Logan's Birth Story

::This is a labor and delivery story, and while there are no TMI pics I do use some birthy words, but nothing too graphic. ;) ::

Logan was born at 40 weeks and 5 days.
I remember being out shopping with my mom and strangers asking when I was due.
"Yesterday."

In today's birthing culture of elective inductions most people didn't understand how I could be that pregnant.  I just recently watched The Business of Being Born, (amazing! a must-watch for anyone expecting or planning to have children) so I am all fired up about the birth industry, but that is all I will say here for now. *climbs off her soapbox*

I never formally wrote out my birth plan, but I wanted to go as naturally as possible. I wanted to go into labor on my own, labor at home for as long as possible, my water to break on its own, and use no drugs. I delivered in a hospital with and Ob-Gyn. It wasn't until halfway-ish through my pregnancy that I decided natural was the way for me and started doing tons of research. Before then I knew very little about midwives, homebirth, natural birth, doulas, etc.

OK! On with the story!

Logan's due date was May 9. My parents arrived from out of town on May 5. A week of visiting passed, my due date came and went, and still nothing! My doctor was not a fan of me going past the due date, and as a result there was an induction scheduled for Tuesday, May 15.

We spent that whole week walking and waiting, but on Saturday the 12, with the 15 looming in my future, I got serious! Matt was at work, but I drug my parents on a two mile power walk at 40 weeks and 3 days up and down the extreme hills in our neighborhood. Then we went out for Chinese food, which is among the giant list of wive's tales said to put you in labor.

I thought my fortune was so appropriate!

I went to bed that night a little low, and with a feeling in the back of my mind that I would be induced in three days.

But, no! At 2:30 am a real contraction woke me up. I was absolutely giddy. I couldn't believe it. "We will have a baby today," I thought to myself. I entered my first contraction into the app I had downloaded weeks before and tried my hardest to go back to sleep.

The contractions continued and weren't crazy painful, but I could definitely feel them and tell that they weren't Braxton Hicks. At 4:20 and again at 7:30 my body made its first attempts at cleaning itself out. I was afraid that calling my parents (they set up there RV at a camground a few miles away since our apartment is tiny and they knew they would be staying a while) to inform them that labor had started would jinx, but contractions had been pretty consistent since 2:30 so I finally called around 9 am.
They said they would get ready for the day, pick up some lunch, then come on over.

Sure enough, after I talked to them the contractions came to a sudden halt. I was a determined woman at this point, and so ready to hold my baby, so Matt and I tried out one of the oldest wive's tales about starting labor. Plus it was nice because we knew it would be the last time for a while.

It worked! By the time my parents arrived things were moving again.

This seriously was not planned, but we thought it was so hilarious that we were all in green. I still think it is hilarious!

We had Subway for lunch and spent the afternoon laughing and playing UNO. I bounced on my ball, drank water, and popped tums like they were all going out of style.

The whole time my contractions were getting stronger and closer together.

Matt and my dad went out to get supper while my mom and I walked and walked and walked.
We had fried chicken and potato salad from Kroger, and I remember it being SO delicious.

Big Mama, eating until the bitter end. Did I mention I gained 45 lbs?

The evening progressed and so did the contractions.
(and my poor dad got more and more nervous. I really think he was afraid we were going to end up having a baby here in this apartment. Little did he know, my sister would give birth in her bathroom five months later! If you want to read a birth story way more interesting than mine, go check out hers!)

Discussions of going to the hospital (less than two miles away) started around 11pm. I wasn't ready to go. I wanted to be near 7 centimeters and close to transition when we arrived. My mom, Matt, and sister (via skype) all convinced me that I was probably closer than I thought.
So I conceded and a little before midnight we arrived at the hospital. We got a room and a nurse came in to check my progress.

2 centimeters.

