My goodness, how time flies!
I totally forgot about this draft from SIX months ago!
I can hardly believe my baby is 6 months this week.
She is already crawling(more like lunging) across
the floor and signing "more."
*Warning*
contents of this article are not for the squimish
Miracle #2
I totally forgot about this draft from SIX months ago!
I can hardly believe my baby is 6 months this week.
She is already crawling(more like lunging) across
the floor and signing "more."
*Warning*
contents of this article are not for the squimish
Miracle #2
Our Birthing Story
It was Sunday, the morning of the 11th of November and I'm sure it was 3am on the dot when I realized that the reason I couldn't sleep was from strong contractions. I was pretty annoyed, since I had one night of "false labor" the week before and ended up exhausted the next day. I decided to try taking a bath and then going back to bed to see if relaxing would make the contractions go away as they did the last time... nope! I couldn't sleep, but I decided to continue going through the morning as usual with breakfast and getting ready for Church. By the time breakfast was over, I told Peter that this was most likely THE day and that we should try progressing labor at home as long as possible. I called Sunny's godmother and asked her if she would take Sunny out for the rest of the morning until her nap time. Once our little Sunshine was off, I settled into some comfy clothes and Peter and I went for a long walk around the block twice. I had to stop a few times when the contractions were strong.
Michelle was up early on Sunday which was rather unusual. After all, we both love our sleep so much that Sundays are something we look forward to all week. Michelle told me that she was having stronger contractions than usual so we decided to help nature run its course. We asked our close friend to watch Sunny while we focused on the baby in the womb. We went for a nice long walk around the neighborhood since it was such a lovely day. I knew it was a hopeful sign when Michelle had to stop a few times during the walk because the contractions were so strong.
Once we got back to the house we ate a light lunch and settled down to a movie while I stretched on my birthing ball. Then Sunny came home for her nap and I did more stretches. Once Sunny woke up we went for another walk, though shorter, since I was pooped and felt like I would fall asleep while walking if I closed my eyes. Sunshine was getting very active and it was getting harder for me to relax and concentrate, so we asked our neighbor to watch her over at her house until bed time.
After the walk, Michelle used the birthing ball while I held her hand and timed contractions. Sunny came home for a nap (thankfully, she went right down without protest). Contractions kept getting stronger but still lacked regularity. After Sunny woke up, we went for another walk as a family to keep things progressing. Since our daughter is quite active, we needed to call in our second sitter, our good friend and neighbor. At this point, we called one of our doulas to come access the situation so she came over and timed contractions with us. She was worried that Michelle was getting too tired and would not have enough energy for the rest of labor. The doula advised Michelle to take a bath and try to settle down for the night. We picked up Sunny from the neighbor's house and put her down for bed. Then we tried to settle down. Apparently, the baby had other plans.
Once Sunny was happily playing at our neighbor's house, we called our doulas to let them know that my contractions were strong, but not progressing. Our doula, who lives next door, came over for a while and gave stretching tips and helped time contractions. She noticed how tired I was (yawning and blah) and recommended that I try to bathe and nap between contractions if I could in order to get more energy for labor. Once she left, we picked up Sunny and tucked her in bed. I tried to relax and nap while watching our favorite show (Once Upon a Time). I didn't get to watch most of it since I was busy trying to breathe through contractions and not squeeze Peter's hand blue. After the show I tried a shower, but got out quickly. I felt so unsettled on the inside and I started asking Peter to massage my lower back every time one came on. I felt like I couldn't stop shaking and figured I was just exhausted. I told Peter that it was probably best that we go to the hospital, since I felt that maybe an IV would help to boost me.
The contractions all of a sudden got very strong and very close together. Michelle started shaking uncontrollably and telling me that something was wrong. I called our families to ask them for prayers. I decided we needed to go to the hospital immediately. Of course, my reason for going was because I figured she was dehydrated or malnourished since we hadn't eaten much. I figured she needed an IV of sugar water more than anything.
I started crying and begging Peter to take me to the hospital... why? I had no idea, but something was telling me I had to go. I asked him to call our parents and put out the request for prayers and then call our doulas to tell them we were going to the hospital. As soon as he told one of the doulas how I was feeling, she said that of course we should go to the hospital, I was in Transition! ***Transition is one of the last steps before pushing....almost there!*** Peter and I looked at each other with a , "Duh, of course!" We immediately got ready to go and Peter called our neighbor back over for the night.
