Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Oren's Birth Story

I woke up to contractions very early on Saturday, August 22nd. The contractions were 8-10 minutes apart and would be consistent for a few hours and then stop. Walking would increase the duration and frequency of the contractions, but the contractions would stop when I stopped walking.

I called my midwife around noon and asked her for advice. I told her that I was uncomfortable and tired of being pregnant so she said to go to the hospital, get checked in and she'd break my water. I had really wanted to go into labor this time around completely on my own, but it was difficult to put my life on hold in the hope that I'd go into labor.

Our great nurse, Ann, checked us in, placed my saline lock and started prepping the room for labor and delivery. We walked the halls a bit and my midwife came in and broke my water at 1:45 pm. I dilated immediately to 4 cm and we went back to walking the halls. I quickly realized that all of the somewhat painful contractions I had been having paled in comparison to what I started to experience.

We went back to the birthing room and I sat on a birth ball. I was able to manage my contractions very well while sitting on the ball and it provided some much needed rest for my tired legs. I labored on the ball most of the time and when my contractions started increasing in intensity, around 4 pm, I had Laura, my midwife, check me. 6 cm. My initial thought was "you've got to be kidding me". My body had been working so hard and the contractions were so intense that I was really hoping for a higher number.

So I changed positions. I knelt on the back of the elevated bed with my arms on top of pillows. Mathew and Laura were wonderful at rubbing my back and keeping me calm and focused. I was amazed at how vocal I was this time around. I gave every contraction a sound and apologized for being so annoying. I also labored with my eyes closed. I asked Laura if she thought I was in transition since my contractions were so close and so very painful. I didn't know it at the time, but only 3o minutes had passed from the time she checked me to when I started pushing. Funny because it seemed like an eternity.

I got into position to push and remember telling Laura at some point that I was not going to be able to do it. Her response was "good, that means you're almost done". I pushed for 25 minutes. Oren, like his big brother, was turned the wrong way so pushing was a bit difficult. I think I pushed through a series of maybe four or five contractions. Laura said she had to tug a bit to get him out since he was big. Oren's head and eyes were bruised, but he was perfect in every other way.

Unfortunately, I did have another post partum hemorrhage. My midwife and nurse did a wonderful job controlling the bleeding and all of the drugs that were needed were on hand and used immediately. The saline lock was useless because it popped out while I was pushing so the nurse had to stab me again to get the pitocin going. I had two shots in my legs, a couple of stitches and I was good to go.

Oren





Born on August 22nd at 4:55 pm. 8 lbs 5 ozand 20 inches long

Friday, August 7, 2009

The Inevitable

I am 60% effaced and 2 cm dilated. 

The thing about labor is that once it starts, I have to see it through to the end. I don't get to say half way through "just kidding, lets take a break and start up again tomorrow". It's one of the most difficult and rewarding things I've done in my life. 

As I was sitting through a very noticeable and uncomfortable contraction, it occurred to me that perhaps being pregnant for another two weeks isn't such a terrible idea. Unfortunately, I don't have much of a say. I really am ready, but it's always mind boggling when I discover that my body is actually doing something.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Life Update

I've been a lazy blogger lately because I'm busy nesting. Everything is in order and ready for baby. I'd like to get a few pairs of 3-6 month pants made before he arrives, but I'm sewing more diapers for my lovely nephew so that might not happen. I am 38 weeks today and will find out tomorrow if I'm dilated or effaced. I was going to wait another week to be checked, but he's dropped significantly so I'm curious.

I have Christmas lists made for the kids and if anyone is interested, here's my list in progress:

Maeve:
-felt food
-skirts

Finnegan:
-sweater balls
-felt food
-ping pong paddles and balls (he loves ping pong and I found these for cheap at a garage sale)
-electronic bowling game (another terrific garage sale find that he will love)
-clothes of some sort, although I haven't decided what to make for him

Baby Boy:
-sweater ball
-pants
-cloth shoes (perhaps)

I'm sure I'll change my list a dozen times before Christmas, but this at least gives me a place to start. Nothing is too time consuming and all of it looks fun to make. I'm certain we have plenty of wood for blocks, but I'll have to get Mathew to cut the wood since I haven't made friends with any power tools yet. I tend to get really excited for Christmas and have a tendency to go a bit crazy with the kids, but I was able to control myself last year so I'm hopeful again for this Christmas. Thankfully, my kids love handmade stuff.

I attempted to make cloth breast pads last week and failed miserably. I did an outer layer of PUL (polyurethane laminate, the water proof fabric used in diapers), two layers of flannel and an inner layer of minke. The pads were either too pointy for my liking or too crumply and noticeable under my clothes. I bought some cloth pads from Target and even though those are flat, they barely show under my shirt. Whatever. My failed attempt was cancelled out by the success I had making a new bumper and sheet set for my moses basket. So there.