My Birth Story 10/22/07 - My Sweet Baby Boy

What an awesome day!!! We had a scheduled induction for Monday, October 22, 2007 @ 5:00 am. We arrive at the hospital and Pitocin is started about 6:30 after some grouling pain trying to administer the i.v. Contractions were already coming when I got to the hospital about 4-7 minutes apart. The Pitocin kicked in around 10:30 and my water was artificially broke about 11:30 am, I was 4 cm when my water broke. Within 10 minutes of my water breaking contractions came on very strong. My husband was such an awesome coach - I was able to focus through them. I got the epidural about 5 -6cm which was the worst pain out of the whole experience. She could not find the 'right' place to put the catheter and kept hitting bone...the pain was horrendous. Once the epi was in the experience was amazing. I dilated from 5 to 10 in about 30 minutes. One nurse checked me and I was 5-6 then no more than 5 minutes later another nurse said 7 cm...then about 10 minutes later I was 9 cm. I felt the urge to push within minutes after that. There was some deceraltions in my babies heart rate with the contractions - at times dropping down to 54 beats per minute. It was definitely scary..they gave me oxygen and kept having me switch sides. It did not get better - at 9 cm they stopped the pitocin. I pushed for 35 minutes and I remember my Dr. saying, "Give me the vacuum we have to get this baby out now", he was delivered "sunny side up"...facing up. My husband said it was amazing...when his head came out he was staring straight at my husband. The cord was wrapped tightly around my babies neck. He checked out very well - had an apgar score of 8-9. He was on the small side weighin 5 lbs 13.5 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long and beautiful as ever. I was able to hold him for about 10 minutes when he had to be taken to the nursery to be checked out because he was grunting as he breathed, which meant he was struggling. His oxygen level checked out at 100% which was great and he was shortly back in my arms. My experience was absolutely amazing and I would do it again at the drop of a dime.

The Beginnings.....

This is a page my husband and I will both use to document (journal) my pregnancy. My updates will be written in blue and his will be written in red. I wish each and every one of you beautiful women success in your pregnancies and/or conceiving! May God bless you!I have a beautiful 4 year old daughter from a previous relationship, I'm engaged to a very loving and caring man who has a 6 year old son from a previous relationship. We are now having a child together. When I found out I was pregnant it was SO unexpected! I was diagnosed with PCOS after my daughter was born and was told I would not be able to become pregnant without fertility meds. My fiance and I didn't worry that much about birth control considering the condition I had. So, anywho...I had a pregnancy test lying around the house and I took it one night just for the fun of it (seriously). BOY, I wish I could have had my face recorded when I seen the positive line show up! I started freaking out! I didn't have the package insert that told me what was positive and what was negative, so I wasn't quite sure what the results meant yet. My fiance was on the computer at the time, I burst through the bathroom door - sat in his lap and googled "ept test results"...of course, he knew! We went to the store at 10:00 at night and spent 40.00 bucks in tests! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Now, reality has set in and the shock is over. I'm so excited to hold my bundle of joy! I told my little girl the next night that Mommy was pregnant and she put her hand on my belly and goes, "for real?!" My step son didn't have much of a reaction. We re all anxious and waiting.

6/14/07

6/15/07

Whew! Today I got a bunch of energy (well had anyway). I woke up rather early and decided to pressure wash my back porch, front porch, sidewalk, and the siding on the side of my house. BUT, now I'm done for the day! LOL

I am starting to feel Phoenix move quite a bit more than I was last week. My fiance is eager to feel him move. When I woke up this morning I had this cramp in my belly near my belly button...it appeared to be Phoenix all balled up; I could fold my hand around the hump. I can't wait till the hiccups. He already has them (he had them on ultrasound) but I can't feel them yet. My daughter had them all the time and it was so funny to watch my belly jump. Woman go through ALOT of hard changes during pregnancy but it's so worth it, once you hear the heartbeat, then you feel the kicks, and before you know it you're holding your child. Amazing!

