I have noted a few of the cute things my kids have come up with in the past but the last couple months I've been trying to document them more. Here's some of the few I've added to my "kids say" list recently which I found fairly amusing (I'm sure I'll have more of these added to the blog in the future).
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2009-2010 J's favorite phrase:Fix it please
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4/2010
C: This is a sticker I had when I was a little girl.
[Says the 2 year old at the time!]
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8/10
J: Mommy here I found your boobs! [while handing me my bra!]
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8/10
C:I want to watch two movies
Mom: You can watch one
C:Two
Mom: One
C:Yes One, and then another one
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9/1/10
C:Daddy needs to fix this when he gets home
Mom:I'll fix it later
C:But girls can't fix things!
(Long conversation followed this. Remember Mommy was very pregnant when we moved into our current house where Daddy did have to fix several things during the first few months)
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9/27/10
C: Mommy, Eva's belly button fell off!!!!
Mom: Yes but it's okay, Baby's belly buttons are supposed to do that
C: I'm a big girl so my belly button got put back on.
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9/28/10
C:Be quiet Mommy, I'm on the phone!
(while calling Ami...before she picked up)
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10/10
Mom:So what do you want to be when you grow up?
J:I want to be Bob the Builder and fix stuff
C:I want to be Dora when I'm a big girl...or a doctor
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11/10
J's current answer to every 'why' question: Because I needed to
J:I like Eva
Mom:Why do you like her?
J:Because I needed to
Mom:Well what does she do that you like?
J:She burps
Mom:What else?
J:She burps again
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Later the same day as the above:
C:Sometimes Eva whines and when she whines she needs her pacifier,
but when she grows big like us she won't need her pacifier anymore.
Mom:That's right.
C:But if she grows little again then she would need her pacifier again
Mom:Ummm...well...
C:But don't worry she won't grow little again when she's Big BIG BIG
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11/16/10
C: Mommy! Jojo doesn't want to be the Mommy owl!
Mom:Well he wants to be a boy so why don't you let him be the Daddy owl?
C:Okay but who will be the Mommy owl?
Mom:You can be
C:But I want to be the baby owl
Mom: okay I'll be the Mommy owl
C:And what will that guy who goes to school be?
Mom: Who? Wait you mean Daddy?
C:Ya what will that guy be?
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C to J: That's not a car that's a box!
J (While pushing the box across the floor):But I can ride it. Somebody said so!
C:Why are you hiding in your box now?
J:Because I needed to.
A place to record family moments, memories, recipes, & the general random thoughts of Mrs. Baker
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
2 months of Miss E
E is 2 months old today! I can't believe how fast time is going by (you'd think I'd be used to this since she's #3 but it still surprises me.
At her doctor's appointment today she weighed 13lb3oz (from 8lbs11oz at birth, and 10lbs10oz at 1 month). She's growing great and is still breastfeeding exclusively. She wakes once a night for a feeding but other than that sleeps through. She's now lifting her head often to look around and of course try and keep up with what big sis and big bro are doing. Another one of her favorite things is to tell us stories in baby talk. I keep hoping she'll add some real words to them and I'm sure it will be here before I know it.
We are all doing well though busy as always thus me not updating til now. It's been rainy here recently. We're still having random cold days then really warm ones following. Hoping it settles down soon.
C and J are great helpers still and though they have been getting a little stir crazy from the bad weather they still will do anything for a chance to hold their little sis. They adore her. I can't wait till E is able to play with them though I also know it will be here before I know it.
Ok well I don't have too much more time to update now since I need to give the munchkins a bath but I will copy and paste my birth story for yall :) Hope everyone is doing well with their own little blessings! I will try and blog more soon!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
E's Birth Story
Written awhile ago but I just haven't gotten on blogger to update and add it till now 2 months later (I posted this to ICAN at 3 weeks PP, posted here 2 months PP, but to make it easy for me to go back and find and since this was when it happened edited the post date for 9.15). Very long and detailed (and I changed some names since this is posted publicly). Enjoy.
E’s Birth Story Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 5:38pm
A little background:
July 2007: My first daughter, C, was delivered via c-section with EXIT procedure (we were both put to sleep and she was half delivered, intubated, and then fully delivered) due to a condition with her neck. She was 8lbs 2oz, 21 3/4 in. at 38 weeks gestation and had to spend a week in the NICU.
July 2008: My son, J, was delivered via scheduled c-section at 38 weeks 2 days, weighing 8lbs 4oz 20 1/2 in., due to my doctor at the time not wanting to do VBACs with only 12 months between and because he was going on vacation the following week. The doctor also said during surgery I could have VBAC-ed after all.
I switched to my current doctor for my third baby’s pregnancy at 15 weeks along and planned a VBA2C as soon as I found out I was expecting (at 9 weeks along).
The Days Before Labor and Birth:
I was feeling great. I had so much energy I thought I may be pregnant forever since I was feeling too good to go into labor anytime soon.
Monday, September 13th I had an appointment with My doctor. I brought C in the office with me, at her request, while Hubby took J to the hardware store with him and came back to get us afterward. All four women in the waiting room were 40 weeks (give or take a couple days) and all were expecting their third child. Amid lots of talk about contractions, hoping to go into labor soon, and going overdue, Mrs. Phyllis said “It doesn’t matter you'll have your baby in 2 days anyway.” Little did I know she was right.
My appointment was fairly uneventful otherwise. I had lost a couple more pounds (a trend of my last few appointments) and Eva was still fairly high. I refused checks saying it would do no good but give me something else to worry about or a number to google and overanalyze. My doctor said if I got checked though he could strip my membranes. I declined the offer and kept to the plan to wait it out.
After the appointment we went bowling with the kids. We had a great time and I loved the faces I got from the lane nearby as my toddlers and very pregnant me bowled (with 6 and 8lb balls so nothing to worry about but still amusing). After bowling I was craving Mexican food but put it off till next night.
Tuesday went by with our normal routine. I did get the chores done a bit faster than usual so got lots of time to relax and play with the kids. After Hubby got home we went out for Mexican food for dinner which was wonderful.
