Thread: ~*~Andrea's Lodge (annierose)~*~

Wow, that would have been scary for a first birth, can't wait to read the next birth story.

Cindy

Here's my birth story from the blog of DD2, written just a few days after she was born. Once again, my perspective has changed from where I was at that time.

I had my 39 week appointment with Dr. M on Thursday morning. She did an internal exam because I had been having quite a number of contractions and I was curious to find out if they were doing anything. It turns out that I was 4cm dilated, but baby was still high. She was in the perfect position so we went ahead with a membrane sweep and I went home.

Nana and Papa were visiting and they decided to stick around in case I went into labor. They went shopping during Mina's nap and Mina decided that she wanted to take a nap with me after talking in her crib for about an hour. We snuggled and loved on each other for about two hours. It was glorious.

I wasn't showing any signs of labor so we all went out to eat at Bennigan's. Yum. Potato soup. Nana and Papa went to a movie afterwards so we spent some time together as a little family before we put Mina to bed. We watched TV and I started feeling some painful contractions here and there. By bed time they seemed to be getting closer together, but I could still handle them well. Right before I was about to get into bed Mina cried and coughed so I went in and wiped her nose and gave her one last kiss and hug before she went back to sleep.

I laid down in bed at about 10:30 and the contractions started right away. There was no way I was going to be able to fall asleep with contractions about 3 minutes apart. Before too long I went and filled the tub with warm water because I remembered that helped with the pain last time. I sat in the tub for a couple of hours breathing through the contractions. I visualized my cervix opening, tried to think of happy thoughts (like Mina singing songs), and concentrated on the fact that my body needed to feel some pain to make progress. It got to the point where the tub wasn't helping and I managed to get to Jon to tell him to get up. He timed a few contractions. They were about 2 minutes apart and lasting a minute or longer each. He got out his phone to call L & D when I had a contraction that lasted about 3 minutes long.

We packed up and left for the hospital. The driveway was really icy and I had a contraction while trying to get into the car. I had to lean on the hood and sway. We made it to the hospital and I surprised Jon by wanting to walk to L & D. I figured that if I wasn't puking, then I should walk because there's no telling how long my labor could last. It took us a while, but we made it to the right place and got to a room at around 2am.

The nurse could tell that I was truly in labor without talking to the doctors. My contractions were regular, painful, and strong. She thankfully got the IV of fluids started right away so I could get an epidural when I wanted one. A doctor came in and found that I was completely effaced and 6cm dilated. Right before they put me in the delivery room I had a terrible, terrible contraction that caused me to rethink my supper choice. I got it out of my system and felt much better. That was my only puking episode thankfully. Looking back, that was probably transition.

The anesthesiologist came in shortly after and I got my epidural somewhere around 3am. It worked well and I was able to relax after just a few contractions. Half an hour later I felt pushy so we told the nurse. She pulled up the sheet to have a look and started to giggle. My bag was partially hanging out of me. She got the doctors because I was likely ready to deliver quickly with that circumstance. The doctors came in, had their laugh, broke the sac, and I was ready to push. I had a contraction so I pushed a couple of times. It felt good so I asked if I could keep pushing. They let me. I stopped after the contraction ended and started up again with the next contraction. I pushed a couple of more times and then out came Charlotte. No pain, just happiness and awe. It couldn't get much easier or calm.

Charlotte was put on my chest for a quick snuggle before they took her to wipe off and assess. The placenta was delivered and then my small tear was repaired. Once the doctors were done stitching me (which took a while just because of the placement and amount of bleeding going on), I was able to nurse Charlotte. She did a good job of latching on. They placed a catheter in me since I was swollen and then it was time to move to the mom and baby unit.

I didn't enjoy the ride to the unit. I felt kind of queasy and off. Right as we got there, the nurse said that I should have someone there when I got up for the first time because I might feel dizzy. I said, "I feel kind of dizzy right now." She told me to stop looking at the floor. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by concerned faces. I had fainted due to the blood loss and been out for about 15 seconds. They got me into bed and I felt much, much better once I was laying down.

Nothing too exciting happened after that. Charlotte ate, we slept here and there and had some visitors. We were discharged the next morning to our great relief. It was wonderful getting to see Mina and not having to be away from her for long. Mina has been good for the most part. She was hitting and throwing stuff, but started acting pretty much normal and lovey by Tuesday. It helps that my mom is staying with us so I can devote individual time to my big girl.

Now for the frustration - On Monday, I brought Charlotte in for a check and her bili level was high. They had me come in with her again on Tuesday and it was higher. It was even higher on Wednesday so we were told to bring her in for some phototherapy to treat her jaundice. I've been able to room in with her and nurse her every couple of hours, but it's not that fun staying in the hospital. Her levels were checked again this morning and they're on their way down. However, the levels aren't going down fast/far enough so there is a potential second night's stay ahead of us. Her level will get checked again this afternoon and that will determine what happens from here.

I'm not worried about Charlotte. Jaundice isn't that big of a deal and it's being treated. She has plenty of dirty and wet dipes and is regaining her birth weight quickly. I'm worried about Mina and her adjustment. She was doing so well, but now she doesn't have her mommy again and it has to be confusing. She loves Grandma, but it just isn't the same. I miss her very badly. No matter how many kids I have, she's my special girl. Jon is working today and Mina has a cold so I can't see her until either we are released or tonight when Jon can spell me. I'm frustrated. Maybe baby #3 will be a take home and stay home baby.

