Happy Halloween

Our little treat today!

Baby Talk: Colin's Birth Story

October 12th was an incredible day.  It was so fun of emotions, exhaustion, and bliss that I can't really describe how amazing it was.  But the 12 hours leading up to Colin's birth are quite a story!  

On Friday night, we went to dinner for our sister-in-law, Becca's birthday.  I was having contractions before we left the house but I figured they were early labor and I could either be uncomfortable at home or at dinner so I might as well go to dinner.

During dinner, my contractions started to get a little more intense and so Ryan started timing the duration and how far apart they were.  They were lasting for about 50-55 seconds and coming every 3 minutes or so.  In birth class, you learn about the 5-1-1 rule.  Let me say, you can throw that rule out the window because it really doesn't mean much (ugh!).  Around 8pm, I decided I was most uncomfortable (as was the guy at the table next to us) and wanted to leave.  I said I wanted to go home and labor as I didn't think this was the real deal but Ryan thought we should go to the hospital.  So he called and we headed to Waconia.

We got sent to triage and they monitored the baby's heartrate and my contractions.  They checked me and I was still only dilated to 2cm-- same as I was on Tuesday at my weekly appointment.  The nurse said I could either go home and labor or I could stay and walk the halls for an hour and see if I progressed.  I was frustrated and thought nothing was going to put me past 2cm but Ryan thought walking the halls was worth a try.  So we walked... and I contracted.  My contractions did increase in intensity and I was becoming hopeful that something was happening.  So after an hour of walking I went back to my triage room where the nurse checked me and again I was only at 2cm.  Begin the tears.  I was dissappointed and at this point I was really starting to hurt!  The contractions were intense enough that I could no longer find a comfortable position to sit or stand in.  I asked the nurse when I could come back and she said she wasn't really sure.  I obviously can't check myself so I will just have to come back if I think I am making progress.  You can imagine I thought the hour of walking was making progress so at this point was I upset, sad, and in pain!  Going home was miserable.

I cried the whole way to the car, I cried in the car and I cried when we got home.  I thought when we got home that I would labor in the shower for a wile but to my luck, our hot water heater was broken.  No hot shower for me.  So I got out of the luke warm shower and continued to have contractions at home.  I became inconsolable.  In birth class, they showed videos of women moaning and breathing heavy thru contractions.  The teacher said that only in movies did women scream and freak out.  I was the star of that movie!  My contractions were so painful I was screaming and crying.  Poor Ryan couldn't say or do anything to make it better.  I kept saying "I can't do this!"  I began to shake and I seriously knew this was the worst pain I had ever had.  I also thought that this was likely not helping me progress and I would be in labor until Tuesday when I would be induced.  My lack of progression at the hospital had led me to believe, that I could not progress on my own and I would simply be in this intense pain for the next 3 days.  

After about 2 hours of this- around midnight- I told Ryan he had to call the hospital, tell them we were coming back and they were not allowed to send me home.  Ryan went downstairs to make the call- I'm sure he didn't want me to hear him describe how over the top I was being, how negative my comments were and that there was no way I could do this any longer without pain meds.  Ryan told me the hospital said we could come back and if I had not progressed they could try some relaxation techniques- yea right!- but I was just glad they said I could come back.

So at about 12:15am we got back in the car and headed for the hospital.  Again I was sent to triage- crying and screaming between contractions.  The same nurse checked me and I was now dilated to 3.5cm!  YAY!  I was thrilled!  I could stay and they would admit me into a birthing room!  Thank God!  The nurse asked if I was going to try and do this birth naturally- as Ryan and I had planned- or if I was wanting an epidural.  EPIDURAL PLEASE!  The whole natural birth plan went out the window.

So I got in my room, got in a hospital gown and within minutes the anesthesiologist came in and I was prepped for the epidural.  The epidural went in and almost instantly I could fee relief.  Unfortunately, within seconds of the epidural being placed, my blood pressure dropped significantly low and the baby's heart rate dropped dangerously low to about 55 bpm.  The nurse had me turn on my side and then get on my hands and knees to see if a change in my position would help the baby.  Thankfully I was blissfully unaware of the seriousness of the situation but poor Ryan got very nervous.  A flood of nurses came in the room.  They started pumping me with fluids and the giving me a drug to help the baby's heart rate rise.  When the first round of drugs didn't work, they tried again.  The nurse put oxygen on me and kept reassuring me that everything was okay.  But the looks on their faces said otherwise and Ryan could see all of this playing out in front of him.  His worst nightmare was happening.  He said it was so scary to know both me and the baby were in trouble.  After about an hour, my blood pressure came back.  Eventually the heart rate came back up too but all the nurses were watching the monitor closely.  Over the next few hours, Colin's heart rate would randomly drop, not coinciding with a contraction or anything and the staff could not determine a reason for the drop.  They had us sign C-section papers in case we had to go that route to get the baby out quickly.  

I changed positions several times and it seemed that deep breaths with the oxygen were the only thing that helped bring Colins' heart rate back up.  Luckily, every time they checked me I continued to progress, dilating more and more.  The on call doctor came in to break my water around 5am.  I continued to progress and at 7am I was dilated to 10cm and I could begin pushing.  After pushing for an hour and 15 minutes, Colin was born at 8:15am.  We found out that the umbilical cord was wrapped around Colin's neck, causing his heart rate to drop.  But he cried right away and the nurses cleaned him up.  Ryan joined Colin to watch him get weighed in and measured.  8 lbs and 20 inches long.  Simply perfect.

