Labor Journey....heere I go!

So like I said I'm planning to live-post the experience for my high school friends' sake, and I told anyone who was interested that I would do it here too....so I guess now's the best time to start!!! I guess I'll have to use comments to update...hadn't quite figured that one out yet and now I'm too confuzzled to think, lol.

Came to the hospital last night at about 4PM...already 5CM dilated and completely effaced...having sporadic contractions, a couple REALLY bad ones last night...mostly suffering from hormonal migraines.

7/14/2010 - Wednesday
4:45AM: Woke up with a bad case of anxiety and the shakes...had to pee somethin' awful, lol. Quite nauseous...definitely feeling the earliest stages of labor creep up on me right now. (TMI alert:) Lots of mucus in the toilet paper.... I'm not cold at all, in fact the room is quite toasty, but I can't quit shaking. Discovered that my anxiety about IVs is a little ridiculous...need to get over that whole "air in the tube" thing. (I freak out when there's even 1 little bubble, even though it would take lengths of tubing full of air to cause a problem). Gonna ask for one last thing for my headache before they start the pitocin drip within the next few hours...hoping to snatch a little more sleep before the big contractions start, but as anxious as I'm feeling I'm not counting on it! Will update when something changes...wish me luck, ladies.

[tsie]

hey,you'll be holding your precious son in your arms soon.This is truly a special blessing from God.
Stay blessed!
HUGS x x x

[Ashelen]

Thanks sweetie!!!

545AM...cervix is 4/5CM dilated, bag of waters bulging..cervix still appearing to be at least mostly thinned out. Want to marry my nurse she's such a sweetheart LOL.

Was given the option to start pitocin now or wait until a bit later...they're doing a scheduled c-section and my nurse was concerned that with my history of dilating and laboring quickly that I would be into the pushing stage before they could come over from the surgery to give me an epidural, SO...opted to wait until the morning shift comes and start the pitocon after 730/8 so hopefully I can labor for a bit without it but still have it put it on time.

Lots and lots of pressure at the moment..baby's heart-rate on the monitor is 150ish and he's waking up. Bulging waters feels odd....really odd. Can definitely feel it, lol.

[therese101]

Good Luck! thank you for sharing your experience with us too! Wont be long and he will be in your arms!

[Ashelen]

thanks :) I can't believe it's finally happening..

8AM; Pitocin drip started at 1, so VERY low dose. Will be given the epidural as soon as they're done administering to the c-section next door...then if my water hasn't broken by the time they're done (bulging further at the moment) they'll probably break it and things look like they'll go pretty fast...feeling pretty good right now.

Good mood, anxious but not nervous or scared!

[Ready_4_Baby_2]

WOW its really exciting to get the play by play. I'll definitely be tuned in all morning to see how everything is going. Good Luck!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

YAY!! OMG I'm so happy that things are finally in full swing.  I may not get to check a lot on your updates today (still workin on the stupid living room) but I hope by this evening to be hearing about how gorgeous Grey is and how happy you are that it's all over :)

[Spiket77]

Best of luck to you! Sounds like things are moving right along.

[teko]

I think it just awesome that you are sharing this event with all of us! Things seem to be getting a bit intense and moving right along. Breathe Deeply! And feel free to scream, it helps! lol

[Ashelen]

9AM...man came in to give me epidural, read my chart about my heart problems...promptly walked back out to schedule an ECG, lol. So now I'm waiting on the ECG for approval to be given an epidural...and then they'll start the pitocin back up (they stopped it for now just to be on the safe side).

Been having some pretty good contractions but they eased up when the pitocin was stopped...still feeling pretty good!

[tsie]

ooooohhhh! does it hurt??lol! good u feeling good.

[Ashelen]

nah it's uncomfortable but my contractions aren't that big right now...

930AM Found results of a recent-enough ECG that clears me to get the epidural so now waiting on the anesthesiologist...then we'll resume the pitocin drip at a much higher rate and I'll find out whether my water is going to break or be broken...apparently they just had like 2 more women come in laboring and 1 repeat c-section to it's craaaazy right now.

allowed to eat this bizarre jell-o stuff that's not too tasty....hoping to be able to lie down and rest once my spine is done being poked, lol.

