Noah's Birth Story

I had an appointment with Dr. T on Monday, the 14th (due date) and I was only dilated 1 cm and about 75% effaced but baby was still very low at +1 station. I mentioned to Dr. T that baby had been less active in the past couple of days and he sent me to the hospital for an NST and biophysical ultrasound. Everything came back perfect so I went home to spend Valentine's Day with Aaron and Noelle.

I went to sleep that night praying and praying that I would go into labor before Thursday - the scheduled induction day. As usual I couldn't sleep and ended up on the couch at 1:40 a.m. I began to feel semi-strong contractions around 3 a.m. and timed them at about 30 minutes apart. They were just annoying enough to keep me awake so I watched a couple of hours of TV and finally started to doze off at 5 a.m.

Just as my eyes closed I felt a strange feeling and jumped up to run to the bathroom. On my way there amniotic fluid started running down my leg. I went to the bathroom and out came my mucus plug along with more amniotic fluid. Woohoo! God is good! I laid back down and soaked through a pad, then another. When Aaron got up to go to work I let him know what happened but I insisted he go to work because I wasn't planning on going to the hospital until my contractions were closer together.

I took a shower and finished getting our bags packed and at 8:30 a.m. I started bleeding. Not long after the contractions went from 10 minutes apart to 5 minutes apart. My parents came over at 9 a.m. and I called Aaron to come home from work.

At 10:30 a.m. we arrived at the hospital and got settled in.

At 11 a.m. my contractions were 3 minutes apart and getting stronger but for some reason they went away. Nothing for almost an hour so Dr. T ordered Pitocin which started working right away and I was contracting every 2 minutes from then on. My sister and Aaron were squeezing my feet with every contraction and at 2:30 p.m. I ordered an epidural.

3:00 p.m. I finally got the epi and was at 5 cm dilated. From 3-4:30 I relaxed with my parents, Aaron and Noelle. Nurse Julie came to check me at 4:40 and I was at 8 cm dilated. She said she'd come back at 5:30 and I'd likely be at 10 cm.

A few minutes after Nurse Julie left the room my forebag broke and Noah came sliding down the birth canal. I told Aaron and my dad to go get a Nurse - I knew Noah was crowning, the pressure was super intense. Nurse Julie came in to take a look and sure enough, he was ready to come out.

They prepped the room and Dr. T came in just before 5 p.m. Because he's such a sweetie, he cancelled his dinner plans and was in his office playing online poker waiting for my call.

Once everything and everyone was in our room I started pushing and about 4 minutes later Noah's head came out - but he had the cord wrapped around his neck twice so I had to give one big push to get him out. And there he was at 5:13 p.m! Perfect and pink with the most adorable little cry. Unfortunately because I had to get him out fast, I tore in the same place as I did with Noelle. :-( Recovery was rough for the first 5 days, but now a week pp, I feel pretty good.

7 pounds, 8 ounces and 20.5 inches long

My mom's expression during the whole process was priceless. I'm so glad she was able to watch the birth of her grandson. Aaron was an amazing coach and supporter. He is my rock.

Watching Noelle meet her brother was a moment I'll never forget. She kept trying to hold his hand and said, "He's my friend." It was so sweet!

Now we are a family of 4!

Noah is here!

Noah John was born on February 15th at 5:13 pm! He was 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 20.5 inches long. I was anxious during my pregnancy to find out what he looks like, and let me tell you, it's like looking at Noelle as a baby. They are nearly identical - he's just a handsome version.

This is the first time in the past 6 days that I've been able to turn on the computer - and even now I should be napping - but I wanted to send this out just in case you were wondering. I started writing his birth story which I'll try to get posted this week.

I haven't had a chance to upload the pictures from my camera but here's a phone picture...

My baby boy!

Happy Due Date!

It's Valentine's Day! I can't tell you how many times during my pregnancy I said I wouldn't make it to the 14th, and here I sit, 40 weeks pregnant. I feel great, nothing to complain about. In fact, I was humbly reminded yesterday after hearing some horrible news that it's not a curse to be 10 months pregnant, rather a blessing to be able to carry a child to full term.

