I must've been higher than kite in this one~~~& Dh accidentally turned off a shutter in camera ( ) so kinda ruined it~~~but this is w/ Rob the "drug man"!
Shelle 32
DH Steve 38
Married since 6/23/01
Our Cherub girl born March 4, 2003
Christian Thomas
I finally have a moment to post!!! My two oldest DD's are at a Girl Scout campout this weekend an d Christian is still sleeping!!
Well, since we knew from my 34 wk u/s that Christian would be big - my dr scheduled my induction. It was scheduled that I would go in Mon nt at 8:00 for the Cytotec and would be induced w/ Pitocin on the morning of the 11th.
Well, I called L&D Monday night and no luck!! There were no rooms so I couldn't come in. They said to just wait by the phone and they would call me when to come in. I was mad/upset but went to bed about 11 pm. Something told me to wake up at 4 so I went to the phone and called again - they said they did have a bed - but couldn't guarantee it would still be available - but come in about 5.
So at 4:45 - off we went. I did get the room thank goodness. My first cytotec pill came at 6. I had some cramping - but no big deal. They checked me at 10:30 to see if they needed to give me a 2nd pill - sure enough I hadn't budged - still fingertip dilated and only 30-50% effaced. UUURRRGGG!! So, I had my 2nd pill. Now I was having contractions - they weren't that bad - but coming a bit more regular now. At 11 I asked my nurse about the epi - she said I couldn't have it because I wasn't progressing - but she'd ask my dr about some other type of pain relief. Well, my dr said she'd come about lunch time to check on me to see if I'd progressed enough for the epi!! I was almost a 3 so I got my epi!!
I was thankful for that!! Soon after that my DH and stepdad and mom went to go to lunch. I told them to go now so they wouldn't miss anything later. Well, 2 mins later my mom comes back saying she didn't want to leave me alone!! I was so glad - seeing as about 2 mins after that a wave of nausea hits me HARD!! I actually was throwing up!! I couldn't believe it! I had never done that before!
Then the best news - my nurse came in and said that since I was progressing so well - there was no need for the pitocin!! Yay! I was doing this myself!! I started progressing more when she broke my water about 12:30.
Finally at 4:30 they check me and tell me I am a 10!! I was expecting to start pushing - but no - nurse tells me we will wait on dr. Fine with me - my epi is still intact except for one spot - but no big deal. 2 of my sisters come by - DH's boss comes by - I'm just chatting away. My sisters seem more concerned with the fact that I am a 10 and not pushing yet!!
Finally about 5 dr. gets there and we start pushing. The pushing was actually the easiest part of the labor for me!! The epi made it really nice!! A couple of pushes and here comes Christian!! I did tear some - but she sewed me up and my placenta delivered ok this time (last time she had to reach up and grab it - it wouldn't deliver - )
He was the cutest thing ever!! We couldn't believe we actually had our boy!! When they put him on my chest he was just squirming around - so cute!! I never did find out his apgar scores - I forgot to ask - but I know he did well - he was crying and had really good color from the start!!
Good luck to those still waiting - your day will be here sooner than you think!!
