Georgia - 1 Day Old

June 13, 2014 - Georgia Rae is one day old!

Cody had gone home the night before to take care of the girls. The nurse took Georgia at 5am for a weight check. She was down from 6lb 10oz to 6lb 7.9oz, which is completely normal. As the sun started to rise Miss Georgia was still having sweet dreams in her bassinet.

 Cody arrived at 7am with breakfast and coffee and quickly got some snuggle time with Georgia.

Meme arrived around 8:30am for a morning visit.

Around 8:45am, Georgia's hearing test was conducted. It took some time since she had residual fluid on her right ear but she passed!

We were lucky enough to have a sweet friend stop by and bring us Jason's Deli for lunch!

A little before noon, Nana came to visit. 

She's smiling under there!

Worn Out!

We had to wait till the 24hr mark of Georgia being born before the bilirubin level was drawn by the lab. We had Georgia changed in her going home dress and buckled in the the car seat waiting for the results to come back. 

Who took my paci?!

She had to be at 6.5 or less. When the nurse walked in the with results I said "you better say she passed!" and she did! Her bili level was 6.0 so the nurse cut off her Hugs tag and we were out the door! Georgia's 1st car ride was a mix of emotions...

As well as arriving home on our doorstep at 6:15pm...

Home sweet home! 6:20pm Georgia was in our foyer and finally HOME!

7pm...and she was ready for bed!

Our Gender Surprise Delivery!

On June 12th, 2014 we went to Labor & Delivery at 5am for an elective induction.

5:30am- Admission process started

6:00am- IV attempts started. Took 3 RNs & 3 needle sticks before getting a working IV.
6:30am- Pitocin started at 2mu. Cervix at 1.5cm/50% effaced
8:10am- Water broken per OB (AROM). Cervix at 3cm/75%/-2
9:00am- Epidural started (I was assuming I'd labor fast) and it was rough going in. He was digging right and left trying to find midline. It was my most painful epidural placement.
11:45am- Pitocin only at 12mu. Cervix at 4/75%/-1. Got more IV fluid bolus due to variable decels (cord compression during contractions), which in turn spaced out my contractions.
2:00pm- Cervix at 5/80%/0 Finally at 20mu of pitocin
3:30pm- Cervix at 6/80%/0 Asked OB for pitocin max of 30mu but he kept me at 20mu since making progress with the 20mu. Pretty sure he was delaying me till his clinic hours were over.
5:00pm- Cervix at 8/100%/+1 per OB
5:28pm- Complete 10/100%/+2
5:29pm- OB & delivery team in room setting up
5:32pm- Pushing started. Only took 1 push!
5:33pm- Cody announced IT'S A GIRL!

She was born with a loose nuchal cord (cord around the neck) that was quickly reduced by the OB.

6 pounds, 10 ounces & 20 inches long

Introducing...

Georgia Rae Sweatman

Before we even got pregnant I just knew in my heart the name of another daughter would be Georgia Rae. There was practically no discussion over her name. I told Cody it was like someone was telling me that's what it should be. It was already set in my heart and there was no changing it. God is very powerful and I trusted Him completely on this. I'm so blessed Cody loved the name too!

 



Cody's middle name is Ray and he had always said he wanted to pass down his middle name. After having 3 girls we saved it to use for our 4th child no matter the gender. We feel very proud to be able to pass this along to our child! I think it flows beautifully with her gorgeous Southern name!

While I was nursing Georgia & bonding, Cody ran home to get the girls to come meet the new baby. Cody did not tell them nor the grandparents what the gender was. I wanted that announcement to happen in the delivery room! I needed the gender to be very obvious for my girls to figure out so we put a purple bow on her head before they walked into the room. 

We let just the siblings come into the room first to meet their new sister! As soon as Reese saw the bow she said "it's a girl!" They couldn't stop smiling and looking at her! We told them her name is Georgia Rae (which they already knew if we had a girl). 

After each of the girls got a chance to hold baby Georgia we allowed the grandparents to come into the room. My mom instantly noticed all of Georgia's hair! Reese announced her baby sister's name to the grandparents. 







Sweatman Family of 6!

39 Weeks + Appointment

Total weight gain: 29 lbs
Fetal size: a watermelon! (approximately 7+ pounds & 19-20 inches long)
Movement: When the baby decides to get active it can really get uncomfortable and hurt. Definitely a strong one!
Symptoms: Heart burn and pubic bone pain as usual. Now getting up several times a night.

Dilation/Effacement: 1.5cm/50% "very soft & ready to go"
B/P: 110/66
Weight Gain: nothing since last weeks appointment

I made it past the girls ballet recital and my OB being in Cancun last week! I think that is what I got most anxious about. I have walked 6.8 miles (including curb walking and some very light jogging) in the past 24 hours to try and get things going. So far...nothing. 

I did ask about getting my membranes stripped today but the OB didn't want to do it this time. He did this when I was pregnant with Emma and I never asked for it with Scarlett. I think since it was an 11am appointment, it could have resulted in a late night delivery for him. That's ok because I remember it being very painful.

