Friday, September 29, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Let's Hear It For The Monkey!
I know a group of guys who could (probably still DO) sing along to Gitarzan, in character, usually after a few cans of Busch. They entertained a couple of friends and I with it, and looking back I wonder if it was meant to impress us rather than entertain. Back in their single days, they all vowed to perform at one another's weddings. By the time the last guy got hitched I think they were all a bit relieved to be out of that commitment, but is sure was fun to watch!
I played Gitarzan for the kids this morning and they liked the "jungle song" and asked to hear it again. That's just a good way to start your day.
Gitarzan
Ray Stevens
He's free as the breeze, He's always at ease
He lives in the jungle and hangs by his knees
As he swings through the trees without a trapeze
In his B.V.D.'s
He's got a union card and he's practicing hard
To play the guitar
Gonna be a big star, yeah, he's gonna go far
And carry moon beams home in a jar
He ordered Chet's Guitar course C.O.D.
Makes "A" and "E" and he's working on "B"
Digs "C" and "W" and "R" and "B"
And me and the chimpanzee agree that one day soon he will be a celebrity
Git it, git it, git it, git it...OW!
Gitarzan, he's a guitar man
He's all you can stand
Give him a hand, Gitarzan
Ahhh (Jungle Yell), Ahhh, Ahhh
He's got a girl named Jane with no last name
Kinda homely and plain but he loves her just the same
Cuz she kindles a flame and it drives him insane
When he hears her sing, she really does her thing
It's her claim to fame, come on, sing one Jane
Baby, baby
Ow, baby, baby (scat)
Baby, baby
Well, they got a pet monkey
He likes to get drunky
And sing boogie woogie and it sounds real funky
Come on, your time boy, sing one monkey
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Let's hear it for the monkey!
On saturday night they need some excitement
Jane gets right and the monkey gets tight
And their voices unite in the pale moonlight
And it sounds all right, yeah, it's dynamite, it's out of sight
Let's hear it right.....now!
Baby, ahhh, baby, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Baby, ahhh, baby, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Git it, git it, git it, git it...ow!
Gitarzan and his jungle band
They're all you can stand
Give 'em a hand Gitarzan
I played Gitarzan for the kids this morning and they liked the "jungle song" and asked to hear it again. That's just a good way to start your day.
Gitarzan
Ray Stevens
He's free as the breeze, He's always at ease
He lives in the jungle and hangs by his knees
As he swings through the trees without a trapeze
In his B.V.D.'s
He's got a union card and he's practicing hard
To play the guitar
Gonna be a big star, yeah, he's gonna go far
And carry moon beams home in a jar
He ordered Chet's Guitar course C.O.D.
Makes "A" and "E" and he's working on "B"
Digs "C" and "W" and "R" and "B"
And me and the chimpanzee agree that one day soon he will be a celebrity
Git it, git it, git it, git it...OW!
Gitarzan, he's a guitar man
He's all you can stand
Give him a hand, Gitarzan
Ahhh (Jungle Yell), Ahhh, Ahhh
He's got a girl named Jane with no last name
Kinda homely and plain but he loves her just the same
Cuz she kindles a flame and it drives him insane
When he hears her sing, she really does her thing
It's her claim to fame, come on, sing one Jane
Baby, baby
Ow, baby, baby (scat)
Baby, baby
Well, they got a pet monkey
He likes to get drunky
And sing boogie woogie and it sounds real funky
Come on, your time boy, sing one monkey
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Let's hear it for the monkey!
On saturday night they need some excitement
Jane gets right and the monkey gets tight
And their voices unite in the pale moonlight
And it sounds all right, yeah, it's dynamite, it's out of sight
Let's hear it right.....now!
Baby, ahhh, baby, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Baby, ahhh, baby, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Git it, git it, git it, git it...ow!
Gitarzan and his jungle band
They're all you can stand
Give 'em a hand Gitarzan
Monday, September 18, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
A Day Well Spent
Our Team
We rocked the ALS walk today! The biggest team, and the largest fund-raisers. We also had the cutest kids. A dude with ALS in a scooter chair set the pace for us walkers and he damned near kicked my ass. His son and son's football pals were walking ahead of us though, so I sucked it up so I didn't look too old.
E1 shows off her backward skills.
E1 walked the entire time, peeling off each lap to run and grab as many water bottles as she could carry and hand them out to whoever needed them. She also spent a good portion of the time jogging backwards. Ahhh, youth.
E3 & E2 Swinging, post-walk
The park had a few playgrounds, so we stayed after the walk and played for a while. We stopped for lunch at Pizza Hut before we began the drive home. Our waiter approached us to take us to a table and saluted.
It's all about the shirts, man.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Finale
To say I was exhausted was an understatement. I had a heplocked IV in my hand. A nurse came in and said I needed to seriously increase my water intake, or start an IV. I couldn't imagine taking in major amounts of water - I was THIRSTY, but the thought of all that water sloshing in my tummy...ugh! I had been sipping water all along because I thought I was supposed to SIP. Guess I should have glugged as I felt the need. I went with the IV. Barb had a washcloth with lemon oil on the squat bar in front of me, and was massaging my feet with Peppermint oil in between contractions when she'd stop to do acupressure.