Re: Hannah Grace
As some of you remember, I was scheduled for an induction on March 10. I had been induced (cervadil and pitocin) with my last pregnancy, and the labor was much harder than with my first. (I went into labor on my own). I had discussed this with my doc, and he agreed to break my water to induce this time, which was right up my alley, since when my water was broke with my other two they were born very quickly (an hour and a half with Kaitlyn and one hour with Taylor!!!) Well, I check in at 8 am and guess who gets pitocin??? I couldn't believe it...my cx's (which i had been having for 2 weeks) weren't regular enough, the doc wanted to get them regular before he broke my water...whatever, I just want to have this baby, so I'm 3 cm dialated 0 station, and he breaks my water at about 9:15....I am handling the cx's rather well, until the nurse checks me around noon and I've only progressed to 6 cm...I have a high tolerance for pain, and I've been having some very very hard cx's since he broke my water, I'm getting very agitated because I don't think I can keep up without pain meds. (I went through both previous labors without pain meds, so you can imagine how bad these cx are!) about an hour later, I've decided I need some meds, so the nurse checks me, I'm at 8...too far along for meds...this really gets me going, my dh was out in the hall at this time, and he said you could hear me loud and proud "EIGHT?? WHAT DO YOU MEAN EIGHT??!!" LOL Now this isn't like me either, I have never been so vocal before...lol Anyway, so now I'm really really hurting, only at 8, and upset! lol....Luckily for me, the end was near...within 30 mins I got that familar urge to push...I inform the nurse, I have to push, so she had to check me...yep 10 cm....have to call the doc, your gonna have to breathe through it...WHAT?? No way! This baby is coming! The docs office is right next to the hospital, but it seems like an eternity before he gets there....meanwhile, I am vocalizing...lol. (all this talk about pooping during delivery has been weighing on my mind I guess, because I never worried about it during labor before) I blurt out "I DON'T WANNA POOP ON THE BED!" lol...not once but 3 or 4 times according to my dh, who finds it hilarious that I actually announced it so many times....while vocalizing, I can't control this urge to push so i ask the nurse if she can just catch her...lol...she says no...we need to wait for the doc...my aunt and dh look out the window and can see him sprinting across the parking lot, thank God....the nurse is pushing on her head to keep her in (I didn't know this at the time) Finally he comes in and I asked him what took him so long..get over here and catch this baby! Two pushes later, at 2:20 pm, Hannah Grace entered the world. She weighed 6 lbs, 11 ozs, 19 1/2 in long. One min apgar of 10, five min apgar 10. WOO HOO! After all is said and done, it turns out that Hannah was coming out with her hand beside her head, which is why the nurse was holding her in...she always had that left hand up beside her head during all of my u/s, and my dh and I had even joked about her coming out like that...that's kindof wierd! I guess now that it's all over, I can be proud of myself for going through 3 births without any pain medication...although I have shocked my dh with my choice of conversation during this last delivery!! I still don't know if I ever pooped the bed!!!
I arrived at the hospital at 7:30am on Sunday the 16th. When I arrived I was 1-2cm 50% effaced. They put in 4 pills (they called them miso) she said another name for it is Cytotek or something like that. All day and night it took to do the 4 pills (until 3am) then finally at 3am they started the pitocin, at that point I was at 2-3cm 75% effaced and having moderate contractions. They mentioned that the cervix had scar tissue from the leep procedures I had done and that that could cause labor to be slow. The next morning my OB came in and checked me I was 4cm and 80% effaced, he broke my water then (8:30am). After that the contractions got REAL serious and I started doubting my ability to handle the pain. I asked for some drugs, they gave me demerol which made me feel like I was drunk but didn't take that big of an edge off the contractions. I finally gave in and asked for the epidural 4 hours later. After the epidural I was a new person, I could feel the pressure from the contractions and the babys head but there was no "pain". But 4 hours after my water was broke I was 4-5 cm only and still 80% effaced, progress was very slow. They kept upping the pitocin but I was still 4-5 cm that night at around 6pm. The nurse I had then suggested getting on my hands and knees and rocking my pelvis, she said she thinks the baby's in a bad position and not engaging correctly. I do this, and feel better while I'm doing it but after I start feeling LOTS of pressure down there. I ask her to check me and unfortunately I'm stil 4-5cm so I do the pelvic rocking again about an hour later and LOTS more pressure I ask her to check me and surprise surprise I'm 8+ and 100% effaced!!!! After that there was more and more pressure which was really intense, it's weird with the epidural you don't really feel "pain" but you can REALLY feel the pressure. Well 2 hours later I feel like I'm literally sitting on his head the pressure is so bad I'm almost crying and I tell them I have to push. She said wait a minute let me check you and I'm thinking no I need to push but I let her anyways and she said "oh there's the baby's head, and no cervix!" she gets the doctor and sets the room up really quick. I get into position and start pushing, it kinda feels good because I know the end is near but OMG the pressure was so bad it was painful, so I push with ALL my might 3 times with each contraction and before I even know it they said the head is crowning, I reach down and feel his head which gives me more incentive to push harder. 2 more contractions come and his head pops out!! they tell me to stop pushing so I stop but MAN it's hard to stop at this point when they tell you to stop. Then they say push again and one more push and he's out and screaming! They lay him on my chest and I INSTANTLY fall in love he was wailing something fierce and then started peeing on the nurse lol. They leave him on me for a while and even let me put his mouth to my nipple to get the reflexes going. They check the apgars they are 9 and 9. He is weighed and checked out all is well! I was so happy, it was amazing. I didn't know how long pushing him out took so I asked and they said from start to finish it only took 15 minutes WOAH ! and they were worried about him getting stuck LOL. Well I did get a second degree tear which is causing me pain but I'm ok. He's nursing like a champ and he's healthy as can be!
