Introducing Haylea Irene...small update 8/19 first post

BabyBird · #1 August 18th, 2009, 07:41 PM

Thank you Erika for updating everyone! Today was such a whirlwind day and I feel like I am floating on a cloud! I am going to apologize in advance before you begin to read this because there are no pics yet. I have TONS but the hospital blocks photobucket so I can't post them. I am too exhausted tonight to figure out another way to post them so if anyone has suggestions let me know and I will try tomorrow.

First of all thank you all for the support and encouragment...I read Erika's update post and you are all so sweet!

So a quick version of my birth story before I try to get some sleep:

I came in last night at 6 and got the cervadil. I was already 2 cm and had been for at least 3 weeks and was not effaced. At 1130 I was dilated a little more and effaced just a bit 3-4 cm. Checked again at 330am and was 4-5 according to the nurse so she called my OB and they decided to start the pitocin early...I was supposed to start at 730am. I was having pretty consistant contractions but didn't really feel most of them. The ones I felt were very mild and I thought it was going to be easy! LOL Then I sort of stalled and each time I was checked I was still at 4cm. They were increasing the pitocin every 30 minutes and the contractions were getting stronger and more and more painful...but not changing my cervix. I was beginning to think it was going to be a long day and I had only gotten about 2 hours of sleep during the night. Sometime around 9 or 10am I got the epidural and was so happy! I couldn't even feel the contractions. Each time I was checked I was still 4 cm but effacing a little more each time. I was checked at about 1130 am because I told the nurse I could feel some rectal pressure with each contraction. Of course I was 4cm and so she had me turn on my side to try and see if a different position would put more pressure on my cervix. All of a sudden I could feel the contractions again and the epi was wearing off and the rectal pressure was getting more and more intense. I was starting to feel like I wanted to push but just 30 minutes ago I was just 4 cm so I thought that was strange. The nurse came in during a contraction and saw my pain and said she would check again. I thought she was crazy because she had JUST checked me. But her face said it all...I went from 4 cm to 9 in 30 minutes! Ironically we all had a good laugh because my sister did the EXACT same thing with my nephew! LOL So she called my OB who was at the office 15 minutes away and had her come asap. Before she checked me I had asked for her to call aneasthesia to get another bolus of my epi thinking it would still be a while but when I knew I was at 9 I decided not to get it so that I could feel to push. I am really glad I did. So for about a half an hour I had to NOT PUSH during contractions until my OB got there. That was the hardest part. My body really wanted to push and the contractions weren't so bad but the urge to push was incredibly painful. Finally she showed up and it was time. I think I pushed throuh 5 or 6 contractions. They were frustrating to me though because the contrax were kind of far apart...at least it seemed like an eternity...not sure exactly how far they were. I felt like each time waiting between them was just undoing all the progress I had done in the previous push. Finally my sister convinced me to use the mirror...I didn't want to at first but it helped so much! Seeing her start to crown really motivated me to use my pushes effectively. It was amazing watching every moment and when she was born she just melted my heart immediately. I scanned her for fingers and toes and hair...and of course made sure she was a girl! She had a few little cries but didn't really scream. She pinked up immediately though and was just so calm laying on my chest. DH got to cut the cord and I just held her on my chest. I had a 2nd degree tear and my OB was stitching me up and honestly I didn't feel it one bit because I was so concentrated on my baby. She is perfect and beautiful. I kept her on my chest for a while but the blanket was wet and I was afraid she was getting cold so I let them take her to the warmer and dry her off better and wrap her up. DH got to hold her then too.

We have done a decent job with BF. I am really pleased so far. I don't think she gets much but that is ok for now...she is latching on though. Not for long. She will latch for about 3 sucks and then squirm and latch again. We are getting better with each feeding though and tomorrow lactation will come in to help me make sure we are doing it right. The nurses here are great too though...they have helped me a lot and are very pro bf.

SO that was longer than I was planning on for now! I am exhausted and going to get some rest now before they take her in a couple hours for an assessment and weight check and then I will BF again.

Tomorrow I will work on getting pics...I hope I can figure out a way to post a couple at least. Good night all and thanks again for being so supportive!

