Jaxson Paul arrived 1/16/09 My story and update

[LauraB78]

Hi Ladies!!

Thanks to all that left notes! I havent had time to upload pics, and only have a couple minutes, but wanted to update real quick and briefly share my experience.

Sooooo.. Wednesday at like midnight I started having contractions, they were super far apart.. By Thursday night I was in tears, but they were still 20 minutes apart... About midnight, I couldnt take it anymore, so we headed to the hospital. Upon arrival there, I was admitted and checked. I was only 1,5 cm dialated. They checked me again about 2:30 am and I was 3 cm. It looked like we may be progressing, so they administered the epidural.. I am totally for an epidural after my experience b.c the contractions were so intense and painful, but I wish I had better known what to expect w. the epidural. I hated not being able to feel anything from the waist down, and in lieu of my contractions and NO sleep in over 24 hours and little food, I was honestly quite pi$$ed no one told me that once they give you the epi, no food.. No nothing but ice chips.. I was STARVING by the time Jaxson arrived! Anyway, my labor totally stalled and our hospital has only 1 O.R. and it was booked until 3 pm Friday.. Sooo,. they didnt start the pitocin until like 2:30, By 4 pm I was 10 cm and we started pushing... Jaxson made his enterance at 5:47 pm! I was annoyed I had to wait all day with numb legs, and being super anxious, but of course it is all worth it! Oh., the OR had to be available just in case I needed a c-section. It was for our safety. but the waiting was awful!

He was born with cord wrapped around his neck twice,. It was choking him. I had to stop pushing several times b/c Jax's heart rate was really low and he was distressed. It was very scary, but Ken was AMAZING.. I am so impressed with him.. He was a fantastic coach, and Fatherhood is suiting him quite well.. He has been just wonderful..

We were discharged from the hospital late Sunday. We had to wait b/c Jax's jaundice. His bilirubin (sp?) was 12 and he lost weight so they wanted to wait until the end of the day... He was 6 lb. 12 oz at birth and when we were dischared, he was 6 lbs, 4.8 oz..

The nurse did a home visit today to check on us and he is down to 6lbs 2 oz.. He was crying all day yesterday when he wasnt sleeping or feeding. My nipples are basically a giant scab and I am not producing any milk yet. we are supplementing with formula and I am an emotional wreck about the whole thing. Of course I am happy I know he is getting nourishment from the formula, but I really wanted to breast feed, I am trying to pump every few hours, and the lactation consultant is going to check with me again tomorrow. I guess I have to take it day by day, but I have honestly been a blubbering crying mess for nearly 2 days.. Thus the reason there are no pics uploaded or anything yet// I havent slept more than an hour at a time since last Wednesday..


Anyway, I hope everyone is well and hopefully I will have an opportunity to get on and get some pics uploaded soon!!

I send my best to everyone!

XO
Laura

[Helen72]

I am able to give my girl breast milk half the time and the supplement fills in the rest.  I keep pumping hoping that my supply will go up but at this point (it's been over 2 weeks!!!) I doubt I can exclusively breastfeed  :(

I agree about the nourishment; it's what counts the most.  I absolutely hated when my baby was losing weight.

[LauraB78]

Thanks Helem!

I am ok w/ formula feeding now..  I met w/ the lactation consultant MANY times, and she even said it was time to quit.. I just ghad NOTHING.. It happens! =(

As long as our babies are getting nourishment, thats the important thing!

[Helen72]

I am still pumping, trying to up my milk supply but my body just does not cooperate.  I mostly have to use formula as well  :(  It makes me very emotional and makes me cry since people around me do not understand and make me feel like I am not doing enough.  
I can totally relate to how you feel.  My heart goes out to you...

[LauraB78]

Thx for the advice ladies! I am formula feeding, I am one of the very few who just didn't produce. It's emotional, but I'm dealing with it. :(

[elbow77]

Congrats! I, too, was frustrated with b/f. I will say to you to not give up because it gets better. My nipples scabbed also, I use lanolin cream and it works wonders.

[yelloweskimo]

Congratulations!! My nipples scabed up at first, then they fixed themselves over a couple of days and I didn't have to stop breastfeeding. They seemed to get better once my milk came in. Hopefully all is working out for you!

[Cheesecake7]

Congratulations!  I too can relate to b/f frustration, I am doing it going on 6 weeks, and Im still frustrated :)

[Helen72]

Congrats!  Sorry about frustrating delivery experience but I am glad that you and your guy are doing well.

I can totally relate to the b/f frustration.  Waiting for the milk to come in is just painful on everyone.

[Tarobinc]

Congrats!  Im glad everything worked out ok!