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#1
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
I woke up at 3:30 am on March 13 with a painful contraction. Since I had
some of these for two nights preceding Laszlo's actual arrival, I discounted that they were real labor and tried going back to sleep. Didn't work. By 5:30 the contractions were more regular and getting increasingly painful. I hopped in the shower, shaved the legs, double checked the hospital bag and waited to call the doctor. Once I spoke with her, she suggested getting to the hospital to get checked. My mom came over to watch Laszlo, who was still sleeping. It was very hard leaving not being able to say goodbye to him, since it was our last moment of being just a 3-person family. I tried putting the excitement of Lily's impending arrival ahead of my mourning for Laszlo's only childness and we were on our way. I was 3 cm dilated by the time we got to the hospital and only 50% effaced. My blood pressure was high at first, which is always the case with me, and then it went down. They said that they'd be admitting me since I was contracting and since I was dilated and since it was my second child. I walked around the hospital and looked in the nursery. Seeing all the brand new babies got me even more excited to meet MY brand new baby. They had given me 2 hours to walk around, checking the baby's heart rate every half hour in between. By the time the 2 hours were up, we had been assigned a labor and delivery room and my pain was getting worse. I had to pee after each contraction, so I knew that she was getting lower and putting increased pressure on my bladder. I was having these fantasies of getting checked and having them tell me it was too late for an epidural.and having to push her out naturally. The pain was so intense I thought for sure I was 9 cm already. Nope. Totally wrong. By the time they finally came to check me I was still 3 cm and up to 90% effaced. I wanted my epidural. Since my blood pressure was erratic, the resident OB wanted to run the preeclampsia tests. Apparently the epidural had to wait until at least one of these results returned. It was supposed to take an hour, but of course took somewhere over 2 hours. I knew I didn't have preeclampsia, but the doctors never listen and don't want the liability. Each test result came back individually and they were all normal, as I knew they would be. The same thing happened with Laszlo, but at a later stage so I already had my pain medication. When I had seen my OB on Thursday, she told me that another doctor would be covering for them over the weekend. I knew that my doctors covered for Dr. S. since she's a sole practitioner, but never assumed it would be the other way as well. I had only heard good things about Dr. S., so I wasn't that nervous, although you do sort of want to know the person who will deliver your child. I was so sure I'd be late, that I wasn't that concerned, and again, a friend uses this doctor and raves about her. Once Dr. S. came in the room, I was so relieved. She has the best presence, just calming and she touches your hand when she talks to you. She said that she wanted to give me some Pitocin and break my water to get my contractions in a good rhythm. At that point, I was only contracting every 3-8 minutes, without regularity (but with lots of pain). I was dreading the Pitocin without pain relief since I had that last time as well, but I felt I had to trust this woman and they had already sent in the anesthesia nurse to interview me about the epidural, so basically once my contractions were on the right pattern, we would have them administer it. Dr. S. was trying to break my water and was having difficulty. I was having a lot of pain while she was doing it. She said that she thought she was hitting the baby's head with the hook. Turns out at some point, unbeknownst to anyone, my water had broken on its own. There was meconium in the fluid - again, something that happened with Laszlo - and they had to put an irrigation amniotic thing in to flush out the uterus and protect Lily from aspirating any of it. Once this was in place, they ordered the Pitocin and I braced myself for the pain I knew was to come. I have to say, I was doubting the doctor and getting pretty ****ed off because I felt like I wasn't being listened to - which is something I really hate. I knew that I was going to be in pain and I guess I was just really dreading it, considering the labor pains were all starting in my back and hurt more than I remember them hurting with Laszlo. Within 10 minutes of having the Pitocin put in the drip, I was retching in pain. BUT, within another few minutes, my contractions were 3 minutes apart and very regular, so Dr. S. indeed knew what she was doing. Her prediction was that once these measures took place that I'd "fly" and that I'd have the baby "around 4:00." The anesthesiologist came in and started the epidural. She had trouble getting it in (just my luck) because she said my ligaments were really tight. She didn't believe me when I said I didn't work out at all. I guess schlepping a 30 + pound two year old around all day builds up those back muscles! She managed to get the catheter in and then the pain relief started. I knew it would take a few more painful contractions before