Alice's birth story!! :D
Alice Emily is here!!!!!!!!!!
This is her birth story!
On Monday April 27th, Jay and I drove our friend Iain home to Weare. After this we were on our way to Babies'R'Us in Manchester, and on the way, in Goffstown, I got this weird feeling, like I kind of had to pee. So, we stopped. I pee'd, and when I stood up, this gush of liquid came out of me! I immediatly sat back down, and more gushing! Yes, my water broke in a gas station bathroom.. This was around 4:30 in the afternoon.
By 5:00, we were admitted to the hospital. The whole way there my water continued to gush, and I couldn't stop crying. When I stood up to walk into the hospital, I also continued gushing. It was gross.
At first they wheeled me into the observation room, but then came back and told me they were just moving me straight to my own room. I was also told that I got lucky and was being put in the biggest, and most requested room on the floor!! This made me soo happy as I was really worried about being claustrophobic, as many of the rooms are teeny tiny. I really liked my room, it had a rounded shape to it, and the top half of the walls were wood. It was very soothing.
At 7 we were told that we are staying the night, and I was 75% effaced.
At 9:30pm, the cervadil was placed in me to soften my cervix. This had to stay in for 12 hours, and was only a thick string with the medicine on it.
At 12:35am I was given an IV of Fenergen and Morphine to sleep. When it hit, I felt wicked heavy, like bags of sand were placed on my body.
Tuesday morning, April 28th, I woke up and took a bath in the whirlpool around 9:30 in the morning to get rid of slight cramping and to relax.
At 10:20am I was given the Pitocin at 4 ppm per hour, to induce labor. At this time they told Jay that if I wanted an epidural, it would be recomended around 4cm's dilation.
Sometime after this I found out that I was 1cm dilated, and they needed to insert the internal fetal monitor, as the external one wasn't tracking it well enough. This was a little probe they needed to insert into my womb and place on the baby's head. This was so painful! The dr. explained that it was painful because of only being dilated to 1cm. She also had trouble with this, and it didn't take the first time, so she had to do it a second time. During this time I started to cry and hyperventilate. I really hated this, it hurt!
After that I was left with a gigantic cramp that wouldn't go away! I started to cry and hyperventilate and writhe in my bed. It was AWFUL! I felt like I couldn't do it, and kept saying so, and saying I wanted it to stop and didn't want to do this anymore! The dr's suggested we start pain medication, but I wasn't ready yet, I wanted to try to deal with it as long as I could. But, I knew that wouldn't be long.. I decided I wanted to go pee, and sitting on the toilet helped relieve the pain quite a bit. I <3 the toilet, it's like my comfort zone. lol I wouldn't move for like a half hour, and I guess the nurse was getting frustrated and asked Kerry if I was being difficult on purpose and her and Foster laughed and told them that the toilet was my comfort zone. lol After I finally got up, I sat on the birthing ball for a little while, while dealing with slight contractions. Before long the intense pain was back and we decieded to start pain meds.
Sometime after this I was around 3 cm dilated.
At 12:20, I was given fenergen and morphine again. They gave me both medications in an IV, and also shot me in the butt with more Morphine.
At 1:30, I was given the epidural. Jay stayed in the room for this. I was so out of it at this point from the Morphine that Jay and the nurse had to hold me up on the bed while the anestesiologist did his work. Seriously, all I felt was a slight pinch from the novicane. Thank-God for morphine. LOL
At 3:10 we found out that I was 5 cm's dilated! At this time the dose of pitocin was decreased.
Sometime between the epidural and this point I was given a catheter and another internal monitor was placed, this one to track contractions.
After this I rested for a while and was in and out of consciousness. Sarah and Kerry had a lot of fun at this point taking silly pictures with me, and dancing around the room. Esspecially to 'I like drugs' by Adam Greene. LOL And yes, I certainly -did- like the drugs I was given!!
Between 4 and 5, Kerry, Sarah, and Jay went out for dinner, and my mother stayed with me.
