Labor & Delivery

So by now everyone knows we had the baby. It was a very eventful couple of days. Monday night we were admitted into Labor & Delivery at St. Vincent's hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Things pretty much went quick. They got my registered and gave me a sleeping pill and cervadil to try to get something started. My nurse was so sweet. Jeff and I were both really tired so we went to bed fairly early. The nurse said she would wake me up @ 4:00 am so that I could get showered. I, of course, needed to make sure I looked pretty for Ashlyn-Kay's debut. I showered and the doctor came in and broke my water. It wasn't bad at all, but the afterwards was well....just icky. So our timeline so far. Pitocin drip was started at 5:15 am, doc broke water @ 6:30 am. The family all started to arrive around 7 or 8. Once my water was broken I could feel some contractions but they didn't really hurt that bad. The doctor dropped by and I had dilated to 3 centimeters. Right before that I decided to go ahead and have a little pain medicine. All the people were starting to get on my nerves and I thought that would help. Which it completely did! I actually fell asleep. Once I had made it to 3 centimeters the doctor and nurse suggested I go ahead and take the epidural. I didn't really want it yet, but they sort of made me. The guy with the good stuff came in and gave me the epidural. It didn't hurt at all. There were some things that happened that I will spare everyone but it was a little icky again. I made it though! So I took another short little nap, posed for a couple of pics, and then it happened. The nurse sent everyone out and she checked. She told Jeff and I that it was time. I had dilated to 10 centimeters in about 3 hours, maybe not even that long. It was only 10:30 am. Everyone was shocked. My family gave me hugs and kisses. My mother told me I had to wake up and start to push. So we did. It was so weird though because I couldn't feel my legs and or anything below my waist for that fact so pushing was a little difficult. They had to put an oxygen mask on me because her cord was wrapped around her neck and couldn't breathe when I would contract. Jeff and the nurse would watch the monitor and then tell me to go. The first time I just made some blowing noises and the nurse told me that wasn't going to cut it. I tried again, successful this time. The doctor finally showed up and then we were really cooking. 10 pushes later, 26 minutes, here she was. They pulled her out, put her on my stomach, and I just stared! I couldn't believe that she was out and that she was what Jeff and I had made. I just looked so hard at her. I didn't know how to react. I also couldn't keep my eyes open. I was still really doped up and didn't really grasp what was going on. Here she was. Weighing in at 6 pounds 7 ounces and 20.5 inches. Strawberry blond hair and blue eyes. Of course those blue eyes probably won't stay. I was so excited about the hair, I think it was the 1st question I asked.
It was a box of emotions! My family came in and she was wrapped up in their arms for hours. The pregnancy was easy, the delivery was easier, and now we will see about the baby raising! More to come later. Sorry it took so long to get back to things.

Hospital-Labor

I'm Home

And we are off....

Today was our final appointment. Praise Jesus! Speaking of Jesus. I spoke with a man today at Direct TV, because my satellite went out, named (Heyzus), spelled Jesus. He was horrible. He could not speak one stinking word of English. Why, is that? I tried to ask him calmly then not so calmly to please connect with an American. He wouldn't. What was his deal. I mean literally he was speaking half spanish/english and nothing made sense. Then he tried to tell me that I needed to listen. Well how the heck can I listen if I don't understand. I had to yell at him and explain to him that I was having a baby tomorrow and a technician could not come to my house then. Did he not get it! He hung up on me of course and I had to call back which I then was directed to Tracy. Who was American and very easy to understand. Our conversation was much better. Oh..so sorry..I got off on another subject there. Back to the baby.
We went today. They did another strip test which was fine and check my progress again. I had not made any more progress than what I had last Thursday. Which was a little disappointing. She then decided that we would come in to the hospital tonight around 8:00 p.m. They are going to give me something to get me going and something sleep. Maybe pain meds if I need them. I'm sure I will, I'm such a sissy. Tomorrow morning around 5:00 am the doctor will come by to break my water and then off we go to the races of having a baby. She seems to think labor will progress well and not take all day, but most of the day. So everyone be on standby to hear the exciting news sometime tomorrow afternoon. Jeff will try to get a pic up as soon as he can. This should all be very interesting and you better bet I will blog about it! Who would want to miss Jeff's reaction to everything that he will experience tomorrow.

