The Birth Story

Hey!

Look at me posting again! : )

So my wonderful husband took care of the basics, but for those who have known me through a couple of babies (especially those who are far enough away to get everything by phone or email), you know how I am about birth stories. And for those who know me at all, you know how long-winded I am. Especially about my babies! lol So I've done this two ways; for those who want the really lengthy, all the details birth story, check Here.
If you don’t have an extra 6 1/2hrs, to read, here is the reader’s digest version. ; )

We had known for a week that Friday *could* be the day for Charlotte’s arrival, since my dr had offered an induction for that day if I still hadn’t gone on my own. Believe it or not, I was still debating on Thursday night if I really wanted to evict her or if I wanted to just wait it out. By the time I rolled myself out of bed on Friday morning and was contracting (although just mildly) on my own, I figured what the heck-let’s do this! The hospital was a bit occupied on Friday morning, so we had to wait a bit, and didn’t go in until 10am, which was fine as it gave us time to actually do the maternity portraits that we’d kept putting off. Gotta love last minute! My contractions were fairly regular when we arrived, and I was a “stretchy 3”/not quite 4cms dilated, so I had a good start to things and was fine with pitocin being started at that point. My dr had also asked that my water be broken to jump start things, but baby was pretty high and the resident was worried about a cord prolapse so we decided to hold off on that a bit.

Things didn’t change much for the next couple of hours, even with the pitocin being upped regularly. Contractions still stayed mild, and I still stayed about 4cms. At about 12:30, the resident was hoping to break my water, but she still felt baby was too floaty, so she called my dr to see if he wanted to come and do it himself or just wait. He was a bit delayed, but he came on over and did it himself, so at 1:52pm, there was officially no turning back! It took a little while still, but things finally kicked into gear and contractions started picking up. Aaron had been taking a nap for a bit after my water was broken, but by a little after 2:30 I woke him up knowing that I was going to need his help working through things before too long. I got up to use the bathroom (love IV fluids), and I guess my breathing through a contraction on the way there was enough to start a little spiral of events. Aaron-being the ever-vigilant and attentive husband that he is during labor-called the nurse in for a check thinking that we must be making some progress by the way I was walking. We waited things out a bit longer, but by 3 they wanted to check on my again. I was still only 4-5cms, but baby was ridiculously low. I was warned to call them in quickly if I felt any change at all in pressure. About 15 minutes later, Aaron was on back duty-kneading right into my tail bone where I tend to get all of my pressure during labor. I’m sure much to his relief this time around I preferred the heel of his hands in my back as opposed to his fist. Typically the poor guy feels like his hand is broken by the end of things-hopefully it wasn’t quite so bad this time! I was having to start relaxing through my contractions at this point, so we checked things again-only 6-7cms, but a panicky request to call the dr came with that check. I preferred to be up on my feet, so I got back up, but after just a few contractions could feel baby moving down more and started feeling a bit pushy so everyone sprang into action. I remember glancing at the clock as I was climbing up onto the bed-it was 3:30.

My dr did make it in time-which was nice as the resident whose shift had just started was a newbie and had never delivered before (and was a bit anxious!), so it was good to have his years of experience there to make sure everything was going well. He did a great job guiding her through the whole process without the whole thing feeling like a teaching moment.

My contractions stopped just before delivery, which gave me a nice break before it was time to actually deliver. I was glad for the break as I remember it being a nice change to just relax and catch my breath last time. Once things kicked back in there was no slowing down-my body began to push and with one push and kind of a half push after that her head was out, and it was immediately followed by one more little push that sent the rest of her flying out! Big sigh, complete relief, instant euphoria! The official time of arrival was 3:40pm, just about 5 hrs after I “officially” began. Not too bad! And definitely better than the last few times! Our little Charli came out just perfect, with apgar scores of 9 at one minute, and 10 and 5 minutes. She was bright-eyed and alert, and surprisingly cute for a “just popped out” baby! : ) She fits right in with the rest of them weighing in at 6lbs 9oz, but a little on the short size at 18 inches.

The delivery was wonderful, the baby is perfect, I have felt great-we couldn’t ask for more!