My waters started to leak at around 10am. I called L&D who told me to come in. We arrived around 12pm - they checked me, my waters had broken, only 1cm dialated and no real contractions, so they sent me home for afew hours. We returned at around 6pm. That night I stayed in the hospital and had irregular contractions all night from 8 - 10 minutes apart.
14th March 2003
The next day the contractions slowed down to about 20 mins apart, still only 1cm dialated so they decided to induce me via IV at 12.30pm. The contractions came hard and fast straight away. Within an hour I was 4cm dialated. It felt like someone had a rope around my hips and was pulling ever so hard on the rope. I lost my plug soon after. At around 2.30 I received epidural - and at 4.30pm told them I felt the urge to push. They checked me, I was only 7cm dialated. So they turned up the piticon and within 10 minutes I felt the urge to push again. I was 10 cm dialated.
I pushed from that point forward. The epidural was turned off, or had worn off, and I could feel everything as if I had no pain relief. I dont really know how to explain the pain that I felt - all I can say is that honestly, it was ..shocking? terrible...it really hurt?... When her head finally crowned, it took afew more pushes and that last push...oooooooh that hurt. And she was born =)
Penny Evelyn-Mae
14th March 2003
EDD : 9th March 2003
5.45pm.
10pounds exactly.
I didnt have a chance to see her straight after the birth, its all abit of a blur, but I do remember the room fill up with people all of a sudden. She had the cord round her neck, poo in the waters, and had to be ressusitated (sp). Thankfully, she started to breath again and was rushed straight to the NICU. DH went down with her and came back with a video of her so I could see her. I watched the video in total amazement as they stitched up my tear (only 2cm). About an hour and a half later the pediatrician came in and told us that Penny had a seizure about 20 minutes after birth, and that they would need to keep her with them for the time being. We were able to go down and see her finally. =)
The days that followed - tests tests and more tests. We are just so happy to have our little girl here with us that we are ready to face whatever comes.
I stayed in hospital with Penny for 8 days whilst she stayed in NICU. She had another seizure during her stay and an MRI has shown that she has areas in her brain that have been effected. They are saying she has 50% chance that she will have Cerebral Palsy. She was also found to have a low cord ph - which shows traumer during the birth. I 'think' what they are putting it all down to is swelling of the brain due to birth traumer.
Its all abit of a blur as I said, and seeing her with all those bits and peices of equipment attached to her, and all the tests, was a difficult time for all.
The people in NICU were so wonderful. They treated us all with such care and understanding
Penny is the ...apple of my eye! I am so glad to finally be home with Talia and DH, and we are just taking every day as it comes, and enjoying every single moment that we have with our little girls. Im sure I have missed out on stuff that happened, but we are breast feeding FINE now that she is able to take liquids. (which is such a relief - she is latching on like a champ - Im so proud of her).
Pics!!
5 days old here - finally most of the cords were taken off her head and we were able to take a nice pic =)
Taken today!! =)
From Jinky With yet another new sig! Co-Moderator of Due in March 2003. Cmon Penny!! We are waiting for you!
Re: March Mommy's Birth Stories & Pics!