[smjmekg]

YAY YAY YAY! Hopefully Grey will be a quick and easy delivery for you! I'll be watching like a hawk for updates!

[AnxiousGurl]

I am soooo excited for youu :] Can't wait to hear your next update...before you know it, you will be holding your beautiful baby boy in your arms!!

[ConnieG]

YAY! This is exciting. Can't wait to hear you're holding your baby!! :)

[Melka76]

Good Luck - try not to post while you are actually pushing... it might get in the way! :)

[katsmommy]

i think she is having a c-section>>>>>>but anyways omg i cant wait till its me posting these comments lol but i still have a long time,wow things are going so good for you and i know you are so excited because you have been waiting for this day well good luck and let us know as soon as you can

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Yay!!  This is exciting....I feel like I am there w/ you :)  Good luck and we will be waiting to hear your good news!!!!

[Ashelen]

no so far no need for c-section and LOL melka i'll try to remember...

1030AM-1130AM...received the epidural around 1030..had to have it positioned twice, OUCH! my right leg kept twitching and I was not a happy camper...but it's in now and working. Contractions are quite painful even with the epi and regular..not huge yet though...baby looks great on monitor...I  had LOTS of fluid when they broke my water omg couldn't believe it lol. trying to stay comfy right now.

It's kinda cool they have it so all the girls on L&D can see everyone else's hb and contractions...I'm the most regular at the moment but not the biggest.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

WOOHOO!  Come on Baby Grey!!!  

[BTS1022]

Good Luck sweetie!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to see baby Grey! Ahhh I bet her is adorable!

[Ashelen]

thanks ladies...ahh the contractions are all in my back it's getting a tad uncomfortable LOL

[smjmekg]

Hopefully it goes quick! I keep saying that, lol, but I really hope it does so you can have Grey in your arms!

[smjmekg]

Did they say how long they would wait until they checked you again?

[mom2ariana]

praying for you!!! this is exciting im loving the posts; try to keep them coming cause they're entertaining me. ;)
enjoy this part--as you probably know its the best moment and i wish i could relive it!! so don't wish it away!

[Ashelen]

130PM...about to start pushing!!! 9+cm dilated and contracting almost continuously....hurts like heck but feeling great!

[teko]

Sounds like anytime now! Cannot wait to hear!

[Steph_b]

Good Luck!  Thanks for the updates.  It's giving me a good idea of how things may pogress for me.

[Spiket77]

So no c-section then? Wow! They are letting you push. That is awesome.
GOOD LUCK!

[Cassandrajane]

So you've gone into Labour by yourself????
You havent been induced?? Woooohooooo.



x

[Clysta]

Good luck!!! It sounds like things are moving along wonderfully for you. :)

[smjmekg]

157, 157, 157!!! That's my guess.

[Ready_4_Baby_2]

Ahh this is exciting. Congrats!

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I wonder if we have a baby yet???!!!!!

[Limonada]

Holy cow, I didn't realize that she'd be doing a "real time" sort of thing.....I'm in awe - I wasn't in any shape to do that with either one of my inductions!!

I hope he's here by now...he must be??!!

[Sunkissed19]

Oh my Gosh i cant believe im missing this!!! i bet she has little Grey in her arms already!! YAY Ashelen!! im so excited!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

YAY it's now 3:54 and I hope you haven't update because you are too busy ooing and ahhing over Grey!!!

[Cassandrajane]

Haha,...
Does anyone know if she has been induced or its all natural??

I wonder if Grey has been borned??

x

[teko]

Just checking in, no word yet eh?

[BTS1022]

Cassandrajane- She is being induced, hense the need to use Pitocin. It is an IV drug that starts contractions. She was being induced due to other medical issues.

Anyways....

I hope she is busy holding her little Grey, I bet he is just adorable! I can't wait to see pictures of him!!!

[nickieb85]

Oh wow! I am sure she has had Grey by now! I hope she is getting some rest!!! I am sure she will need it!

[Ashelen]

Grey Joseph was born at 1:55PM by completely uncomplicated vaginal delivery after 6 minutes of pushing (3 sets of pushes, lol). The doctor had to cut a tiny episiotomy in the scar tissue from Kahlan's birth but it took like 2 stitches to close and I can't even feel it. He was only 7lbs 10oz (perfect, but WAY smaller than that crazy MFM said he would be LOL) and 20 inches long. He's latched on and is breast-feeding like a pro. I couldn't be happier...absolutely on cloud nine.

