Elliott's Birth Story

I was terrible at keeping up with the blog before he was born and now I expect I will be even worse now that he is here but I can at least tell you of his birth. The morning of his birthday I was feeling miserable which was very frustrating because it was my first week of maternity leave and I was hoping to get a lot accomplished with the nursery and the house in preparation for his birth. My to do list included hanging art work, washing cloth diapers, touching up paint, and cleaning the house top to bottom. I was sitting around the house moping around with the stomach flu while Eric taken the day off to make sure I was ok. My symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting which was really just horrible being 9 months pregnant. Being concerned about dehydration we called the midwife to let her know I was ill and see if we should do anything in particular. She said the baby would be fine despite me feeling like death and I should just continue drinking fluids as much as possible and rest. I napped until about 3 in the afternoon when my stomach was really hurting and jokingly Eric pulled out his contraction timer app and began "timing" my diarrhea pains. I thought it was so funny that he wanted to try it and remember thinking how excited I would be when we would REALLY use the timer, because after all these weren't contractions... right?
After timing a few of the "pains" he stopped because nothing was really consistent like our birthing book mentioned they would be and I just continued to lay on the couch and watch tv. At one point I pulled out the exercise ball (which I had planned on using when I was in "actual labor") and just laid across it and felt some relief. I think trying to stay balanced on the ball was a really good distraction. At 6:30 I wasn't feeling any better although I hadn't had any more symptoms, in fact suddenly my stomach pains were sharper and came and went rather than being more of a constant dull pain so we decided to time the pains again. I really wanted to get showered since I hadn't done that all day and once I got upstairs to the bathroom I decided a bath would be more relaxing. I threw my hair up deciding not to shampoo and deal with blow drying it and got in the tub with some of my lavender bubble bath. After sitting in the tub for about 15 mins I suddenly felt horribly nauseous, and of course threw up.
At this moment I really felt like this was more than just a stomach flu but didn't give "labor" any more thought because all I could think was "This SUCKED"! I was able to get myself dried off and that was all I had the energy for. Again when I was in labor I had planned on wearing my black sports bra and black shorts but in the moment, screw clothes, and screw modesty! I was lying on the floor between our bathroom and bed in nothing but my birthday suit and didn't even care. Eric helped me get to the bed where the comforter and I played a game of "now you're too hot, now you're too cold", while Eric called the midwife. She wanted to listen to me while I had a contraction. I thought she was crazy, she wanted me to talk while I felt like a knife was being twisted around inside me, VERY funny Karen (that's the midwifes name, by the way, I didn't mention that before). When she realized I couldn't talk during the pains she was more convinced I was in labor and told Eric to call her by 10 if they got closer together. So Eric pulled out the timer and by 10 o'clock the contractions were 2-3 mins apart and I was yelling at him to call Karen and to call my mom. Karen told Eric she was on her way and to start getting things set up. You see, when you have a home birth there are precautions you take to protect your bedding and carpeting and generally you are able to do this in advance. But I was already in the bed and didn't feel like going anywhere so Eric was able to wedge some towels under me and then pulled out the "What to do if your midwife doesn't make it" list. This list includes things like turning up the temperature in the house to 80 degrees so baby is nice and warm and getting towels warmed in the dryer. Talk about freaking out, Eric was running around like a crazy person, poor guy. He was terrified HE would have to deliver our baby!
When the midwife and my mom showed up at 1, Karen the midwife, took a few minuets to set up her things and checked me to see how many centimeters I was. SURPRISE! I was already at 9 centimeters.... holy crap, this was happening! The midwife offered that if I was uncomfortable on my back that changing position to hands and knees might be more comfortable and I figured why not. I had only been on my hands and knees a moment or so when I felt a gush like I wet my pants. I was terrified, thinking the midwife or someone saw what happened I waited and when no one said anything I asked if I was OK. They all reassured me I was fine, but I said no, I felt something and the midwife exclaims, "Oh wow, your water broke"!
The second midwife arrived shortly after and the apprentice midwife showed up shortly after that. My contractions continued to get stronger. I decided to lay back down as the hands and knees wasn't comfortable anymore. The midwives were able to get the absorbent medical pads and plastic under me to protect the mattress at this time. My saving grace was Eric kneeling by the bed with cool rags for my forehead and ice water to drink, they were a great distraction when the contractions hit. What is amazing to me looking back, is that while I was pretty uncomfortable during contractions, in the time between my body took over and made me rest, preparing for the next contraction. During the resting points I was perfectly calm, kept my eyes closed and just focused on my breathing. Everyone was busy around me, doing what exactly, I have no recollection. Around midnight, Karen did another check and said I was fully dilated and that if I wanted to give a push to see how it feels, I could. So I did. It was such a strange feeling. Relief, progression, and anticipation are all how I would describe getting to push in labor. Knowing that each push would lead you closer to baby is so comforting and the excitement drives you forward. I thank all the hours I spent reading about labor and delivery, our birthing classes and the knowledge our midwife passed to us for how prepared and calm I felt at this moment. Now the moment that I struggled with was crowning, aka the "Ring of Fire". I started to panic and doubt myself big time. I was tired, exhausted, and this HURT, how could I keep going! Karen saw me struggling, took my hand looked me in the eye and essentially told me I could do this, I had come this far and did amazing and that I ultimately had no choice. This was the exact push I needed to push this baby out. When I had the next urge to push I listened to Karen's coaching on when and how hard to push. Then she told me I could reach down and feel his head, SO CRAZY! I looked over at Eric and he was getting choked up. Within the next few pushes we were being told to look down and see our babies head and at 12:55am he was out and in my arms. He was so precious. His cord was short so he only went as far as my stomach and since we were delaying his cord clamping that is as far as he went until I delivered the placenta. Within 20 minuets I delivered the placenta and Eric got to hold his son. Eric cut his cord after it stopped pulsating 15 minuets later. I got really emotional at this time. He was now out and ready to experience the world, no longer safe inside me and I just couldn't believe it.

