Casey wrote down Naomi's birth experience from his point of view. I believe he is even working on what he remembers of Mali's birth experience and writing it down for his blog. Anywho, I, of course, thoroughly enjoyed reading his version and thought I'd link it back to my blog. Enjoy!
http://caseyferguson.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/bringing-home-baby/
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Rodeo Time!
I'm back tracking a little bit for this post. In February, San Angelo hosted their annual rodeo. We took Mali to the kick-off parade, and later in the week we went to the petting zoo and carnival. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to many more years of attending!
Next year, we'll get her some good cowgirl boots. :)
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| Enjoying the parade with Gammie! |
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| Mali fed the zebra some straw |
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| After she warmed up to the goats, she kept trying to get on their level. |
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| We bought a little cup of animal feed for Mali to give the goats. |
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| She really got into petting the different animals- so many textures! |
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| Feeding the deer! |
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| We walked right past the camel several times before even noticing it. |
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| She was informing the animals that the food was "all gone!" |
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| Mali rode a horse for the first time!! She is now truly a Texan. |
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Naomi Pictures for Grammy and Grandpa!
We wish we could bring her to your house and let you snuggle her!
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| I love my girls! |
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| Proud daddy. |
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| Sleepy, cuddly baby. |
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| First bath! |
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| We're home! |
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| Staying safe in the swing, and big sister is sharing toys. |
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| Matching PJs! |
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| I have two beautiful daughters!! |
THE Birth Story (AKA Part Two)
Well, I posted earlier this week about my discouraging round with false labor, and how I hoped that would lead into a real labor and delivery soon. Well, it did.
Tuesday night after the false labor, I got the best night of sleep I had in probably a full week. No contractions (if there were any) were strong enough to keep awake, Mali slept through the night, my back wasn't having its sharp pains as usual.... it was really really nice. I woke up Wednesday morning without contractions and told Casey it was just a normal day- we had things to get done around the house, and so we did.
After Mali's morning nap, we decided to go walking and see if it sparked up labor since I was having a contraction here and there while we worked on the house. We walked around Hobby Lobby for a couple hours and headed home to put Mali down for an afternoon nap. Nothing changed as far as contractions went. Casey and I ate lunch and relaxed watching TV and I bounced around on my labor ball.
About 5:00, contractions came on very strongly. I remember them making me wince, but I honestly was trying to ignore them and not get my hopes up. After about the third or fourth wince worthy contraction, I realized they were coming pretty close together and decided to start timing them. Lo and behold they were coming 2-3 minutes apart and really steady at 40-45 seconds long. I called Evelyn, my doula, and asked her what to do. I had two major fears at this point- 1. that is was false labor again and L&D would strap me to a bed regardless and give Pitocin. And 2. that I had made a lot of progress yesterday and would end up giving birth on the side of the road or at my house. She encouraged me to keep timing at home, if I could manage the pain until I had a full hour of consistent contractions. So, I hopped in a warm bath and kept on timing. I knew at this point I needed to get mentally on top of the pain I was feeling, because if this was it I didn't have much time to "talk through" the pain.
A few minutes after 6:00, the contractions were still holding strong and staying close together. I called Evelyn back and told her we were going to head to the hospital- My OB wanted me there at 3 minutes apart. We had some friends pick-up Mali and take her to there house for the night, and Casey and I headed to the hospital!
It took three contractions to get from the car to the L&D desk. Those contractions were not fun- I was feeling the back labor set in and I desperately wanted to get back into a warm tub to relieve the pain. Of course, the nurses had to go through their normal checks and getting me settled, but once they realized I was 8cm and 90% I could feel the adrenaline pick up as the nurses began to get through my check-in process faster. The labor bed was not my friend last time, and I felt most relaxed to contract sitting on the toilet, so that's where I sat while the nurses put in my hep lock and had me sign medical forms. It had to be a hilarious sight, I'm sure with three people cramped in a little bathroom like that. :) The nurses did joke that this wasn't something they did very often and reminded me I couldn't push the baby on the toilet. No worries.