Asher Conrad Aragon
Born March 19, 2003
11:49 am
7lbs. 11oz. & 20 inches long
Apgars of 8/9
I was scheduled to go in for an induction at 5 pm on Tuesday, March 18th. Monday evening began the 2nd worst blizzard in Colorado history. So, the doctor’s office called Tuesday morning to cancel my induction. Dr. Carlton could not make it to the hospital. At about 11pm, I laid down to bed feeling pretty upset, thinking that I could be at the hospital with Asher’s arrival near at hand and also thinking that it wouldn’t be likely for me to actually be induced until sometime the next week. I tried looking on the bright side, telling myself that I was glad to not be out in the snow, which was getting worse by the minute. Well, about 45 seconds later, I heard and felt a sort of POPpop! and INSTANTANEOUSLY felt the most horrible pain way down low… I thought I must be having some kind of weird gas pain, so I went to the bathroom. Josh came to ask if I was okay, but really thought it was just another strange pregnancy thing. So, he climbed back in bed. Well, while I was in the bathroom, I had 3 of these horrible pains within a few minutes and decided it would be a good idea to call the doctor. (At this point, I really had no gushing, but maybe some trickling and a wee bit of pinkness on the toilet paper.) So, I called, and the doctor said to come on in… (different doc answered my call- he lives only a couple blocks from the hospital, so he could walk if he had to…) Well, Josh and I kind of rush around getting our last minute things together and headed out to the car. I got in and waited while Josh cleaned a couple feet of snow off the car. Once he got that done, we started to pull out of our parking space… and got stuck. So, I got in the driver’s seat and turned the wheel while Josh pushed the car to get it out of the snow. That worked and we were thankfully on our way. We got down to the end of the street about to make the turn, but a car was coming and we had to stop to wait. If we hadn’t had to stop, I think the momentum we had would have allowed us to continue, but once we stopped, we were again stuck. This time, there was nothing we could do to get out. Between contractions, I was trying to push snow out from under the tires and then Josh tried pushing while I again tried to steer us out. Fortunately, at this time, though the contrax were still 3 minutes apart and really painful, in between them I felt GREAT! We debated for a minute and then decided to call 911 because there was no way we were getting out of that spot. Soon after, a firetruck appeared out of the snow while I was on the phone with 911 and Josh was standing in the middle of the road. (Oh, yeah… a policeman drove by us and looked at us but didn’t stop to try and help.) Anyway, the firemen had to first ask a lot of questions to make sure I wasn’t going to have the baby right then and there and finally the three of them were able to help push us out and we were on our way…
We got to the hospital at about 12:30ish. The emergency service for some reason told them that I was 30 weeks instead of 40. So, the nurses got a big kick out of that. I got into a room and they checked me and I was only at 1cm, but my water had indeed broken- and there was meconium in it. I told the nurse I would be wanting the epi as soon as I was allowed. Thankfully, the anesthesiologist decided he would spend the night at the hospital just in case! WHEW! Right away, my contrax got REALLY bad. I just couldn’t handle them! Josh was wonderful and helped me focus to get through them. An hour and a half after we arrived, the nurse checked me and I was at 3 cm. The doc had told her not to let me have the epi until I was at 4cm, but she called for it anyway. (I LOVED my nurse!!!) Getting the epi wasn’t bad at all and soon after, I was feeling much better. They had me on the continuous drip and even gave me a button to push that would give me extra meds whenever I felt I needed it. Do I need to tell you how grateful I was for that little button? Well, at about 7am I was at 8cm and the doctor tried to drive but it took him 30 min to get 15 feet he said, so he was walking through the blizzard to get to me. (He was also the only doc who was able to get to the hospital at all- I’m so glad he was one of mine!!!) At about 9 I was complete- 10cm! At this point, I was really nervous because I thought I was about to start pushing. I felt a lot of pressure- even through the epi, but it wasn’t overwhelming. Well, then it got a little scary. I was complete, but Asher hadn’t dropped!!! He was still high and the doc told me they would let my uterus try to move him naturally, but if it didn’t, we would soon have to look at “alternative methods”. The first method was pitocin. I couldn’t believe that I had to have that AFTER I was already at 10cm! The doctor said it would help make the contrax stronger and more frequent so that it would push him down. While they did this, they also had Josh get into scrubs just in case I had to have a c-section. After an hour or so, the doc decided that it would be a good idea for me to try to start pushing as well to see if that would get him to finish dropping. It was discovered that Asher was posterior and that is what slowed things down and kept him high. So, I begin pushing and it helped! Even through the epi, I could feel TONS of really painful pressure! They say you feel lots of pressure, but no one mentions the pain that goes with it. So, I was quite surprised to feel so much pain. I pushed about 4 times per contraction, but the 4th push was always useless. I could tell that even though I was trying, it wasn’t doing anything. Eventually, they started cheering me on saying that his head was right there and just give ‘em ONE MORE good push. I had to give them quite a few “one more” good ones until the doc finally decided to use the vacuum. I never thought I would want that, but at that point, I was SO very grateful for it! The vacuum did the trick, and his head came out. They had me wait because the cord was around his neck and they needed to unwrap it. Then I delivered the rest of him. They put him on my stomach and I just started crying!!!! I didn’t care how much goo he had all over him either. I just had to touch him. The scary thing was that he was pretty blue and didn’t really cry right away. He was also kind of still, so Josh and I were a little freaked out. Eventually, though he started crying and changing color. I just couldn’t- and still can’t believe that we have our little baby boy! It’s the most amazing and wonderful thing ever imaginable.
