And baby makes 3

Lots has happened in the past few weeks, but it's only now that I've had the time and distance to be able to write about it. In terms of time, this is one of the first few times I've had both hands free at the same time so that I could actually write a proper post. In terms of distance, let's just say that though our son is here and healthy, things did not go as planned.

I'll be brief and spare you the gory details (though if you want them, I'd be happy to chat/email).

Friday Nov. 16 : We had a growth ultrasound scheduled because my fundal measurement (size of uterus) had decreased from 37 weeks growth to 35 weeks growth for the past 2 weeks. Baby felt small and the midwives were concerned. During the ultrasound we find out that the baby was only measuring about 35 weeks in terms of growth (I was 39 weeks pregnant), estimated 5.5 lbs, and my amniotic fluid was dangerously low. When I asked what that meant, the tech said, "well, today's a great day for a birthday."

last pregnancy picture

We knew this was a possibility so we had the car packed and ready to go. For the health of the babe and myself, they decided to induce me on Friday night. Unfortunately, Nibbler was still in in his crappy position. The best way to get babies in that position to move into a more favorable one for birth meant that I needed to be able to walk around, change positions, etc in order to get him to shift. In non-birth terms: this meant an epidural would be unfavorable because it would inhibit my ability to move, and increase the potential he'd get stuck resulting in a c-section. I prepared to be chemically induced (where they give you oxytocin in order to chemically force your body into labor and contractions), w/o pain meds.

Phase 1/ Labor 1 - we start pitocin at 9pm. I labor un medicated until about 4:30 am (I made it to level 18 for those in the know). It's hard and painful, but L is there and is an incredible support. It's hard, but I'm confident I can do it, even if the contractions hit like a ton of bricks.

Complication 1: my blood pressure is really high. Dangerously high. It hasn't been high at all during my pregnancy but labor puts it through the roof and they can't lower it.

An option for lowering blood pressure in an otherwise healthy person like myself is to go with an epidural (it causes the vessels to dilate). Between the intensity of the contractions, the blood pressure, and the exhaustion, I go for the drugs.

Nov 17
Phase 2/ Labor 2 - we have to stop the oxytocin in order to put in the epi. I'm dilated to 5 cm - ok, but not great. After the drugs are in we start labor all over again. The epidural helps take the edge off, the blood pressure is lower, but continues to be worrisomely high (for us and the med staff).

Complication 2: We need to increase the oxytocin to force my body to dilate. Every time we get over a certain point, the intensity of the contractions puts the baby's heart into distress. We can't get the drugs high enough to get me open enough w/o possibly harming the baby.

Complication 3: I'm now running a fever between 99-102, so I'm drugged, contracting, and feverish.

Complication 4: I'm stuck at 5 cm.

Complication 5: He's still in a really crappy position, basically facing the inside of my right thigh. to try to get him to flip, L, me and the nurse are rotating me from my right side, to my hands and knees, to my left side, every 15 min or so for about 3 hours. Remember, I'm more or less numb from the waist down, but by sheer determination I manage to haul my body around to try to make things easier for babe and me.

By 2 pm, I've only dilated to 6 cm, my blood pressure continues to be a problem, the position continues to be a problem, and we're exhausted. The midwife is concerned and calls in the OB (a perinatologist) to consult. We're told that due to failure to progress and all of the other stresses, there is a 10% of a vaginal delivery. But, to quote the OB, "I can cut into you right now if you want- but I don't want to cut into you. You don't want me to cut into you. You'll heal better if I don't cut into you. So let's wait 1.5 hours, keep the oxytocin on really low and see what happens."

At this point, we spent the next hour or so preparing ourselves for a c-section. We'd been in a state of emergency for nearly 24 hours and were exhausted and scared. But, when the midwife came back to check on me, I measured 7 cm. Apparently Nibbler could handle the contractions if we kept them slow, low and steady. So we kept watching and waiting.

By 6:30, everyone was surprised that I was ready to push. We pushed for 2 hours and he finally shifted!
Into an even worse position. (seriously kid...). Unable to get him out unassisted, we had the choice of a c-section or a vacuum delivery. I went with the second option and he was born at 8:30 pm.

Our little cone head... (he comes from France)

First family photo.

He was 5 lbs 10 oz. Definitely on the small side, and with a lot of head trauma. He also scratched the hell out of his face and was born with a nasty rash (we're just finishing the antibiotics today). Wasn't going to win any beauty contests, but beautiful to us. He also looked just like a mini-L, which was adorable on a whole variety of levels.

Recovery has been good. The first day was awful, but every day gets better (and they had me on a steady stream of vicodin and ibuprofen). Feeding was a problem because he has some of the issues of a preemie, but is now going well (more on that another time.

24 hours later and my hair even looks cute!
I also noticed that I wore my Scripps sweatshirt through labor and am rocking a Pomona skirt in this photo. 

We went home after 48 hours and are adjusting like most new parents. Trying to figure out sleep, eating, and tending to the needs of our newest family member. He's a pretty calm baby, but like all newborns, has his fussy times. We started calling him "fuss bucket", which has now been shortened to just "Bucket" (as I will refer to him from this point onwards on this blog).

I'm so happy to not be pregnant. I feel so much better and happier now that all the pregnancy estrogen is draining out of my system. I don't do well with high levels of estrogen (big BCPs or being pregnant) and I'm so happy to be feeling like myself again. Plus, I can drink again - yay beer and wine!

Oona and Bucket's first meeting. She promptly ran away. She's also still substantially outweighs him.

Best Thanksgiving present ever.

 Bucket had his bris 8 days after birth which gave a good opportunity for some nice pics:

With friends and their normal sized 3 month old.

I want to close with a shout out to the most amazing partner a person could ever wish for. L has been involved and supportive every step of the way. I could not have made it though this w/o his unending support and confidence in me, even when I had no confidence in myself. Bucket's birth has really underscored how well we work together as a team and I'm amazingly lucky to have such a dedicated partner.

My favorite picture of all time.