It's funny to me, as I try to write an ending to this blog post, it is hard because its not the end, it is just the beginning :)

Closer to the End

So, once again it has been way to long since I blogged last. I began working part time and thought, oh I'll have much more time for this, and that has been the furthest from the truth! 

Around the time I last blogged we had recently started our birthing classes and were still getting the feel for them. We've enjoyed going and getting to chat with the other parents and learning the different positions for labor and what to expect. The greatest thing this class has brought us though is confidence that we have done our research well and have the best midwife and made the best decision for us. We have been seeing our midwife every 2 weeks now and have been gathering the supplies we will need for the home birth. She gave us a list (I LOVE lists) and we've almost purchased or gathered everything we need off the list. It includes the following:

• 2 drop cloths (to protect the carpet, birth is messy!)
• q-tips and alcohol for cord care
• flashlight
• tea, juice, munchies and a natural version of Gatorade
• sitz bath herbs
• underarm thermometer
• kleenex
• hydrogen peroxide (removes blood)
• menstrual pads (oh boy!)
• sheets, towels (enough for mom and baby)
• blankets
• clothing for baby

In addition to the list we ordered our midwives birth kit that she customized through a neat home birth website. It has more of the medical sterile items that you couldn't purchase at a normal store like chucks, cord clamp, gloves, booger sucker (to clear babies airway), ect. 

I feel like I have been in slightly crazy nesting mode and it feels so great to get things checked off the must do list. Today specifically was a huge day. We traded in an expired car seat kindly given to us by a former coworker to use for the trade in event at Babies R Us and got our first car seat! A great way to get recalled and expired items out of peoples homes, you bring in the old equipment to Babies R US and get 25% off the new one. Eric's next project will be to install it! Then today my mom called us when she was a block away from our house with the crib! Babies grandmas and grandpas were in cahoots and got us the crib, mattress and toddler rail we had been eyeing. Thank you so much to our parents for that, it means so much to us. It is now put together and looking stunning in the nursery, YAY! Eric also finished the touch up painting in the nursery, we found a used glider on craigslist that is now all cleaned up as well as an old dresser to go with the vintage feel. Between the glider and the dresser we've only spent $200! Nothing feels better than being thrifty!

We had our 34 week appointment this morning and health wise everything looks great! His heart rate is between 140-150, he is head down, and through the midwifes expert hands, feels to be about 5 pounds (nice and round just like we want him, no low birth weight babies). We talked about breast feeding and positions to make that easier and what the first few weeks will look like and that made it so much more real!

The next big things coming up: home visit by the midwife and her assistant to see the house again discuss everyone's jobs that day and a baby shower thrown by my mom, best friend Kelsey, and little sister! We have never felt more loved than to hear someone wants to throw a party for us. I can't wait to see all those we love.

