Birth Story- Part 1

The weekend Kael was born seemed just like any other weekend I had experienced throughout my entire pregnancy. I was past due, and of course was extremely ready to meet my baby boy, but didn’t feel any different. Kevin was off all weekend, and Friday April 1^st was the first night that I noticed something had changed. I was tired a lot during the pregnancy, but for some reason that night I was just exhausted. Kevin and I were laying on the couch watching movies, and I fell asleep around 7:30 pm. I crawled into bed soon after. If only I had known that would be the last night I would ever sleep so soundly.

I woke up Saturday April 2^nd around 7:30 am. Kevin and I made a nice breakfast, but I just wasn’t feeling “right”. As soon as we finished eating, around 9 am, I told Kevin I wanted to crawl back into bed. I was having really bad lower back pain and some cramping, and the only comfortable position I could find was laying in bed curled into a ball. As the time progressed, the cramps became more intense. At this point I was getting pretty uncomfortable and started to think that this could possibly be the beginning of labor. Kevin and I Googled what cramps/back pain could mean, but nothing was very helpful. I dozed in and out of sleep, while Kevin kept me company by playing games on the iPad. Eventually we both became hungry again, and decided to go fix lunch. Once we finished eating, we decided to watch Letters to Juliet. Throughout the movie, the cramping became more intense and that was when I realized I had been having REAL contractions all morning, and that this could be it! We started timing them, and they were about 7 minutes apart. By the end of the movie, they were more intense and coming every 4 minutes.

Since we were planning on a natural birth, we didn’t rush to the hospital. The contractions were definitely uncomfortable, but were manageable. I kept thinking, “this isn’t as bad as I thought it would be”. Around 2 pm we decided that we would do some cleaning, take showers, and then head to the hospital just to see where I was at. We didn’t rush, and both of us were actually pretty calm. We left the house spotless, and ready to welcome a new baby (something that I had been obsessing about for months). I was able to take a relaxing shower, and was actually shocked at how insignificant certain things became. I always thought that I would make sure that my legs were shaved, and my hair and makeup looked nice (knowing that there would be pictures takes). Instead, I enjoyed the relaxation, and soaked in the thought of getting to finally meet my son. It wasn’t about me anymore.

We left the house around 3:30-4pm. We drove into town, and actually stopped to eat at Subway. I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat if I was admitted, and I wanted to make sure I ate dinner before I had to endure the marathon of labor. I had to breathe through the contractions, but they still were manageable, and I felt more excited and anxious than anything. Once we finished eating, we headed to the hospital, and a huge wave of emotion came over me- this was it! I knew as a first timer, my labor would be long, and I was expecting to meet my son in about 12-14 hours. We arrived at the hospital at 5 pm.

Once we were admitted, I was taken to triage. I was hooked up to the monitors, where the nurse was able to see that I was having obvious contractions every 4 minutes. She monitored me and Kael for about 20 minutes, then finally did an internal exam. At my previous doctor’s visit (March 29^th) I was 1 cm and 20% effaced- I was now 3 cm and 75% effaced. The nurse let us know that they would want us to stay, and she began to get our room ready. She looked over our birth plan and followed it exactly. She took me off the monitors, and asked if I wanted to go walk the halls, and we did. We walked up and down, up and down, up and down. The hospital in Kodiak is very small (only 4 birthing rooms!), so we walked up and down the same two hallways over and over again. We finally decided to take a little break, and went into our room. We sat and played a game of Skip-Bo, which I won! I was thankful it ended when it did since the contractions were starting to pick up a little more at that point.