Dinner was good but a crazy experience. J was slipping out of his booster seat, C was grabbing tacos and chips as they fell apart in her hands. Everything seemed to be going crazy. And at the pinnacle point of the insanity C started freaking out about having taco meat in her shoe and pulled her bare foot up onto the table. In this moment of insanity Hubby and I looked at each other in desperation and just started laughing. We laughed long and hard and admitted we were nuts to take on three kids soon but were so happy despite even the most stressful moment.
Hubby later joked maybe I put myself into labor with laughter or I should say my daughter’s foot induced my labor.
When we got home after the kids were in bed I did some drawing and writing. I had a point of realization and I let go of all my expectations of when I was going into labor etc. I prayed a lot and admitted that I had not been fully trusting God and the process. I had prayed for everything to happen when the time was right according to God but then adding "oh and let that be tomorrow" it seemed. I was still trying to put things on my terms instead of his. I let go of this at that point. I focused on putting aside my worries and trusting in his plan. I thought how he made my body and my baby and trusting in both was just an extension of trusting in him. I went to bed feeling at peace and better about everything. I was going to trust in his plan even if that was to go to 42+ weeks.
He knows what I need and what is best. God always answers prayers though it's not always the answer we want at the time. It's what he knows is best for us.
September 15th:
I slept well that night then awoke at 2am on Wednesday September 15th (at 40 weeks 3 days gestation) with pressure and a contraction that made every other bout of contractions I'd had seem like nothing. I went to the bathroom and had a little cramping but thought nothing of it until I wiped and saw some light blood on the paper. There was a little more blood in the toilet and a couple chunks of pink mucus type stuff. I was freaked out a little but remembered bloody show from my birth class and books and that it could happen several days before actual labor so I tried not to get to excited or let myself be convinced that this was it. I woke Hubby up just to tell him what was up. My contractions continued though they weren’t too painful. I had a little bit of wine and tried to relax but they continued. Hubby had a contraction app on his droid and timed them after a bit and they were all about 2.5-3 minutes apart and 30-45 seconds long at this point. I could still talk through them to an extent so I still figured everything might die down in an hour or two as it had with my lesser contractions in the past weeks.
I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't through the contractions (which hurt more when I was laying down it seemed). So I went and took a bath and let hubby sleep, since as I told him he may still need to go to class in the morning and he figured he'd need the energy no matter what happened. I was very thankful my energy boost I'd been feeling since nesting began kept up so being up wasn't too bad. The bath made everything feel better but didn't deter the contractions. I didn't time again for a couple hours then hubby got up around 6 or so and checked on me and timed again. Still 2.5 to 3 minutes apart but now the contractions were closer to a minute in length and stronger. Also it seemed that the further the gap between, the longer the actual contraction would last and more intense it would be.
My doula had an appointment in the morning and I didn't want to wake her in case it wasn't the real thing but Hubby and I decided it would be better to be safe (and she had said to call her at 4am or earlier in the past). I waited till 6:45 or so to call and give her a heads up. Thankfully her appointment had been cancelled. I was still really talkative between contractions (though I'm very talkative in general so not sure that was a good indicator of where I was in labor, during them I could just do Uh huhs, yes, no, and breathing at this point for the most part) but with the way the contractions were, that they hadn't gone away or lessened in intensity, and with the bloody show my doula said she thought it was the real thing and would go about making plans for her childcare etc. and wanted us to keep her updated and she'd come over whenever we felt we needed her.
Hubby called my mom after my doula (since she's our child care and about an hour and a half away) just to give her a heads up we might need her later that day. I didn't call my doctor yet since I honestly still didn't want to think this was the real thing and get disappointed. Also I couldn't have gone in to get checked until after my mom arrived to watch C and J. My mom didn't answer but called back 30 minutes or so later and said she'd be ready.
So the next couple hours from 8-10ish we continued about our normal routine though a bit more lax then usual. Hubby stayed home and we watched a movie with the kids while I was having contractions. I used the birth ball but at this point was really enjoyed wall squats to ease through the pain. At this point in describing the contractions to Hubby I compared them to climbing a mountain. I could tell as they came on, reached their peak, and descended back down and felt like I was working through them progressively.
I called my doula again to check in around 11 when the contractions had gotten stronger and were all past a minute in length. I couldn't talk through them at this point and wanted to know what I should do next. She said to trust in myself and what I felt I needed to do. I thought I wanted my Mom to head down since I felt worried about my other kids and they had started getting worried about me at this point and noticing Mommy was in pain. C kept coming up to me and saying "This will make you feel better Mommy!" and trying to give me toys. Both kids asked why I hurt and I told them because their little sister was coming today. This excited them but they still were worried when Mommy couldn't talk to them during the contractions. I also needed Hubby to apply pressure to my lower back or sides of my thighs at this point or do hip squeezes for some contractions. I was getting sharper pains on the side of my thighs as labor progressed which were the most irritating part of the pain at this point.
We called my mom and asked her to come down. She had to finish some things at work first but planned to leave shortly.
I continued to work through the contractions with Hubby’s help more and more. I took a shower and have never been so grateful to have an adjustable shower head in my life. The massage spray on my lower back was heaven.
My doula called periodically to ask when we wanted her to come over and gave us tips on making the contractions more effective (making low sounds through them, breathing deep and slow, relaxing, and many other great bits of advice). I told her I'd call her to come over after my mom arrived. I felt I needed my kids taken care of first then Hubby and I would be ready to completely focus on labor.
My mom arrived at 1pm. This was great timing since the kids were getting antsy and I needed Hubby more and more at this point. I called my doula a little after that, and told her we were ready for her as well.
My doula arrived around 1:45; again PERFECT timing. The contractions had gotten strong enough at this point that I was getting more vocal during them and Hubby and I needed the extra help and hands to massage, apply pressure etc. through the contractions. She came in right as I started having a contraction and started performing her magic. It was as if the contractions split in half pain wise. Hubby and my doula were amazing. Both gave me encouragement and manipulated my body to get through the pains and focus on moving forward.
