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!

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! 

30 Week Ultrasound

Usually with the midwives here in Farmington at least, you get a single ultrasound; the anatomy and gender scan at around 20 weeks. But during that ultrasound, there were limited spine views, so we ended up getting another one on December 26th! It was like a late Christmas present.  

These were the only two good pictures we could get of him. In the others, you really aren't able to recognize anything. But little guy has got some hair! And he had his foot stuck up by his face again, just like he did last time, which was part of the reason we weren't able to get many pictures of his face. xD A few weeks ago, I could have sworn he turned head down, because I was feeling his feet up in my ribs. But last week, I started feeling low kicks again, so I thought maybe he turned breech again. I guess not - haha!
He is measuring in the 57th percentile, which is great. According to the measurements on the ultrasound, his estimated weight is 3lbs and 10oz. This would make his due date more like February 24th, but at this point in pregnancy, we are definitely still sticking with the original March 5th due date. Besides, ultrasound weight measurements can be so incredibly off.  At my prenatal appointment today, my uterus measured 30 inches long and right on schedule with my due date, so we really aren't concerned. 
His spine and everything else looked wonderful! So this was definitely our last ultrasound. I am so glad that he is healthy and everything is looking good! I can't WAIT to meet this boy and kiss those chubby cheeks! :D  

26 Week Appointment

Finally just got home! I had my glucose test today and quite frankly, I had been dreading it after all the horror stories I'd heard about it making some women pass out or throw up. The fact that I have been really nauseous this past week and was nauseous this morning did not help.  As you have probably read more times than you've wanted to, I pretty much only drink water, so I was not keen on having to down this drink in under 5 minutes. It tasted like flat soda with a really tangy and strange after taste. It would have been a lot better if I could have had a glass of water immediately after drinking this, but you are not allowed to eat or drink anything for an hour after downing it. I was actually surprised and rather glad that they did my whole check up and everything while we were waiting the hour, which made it go by so much faster!
My midwife is a bit concerned about my lack of weight gain. When I first got pregnant, I weighed 153 on my home scale. I went all the way down to 140 in a matter of weeks and gaining weight back has been a two steps forward, one step back process. I weighed in at 149 at the appointment today, which is only half a pound up from what I weighed a month ago at my last appointment. So I was instructed to increase my calorie intake and to eat between meals. I was literally ordered to go and drink a milkshake after my appointment! (How often does your doc ask for you to do that? ;D) 
I was prescribed more zofran to help with the nausea and was instructed to get in touch with them right away if I can't keep food down for 24 hours straight. I probably should have called last week, but I'm glad it got better on its own! I'm so glad I have something to take to help the nausea, because some days, I can not eat without it. 
We got a kick out of Vincent, who was totally hamming it up while my midwife tried to find the heartbeat. He kept kicking the doppler off me! Little stinker! His heartbeat was 144 today. It cracks me up that I was thinking he might be a girl, based off the fact that the heartbeat had been in the 160s before I found out the gender, then it dropped down to the 140s! 
Since they weren't able to get a very good view of Vince's spine during my anatomy scan, they are going to schedule me for another ultrasound in about a month. (Awesome!!) They just want to make 100% certain that everything is developing okay. I am actually really excited to get a second ultrasound and I know Mike will be too. But as far as measurements go, he is growing right on schedule and doing great!
Another thing my midwife mentioned; since a family member of mine had a bad reaction to anesthesia, she encourages me to not get an epidural. I really don't want to get one anyway unless absolutely necessary, but that is just one more motivational factor to try my best to get through labor without it. (Please cross your fingers for me!)  
After the check up, I had my blood drawn and got both my Rh shot and my flu shot. >.< You'd think that with a face full of holes and a tattoo that I wouldn't give a hoot about getting poked, but I really hate it. I don't care who you are - shots are no fun, period! 
Well, I drank my milkshake, went to the grocery store and now, I'm about ready to take a nap! :)

Why I Chose A Midwife

I know I touched onto this a little bit in my second blog entry, but I wanted to go a bit further into detail. And again, as I often do and will in future posts, I'll start out by saying that this is just my opinion and what works for me, so I don't want anyone reading to feel like I look down on anyone who decided to go with an obstetrician-gynecologist. I believe it should be everyone's personal decision. 

