Birth Story

or how I went from this

to this

As you all know my doctor wanted to induce me on Saturday night. I wrestled with the decision before deciding I wouldn't go through with it. Or the doctor would have to show me some solid proof that it needed to happen ASAP or I was going to pass.

We dutifully went to the hospital for monitoring and told them I didn't want to induce. I sat on the monitors for 1 1/2 hours and the baby looked good,  so I was allowed to go home. Yay!!!

Sunday morning I woke up at 7am to cramping and my water had broken (or at least leaked significantly). My gut instinct was right. I just needed a few more hours.

I got up, ate breakfast, took a shower, and John and I went for a walk. I was trying to get my contractions stronger, but I could tell it wasn't working. Oh well, headed to the hospital hoping a little more time would help.

But it didn't. My contractions never got strong enough on their own and I knew by giving birth in the hospital I was on a timeline since my water had broken. So when I was told I would go on Pitocin I was okay with it.

Looking back I'm pretty sure the Pitocin pumped up my own contractions and they got intense pretty quickly. Pretty soon they were coming every 2 minutes. But the stupid monitor wouldn't pick up their strength. It looked like I was having some light discomfort when in reality I was getting rocked regularly. Thankfully my nurse could hear me laboring and believed me rather than the monitor.  Pretty soon they were lowering the Pitocin.

At around 3pm the rest of my water broke and oh wow so did the contractions. In-freakin-tense. That was when I was hitting my wall. I started contemplating drugs and asked to be checked so I could make a decision. I was only 4-5cm. My nurse Maureen was pretty awesome though. She had a lot of faith in my abilities. She recommended rather than going for the epidural that I try a dose on Fentanyl. I did and an hour later I'd progressed all to 7-8cm. She was totally right, I was able to relax just that little bit to help me progress.

The rest of labor is a bit of a blur. All I know was that little more than 2 hours after using the Fentanyl I was already fully dilated. Again Maureen just let me go with how I was feeling and started calling in the team for delivery.

When I was ready to push, I pushed how I wanted. During delivery I briefly remember my doctor doing that whole count to 10 while pushing thing, but I'm pretty sure he abandoned that quickly. Because in only 11 minutes of pushing Lucy Anne was here.

My sister said I looked completely shocked when they put her on my stomach. I think I was just so surprised that she came tumbling out in one big push. My Mom said the doctor was so surprised at how quickly she came that he just kind of caught her and tossed her up on me.

Going into labor I didn't really have a plan. I wanted to try natural, but fully knew it might not happen that way. I was amazed at how the hospital staff handled me. I thought I'd be pushed around, but I really wasn't. Both of my nurses trusted me to judge how I was progressing rather than the machine. And they mostly let me just do my thing. Maureen would directly me a little bit when I got a it frantic and it helped. Mostly I just tried to tell myself the logical thoughts. You are nauseous and a bit panicked. You are in transition. It will be over soon.

And it was. I'm so sore now, especially in the lady bits, but it was all worth it to have my little Lucy Anne.

And to add a touch of humor to the story...

While pushing I was not quiet. Oh no. But the funniest thing I did was growl 'Ring of fu*king fire' as baby was coming out. I'm glad I wasn't paying attention because apparently everyone laughed. It is pretty funny.

Overdue...

I'm officially 5 days over due. Cue induction.

At the doctor's office I turned into a big sobbing mess. I feel like a failure because the baby won't come out on its own.

While my blood pressure was fine, the fluid level is way down and the placenta is still deteriorating.

My doctor isn't one to suggest this unless its important, but I still can't help the way I feel. I was already frustrated enough that I'm still pregnant. Suggesting an induction just sent me over the edge.

So, I spent the day trying every single method I could to try and get labor started naturally. And sobbing. I can now confirm that crying does not bring on labor.

I actually made my piece with the induction until I talked to a nurse at the hospital.

I asked if I wold get to eat anything, but nope. Even though the process takes 24-36 hours, I can't eat anything in case I vomit. Now, I'm fully aware I will probably not want to eat once things get going, but I hate being told I'm supposed to birth a human without a snack even if I want one. Its just in case I need a c-section (oh and don't get me started on the likelihood of c-section from failed induction).

The second question I had was if I would be able to walk around. Guess what...that's a big fat no too. Once I'm hooked up to my IV I have to be continuously monitored, so I can't move more than 2 feet from the bed. And the only time I'm allowed to walk father is to go to the bathroom.

That just upset me all over again.

Anyways, my doctor's office called me at the end of the day to see if I was still certain. Well, no I wasn't. So doc called me back right away and I turned into a big blubbering mess for the thousandth time. So, compromise. Still going into the hospital tomorrow night, but only for monitoring and IV fluids. Then after we take readings for a while I get to choose if I continue with an induction.