I remember telling my doula if this wasn't real labor I wasn't sure I could do the real version. She assured me it was the real thing. Hubby called my doctor's office at 2:21pm. I was getting more nervous about riding to the hospital at this point and distracting Hubby with my contractions while we drove the 30 minutes or so. My doula agreed that I might be holding myself back with the nervousness about the trip. We told the receptionist that we would head to the hospital and be there in about an hour. Eva was still positioned very high with her knee sticking out on the front of my belly and back to the right side so I figured we had a ways to go since she hadn't dropped etc.
The drive to the hospital wasn't as bad as I expected. I did pretty well getting through the pains in the back seat and the bumps on the road actually felt good massaging my back somewhat. Hubby was an amazing coach from the front seat telling me how amazing I was and that I was doing it! He did make one wrong turn though that added a little time to the trip. I remember seeing the hospital name on the side of the building in the sky and yelling at Hubby to go that way. It was a relief to see.
We arrived a bit after 3:30pm at the hospital. I still felt I had hours ahead of me but was glad we were there and this trip was no longer a worry. We got checked in fairly easily and quickly though we took the wrong elevator at first. My contractions continued at about 2-3 minutes apart (not sure on length but getting longer and stronger). We had stopped using our Contraction timer app. hours before thankfully.
We got from triage to labor and delivery very quickly though I did have a couple contractions I made some louder noises through in the hallway on the way.
I was checked and was dilated 6/7. I was amazed since the baby was still really high it seemed. Also we were told my waters were bulging.
At this point I started to accept that this was the real thing. The contractions continued to get stronger. I asked my doula to post on our ICAN group forum to ask for prayers and ELVs but every time she started typing I'd have a contraction and she'd have to run back to me.
Hubby would apply pressure on my thighs and my doula would apply it to my lower back and then they'd switch occasionally. It worked out really well and I honestly couldn’t have done it without both of them I think.
I compared the contractions then to ocean waves instead of the mountain like ones of earlier. They would overtake me more suddenly and unexpectedly and I had to just let my body go with the flow and let them take me with the tide, not fight them.
About 20-30 minutes after the first check I was checked again for my doctor and was still 6/7 and was told my doctor was planning on leaving his office for the hospital soon. Everything seemed to be going quicker now even though I hadn't dilated anymore. It was becoming harder and harder to find relief from the contractions. I began getting angry during the contractions and yelling and growling more than the low tones of earlier.
I felt like I needed to use the bathroom and empty my bladder more often as well. (I didn’t have any bowel movements during the whole process surprisingly).The nurses were very chill about us being off the monitors in the bathroom. I think this was because they knew my doula would let them know if anything happened suddenly. I had a heplock but was never connected to an IV or anything other than the baby for that matter (crazy to think of in comparison to my cesarean deliveries). I went in the bathroom some time after being checked the second time and had lots of discharge, mucus and blood. Thank goodness my doula could tell Hubby and I that this was normal.
At this point I started asking if it would be okay if I did end up asking for pain relief in the future. My doula and Hubby were reminding me that I was doing it and didn't need the drugs. I begged to get in the shower or bath and my doula said she thought it better we didn't and I might be too far along.
I still wanted a natural birth but those pain killers were looking better and better. I was very vocal during the contractions and wondered if anyone could hear me in the other rooms but also didn't care at that point. I prayed out loud and called on God to help me. My doula told me this was the worst part. I didn't believe her. I was using the metal bar in the bathroom to stand on and yell through my contractions. The baby was feeling a little lower but not that much. I was worried she may go posterior when she descended or might not descend at all.
I had lots of fears I was dealing with at this point: of giving into the pain killers, of going on without the pain killers, of having another c-section, etc. etc. Despite all the books and classes I didn't realize this was obviously transition. At the time I just kept thinking it was going to get worse. During my contractions standing I started feeling more pressure. I yelled through one and some blood splashed out onto the floor between my legs. My doula said we needed to get me back to the room and on the monitors. She and Hubby tried to help me back into the room. I started having another contraction and ended up on the floor on the birth ball and all fours. I yelled "Something's happening!" My doula tried to plug in the monitors and paged the nurses. During this contraction I felt an eruption of sorts (though Hubby says it wasn't that much water). My doula confirmed my water had broke. Hubby was still there massaging, applying pressure and talking to me the whole time. People started swarming into the room it felt like, though they seemed featureless at the time. It was only 5 o'clock. An hour or so since my first check, maybe 20 minutes since the second. I was yelling for the PCB or Epidural only to be told (when checked while on the floor) that I had no cervix left to put it in and the epidural wouldn't take effect before the baby arrived. They wanted me on the bed but the trip of just a few feet seemed huge. I made it with Hubby and my doula's help. I couldn't sit though with the pain in my lower stomach, back, and piercing pain in the sides of my thighs. I ended up facing the wall kneeling against the back of the bed (it was in the sitting position). Hubby was to my left so I could see him but he could still apply pressure to my back. My doula was in front of me between the bed and the wall. I kept telling her to get me the drugs and she kept telling me it was too late and I didn't need them. Hubby kept assuring me how wonderful I was doing and massaging my back. I remember the doctor introducing herself but I didn't register her name at that point, just that she wasn't my doctor and was female. I was told to push when I felt like it.
Hubby asked the doctor not to direct my pushing, though I didn't hear her or pay attention to her any way. I did yell at her saying something to the effect of "Bitch get your hands out of me," when she checked me and the head position during a couple contractions. I honestly felt like my anus was going to explode because of the pressure and all I could do was yell through the pain and push. I remember one contraction I yelled "I....wannnnt Meeeeddd-ihhh-caaaa-tioon!" And another point saying to my doula "Pray for me!" She assured me she had been the whole time. The doctor suggested I turn around and try holding my legs back. No way was that happening with the pain in my back and sides. They were having issues keeping the baby on the monitor because she dropped very quickly from my final contractions in the bathroom to when I hit the floor and my water broke. The nurse to my right had to hold the monitor on my stomach which got in my way when I wanted to apply counter pressure. I was scared and my fear was holding me back some on pushing but Hubby and my doula kept telling me it wasn't going to stop until I pushed her out. I could feel the head and was told by the doctor they saw blonde hair. In a moment of strange calmness I said "That's weird." Then went back to the crazy contraction pushing place. I finally got past the fear and thought back to every birth book and video and story and imagined those moms getting past the head then the rest of the baby slipping out. This became my goal. I pushed and held her there then pushed again with all my might and she was out. Eva Marguerite was here!
