Monday, November 22, 2010

Finally...a birth story!

Sorta graphic. So if this sorta thing isn't your cup o' tea...don't read my friends! :)

Owen Barry’s Birth Story

On Wednesday, November 3rd, I called the hospital that I was supposed to be induced at, the next day. I received the news that I wasn’t on their books, but that I was likely scheduled for induction at the hospital downtown. I cried. A lot. I was told by my doctor the week prior that there were no open inductions until Thursday the 4th. Of course not, because the downtown hospital is much, much busier than the hospital in West Des Moines. We were able to get it switched, so that my induction was going to be at the hospital close to my home, and all was set for me to go in at 7:30 the following morning.

Barry and I woke up at 6:00 and got ready for the day. I showered the night before, and we got dressed, and I ate a piece of toast, since I knew I wouldn’t be eating for a while. We’d told the boys that they were to stay with grandma, and that Baby Owen was going to be born that day. Julian was so excited, and so was Gabe, I think.

We got to the hospital at 7:15, because that’s how we roll, always early. And they got me back to my room super fast, and introduced me to my nurse, and she said she’d be with me until 7, and that we’d have a baby by noon. She was an optimistic one. :) I was the only delivery that day, so it was nice. We got the IV started, and my antibiotic going, and per the doctor on call’s (Doctor P) orders, pitocin started. I was 3 cm dilated and 50-60% effaced (which is less effaced than I was at the doctor’s a week before....strange, I think.) A little while after that, the doctor that was rounding, Doctor M came in, and broke my water. The fluid was clear. I also had a random spike in my blood pressure as the nurse was explaining to Doctor M that I’d had a previous 4th degree tear (don’t google, seriously), and that the nurse had delivered my 2nd baby. So I had to get a PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) blood draw. All was fine with the blood draw, aside from being anemic. Before they broke my water, Dr. M asked if I wanted a c-section, which is standard for people with previous 4th degree tears.

So Barry and I took to the halls, and walked. We walked that circle numerous times. And each time the contractions just wouldn’t get stronger. They kept bumping my pitocin, and nothing would happen. Turns out, my IV was sensitive, and if I had my hand a certain way? It wasn’t giving me any medicine! Once we figured out that, I was able to finally get some contractions going, but they weren’t showing up on the monitor! So I had to get an internal contraction monitor. Luckily, Owen’s heart rate was steady and strong, and we were able to get it easily each and every time. Getting the internal monitor was awful! AWFUL. Barry had gone downstairs to get something to eat, I warned him, “Don’t get something stinky.” And he didn’t. Before they put the monitor in, they noticed that Owen had pooped, there was some meconium in the fluid. They weren’t really worried, it just meant that another person would be in the room when he was born.

Once the monitor was in, (about 2 pm) contractions started getting crazy. I’d opted for no epidural. I did sign the consent form, but never needed it. So, like with Gabe, I stalled out at 4 cm for most of the day. About 5 o’clock, Doctor M called (she was working in the clinic across the street from the hospital) and Doctor P was still downtown delivering some inductions. He was to be on his way as soon as he was finished up downtown. Elkie, my nurse, was too nervous for Doctor M to run errands, so Doctor M came up to the room and hung out until Doctor P could get there. I made very little progress with Dr. M in the room.

When I was contracting, I would repeat to myself, “Everything is going to be ok. This is almost over. Only temporary pain. Everything will be ok.” It really helped to calm myself, and helped me get through the contractions. I would also picture my cute big boys smiling at me, and that also helped me to calm down and not panic with contractions.

Once Dr. P settled in with his Newsweek, I finally made some fast and furious progress. I went from 5-9 pretty quickly, and then, because of Owen’s position, was stuck at 9. I pretty much begged for some IV drugs, which were always an option, and after one dose of Sublimaze, I felt pretty good. ‘Dreamed‘ about yellow balloons, and was able to rest for about 10 minutes before Dr. P decided to see if he could push the cervix away, during a contraction, and I was finally complete! I pushed through one contraction, and Dr. P said, “Next contraction you’ll have a baby!” I totally didn’t believe him, but he was right. Next contraction and Baby Owen was born! As soon as I saw him, I totally melted, and cried. I don’t remember ever crying (happy tears of course) with the other boys. Itw as just such a different experience.

I ended up with a partial 3rd degree tear, he called it a 2 1/2. Owen’s apgar scores were 8 and 9, and the meconium ended up being a non issue. He’d pooped after the water was broken, so he’d not aspirated any into his lungs. Which was a definite blessing.

Owen was born at 6:40 pm. 8 lbs 11.9 oz, and 21 3/4” long. I’m pretty proud of myself for not having an epidural, I had one with both Julian and Gabe. It was an awesome and intense experience. Owen is seriously the sweetest baby, and it’s so amazing how he has been able to fit into a place that I never even knew was empty.

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(In this one, you can see how his head is swollen from sitting funny on my cervix)
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Pouty
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All cleaned up!
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Meeting the biggest brother!
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GIANT feet!
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Hanging out with mom in the hospital bed.
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Squishy Face
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Cute Face
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Cute, but trouble.
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His going home outfit! Loooooove longies on newborns!
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Ready to go!
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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yesterday was my *gulp* 27th birthday. It was also, Mr. Owen's 2 week birthday! We celebrated with a party at the pediatrician's office. No seriously. It was like a party. Julian, Gabe, Owen, me, the doctor and the doctor's medical student. Like I said, a party! A week ago, we went for a weight check and Owen was still weighing in at 8lbs 3 oz, which was his discharge weight. The doctor said he hoped Owen would be at his birth weight by next week, aka yesterday, and guess what? He was! He was 8 lbs 15 oz! Chunky monkey! He has also grown almost an inch, 22 1/2" already! Holy smokes. No wonder those newborn clothes haven't ever quite fit him right!

