Postpartum: Week 1

I was lucky... I guess you could say

Even though Carter was born with a 14" head measurement, I only had to have 1 stitch after delivery.  And they said it was a "precautionary stitch" at that.  They also said I had more "scrapes" then cuts or tears.

I did, however, have A LOT of swelling.  And I was still in a lot of pain, of course, after delivering a 8 lb. 6 oz. baby.

I thought I'd share, to remember, what my postpartum recovery suppliers were:

The hospital sent me home with most of it, I bought the StayFree pads of course.

3 Different kinds of pads (one I used all of, that were my favorite)
Ice pack pads (heavenly - but only stayed cold for about 1 hour)
Tucks pads - loved these
Dermoplast (numbing spray)
Perri bottle (spray off instead of wipe)
(Not pictured - throw away undies)

I still use all of this, every trip to the bathroom.  I started using my own pads and undies on day 7.  I have to say, that helps make you feel better by itself.  Much more comfortable.

I'm now 8 days postpartum!

I'm still holding onto a belly pooch, but I know with breastfeeding that will help it shrink.

At my doctor's appointment before I went into the hospital I topped out at 139 lbs.

I gained a total of 19 lbs.

Today I weigh 120.5 lbs. - only .5 lbs away from my pre pregnancy weight!

WOOT!

I LOVE BREASTFEEDING!

And let me tell you - I've been eating GOOD.  The hospital food was soooo good and I ate like a pig.  Then my mom and Grandma cooked and fed me for 4 days after we got home from the hospital.  And I have to admit, I've been snacking a lot during our breastfeeding sessions too.  Throw in the fact that I can have caffeine again, eating and drinking has not been an issue.

As far as how I'm doing 8 days after giving birth - I feel good!

The first 5 days were the worst and going to the bathroom is still uncomfortable.  But I've been able to take Ibuprophen just when I need it instead of the every 6 hours to "keep on top of it."

I'm able to get around a lot easier (getting up and down, in and out of bed, bending over).

I am still having back pain from the epidural.

I almost wonder if it's a combination of a lot of things though, such as:

-Epidural

-Loosing all the weight in the front

-Holding, picking up, and putting down a baby all the time

-Bending over for diaper changes

So I hope the back pain eases sooner rather then later.

But really, I can't complain.  I'm so lucky to have had a basically, complication free delivery, and that I'm healing well for the most part.

Having a perfect, healthy, beautiful baby boy in the end makes it all worth it and having him has helped me to not focus on myself and the aches and pains, but on him and his needs.

Labor & Delivery: Part 3

  Carter Lee was born on April 16th, 2013 at 4:19pm

He was 8 lbs 6 oz and 21 1/4" long!

He was perfect!  The meconium didn't hurt him and he was healthy as can be when he was born.  

Apgar scores of 8 and 9.  

Although they didn't want him crying right away, due to the meconium, he did and sounded great!

Steve and I looked at each other with teary eyes and shared a special proud moment at that point.

Emotions ran crazy through me - scared for the baby, relief he was here, so proud of what Steve and I had made together, excitement to get to meet him...

They did a very long check on him to make sure everything was ok while they worked to get me put back together.  It was a very long 30 minutes of waiting till I finally got to hold our precious baby boy.

I got to ooo and ahhh over him for about 2 minutes before it was time to try nursing him for the first time.  I couldn't believe he latched right now.  I keep telling people, he was like a magnet.  A pro from the very first moment.  I switched sides with him and he did the same thing, latched right on.

Then it was Steve's turn to hold his son for the 1st time.

I think in that moment he was SCARED.  He says to me "I don't remember how to hold a newborn!"  Ha!  I said - well you are going to start getting used to it again - right now!  He's been great and fine about it ever since, it was just that first initial moment of "oh, you are just going to hand him over to me!?!"

My mom got him next, the rest of the family outside the door patiently waiting for their turn to come into the room.

Of course Alyssa got the first close up look after that.

