Samantha's Birth Story

On March 11th, I had my 40 week prenatal appointment. It cracked me up when the nurse told me "You're 40 weeks and three days along, okay?". I (not) jokingly responded with "I'm painfully aware."  I was due for a NST (non stress test), which monitors baby's movement and contractions, and a biophysical profile, which is an ultrasound to check on baby's activity, fluid levels etc. My OB was also going to check on dilation and effacement, to see if I'd made any progress since my last appointment. My sister in law came along to keep me company, which was great and very much needed! As far as dilation and effacement went, I was still just a fingertip dilated and still only about 80% effaced like I was at my last appointment. And unless I was laughing, Samantha wasn't very active during the NST. I felt a couple twinges, that I wouldn't have really called contractions, but they were just barely popping up on the paper. Everything looked okay on the ultrasound, but she was again not very active, just sucking on her fingers. One of the things the doctors want to see is the baby practice breathing, which she didn't during the ultrasound. 

After this was all done, the doctor came in and said that I am to go to the hospital tomorrow at 4 PM and I said HANG ON. What? Why?? He said that because her activity wasn't where he'd like it to be, he wanted to induce me the next day. Um - could you not have just initially said that?! I had made it pretty clear a month or so prior, that I did NOT want an induction unless absolutely medically necessary. I tried to argue with him (as kindly as possible), asking lots of questions, which led to him finally explaining everything I mentioned above. Basically, I didn't have much choice in the matter and my gut told me I needed to just leave it in fate's hands and trust my doctor's judgement. After he gave me my paperwork and left the room, I had a meltdown. My biggest fear with the induction was that it wouldn't work and lead to a c-section. If you know me, you know I'm terrified of surgery and the thought of a c-section scared the living crap out of me. And especially after having such laid back and relaxed midwives during my pregnancy with Vince, it had been a bit nerve-wracking that I'd felt more like a chart than a pregnant woman with my OB. 
Thanks to my sister in law, I calmed down, took a deep breath and we decided to go run a couple of errands. I was having some light contractions and they seemed to have a pattern, but I could walk, talk and drive through them, so I didn't pay them much mind. When we got back home, we decided to order some Olive Garden for dinner and I took some time to make a couple of phone calls, to let family know what was going on. I was starting to lose bits of my plug, which excited me, but there was no "show", like there was with Vincent, so I didn't get my hopes up. While eating dinner, the contractions picked up a little and they were getting hard to talk through. I put Vincent to bed and hopped in the shower afterward. I decided to try and go to bed early, since I knew I'd likely not be getting much sleep for a while after that! 
Well, I never went to sleep....at 11:30, I started having some ass kicking contractions. I had to moan through them. I started timing them. First 8 minutes apart, then 6, then 4, then 2, lasting about a minute or more. After about half an hour of these, I woke up my mom and husband and told them that we needed to go to the hospital. My sister in law immediately came over to stay with Vincent. By the time we left the house, the contractions had been two minutes apart, lasting a minute for over an hour. We got to the hospital just after 1AM. I was admitted immediately. My nurse checked me and I was 5cm dilated!! Woohoo! I was in so much pain, that I asked for the epidural pretty quickly, since I knew I was progressing fast and it takes a while for them to actually get it ready. The only way I was able to get through the contractions without losing control was to moan or weirdly breathe through them, grab onto either Mike or my mom's hand and stare them dead in the eye. Later they both told me that I looked like I wanted their death! xD

Nurse waited to finish placing my IV, because I was in the middle of a contraction!

These were the only photos my mom was able to get of me in labor, because of how quickly everything happened!

