Birth Story

I'm sorry this is extremely late. It's busy with a newborn! Here is my birth story, minus some details.

On Saturday, November 10th I started getting contractions in the afternoon. They weren't strong enough or regular enough to go to the hospital yet. Ben had been really busy at work so he was a few hours late. I sent him a text that said I would probably have to go to the hospital that night, as the contractions were getting closer together. When I called the Billings Clinic Family Birth Center (FBC), they suggested I go for a walk and take a bath to make sure things progressed, so Ben and I headed to Wal-Mart to walk (that night was really cold so there was no way we could go for a walk outside).

At 11pm we arrived at the FBC and were pre-roomed to be monitored. They watched me for about 20 minutes and said I wasn't progressing enough so they had me walk around the halls. Because I still hadn't progressed enough, they sent me home at 2am.

By 3 am at home, I was in so much pain. The contractions came about every 2-3 minutes but I still didn't want to go straight back to the hospital and then get sent home again. I sat at home for almost 3 hours trying to watch a movie to keep my mind of the pain. I would sleep for about 2 minutes between contractions then be woken up. Somehow, Ben slept through my almost-screams in the living room. But every time I would change positions, the pain became worse than ever. The only thing I regret is not eating before going to the hospital.

When Ben woke up, we went to the hospital and they admitted me to a room. I asked for the epidural right away, I couldn't believe how painful it already was. Thankfully, I was able to get rest with the epidural. My parents arrived at noon and by 4 pm they turned my epidural way down. At 5:10 they had me push. Even without eating for over 24 hours, I still threw up about 6 times while I was pushing.

At 5:55 Everett was born. He came out a little sideways and they were worried he might have swallowed some of his own poop, so I wasn't able to hold him right away. At midnight, they took him to the NICU because they were worried about his blood sugar levels. By 8 am he was back in my room, having never had to put him on an IV.

He's the most amazing little thing I could ever even imagine to have the privilege being the mother of.

40 Week Survey

I hope this will be my last survey!!

How far along? 40 weeks

Baby is the size of? A full grown baby, haha.

Average size: 20.16 inches, 7.63 lbs

Maternity clothes? I have 2-3 pairs of work pants that fit…. Sweats are my best friend

Stretch Marks? None.

Sleep: drastically reduced. Contractions and hip/knee pain keep me up at night.

Best moment this week: It’s been sort of a miserable week so it’s hard to think of a great moment this week. But I made a onesee with E’s name on it for him to wear to reveal his name.

Miss anything? My sanity.

Movement: He still moves like he’s got all the room in the world.  

Food cravings: None. I’m not even that hungry anymore.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: Boy

This week’s fetal heart rate: 142

Labor signs: Contractions, back pain, groin pain, other gross things I won’t get into.

Symptoms: swelling, back pain.

Belly button in or out? Outie-ish

Wedding rings on or off? Off-wearing dad’s wedding band when I leave the house.

Emotions: This was a rough week.

Looking forward to: the birth of my boy.

Saturday Survey-39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks (approx 1 more to go!!)

Baby is the size of? A Watermelon

Average size: 20.16 inches, 7.63 lbs

Maternity clothes? My favorite are pajama’s and sweats.

Stretch Marks? None yet but that skin is getting pretty thin!

Sleep: Lots of hip pain, it hurts to switch positions but I still sleep.

Best moment this week: Having the chance to hang out with great people before our lives change.

Miss anything? At this point, I kind of just miss everything. This is such a long process.

Movement: He’s a big boy with big movements.  

Food cravings: I wanted an orange last night.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: Boy

This week’s fetal heart rate: 130 (he’s just chilling now!)

Labor signs: Pelvic pressure, a few contractions.

Symptoms: swelling, bathroom trips, my tailbone hurts so bad.

Belly button in or out? Outie-ish

Wedding rings on or off? Off-wearing dad’s wedding band.

Emotions: This was a good week, but I get moody.

Looking forward to: 3 day work week, and hopefully seeing my boy!

I was a pregnant prom queen-just got done with a makeout session in the back of a car.

Sunday Survey-38 weeks

How far along? 38 weeks (approx 2 more to go!!)

Baby is the size of? A Pumpkin! Happy Halloween!!

Average size: 19.91 inches, 6.8 lbs

Maternity clothes? My best friend.

Stretch Marks? I think I’m still mark free.

