Our Birth Story- Part 3

Week 41 Day 4- INDUCTION DAY 3

I was in a deep sleep for 12 hours straight. I woke up around 6:00. Since it was still early, I didn't expect the doctor to be in until 7:00. Nick was feeling the stress of waiting and sleeping on a terrible chair so I told him to go home, work-out, and take a shower. So he left while I waited.  

I walked him out and decided to go to the bathroom and slightly praying that the Foley Bulb would just fall out in the process. As I peed this long rubbery tube dangled between my legs. Around 6:15 Wednesday morning, the nurse came in and took out the Foley bulb. She did a quick check and felt that I was about 5 cm but wanted to get a doctor to double check. She let me shower and get cleaned up.

About 30 minutes later, a doctor from another practice came in and checked my cervix. I was 5 cm and 90% effaced so without any hestitation she broke my water. Warm liquid gushed out of me onto the bed. What a surreal feeling! I had two things cross my mind at this moment. I hope this is actually the fluid and I am not peeing myself and thank you Jesus. The liquid just kept coming and coming. 

I texted Nick and told him what just happened and panic came across his voice. He knew this was it!! He was still at home and needed to get a shower. I told him everything was fine just get back to the hospital as soon as he could. 

At 7AM, there was a switch in doctors and nurses. My labor nurse who I will never forget entered the room and introduced herself, Tana. I was also asked if it would be okay to have a student nurse help out during the day. I agreed. The first thing they did was clean up the room, get a baby warmer, and reset up my all of my monitors. Feeling a little uncomfortable, I asked if I could get a change in bedding and go to the bathroom. She helped me up out of bed. As soon as I stood up, i felt this incredible amount of pressure down low. It was sooooo painful! i thought the baby was going to fall to the ground. I went to the bathroom and then Tana cleaned me up, and put me back into bed.Throughout the day she did this and helped me switch positions. 

The doctor came in around 7:30, and just with my luck, it was Dr. M. The first thing she says is, "Well, lets check this out because sometimes people get different measurement." Ugh, can i just say this woman is seriously always negative.  At 8:00, I decided I wasn't going to continue to feel this incredible pressure if I didn't have to and asked for an epidural. Nick was still not back yet so I text him and told him he needed to hurry.

I finally got an epidural around 8:30. Nick made it back and supported me the whole time. I wouldn't say it was painful but the initial pinch was not good. Tana helped me back into bed and got me comfortable. In moments the pain was gone. 

I made steady progress throughout the day. Around noon, I was 7cm. My mom came back to the hospital at 3:30 to hang out. While she was there the doctor came in and did another check....9cm!!!  

As quick as things were going so well, we had a little set back around 4:30. While my mom was there I told the nurse I was feeling a little loopy. She said I shouldn't feel that way. Turns out I spiked a fever of 102.8. Everyone began to freak out. They covered me with ice and gave me two different IV antibiotics and Tylenol. 

My mom left around 4:30 AND at 4:40 the doctor came in to do a cervix check. 10 CM!!!!! It was time. She had Tana pull up one leg and Nick pulled up the other. Then she told me to push at my next contraction like I had to poop. Breath in and push out- three times for each contraction. The doctor left and from that point we worked on pushing and getting to the point of crowning. I felt each contraction with a tremendous amount of pressure so I told them every time I had to push. 

Once I crowned, Tana called Dr. Shima (who was on call) in to deliver. The room transformed. While everyone was getting ready I continued to push. The doctor got into position and helped me a long to push the baby out. He asked if I wanted to see the baby come out with a mirror but I just couldn't. I pushed from 4:40 to 6:05. 

At 6:05 the doctor told me to put out my hands and take my baby. It felt like she was reaching for me. I grabbed her and put her onto my chest. (I pulled her so close the doctor had to tell say"Whoa"...I apparently forgot she was actually still attached to me. Nick cut the umbilical cord.

Moments I remember...

• Nick always said he never wanted to watch any of it. He watched the whole things and was such an awesome coach. He pushed me the whole time and told me what an awesome job I was doing.
• The first moment the baby's head could be seen. I couldn't but seeing the excitement on everyone's face, especially Nick's, was amazing
• With an epideral, you don't feel a lot, but I still felt a lot of the pressure and there was still pain. 
• I said a lot of things that were absolutely ridiculous.
• Harper's eyes were really big and she looked right at me.