much love, Mindy with precious baby boy Asher Conrad EDD 3/16
RE: March Mommy's Birth Stories & pics
REANNE MARGARET Sinclair
March 25, 2003
6:07 AM
9 lbs 22" long
I went for my 41 week appointment on Monday, Mar 24th and my Dr couldn't believe I haven't had this baby yet. My blood pressure was high so she sent me to the hospital to have it checked and possibly be induced since she said I was 4 cm and the baby was ready. I was freaking out since I was by myself-DH was sleeping (on night shift). I phoned to tell him and said I would let him know what happens. I was sent to Triage where I stayed until 10:30 PM, they did a panel of blood pressure checks and DR on call checked me twice to say I wasn't ready to be induced. They said I could stay there and wait and then induce me in the morning but I chose not to since they didn't have any private rooms. I told them I would rather labour at home. We went to get my DD and arrived home at 11:30 PM, I checked my email and suddenly I felt a gush - MY WATER BROKE> off to L&D I go, had to call the in laws over to watch DD who was fast asleep. I was admitted to a glorius private room with my own shower, lazy boy, TV etc. I stared getting contractions which got harder and stronger. I called my sister at 2PM to come down as nurse said I was now 5CM. The contraction became unbearable my 4:30 but the nurse on duty said I was barely 3CM. WHAT IS GOING ON??!! I was getting very winey and asked for Demoral at 5:00. Then I could not take the pain anymore and was about to ask for the Epidural which I DID NOT want this time..but the pain was UNREAL. I started crying and saying the pressure to much. That same nurse checked me at 5:50 AM is and said OH MY GOD you are ready to push. She fratically called for help..nurses rushed around getting ready and I was SCREAMING. I pushed at 6AM and she was born at 6:07 !! What a relief! She was 9lbs and 22" long. Her apgar was 8/9 and just beautiful. She is breastfeeding well and I feel great. NO stitches. I love having my 2 girls.
Re: March Mommy's Birth Stories & Pics!
Well we went shopping tuesday and stocked up on micro food and stuff for family visiting. Came home and napped for a 1 hour 30 minutes. Beth woke up and visited the bathroom. Came out and said she felt better and that it felt like the baby dropped. Had to drop off some papers to a client of Caleb's and as I was driving realized I felt really weird - it hurt! Caleb agreed it could be contractions so we turned around and went home. Tried to lay down but knew it must be contractions. Had a hard time timing them though. Called the Dr and said we are coming in - he agreed since I had been 3 cm dilated since Friday.