I started crying and begging Peter to take me to the hospital... why? I had no idea, but something was telling me I had to go. I asked him to call our parents and put out the request for prayers and then call our doulas to tell them we were going to the hospital. As soon as he told one of the doulas how I was feeling, she said that of course we should go to the hospital, I was in Transition! ***Transition is one of the last steps before pushing....almost there!*** Peter and I looked at each other with a , "Duh, of course!" We immediately got ready to go and Peter called our neighbor back over for the night.
I called the doulas to let them know our decision to head to the hospital. When I described how Michelle was feeling, one of the doulas told me that Michelle was in transition and we should get to the hospital ASAP. It all of a sudden dawned on me... over 2 years ago when we took birthing classes, we were told, when a woman says that she can't do it any more and starts shaking, it is because she is in transition (the stage when labor progresses much faster). The shaking is due to her normal threshold of pain being exceeded and a rush of adrenaline which accompanies that. It took the doula to remind me of this.
The car ride went swiftly for me (and it wasn't just Peter's driving haha). I was giving my all to relax and focus on breathing. I was having contractions every 2 minutes. I remember praying to God that I wouldn't get the urge to push in the car. Once we got the the hospital, I wanted to go to my delivery suite ASAP and was SO glad when they wheeled me straight up!
The car ride went swiftly for me (and it wasn't just Peter's driving haha). I was giving my all to relax and focus on breathing. I was having contractions every 2 minutes. I remember praying to God that I wouldn't get the urge to push in the car. Once we got the the hospital, I wanted to go to my delivery suite ASAP and was SO glad when they wheeled me straight up!
We immediately called the neighbor again and she came over to spend the night. It was 9:30PM at this point so Sunny was in dream land and oblivious to what was going on. We climbed into the minivan and drove to the hospital. To my own credit, I remained perfectly calm and only slightly ran one red light (it was at the end of yellow). We arrived at the emergency room (since the normal entrance was closed for the night) and Michelle was accessed by the triage nurse. Because this was her second child, they sat her in a wheelchair and rushed her straight to the delivery suite.
Once in the room, I decided to get down to business. I immediately tried my favorite laboring positions from last time and made sure to ask for water/juice in between contractions. I remember my hips felt like they would rip apart and begged for more massaging. After maybe an hour, I decided to try going potty (I was strict about emptying my bladder every hour ***pats self on back***). I also knew this was the recipe for instant baby, as Sunny was half-born on the potty last time. Sure enough, the first contraction on the potty I felt like pushing and felt the baby coming... On a funny note; as we were going into the bathroom Peter asked me if he should anticipate any surprises, such as a green child (a reference to the musical Wicked where the baby was born green). My response was followed by the big contraction where I had to push, and I replied, "The baby's coming!" (the line from Wicked where the child is born)... I meant it as a joke, and expected a laugh even though I truly meant our baby WAS coming. My joke, however, was totally blown off as the nurses freaked out and dragged me back to the bed and called the doctor.
Once in the room, I decided to get down to business. I immediately tried my favorite laboring positions from last time and made sure to ask for water/juice in between contractions. I remember my hips felt like they would rip apart and begged for more massaging. After maybe an hour, I decided to try going potty (I was strict about emptying my bladder every hour ***pats self on back***). I also knew this was the recipe for instant baby, as Sunny was half-born on the potty last time. Sure enough, the first contraction on the potty I felt like pushing and felt the baby coming... On a funny note; as we were going into the bathroom Peter asked me if he should anticipate any surprises, such as a green child (a reference to the musical Wicked where the baby was born green). My response was followed by the big contraction where I had to push, and I replied, "The baby's coming!" (the line from Wicked where the child is born)... I meant it as a joke, and expected a laugh even though I truly meant our baby WAS coming. My joke, however, was totally blown off as the nurses freaked out and dragged me back to the bed and called the doctor.
We arrived at the room and the nurses went through the regular questionnaires and physical exams. During this time, the contractions kept getting stronger. Finally, Michelle asked to use the toilet. I knew this meant we were close to delivery since the same thing happened right before Sunny was born. Sure enough, as soon as she was on the toilet, she felt the urge to push. The nurses whisked her right back to the bed and called the on-call doctor.
