Happy Birthday, Reid Evan! July 8, 2013

I took my last belly picture on July 7, 2013. 40 weeks and 6 days. I was 154 pounds. I gained about 24 pounds with this pregnancy. I was having more braxton hicks contractions than usual and I had some bloody show. I knew the time was getting close.
Dusty and I put the kids to bed and then watched Warm Bodies (a comedy about Zombies). After the movie (about 11pm), Dusty went to sleep and I tossed and turned. I had heartburn and needed to sit up, so I went downstairs, sat on the couch, and browsed the internet.

At about 2 AM (July 8, 2013), I noticed my contraction were becoming regular and increasing in intensity. I opened my contraction app and they were 7-12 minutes apart lasting 50-90 seconds.
Around 4 AM, I decided to get in bed and try to sleep. The contraction were getting stronger and more painful but they were not getting closer. I tossed and turned and tried to sleep until 5:30 AM when Dusty's alarm went off. I got up to use the bathroom and he asked if we were going to be having a baby. I said, "I'm not sure. I'm tired and sore and I need to sleep". He responded with, "Today is the worst day to have a baby". He had no choice. He had to leave for work. It was supposed to be the first day of recruiting school and he could not miss it. He headed out at about 6AM to pick up some paperwork a few miles from home.
I called the midwife and she told me that it's not real labor and it could be days before I give birth. I hung up with her and tried to get some sleep before the other 4 kids woke up. I maybe slept for 40 minutes total. It was broken sleep and I started feeling desperate for the pains to subside.
Dusty came home at 7:30. He insisted that I get up and go with him to San Diego. He suggested that I walk around the shopping plaza at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot with the kids while he goes to school. I had an appointment for a regular visit at the birth center that afternoon at 3:45PM. We live close to an hour from the birth center and recruiting school is only 10 minutes from there, it made the most sense.
He packed the van and dressed the kids. We left just after 8AM.
Dusty parked the van in in the parking lot of the shopping plaza on base and went to the school house. I gave the kids food and an iPad to keep them busy while I continued to time contractions. After just a few minutes, the contractions stopped. I was exhausted, so I sent Dusty a text saying that labor stopped and I was going home. He called me and said that his orders were wrong and school doesn't start July 8. It starts July 9. He was headed back to the parking lot. We let the kids out to eat lunch and run off some energy. It was about 10:45 AM and it wasn't worth going all the way home, just to come back for my appointment.
I called the birth center and they changed my appointment from 3:45 to 2:15PM.
We decided to kill time by browsing the stores and then we took the kids to the park to play. My contractions started up again around 1PM. It was hot and I was wearing flip flops at the sandy park. My feet were filthy. I was sweaty and stinky. My mental state was deteriorating. I wanted to cry because I was sore and exhausted. I never wanted to leave the house in the morning and I felt like I was being dragged around all day.

2PM:
We showed up for my appointment which ended up being 2 hours long! My NST and AFI were good. Contractions were irregular but getting painful. I was 2cm. After all of that pain. All of those contractions. Only 2 cm!!!

4PM:
I left the birth center with my family. I was feeling defeated. The pains were now coming every 1-2 minutes and walking to the van was difficult. About halfway home, he realized how close my contractions were, and he called the midwife and told her that we were coming back.

5PM:
We arrived at the birth center and the midwife checked my cervix. I was still 2cm. She told me that I could not be admitted. I begged her to let me lay down because my husband was refusing to take me home and I was exhausted. She agreed and I went upstairs to the birth room to rest. A friend arrived at 5:15PM to help with the other kids. She got food and helped Dusty get things unpacked from the van. Dusty tried to set up the camera on the laptop, but the WiFi was down.

6PM:
The midwife checked and I was still 2cm. She told Dusty that she didn't think it was real labor and I could not be admitted until I was 4cm. I was crushed. The pain was unbearable and there was no break between contractions. I sat on a birth ball and leaned over the bed while Dusty rubbed my back. The baby was posterior and the back pain was like nothing I had ever experienced. When the midwife left the room, I told Dusty that I needed him to take me to the hospital. I needed someone to believe me. I was IN LABOR! REAL LABOR! I wanted to assurance from the midwife and she was so doubtful. It was making me feel even more out of control. Dusty refused. He said it was not what I wanted and he assured me that I would be having a baby very soon. I went back to the bathroom and decided to get a grip on myself. I started envisioning myself as a train going through a tunnel during each contraction. I started saying "I can do this, I can do this" over and over in my head.

