Birth Story

Sitting here with my baby in my arms and figured I should write down the birth story while I still remembered the details.
We had a false alarm the week or so before the big day so when I started to feel contractions again I was nervous about being turned away from the hospital again. So when I woke up at 4 AM on Saturday April 9 with some contractions I didn't think much of it at first. Then when I went to the bathroom and noticed a trickle of fluid, I started wondering if my water had broken. But it wasn't like a gush of water like in the movies so I was still suspicious. I had read somewhere to lay down for 15 mins and then stand up to see if another trickle comes out. Well it did, and I did it a couple more times just to make sure before waking J up. So I woke him up, but decided that he should still go to work (yes he had to work on a Saturday) since my contractions were not what I considered strong. The trickles kept coming and my contractions started growing worse so I called J at 8 AM to come home and get me. He came home and was all excited and ready to go. I was strangely calm and in no rush so we took showers and finished packing our bags finally getting to the hospital around 10 AM. I tested positive for amnniotic fluid but an ultrasound showed that my levels were still normal. To this day I am still not sure if my water technically broke or not.
My contractions were about 6 mins apart at this point and pretty regular but I still didn't feel like they were unbearable. My doctor was not on call so we had another doctor checking on me (who we ended up liking better). She came to speak with us while were still in triage and said that she thought we were indeed in early labor and we had two choices. We could go home, but she expected to see us back in a few hours, or we could go ahead and be induced. I immediately said, "We'll take option 2". I was already 5 days overdue and ready to meet our baby so it was an easy decision. It was busy that day so we waited around for what seemed like forever for a labor room to open, but it was taking so long that the Dr decided to break my water in the triage. After this happened my contractions started to get stronger but were no longer regular. They couldn't find a good vein, and after prodding for awhile called the anethesiologist to find my vein. Even he had trouble but after one failed attempt on one arm, finally got it on the other arm. Before leaving he said, "See you soon for your epidural!" I told him I was attempting to go without. He asked me if it was my first, and after receiving my answer, he laughed to hmself as he left. We finally got up to the labor & delivery room around noon where they started me on pitocin. Well then the contractions REALLY started to get stronger but still irregular and I was still only at 3 cm. I labored with J at my side for the next few hours as the contractions got worse and worse. I told J that the next time the nurse came and checked me, if I wasn't at a 6 or more, that I would go ahead and get the epidural. I could tell that he was worried about the pain I was in and thought that we would both feel more at ease with the epidural. The nurse came and said that I was a 4 or a 5, so I said, "Order it up!" The same anesthesiologist came in that I had seen before, and he just laughed when he saw me.
Apparently, my spine is curved and so he had a hard time with the epidural. I could feel it going on my left side (a burning sensation), but nothing on my right. J said that he kept moving the needle around, meanwhile I kept feeling the burning time after time. Eventually, we got it to the right side of my body, but then the left side was VERY numb which kind of scared me.
Thank God I had hunted an iPad down that week because J ordered up a movie (I let him choose, and what does he choose, but Canadian Bacon). It was OK though, cause I was so sleepy I was kind of in an out during the whole movie. Then, like we were actually in a movie, as soon as the credits rolled, the nurse came in, checked me, and said "You're a 10!" Then there was a flurry of movement as the doctor was called. We had a shift change of the nurse right then too and the new one we found out was from Michigan so J and I felt it was meant to be. J took one leg, the nurse took the other, and the doctor manned the helm. We pushed for 2 hours, from 6 to 8 PM. My contractions were strong, but not regular as I would have 2 or 3 right after one another, but then nothing for 5 minutes or so. I could still feel them coming on and would loudly proclaim to all that it was time to push. J and I thought that there would be a bunch of people coming in and out, with bright lights and lots of noise. To our amazement though, it was so calm, almost surreal. It was just the 4 of us and in between contractions we were talking and joking. We felt great and just....ready. It was the best experience I could have asked for. Even though I was a little disappointed in myself for not going natural, in the end, it was the best decision for me and I didn't look back. Who knows how long it would have taken since the contractions weren't regular! Plus, they had my on oxygen for most of the time as they were worried about the heartbeat.
Finally, the baby was moving down and we could see the hair and the head. So exciting! Everyone knew that we didn't know the sex of the baby yet, and so I said that someone had to yell out what it was. The doctor proudly said, "That's my job!" The nurses were so excited too as they said it was rare now that people didn't know the sex. Even the nurse that had to leave right before pushing said she would call the hospital later to find out what we had!
So we are pushing, it is around 8 PM, and out the baby comes! The doctor yelled, "It's a GIRL!!" Turns out, the reason I was on oxygen was that the cord was wrapped around her neck! But the doctor just calmly pulled it over her head like it was no big deal. I started bawling like crazy. Rare for me, I know, and I don't know if I was relieved it was over or just so happy to finally meet my baby, but my heart swelled. Every cliche that is said when your child is born was certainly true. She was absolutely beautiful with the most hair I have ever seen on a baby.
We spent the next day and half as our own little family. The first night A was laying next to me in her crib, with J on the couch and I whispered to J, "Look at her legs!" They were sticking up in the air with a perfect right degree angle to her body, it was so funny and we both just giggled. I think that's when we fell in love. (And she still does that to this day!)