I was fine laboring in my favorite position, but once the doctor came in, he demanded that I finish laboring on my back (which really isn't too cozy when you have a baby sitting on your spine). I gave him a firm and blunt NO, but he insisted, since he said it was the only way he was used to. I can honestly say that I KNOW the meaning of the expression, "I gave it my all." I did. I remember telling them that my water broke and then pushing with all my might for a minute or ten... not sure which. It was weird once the baby came, she decided to rebel and tried to keep one foot cozy inside mama for as long as she could, but the doctor won in the end haha.
I was fine laboring in my favorite position, but once the doctor came in, he demanded that I finish laboring on my back (which really isn't too cozy when you have a baby sitting on your spine). I gave him a firm and blunt NO, but he insisted, since he said it was the only way he was used to. I can honestly say that I KNOW the meaning of the expression, "I gave it my all." I did. I remember telling them that my water broke and then pushing with all my might for a minute or ten... not sure which. It was weird once the baby came, she decided to rebel and tried to keep one foot cozy inside mama for as long as she could, but the doctor won in the end haha.
By the time the doctor got to the room, our baby was just about here. Despite being a newcomer on the scene, the doctor was very rigid and strict about things being done his way. He barked out orders and scolded the nurses for not calling him sooner. When I tried to talk with the doctor, he brushed me aside and told me to "not get in his way." Well, fortunately, we didn't have to deal with him for very long because Michelle's water broke at this point, and a few minutes later, the baby was born (11:38PM).
What a relief to finally have my baby in my arms! Last time, I didn't get to hold Sunny right away, but this time I had the joy of my second baby girl snug on my chest. I remember saying, "I'm not pregnant anymore!", "I have a baby!", and "Can I feed her now!?" I didn't get to feed her right off, because a nurse said that Dainty stopped breathing because of too much mucus in her lungs, so she was going to suction her and warm her up for a few minutes.
What a relief to finally have my baby in my arms! Last time, I didn't get to hold Sunny right away, but this time I had the joy of my second baby girl snug on my chest. I remember saying, "I'm not pregnant anymore!", "I have a baby!", and "Can I feed her now!?" I didn't get to feed her right off, because a nurse said that Dainty stopped breathing because of too much mucus in her lungs, so she was going to suction her and warm her up for a few minutes.
As soon as Dainty was on her chest, Michelle snapped out of the labor trance that she had been in since transition had begun. She cried as she held our daughter in her arms. I cut the cord as planned and accompanied the baby to the sun lamp where they suctioned out her mouth and nose. My job was shielding her eyes from the bright lights which were bothering her. During this time, the doulas stayed with Michelle as she was recovering.
I am very proud of my plump Sunshine, so I knew I had to get down to business when I saw how tiny Dainty was. Sure enough, she decided she was hungry and loved nursing right away! Our doulas took pictures, gifted me with chocolates (LOVE my doulas BTW), and helped bring in the labor bag and Peter's sleeping bag (we were in too much a hurry to bring things in before). Once we were settled in, we enjoyed our baby girl. We didn't sleep much (I didn't sleep at all... my poor hips! It's too bad I'm allergic to Morphine haha).
I am very proud of my plump Sunshine, so I knew I had to get down to business when I saw how tiny Dainty was. Sure enough, she decided she was hungry and loved nursing right away! Our doulas took pictures, gifted me with chocolates (LOVE my doulas BTW), and helped bring in the labor bag and Peter's sleeping bag (we were in too much a hurry to bring things in before). Once we were settled in, we enjoyed our baby girl. We didn't sleep much (I didn't sleep at all... my poor hips! It's too bad I'm allergic to Morphine haha).
After Dainty was breathing normally, she was brought back to Michelle who nursed her. Dainty knew what to do immediately! After Michelle was done, I got to spend 'tummy time' with my daughter. No one can ever understand that feeling of joy until they experience it for themself! Eventually, things calmed down in the room and we finally got to settle down for the night. I don't think either Michelle or I slept much that first night.
Dainty at 5 1/2 months (with Gramma!)
 |
| Dainty 1 week |
~Peter and Michelle
Comments