7PM:
After another hour of contractions and horrible diarrhea, the midwife checked again and I was 3cm. Finally some change! She told Dusty, "I see this all the time. It can still stop before she gives birth. It could take a few more days". I posted a status on FB that said, "I'm in labor but it's slow and harder than my previous births". We again discussed setting up a live camera but the WiFi wouldn't work. I told the midwife that I needed some relief from the pain. My back hurt and the pressure in my vagina and inner thighs was unbearable. She said it was too soon to get in the tub, so I asked her if I could get in the shower. She agreed. Dusty used a handheld sprayer to cover my belly and back with hot water. It felt so good. The contractions switched and suddenly I felt the urge to push at the end of each contraction. Dusty asked the midwife to fill the tub and I got back on the birth ball to help baby turn from posterior to anterior. Sure enough! It worked. As soon as the tub was full, I climbed in! Ahhh! It felt so good! My body relaxed and I caught a break from contractions for a few minutes. The midwife checked my cervix and said I was complete! I was clear minded and I could talk to my kids and my husband just like normal. I was so relieved that it was almost over.

 8PM:
The kids were lined up at the edge of the tub while a stained and pushed through each contraction. It was PAINFUL! I felt like I was pushing out a bowling ball. I used my fingers to feel where the baby's head was and each time I pushed I felt him come down a little bit more. As he started to crown, I felt the bag bulge and pop. I braced myself. The midwife checked for a nuchal cord and I kept pushing. It burned as he was coming out but I didn't want to stop! It was almost over!
My baby BOY was born into my hands at 8:06PM. He was squishy and big, and coated in lovely vernix. Welcome to the family, Reid Evan! We are so happy to have you!

 Aly cut the cord!

 Time for bonding and resting!

We were discharged at about 1 AM and Dusty had to go to work that morning
This was my most difficult birth. I'm not sure why exactly. Maybe my husband telling me that it was the worst possible time to have a baby. Maybe it was my state of mind. I wasn't ready. I felt like I needed to rest and shower. Maybe it was the midwive's attitude and comments about it being false labor. Maybe it was all of the cervical checks and my personal expectation to have things move faster. No matter what it was, I'm glad I went through it. It was a tremendous learning experience. I'm thankful that Dusty didn't take me to the hospital. I'm glad he was there to encourage me, rub my back, and tell the midwife when to fill the tub. He's my best friend.

The birth of Gage Owen

My water started leaking at 9 AM on July 5, 2011. It was a slow leak but I knew the day had finally arrived!!!
I took time to eat, clean, paint my toe nails, and shower.
At noon, my contractions started so we packed the van and headed down to San Diego because I wanted to get down there before the pain really hit. My sister and her husband were in town from AZ and it was really getting boring at home.
At 1:00 pm, we arrived at a park near the birth center so the kids could play. When I got out of the van, my water gushed, over flowed my pad, and soaked my shorts. So I went over to the center to change my clothes while my sister stayed at the park with the kids.

At the center, I had a non-stress test and regular prenatal exam. They guessed baby would be no more than 8 pounds.
At 3:30, we left the center to have lunch at Subway. My contractions really picked up while we were there. One of them lasted more than 2 minutes. It was intense. I decided to call the midwife and tell her that we were coming back.
Around 4:15, I checked into the birth center. I was 90% effaced and 3-4 cm. I was trying not to show how much pain I was experiencing.
I labored between the toilet and the bed while the tub was getting ready. Listening to my hypnobirthing CDs helped me relax and stay focused.

 

I finally got into the tub just before 5pm. It was so warm and relaxing. It felt amazing but I still had some crazy pain. OUCH! We turned on the Affirmations for Easy Birth, and the midwives reminded me to visualize my baby going down.

After just a short time, I started to grunt and push with contractions and the midwife checked me again. I was 6 cm so she told me not to push yet. At this point, I wanted to jump out of the tub and go to the hospital. It hurt really bad and I got really loud! I repeated the affirmations along with the CD and practiced some visualization techniques from the Hypnobirthing book (opening rose and blue satin ribbons).
About 2 contractions later, I moved to a side laying position/sitting in the tub. I couldn't understand why I had a strong urge to push. Afterall, I was only 6cm. Like instinct, I put my hand on my vagina. To my surprise, I could feet the top of the baby's head!
HOORAY!!! What a relief! It was almost over.
I told Jessica (student MW) that I was crowning and things started moving fast. The midwives were putting on gloves and Dusty ran downstairs to get my sisters and the kids.
I felt the ring of fire and the urge to PUSH. Since my hand was already down there, I could feel my perineum getting tight. I breathed through the contractions and allowed my baby to emerge slowly. He turned to the ROA position while I pushed. Once his head was out, I felt him turn to make room for his shoulders. It was remarkable! I felt so much control. Breathing the baby down paid off because I didn't rip at all!
He slid right out and Jessica helped pull him up to my chest.