A little while later, I had the nurse check me again as we were getting closer to time for the epidural. I was 8cm dilated. Knowing I was most definitely in transition with the contractions helped me a little, because I knew it couldn't get worse than that. Shortly after, my nurse had me sit up and face Mike, who was sitting in the chair next to the bed, because the lady administering the epidural was outside. I had a very strong contraction and had to hyperventilate through it. Mom and Mike told me to breathe slowly and I found myself telling them "STOP. TELLING ME. HOW. THE MOTHERF*** TO BREEEEATHE." and I screamed. The nurses came running in and out of nowhere, I felt this wickedly strong urge to push. My nurse told me not to push, but to lie back; my doctor was almost there. I told her that I couldn't help it - my body was pushing on its own!! She checked me again and sure enough - Samantha was crowning!! At that point it was clear that my doctor was not going to make it in time and the nurses would have to deliver her and my plans to get the epidural flew right out the window. I freaked out badly. 
My nurse was an angel sent from heaven! She got right up in my face and said "Hey! Stay in control. You are doing this. Your body is doing this. I am right here and we can do this together!" I needed to hear that coming from her SO badly. I guess it was different hearing it from her, because she was my nurse, I felt she had everything under control and she had authority. (I wish so badly we had taken a photo with her - I absolutely adored her and am so thankful for her!) There were probably about 6 nurses total in my room and around my bed during the delivery. One was holding an oxygen mask up to my face and I remember mom asking if I wanted my glasses off. I said NO, otherwise I wouldn't be able to focus on anything! They had me lying completely flat on my back as well and didn't want for me to be in any other position, because they'd lose the heartbeat on the monitor. It was SO hard for me to push in that position - I wanted so badly to squat or be on my hands and knees, but it just wasn't possible at that point. It is honestly really hard to say exactly what time anything happened, because it was all so fast. Mike and my mom weren't watching the clock either, so it's really all just a guesstimate! But my mom is guessing I pushed about 10 times before she was born.
We arrived at the hospital just after one and Samantha Ruth Neergaard entered the world 1.5 hours later at 2:39 AM! She weighed 6lbs 8oz, was 19 inches long and her head circumference was 34cm! The nurses whisked her off pretty quickly - it was all extremely chaotic, since my doctor wasn't there. I remember stopping the nurse who was about to cut the cord and telling her to let Mike do it. It seemed like forever before I was able to hold her, but I knew they were trying to properly suction her out and make sure she was okay first. I was MUCH more aware of birthing the placenta this time around, since I had no epidural. Because of my history after Vincent's birth and having lots of clots left, I was given pitocin and the nurse reached in to pull out clots, while pushing on my abdomen very hard. It was SO painful, but I knew it was necessary to help avoid another infection and D&C. It was beyond me how much came out after the placenta!! Meanwhile, my doctor walks in and says "Okay, are we ready?", then hears Samantha cry, looks over and goes "Oh..." xD I was in so much pain, but internally, I was laughing hard! It was absolutely priceless. So he basically arrived just in time to stitch me up, shake my and Mike's hands and tell us congratulations. I can't help but chuckle every time I think about it! I had a second degree tear, which I really didn't notice getting during pushing. (As a matter of fact, I don't really remember feeling the ring of fire either) I received a numbing shot before getting stitched up, which helped tremendously with the pain and I hardly felt getting the stitches.

Samantha was crying something FIERCE during most of the process, until Mike was able to hold her. It amazed me how loud and demanding her cry was!! I remember Vincent's being so tiny and polite. Not Samantha's. Her's screamed "HELLOOOO HERE I AM! FEED ME." As soon as she was placed in my arms for the first time, it was beyond clear to me that she wanted to nurse. She latched immediately! xD Well hi, nice to meet you too! Here's some dinner! I was given some pretty hefty pain medication afterward, which nearly knocked me out as I was trying to use the restroom - I had to lean forward and touch the floor to get the blood to rush back to my head! Once I was finally able to use the bathroom, I was taken upstairs to the maternity ward, where we stayed until we were discharged on Sunday.

Samantha's weight dropped down to just a smidge under 6lbs by the next day, so they kept us another day, to try and get her weight back up. They were going to have me supplement with formula, so while my mom tried to get her to take the bottle, I pumped to make up for the formula feeding. I was able to pump enough to give her the breast milk instead of the formula! It turned out that the reason of the significant weight loss was because of a bad latch. Which made sense, because I was cracking and bleeding and nursing was SO painful - completely different from how it was with Vincent. When trying to give her a bottle or a pacifier, she would gag and spit it out immediately. She wasn't latching deep enough when she nursed either. After a couple of good, solid meetings with the lactation consultant, some bottle feedings and pump sessions, we were able to fix the latch issue and she jumped back up to 6lbs 2oz!