6/16/07Last night was amazing for me! My daughter and I were laying in bed and Phoenix started kicking. I told my daughter he was kicking and I put her hand on my belly. Everytime he kicked her hand I'd say, "huh did you feel that?!" and she'd say, "yeah!". To make certain she was feeling the kicks (b/c my fiance has been trying tor a week now) I told her to tell me when she feels it. Sure enough the next time he kicked she goes, "I felt it Mommy" and she flashed this great big grin! That was so special! Knowing my Little Man is getting so big! The look on my daughters face was priceless...I busted out in tears! I'm such a happy Mommy! Phoenix is saying 'good morning' to everyone :o)
6/19/07I have felt pretty good today. I've gotten alot of cleaning done which has been neglected due to painting my baby boy's room and daughters room (they are sharing). I've been a busy body lately; just how I like it. Being a stay at home Mom the days seem soooo long sometimes. I am feeling Phoenix quite a bit here lately and it's awesome! My fiance is still waiting to feel them. They are strong enough to feel from outside it's just a matter of timing and the placing of his hands. My family had an awesome weekend together, especially my fiance and I. It was wonderful! We went to the waterpark Sunday, then to a drive in movie and seen Surfs Up (which Phoenix moved the entire time) and Spiderman 3...on Monday we took the kids to a nice playground then took a road trip to Davy Crockett State Park took some pretty pictures, let the kids play in the creek, had alot of fun. I've been so involved in my pregnancy and horomones that I've kinda pushed everyone away. It was nice to feel emotions again.6/20/07I got my baby boy's bedding today!!! WOW, that was quick! We ordered it online Monday and got it today. I'm thrilled! We are getting the crib tomorrow and soon he will have his bed ready. When I got my daughters bed ready - I spent hours standing in her doorway staring at her crib imagining her in it. I can't wait to do it again! 6/22/07My fiance FINALLY got to feel Phoenix kick last night! It was awesome! Unfortunately for me, I had just taken my contacts out and I can't see crap w/o them, so I was unable to see his reaction. I did hear his voice get awfully shaky though. I'm not feeling all that great today - kinda blah. My stomach seems to be upset but I don't feel good enough to eat something, which is probably my problem. I put a call into my Dr. today. I broke my tailbone about 9 years ago and for about the past two months it's been giving me trouble again...I'm not sure if the baby is laying on a nerve or something. We will see. I hope all you ladies out there are having a great Friday!To My Baby BoyTime is moving slowly, The day is almost here.
The anxiety and joy is building up, For my baby boy will soon appear.
I can't wait to see your smiling face, And hold your little hand.
Just then I'll know deep inside that you’re my little man.
I have so much to share with you day after day.
And to you my son I will give my love in each and every way.6/22/07Hello every one, I am The Daddy. As you have read I finally got to feel the baby move for the first time. I started to cry a little but I couldn't help it. It was a great moment for me, I had been trying to feel him for some time now and he would stop moving every time I put my hand on her belly. But bad news for her now that I have felt him move, I want to feel it more and more. So she is just going to have to put up with me touching her cute little belly all the time now. I can't wait to meet him face to face and hold him in my arms .6/24/07Last night was a bad and good night. Bad, because I had to take Brandee to the ER , good because now not only have I felt our baby boy move but I got to see him kicking her tummy out it was so cute. It was a long night but when I seen that it was so cool for me. I can't wait to meet him face to face and hold him in my arms .6/24/07As you read above, I spent my night at the hospital. I've had some cramping for about the past two weeks and for the past two days it was pretty bad...at points I couldn't stand up all the way. So, I called my Dr. yesterday and she said to go to Labor and Delivery. I held off as long as I could, went to Olive Garden with my fiance and as we were waiting I just started crying...I wanted to feel better. So, off we went. Got there about 9:00 p.m. and left at 3:00 a.m. They thought it was appendicitis, so I had to have a CT scan done - all was okay (thank God). I was sent home with instructions to "take it easy" for a pulled ligament. I've felt better today, a little cramping here and there but nothing too severe. When they had the monitors on my belly though, Phoenix got so mad! LOL I couldn't help but laugh out loud. He was kicking like crazy and you could definitely see my belly jumping. I was actually having regular contractions, small ones though..the nurse said it was "uterine irritability"...I guess from the cramping. Anyway - each day gets better and better with my Little Man. Counting the weeks down. If any of you have a myspace account - feel free to send me a friend request...I'd love to hear from you! Here is my URL: myspace.com/sexeegyrl 6/27/07Glad to say I'm a full 22 weeks, starting my 1st day into week 23. WOW! It's going by pretty quick, but not fast enough. I'm just so anxious to hold my Little Man and let him know Mommy will always be here for him. He's been moving so much lately. Last night was the first night he actually woke me up kicking and/or punching. He was hitting my cervix and that is actually painful at times. My best friend asked me awhile back how it feels to be pregnant and one of my responses was...."When your all alone in the house..it's neat to know you're REALLY not alone..you always have someone with you." What's even more precious is knowing this gift of God depends on you..it's such a rewarding experience to be a Mommy.

