Our power went out. Boo! We broke a record yesterday, 70 days over 100 degrees. It has not been a fun summer, I feel like I missed out on it because it was just too damn hot to ever go outside. First the A/C breaks the day after we get home from the hospital, when Felix is a mere 5 days old, and now this. Apparently someone had a wreck and hit a transformer. We spent a couple of hours in the car while I fed Felix and then pumped to pass the time. Just when we decide to call on Hotel Gravois, the power comes back on. I am ready for winter. I say winter because we all know there is no Fall in central Texas.
Felix is 4 weeks, 1 day old.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Stats
Alright, we are going to keep up with this blog if it kills us. I can't say that I'll try, but I'll try to try and post at least a couple times a week. Here are Felix's stats so far:
BIRTH -
6lb 14oz
20in long and gorgeous
2 WEEKS -
7lb 3 oz (50%)
20 1/4in, and still perfect (25%)
35 1/2 cm head circumference (50%)
4 WEEKS -
8lb 10oz (50-75%)
21 1/2in and beefcake! (25-50%)
37 1/2cm head circumference (50-75%...will he have a big head like Daddy?)
Between birth and 2 weeks, he was gaining weight a little too slowly and was a tiny bit jaundiced. We had to wake him every 3 hours to eat (exhausting!) and give him bottles of expressed breast milk after nursing. Turns out, I am snuggly and he likes to snooze when near me. He's getting better at staying awake now but we are still giving him bottles after nursing. He's taking less and less in the bottle though, so I have hopes that we can stop that soon.
His likes right now are sleeping, eating, tummy time, sleeping on Daddy's chest and snuggling in the sling next to mommy. He dislikes getting his diaper changed before eating.
Felix is 4 weeks old today.
BIRTH -
6lb 14oz
20in long and gorgeous
2 WEEKS -
7lb 3 oz (50%)
20 1/4in, and still perfect (25%)
35 1/2 cm head circumference (50%)
4 WEEKS -
8lb 10oz (50-75%)
21 1/2in and beefcake! (25-50%)
37 1/2cm head circumference (50-75%...will he have a big head like Daddy?)
Between birth and 2 weeks, he was gaining weight a little too slowly and was a tiny bit jaundiced. We had to wake him every 3 hours to eat (exhausting!) and give him bottles of expressed breast milk after nursing. Turns out, I am snuggly and he likes to snooze when near me. He's getting better at staying awake now but we are still giving him bottles after nursing. He's taking less and less in the bottle though, so I have hopes that we can stop that soon.
His likes right now are sleeping, eating, tummy time, sleeping on Daddy's chest and snuggling in the sling next to mommy. He dislikes getting his diaper changed before eating.
Felix is 4 weeks old today.
Felix's Birth - The Brooke Version
Hello internets! Well we didn't finish blogging about our trip and since it was 3 years ago now, looks like we probably won't get around to it. So sorry Austria, Munich, Paris, England, Scotland and Ireland. We had fun, and I was really looking forward to Sammer describing the scene in Salzburg, but there are more important things now. Like a baby! I know Sammer already gave the rundown on Felix's birth, but I wanted to write out the (extremely) long-winded Brooke version for posterity sake. As I sit with the little man snuggled up and sleeping in the sling on my chest, I still cannot believe that he is finally here. Grab a coffee and let's go!
On Tuesday, July 26th, I was exactly 38 weeks pregnant. I went swimming at Northwest Pool after work as I always do on Tuesdays. Milissa was leaving in a couple of days on vacation so she couldn't meet me there. I remember telling her that day that I totally wouldn't mind going to my due date. I was feeling great and even though it was hotter than Hades, I wasn't yet uncomfortable. I attribute this all to swimming and yoga. I also remember thinking it was a lot harder to get my 9 month pregnant body in and out of the swimsuit that day.
So anyway, I go swimming and get home about 7:00. Sammer and I sit on the couch for a few minutes while dinner finishes up and I was having a lot of Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions. Felix was moving around a lot, too. The BH contractions were nothing new, but he usually moved the most in the mornings and when we went to bed so I guess that was a little different. About 7:30 we're getting ready to eat so I go to the bathroom first, because I always have to go to the bathroom. I felt the distinct "pop" twice but was able to stop the flow so I thought I was just peeing. I did think it was odd, but there was no way my water had broken. I mean, this only happens to about 15% of women and I wasn't due for two more weeks. I go to the living room, sit down and eat dinner. About 8:00, I told Sammer I felt weird and went to the bathroom. My pants were all wet, how did I not notice this? It must have been that slow trickle I've read so much about. I called out, "Um, I think maybe my water broke." Sammer snaps into action but I am still in disbelief. I feel fine, no contractions at all so how could this be? He goes up to the computer to see what Dr. Google has to say, all the while saying I should call my doctor. One site said to lie down for half an hour if you weren't sure if your water broke. So I did that and called my doctor's office. The doctor on call, Dr. Swenson, called back immediately. She asked when I was last at the office (Wednesday, the 20th), my stats at that appointment (almost 4 cm and more than 80% effaced), and if it was still leaking. I stood up to go to the bathroom to check and the water came out. Not really a gush, but it was obvious that my water had broken. She said to come to the hospital, sounds like my membranes had ruptured. By this time, Sammer pretty much had the car packed and ready to go. I told her I had been swimming and asked to take a shower first. I had chlorine hair and my legs were hairy (I didn't mention that last part). No problem, have at the shower. Sammer is calm but definitely moving quickly and with way more urgency than me. By this time, I had one continuous long cramp. I had no idea this is what contractions (sort of) felt like.
