TM’s Birth Story – Part 1

Thursday March 10, 2011:

This is my last pregnant picture. 39 weeks and 5 days!

Let me start by saying I had an amazing birth experience with very few complications. Being induced worked amazingly well for us but that’s not always the case. We were beyond blessed to have such an awesome experience with everything going better than planned – for the most part.

 

I woke up Thursday morning around 3:30. I couldn’t sleep. This is the day I will finally meet my baby! The day I will no longer be pregnant – thank God! We had to be at the hospital at 6:30 and there was so much I felt I needed to do. I showered and dried my hair and put on makeup – a luxury of being induced! I had plenty of time to make myself feel pretty. (I wish you could see me now! I do good to bathe every day!) We got everything ready, got the car packed and in true Denton fashion we pulled out of the driveway at 6:30. Let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be our birth story if we weren’t late.

Berty made it to the hospital in record time and we were checked in and ready to go by 6:45. Once in the room I got to pee in a cup because when you’re pregnant people are obsessed with your pee. You can’t go anywhere without giving someone a specimen! The cups at the hospital are larger than the shot glasses you pee in at the doc so I’m pretty sure I didn’t pee on myself. The nurse started my iv – which hurt like hell, strapped on the fetal and contraction monitors, and we waited for the doc to come break my water.

Dr. Smith came in at 7:30 to break my water and get the party started! I was 3cm at this point. Now, it took 40 forevers for him to break my water. Apparently I had a “tough” bag. This part wasn’t that bad just a lot of pressure and lots of things shoved all up in my business. The instrument used to break your water is a standard crochet hook – seriously. It took about 5 minutes for my bag to finally break and once it did the doc left and homegirl’s heart rate dropped from the 130’s to the 70’s and then – nothing. While JP and my nurse made nurse faces at each other and tried to pretend like everything was hunky dory, I freaked. They finally located her heart rate and I had to lay super still to make sure she was going to be okay.

Moving on from the dramatics….

This is after he broke my water and right when the Pitocin was started – obviously before the contractions became intense.

Last photo as a family of 2 – minus the fur children of course!

The early morning was pretty uneventful. Contractions started getting stronger soon after the Pitocin was started but they really weren’t that bad – at first. I knew I wanted an epidural and because I was 3cm when I got there, they told me I could have my epidural as soon as I wanted it. I was a little scared sh*tless of the epidural so I wanted to hold off as long as I could.

The doc came in and checked me again around 11 and I was 4 cm. They offered my some iv pain meds and I was afraid it would effect the baby so I declined – until I had an awesome contraction and I decided that TM probably wouldn’t mind being doped up to help her momma out!

 

Before Stadol:

After Stadol:

The pain meds took the edge off and I enjoyed socializing with all my visitors and trying to rest for the last time – ever. No really.

Aunt Courter, my mom, and Aunt Nini – my SIL

We had lots of friends and family come by throughout the day and I felt pretty good for the hour or so following the pain meds! I could feel the contractions getting stronger and I grew some balls finally asked for my epidural. The last 2 contractions that I felt were ridiculous. The worst pain I have ever felt. We need to take a moment to recognize those who labor without any meds, like none. You rock! There’s no way in hell I would have survived. I was in tears by the time the doc came in with the goods!

I was at 5cm when I got my epidural at around 1. Half-way there! And the epidural was not bad at all. The shot you get before they put the epidural in is really not that bad. The worst part is trying to be still through the contractions. It took maybe 5 minutes total for him to put it in. 15 minutes later I was feeling nothing and it was amazing!

This amazing feeling lasted about an hour and we partied it up in our room with lots of our favorite peeps!

Me and my daddy!

Check back for part 2 of the story – I need to try and sleep while TM is actually sleeping!

Meet Turner McCartney

I really have been meaning to post this! I promise!

 

March 10, 2011 3:38pm

6lb 8oz. 19 1/4 in.

Thank you so much for the tweets! You guys are awesome! I’m working on the birth story and hope to have it posted soon.

We are beyond blessed and could not be happier!

Bumpdate

How Far Along: 39 weeks

Total Weight Gained: 19lbs – yep! I gained 3 lbs in 1 week.

Sleep: It is what it is. I’m used to not sleeping. I get up to pee about 4 times a night.

Best Moment of the Week: Finding out that this is the last week I will be pregnant.

Food Cravings: Cake. Specifically chocolate cake with cherries and vanilla icing.

Food Aversions: Eggs.

Symptoms: Pain. Back, vag, stomach, hip, leg. It just hurts.

JP’s Symptoms: Berty has had some moments of rudeness this week. I think I deserve some major pampering and he thinks I need to suck it up.

Movement: Movement is painful these days, but I’m loving every minute of it!

Gender: Girl – Turner McCartney

What I miss: Margaritas! We had Mexican Saturday and I would have loved a margarita!

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my baby girl!

Weekly Wisdom: Listen to other people’s advice but ultimately you know what is best for your situation. I always ask for other people’s opinions but I’m still going to make my own decision.

Also, eat lots and lots of cakes and girl scout cookies while you’re still pregnant!

Milestones: I made it! We scheduled an induction date!

So other than finding out that I ate my weight in cake last week, I also learned that I am now 2.5cm and 80% effaced. The doctor feels comfortable inducing me now and we scheduled for Thursday!

I’m so so so excited to know what day we will finally meet her!

Thanks for the comments on the bathroom! Berty really appreciates it!

Bathroom Remodel!

I wanted to post some before and after pics of our bathroom remodel. You know just in case I forget what it used to look like! The hubs worked hard on the demo and we hired someone to make it look fabulous.

Before pics:

This was our fab tile – on all the walls and around the tub/shower.