About an hour or so later, the Dr checked me again. I was at 7cm - 8cm during a ctx. She wanted me to try nipple stimulation to increase the frequency and duration of the ctx. When the nurse left, I commented to Rob and Barb that I REALLY didn't want to try that. Logically, I knew that it was supposed to work. However, it just wasn't something I wanted to do at that point in time. I also said I couldn't believe that she wanted longer and stronger ctx! I went to the bathroom again - about a 10 min ordeal including ctx, that would brought on chills when I got back to the bed - and Barb suggested I try to rest.
That sounded great! I was actually dozing off between ctx I was so tired. The only problem - there was no position I could find to rest in that was comfortable. Any movement brought a ctx slamming about. The three of us discussed what to do - Barb suggesting things, but very diplomatically leaving decisions to me - Rob giving me sips of water, or a washcloth to my face at my command.
The nurse came in and started another bag of glucose and gave me a Sprite to alternate with the sips of water. The Dr came in and said I NEEDED to get up and try something else: shower, nipple stimulation, sit on the birth ball. SOMETHING to bring on longer stronger ctx.
The overhead lights were turned on. It bugged me at the time, but in retrospect it seems like the nurses may have used it as a way to push me into a change. As they un-tethered me and taped over my IV so I could go in the shower, Barb talked quietly to me about going into the shower and finding a new frame of mind for getting the baby down. "The sooner the baby come out, the sooner you can rest. You're not going to be able to rest until the baby is born." I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for a breather in between contractions. A nurse advised me to get up and head to the bathroom before the next one started. I had a brief thought of “That makes sense,” before getting up – I wasn’t getting a real breather anyway. I was waiting for something that wasn’t going to happen at that point in time.
Into the shower I went. Rob stood outside the shower curtain as I tried to steady myself, aim the spray of water at my belly, find a 'comfortable' position in the cubicle, all while being slammed with one of those dandy movement-induced ctx. I tried putting one knee on the seat with my head resting on the wall for a few, then tried squatting with my head on the seat for a while. Ctx were definitely stronger and sometimes double peaking.
I had had several thoughts and doubts throughout these events, but now I really couldn't stop myself from wondering 1. What the heck possessed me to go for a vbac? If I'd scheduled a section I would have had the baby by now! 2. Maybe an epidural wasn't such a bad idea at this point, and 3. If not an epidural, maybe something to take the edge off.
Thankfully, I still had enough logic to remember that I'd never heard anyone say anything good about drugs to 'take the edge off'. They'd probably just make me loopy and feel out of control. Although I was managing what felt to me like a hard labor, I still felt in control. Also, I couldn't even BEGIN to imagine how I'd sit still long enough for an epidural!
Interspersed with these thoughts were thoughts of my pals at Moms Online, who I knew were aware that I was probably in labor, the e-mail from Nancy A a few days ago telling me she knew I could do it, and the phrase ‘Pain with a Purpose’ from the Bradley Childbirth book.
After what was maybe 10 min (?) the nurse came in and said they really needed to get me back on the monitor and check the baby. Since I was a vbac, they wanted to keep an eye on things a little closer. I was annoyed by this. I was finally up trying something else, couldn’t they just let me be for a while?
Out of the shower I came...and immediately dropped to hands and knees for a ctx. Rob frantically tried to towel me off and cover me with my gown, but I grabbed him. After a ctx that seemed to last FOREVER, I managed to grunt out, "I think I need to push!" He called to someone and they said to just push if I felt like it, then to come out in between ctx.
I was pushing and pushing and pushing when I heard Barb ask, "Nancy? Is that ctx over?" I realized I was pushing whether there was a ctx or not. I remember feeling a slight urgency to 'prove' that I was at a pushing point and was determined that they weren't going to tell me 'not time yet' one more time.
Somehow, I managed to make it over to a pad they'd placed on the floor in front of the monitors. After another ctx, the nurse said she'd check me if I could manage lying on my back. So, Rob sat down and I leaned back against him. In between a barrage of ctx, I heard, "Oh yeah, the head's right here."
Barb and Rob began cheering me on with, "You're doing it! You're doing great!" while I remained reclined against Rob - who was hanging on to the bedrail with one arm to support us both!
The Dr had just left the floor to go assist with a tubal ligation, when she was paged to come back. She walked in and asked if we fell, or if that was an intentional position. Then said she'd need us up on the bed if I didn't want to deliver flat on my back. Up they hoisted me and I managed to climb onto the bed.
Finally there was a bit more of a breather in between ctx. They wanted me to grab behind my knees and pull them back and out with the next ctx. I pleadingly looked at Rob and Barb and asked if they'd help with that. The next ctx came and I started pushing. I didn't feel that my pushes were very controlled - just frantic all out pushing whatever the cost. Rob was on my left, and Barb was on my right. Barb was quietly cheering me on, telling me I could do it – I WAS doing it, keep up the good work. When I opened my eyes, they had moved a full-length mirror to the end of the bed. After another ctx, someone asked if I could see the head. I looked, but didn't really recognize ANYTHING in the mirror, much less a baby's head.