Look how round the belly is in this picture! I think he was trying to escape through my belly button haha!

New Year Resolutions

The second trimester has come and gone! It is really sad to see that one go since I have felt so amazing. I love being pregnant! With the exception of a few nasty leg cramps or restlessness at night, everything has gone so well. I gained the 5 pounds our midwife wanted to see and in the past 4 weeks have gained 2 more. Generally around 26 weeks or so pregnant women go in for a glucose test to see whether they are at risk for gestational diabetes. A perk of having a midwife and planning a home birth is my care can be really specialized and rather than being flooded with unnecessary and stressful testing we can decide which to do and which are unnecessary. I am considered low risk for gestational diabetes therefore won't be taking the glucose test assuming the rest of my blood work continues to be normal. Other pregnancy tidbits, my skin is looking and feeling awesome, goodbye nasty pregnancy acne! And I've had some random and annoying nosebleeds. In other baby news, Eric painted the nursery! YAY! There won't be any postings of it until I have it more decorated however ;) I've been very itchy to get art on the walls and drapes up! I wish I could just snap my fingers and make it happen!
Eric and I attended our first birthing class last night, which we were both very nervous for. We chose to go with the Bradley Method birthing course for many reasons. They have a really excellent reputation for having a natural birth outcome, which is pretty important when your having a home birth ;) Also they really put their main focus on presenting birth as a team effort between the mother and the father, and aim at teaching Eric to be my labor coach. Not that I am an expert on birth (bahaha far from lol) but I am really excited for him to become more empowered and be able to successfully meet my needs during labor rather that feeling helpless and be a hugely important part of his sons birth, as opposed to being a nervous wreck. With these courses the instructors receive their certification to teach and then often teach out of their homes so generally I have heard its best to be referred to a great instructor. The trouble with this is our midwife is based out of Boulder and doesn't have many resources in northern Colorado so we were flying by the seat of our pants when we looked for a class. Luckily for us our instructors are great. It is a husband/wife team who teaches the class who had 2 hospital and one home birth. Just after the one class, I am already grateful that they teach it together. We actually get to see the husbands side of labor and really get to see how great of a team they have become through the Bradley Method. There are 3 other couples in the class, 2 are planning a natural hospital birth with an OB and 1 who is planning a natural hospital birth with a nurse midwife. I'm most excited to meet back up with them after the babies are born and see how our experiences all vary.
On New Years eve Eric and I were lying in bed discussing "resolutions" and usually we would say things like eating healthier or setting a savings goal but of course this year is so different than past years. My resolution is to put Eric's and our families needs above my own and be more selfless. Eric's resolution is to be a great husband and dad. While I didn't have a father as I was growing up that gives a girl plenty of time to see the traits that make great dads great, and Eric has all of those plus more. He is open-minded, kind, truthful, accepting, and a great leader. To find out we are having a boy made me that much more eager to watch him get to be an amazing father the way his dad was with him. I'm so thrilled to get to be a mother but equally thrilled to see their relationship grow.

He or She What Will It Be?

Tuesday marked the 23rd week of my pregnancy! We celebrated Thanksgiving 2013 with my mom, my Scott, my sister, two brothers, grandparents, nieces, and step sisters all gathered at our house. In my perfect world, I want to host the dinner where all the place settings are matching with the beautiful center piece and shiny casserole dishes with to die for presentation. However, my budding dishware collection is lacking a few key pieces like pans to cook a turkey or a casserole dish for green bean casserole so this meal would have never happened without my amazing mom and grandma. They knew before they even came over to help cook that I would need a few of these items and came fully prepared. It was such a relief because I spent 5 hours that morning making pies that I was sure were going to be a flop because I was missing half the ingredients! Thanks to my mom and grandmas thoughtfulness though, the rest of the meal was perfection and the pies didn't turn out bad either. We cooked some delicious food and managed to survive the spilled Costco size jar of pickles. It was wonderful to have everyone under the same roof laughing and talking together and made me think how lucky I am to have these people in my life to support, love and accept me. 

