A Baby Arrives!

Well, I finally have a moment to reflect on the arrival of my third son: Lachlan!


Last post, I was praying that the labor would progress and I could avoid an induction. Well, the contractions continued to become more intense and closer together. I managed to have lunch which was an oriental chicken salad and look what the fortune cookie held...

At around 4pm, the doctor suggested I take a warm bath to see if that relaxed things. The nurse checked me before I got in and I was at 4cm and 95% effaced. My husband was there but realized, things were happening and suggested I call my doula so he could run home to alert the kids and his parents (visiting). My doula arrived just as I had gotten into the tub and my husband left. The contractions were intense and close, but being in the water was so nice. The doctor decided that the contractions were coming so quickly, that I had better get into the birthing room before I had the baby in the tub (being diabetic, they want me in a room and easier to work on if complications arose). So, the nurse checked me again, and in only about 45min I had dialated to 8cm and was 98% effaced.

It seemed like it took forever to walk to the room. The contractions were right on top of each other. Once I was in the room, I was so tired. I started laboring on my side, pulling my knees up to push. After a bit, I felt like kneeling would be better, so I knelt over the top of the bed so I could rest, and when I felt like I need to push, I could easily just shift into a squatting position. This position was really good. I believe strongly now that gravity, is a laboring woman's friend (go to "One With Child" for more illustrations and descriptions of labor positions). All of a sudden, things got really intense and I asked for the squatting bar so I could be in an squatting position to bear down. I couldn't believe how intense the urge to push was. No where near as painful as when I had to have pitocin, but far more intense. This time, they let my water break naturally, which doused my doula, who was attentively applying warm herbal compresses to my perineum to help avoid an episiotomy and lessen tearing (only needed a few stitches and healed far more quickly than an episiotomy).

Once my water broke, it was on! He was crowning and it was time to really push. I know I was being vocal at this point, saying it hurt, but that was the only way to describe it in that moment. I would say its more like a lot of pressure and a burning sensation. Not at all unmanageable. Chad was gloved and gowned and the doctor let Chad guide the baby out and deliver him! It was amazing! He had never done it before and I know it was an amazing experience for him. He also cut the cord. So they lifted him onto me and I got to meet him. He was so beautiful. Chad said he smiled within the first half hour and the nurse who checked him over after I had a chance to hold him, said that the tests she did (Dubowitz or Ballard Scale) he was more like 38-39wks. I felt vindicated. SEE! I TOLD you I was farther along!! ha!

It was the most amazing experience ever. I think this is our last baby, but I could easily have another if I could guarantee the outcome to be like this. I highly recommend a doula if you have to deliver in a hospital. She took really good care of me and made sure my wishes were adhered to. She has been a great resource and comfort during the postpartum phase as well. She brings me herbs to help the healing process and has answered all my questions I have had. If you have a midwife center in your area (finding a midwife), I recommend visiting even as you are just planning on getting pregnant, so that you can start your pregnancy off right.

So, here he is. Born at 6:55pm on March 3, 2010 at 8lbs 9oz 19 1/2 inches long. Lachlan Dale Bell....

Anticipation

I have been in the hospital since February 23 due to pre-eclampsic symptoms. At first, I was hopeful that my blood pressure would normalize and I would be sent home in a few days. I cried when the doctor said no. The decision was that, I should remain until I got to 37wks (we are certain their dates are off and I am more like 38 as opposed to 36 wks and 5 days) and then induce. After being upset and frustrated with the news that I would have to be away from my family and confined to a hospital bed for two weeks, I reconciled that it was for the best.

Flash forward to now. I have been having contractions that are building in intensity and more frequent over the last two days. Which is wonderful, because, even if I still have to be induced the contractions are helping to prepare my body which will make for an easier birth. This morning, I have been having regular contractions and after having breakfast, I stood up to brush my teeth, and felt something odd. I went to the restroom to find I had passed my mucus plug. This has never happened before. My first two were induced births so I never got far enough to experience true early labor symptoms. It scared me a little, because there is blood, but after the nurse checked me, she reassured me that I was fine, it was normal and that all it meant was that labor was beginning (early) and that the passing of the plug could been labor anywhere from 24 hours to a week.

I am relieved and praying now that things will just continue to progress and I can avoid an induction. I am also anxious, because it has been so hard being here watching women come and go with their babies. I want to have my baby! I want to hold it in my arms and smell that newborn smell. I'm happy for each of the families that have come and gone since I arrived. There are happy sounds of congratulations and balloons floating through the halls. I here the tender cries of the new babies, learning how to tell their mommies they are hungry and I long to hear my own call to me. So I pray that as long as it is safe, mine comes soon. I am so excited to meet this one and introduce it to our family.

Adventures In Baby Making

So, I find myself typing on a rented laptop from a hospital bed. I am bound to this small room due to pre-eclampsic induced high blood pressure. It's tough to deal with. On one hand, you want to do the right thing and stay off your feet, relegating tasks to helpful family members while staying in bed per doctor's orders. Then, there is the extreme urge to "nest". You want to clean, organize and micromanage all aspects of your life and your family's so that it's all ready and prepped for the newest member.

Then, a glitch surfaces. Simple at home bedrest is no longer good enough. Now, my body rebels and I am ordered to the hospital to maintain the bedrest, and be monitored day and night. It's scary and frustrating. How can I just lie here and do nothing? I am in charge of bill paying, laundry, dishes, care of my diabetic five year old, lunches, kid schedules... the list goes on. Oh, but I have another child who needs me to stop, and take care of me. It's so hard, but so very necessary.

I had hoped, if I just comply for a day or two, the doctor would find that things would normalize and I would be able to go back home. I would figure out a way to manage from bed and with the help of my inlaws, maintain my home and care for my kids without stressing my body. Sadly, that would not be the outcome. The doctor was concerned that my blood pressure was staying high (150s/90s) and now there was protein in my urine (kidney's being taxed). I was going to stay until I went into labor or an induction was performed within a week. I was devastated. I cried. I understood it was for my own good, and to make sure baby was safely delivered. Yet, missing my family bustling around me and the smell of my home and sleeping next to my husband was just too much.

I took an hour long shower. I laid in bed. Then I went to the nurse's station and requested to be moved to a nicer room. I also asked about internet access so I would no longer be cut off from important things I needed to do, as well as for stress relieving entertainment. I had the room arranged so that I could reach everything fairly easily from the bed and called my husband to retrieve more items for the longer stay. One, was a pillow from home so I had something familier smelling. My youngest was thrilled to be invited to a slumber party and as we speak, he slumbers in the recliner next to my bed. I was visited by numerous friends and by the end of the day, my husband had procurred a laptop from a rental place. I feel better about being stuck. I just hope that this little one gets a head start and preempts the docs so that an induction is unnecessary.

Thank you to all my friends who have sent me words of encouragement, stopped by, helped with errands and just prayed for safety and swift recovery. I will attempt to figure out this computer so I can post pictures while medically incarcerated

For More Info:
Pre-eclampsia

Super Bowl XLIV and The Ads

Watched the Super Bowl with my boys. It was pretty exciting and a real "edge of your seat" game. We were rooting for the Colts, but the Saints were just more practiced and polished. I tip my hat to their team and coaches, they played excellently. The Half Time Show was awesome too. I don't think I have ever seen a show where the entire stadium sang along with the band. Oh, it must have been spine tingling to be there live! Of course, the cherry on top were the ads, so here is a great site where you can watch them. Not as good as a whole, as in past years, but there were some real gems. When you click on a clip, it should open in a new window. Enjoy!