Jude's Birth Story - Part 2 - Delivery

Pushing was hard. Extremely hard. The hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I wouldn't describe it as painful, just extremely tiring. I had to basically do a sit-up and hold up my legs while pushing out something that I couldn't feel. And it felt never-ending. I pushed from 12:15 a.m. - 1:52 a.m. Almost 2 hours. And they upped my pitocin while I was pushing to make my contractions closer together. So, I pushed for 4 sets of 10 seconds, every 1 minute. I didn't scream, or cry, or curse. It took soo much out of me that all I could do was be in that moment. And during my breaks all I could do was breathe. I think I was soo overwhelmed because I figured pushing would be the easy part. Everyone that I talked to said that they pushed 4 or 5 times and the baby shot out. So I was definitely not prepared. I thought they'd tell me that I needed a c-section at any moment. After a long time they ended up having to use the vacuum. I learned later that Jude's cord was wrapped around his neck 2 times, so every time I'd push him out a little, the cord pulled him back in.

But at 1:52 a.m., my beautiful little boy was placed on my chest...



My first thought was that I just gave birth to a 2 foot Jimmy =) He was seriously his "mini-me". It may be unconventional to admit, and I'm sorry to say it, but it wasn't love at first sight. I was so overwhelmed and spent that I couldn't concentrate. I was filled with guilt for Jude being vacuumed out because I'm sure it was very painful for him. All I could say is "I'm so sorry baby" over and over again.

He was taken away to be cleaned up and weighed and measured. The doctor started stitching up my tears and dealing with the afterbirth. I have to say that this was by far the most painful part. She kept pushing on my uterus and I could feel each stitch. It hurt...a lot! This process also took a lot longer than I thought it would. Probably a good hour.

Jimmy brought Jude to me but I was still shaking so much that I asked him to just hold him for me. I didn't want to drop him. I held him for about 30 mins before the nurse came to give him a bath. We made it to our room at about 4:30 a.m. and went straight to sleep! It had been a loonnngg day.

Jude's Birth Story - Part 1 - Labor

Holy cow... labor was a piece of cake. I didn't sleep well Sunday night. I've always been the type that is too anxious to sleep if I have something planned big for the day ahead. We got to the hospital at 6 a.m. The nurses welcomed me and got me all set up. I got my IV and was started on my penicillin since I was GBS+. The nurse checked me at about 7 am. I was 1 cm and 80% effaced but my cervix was still very high. I was apparently already contracting every 4 mins but I had no idea.

Dr. Nwadike gave me one dose if cytotec at 8 a.m. This would help my cervix come down, start contractions and help dialate. At noon, the doc inserted another pill. Contractions started getting ever so slightly painful 2 hrs later. At 3:18 I was checked again. 3 cm and 80%. She decided to break my water. As she was checking me I felt like I peed and she said my water ruptured already. She did it again anyway. After that, it slowly came out. Definitely fely pretty gross.

They put an internal monitor in because contractions weren't showing up. Apparently I was contracting a lot! She started pitocin and said the anesthesiologist would be leaving soon for the day so if I wanted one i might get it now before the pain got unbearable and she said it would start fast.

Contractions were just a bit more painful when I got my epi. Epi didn't hurt at all!!! That's what I was most scared of. When I sat up to get it a lot more water came out.

Checked again at 4 pm (an hour after the last time) after the epi and I was a 4! Jimmy and I just relaxed and played on the internet and watched t.v. Just enjoyed our last hours as a childless couple while dreaming of our babe. Holly, Mom, Dad, Katie and Michelle came to visit at various times in the day and everyone else called or texted to check up on me.

I was checked again at 6 and I was 6 cm. Checked again at 8 and I was still a 6. I was a little upset about that because the normal rate of progression is a cm an hour. But after a pep talk from Katie, I was happy again. I was just nervous that they'd rush me into a c-section for failure to progress.

At 10 p.m, I was 8 cm and Jimmy and I decided to take a little nap. We knew that we'd need our rest very soon.

The nurse came in at midnight and I was fully dialated and effaced. She said she was going to let me labor down for 30 mins and then we'd start pushing!

Not even 15 mins later, she walked in and said let's get started! Nerves definitely set in....