I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was kneeling in a puddle as I turned and saw the long cord from me to my baby beneath me. The doctor caught her and placed her on the bed. In a matter of seconds I was holding her. Hubby spoke up and asked to cut the cord before the doctor did it. He did it. We were both in shock. She's here! Vaginally, without pain killers! Without issue. Without my doctor even lol.
She is perfect, beautiful, and here. It was like a dream.
It only took 3-4 pushes till she was out over the course of 15-20 minutes.
I was the first to hold our baby. Then Hubby held her. We declined letting the nurses take her when they asked. We held her for a long time. Her apgars were 8/9. Everything went really fast. I was at the hospital less than 2 hours and went from 6/7 to fully dilated in less than an hour. I pushed for 15 minutes or so. My doctor didn't have time to make it but directed the amazing resident doctor from the phone on the way over.
I did get a second degree tear and had to be stitched up (which wasn't fun) but I got to have my baby on me the whole time. I got to nurse her immediately. My doctor arrived after I was stitched up. I told him I came to the hospital soon enough etc. just no one expected everything to rush by so suddenly since my two checks showed no difference. He was happy for us despite missing it. Everyone left but Hubby, Eva, my doula, and I. We got to wait till later to call the nurse back to do the baby's stats (8 pounds 11 ounces, 20 inches long).
It was amazing. We declined the bath and gave E her first bath ourselves just an hour before being discharged the next day. I was never apart from my daughter the whole time. I could walk and eat so soon after delivery. Everything was so different from my first two births. I definitely prefer this version though each was a blessing as well.
I got to go home 24 hours after delivering. I am now home with all three of my wonderful amazing children around me. I feel great. At this point my last two deliveries I still needed help getting to the bathroom.
I am so happy and so amazingly blessed. E is beautiful and such a good baby. My other children are head over heels in love with "their baby." We are so blessed. My VBA2C went wonderfully when God chose it to and at His pace. I trusted in Him and everything went perfectly. My daughter is perfect. And I am still amazed at the many miracles my family experienced welcoming Eva into the world.
Update 11.6.10: Today E is 3 weeks old and I’ve finally gotten this birth story edited and saved. Everything is still wonderful. Three kids age 3 and under is difficult but wonderful too. C and J still love to help with “their baby.”
Although I feel I bonded with each of my children pretty easily after birth I did have some emotions I dealt with about having this birth experience and wishing my other children’s births had been as easy and as natural. I definitely see each of their births as perfect in their own way and I am thankful for how all aspects of each of my deliveries (the easy and difficult parts) have helped me grow as a person and made me who I am today. I feel my VBA2C was a very natural process and no different than any other vaginal delivery other than getting the extra title of VBAC. I think having the experience has helped me grow once again and Hubby and I have gotten stronger as a couple because of it. I am still so amazed looking at E that she’s here, that we did it, and just how blessed my family and I are.
Also I want to again Thank my doula for her help during my pregnancy, labor, and since. She was and is amazing! I also feel blessed to have her as a friend. My husband has said several times since how the main bit of advice he will be giving to all other expecting dads will be hire a doula! We were both very impressed and thankful to have her help Eva arrive.
Thank you doc T for your care and support, making my VBA2C possible (even if you didn’t actually get to catch yourself).
And thanks to all the lovely ICAN ladies for all your support throughout my pregnancy! Yall are wonderful and I’m so glad to be a part of this amazing organization!
E’s Birth Story Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 5:38pm
A little background:
July 2007: My first daughter, C, was delivered via c-section with EXIT procedure (we were both put to sleep and she was half delivered, intubated, and then fully delivered) due to a condition with her neck. She was 8lbs 2oz, 21 3/4 in. at 38 weeks gestation and had to spend a week in the NICU.
July 2008: My son, J, was delivered via scheduled c-section at 38 weeks 2 days, weighing 8lbs 4oz 20 1/2 in., due to my doctor at the time not wanting to do VBACs with only 12 months between and because he was going on vacation the following week. The doctor also said during surgery I could have VBAC-ed after all.
I switched to my current doctor for my third baby’s pregnancy at 15 weeks along and planned a VBA2C as soon as I found out I was expecting (at 9 weeks along).
The Days Before Labor and Birth:
I was feeling great. I had so much energy I thought I may be pregnant forever since I was feeling too good to go into labor anytime soon.
Monday, September 13th I had an appointment with My doctor. I brought C in the office with me, at her request, while Hubby took J to the hardware store with him and came back to get us afterward. All four women in the waiting room were 40 weeks (give or take a couple days) and all were expecting their third child. Amid lots of talk about contractions, hoping to go into labor soon, and going overdue, Mrs. Phyllis said “It doesn’t matter you'll have your baby in 2 days anyway.” Little did I know she was right.
My appointment was fairly uneventful otherwise. I had lost a couple more pounds (a trend of my last few appointments) and Eva was still fairly high. I refused checks saying it would do no good but give me something else to worry about or a number to google and overanalyze. My doctor said if I got checked though he could strip my membranes. I declined the offer and kept to the plan to wait it out.
After the appointment we went bowling with the kids. We had a great time and I loved the faces I got from the lane nearby as my toddlers and very pregnant me bowled (with 6 and 8lb balls so nothing to worry about but still amusing). After bowling I was craving Mexican food but put it off till next night.
Tuesday went by with our normal routine. I did get the chores done a bit faster than usual so got lots of time to relax and play with the kids. After Hubby got home we went out for Mexican food for dinner which was wonderful.
Dinner was good but a crazy experience. J was slipping out of his booster seat, C was grabbing tacos and chips as they fell apart in her hands. Everything seemed to be going crazy. And at the pinnacle point of the insanity C started freaking out about having taco meat in her shoe and pulled her bare foot up onto the table. In this moment of insanity Hubby and I looked at each other in desperation and just started laughing. We laughed long and hard and admitted we were nuts to take on three kids soon but were so happy despite even the most stressful moment.
Hubby later joked maybe I put myself into labor with laughter or I should say my daughter’s foot induced my labor.