After a few more pushes the Dr said with the next ctx I should try to hold the push for as close to a count of 10 as I could. My birthplan had asked for spontaneous pushing, but I NEEDED this direction because my pushing was beginning to feel frantic. Another pushing ctx and the head was almost there...another pushing ctx and the head was out, then the rest of her and they put her on my belly!
Rob said later that the Dr slipped her cord from around her neck just after her head came out. She was very alert, but a bit blue despite lots of hands and blankets rubbing her. They had to bring her over to the warmer and give her some oxygen. But, she pinked up right away, and they brought her back over while I got stitched up. I had torn a 'quite a bit' according to the Dr - although it's not as bad as some of the horror stories I've heard. I delivered the placenta just before the stitching began, and the Dr reached up into my uterus and checked my c-section scar - all was well.
I didn’t want to nurse during the stitching process – I just wanted to hold Barb’s hand and whimper. Once the Dr was done stitching, I started nursing E2 and she latched right on and went to town. I think I actually leaked a few times during labor, so there must have been something there for her already!
We were left alone to have some family time, Rob made a few calls, and I drank the rest of my Sprite, two small cans of oj, and ate a Nutrigrain bar. The nurse made me promise to finish all before I would get in the shower - I had REALLY low blood sugar by this point. They came back to weigh and measure E2, (she was 8lbs, 13oz and 21"long) then took her to the NICU. Since she'd had oxygen they needed to monitor her vitals for a bit longer. I told Rob to go with her because I was going to take a shower. The nurses laughed and asked that I please wait until they come back before I tried to get up. For a few moments I was alone, resting in bed, and grinning from ear to ear.
After a nice hot shower and instructions on perineum care, I got wheeled to my recovery room where Rob had moved our things and was already dozing in a chair. We both tried to sleep for about 45 min until Amy and E1 arrived.
E1 and Rob went to get E2 from the nursery. They came back and E1 declared E2, "A beautiful baby! She's so cute! Baby E2!", then she got to sit in a chair and hold E2. They stayed for about two hours, then Mom stopped by.
The DR that delivered is the wife of my regular DR. He was on-call, but had a section scheduled as soon as his call shift ended, so when his wife took the call she agreed to come instead. I was supposed to meet her for the first time (she just joined the practice this month – we were her second delivery) at my scheduled ob appt on the coming Thursday. I’m glad it was her. I felt quite a bit of animosity towards her during delivery – I think if it had been him I’d have let loose what I was thinking, blowing any sense of control I had left.
I was really surprised that other than being a bit short with one or two especially pesky nurses I wasn’t grouching at everyone and cursing up a storm. :o)
Immediately after the birth, I was still questioning my vbac decision. But after a bit of rest, and being able to walk around on my own, use the restroom on my own, shower on my own, and move, shift, change positions without abdomen pain on my own, there was no question. This recovery was already easier!
E2 was born on Tuesday, Sept 12th at 12:37pm. We left the hospital around 4:00pm the next day.
About an hour or so later, the Dr checked me again. I was at 7cm - 8cm during a ctx. She wanted me to try nipple stimulation to increase the frequency and duration of the ctx. When the nurse left, I commented to Rob and Barb that I REALLY didn't want to try that. Logically, I knew that it was supposed to work. However, it just wasn't something I wanted to do at that point in time. I also said I couldn't believe that she wanted longer and stronger ctx! I went to the bathroom again - about a 10 min ordeal including ctx, that would brought on chills when I got back to the bed - and Barb suggested I try to rest.
That sounded great! I was actually dozing off between ctx I was so tired. The only problem - there was no position I could find to rest in that was comfortable. Any movement brought a ctx slamming about. The three of us discussed what to do - Barb suggesting things, but very diplomatically leaving decisions to me - Rob giving me sips of water, or a washcloth to my face at my command.
The nurse came in and started another bag of glucose and gave me a Sprite to alternate with the sips of water. The Dr came in and said I NEEDED to get up and try something else: shower, nipple stimulation, sit on the birth ball. SOMETHING to bring on longer stronger ctx.
The overhead lights were turned on. It bugged me at the time, but in retrospect it seems like the nurses may have used it as a way to push me into a change. As they un-tethered me and taped over my IV so I could go in the shower, Barb talked quietly to me about going into the shower and finding a new frame of mind for getting the baby down. "The sooner the baby come out, the sooner you can rest. You're not going to be able to rest until the baby is born." I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for a breather in between contractions. A nurse advised me to get up and head to the bathroom before the next one started. I had a brief thought of “That makes sense,” before getting up – I wasn’t getting a real breather anyway. I was waiting for something that wasn’t going to happen at that point in time.
Into the shower I went. Rob stood outside the shower curtain as I tried to steady myself, aim the spray of water at my belly, find a 'comfortable' position in the cubicle, all while being slammed with one of those dandy movement-induced ctx. I tried putting one knee on the seat with my head resting on the wall for a few, then tried squatting with my head on the seat for a while. Ctx were definitely stronger and sometimes double peaking.
