Posts Tagged ‘Pregnant’
Our baby girl is born
Posted on December 8, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
We’re delighted to announce the birth of our beautiful baby girl, Natalie Claire Hebdon. She made her entrance into a stormy, rainy world on Monday December 7, at 8:40 am – that’s nearly 3 weeks earlier than her December 25 ETA. Albeit a tad early, she still weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs, 10 ounces.
Labor started on Sunday night at 11 pm, literally seconds after Denise had finished packing her bag for the hospital stay. It turned out to be a swift and smooth 8 hour event, but I’m glad it occurred over a weekend so I didn’t have to race down the 405 from work, when the time came.
Take one contraction at a time
Posted on November 22, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
At 35 weeks pregnant, we’re now approaching the final straight. As part of the final preparations we attended a 9-5 compressed course at Long Beach Memorial, that shed light on labor, breathing, birthing, drugs, etc. While there was an enormous amount of information and graphic video footage, the thing that stuck with us most was the instructor’s simple statement: “Take one contraction at a time”.
Well that and one of the couples joking about the birthing video we had just watched. Let’s just say the star of the video was not the most attractive of women. So when they inquired as to whether any of videos included couples more like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, it underlined the subject’s unattractiveness and the fact we are in Los Angeles. We had to admit, they were only saying what we were thinking.
We’ll probably forget some of the breathing techniques, but what we will remember is that it’s all about creating a distraction from the pain. And most importantly we’re confident that we have the tools to manage pain: humor, breathing, visualization, focus points and drugs IF needed… one contraction at a time.
27 Weeks Pregnant: A Photo Gallery
Posted on October 11, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Here are some photos of Denise at 27 weeks pregnant.
Vaccine more deadly than Swine flu
Posted on September 30, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Our suspicions confirmed. Doctor admits vaccine is more deadly than swine flu itself & will not give it to his kids.
The Swine Flu is an orchestrated attempt to spread fear and chaos into the population and to try to get people vaccinated, which everyone should know contains mercury that damages your nervous system. Pregnant mothers are told not to have sushi for the same reason.
26 Weeks Pregnant and Emotional!
Posted on September 21, 2009 - by Denise Hebdon
I am just over 26 weeks pregnant now, 14 more weeks to go and I can’t wait! I think all these hormones are hitting me, and they make me very emotional. Sometimes I am so happy and excited that I feel like crying and can’t wait to meet our baby. While other times, the idea of giving birth really scares me. I already feel huge, but I know my belly is going to get a lot larger.
It’s been a pretty miraculous experience as I feel my baby changing and kicking. I feel like I’m growing a new organ that has its own function and rhythm. One with its own heartbeat and spontaneous urge to move itself around.
I’m feeling great, other than consistantly having to go to the bathroom. That sort of drives me crazy! I try to take a 30 minute walk every day, and also make sure I’m getting enough to eat. Luckily, I’m falling asleep every easily.
I’m getting so much support and love from my family, friends and sweet husband. I feel so blessed, and that love makes me want to cry again! The baby has already brought so much happiness and love, even when she is still in my tummy!
Denise’s Baby Bump at 25 weeks
Posted on September 14, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Here’s Denise at 25 weeks. As you can see her baby bump has grown, and so has the frequency and force of baby’s kicks!
Baby is about about a pound and a half in weight now and is about 13 1/2 inches long. Her hands are now fully developed and she spends most of her awake time groping around in the darkness and throwing the odd punch. Brain and nerve endings are developed enough now so that she can feel the sensation of touch.
Baby’s nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are cleared out and she is practicing breathing through her nose.
The capillaries, the teeniest blood vessels, are now forming in her body, giving her formerly translucent skin a pink glow. The blood vessels in the lungs also developed this week — another step closer to getting ready for her first breath of fresh air!Baby now at 20 weeks
Posted on August 7, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
At 20 weeks today, we’re half way there. Although we’re told that the real growth starts now with the baby packing on the pounds.
The baby now weighs about 10 1/2 ounces and she’s around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana and the weight of a cantaloupe.
She can hear sounds now, and covers her ears with her hands if a loud sound is made. She’s also moving a lot — twisting, turning, punching, and kicking. This feels like butterflies or stomach rumblings. She’s been pretty active in that department, which we’re told is a good sign. Apparently it means she’s getting lots of oxygen.
She is starting to grow hair on her head and a waxy skin covering is forming to protect her skin from the amnotic fluid. Her eyebrows are forming, and nail growth has started. Amazingly, her uterus is fully formed and her vaginal canal is starting its development. She also has primitive eggs in her tiny little ovaries, seven million of them — though by the time she’s born, that number will be down to two million. And interestingly, she’ll be born with all the eggs she’ll ever have.