Sally, one of my favorite nurses during our hospital stay - she was so incredibly sweet and helpful with Samantha and very emotionally supportive. She was able to get Samantha to finally take her bottle and helped me find a good way to keep her awake through feedings. Despite having other patients to tend to and other things to do as well, she always took lots of time with us and made sure we were well taken care of! :)

Here are a few more photos of our hospital stay:

Proud daddy! <3

First time she took a binky, which was a huge deal after having issues with gagging!

Vincent meeting his baby sister for the first time! <3

Proud big brother!

She kept leaning forward while I gave her kisses - it was so, so sweet!

We were finally able to go home on Sunday at around noon. It was wonderful to be back home with Mike and Vincent again! It was SO hard to be away from Vincent for so long, even though Mike and our family brought him to the hospital several times to visit. I had never been away from him for so long and it was hard on both of us. But, I will say that I had fantastic experience at the hospital where I delivered and I loved each and every one of my nurses!! Since I've been home, I've gotten two calls from the nursing staff to check up on me and answer any questions I may have. I've felt so cared for through this whole process and if we decide to have another baby down the road, I am most definitely going to deliver there again!! 

Finally home! Exhausted; but home! :D

The first two weeks back have been going great! I have been so thankful for my mom, who has been an incredible help to me, especially with Mike having to go straight back to work the day after we were discharged from the hospital. I am also beyond thankful for my sister in law, who cared for Vincent the majority of my hospital stay and has done everything in her power to provide help and support these past several weeks. I unfortunately ended up having to have another D&C about a week postpartum, like I did after Vincent was born and she stayed with me at the hospital, while my mom was at home with the kids. I know it sounds very cliche to say, but I am so incredibly blessed to have such a loving and caring family and sweet babies! My heart is truly full. 

Vincent's Birth Story

So I am going to start off by saying that this is a BIRTH story. And as beautiful as birth can be, it can also be pretty gnarly. I'd spare you all the "TMI" details, but then that would kind of defeat the purpose. No, you won't be seeing any pictures of my privates or anything, but I won't go beating around the bush. So if the word "discharge" bothers you, you may want to just look at the photos. xD 
As many of you may have read, I dealt with several episodes of "false labor" (God I hate that term >.<) and ended up in the hospital, just to be sent home again. So I decided if I ended up having contractions again, I'd wait until I either had my "show" or my water broke. On the 6th, I had contractions all day. They were sporadic, random and not very strong, but they were contractions. After a few sets, I decided to stop keeping track of them. That night I couldn't sleep. At around 4 AM, I started having REALLY strong contractions. Stronger than I've ever felt. I would literally have to grip the side of the pack n play and huff and puff through them. At about 4:30, I decided to start timing them. They were between 10 and 15 minutes apart. I started spotting a bit, but I wasn't sure if it really meant anything. By 9:30 however, the contractions were 3 minutes apart and I had my "show" - I literally broke down crying in the bathroom, because I FINALLY had a sign that this was it!! An hour later, I called the midwifery and they wanted me to just come straight there. 
When I got there, I was checked and I was 3cm dilated and 90% effaced; 2cm more than the cervical check 2 days prior at my 40 week appointment. My midwife advised I eat a bite and then head to the hospital. We decided to just go through the McDonald's drive thru, because it was close and easy. It wasn't so easy. The contractions were so intense that breathing through them was becoming very, very difficult. My hips felt like they were splitting apart. (Which when you think about it, they kind of were xD) 

Last bump photo!

After picking up food, we went to the hospital and I was admitted around 12:30. After a bit of monitoring, I decided to jump into the jacuzzi, which was a huge relief on my back. 