What!? I had been 1.5 a week before at my appointment.
I can't begin to describe the feeling of defeat I felt.
I was completely discouraged.
I wanted to go back home and just go to bed. Not that I could sleep through the contractions I was having! I thought that if there were just the 2 centimeter contractions how could I handle 7-8-9-10!??

I did NOT want to get into that bed. I knew once I did I was strapped down. (except for the 27 trips to the potty)

The nurse said I was welcome to go home, but that my bag of waters was bulging and it would probably break soon and we would have to come right back.

"Fine. Just give me and epidural."

I shut down at that point and gave up on my natural birth plan.

Luckily Matt and my mom knew what I really wanted and they helped calm me down and rationalize our choices.

The nurse suggested Demerol, which would only last a few hours, but would help me get some sleep in the mean time. Definitely not my first choice, but I was exhausted at that point and still having pretty painful contractions. I was going to be useless without any sleep. By the time the Demerol was started it was after 2 am. Almost 24 hours in.

Unfortunately, this is the last picture taken until after Logan was born. When things got real I said no more pictures, a decision that I now regret!

***At this point I have to stop and make sure I make special note of the terrible conditions my poor mother and husband had to endure. They nearly froze to death in the Arctic hospital room even though I was sweating and had only a thing blanket each and a small bench to share to sleep on. Matt ended up sleeping on the cold hard floor by my bed, where he informs me I was moaning out from pain in my drug-induced sleep state every few minutes, but the real story here is how neither of them got any sleep and nearly suffered from hypothermia. The poor, poor souls. ;)

The nurse came back to check me at 5 am.
5 centimeters! Progress!
Then she started the Pitocin... Yay...

After that, of course, things really picked up. Owie!

Around 6 am my water broke on its own. Another small victory!
My poor wrung out self turned to my mother and told her, "I think I just peed on myself, and it is still coming." And in the sweetest voice I think she has ever used she said, "Sweetie, I think your water just broke."

Once the Pitocin was in my system the contractions were coming hard and fast. The best way I could deal with them while being strapped to the bed by iv's and and monitors was sitting up with my legs crossed and leaning forward a bit. I alternated that with leaning back against the elevated bed. Pretty much the only positions you can get in other than on your side.

During each contraction my mom would talk softly about imagining my body as soft butter and just letting it melt away. Matt later said that at the time he thought she was crazy, but it seemed to be working. And it was! By using that visualization I was able to relax my body and let each contraction take over and do its job.

A few weeks before I assembled a list of inspiring natural birth quotes. My mom printed the list and brought it to the hospital. During a contraction she began. "300,000 women will be giving birth with you today.

Relax and...." I interupted, "Talk more about butter." So she did, and it worked.

Matt and my mom were on each side of me as I labored in the hospital and almost never left, except to wet a rag for my forehead or a quick restroom break. They are the reason I was able to make it. I am so thankful for the best doulas I ever could have asked for. 

It is so crazy when you are in the trenches of labor and transition. From the outside I probably looked like I was completely out of it, but on the inside everything felt perfectly clear, and I was even still making jokes (how I deal with every situation). I just couldn't voice them!

As it turns out, Logan's head was in the wrong position and wasn't flush against my cervix. Hence the prodromal (false, my hind-end!) labor.

Once I was dilated to a 10 there was still a "lip" on my cervix as a result of that whole head turned the wrong way thing... My amazing (no, seriously, I loved her!) nurse "assisted" finishing out the dilation with a few contractions. (insert awkward face here) 

Then it was time to push.

I honestly can't say how long I pushed or how many times, but I do know that when my Dr. said I needed to get him out or he was going to need to use the vacuum, there was only one more push. (Hello hemorrhoids!)

Then suddenly, there he was, and I was in love. It was the most magical moment ever. Up until that point he had  been a stranger kicking me in the ribs and squishing my bladder, but as soon as I saw his face it was as if I had known him forever.

I love him more and more every day. I can't believe it took me 14 months to write all of this down, but I am so, so glad I did. 