We get to the hospital and Sammer drops me at the ER and goes to park the car. They send me up to Labor & Delivery and say they'll show Sammer the way. He comes up while I am getting admitted. It's about 9:30pm at this point. We didn't call our parents because We both still half expected to be sent home. I get in my room, #262, and meet my nurse, Kelly. She was a hippy chick with her nose pierced and was very laid back and awesome. She was very excited that we didn't know the sex and that we wanted to go without drugs. Kelly checked me to to see my progress and I was at 4 cm and completely effaced. The Charge Nurse came in to do something with the speculum to see if my water had indeed broken. She got ready to examine me and didn't have to do a thing, there was enough water present for the pH test. Yep, water had broken. Holy crap, we are here to stay.
Dr. Swenson came in at some point and discussed the plan. She was previously the head of OB at Seton Main, which is pretty cool. Dr. Swenson said that she loved hypnobirthing, her daughter had two boys using this method, and thought it was a great way to birth as long as both the woman and partner are prepared. We had a great class so we felt as prepared as first timers could be. The Dr. said that she wanted to see that labor had started in earnest by about 2:00am. If it hadn't, then she wanted to give me a touch of pitocin to kick start it. I was definitely not interested in this so I chose not to think about it (for awhile anyway). She said I'd probably just need a "whiff" since I was so far along already. It's about 11:30pm at this point so we call our parents. I have no idea what was said, I was starting to have contractions at this point.
Contractions felt like really bad menstrual cramps that just kept getting worse. It was gradual and I don't think I realized what was happening until the nurse asked if I was having a contraction. I kept calm using the breathing I learned in my hypnobirthing class and yoga, remembering to keep my face relaxed, jaw open and tongue at the roof of my mouth. It really wasn't that bad, not nearly like I expected it to be (yet). I just kept thinking "blue satin ribbons, blue satin ribbons". I labored on my side at first, then on the toilet since I had to pee 5,000 freaking times. We sat up the back of the bed and I laid over that while on my knees. Somewhere in between all of this I vomited three times. I should say that I am a pretty modest person but all that went out the door about 2 minutes after I got into the room. They finally found the wireless monitors and hooked me up to those. I moved to the shower, which was definitely modeled after a European hostel shower. Not the tiny one in Cordoba, but still very small. I laughed at the thought of Sammer getting in there with me to comfort me, there was no room. But he did because he is the best husband ever. Standing up was kind of hard so I went back to the bed on my hands and knees. Contractions were getting really hard and uncomfortable at this point.
Kelly walked in and asked me how I was doing. My response was "talk to me about the epidural." It was about 1:00am and I was terrified that the doctor was going to come in an hour to check me and tell me I was only at a 5. I wanted to know what I needed to know in order to decide if I REALLY wanted the epidural and I wanted time to think about it. No one had checked me since I first arrived and I had no idea how close, or far apart, my contractions were. I just wanted an idea if I had one or two more hours of this, or 10 more hours. If 10, no way would I make it, especially with pitocin. I don't know what they said, but along came another contraction and thoughts of the epidural went out the window. Kelly and Sammer are rubbing my back, HARD, and that really felt good and helped tremendously with the pain.
I started hearing all of this commotion in the room and noticed that lots of people were coming in and out, getting the little baby bed warmer ready and setting up. Looks like I am like my mom and Sissy after all with a quick labor because we are close! Next thing I know, Dr. Swenson is at my side telling me that Felix's heart rate keeps dropping and they need to get me on my back so I can push. She said, "I know this isn't how you prepared for birth and I'm so sorry, but you HAVE to push." I had already pushed a few times by then, but now it was on for real and time to get the baby out. Sammer and Kelly held my legs back while I tried to push. It is a lot more difficult than I thought. I was pushing so hard but I swear nothing was happening. The doc said she was giving me "a little local" because she was going to use the forceps, I had to get him out quickly. She told me to hold my legs and I kept saying, "but they have my legs!" I had a death grip on the bed and did not want to let go. I couldn't figure out why I had to hold my legs when people were doing it for me. I held my legs as best I could, tucked my chin and tried as hard as I could to push for 10 long, excruciating seconds. The forceps were used. Holy mother of God. I screamed. Felix wasn't down far enough for the forceps to be useful. I had to get him down with the next push or they were going to have to do an emergency c-section. Well, I didn't get him down and so they had to wheel me off.
