Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Play By Play!
Many people have been asking how my labor was, etc. It was great as far as I am concerned! Here is a play by play:
Monday Night (10/25) - We arrived at the hospital, and I was given a dose of Cervidil to prepare my body to begin dilating. The plan was for me to receive Pitocin first thing in the morning to begin contractions. My doctor informed me that 1 in 10 women actually start contractions on their own after receiving Cervidil.
Tuesday 3:30 AM (10/26) - I wake up feeling contractions! I had gone into labor without the help of Pitosin! Luckily, the contractions were mild, and I was able to doze on and off for the rest of the night until my doctor arrived for her rounds.
8:30 AM - My doc confirmed that I was indeed in labor, but that my contractions were still pretty far apart and was approximately 3 cm. She decided to break my water in an effort to strengthen and speed up my contractions. IT WORKED! I immediately began feeling some pretty intense pain, with contractions about 5-6 minutes apart.
10 AM - I decided to try a little water laboring! My hospital room came with a jacuzzi hot tub, which was AMAZING! I was able to relax in the tub for over an hour while listening to music and reading a magazine! The contractions were still painful, but the warm water put me into a zone that allowed me to work through them.
11:30 AM - The tub only helped with the contractions for so long...and they were beginning to be unbearable. My plan all along was to get an epidural, so I decided that it was time! I was extremely pleased with the epidural...it made the remainder of my labor fantastic! I was given a pretty strong dose...and was unable to even wiggle my toes (some women are able to almost walk with an epidural...not me!) To be honest, my body was so uncomfortable over the last few weeks...that I welcomed the lack of "feeling"! For the next few hours, I was totally relaxed...took a few naps...chatted with Ryan and his family, watched some TV...it was great!
2 PM - My doctor checked my dilation progress and I had not dilated past 3 cm. She decided to start giving me Pitocin to augment my labor...hoping that stronger contractions would help me dilate faster. Since I was already numb from the epidural, I did not mind the start of Pitocin, and felt no change in my labor.
5 PM - Carson's heart rate drastically dropped. The nurses suspected that I had been lying in a way that was squishing his umbilical cord, causing the drop. They had me roll around attempting to release the cord...and eventually even had me on my hands and knees! Let me tell you...being numb and trying to get on your hands and knees is quite amusing! It took the help of about 5 nurses! Once Carson's heart rate was stabilized, my doctor checked me again...and this time I was 5 cm. A little progress...but not much...we began to joke that perhaps Carson would be born on the 27th instead of the 26th...
7:30 PM - While sitting around chatting with Ryan, my mother in law, Alyse, and Ryan's grandma, Debbie...I began feeling a weird pressure sensation "down there" which was surprising since up until then I had not felt much of anything anywhere! I casually mentioned it to the group, and then to my nurses, and we all seemed perplexed as to what might have been causing it, as I was barely 5 cm only a few hours before. Eventually one of the nurses decided to check my cervix out of pure curiosity...and wouldn't you know...she couldn't find my cervix...because Carson's head was almost crowning!! I had gone from 5 to 10 cm in 2.5 hours!!!
8:26 PM - After approximately 10 pushes, baby Carson was born! I must admit, it was flawless! My contractions never really sped up past 4 minutes apart, so we had to wait quite awhile in between each contraction before I could push again, totaling about 45 minutes of pushing. I used a towel tied to a birthing bar to help focus my pushing, since I could not really feel what I was doing due to the epidural. Ryan was an amazing coach, did a great job of holding my left leg and giving me updates on my pushing progress. Carson was placed immediately on my chest, and the three of us were instantly in love!
All in all, a fantastic birthing experience!!!
Monday Night (10/25) - We arrived at the hospital, and I was given a dose of Cervidil to prepare my body to begin dilating. The plan was for me to receive Pitocin first thing in the morning to begin contractions. My doctor informed me that 1 in 10 women actually start contractions on their own after receiving Cervidil.
Tuesday 3:30 AM (10/26) - I wake up feeling contractions! I had gone into labor without the help of Pitosin! Luckily, the contractions were mild, and I was able to doze on and off for the rest of the night until my doctor arrived for her rounds.
8:30 AM - My doc confirmed that I was indeed in labor, but that my contractions were still pretty far apart and was approximately 3 cm. She decided to break my water in an effort to strengthen and speed up my contractions. IT WORKED! I immediately began feeling some pretty intense pain, with contractions about 5-6 minutes apart.
10 AM - I decided to try a little water laboring! My hospital room came with a jacuzzi hot tub, which was AMAZING! I was able to relax in the tub for over an hour while listening to music and reading a magazine! The contractions were still painful, but the warm water put me into a zone that allowed me to work through them.
11:30 AM - The tub only helped with the contractions for so long...and they were beginning to be unbearable. My plan all along was to get an epidural, so I decided that it was time! I was extremely pleased with the epidural...it made the remainder of my labor fantastic! I was given a pretty strong dose...and was unable to even wiggle my toes (some women are able to almost walk with an epidural...not me!) To be honest, my body was so uncomfortable over the last few weeks...that I welcomed the lack of "feeling"! For the next few hours, I was totally relaxed...took a few naps...chatted with Ryan and his family, watched some TV...it was great!
