Barrett's Birth Story

So I'm finally getting around to writing down the birth story. If, you remember, my main goal this time was to have a VBAC and also to go completely natural without drugs. I did not meet both of these goals, but I am very happy how things went. So... here is goes!

Sunday (my due date) I woke up about 6:30 am having to go to the bathrooms. I hopped back in bed as was laying there trying to go back to sleep when I felt a contraction. I was surprised because I usually have Braxton Hicks contractions at night. I take note of this and try to go back to sleep. Then I think I have another contraction. These are not very hard. But I open my eyes and see what time it is. This goes on for a while and I realize that they basically 10 mins. apart. Now I am curious and really start paying attention to my body and the time. Kent wakes up and I tell him " I think I am having contractions every 10 min apart." By now it's about 7:00 am. We decide to get up and make some Bran Muffin mix and also see if the contractions go away  or stay the same. We make the mix and now it's about 7:30 and they are getting stronger and shorter in time. So I call me mom and see what time she has church and what the game plan will be if I need to go to the hospital. Then I hop in the shower. I spent all Saturday cleaning and really needed a shower. Also I wanted to see if helped the contractions. I get out of the shower at about 8:30. I was having some really strong ones in the shower. My doctor told us to come to the hospital when the I was having contractions I couldn't walk or talk through for 2 hours. Kent and I decided that we should be at the hospital at around 10, because the contractions were now lasting about a min. long and were coming every 2-3 min apart. I could talk and walk through them, but I would have to walk on my tip toes and concentrate on walking. I got ready to go and Kent got Wesson up and started packing the last min. stuff. I think he was getting a little nervous about the contractions and how hard they were and we were not at the hospital yet.

 Ready to head to the hospital

I was thinking we would leave the house at 9:30 am but things were ready so we left early anyways. We called my mom and let her know we were on our way to drop Wesson off. She was a little surprised I was dropping him off already since I just called her 2 hours before not really knowing if I was in labor or not. Now my parents live on a dirt road, going down that dirt road while having a contraction was agonizing. On the trip to the hospital I tried listening to my relaxation cds, but I couldn't concentrate on relaxing while being in the car. 

After we dropped off Wes we decided we should call the doctor and let her know we were on the way to the hospital. My doctor was out sick and I was going to have a different doctor. I was fine with that, I was glad this baby was coming out and I had meet this doctor before during fertility treatments and I liked her. We park and head up to the labor a delivery floor. We walk up to the desk and the nurse ask if she could help me. I told I was in labor. I don't think she believed me. I was perfectly fine between contractions. She had a nurse take us to our rooms. We asked for one with a hot tub. (1/2 the rooms have them) and a more natural minded nurse. We got both. She gives me my gown and I go in my huge bathroom to change. It takes me like 15 min to change because I have to pace between each contraction. She decided to check me when I get out. I told Kent on the way to the hospital that if they told me I was only at a 3. I was going to get an epidural. No, I was not a 3. I was a 6. She asked me if I want my water broken or not. I had to think about it. I knew if I got my water broke I would have stronger contractions, and I didn't know if  I could handle stronger contractions. But then if I waited, it might be too painful. I decided to have them  break my water so I could get time to get used to the stronger contractions. They told me the doctor would break it when she came in. Right now she was checking on a different girl, but she would be right in.

