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Detailed Birth Story

Maggie — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:22:00 -0700

For those interested here is the story of Princess Peach’s entrance into the world. If you do not care to know all the little details you may skip this post.

A few weeks before birth day I started having pre labor contractions every night. These were regular contractions, not Braxton Hicks, but they would disappear by morning. It was getting very discouraging. A little less than a week before the big day I lost my plug, but my midwife said it could still be a week away. At least my mom was here now. Mom took me to my appointment that was after my due date to check my progress. I was still only fingertip dilated, but I was now 80% effaced and the baby moved down a station, to -3. Again the midwife said it could be a ways away still. Mom and I started to figure out what we would do if the baby came after she had to go back. I knew that God was in control of the timing and knew all of the circumstances, but it was still discouraging, and hard to wait on something we could do nothing about. Well, Mom did threaten sneaking Castor oil into my juice, but she never did. ;)

That night I had contractions all night long, I couldn’t even sleep through part of the night, so Mom and I stayed up and talked, I was pretty excited and thought that it was time. But by morning they had worn off and John went to work. I was beginning to question if I would be pregnant forever. I, of course, knew that it wasn’t true, but it felt like it and I wasn’t going to trust contractions as an indication. I took a couple of naps that day, and just rested, it was good having Mom there to take care of Princess Olive. That night I took a bath and went to bed early, Mom decided to go to the grocery store so she could do some cooking for us. She joked that she would start cooking and then labor would start. Well she wasn’t too far from the truth, my water broke while she was at the store, at 8:52 pm! I was very excited. I called the midwife (Marianne), our photographer friend (Cristina), who was going to take pictures for us, our parents and one good friend, who shall remain nameless at this point. I also called Aunt Debbie to come take Princess Olive.

After Princess Olive left, I tried to go to sleep, but couldn’t, I was too excited. So we decided to watch Stargate. This was fitting as we watched Stargate in the hospital while we were waiting for the Cervidil to kick in, when I was pregnant with Princess Olive. After Stargate, we put in another movie and Mom went to lie down. We didn’t get very far into the movie when the contractions started getting closer together and I moved to my bed so I could lie down and relax a bit. After about an hour or so of contractions less than 5 minutes apart we called Marianne to come. She and her assistant (Cheryl) came and started getting things set up. She then checked me and I was almost 5 cm, 100% effaced and the baby was now at -1. Yippy! We then called Cristina to have her come. I don’t remember the times of any of this, but it was the middle of the night. Things were going good. I changed my t-shirt to my swim suit top and labored in the bathtub for a while, then back to the bed, then to the toilet. John was doing a great job of helping me relax, and while it was hard work, I felt things were going well.

Around 5am I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom, so I went to sit on the toilet. I sat there through a few contractions and nothing. I didn’t know why I couldn’t go poo! Mom suggested that maybe I didn’t need to and that it was just the baby. My contractions were getting stronger and closer together and they were getting harder to handle, so we had Marianne check me. She did and I was still only 5 cm, and she thought that the baby might be posterior. She also still felt a bag of water, which was strange, since I thought it already broke. She asked me if I wanted her to break the water and see if that would get things going. I told her I wanted to wait and then had a good cry.

I remember this point with Princess Olive, only I was at 3 cm with her and the doctor had broken my water. Contractions were getting harder to handle, my back was killing me, and it seemed like I had forever to go. This is when I got an epidural with Princess Olive, but I didn’t have that option this time around. I just wanted to stop everything. I didn’t want her to break my water because I knew that would make the contractions harder and I didn’t know if I could handle it. I desperately wanted something that would just let me catch my breath, calm down and relax for about 1/2 an hour or so and then she could break my water and we could have the baby, but I didn’t want to do it right then. Relaxing became next to impossible and I started being much more vocal. It was good thing I had so many people there to remind me to breathe, and relax whatever muscles were tense, and to give me massages. I think at this point Cristina put down her camera for a while and became additional labor support. Everyone was praying for me and reciting scripture. Although I was absolutely miserable, I felt very loved and supported.

I tried the bath again and that helped for a little while. Marianne then told me about something she could do that might help with the back labor, up until then whoever was closest just pushed as hard as they possibly could on my back whenever a contraction came. I forget what it was called, but she likened it to a TB test, and said she would inject little bubbles of water right under my skin at key points and it should detract the pain. I figured it was worth a try, so I climbed out of the bath and onto the bed. The contractions were pretty close together so she had to work fast. The first one she did made me scream, I hate needles and needles going into a very painful back hurt like crazy. I let her finish, but wasn’t sure why I was letting this lady do this to me! I screamed a lot more and had a hard time recovering after she was done, but eventually I just felt pain at the surface of my skin, and the deep back contractions weren’t quite as strong. I’m still wondering if it was worth. But I’m sure it works great for some, and was worth a try though. I then labored in bed for a while, then on the birth stool and then back to the toilet.