I went into the pushing with a lot of apprehension..around 1:45PM my mother-in-law (who was my OB nurse :) ) said OK it's time to push...I looked at the monitor and I was like..uh..are you sure? I feel no urge. And she pointed out how he was having mirror contraction/heartrates on the monitor and I know what that means, and right after she said that all of his weight dropped into my hips and I felt the urge. They tilted the bed so that gravity could aid the pushing and it was absolutely pain-free. I was having back-labor up until then, but once they shifted the angle of the bed it was like sitting on air lol. I did 3 sets of pushes and joked with the doctor the whole time about how big the baby would be and how easy of a time I was having pushing...I was in a wonderful mood. He came out blue as a smurf, but he received a 9/9 on his APGAR and had no breathing problems or feeding problems despite the medication I had to take during pregnancy.

He is beautiful and has a full head of curly/wavy dark hair, he looks exactly like his sister.

Like I said I am absolutely on cloud 9 and so happy to be holding my little one...I'll be posting pics in a little bit. I'm so glad I could share my story with you guys, I'm just sorry it was so short ;).

Thank you all for the love and the prayers, I'm doing wonderfully and feel like I could get up and jog right now and all of the pressure is off of my chest and my heartrate is back to normal, as is my blood pressure.

[Clysta]

Congrats on the birth!!!! :) I'm so glad to hear that you both are doing good.

[Cassandrajane]

Awhhhh yay....
Was you induced? Or did you go into labour?

YAY!

Congrats, Cant wait to see pictures, Awhh yay :)

x

[katsmommy]

wow you did a great job!!!!!im so happy for you...give grey kisses from all of your medhelp friends

[Sunkissed19]

YAY! Congrats!! i cant wait to see him! he was just a couple ounces smaller than Matt...cute :) Im glad u had a wonderful birth experience this time and no scares like with Kahlan! i cant wait to see pictures of Kahlan and Grey together! Im so excited for you and your family Ashelen....you did it!! Update me soon :) !!

[Ashelen]

I was induced for heart and neurological complications..I did get a migraine shortly after birth but my neurologist told me it would happen. My heart feels better already my chest feels a LOT less pressure. I'm gonna post pics as soon as my husband gets back upstairs with the card reader...LOL

[Cassandrajane]

Awwh, is everything well and good??
hehe, you must be estactic?

x

[blueeyedtabbycat]

Congrats mama!! I cant wait to see pictures of baby Grey!!!!!

[teko]

Congratulations to mama and baby. And thankyou for taking the time out of your experience to share the wonderful event with all of us.

[nickieb85]

Yay!!!! Congrats!!!!

[Melka76]

That is awesome - CONGRATS!

[LauraB78]

Wow, you are a champion for doing the "real time" thing.. I was so not up to it for my labor and delivery! Thanks for sharing, and Congratulations!! PS- I LOVE the name "Grey!"

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Yay!!!  Congrats!  Now get some rest already!!!   LOL!!!  And as teko said, thanks for sharing this with us :)

[LosingMyMindInGA]

YAY!!!! I'm so happy for you.  I can't wait to see his pics, gonna go check your profile now!!  

[Limonada]

Congratulations on Grey's safe arrival!!!  With both my inductions, I only had to push for 20 minutes or so - it's like those babies are going "well, YOU wanted me out - so here I come!!!" ;-)

[Quinns momma]

Congrats... I am so happy for you! :)

[mom2ariana]

yay congratulations!!! im so happy for you..im going to look at pictures!!!

[penswriter]

Congrats!!!

[Ashelen]

I just wanted to say again how very happy I am and how grateful I am that you ladies were following my story and wishing us well....my husband is currently cuddling Grey and my heart is so full. the only thing missing is our little girl...I can't wait to be home so our little family of four can get started in our new life.

I feel so amazing...I didn't know you could recover from birth this quickly. Aside from feeling like I rode a horse for about 30 hours too long and noticing the stitches when I pee, the rest of me feels pretty good. The injection sites for the epidural is pretty darn sore but I don't notice that until I forget and lean back on something hard.

