Maysie's Birth Story {Part 2}

You can read part 1 of Maysie's birth here.

So I have now had 2 contractions in my grandma's driveway while sobbing like a baby. My Mom knew she was welcome in the delivery room so she called into work. I told her that we would call her once we got checked into the room.

Dan and I headed toward the hospital. Driving in the car the contractions were getting worse and sitting down was not helping. I couldn't wait to get out of the car.

On the way to the hospital I was so thirsty so I made Dan stop at McDonald's to get me a sweet tea. Due to the fact it was early morning rush hour the drive thru line was insanely busy!! I had four contractions while waiting to order.

When we got to the hospital Dan almost passed the entrance to the mother & baby building. At this point I was in so much pain I almost got out of the car and walked.

When we got into the hospital the valet parking attendant asked me if I wanted a wheelchair. I told him that I didn't and that I would be fine walking. {I knew that once I got checked in they would make lay down and my labor would stop progressing!!}

We waited for the elevator door to open and stepped inside. Before the door closed a man with an infant car seat came into the elevator with us. The labor & delivery unit was on floor 3 and the mother & baby unit was on floor 4. As soon as the elevator reached floor 3 {my floor} another contraction was coming full force. I felt bad for the man in the elevator waiting to get to his new baby so I tried to get off the elevator. {I am not sure why I was so concerned with the man in the elevator}

While Dan was checking me into the labor & delivery unit another contraction was hitting. The floor manager noticed that I was crying and the pain was really strong so she lead me to the room while Dan finished the paperwork. I got into the bed at 10 am.

I got into the gown and the nursed checked me. I was at 4 1/2 centimeters. I was so disappointed and felt that I should have been farther along. I denied an epidural for the moment but said that I may want one later on.

The contractions were getting worse and worse so I asked if I could have something to take the edge off the pain. I was going to be given something that would make me a little dizzy so I was instructed to use the bathroom because I wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least an hour.

The nurse said she had to check me again to make sure I wasn't at a 7 because if I was the medicine wouldn't work. Of course when she checked me I was a 7 1/2. {Needless to say I was shocked. I didn't think I would dilate that quickly and now I couldn't get the medicine ... aagh!}

Another nurse walked in and asked me if I was feeling any pressure. I said I felt something but I am not sure pressure was the right word. She checked me and told me to push a little bit to see what happened. When I did that my water broke.

After my water broke everything went really fast. There was a guy at the end of my bed setting up for delivery.

Delivery?? Already??

I asked for an epidural and a nurse went running to find the anesthesiologist. She came back in and told me that there was 2 other women ahead of me.

I was checked again and I was fully dilated. The baby was low and I was told that a few pushes would get her out.

Pushing felt good but I was terrified. It took 3 1/2 hours to deliver Little Man so I figured that it would take that long at least to deliver Little Miss.
 
I pushed once and her head was crowning.

{At this time my Mom told me that the baby had a full head of hair. I shouted that I knew she was going to be hairy! I guess the nurses and doctors thought that it was really funny!}

I pushed twice and her head was out.

{Now I am telling the doctor to just get her out!}

I pushed the third time and she was born.

Maysie Grace was born at 11:43 am just an hour and 43 minutes after I checked into the hospital.

She was born weighing 5 lbs 13.5 oz and 19 inches long.

She was placed directly on my chest {skin to skin} and it was wonderful!!

She was perfect as can be!

I still cannot believe that I gave birth to her naturally with no drugs. {To be honest, if we have another baby I would not have an epidural. I felt so amazing after she was born and healed much more quickly than I did after I had Little Man}

Maysie's Birth Story {Part 1}

I woke up on August 30th at about 3 a.m. just not feeling "right". I figured I just suffering from pregnancy induced insomnia which I seemed to have the last month of my pregnancy. So instead of waking up my loving yet sleepy husband I came downstairs and decided to watch tv.

About 30 minutes later my stomach got really tight. I thought it was a Braxton Hicks contraction so I grabbed a cup of juice thinking that would make the contractions go away.

 But ...3 minutes later I had another contraction.

I decided I should probably keep track of the contractions just in case. {I didn't truly believe I was in labor yet.}

I downloaded a pregnancy app on my IPhone {Sprout} and knew there was a contraction timer on there so I began timing my "Braxton Hicks" contractions.

4 minutes after my second contraction ... I had another contraction.

When I was in labor with Little Man I had back labor which is just like having a constant backache so these stomach tightening contractions were something totally different.

I continued having contractions every 4-5 minutes. They were getting stronger and starting to make me lose my breathe.

At about 6:30 am I figured it was time to take a shower. I had heard that hot water can take away some of the pain.

So I jumped in the shower and it felt wonderful.

I finally admitted it to myself that these were real contractions.

I got dressed and was putting my make up on when my husband came downstairs. He was all dressed for work and asked me where I was going. I told him that I was having contractions and that he wouldn't be going into work. He proceeded to call his boss and told him I was in labor.

I continued getting ready and decided it was time to wake up Little Man so he could get ready for school. It was 7 am. I was still having contractions every 4-5 minutes but they were getting painful.

While Little Man was in the shower I decided I should take one last pregnancy photo. I got my phone ready and then a contraction hit so I waited. I would lean over whatever was close and rock back and forth.

I tried once again and ANOTHER contraction hit. So I rocked back and forth some more. I finally was able to take a picture.

