Juliette's new blog

Just as with Genevieve, Juliette's blog will be on www.vox.com, as it provides good security. Check out her ongoing exploits, known as the JB Hi-Files at http://juliettenb.vox.com.

It's time to go home

Well, unlike with her older sister, we had been given every indication that Juliette would be fine to go home after our 5th night in the hospital.

So, after breakfast (and the obligatory coffee - quite nice from the cafe downstairs), I rode the bike home for the last time. Narnar was having a few issues with Genevieve, so I suggested that Genevieve and I could go to get the rest of the family, and we could arrive home together.

Naomi dressed her in the jacket that Genevieve came home in, which was also the jacket that Naomi came home in!

Quite a short, uneventful drive and we were home!

Thankyou Nicola

Nicola was wonderful. Her jovial personality, and her flawless support was just impeccable. And of course, when things did go pearshaped, she and Lisa were there, up to their elbows, to ensure the two girls got out of it safely. (I was gonna say, "without a scratch", but that can't really be said of Naomi hey)?

She said that she looked forward to our visits, and that she adores Genevieve. Nothing surprising there eh?

It's a weighting game

Juliette was a puddin' when she came out. But, while waiting for Naomi's milk to come in, she lost a bit. The 'magic' threshold is 10% of their birth weight. Losing any more than 10% means that they may want you to comp-feed, or stay in a little longer. So, we were a tad anxious when it came to weigh-in. Nai's milk was in good an proper (thanks to Brendan and Kelly's stout)...

The nurses, and the paediatrician, said that all would be OK. But still, you do worry about it.

Meep meep

After a few stalled attempts, Juliette had her (standard, every kid gets one) hearing test, and passed with flying colours. We're not sure if it's coz she's got exceptionally good hearing, or she's really smart, or that she had a few practices!

Gotta lurve hospital WiFi

Technology means you can keep people up-to-date very easily. It also means you can read their messages of congratulations.

Well... we'd better get this capsule then eh?

Naomi had been doing her eBay thing again, and we realised that with the going rate of capsules on the second-hand market, that we'd be better off buying one and selling it, than renting one from the City of Melbourne, even though their rates are very reasonable. Genevieve was in her rear-ward facing capsule until almost 13 months.

So, after a little more research and querying of friends, we decided on the Safe-N-Sound unity. We also decided to get it from our regular guy who, unfortunately is no longer on Arden St (so, on the route between home and the hospital) and is instead, in Maidstone. He's also changed his name to 'Kids N Cars'. He will come to you, but to fit in with our (admittedly self-imposed) timeline, I took the car to him.

We was impressed with how I'd fitted Genevieve's MaxiRider (which we'd also got through him, but had changed cars since then). He put in some extra channels through the cargo barrier to make it easy to swap the seat/capsules in and out. There's not a great deal of room between them, and the passenger seat cannot slide all the way back, but we're still happy with having the Forester. No real need for a larger car than that. (I reckon I could fit between the two seats anyway, should the need arise). Otherwise, we'll just have to pretend we drive a kid-carrying ute.

So, looking forward to its maiden voyage, which should be Tuesday. (Oh, and yes, before you all ask, I will be looking at the possibility of mounting the capsule in the CargoBike, but mainly for novelty's sake, than as a serious transport solution).

Hello Nanna!

Fridge news

Hello world!

Welcome to the world Juliette Nicola

Born: 15:37, 19th Feb 2009
Weight: 3810g (8lb 4oz)

Little sister for Genevieve

Juliette's Birth Story

A bit of background to begin with: I gave birth to Genevieve in Feb 2006 via unplanned c/section due to foetal distress. I had used hypnobirthing and made it to 7cm dilated drug free until Genevieve decided that she wanted out and wouldn't wait. Her heart rate kept dropping and not coming back up. When the OB was getting her out he said that she had been posterior which had been a major contributing factor to the distress.

When we found out we were having another baby we researched our options and decided that given the circumstances surrounding the previous birth there should be no reason that I couldn't attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian). I found a wonderful pro-VBAC OB who was very realistic but also very positive. I employed a wonderful doula who had worked on VBACs before and I did my hypnobirthing revision to use again.

Given that the first pregnancy was problem free and I went into labour spontaneously after my waters broke at 37w6d, we assumed that this baby would also be early and also pretty similar in timing and size etc. However, I probably should have known this one would be different when we had a bleeding scare at 6w. After the scare though everything progressed well and I finished work at 36w assuming that I wouldn't have long to go.