When we got home after the kids were in bed I did some drawing and writing. I had a point of realization and I let go of all my expectations of when I was going into labor etc. I prayed a lot and admitted that I had not been fully trusting God and the process. I had prayed for everything to happen when the time was right according to God but then adding "oh and let that be tomorrow" it seemed. I was still trying to put things on my terms instead of his. I let go of this at that point. I focused on putting aside my worries and trusting in his plan. I thought how he made my body and my baby and trusting in both was just an extension of trusting in him. I went to bed feeling at peace and better about everything. I was going to trust in his plan even if that was to go to 42+ weeks.
He knows what I need and what is best. God always answers prayers though it's not always the answer we want at the time. It's what he knows is best for us.
September 15th:
I slept well that night then awoke at 2am on Wednesday September 15th (at 40 weeks 3 days gestation) with pressure and a contraction that made every other bout of contractions I'd had seem like nothing. I went to the bathroom and had a little cramping but thought nothing of it until I wiped and saw some light blood on the paper. There was a little more blood in the toilet and a couple chunks of pink mucus type stuff. I was freaked out a little but remembered bloody show from my birth class and books and that it could happen several days before actual labor so I tried not to get to excited or let myself be convinced that this was it. I woke Hubby up just to tell him what was up. My contractions continued though they weren’t too painful. I had a little bit of wine and tried to relax but they continued. Hubby had a contraction app on his droid and timed them after a bit and they were all about 2.5-3 minutes apart and 30-45 seconds long at this point. I could still talk through them to an extent so I still figured everything might die down in an hour or two as it had with my lesser contractions in the past weeks.
I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't through the contractions (which hurt more when I was laying down it seemed). So I went and took a bath and let hubby sleep, since as I told him he may still need to go to class in the morning and he figured he'd need the energy no matter what happened. I was very thankful my energy boost I'd been feeling since nesting began kept up so being up wasn't too bad. The bath made everything feel better but didn't deter the contractions. I didn't time again for a couple hours then hubby got up around 6 or so and checked on me and timed again. Still 2.5 to 3 minutes apart but now the contractions were closer to a minute in length and stronger. Also it seemed that the further the gap between, the longer the actual contraction would last and more intense it would be.
My doula had an appointment in the morning and I didn't want to wake her in case it wasn't the real thing but Hubby and I decided it would be better to be safe (and she had said to call her at 4am or earlier in the past). I waited till 6:45 or so to call and give her a heads up. Thankfully her appointment had been cancelled. I was still really talkative between contractions (though I'm very talkative in general so not sure that was a good indicator of where I was in labor, during them I could just do Uh huhs, yes, no, and breathing at this point for the most part) but with the way the contractions were, that they hadn't gone away or lessened in intensity, and with the bloody show my doula said she thought it was the real thing and would go about making plans for her childcare etc. and wanted us to keep her updated and she'd come over whenever we felt we needed her.
Hubby called my mom after my doula (since she's our child care and about an hour and a half away) just to give her a heads up we might need her later that day. I didn't call my doctor yet since I honestly still didn't want to think this was the real thing and get disappointed. Also I couldn't have gone in to get checked until after my mom arrived to watch C and J. My mom didn't answer but called back 30 minutes or so later and said she'd be ready.
So the next couple hours from 8-10ish we continued about our normal routine though a bit more lax then usual. Hubby stayed home and we watched a movie with the kids while I was having contractions. I used the birth ball but at this point was really enjoyed wall squats to ease through the pain. At this point in describing the contractions to Hubby I compared them to climbing a mountain. I could tell as they came on, reached their peak, and descended back down and felt like I was working through them progressively.
I called my doula again to check in around 11 when the contractions had gotten stronger and were all past a minute in length. I couldn't talk through them at this point and wanted to know what I should do next. She said to trust in myself and what I felt I needed to do. I thought I wanted my Mom to head down since I felt worried about my other kids and they had started getting worried about me at this point and noticing Mommy was in pain. C kept coming up to me and saying "This will make you feel better Mommy!" and trying to give me toys. Both kids asked why I hurt and I told them because their little sister was coming today. This excited them but they still were worried when Mommy couldn't talk to them during the contractions. I also needed Hubby to apply pressure to my lower back or sides of my thighs at this point or do hip squeezes for some contractions. I was getting sharper pains on the side of my thighs as labor progressed which were the most irritating part of the pain at this point.
We called my mom and asked her to come down. She had to finish some things at work first but planned to leave shortly.
I continued to work through the contractions with Hubby’s help more and more. I took a shower and have never been so grateful to have an adjustable shower head in my life. The massage spray on my lower back was heaven.
My doula called periodically to ask when we wanted her to come over and gave us tips on making the contractions more effective (making low sounds through them, breathing deep and slow, relaxing, and many other great bits of advice). I told her I'd call her to come over after my mom arrived. I felt I needed my kids taken care of first then Hubby and I would be ready to completely focus on labor.
My mom arrived at 1pm. This was great timing since the kids were getting antsy and I needed Hubby more and more at this point. I called my doula a little after that, and told her we were ready for her as well.
My doula arrived around 1:45; again PERFECT timing. The contractions had gotten strong enough at this point that I was getting more vocal during them and Hubby and I needed the extra help and hands to massage, apply pressure etc. through the contractions. She came in right as I started having a contraction and started performing her magic. It was as if the contractions split in half pain wise. Hubby and my doula were amazing. Both gave me encouragement and manipulated my body to get through the pains and focus on moving forward.
I remember telling my doula if this wasn't real labor I wasn't sure I could do the real version. She assured me it was the real thing. Hubby called my doctor's office at 2:21pm. I was getting more nervous about riding to the hospital at this point and distracting Hubby with my contractions while we drove the 30 minutes or so. My doula agreed that I might be holding myself back with the nervousness about the trip. We told the receptionist that we would head to the hospital and be there in about an hour. Eva was still positioned very high with her knee sticking out on the front of my belly and back to the right side so I figured we had a ways to go since she hadn't dropped etc.
The drive to the hospital wasn't as bad as I expected. I did pretty well getting through the pains in the back seat and the bumps on the road actually felt good massaging my back somewhat. Hubby was an amazing coach from the front seat telling me how amazing I was and that I was doing it! He did make one wrong turn though that added a little time to the trip. I remember seeing the hospital name on the side of the building in the sky and yelling at Hubby to go that way. It was a relief to see.
