The Buerglers

Back in February I wrote about my rational and irrational fears of having a repeat end of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and recovery experience. I wanted to revisit and follow up with how I did and how I am doing. 1. Preeclampsia  Concern: Having preeclampsia again. Outcome: While I did not have full blown preeclampsia I did end up with pregnancy induced hypertension.  I had to have urine tests and be monitored every 3 days for about 2.5 weeks.  At my 38/39 week check up the midwife said it was time to get the baby out.  I was induced again but had a much better experience. 2. Labor & Delivery  Concern: Since Evie was induced, I feared spontaneous labor and making it to the hospital on time.  Also, I was knocked out on Ambien while I delivered Evie, so I feared the pain of being alert and coherent for the birth this time.  Would I be able to do it completely unmedicated? Outcome:   Maggie was induced j ust like Evie . I was ...

Introducing... Margaret "Maggie" Clare Born  Tuesday, April 8, 2014 1:19 pm 7 lb 14 oz 20.5 inches Eric and I are so in love with our precious baby girl.  Evie is already an incredible big sister!   We can't wait to share her birth story, how we chose her name, and all about her first week at home!  

How far along? 37 weeks according to my NFP chart, but midwife is counting about 38 according to baby's growth chart.   How big is baby?   Yay! Baby has reached full term. He likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. He's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day. That "average fetus" size is scaring me NINE POINT TWO POUNDS at 37 weeks. Oh my! Total weight gain? 32-35 pounds Maternity clothes? Nothing new.  My pile of too small maternity clothes is quickly getting bigger than the pile of clothes that fit.  For tops & dresses: all I have left are my two longer dresses, my two Jessica Simpson shirts, and my two Gap Body Maternity shirts.  My JS skinny jeans are too tight.  My two pairs of shorts and jean skirt fit perfectly and the weather is warm enough to wear them now. THANK GOD!   I treated myself to two new pairs of yoga pants and then got a discount on two nursing tops.  I probably got suck...

After last week's questionable visits - I had a follow up lab appointment on Monday.  They did another blood pressure check and it was AMAZING! She lab tech couldn't believe it.  In fact when I went in on Thursday all three midwives were talking about it!  She also told me that all my labs came back normal, so no signs of pre-eclampsia yet! Thursday (yesterday) was my regular weekly appointment with my primary midwife.  She said I have "officially dropped" and she couldn't believe how far down the baby was already.  She also noted that the baby has flipped over to my left side, which is ideal.  Her movement and heartbeat continue to be perfect.  My blood pressure was up from Monday but not as bad as it was before the medicine.  The midwife did elect to up the dosage a little bit to ward off the 37-38 week spike (this was when/why I was induced with Evie).  She predicts that if I am following the same time line, that this baby girl will be...

Yesterday I had my weekly check up (still can't believe we've reached that milestone already!) and my weight had significantly jumped and blood pressure was out of control.  Since I wasn't having any of the other telltale signs of pre-eclampsia (headache, side pain, burred vision) they ordered some labs for Friday (today) and sent me home. One of the labs I had to do was the 24 hour urine test.  They gave me a collection container and instructions on how to do it.  When I woke up at 6:30am I filled the last bit of room in the container.  I knew I needed to call the office right away to see if that meant I was done or if I needed another container.  Sure enough I needed another container. The other lab ordered was just blood work, which I did on my first visit to the office today. So when I called about the container I let the nurse know that I was now experiencing the accompanying headache, the swelling was still just as bad and my blood pressure, despite...

Yesterday I was feeling kind of worn out. Like I'd hit "The Wall" when it comes to being pregnant.  I've been doing my best to really offer it up and just to be thankful, but sometimes it's really hard. This morning I woke up and my usual morning puffiness was lingering.  I was glad that I'd scheduled my midwife appointment for after my eye exam so I could maybe de-puff a bit before my weekly check up. No such luck.  My 35 week (or 36 week according to how I'm measuring) appointment didn't start off to well. The weigh in was a little high, as I had mentioned on Monday it might be.  And then my blood pressure was up past the danger zone.  So she took it again.  Still high.  And then again with a different machine.  Even higher. Hmmm. I went in to my appointment. She did the fundus measurements, checked the baby positioning, and we did that super fun GBS test.  Everything is measuring and looking great. She took my blood pressure agai...

Definitely dropped and getting a bit pointy! How far along? 35 weeks today! How big is baby?  According to The Bump, He's about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out, he won't get much longer, but he's plumping up. He's now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. Total weight gain? I made a HUGE jump to 34 pounds gained, that's six pounds in the last week alone. I am really hoping it's just water retention and this number is temporary.  Maternity clothes? Nothing new! In fact, my wardrobe is particularly limited now. Most of my winter clothes are too short now.  But it's not quite warm enough to wear my larger summer clothes.  Just layering as best as I can. Stretch marks? Nothing new! Belly button? Still half in - half out Exercise :  Getting tricky.  I'm still able to make it up the stairs pretty easily.  I'm only good for about a mile or two of walking, if I even ...