Thank you, Lord, for this child and Noelle. I am in awe of what you have given me.

I saw Dr. T this morning and there hasn't been any change since last week. I was bummed to hear that but I'm willing to wait it out as long as Dr. T will let me. I made the mistake of telling him that baby hasn't been moving as often as he usually does and of course he went crazy ordering tests.

First I was set up in the monitor room for a NST (non-stress test) which came back great, then I was sent over to the hospital and admitted for another NST and biophysical ultrasound. Basically they just checked the position of the baby and fluids. Everything was perfect there also. Noah scored an 8 out of 8! I have no idea what that means but sounds good, right?

During my NST the nurse asked if the contractions were hurting. Contractions? Apparently they are coming every 4-6 minutes. I feel a pain in my back but they aren't painFUL. Just a dull ache. Nothing compared to the contractions I was having on Pitocin with Noelle. Crossing my fingers that they'll get stronger today and we'll meet Noah soon! :-)

Walking and Waiting

February sure is flying by. Every day I try to tell myself that it's one day closer to meeting my son, but I usually see it as another day I didn't go into labor. I know I'm not 40 weeks yet but I'm so close and I know that every day that passes is a day closer to being induced.

Come on, body - get with it!

My appointment with Dr. T on Tuesday went well. I'm still only 1 cm dilated but I'm now 70% effaced and baby is sitting pretty at +1 station. I was hoping to have made more progress but Dr. T thinks that I won't dilate until labor begins - which is common in 2nd pregnancies.

Aaron and I are praying, praying, praying that I'll go into labor on my own - but if it doesn't happen by the 17th it looks like I'll need to go in to be induced. :-(

The cramps that I've had the past several days have gone away. I'm not sure if I should be glad or bummed about their disappearance. I am still very uncomfortable and haven't been getting more than 3 hours of sleep at night but I'm hanging in there. It's not like I'm miserable, I just very much want to experience going into labor naturally. Not too much to ask, right? So in the meantime Noelle and I are keeping busy with trips to the park and walks around the block.

Here's my very tired-looking 39 week picture.

How far along? 39 weeks

Weight gain? +25 pounds total

Sleep? Nope. I'm usually awake from 3am - 7am.

Food cravings? Nothing.

What I miss. Regular clothes.

What I'm looking forward to. Having this baby! Come on little guy - get out!

Tired and Frustrated

39 weeks today!

One more week until my due date and I am definitely feeling it. Last week, other than baby brother's painful kicks, I felt great. Then on Friday I started having back pain and cramps. Saturday it got a little worse, I rested on Sunday but the cramps persisted, and today the cramps are strong and boy do they hurt! I'm praying that this is the start of labor and Noah will make his appearance this week/weekend.

I have an appointment with Dr. T tomorrow so I'll know more then. We are going to discuss what the plan will be if labor doesn't start before the 14th. At this point I can't imagine going to 41 weeks but I'm willing to wait it out as long as possible....don't quote me on that.

Hooray for progress!

I had my weekly appointment with Dr. T today. I was anxious to find out if my body was making any progress. I haven't (to my knowledge) had a single contraction so I was prepared to hear that nothing was going on. Well, there's definitely something happening. I'm 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. The kicker is that baby is SO LOW. He's already at +1 station. No wonder I can't cross my legs! :) Dr. T said that once labor starts it's going to go fast. Let's hope so!

You probably don't need a visual - but just in case...

Noah is measuring a perfect 38 weeks and his heart rate was going between 134-142. I'm also proud to say that I've LOST a pound this week. Thanks to Just Dance Kids on the Wii. Aaron bought it for Noelle and we've been dancing away every day this week.

How far along? 38 weeks

Weight gain? +24 pounds total. Down one pound!

Sleep? Funny. I got a few good nights of sleep but I'm back to waking up to use the restroom, then staying up with ALL my thoughts.

Food cravings? Definitely sweets - dang you, Valentine's Day peeps!

What I miss. Being comfortable. Even sitting on the couch is unpleasant. Walking is easy if it's only for a few minutes.

What I'm looking forward to. Going into labor and all the excitement surrounding it.

38 week belly picture...