Time began to blur. As the night progressed, so did the contractions. I was determined to have a natural birth, so I used hot showers and the birthing ball to help reduce as much pain as possible. Kevin slept on and off most of the night, which was frustrating for me. I needed his help…his support. I was wishing more than ever we would have invested in a doula. Until roughly 3 am, I held it together. At this point, I was tired. The contractions were coming fast and strong. I would have 3 back to back, and then a 3 minute break. Breathing through them helped, but I was already exhausted. I finally asked the nurse for something. I was given an IV with a low dose of pain medication to help take the edge off of the pain… it didn’t work. I tried sleeping, but every contraction continued to wake me up. At this point I was really beginning to lose it. I was tired, and kept thinking that this was the easy part… I still had to push! The nurse came in again around 5 am and I asked her to check my progress. I was at 6 cm, which meant I was only progressing 1 cm every FOUR hours! That was when I caved. After 21 hours of labor, 12 of which were in the hospital, I couldn’t take it anymore, and I got my epidural at 6 am. It was a battle in my head- I felt like a failure since I wasn’t able to pull it together for the natural birth I wanted, but at the same time the pain was unbelievable.

Things changed so quickly once I received my epidural. The epidural provided instant relief, but I never went completely numb. I was able to move my toes and feel my legs (although they felt heavy) the entire time. Soon after receiving the epidural, the doctor came in and broke my water. They also started me on pitocin to help speed things along. The pitocin only lasted about 5 minutes, because Kael’s heart rate dropped almost immediately. Once things calmed down, I was finally able to sleep for about 3 hours, and felt so refreshed. Kevin and I were able to actually carry on a conversation again. By noon I was fully dilated. Kael was still high up, so they wanted me to “labor down”, meaning just kind of sit around and let the contractions do the work of bringing him down. After an hour, they checked again, and he was still high, so they kept telling me to just wait. At this point, the epidural had worn off. I could once again feel the contractions, and the heaviness I had felt in my legs was gone. The pain was unbearable. I wanted to cry, but tears wouldn’t come out. By 1:30 pm I couldn’t wait anymore… I HAD to start pushing. The pain was bad…really bad! The nurse helped me try out different positions to help relieve some of the pressure, and help bring down Kael. The only position that didn’t make me want to scream was using the squatting bar. After pulling myself up into a squatting position for 45 minutes my arms felt like they were going to give out. They had me start putting my feet up on the squatting bar, and that seemed to work just as well.

Introducing Kael Liam O'Connor

What a big surprise... I haven't updated my blog in forever!! I swear I am working on Kael's birth story (keep an eye out, it will be GOOD!), but between having a newborn, lack of sleep, and family visiting, it has been tough to find any time for myself. But let me tell you... staring at that sweet baby boy of mine washes away all of the fatigue and frustration I might be feeling. Nobody can ever prepare you for the love that you feel for your own child. The first few days we had him home I would burst into tears just because I felt such a strong love for him. I felt anxious if he wasn't in the same room as me (lets be real... if he wasn't in my arms!!). He is an amazing baby, and I could not be more blessed. I find myself thanking God all day everyday.

Well, I can't steal away too much time from my family (who has to leave tomorrow and I am NOT ready for that!). I just wanted to post the birth announcements that we will be sending out. Kael was 8 days old in those pictures, and he already looks so different! I don't do well with change, and the fact that he is growing and changing everyday breaks my heart! I know that he wont stay this little for very long, and I just want to freeze time.

Hope you enjoy, and I SWEAR I will post the birth story sometime this weekend!

Stationery card

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Birthing Class- Part 1

Yesterday we had our birthing class. I was so excited and ready to learn! I had registered for the class online, and was told that is was Sunday from 10-4. Kevin and I woke up early, got dressed, went and had a nice breakfast, then headed to the hospital. When we walked into the classroom, there was only one other couple and they looked like they had already started (even though we were 10 minutes early!) After talking with the instructor she told us they have been having problems with the online registrations, and we actually signed up for a class in Anchorage!

Thankfully the class we showed up for was from 9-5, so we only missed the first hour. Since it was such a small group, she back tracked a little to help get us all caught up. We also found out that this class is actually broken up into TWO different days, not just one. And to be honest... everything that I was REALLY excited about learning wont be covered until our next class, which isn't until March 6th!

Regardless, she went over a lot of really good material and was really good about repetition. If something was important, she would repeat it throughout the class to make sure that it stuck in our minds. The class was offered at the hospital and is supposed to be one of those that doesn't lean more or less towards medicated or natural delivery, but our instructor was VERY pro-natural. She told us her birth stories and how she delivered all 3 of her children (who all weighed over 9 pounds) naturally. She didn't really get into the medications or c-sections in this past class (that will all be covered next time), but I am feeling much more confident about trying for a natural birth after hearing what she had to say.