2 PM - My doctor checked my dilation progress and I had not dilated past 3 cm. She decided to start giving me Pitocin to augment my labor...hoping that stronger contractions would help me dilate faster. Since I was already numb from the epidural, I did not mind the start of Pitocin, and felt no change in my labor.
5 PM - Carson's heart rate drastically dropped. The nurses suspected that I had been lying in a way that was squishing his umbilical cord, causing the drop. They had me roll around attempting to release the cord...and eventually even had me on my hands and knees! Let me tell you...being numb and trying to get on your hands and knees is quite amusing! It took the help of about 5 nurses! Once Carson's heart rate was stabilized, my doctor checked me again...and this time I was 5 cm. A little progress...but not much...we began to joke that perhaps Carson would be born on the 27th instead of the 26th...
7:30 PM - While sitting around chatting with Ryan, my mother in law, Alyse, and Ryan's grandma, Debbie...I began feeling a weird pressure sensation "down there" which was surprising since up until then I had not felt much of anything anywhere! I casually mentioned it to the group, and then to my nurses, and we all seemed perplexed as to what might have been causing it, as I was barely 5 cm only a few hours before. Eventually one of the nurses decided to check my cervix out of pure curiosity...and wouldn't you know...she couldn't find my cervix...because Carson's head was almost crowning!! I had gone from 5 to 10 cm in 2.5 hours!!!
8:26 PM - After approximately 10 pushes, baby Carson was born! I must admit, it was flawless! My contractions never really sped up past 4 minutes apart, so we had to wait quite awhile in between each contraction before I could push again, totaling about 45 minutes of pushing. I used a towel tied to a birthing bar to help focus my pushing, since I could not really feel what I was doing due to the epidural. Ryan was an amazing coach, did a great job of holding my left leg and giving me updates on my pushing progress. Carson was placed immediately on my chest, and the three of us were instantly in love!
All in all, a fantastic birthing experience!!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
CARSON MICHAEL CURTIS!
Born 10/26 at 8:26 PM, 6.2 lbs and 19 inches! Mom and baby (and coach!) are doing well! We can't stop smiling!
More pictures to come after we all get some rest!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Susie - 5:30pm update
Forgot to mention that Susie's water was broken at 8am this morning. She is doing pretty good.... currently at 5cm. Carson's heart rate dropped a little from the Pitosin, so they have had to stop and start the medicine so that his heart rate could jump back up. As of now his heart is beating strong, Susie is in a good position, and the docs have started administering the Pitosin again in small doses. Slow & steady.... says Carson :)
Progress Update - 1:45 PM
Ryan & I arrived at the hospital last night and I was given cervadil to prepare me for induction. However, at around 2:30am I started having contractions all on my own. I was able to sleep to around 5:30am, when the nurse got me up to take a shower. Ryan was by my side the whole time helping me out... and at this moment my contractions started getting closer & closer together. I was super excited to try out the jacuzzi hot tub in our room, which worked great on my contractions for about an hour. After a few laps around the family center we decided it was time for an epidural. I received it around 11:30am... soon after Ryan's mom & grandma arrived, Alyse & Debbie, and it has been great having their support too. At this point I am still only 3 cm dialated so my doc started Pitosin. Stay tuned....
Monday, October 25, 2010
Prego Update - 38 Weeks!!!
How Far Along - 38 weeks! We hope to meet Carson sometime tomorrow!!!
Total Weight Gain/Loss - 28 pounds...not too shabby :)
Carson's Fruit (or Vegetable!) Size - WATERMELON! :) Soon to be little baby boy size! The doctors are estimating that he is between 6.5 and 7 lbs.
Maternity Clothes - I am sad I never got to wear a few of my maternity clothing items, but there is always next time ;)
Sleep - Ambien will be my best friend as we stay overnight here at the hospital this evening!
Best Moment of the Week - Realizing that all of my proactive organization had paid off! It was nice to just make our way to the hospital today, instead of running around like crazy people! And I am sure my true best moment of the week is when I finally get to hold my little boy!
Movement - Still very active...I had a prenatal massage today in an attempt to relax, and he appeared to greatly like it! He is making all sorts of noise on the fetal monitor as I type!
Food Cravings - Turkey subs...too bad I had another gall bladder attack after eating one on Saturday night...didn't stop me from ordering one for dinner tonight though!! I figured I am safe at the hospital!
Gender - Boy Boy Boy! Wouldn't it be funny if tomorrow it was a girl, though? ;)
Labor Signs - I had some very strong contractions throughout the night last night...and almost told Ryan not to bother going to work this AM...but alas...they subsided. I am already dialated 2 cm...so that's 2 less I have to accomplish tomorrow!
Belly Button - outtie...when will it become and innie again?
What I miss - CHOMPER! She is currently at her friend, Berwick's house...it was a little emotional for me to say good by to my "first born" today!
What I'm Looking Forward To - Hearing Carson cry for the first time! Taking our first family portrait together! Sharing Carson with friends and family!
Milestones - I MADE IT!! :) Thank you all of the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes over the last few weeks...keep them coming for tomorrow as well!!!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
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