I had had several thoughts and doubts throughout these events, but now I really couldn't stop myself from wondering 1. What the heck possessed me to go for a vbac? If I'd scheduled a section I would have had the baby by now! 2. Maybe an epidural wasn't such a bad idea at this point, and 3. If not an epidural, maybe something to take the edge off.
Thankfully, I still had enough logic to remember that I'd never heard anyone say anything good about drugs to 'take the edge off'. They'd probably just make me loopy and feel out of control. Although I was managing what felt to me like a hard labor, I still felt in control. Also, I couldn't even BEGIN to imagine how I'd sit still long enough for an epidural!
Interspersed with these thoughts were thoughts of my pals at Moms Online, who I knew were aware that I was probably in labor, the e-mail from Nancy A a few days ago telling me she knew I could do it, and the phrase ‘Pain with a Purpose’ from the Bradley Childbirth book.
After what was maybe 10 min (?) the nurse came in and said they really needed to get me back on the monitor and check the baby. Since I was a vbac, they wanted to keep an eye on things a little closer. I was annoyed by this. I was finally up trying something else, couldn’t they just let me be for a while?
Out of the shower I came...and immediately dropped to hands and knees for a ctx. Rob frantically tried to towel me off and cover me with my gown, but I grabbed him. After a ctx that seemed to last FOREVER, I managed to grunt out, "I think I need to push!" He called to someone and they said to just push if I felt like it, then to come out in between ctx.
I was pushing and pushing and pushing when I heard Barb ask, "Nancy? Is that ctx over?" I realized I was pushing whether there was a ctx or not. I remember feeling a slight urgency to 'prove' that I was at a pushing point and was determined that they weren't going to tell me 'not time yet' one more time.
Somehow, I managed to make it over to a pad they'd placed on the floor in front of the monitors. After another ctx, the nurse said she'd check me if I could manage lying on my back. So, Rob sat down and I leaned back against him. In between a barrage of ctx, I heard, "Oh yeah, the head's right here."
Barb and Rob began cheering me on with, "You're doing it! You're doing great!" while I remained reclined against Rob - who was hanging on to the bedrail with one arm to support us both!
The Dr had just left the floor to go assist with a tubal ligation, when she was paged to come back. She walked in and asked if we fell, or if that was an intentional position. Then said she'd need us up on the bed if I didn't want to deliver flat on my back. Up they hoisted me and I managed to climb onto the bed.
Finally there was a bit more of a breather in between ctx. They wanted me to grab behind my knees and pull them back and out with the next ctx. I pleadingly looked at Rob and Barb and asked if they'd help with that. The next ctx came and I started pushing. I didn't feel that my pushes were very controlled - just frantic all out pushing whatever the cost. Rob was on my left, and Barb was on my right. Barb was quietly cheering me on, telling me I could do it – I WAS doing it, keep up the good work. When I opened my eyes, they had moved a full-length mirror to the end of the bed. After another ctx, someone asked if I could see the head. I looked, but didn't really recognize ANYTHING in the mirror, much less a baby's head.
After a few more pushes the Dr said with the next ctx I should try to hold the push for as close to a count of 10 as I could. My birthplan had asked for spontaneous pushing, but I NEEDED this direction because my pushing was beginning to feel frantic. Another pushing ctx and the head was almost there...another pushing ctx and the head was out, then the rest of her and they put her on my belly!
Rob said later that the Dr slipped her cord from around her neck just after her head came out. She was very alert, but a bit blue despite lots of hands and blankets rubbing her. They had to bring her over to the warmer and give her some oxygen. But, she pinked up right away, and they brought her back over while I got stitched up. I had torn a 'quite a bit' according to the Dr - although it's not as bad as some of the horror stories I've heard. I delivered the placenta just before the stitching began, and the Dr reached up into my uterus and checked my c-section scar - all was well.
I didn’t want to nurse during the stitching process – I just wanted to hold Barb’s hand and whimper. Once the Dr was done stitching, I started nursing E2 and she latched right on and went to town. I think I actually leaked a few times during labor, so there must have been something there for her already!
We were left alone to have some family time, Rob made a few calls, and I drank the rest of my Sprite, two small cans of oj, and ate a Nutrigrain bar. The nurse made me promise to finish all before I would get in the shower - I had REALLY low blood sugar by this point. They came back to weigh and measure E2, (she was 8lbs, 13oz and 21"long) then took her to the NICU. Since she'd had oxygen they needed to monitor her vitals for a bit longer. I told Rob to go with her because I was going to take a shower. The nurses laughed and asked that I please wait until they come back before I tried to get up. For a few moments I was alone, resting in bed, and grinning from ear to ear.
After a nice hot shower and instructions on perineum care, I got wheeled to my recovery room where Rob had moved our things and was already dozing in a chair. We both tried to sleep for about 45 min until Amy and E1 arrived.
E1 and Rob went to get E2 from the nursery. They came back and E1 declared E2, "A beautiful baby! She's so cute! Baby E2!", then she got to sit in a chair and hold E2. They stayed for about two hours, then Mom stopped by.