Finally we know the baby’s sex!
Posted on August 3, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
We’ve been waiting for this day for what seems like ages now. In fact, it’s been 19 weeks, 3 days, 3 ultra sounds, and dozens of guesses that have separated the day we first knew we were expecting, and today’s milestone.
For this third ultrasound, the doctor examined the brain, heart, organs and the rest of the anatomy; and without hesitation, informed us we’ll be having a baby girl! And if things are as they appear, a healthy baby girl. We honestly didn’t have one preference over another, only that he or she would be healthy.
So now what? Well now we can focus our planning towards decorating the nursery appropriately, return the generously donated boy’s clothing, and brainstorm girlie names! Knowing the baby’s sex now, seems to make all the sense in the world to us.
Denise’s Baby Bump at 19 Weeks
Posted on August 2, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
As part of documenting the pregnancy, we’ll be taking a series of maternity shots throughout. Here’s Denise in our garden, showing off her baby bump. This was taken one day before we found out we’ll be having a baby girl. Click on the picture to get the full view.
Baby Boy or Baby Girl?
Posted on July 29, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
It’s nearly Monday, the day when we should hopefully know the baby’s sex. We don’t have a gender preference, but only hope that all signs point to a healthy baby boy or girl. We’ll post the ultrasound image and make an announcement early next week.
Listen closely, that’s Chopin Baby
Posted on July 29, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Apparently babies can hear and recall sounds from outside the womb, at around 20 weeks old. Naturally, baby just received their first piano lesson today. That’s right, Denise played some Chopin.
Twittering from the womb with the Kickbee
Posted on July 20, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Corey Menscher, a father-to-be, has constructed a device called the Kickbee that notifies him when his unborn baby kicks inside the womb.
The Kickbee is a stretchable band with attached sensors, and is worn by a pregnant mother over her stomach. A microcontroller in the band then captures the movement of the baby kicking, and transmits the signals wirelessly to an application on a nearby computer. The computer in turn broadcasts short messages of “I kicked Mommy!” on Twitter, which can be shared with family and friends.
The device is not yet available for purchase, but you can follow the Kickbee on Twitter.
Tests confirm Baby & Mom Healthy
Posted on July 12, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
Doc says things are looking good on the health front. Baby’s heart beat at 160 beats per minute. This is excellent news, and we’re both relieved.
Starting to Show at 15 weeks
Posted on June 27, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
At 15 weeks, Denise is now starting to show her “baby bump”. However, there could be folks who interpret this as a “beer bump”. It’s still not obvious that she’s pregnant.
Second Ultrasound at 12 weeks
Posted on June 12, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
On June 12, we went in for our second ultrasound. The baby is now 12 weeks old, and has entered the more-human-than-alien phase. We had no idea how much the baby would move around throughout the ultra sound! Tossing and turning, as any baby would in a light slumber.
In terms of size, the baby is now a week ahead of schedule – and is 3 inches long, a little larger than a lime. The face is now recognizable, and the eyes have moved from the sides of the head to the front. That’s better! After careful observation, it seems mom and dad have concluded HE has a British nose.
“Morning Sickness” is a misnomer
Posted on June 3, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
This is not morning sickness. This is all-day and all-night sickness. Regardless, Denise is feelig miserable and having a hard time keeping food down. It’s a diet of cheese, crackers and tacos for now.
First Ultrasound at 8 weeks
Posted on May 18, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
On May 18th, we went in for the first ultrasound. Everything looking good so far, and the baby’s about the size of a kidney bean. Fins: check. Tail, check. Alien head, check.
Also, the technician informed us that the baby is a couple of days larger than the typical 8 week old fetus. Signs of a big baby-to-be, or simply an early growth spurt? Clues pointing to a boy perhaps? The speculation has begun.
Man in white jacket says baby to arrive Dec 25th
Posted on May 10, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
After we got back from our vacation in Mexico, the pregnancy was confirmed by our doctor. Look what we’re getting for Christmas this year! Unfortunately for baby-to-be, it looks like it’s the dreaded birthday-Christmas combo. I know I’m frugal, but this is ridiculous.
Pregnancy Test says “Si!”
Posted on April 29, 2009 - by Bradley Hebdon
OK, so technically it’s a home pregnancy test, but we happened to be on vacation in April 2009, when we gazed upon the positive, yet surreal readout. It turns out Sayulita, the quaint Mexican surf town, was more than just a picture-perfect destination. It was also a backdrop to some wonderful and unexpected news! We were pregnant!