The contractions were still very, very strong, but the heat definitely helped. After about half an hour of laboring in the tub, the contractions were so strong, I just wanted to get out. My original plan was to go all natural with no pain meds. The contractions started becoming so ridiculously close together and intense, that I didn't even have a minute to cry, let alone breathe in between. I had to get up to use the restroom. When I did, I was hit with another intense contraction. I tried to get on all fours. I started to feel really nauseous. I vomited and wet myself. This may sound over dramatic, but I seriously felt like I was going to die. I couldn't handle it anymore. I put away my pride and said that I wanted to get the epidural, which at that point, my midwife was even advising.
I was so afraid of the damn epidural, which was another part of the reason I didn't want to get it in the first place. But the anesthesiologist who did it was SO, so sweet and reassuring. The worst part about it was just staying still enough during the contractions while she inserted the catheter. Getting it inserted was really no big deal at all - a little sting and that was it. I had a few painful contractions after I got it, but then they completely disappeared. I felt WONDERFUL. It was the best decision I ever could have made. Right then, my midwife checked me and I was dilated to a whopping 9cm. I had no idea that I was going through transition when I decided to get the epidural. I am proud of myself for making it so long with no medication. My midwife wanted me to "labor down" for a while, so that I wouldn't have to push as long. This gave me a bit of peace and time to rest. 

Wearing my "labor beads" from all the ladies in my Lucky Charms facebook group :)

At around 7, I began to push. I pushed for over three hours. Usually, they have you stop at the 3 hour mark and send you off for a c-section. But my midwife Carol worked SO hard to stretch me out and work with the baby's head to get him out and avoid it. I am so, so grateful for her. She ended up having to give me an episiotomy, which finally allowed his head through.

At 9:52 PM, Vincent Paul entered the world! Having him put on my chest and hearing those first cries was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. I birthed the placenta with no issue while they got his measurements and he was brought straight back to me and was put skin to skin. Getting stitched up didn't even phase me. All I could do was look at those blue eyes looking up at me. :) I am beyond grateful for Mike, my Mom and my Mother in Law Lura for being there with me and helping me through labor. I couldn't have done it without them. And of course my midwife Carol. Who knows if I would've been able to have a vaginal birth if it hadn't been for her!

Even though it was a really rough labor, I had the most amazing experience with the hospital and staff. Everyone was so wonderful and I couldn't have been more pleased. The lactation consultants were incredible and provided me with so much information. They sent us home with SO much - only just yesterday did I run out of the diapers and vaseline from the hospital. They also gave me a fruit basket and a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers.

If we weren't moving, I would definitely give birth there again. We stayed a second night, because I gave birth so late and they keep you 24 hours after delivery. So we came home on Sunday afternoon.

Things have been going great since we got home! Vincent is an amazing baby and I could not be more blessed. :) I will write about how the first week went in my 1 week update entry, so stay tuned!

40 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 40 weeks! Today is my due date. Where's Vince? All comfy cozy in mommy's belly! I truly hope this is my last weekly bump update for this pregnancy xD Vince is estimated to be about 7 1/2 lbs. So pretty average! 

Total weight gain/measurements: Gained 16 lbs since pre-pregnancy

Maternity clothes: My maternity jeans are super tight! My yoga pants are definitely the most comfortable at this point. Shirts are pretty much the same except a few, which my belly will stick out of!

Stretch marks? >.< I feel like I get more every day! And they ITCH. They are all still below my belly button, so I can only see them when I look in the mirror. 

Sleep: I have not been able to sleep more than 4 hours per night in a week. And that's not even 4 hours straight with all the trips to the bathroom. I am exhausted, but my insomnia is so terrible, that I can't sleep. And acid reflux contributes to the problem on the nights that I have it. I think I'm going to actually listen to my midwife and just start taking benadryl every night to help me sleep. I want to at least try to enjoy sleep before the baby gets here and it's just impossible!

Best moment this week: A coworker of my mother in law's brought a huge bag of her son's old clothes to work for us to have! It was such an awesome and much appreciated surprise. :) I also got a few more clothes, a baby carrier and some diapers from my aunt and my friend Amber! I am so thankful for all the help we have gotten!

Miss anything?: Sleep. Need I say more?

Movement: Lots of sliding and lots of cervix headbutting. He is now at almost a 0 station, so if he were much lower, he'd basically be in the birth canal. My midwife literally had to push up his head to check my cervix! Because of how low he is, he hits a nerve in the left side of my groin that literally makes me drop to my knees. It is soooo painful! At the same time I feel bad for him because I know how limited his space is. 

Food cravings: Nothing this week really.

