Tuesday (8th), we went to see the doctor and I was a day over my due date. He checked me and said I was about a 2 and 75% effaced. I thought he might offer to break my water or something, but when he took off his gloves and went to write on my chart, Mike and I both thought we would leave the office and continue waiting. To our surprise, he turned from the chart and said, "Let's have this baby! How about Thursday?" He scheduled me to be induced Thursday morning unless something happened before then.
Thursday morning (10th) came and Jr. still didn't come on his own and so we called the hospital to find out when we were to come in and. We finished packing the bag and headed for the hospital. We were checked in at 8 AM and after a million questions and a painful IV, I was started on the Pitocin by 9 or a little after. I was progressing well and just waiting for things to happen. The doctor finally ordered that I get my epidural because he wanted to break my water and thought it would be better to have it before he did so. Wow, was he right! I loved my epidural!!! I still had some feeling in my legs, yet didn't feel any pain, just a little pressure here and there from the contractions.
In the later afternoon, the nurse thought things were going well and predicted the baby would come around five. Sadly, the baby thought otherwise! We kept losing him on the monitors and it would scare the nurses and so they would jostle me around trying to find his heart rate. They decided to take me off the pitocin for a while and that really slowed up my progress. After a few episodes of trying to find Jr, they finally got things on track and I was back on the pitocin.
While watching American Idol results, I finally was complete and the doctor was headed in! After about 40 minutes of pushing, our little Jack was born at 8:15 PM! He wasn't really all that little though! All of the nurses kept saying, "Wow, he is a big boy! Where were you hiding him?" He weighed in at 8 lbs and 5 ounces and measured 20 inches long. His head full of dark brown hair was not a surprise and he looked just like me!!! I can't express the feelings I felt! Starvation from not eating in 24 hours, exhaustion from pushing him out, and instant love and joy! Mike got to cut his cord and give him his first bath in the nursery. The nurses were so good and let him help out as much as he wanted. Our hospital stay was really nice and we were really impressed with our overall experience. St. Mark's is a great hospital! We had many visitors welcome little Jack. We headed home Saturday around noon to start our new life!!!
I will be honest, that first week was a HUGE eye opener! I had no idea how hard it would be. I would have NEVER survived without the help of my dear husband and my sweet Mom. Mike was able to take some time off of from work, but still had school and preparation for upcoming finals. He was so helpful and kind and was constantly by my side ready to help out. The day before Jack was born, he got a bad cold and so he was suffering through all of the crazy adjusting, but he didn't let it stop him from being an incredible husband and Dad! My Mom came and stayed with us for the first week. She missed out on Spring Break with the family for us and had to sleep on our couch! What a sacrifice! She helped with meals, the piles of laundry, house work, and of course helped with little Jack. She helped us give him his first bath, helped with breast feeding, and gave Mike breaks during the night feedings. Thank you to you both, I love you both so much!
Jack's first week was a little rough, but that didn't matter, we were still so excited to finally have him here. Breast feeding in the hospital went pretty well and so I was optimistic. When we got home, it went downhill very fast! Jack would fight it and would not stay on. By that, I mean he would take two sucks and then pull off and cry because he wanted more! We didn't get it and worked and worked and no progress. Luckily, my pump came in handy and saved my life! Thank you to my husband for getting me an AWESOME and FREE pump! To make a long story short, we finally went and met with the lactation specialist and after a few days of working with him, he is a champ now!!!
Our next challenge was his Jaundice. He obviously had it and when we went to his first doctor appointment a few days after leaving the hospital and he made us go get his level checked. It was up and so we had to get him checked again the next day. It went higher and so the doctor ordered him to be under the lights. We loved the "billi-blanket".... NOT! It was a pain, but it helped and he was only on it for about two days and his level went down. After going to the hospital for about five days straight, we were happy he was better. I am sure his little heels were happy too! I don't know how many more pricks they could have handled!
We are up on our feet now and doing well! Mike survived his finals and went back to work. He is such a cute Dad and is already watching Jazz games with Jack! We are so lucky to have him. I am doing much better and adjusting well to my new calling in life!!! :) I love being a Mom and every time I look at Jack I amazed that he is mine! Jack had his two week appointment and is up to 8 lbs and 8 ounces and grew to 22 inches. He is in the 95th percent for his height and about the 50th percent for his weight. He sleeps through the night pretty well and only wakes up to feed a 2-3 times. He is such a good baby! He is now three weeks and a day old and I can't believe how the time is passing.
What an experience we have been through! It is worth every second and I am just grateful that my son is healthy and well. We have been blessed beyond measure. Thank you to our family and friends who have been so kind and supportive during this time. Hopefully I can be better at posting now that I am back on my feet. Sorry for the long wait, I know I am bad!!
4 comments:
Yay! Thanks for the update. I was excited to hear the whole story. I don't know why I am always fascinated with the whole delivery story, but I am! I'm glad things are going well. :)
Wow...what a story! Can't wait until it is my turn, but I'll be honest, I hope it doesn't take 12 hours. ugh!
I'm glad you and Jack are both doing well!! The pictures are adorable!!
SO glad you posted this. I seriously was about in tears...I guess it's still too close! All these feelings came flooding back to me. Isn't it true that you just have no idea until you actually go through it yourself. SOoooooo crazy!! I had a horrible time breast feeding,...I'm glad it's going better for you now. Gotta love the perks...Leaky faucets, wearing huge maxi-pads, no sleep...Girl, I feel ya! But all you have to do is look at the little guy and NONE of it matters. What a cutie. Post more pictures ASAP. You look great!
That's so exciting that you have your baby now and it sounds like things are getting better. Thanks for the update it's so good to know what's going on and how things are going.
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