Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A New Life
Steve is already an exceptional dad! Post Cesarean, I was SHOCKED at how amazing I felt! We had this baby in our lives, which seemed(s) surreal. William was delivered at 6:13 AM and I was out of recovery around 9:30 AM. Will was with Steve and I the entire time we were in recovery- actually our entire hospital stay except for his circumcision and when we sent him to the nursery so we could rest.
I was able to get up and walk by one in the afternoon- my nurse was really proud of me. We were up for visitors and were really excited to see the Blankenship, Brents, Cannons and Ellis'- thanks for coming and the special goodies!
The wives
As you can tell I'm completely fading and will need to edit this post at a later time. I just wanted to get something up for ya'll:) And let's face it, you want to see pics more than read!
Steve's first diaper change went awry!
Vibrant flowers from Chris and Shauna- thanks so much- they're beautiful and smell wonderful!
Grammy and Will as we prepare to leave the hospital
Labor/Delivery Details
We arrived at the hospital around eight o' clock and I was surprised Steve wasn't driving like a maniac. He was really calm! At the hospital they checked my vitals, noting I had a fever, and documented some other information. The nurse did a really cool test with a cotton swab that proved definitively that my 'membranes' had indeed ruptured (broken water sack). There was no going back now. Steve called my parents and the wheels were set in motion.
Because we had pre-registered, we walked right into a gorgeous labor and delivery room. To pass time, I sent text messages out that we were at the hospital. The contractions were painful but I think it was worse because I had a darn head cold. They had to start an IV with fluids and said they may need to give me some antibiotics because of my fever. At that moment, I didn't realize the rabbit hole we were heading down. I really wanted to get in the gigantic jacuzzi tub they had in my room, but wasn't allowed due to my fever. In fact, I was basically bed bound- not how I ever anticipated my labor experience to be. At this time, I was dilated to two or so.
The next time I checked what time it was, it was around eleven o' clock. I couldn't believe a few hours had already passed! I was anticipating the doctor coming to check my cervix again and telling me "it's almost time to push". Unfortunately, this didn't happen, and would never happen for me.
I decided to opt for the epidural as I was already bed bound, sick and fatigued. The anasticiologist, Dr. Montgomery (not Addison from Grey's, this was a man) took the time to explain the details of the procedure. Everyone tries to freak people out that if you have an epidural you run a risk of being paralized. Dr. Montgomery cured me of this notion when he explained that the epidural goes in below the portion of the spinal colum that would cause this to happen. The worst pain I felt, as he suggested, was from the local anastic. After he put the epidural in, contractions were a breeze- in fact- I wouldn't know I was having them except for the monitor I was watching. The other benefit, as I see it, to having the epidural, was the beauty of a cathader. Strange as it may sound, at the end of my pregnancy, I had to go the bathroom literally every five minutes. It was heaven to be able to be relieved of this sensation!!!!
LOVE the epidural!!!!
Labor was not progressing and I was dilated to 3. The doctor decided to put me on pitocin to help my labor progress. I attempted to rest and was awoken at one point by the nurse explaining that they needed to put internal monitors on the baby to get the most accurate reading on his vitals. (I remembered this procedure from our birthing class- now worth its weight in gold!) They acutally "screw" a "probe" into the baby's head!
Labor continued to be status quo and they decided they needed to put an interanal monitor in me to gauge the intensity of each contraction. It was obvious that they had concerns, to be going to this extent, but they were really optimistic. The main concern were patterns they were noticing with William when I had contractions.
Hours went by, and the medical staff would be coming in and out checking on William and I with greater concern with each visit. At one point, the question of 'worse case scenerio' came up. The doctor was honest and clear that she was very concerend about the patterns she was seeing and that if those patterns continued, a cesearian would need to be performed. She was mildly optimistic that thigns would work out, but we had asked for 'worse case'.
A few more hours passed when I awoke to the doctor quickly coming in. She was checking the monitor AGAIN and was really concernd. She consoled and comforted me suggesting it was looking more like a ceaserian situation, but she would continue to monitor things. We were still HOURS away from pushing and she was concerned that he wouildn't be able to 'make it' through a natural delivery and that at that point, an emergency ceasearian would be needed.
I couldn't fall back asleep as my eyes were fixated on the monitor. There was the pattern- again-again- again. Three times in a row! I knew the doctor would be back to tell me a ceasearinan was immenent and I lost it. I began bawling and Steve woke up and comforted me. I was disappointed and terrified. Sure enough, the doctor, accompanied by many people I had yet to meet, entered the room. She let me cry and actually consoled me a bit while delegating responsibilities. It was now past five in the morning. One last chance- she checked my cervix- still only dilated to 3.