Meanwhile, while I was getting checked in, my amazing support team (Casey, Evelyn and her doula partner, Pam) were getting the labor tub set-up for me. I remember trying to watch them between contractions to try and keep my mind from getting anxious about the next contraction coming. That time getting checked in was probably the hardest part of the labor process (until delivery) because I couldn't get comfortable or focused very well to work through the pain.
I have no idea what the timeline was throughout labor. I know we were checked in at 6:30 and Naomi was born and 10:20PM. I refused to look at the time otherwise, I knew I would get discouraged watching the hours tick by and still not have a baby.
Once I was in the labor tub, I felt like I could really get into my "zone". I remember a lady coming to take labs, and I remember my nurse, Summer, putting my hep locked hand in a glove so it wouldn't get wet. I remember thinking I couldn't put my hands in the tub (I don't know if that was true or not) Reminding myself to relax my shoulders was a main focus during each contraction in the tub. Casey had put on some of the music I had loaded on the iPad, and I tuned out everyone's voices and tried to focus on the music. Unfortunately, the portable monitor for the labor tub wasn't working and I had to get out of the tub every 15 minutes to get monitored. My team would wrap me up in warm blankets and Casey would just hold me close. During those checks. I remember wanting to cry. I couldn't believe how calm and perfect Casey's hugs were at that point.
Every time I moved around the contractions hurt worse. I remember dreading hearing Summer's voice say I needed to get monitored. That was a tough mental hurdle every 15 minutes, but I knew I was so close, I had to be so close. I kept reminding myself about how close I got with Mali and how I know I could've made it. I had to stay mentally on top of the pain.
After some time, I could tell a significant increase in the pain in my back and the contractions were more painful. I started fighting the urge to move around with each contraction. I told the nurse it was hurting more and she decided to check me- still 8cm, but 100% effaced. That was a big blow mentally. I had been there a while with essentially zero progress. I quickly had to remind myself that I had a friend who went from 8cm to baby in her arms in 20 minutes. I could do this- that may be my story, too. My OB cam in shortly after that, and I remember feeling such relief to hear her voice. I was worried she wouldn't be the OB to delivery Naomi since it was so late. That was a huge encouragement having her there, too. It was time for another monitoring time, so I got out of the tub and my OB requested I get in the labor bed and let her check my progress. It hadn't been very long since my last check- maybe 3 or 4 contractions, but she said I was at 9cm, 100% effaced, and zero station. I was so happy! That centimeter came fast! Only one more to go! I started wondering how transition would feel, it was coming, and I didn't want to lose the mental battle than. I was so close.
After they monitored me for a few minutes, they said I could go back to the labor tub, but I knew I was close and didn't want to have to climb in and out of the tub again. So I stayed on the labor bed in a criss-cross position. My back pain immediately increased and Pam started using pressure points and tennis balls on my lower back to ease the pain. It was getting harder, but I knew transition had to be coming, it had to be. After awhile the back pain was starting to get me shaken up, Pam and Evelyn suggested I get in a position closer to all fours and it should relieve some of the pressure off my back and hopefully allow Naomi to turn- we were pretty certain she was facing my left hip at this point. That position didn't do much for me. I realized that I was tensing with each contraction, and was fighting an urge to push something, anything. I told my nurse that and she went and got the OB to see where we were! I can't say it was an overwhelming urge to push or even a feeling like "she's coming!", I just need to push something out whether it was urine, my water bag, or a baby. Something needed to come out.
Everything changed really fast from there, my quiet, dark labor room was filled with people and medical supplies seemingly out of nowhere. My doctor check me again- no progress, but she felt I could push through the last final centimeter, so we did.
I had a hard time through delivery. My back pain was terrible, I was uncomfortable, and by golly I wanted relief from the contractions! But I was definitely at a point of no return, this was it. Suck it up and do it time. My dream was to delivery Naomi in the caul, and here I was past zero station, fully dilated, and she was essentially stuck. My OB looked me in the eyes, and told me she knew I wanted a caul birth, but the bag was very tight, and she needed to turn Naomi. She asked if she could go ahead and break my water. I let her and the back pain was unbearable almost immediately. However, it was just three? Maybe four? contractions until Naomi was born. I remember saying before the last contraction, "Please, dear Jesus, let this be the last one." I know Evelyn heard me and offered encouragement, but I don't remember what she said.
