Going Home - Day 2

Welcome Little Leo

The play by play leading to the birth of a wonderful baby boy.

WARNING: Could be boring if you don't really want to know all the details!

On was Sunday I was having contractions. Albeit less painful than the braxton hicks, and about 10-15 minutes apart, but not consistent for the most part, and not all over, but I had a weird sensation in my abdomen all night so was thinking this could be the night, and at the same time hoping to hold out until Wednesday so that I could take my last booked clients and get a manicure & massage! Ha, ha, ha... you know the joke: "How do you make God laugh? ..... Make plans!" I went to bed when I ran out of the red yarn I was knitting mom's hat out of.




I woke several times in the night to pee (as usual for a 9 month pregnant woman), the last visit I made was at 3:00 am. Then just before 4am on Monday, February 7th I felt my water break... so glad I wasn't out and about, it's just the worst feeling to have water running between your legs out of your control! Anyhow, diapered myself up with a towel and went to wake Gerry who's been sleeping on the couch. I digress for a minute... he's been in a lot of pain with his neck/back pinched nerve, and I feel bad for him but I LOVE A BED TO MYSELF! Ok, back to the story: I woke Gerry, who went to pull the car around and get his things together, then I woke my mom. I had just started packing my "hospital bag" a few days before, I had a list but only a few of the items in it... so as I waddled around with my diaper towel being held by one hand, I gathered the things on the list as mom checked them off and put them in the bag. Gerry loaded the stuff in the care and we were off to our 45 minute drive to DL at 4:30am.






Thank goodness the car ride wasn't bad, and Gerry drove with gusto so we arrived, checked in and and were in our hospital labor room by 5:30am. I guess it's only in the movies that they rush you a wheel chair when you enter the hospital in labor! I never thought that I would wish for that option, but standing and walking around in public with a bath towel around between my legs is far less dignified!



I changed into the hospital garb and the digital swag was hooked up to me and baby boy to check and keep us tied down to a 3 foot radius around the birthing bed. They say it's procedure to ensure the safety and well being of mom and baby, but IDK.



We sat around for what seemed like forever, but it wasn't until my Doctor was on duty at 6am before we were giving pictocin to help labor progress. I was 2 cm dilated when I went into the hospital, I was also 2 cm dilated at my doctor appointment Thursday. Doctor came in around 9 or 10 am, I was 3 cm... not much progress, and he wanted me to be 4-5 cm before starting an epidural. I wimped out, 7 hours of back labor with Lulu was just too much to want to even go through that again... and yes, 'every birth is different' but Lulu was fine after having an epi, and I was great after that... and she's as smart as sharp as a tack so it didn't affect her in any way.



Labored until 1:30 pm with the nurse(s) upping the dose of pictocin a total of 3 times, at which time I started having back labor. All I could think was "NO NOT AGAIN!" Surely panic sat in, and as I labored for the next 30-40 minutes and the back labor worsened, I told Gerry to call the nurse to start making calls to the doctor and anesthesiologist because I know it takes time to get all the people needed lined up and in my hospital room... and I wasn't planning on suffering through any more back labor than needed. Truth be told, I honestly feel like there is no way I could deliver a baby while having back labor... I couldn't sit much less lay down on my back. I labored mostly standing, attempting to breath, but ultimately leaning on a wall and pushing my head so hard into it that I had a bruise on it for 3 days, slapping the wall, crying, breathing, etc... it wasn't pretty.



It was about 2:30pm when the anaesthesiologist and nurses came into the room. They had to check my dilation before the epi... so between contractions they checked me, I went from 3 cm to 8 cm in 30-40 minutes. OUCH! No wonder I felt like I was being ripped in half! Through 2 more back labor contractions I sat at the foot of the bed in the cat position with Gerry coaching me through contractions and supporting my feet and holding my hand. The epi was in and within 5 minutes I was comfortable. Contraction started picking up again and became regular again a bit after the epidural was in (it slows things down)... I started pushing for Little Leo at 3:50 pm and he was born at 4:20 pm.



I am so glad we finally decided on naming him after Gerry's daddy! It's very special... and fitting for his little personality.



Immediately after he was delivered, they put him on my chest, he was covered in vernix because he was born at 38 weeks... well a day shy of 39 weeks. The vernix absorbs into his skin and acts as a moisturizer. Gerry cut the umbilical cord, then the doctors took care of me while Gerry watched the nurses do all the tests to Leo. Eventually it was dinner time, I got a bath, Gerry went home to be with Lulu, and I tried to get some rest.



Later that evening my friend Tracey came to watch Leo while I slept since Gerry couldn't stay. It was really a relief... I got 3+ solid hours of sleep and she took care of him through his first bath and those first mucus coughs that I know would have kept me awake all night.

Weekly Posting...

Painting A Picture Frame
It seems we cannot pass my studio without some complaining about wanting to "Color".

Baby Cove
A small area ready for baby boy "Not Jake." I was feeling a bit sad that we really have done little to nothing for the baby coming soon. Then I realized that it really isn't much different that what we did for Lulu. Looking at the blog link Old Closet - New Closet in May 2009. So "Not Jake's" little nook is pretty good! LOL. As soon as Lulu saw the set up she wanted into the crib (which I didn't allow, so she doesn't get confused about her space)... but she found it a good place for ALL of her baby dolls and her pull along puppy.

A Family Nap

After a LONG, LONG night of Lulu's vomiting... Lulu had her first nap not in her crib, the 3 of us were curled up in bed watching The Muppet Show and she passed out in 10 minutes.

Baby Ultrasound

It's a Boy!

An active little boy ! Now just on to the name picking!
Any input is welcome but no promises.