The DR that delivered is the wife of my regular DR. He was on-call, but had a section scheduled as soon as his call shift ended, so when his wife took the call she agreed to come instead. I was supposed to meet her for the first time (she just joined the practice this month – we were her second delivery) at my scheduled ob appt on the coming Thursday. I’m glad it was her. I felt quite a bit of animosity towards her during delivery – I think if it had been him I’d have let loose what I was thinking, blowing any sense of control I had left.
I was really surprised that other than being a bit short with one or two especially pesky nurses I wasn’t grouching at everyone and cursing up a storm. :o)
Immediately after the birth, I was still questioning my vbac decision. But after a bit of rest, and being able to walk around on my own, use the restroom on my own, shower on my own, and move, shift, change positions without abdomen pain on my own, there was no question. This recovery was already easier!
E2 was born on Tuesday, Sept 12th at 12:37pm. We left the hospital around 4:00pm the next day.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Six years ago...continued
We had discussed just heading up to the 4th floor - the DR’s office had assured me that I was pre-registered, but an early evening call to the hospital revealed that while they had my records in L&D, I was NOT pre-registered. However, once there we feared they may send us back down to register. So, we parked in the garage and walked up to registration. Rob could have dropped me off, but I didn't want to be alone. They tried to wheel me away and let Rob register, but I told them I wanted to stay with him. I was leaning against the registration desk with my head folded on my arms, swaying my hips. I think they were a bit concerned. That's the fastest I've ever made it through the registration process at the hospital!
Off we went to 4. The phone lines were out, so they couldn't warn them that we were on our way. Once we got there the nurses looked a one another and I heard one say, "This looks like the real thing!" Into a room I go. The nurse started to go into what I should do, but I cut her off, "Urine specimen, undress, and gown?" Yes - but I should use one of those wipe things so I get a clean specimen. Okay. Unfortunately, a contraction hit as I sat on the toilet, and I urinated at the same time. No chance for a specimen! Once into bed they hooked up the monitors - all looked okay. She took some additional info, then asked if she could check me. I agreed, so between ctx she laid me back and checked.
"Way to go sweetie! You're at 10!"
I couldn't believe it! I was so relieved that I'd made it so far!! She said she was going to call the dr. She came back a short time later and said the Dr said to call back when I felt the urge to push.
HUH? I was at 10 - how much more could there be?
Well, with my ample amniotic fluid, my bag of waters was bulging, but not broken. Laboring would continue at it's pace, and I soon started groaning/growling through ctx while 'hugging' Rob (essentially, I had him in a headlock for every ctx). An hour or so later, Barb arrived and began pressing pressure points on my feet.
I'm not sure of the time lapses from this point on. At one point I remember commenting to Barb that I never expected that I'd still be in labor and that was around 9am.
Eventually, I said I kind of felt like I was having pressure to push. I was getting up periodically to use the restroom, but could barely make it across the room without having to drop to my knees to get through a ctx. Then, sitting on the toilet would immediately bring on another. These 'moving' ctx were MUCH stronger and came on almost without a warning build-up. So, I tried to stay put sitting on the bed as much as possible.
Barb kept suggesting position changes, and I kept declining. The best I felt I could manage was the bathroom trips.
The Dr arrived and checked me again. She said I was definitely at 10, but there was still a bit of a lip around one side of my cervix. On we continued to labor.
Through all of this, they kept coming in every 30-min to monitor the baby, and take my BP. EVERY time they set the BP to go I would have a ctx. Don't think they ever got a true reading! One nurse in particular would insist on trying to find the heartbeat while I was trying to lean forward - I was SO glad when the shift changed! The new nurses were wonderful - chiming in with "you're doing great" every now and then.
When Barb had arrived, one of the first things I asked her about was breaking my water - should I have them do it if they asked. So, when the Dr came in and suggested it, I agreed.
Once again, in hindsight I can say I should have left my 'safe' position of holding Rob in a headlock while having a ctx and tried other positions. My bag of water probably would have broken on it's own, and baby's head may have been lower.
The Dr broke my water and it actually felt good. Seemed like about 5 gallons of water gushed to the floor and I felt such a relief of pressure on my hips and back! I continued to use the restroom periodically, but otherwise stayed put; perched on the end of the bed, with my feet on the lowered portion of the foot of the bed. I was alternately HOOTTTTTT and having chills, so there were blankets draped around me every which way and I kept thinking - in my head, because I was too busy dealing with contractions to form a sentence - "This is probably a very Jesus-like look." Not long after, the Dr checked me.
"You're at 6cm. Your bag of water was dilating your cervix, and now that it's gone your cervix has shrunk back a bit. It shouldn't take long to stretch again - it's been there before." I was a bit disappointed, but it made sense. On we labored.
Off we went to 4. The phone lines were out, so they couldn't warn them that we were on our way. Once we got there the nurses looked a one another and I heard one say, "This looks like the real thing!" Into a room I go. The nurse started to go into what I should do, but I cut her off, "Urine specimen, undress, and gown?" Yes - but I should use one of those wipe things so I get a clean specimen. Okay. Unfortunately, a contraction hit as I sat on the toilet, and I urinated at the same time. No chance for a specimen! Once into bed they hooked up the monitors - all looked okay. She took some additional info, then asked if she could check me. I agreed, so between ctx she laid me back and checked.