I never thought I'd be a yeller, but I'm sure I was well heard in L&D that night. Oh well, it was worth it. :)
The immediate rush of having Naomi placed on my belly and the relief of the end of labor and delivery was amazing! I don't know how to really put it all in words. I felt very disconnected from Mali's birth due to the epidural working too well. And to have a birth experience where I was fully aware of everything was so fulfilling and just simply amazing. I was surprised my the pain I felt after Naomi's head was delivered- I forgot about the body, I guess. lol. Casey cut the cord again for Naomi as all dads are obligated to do. :) I had zero tearing and was so relieved to not have to get stitches- I had seriously been freaking out about that before labor had started. My OB getting my uterus to contract down wasn't pleasant at all. I lost quite a bit of blood at that point was given Pitocin to help get my uterus to contract down. I also was put on saline for awhile. The delivery of the placenta was really cool! I hardly felt it, but loved being able to watch it this time. I asked my OB if I could see it, and she completely nerded out on me explaining the different parts and how they worked together. It was fascinating, and I have no desire to ever see that organ again.
Naomi was 7lbs 1.9oz and 19in long. She was born at 10:20PM on March 13, 2013 after 5 and a half hours of active labor. A full pound lighter and inch shorter than her sister. But the cool thing? Mali was born at 10:20AM. Little things, eh?
Naomi nursed so well right off the bat, and I felt amazing and like I could get up and walk around no problem. It was such a different experience than my first, and I am so ever grateful for the team of people around me who helped me get there. It was perfect and something I will cherish having experienced forever.
**Fair warning: This is not censored. It is a complete birth story as I remember it, and I talk about some icky things.**
Tuesday night after the false labor, I got the best night of sleep I had in probably a full week. No contractions (if there were any) were strong enough to keep awake, Mali slept through the night, my back wasn't having its sharp pains as usual.... it was really really nice. I woke up Wednesday morning without contractions and told Casey it was just a normal day- we had things to get done around the house, and so we did.
After Mali's morning nap, we decided to go walking and see if it sparked up labor since I was having a contraction here and there while we worked on the house. We walked around Hobby Lobby for a couple hours and headed home to put Mali down for an afternoon nap. Nothing changed as far as contractions went. Casey and I ate lunch and relaxed watching TV and I bounced around on my labor ball.
About 5:00, contractions came on very strongly. I remember them making me wince, but I honestly was trying to ignore them and not get my hopes up. After about the third or fourth wince worthy contraction, I realized they were coming pretty close together and decided to start timing them. Lo and behold they were coming 2-3 minutes apart and really steady at 40-45 seconds long. I called Evelyn, my doula, and asked her what to do. I had two major fears at this point- 1. that is was false labor again and L&D would strap me to a bed regardless and give Pitocin. And 2. that I had made a lot of progress yesterday and would end up giving birth on the side of the road or at my house. She encouraged me to keep timing at home, if I could manage the pain until I had a full hour of consistent contractions. So, I hopped in a warm bath and kept on timing. I knew at this point I needed to get mentally on top of the pain I was feeling, because if this was it I didn't have much time to "talk through" the pain.
A few minutes after 6:00, the contractions were still holding strong and staying close together. I called Evelyn back and told her we were going to head to the hospital- My OB wanted me there at 3 minutes apart. We had some friends pick-up Mali and take her to there house for the night, and Casey and I headed to the hospital!
It took three contractions to get from the car to the L&D desk. Those contractions were not fun- I was feeling the back labor set in and I desperately wanted to get back into a warm tub to relieve the pain. Of course, the nurses had to go through their normal checks and getting me settled, but once they realized I was 8cm and 90% I could feel the adrenaline pick up as the nurses began to get through my check-in process faster. The labor bed was not my friend last time, and I felt most relaxed to contract sitting on the toilet, so that's where I sat while the nurses put in my hep lock and had me sign medical forms. It had to be a hilarious sight, I'm sure with three people cramped in a little bathroom like that. :) The nurses did joke that this wasn't something they did very often and reminded me I couldn't push the baby on the toilet. No worries.