We showed up at the hospitol around 8:30pm on march 18. Was examined and they said I was 5 cm dilated. Proceeded to throw up my McDonalds Shamrock shake (yuck!) She is on Lovanox to prevent blood clots so they waited for 24 hours to pass from her last dose the night before and then at 11pm Beth got her Epadural. they gave her some other drug at 10:30pm to get her by. They broke her water at 11:30. beth actually slept for about 2 hours or so after that. Then woke up around 2 somthing with pushing pains. Did some pushing but not much. They lowered her Ephurdural amount and then she started pushing around 3:15am on March 19. Around 4:20 they prepard for Forcept use ! They gave Beth the shot to numb her lower half and at that moment she gave it once last push and at 4:33am on March the 19, 2003 Lil" Viktoria Anne Lamley came into our lives on her own. To heck with Forcepts she must have thought ,I'm coming out on my own. She weighed 7 1/5 lbs and was a wopping 21" long. Beautiful full head of brown hair and a doll. She has been incredibly great. Not a single complaint from us or the nurses. We came homew a bit a go. Beth was actually able to sleep from about 11:30-6:15 this morning as Viktoria slept in the nusury all night. What a welcome thing for Beth. We told themn to Formula feed her once then on demand after that. Well she didn't want to eat again till they brought her back in the morning. No crying from her., and boy is she alert when she is awake. She loves to look at us and around, For hours at a time. She was wide eyed as soon as she came out and moving all around. She even scored a very impressive 9/9 on her apgars. Dr was very pleased with her when she was born. She is just such a wonderful and beautiful baby. We love her so very much. But Beth also had her 37(I'm in trouble now) birthday yesterday so what a great present. beth has been a wonderful trooper through-out this whole week. She did MUCh better than I ever dreamed she'd do!! I LOVE YOu Beth!!! I'll have pics online later tonight FYI
Caleb
Birthstory
Sitting here on my doughnut typing my story, lol:
Well we went shopping tuesday and stocked up on food for family visiting. Came home and napped for a 1 hour 30 minutes. Woke up and visited the bathroom - tmi - hadn't gone #2 in two days and wow, I think it brought on the contractions!. Came out and said I thought I felt better and that it felt like the baby dropped. Had to drop off some papers to a client of Caleb's and as I was driving realized I felt really weird - it hurt! Caleb agreed it could be contractions so we turned around and went home. Tried to lay down but knew it must be contractions. Had a hard time timing them though. Called the Dr and said we are coming in - he agreed since I had been 3 cm dilated since Friday. Managed to drive to the hospital through the contractions, boy was that fun!
We showed up at the hospitol around 8:30pm on march 18. Was examined and they said I was 5 cm dilated. Proceeded to throw up my McDonalds Shamrock shake (yuck!) and corned beef from lunch SEVERAL TIMES - the nurse looked horrified at the green stuff coming out of me. Finally made it in to my room, and kept asking for the epideral. They told me the epideral doctor wouldn't give it to me till my Lovenox was out of my system for 24 hours which ment waiting till 11 PM. (I'm on Lovanox to prevent blood clots). At 10:30 I was 8cm dilated and told by my doctor I still had to wait, so I asked for drugs, which I got right away and it helped alot! Finally at 11pm I got my Epadural and it was heavenly! They broke my water at 11:30. Caleb and I slept for about 2 hours or so after that. Then woke up around 2 somthing with pushing pains. They also attached a monitor directly on the baby because they were getting erratic readings. The babies heart rate dropped a few times. Did some pushing but not much. I had a hard time getting the pushing thing down. They lowered my Ephurdural amount and then I started pushing around 3:15am on March 19. I then got a tempature which brought on severe shaking and teeth chattering during the contractions. The doctor was concerned as my temp was going up and I was getting tired. Around 4:20 they asked me if I could give them more pushes that I was almost there. I just couldn't and by that time the nurse and Caleb had to help me with my legs during contractions. Caleb was a trooper. All I remember is keeping my eyes closed the entire time and just focusing on the pushes. I just couldn't let Caleb touch me etc., I just needed to focus but it helped knowing he was there.
They went ahead and did the injection for forcepts. They gave me the shot to numb my lower half and at that moment I just had to push one last push and at 4:33am on March the 19, 2003 Lil" Viktoria Anne Lamley came into our lives on her own. To heck with forcepts she must have thought, I'm coming out on my own. I was really frustrated as I couldn't hold her for about an hour and a half. My blood pressure dropped to 80 so they put the bed down flat and I was really numb from the injection - really frustrating but I was just so relieved to see that she was okay. Caleb was able to hold her and her scores were 9/9 - her coloring was excellent and she was really active right after birth (check out the pictures at the link below ). She weighed 7 lbs 8 ounces and was a wopping 21" long. Beautiful full head of brown hair and a doll. She has been incredibly great. Not a single complaint from us or the nurses. I had my birthday the next day so luckily she will have her own special day. We celebrated my b-day with snack cart brownies and juice but it was the best b-day I ever had with Caleb and Viktoria (Caleb also surprised me with a black onyx (sp.) necklace and flowers:-)).
Anthony Paul
born March 22, 2003
7:27pm
8lbs 2oz; 20 inches
Apgars 8/9
On Wednesday March 19 I noticed a little mucous in my underpants. DH came home for lunch and I mentioned it to him, but tried not to get TOO excited about it. We went out to lunch and let it sink in. I rested all that day as the remainder of the plug found its way out (YUCK). I also had been experiencing some WEIRD lower back pain that felt like wiggly lines radiating from a central spot.