"Way to go sweetie! You're at 10!"
I couldn't believe it! I was so relieved that I'd made it so far!! She said she was going to call the dr. She came back a short time later and said the Dr said to call back when I felt the urge to push.
HUH? I was at 10 - how much more could there be?
Well, with my ample amniotic fluid, my bag of waters was bulging, but not broken. Laboring would continue at it's pace, and I soon started groaning/growling through ctx while 'hugging' Rob (essentially, I had him in a headlock for every ctx). An hour or so later, Barb arrived and began pressing pressure points on my feet.
I'm not sure of the time lapses from this point on. At one point I remember commenting to Barb that I never expected that I'd still be in labor and that was around 9am.
Eventually, I said I kind of felt like I was having pressure to push. I was getting up periodically to use the restroom, but could barely make it across the room without having to drop to my knees to get through a ctx. Then, sitting on the toilet would immediately bring on another. These 'moving' ctx were MUCH stronger and came on almost without a warning build-up. So, I tried to stay put sitting on the bed as much as possible.
Barb kept suggesting position changes, and I kept declining. The best I felt I could manage was the bathroom trips.
The Dr arrived and checked me again. She said I was definitely at 10, but there was still a bit of a lip around one side of my cervix. On we continued to labor.
Through all of this, they kept coming in every 30-min to monitor the baby, and take my BP. EVERY time they set the BP to go I would have a ctx. Don't think they ever got a true reading! One nurse in particular would insist on trying to find the heartbeat while I was trying to lean forward - I was SO glad when the shift changed! The new nurses were wonderful - chiming in with "you're doing great" every now and then.
When Barb had arrived, one of the first things I asked her about was breaking my water - should I have them do it if they asked. So, when the Dr came in and suggested it, I agreed.
Once again, in hindsight I can say I should have left my 'safe' position of holding Rob in a headlock while having a ctx and tried other positions. My bag of water probably would have broken on it's own, and baby's head may have been lower.
The Dr broke my water and it actually felt good. Seemed like about 5 gallons of water gushed to the floor and I felt such a relief of pressure on my hips and back! I continued to use the restroom periodically, but otherwise stayed put; perched on the end of the bed, with my feet on the lowered portion of the foot of the bed. I was alternately HOOTTTTTT and having chills, so there were blankets draped around me every which way and I kept thinking - in my head, because I was too busy dealing with contractions to form a sentence - "This is probably a very Jesus-like look." Not long after, the Dr checked me.
"You're at 6cm. Your bag of water was dilating your cervix, and now that it's gone your cervix has shrunk back a bit. It shouldn't take long to stretch again - it's been there before." I was a bit disappointed, but it made sense. On we labored.
Six years ago...
E2's Birth Story
Around 2:30am Monday I woke up to a painful contraction. After another followed a short time later I got up, went to the restroom and went back to bed to watch the clock. These were definitely painful compared to the BH contractions I'd been having. An hour and a half later I was still contracting every 6-8 minutes, but not for very long - maybe 30 seconds. I woke Rob and told him what was going on. I had two more, and thenEs trudged into our room. So, I left while Rob snuggled her back to sleep.
Around 6:30am contractions were still trucking along at 6-8 min apart. I got off the computer and used the restroom again. I lost a large amount of my mucus plug - I didn't know that much mucus existed in the plug - and it was a bit bloody. I went into the bedroom to grab a childbirth book and a watch so I could read up on what to expect and start timing the length of the contractions. While in the bedroom Rob asked how I was and if I needed him to get up. I said it was up to him, but he shouldn't plan on going in to work. He got up and sat in the living room with me for a few contractions, made a few calls to our doula, work, my sister, and then went to take a shower. Shortly after that E woke up.
Contractions continued to be the same until around 9am, then they became real irregular. We just puttered around here all day, finalizing a few things, making last minute arrangements. Beloved Aunt Amy arrived around lunch and kept E occupied. I took a short nap.
After dinner, Rob and I played cards while Amy played with E. We checked in with our doula again. She thought the contractions would probably pick up again in the evening, so I should try to get some rest. My sister Amy asked if she should stay the night, or if she should go home and wait for our call. I said I'd be more comfortable if she'd stay in the event things picked up through the night. She got E ready for bed and we headed downstairs to try and relax in front of the TV. Contractions were slowly becoming regular again. Another check with the doula - she suggested we try the labor tub we'd rented from her. So Rob set about to filling it. I didn't think the contractions were too terribly painful - nothing requiring the relief that the water was supposed to provide - but figured it'd be relaxing anyway.
It WAS relaxing. I found myself becoming very tired, and after an hour or so I wanted to go to bed. I tried resting on the couch downstairs. Over the baby monitor we heard E wake up and go looking for us. Soon, she and Amy were downstairs. We gently tried to encourage her to go back to bed, but she wanted to play. So, up we went. By this time I had to concentrate on relaxing and breathing through the ctx. A short time later E and Amy came upstairs. E was upset and crying, so we let her lay in bed with me after explaining that I was making noise to help the baby get ready to come out. She was okay for a while, but soon wanted to go back to her bed.