Since my mother chose a midwife for my birth, I knew a bit about them by asking questions, but I wasn't terribly well informed. To me, a midwife was a woman who came to your house when you were in labor to help deliver the baby naturally. Little did I know, that is just a small fraction of what a midwife does. Since my mother ended up having complications and needing to go to the hospital, I decided right off the bat that I did not want to have a midwife. I wanted to be in a hospital, where everything was monitored and if there were any complications, I would be right there and it could be taken care of immediately. I told Mike that I had my mind set, which he was okay with, but he had watched a documentary that he wanted me to see before making my final decision. It was "The Business of Being Born". I had no idea what kind of an affect that documentary would have on my decision. After sitting down and watching it, I found that everything I wanted for my birth would still be possible with a midwife, who would even encourage me wanting to have a natural birth.

Midwives really seem to push for natural births. If you think about it, women have been having babies for AGES. Back then, there was no pitocin or fetal monitoring; our bodies just instinctively knew what to do. I've never been physically present at an animal birth, but Mike has. It blew his mind that Chloe (our "Mama" cat) knew exactly what to do when she went into labor. So why would I need so much interference when my body already knows what to do? Now that being said, the survival rate of a newborn has gone up considerably, since there are often complications that need medical interference. Sometimes there is the need for induction drugs such as pitocin or surgery and there is not much you can do to avoid it. I understand this and I know if my life or the baby's life were in jeopardy, I would get a C-Section without hesitation. But I can still try to go as naturally as possible.

After making the decision to see a midwife, it was underlined in big red permanent marker even stronger that I had made the right decision. The midwifery, OB office and hospital are all literally on the same street. When we drove to the midwifery to make my first appointment, we ended up in the OB parking lot by accident. Not thinking, I walked in and was surprised to find it looked and felt very...medical. It just screamed doctor's office. It actually made me feel a bit uncomfortable. It may sound very hippie, but the place just gave off a vibe I didn't like. So I walked up to the front desk to make an appointment and was asked about a billion questions, including my name (twice). -.- They said they wouldn't be able to see me for about 60 days, meaning at my first appointment, I would have been about 14 weeks along. Usually you go in for the first appointment at 6-8 weeks. Crap. Well, whatever we need to do, I guess. Finally, she asked me if I had a preference about which OB I would like to see. I said that I would actually prefer a midwife...."Oh they are down the street.", she snipped. I felt like saying I was interested in a Chevy at a Ford dealership. >.< I was so embarrassed and felt like an idiot, but had no issue walking straight out and never looking back. I did not need to be treated like a chart.

When I arrived at the midwifery, it was like night and day. The walls were COVERED in photos of families with their newborns, everything was brighter and the lady at the reception was so friendly! She addressed me by name after she had asked for it (once) and told me they could see me at 8 weeks. :) They also already had all of my information on file, since I had gone to Urgent Care a while back, so that saved us a bit of time! I was treated like family from the moment I walked in and it made me feel very secure and cared for. I am sure if I had met an OB, I would have felt secure as well, but the midwifery seemed to meet my particular needs better.

The midwifery has three midwives, all of which could possibly be on call during my birth, so I will know the midwife who will help me deliver my baby no matter what. I have met all three of them and like them all for different reasons. I really appreciate how they boost a woman's confidence in the strength of her own body and don't panic if something seems a little off. I admit I can be an overemotional drama queen at times and having someone who goes at things in a calm and relaxed manner around me is beyond helpful. I also like that I can ask questions without them getting super technical about it and get thorough and detailed answers. All three of these women seem passionate about what they do and they've helped me become confident in my body and capability as an expecting mother. They have always been very upbeat and friendly at my appointments and have taken time to get to know me. I feel comfortable around them and they've even given me hugs. :) I just love the whole vibe and feel of the midwifery and I don't doubt my decision one bit. I also must add that I like how they involve Mike at the appointments and allow him to ask questions just like I do. Even though he isn't carrying our bean, he plays one of two important roles in this pregnancy and they really recognize that! 