Introducing Alyssa to Carter for the 1st time.
She walked into the room pretty slowly, but look at that smile!

Holding her baby brother for the 1st time!
She couldn't get enough of him - I think she held him more then anyone else that night

Our Family of 4
A girl and a boy, our family is now complete

Papa

Aunt Shae

Grandma

Labor & Delivery: Part 2

 We made it to the hospital, got to our room, and I was filling out paper work by 9:30am.

This was it.

As I walked into the room, I still couldn't imagine that I wouldn't be walking back out again without my baby boy in my arms.  I was still in denial, I think, even as I saw the baby warmer in the corner of the room.

Everyone had headed back home and to work after being discharged from the WE Unit, so Steve got back on the phone as I was getting checked in to let everyone know they needed to make their way back soon.

Ready to meet our baby boy
Finally, the day we had been waiting for

My mom hurried back to the hospital from work.  She was there in the room during the delivery along with Steve.  (this is something she didn't get to do with our daughter)

A goodie bag of toiletries given to us by the hospital.  I love the mini Purell bottles.

Pitocin was started at 10:40am

The group who was there for the delivery
Steve's mom, my sister, my mom, Alyssa, Steve, and my dad (not pictured)

Alyssa all dressed and ready to go in her Big Sister outfit <3

Kathy was our nurse for the most part - till it was time to push
Goal for the Day: "Great delivery for Carter!"

I was given a "liquid diet" lunch at 11:30am
A shock I was given anything at all before delivering a baby - but I enjoyed some broth, jello, lemonade, and cranberry juice

I got my second bump in pitocin at 12:30am

At 1:30pm my pitocin was running at a "10"
Bad contractions are in full swing

And this is where it all begins...
Steve calling the nurse for my epidural while I try to cope with very painful contractions

I finally asked for my epidural at 2:05pm

That couldn't have come soon enough!

This epidural was very different from the one I had with Alyssa, except for the fact that this one only numbed one side of my body and not the other, just like with her.  The main difference is that this epidural was just not working...  Ok, maybe a little - but I was still feeling these contractions coming and had to breath through them.  With Alyssa - I didn't feel a thing!

Everything just went SO FAST.

The nurse said, "I think you are just going to have this baby" - as her and the anesthesiologist worked to try and get me comfortable.  The nurse even told my mom she didn't like that I was having to work so hard through the labor with the epidural, but that the baby was just moving down so quickly.

The nurse broke my water during an exam at 2:55pm and at that point said I was about 9cm.

I was okayed to start pushing 3:37pm

I was still feeling pressure from the contractions when it was time to push, but not a ton of pain.  It was nice to be able to feel where I needed to be pushing.

At 4:05pm baby Carter started crowning and they could see his long hair!

The room turned into a crazy mass of people at that point.  2 doctor's and 1 student doctor, multiple nurses, the pediatrician, and a NICU team (meconium was seen when they broke my water).

Carter was born at 4:19pm!

To be continued...

  

Labor & Delivery: Part 1

1:30am - April 16th

Contractions in the middle of the night again...

Timed them at about 4 min. apart for 1 hour - got the rest of the house up at 2:30am.

I took a shower, hubby packed the car, my dad came and got Alyssa.

We were on the road by 3:30am to the hospital.

We got to the hospital about 4:30am and went up to the Women's Evaluation Unit where I was monitored.  I was having contractions every 2-4 min, ones I was having to breath through.  I was still 3-4 cm. though and after an hour of no change - they sent me home :'-(  I did ball my eyes out and cried to the nurse.

It was 6:00 am by this time.  My mom, dad, and daughter had made it up to the hospital by this time (Alyssa hadn't slept since she was woke up at 2:30am).  Disappointed and confused as to what I was supposed to be doing, we all went to Steak N' Shake for breakfast.  All the while I'm breathing through contractions.

Luckily I had a doctor's appointment that morning at 8:45am.  We did some walking around a Walmart in hopes of stirring up active labor before the appointment.  And headed to the doctor's office.