Still waiting...

Jeff, my mother, and I went to another appointment today. Of course the office was packed and we should have packed a lunch. It took forever! Oh well though, that is expected. I had another ultrasound to measure the babies amniotic fluid. The sweet tech. decided to check her little face out in 4-D. She looked so squished and fat. Like a sumo baby. I was so excited to see her face again. It was great! The amniotic fluid looked great, which was really good news. They didn't measure her though. Since it had only been 4 days since we last did that. The doctor did another exam and yes, no dilation. We aren't surprised at all. Jeff did find a hidden talent of playing the drums on my head with swab cultures. It was very exciting and now we now how we can make some extra money for the upcoming baby. He hasn't come up with a name for his swab culture band though if anyone has any suggestions, we are listening.
So the doctor decided to send us for another strip test. No nipple stimulation this time. Thank Goodness! The game plan was if all looked well we would see her back on Thursday and do another ultrasound and strip test. If nothing had changed she would admit me Thursday and induce Friday morning. She is really hoping that I either go in to labor before that time or dilate. She is trying very hard to avoid a section.
After they admitted us in to labor and delivery things went well but slow. She wasn't acting appropriately and so I had to drink some caff. and eat some peanut butter. Then she perked up and they sent us home. We went in at 11 and left @ 2:30. I was starving!
We will wait for Thursday, bags packed, and hope we have a baby on Friday sometime.
I will definitely keep everyone updated.

Attitude

Yesterday I reached a new low in pregnancy world. I had seen on the television the new blizzard from Dairy Queen. The girl scout thin mint blizzard. I honestly was salivating and couldn't wait to get one. So after our meal on Saturday night my family and I drove to the DQ in Pelham. I was so excited! Which is pretty shameful in it self. Oh well who cares at this point, I'm a fatty and I love ice cream. We waited in line and then it was our turn, finally. My father was driving and I was in the back seat so he ordered for me. The unexpecting lady came over the intercom after we requested our blizzard. Then the words I didn't want to hear, "Maam, we are out of thin mints." With no thinking involved, rolled down the back window and proceeded to reprimand the DQ lady. I told her that I had waited for this blizzard all day long and was very pregnant on top of that. She calmly told me that there was another Dairy Queen in Alabaster and maybe I should check there. I was furious! If I had been inside I probably would have dove over the counter and took someone out. Belly and all. Thank goodness I was confined to the car. So my family and I drove all the way to Alabaster. I anxiously awaited the chipper guy on the other end of the intercom to reply after we ordered the blizzard for the 2nd time. He said, yes we have one. THANK GOODNESS! Crisis averted. The blizzard was so good by the way and well worth it. I have officially lost it. I need to have this baby before poor innocent people begin to lose their heads.

UPDATE!!!!

Just another day at the doctor's office, well sort of. As I suspected there was no progress with my cervix. I'm sure you all care to know about my cervix anyway. Everything else was good. The doctor suggessted that they do an ultrasound to measure the weight of the baby and the amniotic fluid. The baby only measure to weight 6 pounds and 1 ounce. Tiny little girl. This was all very normal. The doctor explained to us that she likes babies at this point to be above the 10th percentile. Ashlyn Kay is in the 11th which isn't very much above that. So they decided today to do a CST. This is a test where you have induce contractions and monitor how the baby reacts. She suspected it would turn out normal but wanted to try to eliminate the reasons for why Ashlyn isn't getting any bigger. She has been around 6 pounds for several weeks now. I am also not gaining anymore weight. I had lost 1/2 today. Oh yea and my weight to date is 28 pounds. I was shocked! Oh well hopefully it won't be hard to shed once I've had her. Hello breastfeeding.