Free Crazy Text Maker

imikimi - Customize Your World 7/6/07It's been a week or so since I've written. Not much has gone on. Phoenix is keeping me up at night - he decides to start moving the minute I lay down for bed, whether it be 8:00 or 11:00 - it's so funny to watch though...he was actually pushing back against my hand last night - I'd push my belly in and he'd push it right back out. 2 days into my 24th week - yippee! The end is starting to feel like a reality. My fiance and I went to Riverfront for the fireworks and oh my, was it HOT! We got there about 12:30 that afternoon for the concerts and stuff. It was worth it though and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I think the fireworks scared Phoenix though - he would not stop moving during all the booms and bangs. I hope it wasn't too loud. There were times where it was so loud my whole belly was shaking. I kinda felt bad because I didn't want him scared and not be able to do anything about it. Oh, yeah - we are getting new living room furniture - it's getting delivered tomorrow - I can't wait! 7/7/07It's me again, the Daddy . Let me start by saying how thrilled, happy and blessed I am that I have this woman in my life and how honored I am that SHE is going to have my second son.....Now things have been great around this house, things are going so well. Phoenix has really been on the move alot it is so cool to see her belly jump when he moves. I ask her what it is like but she says it's hard to explain. How lucky you all are to feel this. I am also very proud of Brandee she had gotten an email from some perv wanting nude photos of her ( made it sound like he was a photographer wanting to make a portfolio) and she called him out on it. Now thanks to my baby these weirdos will no longer be able to prey on any of you that may fall victim to his scheme. Any way I am proup of her. I can't wait to meet him face to face and hold him in my arms .7/10/07I had my 6 month appointment today! Everything was great! I've gained 6 lbs total so far, yay! My blood pressure could not have been better and Phoenix's heart was pumping 152 bpm. I am lucky enough to get another 'anatomy' ultrasound - the 40 minute ones, because the first one was inconclusive. I get to see my man tomorrow. I can't wait to see how different he is since week 20. I'm measuring 24 weeks, which is right on track with my due date. I can't believe my next appt. I'll be 7 months - wow! I can't wait!
COOL MySpace Comments
COOL MySpace Comments
Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow 7/11/07I had my ultrasound today - it was awesome! I can't believe how much 'fuller' he looks from 4-5 weeks ago. He weighed a whopping 1 lb 4oz, his heart rate was again 150. He is so beautiful! The side profile looks almost exactly like my daughters did, same forehead and bridge of nose. My daughter looks alot like me, so I told my fiance he might be screwed in the department of the baby looking like him. LOL He kept opening his mouth too - it's so neat to be able to see your child in his safe comfy enviroment. I'm 24 weeks today...yippee! The ultrasound showed I was measuring 22 weeks 6 days, which is 1 week and 1 day off my due date. They don't change the due date though unless it's over 2 weeks difference, so that's good. I'm being so impatient - tomorrow will be my 1st day into my 25th week - 15 weeks left, but I want to hold him NOW! 7/14/07Alright, I'm pretty much exhausted at this point, the tiredness has came back. I'm wanting to take a nap so bad during the day, but having two kids at home it's kinda hard. I'm no longer sleeping during the night, seems I'm waking up every 1/2 hour for something. My nipples have started leaking clear white fluid. I was telling my fiance the other night it's hard to believe I've only gained 6 lbs, because I've become so uncomfortable. My inner thighs (pelvic bone) have began hurting when I walk 15 minutes or more. My lower back hurts just about all the time and my heels are hurting real bad too. Although, I have these 'minor' discomforts I'm still VERY blessed to be with child. I can't wait till I hear my son's cry. Before I was a Mom I never learned the words to a lullaby.