I was concerned for her - she was so upset no matter how I tried to reassure her! I was also growing frustrated. Ctx were now 10min apart, but lasting anywhere from 45-60 seconds. I had been moaning through them for some time, and finally asked Rob what our goal was. I felt like something else needed to happen and was ready to go to the hospital or SOMETHING- exasperated is the feeling that comes to mind. We talked about it, and he thought we were going to wait until the ctx were 5 min apart.
He put in another call to the doula. She suggested getting in the tub again. I didn't really feel like messing with the tub - I wanted to rest. In hindsight, I REALLY, REALLY should have rested during the day on Monday!!! So, down to the tub we went. After about 45 minutes the ctx were every 10-min lasting 60-90 seconds. I finally told Rob that I didn't think I could handle things at home, and I wanted to go to the hospital where at least we'd have Barb (doula) for more support.
Rob called Barb, let Amy know we were leaving (E was sleeping), got the last few things taken care of, then got me out of the tub, dried, and dressed. I kept wondering how I was ever going to manage getting up to the car and making the drive to the hospital without losing it, but Rob assured me we just had to go up the stairs and into the car and we'd be on our way. By the time we were backing out of the garage, ctx were 3 minutes apart!!!
4:30am -The drive to the hospital went okay - NOW Rob was nervous, realizing THIS WAS IT!
Around 2:30am Monday I woke up to a painful contraction. After another followed a short time later I got up, went to the restroom and went back to bed to watch the clock. These were definitely painful compared to the BH contractions I'd been having. An hour and a half later I was still contracting every 6-8 minutes, but not for very long - maybe 30 seconds. I woke Rob and told him what was going on. I had two more, and thenEs trudged into our room. So, I left while Rob snuggled her back to sleep.
Around 6:30am contractions were still trucking along at 6-8 min apart. I got off the computer and used the restroom again. I lost a large amount of my mucus plug - I didn't know that much mucus existed in the plug - and it was a bit bloody. I went into the bedroom to grab a childbirth book and a watch so I could read up on what to expect and start timing the length of the contractions. While in the bedroom Rob asked how I was and if I needed him to get up. I said it was up to him, but he shouldn't plan on going in to work. He got up and sat in the living room with me for a few contractions, made a few calls to our doula, work, my sister, and then went to take a shower. Shortly after that E woke up.
Contractions continued to be the same until around 9am, then they became real irregular. We just puttered around here all day, finalizing a few things, making last minute arrangements. Beloved Aunt Amy arrived around lunch and kept E occupied. I took a short nap.
After dinner, Rob and I played cards while Amy played with E. We checked in with our doula again. She thought the contractions would probably pick up again in the evening, so I should try to get some rest. My sister Amy asked if she should stay the night, or if she should go home and wait for our call. I said I'd be more comfortable if she'd stay in the event things picked up through the night. She got E ready for bed and we headed downstairs to try and relax in front of the TV. Contractions were slowly becoming regular again. Another check with the doula - she suggested we try the labor tub we'd rented from her. So Rob set about to filling it. I didn't think the contractions were too terribly painful - nothing requiring the relief that the water was supposed to provide - but figured it'd be relaxing anyway.
It WAS relaxing. I found myself becoming very tired, and after an hour or so I wanted to go to bed. I tried resting on the couch downstairs. Over the baby monitor we heard E wake up and go looking for us. Soon, she and Amy were downstairs. We gently tried to encourage her to go back to bed, but she wanted to play. So, up we went. By this time I had to concentrate on relaxing and breathing through the ctx. A short time later E and Amy came upstairs. E was upset and crying, so we let her lay in bed with me after explaining that I was making noise to help the baby get ready to come out. She was okay for a while, but soon wanted to go back to her bed.
I was concerned for her - she was so upset no matter how I tried to reassure her! I was also growing frustrated. Ctx were now 10min apart, but lasting anywhere from 45-60 seconds. I had been moaning through them for some time, and finally asked Rob what our goal was. I felt like something else needed to happen and was ready to go to the hospital or SOMETHING- exasperated is the feeling that comes to mind. We talked about it, and he thought we were going to wait until the ctx were 5 min apart.
He put in another call to the doula. She suggested getting in the tub again. I didn't really feel like messing with the tub - I wanted to rest. In hindsight, I REALLY, REALLY should have rested during the day on Monday!!! So, down to the tub we went. After about 45 minutes the ctx were every 10-min lasting 60-90 seconds. I finally told Rob that I didn't think I could handle things at home, and I wanted to go to the hospital where at least we'd have Barb (doula) for more support.
Rob called Barb, let Amy know we were leaving (E was sleeping), got the last few things taken care of, then got me out of the tub, dried, and dressed. I kept wondering how I was ever going to manage getting up to the car and making the drive to the hospital without losing it, but Rob assured me we just had to go up the stairs and into the car and we'd be on our way. By the time we were backing out of the garage, ctx were 3 minutes apart!!!