Well my pregnancy passed my delivery date with Genevieve and this baby seemed like it was in no hurry to go anywhere. I started doing all of the natural induction methods that I was allowed to which included acupuncture, massage with clary sage oil, eating curries, lots of walking and the "other methods" (wink wink) but still nothing looked like happening.

At 39w3d I had an internal with my OB who said that my cervix was effaced and I was 1cm dilated so I was encouraged by that. That night and the next morning I lost my mucous plug and had a show. That morning I visited a friend and started getting some strong crampy back and low down pain. Even after walking home it didn't let up. Then I had another, larger show and started getting more contraction like pain.

I rang my mum to warn her to be on alert as she was on-call to pick Genevieve up from childcare. Then I rang my OB and my doula. Both said it sounded like early days and that I should stay at home and try to rest a bit longer. I decided to have a shower and wash my hair. I started to get stronger and more frequent pains that felt a bit more urgent so I called Cory at work and said that I felt like a wuss but I really wanted him to come home right now. He was home within 20 min. In that time things had ramped up in intensity and when he started timing me the contractions were 2mins apart lasting 30-40sec. We decided he should pack the car and that I should get into the hospital just as a precaution.

Just as we were leaving the house I went to the toilet and my waters broke. It looked like there was some meconium staining but I couldn't be sure so I said we had better go now just in case. When we got to the hospital (10 minutes later) I got back into the shower in the birth suite and the midwife confirmed there was meconium in the amniotic fluid so she wanted me out to monitor the baby. Then things started to get really painful. I was trying to use the hypnobirthing breathing to breath through the contractions but this pain was at the front of my uterus and it wasn't going away with the breathing. It was different pain and it felt wrong and out of control. It felt like I was trying to push the baby out through the front of my uterus. I described the pain to my doula and the OB. The OB had a look and saw some fresh blood and said we needed to prep for a c/section now as it was a possible rupture of the previous scar!

I was immediately rushed into theatre and given an epidural. About 10 minutes later the OB said she could see bub's hair through the uterus it was so thin and then as she touched the old scar it ruptured completely. She said we had about 5 minutes up our sleeves and my uterus would have ruptured during my contractions. In that situation it can be fatal for the baby and also the mother.

Fortunately baby Juliette Nicola was born safe and sound and I was able to be repaired however if I hadn't listened to my instincts and gone in when I did the outcome could have been so different. I am just so grateful I knew something was wrong and followed through with it. I can't even feel disappointed that I didn't get my VBAC as everytime I look at my little girl I am overwhelmed with the joy that she was clearly meant to be here and that for a matter of minutes she might not have been (and neither might I).

"So.... when was your due date again?"

It's really weird, where we are at, at the moment. Genevieve would be over a week old, if we were to compare pregnancies.
As much as we try not to, it's hard not to think that we've gone further than we expected to go. Similarly, with the 'guess date' (as we always call it, coz that's all it is)... Our guess date is coming up this weekend. I'm sure as it approaches, as much as it IS just a guess, we'll be getting excited/anxious (or for Naomi, increasingly over it ;) )

We got asked if we were 'overdue' last night. I understand it's part of the vernacular, and people are interested and well-meaning. But, I feel like I'm constantly questioning this whole 'due' thing. I don't harp on about it with people, (otherwise I'd be CONSTANTLY saying it), but... if a conversation goes for a few minutes I tend to throw in "...and of course, it really is just a guess based upon the average pregnancy..." at some point.(And of course, everybody nods and says "Of course", but then they'll just go back to discussing the 'due date'). Sheesh.

The thing is... if we do go beyond our guess date, provided there's still plenty of fluid and all is good and happy (OK, again, perhaps not Naomi), then going beyond that date is perfectly healthy/normal.

But... it's spicy Thai for dinner tonight. Naomi's doing a bit of walking and having another acupuncture session today. Hopefully we can get the ball rolling.

Say "Hello"!

Friday 13th

I just got back from my appointment with Nicola and she did a scan to see how BB#2 was positioned. It is looking great and has moved around. It is in a much better position than last week and the head is well down. I will see her again on Wednesday and she will do an internal then to see how things are going but basically it's just a waiting game now.

Fortunately we have gone past Genevieve's birthday so they won't share the date. However, I am now about a week past where I got to with Genevieve so BB#2 must be very comfortable in there!