My little boy is such a prince...I was scared to have a boy and there are still some things that intimidate me but just like Kahlan he just makes sense that he's mine...it's so eerie how much he looks like his sister. I'll have to post a newborn pic of her next to a newborn pic of him it's uncanny! The only differences are that his head is a bit smaller and his hair is a bit lighter than hers was, lol.

I hope that somebody was able to take something away from my birth story and that it might help them when they deliver..I know my story was short and sweet, but sometimes it DOES go that way, so hopefully my story will be relevant to SOMEbody :).

we took some more pics tonight that we'll post tomorrow of him NOT covered in vernix, lol.  and I had quite a laugh while going back through the after-birth pics...I had to nix quite a few because someone gave my aunt the camera and she doesn't pay attention to what's in the background...including her spread-eagle niece who's got an OB up her hoo-hah while getting an episiotomy repair and delivering the afterbirth LOL.


On another note...my blood pressure and heart-rate are now back to pre-pregnancy normal. My migraines have worsened, just like they predicted...but this also means that they have a good chance of doing as predicted and getting better as my hormones settle down. No IV or monitors tonight because this hospital believes in natural recovery and I couldn't be happier...nobody coming in to monitor the baby at night either unless we ask for it.  The fact that they were also willing to help me achieve a more natural birth even though it was medicated by allowing me to choose the position as well as calling the shots on pushing, breathing, etc. (they also respected my request for delayed cord clamping, immediate breast-feeding bonding, and they let my husband cut the cord and help deliver the placenta...and the fact that they allowed the delayed clamping was awesome because I ALSO requested a perinatologist to examine my son at birth to make sure the pain meds I have been given recently haven't affected him....and they all just waited patiently for the cord pulsing to stop and me to say I was ready before they took him and eval'd him...perfect eval by the way no effect (so far, of course no way to know 100%)) was just so cool.

on the downside, because they do use such a hands-off approach the trade-off is that they keep you longer so things that they might not otherwise notice won't go uncaught...so I'll be here until friday, but I'm OK with that except for missing my daughter something terrible. She came to visit her new brother today and she was fascinated...jealous, yes, but only for a minute and then she was so interested in giving her baby doll to him.

gonna go breast-feed and try to get this uterus to shrink a little faster...I lost 21lbs of amniotic fluid/placenta, 8lbs of baby (give or take)....so I'm feeling like I just lost half a person, lol, and hoping to keep up a steady weight loss from here on out.


Will post newer pics tomorrow and I just wanted to say that you guys have all been so amazing...I was so alone when I was pregnant with Kahlan, and just logging on to update and see how many people care about me and my family has truly made me feel good and anything I can do for any of you don't ever hesitate to ask...your support got me through the end of a very difficult and frightening pregnancy, and I truly believe that my baby boy is the happy healthy little booger that he is today because you guys were there to get me through everything that's happened over the last 10 months, including all the family tragedy, all the drama with DH walking out on me and whatnot, all of our financial ups and downs, my depression, and of course my health problems.

God bless you all (or whatever religion you follow!) and thank you so much, every one of you, for your support and caring...I hope you're all enjoying your families tonight and feel just as blessed as I do.

-Ashe <3

[nickieb85]

Aw! I am glad that you are happy with the way that things went! That is so important!!!!

[Mommashelley1]

CONGRATULATIONS Ashleen and i hope you recover soon. This so make me want my 5 months to pass so fast now so I can feel what you are feeling , all over again! take care and god bless you too!

[tsie]

congrats!!! FEEL IT- GREY IS HERE!!!

[Ready_4_Baby_2]

Ahh what a wonderful story. Congratulations again!

[ConnieG]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!  CONGRATS.  That play by play was sooo neat!  What a precious baby!!!  Enjoy your little miracle :)

[kirsty702]

Congrats !!! sooo exciting really hit home for me i only have 9 weeks to go and i will be holding my son just like you x congrats again x

[Ashelen]

I'm so excited for everyone who's going to be going through their own epic journey soon (or not-so-soon!!). It really was so beautiful and I'm just basking in the glow of my baby. Unfortunately it turns out that he has a slight case of jaundice so he may be here for a few more days, which I'm sincerely hoping is NOT the case...I want to bring my butterball home tomorrow so our family can start to get used to our new life together.