When I got to the OR, a nurse asked me if it was OK for her to cut my bra. Oh hell no! This was my good bra, you're not cutting it, lady! She was annoyed but complied and unhooked it. Since I didn't have an epidural, I had to be put under. Sammer had to wait outside. The anesthesiologist asked all about my history with surgeries while yelling at people in the room to stop walking off and do what he asks them to do when he asks it. He was very calm but clearly not happy with some in the room. Next thing I remember, Sammer is showing me our beautiful baby boy. All I could say was, "he's so beautiful!" I was in a haze for quite a while. I remember asking what time it was but have no clue of the answer. I don't know how long we were in the recovery room. It felt like forever and just a few minutes all at the same time. Right now I am choosing not to think about all of the bonding time we missed out on, or the fact that neither Sammer nor I got to see him as soon as he was born. I'll try to process that later, after the postpartum hormones have slowed down a bit and I don't cry at every single thing.
Quite a scary story, but Felix, Sammer and I all survived and are all healthy with no complications so it is what it is. From the time Dr. Swenson said we have to go to surgery to the time Felix was born (at 3:49 am), was 12 minutes. Amazing. There are some very skilled people at Seton Hospital and I thank God for them every time I look at my baby boy. I thought I knew what love was, but I had no idea. Sammer and I are so in love with our new little man.
On Tuesday, July 26th, I was exactly 38 weeks pregnant. I went swimming at Northwest Pool after work as I always do on Tuesdays. Milissa was leaving in a couple of days on vacation so she couldn't meet me there. I remember telling her that day that I totally wouldn't mind going to my due date. I was feeling great and even though it was hotter than Hades, I wasn't yet uncomfortable. I attribute this all to swimming and yoga. I also remember thinking it was a lot harder to get my 9 month pregnant body in and out of the swimsuit that day.
So anyway, I go swimming and get home about 7:00. Sammer and I sit on the couch for a few minutes while dinner finishes up and I was having a lot of Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions. Felix was moving around a lot, too. The BH contractions were nothing new, but he usually moved the most in the mornings and when we went to bed so I guess that was a little different. About 7:30 we're getting ready to eat so I go to the bathroom first, because I always have to go to the bathroom. I felt the distinct "pop" twice but was able to stop the flow so I thought I was just peeing. I did think it was odd, but there was no way my water had broken. I mean, this only happens to about 15% of women and I wasn't due for two more weeks. I go to the living room, sit down and eat dinner. About 8:00, I told Sammer I felt weird and went to the bathroom. My pants were all wet, how did I not notice this? It must have been that slow trickle I've read so much about. I called out, "Um, I think maybe my water broke." Sammer snaps into action but I am still in disbelief. I feel fine, no contractions at all so how could this be? He goes up to the computer to see what Dr. Google has to say, all the while saying I should call my doctor. One site said to lie down for half an hour if you weren't sure if your water broke. So I did that and called my doctor's office. The doctor on call, Dr. Swenson, called back immediately. She asked when I was last at the office (Wednesday, the 20th), my stats at that appointment (almost 4 cm and more than 80% effaced), and if it was still leaking. I stood up to go to the bathroom to check and the water came out. Not really a gush, but it was obvious that my water had broken. She said to come to the hospital, sounds like my membranes had ruptured. By this time, Sammer pretty much had the car packed and ready to go. I told her I had been swimming and asked to take a shower first. I had chlorine hair and my legs were hairy (I didn't mention that last part). No problem, have at the shower. Sammer is calm but definitely moving quickly and with way more urgency than me. By this time, I had one continuous long cramp. I had no idea this is what contractions (sort of) felt like.
We get to the hospital and Sammer drops me at the ER and goes to park the car. They send me up to Labor & Delivery and say they'll show Sammer the way. He comes up while I am getting admitted. It's about 9:30pm at this point. We didn't call our parents because We both still half expected to be sent home. I get in my room, #262, and meet my nurse, Kelly. She was a hippy chick with her nose pierced and was very laid back and awesome. She was very excited that we didn't know the sex and that we wanted to go without drugs. Kelly checked me to to see my progress and I was at 4 cm and completely effaced. The Charge Nurse came in to do something with the speculum to see if my water had indeed broken. She got ready to examine me and didn't have to do a thing, there was enough water present for the pH test. Yep, water had broken. Holy crap, we are here to stay.