First of all, our hospital is very small. Come on now... we live in Kodiak! The room that I labor and deliver in, is also the post-partum room. There are only THREE of these rooms in the hospital! There is also not a nursery. We will not have the option to send baby away to get some sleep (not that I would have wanted to), and everything that is typically done in the nursery is done in the room right in front of us. They are a very low intervention hospital. They will not induce until you are 10 days past your due date. She also talked about how it is a really good thing that the hospital is low intervention, because anything you request, they will almost always allow. Such as wearing your own gown, having music playing, changing the lighting, etc. They also really encourage MOVEMENT. Even if I were to have an epidural, they will change my body position every 30 minutes to help get the baby into the perfect position.

We are still working on our birth plan at this point, but I am really excited about trying to go as naturally as possible. There is a birthing tub that I have a feeling I will be using ALOT. The biggest thing to me is the fact that I want to be able to move around. I want to get up to go to the bathroom, I want to be able to walk around if I want to, to change positions if I get uncomfortable, etc. Plus I don't want to be hooked up to an IV or monitors the entire time. I want to be able to figure out how to get myself comfortable. Saying this... once things really progress I may say screw it- give me the drugs, and I'm okay with that too.

We went over a lot of breathing and massage techniques, which I made Kevin practice last night before bed! And let me tell you... I slept SO good last night, and don't feel nearly as much pain in my lower back and hips as I was before. She showed up labor positions as well, and I practiced those, since they were more like stretching. They were positions that really open up your hips, and take so much of the pressure off of them. It was amazing! It really goes to show that our bodies are amazing things, and are MEANT to do this!

Oh, and how could I have almost forgot!! My favorite part of all! Once Kael is born, we will get immediate skin-to-skin time. They actually wait to weigh the baby and do all of that until he has had his first feeding! Those first few moments after birth are so important for bonding and the fact that they will wait on us before they scoop him away is so special!

Overall, I am actually REALLY excited about labor and delivery now. I feel much more comfortable with the thought of it, mainly because I feel like I have a lot of tools in my belt now. I am really excited about our next class because we will take a tour of the hospital, have the lactation consultant come in and talk to us, and go over all the medications and options.

And Kevin did pretty good through the class as well! He only looked like he was going to pass out when we watched a video of the birth itself. He actually looked away when the baby was crowning and started to come out, but eventually finished watching it. The part that had ALL of us making gross faces was when we watched the placenta being delivered! I thought Kevin was going to throw up all over the table!! haha!! But the videos did help get the shock out of the way for him, and now he is actually wanting to cut the cord. And another little funny tid-bit on Kevin... the ONLY question he asked all day was "where does his pee and poop go right now?" Which we learned, the pee is in the amniotic fluid and he is just swimming around in it, and he doesn't poop yet. Kevin was pretty thankful that he wasn't having to swim around in his own poop...

Just Stopping In

Well... one of these days maybe I will get better about updating, but let's be honest- throw a baby into the mix and I'm sure I will really become a slacker! But in all fairness, I wrote a really nice update at 33 weeks, and when I went to post it... it vanished! I was so frustrated that I didn't bother attempting to rewrite it, and threw in the towel.

So let me begin by saying that I have rarely made it a point to just "write" lately, and have been more focused on pregnancy updates. To be honest, this pregnancy seems to consume my life. Besides work, pregnancy is on my mind 24/7. I have had some people make some rude comments about how they are sick of reading nothing but pregnancy related statuses on facebook, and you know what I think about that... screw you! After trying, waiting, hoping, and praying for 18 long months, of coarse I am beyond excited about having a baby, so if that is what I want to talk about all day long, that is what I'm going to do!

Recently, it is really hitting hard that in just a few short weeks we are going to have a baby. Our family of two will soon be three, and our lives will never be the same again! I keep telling Kevin that we need to enjoy this small amount of time left, and take advantage of it as much as possible. It's tough since he works every other weekend, but we are making it a point to have a nice (as possible) date night this Saturday. We are also (finally) attending our birthing class this Sunday. To be honest, I am a little scared! Thinking about labor really freaks me out... mainly because I have no idea what to expect!

