Birth Story

Wednesday, September 7, 2011    (38 wks 4 days)

So the day started off as a regular day.  Well, maybe it was a little different because I had a few, light contractions.  Jeremy was getting ready for work and got all excited and said, "Maybe Anna will be born today".  I smiled and said, "Sorry, probably not today." The reason was I never went before 39 wks and I was moving at a slow pace with this one.  However, I was excited for my Dr's appointment at 10:45 am to see if anything had changed.  I hoped for something since Sunday, I felt awful and was having contractions here and there.

Well, me and the kids decided to go on a little walk before the Dr. appointment.  I had some contractions.  I was happy that I knew my body was working and that by next week I would probably be holding Anna in my arms. I was thinking Monday the 12th or Tuesday the 13th.  All the other kids were born on Mondays so I kinda thought Monday but deep down I felt it wasn't going to be a Monday.  I felt she wanted to be different and would probably pick Tuesday.  Everything about this pregnancy was different.  My brother, thought Saturday and I thought that would be fine and cool since her birth would be 9/10/11.  I KNEW she would NOT come on Sunday the 11th since that is Caleb's birthday and he told me NOT to have her on his birthday.

At 10:45, I was at Dr Cote's office.  My mom was there and a nice surprise, Jeremy came.  His boss told him he could meet me for the appointment.  Did the usual routine stuff with the nurse and then Dr Cote came in.  I told him I was having little contractions (about 4 every hour) but they weren't strong.  He checked me and said I was 5 dilated and 75% effaced.  I was glad I had made some progress.  He said I could go at any time.  I laughed and said I would see him next week. Hoping at the beginning of the week.  He said he didn't think I would make it until next week.  With Caleb I had my appointment on Friday with the same stats and didn't have him until Monday.  So that was my thinking.  My dr said to never trust a pregnant women and he told me every pregnancy was different and this was my 4th.  My mom and Jeremy were anxious and asked some questions.  He told me if I had more than 6 in an hour whether they were strong or not to go to the hospital.  He then proceeded to tell me he was off on Friday (which he normally works) and he was off for the weekend too.  However, he was going to be working Thursday night at Bergan (which he always has Thursdays off).  I thought maybe I will have her on Thursday?  My nurse, said you might have her tonight and then said I know you WON'T make it until next dr appointment. 

Jeremy left and went back to work.  My mom took the day off from work so she could spend time with us (which was nice).  We went to lunch.  The kids wanted Burger King (yuck) but I didn't  want that.  So I ran into Subway and got me, my mom and Micah and sandwich.  Then we ate inside Burger King.  I had a contraction.  My mom said okay let's start counting and timing them.  After lunch we went to Target to get a few groceries.  I told my mom I could go by myself and she said, "Oh, no.  Not in your condition. " She told me she was going to be close by.  I had a couple more contractions inside Target.

Got home and unloaded the stuff.  Then my mom got a call that my grandma wasn't well (she had been sick all week).  She needed to go check on her.  I said I would be fine.  She told me to call her if I had 5 in an hour.  I told her the dr said 6 in an hour.  She  said she wanted to make sure she had enough  time to get to me. 

So contractions went like this;

1:46 to 2:46   4 maybe 5

3:06 to 3:41   3

4:03 to 4:58   5 maybe 6

5:12 to 5:54   4

*a couple times after going to the bathroom I wiped and had little blood streaks (during the afternoon potty breaks)

I was getting annoyed thinking its not gonna happen today because of the pattern.  However, around the 5'o clock hour they were getting stronger.  I forgot to say my mom called several times to check on me.

I got the ball out and started swaying on it and then laying on it, it helped my back.

Jeremy got home a little after 5:30 and I was on the ball.  He had a big smile and said, today is the day.  Still in denial, I said I don't know but it could be.  Don't get your hopes up.  I guess I should say I went to the hospital on Friday (last week) and it was a false alarm.  I was embarrassed and knew I should not have gone.  I wanted to make sure this was the real deal.  I didn't want to go and be sent home.  My mom was already on her way back to our house.

6:06 pm to 6:56  7 contractions and then another at 7:03 and 7:06* these contractions during this hour were getting stronger and closer together.  Some took my breath away.  Jeremy and mom said its time to go to the hospital.  I said let's wait a little longer.  They both insisted we leave unless I wanted to have the baby at home.  I guess I was still in denial. Plus I like to labor at home.  I basically only want to be at the hospital to push the baby out.  I hate waiting in the bed, hooked up to things.  So I slowly got my things ready and my sister and nieces were on there way to my house.  My nieces were going to watch Micah, Caleb, and Julia.