the epidural was really working, but man, those things are AWESOME. Once the epidural was in and working, I went from 4-10 cm in about 45 minutes, which I thought was unheard of! I was ready to push! It was just Dr. S., Mary the LDR nurse and Robert in the room when I started pushing. They told me to take a deep breath first, let it out, then push for a count of 10 three times with each contraction. With Laszlo, my pain relief was limited to my left side because they had me lying on that side due to elevated blood pressure. This time I had full pain relief and it made the biggest difference. I have a new found respect for women that go through this without medication. I really thought I could hold off, although I didn't have any definite plans, and it just wasn't possible for me. I don't feel badly that I took the epidural, and I recommend it highly to anyone who feels they need it. I just think that women who are able to do this without it are a special breed and have a special kind of strength and determination that I don't possess. Guess I'm a big wimp after all, huh. I only had to push for 4 rounds and she was out. The pushing was not even that strenuous and I had to keep asking if I was doing enough. No ripping, no episiotomy, no stitches. I felt much more involved in this labor and delivery than my first. It was such an empowering feeling. With Laszlo, I was hooked up to monitors as soon as we arrived because my fluid was low and I was depending on my doctors for everything, since I just plain didn't know any better. This time, thanks to my previous experience, my two plus years being a parent, and a wealth of information I have garnered participating in the MKP and MKB newsgroups, I felt way more in control. Robert got video from the moment her head was out until she was totally out. The cord was around her neck twice - again, JUST like Laszlo - but she was totally fine. Pediatrics was there since meconium was present, and they worked on her for a few minutes suctioning everything out. She was so pink and adorable and I could not wait to hold her. She has little scratches on the back of her head from where the hook was attempting to break my (already broken) water, but other than that - perfect. Once they were done, I got her in my arms and gave her a good once over. She is the spitting image of her daddy, which is just so cute. I was able to nurse within her first half our of outside life and that felt great. She latched right on like a champ and has been nursing as well ever since, bless her lil heart. My thoughts immediately went to Laszlo and we called my mom to tell her that Lily had arrived and to see how the big brother was doing. He had his moments that day; he didn't really understand where I was or what was going on. Robert went home to him that evening and they had some guy time together. He cried for me throughout the day, but all in all he handled it really well. Robert brought Laszlo to see us the next day and Laszlo was disoriented but did really well considering. At first he didn't have any interest in Lily at all, but then later on I was nursing her and he came over to try and sit next to me. I invited him on up, then he realized Lily was there and he said, "Bye Bye Lily" - to which we all laughed since he really does know that it was THAT baby in mommy's belly all this time. We weren't sure if he'd understand the belly to baby transition, but he seems to. I explained to him that Lily is going to drink from mommy's boobie, so he calls her "Lily Boobie." It's pretty damn cute. When she was crying last night, he said, "Lily crying" and he's made some other observations about her actions. When he sees her moving around in the bassinet, he leans over and looks at her inquisitively. He's cleaning up in the present department (mostly from Daddy going to BJ's this morning and coming home with a HUGE truck and a really cool set of crayons). I'm sure all the new toys are easing his transition to big brotherhood as well! Last night we were all in bed together and I invited Laszlo to touch her. He said, "Nice Lily" and touched her on the belly. I'm so proud of him and optimistic now about how he's going to be in the future. All my worrying about the stay in the hospital was unfounded, luckily. I should have had faith in my lil man and his upbringing thus far and known that he would be ok. We'll see how he continues to handle this change. When we first got home yesterday, the sun was shining and it was over 50 degrees. I sent Robert upstairs to put some stuff away and I stayed outside with my two beautiful kids. I'm beyond grateful for what I have. I know that there are going to be challenging times coming up, but that it's all going to be so worth it. I'm the luckiest chick in the whole world. PICTURES: http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b34c2564e42f Thanks for reading thus far! - Jen |
#2
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
Wow, what a story, Jen, and what beautiful pictures! Congratulations!!
Jan -- Mum to Stephen, 22 May 2000 and Sophia, 2 October 2003 My personal page: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/ Baby-related crafts: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/crafts.html |
#3
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
Congrats again.