***Update***
Ok so I know I said I would post pics today but I still can't! She is gorgeous and I can't wait to share her pics but I tried tinypic.com as well and it is also blocked by the hospital. I also can't get on facebook for some reason. So I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow evening when I get home. Hopefully I can get on then to post them. I have been thining about you girls all day and wanting to get on here but it has been so busy. I have had lactation coming in to help with BF which isn't going all that great and I am trying not to get too frustrated. She is starting to get the hang of it a little more each time but she really had no interest most of the day and was so tired. This last feeding we tried a nipple sheild and used a syringe of formula to stimulate her a little. I also started pumping to help get things going so we don't have to supplement and have gotten a few drops of colostrum. Hopefully tonight goes a little better and tomorrow my milk might come in more. So between that and visitors and trying to get some rest...which is almost impossible here...I haven't had time to try and figure out the picture thing. I even tried posting them to my blog but they won't upload and DH tried yesterday to upload pics to his email to send to friends and it wouldn't upload then either. Something is weird with this hospital's network and it is just frustrating me so I am giving up and will post when I get home tomorrow!

Thank you again for all the congrats and well wishes!

fromustobaby · #2 August 18th, 2009, 08:04 PM

WOW!! That sounds like a really wonderful and memorable birth!!
Can't wait to see pics tomorrow!!!

chloe12 · #3 August 18th, 2009, 08:09 PM

I love reading these! Thanks for sharing - I agree with Tonya, sounds like a perfect birth! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your little girl

LindsLuvsSi · #4 August 18th, 2009, 08:25 PM

Aww so sweet April! Congrats!!! (you could try facebook and share the link at the bottom of the album to share pics?) or there's tinypic.com. Can't wait to see Haylea!

LisaD · #5 August 18th, 2009, 08:32 PM

Congratulations April! I am so happy for you and DH and can't wait to see pictures!

Brenda04 · #6 August 18th, 2009, 09:04 PM

Thank you for Sharing Congratulations can't wait to see pics

SassyMama · #7 August 18th, 2009, 09:05 PM

Congratulations April and Happy Birthday Haylea! :cheers:

courtneytcu98 · #8 August 18th, 2009, 09:51 PM

I can't believe it went so quickly for you, April! I really cannot wait to see pictures of Haylea. I hope you get some rest tonight and feel a bit less exhausted tomorrow. Hospitals are hard places to rest. . .

downunderchick · #9 August 18th, 2009, 11:01 PM

Thanks for sharing April really excited to see pics, great to hear the b/f is doing well so far. B seems to do the same, come on then off but all seems to be ok. Enjoy her
XXX

::MummyToTwo:: · #10 August 18th, 2009, 11:22 PM

Congrats APril!

#11 August 19th, 2009, 03:37 AM

What a great birth story! Thank you so much for the inspiration and motivation to KEEP TRYING!!!

I have to ask, does she look like you and have dark hair??? I've been dying to find out how accurate your dream was

I think you should print that JM post and put in Haylea's baby book

CONGRATS hunnie! I CANNOT wait for pictures

Elijah'sMommy · #12 August 19th, 2009, 04:13 AM

Congratulations April. What a great birth story! Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to see lots of pics of Haylea.

Em2528 · #13 August 19th, 2009, 05:03 AM

What a beautiful birth story, such an incredible miracle. Im so happy for you guys, congrats again and welcome to the world little Haylea! Im glad everything is going well, and I cant wait to see more pics! LY HUGS!

stlgirl · #14 August 19th, 2009, 05:14 AM

What a great birth, April! That is so so cool you actually got to WATCH yourself push her out. You're a rock star, momma! I'm sure BF will get better as your milk comes in more...she'll want to stay on the boob for way longer when she's getting more in her belly!

Can't wait to see pictures of your little girl. So very happy for you.

ChristinaR · #15 August 19th, 2009, 05:30 AM

What a beautiful story April. I'm glad everyone is doing great. Can't wait to see pics. Congratulations!!!

Lyz · #16 August 19th, 2009, 05:37 AM

congrats April! Sounds like you had a great birth! I can't wait to see pics of your little girl

caring21 · #17 August 19th, 2009, 06:35 AM

That's a wonderful birth story, lucky you!

I'm so happy for you. You finally get to be with your little girl!

Etph007 · #18 August 19th, 2009, 06:56 AM

Congrats april!!

Jessy133 · #19 August 19th, 2009, 07:04 AM

Oh April I am just sooo freaking happy for you! After everything you have your beautiful baby! Dreams do come true! We both have been here for a veryyy long time and I am just soo excited to see this! I cant wait to see her pics. She must be so beautiful! Congrats on a great birth. I want to use the mirror too if they let me in the OR!

Congrats again!

lots of love!