She explained that Steve would be able to be in the room, that I would be awake, that I would be able to nurse soon after his birth and that with the type of ceasearian she would perform, I would be able to have 'natural' births in the future. Well. aside from the fact that this was major surgery, most of my fears were calmed. On the bright side-this wasn't an 'emergency' procedure at this point.
The room was a stark contrast to the zen of our plush LDR room. Bright white walls, bright lights and a sterile feel- ypu- surgery ward. They put a cloth vertically between 'their side' and 'ours'- basically it seperated my abdomen in half. I couldn't feel anything, but shortly after entering the room, I heard the cry and the words, I don't know if it was Steve or someone else, declaring it was a boy! (Yea! The ultrasound technician was correct!) They cleaned William, bundled him up and put him in Steve's arms. He brought Will over to me. I wanted to hold him so badly, but I was shaking like crazy! (Normal after delivery I'm told because you lose so many hormones all at once.)
We were off to the recovery room!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Beginning Labor- Details Folks!
William Joined us this past Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 6:13 AM. He weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and measured 19/5 inches long.
I had been having contractions beginning Wednesday evening, but they were not consistant or growing stronger. The nurses had made it clear to me that it's time to head to the hospital when you can no longer "walk and talk through a contraction". Taking that advice literally, because who wants to wait around in a hospital, I lived life as usual.
In addition to contractions beginning on Wednesday, a head cold was making its way into my life as well. Thursday the cold continued to linger, but by Thursday night, I felt pretty miserable. Friday morning, I awoke feeling run down and had a mild fever. My spirits were low because another day had passed without William's arrival, so I worked feverishly to keep myself busy. One necessary errand I wanted to complete was a trip to Savory Spice Shop (Steve needed some chili powder).
I headed to the spice shop around four thirty in the afternoon and chatted with my friend Connie on the phone. Not intending to be "that person" yakking away on a cell phone while shopping, I talked outside the shop, but had to cut the conversation short because I felt something a bit different that I required a trip to the bathroom.
Connie and I said our goodbyes and I went into the shops ladies room. Exiting the ladies room I continued to shop when I again felt something unusual and made a bee-line to the ladies room again. First time pregnancy, things aren't always obvious, but I was thinking that my water broke, but wasn't quite certain. Putting the pieces together, I realized I was having contractions that were stronger than I had ever experienced, and they were regular. However, I was a woman on a mission for chili powder.
A gentleman asked if I needed any assistance, and not wanting to drag out my unusual experiences at the spice shop, I took him up on his offer. As we walked towards the chili powder area he asked when I was due. I told him that I thought that I might just be having my baby that day. He completely freaked out! "Whoa! Do you need anything?! Should I call someone?!" I told him I was fine and that I didn't anticipate the baby coming out at just any moment; it would probably be hours. The guy settled down a bit and we focused on the different varieties of chili powder my husband might enjoy best. Another worker was just leaving the shop and we began to talk. She was heading up to Wyoming for the weekend to hunt antelope. Like many, she asked, "when are you due" and I said, "I think I might have him today, actually". Like the guy, she flipped out, in a more girl-like way of excitement. She gave me a big hug and told me that I needed to bring the baby back to the shop when he was born. I left the shop with chili powder, a couple different curries and candied ginger.
As I drove home I called the nurse and described what I thought was my water breaking. She reassured me that if it was less than a half cup of fluid, I would be just fine- just make sure the baby is still moving around.
When I arrived home, I fed Buddy and took him for a short walk. As we walked I wrote down the times of each contraction in Steve's Moleskine book. Yup, five minutes apart; duration one minute. Our doctor and birthing class had told us that this pattern should continue for an hour and the contractions should intensify as well. That seemed to be happening.
As I walked up to the condo, Steve had just arrived home and was talking with our neighbor/friend Brian. I was really craving Powerade and wanted to head to Target to pick some up. I showed Steve the log and then we headed off to Target. After stopping by Target, my next request was to head over to McDonald's for a kids meal with a cheeseburger. Contractions kept coming, were getting worse, but I still wasn't totally convinced.