Belly Progression!

I made most of this before I had Logan. I finally sat down and finished it today!

40 Weeks!

Surprise!

I'm still pregnant!

We have just been hanging out and waiting for something to happen. So far? Nothing!

We had our 40 week doctor appointment yesterday.

I had lost a pound and my blood pressure was perfect!

The doctor said it could be any time! So we will just keep waiting.

posted from Bloggeroid

Inspiration On My Mind

This post is heavy on the quotes. If you don't want to read them all, that's ok. I'm posting mainly for myself this time


If you have ever been pregnant, then you know that pregnancy, childbirth, and babies are pretty much all you can think about for nine months.

The farther along you get, the more true this is.

Here are a few things on my mind as my due date gets closer and closer.

“Remember this, for it is as true and true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic. Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephants, moose, and water buffalo. Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body.” 

-Ina May Gaskin

 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13)

"Women's bodies have near-perfect knowledge of childbirth; it's when their brains get involved that things can go wrong."

PEGGY VINCENT, Baby Catcher

 "I always knew I was meant to do something really BIG in life, and now I know that this was it. Screw winning an Academy Award someday ... I GAVE BIRTH!"

JENNY MCCARTHY, Belly Laughs

“There is no other organ quite like the uterus. If men had such an organ they would brag about it. So should we” 

 -Ina May Gaskin

"The knowledge of how to give birth without outside interventions lies deep within each woman. Successful childbirth depends on an acceptance of the process." 

Anonymous

"The pains of childbirth were altogether different from the enveloping effects of other kinds of pain. These were pains one could follow with one’s mind." 

Margaret Mead

“It is important to keep in mind that our bodies must work pretty well, or there wouldn't be so many humans on the planet.” 

―Ina May Gaskin

"If I had my life to live over, instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle."

Irma Bombeck

"Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth."

Virginia Di Orio

"300,000 women will be giving birth with you today.
Relax and breathe and do nothing else.

Labor is hard work, it hurts, and you can do it."

Unknown 

"There are three things that are givens about labour: It's hard work, it hurts a lot, and you can do it."

- Suzanne Stalls

39 Weeks!

I'm sliding in here with a late-in-the-day 39 week post!

We went to the doctor yesterday and have another appointment scheduled for next Tuesday, May 8. 

I wonder if we will go to that one...?

In my last several posts about pregnancy I kept saying "any day now," but I didn't really mean it. I think I just meant that if he had come at that point it would have been 100% ok.

I still really don't feel like "any day." I personally feel like nothing will happen until Monday at the earliest. That's not to say I'm not paying attention to every little cramp and ache. ;)

The fact that I will very soon have a tiny little baby that we made and that we will be completely in charge of still does not seem real. I don't think it will until his squirmy, wet body is placed in my arms.

I keep trying to picture that moment, but I can't quite bring it into focus. 

Anyone that knows me personally is probably aware that more than anything (right after having a healthy baby) I want to have a natural delivery. It is pretty obvious that my doctor is very pro-induction. Which, why wouldn't he be!? There is no guessing, no middle of the night, he can fit it right into his schedule.

However, I reeeeally want to go into labor naturally too.

I want God and Logan to decide, "Ok, it's birthday!" 

(and I want to avoid those pitocin contractions! C'mon, let's give a first-timer a chance here!)

At our appointment yesterday I asked ol Doc Fuller how long he would let a woman go past her due date before she would have to be induced. He twisted his face around and said only a few days! Then launched into a speech about placentas and due dates.

He wanted to set a tentative induction date, for just in case. Which I was fine with. 

Until he picked the 10th.

Um, excuse me?

Can I have a little bit of time here???

At first I didn't say anything, I just sat there under my thin white sheet thinking, I better get something going soon, eh?

But as we were standing waiting to make our next appointment, he walked up and I made myself so proud!

I actually asked if we could push it back a few days!