Dr. Swenson came in at some point and discussed the plan. She was previously the head of OB at Seton Main, which is pretty cool. Dr. Swenson said that she loved hypnobirthing, her daughter had two boys using this method, and thought it was a great way to birth as long as both the woman and partner are prepared. We had a great class so we felt as prepared as first timers could be. The Dr. said that she wanted to see that labor had started in earnest by about 2:00am. If it hadn't, then she wanted to give me a touch of pitocin to kick start it. I was definitely not interested in this so I chose not to think about it (for awhile anyway). She said I'd probably just need a "whiff" since I was so far along already. It's about 11:30pm at this point so we call our parents. I have no idea what was said, I was starting to have contractions at this point.
Contractions felt like really bad menstrual cramps that just kept getting worse. It was gradual and I don't think I realized what was happening until the nurse asked if I was having a contraction. I kept calm using the breathing I learned in my hypnobirthing class and yoga, remembering to keep my face relaxed, jaw open and tongue at the roof of my mouth. It really wasn't that bad, not nearly like I expected it to be (yet). I just kept thinking "blue satin ribbons, blue satin ribbons". I labored on my side at first, then on the toilet since I had to pee 5,000 freaking times. We sat up the back of the bed and I laid over that while on my knees. Somewhere in between all of this I vomited three times. I should say that I am a pretty modest person but all that went out the door about 2 minutes after I got into the room. They finally found the wireless monitors and hooked me up to those. I moved to the shower, which was definitely modeled after a European hostel shower. Not the tiny one in Cordoba, but still very small. I laughed at the thought of Sammer getting in there with me to comfort me, there was no room. But he did because he is the best husband ever. Standing up was kind of hard so I went back to the bed on my hands and knees. Contractions were getting really hard and uncomfortable at this point.
Kelly walked in and asked me how I was doing. My response was "talk to me about the epidural." It was about 1:00am and I was terrified that the doctor was going to come in an hour to check me and tell me I was only at a 5. I wanted to know what I needed to know in order to decide if I REALLY wanted the epidural and I wanted time to think about it. No one had checked me since I first arrived and I had no idea how close, or far apart, my contractions were. I just wanted an idea if I had one or two more hours of this, or 10 more hours. If 10, no way would I make it, especially with pitocin. I don't know what they said, but along came another contraction and thoughts of the epidural went out the window. Kelly and Sammer are rubbing my back, HARD, and that really felt good and helped tremendously with the pain.
I started hearing all of this commotion in the room and noticed that lots of people were coming in and out, getting the little baby bed warmer ready and setting up. Looks like I am like my mom and Sissy after all with a quick labor because we are close! Next thing I know, Dr. Swenson is at my side telling me that Felix's heart rate keeps dropping and they need to get me on my back so I can push. She said, "I know this isn't how you prepared for birth and I'm so sorry, but you HAVE to push." I had already pushed a few times by then, but now it was on for real and time to get the baby out. Sammer and Kelly held my legs back while I tried to push. It is a lot more difficult than I thought. I was pushing so hard but I swear nothing was happening. The doc said she was giving me "a little local" because she was going to use the forceps, I had to get him out quickly. She told me to hold my legs and I kept saying, "but they have my legs!" I had a death grip on the bed and did not want to let go. I couldn't figure out why I had to hold my legs when people were doing it for me. I held my legs as best I could, tucked my chin and tried as hard as I could to push for 10 long, excruciating seconds. The forceps were used. Holy mother of God. I screamed. Felix wasn't down far enough for the forceps to be useful. I had to get him down with the next push or they were going to have to do an emergency c-section. Well, I didn't get him down and so they had to wheel me off.
When I got to the OR, a nurse asked me if it was OK for her to cut my bra. Oh hell no! This was my good bra, you're not cutting it, lady! She was annoyed but complied and unhooked it. Since I didn't have an epidural, I had to be put under. Sammer had to wait outside. The anesthesiologist asked all about my history with surgeries while yelling at people in the room to stop walking off and do what he asks them to do when he asks it. He was very calm but clearly not happy with some in the room. Next thing I remember, Sammer is showing me our beautiful baby boy. All I could say was, "he's so beautiful!" I was in a haze for quite a while. I remember asking what time it was but have no clue of the answer. I don't know how long we were in the recovery room. It felt like forever and just a few minutes all at the same time. Right now I am choosing not to think about all of the bonding time we missed out on, or the fact that neither Sammer nor I got to see him as soon as he was born. I'll try to process that later, after the postpartum hormones have slowed down a bit and I don't cry at every single thing.
Quite a scary story, but Felix, Sammer and I all survived and are all healthy with no complications so it is what it is. From the time Dr. Swenson said we have to go to surgery to the time Felix was born (at 3:49 am), was 12 minutes. Amazing. There are some very skilled people at Seton Hospital and I thank God for them every time I look at my baby boy. I thought I knew what love was, but I had no idea. Sammer and I are so in love with our new little man.
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