My contractions at this point were really bad. With Wesson's labor (with the pit) I had never felt contractions like this, and I got an epi at 9cm. My back was throbbing with pain. Between contractions if felt like I had a huge bruise covering my lower back. Kent was awesome and rubbed my back and put pressure on my hips during the contractions, which were already off the chart. I decide I can't take it any longer and start questioning if I should get a epidural. Kent and the nurse kept asking me if I really wanted it, if not they would help me through it, the asked if I would regret it later. I really didn't want one, but the pain was so intense. My body was starting to push during each contraction. I had already puked up the little bit of Gatorade I drank on the way to the hospital. I wanted to enjoy the birth and I could not get my  body to relax. Kent was really good about trying to get me to relax during each contraction. It would help some, but I was still in a lot of pain. I decided to get and epidural. The nurse decided to check me. I was at a 9. Remember I got to the hospital at 10, I got checked at 10:30 I was at a 6cm, it was now 11ish and I was at a 9cm!!! No wonder I was in so much pain!!! They asked me again if I wanted the epidural. I felt good about getting it, so I went with my gut and got it.
Boy! Was I glad I did. With in a couple of min they were in the room ready to give it to me. The funny thing was, after I got decided I wanted one. I still had not filled out any paperwork about having a VBAC or c-section, blood transfusion. All those papers they need your signature on. So the nurse runs over and starts having me sign all these papers between contractions. Each signature became sloppier and sloppier. I only had about 5 papers I had to sign, but my contractions were so close together I think I had 3 during the time it took me to sign them all! I got the Epidural, which took a while because my contractions were so close together, she had to wait. Finally I got it. I got to rest for about 15 min. They only gave me enough to take the edge off. I still had to concentrate and tell my body to relax for each contraction.
The doctor came in, she came in during the epidural thing and left. She then broke my water and looked and discovered that the baby was coming full face up! Really!!! That was the thing that stopped Wesson and I had a c-section!! What is wrong with my babies!!?? I didn't think it was that common of a thing. Also the baby was sideways. He didn't know what way he wanted to come out. They were afraid he would flip the wrong way. This would explain why I was in so much pain!!! They have me turn onto my hands and knees, which is not easy when you can't completely feel your legs. She steps out of the room  then checks on me after about 15 mins to see if he was positioned correctly. He wasn't so she grabs a high risk OB and have him look at it. This is when I'm really glad I had some pain med. Basically he has to stick his whole hand up me grab on to the head and turn the head and put it into the correct position during a few contractions. They did this until he was at a + 2 station. I think that if I didn't have the epidural at the point, I don't I would be able to relax enough for him to position the baby correctly and I would have ended up with a c-section. Now it is 12pm. I start pushing. I then push for 1 hr and 1/2. The last 1/2 hour the brought out the mirror, so I could see the progress and boy that helped a lot!!! So at 1:38 pm I pushed Barrett Kent Thorne into the world!!! I got my VBAC and an adorable son!!! I really didn't get too tired pushing that long, it was a lot better than the 3 hr I pushed last time.

I didn't tear back, I torn on the sides. I got about 4 stitches in two locations plus I had lots of other lacerations that they didn't stitch up. Barrett Weighed 8lb 1 oz and was 21 inches long. His head was 14 inches and chest was 13 inches. He has a full head of head and has the same chubby cheeks that his brother had!

After all the doctors and nurses left our friend Tasha, who was helping the same high risk OB that helped me, came and visited with us. I also got to breastfeed him. I loved it!

She then left and they helped me into a wheel chair. I could only feel one leg. The funny thing is... is the leg that I couldn't feel was the leg I could feel everything in. Well, not the whole leg, just a spot right at my hip. They call it a hot spot. I was holding Barrett and Kent was following with everything as the pushed me down the hall way to the elevator. I started really feeling nauseous and light headed. The nurse noticed and ran to get a basin so I could throw up. Kent asked me if he should take Barrett. I tell him yes, and right after I handed him off I pasted out. I guess the nurse came back and tried to wake me up, it didn't work so the pushed me all the way back to my room and I woke to some awful smelling salts and surrounded by nurses. I just really wanted to go back to sleep. But they made me get back in bed, and lowered my head, covered me up and raised my feet. They then pumped a lot of liquid in me and took my blood. I just laied there too exhausted to go even raise my hand. We stayed there for another hr or so. Then they started me back to my postpartum room again. This time I made it. They then had me get back in bed to finish the IV. My leg still had no feeling and it was about 4 pm. After that was finished the had  me go to the bathroom. I went and thought I was done, but the nurses said I was still going. You could hear a lot of dripping. Come to find out It was a lot of blood. All the fluid they pumped into me displaced my uterus and caused bleeding. So the had to clean me up, hurt like I was in labor again, and cath me. After that I got to relax and enjoy my baby.

Later that night family from both sides came to visit and see the new little guy. Wesson was really excited and loved kissing and holding his brother. He would proudly point and tell everyone that was Baby Barrett and he was no longer in mommy's belly and that he was out now. He still think he came out my belly button, but I am just going to let him think that until he get older.