And since the 10th was on a Thursday, and Mondays are his surgery days, it got pushed all the way to the 15th! So, surely he will decide to come before then.

I don't think of myself as much of a boat-rocker, so standing up to my doctor about what I wanted felt really amazing. It also helped that I was a) actually standing up and b) fully clothed.

So no matter what, in two weeks our little man will be here. 

Project Nursery: Final Tour!

Here it is, enjoy!

38 Weeks!

Hello there! Still pregnant here!

I may regret saying this, but I am not tired of being pregnant yet.

Do you have to be completely sick of pregnancy before your baby will come?

I hope not.

While I am not fed-up with pregnancy, I am ready to meet our little man.

Helloooooo baby!
and weird faceless me... :-/

Everything is ready. Every stitch of fabric is washed. Our bags are packed. We have already pre-registered at the hospital. The diapers are prepped, folded, and waiting.

I would like to make a wet-bag for the diaper bag, using this tutorial. But like my mom said, an empty bread sack will do. ;)

My plan is to post our completed (yay!) nursery tour here tomorrow. Now we all must pray that technology is on my side!

Everything I mentioned last week still goes for this week, popping, cramping, diet-o-tums, tired....

At this point, my only new symptoms will be labor, right? 

Bring it. I'm ready.

Celebrate the Earth!

There is a wonderful place in Little Rock called Heifer International. They do so many great things in other countries and right here at home. You can read all about them here, on their website.

This Saturday they hosted the Arkansas Earth Day Festival!

I had been looking forward to this day for several months. I can't even remember how I found this event. (Somewhere on the wonderful world wide web.) I actually didn't know that there was an Earth Day festival. I just knew that I was going to attend The Great Cloth Diaper Change!

It was a great event that informed people about the world of cloth diapering. The event took place at 305 changing stations in 16 countries! They broke their own Guinness World Record from last year, and next year I am going to be a part of breaking this years record!

A few facts:

Cost comparison: 

The text above is a little hard to read, here is what it says:

*Reusable diaper costs include diapers, cloth wipes, detergent, and out personal laundry costs, including electricity and water.

Disposable Diaper costs include diapers and wipes. Other products such as diaper pails, trash bags, and diaper creams are not included.

Costs are based on local stores and prices may vary in your area.

The great change occurred at 11:30 am. All of the Mamas (and a few Daddys!) held up their cloth diapers first

and their cloth covered bottoms after!

It was so amazing to see so many cloth diapering parents in my local area! I had no idea there were so many families that used cloth diapers around here. It is hard to describe how excited and emotional I felt at the sight. I may or may not have teared up a little bit, but shh, we don't need to share that information!

As soon as we arrived we discovered that the diapering event was a part of the larger event. So while we were there we joined in on the rest of the fun!

The Mustard Seed Club (I couldn't find a link for them) was giving away patio gardens! Since we live in a small apartment and have only a small patio, this was perfect. I "dug" right in! Now we have chives and basil growing on our patio. 

While we were hanging around the cloth diaper booth, a woman approached me and told me that there was going to be henna belly painting over at the Birth Works tent.

After we saw all of the bottoms get covered in cloth, we found the booth and I was the first to get my belly painted!

Here I am being filmed for the Fox 16 news! You can watch the clip here. 

At first it was a little strange to have my belly exposed in public, but after my Mama told me to "own it," and all of the doulas told me what a beautiful pregnant belly I have, it felt pretty good.

I am so glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone. It was such a fun experience, and I got to talk to the doulas a little about natural childbirth, my doctor, and my hospital. They were some awesome women.

Now I have a sweet henna tattoo to enjoy while we continue to wait for Logan to make his arrival.

I am so glad my personal photographer was there to take pictures. I was able to enjoy the day and just know that there would be great pictures to remember it by later. Thanks Mama!

37 Weeks!

37 weeks. 

Say it with me... Thirty seven.

Thir-ty sev-en.