( Note: Due to my fever, it changed some of the procedures of the after-delivery. They had to make sure the baby was not affected so NICU was there to take the baby right away. I was told this from the very beginning. More in Our Birth Story- Part 4)

Our Birth Story- Part 2

Week 41 Day 3- INDUCTION DAY 2

The next morning, Tuesday, February 18th, I woke up and basically spent the morning watching TV. Around mid-morning Dr. Shima took out the Cervidil. I was now 1 cm and 90% effaced. Not much progress at all. I was very discouraged. The nurse allowed me to take a shower and eat some breakfast since I had eaten so very little the entire day before. It was seriously the best french toast I ever had!

Around noon, Dr. Shima came in and gave me a few options. The choices were do another dose of Cervidil, start Pitocin, or insert a Foley Bulb. Dr. Shima really didn't have a strong opinion about any of them so we decided to start Pitocin. If it didn't work then we would move on to plan B. Wasn't really sure what Plan B was but knew there were other options to choose from. The doctor was completely fine with that decision.  

Around 2:00 in the afternoon I was hooked up to an IV of Pitocin. Around the same time my mom came to spend the day with us because we were sure this was the day the baby was going to be born. I walked around and around the room praying for something to happen. I had been experiencing contractions since the night before but they were becoming very strong. As much as they hurt I thought for sure this meant something was happening. At about 5:00 in the evening, I finally decided I couldn't take the pain anymore. Since I was only 1cm dilated, I could not get an epidural instead; so, they were going to give me a pain medicine that would basically put me to sleep. 

About 20 minutes later Dr. Shima came in and said he decided to actually take me off the Pitocin and insert a Foley bulb. Just like that. This was now over 24 hours of an induction, my body was not working, and I was completely discouraged. The insertion of the Foley bulb was very uncomfortable. He had to use a speculum then he inserted a rubbery device that had two balloons. The balloons were inflated with water. If all went well this would cause my cervix to dilate. During the procedure there was a sight uncomfortable feeling but afterwards came with pretty bad cramps on top of strong contractions. The combination was TERRIBLE!!! 

After about an hour of sitting in a rocking chair, breathing with my eyes closed, and squeezing Nick's hand, I begged for pain meds. They gave me Dilaudid with Benadryl which completely knocked me out for the night. 

Our Birth Story- Part 1

On Wednesday, February 19th 2014, we were blessed with the most magnificent, beautiful and precious gift. Our daughter, HARPER GRACE WOOD. Our hearts are full of so much love for this little girl it brings me to tears thinking about it. 

The road to creating Harper was definitely full of ups and downs so I don't know why I was so surprised that the moments leading up to her birth day were also filled with struggles. This is the story of Harper's birth.  

Week 41 & 2 Days- INDUCTION DAY 1

On February 17th, I woke up feeling completely normal. Large, stressed, and ready for this baby to come out; however, no symptoms of labor. I went about a some what normal day. I cleaned the house, finished some last minute packing, and enjoyed a bland diet (crackers, bananas, and water). At 3:00 I called the birth center to find out if they would accept my reservation. Thankfully, there was room and the nurse told us to come in around 4:00 to begin the induction process. 

We arrived at the hospital and went to admissions at 4:00 on the dot with my suitcase in tow. Nick and I walked into the admissions door and the woman at the desk says, "Are you Jessica Wood?" I laugh slightly because she knew who I was. As she tells us to sign in and that it would be a few minutes she says, "Did they tell you that there is no room?" Nick and I look at each other in confusion because how can the Birthcenter fill up in 1 hour since I called. I was so stressed out and just wanted to get the show on the road. We had no idea what they were going to do. After calling up the Birthcenter, the Admissions clerk finds out that the doctor wants to keep me in the hospital and do another non-stress test.   

We took the elevator to the 3rd floor and entered into the Birthcenter, The nurses set me up in a room and began the nonstress test. After a few minutes I found out my "favorite" doctor, Dr. M, was on the floor. This is the doctor I've had several problems with over the past few weeks. Since I was over a week late and had a few bouts of high blood pressure she wanted me to stay. This is the same doctor who, only a little over a week before, wouldn't write me a doctor's note because there was NOTHING wrong with me I was just pregnant.  At 7:00 on Wednesday night I was put into a labor room.