We arrived a bit after 3:30pm at the hospital. I still felt I had hours ahead of me but was glad we were there and this trip was no longer a worry. We got checked in fairly easily and quickly though we took the wrong elevator at first. My contractions continued at about 2-3 minutes apart (not sure on length but getting longer and stronger). We had stopped using our Contraction timer app. hours before thankfully.
We got from triage to labor and delivery very quickly though I did have a couple contractions I made some louder noises through in the hallway on the way.
I was checked and was dilated 6/7. I was amazed since the baby was still really high it seemed. Also we were told my waters were bulging.
At this point I started to accept that this was the real thing. The contractions continued to get stronger. I asked my doula to post on our ICAN group forum to ask for prayers and ELVs but every time she started typing I'd have a contraction and she'd have to run back to me.
Hubby would apply pressure on my thighs and my doula would apply it to my lower back and then they'd switch occasionally. It worked out really well and I honestly couldn’t have done it without both of them I think.
I compared the contractions then to ocean waves instead of the mountain like ones of earlier. They would overtake me more suddenly and unexpectedly and I had to just let my body go with the flow and let them take me with the tide, not fight them.
About 20-30 minutes after the first check I was checked again for my doctor and was still 6/7 and was told my doctor was planning on leaving his office for the hospital soon. Everything seemed to be going quicker now even though I hadn't dilated anymore. It was becoming harder and harder to find relief from the contractions. I began getting angry during the contractions and yelling and growling more than the low tones of earlier.
I felt like I needed to use the bathroom and empty my bladder more often as well. (I didn’t have any bowel movements during the whole process surprisingly).The nurses were very chill about us being off the monitors in the bathroom. I think this was because they knew my doula would let them know if anything happened suddenly. I had a heplock but was never connected to an IV or anything other than the baby for that matter (crazy to think of in comparison to my cesarean deliveries). I went in the bathroom some time after being checked the second time and had lots of discharge, mucus and blood. Thank goodness my doula could tell Hubby and I that this was normal.
At this point I started asking if it would be okay if I did end up asking for pain relief in the future. My doula and Hubby were reminding me that I was doing it and didn't need the drugs. I begged to get in the shower or bath and my doula said she thought it better we didn't and I might be too far along.
I still wanted a natural birth but those pain killers were looking better and better. I was very vocal during the contractions and wondered if anyone could hear me in the other rooms but also didn't care at that point. I prayed out loud and called on God to help me. My doula told me this was the worst part. I didn't believe her. I was using the metal bar in the bathroom to stand on and yell through my contractions. The baby was feeling a little lower but not that much. I was worried she may go posterior when she descended or might not descend at all.
I had lots of fears I was dealing with at this point: of giving into the pain killers, of going on without the pain killers, of having another c-section, etc. etc. Despite all the books and classes I didn't realize this was obviously transition. At the time I just kept thinking it was going to get worse. During my contractions standing I started feeling more pressure. I yelled through one and some blood splashed out onto the floor between my legs. My doula said we needed to get me back to the room and on the monitors. She and Hubby tried to help me back into the room. I started having another contraction and ended up on the floor on the birth ball and all fours. I yelled "Something's happening!" My doula tried to plug in the monitors and paged the nurses. During this contraction I felt an eruption of sorts (though Hubby says it wasn't that much water). My doula confirmed my water had broke. Hubby was still there massaging, applying pressure and talking to me the whole time. People started swarming into the room it felt like, though they seemed featureless at the time. It was only 5 o'clock. An hour or so since my first check, maybe 20 minutes since the second. I was yelling for the PCB or Epidural only to be told (when checked while on the floor) that I had no cervix left to put it in and the epidural wouldn't take effect before the baby arrived. They wanted me on the bed but the trip of just a few feet seemed huge. I made it with Hubby and my doula's help. I couldn't sit though with the pain in my lower stomach, back, and piercing pain in the sides of my thighs. I ended up facing the wall kneeling against the back of the bed (it was in the sitting position). Hubby was to my left so I could see him but he could still apply pressure to my back. My doula was in front of me between the bed and the wall. I kept telling her to get me the drugs and she kept telling me it was too late and I didn't need them. Hubby kept assuring me how wonderful I was doing and massaging my back. I remember the doctor introducing herself but I didn't register her name at that point, just that she wasn't my doctor and was female. I was told to push when I felt like it.
Hubby asked the doctor not to direct my pushing, though I didn't hear her or pay attention to her any way. I did yell at her saying something to the effect of "Bitch get your hands out of me," when she checked me and the head position during a couple contractions. I honestly felt like my anus was going to explode because of the pressure and all I could do was yell through the pain and push. I remember one contraction I yelled "I....wannnnt Meeeeddd-ihhh-caaaa-tioon!" And another point saying to my doula "Pray for me!" She assured me she had been the whole time. The doctor suggested I turn around and try holding my legs back. No way was that happening with the pain in my back and sides. They were having issues keeping the baby on the monitor because she dropped very quickly from my final contractions in the bathroom to when I hit the floor and my water broke. The nurse to my right had to hold the monitor on my stomach which got in my way when I wanted to apply counter pressure. I was scared and my fear was holding me back some on pushing but Hubby and my doula kept telling me it wasn't going to stop until I pushed her out. I could feel the head and was told by the doctor they saw blonde hair. In a moment of strange calmness I said "That's weird." Then went back to the crazy contraction pushing place. I finally got past the fear and thought back to every birth book and video and story and imagined those moms getting past the head then the rest of the baby slipping out. This became my goal. I pushed and held her there then pushed again with all my might and she was out. Eva Marguerite was here!
I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was kneeling in a puddle as I turned and saw the long cord from me to my baby beneath me. The doctor caught her and placed her on the bed. In a matter of seconds I was holding her. Hubby spoke up and asked to cut the cord before the doctor did it. He did it. We were both in shock. She's here! Vaginally, without pain killers! Without issue. Without my doctor even lol.
She is perfect, beautiful, and here. It was like a dream.