I was in a room by 9am and told the doctor what was going on.

The main points to this conversation:

-Contractions!

-Worried about getting home (1 hour each way) and having to turn around.

-Waiting till the "bad" labor to go in and then not having time for an epidural.

-Not sure when it's "time" to go in if contractions were 2-4 min. apart at that point.

She checked me and I said I was a good 4cm - which was progress!

She sent me across the street to the hospital!

So beyond happy, and scared, I asked her if they were going to send me home...

She said NO - you are not going to the WE Unit, you are going to a room.   They are probably going to start pitocin.  You are having your baby TODAY!

Relief :)

Carter Lee Is Here!

 Carter Lee

April 16, 2013

4:19pm

40 Weeks

It's been a long 10 months, but I made it to the magic number - 40 weeks - 100% full term

Time to get this baby out!

I can't wait for my last photo to be inserted into this collage - a photo of me with Carter Lee <3

Co-Sleeper

This is my FIND OF THE YEAR

I REALLY wanted a co-sleeper.  I had one with Alyssa and the only one's out there now are the Arm's Reach brand, which are $150-$200 each.  I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on something that will use for 3 months.

I've been on the hunt for a used one from day one.  I've called places, check every resale shop I got into, and every Craigslist listing I've inquired about has already been sold.

So I had settled on a bassinet... till Saturday!

We just happen to go to Once Upon A Child and the first thing sitting by the front door was a Co-Sleeper!!!  Couldn't believe my eyes.  I asked right away if it was sold already or not (because it was by the front door) and they said No!  I claimed it right then and there.

Steve and Alyssa cleaned it up and got it installed next to the bed yesterday.  Now we just need baby Carter in there to test it out :)

Retails for $199.99 at Babie's R Us - I paid $60.00!!

Over Due

How is this happening!?!

My Alyssa was 6 days late.  I've been hearing "any time now" for 3 weeks, and now I'm 3 days late with this baby already...

All this time we were worried about my pre-term labor spells and just making it to the 37 week mark.  I've been dilated 2+ cm for 3 weeks with a thinned out cervix and baby's head being low.

3 days late...

Besides people driving me crazy these contractions are driving me crazy.  All day long with them yesterday.  Even over night again.  Then today, random braxton hicks.  I am so confused!!!!!!!

We went to the park yesterday and walked, I came home bounced on the yoga ball for a half an hour, and then went on another walk after dinner.  All the while having contractions, but knowing that I can walk and talk through them, I knew it wasn't time to go to the hospital.  

What I do know is, that this baby doesn't have much time left.  He will be here this week one way or another.  And I'm SO READY!

Rough Nights

FINALLY last night, I actually slept.  I got up ONE time to use the restroom.  I woke up multiple times to roll over, but not long enough to ruffle my sleep too much.  When you are in your 3rd trimester, you just get used to the constant sleep interruptions, but last night wasn't too bad considering.

The night before last though... a whole different story.

I woke up at 2am with contractions.  Couldn't lay there any longer and got up at 2:30am.  I tried walking the contractions off till 3am, and it just wasn't happening.

I started timing the contractions at that point, from 3am-4am.  They were 6 min. apart.

I finally was able to fall asleep on the couch at about 4:30am and woke up to get Alyssa ready for school at 7am.  Contractions at that point weren't what they had been overnight.  However, I was a mess that whole morning.  A MESS.  Like non-functioning.  I'm not sure if it was the loss of sleep, emotions/hormones, or just disappointment yet again.  But I finally went and took a nap at 10am.  I woke up at noon and still had a hard time getting myself out of bed at that point.  But I needed to eat lunch.

I got into the shower at 2pm so I could go up to get Alyssa from school. I think the shower is what helped me to snap out of it.  Once I had Alyssa home and we got into doing her homework and all that, I was feeling much better.  She helped to keep my mind off things and just makes me happy in general.