Thank you all again for all your sweet comments and messages I'm so honored that so many people wanted to hear our story :)

[Grandmatobe]

Congratulations on the new addition to the family.  He is just precious.  When my granddaughter was born, she had jaundice as well, and the hospital ordered a set of paddle type lights to be delivered to our house to put on the baby for several hours a day, so she didn't have to stay in the hospital.  Does your hospital do the same thing?  It might be worth checking into, so your family can get home and be together.

Best of luck to you all.......

[smjmekg]

Aww, you made me all teary eyed! Darn hormones, I'm so glad things turned out the way they did for you guys. Your birth story, giving us a play by play like you did, has made labor and delivery a little less scary for me. You know Elijah was a section baby, but this time dr is allowing whatever I want, a first for me. Your story has given me more strength and belief that a short 21 weeks from now I'll be able to do it! I'm gonna try for 100% natural with no pain medicine, but I'm not stupid and when I reach my limit I know it's there to be used for a reason.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and giving us updates including right before you started pushing, lol. I was amazed that you were able to get on the computer just to update! I hope Grey gets to come home with you guys, everyone's told me the second baby is more likely to get jaundice and Elijah had a little bit, so I'm expecting it this time, but we'll see. I can't wait to see more pictures, and I love how hands-off your hospital was!!!

[Ashelen]

Grandmatobe I'll definitely ask..any way to get my little man home with us would be great.

Sabrina I was thrilled too they've been very wonderful as far as letting us call the shots..unfortunately with the bili treatment they're being pretty strict.

I guess what happened is called ABO hemolytic incompatibility ....because I'm O(+) and Grey is A (+) when my blood crossed the placenta it formed antibodies that attacked his red blood cells (SORT of like RH incompatibility not not as severe) and elevated the bilirubin levels in his blood...everything I'm reading says it's easily treatable and not really dangerous but it's still a bit of a nail-biter until his levels go down. They're saying most likely 24-72 hours under the bili light, and I can only see him for feeding times 30 minutes every 3 hours which *****...but I guess I'll get to rest and recover, right? Sigh, oh well, LOL.

Still in a great mood...sorry my little man is away from us and doubly sorry that he's feeling pooey but not gonna let it bring me down.

[smjmekg]

I can't even imagine not being able to see my little one for so long. Well, hopefully he has a speedy recovery and you enjoy your time between feedings to rest while you can! Soon you'll be newborn mom and toddler mom at home! EEK!! I totally just pictured me running (walking quickly) around the house with a baby in one arm trying to catch a toddler with a stinky diaper with the other arm, lol! I'm sure I'll see plenty from you in the next few months to be able to get a better idea of how it's gonna be, but man oh man...what have we got ourselves into, lol! ; )

[Ashelen]

I have no idea girl I think we must be crazy LOL

[LosingMyMindInGA]

If you think YA'LL are crazy, wait until september when I have a 14 yo, 7 yo, 6 yo, 2 yo and a newborn,...LOL  When ever things get hectic at your houses...just think.."OMG I'm SOO Thankful I'm not as crazy as LMMIG" hehe   Having had 2 that are only 14 months apart I can tell you that it IS a little crazy in the beginning but it doesn't take long before you develop a routine and actually liked having them so close together.  

Anyhoo, I was born with jaundice...a few hours under the uv lights and I was good to go.  DD6 developed slight jaundice but it wasn't so sever she needed the lights and she was able to go home, they just told me what to watch for and said to make sure she got plenty of sunlight.  

[FreshLove]

Yay!! I'm so excited for you!!!! Lol, I feel like a druggy waiting for their next fix....that's how excited I am about meeting my own son, it seems like that's all I think about. And reading about your birth experience is sooo exciting! I can't wait for that day to come. I'm hoping for an easy delivery (as easy as a delivery can be, lol) and your story is inspiring, you seem so happy and relaxed :) All 3 of my mom's deliveries went quickly with no need/time for meds (all within a total of 4 hours)...and I've always taken after her (developmentally) plus my doc said I have "a nice wide birth canal" lol

Anyways, enjoy baby Grey and hope thing continue to go great! :)

[April2]

Congratulations Ashelen! He's beautiful! So glad everything went well for you. :) Enjoy him!

[Madea268]

Good Luck Ashelen!

[AnxiousGurl]

Yay :) Congrats!!