Friday, June 27, 2008

NOW I KNOW WHY IT'S CALLED LABOR

After taking birthing classes at the hospital and learning about the 4 stages of labor, I thought I was somewhat prepared for a possible 20 hours of the worst pain in my life. I had replayed in my mind over and over again how bad the pain would be and prayed to be strong when the time came. 20 hours sounded pretty long but I kept in mind that one stage might be 6-7 hrs, another 5 hrs, etc.... each getting more and more painful. I thought I was so prepared! YEAH RIGHT! Here's what really happened:

Sat. June 21st
9:30PM - 2:00AM Contractions started and ranged from 10-15 min apart. At 2:00AM Brian and I got showered and dressed and started timing bc contractions hadn't gone away for 5 hrs and I couldn't take the pain.

Sun. June 22nd
2:00AM - 6:00AM Contractions ranged from 4 min to 12 min apart.  Spent time together and watched a movie as we kept track of the pain.  Contractions went back up to 15 min. apart and we were exhausted from being up all night.  So we decided to take a nap and wait for them to be closer apart.
6:00AM-8:30AM Contractions 10-15 min apart.  Brian slept, I kept waking up screaming every 10 minutes. 
8:30AM-5:00PM Contractions 5 -7, 7-8, 10-12 min apart.  I stayed at home hoping this would be the day. Brian, my mom and I took a walk to help along the labor.  
At 5:00PM I called the hospital and asked if I could pleeeease come in since I had been in consistent pain for 19.5 hrs. They said ok, but if I wasn't dilated they would send me back home.
5:00PM-5:30PM We got ready, Brian, my mom and I drove to hospital. Pains got stronger and closer. YEY!
5:30PM-6:00PM Checked into hospital, contractions 5 min apart, 1 cm dilated, 70% effaced. YEY!!! I can stay!  I thought for sure I would progress! (btw no more fluids or food at this point and my last meal had been at 1pm. Many of you know I get really cranky when I don't eat or sleep...)
6:00PM-1:00AM Finally 3 cm, 80% effaced. Can  you believe it??? It took 27 hrs to get 3cm. Every time Brian gave me positive words or guided me with the breathing I thought I was going to loose it and tell him off or something.  At 1:00AM got the epidural.  This gave me some relief for a few hrs but at this point I was miserable, hungry, thirsty, discouraged, angry, thinking it's never going to be over.  I'll spare you some more details, this story is long enough.  

Mon. June 23
1:00AM - 11:00AM Contractions 2-4 min apart, but I wouldn't dilate more than 5-6cm. There were talks of a C-section if I didn't progress. Baby's heart rate going down on and off. (mommy was dying of hunger and thirst).  The epidural refill had taken a crazy effect, as my legs were completely numb but my belly wasn't, so I could feel cramps and pains with each contraction but couldn't move my body. I thought there was no light at the end of the tunnel. and yeah, I was pretty CRANKY at this point.  
11:00AM ish Fully dilated, ready to push! YEY!!!!!!
11:00AM-12:45PM ish - Pushed but wasn't really doing much as far as moving baby. Talks of C-section came up again. I was falling asleep in between pushing and ready to give up.
12:45PM My Dr. came in the room and I got a tough love, pep talk from her. She said I wasn't doing anything and made fun of my pushing, saying that wasn't real pushing.  She turned off the epidural so that I could feel the pain and pressure to know when to push and said it would be such a shame for me to work so hard for this long and end up with a C-section.  I managed to get some strength/anger in me and pushed like I had no idea I could, I thought my face was going to explode. Then my Dr. said "You got it!!! Now you're pushing! Now I can see the baby's head rocking back and forth, this baby will be here soon!!" 
Baby came out at 1:14PM.   (Total time of arrival: 39 hrs 44 min.)

It was an amazing, surreal moment when Oliver Lee arrived. 

The next words out of my mouth were "Can I please have some water?"

Just when I thought I was prepared to trust God with whatever scenarios I made up, I got a few curve balls thrown at me, which forced me to really trust.  He gave me an AWESOME coach/husband and a GREAT mom to help during the delivery and AMAZING friends and family who prayed for so long for me and our little bundle of joy!

Glenda


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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Bringing Oli Home

Oliver arrives home!

Little Oli looking sleepy.

Uncle Bernie and Auntie Janet are the first to visit!

Like riding a bicycle!

Uncle Rigo...



The proud Grandma...

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

More Pictures of Oliver Lee Hayden

Oli's little footprints.

Oli under the warmer after his first sponge bath.

Oli the burrito boy.


Monday, June 23, 2008

Oliver Lee Hayden

Born on June 23rd, 2008, in Gainesville, Florida, after 39 hours and 45 minutes of intense labor (Glenda was both incredibly strong and brave)
Weight:  5 pounds, 3 ounces (he's a slim guy!)
Length:  18 1/2 inches

For a video of Oliver in the hospital, CLICK HERE.




Friday, June 20, 2008

3 Days Past Due and Still No Baby

"Overcooked" - that's what Glenda calls it.  She wants baby OUT!  NOW!!!  We went to the doctor this afternoon and were told that her cervix is sealed shut.  Like a safe.  No dilation whatsoever.  None of that walking-around-for-two-weeks-at-three-centimeters-dilated stuff going on here.  Nope.  Doc says she'll induce on June 30th if there's no action before then.  So, we're all gonna have to wait.  Baby obviously likes it comfy and will come out when ready.

Here's a pic of Glenda at three days past due.