The rest of the day was good.  We had a hurried family dinner before Alyssa had Girl Scouts.

Steve and I went to do some walking at a store and then enjoyed ice cream together at McDonald's while we waited for her to get out of her meeting.

I almost took Tylenol PM last night so we wouldn't have a repeat sleepless night like the one before... but thought - what if contractions actually start and continue?  I don't want to be a big mess trying to get to the hospital and all that.  Lucky for me, I slept fine without any medicine.

So today - IS MY DUE DATE.  I can't help but wonder if this is the calm before the storm?

Time to walk this baby out

The weather has been BEAUTIFUL!

We have waiting a long time for the temps to warm up and finally we are able to get out and enjoy the spring.

Alyssa just learned how to ride her bike without training wheels and is pretty well glued to the new big bike her daddy just bought for her.  More of an excuse for us to get out of the house.

So we've been doing a lot of walking, I even went one evening with a friend for a walk around town for an hour.

Alyssa riding her new bike

(Don't worry, this is a rode behind the school, we don't let her ride down the middle of the street)

Needing walking shoes, but can barely get them tied...

So Alyssa tied my shoes and I tied hers before going on another walk yesterday

I have plenty of contractions walking around, but nothing that has started active labor.  After my visit to the doctor and them saying I'm almost 4cm, at least these contractions ARE doing SOMETHING.  It's just not GO FOR BABY time.

Family Outing to the Zoo

We are Zoo Members, and love going to the Zoo!  But it had been awhile.  We had a hard winter this past year, so no trips recently.  We went Sunday, 4/7, and it was a BEAUTIFUL day for a zoo visit.  74 degrees and sunny <3

We needed a family outing, just the 3 of us before Carter arrived.  Time to spend with just us and Alyssa.  Also time for me to do some WALKING to help get labor started (which didn't happen).

But we did have a great time.

Me and my baby girl

(and soon to be baby boy)

Riding the Carousel 

Visiting the bears

THIS IS ME IN 2006, VISITING THE BEARS WHILE I WAS PREGNANT WITH ALYSSA AT 40 WEEKS 

Alyssa in the Children's Zoo

Doctor's Appointment - 39Wks 4Days

Another day another doctor's appointment.

My dad took me to this one!  Which was great of him to offer.  Especially since we had to leave at 7:45am to get to my 8:45am appointment.

After having to be monitored at an appointment for the baby's heartbeat being a little high a few weeks back, and going to that appointment alone, no one wants me to go by myself anymore.  So everyone has been taking turns, lol!  My mom, Aunt Linda, dad, and Steve.  Steve get's the next appointment IF I need it.

Update from the Doctor:

I'm now 3-4 cm (doctor said she could stretch me to a 4)

Cervix is very thin and head is very low (like they've been saying)

They said my bag of water is right there too and could break anytime (but it didn't with Alyssa, so I doubt it will on it's own)

Belly is measuring at 35cm (4 weeks behind...)

And I am still at 137lbs. (17 lb weight gain)

Baby's heart rate was in the 140's and he's doing great!

They say anytime, which they have also been saying.  Contractions are still hanging around, but I'm not in active labor as of yet.  They did say to head to the hospital pretty quickly when active labor does start though, because I could "go" very fast.  And if I want an epidural, WHICH I DO, that the sooner I get to the hospital the better (which is about an hour away).

So I have ONE MORE appointment scheduled for next Tuesday 4/16/13, and at that point I will be OVERDUE...  I hope I don't need it!  Baby Carter - TIME TO COME OUT NOW!

39 Weeks

Here I am - in all my pregnancy glory.

You don't get much more preggo then this.

1 Week till my due date!

2 Weeks or less till we get to meet our Baby Carter

Baby:

At this point, he's as big as a watermelon.  He's fully "cooked" and ready to meet the world... or not, well not today anyway.

If I had to guess, based on my last ultrasound - when he is born I bet he weighs 8 lbs 3 oz. and is 21.5" long

Guess we will find out soon enough :)

False Alarm

I don't know what to blame this one on.