I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Drooled on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple little grin.
I never sat up for hours watching a baby sleep.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Remember that behind every successful mother... Is a basket of dirty laundry 7/18/07I haven't been feeling much movement lately, b/c of the lack of room. Last night was awesome! It was about 11:30 and I was lying in bed and Phoenix was going crazy! It wasn't just a punch or kick here and there, it was like he was rolling. I had my hand on my belly and it's the first time I've felt like waves hit my hand from his body being pushed against my belly. It was really neat. 7/26/07Yesterday was pretty eventful. I noticed sometime around lunch that I was having excessive discharge. I was driving back from dropping my daughter off at her Dad's an hour and 15 minutes away. On my way back, I started having what I thought to be Braxton Hicks contractions. I realized they kept coming, so I thought maybe my seatbelt was too tight, so I took it off...that didn't help. Then I thought, well maybe it's because I have to pee so I stopped and went and that didn't help. At that time I started to clock them and they were coming every 6 minutes. They never got stronger, just persistent. After I got bck to my fiance's work I called my Dr. and told her what was going on. She said to drink a tall glass of cold water and lay down for an hour and if I have 6 contractions to go to the hospital.While I laid down I had 8 contractions in the hour so off we went. We got to Labor and Delivery about 7:30 and they hooked me to the monitors. I was having definite contractions every 6 minutes lasting anywhere from 40 seconds to a minute. They started an IV for fluids, and gave me some Terbutaline in a series of 3 shots every 15 minutes to attempt to stop the contractions. That didn't work, all it seemed to do was shoot my heartrate up to 130. So, then after that began to wear off they started me on Procardia, which was a pill taken by mouth. They issued an ultrasound to check the cervical length and also performed a cervical swipe (man that was uncomfortable). The swipe came back normal as well as my urine sample. The ultrasound went good, my cervix was still 'long', he was head down and weighed about 1 lb 14 oz. At this point my Dr. came in, it was about midnight. They admitted me for the night. My contractions kept on coming but not as frequently. The nurse checked at 6:00 a.m. and my contractions had slowed to about 1-2 an hour. They gave me a steriod shot in my hip to help develop Phoenix's lungs, if he decides to come early. My contractions soon began to pick back up and they gave me another Procardia pill. My son looked great, heartbeat was great, fetal movement was great...in fact they couldn't keep him on the monitors b/c he was moving too much. I was allowed to come home at 3:30 p.m. today. I was nervous because they wer etalking about possibly having to give Magnesium which I would have been transferred by ambulance to a Nashville hospital with a NICU. Luckily, that didn't happen. I'm still having contractions at this point but about 1-2 an hour. My Dr. sent me home with a prescription for Procardia to be taken 3 times a day, STRICT bedrest ( I can only get up to pee and get something from the fridge), no lifting, no excercise, no vaginal insertions for the remainder of my pregnancy. My hubby took the "no sexual intercourse" pretty hard, I did too though...I will miss the intimacy of being close to him. Hell, I still have 12 weeks to go - then 6 weeks to wait after the birth. At this point, although it's difficult to follow such strict orders, we know it's best for our son - we do not want him born right now. I, especially am taking the bedrest REALLY HARD! Everytime I think of it I start crying. I have two kids that stay at home with me and the Dr. said we will have to find alternate care for them b/c I will not be able to take care of them. They will be going to work with Joe. I can't do laundry, prepare for the baby, I won't be allowed to 'nest', I'm devastated! I know it's all for the best, but what a downer! I go tomorrow for my second dose of steriods for his lungs, then Monday for another ultrasound to check my cervical length. Hopefully, if it hasn't changed she will loosen up my strict orders. My stepson is in football for the first time and I'm not allowed to sit at his practices either! This just really sucks! I know I'm creating life and that's my most important job right now and my sole priority but I feel like I'm missing out on everything! I'm not a t.v. watcher, I don't get online very often, I don't read books, what am I going to do??? WOW! I guess I will learn to handle it the best way I know how. I just feel so bad for Joe. We recently opened our own Barber Shop where he is currently the only Barber so he has his hands full, but now he'll have 2 kids with him all day, have to come hom at 7:00 and worry about cooking dinner, doing laundry, tending to me, keeping the house in order. I feel so bad. He is such a trooper though! I love him so much - his is my rock! 7/28/07It's me again The Daddy as most of you know by now Brandee has been having some problems with the pregnancy.... she shows how much she loves me by having this baby and taking care of the kids..... now it's my turn to show how much I love and appreciate her... I will now be taking on all the household chores and taking the kids to work with me so she doesn't have to deal with them and she just can't right now. But I will do it and I would do a lot more if she needs me to. She is a real trooper for what she has to do, I don't think I could stay in bed for that long with out going crazy. Well what ever I have to do I will do for her and this baby ( AKA) Nicholas? or Phoenix? Brock. I can't wait to meet him face to face and hold him in my arms .