Today I linked up with Kristin at Baby Talk!  

Baby Talk: 10 Days New

Colin is 10 days new now and the last 10 days have been an amazing ride!  They have been full of a life I dreamed of and prayed for and I am extremely thankful.  Colin's birth was incredible, very emotional for sure!  And bringing him home and figuring out life with our tiny roommate has been busy, exhausting, full of tears of joy, and lots of love!  I have to say we have been very blessed with a wonderful baby who has taken to eating and sleeping really well-- I know we are blessed.

Ryan has been working from home for the last week and will be this week as well which has been one of the biggest blessings!  A new baby sort of turns your world upside down so it has been incredibly helpful to have Ryan home and helping me.  He has been awesome- dishes, laundry, diapering, bathing- everything but feeding.  My husband is such a rockstar!!

I thought I would share a few pictures of the last 10 days...

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
Today I am linking up with Kristin at Baby Talk

Totally in love,

Introducing, Colin Douglas

We were blessed on Saturday, October 12th with the birth of our son, Colin Douglas.

To say we are in love is an understatement.  

Thank you for all the love and support- we appreciate every call, text, email, message, hospital visit, meal and more!  We feel really lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends!

Love,

40 Weeks

Pumpkin this week...

~ Baby is fully developed and ready to come out!  So come out little man!

Size of the Baby?
The size of a jackfruit--- not sure what that is??

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

Didn't even step on the scale this week :)

Maternity Clothes?

Sad to say that my maternity jeans are getting a little tight so I've been living in yoga pants.

Stretch Marks?

None and thankful :)

Best Moments?

When contractions really kicked in this week.  Early labor officially started!!

Movement?
He is still moving quite a bit but I can tell he has dropped as his little feet are kicking my sides and not my ribs anymore.

Nausea/Vomitting?

I had a few bad moments this week which was weird.

Labor Signs?
Ummm yes- so I think early labor can be done and active labor can begin anytime now :)

Gender?

Cannot wait to meet our son!

Belly Button In or Out?
Popped!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

Off.

Sleep?

Not too bad this week actually and I'm thankful

Wisdom?

As much as I had October 8th in my head as our due date, I kept October 15th in my head as the possible "baby might not be here until then" date and I'm really glad that was my plan.  It has made the due date passing without a baby a little easier.

What am I most excited about?

That in less than a week, no matter what, our baby will be here!!

Due Date

Written yesterday, October 8th

Well here I sit, still pregnant, and due today.  Am I upset?  Nope.  Am I anxious and excited?  Yes.

I've carried our son for 40 weeks (basically) and I've been waiting for this day for 9 months.  I am blessed.  We saw our doctor today and I am 2cm dilated and 60% effaced, getting soft.  It is progress and I'm happy about that!  We scheduled our induction in case this little man does not come on his own.  We will go in next Tuesday, the 15th and induce.  Our doctor is hopeful baby will come soon on his own.  

Ryan and I have enjoyed these last few days of false labor, braxton hicks, early labor contractions, and the emotional ride that comes with all of this.  We have the most supportive family and friends who keep sending encouraging text messages and calls.  

We can't wait to share the news of our son's birth- fingers crossed and prayers sent up will be most appreciated!  

Just waiting,

39 Weeks

Not such a cute picture but at 39 weeks preggers, this is what you get!

Look at the progress of the 4 seasons porch!  Walls painted, mantle up!

Pumpkin this week...

~ He is building more fat and getting rid of the outer layer of skin!
~ His vernix and lanugo are almost gone!
~ Baby's lungs have reached full maturity and he is practicing breathing!

Size of the Baby?
They say a watermelon and that feels about right!

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

+1 more freaking pound and to be honest, I don't care!

Maternity Clothes?

Nothing new but I did buy two new workout tops.  I had one like it before I was pregnant but they are perfect for pregnancy- I'm actually wearing one in this week's picture.

Stretch Marks?

Still none!!  YAY!

Best Moments?

When the calendar changed over to October 1st!  It is our baby delivery month!!  I'm so freaking excited!

Movement?
More than I thought there would be right now.  Our little man is super active for not having too much space left.  But I secretly love ever squirm and kick!

Nausea/Vomitting?

Ummm- yes which was weird.  Twice this week I lost my breakfast... could that be signs of labor pending?!  I hops so!

Labor Signs?

More contractions but nothing frequent enough or intense enough to say I'm in labor.  But I've never hoped so badly to look like I peed my pants.  Come on water break!

Gender?

BOY!

Belly Button In or Out?
It's out there for all to see!

Wedding Rings On or Off?

It's off :(  I really wanted to make it through but my fingers are pretty swollen this week so I'm wearing my "push gift" band.

Sleep?

Not a chance this week.  Between a cold that I got last weekend and my uncomfortable body, sleep is minimal.

Wisdom?

Stay busy!  This waiting game is hard so the busier you can be during the last week or two, the better!

What am I most excited about?

Meeting our son!  Come on baby- we can't wait to meet you!!

A comparison of the last 30 weeks... 9 weeks, 19 weeks, 29 weeks, and 39 weeks

Just waiting over here,