Had my 39 week appt the next morning (Thursday). This was my first internal exam, which was WAY more uncomfortable than I anticipated. The Dr. said I was 1cm and that the baby was REALLY low and that my cervix was very thin and effaced. She predicted I wouldn't need a 40 week appt, but again I tried not to get too excited.
The next morning (Friday) I spoke with my principal, who was calling to see if the baby had come yet. Nope, I replied. I then took a call from one of my girlfriends, who wanted to go out to lunch. Well, DH walked in at the same time so out to lunch we went again! I was really moving in slo-mo, as I had been in bed for several days and was peeing at five minute intervals. I didn't even bother to put on something cute, which should have been a sign!!! All I could manage was a huge tee shirt and sweats, which is not at all like me. I rested for the remainder of the afternoon.
At about 10pm Friday I started feeling crampy. I tried to ignore it, but I was getting a FEELING that the time had come. I told DH to go ahead and get some sleep, because we were going to have a long road ahead of us. Of course, I slept poorly that night because of peeing so frequently and feeling those getting-regular cramps. Around 5am, I started paying attention to the spaces between the cramps, and they were varying from 6 to 10 minutes.
I got up around 8am and tried to be business-as-usual. Ate breakfast, did some chores (I already knew there'd be no time to do those chores later) and enlisted DH's help in the chores. By 10am I was trying all the positions we'd learned in our Bradley class, and just trying to relax between the contractions.
We labored at home until 3:30pm, because I wanted no interventions and wanted to show up at the hospital as close to complete as possible. The ride to the hospital was scary, but I really focused and have to say that those were 3 of the best contractions I had. I knew DH couldn't coach and drive, so it was completely up to me. I was comfortable reclined in the front seat, and just kept my eyes closed the entire ride. We parked in an illegal spot at the hospital and I rode out another contraction in the parking lot.
We made our way to the maternity ward and I felt like everyone was staring. They got us in and I was shocked to find out that I was only 3cm. It really bummed me out because I had heard stories from all these other Bradley families who'd shown up at the hospital 10cm!
I labored in the shower for over 1 hour. At one point I thought "I am going to faint" even though I have never fainted and didn't know what that felt like. Mostly I was on my hands and knees, swaying and letting my belly sag. Finally I got out of the shower and labored for another hour lying on my side. DH was AMAZING. He totally got me through all those contractions. I mean, I was throwing up from the pain, but he totally got me through it.
Anyway, due to my vomiting (and probably the heat from the shower) I developed a temperature. Based on that, they put me on an IV, which I didn't want, but I went along with it to keep the baby and me save. The next hour was pretty bad, and I threw up again. But, GOOD NEWS! I had gone to 8cm and was so relieved.
However, even at 8cm, my water hadn't broken, even though the nurse said she could feel the darn bag ready to POP. And the contractions were really making me want to PUSH. The nurse also had me all worried about cord prolapse. So, during a standing-up contraction, I felt something emerging from me. I freaked. I screamed to DH to go get the nurse and OMG tell me it's not the cord tell me it's not the cord!!!!!!! She came in to find my INTACT BAG OF WATERS slowly making its way out of me. It didn't break until it hit the floor. The nurses could not believe their eyes.
They hurried me to the bed, checked me, and yep, I was complete and ready to push.
40 minutes later, I delivered my angel boy Anthony Paul TOTALLY NATURALLY. I give DH 50% credit on this one. He was fabulous. He got me through every last contraction and kept me focused. This was a guy who was initially against cutting the cord, being present at the birth etc etc. But our Bradley classes really turned him around. He is the proudest daddy and I love him 10,000 times more than I ever did before (and we have been together 11 years this month).
The only downside is I had 3rd degree tearing and am pretty miserable when I have to sit. But it was worth it.
We had our baby Sofia
Sofia Julianne made her entry into the world Friday, March 28th at 1:42 pm. She weighed 8 lbs. 3 ounces, and was 19 inches long at birth.