Not to dismiss your fears or sadness about Laszlo not being an only child anymore for me, the best gift I could ever give my kids is a family, so despite the inconvenience and trouble and initial displacment, I think your son will think giving him a baby sister is the greatest thing ever!!!!! "New York Jen" wrote in message et... I woke up at 3:30 am on March 13 with a painful contraction. Since I had some of these for two nights preceding Laszlo's actual arrival, I discounted that they were real labor and tried going back to sleep. Didn't work. By 5:30 the contractions were more regular and getting increasingly painful. I hopped in the shower, shaved the legs, double checked the hospital bag and waited to call the doctor. Once I spoke with her, she suggested getting to the hospital to get checked. My mom came over to watch Laszlo, who was still sleeping. It was very hard leaving not being able to say goodbye to him, since it was our last moment of being just a 3-person family. I tried putting the excitement of Lily's impending arrival ahead of my mourning for Laszlo's only childness and we were on our way. I was 3 cm dilated by the time we got to the hospital and only 50% effaced. My blood pressure was high at first, which is always the case with me, and then it went down. They said that they'd be admitting me since I was contracting and since I was dilated and since it was my second child. I walked around the hospital and looked in the nursery. Seeing all the brand new babies got me even more excited to meet MY brand new baby. They had given me 2 hours to walk around, checking the baby's heart rate every half hour in between. By the time the 2 hours were up, we had been assigned a labor and delivery room and my pain was getting worse. I had to pee after each contraction, so I knew that she was getting lower and putting increased pressure on my bladder. I was having these fantasies of getting checked and having them tell me it was too late for an epidural.and having to push her out naturally. The pain was so intense I thought for sure I was 9 cm already. Nope. Totally wrong. By the time they finally came to check me I was still 3 cm and up to 90% effaced. I wanted my epidural. Since my blood pressure was erratic, the resident OB wanted to run the preeclampsia tests. Apparently the epidural had to wait until at least one of these results returned. It was supposed to take an hour, but of course took somewhere over 2 hours. I knew I didn't have preeclampsia, but the doctors never listen and don't want the liability. Each test result came back individually and they were all normal, as I knew they would be. The same thing happened with Laszlo, but at a later stage so I already had my pain medication. When I had seen my OB on Thursday, she told me that another doctor would be covering for them over the weekend. I knew that my doctors covered for Dr. S. since she's a sole practitioner, but never assumed it would be the other way as well. I had only heard good things about Dr. S., so I wasn't that nervous, although you do sort of want to know the person who will deliver your child. I was so sure I'd be late, that I wasn't that concerned, and again, a friend uses this doctor and raves about her. Once Dr. S. came in the room, I was so relieved. She has the best presence, just calming and she touches your hand when she talks to you. She said that she wanted to give me some Pitocin and break my water to get my contractions in a good rhythm. At that point, I was only contracting every 3-8 minutes, without regularity (but with lots of pain). I was dreading the Pitocin without pain relief since I had that last time as well, but I felt I had to trust this woman and they had already sent in the anesthesia nurse to interview me about the epidural, so basically once my contractions were on the right pattern, we would have them administer it. Dr. S. was trying to break my water and was having difficulty. I was having a lot of pain while she was doing it. She said that she thought she was hitting the baby's head with the hook. Turns out at some point, unbeknownst to anyone, my water had broken on its own. There was meconium in the fluid - again, something that happened with Laszlo - and they had to put an irrigation amniotic thing in to flush out the uterus and protect Lily from aspirating any of it. Once this was in place, they ordered the Pitocin and I braced myself for the pain I knew was to come. I have to say, I was doubting the doctor and getting pretty ****ed off because I felt like I wasn't being listened to - which is something I really hate. I knew that I was going to be in pain and I guess I was just really dreading it, considering the labor pains were all starting in my back and hurt more than I remember them hurting with Laszlo. Within 10 minutes of having the Pitocin put in the drip, I was retching in pain. BUT, within another few minutes, my contractions were 3 minutes apart and very regular, so Dr. S. indeed knew what she was doing. Her prediction was that once these measures took place that I'd "fly" and that I'd have the baby "around 4:00." The anesthesiologist came in and started the epidural. She had trouble getting it in (just my luck) because she said my ligaments were really tight. She didn't believe me when I said I didn't work out at all. I guess schlepping a 30 + pound two year old around all day builds up those back muscles! She managed to get the catheter in and then the pain relief started. I knew it would take a few more painful contractions before the epidural was really working, but man, those things are AWESOME. Once the epidural was in and working, I went from 4-10 cm in about 45 minutes, which I thought was unheard of! I was ready to push! It was just Dr. S., Mary the LDR nurse and Robert in the room when I started pushing. They told me to take a deep breath first, let it out, then push for a count of 10 three times with each contraction. With Laszlo, my pain relief was limited to my left side because they had me lying on that side due to elevated blood pressure. This time I had full pain relief and it made the biggest difference. I have a new found respect for women that go through this without medication. I really thought I could hold off, although I didn't have any definite plans, and it just wasn't possible for me. I don't feel badly that I took the epidural, and