************

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 pm.  I had a hard contraction in the car, so Jeremy asked me if I wanted to be dropped off at the door.  I told him I wanted to walk more to help things along.  He asked if I wanted him to bring the suitcase inside (on Friday I had him leave it in the car).  At this moment, I realized it is probably going to happen tonight.  So I told Jeremy to bring it inside.  My mom and sister was right behind us. 

Got to labor & delivery and walked to our room.  I had a contraction on the way.  I was walking behind the nurse and everyone else was walking behind me.  They were making fun of my walking.  I got mad at them and they said I was definitely in labor.  

I arrived to my room and then got into my hospital gown.  Answered a whole bunch of questions and got hooked up to the contraction monitor machine. The nurse said I was having them pretty steady and then she checked me and said I was 6 dilated (7:50 pm) That totally depressed me.  I only changed by 1 since my dr appointment which was several hours ago.  Plus I had tons of contractions.  I looked at the nurse and asked if they were going to send me home.  She smiled and said no way.  Then I said well I should have waited at home longer and it was going to be a long night. 

I didn't know if my dr was on for the night?  I really wanted him since he knows me and delivered my other 3 but I figured oh well.  To my surprise he was on and actually on his way for a surgery.  Yippee!

I had some intense contractions.  I started to know TONIGHT would be the night that Anna was going to be born. 

Dr Cote popped in to check on me before he went into his surgery.  He said it would be around a 1/2 hr.  It was more like 45 min but it didn't bother me because I knew I wasn't where I needed to be. 

Really intense, hard, close contractions were happening.  My sister and mom were right by my side.  I was extremely thirsty so I had water and ice chips.  My back was hurting too.

Dr Cote came in and said lets check and see how you are doing.  I was an 8-9 and 100% effaced. 

I was in extreme pain and had the brief freak out moment thinking I couldn't do this.  Thinking of the pain.  My sister knows me and told me what I needed to hear.  At 9:04 pm Dr Cote,  broke my bag of water.  And the staff was hurrying to change the bed.  They wanted to adjust and move me during an intense contraction.  I screamed, NO! Don't move me now.  I have never screamed in any of my other labors.  My dr said the baby's head is right there we need to get into position.  He said you can push that pain away and she will be out fast.  So I listened and pushed at the contraction.  Took a quick breath and pushed one long push and she was out.  Ouch!  This time the shoulders/chest I could really feel.  It hurt but wow!  She was my fastest delivery.  She was born at 9:17pm.  The placenta was out at 9:21.  Thankfully, I only tore a tiny bit. 

Anna was my earliest born and smallest at 6 lbs 7 oz and 19" .  But she had no middle name yet.

I loved that the hospital changed their rules and the baby never left the Labor room.  She didn't have her first bath until 1:15 am on Thursday morning in my room.  She LOVED her bath and it was wonderful to watch it (all my other kids where taken out of the labor room and given a bath within the first hour and I couldn't watch). 

Jeremy and I waited to decide on a middle name.  We had a little time on Thursday night but not enough time before visitors.  So Friday morning was the dreaded task.  We went through the entire name book again.  Narrowed it down to Christine/Kristine, Joy, Noelle, and Elizabeth. With kids and cousins arriving before we decided on the name, we had to walk the halls and sit in a waiting room.  We narrowed it down to Elizabeth and Noelle.  Everyone left and still no name.  I was super hormonal and crying.  I just couldn't decide.  I don't know why I was having such a hard time.  The only thing we had left to do was sign the birth certificate and then we could leave the hospital.  I knew Jeremy's hesitation on Noelle but I didn't know if I loved Elizabeth.  After much crying and deliberation Noelle was decided on but I still wonder if I made the right choice. Noelle means "precious gift"  So I keep telling myself she is our gift.

False Alarm

So there is a first for everything. Friday, I was feeling really sore down under. I told Grandma Sue and Aunt Amy about it and they got anxious and told me to call my dr. I was not having very many contractions at all but they still insisted that I call my dr. So, I spoke with the phone nurse which happened to be my regular nurse (which was nice) told her everything and she said she would ask Dr Cote. He said go to the hospital to get everything checked out.

In my heart, I KNEW it wasn't the day for Anna to be born but everyone was kind of freaking out so I thought I better get checked, just in case. We dropped the kids off at the house and headed to the hospital. Me, daddy, Aunt Amy, and Grandma Sue. I said, let's leave bags and stuff in the car and get it if we need it. I felt silly going in, I really thought they would laugh at me.

