Sam's here

Sam is 14 hrs old now, sleeping like an angel ("an angel born in heaven" for those "Raisin' AZ" fans). He was born Jan 30th at 4:06 pm, weighed in at 8 lb 6 oz. He's perfect, healthy and eats like a champ.

My OB stripped my membranes at the visit on Thurs which I'm usually opposed to because, as a OB triage nurse, I know it just makes women contract and doesn't always kick you into labor. But desperation is a funny thing. And, sure enough, I had all kinds of uterine irritability - little, uncomfortable contractions every 3 -10 min - the rest of the day. We sent Natty to a sleep over at Marmee and Papa's because Murray decided he wanted my mom to come with us to the hospital (I did too - it was great to have her there just like with Natty). I went to bed early, was woken up by a few stronger ones and at 6 am got up to face a possible birthday! 

They (the contractions) slowly got organized while they (mom and Murray) also got ready to go. As the ctx got more intense I remembered why I was dreading the 40 min car ride, but they mellowed out for that, thankfully. 

Then we were at UMass, in triage. A young, young, young ER intern was covering triage and when he walked in my little cubicle I'm sure my eyes got very wide. I thought, "YOU are going to check me? Have you ever done this before? Why, oh why, am I at a teaching hospital?" I reassured him I was an easy exam and concentrated on relaxing. (I was 3-4 cms)

I and my entourage (Murray, mom and my doula, Sharon) moved to a L&D room where my body got serious. Not fun. I did the birthing ball, met the covering OB and resident, focused through ctx, couldn't get in the shower, got very, very unhappy and decided I did NOT want to feel these ctx anymore. I wasn't a stoic, controlled, sweet patient. I was the moaning, huffing and puffing type. It worked for awhile and Sharon was great, but I wasn't up to focusing like I needed to be.

So we called in anesthesia (another resident!) and got an epidural (I vaguely remember wailing through that also - but it's all a bit of a blur). Lovely stuff. Chatted for awhile, dozed for awhile. Enjoyed a well-done epidural.

I started feeling a lot of pressure - what a cool sensation not to feel the ctx, but to feel the uterus move the baby down with every ctx. I changed position to semi-squatting but that slid him all the way back up and I didn't feel any pressure, so back to semi-fowlers I went and slowly the pressure came back. I was very happy to "labor down" but started feeling pushy at the height of the ctx so was doing soft little pushes that felt good but I guess no one else realized that. I gave one push and, "Ooops! Ummm, I just pushed and the baby's coming!" The nurse looked under the sheet and was like, "Oh my, here he comes!" boy, that got everyone scrambling and telling me to pant while the MD's rushed in. Murray was already at my feet to catch him and so the 3 of them were there (They very nicely let me catch him!-mb). I don't remember much except hanging onto Sharon's hand, trying to not push (impossible) and the overwhelming feeling of relief when he was finally out. 

There were a lot of tears when I saw/heard him because it brought back strong memories of Elias's birth when I didn't get to see or touch him when he was delivered (because it was a c-section and he was so sick) and he never cried. Sam was lusty, pink and happy from the get go. His dad was the first to touch him (Murray does nice deliveries - just like riding a bike?), cuddled him a bit and then I got him. What a cutie!

Natty, Marmee and Papa arrived shortly after I got cleaned up.  Natalie ran across the room to meet him in Murray's arms - adorable.   She is a fabulous big sister and takes it very seriously. At one point in her inspection of him she said, "I'm tickling him so he will laugh and make a new fairy!" Too sweet.  A much happier ending than when she met Elias so briefly.

Much love to all, Jen, Murray, Natalie, and Sammy

Still pregnant!

It's the 29th now - I'm more post-dates than I was with Natty! Crazy. Thankfully, things have mellowed out for me and I've lost the "cat in a light socket" feeling I had when I was writing my last blog. I had a good visit with my OB today and feel good about where I'm at. 

When I gave my doula the update from the last visit she gently reminded me that the amniotic fluid can be low due to dehydration - was I drinking enough? No, I haven't been, I've been too busy freaking out to drink water. So I started pushing fluids and, glory be, I itch much less, sleep better and my amniotic fluid level was great on the ultrasound today. 

It also helps that Mom is taking on the lion's share of Natty care and there's been no more sign of the unwelcome visitors who shall not be named. Oh, and I made steak au poivre for dinner with the Buttners and mom the other night and we had a great time eating too much and chatting. That's the first visitors we've had at our new rental and it was fun to throw a dinner party of sorts. (and yes, I did have a bit of vino - excellent for relaxation).

Details about the visit today - my cervix is already favorable for rupturing membranes to induce labor so we won't schedule a c-section. But I opted to hold off for now: I'd really like to go into labor on my own. I have seen too many long, challenging inductions to think they're an easy out. So, everyone is happy to wait a bit longer. I do love my OB - she's patient with me and very nice about all my vacillations, questions and concerns.  

Thanks to everyone for their support - we'll keep you updated!

Welcome and Unwelcome Guests

Well, my due date was Jan 23. Here it is Jan 27 and I'm still pregnant. But that's not really a surprise - more of a disappointment. 

The baby is healthy and doing fine. On Thursday we'll see if my cervix is favorable to have my water ruptured which is as "induce-able" as I am since I've had a previous c-section. If it's not favorable, I have a c-section scheduled for Monday. And if we rupture my water and I don't go into labor, I'll have one sooner. So, our son would be the first welcome guest, but my mom arrived yesterday afternoon and she is a very welcome guest indeed! Natty was giddy with excitement and I'm pretty thrilled too.

I'm at the "Get this kid OUT" stage of pregnancy. I've lost all perspective and good humor (much to Murray and Natalie's dismay). Which leads me to the UNwelcome guests we have had: Lice. Natty and I got them. I was (am?) hysterical and overwhelmed. Many of the Internet info sites about these "nuisances" caution parents not to panic or get upset, but that didn't stop me. The washer and dryer have been going nonstop for days. Most of our clothes are in plastic bags outside. My hair is now thinner and much more damaged than it has ever been before due to the metal "Nitcomb" and the products I've used.

I've treated both of us with a variety of products and thought that I had them eradicated quite early on in the "7-10 day" window you have to wait before the second killer shampoo treatment. But yesterday afternoon (Day 9 - after I did the second treatment on Day 8 because I couldn't wait any longer  - and my mother (!) was coming to visit), waiting at the airport for my mom, I found a little guy in Natty's hair. I thought I could do the "Freak out on the inside, look calm on the outside" thing well, but that moment really tested it. I didn't want to look like a momma gorilla combing through her baby's hair, but AAAAARGH! Needless to say, when my mom came out the gate I was so upset she thought I was in labor. I should be so lucky. 

Murray says the only thing worse than a post-dates pregnant woman is a post-dates pregnant woman with lice. He would know. 

I have the usual end of pregnancy itching which is terribly exacerbated by the psychological itching and I'm a mess. Hence this blog. The itching woke me up and my out-of-control mind won't let me go back to sleep. So I figured I might as well get something done. 

We'll keep you all posted on the baby news.