I recommend it highly to anyone who feels they need it. I just think that women who are able to do this without it are a special breed and have a special kind of strength and determination that I don't possess. Guess I'm a big wimp after all, huh. I only had to push for 4 rounds and she was out. The pushing was not even that strenuous and I had to keep asking if I was doing enough. No ripping, no episiotomy, no stitches. I felt much more involved in this labor and delivery than my first. It was such an empowering feeling. With Laszlo, I was hooked up to monitors as soon as we arrived because my fluid was low and I was depending on my doctors for everything, since I just plain didn't know any better. This time, thanks to my previous experience, my two plus years being a parent, and a wealth of information I have garnered participating in the MKP and MKB newsgroups, I felt way more in control. Robert got video from the moment her head was out until she was totally out. The cord was around her neck twice - again, JUST like Laszlo - but she was totally fine. Pediatrics was there since meconium was present, and they worked on her for a few minutes suctioning everything out. She was so pink and adorable and I could not wait to hold her. She has little scratches on the back of her head from where the hook was attempting to break my (already broken) water, but other than that - perfect. Once they were done, I got her in my arms and gave her a good once over. She is the spitting image of her daddy, which is just so cute. I was able to nurse within her first half our of outside life and that felt great. She latched right on like a champ and has been nursing as well ever since, bless her lil heart. My thoughts immediately went to Laszlo and we called my mom to tell her that Lily had arrived and to see how the big brother was doing. He had his moments that day; he didn't really understand where I was or what was going on. Robert went home to him that evening and they had some guy time together. He cried for me throughout the day, but all in all he handled it really well. Robert brought Laszlo to see us the next day and Laszlo was disoriented but did really well considering. At first he didn't have any interest in Lily at all, but then later on I was nursing her and he came over to try and sit next to me. I invited him on up, then he realized Lily was there and he said, "Bye Bye Lily" - to which we all laughed since he really does know that it was THAT baby in mommy's belly all this time. We weren't sure if he'd understand the belly to baby transition, but he seems to. I explained to him that Lily is going to drink from mommy's boobie, so he calls her "Lily Boobie." It's pretty damn cute. When she was crying last night, he said, "Lily crying" and he's made some other observations about her actions. When he sees her moving around in the bassinet, he leans over and looks at her inquisitively. He's cleaning up in the present department (mostly from Daddy going to BJ's this morning and coming home with a HUGE truck and a really cool set of crayons). I'm sure all the new toys are easing his transition to big brotherhood as well! Last night we were all in bed together and I invited Laszlo to touch her. He said, "Nice Lily" and touched her on the belly. I'm so proud of him and optimistic now about how he's going to be in the future. All my worrying about the stay in the hospital was unfounded, luckily. I should have had faith in my lil man and his upbringing thus far and known that he would be ok. We'll see how he continues to handle this change. When we first got home yesterday, the sun was shining and it was over 50 degrees. I sent Robert upstairs to put some stuff away and I stayed outside with my two beautiful kids. I'm beyond grateful for what I have. I know that there are going to be challenging times coming up, but that it's all going to be so worth it. I'm the luckiest chick in the whole world. PICTURES: http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b34c2564e42f Thanks for reading thus far! - Jen |
#4
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
She is just precious!! Congratulations Jen!!
Sue |
#5
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
New York Jen was all, like:
PICTURES: http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b34c2564e42f Congrats again...she's beautiful. |
#6
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
"Jan Andrea" wrote in message ... Wow, what a story, Jen, and what beautiful pictures! Congratulations!! Jan -- Mum to Stephen, 22 May 2000 and Sophia, 2 October 2003 My personal page: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/ Baby-related crafts: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/crafts.html piggybacking because I missed the first post........ CONGRATULATIONS! Those pictures make my ovaries hurt LOL ;') She is absolutely beautiful! Welcome to the world Lily Jen |
#7
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
"zeldabee" wrote in message ... New York Jen was all, like: PICTURES: http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b34c2564e42f Congrats again...she's beautiful. And so alert!! What a sweet baby! |
#8
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
"New York Jen" wrote in message et... snip When we first got home yesterday, the sun was shining and it was over 50 degrees. I sent Robert upstairs to put some stuff away and I stayed outside with my two beautiful kids. I'm beyond grateful for what I have. I know that there are going to be challenging times coming up, but that it's all going to be so worth it. I'm the luckiest chick in the whole world. PICTURES: http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b34c2564e42f Thanks for reading thus far! - Jen What a beautiful girl she is Jen. Congratulations. hugs to all Amanda -- DD 15th August 2002 1 tiny angel Nov 2003 EDD 19th August 2004 |
#9
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
Your children are very sweet, congrats on the new arrival.
Karen Ann Mommy to: Ashley 11-13-90 Meghan 3-10-97 Hayley "Chunky Monkey" 3-27-03 |
#10
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Lily's Birth Story (Long)
Congratulations on a safe birth and a healthy baby. You have a beautiful
family, Jen! Mary Ellen William (9) Matthew (6) Margaret (2) |
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