Everyone was nice and got checked in and put in a room. Nurse came and check me and said I was the same as I was at my last dr apt. I was 3 dilated and 75% effaced. So she said she would page my dr and ask what he wanted me to do. Nurse came back and said he wanted me to walk for an hour and then get checked again. So I walked the halls for almost an hour and half because they got busy.

A new nurse came in and checked me. She said she could understand why I felt all the pressure. She said the head was really low. She said the head was lower than what the first nurse marked and I was 80% effaced and almost a 4 dilated. So she hooked me up to monitor to see how many contractions I was having. I had some but not tons (which I knew this). She called Dr Cote and he said to walk another hour. UGHHHH I was tired of walking. My back hurt and my thighs were numb at times.

So Amy and I walked the halls yet again. It was so boring and I was getting tired of people staring at me. I got checked again about an hour and a half later and there was no change. =(
Nurse called dr and he said to go home because he knew I wanted a natural, fast labor. Nurse, Heidi was so disappointed. She wanted me to stay. She was so sweet and was so understanding. She said it was fine and better to be safe than sorry.

I forgot to mention at first the ward was very slow but then it started raining and turned into a big storm. The unit got filled up very quickly. They had 2 C-sections back to back and maybe a 3rd one on the way. That is not want I wanted to I was fine to wait.

I was tired more than anything and ready to go home. We picked up your siblings because they were still awake which is surprising at 11:30 at night.

All in all I should have followed by gut feeling and just relaxed at home. But oh, well its a memory.

37 wk Dr apt

No surprise I didn't change. I am still 3 dilated. However, I am 75% effaced and the head is really low. I knew that from all the pressure I have had. Heartbeat was 170 bpm. She was moving around and was laying sideways. Dr thought that was funny. I told him she likes to do that a lot.

He said I could go any time but not to go this weekend since he is off. LOL However, he said one of his partners would take good care of me. I laughed and said I would see him on Wednesday ( my next apt). 126 3/4

Having "One" of those days

I am so frazzled today. I am trying to stay sane but for some reason, I just can't.

Maybe its the weather-rainy and cloudy?
Maybe its your siblings (for some reasons are driving me crazy)?
Maybe its because I am carrying extra weight and haven't slept good (plus Julia wants to get up at 5:30 am)?
Maybe its because I had a massive leg cramp early this morning and it still is sore?
Maybe its the massive pressure that feel like I am about to drop a bowling ball out of my crotch?

I keep reminding myself NOT much longer. But then I get kinda teared up. Ugh the hormones are killing me.

Middle name debate continues

So I think its narrowed down to 3; Joy (Daddy's fav), Noelle (Mommy's fav) and Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn. Unless something just pops in out of no where. I don't hate Joy but I don't love it and that's how Jeremy feels about Noelle.

We don't agree on how to spell Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn LOL. Hence me writing it differently.

Hmmmm...What will it be?

Dr check

So I wasn't surprised that I didn't change. I am still at a 3. I think she is going to follow Julia. It would have been nicer if she would have taken after Caleb. Oh, well its not much longer.

Everything else is fine other than measuring small, which doesn't alarm me. But dr wants to keep tabs on. Heart beat was 162 bpm.

Went to Babies R Us and bought the last 2 things I needed. Earlier in the week I got the other necessities. All I have left to do is pack the bag. 123 3/4

36 wks and counting down :)

On Friday, we got Anna's coming home outfit. Goodness! It's hard to find any dresses in newborn size or I should even add any cute dresses. We had to settle on a 0-3 month dress. Grandma, Sue followed tradition and bought it. We even got her first little sister shirt. =)

My lower back has been really hurting especially later in the day. Also I am nauseous several times a day. YUCK!

I also started getting a stuffy nose again. And started my nightly insomnia. Which doesn't help when Julia has been waking me up at 6:30 this past week. Oh, well I keep saying its just preparing me for my schedule with Anna.

Well, I think we have a middle name narrowed down to 3 but who knows if that will stay. Me and Jeremy are getting sick of going over names. For some reason we are just having a hard time this time around. We will probably just decide after she is born.

Last Ultrasound /Dr apt

I could barely wait for today to come. I had the ultrasound first. Did all the measurements and checked on everything. Measuring a week behind (which is normal for me) and baby weighing around 5 pounds. The tech kept saying how scrunched Anna was. Great news is the Anna is head down (which I already knew because when Anna got the hiccups they seemed low). I was right that her legs and arms are on my left side. I always get jabs and big movements on my left side. Heartbeat was 158 bpm.

Tech double checked and yep, she is still a girl. =) Has some peach fuzz for hair on her head. She is still a stinker and wouldn't let us get a good picture of her face. She kept putting her hand or her arm over her face.