It only took 3-4 pushes till she was out over the course of 15-20 minutes.
I was the first to hold our baby. Then Hubby held her. We declined letting the nurses take her when they asked. We held her for a long time. Her apgars were 8/9. Everything went really fast. I was at the hospital less than 2 hours and went from 6/7 to fully dilated in less than an hour. I pushed for 15 minutes or so. My doctor didn't have time to make it but directed the amazing resident doctor from the phone on the way over.
I did get a second degree tear and had to be stitched up (which wasn't fun) but I got to have my baby on me the whole time. I got to nurse her immediately. My doctor arrived after I was stitched up. I told him I came to the hospital soon enough etc. just no one expected everything to rush by so suddenly since my two checks showed no difference. He was happy for us despite missing it. Everyone left but Hubby, Eva, my doula, and I. We got to wait till later to call the nurse back to do the baby's stats (8 pounds 11 ounces, 20 inches long).
It was amazing. We declined the bath and gave E her first bath ourselves just an hour before being discharged the next day. I was never apart from my daughter the whole time. I could walk and eat so soon after delivery. Everything was so different from my first two births. I definitely prefer this version though each was a blessing as well.
I got to go home 24 hours after delivering. I am now home with all three of my wonderful amazing children around me. I feel great. At this point my last two deliveries I still needed help getting to the bathroom.
I am so happy and so amazingly blessed. E is beautiful and such a good baby. My other children are head over heels in love with "their baby." We are so blessed. My VBA2C went wonderfully when God chose it to and at His pace. I trusted in Him and everything went perfectly. My daughter is perfect. And I am still amazed at the many miracles my family experienced welcoming Eva into the world.
Update 11.6.10: Today E is 3 weeks old and I’ve finally gotten this birth story edited and saved. Everything is still wonderful. Three kids age 3 and under is difficult but wonderful too. C and J still love to help with “their baby.”
Although I feel I bonded with each of my children pretty easily after birth I did have some emotions I dealt with about having this birth experience and wishing my other children’s births had been as easy and as natural. I definitely see each of their births as perfect in their own way and I am thankful for how all aspects of each of my deliveries (the easy and difficult parts) have helped me grow as a person and made me who I am today. I feel my VBA2C was a very natural process and no different than any other vaginal delivery other than getting the extra title of VBAC. I think having the experience has helped me grow once again and Hubby and I have gotten stronger as a couple because of it. I am still so amazed looking at E that she’s here, that we did it, and just how blessed my family and I are.
Also I want to again Thank my doula for her help during my pregnancy, labor, and since. She was and is amazing! I also feel blessed to have her as a friend. My husband has said several times since how the main bit of advice he will be giving to all other expecting dads will be hire a doula! We were both very impressed and thankful to have her help Eva arrive.
Thank you doc T for your care and support, making my VBA2C possible (even if you didn’t actually get to catch yourself).
And thanks to all the lovely ICAN ladies for all your support throughout my pregnancy! Yall are wonderful and I’m so glad to be a part of this amazing organization!
She's here :)
E arrived Wednesday September 15, 2010 at 5:38pm 8lbs 11oz, 20 inches, and via natural VBA2C. Though I'd been having contractions since 2am everything sped up once we reached the hospital and my doctor actually missed the delivery. Luckily there was a resident on staff who had been training under him who was there to catch and great.
I am still trying to get the birth story together and will add it later.
We got to come home the next day. I'm feeling wonderful and we've all been doing great. C and J adore their little sis. E's a great baby and is so easy (knock on wood) so far lol. We are so happy and incredibly blessed.
I'll add one pic for yall here just for this (most of my other pics are on FB)
Here E is at almost 3 weeks old
I am still trying to get the birth story together and will add it later.
We got to come home the next day. I'm feeling wonderful and we've all been doing great. C and J adore their little sis. E's a great baby and is so easy (knock on wood) so far lol. We are so happy and incredibly blessed.
I'll add one pic for yall here just for this (most of my other pics are on FB)
Here E is at almost 3 weeks old
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Still here, still waiting
So I haven't been the best at updating since I've been busy offline (though not as busy as I thought I'd be). It's September now! Which is completely crazy since this month seemed so far away before this. It's past the 12th (the supposed due date for Ms. E). And I'm still here, still pregnant, still waiting, and honestly feeling better than I have in awhile. I would like if E would make her appearance soon for sure but I feel so good right now (and for the last week or so) that I have no clue when she'll be coming. I hit nesting last week so despite sleeping worse and worse I've had super hero amounts of energy it feels like. I have had some episodes of contractions (intense non-BH) but they always stop after 2-3 hours. I know my body is getting ready though and God has a plan for the perfect time and day for E's birth. So I'm just staying positive and waiting.
C and J have been getting more and more impatient, asking daily when their little sister is coming out and even if she's come out already lol. I think we are all in need of some distractions from the waiting. I honestly want to go out of town...for just a day trip to the mountains or something, but not sure how open hubby would be to that :P We'll see if I'm still in need of the distraction this weekend and maybe I can talk him into something then lol.
So that's the main thing we're all focused on right now. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and all looked great. Then we went bowling afterward (a tradition for our recent appointments). The kids actually do really well with their 6lb ball and bumpers (C loves it!) and it's funny seeing the looks I get bowling with the belly (I am using a lighter ball then I'd use if not pregnant don't worry). Overall it was a lot of fun.
Well I have to get back to work (aka the never ending tasks of the SAHM though today I've already done most the chores). Please keep us in your prayers that when God decides the time is right all goes perfectly with E's delivery and to give me strength and support as I labor to bring our little blessing into the world :) Hope you all are doing well and have a great rest of the week!
C and J have been getting more and more impatient, asking daily when their little sister is coming out and even if she's come out already lol. I think we are all in need of some distractions from the waiting. I honestly want to go out of town...for just a day trip to the mountains or something, but not sure how open hubby would be to that :P We'll see if I'm still in need of the distraction this weekend and maybe I can talk him into something then lol.
So that's the main thing we're all focused on right now. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and all looked great. Then we went bowling afterward (a tradition for our recent appointments). The kids actually do really well with their 6lb ball and bumpers (C loves it!) and it's funny seeing the looks I get bowling with the belly (I am using a lighter ball then I'd use if not pregnant don't worry). Overall it was a lot of fun.