Nick and I basically spent the night hanging out and watching TV. The night nurse came in, hooked me up to monitors, and completed the admissions questions. Finally, around midnight, they put in the Cervidil. (Before insertion I was 1 cm and 80% effaced.) Throughout the night I had very mild contractions but was able to sleep.

Welcome to the World!!

Introducing...

Harper Grace Wood

February 19, 2014

8lbs. 6ozs.

21 inches

Non- Stress Test

On Friday, February 14th I went to the hospital for a non-stress test and an amniotic fluid check. This is a standard procedure for the doctors office when a baby is overdue.

When I arrived I was taken back to a room with monitors and a reclining chair. The nurse got me comfortable, lifted up my shirt, and hooked me up to two monitors. One which monitored the baby's heart rate and another to monitor contractions. The nurse said the test could take a minimum of 20 minutes up to 1 hour. During this time they wanted to make sure the baby's heart rate stayed within the normal range but also went up and down appropriately. If I was to have any contractions they also wanted to make sure the baby's heart rate reacting the way it should as well. The non-stress test could not have gone any better. The baby passed with flying colors and so we only had to stay on the monitors for 20 minutes. During the 20 minutes I had 1 contraction.

After the non stress test, the nurse completed an ultrasound to measure my amniotic fluid. To do this they divide the belly up onto 4 quadrants and take measurements of the fluid. Then the computer calculates the fluid. They are looking for no less than 5 and no more that 25. I was at a 9 which she said was very good.

After she took all the measurements, she showed me the baby. This was not the best ultrasound machine I have every seen so it was hard to make out everything. I was able to see the top of her head which is sitting low and down. Her spine and heart beating. Then only quickly and faintly her arms and legs. She is currently laying in a fetal position, head down.

Overall, I felt really good when I left the office. Don't get me wrong, I wish she would have made her entrance into the world days ago but I think seeing her gave me that little lift I needed.

Now....we call on Monday at 3pm to see if our reservation for the induction is good to go!!

40 Weeks 6 days- Where's Baby???

February 8th past us quickly with no baby. We woke up Saturday and did our normal grocery shopping and cleaning around the house. Based on how I was feeling I was pretty sure this was not going to be the day we met our little girl.

So...we waited...February 9th....February 10th....February 11th and still no baby.

On the night of February 10th I woke up every hour with really strong braxton hicks. It felt as if my stomach was squeezing the baby out but not a real cramping feeling. On the 11th, I woke up to a little bit of cramping (very light) and lots of pressure down below. I also had a doctors appointment the afternoon of the 11th.

As I waited to go back, I started to get very uncomfortable pains in my stomach and for a split second thought I was experiencing contraction unfortunately they were not consistent. I went back and the nurse asked me how I was doing. I completely lost it. The stress of waiting, the cramping, the braxton hicks, the nasty people I had to deal with at the doctors office the week before and people constantly asking where she was was just too much. I was officially done being pregnant. The nurse took my blood pressure and it was really high. She decided to take it again a little bit later.

Thankfully, at this appointment, I was scheduled to see the nurse practicioner. She is so nice and knew exactly what to say to calm me down. My stomach is still measuring larger which is not surprise since I am late and I have beautiful stretch marks to prove it. I was still 1 cm. and 80% effaced. She did comment however that she is really low and wondered how i was still walking. She said this week would be the end and they wouldn't let me go past Monday, February 17th. I was then given a paper about induction. At the end of the appointment she checked my blood pressure again...it was still pretty high so she sent me up to the birthplace for an observation.

I had talked to Nick before my appointment and told him how I was feeling. Thinking this was going to be the day he left work and met me at the hospital. I was shocked when I called to tell him about the observation and he was already there. (This is just one of the many reasons I love him!!) So we met at the admissions office, checked in, and went up to the Birthplace.

The nurse had me change into a gown, give a urine sample, and asked a bunch of questions. I was hooked up to two monitors...one to monitor the baby's heartbeat and one to monitor me or my contractions. I also had my blood pressure taken every 15 minutes. This lasted two hours. At the end of the observation the doctor came in and told me my blood pressure was good and the baby looked great. She also informed me that I was actually experiencing some contractions. Once again these are not the contractions that count. She explained the contractions we are looking for are the ones that take your breath away. Basically what i have experienced half of my life during my periods. She also told me she wanted me to have a non-stress test done this week as well as an amniotic fluid check. After our little consult and signing some papers, I got dressed and Nick and I were on our way.