That is full term you guys!

He could come at any time, and be considered FULL TERM.

Although, lets not switch from watching the calendar to watching the clock just yet. I am sure we still have weeks to go.

However, I can feel my body getting ready. Every time I stand up something in my pelvis region makes a pop or a crack. I have also been having menstrual like cramps every day for about a week now.

Tums are my new best friend these days. At least I know I'm not calcium deficient! 

It seems as though I don't even have to eat anything to have acid reflux, but it's not too terrible.

As far as energy goes, I am right back to the first trimester. I am TIRED! Naps are a must! Thank goodness I have the time. 


Also, HELLO pregnancy brain! Tonight I tossed a very special-to-me cook book that my mom MADE for me right into the kitchen trash while I was cleaning up. What in the heck!? Thank goodness I noticed!!!

I think I need a baby sitter for the next three weeks. Haha.

Doctor appointment tomorrow.

Also, be sure to check back here tomorrow for a post that I spent more than ten minutes on!

Another Shower!?

I was scheduled until 3 today, but around 2:15 a manager asked me if I wanted to leave early since we were pretty slow. Sure, says unknowing me. 

Then after I clocked out a co-worked asked if I had a minute, because she wanted to show me some new things that came in. Sure, says unknowing me.

She walked me back to the classroom and there were people waiting for me, and a cake, and decorations, and presents! I had NO idea! It was so sweet. They had to come back in shifts, because they were all working. 

One of our managers made the CUTEST cake! I didn't know until today that she and her husband owned a cake shop for eight years! I don't have any pictures from the shower though. :( I didn't even have my phone on me.

There were lots of cute baby clothes. You can't even see all of them in this picture, they are stacked on top of each other.

There were also bibs, safety items, blankets, toys, mittens, a Johnny Jump Up, and more!

And, of course, being the crafty people they are, there were homemade gifts! 

A sweet lady from the fabric department made a baby quilt!

And someone else made this cute wall hanging! It matches his nursery so well!

These little shrink wrapped booties were included with one gift. Little did they know it was extra sentimental to me.

This picture does not do them justice, but these little baby sunglasses may be my favorite item of the day! They are TOO cute! We have plenty of baseball outfits to pair them with, too!

Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! 

There are so many amazing people in my life. I feel so blessed!

36 Weeks! (and one day)

I am officially 9 months pregnant now! 

It really is strange that pregnancy is so commonly thought of as 9 months, but really it is 10!

Logan is busy, busy growing! He is about 6 pounds now and gaining an ounce a day!

At my doctor appointment on Tuesday we found out that he is definitely head down and that his head is very low. I still haven't dropped though. And I'm ok with that! My due date is still several weeks away!

It would actually be so perfect if Logan was one of the 5% of babies born on their due dates. That way Matt would already have the four days following off from work! (He gets a four day weekend once a month.) So, I'll have to work on that perfect delivery date. ;)

These were both taken yesterday morning while I was getting ready for work.

This was my first outfit choice, but I quickly realized it was a no go!

Take two:

If you want to see better pictures of me that WEREN'T taken with a phone, you can go here or here.

Last night I felt like I was having constant Braxton Hicks! It was crazy how they just didn't stop! I am still having them today, but nothing like last night. Our bodies are so amazing! Mine is gearing up for labor, and knows just how to do it! (I feel like I am exclamation point crazy today! But it's just so exciting!!! Haha.)

Last week I mentioned that we had everything except two items. We now have those items also! We have also completed our cloth diaper stash! I plan on doing a post on it as soon as I have the few diapers I left in Texas when we were visiting family. I tested a couple out on my 6 month old niece. It was so wonderful to actually see them in action on a real live baby!

His nursery is still somewhat chaotic, but it is slowly coming together. As soon as everything has a place and I get his bedding washed and made I will be posting a nursery tour also.

Next week I will probably pack our hospital bags and share what we packed here as well.