Dehydration, my body hating me, psychologically everyone telling me this week was the week...

But here's what happened:

Wednesday night contractions started at 9:30pm.  I fell asleep at 10:30pm, but woke up at 2:00am still with the contractions.  I laid in bed till 4:15am and moved to the couch.  I fell back to sleep at 5am and woke up at 7am to get Alyssa off to school.  Still having contractions the whole time.

Steve was going to go in to work when I started having very low pains and was swaying from my contractions.  I thought it best that he NOT go in at that point.

He took Alyssa to school, came home, and started getting the car packed with our hospital bags, car seat, diaper bag, and boppy pillow.  We grabbed all those last minute items (chargers, hair brush, glasses, etc.).

Contractions were still coming and I decided to start bouncing on the yoga ball in hopes that it would help them pick up.  They were about 5 min. apart.  They weren't super painful, so I thought, let's go for a walk.  We were out for about an hour walking.  I figured the beautiful weather and walking outside was better then walking the halls of a hospital.

When we got home it was lunch time and we were ready to eat.  So we left the house, hospital bound, but stopped to get food on the way.  We got to the hospital about 12:30pm.

Once I was hooked up for awhile the nurse said contractions were about 6-8 min. apart.  The doctor came in to check me and said I was 3 cm and 80% effaced.  Because my contractions weren't consistent enough and they weren't progressing me, they sent me home by 2pm.

All the while I was still having painful contractions.  They said, drink a bunch of water and rest... ok yeah right.

On the plus side, after we left the hospital Steve and I did a little bit of errands together and enjoyed some time alone.  Which was nice.

We came home, BBQed, did Alyssa's homework outside on the deck, and my parents came over to join us.  After dinner a friend and I took an hour long walk around town.  It was nice to be outside, exercise, and have the girl time.  When I got back home Alyssa and Steve were outside - Alyssa was learning how to ride her bike without training wheels.  I got there just in time to see her do it all by herself with NO training wheels for the first time ever.  I was SO PROUD!

We got her off to bed and Steve and I watched the hockey game (GO BLUES FOR BEATING THE BLACK HAWKS!) before we passed out from sheer exhaustion.

So a I disappointed I am not holding my baby in my arms today?  Yes, very actually.  However, I am thankful for how my day ended yesterday.  If I were in the hospital having Carter I would have been missing out on some pretty important things.

As for today, contractions are just about non-existent.  I've kept up on drinking lots of water and trying to take it easy.  And now at this point, I am in NO HURRY to have this baby.  I know I only have 2 weeks AT THE MOST left and that is something I can easily deal with.

Cheers to being 39 weeks today

Date Night

Will we get ONE LAST DATE NIGHT before Baby Carter arrives?

Friday nights have always been "Gramma Nights."  In other words, Alyssa has spent the night at Grandma and Papa's house, most Friday nights since she was probably 2 years old (she's almost 7!).

That gives me and Steve a date night, nearly once a week.  If we don't do a date night, it's more like a BREAK night.  It is something that I really think has kept our marriage strong.  We have always had a great understanding of each other, but every marriage needs time to be focused on outside of the everyday family focus.

We are nearing the end of that segment of our lives :(

I know with this baby things are going to be WAY different.  Our "alone" time will turn to Mommy, Daddy, Carter time while Alyssa still gets her Gramma nights.  Going out alone, well that probably won't happen often if ever.  And our marriage will end up taking a backseat for awhile.

So will we get this one last Friday Night date night?

(It's Wednesday night now, just a week and 1 day away from my due date)

Maybe we will get 2 more date nights?  (If I don't go on or before my due date)

I'd really like to have ONE LAST DATE NIGHT so lets hope he can hold off just a little bit longer :)

Then after Friday, I'm so ready to see, meet, and hold my baby boy!!!!!!!!