Sleep: Would be longer if I didn’t have to pee about 5 times a night.

Best moment this week: Lots of time with my hubby.

Miss anything? I wish I felt less physically limited. I’m excited to be able to move and sleep however I want.

Movement: We are really able to pick out limbs now because he has such big movements.  

Food cravings: I've been back to craving drinks.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nothing

Gender: Boy

This week’s fetal heart rate: 140

Labor signs: Same: hip pain, a couple of contractions (nothing regular).

Symptoms: Swelling, congestion, lots of pressure on my bladder.

Belly button in or out? I don’t really know how to explain this one so I’ll just say out.

Wedding rings on or off? Off: sometimes I wear my dad’s wedding band but I found a ring of my late grandmother’s that fits better.

Emotions: Up and down but still a lot of joy.

Looking forward to: Only working 3 days this week, Halloween, spending time with the husband.

Sunday Survey-37 Weeks

How far along? 37 weeks (approx 3 more to go!!)

Baby is the size of? A Winter Melon

Average size: 19.13 inches, 6.3 lbs

Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively in maternity. Pretty sure I will be growing out of some of the tops.

Stretch Marks? Nothing that I can see but I’ll ask the nurse to check at my next appointment.

Sleep: Lots of interruptions/bathroom breaks.

Best moment this week: Getting to spend time with my husband. We even went on a date! And meeting my friend Candace’s new baby.

Miss anything? Sleeping positions, my favorite drinks, getting off the couch in one step.

Movement: Strong movements. Sometimes I can feel him stretching out and hiccupping.

Food cravings: Craved a pumpkin pie blizzard.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope.

Gender: Boy

This week’s fetal heart rate: 144

Labor signs: hip pain, a couple of contractions (nothing regular).

Symptoms: huge stomach, congestion, and swelling. Surprisingly I’ve probably had more energy the last two weeks than I have this whole pregnancy (and I probably just jinxed myself)

Belly button in or out? Technically the belly button is in but the space above my belly button has “popped”.

Wedding rings on or off? Off and barely fitting into my dad’s wedding band from how swollen I am.

Emotions: I had a very good week this week. I get annoyed easily but I felt a lot of joy and excitement.

Looking forward to: Seeing the progression at the doctor’s appointment. Only working 3 days this week! Woop!

A winter melon (because I had no idea what this was)

Nursery-Now What?

The nursery is FINISHED!!

  

 The mobile leans because the front of the crib is scooped. We can't put it on the sides because they are kind of a sleigh style. It's so cute anyway. The wall animals and soft, but I'm worried that owl might scare him!

Notice the police car on top of the bookshelf. It's supposed to be for E but Ben has already "tried"it out, you know, to make sure that it's safe for E to use.

Changing station. 

The dresser I painted. Doubles as the changing table. 

And guess what....? The hospital bags are packed! The index cards have everything that we need to pack just before we leave for the hospital. 

Ok people, now what do I do? The bags are packed, the nursery is done, every essential is purchased. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I got a pedicure today but it wasn't relaxing at all; I was so uncomfortable. I also made freezer meals last weekend! So lets hear some suggestions. "Just relax" isn't doing it for me. When I'm occupied, I don't realize how uncomfortable I am. 

"Sunday" Survey-36 Weeks

Work Baby Shower outfit-35 weeks and 1 day

How far along? 36 weeks (approx 4 more to go!!)

Baby is the size of? Honeydew!

Average size: 18.66 inches, 5.78 lbs

Maternity clothes? Can’t wait to be out of maternity ;)

Stretch Marks? None! Woop!

Sleep: There are good nights, there are bad nights.

Best moment this week: My work baby shower.

Miss anything? Bending over, not having to rest so much.

Movement: Really big movements, such a strong boy!

Food cravings: Nothing, just thirsty all the time.

Anything make you queasy or sick? I had a whole night of “sleep” where I was just nauseous all the time.

Gender: Boy

This week’s fetal heart rate: 140

Labor signs: Lots of hip pain, hard belly.

Symptoms: This big belly is alone a symptom!

Belly button in or out? In, but depending on where the baby is, there is a little bump above my belly button.

Wedding rings on or off? Off, wearing dad’s wedding band.

Emotions: Ugh, it was a rough week.

Looking forward to: Doctor’s appointment, being one more week closer to seeing my baby boy.