Labor started early in the morning with regular but non painful contractions. Soon they became somewhat painful, and at 10:00am we met our midwife at the birth center. At that point I was about 3 cm dilated with contractions about 7 minutes apart, but our midwife said my cervix was very stretchy. After walking for an hour, contractions were 3 minutes apart and I was 5 cm dilated.
Our midwife gave me the okay to get into the laboring tub. After about an hour of painful contractions I got out and my water broke. I got back in the tub and the contractions became really difficult, but before long I was feeling the need to push. Pushing went well (very painful and a bit scary of course), but lasted less than half an hour (although it felt like several hours!!).
As soon as I pushed Sofia out our midwife scooped her out of the water and into my arms. What a fantastic feeling that was!!! She had me gently blow into Sofia's face to help her start breathing on her own. After 15 minutes or so Dan cut the cord and I got out of the tub and delivered the placenta, then got stiched up for the level 2 tear I developed.
Sofia did fantastically throughout, and it was a great labor experience. But I have to say that I'm glad this is our last baby since I can't say I'd be too eager to do it again!! We're all doing well at home, adjusting to life with a newborn again.
Total labor was 8 hours, but only 2 hours were really painful and overwhelming.
Here's a link with a slideshow that includes a few of our first photos (click on View Pictures):
Audrey Lucille was born on March 21st - 7 lbs 2 oz. Original due date March 14th.
That day at noon, I was in for my 2nd NST, this time with the added bonus of a sonogram to check her fluid. During the NST, the nurse pointed out "mini contractions" occuring every 10 min on the chart and let me know perhaps I could have the baby over the weekend.
DH and I went home & proceeded to pack a bag. I took a bath and ate some popsicles. By 4 o clock I was yelling at DH to get me back to the hospital ASAP. . Dr told us to go to his office first to check progress. At office, I was having cxns 4 min apart and was dilated 3 cm. Dr sends us to hospital at this point - hurrah! Baby is coming!
Complete blur on the hour or so it takes me to get shipped to hospital, put into gown, bed, etc. Dr checks me at 6 pm, breaks water, and I'm 4 1/2 cm. Scream for epi.
By 7:30 I'm screaming in the worst pain EVER and epi is still not in. I have thrown up twice - random. DH was being very patient and wonderful, but I still must of yelled at him somewhere in there. Epi finally in, at which point Dr checks me an I was already at 10 cm. Realize epi was pointless and will now inhibit pushing - but i don't care because baby is coming soon.
I pushed for 2 hours, albeit hindered by the epi. During this time, I'm sure fluids are passing everywhere.
And then I see her. And she is gorgeous. And I hang out and talk to her for an hour while - ew - my tear is being stitched. And I am a mother. And I feel immediate pride and enthusiasm. And DH is gushing and I'm the happiest I've ever been.
) so kinda ruined it~~~but this is w/ Rob the "drug man"! 
)
Jordan's birth story
After that there was more and more pressure which was really intense, it's weird with the epidural you don't really feel "pain" but you can REALLY feel the pressure. Well 2 hours later I feel like I'm literally sitting on his head the pressure is so bad I'm almost crying and I tell them I have to push. She said wait a minute let me check you and I'm thinking no I need to push but I let her anyways and she said "oh there's the baby's head, and no cervix!" she gets the doctor and sets the room up really quick. I get into position and start pushing, it kinda feels good because I know the end is near but OMG the pressure was so bad it was painful, so I push with ALL my might 3 times with each contraction and before I even know it they said the head is crowning, I reach down and feel his head which gives me more incentive to push harder. 2 more contractions come and his head pops out!! they tell me to stop pushing so I stop but MAN it's hard to stop at this point when they tell you to stop. Then they say push again and one more push and he's out and screaming! They lay him on my chest and I INSTANTLY fall in love 
). She weighed 7 lbs 8 ounces and was a wopping 21" long. Beautiful full head of brown hair and a doll. She has been incredibly great. Not a single complaint from us or the nurses. I had my birthday the next day so luckily she will have her own special day. We celebrated my b-day with snack cart brownies and juice but it was the best b-day I ever had with Caleb and Viktoria (Caleb also surprised me with a black onyx (sp.) necklace and flowers:-)).
Audrey
. Dr told us to go to his office first to check progress. At office, I was having cxns 4 min apart and was dilated 3 cm. Dr sends us to hospital at this point - hurrah! Baby is coming!
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