Tomorrow is my last day of work, so I will soon have plenty of time to get things done. I have several craft projects in mind as well. Hopefully with all of my extra time I will actually post more here before I have a baby and no more free time!

35 Weeks!

Today's magic number is 35! 

35 weeks have gone by and 35 days are left!

I decided to be candid today and take my belly picture in my dog shaving clothes. 

I thought it was really funny at the time, as you can see. Haha. 

The pregnancy brain has kicked in 100%. Last night I bought a baby shower gift for a friend. I meant to send a picture of said gift to a mutual friend, but instead I sent it to her! I couldn't believe I did that!

Today I planned on going to Walgreen's to take Matt his lunch, and buy two items. Prenatal vitamins... and something else.

I ended up buying prenatal vitamins and a clearanced package of jelly beans.

I don't think those were the other thing... but they were a great source of vitamin C!

Today I did Logan's first load of laundry! It was the most fun load of laundry I have ever done!

Now it is all folded and put away in his drawers. I can't wait to have a little body to put in all of these clothes!

WooHoo! Baby time is getting close!

Shower #3!

Happy April everybody!

I've been MIA over the past week and a half. Whoops! 

Last Wednesday when I would usually do my weekly(34) update, I was busy packing and travelling. We spent a long weekend down in Texas with my family. It was so wonderful! The car ride, not so much. 

While we were there, my mom and sister hosted our third and final shower. My hometown family, friends, and church members did NOT hold back! I couldn't believe how many presents there were!

We are so set now on baby stuff! There are only two more things that we need to purchase. 

The main things I need to get done are organizing all of his new things, picking out a going home outfit, washing his clothes and sheets, and one or two more crafty decorating type things.

I didn't manage to take ANY pictures of the shower, even though my camera was right next to me. I am sure my mom will gladly share some of hers, because there was much fun had at this shower! So for now, I will just share my loot!

(for anyone worried, I didn't stand in a chair. I'm just that tall!)

Pictured below (L-R)

Row 1:
blue basket (that was full of goodies!)

teensy blue windpants

two onesies

froggy outfit

I <3 Mom onesie

3 piece set

Mommy's MVP shirt and shorts set

Turtle "Best Friends" shirt and shorts set

"Row" 2:

onesies 4 pack

pack of tanks

"Ribbet" set, onesie, hat, booties, and burp cloth

lots of socks!

baseball PJs

2 pairs of shoes

Mom&Me Recordable Book

Brush and Comb set

spoons

nasal aspirator

nail clippers

wash cloths

onesies packs

"Teething Bling" for mom

rattles

teether

Pictured Below (L-R)

Row 1:

Monkey overalls

Monster onesies 3 pack

Rocker 3 piece set

"Handsome runs in the family" 3 piece set

"Daddy's Rookie" onesie

"Row" 2:

Lots of Johnson's!

Turtle rattle

toy links

little froggy family

bibs

wipes

cradle set

blankets, blankets, blankets

*not pictured: stuffed tiger, stuffed bunny, two homemade hooded towels

I knew I was leaving stuff out! I hope that is all I forgot.

This was one of the more special gifts. :-) 

It is a cradle set for the cradle that will be in our bedroom. A cradle that has held many babies in my family. My sister was the first, followed by me, three nephews, and a niece. Now my little baby boy will sleep next to my bed in the very same cradle. My sister made this cradle set for me using material that I picked out and our mom's pattern. I love sentimental gifts! 

On top of all of this wonderfulness, we also got three (3!) boxes of clothes and accessories from my sister and b-i-l! They have totally got the boy thing down pat, and had plenty of things in awesome condition to pass on to us! It was so much fun to "shop" through her stored baby things. Logan is going to have plenty to wear for the first year+ of his life.

I feel so loved and blessed right now. Thank you to everyone who has given us gifts, prayed for us, or given your time and energy in the past few months. We appreciate you all and couldn't have made it alone!