8/17/07

It's been awhile since I've written, although I'm on this site daily. I'm 29 weeks 2 days today, woo hoo, 2 days into my 30th week!!!! The end is finally approaching. I'm getting so excited and nervous at the same time. I have alot of clothes for him, mostly onsies and sleepers...only a few outfits. I don't have much as far as daily care items go though - health care stuff, no toys yet....it's okay though - I know when he first comes home he won't be interested in playing and I'll have plenty of time to buy that stuff.

My preterm labor has seemed to come to a halt. I was having contractions again about three weeks ago and went in for an ultrasound to check my cervical length (it shortened from a 41 to a 38) nothing serious, I had a fetal fibernector swipe (sp?) done to determine if I was in active preterm labor and it came back negative, she also checked my cervix and I was dilated to a 1 1/2 - 2.

I've been feeling okay though - just extremely tired all the time. I feel so bad because my daughter is starting kindergarten and this is her last week at home with me until school and I've spent it sleeping. My horomones seem to be on a roller coaster too - I am not the happy go lucky person I've been the past few months. It's getting harder to bite my tongue and to not get upset.

I'm getting SO anxious to meet my little Phoenix. Everytime I see a little boy be born on A Baby Story, I start balling. I'm starting to get a little nervous about labor quickly approaching but mostly I'm excited. I can't wait to experience this with someone whom I am truly in love with.

Phoenix has not been moving much at all - it kinda sucks. I have all the aches and pains of being 30 weeks but not much of the thrills. He hasn't made my tummy all lopsided yet, doesn't get the hiccups, and doesn't kick/move much. He turned breech at 25 weeks and I'm wondering if that's why I've felt a decrease in movement. I REALLY hope he turns head down, I know he has plenty of time to get into position but I can't help but think about a possible c-section.

REASON FOR CHANGING MY SONS NAME TO PHOENIX....