We got into the car and took Little Man to school. My grandma likes to walk Little Man to school so we pulled into her driveway. My grandma, Mom, and aunt were at my grandma's house having tea. When they saw Dan driving the car they knew I was in labor. They came down to the car and I got out to hug Little Man.

As soon as I saw my Mom I started crying. I knew that on this day I would have 2 children and my life would be forever changed.

Another contraction hit and I had to lean against the car. My Mom rubbed my back and I swayed back and forth while crying. {Sorry to all the parents and children who witnessed me having contractions ... I was a hot mess}

To be continued ...

Come back tomorrow for part 2

38 Weeks! {Updated}

Baby's size: A Pumpkin

How far along: 38 weeks

Sleep: Ha ha ... yeah right! I am getting up in the middle of the night and then I am exhausted all day! I probably should get used to this because I am sure it won't get any better after the baby is born.

Maternity Clothes: Even maternity clothes are getting uncomfortable. In the picture above I am wearing a regular dress but with black leggings underneath. It was super comfortable!

Food cravings: I am starting to not really be hungry at all during the day. I am drinking smoothies with protein powder to keep me filled up.

Food aversions: I make Little Man eggs in the morning for breakfast and the smell is grossing me out! 

Symptoms I have: Not sure if I have dropped yet but I am feeling some "shocks" of Baby Girl hitting nerves.

Doctor’s Appointment: I have a doctor's appointment today at 10:15 am. I will update with stats as soon as I come home. 
Stats: I lost 2 pounds this week so I have officially gained 25 lbs. My blood pressure was a little high of 137/88.
I am still measuring a week behind of 37.5 weeks.
Baby Girl's heart rate was 141 bpm.
Baby Girl has moved down and things are definitely progressing! 

Movement: I am feeling a lot less big movements but Baby Girl is stretching and moving all the time.

Belly Button: Innie!

Gender: It's a GIRL!! 

Best moment of the week: Setting up the due date guessing calendar! I love hearing when my family thinks she will be born and how much she will weight!

What I’m looking forward to: My family is throwing me a Baby Sprinkle on Sunday! I cannot wait to celebrate with them before she arrives.

What I miss: A good night's sleep and sleeping on my stomach. Also, being able to get up without shooting pains.

37 Weeks!

Baby's size: A Winter Melon

How far along: 37 weeks

Sleep: I am having more and more trouble sleeping. I think it may be the anxiety of not knowing when Baby Girl will make her appearance.

Maternity Clothes: My maternity t-shirts seem to be getting shorter and shorter. Little Man tells me that he can see my belly all the time now.

Food cravings: I love all things sweet ... fruit, candy, iced tea. Everything sounds so good!

Food aversions: None

Symptoms I have: I have heartburn mostly at night or when I need to eat something. I am feeling Baby Girl moving lower which is causing some discomfort but nothing horrible ... yet!

Doctor’s Appointment: I had my 37 week visit yesterday. Baby Girl is head down but still high. I am measuring about a week behind at 36.5 weeks. Her heartbeat was 137. Also, I have gained 2 pounds since Monday! A total of 25 pounds gained so far.

Movement: Baby Girl loves to move around especially after I drink iced tea! She is a really good kicker and puncher!

Belly Button: Innie!

Gender: It's a GIRL!! 

Best moment of the week: Little Man woke up on Thursday to tell me about the dream he had. He said that we just brought Baby Girl home from the hospital and his friends came to the front door to play. He told me that in his dream he told his friends that he couldn't play because his sister was home. {Just about melted my heart! He is already so in love with her!}

What I’m looking forward to: Her arrival!

What I miss: Being able to get out of bed or off the couch without making grunting noises!

What am I going to bring to the hospital?

I cannot believe in just a few short weeks my baby girl will be here!

To be honest I have not gotten anything really ready for her either. Well ... ok ... maybe that isn't true. I did go to the store and buy diapers, wipes, baby lotion and baby wash.

My mom and grandma did pick out the sweetest outfit to bring her home in! I was looking for an outfit like this for what seemed like forever. I am so excited to see her in it.

 

Since I am running out of time I figured I should start thinking about getting my bag packed for the hospital.

I, of course, hit to the google website to begin my research. 

From what I have discovered ... people bring way too much stuff to the hospital! If I am only going to be there for 24 to 48 hours why do I need 3 suitcases filled with "necessities".  

From what I remember, the hospital keeps a great supply of baby wipes and diapers. I feel like there really is no reason to bring my own if the hospital supplies them.

Also, I am pretty sure the hospital supplies you with any "sanitary" type items you need after delivery. Once again, I don't feel that it is necessary to bring my own.

What I do feel that I will need is as follows ...

~ Health Insurance Card & Pr-Registration forms

~ Nursing Bra (With Jacob I didn't bring one and ended up spending over $60 to buy one from the hospital ... for the record I was not planning on nursing him but he wouldn't eat anything else.)

~  Nursing Tank Top (I think that this may be helpful.)

~ Breast Pads

~ Nightgown & Robe

~ Socks

~ Slippers

~ Toothbrush, toothpaste, make-up, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, lotion & chapstick

~ Outfit to go home in for me and Baby Girl

~ Car Seat

What do you think? Is this enough?

So I figured I will ask my faithful followers what their go to items are when packing for the hospital. 

So tell me .... what did you just have to have at the hospital with you??