I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
The war story happened like this:
Sunday night, September 16th, I was admitted to the hospital, 41 weeks pregnant, to be induced a little before 9:00pm. Around 9:45 they inserted a cervical catheter balloon thing because I wasn't dilated enough, because he still hadn't dropped - the kid was still in my ribs. They also started a low dosage of pitocin at that time. I spent an hour standing and rocking myself, or sitting and rocking on the birthing ball. We entertained ourselves by watching Seinfeld episodes (perfect labor entertainment).
At 11:00pm the nurse checked my cervical balloon and it came right out, which meant I was at a 3-4cm and received a higher dosage of pitocin, which started some serious painful cramps. After a few more hours of standing, marching, rocking and bouncing, I couldn't stand it anymore and got an epidural around 3:45am (I was then dilated to a 6). I got about 15 minutes of sleep, then my blood pressure monitor kept beeping every 15 minutes because my blood pressure was about 2 points too low (so annoying!). A little before 6:00am my nurse came in to check me and I was mostly dilated, but he was face up so she put me in different positions to try to get him to turn around. At 6:30am she checked me again and I was fully dilated, but Dutch was still up in my ribs. The nurse said to go ahead and start pushing him down. At that point I was worried that it would be a long morning of pushing, and I was exhausted from a sleepless night. The epidural had largely worn off and I hurt. I pushed my guts out to get that kid out! When he started crowning they told me he had hair, which made me smile. When he moved down a little more the doctor said, "Oh, he's going to be a big one" (I have no idea how they can tell that so soon, because his head doesn't look very large to me). When his head came out, they told me to stop pushing because his umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck. He was completely blue in the face and they had to cut the cord immediately right there. After they cut the cord, two more pushes and he was out at 6:55am. 25 minutes total pushing time. I must say, I was pretty darn proud of myself, especially for having had to push him all the way down, plus being a larger baby - and, by the way, I don't remember it hurting that much with Gracie, I'll admit there was a bit of yelling and demanding water between pushes. 8 lbs, 20.25 inches. And, best of all, I didn't tear, no stitches! Yay!
Dutch came out looking pretty purple, but still beautiful. We love him so much and are so grateful that he has finally joined our family.
I felt really well in the hospital and they let me go home a day early, which was great. But now, every muscle is sore and I feel like I got hit by a train.
But, on the bright side, I really love having my bladder back.
In other news, just because I don't want to forget this bit of cuteness:
Gracie has taken to talking and giggling herself to sleep. I enjoy sitting outside her door and listening to her play in the dark. I love that girl.
Sunday night, September 16th, I was admitted to the hospital, 41 weeks pregnant, to be induced a little before 9:00pm. Around 9:45 they inserted a cervical catheter balloon thing because I wasn't dilated enough, because he still hadn't dropped - the kid was still in my ribs. They also started a low dosage of pitocin at that time. I spent an hour standing and rocking myself, or sitting and rocking on the birthing ball. We entertained ourselves by watching Seinfeld episodes (perfect labor entertainment).
At 11:00pm the nurse checked my cervical balloon and it came right out, which meant I was at a 3-4cm and received a higher dosage of pitocin, which started some serious painful cramps. After a few more hours of standing, marching, rocking and bouncing, I couldn't stand it anymore and got an epidural around 3:45am (I was then dilated to a 6). I got about 15 minutes of sleep, then my blood pressure monitor kept beeping every 15 minutes because my blood pressure was about 2 points too low (so annoying!). A little before 6:00am my nurse came in to check me and I was mostly dilated, but he was face up so she put me in different positions to try to get him to turn around. At 6:30am she checked me again and I was fully dilated, but Dutch was still up in my ribs. The nurse said to go ahead and start pushing him down. At that point I was worried that it would be a long morning of pushing, and I was exhausted from a sleepless night. The epidural had largely worn off and I hurt. I pushed my guts out to get that kid out! When he started crowning they told me he had hair, which made me smile. When he moved down a little more the doctor said, "Oh, he's going to be a big one" (I have no idea how they can tell that so soon, because his head doesn't look very large to me). When his head came out, they told me to stop pushing because his umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck. He was completely blue in the face and they had to cut the cord immediately right there. After they cut the cord, two more pushes and he was out at 6:55am. 25 minutes total pushing time. I must say, I was pretty darn proud of myself, especially for having had to push him all the way down, plus being a larger baby - and, by the way, I don't remember it hurting that much with Gracie, I'll admit there was a bit of yelling and demanding water between pushes. 8 lbs, 20.25 inches. And, best of all, I didn't tear, no stitches! Yay!
Dutch came out looking pretty purple, but still beautiful. We love him so much and are so grateful that he has finally joined our family.
I felt really well in the hospital and they let me go home a day early, which was great. But now, every muscle is sore and I feel like I got hit by a train.
But, on the bright side, I really love having my bladder back.
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| First Family photo |
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| Just a couple minutes old |
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| Love at first sight |
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| My handsome guys |
In other news, just because I don't want to forget this bit of cuteness:
Gracie has taken to talking and giggling herself to sleep. I enjoy sitting outside her door and listening to her play in the dark. I love that girl.
5 comments:
oh what a great birth story. awesome job with everything! he is seriously so adorable and perfect. can't wait to meet him!
I love birth stories. I am glad it went well for you! 25 mins of pushing is awesome!! He is adorable and very worth it! Love you sister!
oooh, he is so handsome! We were going to come by and see you, but Caroline surprised us with a green boogery nose. Not bringing her ANYWHERE near your precious Dutch Tanner until she's all cleared up. But I DO want to talk with you! If you're ever up for a phone call or bored or whatever, I hope you'll think of me... :)
He's darling! And Gracie has blond hair! What?! You are a warrior woman, now. 8 lbs. and no tearing- I'm seriously impressed.
Oh congrats!!!!!!!!! Dutch is wonderful and so cute!!! I just want to squeeze him. Way to go and thanks for sharing the birth story, they are always priceless.
Love ya
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