Well I have to get back to work (aka the never ending tasks of the SAHM though today I've already done most the chores). Please keep us in your prayers that when God decides the time is right all goes perfectly with E's delivery and to give me strength and support as I labor to bring our little blessing into the world :) Hope you all are doing well and have a great rest of the week!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Back to the Blog
So I've had a very busy month and just realized I hadn't updated in awhile so here's our update.
All is going well. We are officially moved into our new place and signed out on the old apartment. I had a lot of complaints with the apartment at the end (mainly lack of space, privacy, and safety: living right off a busy metro street with nothing preventing random people from walking into the complex and specifically the playground area) but I definitely had a lot of wonderful memories there too which let me to cry as we drove away for the final time. That was our first home as a family (we moved in the month before C arrived) and where we brought both our first two babies home to. We made lots of wonderful friends in our time there (most of whom have recently moved to other places locally and nationally as well).
As we drove away C and J were saying "Bye Bye Old room! Bye little house!" which definitely made me tear up more (dang hormones) and hubby brought up how that was where the kids took their first steps, said their first words,.... (okay I have to stop or I'll cry again). Then C said "Mommy can we go to the big house now?" and started telling us all the things she likes about our new place (which they both have dubbed "the big house" lol). I am very excited about all the amazing memories to come that will have here. And definitely have realized it's the people not the place that makes the home :)
We have all of our stuff moved in but unpacking is still ongoing. I'm hoping to be box free before E arrives but we'll see. We are still putting the final touches on the nursery and the kids' room (though it is painted etc. we're still putting up some decor). I love that we were able to decorate here and make it more ours and will upload pics when everything is done.
We love having so much space (especially the huge back yard) though the hot weather is keeping us inside more. Hubby got a charcoal grill and has been cooking out for us a lot which has been so yummy! Also it's been a nice break in cooking for me. He has to go back to class next week and I'll definitely miss him being home as much. He is still waiting to here from the internships he's applied to so he's signed up for classes temporarily just in case and will withdraw for the term if the internships come through.
As of today I am 37 weeks along! It's crazy I'm already this far! And also that I had my last two (scheduled though) arrived at 38weeks and 38weeks 2 days. This little girl gets to choose her own birth day though, so she can arrive anywhere from now to 42 weeks (or a few days more even if she wanted). We'll see how it goes, and are very excited about the unknowns and a natural vaginal delivery! Keep us in your prayers that all goes perfectly when the time comes!
Hubby and I've been having private birth classes the last few weekends that have been awesome (while my amazing mom babysat). We both feel a lot more comfortable, educated, and prepared for birth in general and it's been great time for just us to spend together. Our last class is this Saturday so hoping no early arrivals till past then at least lol.
I am feeling good for the most part (though huge and hot of course lol). My body is definitely getting ready, but I'm not miserable (other than due to the heat) as of yet :). I'm hoping this feeling lasts even as I get closer to birth day. My doctor doesn't do vaginal checks since they are not very good indicators of progression and can cause infection so I have no numbers to tell but have been having other symptoms that my body is in preparation mode so your guess on ETAs are as good as mine lol.
I have to run for now so that's it for the current update. I'll try to write again soon! Hope everyone's doing well enjoying the last weeks of Summer!
All is going well. We are officially moved into our new place and signed out on the old apartment. I had a lot of complaints with the apartment at the end (mainly lack of space, privacy, and safety: living right off a busy metro street with nothing preventing random people from walking into the complex and specifically the playground area) but I definitely had a lot of wonderful memories there too which let me to cry as we drove away for the final time. That was our first home as a family (we moved in the month before C arrived) and where we brought both our first two babies home to. We made lots of wonderful friends in our time there (most of whom have recently moved to other places locally and nationally as well).
As we drove away C and J were saying "Bye Bye Old room! Bye little house!" which definitely made me tear up more (dang hormones) and hubby brought up how that was where the kids took their first steps, said their first words,.... (okay I have to stop or I'll cry again). Then C said "Mommy can we go to the big house now?" and started telling us all the things she likes about our new place (which they both have dubbed "the big house" lol). I am very excited about all the amazing memories to come that will have here. And definitely have realized it's the people not the place that makes the home :)
We have all of our stuff moved in but unpacking is still ongoing. I'm hoping to be box free before E arrives but we'll see. We are still putting the final touches on the nursery and the kids' room (though it is painted etc. we're still putting up some decor). I love that we were able to decorate here and make it more ours and will upload pics when everything is done.
We love having so much space (especially the huge back yard) though the hot weather is keeping us inside more. Hubby got a charcoal grill and has been cooking out for us a lot which has been so yummy! Also it's been a nice break in cooking for me. He has to go back to class next week and I'll definitely miss him being home as much. He is still waiting to here from the internships he's applied to so he's signed up for classes temporarily just in case and will withdraw for the term if the internships come through.
As of today I am 37 weeks along! It's crazy I'm already this far! And also that I had my last two (scheduled though) arrived at 38weeks and 38weeks 2 days. This little girl gets to choose her own birth day though, so she can arrive anywhere from now to 42 weeks (or a few days more even if she wanted). We'll see how it goes, and are very excited about the unknowns and a natural vaginal delivery! Keep us in your prayers that all goes perfectly when the time comes!
Hubby and I've been having private birth classes the last few weekends that have been awesome (while my amazing mom babysat). We both feel a lot more comfortable, educated, and prepared for birth in general and it's been great time for just us to spend together. Our last class is this Saturday so hoping no early arrivals till past then at least lol.
I am feeling good for the most part (though huge and hot of course lol). My body is definitely getting ready, but I'm not miserable (other than due to the heat) as of yet :). I'm hoping this feeling lasts even as I get closer to birth day. My doctor doesn't do vaginal checks since they are not very good indicators of progression and can cause infection so I have no numbers to tell but have been having other symptoms that my body is in preparation mode so your guess on ETAs are as good as mine lol.
I have to run for now so that's it for the current update. I'll try to write again soon! Hope everyone's doing well enjoying the last weeks of Summer!
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