Anything making you queasy or sick? I am not sure exactly what is causing it, but similar to last week, I will start getting this really sharp upper back pain and feel incredibly queasy out of the blue. Since the false labor and vomiting episode last week, I've been taking Zofran again. My midwife suggested I take it as a precaution when feeling, even if I don't quite feel like I'm about to hurl, just to avoid that happening again. They are thinking that the vomiting episodes could have been the cause of my false labor both times.  

Gender: Boy! :)

Labor signs: Been experiencing contractions on and off, but not incredibly strong and difficult to track. They are definitely not braxton hicks, because no matter what I do, they won't go away. They just eventually space out and go away on their own, usually right as I am getting ready to start timing them, funny enough!. I unfortunately did not make any progress this past week. So I am still 80% effaced and just under 2cm dilated.   

Symptoms: Regular contractions, braxton hicks contractions, acid reflux and fatigue. Thank goodness no vomiting this week!

Belly button in or out? Still either flat or out, depending on my position. I've forgotten what it's like to have a normal belly button anymore! Haha! 

Happy or moody most of the time: Been doing a lot better this week emotionally. I am so thankful for Mike, who has helped keep me sane and positive this week. So I've been happy most of the time. :)

Looking forward to: Meeting my baby boy!!

1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

False Labor

On Tuesday night at around 11 PM, I started feeling really, really sick. Just completely out of the blue! I started throwing up and I could not stop...it was beyond miserable. I hate throwing up so much. Pain, I can deal with. Vomiting - excuse my french but screw that. While getting sick, I was having severe stomach pain and cramping in my upper back. I put my heating pad on my back, which seemed to help. Finally around a quarter to 1, the vomiting stopped. I then started noticing pretty regular contractions, so I began to time them. They averaged about 3 minutes apart and a little over a minute long. After almost two hours, I decided to call my midwife, who told me to go ahead and go into labor and delivery.
When I got there, contractions were two minutes apart. I was so dehydrated from getting sick, that they wanted to get me on some fluids. I had to be poked four times before they were finally able to draw blood and hook up the IV! Apparently the dehydration was what was making the contractions so close together and stressful; they weren't doing anything to dilate me. After the first bag of fluid, the contractions began to space out a little and get stronger. I was checked again and I went from 75% to 80% effaced, but dilation did not change. I got a second bag of fluids after that and was sent home once it was gone. Since I had an appointment with my midwives set up for 11, they figured I could rest at home and then my midwife would check me again in a few hours. I was discharged at around 7:30 in the morning. 
Because of medicine I was given at the hospital for nausea, I was pretty drowsy and able to sleep for a couple of hours before going in for my appointment. I was still having contractions about three minutes apart, but they weren't as strong. My midwife checked me and there was no progress. :/ I was really upset. My midwife was beyond certain I'd be calling her in the evening in active labor. I was again sent home and just crashed out. When I woke up later, the contractions were gone. Needless to say, I was very disappointed.
Meanwhile, it was Mike and my anniversary and I was too emotionally and physically exhausted to even sit up on the couch to watch a movie. Mike was such a trooper. He was so sweet and encouraging. He made us some burritos and we got through half of the movie before we both went to bed. I think that the whole thing had exhausted baby boy to the point where he stopped squirming and slept, which allowed me to get a LOT of sleep, which I desperately needed. I got up this afternoon and forced myself to take a shower, put on some makeup and take my chalkboard picture. I feel a lot better now. And baby boy has been dancing around, so he seems just fine too. :) 
This is the second time that this whole thing has happened (last time was on the 15th) and it was so much more severe this time around. I am so afraid of it happening again and the contractions stopping. I was having them for 12 hours straight and they just went away. I'm afraid to experience the vomiting again...I am literally afraid of vomiting, as ridiculous as that sounds. I know baby boy will come whenever he is ready and I still have a little less than a week until my due date. But man, I am so ready to be done with the contractions, the vomiting, the acid reflux and the discomfort and just meet my baby!! The last few weeks of pregnancy are emotionally and physically exhausting. They really are. Hearing "Just wait until the baby gets here" does not help. I know that it won't be easy once the baby arrives. I know it will bring a new set of challenges. But I will focus on one word: new. I am excited for new challenges! I am excited to be a new mommy. I am excited about the entire experience of parenthood, even though I know I will struggle at times. Pregnancy is part of this journey. It's the first path. I am definitely ready to get off that path and onto the next one!