Now for my mini-sentimental note. Tonight in the few hours I had with Kevin before he had to go to work, we were talking baby (of coarse)... the last touches to the nursery that will be done this weekend, the date/time of our birthing class, nesting/cleaning/organizing that still needs to be done/etc. As we sat and talked, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. We found out we were pregnant roughly around 5 weeks... now we have only 5 weeks (more or less) until our due date. What a huge difference!! Those first few weeks/months were filled with worry and panic that something would take a wrong turn. After finally embracing the joy of being pregnant, it has felt like the time has flown by! Feeling those first tiny flutters that then turned into sweet little kicks, which are now like kung fu- karate chops! Finding out that we will be having a SON. Hearing his heartbeat grow stronger and louder with each appointment. Feeling his hiccups. And with every kick, punch, roll, hiccup, and heartbeat, I feel like I am getting to know Kael more and more. And the anticipation of finally getting to meet him is overwhelming! We have been waiting a long time to meet HIM. It was in God's plan for us to endure what we did, so that in the end we would have this baby. He is already so special and loved, I really can't imagine what it will be like when I am able to finally hold him in my arms, look into his eyes, and say hello!

Ok... give me a sec to wipe away my tears...

Now, onto the pregnancy updates! To be honest, I am being really lazy and don't feel like uploading pictures, but I will very soon I promise!

I'm jumping the gun a little, but considering I know I wont have time to write a post this weekend, this is the best I can do!

1. As of Sunday February 20th I will be 35 weeks pregnant. My doctor's office considers 36 weeks full term (anything before that would be sent to deliver in Anchorage).
2. My last Dr. appointment was on the 7th, and I was at a total weight gain of 25 pounds (YUCK!)
3. My next appointment is on Monday and I will have the Strep B test, which I am not looking forward to! If you don't know what this is... google it, because I'm not going into detail on here!
4. After Monday, my next appointment is March 7th and I start going every week after that.
5. At the 33 week mark, I developed two small stretch marks. One that looked like a "Y" on the left side of my belly button, and the other was just a small line on the right side. Since then they have EXPLODED! This past week it is like the decided to reproduce and fling their evil spawn all over my belly! I have tried all kinds of creams, lotions, oils, etc. but I have an allergic reaction to EVERYTHING! The only thing I can use at this point is just regular lotion that doesn't have any sort of fragrance to it. To be honest, this is my least favorite part of being pregnant!
6. I still haven't had any swelling, and my co-workers are very impressed that I can still wear my wedding ring.
   
7. We had our maternity pictures done this past weekend. We should be getting our disc of pictures next week, and I can not wait! I've only seen 2 of the pictures so far, but they both came out AMAZING! They were really special to me 1.) because of this pregnancy in general and 2.) because we are in Alaska. We were able to take the pictures outside (even though it felt like -4 degrees) so we will always be able to remember the beauty of this pregnancy and our "home".
8. I'm still having lots and lots of Braxton Hicks contractions. I've also been having a lot of cramping lately as well. The other night I actually started timing my contractions again, and they were lasting a little over a minute a piece and were coming on randomly, but on average every 7-8 minutes. Of coarse I hydrated, walked around a little, then took a bath and they stopped. I just keep hoping that maybe all these "practice" contractions will help bring on the real ones a little early! :)
9. Tomorrow I am putting in my final "request" for maternity leave! I have had such a hard time deciding when to take off, but I am going to plan on working up until Friday, March 25th (which is only 2 days before my due date!) I will be taking 12 weeks off, so I will return June 20th. I guess all of that can change if he comes early, but that is the plan for now!
   
10. The nursery is pretty much complete with the exception of hanging the curtains and some of his wall decor. We will be doing that this weekend, along with sorting clothes and organizing them into boxes since he has so many we can't fit them all in the TWO dressers and closet we have!
    
11. We have been extremely blessed!!
    

30 weeks!