Baby Sweatman, we are ready for you now!!! We are scheduled a pitocin/amniotomy induction for Thursday, June 12th. It is crazy to think that in less than 48 hours we will be finding out if this little one is a boy or girl! 

38.2 Week Appointment

I had my routine weekly appointment this morning but it was with the PA since my OB is out for the week. I could tell OB was not her strong suit as she struggled finding the heartbeat with the doppler...she eventually got it.

Fetal HR: 142
B/P: great
Total weight gain: 29lbs (the .5lb difference is being weighed with clothes on vs how I weigh myself at home).

I did get a cervical check but I am 99% positive she never even found my cervix. That is something I can feel when performed right and I usually have a contraction afterwards. She just seemed far off. She said "well... its far back there and.... you are closed". My impression is she never found it and just said that to cover herself. It is ok though - I didn't want her stirring up anything by poking around and causing labor this weekend.

Next appointment is Tuesday with my OB - and hopefully my last appointment!

38 Weeks

Total weight gain: 28.5 lbs
Fetal size: a pumpkin! (approximately 7 pounds & 19-20 inches long)
Movement: I did have to pull out the doppler the other night b/c the baby wasn't moving during it's usual time. Needless to say, the baby decided to wake me up at 3am with crazy movements and wouldn't stop.
Symptoms: The contractions and heartburn have significantly decreased but I was very uncomfortable yesterday afternoon with cramping. Now having some lower back discomfort (constantly feels like I need to pop my tailbone) and I have been very tired.

Overall, I felt much better this past week compared to my 36th week. Delivery isn't feeling so imminent right now, which I am happy about at the moment. I am, however, starting to feel completely overwhelmed. My to-do list isn't shrinking but only seems to be growing. A clean house only lasts for 1/2 a day before the girls destroy it. My patience is being tested and I am not winning. 

On a more accomplished note: I have finished prepping and freezing all my planned casseroles for after delivery. We went to a few baby stores to pre-look at going home outfits for both genders. The girls picked out a sweet grey puppy dog to bring home for the nursery. 

All 3 girls are now guessing the baby is a boy. I was shocked when Emma changed her vote since she was SO adamant on having a sister. I was sort of relieved hearing this though because now I know she's ok with the idea of a brother. We have been doing a lot of talking about being happy no matter what the baby is since God decides what is perfect for our family. I can not wait to introduce these girls to the baby!!!

Next appointment is Thursday with the PA since my OB is out of town this week. The girls have ballet rehearsal Thursday & Friday evening followed by the big recital on Saturday morning. My only goal left is to make it past June 7th before having this baby! Come next Monday, I will be doing all I can to kick into labor! 

37 Weeks {Full Term}

Total weight gain: 27.5 lbs
Fetal size: a winter melon! (approximately 6-7 pounds & 19-20 inches long)
Movement: The baby really likes to make my belly lopsided and stick its butt out making a very awkward belly shape for me!
Symptoms: Contractions, contractions, contractions. 

I had regular, time-able contractions for 7 hours straight on Friday. They were definitely more uncomfortable than the typical braxton hicks I have been having but they never increased in intensity. I did make sure to get the dishes, laundry & floors done just in case. I drank a BUNCH of ice water to try to get them to relax and it just wasn't working. Finally, after a warm bath and going to bed for the night I was able to sleep them off. I only slept 4 hours last night due to cramps, contractions, heart burn & insomnia. Got to love the tail end of pregnancy!

The baby is now considered full term and should be able to breathe on its own when born. The baby now drinks an estimated 15oz of amniotic fluid per day!

I have been working on freezing meals for after the baby (which is new for me). I now have 1 meatloaf, 2 casserole pans of King Ranch Chicken, pizza dough, a batch of cookie dough balls & Belgium waffles ready to go!

I had my routine OB appointment this morning and all is well. 
B/P: 106/68
GBS results: NEGATIVE! (no antibiotics needed in labor - yay!)
Dilation: 0.5cm, "soft" with no effacement
Fetal weight (estimated per OB feeling on my belly): 6-7 lbs "it's not a big baby"

Part of me is disappointed in the lack of cervical change after all the contractions but part of me is also relieved knowing that I want to get past June 7th (the girl's ballet recital) before delivering. I will see the PA next week as my OB will be out of town. Keep cooking little one...

36.2 Week Appointment

I had my routine OB appointment this morning and all is well!

B/P: 100/70
Weight Gain: 3.5lb since last appt 2 weeks ago
FHR: good & strong
FH: on track
Fetal Position: HEAD DOWN!!

The GBS culture was collected and an internal exam done. I am not dilated yet, which I expected. I wasn't dilating this early with any of my girls. I am actually reassured with this because my OB is out of town during my 38th week and girls have a big ballet recital coming up that I want to get past before delivering. He thinks I will make it to 39 weeks just fine assuming my water doesn't spontaneously break in the mean time.

I go back next week and will be checked for dilation again at each weekly visit until delivery.