I’m not sure of the timing of anything or even the order. But I know I was sitting on the toilet when I kept feeling the urge to push. Marianne said I could do little pushes, but nothing too hard. I was able to do that but I remember one contraction I couldn’t resist and I actually saw my tummy contract and push, it was very strange. Then I felt the baby start to come. Marianne asked me where I wanted to have the baby, I don’t think I answered, I would’ve had the baby on the toilet if it was possible. I think they quickly figured that out and brought the birth stool to the bathroom and set it in front of me so I didn’t have to do much. For those of you who have been to our home and actually have seen our master bathroom, it’s not very big, but we made do. John was sitting on the toilet, supporting me from behind. Marianne was in the door way, ready to catch the baby, Mom and Cristina were filling in wherever they could, and I think Cheryl just stayed behind.

I screamed a lot, but my baby was coming soon. Then the unthinkable happened, my friend that I called to let her know I was in labor actually called me! I don’t know why we didn’t turn off the phone earlier, but we didn’t and the phone rang, and then she called again right after and left a message! I yelled at the phone calling this dear friend of mine a few names. I guess I needed someone to yell at. :) Then Marianne told me to push whenever I wanted and soon after, at 8:29 am, my baby shot out. Literally, shot out. I thought she hit the floor, but for some reason wasn’t worried about it. Marianne did catch her, but later told me that it was a tough catch and the closest she’s ever come to dropping a baby, she had to hold on tight. She had a cord wrapped around her shoulders that Marianne undid and then set the baby on my lap. It was a girl! She was blue, I was a bit worried, but as they wiped her off and cleaned her up a bit she pinked up quickly. John then cut the cord, I finished the 3rd stage (which was huge), and I was done…well almost. I had to get back on the bed for Marianne to stitch me up, but my baby was here, Princess Olive was on her way home and I had the rest of the day to sleep… in my own bed and hold my new baby girl!

Now that it’s been a while since the whole thing I would definitely do it at home again. If you asked me during the last 3 hours I would’ve told you we weren’t going to have any more children, nothing could make me do that again. But then my baby was in my arms and maybe I could handle it again, but not for a while, and I would question the drug free route. But now looking back on it all, I would do it at home, without drugs. She nursed immediately and I was alert and coherent (well mostly, I did call her by her sister’s name less than an hour after she was born). I was very sore for a few days afterward, but I gave birth to a 9 lb baby! Yes, 9 lbs! She was over a pound and a half bigger than her sister was when she was born. I’m now feeling much better, I’m able to be up and doing things, and I’m happy. The Lord is so good. I remember yelling “I can’t!” many times during those last hours, but He can, He did, He made our bodies to do this, and He brought me through.

Baby's Here! Mini Birth Story

Maggie — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 08:40:00 -0700

This is the abbreviated birth story, I will post a more detailed one later, for those interested.

As you know, I’ve had pre labor for quite some time. Then it started getting worse, I actually had strong contractions for a whole night! I was very excited, but when morning came they were gone. I was then getting discouraged and thinking I would be pregnant forever, I certainly wasn’t going to believe contractions to indicate labor. But then the following night my water broke! I was sooo excited, I knew I was going to have a baby within 24 hours! I tried to go to bed, but was too excited, so we watched some TV until the contractions got to where I needed to concentrate. We then called the midwife to come. Things were going quite well, until I thought it was time to push and it wasn’t. I broke down several times after that, but the Lord was good and helped me through,not too long after that I was holding our brand new, 9 lb, 20”, baby girl (we’ll be calling her Princess Peach here)! Almost everyone had guessed she would be a boy, and no one thought she would be so big!

It was great having her at home, even if I did question it more than a few times during the last couple hours. John was great support and it was great having Mom there too. On more than one occasion I had John whispering to me and stroking my hair, someone else putting counter pressure on my back and a third rubbing my feet! What a blessing having so much support.

Princess Olive is very excited about her baby sister, the night after she was born, Princess Olive was up every time she cried and just wanted to be in bed with us and look at her. When she came back home to meet her little sister, she brought Mommy roses and baby a little toy. It’ll be fun to see them get to know each other more.

Sleep!

Maggie — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 08:45:00 -0700

I got sleep last night, 6 hours without even needing to get up and go potty!!! I almost woke John up to tell him, but decided he should get some sleep too. :) When I told him after he woke up he asked if I wet my panties. LOL

Poor Princess Olive, John left the house to strap in the car seat and she thought he was going to get the baby. I told her the baby was still in Mommy’s tummy and we have to wait until it was ready for it to come out. I told her that we had to wait a long time for her to come out when she was in my tummy, and we might have to wait a while for this one. She almost started to cry. :( I’m so glad she’s excited about the baby coming though!

No Baby and No Sleep

Maggie — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:06:00 -0700

So I’ve been having contractions off and on for over a week. The first time I had them for about an hour I got very excited, I thought it was it. Well I’ve learned not to get so excited, apparently these are just “kick start contractions,” as my midwife calls them and they can last for a weeks before someone actually has their baby. At my appointment last Tuesday she did an exam and I’m only 50% effaced and fingertip dilated, I’m hoping I’m a little more by now. A good thing about it apparently taking a while is that my mom will most likely make it. She’s planning on driving down on Saturday and will stay for at least a week and if the baby isn’t here by then, then she’ll stay for longer. This pre-labor business is all new to me, since I didn’t have any contractions with Hannah until they induced me, I guess it’s a good sign, my body is doing something right this time around. I just didn’t know you could have pre-labor for so long.