I am so glad I was able to deliver VBAC and that the glad that the doctor I had did everything she could to make sure I delivered vaginally. I am a disappointed that I got an epidural, but I know I did the right thing by getting one. Kent even commented to me after I got the epidural that he really likes me when I have one. Maybe one of the days I will have a baby that wants to come out correctly. With every baby I plan on doing it natural. I will go as far as I can and then get one. Maybe one of the days I can go all the way!!!

Glow Worm

When we got dismissed from the hospital the doctor was concerned about Barrett being on the edge of having jaundice. So they called us when we got home and wanted us to stop by the lab the next morning for a blood sample. His levels were borderline the day we left. So the next day we all bundle up and head to the doctor's office give a blood sample and head home. The call us a couple hours later to tell us his levels went up and he will have to be put on lights. "Great" I thought. "Now I have to make another trip to the doctor's!" But no, the set up a time to come out to our apt. set up the lights and told us what to do. Not only that, but they come out daily to take a blood sample and take it to the lab. Then they talk to the doctor and call us and tell  us if we need to continue the lights of not. When we are done, they come and pick them up!!!! No leaving the house for us!!! I love my doctor's office. So in the mean time we have our own little glow worm.

Here he is all hooked up. He has to be on them 24/7. So that hose makes breastfeeding a little more complicated, but at least I can hold him all I want!!!

He doesn't mind it all. It's really funny during the night. He whole bassinet just glows! It's my own little night light. It helps me get him latched on correctly and so I can see better when I change his diapers in the middle of the night.
He has been on it for 2 days, and we are waiting to find out if he can take them off today. We are waiting for the nurse to come. She will weight him, yes she even brings a scale, take his blood (sad), and check our parent journal with temp and how many dirty diapers he has had during the day. He has been struggling to have enough dirty diapers, but I think he got enough yesterday to make them happy.
On the bright side.. the last couple of nights he has only been awake to eat and then go back to sleep. He eats every 4 hours, but since he is on the lights I have to wake him up and feed him every 3 hours. So I've been getting a good amount of sleep. I just hope it stays like this, but it could be different tonight!
He is such a cutie and a mellow baby right now. Wesson loves him and is always giving him kisses, holding him, giving him toys to play with, and singing to him. We have not had any problems so far. I love my boys!!!

First Day of Spring!?!?!

This little cutie was born on the First Day of Spring. The last 2 week have been a nice 50-60 degrees. Beautiful weather!!! Then I woke up this morning to this.....

Spring is not here!!!! We got 2 inches of snow last night and maybe more to come. Guess I won't be taking my babies on a nice stroller walk today. We will just be cuddling inside and not going out!!!

For your pleasure

Here are some pictures for you until I get around to posting the birth story. We are now home and relaxing, or trying to.

Introducing......

 Barrett Kent  Born Sunday March 20. (His due date)

Weights: 8lbs. 1oz.

Length: 21 in.

Mom and baby doing great!

Birth story to come!

39 week appointment

Today was my 39 week appointment. I am 39 weeks 4 days. I went in found out I lost a lb.!!!! Yeah!!! I even ate a whole gallon of frozen yogurt a few days ago!!!I felt so much like a pregnant woman just pigging out. My choice is food has not been the greatest.  She checked me, and I am now 3cm dilated and effaced to 75%. I had her go ahead a strip the membranes. Last time this didn't work with me, so we will see if this did anything. I measured at 39 weeks. She asked me how far she want me to let me go. I told her 42 weeks. She said that is fine. But I'll have to go in twice during 41 weeks for non-stress test and to check fluid levels and such. I told her I was fine with that. Since I have no longer been measuring ahead, she is so supportive of me going VBAC!!!! It's so nice not having to worry about c-section anymore.  Unless I go to 42 weeks. Exercise wise, I walk about 9 miles a week. The weather has been so nice I rather walk instead of doing a DVD. I still have contractions every night, I've also dropped even farther. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can't wait to meet my new little man!!!