4:30am -The drive to the hospital went okay - NOW Rob was nervous, realizing THIS WAS IT!
Friday, September 08, 2006
Birthday Weekend
E2's birthday is next week. When she was about two years old, John Mayer released the song "Bigger Than My Body" on the album of the same title. The first time I heard the refrain, I thought the song had to be written for our petite, but powerful, daughter and emailed the lyrics to Rob at work. He agreed.
Of the three E's, E2 was the biggest at birth, weighing in at 8lbs, 13oz. Around 9months she found her own curve on the growth charts, somewhere just above the bottom line, and she's been following her very own curve ever since. The three E's are pretty evenly spaced in age; however, while it takes about four years before E2 grows into E1's clothing, E3 is rapidly closing in on E2's shoe size and is only about a year behind in clothing size. Because, you see, in addition to being small, she grows at a seemingly microscopic rate as well and can wear clothing for nearly three years before it's too small.
Those that don't know her well are often surprised to learn her age, and I can only imagine what they think, before learning her age, when she opens her mouth and starts talking. She's enjoying the heck out of kindergarten, teaching herself to master all four sets of monkey bars (back and forth) and can't wait until Tuesday because she gets to bring in a treat, AND be the leader of the day again (which means FIRST in line ALL DAY! AND! Another show and tell item!). Plus, she's the first birthday in kindergarten this year. She's one of the shortest, if not THE shortest kiddo in her class, but she's the oldest.
Tuesday night, our very own Beloved Aunt Amy said, "John Mayer has a song for E2."
Great minds, and all that...
"Bigger Than My Body"
JOHN MAYER
This is a call to the color-blind
This is an IOU
I'm stranded behind a horizon line
Tied up in something true
Yes, I'm grounded
Got my wings clipped
I'm surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I'll circle
While I'm waiting
For my fuse to dry
Someday I'll fly
Someday I'll soar
Someday I'll be so damn much more
Cause I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for
Why is it not my time?
What is there more to learn?
Shed this skin I've been tripping in
Never to quite return
Yes, I'm grounded
Got my wings clipped
I'm surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I'll circle
While I'm waiting
For my fuse to dry
Someday I'll fly
Someday I'll soar
Someday I'll be so damn much more
Cause I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for
Cause I'm bigger than my body now
Maybe I'll tangle in the power lines
And it might be over in a second's time
But I'll gladly go down in a flame
If the flame's what it takes to remember my name
Yes, I'm grounded
Got my wings clipped
I'm surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I'll circle
While I'm waiting
For my fuse to dry
For my fuse to dry
Someday I'll fly
Someday I'll soar
Someday I'll be so damn much more
Cause I'm bigger than my body
I'm bigger than my body
I'm bigger than my body now
Of the three E's, E2 was the biggest at birth, weighing in at 8lbs, 13oz. Around 9months she found her own curve on the growth charts, somewhere just above the bottom line, and she's been following her very own curve ever since. The three E's are pretty evenly spaced in age; however, while it takes about four years before E2 grows into E1's clothing, E3 is rapidly closing in on E2's shoe size and is only about a year behind in clothing size. Because, you see, in addition to being small, she grows at a seemingly microscopic rate as well and can wear clothing for nearly three years before it's too small.
Those that don't know her well are often surprised to learn her age, and I can only imagine what they think, before learning her age, when she opens her mouth and starts talking. She's enjoying the heck out of kindergarten, teaching herself to master all four sets of monkey bars (back and forth) and can't wait until Tuesday because she gets to bring in a treat, AND be the leader of the day again (which means FIRST in line ALL DAY! AND! Another show and tell item!). Plus, she's the first birthday in kindergarten this year. She's one of the shortest, if not THE shortest kiddo in her class, but she's the oldest.
Tuesday night, our very own Beloved Aunt Amy said, "John Mayer has a song for E2."
Great minds, and all that...
"Bigger Than My Body"
JOHN MAYER
This is a call to the color-blind
This is an IOU
I'm stranded behind a horizon line
Tied up in something true
Yes, I'm grounded
Got my wings clipped
I'm surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I'll circle
While I'm waiting
For my fuse to dry
Someday I'll fly
Someday I'll soar
Someday I'll be so damn much more
Cause I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for
Why is it not my time?
What is there more to learn?
Shed this skin I've been tripping in
Never to quite return
Yes, I'm grounded
Got my wings clipped
I'm surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I'll circle
While I'm waiting
For my fuse to dry
Someday I'll fly
Someday I'll soar
Someday I'll be so damn much more
Cause I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for
Cause I'm bigger than my body now
Maybe I'll tangle in the power lines
And it might be over in a second's time
But I'll gladly go down in a flame
If the flame's what it takes to remember my name
Yes, I'm grounded
Got my wings clipped
I'm surrounded (by)
All this pavement
Guess I'll circle
While I'm waiting
For my fuse to dry
For my fuse to dry
Someday I'll fly
Someday I'll soar
Someday I'll be so damn much more
Cause I'm bigger than my body
I'm bigger than my body
I'm bigger than my body now
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