I'm kind of crampy tonight. I hope I don't go into labor yet! I'd really like to keep this guy in until at least October 14th because I have some commitments that would be a lot easier being hugely pregnant than with a newborn up until then. Oh well. What will be, will be.

Loved reading both of your stories! The first one does sound pretty scary. I'm glad that you didn't end up getting a c-section and Mina didn't have to stay in the NICU long. My DS also had meconium in the sac at birth and they kept him for 5 days. I can also relate to so much of your second birth story. Bulging bag and all. You siggy pic is so cute of your girls. So you are having a baby boy this time?

My second had jaundice issues and I was so emotional over them, darned hormones! What's your plan with this birth?

Any progress with the cramps or have they passed?

Cindy

Thankfully the cramps seemed to have gone away, but I didn't sleep well last night. My DH is going to be out of town for part of this weekend and I'm worried that I'll go into labor, even though it would be early for me. I do have a ton of family around and a big sister that could serve as my labor coach in a pinch.

It's a boy this time. We're pretty excited about that. We both figured it was another girl and would have been happy about that too, but this way I got to redecorate the nursery and buy a bunch of new clothes and diapers.

We've been reading up on the Bradley Method and practicing. I've been working out a few days a week and I'm in great shape. I plan to labor at home in our jet tub as long as possible like I did with Charlotte (only we have a bigger tub now, woot!). The hospital is about 10 minutes away. My OB is aware that I want to go drug-free and my DH (and my sister, just in case) have promised to keep me focused and motivated. I hope it goes fast again. It's a different hospital from the last two which has some positives and negatives. It's not a teaching hospital and generally isn't very busy so it will be a more calm atmosphere. My DH works there so that gives them extra motivation to do right by me. However, there aren't tubs to labor in and since my DH works with them, I'm a little afraid that he'll go into people pleasing mode.

My OB's backyard is kitty corner from ours and he has said he'll come over if I accidentally have the baby at home in the night. My DH eats lunch with him pretty frequently and our kids play together once in a while. It's nice to have that personal relationship and to have help nearby.

I loved reading your birth stories and congrats on expecting your little boy! Your first birth story does sound intense, I can't imagine puking so easily, but how awesome that you avoided a c/s! We had "extended care" with DD for jaundice and weight gain because she was early. I was such a mess. I couldn't imagine going back and fourth. That had to be draining.

It sounds like an awesome OB relationship! I hope your little guy stays put for a while.

I have a bit of time so I suppose I should introduce myself better.

My DH and I met when I was 15 and he was 14. We were in marching band together in high school. He played alto saxophone and I played flute and piccolo. We flirted some (because I flirted with most guys), but we were just friends for a couple of years. I had other boyfriends. He had girlfriends. We still flirted. One time we were at a party and there wasn't much room to sit to watch a movie so I sat between his legs. I guess he was a little uncomfortable that night. Anyway, this flirtatious relationship continued for a couple of years until we went on a band trip and ended up hooking up. From there, it developed into a relationship that has now lasted for half of our lives. I went away to college so we did the long distance thing for a year before he joined me. We got married after he finished his undergraduate degree.

Once we were married, I taught high school math. My favorite classes to teach were Algebra 2 and AP Calculus. I taught for 5 years before getting pregnant with our first. He went through dental school at that time and then did a four year residency to become an oral and maxilofacial surgeon. He's been in practice now for over two years. We had both of our other kids while he was in residency and insanely busy so this has been a switch to have him present and available.

We live in the same town as my parents, his parents, my oldest sister, BIL, and their two kids (of babysitter age), and my other sister, BIL, and their three kids. I obviously have no problem getting help with the kiddos and it's AWESOME!!! It's quite the switch from when Jon was in residency. He was so busy and we didn't live near family, but I had friends to lean on at least.

My DH and I have a pretty great relationship. He's not the traditional guy. He's always willing to pitch in and help without me having to ask. He's not perfect, but I have to say he's pretty close. I've trained him well. Our biggest struggle was when we were having problems conceiving our first. My cycles were all long and wonky. He had a varicocele that made his counts all messed up. We did clomid, then did IUI with injectables where I overstimulated. Ouch! Our first IVF cycle ended in a suspected ectopic. That was the lowest part of my life. We almost decided to give up and not have kids at all. However, our second IVF cycle worked and we got our oldest DD. She's definitely a dream come true! From there, we decided to get the varicocele repair surgery done because there was a small chance it would save us from having to do IVF again. We got pregnant before his counts even got tested again. I was shocked even though we had tried. I went through a period of guilt over being fertile and was scared to tell some people that I knew were struggling. We got pregnant with this little guy right away too.

We were going to wait longer to go for our third and final baby, but I went to a baby shower as my body was gearing up to ovulate. I came home and asked Jon if he was ready. He was quick to agree. I think he was hoping it would take longer than one cycle though! We happened to have my parents already lined up for an overnight date night that night so it was written in the stars.

I'm so blessed and happy! I'm excited to meet this little guy and make him part of our team.

Aw! I love your "How we met" story! I think it is wonderful that you were able to skip IVF for your 2nd and 3rd, that must have been such a relief financially and emotionally.

Sounds like you have a wonderful husband. And it does sound like it was written in the stars for you to conceive this little guy that night!

We have been reading the Bradley Method book too. I have found it very helpful! I look forward to hearing how you think it helps you in labor.