Our old sketch cast iron tub:

Demo Pics – I’m not gonna lie….I was super concerned!

 

And now the after pics!!

   

I LOVE the way it turned out and I am so thankful for all the hard work John Paul put in to it. It’s probably my new fav room in our house!

Stay tuned for an update. I have what I hope to be my last doctor’s appointment tomorrow!

Bumpdate

 

How Far Along: Still pregnant! 38 wks

Total Weight Gained: 16lbs

Maternity Clothes: Ok really. I might be wearing my sweatpants and too small t-shirts to work this week. I am running out of room in my maternity clothes.

Sleep: I’m tired all the time but I can’t sleep. I get up at least 3 times a night to pee.

Best Moment of the Week: Bathroom is finished!! That’s all I have to share.

Food Cravings: Cake. I’m still going to Sonic every morning for a water. The lady knows my order when she sees me pull in.

Food Aversions: Eggs. Berty had some nasty smelling omelet at good ole Waffle House on Saturday and I thought I would die!

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks. Pressure. Back pain. Indigestion. Luckily I haven’t had any swelling so I’m very thankful for that!

JP’s Symptoms: Berty busted his butt to make sure the bathroom was finished this weekend. I may or may not have threatened his living situation but it was finished and he still lives with me!

Movement: When she moves it hurts. I have been neurotically writing down all her movements so I can make sure I feel her enough during the day.

Gender: Girl – Turner McCartney

What I miss: Not being pregnant. I can’t remember what it’s like to not be pregnant.

What I'm looking forward to: I guess I’m looking forward to going BACK to the doctor on Monday to see if I’ve made any progress. I would really like for my child to make her appearance soon. 

Weekly Wisdom: Ignore people. I mean I understand I’ve been pregnant for years. I don’t need to be reminded. Yes, I’m about to pop. I look in the mirror every morning.

Milestones: 11 days left.

Berty went with me to the doc yesterday. I am 1.5cm. Should I be excited about the .5cm change?

He wants to see me back Monday to check my progress again. He really wants me to be dilated more before we induce. I would prefer to go into labor on my own but we will see. I have a small window of time to work around the hubs off pattern. He will take off work regardless but we would like for her to come while he’s off so he doesn’t have to take so much time off work.

I’m walking every night till Monday to try and hurry things along. I wish I had thought to ask about stripping my membranes. Maybe he can do that on Monday?

Have a great Tuesday friends!!

What I’m Loving Wednesday

{one} I’m loving that it’s 70 degrees in Alabama today! The weather has been fab lately!

{two} I’m loving that the guy is going to have my bathroom finished today. I have a shower at my house on Sunday and it has to be finished. It better be done when I get home or all kinds of unfortunate-ness is gonna happen!

{three} I’m loving that these lovely girls are coming to rescue me from the nursery tonight! I need major organizational help!

{four} I’m always loving the sweet comments and support from my lovely bloggy friends who understand that I have no clue what I’m doing and I need advice!

 

Head over to Jamie’s blog and link up!

Bumpdate

 

Sorry for the craptastic Blackberry pictures. And yes I am taking pictures in the nursery. Please note the disaster that’s happening in the background. This may or may not be why I haven’t posted pics of the nursery yet.

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Total Weight Gained: 16lbs

Maternity Clothes: I am running out of clothes that fit. I try really hard to pull off some previously cute not quite so unfortunate maternity looks but lets face it, when you’re as large as a house nothing looks cute. I feel ridiculous!

Sleep: Pure exhaustion. The lower the baby gets, the more I pee on myself which requires more trips to the bathroom – this always happens while I’m trying to sleep.

Best Moment of the Week: Survival. Let’s face it….getting up and going to work is an accomplishment these days. I wish I could say that our bathroom was finished and that I’ve been in a fabulous mood all week…but well you know.

Food Cravings: Anything sweet. And still drinking ridiculous amounts of water.

Food Aversions: Eggs. Berty had some nasty smelling omelet at good ole Waffle House on Saturday and I thought I would die!

Symptoms: I’ve felt a lot more BH contractions. Mostly in my back. The vag still hurts and I complain all the time. I just feel exhausted and there’s so much that I need to get done. I have meltdowns daily and my husband is probably going to leave me if this baby doesn’t come out soon!

JP’s Symptoms: Berty has been nesting. Outside. He trimmed all the bushes and cut back our crepe myrtles and made everything look pretty for our baby girl’s arrival. Which is apparently no time soon.

Movement: Movement has slowed down a lot. I still feel her moving just not as much. I shake her to get her to move. Is that bad?

Gender: Girl – Turner McCartney

What I miss: I’m really starting to miss my pre preggo body. I am always tired, always mean, and I can’t move without making a scene. 

What I'm looking forward to: Going back to the doctor on Monday and if I’m still 1cm it’s gonna be bad! And sad because there’s really nothing I can do about it.

Weekly Wisdom: People don’t realize that when they ask, “Oh! You’re still pregnant?!” or, “You haven’t had that baby yet?!” that you want to hit them in the face. Or genitals. No! I sure haven’t had “that baby” yet. Please stop asking me. When I’m no longer at work you can assume that I had “that baby.”

Milestones: As of today there are 18 days till my due date. I just might make it. Maybe.

 

My bestie Courtney took me to the doc yesterday. She was coming for good luck. Let’s share a picture of her…..

 

I didn’t gain any weight. I haven’t progressed. I have had no swelling. My blood pressure is great and my baby is never coming out. I’m still 1cm and about 70% effaced. The doc assures me that this is great for my first pregnancy. Yay! :(

He did say that when I go back Monday he will schedule me to be induced the next week. So when I’m 39 weeks I can force her to come out. We will see how I feel about this on Monday!