Hey everyone. So, here I am now with an 11 day old baby boy. It's really amazing and it's really a lot harder than I expected. Everything about his big arrival was a lot harder than I expected. But, we're making it just fine.
So, I'll start by explaining my labor and delivery for you guys. Like I said, it was a LOT harder than I ever expected. Christian and I think I got a raw deal on labor since I had such an easy pregnancy! haha So, contractions started coming at regular intervals at around 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb.16. So, they weren't too painful that evening so we went to bed around 10 o'clock that night and then the painful ones started around midnight. I finally woke Christian up at about 1:30 a.m. and called the doctor. Doctor told us to go to the hospital to be checked in triage and so we did. We got to the hospital around 2:30 a.m. and was checked about an hour later and I was only 2 cm and 90% effaced. So, they had me walk around for an hour to see if any progress would be made. I was still having pretty hard contractions that made me crouch down on the floor when I was walking the halls but I kept on walking. So, about an hour and a half later, I got checked again and NO PROGRESS! So, they gave me the option of going home and I took it. I knew I'd be able to eat and rest at home a little more comfortably. Plus, I knew Christian was super tired. So, around 7 a.m., we headed home. I went straight to bed but the contractions only got stronger. I dealt with them until about 10 a.m. when I came downstairs and Christian made me eat something. He cooked me eggs and bacon so I barely got that down. Then, he made a fire in the fireplace and I sat on the floor moaning (and cussing) through contractions until they were definitely only five minutes apart. I called the doctor again telling him I was in a ridiculous amount of pain and he told me to go back to the hospital. So, I forced myself to eat a little more before we headed back to the hospital around 2 p.m. When we got back to the hospital. My OB was there and he checked me and I had made it to 5 cm and was 100% effaced! I was so excited and it gave me an extra jolt of energy. So, they admitted us and I had a new source of confidence in dealing with the pain so I made it through about another hour and half before I was checked again and really didn't make much progress since I was admitted. So, Dr. Grossman wanted to break my water and that scared me because I knew labor would get much more intense at that point so after discussing it with Christian, I opted for an epidural. Christian was really a cheerleader for me going natural and I appreciate the way he handled it. He just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be disappointed in myself for getting pain meds. So, I knew at that point that I wouldn't be upset because it was so painful and to me, going through that for God knows how long just wasn't worth it. Especially since I was so exhausted and knew I had a long way to go. So, a little while later, the anesthesiologist came in and administered the epidural. That went fine and didn't even hurt. But, about five minutes after I got it, I started getting chest pains and my heart rate skyrocketed to about 128 bpm. YIKES! About four docs ended up in my room and Christian and I were scared, of course. So, they did an EKG which turned out fine and they had a cardiologist check me over. Everything checked out fine so they just kept an eye on me for the next couple hours until the chest pressure went away. We think it was just nerves and indigestion. So, from there, everything just progressed slowly and FINALLY at around 1 a.m., I was ready to push. Well, turns out Max's head was facing up so it was going to be a pretty tough feat for me to turn him and get him out. At one point, his heart rate dropped SUPER low and scared everyone. We ended up having about six people in there at that point as they tried to roll me on my sides to see if he was just lying on his cord but nothing was working for about three minutes. Then, I heard the doc say "get the room ready". At that time, I knew I might have to have an emergency c-section. SCARY! But, Christian reassured me that everything would be fine and soon, Max's heart rate started to come back up and stayed up. So, after about two hours of pushing and being ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED, Max was still face up and having a hard time coming out. So, the doc finally offered to use a vacuum and possibly do an episiotomy and at that point, I didn't give a shit what had to be done. I just wanted him out of me! So, the doc got the vacuum ready and ended up pulling Max out without having to do an episiotomy. Whoa.... what a relief. He was immediately placed on my belly and then whisked away to be cleaned up before Christian brought him back so I could nurse him. Christian cut the cord and all was well. :)
So, long story but that was NOT fun, not enjoyable, not anything pleasant. haha. It was freaking TOUGH! I give major props to moms who can do it totally naturally but being in labor for around 30 hours is crazy. Hopefully the next one will be easier.
The next couple days in the hospital were OK. I was super sore all over my body and I just felt like I was hungover for a couple days. So, obviously my body went through hell. Max did well in the hospital but his bilirubin levels were a little elevated so they had to prick his heel a few times to keep checking. The level kept decreasing so they let us go home Monday afternoon but we had to take him back Tuesday morning to be tested once more and everything was fine and he was good.
So, the first night at home.... it was a challenge to say the least. I don't remember much of it but I was emotional and he wanted to stay on my boob for about two hours. It was crazy. We weren't prepared with a good sleeping environment for him really so we were a little disorganized. The second night I fixed up his cradle so it wouldn't swing like crazy, I brought in the white noise machine and kept lights and voices low when he would wake up. That seems to have helped. He's been sleeping about four-five hours at a time during the night so that's been good. I'm definitely tired because I'm not used to having interrupted sleep but I guess I need to get used to it for a while. :( He sleeps a good part of the day too but every day he seems more and more alert. He pretty much eats, sleeps and poops. Typical, right?
Breastfeeding is going well but it's really demanding on me. Having to stick to an every 2-3 hour feeding schedule during the day is just draining. And, the fact that no one else can really help me out with that is hard. But, I'm producing enough milk and he was already back to his birth weight last Friday. So, that's good.
We're doing the cloth diapering here and there. It's a little tough because we have to do laundry every night when we're doing it. He just goes to the bathroom SO MUCH right now. Speaking of going to the bathroom, he pees all over the place. Last night, every time I had to change him (two or three times- can't remember), he peed all over.... even almost hitting me in the face. Awesome. haha Luckily we keep a waterproof pad under him when we change him at night.
So... then there's the baby blues. Wow, they suck. I've had them pretty bad since he was born. I'm just feeling depressed and I miss my old life a hell of a lot. That makes me feel super guilty and then that makes me feel even worse. Ugh, it's like a vicious cycle. I'm feeling OK today but yesterday was rough. Some days are good, others are bad. I've been told it all gets better but right now it really sucks. I'm not one to sugar coat a situation so I'm not going to say that this is the best time of my life or that this is all absolutely amazing because, frankly, it isn't. It's tough, it's draining, it's daunting, it's tiring, it's hard. I know it will get better but I wish I could fast-forward to the easier time! Oh well. Just say a little prayer for us that we get through everything OK and without any emotional breakdowns. haha
Well, that about sums up everything that has been going on here. My mom came in town last Friday and then leaves this coming Sunday. She's been a huge help in keeping dishes washed and letting me take showers and naps. So, it will be tough to not have her around but I think that will also make me suck everything up and deal with it.
Then, Christian leaves March 14th for about 17 days. I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT! He has been my ROCK through this and keeps me happy. I miss him so bad when he's at work and I know those 17 days are going to be hard. But, my Dad and step-mom are coming up for a weekend and Mom might come back up during that time too. So, we'll make it. Again, just pray for us.
Anyway, I'm going to relax a little before I feed little man and we head out to Christian's squadron to meet people and watch him play volleyball for a little bit. Hope y'all are having a good week.
xoxo,
Chrissi
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