As Steve and I ate our junk food, the contractions kept getting stronger. Steve headed to take a shower/shave his head- this could be the day- and he should be cleaned up! While he was beginning his shower, I called the hospital again and explained my water, contractions, pain etc....The nurse asked how long it would be until I made it to the hospital. 'About forty-five minutes" I replied. "My husband just stepped in to take a shower and it takes about twenty minutes to get there." "You really need to get to the hospital," she said with some urgency. "If you feel a need to push, DON'T". We said goodbye and I reported back to Steve that he needed to hurry. I cleaned the kitchen sink and called my parents suggesting that today could be the day, but don't book a ticket until we get a real green light from the hospital.
I had a mild panic because my parents would be coming to the house and because I hadn't been feeling tip-top, I had left a few messes out. I picked the kitchen up, put random things away and made sure hospital directions and keys were out for my parents. Oh, I also sent an email out and updated Facebook for our friends.
In addition to contractions beginning on Wednesday, a head cold was making its way into my life as well. Thursday the cold continued to linger, but by Thursday night, I felt pretty miserable. Friday morning, I awoke feeling run down and had a mild fever. My spirits were low because another day had passed without William's arrival, so I worked feverishly to keep myself busy. One necessary errand I wanted to complete was a trip to Savory Spice Shop (Steve needed some chili powder).
I headed to the spice shop around four thirty in the afternoon and chatted with my friend Connie on the phone. Not intending to be "that person" yakking away on a cell phone while shopping, I talked outside the shop, but had to cut the conversation short because I felt something a bit different that I required a trip to the bathroom.
Connie and I said our goodbyes and I went into the shops ladies room. Exiting the ladies room I continued to shop when I again felt something unusual and made a bee-line to the ladies room again. First time pregnancy, things aren't always obvious, but I was thinking that my water broke, but wasn't quite certain. Putting the pieces together, I realized I was having contractions that were stronger than I had ever experienced, and they were regular. However, I was a woman on a mission for chili powder.
A gentleman asked if I needed any assistance, and not wanting to drag out my unusual experiences at the spice shop, I took him up on his offer. As we walked towards the chili powder area he asked when I was due. I told him that I thought that I might just be having my baby that day. He completely freaked out! "Whoa! Do you need anything?! Should I call someone?!" I told him I was fine and that I didn't anticipate the baby coming out at just any moment; it would probably be hours. The guy settled down a bit and we focused on the different varieties of chili powder my husband might enjoy best. Another worker was just leaving the shop and we began to talk. She was heading up to Wyoming for the weekend to hunt antelope. Like many, she asked, "when are you due" and I said, "I think I might have him today, actually". Like the guy, she flipped out, in a more girl-like way of excitement. She gave me a big hug and told me that I needed to bring the baby back to the shop when he was born. I left the shop with chili powder, a couple different curries and candied ginger.
As I drove home I called the nurse and described what I thought was my water breaking. She reassured me that if it was less than a half cup of fluid, I would be just fine- just make sure the baby is still moving around.
When I arrived home, I fed Buddy and took him for a short walk. As we walked I wrote down the times of each contraction in Steve's Moleskine book. Yup, five minutes apart; duration one minute. Our doctor and birthing class had told us that this pattern should continue for an hour and the contractions should intensify as well. That seemed to be happening.
As I walked up to the condo, Steve had just arrived home and was talking with our neighbor/friend Brian. I was really craving Powerade and wanted to head to Target to pick some up. I showed Steve the log and then we headed off to Target. After stopping by Target, my next request was to head over to McDonald's for a kids meal with a cheeseburger. Contractions kept coming, were getting worse, but I still wasn't totally convinced.
As Steve and I ate our junk food, the contractions kept getting stronger. Steve headed to take a shower/shave his head- this could be the day- and he should be cleaned up! While he was beginning his shower, I called the hospital again and explained my water, contractions, pain etc....The nurse asked how long it would be until I made it to the hospital. 'About forty-five minutes" I replied. "My husband just stepped in to take a shower and it takes about twenty minutes to get there." "You really need to get to the hospital," she said with some urgency. "If you feel a need to push, DON'T". We said goodbye and I reported back to Steve that he needed to hurry. I cleaned the kitchen sink and called my parents suggesting that today could be the day, but don't book a ticket until we get a real green light from the hospital.
I had a mild panic because my parents would be coming to the house and because I hadn't been feeling tip-top, I had left a few messes out. I picked the kitchen up, put random things away and made sure hospital directions and keys were out for my parents. Oh, I also sent an email out and updated Facebook for our friends.
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