Contractions

For the last few weeks every evening I get Braxton hick contractions. Some are stronger than others, but I would not say they were painful. At least to me. Last night, Kent was playing with me belly when he asked me " Are you having a contraction?"
me- "no"
Kent- "Are you sure? Feel you stomach it's really hard."
me-" I guess it is, but i don't feel anything"
Kent continues to prod my belly around. It got soft again an the about 5min later it got hard all over again. "Are you sure you can't feel that?"
me- "No, I don't feel anything."
The only way I could feel the contraction was placing my hands on my stomach and feel my muscles tighten up. I didn't time them, but it was about every 5min apart. This went on for several hours, before I went to sleep. I figured if it was real labor I might as well get the sleep I can now.
I would have pain in between the contractions. Baby Barrett would go crazy and kick me and head butt me, that caused pain, but not the contractions. I thought this was really weird.
I have not had any other signs of labor like nesting, bloody show, or losing my mucus plug. But I do get these weird contractions. I hope they are doing something.
Has anyone else heard of this happening?

What a silly boy!

A couple of week ago I was getting out all my breastfeeding things. Pump, bottles, nipples. So I could start washing them and getting them ready for when the baby gets here. Wesson loved this! I have tons of tiny 2oz and 4 oz bottles from when he was in the NICU for pumping and freezing my milk. He had lots of fun putting lids on and stacking them and making towers. But the best surprise came when I pulled out the equipment to the breast pump.

What a great horn it made!!! (those are the breast shields to my pump)

Or even better....

A double horn!!!

He thought this was the funnest thing and played with them forever! He even had a meltdown when I took them away, so I could clean them!

What a silly boy you are?

Maybe you will take ofter daddy and play the tuba?

38 week apointment

I had my 38 week appointment even though I'm almost 39 weeks already, but I really don't care. My doctor was out of town all week, so I meet with a different doctor. I was measuring right on again! I am still at a 2 and about 50% effaced. But I did drop over the last two days and she commented on how long the baby was. I also gained 2 lbs :( I have not been eating as well lately, I just want to not exercise and eat crappy. I do walk about 6 miles a week, now that the weather is above freezing. I still have contractions every night for a couple hours. The last two night have been miserable. Since I've dropped I have so much more pain. Every time I have to move I wake up because it hurts. So I have had no sleep in the last 2 weeks. I hope that the baby does not go over. So I can get some sleep!

Wesson's birth story

Lately I've been think a lot about labor. How my labor will start? How will it differ from my last labor? When will it happen. Last time I was really stressing about the "When" question. Everyone told me I would go early. I was measuring big, I was huge, so I believed everyone. So when I went over I was really upset, I then started stressing about how big my baby would be and if I would be able to push my baby out. I tried everything to induce labor. I talked my doctor into letting me get induced 4 days late. She wanted to wait until 42 weeks. Looking back I should have listened to her.  Anyways I realized that I never did write down Wesson's birth story. So I decided to do it now. Here is goes.....
At my 40 week check up I begged my doctor you induce me the following Monday. 4 days past due. I was only dilated to a 2 and 50% effaced at the doctor's. I was positive that I wouldn't reach then and still reach then and still be pregnant. I was shocked that I made it to my due date. Everyone told me I was huge and I would  go before my due date. I was also measuring 1 1/2 ahead. I was pretty bummed about not having the baby and just wanted to be done. I had already tried every self inducing method known to man, and nothing!!! Not even one contraction!