All I can say is Wow! I still can't believe that I have reached 30 weeks. It still seems like just yesterday that I was crossing my fingers and praying for a positive pregnancy test. Now I am 3/4 of the way done... the end is in sight!

I haven't posted any pictures in a while, so I decided I would play a little catch up. The nursery is still rather pitiful (more like a disaster zone), so I will wait to post pictures when we get it cleaned up a little bit.

Here is my 30 week belly (sorry for the pajamas, I am having a lazy day today!)

These are signs I had made for Kael's room. Jenni Silverman from A Beautiful Blessing made these for us, and I could not be happier with how they turned out! They are so special and make me tear up every time I look at them.

This is just a potion of Kael's clothes. We actually got these from another Coast Guard family. The bulk of them are newborn, 0-3 months, and 3-6 months. We have more clothes than we know what to do with!!

And for all my fellow Texans... a snow shot! This is our front yard. The mountain in the background is called "Old Woman" and that is what our awesome little coastie 4-plex looks like. I really hate our house, but I keep trying to make the best out of what we were given. But I have learned very quickly that I was not made for the snow! It is nice to visit and play in for a week or so, but living in it is a completely different story. It is way too much work!

So there you have it... my little photo update. Hope you enjoyed!

Now onto what has been going on with me:

1. I am fed up with my doctor! I am currently looking into switching doctor's offices. I STILL haven't received the results from my glucose test which was taken over a week ago, and after my last appointment I have just been very frustrated with the lack of time and information I am receiving.
   
2. I am sleeping so much better! I have actually ditched my maternity pillow too. It is just too big of a hassle when it comes to my tossing and turning. Not to mention, it takes up half the bed and Kevin really doesn't appreciate hanging on for dear life all night long. I'm not sure if it is just the fact that I am feeling more tired these days, but I am sleeping through the night for the most part (except for when I get up 1-2 times to go to the bathroom), and I am not tossing and turning very much either. I think the lack of tossing and turning has to do with the fact that it is so hard to roll over!
3. I am up 18 pounds- yuck!!
   
4. The nursery is slowly but surely coming together. We have ordered nearly every "big" item we need and within the next week or two, we should have it all. We got our dresser this past week, and are just waiting for the hutch that will attach to it. Kevin's mom is ordering the crib this week, and we already have the mattress. Our bedding should be arriving this week as well. Once the bedding arrives, we will pick our paint and get that on the walls next weekend! :)
   
5. I have started to have some major anxiety. I seem to worry about the same things over and over again. Labor, maternity leave, and money. I am really starting to freak out about having to get this little guy out!! I also wont get any pay while I'm on maternity leave (my vacation time was drained when we took our trip to Texas) so I continue to debate on if I will take 8 or 12 weeks off. And then of coarse- our finances. Getting by during my maternity leave without my pay, the $600 we will be paying for day care once I go back to work, all the added expenses of having a baby, and still trying to save for us and set up a college fund for him. I have read this is very common (to worry about money), but I hate feeling like this. It takes away from the fun of buying all the baby stuff,and replaces it with worry.
6. I am still having lots of braxton hicks contractions. I drink as much water as I possibly can, but still have them all day long. I'm ready for my next doctor's appointment so I can get some questions answered.
7. The birthing class we were supposed to take next weekend got canceled! boo... so now we wont be able to take our class until February 20th.
   
8. I was chosen to attend a conference in Anchorage the first weekend in February, and I can't wait to be able to eat some real food!! And not to mention I will finally be able to go to Target! It will be nice to pick out some last minute baby items in person, rather than online. AND I will get to get some maternity clothes. I need to find a few tops for our maternity pictures, and want to get some nursing tank tops and more bras that might actually fit!
9. I find myself more and more anxious for Kael to get here. I am constantly wondering what he will look like, what her personality will be like, how Kevin and I will be as parents, and on and on and on. More than anything I'm just ready to finally hold him in my arms!
10. Last but not least is just a little funny story. Kevin and I went to have Chinese food the other night (January 9th to be exact). Kevin's fortune stated, "Remember today's date. 3 months from today you will receive a nice surprise." Well.... 3 months from that date would be April 9th. My doctor's office still considers my due date March 30th, and wont induce until 10 days past due- which would be April 9th!! CRAZY!!! So Kevin is now convinced that Kael is going to be very late. I guess all we can do is wait and see!! :)
    

28 Weeks

Hey... better late than never, right?!?