Following the excitement of Thanksgiving, we had our first ultrasound to look forward to on December 6th! Leading up to the ultrasound I had been looking at tons of ultrasound pictures and reading about what they would be showing us. So Friday afternoon we climbed into the Subaru and headed down to the Denver Tech Center to our midwives preferred clinic, Genassist. I haven't spoken much about our homebirth journey because it had a bumpy start when I wasn't far along and just wanted to see an OB about my morning sickness while continuing my care with my midwife. I called the OB's office and mentioned we were pursuing a homebirth but wanted to first be seen medically first and the receptionist on the phone treated me like I was insane and said before they would see or treat me I would need to agree to transfer my care solely to them and birth in the hospital. After feeling the unaccepting uneducated view of homebirth in the medical world I was worried I would get a similar welcome at the ultrasound clinic. Boy was I wrong. Dr. Wexler and his receptionist were so warm and welcoming to us and didn't treat us like we were making a foolish decision or risking my health, but rather as a normal couple who was excited to see the status of their growing miracle. He also had nothing but good things to say about our midwife and spoke highly of her expertise. I was instantly put at ease and able to relax and enjoy the appointment as I feel every mother-to-be should. Turns out our baby likes to be head down, feet up on the left side of my belly, which is more than likely the cause of most of my morning sickness and loss of appetite. Right away I was in such shock that the movement I felt actually came from that tiny little being on the screen, which by the way was moving the entire appointment! Dr. Wexler quickly found the arm bones and leg bones. 

Spine

Footsie with toes!

We saw from the skull to the tail bone which was above my belly button, and there sat a little bum and thigh bones perfectly positioned to see something else, that wasn't the umbilical cord! We have a BOY! Not only do we have a boy but we have a boy who has all the proper organs in the proper places, with a healthy spine, heart, kidneys and brain, who is being housed in a healthy placenta and nourished by a healthy umbilical cord! The look on Eric's face when Dr. Wexler said that we were looking at the gender, and it was obvious what it was, was priceless. He had been so convinced that we were having a girl that I think he was just in pure shock. I on the other hand turned into a leaky faucet and cried off and on like a baby the rest of the appointment out of joy. The due date for our son (crazy that I am saying that!) is still April the 1st since he was right on with all of his measurements. Because his head was so low, and he was facing away from my belly we don't have a profile photo but just look at those little toes! So there you have it! 

More than Half Way

                                               
We have passed the half way point! I can't believe it has gone this fast! When other women in my life have been pregnant, 9 months just seemed like a very long time, but now that its me it is flying by! At our last midwife appointment, lots of information was discussed. The first thing we talked about was the new prenatal I began taking that was food based and organic. She recommended it because the vitamins are more easily absorbed into the body in that form, however I had what I think was an allergic reaction to them with a rash on my chest, neck and lower jaw so I stopped taking those and went with my previous vitamin. Then we discussed my weight. I still haven't gained any which still isn't a huge concern, but at some point I need to put on pounds so she gave some goals like 2000 calories a day and 80 grams of protein. I have regained most of my appetite so I don't think I will loose any more. We talked about the results of the last blood draw that included the AFP which came back with no abnormalities so we can rule out down syndrome or spina bifida. I have a negative blood type, which means depending on Eric's blood type, I would have to have the rhogam shot. I know I need to get over the needle phobia thing but seriously, the needle for this shot is HUGE and you have to have it done twice! Well my husband is a great person and instead of me just getting the shot, he went and had his blood tested! Turns out we are a match made in heaven and he is also negative so I don't need to have the shot :) This was such a relief for me! We have also finally been able to schedule our ultra sound! I would love prayers for a healthy baby with normal amniotic fluid levels, a healthy placenta, and good cord attachment so our plans for a smooth natural birth are even more likely to come true. Finding out the gender will also be a big step!

I have felt really really great. The belly is certainly bigger and I'm happy to say I look like you can more easily tell I'm pregnant not just chubby! Baby moves and wiggles all day and even says hello when I'm up in the middle of the night. I remind myself I won't feel lonely again! Night time is a touch difficult because my hips hurt and I've been experiencing leg cramping (which has gotten much better with the advice from friends and family to eat bananas and stretch). My acne has been driving me nuts. Nothing I do makes it better. Moisturize, exfoliate, pop, leave them alone; it doesn't matter they are always there just laughing at me.

We have gotten a few birthing books and I am just soaking up all the information I can. Reading lots of birth stories with a positive homebirth outcome as well as others. I feel like the more that I vision a smooth birth and have positive thoughts and let go of my fears I will be in a place to let my body do what it needs to do. I am really looking forward to experiencing that!