So, after a roller coaster day, I feeling A LOT better. And I'm still hoping baby decides to come out on her own.

Ding! Baby's Done.

Well...today marks the start of the week baby should arrive.

I had a doctors appt. on Friday. Dr. announced this baby is done and just needs to decide to come on out. My blood pressure has been a tad high when I'm stilling in their blood pressure chair. I have no idea why. The last couple times I've had appts. I just feel so anxious. As soon as I was laying down in the exam room my blood pressure dropped right back to normal. So I've been given permission to lay down as much as I like. Oh darn.

Apparently the placenta is also calcifying. From what I can tell its okay. If I were only 6 months pregnant, that would be a problem, but considering I'm due, the calcifying is okay. Dr. didn't mention it, but I have a feeling he'll want to talk induction at my next appt. (Friday) if I make it there.

Anyways, as you can see I've finished most of my to do list. Plus my Dad cleaned our carpets today, so we are totally ready for her to arrive.

So I'm moving on to all those natural ways to get labor going.

Take a long walk everyday
Eat pineapple
Drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Stuff along those lines. Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, we're on Leap Day baby watch. Are you coming on Wednesday little one?

Maternity Leave To-Do List

Things to do before the baby arrives.

1. Install car seat. DONE Also drive around with Dottie in the car so she can get used to it. DONE and it was hilarious
2. Build pack and play. Baby should *probably* have a place to sleep when she comes home.
3. Wash baby clothes. DONE
4. Finish packing hospital bag. DONE
5. Take Dottie to the vet to get her vaccines updated and her nails clipped. DONE
6. Get nursery furniture arranged and decorate.
7. Buy more dog food for Dottie. DONE Make a little overnight bag for her in case she needs it.
8. Figure out disability paperwork and get it turned in.  (Hmmm....maybe this should be #1) DONE
9. Sleep. OH YEAH
10. Knit before my hands and brain are turned to mush by a newborn. WIP

Anything else someone recommends?

Oh, just remembered...get a haircut DONE and pedicure DONE.

I'm so done with work.

Only 2.5 more days left of working before I'm on maternity leave and I'm SO happy about it.

Don't get me wrong. I really like my job. I never dread getting up and heading into the office. But commuting and working 40 hours a week is getting a little harder when my brain is focused on baby, baby, and more baby.

My office threw me a baby shower yesterday. It was really nice. People floated in and out. There was cake and a few gifts. Nothing fancy which was perfect. Plus now I have plenty of Target gift cards to use to purchase the last few things we 'need' and maybe a few other things too. Diaper covers, changing pad, waterproof mattress pads, the green rug John wants for the nursery floor, etc.

I've been spending these last few weeks watching a lot of TV, trying to organize the nursery, attempting to sleep, deciding where to put all our stuff, and knitting for me.

Here's a new picture at 38 weeks wearing the sweater I just finished for me..all for me. Its an awesome dark peach color in yarn that's 50% alpaca and 50% wool. All machine washable.

(Don't look too closely at the background. Our home is still a war zone in the name of organization.)

Next on our to do list...install the car seat. Nothing like a little last minute prep, right? 

I'm sick of Maternity Clothes

Baby is due in about one month, and all I can think about is wearing sundresses again. Dresses like this.

I officially miss my waist.

I want to wear pretty dresses that are not made of stretch fabric. Ones that do not have an empire waist. I want to wear a full skirt with heels and maybe a little button down blouse.

I want to buy new shoes without the fear of sudden swelling in my feet. (The swelling hasn't happened but I'm on a vigilant watch for it.)

But mostly I want to have my waist back so I can make myself some pretty new breast feeding friendly clothes. Because the more I think about my pre-pregnancy wardrobe, the more I realize everything is missing some all important assess to my boobage. But I don't dare assume my post-pregnancy size will be the same as my pre-pregnancy size.

How about this one...good for breast feeding and going back to work?

How long does it take to regain some sort of waist again? My heart says 'It only takes like a couple of weeks right?' But my head says 'Be ready for a long and arduous journey you crazy nut.'

Addiction

Hi! My name's Jessica and I'm addicted to knitting baby sweaters.

Plus one dress...

I have one more sweater and dress completed. They only need buttons sewn on.

I think I should stop, but they are just so darned cute and quick to work up that I can't help myself. How many hand knit sweaters does one baby need? Like 4 or 5 in each size right? Because that's where I'm headed with my obsession. Forget nesting by arranging a room or buying diapers...I'm just going to knit an entire baby wardrobe.