Jeff and I were sent to labor and delivery to do the CST. Although Dr. Christine said she felt there was not need for us to worry I was, naturally. So they admitted me into a room. I got to wear one of those fancy and fashionable hospital gowns with my rear hanging out the back. I was super excited! They strapped the fetal monitors on me and off we went. The nurse explained that they would first check to see if I was having any contractions on my own. Which I knew I wasn't. The next step to start contractions would be a little process called "nipple stimulation." Yes you all read this correctly, nipple stimulation. I thought I would fall off the table. As the nurse awkwardly demonstrated how I would need to do this I tried not to giggle like a 5th grader. Jeff was trying so hard to hold it in. I thought he would have to be restrained. We both acted very serious and professional then lost it after the nurse left the room. So the nurse leaves and I commence nipple rubbing. I had to do it for 2 minutes then stop for 5 and repeat. It was so strange. As I sat there and did this very uncomfortable act my husband, so mature, took unexposed pictures and giggled to himself. He decided at this point that pregnancy was the best thing in the whole world and this moment was well worth it all. If any of you know my husband you will know exactly how he was acting. He did show me today that he is going to be amazing during labor. He was very attentive today and was trying to make me comfortable. It was really nice of him. The nurse finally came in and said that the test turned out well and we could leave. We see Dr. Christine back on Monday, baring I don't have the baby this weekend. Which would be ideal for everyone involved. If I am not dilated on Monday we will return to her office again on Friday for more options and to measure the baby again. We hope she has grown.

So to recap our little adventure today....

Visit at doc-good

Visit at doc-not as good

Labor and Delivery aka hospital gown-rockin

Nipple stimulation-strange and something I was not warned about in my preparing for parenthood class. Sort of felt a little wrong. Maybe I should pray and ask for forgiveness.

Going home, baby ok-great and priceless!

For more details on "nipple stimulation" please call. Demonstrations and facial expressions are definitely needed to experience it all. Kidding!

Why does 38 weeks pregnant feel like 102?

Here we are on week 38. What a milestone. Last November I never thought I would see this week come. Now that it is here I'm feeling a little anxious and also very excited. Everything is done and prepared, just waiting on the little one to arrive. She's taking her sweet time. I didn't get the chance to go "power" walking last night, but I'm not making that mistake again tonight.
The baby shower in Montgomery went great! Ashlyn Kay received so many cute presents. She is the luckiest little girl on the planet. Dresses, blankets, hats, etc.. She has more than me! It's so nice to have good friends though. No one seemed to have thought that I had gotten extremely large, but who would say that to your face. Maybe I would say it to someones face but I'm a little outspoken. Just a bit. We will see how everyone feels about my body once this belly is gone and I'm left with this horrible blubber on my arms and thighs. What a pain this is going to be getting it all off. Those blogs should be very entertaining. I will definitely be sweating to the oldies! So, my mother came to Birmingham with us on Sunday. She is being amazing! She has cleaned, cooked, and shopped for me. I feel so Hollywood, like Tori Spelling or something. If only I had a tv show. Jeff and I would entertain the masses with the way it goes around our household. I could definitely get used to having a personal assistant. It's grand.
So Jeff & I go Thursday morning @ 8:45 to find out if anything has changed. Which it hasn't I'm sure of it. Again I will get a crappy report and be sad. I think I might cry this time if she says nothing has happened. I wouldn't be so concerned if I could bend over without having to grunt like a farm animal, but since that isn't the case, the grunting is getting old. I think it scares Lola! Ahhhh...
Really nothing else is going on in the Moran household besides baby preparation. I feel like I'm swinging in to full fledged mommy hood. This is going to be very interesting. More info. to come Thursday...I'm sure everyone is on pins and needles. Ha!