I looked between his legs and shouted, "It's a boy! It's a BOY!!!" Gage Owen!

9 pounds 4 oz. His face is bruised from turning in my pelvis.

Going home around 9:45 or 10 pm.

 He nurses really well and I love him!
It was completely worth the 41 weeks and 4 days wait. I'm happy that I didn't have to use herbs, castor oil, or a membrane sweep to make labor progress. I couldn't have had a more perfect experience.
My only complaint is the postpartum cramps. WHOA!!!! They mean buisness! I hope it doesn't last long.

Carter's Amazing Birth

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

Carter Alan

August 17, 2009

9 pounds 5 ounces

20 inches

BIRTH STORY:

Thursday, August 13 (my EDD & Aly's 5th birthday)

I had an appointment with the midwife. I was 3-4 cm open and still long. My Non-Stress Test and Amniotic Fluid Index were both normal. I was having irregular contractions and Carter was active.

Friday, August 14

I lost my mucus plug and got very nervous because labor was close. My contractions were painless and irregular so I knew it was not time yet. My midwife's office called to tell me about and insurance snag. If I went into labor over the weekend, the OB that I hated would have to deliver my baby. In addition, I might owe $2000 in fees for previous office visits. It was not great timing for bad news.

Saturday, August 15

I woke up feeling achy. I thought I was coming down with a cold. I tried to get a pedicure with a friend but all I could do was cry. I wanted to be alone, so I asked her to take me home. I slept most of the day.

Sunday, August 16, 40 w 3 d (Tylar's 4th birthday)

I went to church and Walmart. Many people made strange comments like "you should get to the hospital", "you are carrying very low", "wow! you look tired". It was unusual to have so many comments in one day.

I put the kids to bed around 8:30 pm.

At 10 pm, I took a bath with Epsom salt to relax. I got into bed at 10:30 pm. I felt achy and crampy so I tossed and turned in bed until 11:30 pm. I texted my doula that I was having strange pains. We didn't know if it was labor so I told her I would call her in an hour.

I decided to call my cousin and have her help time the cramps. We laughed and chatted while she used 2 stop-watches to time the cramps. She told me they were about 3-6 minutes apart, lasting 30-50 seconds. I didn't really believe it. It felt like so much longer between contractions.

Monday, August 17, 40 w 4 d

I hung up with my cousin at 1 am and called the doula. She recommended that I get back in the tub because my contractions were getting more intense but they were ot getting closer together. I called my husband at 1:15 am and told him to come home (he was living with a friend). I remember saying that I was 99% sure I was in labor.

My husband arrived at 1:45 am and I still didn't feel like I was in full labor. I was still talking during contractions. I was able to answer questions and respond to text messages. My husband took time to pack the car.

Shortly there after, I started to hum and make small vocalizations. My hypnobirthing techniques were working. I felt like I slept between contractions. My husband timed my contractions and told me they were about 3 minutes apart, lasting 40-50 seconds. I thought they had to be a full minute to be doing anything. I didn't think it was time to head to the hospital until they were 4 minutes apart lasting a full minute, for an hour.

My husband called his Aunt and I texted the doula and told her it was time to come. It was about 2:15 am. I thought I had about 5 more hours at home. I strongly envisioned giving birth around 7 am.

Within a few minutes (about 2:30 am), I had to rush to the toilet. It felt comforting to be in a small, dark space. Suddenly, I had diarrhea. My contractions became intense and I lost the ability to relax. I felt my baby's head descending lower into my pelvis and may legs became weak and shaky. The only thing that felt good was to be VERY VOCAL. My husband thought the neighbors were going to call the police. I started to say (more like scream) that I could NOT go on. I thought I might be in transition but I didn't think it could have happened so quickly. My husband tried to comfort me, but I pushed him away and screamed "Go Away!"

I got back in the tub at about 2:45 am when the babysitter arrived. She watched one contraction and told my husband to take me to the hospital immediately. I was still very loud during contractions and my body was shaking.

My husband helped me out of the tub and wrapped me in a towel. I started to walk to the car but stopped in the living room. I got on the recliner with my knees in the seat and my hands on the headrest. My husband got a dress and helped me put it on because I didn't want to show up at the hospital naked from the waist down.

My doula walked in around 3 am and I asked her to "rock my belly" with a long piece of fabric. Oh how I wished I had told her tom come earlier. I instantly became calm and told my husband to call 9-1-1. He seemed hesitant and said "okay...here it goes". I reassured him that it was time to call.