Meanwhile, while I was getting checked in, my amazing support team (Casey, Evelyn and her doula partner, Pam) were getting the labor tub set-up for me. I remember trying to watch them between contractions to try and keep my mind from getting anxious about the next contraction coming. That time getting checked in was probably the hardest part of the labor process (until delivery) because I couldn't get comfortable or focused very well to work through the pain.
I have no idea what the timeline was throughout labor. I know we were checked in at 6:30 and Naomi was born and 10:20PM. I refused to look at the time otherwise, I knew I would get discouraged watching the hours tick by and still not have a baby.
Once I was in the labor tub, I felt like I could really get into my "zone". I remember a lady coming to take labs, and I remember my nurse, Summer, putting my hep locked hand in a glove so it wouldn't get wet. I remember thinking I couldn't put my hands in the tub (I don't know if that was true or not) Reminding myself to relax my shoulders was a main focus during each contraction in the tub. Casey had put on some of the music I had loaded on the iPad, and I tuned out everyone's voices and tried to focus on the music. Unfortunately, the portable monitor for the labor tub wasn't working and I had to get out of the tub every 15 minutes to get monitored. My team would wrap me up in warm blankets and Casey would just hold me close. During those checks. I remember wanting to cry. I couldn't believe how calm and perfect Casey's hugs were at that point.
Every time I moved around the contractions hurt worse. I remember dreading hearing Summer's voice say I needed to get monitored. That was a tough mental hurdle every 15 minutes, but I knew I was so close, I had to be so close. I kept reminding myself about how close I got with Mali and how I know I could've made it. I had to stay mentally on top of the pain.
After some time, I could tell a significant increase in the pain in my back and the contractions were more painful. I started fighting the urge to move around with each contraction. I told the nurse it was hurting more and she decided to check me- still 8cm, but 100% effaced. That was a big blow mentally. I had been there a while with essentially zero progress. I quickly had to remind myself that I had a friend who went from 8cm to baby in her arms in 20 minutes. I could do this- that may be my story, too. My OB cam in shortly after that, and I remember feeling such relief to hear her voice. I was worried she wouldn't be the OB to delivery Naomi since it was so late. That was a huge encouragement having her there, too. It was time for another monitoring time, so I got out of the tub and my OB requested I get in the labor bed and let her check my progress. It hadn't been very long since my last check- maybe 3 or 4 contractions, but she said I was at 9cm, 100% effaced, and zero station. I was so happy! That centimeter came fast! Only one more to go! I started wondering how transition would feel, it was coming, and I didn't want to lose the mental battle than. I was so close.
After they monitored me for a few minutes, they said I could go back to the labor tub, but I knew I was close and didn't want to have to climb in and out of the tub again. So I stayed on the labor bed in a criss-cross position. My back pain immediately increased and Pam started using pressure points and tennis balls on my lower back to ease the pain. It was getting harder, but I knew transition had to be coming, it had to be. After awhile the back pain was starting to get me shaken up, Pam and Evelyn suggested I get in a position closer to all fours and it should relieve some of the pressure off my back and hopefully allow Naomi to turn- we were pretty certain she was facing my left hip at this point. That position didn't do much for me. I realized that I was tensing with each contraction, and was fighting an urge to push something, anything. I told my nurse that and she went and got the OB to see where we were! I can't say it was an overwhelming urge to push or even a feeling like "she's coming!", I just need to push something out whether it was urine, my water bag, or a baby. Something needed to come out.
Everything changed really fast from there, my quiet, dark labor room was filled with people and medical supplies seemingly out of nowhere. My doctor check me again- no progress, but she felt I could push through the last final centimeter, so we did.
I had a hard time through delivery. My back pain was terrible, I was uncomfortable, and by golly I wanted relief from the contractions! But I was definitely at a point of no return, this was it. Suck it up and do it time. My dream was to delivery Naomi in the caul, and here I was past zero station, fully dilated, and she was essentially stuck. My OB looked me in the eyes, and told me she knew I wanted a caul birth, but the bag was very tight, and she needed to turn Naomi. She asked if she could go ahead and break my water. I let her and the back pain was unbearable almost immediately. However, it was just three? Maybe four? contractions until Naomi was born. I remember saying before the last contraction, "Please, dear Jesus, let this be the last one." I know Evelyn heard me and offered encouragement, but I don't remember what she said.