I was scheduled to be induced at 6am. Needless to say I did not sleep very well the night before. We woke up early and got to the hospital. They checked me and I had progressed to a 3. They started the pitocin around 7am. I delivered at Methodist. Which is one of the best hospitals to deliver naturally at. I had a huge room, a tub, and wireless transducers. So I got hooked up and walked and walked and walked. At 3pm they checked me and I was at a 6 and they broke my water. I still had not really felt any contractions. My nurse would comment on how big a contraction was and if I had felt it. I just sat on my birthing ball and did sudoku, and just feel a slight tightening of my uterus. They had turned the pit all the way up by now. After they broke my water I walked some more. After about a half hour I started having contractions where I had to stop walking. After a few more laps I went back to my room and sat on a chair backward and had Kent rub my back during contractions. He had to leave for a bit to eat lunch, I got to eat a Popsicle. While he was gone, my nurse rubbed my back. After an hour of so of this I headed to the tub. My contractions got stronger in the tub. I started puking, but I still didn't even think about having an epidural. About 6ish I got out of the tub and I instantly knew I wanted an epidural. I'll call it inspiration. I told Kent who was shocked that I asked for one, and asked me if I was sure. I told him yes. The nurse told me that she would check me and then let me decide if I still wanted one. I got checked and I was 9 1/2cm. I told them yes. I almost immediately got one. I continued to throw up. I got the chills, and Wesson's heart rate started dropping. An internal monitor was placed and I was placed on oxygen. They then tried st reaching my cervices because I guess a had a lip that would not move. My SIL in came to take pictures and we were told the baby would be here in about a half hour. Then then realized that he head was positioned wrong. Instead of having his chin down to his chin, it was tipped backed. So again hands went up me and tried to change his head position.  They had me try getting on my hands and knees also. But this time I was glad I got my epidural. Even though it didn't work as well as it should. I guess they asked me where I felt pain and I yelled "In my crouch". Sorry if that's too much info. I then pushed for 3 hours!!! I was so tired. They did do an ultrasound and determined that this baby was not going to change his position. I was still at a +2 station. They told me I could keep this up for who know how long, or have a c-section. I decided I would have a c-section. I was wheeled to OR. I was really tired and just wanted to sleep, but I really wanted to see my baby. They were cleaning my belly when I told them that it tickled. They seemed shocked that I could feel it. I swear a minute later I heard. "Ok, I'm going to make the incision." I was shocked! I just felt something a minute ago, and not you are cutting me open!!!  I was still trying so hard to stay awake, but I was losing it fast. They then pulled the screen down and told me to look. They were pulling the baby out! I couldn't really see much. After they weighted him 8lb 10 oz  21 inch long they let me look at him. Kent brought him over and they untied one of my hands and let me touch him. I then was out. Next thing I remember is waking up in recovery. After about an hour of so they wheeled me to the nursery and let me look at him through the window. The wheeled me to my room and then brought me Wesson and I got to hold him for the 1st time 3 hours after he was born!

You are doing what?!?!!

Every  Monday a Memo is sent out to our whole preschool team, which includes the SLP's. (speech lang. path, cochlear implant team, and all three different classes and teachers) It gives an update on what is going on, what is happening, and future IEP's, mtgs, and observations. As I was reading the  memo I noticed that they included in bold print "please say a prayer that LanaMarie does not have her baby until her mom returns from Arizona!!!!". My mom is subbing for me when I am out for maternity leave. She is in AZ, because my sister is getting married! But really!!!! You have to have the whole office praying that I will NOT have my baby!!! I would love to have my baby early!!! I thought it was funny that they put that in the Monday Memo. I guess they really need me!

37 week appointment

I'm so excited about my appointment today. If you remember I was measuring 2 weeks ahead with extra fluid at my last appointment and it was making my Ob nervous. Today I had another ultrasound followed by a doctor's appointment. At the Ultrasound they told me I had no extra fluid (yeah) and that baby was measuring at 37 weeks 5 days. I am 37 weeks and 2 days, so only 3 days ahead!!!! The estimated that on the heavy end he weighs 7lbs 6 oz. So the 64% for size. Yeah!!! At the doctor so didn't say a word about being worried, or about a c-section, or keeping an eye on things!!!! She just commented on how great everything looked and the size of things!!!! I had her check me, not that it really means anything, I am dilated to a "tight" 2cm and 50% effaced. Though still toward the back. Yesterday I was having contractions starting 11 am and last though out the night. They were very inconsistent and I knew I wasn't going to the hospital any time soon. I was just hoping that they were doing something!! Which it looks like there were!!!!! Oh! and I only gained a 1 lb! My eating healthy is paying off! My doc is out of town all of next week, which is fine with me. I also scheduled my appointment for the end of the week (Friday) to see if that might buy me some more time latter down the road. As of tomorrow my my mom goes out of town for 2 weeks! My sister is getting married, which I will miss. (sad day) So if I have the baby before 39 weeks, my mom will not be here to help out, but if I have it too late she is my sub for work and still can't help me. So I'l shooting for 39 or 40 weeks. (40 weeks is spring break)
I am feeling great! I workout still 3-4 times a week. I walked 3 miles yesterday, it felt great to be outside. It was a lovely 36 degrees!!! I hope to get more outside walking down this week! I still don't my much swelling!! I did stop running around 33 weeks. I can't wait to start up again.  It feels weird to me to work out and be tired, but not sore the next day.