I began to bear down with the next contraction and my water broke but hardly anything came out because the baby's head was so low. I got off the recliner and squatted on the floor. The 9-1-1 operator told my husband to make me lay down and pant, but the doula told me to follow my body. I began making deep grunting noises while squatting. My doula continued to comfort me and reassure me. She said I was making great noises! She really boosted my confidence and helped minimize fear.

I tried to lay on my back but became uncomfortable within seconds so I moved to my hands and knees. I felt intense pressure in my rectum and a burning sensation as the head began to crown. I pushed as hard as I could because it relieved the pressure. I felt his head recede between contractions, so I tensed all my muscles to keep him from going back in. With the next contraction, I pushed as hard as I could. I had the most intense burning sensation in my vagina but I could not stop pushing. I felt a release of pressure as the head came out! I was in disbelief when the doula told me that the head was completely out. He was posterior (facing my belly instead of my spine)!!! No wonder I had back labor and it was so hard to push. I felt a sense of relief that the worst part was over but also a sense of panic because I didn't know if he was okay.

Skye, the doula, grabbed the phone from my husband and told him to catch the baby. He was still on the phone with the fire department. I pushed once more to release the shoulders and body. My husband received the baby! It was about 3:15 am when he was born. Only about 2 hours earlier I was saying that I was 99% sure I was in labor.

My vagina throbbed with pain but I managed to turn around and sit down. I took off my dress and held my baby close. I began to cry right along with my new baby boy. I was consumed with my new baby. It was hard to focus on anything else.

The paramedics and fire fighters arrived about 10 minutes later. They clamped the cord and let my husband cut it. I got on the stretcher with Carter in my arms and went to the hospital. I remember it was difficult to keep my eyes open and recalling basic information such as my home address was a struggle. The hormones from birth made my mind feel foggy.

At the hospital, I had the urge to push again and the placenta came out at 4:08 am. The nurse packaged it for me to take home for encapsulation.

The hospital was where I had all the problems. They automatically hooked me up to pitocin without my consent. Then they said the baby needed to go to the nursery for observation because he was not born there. I had to beg to feed him before letting him go. I refused the erythromycin for the eyes and the Hep B vaccine, which didn't make the nurse very happy. I consented to the vitamin K injection after several hours. He had obvious birth trauma so I felt it was a good idea. Everything turned out great in the end...I have a healthy baby.

I tore extensively and had to be stitched back together. The doctor said I absolutely cannot drive for 2 weeks (I have a stick shift). I have to sit on a pillow. My husband almost passed out during the stitches (which is not typical for him).

I should not have pushed so hard =(

My doula is in training and this was her first birth. Sadly, it will not count toward her certification because there was not a medical professional in attendance. I feel so bad. My water broke on her foot and she doesn't even get to use the birth toward her certification.

Also, the birth certificate will say that he was born at the hospital because that's where the placenta was delivered...stupid law! We tried to fight it but it was no use.

I imagined my birth being a bit different. I wanted it to be a calm peaceful experience. I wanted to "enjoy" labor. I thought I would have time to eat and relax in the early stages. I thought my doula would be there for longer.

Things didn't really go as planned. At first, I really felt disappointed. I'm sad that I don't have pictures of my belly from that day or a video of the birth. In time, I hope to feel better and learn to accept the crazy turn my birth took =) This is most likely my last pregnancy and my last birth story.

They are 4 & 5 yrs old!

Full Term

I've finally reached full term. Carter could arrive any time. I started seeing a group of midwives at St. Josephs hospital in Phoenix. They are amazing! The quality of care is so much better than I have ever received from an OB. The midwives care for mom both physically and emotionally. I am so glad I switched.

My birth plan is complete and my bags are packed. I plan to continue visiting with my doula until Carter is born. I'm starting to get anxious for his arrival but I've also had such a wonderful pregnancy that I am sad it's nearing the end.

Here are some beautiful picture Skye took. I weigh about 140 pounds and my belly is huge!

Swimming Lessons

Promotion

Dusty was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant on July 2, 2009! He worked very hard to achieve this promotion and he certainly deserves it!

Baby Shower

It's still hard to believe I'm having a baby boy! On June 27, 2009, my friend Melissa hosted a baby shower in my honor. It was a great time filled with games, food, and gifts. I am so blessed to have such amazing friends and family.

Baby food eating contest

Gifts

Me - due Aug 13, Tiffanie - due Sept 23, Maggie - due Oct 13, and Tiffany - due Dec 23

A Trip to the Fire Station

Our meetup.com group planned a trip to the local fire station. The kids watched a video about water safety and took a tour of the shiny, red fire trucks! It was perfect timing to discuss water safely because swimming lessons are right around the corner!

Home Projects

We painted the nursery....

Put grass in the back yard....

and painted the girls room.