Then, it came time for my next internal exam, at 5:15. First, the Dr. checked me, and got an interesting look on her face. She then said that she wasn't going to tell me yet how far along I was, but she wanted to take the opportunity to have her intern check me. This was her interns first day, and first internal exam. :P She said I was a perfect candidate for this, as I was all doped up and couldn't feel a thing. So, the Dr. talked her through the exam, and then asked her how far along she thought I was. The intern said, 'Is she all the way...?' The dr. smiled and said, 'Yes! She is 10cm!!' My mom and I shreiked out of excitement!!!!!! We didn't think it was going to happen so quickly!! The dr. said that she wanted me to rest for 45 min to an hour, while they got the room ready, and then I would be ready to start pushing!! So, I called Jay, and the 3 of them, very excited, came back to the hospital.
At 6:40, I started pushing, and could barely feel a thing. I just felt a little bit of pressure, but wasn't feeling any contractions, so they had to tell me when I was having one and when to push. I didn't think I was pushing hard enough, but I guess I was. I broke soo many blood vessels in my face and neck! :P My mom was there holding my left leg, Jay held my right, and Sarah and Kerry sat in chairs, front row center, watching the whole thing. They were soo cute, and were kind of my focal point. They were clutching each other and hugging and crying. It was really cool. Suprisingly, I only pushed for 20 minutes! When they told me that they could see her head, and then when they told me, only 1 more push until she's here, I didn't believe them! But, sure enough...
At 7:05pm, Alice Emily was BORN!!!! :D
She weighed 7lbs, 5oz. and was 20 and 7/8 " long!
After she came out we were all a crying mess. Jay said he was just so relieved that it was over and that I was okay and that the baby was okay.
They had warned me ahead of time that they couldn't hand her right to me, as there was meconium in my fluid (that means she pooped inside of me ... of course she did, she is -my- daughter, afterall! :p) While I was getting stitched up, I only needed ONE stitch!!, I kept glancing over at them cleaning up the baby, but was focusing more on sharing this moment with Jay. We were both sooo emotional. It was truly beautiful.
Finally, they handed her to me. She was so perfect and beautiful and little! I would have to say that this was the best moment in my life. I couldn't believe that Jay and I created such a beautiful little girl, and that she was finally here and in my arms!!! What an experience!
After the birth, all I could talk about was how hungry I was, and I DEVOURED an Italian Sub, which I had been craving like WHOA, and half a pizza. lol
That evening we had several visitors. My parents, my sisters, my brother-in-law, my nephew Dylan, Laura Strom, and Tom Beebe.
The next day our visitors included my Aunt Joyce, Dez, Esther, Ellen, my grandmother - whom I named little Alice after, and Jay's brother Chris and his wife Christine.
On Thursday evening we finally got to go home.
It was surreal.
The first few days were really hectic. Breastfeeding has been a task. It's kind of painful, and as I have ENORMOUS breasts, it has been difficult to get her to latch on correctly, with her mouth around enough of the aereloa. We are since getting better at it though... I also feel like I had the shit kicked out of myself. But, I suppose that is to be expected...
Also, I'm having a -very- difficult time having my routine off and not having time to myself or enough time or energy to do the things I want to do. I'm so anal and OCD as it is, that it is very hard to step away from things and not be able to do things on my own time and schedual.
I understand that everything has to be about the baby right now, but, for me, it's actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, and I'm finding myself getting super stressed out and aggravated with things. Not with the baby, just with everything else..
Kerry stayed over the first night to help and make sure I was okay. Unfortunatly I have barely slept all week.
On Friday I had a huge meltdown, crying and hyperventillating and vomitting. Kerry had to undress me and get me in the shower, and then put me to bed. I was a freaking mess.
That night I wasn't able to sleep well, and for the first time since I can remember, I had recurring nightmares. It was awful.
On Saturday we had a home visit from the visiting nurse, and then my mother came up to visit for the day. I had another mini-meltdown, and was still exhausted, but we spent some good quality time together. That night she stayed at Shauna's house, the in the morning came back over, and brought me back to her house in Billerica. Before we went over however, we noticed that there was blood in Alice's diaper. Her umbilical cord also fell off that morning! I called the Dr. on call, and he said to go to the Immediate Care center, just to make sure everything is okay. As he suspected on the phone, the blood was just a side effect from the hormones she was getting from my own body. Within the day, the bleeding stopped.
When we got to my parents house, I was, again, a mess. Lack of sleep really screws with me ... as it does anyone I suppose... My hormones are also through the roof and my emotions are going from one extreme to the next. I have been super emotional.
