Elsie Grace Thompson finally arrived on September 13, 2009 at 2:20AM. She weighed 3.31kg/7.3lbs and was 51cm/20in long.
I ended up delivering via c-section as her little heartbeat kept dropping once I got an epideral. It was a bit stressful as all the doctors were flying around and having low-voiced conversations (in German!) - but in the end, we have a healthy, beautiful baby girl. I spent about 6 days in the hospital with her and came home last Friday. It was nice to take the time to recover and to have the nurses and staff around for all the many questions I had. Overall, I am very impressed with Swiss maternity care.
Having said that, by the end I was ready to come home. Having Elsie with us in our house has made a world of difference in how she sleeps and eats - she is much more calm and relaxed (and so are we). She has already gained half a pound in weight and is eating very well.
Matt has been great, making sure everything else is taken care of. It's so great to see him with her. Yesterday, he gave Elsie her first bath. We got it on camera, so I am going to try post some video of it.
My parents are in town until Sunday. It's good to have my Mom here to get her advice and learn from her. Plus, eat some good home cooked meals. Matt's Mum and Stepdad arrive on Thursday and will stay about a week.
Okay, enough stories, let's get to the photos. I'm setting up a photo blog site so we can post pictures on a regular basis for everyone. You can find the latest pictures of Elsie at http://www.photoblog.com/elsiegrace
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
40 Weeks 5 Days
We had another check-up today and everything is pretty much okay. The amniotic fluid is 5.5 on the index and 5 is the minimum amount you should score (Saturday we were at 7). So, they want me back in 2 days for another check-up and they said this time for me to bring my bag as it's likely they'll induce if baby hasn't made an appearance.
However, keeping in mind my past experience with measuring the fluid levels, they could check again on Friday and have me wait two more days. But the doctor also noticed that my placenta is starting to calcify. Nothing to be alarmed about as that is normal, but the more you go over, the more it calcifies. The midwife also had a feel of my tummy and said the baby had desended into the pelvis and that it seems like the baby was a long baby.
I am happy because it looks like there is a definite end is sight, but also not so happy if the baby comes on 9-11. Although, it would make an infamous day a lot nicer for us. Just can imagine how baby might not like having its birthday on that day. Oh well, not too much we can do about that! Today when we arrived, all the delivery beds were full. Is it bad that all I can think about is those women taking the available single rooms!? I am horrible, but I really, really do not want to share a room with anyone after I deliver!
My week at home so far has actually been pretty good. I've managed to keep myself busy all day doing little things around the house and taking Tucker for his walks. I thought I'd already be going stir crazy, but so far, so good.
Here are some photos from this afternoon in the back garden.
However, keeping in mind my past experience with measuring the fluid levels, they could check again on Friday and have me wait two more days. But the doctor also noticed that my placenta is starting to calcify. Nothing to be alarmed about as that is normal, but the more you go over, the more it calcifies. The midwife also had a feel of my tummy and said the baby had desended into the pelvis and that it seems like the baby was a long baby.
I am happy because it looks like there is a definite end is sight, but also not so happy if the baby comes on 9-11. Although, it would make an infamous day a lot nicer for us. Just can imagine how baby might not like having its birthday on that day. Oh well, not too much we can do about that! Today when we arrived, all the delivery beds were full. Is it bad that all I can think about is those women taking the available single rooms!? I am horrible, but I really, really do not want to share a room with anyone after I deliver!
My week at home so far has actually been pretty good. I've managed to keep myself busy all day doing little things around the house and taking Tucker for his walks. I thought I'd already be going stir crazy, but so far, so good.
Here are some photos from this afternoon in the back garden.
Monday, September 7, 2009
D-Plus 3 Days
Well, the waiting game has begun. Baby is proving it's a text book first timer, taking it's time to come into this world. I have to admit that I would have been very surprised had I indeed gone into labor on Friday, but I was kind of hoping that I would. Matt thinks the baby will come on Thursday - mostly because there is an England football match he wants to watch on Wednesday. I was talking to my Mom yesterday and she said it feels like Christmas times 10, especially as no one knows the sex of the baby and I think she is right. I am very anxious, excited, nervous, worried, scared - it's tiring having these many emotions roll around inside of you all the time!
We went to the doctor on Saturday and everything is perfectly normal. Normal heartbeat, normal amniotic fluid levels. We have to go back on Wednesday for another check and I'm trusting it'll be the same thing again. The doctor did say I could have 1-2 cups of raspberry leaf tea a day to help move things along and I will start doing that today. Along with the Tucker walks, they should help get this baby going!
I officially started my maternity leave this week. It's nice not having to wake up and go to work, but also very weird considering I've been working constantly every work day for over 10 years. Five whole months of no HP is a strange, but also refreshing feeling. I'm sure I'll only feel weird about it until the baby comes - then work will be a million miles away!
My Mom and John arrive in Zurich a week from Friday. Hard to believe they will be here that soon! If baby doesn't come quick, I might still be in the hospital when they get here! If that is the case, then I'll leave a day early and come home if baby and I are adjusting/recuperating okay. Matt's Mum and Michael will also be joining the party around the 24th - that way they can see my parents and the new grand baby.
I will try to get Matt to take a picture of me later today to update everyone - but the baby hasn't dropped down (at least that I can tell) yet and I'm definitely not getting any smaller. :-)
We went to the doctor on Saturday and everything is perfectly normal. Normal heartbeat, normal amniotic fluid levels. We have to go back on Wednesday for another check and I'm trusting it'll be the same thing again. The doctor did say I could have 1-2 cups of raspberry leaf tea a day to help move things along and I will start doing that today. Along with the Tucker walks, they should help get this baby going!
I officially started my maternity leave this week. It's nice not having to wake up and go to work, but also very weird considering I've been working constantly every work day for over 10 years. Five whole months of no HP is a strange, but also refreshing feeling. I'm sure I'll only feel weird about it until the baby comes - then work will be a million miles away!
My Mom and John arrive in Zurich a week from Friday. Hard to believe they will be here that soon! If baby doesn't come quick, I might still be in the hospital when they get here! If that is the case, then I'll leave a day early and come home if baby and I are adjusting/recuperating okay. Matt's Mum and Michael will also be joining the party around the 24th - that way they can see my parents and the new grand baby.
I will try to get Matt to take a picture of me later today to update everyone - but the baby hasn't dropped down (at least that I can tell) yet and I'm definitely not getting any smaller. :-)
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