Thanksgiving is coming up and I am reminded how much I have to be thankful for in every aspect of my life!

The "Quickening"

I'm at a loss for what to say this time around! I have felt the best physically that I have felt since the day we found out I was pregnant though emotionally I have been on a roller coaster ride the last few weeks.
I've been anticipating the "quickening" or the moment when I first feel the baby move, and I am certain that I would have felt it last week sometime but some strange stomach bug made me uncertain if I was feeling upset/bubbly stomach or baby somersaults! Today however, during one of the conferences I had with a family at work, I felt a distinctive bump, and I instantly pictured a little fist or heel poking my belly. A moment I have been so excited for and yet, I was so happy to be home and see Eric after my day that I completely forgotten to even tell him until I was cooking dinner! Oh if only life would slow down enough for us to share these moments! ANYWAY the "quickening" is an important milestone in pregnancy because many midwives believe that the baby will arrive 20 weeks from the day you first feel movement! A pretty crazy exciting thought! I already find myself doing a mini version of the pregnancy waddle towards the end of the day and quickly correct myself, I CAN'T BE THERE YET, CAN I!?
I've been trying to eat as healthy as I can but once a week or so the morning sickness hits me and I'll loose my lunch. It's been hard to slow down enough at work to remember to eat my apple or to drink my water and I haven't gained any weight this month. I don't feel that its a particularly bad thing since I was curvy before I got pregnant but I want to make sure it isn't unhealthy either.

Eric continues to be an amazing husband and support system for me and my hormonal, emotional roller coast ride. I can tell he is getting excited since he is already talking about the best place to move the office furniture from out of the nursery and he's getting antsy about picking out paint colors and getting the room painted. Loving the adorable tidbits of daddy-nesting :)

Any guesses on whether we will have a boy or a girl? Now is the time to state your vote! We will find out in two weeks or so!

Happy Halloween! We were Minions at work, baby belly got to be a Minion as well!

Week 16

It has been so long since my last post! Life got a bit crazy a week or so ago with the tough decision we had to make about our cat, Remy. We decided it was best for the future of our family that Remy find a new home after we had been dealing with his urinating outside the litter box since we had adopted him. The humane society did their testing and found that he was un-adoptable due to his issues with the litter box and other behavior problems along with his age. They suggested that euthanasia would be best and after praying about it we agreed. It was the hardest thing we have had to make a decision about. We are going to miss you fat boy.

After all that stress and sadness, we had our anniversary trip to Steamboat Springs to look forward to. We had the best time just being together. We went on our first hike since being pregnant, where I suddenly felt very pregnant and uncoordinated. We remarked many times how great it will be to bring our little ones with us and enjoy the outdoors with them. I had a touch of nostalgia though as I was thinking that it was most likely our last getaway just the two of us and perhaps I had taken our time alone for granted. Almost 6 years of Eric and Alyssa time is coming to an end and I will soon have to share my husband with our precious little one. I am of course not sad or bitter of the change, we have wanted this for sometime, I just can't grasp how much of a change it will really be yet.
 
In pregnancy news, nothing really exciting to report. Here's my list of not so exciting things instead:

• After our second meeting with the midwife, we confirmed that there is still a baby in there! We only heard a total of 10 heart beats though because this baby seemed to be doing all sorts of flips and turns in there, refusing to sit still, sounds just like Eric already. I'm so excited to feel those moves!
• My jeans and I are currently not getting along. They fit until I need to bend over, or eat or drink ANYTHING. So I thought maybe maternity jeans were something I needed to try... boy was I wrong. I understand I am going to be a mom, but that doesn't mean I want MOM jeans! These maternity jeans were loose fitting in the crotch, tight in the knees and just plain unflattering! But the light at the end of the tunnel... maternity leggings are insanely comfy and flattering. The smooth belly band is great and will only be better as my belly gets bigger. As for the jeans, I'll stick to my old jeans with a hair tie around the button ;)
• I have gotten 2 blood draws and my flu shot! I am so proud of myself for getting through them without having a fainting spell or a seizure (this would have jeopardized our plans for a home birth). 
• The goal for our next 4 weeks is to schedule the ultrasound where we will hopefully determine the gender (which is actually kind of exciting) and I need to gain 5 pounds since I still haven't gained any (necessary though not exciting).