Sleep

Samantha hates her bassinet! Every time we try to put her down for a nap in her bassinet, she wakes up after about 15 minutes, but she'll sleep for a couple of hours if someone's holding her. The funny thing is, she'll sleep in her bassinet at night. Last night she slept from 11:30 until 5!

Welcome to the world, little one

Samantha Malia was born on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 8:05 pm. She entered the world at 9 pounds, 3 ounces, with a head full of jet black hair, a set of lungs that could wake the neighbors, and is perfect. We love her so much and can't imagine life without her.

My c-section went well. Much less scary than I thought it would be. I was in the OR for 39 minutes, beginning to end. Three hours later, I was able to move my legs again and was transferred into a post-partum room for four days.

The first few days were hard because I could barely get out of bed and make it to the bathroom without help. I was tethered to an IV, and it was a pain in the ass to get around, so I mostly stayed in bed and stood up next to my bed once in a while.

Breastfeeding was also difficult the first few days. Samantha had no idea what to do, and I had no idea what to do. She was chomping on my nipple, and I was letting her. She ended up with little food and I ended up with very sore nipples. She lost 1 pound and 3 ounces in the first 3 days. We had lactation specialists come in and help with every feeding, and finally got the hang of it by Thursday night. She is now a pro at breastfeeding and has a voracious appetite for the boob juice.

We came home on Friday. She has been so mellow. Mostly eating and sleeping and pooping! She only cries when she is hungry, sleepy, or has a dirty diaper. Otherwise she's in a good mood and enjoys looking around and exercising her arms and legs. She recently discovered her hands and has been trying to chew on them.

She enjoys walks in the Moby Wrap. We've gone on walks twice since we got home.

Today was her first doctor's appointment with her pediatrician, Dr. B. She grew half an inch and gained 2 ounces since coming home from the hospital! Everything else about her was perfect!

C-section it is!

Dr. S. did an ultrasound, measurements, cervix check, and pushed on the baby from the outside of my belly. He concluded that we have a possible 9-pounder and external version would have a less than 50 percent chance of being successful. Bigger babies are harder to turn. Bigger babies of first time moms are even harder because the uterus has never been stretched before. So we decided to go with the c-sec.

Date?

Monday, November 16, 2009! 10 days!!!!!!

EEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPSSSSSS!!!!

uh-oh!

Samantha is breech!

With only three weeks left to go, the chances of her turning on her own is "slim." So now we need to decide if we want to do an external version, where Dr. S. tries to turn her from the outside, or if we want to schedule a c-sec.

We are going back to see Dr. S. on Thursday to discuss this further. We're leaning towards an external version at this point, because I really want a vaginal delivery. But if we're not comfortable with the risks, we'll just go with the c-sec.

I just want Samantha to be born unstressed and healthy. I don't think we want to attempt a vaginal breech delivery, even though Dr. S. is experienced in this.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.