I never thought I'd be a yeller, but I'm sure I was well heard in L&D that night. Oh well, it was worth it. :)
The immediate rush of having Naomi placed on my belly and the relief of the end of labor and delivery was amazing! I don't know how to really put it all in words. I felt very disconnected from Mali's birth due to the epidural working too well. And to have a birth experience where I was fully aware of everything was so fulfilling and just simply amazing. I was surprised my the pain I felt after Naomi's head was delivered- I forgot about the body, I guess. lol. Casey cut the cord again for Naomi as all dads are obligated to do. :) I had zero tearing and was so relieved to not have to get stitches- I had seriously been freaking out about that before labor had started. My OB getting my uterus to contract down wasn't pleasant at all. I lost quite a bit of blood at that point was given Pitocin to help get my uterus to contract down. I also was put on saline for awhile. The delivery of the placenta was really cool! I hardly felt it, but loved being able to watch it this time. I asked my OB if I could see it, and she completely nerded out on me explaining the different parts and how they worked together. It was fascinating, and I have no desire to ever see that organ again.
Naomi was 7lbs 1.9oz and 19in long. She was born at 10:20PM on March 13, 2013 after 5 and a half hours of active labor. A full pound lighter and inch shorter than her sister. But the cool thing? Mali was born at 10:20AM. Little things, eh?
Naomi nursed so well right off the bat, and I felt amazing and like I could get up and walk around no problem. It was such a different experience than my first, and I am so ever grateful for the team of people around me who helped me get there. It was perfect and something I will cherish having experienced forever.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Labor Story (Part One)
Well.
Naomi has definitely not ceased to prove she does her own thing and blow away any preconceived expectations or experiences I have from Mali.
As of 11:03PM on Tuesday, March 12th she is not here. However, I feel like I have a ridiculous birth story to share already, so I'm writing it out now before I forget this part when she actually does grace us with her arrival.
This past Friday afternoon I started having contractions. They weren't painful, but they were definitely noticeable. They weren't very frequent, but they were happening. Same thing on Saturday, and again on Sunday. Nothing painful or even consistent enough to time, but they were very annoying. Sunday night I started having contractions that were more time able, but pretty weak. I ended up falling asleep around 3AM and woke up to no contractions.
Monday I had my 38 week OB appointment where my doctor confirmed I was making progress and was currently 4cm dilated and 75% effaced, baby was head down, and very low. She stated that I was "brewing" and she didn't expect I'd go another week without delivering. Now, normally I take a statement like that with a grain of sand, but with the contractions all weekend... I have hope. With Mali, my first contraction came and Mali was born 11 hours later. Long drawn out laboring just is foreign to me.
Monday night around 11 I started feeling very weak contractions in my back. So I soaked in the tub for a while and went to bed. I noticed after a while that they were seeming to come fairly often, so I started timing them around 2AM. They were 10 minutes apart and about 40 seconds long. They each started in my back and I could definitely feel the "wave" motion to my abdomen. I got a little excited- this could be it! They weren't super painful, so I slept on and off for awhile at 6AM got up for the day and continued to time. They were feeling stronger, but still anywhere from 6-10 minutes apart. I showered, bounced on the birthing ball, ate, did my hair, you know just whatever to stay busy that morning. By 10 they were coming 40-50 seconds long, stronger, and as close as 3 minutes apart, but still as far as 8 minutes apart. I felt like the pain was still manageable and with the times so far apart, I decided to stay at home and keep laboring.
It was after that I noticed the contractions were getting weaker, than the started spacing out more- going as long as 12 minutes apart at times. I was texting with my doula feeling discouraged by the lack of progress (by 8 hours in with Mali, I was admitted at the hospital and had an epi). She reassured me that sometimes labor will stall and this is the point the hospital would issue Pitocin, which we want to avoid, and to keep trucking.
At noon, Mali was up from her nap and we had all eaten lunch. We decided to go walk the mall to try and get the contractions going again. They were still weak and maybe 30 seconds long with inconsistent time inbetween them. After 20 minutes of walking, I had about three or four contractions close to a minute in length, much stronger, and about 6 minutes apart. I was getting excited again- it was working! And than after that, nothing. They just seemed to stop. After we had been at the mall two hours, Mali needed a nap and my last few contractions were 15-20 minutes apart. We decided to just come home. I stopped timing and felt very discouraged. Why wasn't my body getting into gear?
