12/2/2009: I woke up and had a small breakfast (probably a bowl of cereal or a granola bar) and got myself only barely ready for the day because I was planning on coming back home soon.
9:30am: I went into the hospital for a NST, per the Dr's orders the previous day because my uterus was measuring smaller at 39 weeks than it had at 37 and 38. She didn't really think anything was wrong, but thought I should do it just to make sure everything was okay.
@ 11:00am: still in the hospital NST room being monitored. Things weren't looking great, but they weren't bad either. Baby's heart rate would drop when I had contractions, but it didn't seem too serious. I didn't bring anything to do so I just laid there in the chair, mesmerized by the lines representing contractions and heart rates as they skipped across the monitor screen.
@ 12:30pm: Rather than keep me in the NST room, they decided to move me to Labor & Delivery for additional monitoring. I was admitted by the nurse that taught our L&D class just a couple months earlier, so that was neat. She was really nice and I felt comfortable. Danny was at school, but I didn't worry because I was going to be in and out. It was just taking longer than I expected. I probably called him to let him know, and I think he even asked if he should come in but I said not to worry about it. He had an exam to take. I probably called a couple other people and eventually I might have even taken a nap.
@ 2:00pm: I most likely thought to myself, "Man, I could sure use some food." -- "I hope I don't have to stay much longer." -- "This apple juice just isn't cutting it." -- "I have so many things I need to be doing right now."-- "Can someone please just tell me I can go home?"
@ 3:45pm: After the nurses had made several calls to her throughout the day (to update her on my status), my Dr. shows up. Not good. I was hoping she was coming in to tell me I could go home and that I should keep an eye on some things... but no. She came in and told me I needed to have my baby today. Like, right then. I really did ask her 3 times if she was serious. The baby's heart rate was dropping too much during my contractions, which could result in a still birth if we didn't do something now, she told me. It could be the cord was wrapped around his neck, or the placenta wasn't delivering enough oxygen. I had to think about it for several minutes, seriously. But I finally said to her that she was the Dr. and if she thought it was best then okay. I proceeded to call Danny. He proceeded to probably freak out and ran home to get stuff because I had NOTHING with me. I proceeded to freak out. I WASN'T READY. Not to mention that even though my body had been contracting for several weeks and baby was at like a +1 or +2 station, I was dilated to zero. Zip. Zilch. In case you were wondering, you can't fit a baby's head through a zero.
@ 4:00pm: I got an IV. It took 3 attempts - finally got it in on the top of my left hand. Painful.
@ 4:45pm: I didn't want to get Pitocin, and my Dr. knew that. Unfortunately, since I was at a zero I needed something to kick start my body into labor mode. We opted for Cytotec... just a small little bit up the birth canal. Danny showed up around 5pm. And then we waited. And I watched the monitor, a little bit afraid for my baby. And we waited some more.
@ 8:30pm: Finally dilated --- to a ONE! Sweet diggity, only 9 more centimeters to go. Let's just hope it doesn't take 4 hours for each cm. You do the math. Contractions had been intense enough that I asked for a bath. I got my wish - I took a 20 minute warm bath and it was H-E-A-V-E-N. And then we waited some more.
@ 10:00pm: Danny and my sis-in-law Stephanie had dinner, in my room. In-N-Out burgers. Man, it smelled so good. Remember, I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.
@ 10:15pm: The Nurse came in to check me again. 1 1/2 cm.. right on track for 1 cm every 4 hours! During which process the Nurse broke my water.. but it took me telling her that. It was confirmed when I stood up to go to the bathroom because I felt like I had to pee and in front of a small crowd eating In-N-Out it was all over the floor. That's entertainment (hahaha).
@ 11:30pm or close to that: I ordered my epidural. Danny had been trying to do all he could to rub my back pains out, but he was tired and the nurses were saying the baby wouldn't be born until the next afternoon probably so I should get some sleep. Danny wanted to sleep. So I got my epidural, much sooner than I wanted. It was less scary than I expected it to be, maybe because I was in a lot of pain.
@ sometime close to midnight: A sub nurse came in to check me (this time I asked nobody to be in the room) and she was like "well, it looks like you're a ready to go because you're at a 10." I proceeded to shout "WHAT!?" which everyone in the hallway reported hearing me scream. You would have too if the last time you had been checked you were only a 1. She double checked herself and took it back. I hadn't gotten any further -- apparently she couldn't find my cervix the first time around. Boy was I glad when I got my regular nurse back.
12/3/2010 @ 1:35am: I was woken up from my half-asleep medicine-induced slumber to get oxygen. They wanted to make sure the baby and I both had enough oxygen flowing. I tried to sleep as much as I could but I remember being so worried when those contractions hit that his heart rate would drop below the acceptable level. Danny and my mom both were sleeping in the room with me.
@ 3:15am: Finally.. some progress! Another mid-slumber checkup from the nurse and I was at a 3+. Still probably way more to go so I drifted off to sleep.
@5:00am: The nurse came back in for another routine visit and I heard her tell me I was at a 9 1/2 cm! What the..!? 'Am I dreaming?' No, she was for reals. So much for getting to sleep in!
@ 5:40am: Okay, everybody up! We're calling the Dr. You're finally there, it's time to push. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh... and I start freaking out and get the shakes. Oh my gosh.. what if I can't do this?!
@ 6:00am: Nurse is in and preparations begin. Bring on the bright lights!
@ 6:08am: I had a slight fever which delayed things for a moment or two. They decided to proceed without antibiotics.
@ 6:15am: Danny sends out a text to the family members in the hall and on the way - "I can already see the top of his head."
@ 6:45am: Another text, "Janneke is exhausted but doing well."
@ 6:56am: One last push and our baby boy was born, all 7lbs 10oz and 19.5" of him. I hold him on my chest for the very first time and Danny cut the umbilical cord with the Dr's help.
Welcome, little one, to our family.
...and one year later....
Happy Birthday, my baby boy. You are one today. I love you very much.
Dec 3, 2010
Dec 3, 2010
Dec 3, 2010
I'm excited that we finally got to meet Carson. I think Megan enjoyed it. :)
And that's quite the story...I don't know if I would have handled it well if I went to the hospital and didn't know that I wouldn't get to leave! But the baby at the end certainly makes it all worth it.
And that's quite the story...I don't know if I would have handled it well if I went to the hospital and didn't know that I wouldn't get to leave! But the baby at the end certainly makes it all worth it.
Dec 3, 2010
Dec 3, 2010
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6 comments:
Happy Birthday!!! and congratulations you've got a beautiful 1yr old baby!
Beautiful post. While he doesn't know it yet, Carson will cherish the fact that you wrote this for him later on. He is such a darling little boy. I hope his birthday was wonderful!
He is so cute. I'm glad I got to see you guys on Thanksgiving.
ONE! Hooray! Happy Birthday Carson. We hope you have a fun birthday and get to smash up a cake. Brinley is sending you a big hug (she loved to hug little boys) from Virginia. She hopes to get to meet you over Christmas break!
I'm excited that we finally got to meet Carson. I think Megan enjoyed it. :)
And that's quite the story...I don't know if I would have handled it well if I went to the hospital and didn't know that I wouldn't get to leave! But the baby at the end certainly makes it all worth it.
Tears! Love you and Love your little man! Happy Birthday! We so wish we were there to celebrate with you like we did the day you were born. :) Miss you all!
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