Read the label

And... perhaps try it beforehand hey? LMAO

Eine kleine nachtmusic

I realised I hadn't quite got the iPod ready. Now, everything that Naomi's deemed she wants to listen to is on there - and instead of mucking around with playlists, I changed the name of the album to start with 'birth', so I can easily isoloate just an album.

Oh... and there's a LOT of other stuff on there too, just in case she suggests she wants something different.

Push It - Salt N Pepa
Breathe - The Prodigy.

(Yes, they were amongst her suggestions)

Dr Nicola Update

I went to see Dr Nicola this afternoon and my blood pressure was 110/70 so she was happy with that. BB#2 is definitely posterior so I am now on strict instructions to do the positioning exercises to get it turning.


Nicola thinks as soon as it turns it will fully engage and we will be not far off. However, she does still think she will see me next Friday so I am likely to be around for a week or so more....

37 weeks 5 days

I have still been having BH and low pain but yesterday I felt that BB#2 had turned posterior so I will check that with Nciola who can scheck that to confirm. I am 37w5d today and Genevieve was born 37w6d so I am getting a bit antsy. I weighed myself this morning and I weighed exactly the same as I did when I weighed my self on the morning before Genevieve was born - spooooooky.....

Nearly full term

37 weeks tomorrow here so we will be considered full term from then on and BB#2 can arrive any time from then on.

I was trying to will myself to go into labour earlier this week so that I would be in hospital for the once in a hundred year heatwave unfortunately that didn't happen and I have been laying low for the last few days which have been over 43 degrees!

I did get out on Thursday though to get some acupuncture done which was awesome. He did some points to stop my back ache, hip ache, heartburn and reflux. He also worked on my scar tissue from my caesarian to help release that and finally some to help ripen the cervix. I haven't been as achy since so it did some good. I have also been getting a lot of Braxton Hicks so hopefully things are getting ready.

I also got some herbs to drink - only once a week but I have been too chicken to drink them yet as apparently they are pretty ghastly. I will do that today....

Washing the baby

And their bedroom?

Genevieve was a little miffed that the cradle went in our room... so we thought we'd better do the right thing, and set up the cot, ready for when the new one goes in there.

Bedroom rearranged

The bed has been swung around 90 degrees, to allow a nice wide space next to it for BB2's cradle. Works well - but we knew that, from last time.

I think the newborns around us are starting to influence

A bump on the bump

Studio shot

Our photographer at work wanted a few pix of pregnant bellies, just to put into their media collection, so Naomi was only too happy to help out. (And it meant we got some family shots too!)

And the cradle/bassinet goes back together

Eeyup - it's getting close now...

What we don't need

We don't need hats. (33 at last count).

We don't need any clothes for a girl, from size 000 to size 0.

We don't need any muslin wraps, or blankets.

We don't need any soft toys.

We don't need any 'onezies' in 000 at all... by ANY stretch of the imagination.

34 weeks

We had another visit to Nicola on Friday and she is very happy with how I am doing - very boring apparently which is good. Bubs is head down and looks like starting to engage so doing all the right things. She said again that it isn't a big baby and my blood pressure was all good. Genevieve loves helping our taking my blood pressure and finding the heartbeat (approx 140bpm this visit for bubs)



After our appointment we went for a tour of the hospital so I know where to go and what to do when things do start to happen so that was good. As we missed out on the group tours we got a personal one from the CEO. He showed us where we need to go and how to access the carpark etc. The birth suites are very big and have enormous baths in them - I hope I get to try one out! It's very close to home which is great - I could almost see how house from one of the windows.

33 weeks

With the countdown now on - less than 50 days to go (approx) and only 3 more weeks of work I am starting to really feel bigger, slower and definitely more tired. It is much harder to manage being pregnant second time round with a toddler as well.

I am getting up a lot during the night and really finding it difficult to get comfortable - at work, at home, in bed, in the car - anywhere! My back is getting sore but fortunately I did get a preggie massage voucher for Christmas which I will put to good use.

First wash

IKEA is evil (but very, very cool)

There's a bookshelf in Genevieve's room that has no books in it. It is, however, full to overflowing with soft toys.

We were headed to IKEA to get Nanna a big bookshelf thing (the same as ours, except black), so we kept an eye out for something that would suit (hopefully more vertical than with a large footprint - if there's one thing this house does have, is a lot of vertical space).

Found the perfect replacement. Very cool. The little-one will be in with Genevieve once it graduates from our room, so we'll need to fit a cot and Genevieve's bed in there. Think it'll work. (OK... we hope it'll work).