::Next up...Delivery::

Hey Jude...

December 29, 2009 ---- 1:52 a.m ---- 8 lbs 10.6 oz --- 21 inches

**Birth story to follow**

41 Week Update

*How far along?: 41 weeks
*How big is baby?: 19-22 inches, 6-9 pounds
*Sleep?: Wish I could take advantage of it but it's hard to sleep
*Stretchmarks?: Ugh
*Movement?: He's a rockstar!
*Food cravings?: Not really
*Labor signs?: Some BH contractions but nothing special
*Belly button in or out?: In for good it seems.
*What I miss: My brain!
*What I'm looking forward to: I WILL have my baby early next week one way or another!
*Milestone: This is my last update without baby!!!


How Big Is Jude This Week?

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

A bit over 20 inches long, your baby has continued to grow and may now weigh almost 8 pounds. As cozy as he is, your baby can't stay inside you forever. For your baby's safety, your practitioner will talk with you about inducing labor if your baby isn't born in the next week — earlier if there are any problems. Most practitioners won't let you wait more than two weeks past your due date to give birth because it puts you and your baby at increased risk for complications. About 5 to 6 percent of women have prolonged pregnancies that extend three or more weeks beyond their estimated due dates. Babies born at 42 weeks and beyond can have dry parchment-like skin and are often overweight. Waiting that long to deliver also increases your chance of developing an infection in your uterus that could be dangerous for your baby or of having a stillbirth. What's more, your labor is more likely to be prolonged or stalled, both you and your baby have an increased risk of injury during a vaginal delivery, and you double your chances of needing a c-section.

How Big Is Mommy This Week?

I didn't take a picture but the next picture you'll see is me in the hospital!!!

40 Week Doctor Appt

Well, Jimmy's parents arrived from TN on Sunday....and still no baby. We thought for sure he'd decide to make his appearance over the weekend in the snow storm. We even got a hotel close to the hospital so we wouldn't have to call an ambulance to come get us in the snow.

But there is an end in sight, although it still feels so far away. Jude Patrick is scheduled for induction Monday morning, December 28th at 6 a.m., if he doesn't come before.

I'm still going to try everything I can to get him here before then. I feel awful that Jim's parents came all this way and they may possibly have to wait another week.

40 Week Update

*How far along?: 40 weeks
*How big is baby?: 19-22 inches, 6-9 pounds
*Sleep?: Absolutely horrible
*Stretchmarks?: Absolutely horrible
*Movement?: Only good thing about my week =)
*Food cravings?: None
*Labor signs?: 12/12; 1-2 cm dilated, 80% effaced, -1 to 0 pelvic station. 12/16; no change
*Belly button in or out?: In- doubt it'll ever pop out.
*What I miss: Thinking about something other than when will this baby come out!
*What I'm looking forward to: What do you think??
*Milestone: Stick a fork in me - I'm done!


How Big Is Jude This Week?

It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

How Big Is Mommy This Week?



This has been a very emotional week for me. First, my little sister gave birth to my new GORGEOUS nephew Caleb on 12/11. He has now spent the whole first week of his life in a hospital. He had TTN which apparently led to pneumonia. I'm not even sure if I got that right. But he was intubated for his first 4 days and is still using a nasal canula. He is doing much much better now though and everyone is hoping to see him home by Monday. I'll just end this with a picture because too much detail about his situation really shakes me up...


And, I know it seems so trivial after all of that but I am soo done being pregnant. I seriously never thought I'd go this far. Everyone thought I'd have Jude early. But, here I sit, on my due date, with no baby in my arms. I'm so fortunate that he's still doing great in my belly, but he's wayy too comfy in there =) This has seriously felt like the longest week of my life. I'm soo drained from trying every Old Wives Tale in the book that I'm going to be too tired to birth him once he is ready to come out. And I'm so tired of everyone asking how I am and when he's coming. I feel like my body isn't doing what it's supposed to and I'm disappointing myself, and Jude and Jimmy and the rest of the family. And, now that I'm officially moving into overdue territory, I have to constantly worry if he's ok in there still. How am I supposed to know that he has enough fluid or that his placenta is still working ok? I just want him out and safe in my arms.

Hopefully....this is my last pregnant post.