My grandmother came to visit us at my parents house, and even though I was an exhausted, emotional mess, it was still a nice visit. Dylan was super adorable and kept climbing up on my lap to look at, and poke, the baby. :P
That afternoon my mother helped me give her her first bath. She smells sooooooooooooooo good!!! I love my little peanut!!!
Last night I actually slept a little more than I had the last few nights. Meaning a chopped up 4 hours... I could tell how much of a difference it made though!
Today Jay and I took Alice out to run some errands for the first time. We made a quick trip to the bank, which was really funny, as our bank is a credit union at the Federal Aviation Administration. When we walked in the ladies were super excited and squealing! They also told her that we smuggled her in. lol I guess children are not allowed past the gate! But, the guards didn't say anything. :P After that we made a quick trip to Babies'R'Us to use our gift card and pick up some things we needed, and then a quick trip over to Baby Depot to pick up the Mulberry baskets that I special ordered.
After we got home, Jay went to work, and I spent my first afternoon alone with the baby!!
It actually went really well. :) We were also able to take a 3-hour nap together this evening! :)
I can tell it's about time to go back to bed though. I need to work on this whole 'sleeping when she sleeps' thing.
I can't believe that tomorrow she is going to be a week old!!! Tomorrow was also my due date. :P
I think Jay and I are going to spend the night at my parents house, as he wants to go out with Tom for their usual Tuesday night shenanigans. :P I told him he's not allowed to drive home though, esspecially as it's Cinco de Mayo. So, staying at my parents will make them happy and give us a chance to relax, and Sarah time to be alone here. :P
Sarah has been super cute with the baby and loves to hold her.
It's awesome seeing my friends interact with her. :)
Alright, that's all for now. Time for me to rest!!
One of Alice's first photos!!!
Within the first few minutes of holding my little girl!
We are very emotional and happy!
I love our little family!!
Within the first few minutes of Jay holding her!!
Me, my daughter, and my best friends!
Family! Mommy and Daddy and Aunts and Uncle and Cousin!
4 Generations of women! Alice is named after my grandmother! :D
Day 2 at home
Day 2 at home. I love my little girl!!
Dylan checks out his cousin!
This is her birth story!
On Monday April 27th, Jay and I drove our friend Iain home to Weare. After this we were on our way to Babies'R'Us in Manchester, and on the way, in Goffstown, I got this weird feeling, like I kind of had to pee. So, we stopped. I pee'd, and when I stood up, this gush of liquid came out of me! I immediatly sat back down, and more gushing! Yes, my water broke in a gas station bathroom.. This was around 4:30 in the afternoon.
By 5:00, we were admitted to the hospital. The whole way there my water continued to gush, and I couldn't stop crying. When I stood up to walk into the hospital, I also continued gushing. It was gross.
At first they wheeled me into the observation room, but then came back and told me they were just moving me straight to my own room. I was also told that I got lucky and was being put in the biggest, and most requested room on the floor!! This made me soo happy as I was really worried about being claustrophobic, as many of the rooms are teeny tiny. I really liked my room, it had a rounded shape to it, and the top half of the walls were wood. It was very soothing.
At 7 we were told that we are staying the night, and I was 75% effaced.
At 9:30pm, the cervadil was placed in me to soften my cervix. This had to stay in for 12 hours, and was only a thick string with the medicine on it.
At 12:35am I was given an IV of Fenergen and Morphine to sleep. When it hit, I felt wicked heavy, like bags of sand were placed on my body.
Tuesday morning, April 28th, I woke up and took a bath in the whirlpool around 9:30 in the morning to get rid of slight cramping and to relax.
At 10:20am I was given the Pitocin at 4 ppm per hour, to induce labor. At this time they told Jay that if I wanted an epidural, it would be recomended around 4cm's dilation.
Sometime after this I found out that I was 1cm dilated, and they needed to insert the internal fetal monitor, as the external one wasn't tracking it well enough. This was a little probe they needed to insert into my womb and place on the baby's head. This was so painful! The dr. explained that it was painful because of only being dilated to 1cm. She also had trouble with this, and it didn't take the first time, so she had to do it a second time. During this time I started to cry and hyperventilate. I really hated this, it hurt!