Charlotte Olwen

(This is Aaron posting for Catey)

Today our little Charli came into the world. Catey and I knew today may be the day for over a week because at her last appointment, she asked the Dr. what day she could be induced and he said the 24th. The 24th in Utah is a huge state holiday, it is the day when the Mormon pioneers came into the valley to settle....huge fireworks, everyone (local) has the day off, its like having two 4th of July celebrations in one month....but I digress.

I think kids should have their own day, kids born on holidays get the shaft in my book. So I suggested the day after (and just for the record, I had forgotten that was the day I picked for the baby pool. I had picked it almost two weeks before her Dr. suggested it!)

She was already having contractions this morning when we went in and by the time we got there, they hooked her up to the pitocin, a few hours later broke the water and Charli was born less than an hour later.

She came in at 6lbs 9oz and was 18 inces long, pink, perfect and happy to be here....really, she does not cry much.....yet.

If I were her, I would start the crying right after I got home and met the siblings. The kids came by and were able to get a few min with her and mom.

Catey and baby are great. I thought I would post some pics for everyone to see.

Everyone will be home on Sat.

Yes, I'm still here

and yes, still very much rotundly pregnant. But hey, the Chinese food last night was wonderful! As was the company, the hanging out, and the fireworks. For those who aren't in the lovely state of Ut, yesterday was our state holiday, so of course the folks did a get-together and the bbq (although I was selfish pregnant woman and ate Chinese instead of a burger). Good times. Even better times watching my sister go stir-crazy that I'm still pregnant. Hey-it got me a foot massage!

Anyway-just thought I'd throw out the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. For those who don't live in the Happy Valley Culture, it probably won't make as much sense, but hopefully will still be at least mildly amusing. For those who live here (in state) you will, I'm sure, greatly appreciate it. Too many people do not appreciate satire. This is one of the best forms I've seen in a while. I read about this blog www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com this morning, and though I've only read the most current posts, I think I've found my new addiction. Especially in light of the recent conversation in my immediate neighborhood about appreciating simplicity and being good enough just the way you are, and not feeling like you can just be yourself, to me this took aim right at the very core. (btw-I have an awesome book to pass on to you ladies when I finish it!) Don't be offended, it's all in good fun, it's not meant to be mean. Just a humorous look at a perceived lifestyle. And I do have to say that the Pioneer post really cracked me up. You know you've met people just like that! ; )

As for any exciting news on the home front, we'll keep you posted, I promise!

39wks

I really didn't think I'd have a belly at 39wks to take a picture of. Shows how much I know, huh?

Desperate times call for desperate measures

If you're squeamish or easily offended, don't read this. It's all g-rated, but really, when you're this pregnant, are you even considered a g-rated person anymore?

I think I actually qualify as "ridiculously pregnant" now. If in no other way besides mentally. If nothing else, maybe this will at least give you a laugh today. Or make you think I'm crazy. But that's not much of a secret anyway!

Ok, so I'll admit I've tried many of the old wives tales to get things going. Especially in the last week. I've tried many of them in the past, some of them have helped, some not, some have helped in one pregnancy and not in another. I know the odds are slim, but hey, worth a shot, right? So since I've not been this pregnant in, oh....10 yrs since my first pregnancy, in the past week I've resorted to trying many. MANY. It kind of started out as a game. Now, it's not funny anymore! In the past 48hrs I've taken a nose dive from happy, sweet, smiley, cute preggo mama to don't tick me off-really, you've been warned, don't push it. I'm still feeling probably better than I should at this point, but now I'm getting mean. I don't like being mean. but at least I can still put on a happy face when the phone rings or someone is at the door. I have nearly perfected the art of faking it.

So, what have I tried? I have:
*Eaten a pineapple
*Spent a ridiculous amount of time walking-including hilly neighborhoods
*Been, um, well, if you've been to this point in pregnancy you know what I'm talking about (keeping things rate G)
*Had a pedicure
*Used pressure points (which will cause some ctx)
*Run stairs
*Used the elliptical
*Been using EPO for weeks (which thankfully has given my cervix a good start!)
*Mowed the lawn-and may do it again today
*Gone hiking (yes, really hiking, like in the mountains)
*attempted a membrane stripping (so does really invasive exam count? lol)
*Driven the dirt road home (only twice though-not willing to risk the tires again. But the kids love that ride in the van!)
*and then there was yesterday.....

