Our Birth Story

OK, OK, I know it's been awhile, but we've been a little busy... every Sunday, I say I'm going to update our blog, but sleep tends to win the race... but here I am. Logan and Natalie are both asleep, and as much as a nap sounds REAL good, I'm going to get this done. I love to keep everyone updated, but this is also a way for me to journal, so I need to just do it. So... I start with our birth story.

Logan and I took a New Parents and Childbirthing class, and we really enjoyed it. We learned so much stuff (which at the time was very overwhelming but good to know). We also enjoyed learning the different calming and helpful techniques for the physical strains of giving birth. We had it down, and figured out what things would most likely help me. We loved the birthing ball and I was SO looking forward to using the squatting bar. We decided that an epidural was not out of the question, but we would do as much as we could before going there. I was actually really excited for this "challenge"... and for being able to work closely with Logan on bringing this little one into the world...

However, things didn't turn out the way I had wanted or hoped. Our baby girl decided that she didn't want to flip, and continued to stay breech/head up. My Dr said if she doesn't flip by 39 weeks, then we would have a c-section. I was very disappointed. Besides NOT wanting surgery and the recovery after, I really wanted to TRY to give birth - weird huh? So, we hoped and prayed that she would still flip, but expected a c-section, just to be prepared.

So, let me start at January 8th. I was at work (school) and had decided that I would continue to work a little longer. I had the option to start my maternity leave the next week, but actually thought - what am I going to do at home for 4 weeks? So, I decided to just work a little longer. Well, that day, I was supervising at recess, and a student ran into me and elbowed my stomach. Her elbow actually hit the area where the baby's head was. The baby immediately reacted, and continued to move a lot for the next hour, and then calmed down. I, of course, panicked, and worried about the baby, but already had a dr's appt that afternoon for my 36 week checkup, so I was anxious to get there, and get some reassurance that all was well. I met with my midwife that day, and she assured me that the baby is very protected with all the fluid surrounding it. We heard a good heartbeat, so that was good, but she put me on maternity leave right away. She said - we didn't need to run into any other problems like that, and since my blood pressure had gone up a bit, it wouldn't hurt. She also sent me to have a non-stress test on the baby, where they track the baby's heartbeat for about 20 minutes to make sure the baby isn't stressed. Well, after an HOUR of tracking the baby, my mid-wife saw some readings she didn't want to risk, so she sent me to the hospital to be monitored further. I, of course, got really scared.

I called Logan right away, and said meet me at the hospital.. and be prepared, this baby could come today! WHOA.... I then called my boss, and said - today was my last day. Fortunately, the person who was replacing me, was already available, so no worries there. Anywhoo... I drove myself to the hospital, and fortunately my Ob/Gyn was on call at the hospital and there already. She reassured me that the baby is well protected, but what they worry about is the placenta being detached, so, I got to not only be monitored for 6 more hours, but also have an ultra sound and some blood tests done to make sure the placenta was ok. Fortunately, we were able to head home at 10:30 that night, with the knowledge that both baby and I were just fine.

So, the next day (Friday), I started my maternity leave. This was the best part of my pregnancy :)... I thoroughly enjoyed each day I was home doing "nothing". I mean, I finished preparing the baby's room and clothes. Did tons of other organizing around the house. But, most importantly, I rested... I slept in and took naps. It was great, and I highly recommend all pregnant women to take advantage of that time.

At 37 weeks, the baby hadn't flipped yet, so we scheduled a c-section for Friday, Feb. 5th. On the next Monday, at 38 weeks and 5 days I had another appointment. Up to that point, my blood pressure had been getting higher and higher, but at this appointment, it was higher than what they like to see... So, my Dr put me on bed rest, and I was to return in 2 days. So, I stayed in bed, and did all I could to relax and keep that blood pressure down. I returned on Wednesday, and luckily my blood pressure had dropped, but they did another non-stress test to make sure the baby was ok too. This test didn't come out so well. The baby wasn't as active as they like to see, so again, I was sent to the hospital... and again, my OB/Gyn was on call at the hospital that day.

I called Logan, and told him I was heading to the hospital, but not to come, since I would probably be sent home again. When I showed up (2 days before my scheduled c-section)... my Dr said it was time for this baby to come out. My blood pressure was up again (where I was then diagnosed with preeclampsia). She said there was no reason to keep her in, I was already there, and plus, apparently I was having contractions. So, I panicked, and cried a little (at which time my blood pressure sky rocketed!). Of course, mostly because I was worried about the baby, but also, because I was just not mentally prepared for her to come THAT day... Friday was the day. So, I called Logan, and said, IT'S TIME!!!

Logan arrived to the hospital at 3:30pm, changed into the scrubs, and at 4pm I was taken into surgery. This was the strangest, most unusual but amazing moment. I WALKED into the surgery room, and 45 minutes later, I was wheeled out and had a baby. so weird!!! But, anyway, it was an amazing 45 minutes. Logan and I sat there behind the screen, a few moments later, we heard a cry, and then the Dr showed us our dear little girl. She was just adorable of course. Cute and puffy! She had these thin squinted (Vick) eyes, and very round puffy cheeks, and these tiny, adorable, perfectly shaped lips. Logan, with camera in hand, was very excited and a proud father, and as I lay there getting put back together, I cried and tried to get glimpses of my precious daughter. Finally, Logan brought her to me, and I gave her kisses. We talked to her and just marveled at her, until the nurse needed her back. WOW! I was a mom, and so thankful that she arrived healthy. She cried as soon as she arrived, but then was very quiet. Very alert, and taking it all in.
I was taken to recovery, and spent an hour or two with Logan and our baby girl, just amazed at what had just taken place.

However, the complications didn't end there. My blood pressure continued to stay pretty high. So, I was put on strict observation, and was encouraged to have very little visitors, and get lots of rest/sleep (RIGHT...). The first night, I was kept in labor/delivery, for observation, but then my blood pressure dropped a little, and I was sent to the postpartum wing. My blood pressure still wasn't as low as they liked, but it was dropping. The nurses stressed about it every time they checked, which was annoying. In addition, Natalie lost too much weight in the hospital, and we had to supplement with formula for a couple of days.... but as you see in later pictures, she has recovered from that.

The nurses continued to stress me out about my blood pressure, and wanted to keep me at the hospital longer... but after being there 3 days, I was ready to go home, and knew that my blood pressure would probably drop once I was home. I was excited to get our baby home, but a little hesitant about our first night without the nurses. Fortunately, our first night was not nearly as bad as I expected, and we made it through the night. She ate every 3 hours, to the minute! so It was easy to know what most of her cries were for.


However, feeding her was not nearly a hard as I thought it would be, it was even HARDER. She continued to lose weight, which we found out 2 days later at an appt., and had jaundice... the worries you feel as a new mom! My job now, was to get this baby FED.

Our jaundiced baby:

No one prepares you for the difficulties of breastfeeding... For 8 weeks we went through several lactation consultants, pumping, formula, shields, and everything else you can imagine. Finally, at 8 weeks I finally felt more comfortable with feeding, and even with the use of a shield, finally have gotten the hang of things.