Waiting...

Here is the last maternity pic. I look huge!

Also, here are pics of the nursery.

FULL TERM! 37 weeks!!!

I can't believe we did it. This kid is fully cooked and ready to go any day now!  Baby is still breech; we have an ultrasound tomorrow to see if it has flipped or not. I'm not too worried about it cause a) there's still time for it to flip and b) it has to come out one way or another! It's just being stubborn like its Daddy.




Here are the maternity pics I promised. Just some of our favs.

36 weeks

We had our shower this past weekend and it was wonderful. Great company, great food, great Skypers, and great gifts! I do believe we are all set for this kid to make its presence! Treadmill is finally out, glider is finally in. Mom and Jack stayed an extra day to help us organize the nursery so it is really looking good. Just have to do a little more washing, pack a diaper bag, choose a pediatrician and then I think we're all good.
I cannot believe how big my belly has gotten, and cannot believe it could get any bigger. Getting nervous as numerous people have commented about how much it sticks out- saying it could be twins or it's gonna be a big baby. And can I say that strangers have been the nicest to me throughout this whole pregnancy. I'll get stopped all the time by people with kind words and advise. People open doors for me and help me with things. If only strangers treated people this way all the time how our world would be different!
I think the dog knows that something is up too. He has not left my side for about a week now. He never used to be so attached to me so it is really interesting. I love it though as it is strangely very comforting. Almost like he is protecting me.
I know I owe some maternity photos so I will put those up soon. Now to bed. Have a cold or allergies or something that will just not go away. xoxo

My wonderfully talented hubby

J put his home-ec skills to use and MADE the valance for our nursery! I am so impressed! He made it out of a crib skirt. The whole thing was his idea and he pretty much did it himself. And it looks amazing. Once we get the whole nursery done (and that stupid treadmill out), I'll post pics.
We bought all the components to the hospital bags and this weekend I am going to finish packing them. We also installed our car seat bases, though mine doesn't incline properly so we have to get that fixed when we get them checked. Birthing classes are over and we met a great couple that lives right down the street from us so hopefully we will connect with them soon. The last class we took a tour of the labor and delivery unit and I totally freaked out! I don't know why, but walking into the birthing room just totally made it so real for me. And seeing all the machines and the little incubator thing that they put the newborns in kind of scared me. Then we went to the nursery and seeing all the little babies made me feel better. I just have to remember that at the end of it all, we get a beautiful little baby and it will all be so worth it!
My shower is in a couple of weeks and I am getting excited. We also have 3 more classes to go to in the next month- expectant parents class (1st aid, how to change a diaper, etc), a breastfeeding class, and J has a Dad's class to go to. Then we have J's best friend coming to visit (I fully expect to be DD for the weekend) and then it will just be a waiting game until the baby decides to grace us with his/her presence!
I am amazed at the support we are getting from strangers when they ask what the gender is and we tell them that we are waiting to find out. Most people say "Good for you!" and comment that no one waits anymore. I read somewhere that only 20-30% of couples let it be a surprise. In fact, we were the only couple in the birthing class that didn't know the gender. Though it has been hard not to peek at the ultrasounds, I am glad we decided to wait.
We took our maternity photos last weekend. We weren't that thrilled with them, but I'll post a couple soon. Of course we were big dorks and had half done in a State outfit, but no one should be surprised by that. The photographer asked if I wanted to be half nude so that my belly would show, and I wasn't all that comfortable with that. It's weird, I have no problem with people touching my belly, but I don't really like showing it. We did do a couple of shots where I rolled up my shirt and one of them is actually really cute so I guess it turned out OK. Check back soon for the pics!
P.S. Note the time...5:20 AM. Yes, that's right, I've been up since 3:30. The dog and I have a new schedule. He wakes me up at 3:30 to go out, won't come back in and then I can't get back to sleep. I think he's preparing me for the baby!