39 Week Update- A Full Week Late

*How far along?: 39 weeks
*How big is baby?: 19-22 inches, 6-9 pounds
*Sleep?: Not too bad
*Stretchmarks?: Ewwwww
*Movement?: Still kicking =)
*Food cravings?: None
*Labor signs?: 12/8 Fingertip dilated, head down and engaged, cervix long and thick
*Belly button in or out?: In- doubt it'll ever pop out.
*What I miss: Pre-pregnancy clothes
*What I'm looking forward to: My baby being here
*Milestone: Nursery finally completed =)


How Big Is Jude This Week?

Baby's brain is still developing rapidly, and his skin has taken on a paler shade thanks to a thicker layer of fat around the blood vessels. (Don't worry; he'll change color again soon after birth.) He's now able to flex his limbs, and his nails might extend past his fingertips. Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.


How Big Is Mommy This Week?

Video tour of nursery

Showing off...JUDE'S COMPLETED NURSERY- WHOO-HOO

Jude's Nursery (lots of pics)

Entrance...


View From The Door...


Light switch...


Extra storage for his many many clothes...


Dresser and changing table...


Shelf with decals...


Glider...


Toy chest (from Mom that I painted) and bookcase...




The crib and bedding that I waited 22 long weeks for...



the toybag and froggie hamper...





His wall letters that I decorated...



More decals and a shelf that I painted...


Old nightstand from W.V. house that I painted...


his closet... lots of diapers and shoe storage...


more clothes in closet...


froggie hamper again...


decals over the closet door...


and over the exit door...

38 week update

*How far along?: 38 weeks
*How big is baby?: 19-22 inches, 7 pounds
*Sleep?: Great this week
*Stretchmarks?: Shut up
*Movement?: A wild man! I thought it was supposed to be less now!
*Food cravings?: None
*Labor signs?: Getting checked 12/8 but nothing yet...
*Belly button in or out?: In- doubt it'll ever pop out.
*What I miss: Moving around easily and not having heartburn
*What I'm looking forward to: My bedding coming in to complete the nursery.
*Milestone: JUDE IS DEFINITELY READY FOR THE OUTSIDE WORLD NOW!

How Big Is Jude This Week?

Your baby, now as long as a leek, weighs nearly 7 pounds. (Length: more than 19 1/2 inches, head to heel.) The last bits of vernix caseosa (the white goo keeping baby's skin moist) and lanugo (downy hair) are slowly shedding into your amniotic fluid. Baby's head is about the same circumference as her abdomen, and her head could be covered in an inch or so of hair.


How Big Is Mommy This Week?

Eviction Notice

EVICTION NOTICE

Date: December 8, 2009

To: Jude Patrick Stiles

To the above tenant in possession of below described premises:

I am issuing 10 day notice for EVICTION. You will have 10 days in which you can either gather your belongings and promptly vacate the premises, or wait until the final day. After which, you will be physically removed from the property.

You are being evicted due to breech of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, within reasonable limits, were discussed. Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back of the house were also made!

Remodeling and gutting of the home was never approved, nor was changing the initial layout and base structure. And due to property damage, there are now leaks in both the upper AND lower levels of the home. On top of which, the landlord has received numerous complaints about nightly disturbances.

After 10 days from this day that you don't comply with the notice will result in immediate and forceful removal at my discretion.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Love,
Mommy

10 days left....

WOW!

I agree wholeheartedly...

Week Thirty-Eight

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Your Baby:

• Is officially a little chunkin, at well over six pounds and 19 1/2 inches long.


• Is also officially considered "full term." In other words, he or she is STRAIGHT UP FREELOADING from here on out.


• Is practicing making fists and fetal breathing in anticipation of life outside the womb.

You:

• Have probably had enough of this magical special time, thank you very much.
• Backaches, joint aches, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, Braxton-Hicks contractions, painful kicks, bladder pressure, stretch marks, itchy skin, swollen ankles, fatigue, dry mouth, mood swings, did I miss anything else in this cavalcade of late-pregnancy hilarity?
• Are alternating between crazy excitement about finally meeting your baby and crazy panic about oh my God, you're finally going to meet your baby and they're going to expect that you take it home and like, keep it alive and stuff.