My son's name was first going to be Nicholas, but the more I thought about it and repeated the name to myself the more I seemed to dislike it. I do not like the name Nick, so I would never have called him that and Nicholas just reminded me of nothing but a baby. I think that might have been why I liked it. Anywho - I came across a ladies profile on this website, she is naming her son Phoenix. I liked it - it was unique and strong. I researched the name and meaning and that is when I fell in love with it. It means "Eagle, mystical bird, rebirth". My sons last name will be 'Eagles' so that was cool. I also looked into the story behind the mythological bird 'Phoenix' and here is what I found:

"It was said that only one Phoenix existed at any one time. As the end of it's life approached it would build a pyre nest of aromatic branches and spices such as myrrh, sets it on fire, and is consumed in the flames. After three days the birth - or as some legends say rebirth - the phoenix arises from the ashes. According to some sources, the phoenix arose from the midst of the flames. A symbolic representation of death and rebirth of the sun. It is also described as being either eagle like or heron like. It lives on dew, kills nothing and crushes nothing that it touches. "

After reading up on it - how could I not name my son Phoenix - I hope he loves it as much as I do. I can only hope that he will live up to the name Phoenix. When he fails at something or gets hurt - I want him to get up and try again..to never give up. I want him to be strong and to stand up for what he believes is right but at the same time do it cautiously as to not hurt others. I want my son to be the best he can be!!!!

8/21/07

So, I have my Dr. appt tomorrow. Everything should check out okay. I'm going to see if they will check me for dilation again. I've been having contractions the past two days. I am thinking that he is head down now - I've been feeling alot more movement and I'm getting short of breath again. I'll see if they can check that too. Anyway - I'll update tomorrow after my appt.

8/22/07

So, I had my Dr. appt this morning. Everything checked out good. His heart rate was in the 150's which is where it's been since they first heard it. I go for an ultrasound this Friday to check my cervical length again, hopefully it hasn't shortened and to see if he is still breech. I have a slight bladder infection so she gave me a script for that. She also mentioned that I'm still on bedrest - I can get up and make myself something to eat, etc but no cleaning, pushing the vaccuum, etc. I pretty much took myself off bedrest when I found out my 'preterm labor' test came back negative. So, I guess it's back to taking it easy.

Oh yeah, I also found out some exciting news! My Dr. has no problem with inducing up to a week prior to your due date! Which was great news for me. I was telling her that we have two school age children and the closest childcare provided we use is 35 minutes away, Joe owns his business that he would like to be prepared to close, etc. So, Phoenix might be born October 24 at the earliest. I really do not want to be induced, I want to have the whole anticipation of labor where will I be, how will it start, etc. So, that kinda sucks. I would have a peace of mind though knowing my children are somewhere safe.

8/24/07

So, today I had my ultrasound to check my cervical length - no change, so that's awesome news! BUT he is still breech (butt down). I could have sworn that he flipped because I have more pressure on my rib cage and I'm feeling more movement on my right side from what I thought were his feet. Well, the reason my rib cage is hurting is because his head is situated right between them and it's his hands I keep feeling on my right side. I'm not sure what is hitting my cervix/crotch though - it's like he stomps on it sometimes. My doctor said that he still has time to turn but she will keep a very close eye on it once I hit 35 weeks. If he's still breech at that time she will attempt an external maneuver, if it's successful I will wait for labor - if it's not...then they will do an immediate c section. Yuck! I'm so scared! I had my 1st child naturally and I'm just scared that having a c section will make me feel like I'm robbed from being a women. I've heard once you have one c section, you can not do vaginally again. I'm scared! I do not want a c section. I'm hoping and praying that he turns!!! Oh, his heart rate was 145 today.

8/28/07

It's me again The Daddy. I'm getting so much more excited about this baby. he's moving alot and I can see it better now when I look at her tummy. and when I place my hand on her and feel him move I get so happy. Brandee is still being such a trooper . you all know how she is feeling and how easy it is some times to let it get to you and take it out on the people around you . well brandee has not done that one time. she stays in such high spirits and seams to be so happy all the time it's almost like she will not let anything get her down and she stays at home most of the time on top of that. I could not have asked for a better lady to be the mother of our little man. she is so great and I love her with all my heart . I can't wait to meet him face to face and hold him in my arms .