31 weeks

We are in the home stretch now! Started our childbirth classes which are great. Our 3D/4D ultrasound did not go so well because the baby kept putting its fists in front of its face so we couldn't get a good picture. We are going to try again this week and the tech told me to eat something sweet before we go so that the baby is more active- no problem with that!
I HAVE NOT gotten the nursery done, which was my goal for the end of the month. We did order a glider but it is supposed to take 10-12 weeks to arrive- cutting it close! The treadmill is still in there but am hoping to get rid of it next weekend. Oddly enough, the biggest hangup has been the window treatments. I can't find anything that matches the crib skirt. I didn't want to buy one of those bedding sets because they all include a bumper and a comforter- why this is so I don't know since every book you read says NOT to use a bumper or a comforter in a crib. I just can't see buying a whole set and not using half of it.
I am getting nervous because we only have 2 months until the due date and have so much yet to do. And what if the baby comes early?! Oh lord, that's on my mind all the time! I have even started slowly packing my overnight bag as I purchase things- so far have a coming home outfit and a nursing/sleepwear set packed. I WILL BE PREPARED!!!
J is so funny- he has been playing music to the baby before we go to sleep. He'll choose a song and then set the ipod right on top of my belly. So far, the baby has been introduced to Dave Matthews Band (J's favorite) and Bob Marley (my favorite). Baby likes both and kicks up a storm!
This past week has been really interesting as more strangers have commented on my belly. I guess I must be at that stage where people can really tell I'm preggo and are willing to comment without fear that I'm just fat. We were at the mall yesterday, and I glanced over at a window and saw a very pregnant lady. And then I thought, oh wait that's me! And today at the grocery store, the bagger asked how long I have. I was thinking- how long to what? Then I remembered, oh yeah I'm pregnant. It is so weird! However, I am reminded every morning of my belly when I try to put on my socks and shoes. My co-workers suggested that I get one of those shoe horns with the 3 foot extenders- haha! And don't even get me started on shaving- that is exhausting!
Here is a bump pic taken at 29 weeks...a couple of weeks old but I don't think I've gotten much bigger since then.

3 months to go!

Monday was the official start of my 3rd trimester and yesterday was 3 months exactly until my due date! I really cannot believe how fast it has gone. I'm feeling pretty good, just tired. This week I have my glucose test which I am nervous about because of my family history of diabetes. Then in 2 weeks we have our 3D/4D ultrasound which I am really excited about. We also start our childbirth classes this month. I am supposed to take a breastfeeding class this Saturday but am going to try to push it off since we still have some time and I don't want to forget everything.
We haven't finished the nursery yet, but it is my goal to finish it by the end of this month. We can't get rid of the treadmill that is in there, and can't decide on a glider. I didn't want the traditional glider initially; I just wanted a regular chair that glides so that it could be used in other parts of the house as well. However, we cannot agree on a style and the one we liked was too expensive, so I think we're just going to end up with a  regular glider. At this point, just as long as it is comfortable I am happy.
I did start to write in the baby book. Just things like the family tree and when we found out we were pregnant, etc.
Here is a picture from Christmas Eve when J dragged me to Midnight Mass (I thought I was gonna curl up in the pew and fall asleep haha). Not that great of a picture of me but it shows my bump pretty good. J looks handsome as ever.