So I feel like I exploded this week? Yes? How far along ? 33 Weeks How big is baby?   According to The Bump,  He weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And he may grow up to a full inch this week -- amazing. We've reached American Girl Doll size, which seems all-too-real and awesome! Total weight gain? I finally ordered batteries for our scale. Yes, I know I could pick up 9 volts anywhere, but that requires pants. Hooray Amazon Prime!  Anyway, I think I am up about 26 pounds. Maternity clothes? Yes. So several of my smaller "large" shirts are either too short or too tight in my arms, so I am digging out my XL stuff from when I was pregnant with Evie. Some of it is still too big, but I'd rather that than look more like a sausage than I already do. Also, I bought a SUPER cute dress at Target (yes, something *actually* fit me and seems to be decent quality).  And I bought another dress off the clearanc...

How far along? 31 weeks How big is baby? check up on Saturday estimates her growth about 1-3 weeks ahead of schedule, which lands us a baby in 6-9 weeks!! Total weight gain? 22lbs, which puts me at excessive for my BMI, but otherwise in the "normal" range.  I'd gained 40 by now with Evie. Ooof! No wonder I feel so much better this pregnancy Maternity clothes? I went through and tried on all my spring/summer clothes and am donating a bunch. A lot of them are really big and or I just don't like them. I saved just enough to get me through a few weeks of Spring weather, if it even comes this year. Stretch marks? Nothing new! Belly button? Sticking out a little more! Exercise :  I made a really good effort to walk any day it was nice the last two weeks. It really helped keep the puffiness at bay. Sleep : I don't want to talk about it. I think I slept through the night twice in the last two weeks, which landed me a terrible cold, which led t...

With the countdown less than ten weeks until Baby Buergler #2 is due, I had a sudden panic of all the things that "went wrong" with the end of my pregnancy, the labor & delivery, and my recovery.  I am terrified of a repeat.  I have been doing my best to mental prepare, should they, but it was just SO MUCH last time that I am almost in tears again just thinking about a repeat experience. 1. Preeclampsia    I was diagnosed with preeclampsia around week 36-37 with Evie. It only occurs in about 5-8% of pregnancies. Fortunately once you've had it you're not more likely to get it. Each pregnancy is unique. Still, I know more about now than I did then. It's dangerous (Lady Sybil anyone?).  I am terrified to repeat that: The headaches. The bed rest. The edema. The blood pressure feeling like my body was going to explode.  After a short stint on bed rest I had to be induced. I was also passed back and forth between the doctor and midwife, and neither of ...

How far along? 29 weeks 2 days How big is baby?   Total weight gain? 19.5 pounds.   Comment: I have been very self  conscious  about gaining weight this pregnancy. I went through a lot last year working through body imagine, food addiction, and emotional eating issues. Seeing that weight creep back on has been really, really hard for me.  Until.. the other night I was changing into my pajamas and caught my reflection in the mirror. On the scale I weigh the same as I did January 1, 2013 when my journey began.  However, seeing my belly now containing life absolutely brought me to tears. I've been blessed with such a gift!  It was so healing to see my body as life-giving instead of as the enemy.  Maternity clothes? I wasn't going to buy anything else, but Babies R Us was having 70% off their maternity clothes last week, so I bought one more long sleeved shirt on a whim. It's kind of my new favorite! Stretch marks? Nothing new t...

Go Flyers! 25wks 6days Twin Day! 26 wks How far along? 27 weeks 2 days How big is baby?  Total weight gain? I think I'm holding steady around 16-17 pounds.  Finally eating healthy-ish the last two weeks helped a lot!  Maternity clothes? I started this pregnancy down a size from the last one, but I am starting to fit into some of the clothes from when I was pregnant with Evie without them looking too frumpy.  But on the downside, I don't really fit in any of my non-maternity clothes any more.  I have my eye on this shirt that I might get, but we'll see. Stretch marks? Nothing new this pregnancy. Belly button? It looks like a cinnamon roll, or a gnarly knot in an old oak tree Exercise.  Really making an effort to walk, have dance parties with Evie, and even YouTube a few mini workouts.  Thanks to everyone who f riended me on FitBit - You're keeping me motivated to not be a lazy pregnant lady! Sleep .  Back t...

I finally decided to compile my favorites from this pregnancy.  These are my most texted, tweeted, blogged, and bragged about items while expecting Baby Buergler #2.  Enjoy! ONE. Body Pillow Affectionately known in our house as "J-Lo" ...I don't even remember the story.  I bought this with Evie because I didn't want a body pillow that also served as a head pillow. This was all I could find at the time.  3 years and several washings later, I can't sleep without it! TWO*.   Honest Organic Belly Balm I wish this was available with Evie. It's an organic, all natural balm to slather up your belly and dry skin, especially in the Winter.  I wanted a more natural option than a lotion, and REAL cocoa butter is a pain to soften. It smells so yummy too! THREE*.  DHA/ Omega-3 Eric and I have been on the hunt for the perfect fish oil for 3-4 years. The cost/value/fish taste combination has left us empty handed.  When Honest Co release...