I know it’s
been an eternity since I've updated this blog. I’m not sure when or why I
stopped writing posts for it, making sure it was updated, etc., but I suppose
that’s just called life getting in the way. ;) I think it mainly had to do with
the fact that only a week or so before Kessie’s first birthday, we found out
that we were expecting a new little baby! It was a surprise for us, since we
weren’t trying to get pregnant again, but we knew that he would be a blessing
to our family. J
This
pregnancy was a bit harder this time around. I had terrorizing leg cramps and
swelling for about half of the pregnancy, along with some pretty bad back
issues, plus chasing around a busy toddler, but the pregnancy went well
overall. J
So, our due
date, based on my last period, was the 19th of November. However,
Brandon and I knew the date of conception (which most people don’t know, but we
did), which would have made the date November 27th. Then we had an
ultrasound and they told us December 1st. Although we told people
that the date was the 1st of December, Brandon and I secretly knew
that the 27th was probably much more accurate, so in our minds and
hearts, we settled on that date. Which was good actually, and you’ll see why.
It was
November 28th, Thanksgiving day. We had decided to stay at home and
do our own Thanksgiving dinner with just the three of us since I was too close
to delivery day to travel and we didn’t want to have to cancel any plans with
friends in case Nathan decided to come before or on Thanksgiving.
We had
spent the day prepping the turkey, getting it in the roaster, having a relaxing
morning and day. When Kessie went down for her nap, Brandon and I ate some
snacks and watched Aladdin (a movie we have on VHS, but have been dying
for Disney to bring it out of the vault so we can have it on DVD/Blue-Ray!). It
was so nice to have some time with him during the day, instead of late at night
like we usually did. Then we started to make the mashed potatoes, stuffing,
gravy, and rolls, and Kessie woke up soon after. I had been faintly aware of a
few strong pressure waves that day, but nothing had been consistent, so I
didn’t think anything of it. At one point, I did have a small, sudden pain in
my pelvis, but it went away after a moment, and again, nothing else was
happening, so I brushed it off.
We then sat
down to dinner around 6:00 and had our delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Kessie
didn’t eat much of it, of course, but I loved it. I was soooo super hungry and
all of it just tasted amazing to me! I ate a pretty good amount for a pregnant
girl and totally enjoyed it too. ;) After dinner, we got the pumpkin pie in the
oven, which I was so excited about because I had been craving pumpkin pie on
and off since the night before.
Then, around
7:00, my stomach felt a little crampy, so I headed off to the bathroom,
thinking I had some indigestion (which is funny because I just read Kessie’s
birth story, and I said the same thing, haha!). I did end up having some
diarrhea and cramps too, so I didn’t feel so well. However, the cramps started
to get a little stronger, and they started to coincide with my pressure waves.
Not long after feeling that way, I decided to try timing them, but found it
really difficult to do so since they were stronger and I was still having some
stomach issues. Eventually, at around 7:45, I called for Brandon and told him
that he better get Kessie down for bed, just in case this turned into something
more. Only a few minutes after that, I had a couple pressure waves where I
needed to “aaahhh” through them. I also got a little shaky too, and that’s when
I knew that this was it.
Brandon then
left to get our birth things put together, after which I went to get into
hypnosis (I was using the Hypnobabies method again). It was a little difficult
to relax though since things had already started progressing, and the shaking
made it a little hard too. But I did my best, which was good enough. I then
went upstairs to get my shoes on since I was very anxious to get out the door
the moment Jennifer arrived. Brandon
called Hannah, the midwife on call at the birth center (same place we went to
with Kessie). I talked to her on the phone for a few minutes, and although I
couldn’t tell her how far apart my pressure waves were, she agreed that this
was my birthing time and would meet us at the birth center in 30 minutes. I got
my shoes on, and then went to sit down on the toilet again since I was feeling
stomach cramps again. Honestly, I would say that was the worst part of this
birth. Having diarrhea and stomach cramps are bad enough on their own, but
adding birthing waves on top of it is really no good.
So I stayed
on the toilet for a while (it’s a good position to birth in anyway, especially
if your water breaks, since it will all empty into there instead of making a
mess). Brandon
was such a great support and really helped me to relax through those pressure
waves. Unfortunately though, somewhere in all of this, I ended up losing most of my delicious Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't as delicious the second time around, but I wasn't surprised, since the same thing had happened with Kessie's birth also. After a while, I had one pressure wave where I pushed a bit, and
I suddenly felt, and thought I heard, a pop. My water had broken, although it
was only a small trickle every now and then. But Jennifer hadn’t made it to our
house yet, and we knew that we didn’t have much time anymore, since things had
really progressed with Kessie after my water had broken. So Brandon called a neighbor of ours, hoping
that she could come over until Jennifer arrived, but she didn’t answer her
phone. Luckily though, Jennifer pulled up right after that. Brandon answered the door, and then ran
upstairs to get me. We waited through one pressure wave, and then I stood up to
go. But as I stood and made my way out the bedroom door, I felt another
pressure wave, this time with a pushy sensation. And I was certain I could feel
the baby’s head.
I told Brandon what I was
feeling, and he asked, “Are we going to make it?” I didn’t know what to say or
do, so I just said, “Let’s just get going and try.” I knew I didn’t have much
time until another pressure wave, so I made my way downstairs as fast as a
laboring mother could and got in the car. As we were pulling out, Hannah called
and we let her know we were just leaving. I sat in the car reclined as Brandon sped down the freeway.
The birth center was about 20 minutes away, and I’m sure he didn’t want to be
the one to catch our little boy in the car, all alone. The nice thing though
was that sitting reclined seemed to keep my pressure waves from being as
strong, and the fast movement of the car felt really relaxing as well. So the
drive wasn’t as bad for me, although I’m not sure if I can say the same for Brandon . ;)
We made it
to the birth center in 15 minutes at 9:30. As I got out of the car, I could
feel everything change the moment I stood up. It’s amazing how different
positions can really get things moving along. I walked through the door to the
birth center, and halfway through the hall, I had another pushy pressure wave.
Katie, the assistant midwife, checked Nathan’s heartbeat and all was well. Then
I laid down on my side on the bed to rest. I had actually really wanted to get
in the tub and try doing a water birth, but I had a feeling that we were a
little too late for that and that I just needed to get situated in a position I
liked and get going.
Things were
going really well, and the baby was descending with every pressure wave. I got
to feel his head as he was being born and felt some hair again! I was pretty
excited! J
While it was motivating to touch his head during the process, I actually did
feel his head go back in a couple times. I was like, “Oh no you don’t! You
started this, and now you’re going to come!” ;)
I had about
4 pressure waves, with a few pushes each, and at 10:10 pm, Nathan was out! I heard him cry and saw the most adorable
baby boy as he was put skin to skin on my chest. Immediately, I just loved that
baby so dearly and so much. Sometimes, in pregnancy, it’s a little hard to
believe that you actually have a real little person inside of yourself. But
when you see that little person, they suddenly become so real to you. That’s
how I felt with Nathan. He was so real, so sweet, such a dear little baby boy,
and he was all mine. J
Not long
after, Brandon
cut the cord after it was done pulsating, I delivered the placenta, and I got
to breastfeed Nathan for the first time. He did a great job and has been a good
little eater ever since, much to my delight. J After that, we got Nathan weighed and measured. He was 8 pounds 8 oz and 22 inches tall. Good sized baby, although he didn't surpass his sister, much to my relief. ;)
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