I also I had an appointment with the OBGYN. They requested a consult with a paediatrician from the NICU team, who spoke with me in length about taking a hormone injection, betamethasone to help our baby's lungs develop. They strongly recommend and encourage these injections for babies born prior to 34 weeks, however, they are unsure of the benefit after 34 weeks. That being said, there arent any adverse affects, and left the decision up to me and Dennis. I decided to go ahead with the injections as there is a possibility of our baby being born prior to 37 weeks (if I have a bleed they will do an emergency cesarian). I waited around for hours on Tuesday afternoon for the beta shot, and came back on Wednesday afternoon, for the 2nd injection (both need to be 24 hours apart from one another). I really hope I don't need to go into triage again, the wait was horrible (2 hours plus). 

Our baby has been moving a lot. At this point the doctors and midwives say that I should feel 6 movements every 2 hours. I dont keep track of this regularly but I feel her often, and Im not concerned. Sometimes, I can feel parts of her body. Her head is down (ready for birth), her bum is up under my right rib. I feel a lot of pressure and often feel that I need to stretch my body, and lie down so that she can have some more room. The other day, while at the lake my mom & I could distinctly feel one of her feet through my belly! So weird and cool! 

Thankfully the pain and discomfort that I had in my lower abdomen 2 weeks ago has completely gone away. I still sleep with my wrist brace, for carpal tunnel, which helps and is necessary. 

The only major discomfort that I currently have is swelling, especially with the 30 degree heat. My ankles and feet swell up, as well as my wrists and fingers. 

Dennis & I had maternity photos scheduled last weekend, July 4th, with Shima Studios. Unfortunately, on Saturday our photographer was sick, we postponed until Sunday. The weather was much better on Sunday anyways, and I think in the end it worked out perfectly. We shared a beautiful evening together, and shot in the beautiful sundown glow, in country fields past Airdrie for 2 hours! I am excited and looking forward to seeing the photos! We scheduled our newborn photos with Kirsten from Shima Studios for August 2nd. Our baby girl will be 5 days old. 

As you can see, photos are not done in the nursery as it is upside down; completely not ready for baby! A wall still needs to be repaired from demo damage, and there is an overload of furniture and clothes strewn about in the babies room. I feel sad and overwhelmed that with just 2.25 weeks left our house is completely not ready.

Im feeling quite frustrated with the renovations this week. Here are a number of problems we've encountered in the past week with the renos:

1- Hardwood installer from Harrison Homes walked out on us last week. 

2- Carpet installer left the house a mess, black finger marks on walls and fibres from carpet everywhere! 

3- Baseboards were due to arrive on Thursday. Thursday morning I received a phone call from Timber Town that they in fact didnt have any of the baseboards that we needed (even though I had confirmed prior). Long story short- they bought the boards from another retailer and delivered them to us. 

4- Friday morning the remaining tile we've been waiting on was supposed to arrive, and is not here. Unfortunately the tiler cannot finish the job until it arrives. 

5- Hardwood contractor has phoned in sick and wont be available until Monday. 

My patience is being tested. I was doing really well with the hiccups so far, and expected a few but now Im ready to put things back together and get the ball rolling.

I am really hoping that next week goes more smoothly. I strongly feel that we need to start putting our home back together. 

Trinity got a Birthday cake for my Mom! We had icecream cake, and went to McKenzie Lake. 

 Dennis & I took Mom & Dad to their first Calgary Stampede! 

I splurged and bought this Air conditioner. It is brilliant! It works well, seems simple and effective! 

It has been 30 degrees in Calgary for the past 3-4 weeks. I think I deserve this!