Next was my dr apt. I got my strep B test and then a vaginal check. I am 3 dilated. :) I was the same with Caleb and Julia around this time. I am getting excited that it is getting closer and glad my body is moving into the right direction.

I thought I had dilated a bit because last week there was times I sat down that I needed to readjust and sit down again because it didn't feel right. I know that sounds funny but its true.
I am going to the bathroom more and more. I get really hungry but then I can't eat that much because I feel I don't have that much room.

The whole family toured Bergan Mercy Hospital on Sunday. It is brand new and nice but kinda sad that isn't not familiar. That is where I birthed my other 3. I didn't know if we should choose Bergan again or go to Lakeside because it is closer to where we live now.

So today, I asked Dr Cote, What he thought about the hospitals. He told me the major difference was the level 3 NICU at Bergan and Lakeside had a level 2 but I didn't need the higher level since I was 35 wks. He really wants to be at the delivery so he suggested I go to whichever hospital is closer on what day he is at that particular office.

After the apt, my mom and I toured the Lakeside Hospital. It was nice and felt like Bergan but on a much smaller scale and it is a lot closer to home. Jeremy/daddy is nervous that we won't make it to the hospital. I am glad I toured both and feel comfortable if I had to deliver at either one.

I also like that the hospitals have change their policy and leave the baby in the room. They no longer take the baby out of the room to bath it and give it shots right away. They wait several hours now. Yea!!!

I need to get clothes, blankets and such out and washed. I can't believe in a month Anna will be here. 124 1/2

Starting to get excited....

I just made dr appointments for the next several weeks (up until week 38). I didn't make a week 39 appointment because I usually end up cancelling it. Hopefully I didn't jinx myself by not making one this time around.

Feeling big but doing well. Making lots of trips to the bathroom again. I am starting to get things lined up in my mind and soon will be doing it in real time. Can hardly wait for Wednesday for another ultrasound which will hopefully be the last.

40 days or less-WOW!

I am started to get excited and a little nervous. I can't wait to meet Anna face to face. I have had a lower backache for the past week. At night, I just want a long back rub. Sometimes I have leg aches too. She has been jabbing me hard and it hurts. But I am glad she is still moving around.

I wrote a little list of things needed and got the car seat and will hopefully get the stroller on Saturday (getting off of Craigslist). The little things I will probably get at the end of the month.

When I say I have 6 weeks left it seems a little long but for some reason when I say 40 days is seems quicker. Odd I know.

And now EVERYONE asks when I am due. LOL

Another dummy check yesterday-33 wks

I had the routine weight, blood pressure, sample, belly measurement and heart beat check (160 bpm). I am measuring small but that is not usual for me. I usually catch up or measure small on the outside and baby is fine on the inside. I have another ultrasound in 2 weeks, which hopefully will be the last.

It's hard to believe after the next appointment, I will start going every week. Also, I will start the internal checks too.

Anna has been really active lately. Sometimes it hurts. I don't know if she is pushing out her heel or fist but ouch! I think she has turned (fingers crossed). She had hiccups the other night and again I felt it in the lower part of my belly.

My lower belly has been sore the past week and I have been tired. My hips are sore in the morning too. I am feeling like a BIG whale. It is hot outside and very humid which probably doesn't help. I feel out of breath after climbing lots of stairs. Ugh, I am out of shape. I really miss the water aerobics. I took the class with every pregnancy except for this one. =(

Yesterday and today I have had some weird tingling/pain in my lower belly/pelvic area. Who knows? I hope its her head hitting my pelvic area in the wrong way???

We still haven't decided the middle name or should I say I haven't. Jeremy has his mind set on Joy. I still don't know if I love it? I even had my first dream about it. In my dream, Anna arrived and my mom made a artsy picture with the initials AJ. I got upset said, "Mom, I don't know if that is the middle name?". I saw Anna in the dream and she was long and had dark hair.

I told Jeremy about the dream and he said, "See its a sign." LOL
124

Sore

So over the weekend my lower belly really hurt. It was so sore. I bet Anna was growing. My hips have hurt today and yesterday. I have started to get up several times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. As my sister says its all about preparing me to get up with the baby several times. I am getting uncomfortable and feeling big. I know I still have a way to go. Trying to savor the end.

Another Dr apt

Nothing exciting just the routine: sample, weight check, blood pressure, heart beat (160 bpm) and measurement. Everything is good. Today it is super hot outside. I am feeling very BIG and tired. I am hoping that Anna is turning because she does these weird side ways things. The past two days she sometimes seems like she is stretching sideways because my stomach is stretched funny. Also I have been having a lot more kicks (or so I hope) higher. Hopefully its not her fist. She really likes the left side. Next apt in 2 weeks. Ultrasound in 4 weeks.