After that I was left with a gigantic cramp that wouldn't go away! I started to cry and hyperventilate and writhe in my bed. It was AWFUL! I felt like I couldn't do it, and kept saying so, and saying I wanted it to stop and didn't want to do this anymore! The dr's suggested we start pain medication, but I wasn't ready yet, I wanted to try to deal with it as long as I could. But, I knew that wouldn't be long.. I decided I wanted to go pee, and sitting on the toilet helped relieve the pain quite a bit. I <3 the toilet, it's like my comfort zone. lol I wouldn't move for like a half hour, and I guess the nurse was getting frustrated and asked Kerry if I was being difficult on purpose and her and Foster laughed and told them that the toilet was my comfort zone. lol After I finally got up, I sat on the birthing ball for a little while, while dealing with slight contractions. Before long the intense pain was back and we decieded to start pain meds.
Sometime after this I was around 3 cm dilated.
At 12:20, I was given fenergen and morphine again. They gave me both medications in an IV, and also shot me in the butt with more Morphine.
At 1:30, I was given the epidural. Jay stayed in the room for this. I was so out of it at this point from the Morphine that Jay and the nurse had to hold me up on the bed while the anestesiologist did his work. Seriously, all I felt was a slight pinch from the novicane. Thank-God for morphine. LOL
At 3:10 we found out that I was 5 cm's dilated! At this time the dose of pitocin was decreased.
Sometime between the epidural and this point I was given a catheter and another internal monitor was placed, this one to track contractions.
After this I rested for a while and was in and out of consciousness. Sarah and Kerry had a lot of fun at this point taking silly pictures with me, and dancing around the room. Esspecially to 'I like drugs' by Adam Greene. LOL And yes, I certainly -did- like the drugs I was given!!
Between 4 and 5, Kerry, Sarah, and Jay went out for dinner, and my mother stayed with me.
Then, it came time for my next internal exam, at 5:15. First, the Dr. checked me, and got an interesting look on her face. She then said that she wasn't going to tell me yet how far along I was, but she wanted to take the opportunity to have her intern check me. This was her interns first day, and first internal exam. :P She said I was a perfect candidate for this, as I was all doped up and couldn't feel a thing. So, the Dr. talked her through the exam, and then asked her how far along she thought I was. The intern said, 'Is she all the way...?' The dr. smiled and said, 'Yes! She is 10cm!!' My mom and I shreiked out of excitement!!!!!! We didn't think it was going to happen so quickly!! The dr. said that she wanted me to rest for 45 min to an hour, while they got the room ready, and then I would be ready to start pushing!! So, I called Jay, and the 3 of them, very excited, came back to the hospital.
At 6:40, I started pushing, and could barely feel a thing. I just felt a little bit of pressure, but wasn't feeling any contractions, so they had to tell me when I was having one and when to push. I didn't think I was pushing hard enough, but I guess I was. I broke soo many blood vessels in my face and neck! :P My mom was there holding my left leg, Jay held my right, and Sarah and Kerry sat in chairs, front row center, watching the whole thing. They were soo cute, and were kind of my focal point. They were clutching each other and hugging and crying. It was really cool. Suprisingly, I only pushed for 20 minutes! When they told me that they could see her head, and then when they told me, only 1 more push until she's here, I didn't believe them! But, sure enough...
At 7:05pm, Alice Emily was BORN!!!! :D
She weighed 7lbs, 5oz. and was 20 and 7/8 " long!
After she came out we were all a crying mess. Jay said he was just so relieved that it was over and that I was okay and that the baby was okay.
They had warned me ahead of time that they couldn't hand her right to me, as there was meconium in my fluid (that means she pooped inside of me ... of course she did, she is -my- daughter, afterall! :p) While I was getting stitched up, I only needed ONE stitch!!, I kept glancing over at them cleaning up the baby, but was focusing more on sharing this moment with Jay. We were both sooo emotional. It was truly beautiful.
Finally, they handed her to me. She was so perfect and beautiful and little! I would have to say that this was the best moment in my life. I couldn't believe that Jay and I created such a beautiful little girl, and that she was finally here and in my arms!!! What an experience!
After the birth, all I could talk about was how hungry I was, and I DEVOURED an Italian Sub, which I had been craving like WHOA, and half a pizza. lol
That evening we had several visitors. My parents, my sisters, my brother-in-law, my nephew Dylan, Laura Strom, and Tom Beebe.