So, in honor of my many, many, many blessings, that's what this post is going to be.

27 things that I'm thankful for. One for each year I've been alive.

1. My health. Seriously I feel wonderful for being 2 weeks post-partum. Healing great, sleeping as well as can be expected. I'm just blessed to be extra healthy this time.

2. Barry. I'm not quite sure how I would survive this crazy journey without him.
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(The following three are in birth order...)
3. Julian. He is such a sweet and kind kid. I'm so lucky to be his mom. While he does frustrate the bejeezus out of me sometimes, in the next second, he's warmed my heart to the max!
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4. Gabriel. Seriously. He made me cry at preschool the other day. It was mommy day, and his teachers had asked him what he likes to do to help mommy. His answer? "Help with baby Owen." I cried. He is the most generous, kind, and sharing 2 year old I've ever met.
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5. Owen. Nothing like snuggling a baby fresh from heaven. He is the sweetest little guy ever. I am so smitten. And I'm such a baby hog.
(2 weeks ago, while we were still at the hospital)
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6. Cake. It was my birthday, so it only stands to reason I had cake last night! Yum! It was even pink.
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7. My house. I know we're only renting, but I love having a feeling of permanence.

8. The Army National Guard.
(and men in uniform...)
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9. My family. I've been so blessed to have such wonderful and caring parents. My mom came and stayed with me for 2 1/2 weeks. And my dad came to visit for the weekend. So wonderful to be able to spend time with them, and that they were able to meet and snuggle Owen.
(seriously, how cute is this?)
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10. Knitting. It's so nice to have finally found something, some way to channel my creativity. I've tried SO many things, and failed. I'm glad there's something I'm kinda good at. I also love being able to make things for my kids. How cool is that? (Even though Julian refuses to wear anything I make him...grumble, grumble)

11. My sewing machine. Again, I can't SEW, but I can applique. It's fun. And it lets me be creative without too much risk.

12. The Internet, and my online friends. I seriously have been so blessed, online. I'm so lucky to have met such wonderful people on numerous message boards. If you're reading this, you know who you are :D

13. My camera. I'm so happy to have a way to capture life's little moments. It helps I have some cute little subjects to take pictures of.

14. Books. How else could I visit Sweden, or Hogwarts, or The Arena. Seriously. I'm thankful for books and authors, and that I can read whatever I want, whenever I want, as long as my little dictators say it's OK.

15. DMU. I'm so happy that Barry is able to follow his dream, and DMU has made it a reality.

16. Facebook. I know I already said the Internet, but because of facebook, I've been able to get back in touch with tons of friends that I've just lost touch with along the way.

17. Uggs. Best, most comfy shoes ever.

18. Hulu, Netflix Watch Instantly, and My DVR. I love being able to watch my favorite shows when I have time. Especially with a new baby, I can't always stay up late to watch them. Most days I'm ready to crash by 7.

19. My favorite shows. I don't like drama in my real life, but I sure do like it in my tv shows. And hot guys, and girls.

20. Clearance Racks. I'm a sucker for bargains. I love saving money, but don't know, or care to know how to coupon. I'm not into that. I just love clearance racks, and buying my kids cute clothes for little $$ :)

21. A garage. It's wintery. True, we haven't had snow, but I'm so thankful that I can pull my car into the garage, and that I don't have to get my kids piled into the explorer in the elemnts. (At least not while I'm at home.)

22. Cloth Diapers. I've not been so diligent in my cloth usage with Owen as I'd hoped. Partly because he was so squirmy and curly. Partly because Barry has no idea how to use prefolds, but I love not seeing our garbage full of disposable diapers. We've been using cloth exclusively for the past 3 days, and I love that my garbage isn't exploding! (OK I take that back, he did wear one disposable today, when I only left prefolds downstairs with Barry, and I went to take a nap)

23. The gospel. I love it. It fits me perfectly. I'm so thankful to know my Heavenly Father, and to know that he knows me, and loves me. Even though I'm far from perfect.

24. Music. Nothing can change or set a mood like music.

25. My Bed. We recently got a new mattress, and it's glorious. GLORIOUS. I love crawling in there, especially with the hint of winter, and just snuggling in. Love.

26. Wonderful friends. I talked about my online friends, now I'm giving a shout out to my BFFs IRL!
(Some of the besties right here!)
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And last but not least...

27. My in-laws! So lucky to have married into such a wonderful family. &hearts

And just so you and I know. This, is what 27 looks like. (PS, why yes, yes I am quite tired.)

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I promise my next post will be chock full of pictures of my new baby, and a birth story!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Introducing...

Owen Barry

Born November 4th 2010 at 6:40 pm

He weighed in at an astonishing 8 lbs 11.9 oz (I'm gonna call it 8 lbs 12 oz, because seriously.)

And 21 and 3/4" Long

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I will post my birth story, it was CRAZY intense, and some more pictures soon! My mom just left, (cry, cry, cry) and I've got to learn how to balance three crazy little boys on my own!

And I need to figure out who was the closest for the guessing!