20-1-2009 - Zariya's Entry

My mood while writing this blog: Tired

First off, let me apologize for taking so long to get the story up! Things are a little more hectic than I remembered!!!

I didn't sleep well the night before b/c I waited to long to take a sleep-aid. I ate a snack late b/c they told me not to eat anything he morning of being induced. We were excited about the next day! No turning back. I still secretly hoped I would go into labor that night so Rob could feel the surprise but we didn't.

We got to the hospital at 7:30 AM and got settled into the room. They gave me a cytotec pill at 8. I was only 1-2cm dilated and my cervix, although soft, was still rear. All the monitors were hooked up and it was just time to wait and see what was going on. We were expecting, with two previous labors not taking more than 6 hours from start to finish, that we'd be holding our baby by noon.

The contractions started coming steadily but weren't painful. They came and checked me at 11:30 and the doctor broke my waters. He said, "You're not going anywhere today. You're going to have a baby!" So exciting. The contractions started to get a little stronger. Rob was bored. He was doing push-ups in the room! LOL. We walked the halls. Looked at the tiny babies in the nursery. Wondering what ours would look like.

My MIL was there with the kids and my FIL was there too. A little awkward b/c they're divorced but they could deal with it. My 3 yr old, Austin, walks in and asks, "Where's the baby?" Still in mommy's belly. Contractions started to get harder and more painful. They didn't last long and were pretty close together. My 11 yr daughter, Alexis, got to see some pain. Hopefully a good birth control for her. LOL.

I joked with Rob that I was going to not get an epidural and that he needed to help me through the pain. He went pale and bug eyed! He had no idea how to deal with me in pain! Honestly, I was having a debate with myself over pain meds or not. I had done it before with and without. I think the inducing makes the contractions so much worse that I had to go with the epi anyway. At 2pm, we asked to get the epi since it might take an hour or more to get it. Rob was squeezing my arm so hard that he hurt his wrist! I told him I'm the one that does the squeezing! LOL. He just didn't know what to do for me. =)

It took 2 nurses, 4 locals and 4 IV needles to finally get the IV in. They kept blowing my veins. Finally, the IV was in my system and the doc could put the epi in. It was VERY hard to stay in control & keep still during the contractions for him to insert the needles. But finally, at 3:15 PM, the pain meds kicked in and everything was relaxed.

I was lying on my side with my head up b/c and epi is gravity dependant. At 4PM I called the nurse to see if she could help me roll over b/c my left leg was 'dead'. I also felt funny down there. Like the baby had her hand out tickling me! So she came in and said she'd check me while moving me. OMG, I was 10cm and her head was ready to go! In 45 mins I had gone from 5 to 10 and fully engaged. Time to call the doctor!!! All the family was on there way out b/c 'nothing' was happening. Rob ran down the hall and told the family to come back. I had offered my MIL to be in the room if she wanted (she has all sons and might never get to help deliver one of her grand-children) but she is a little too squeemish an never came in.

The doctor had to drive out from his house on Lake Michigan in the snow storm so he took a while to get to the hospital. It was quick going once he was there. The bed changed to a delivery bed with stirrups, scrubs on, tables with utensils ready...now it's time to push. It was around 4:45 PM and the contractions had slowed down. He wanted to me to push during the contractions as it helps move the baby easier.

At one point I had the nurse with one leg, Rob with the other and the doc with his hands in my who-ha holding the baby's head from rotating. He told me that she was trying to turn face up. Later he told me that she was face up and he was holding her head around so it would be easier. He didn't want to freak me out b/c Austin was face up and took 2 hours of serious pushing to get out. Anyway, it was really awkward laying in that position waiting for the next contraction! I even asked if I could push anyway! Then I started making comments like, 'how's the view?' I was just terrified that I would poop! I had thought I'd gone through previous labors with no pooping. Much to my surprise, Rob told me that morning that I HAD pooped with Austin!!!

The epi made things so much more relaxed. I was able to take in everything and not be distracted by pain. I was able to watch Rob's emotions as he saw her head, and encouraged me to push and then see her come out. That was great and made taking the pain meds worthwhile.

By 5:05 PM she was out! I tore a little but less than with the episotomy. She had a head full of black hair and is a tiny little thing. I was expecting an 8lb baby but she came out 6 lbs 14 oz. 19 inches long. Jan 17, 2009. Holland Hospital, Michigan, USA.

I thought they washed the baby off right away but they don't anymore. They wipe them off and want you to breast feed within in hour. They'll give them their official bath in a few hours. She latched on just fine.

She slept most of the next 24 hours and had me waking up in a panic. I was expecting every 2 hours. But she went about 4 hours. I slept great and felt great the next day so we decided to not stay an extra night in the hospital. At home, it was a different story! I swear, every hour!! Now I'm really tired. I feel good though. I've only lost 10lbs but my tummy is going down and my boobs are now engorged. I forgot how much it hurts at first when you breast feed. But it's great for the baby and I'll stick at it.

I'm in love al over again!

Zariya Hope Waalkes

Jan 17, 2009. 5:05 PM

6 lbs, 14oz. 19 inches.

Congratulations to everyone who already has their baby and labor dust to all that are waiting!