The next day our visitors included my Aunt Joyce, Dez, Esther, Ellen, my grandmother - whom I named little Alice after, and Jay's brother Chris and his wife Christine.
On Thursday evening we finally got to go home.
It was surreal.
The first few days were really hectic. Breastfeeding has been a task. It's kind of painful, and as I have ENORMOUS breasts, it has been difficult to get her to latch on correctly, with her mouth around enough of the aereloa. We are since getting better at it though... I also feel like I had the shit kicked out of myself. But, I suppose that is to be expected...
Also, I'm having a -very- difficult time having my routine off and not having time to myself or enough time or energy to do the things I want to do. I'm so anal and OCD as it is, that it is very hard to step away from things and not be able to do things on my own time and schedual.
I understand that everything has to be about the baby right now, but, for me, it's actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, and I'm finding myself getting super stressed out and aggravated with things. Not with the baby, just with everything else..
Kerry stayed over the first night to help and make sure I was okay. Unfortunatly I have barely slept all week.
On Friday I had a huge meltdown, crying and hyperventillating and vomitting. Kerry had to undress me and get me in the shower, and then put me to bed. I was a freaking mess.
That night I wasn't able to sleep well, and for the first time since I can remember, I had recurring nightmares. It was awful.
On Saturday we had a home visit from the visiting nurse, and then my mother came up to visit for the day. I had another mini-meltdown, and was still exhausted, but we spent some good quality time together. That night she stayed at Shauna's house, the in the morning came back over, and brought me back to her house in Billerica. Before we went over however, we noticed that there was blood in Alice's diaper. Her umbilical cord also fell off that morning! I called the Dr. on call, and he said to go to the Immediate Care center, just to make sure everything is okay. As he suspected on the phone, the blood was just a side effect from the hormones she was getting from my own body. Within the day, the bleeding stopped.
When we got to my parents house, I was, again, a mess. Lack of sleep really screws with me ... as it does anyone I suppose... My hormones are also through the roof and my emotions are going from one extreme to the next. I have been super emotional.
My grandmother came to visit us at my parents house, and even though I was an exhausted, emotional mess, it was still a nice visit. Dylan was super adorable and kept climbing up on my lap to look at, and poke, the baby. :P
That afternoon my mother helped me give her her first bath. She smells sooooooooooooooo good!!! I love my little peanut!!!
Last night I actually slept a little more than I had the last few nights. Meaning a chopped up 4 hours... I could tell how much of a difference it made though!
Today Jay and I took Alice out to run some errands for the first time. We made a quick trip to the bank, which was really funny, as our bank is a credit union at the Federal Aviation Administration. When we walked in the ladies were super excited and squealing! They also told her that we smuggled her in. lol I guess children are not allowed past the gate! But, the guards didn't say anything. :P After that we made a quick trip to Babies'R'Us to use our gift card and pick up some things we needed, and then a quick trip over to Baby Depot to pick up the Mulberry baskets that I special ordered.
After we got home, Jay went to work, and I spent my first afternoon alone with the baby!!
It actually went really well. :) We were also able to take a 3-hour nap together this evening! :)
I can tell it's about time to go back to bed though. I need to work on this whole 'sleeping when she sleeps' thing.
I can't believe that tomorrow she is going to be a week old!!! Tomorrow was also my due date. :P
I think Jay and I are going to spend the night at my parents house, as he wants to go out with Tom for their usual Tuesday night shenanigans. :P I told him he's not allowed to drive home though, esspecially as it's Cinco de Mayo. So, staying at my parents will make them happy and give us a chance to relax, and Sarah time to be alone here. :P
Sarah has been super cute with the baby and loves to hold her.
It's awesome seeing my friends interact with her. :)
Alright, that's all for now. Time for me to rest!!
One of Alice's first photos!!!
Within the first few minutes of holding my little girl!
We are very emotional and happy!
I love our little family!!
Within the first few minutes of Jay holding her!!
Me, my daughter, and my best friends!
Family! Mommy and Daddy and Aunts and Uncle and Cousin!
4 Generations of women! Alice is named after my grandmother! :D
Day 2 at home
Day 2 at home. I love my little girl!!
Dylan checks out his cousin!