At home I felt so achy from my back, abdomen, and legs from the bouncing and contracting. I felt like I had gone through a whole labor process without any results. (Insert emotional meltdown here. My poor husband) Contractions were nonexistent by this point so I soaked my achy back in the tub, took a nap, ate dinner, and now here I am blogging. I hope that with all that laboring I've at least made progress. Casey is convinced she's going to fast and crazy tonight, but I'm not holding my breath. We'll see what the next few days bring- I just know I can't have another round of false labor like today, or I will literally lose my mind.
So that's bringing Naomi to the world part one. Hopefully part two will come soon!
Naomi has definitely not ceased to prove she does her own thing and blow away any preconceived expectations or experiences I have from Mali.
As of 11:03PM on Tuesday, March 12th she is not here. However, I feel like I have a ridiculous birth story to share already, so I'm writing it out now before I forget this part when she actually does grace us with her arrival.
This past Friday afternoon I started having contractions. They weren't painful, but they were definitely noticeable. They weren't very frequent, but they were happening. Same thing on Saturday, and again on Sunday. Nothing painful or even consistent enough to time, but they were very annoying. Sunday night I started having contractions that were more time able, but pretty weak. I ended up falling asleep around 3AM and woke up to no contractions.
Monday I had my 38 week OB appointment where my doctor confirmed I was making progress and was currently 4cm dilated and 75% effaced, baby was head down, and very low. She stated that I was "brewing" and she didn't expect I'd go another week without delivering. Now, normally I take a statement like that with a grain of sand, but with the contractions all weekend... I have hope. With Mali, my first contraction came and Mali was born 11 hours later. Long drawn out laboring just is foreign to me.
Monday night around 11 I started feeling very weak contractions in my back. So I soaked in the tub for a while and went to bed. I noticed after a while that they were seeming to come fairly often, so I started timing them around 2AM. They were 10 minutes apart and about 40 seconds long. They each started in my back and I could definitely feel the "wave" motion to my abdomen. I got a little excited- this could be it! They weren't super painful, so I slept on and off for awhile at 6AM got up for the day and continued to time. They were feeling stronger, but still anywhere from 6-10 minutes apart. I showered, bounced on the birthing ball, ate, did my hair, you know just whatever to stay busy that morning. By 10 they were coming 40-50 seconds long, stronger, and as close as 3 minutes apart, but still as far as 8 minutes apart. I felt like the pain was still manageable and with the times so far apart, I decided to stay at home and keep laboring.
It was after that I noticed the contractions were getting weaker, than the started spacing out more- going as long as 12 minutes apart at times. I was texting with my doula feeling discouraged by the lack of progress (by 8 hours in with Mali, I was admitted at the hospital and had an epi). She reassured me that sometimes labor will stall and this is the point the hospital would issue Pitocin, which we want to avoid, and to keep trucking.
At noon, Mali was up from her nap and we had all eaten lunch. We decided to go walk the mall to try and get the contractions going again. They were still weak and maybe 30 seconds long with inconsistent time inbetween them. After 20 minutes of walking, I had about three or four contractions close to a minute in length, much stronger, and about 6 minutes apart. I was getting excited again- it was working! And than after that, nothing. They just seemed to stop. After we had been at the mall two hours, Mali needed a nap and my last few contractions were 15-20 minutes apart. We decided to just come home. I stopped timing and felt very discouraged. Why wasn't my body getting into gear?
At home I felt so achy from my back, abdomen, and legs from the bouncing and contracting. I felt like I had gone through a whole labor process without any results. (Insert emotional meltdown here. My poor husband) Contractions were nonexistent by this point so I soaked my achy back in the tub, took a nap, ate dinner, and now here I am blogging. I hope that with all that laboring I've at least made progress. Casey is convinced she's going to fast and crazy tonight, but I'm not holding my breath. We'll see what the next few days bring- I just know I can't have another round of false labor like today, or I will literally lose my mind.
So that's bringing Naomi to the world part one. Hopefully part two will come soon!
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