On top of the pre-labor I’m also suffering from insomnia, hence the post past midnight. I’m exhausted, but can’t sleep. Last night I was up every hour to go potty and then up from 3-5 am for no apparent reason. On top of my sleepless nights, Hannah is outgrowing her naps, so my days don’t get much rest time either. Although she does play well in the living room while I just rest on the couch, usually reading a childbirth book. I’ve already finished “The Birth Book” by Dr. Sears and I’m working on “Childbirth Without Fear.” Both are good. I only have one more day and then Mom will be here, so at least I won’t feel bad for being a zombie mommy, Hannah will have someone to care for her properly. I think I may actually get more sleep once the baby comes. I remember the round the clock feedings, but they were about every 3 hours and I could even nurse in my sleep, the baby at least won’t be laying on my bladder making it so I need to go potty every hour.

Ok I’m done complaining. I’m really very thankful that my body is working, and that I will soon be holding a little baby in my arms. Besides, the house still isn’t quite how I would like it before the birth, so if Mom can make it and we can do all of that before the baby comes, maybe my birth experience will benefit from that. :) Have a great day everyone, if you’ve read this far you may be suffering from insomnia as well.

Getting Ready for Baby

Maggie — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:19:00 -0600

Our computer monitor is quiting on us, so I’m using John’s lap top before he goes to work, I didn’t have many e-mails today so I thought a blog post would be a good idea.

It is less than 2 weeks before baby is due! I’ve been having regular contractions for an hour or so the past couple of days. These seem different than Braxton Hicks, but not very strong either. Occasionally I’ll get one that I consciously have to relax, but the majority of the time I can just go on doing what I’m doing. My midwife says I could have these “kick start contractions” for weeks before the baby actually comes. Regardless, I didn’t have any contractions with Hannah before they induced so I’m getting anxious.

I feel like I need to clean the whole house and last night I stayed up past midnight reading a childbirth book, “Christ Centered Childbirth”. I read the whole thing in one sitting, because I felt like I had to finish it right then! If anyone wants to borrow it they’re welcome to. It had some good things, and then some things that I just skipped over. One of the things it did talk about was fear and how fear creates pain. It also talked about how we don’t have to rely on our own strength to combat this fear or the pain, we can rely on our precious Jesus. It helped me be less anxious about getting ready too. The book reminded me that God is in control of when this baby comes and He knows my current energy levels and ability to get ready. We do have most of the supplies ready to go, so if things are a little cluttered when baby arrives then it will be born into an environment that it will see frequently in this home. :) I’m still going to purpose to be more diligent in keeping things tidy. I seem to be feeling a bit better these days, so I should be able to do more, even if it is slowly.

Well I better go, I have a baby to get ready for! :) Thanks for reading my random thoughts. :)

Spoke too Soon

Maggie — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:53:00 -0600

My theory did work, in fact it worked better than I thought!! Ok, so I was in pain the day after the WAP, but perhaps I tried too much too soon. The rest of our weekend didn’t provide any rest for me. Friday Hannah didn’t take a nap, but that was about it. Saturday was my cousin’s graduation and party, which had me on my feet a lot chasing Hannah around in their big back yard. Sunday was the Street Fair, and we walked the whole thing, and then on Monday I went to the mall with my cousins and pushed Hannah around for a few hours. At the end of each of these days I was VERY tired and sore, in fact when we were walking back to the van from the mall I didn’t think my left leg would hold me anymore it felt like my hip just decided to quit, but my cousins teased me, took Hannah and I made it. :)

What has surprised me though, is that overall I’m feeling much better. My pain has been a 4 most days this week with an occasional twinge that hurts like crazy but then passes. Being active has been a big help. Now some people may say “I told you so.” But you must understand the pain is focused and intense when it comes while walking, and when I move I feel all of my hip and pelvic area shifting around, intuition tells me to stay still so things that aren’t supposed to move can stay put. But regardless I will be trying to walk everyday. Today a neighbor and I went for a good long walk and I feel so good being active again.

I also went to the chiropractor again today. I didn’t have an appointment, but I’ve been feeling a lot more movement lately and she wouldn’t be in the office again until Wednesday, so I wanted to know what to do. My knees are even starting to go. They pop more and I can feel the caps moving around. So my chiropractor told me that our goal is to keep me walking the entire pregnancy and in order to do so I need to be doing some gentle strengthening exercises so my muscles can make up for my inadequate ligaments. So I will be visiting my good friend Gym again after a long hiatus.

I am so glad that I am feeling better overall. It could be that I just feel better because I’m not focusing on the pain as much and I’m doing things I either enjoy or need to do, so I’m feeling some what productive again, but either way, I feel better. I’m glad to be moving again. I even went grocery shopping the other day and have a weeks worth of meals planned. Things still hurt, but I’m functioning much better than I was a week ago. Still no housework, as in vacuuming, moping, tubs, but other things I seem to be able to handle ok and I have some great friends that help me with the rest. :)