123

Mommy, Daddy, and Anna

These pics were taken on our Anniversary and I was 28 wks along.

30 wks

I can hardly believe that in 10 wks or less, I will be holding Anna. I can tell its getting closer. My lower back is starting to hurt more especially in the evening if I have had a long day. My feet have started getting sore too. It probably doesn't help that it is sooo HOT outside too.

The other bad thing is I am starting to get leg cramps or maybe I should say charlie horses in my legs. I can get it so bad in the middle of the night that when I first wake up in the morning I have to limp on the leg that got the cramp. I am going to try more calcium and see if that will help. I got them when I was pregnant with the others too.

Anna is moving like crazy. Once in a while she jabs me and it gets uncomfortable.

Doppler

I forgot to post this video clip of Anna's heartbeat.

Another ultrasound and dr apt-29 wks

The ultrasound was really neat. I got to see the heart working and all its chambers. Heartbeat was 157 bpm. Anna opened and closed her mouth and even showed us her tongue. She is butt down (which isn't good) but she still has time to turn. Micah was the same way and he turned. Hopefully she follows suit. The tech kept saying over and over how she was rolled into a tiny ball. She had her foot on her head. What a funny site. Also for the first time we saw hair on her head. I have never seen that on an ultrasound before. But today you could actually see hair everywhere. She looked like a baby chick.
Well that answers one of our questions, she won't be a blonde. (I didn't have the heart to tell the boys this because they keep saying what kind of hair she will have. Of course Caleb says blonde like him and Micah says brown like him. Hmmm...brown or red hair?????

Everything is looking good. Hematoma is completely gone and placenta is in the right place and the cord isn't around her neck anymore. Whew! She still is measuring small, a week behind. But tech said she is still growing and has changed from last ultrasound. I am not worried because my other kids measured small at this point. I remember with Micah, Dr was really concerned. But with the other kiddos I caught up in the end. So I am just praying and hoping that's the case for Anna.

The other thing is she hasn't turned yet, the little stinker. She is butt down and tech said she is very pushed down. So I get another ultrasound in 6 wks to see if she has turned. Micah was the same at this point so again, hoping she turns. Got the mini talk about what will happen if she doesn't turn. I don't want a c-section but will if necessary. I googled natural ways to get the baby to turn. So I guess I will try some of the normal sounding ones. I am not too concerned yet.

On the good note, I am off all my restrictions. Whoot-whoot! ;) Dr just said watch myself and if I can't do something or don't want to then to follow my gut. Got results back on diabetes test and it was normal. (knew it would be :) I go back in 2 wks. 120 3/4

27 weeks-Dr appointment

Today was the glucose test day. I managed to drink all the yucky orange stuff without gagging. I am happy it is the last time I have to drink it; however, a little sad about it too. Ugh, the pregnancy hormones.

Dr was in a hurry today because he had to assist in an emergency C-section. Heartbeat was 152 bpm. I got measured with the tape measure on the belly today for the first time. It was 27 which is said is okay but a little on the small side. I KNOW I will make up for it in the end. I always do or should I say I have in my other 3 pregnancies.

Got my blood draw and OUCH! The first nurse was awful and keep turning the needle in circles because she wasn't getting anything. I don't think she got my vein. I have never had any problems with people not being able to get my blood. Thankfully she got another nurse who basically forcefully, jabbed the needle in my other arm. I don't want them doing any more blood draws on me. I will ask for another nurse.

Next apt in 2 wks and hopefully final ultrasound. Again that's exciting and sad at the same time.
I can't believe I am already gonna start going every 2 wks. This pregnancy is flying by.

Anna is moving a ton now and you can really see her move from the outside. I know she is getting stronger and bigger because I can really feel the kicks now. 119 1/4

Down to double digits

It's hard to believe, that there is 98 days give or take. Soon I will be entering my 3rd trimester. Anna has been moving a ton more or maybe its just that she is bigger now, so I feel it more. You can watch her move from the outside which is neat.

I have been have some back aches and some braxton hicks. Trying to make sure I am drinking enough water. But overall feeling pretty good. Lately I have been feeling big and belly is starting to feel HEAVY.

People are actually noticing I am pregnant now. It's about time. I need to take another pic because I have grown a lot lately.

Some progress

So we got the list of 20 names down to a handful now. Hoping as the time goes by we can have it narrowed down to two. Anna you are one special girl and much thought is going into your middle name.