Back to School and Work

After a week off school for Spring Break and a strep throat - Alyssa headed back to school today.

With the majority of my TO DO list finished - I was all for a quiet lazy day at home alone.

Instead - I went back to work (in my home studio).  It's just too easy to work when it's in your house.  On the plus side, I was able to make some extra money, and that's always welcome.

Unfortunately - the "labor" I was wishing I was doing today didn't take place.  My contractions were actually very very spaced out.  Everyone is calling and texting, checking in on me every chance they get.  It's nice, but I have to remind them that I will call them if I think anything is going on.

As far as bloody show - it is very light now.  Just tinged and streaked mucus now, instead of globby.  Sorry for the TMI...  I thought maybe having that yesterday meant something, but I guess not.  Nothing means a whole lot till labor starts up.

Many people are hoping for this weekend - we shall see!

Doctor's Appointment Update

I had my 38 Week appointment yesterday.  My Aunt Linda tagged along.  After last week's appointment (baby's unexpected high heart beat), I thought having the moral support in case something else unexpected popped up was good to have.

Luckily it was a pretty easy appointment.  Doctor did an exam to see where I was at.  I had been having very mild contractions that morning.

She said I was 2-3 cm dilated, 75% effaced, and baby's head was at 0 station.

She also said I had a "favorable cervix."  I need to good that!  She seems to think I may not make it to my next appointment and that I could go at any time.  However, that was the thought with Alyssa too and she was 6 days late.

After the appointment I took my aunt to lunch and we stopped by a couple of places for errands.

Alyssa was sick with strep throat at my dad's so I picked her up after getting back to town.

When I got home I went to the bathroom to find bloody show.  I figured it was probably from the exam, but I hadn't had that last week after my exam - so it was a little bit of a shock.

Today already I've had some of the same, but not as much as yesterday.  But it's still a surprise to see red blood a day later.  So we shall see what happens today!  I've had a few contractions today already, maybe they will pick up?

Interesting Easter Sunday

We did the normal Easter celebrating yesterday

Church

2 Egg Hunts

Easter Lunch with family

The Easter Bunny was good to her!

Alyssa and Daddy at the Church Egg Hunt

Fun at the church egg hunt

Sunday School

Goofy Easter Family Photo

Family Photo at my parent's house

Me and my big belly taking pictures of Alyssa hunting eggs, my dad recording her

All the while, I'm having contractions...

Even at the dinner table eating lunch.  That's about the time I said something (4 hours into it)

My mom and dad decided to ride their motorcycle, it was a beautiful day!  So we went home, changed, and went for a LONG walk.

We stopped and talked with Steve's aunt, his grandparent's, and my aunt, around town before going back to my parents house (we live in a very small community with lots of family).  All in all, we were gone 2.5 hours, walking in between each stop.  Contractions really started picking up and becoming painful.

When we got to my parents house, we ate some left overs for dinner, and I started timing the contractions.  It was 6:15pm by this time.

Here's the history snap shot from my iPhone app:

So I'm not the best at using this app - but they averaged out to be 2:45 seconds apart and lasting about 40 seconds long.

I stopped timing them after an hour - went and laid down for another hour, and was able to cat nap.

We went home, I took a shower, and jumped on the yoga ball about a half an hour before calling it a night.  I took some cold medicine so I could rest and luckily I slept pretty good the first half of the night.  Once the cold medicine wore off, it was a different story - but only because of my cold, not so much my contractions.

So today I had high hopes of laying low and keeping this baby in for another day at least (It's April 1st - April Fools Day).  I was already sick of seeing all the nonsense and lies on Facebook.  I honestly couldn't handle having a baby today.  The poor guy wouldn't get a normal birthday for the rest of his life.

But change of plans.  Alyssa is sick and i'm trying to get her into the doctor's office.  But I hope to get her better before her brother comes.  Last thing we need is a sick newborn.

I have another Doctor's appointment for me tomorrow at 10:15am.

Will I make it?  I kind of hope so at this point.