So....we waited some more....February 12th.....February 13th....and here I sit on February 14th officially 6 days late.

Today, I am going for my non-stress test and amniotic fluid test. If we don't have anything happened in the next 3 days, I will call the Birthplace to see if there is a bed available on Monday, February 17th at 3pm.

I am not completely clear on how this induction is going to work but this is what I do know...

• I am allowed a very bland diet before going in. (ie: toast, water, gingerale, crackers, etc.)
• I will call at 3pm and hopefully they have a bed. If they do I will get to the hospital around 4pm if not they will call me with another date.
• Once I am there, I will be given a drug called Cervidil which is something inserted into the vagina to start cervical ripening.
• It is hard to say how fast the process will be and can vary. Paperwork says it is not unusual for it to take more than one day to establish adequate labor.

Baby Wood Update- Weeks 38 & 39

39 WEEKS

I think my cold has gone away but my belly is still growing. The end of this pregnancy is no joke. I am really struggling at work and ended up taking two half days later in the week. Let's go BABY GIRL!!!

Total weight gain: 156 lb (gained 36 pounds)
Maternity clothes? Yes! - Most of my comfortable clothes are packed in my hospital bag which leaves with me with a total of 5 pants and 3 total shirts I actually fit into. My maternity clothes don't even look right anymore. 
Stretch marks? Well, the stretch marks are here to stay. I made it all the way through this pregnancy without anything on my belly and in the last few weeks now have these beautiful spider looking veins and both sides of my stomach.
Belly Button: Just a little bit.
Miss anything: Nothing really.        
Food cravings: Chocolate and fruit.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing...Feeling good.
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks & cramps here and there
Third Trimester Symptoms:  4th internal exam- I was still 1cm. dilated and 80% effaced. I met with the one doctor I do not mesh with. She is young and kills me when she does the exam. She also struggles to find the heartbeat every time. I had a few different questions at this particular appointment that I wanted answered. 

• How many people can come into the labor and delivery room? 2 people will be given wrist bands
• Does she seem big to you? Yes. An ultrasound would be able to give us more information but would not be 100% accurate. The ultrasound is up to us.
• Can I get a prescription for a breast pump? Yes
• Can I get a note for stop working as of 2/4? Yes (She ended up giving me a note for the 5th and 6th. When I called back for another doctors notes since the baby had not arrived she gave me a very hard time. She ended up refilling out the FMLA paperwork and I started FMLA as of Thursday even though the baby is not here yet.)

Wedding rings on/off: Off
Mood: Feeling good! Getting very excited!!
Best Part of the Week: Celebrated Nick's 35th birthday!!! It felt good spending some time together and getting to go out at least one last time.

Looking forward to: Meeting Little Miss Wood!!!

38 WEEKS

This week was absolutely the worst. It was the first week that I felt too pregnant. I also had to deal with a terrible nose cold. It has been the one and only time in the past nine months I have been sick. Since I didn't feel great, sadly I didn't take a picture. 

Total weight gain: I didn't weigh myself this week.
Maternity clothes? Yes! - I think I wore my maternity jeans for the last time this week. This belly has really grown.
Stretch marks? I am very nervous to admit it but I have light veins which have appeared on the left side of my belly button.
Belly Button: Just a little bit.
Miss anything: Anything with Caesar Dressing...wraps, salad, etc.        
Food cravings: Chocolate and fruit.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing...Feeling good.
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks.- contractions are getting stronger
Third Trimester Symptoms:  3rd internal exam- no progression 

• What can I do if I do not want the delivery doctor to us instruments such as forceps or vacuum? The doctor introduced us to the idea of scheduling a c-section. If we decided to do this they would schedule it for the week of Feb 3rd. Factoid: A c-section is safer for the baby and more invasive for the mother while a vaginal birth is more dangerous for the baby and safer for the mother. (Nick and I decided not to do this. First, Nick was very against doing an abdominal surgery that is not needed. Second, we were both on the fence of the possibility of regretting not having a vaginal birth. I am still against using the instruments and have since decided to write a birth plan of what I want and don't want during the delivery.)

Wedding rings on/off: Off
Mood: Ugh!
Best Part of the Week: Celebrated Nick's 35th birthday!!! It felt good spending some time together and getting to go out at least one last time.

Looking forward to: Meeting Little Miss Wood!!!