So let's see. Where to begin? I guess the obvious and most exciting part about hitting 28 weeks is the fact that I am officially in my third trimester! Minus a few bumps in the road last week, I am feeling great. I still have a good amount of energy, and nesting is really starting to hit full force! I think more than anything, I am really starting to get that feeling. You know... the one where I am finally realizing that I am going to be a MOM! And what is even scarier is the fact that I know the next few weeks are going to fly by!

So here goes my attempt at a 28 week update on my symptoms and emotions.

1. I am starting to feel HUGE! I took a picture to compare to my 24 week pictures, and don't see much of a difference, but I know there is some definite growth.
2. My belly button has become a part of some strange alien! It has disappeared, and now is just flat with the rest of my belly. It has been doing this for a while, but now it is pretty much stretched to the max! If I push on the sides of it, it pops out- and it is not a pretty sight! It really grosses Kevin out, and the first time I saw it I screamed!
3. I still don't know my exact weight gain since my doctor's appointment isn't until tomorrow, but my guess is that I am up 15-16 pounds.
   
4. I am still having braxton hicks contractions throughout each day, but drinking tons of water really helps keep them further apart.
   
5. I have suddenly developed an obsession for pop-tarts... which are pretty much the most unhealthy food item on the face of this earth (but I can't stop eating them!)
6. I have my doctor's appointment and glucose screening tomorrow
7. I have become extremely emotional. I find that nearly anything will overwhelm me and set off the waterworks. I especially worry about how I will handle going back to work once he is born.
8. I have started doing my research on specific aspects of having a baby. The main three I have been focusing on are breastfeeding, making my own baby food, and using the book "Baby Wise" to develop a good schedule for him. I am still in the "research" phase of all 3, but I do know that I really want to put a large emphasis on these since I feel they will provide huge benefits for Kael.
9. Kevin and I have signed up for our birthing class, and it is January 23rd!! I can't believe it is already time to start thinking about this kind of stuff!!
10. I found out yesterday that the girls from work will be having a baby shower for me at the end of February. I am still in disbelief that they offered to do this for me. It just really means alot since we are so far away from family. It feels like I have a whole new support system that I had no idea existed before this week.

So there you have it... all the updates that I can think of at this point in time. I have my last "monthly" doctor's appointment tomorrow!! After tomorrow I will start going every 2 weeks! Ahhhhh... all of these "little" milestones make the end seem so close I can already smell that sweet baby aroma!

My New Best Friend

Why Hello 2011! I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years Eve and is enjoying 1-1-11! Last night was the first night in a week that I have actually slept... and it was all thanks to my new best friend (pictured bellow)!
Thankfully there is a small children's boutique in town, which also sells a few maternity items. I went in desperate for some relief and this was the one and only maternity pillow they had. I immediately purchased it, and ran home to try it out. My nap was unsuccessful and I began to second guess my purchase, but I gave it another shot last night. I figured out if I fold the top part that is supposed to go under my head over and use my own pillows, it works perfectly! It is really an amazing pillow because it is easy to squish and move around to make it work exactly how you want it to.

Overall, it was amazing! I actually slept in 4 hour intervals, only waking up to use the restroom twice! My belly didn't ache, my hips didn't hurt, and it didn't feel like the springs in my mattress were digging into my waist and legs. And the cherry on top of a good night's rest is the fact that I don't feel sick to my stomach today! Thankfully the feeling must have been due to a stomach bug and not third trimester morning sickness (which apparently is much more common than people let on...).

Which reminds me... I will be 28 weeks tomorrow, but I feel like celebrating it today. Mainly because I would love to bring in the new year with a new trimester- which so happens to be my last! I still can't believe how far I have come, and that in just a few short weeks I will be holding my baby in my arms and no longer in my belly.

But before I get all sentimental, I better wrap this up! I will post again tomorrow with my "real" 28 week post, so for now, I hope you have a very Happy New Year!