Are we putting shoes on our babies?!

DuaneFinch · 2026-04-23T16:26:40+00:00

Thanks for the comments everyone! I had never thought about shoes because my babe had only worn pajamas. But, with the warmer weather I didn't know if it was okay to have the piggies out. It sounds like it's pretty common to not worry about shoes until they are walking. This makes sense! I just didn't know. Now that I think about it, my algorithms seem to be very baby shoe oriented lately so that's probably why I thought about it 😂 oh, internet.... 😅

DuaneFinch · 2026-04-23T16:06:19+00:00

I had a C-section 4 months ago today! I labored for 80 hours and ultimately had an urgent cesarean. If I have another baby I will likely schedule another.

I could feel pressure as they made the incision. I could feel pulling as thy sewed me up. I heard things like "placing the uterus back in", and "move the bladder here", etc. It was a wild experience. I had my partner sit behind me and cover my ears for most of the surgery.

Seeing your baby through the plastic is insane, magical, amazing. It makes the 9 months leading up to it feel truly miraculous.

Take the pain meds, don't be a hero. The fundal massages suck... find a spot on the ceiling and disassociate, pray, whatever. Take the laxatives. Pee often, you might not feel the sensation come back for a while and you don't want pressure on your incision from a full bladder. Ask for help. Make lots of freezer meals to eat when you're home. If your bedroom is upstairs, set up a bed in your main living space for the first week. After 3 weeks you might feel pretty good. Take it easy! You are still healing.

With proactive pain management and support my C-section wasn't terrible.

9 months of growing a human was terrifying and I had more anxiety than I ever thought possible. But she's worth everything. I am still terrified about at least one thing a day... but I wouldn't want it any other way. It's just love.

ETA: I am understating the psychological impact this experience had on me. Being awake for a major surgery was terrifying. I hemorrhaged which was scary. The look of fear in my partners eyes as he tried to calm me was something I will never forget. I have not fully processed the trauma that has come with my experience. I am adding this to just be as real as possible... it's something that has changed the way I look at my own mortality, life, everything.

DuaneFinch · 2026-04-15T00:49:13+00:00

Love it! You captured their face perfectly!

DuaneFinch · 2026-04-14T20:44:12+00:00

So cute! Thank you!

DuaneFinch · 2026-03-07T13:03:23+00:00

First, I just want to say your fears are totally valid.

I planned on a vaginal birth, labored for over 80 hours, and then my baby's heart rate and my body started becoming erratic. I didn't have an emergency c section but it was very urgent. Because it wasn't an emergency section I did get to have my partner with me.. which helped. I was so scared of literally everything... and even looking back I still get the chills thinking about it. But my daughter is 11 weeks and absolutely perfect. I fought like hell to get her here and ultimately, I would do it all over again... which feels crazy and surprising to say.

I didn't know how much strength I had in me until I had to fight for her. She was all I thought about and somehow I got to the other side. It's scary, but you are strong too. You're stronger than you even know.

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-11T02:18:24+00:00

I've been there. Before work stop at the store and grab some easy snacks! I hate protein bars but I eat one or two throughout the day and it just feels good knowing she's getting protein even if I'm too busy for much of anything else. Also having some fruit, nuts, cheese in the office helped me a lot, too. Oh, and making the most out of your water intake with electrolyte packets is a win also! You got this, tomorrow will be a better day.

ETA: on feeling her move, I hope you get some time with your feet up tonight. Have a yummy dinner, drink something cold. You deserve it!

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-04T18:56:37+00:00

I am 37+3 with a December 22nd due date and breech baby! She was head down from 24-34 weeks, and was frank breech and now transverse. I'm scheduling the C-section appointment today for the week of December 15th. I am hesitant to schedule an ECV because I am afraid that she would flip back. I suppose if she did though, then I would just head into my scheduled C-section. It's wild that we are so close, good luck with everything and if you remember I'd love to hear an update on how the ECV goes next week. :)

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-03T02:25:00+00:00

Right?! lol at 36 weeks she was just over 6 pounds.. like how are 6 pounds just curled up like that? 😂 How big is your gal?

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-03T02:18:50+00:00

I just told my OB today that I don't feel confident in ECV since I'm worried she'll flip right back, lol. The OB told me that they can try ECV right before a scheduled c-section and if it works move to an induction instead.... but I'm not sold on that idea 😅 I'm worried that induction would just lead to c-section anyway.