I caved and did castor oil. (yes I've done all the research, and imo the meconium link is totally bunk, so no I don't worry about that) I have done it in the past, and it hadn't worked, but I figured that my cervix is more effaced and dilated that it ever was when I tried it before, so maybe, just *maybe* it would make a difference this time. nope. (but hey-I feel GREAT today! lol) A couple of hours of some fairly regular contractions that started puttering out by the early evening. So what do I do when they start to slow down? Get active of course! Did I take a nice walk around the block? No. I went and played soccer. Yes, at 39wks pregnant with my 7th child, I went and played soccer. Granted it was mostly kids (only 3 adults), but honestly, it wasn't stand around and kick the ball back in the game when it came my way, I actually played. Like got out there and played played. I got a little over-zealous at one point and the ball went over the neighbor's fence. He got a good laugh when he came over to see what was really going on! And as a result (drumroll please).....my contractions actually STOPPED. For real? They stopped. Nothing. One little ligament pain for a minute or so and that's it. Oh, I am walking with a hint of a waddle today if I don't consciously avoid it, but that's all. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. I did sleep really well last night though. I guess that's good. I actually debated ordering a $3 amniohook or amnicot yesterday and paying the $30 to ship it overnight. Allright, I'm kind of kidding-I'm not actually crazy enough to do that on my own (although if she were engaged and my bag was bulging, I just might....). I know, I know, I'm not even to my due date yet. But at this point, I would be willing to put money on the fact that my body just doesn't start and finish labor on it's own. period. Pitocin was created for people like me that can't give birth without a jump start either at the beginning or in the middle of the whole process. Oh well. The cervix of steel is a good thing b/c I never have to worry about preterm labor, right?

All I can think of is the Friends episode when Rachel is overdue and just randomly looks down at her belly and yells "get out, get out, GET OUT!"

But hey-I'm still wearing my ring! (and not because it's stuck!) I think though, that the heels have now been put away until baby is out. Dang-I bought some really cute ones last week too. But I did get to wear them on Sunday. So from here on out, flip flops it is I guess.

Tonight: Chinese food. But only because I've been craving it for a week and dang it-I deserve it! This kid is never coming out. But at least it makes for a good story.

Jeff J. Snider

Guess what? your snowball is in my fridge. It will be finished on Thursday. HA! Aside from baking bread, "Snider's snowball" was the last thing on my to-do list. It is now crossed off! If it didn't take 5 days to finish, I'd drop it off for you today! I know, I'm only like 6 months late, but hey, better late than never right?

Well, I lose. And I'm sending my parents out of town.

Oh well. My guess passed 4 hours ago. I guess I could still go today, but I highly doubt it. I'm gonna have to take my ring off today though-as my sister would say, "that bugs". But hey, it's the longest I've been able to wear it during pregnancy, and I never would have guessed that that would happen in the middle of the summer, so yay fingers for not swelling at all earlier! :)

As far as sending the folks out of town-they have this little pattern. My parents like to travel. I think it is wonderful! I hope to have the same opportunities some day as they have seen some amazing things in amazing places. As they do a fair amount of traveling, often their excursions are booked WAY far in advance. The funny thing is that typically when I announce a pregnancy I hear a short time later..."oh, we've got a trip planned around then!" Which when you consider the frequency of my prenancies and the frequency of their traveling, really isn't all that surprising! ;) They have been kind enough to reschedule some of the smaller ones as the time grows closer so that they can make sure they're around when baby arrives. Awww....how wonderful! When it comes to the bigger ones, like a trip to China/Hong Kong/Bali that was 10yrs ago, we just hope that baby cooperates and comes before the trip date. Thankfully with Malia my water broke and she was here for almost two weeks before they left. Had I gone the full 2wks over before my dr would induce that time, they would have been climbing on a plane to journey to the other side of the world for 2 wks just a couple of days after she was born. Point being: They had talked about taking a small trip this month. It would have been closer to the 4th, so two weeks ago (which was a bit early for me still), but still, can we reschedule it for now? It virtually guarantees that my body will actually do something to get this kid out!

Can you tell yesterday was a long day?

But hey-I even have castor oil in the house and I'm not doing that, so I haven't hit the end of the world point yet.

Today there is nothing on the list of things to do. Well, except laundry and dishes and that normal daily grind.

I think we will play "who can give the best foot rub" all day. And maybe just watch movies. I do really hope that it will rain-I would love to open all the windows and just let the rain smell flood the house.