For those of you who have never had experience with a midwife, the check-ups are just like they would be with an OB, just a bit less technical. They use the same equipment as they do at the doctor's office, even though they aren't technically doctors. I've had my pelvic exam, pap...all that good stuff. Every visit I pee in a cup, my weight and blood pressure are measured and we listen to the heartbeat using the doppler device. Now since the midwives aren't as technical, I never found out what my hCG levels were and I had to specifically ask if they'd break out their ancient WALL-E looking ultrasound machine for me to see baby at 10 weeks. I admit I would prefer to have had a dating scan by now, know by measurement how far along I am etc., but it really isn't necessary. I will have my dating scan and gender ultrasound within the next month at NM Sonographics, with an ultrasound technician. I will get a 4D ultrasound too with pictures and everything, so I will have that same awesome experience, just a little later on. Doing this later also makes it easier to detect gender, since the baby is bigger and sometimes in a better position to see his or her "parts". I have the option to do a screening test, which usually happens around this time, but I decided against it. So you really get the same experience and information, just with less ultrasounds and numbers.  

So in the end, I decided to give birth in a hospital with a midwife. If something goes wrong and a doctor needs to interfere, we are right there and can do that immediately. But I have the midwife there to help me stick to my birth plan, which is to go as naturally as possible. I've told all my midwives and Mike that I'd like to try and go without pain medication if I can and knowing I'll have "cheerleaders" there to help me do so is a great feeling. Knowing also that they won't force me to go without pain medication if I can't manage without is a nice feeling also! Hehe :) I like that my midwife will help me through my delivery not only physically, but emotionally as well which is exactly what I need and I know that's what Mike prefers as well.

I'd encourage any expecting mother, no matter if this is your first or 10th pregnancy, to watch "The Business of Being Born". I know for sure that it is on Netflix, which is where Mike and I watched it. Even if you are already seeing an OB and plan to stick with that, it's always great to inform yourself about all the possibilities. I know if I hadn't, I just would have had my first appointment two weeks ago and everything would be much different! 

My Little Popcorn Ball!

I had my third appointment with the midwives today! At first the nurse came in to take my blood pressure. She read off the chart and mumbled: "And it's too early to feel movement..." so I said: "Well, I've been feeling like there is popcorn popping in my abdomen, occasionally in the evenings." She just replied: "Yeah, it's too early." Pff. Alrighty then. I hadn't even brought up feeling anything to anyone but Mike in fear of being shot down and being told it's just gas. Well when the midwife came in, she asked if I've been feeling any movement. So I responded the way I did with the nurse. Sure enough, when we listened to the heartbeat, we kept hearing "POP!" The baby was kicking the doppler! Haha

So my midwife said I am definitely feeling the baby. She said that most women don't feel it until later, because they have trouble differentiating between gas, stomach growling and baby movement. But some are more in tune with their bodies and can feel these things earlier. It was nice to know I am not just making it up, but am actually feeling the baby move. 

I should be having my big ultrasound right after Mike graduates from CDL class! She said that I could have it at about 18 weeks, but no way unless Mike can be there. So we will do it closer to 21 weeks. :) I am terribly impatient, but it's so important to me that Mike and I can do all this together! 

First Ultrasound!

I had my 2nd appointment at the midwifery on August 8th. Generally at the midwifery, they don't do any ultrasounds. However, my midwife told me at my first appointment that they have an ancient machine they nicknamed WALL-E and if I'd like to, they can take a peek at the second appointment. If I'd like?! No-brainer! So I asked when I got there if it were still an option and she said yes! After putting on a very awkward fitting gown, my midwife wanted to listen to the heartbeat with a doppler. Oh. My. God. That heartbeat was the most amazing sound I've ever heard in my life. Yeah, I bawled like a baby and I didn't care. Haha :D My midwife gave me a hug and the look on Mike's face is one I will remember forever! We were both in awe! You'd expect to hear a slow regular heartbeat, but it's much faster! THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP! It sounded like galloping horses. Afterwards, we got to see our little bean! 

Apparently, the head is on the left side, but if you picture it being on the right, baby looks like a little smurf. :D Hehe
After this, everything became so much more real! Beforehand I had no proof besides the positive tests that I was 100% pregnant. I mean there were all the symptoms, but who knows, maybe it could have been for a different reason. I cannot WAIT to meet this little one! And I am looking forward to finding out the gender. :) The midwife said that we will be going to get an ultrasound with a technician at around 20 weeks, full with 3D and everything. And we will get to find out the gender. I am counting the days! And we haven't even made an appointment yet! This next wait is going to be long. I won't be going back to see the doc for another month. How am I going to keep sane for that long? All in good time I guess! :)