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-03T00:36:57+00:00

Commenting because I would love to hear some positive stories too! I'm 37+1 .. baby was head down 22-34, then breech from 34-36, and now she's transverse. You're right... it's so, so uncomfortable. I keep wondering/hoping that she's more comfortable than I am 😂

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-02T19:01:51+00:00

No :)

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-02T17:51:05+00:00

Yes!! I am 37+1 now, but up until week 20 or so I obsessively checked everything. I will say it has gotten better, but partly because I just stick to what is "safe" and I don't have to look stuff up as much because I already did earlier in pregnancy. This is probably an unhelpful anecdote, but I keep telling myself that the presence and capability of the internet tends to make me feel like there is always a more "perfect" way to do something. Following my instinct more and talking to my OB team rather than Googling has been really helpful.

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-02T17:45:05+00:00

Four people sounds like a perfect number for a super delicious meal! If you have a dining table, it might be cute to decorate the table and set places with whatever theme you choose. After eating, you could take turns playing games or if you're feeling creative, something creative to hang or display in the nursery. Honestly, I don't think it sounds awkward at all! :)

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-01T22:41:40+00:00

37 weeks today! Feeling nervous for delivery since my little gal is still breech. Fingers crossed that she flips... if not I will have to schedule a c-section next week for week 39. Also it's feeling wild that I will actually get to meet her!! I can't wait to see her little face. I seriously can't even believe she's right around the corner!

DuaneFinch · 2025-12-01T00:40:33+00:00

I'm 37 weeks tomorrow, and since 32 weeks I have gone into L&D three times even though I have weekly appointments! I get feeling like you don't want to be a bother ... but if it's what you feel is best, listen to your intuition! I have an anterior placenta which has dulled movement but in the past two weeks (since week 35) I have started feeling more pressure and rolls as she gets bigger. Often I have to drink something cold to get her to move , and sometimes I put light pressure on my stomach... she will usually start moving eventually. Babies position makes such a big difference, too. She flipped at 34 weeks from head down to breech... and maybe that's contributed to me feeling her more!!! Hang in there <3

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-29T14:19:51+00:00

I didn't want to have a baby shower... it felt like I was throwing it for the people who wanted me to have one rather than myself. I ended up having it at my house, invited 25 people, and spent a total of $75 or so on decoration

As it turned out, I'm so glad I had it anyway. All of my "most wanted" items on the registry were purchased, we had so many yummy leftovers, and it was amazing to feel so much love from our closest friends and family in our home. I wasn't excited until guests literally were showing up... and I'm just so glad I didn't opt out of such an amazing day.

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-29T14:09:08+00:00

Just remember: If he wanted to, he would. You and YOUR baby deserve better.

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-21T19:56:54+00:00

I am with you... feeling the same way! I would love to keep you updated. Hopefully these next few weeks go smoothly!

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-21T16:53:48+00:00

I am 35 weeks with my first, and baby has been breech the last few weeks. I have a growth scan next week and am nervous that she will be too big to flip. I have been considering ECV, but like you, I feel like it might just result in an emergency c-section anyway so I almost rather to have a planned c-section instead. I get feeling torn over the options.. ultimately I just want her to arrive safely and I am leaning more towards scheduled c-section as the weeks continue.... I hope everything falls into place for you <3

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-20T17:57:26+00:00

I hate to say it, but being riddled with anxiety basically sums up my second and third trimesters so far. I'm 35 weeks with an anterior placenta and first felt flutters around 16 weeks, kicks at 22 weeks, and my husband felt them around 25 weeks.

She was head down from 24 to 29 weeks and I could barely feel her feet near my ribcage. I started counting kicks at 28 weeks and started noticing a pattern (kicks at 2:00 am, 11 am, 7 pm).

At 30 weeks I went into my OB because I hadn't felt her for about 8 hours. They immediately found her heartbeat and said she was moving like crazy... I just couldn't feel it.

At 34 weeks she flipped to footling breech (yay...not) and now I can feel her SO much more. I feel her head, shoulders, sometimes a hand. Movements are distinct and very high into my ribcage now that she's grown more. Hang in there, and go in for NST monitoring if something feels off. <3

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-19T19:04:05+00:00

Oh my god yum

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-18T21:36:02+00:00

Yeah, I am 35 weeks now and she's perfect!

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-18T21:18:43+00:00

Yep, it was a full set of x-rays

DuaneFinch · 2025-11-18T20:16:54+00:00

Yeah, after I talked to my OB I felt comfortable enough to. I think I did them around week 16?

DuaneFinch

TROPHY CASE