As many of you may know, I am a type A personality. I plan EVERYTHING! So when it came to pregnancy, child birth, and breastfeeding... you can bet your bottom dollar that I attacked it with the same ferocity as my drug information queries.
I read several books about natural child-birthing (as this was the plan) along with a great book on breastfeeding. I took classes about baby care, birth, and breast feeding. Going into our induction, I felt as prepared as possible for this little creature that would change our life.
BOY WAS I WRONG!
After I have had time to adjust and reflect, I have identified a few key points that all the books and classes fail to mention:
1. No matter how much preparation you have/do, having a new baby comes with a STEEP learning curve! Don't be so hard on yourself if you don't have all the answers. It takes time to learn what this new little blessing requires and how to provide it.
2. Breastfeeding is the best option, but it is HARD. No wonder they tell you that the first two weeks are the hardest. For us it was the first month! Luckily, I had extreme motivation to continue so I pushed through the pain and frustration. We now have a healthy boy that loves to eat!
3. Breastfeeding does not come as natural to all as we may think. I certainly thought that since my body was designed by God to be able to provide this that it couldn't be hard. I also thought if hundreds of thousands of women before me have breastfed with success then so could I. Unfortunately, we struggled with latch issues for weeks (despite help from a lactation consultant).
4. Breastfeeding will hurt, but in the long run it will be the most magical thing ever. My answer to this is to either get a prescription for APNO (All Purpose Nipple Ointment) from your OB/GYN or use the internet to find the "homemade APNO" recipe. This ointment saved our breastfeeding! I mixed up the homemade version early one Sunday morning after a day of excruciating pain and lots of tears. BEST STUFF EVER!
5. If you choose to breastfeed, your breasts will leak... Be prepared and have breast pads on hand to start. Wear them at all times to avoid embarrassing leaks. Some women are lucky and never have this problem. I was not one of the lucky ones and learned to buy nursing pads in bulk.
6. Your body will change after childbirth and it will never be the same again. If you have a vaginal birth, be prepared for leakages of all sorts. Yes. This can be gross and certainly embarrassing. I had no idea. Needless to say, I wished someone had shared this particular tid bit of information. It does get better as things heal but not right away.
7. You will never look at your husband the same way again. He goes from being this wonderful, loving, sexy man you married to a wonderful, loving, sexy father. I never knew how much I truly loved Jim until I saw how much he loves Lucas. Our relationship is at a whole new level and it is amazing.
8. Despite all the things I mentioned above, the birth of your child will be the best day of your life. Despite the pain, tears, stress, and all out crazy that comes with child birth, when they place that creature into your arms... your heart grows in a way you never thought imaginable.
Regardless of any of the things I discovered, I would do it again and apply all the things I learned the hard way.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
The "Birth" Story
Hello my blogging friends! It has been a long time since we have chatted. There is so much to catch you all up on so where to begin...
Let's start with my last post welcoming the new year. I mentioned being put on bed rest which continued throughout the end of my pregnancy until about a week before my due date. Unfortunately, my body decided to respond negatively by causing a rise in my blood pressure. This required a few extra trips to the OB's office and having to have my labor induced. Yuck!
I had planned all along for a natural birth. I had read several books and had my birth plan in writing. Breathing had been practice along with positive affirmations for my husband to shower me with during labor. I had purchased a "birthing ball" and did daily exercises to loosen my muscles for labor. I was semi-diligent with my kegel exercises. I had packed my hospital bag with focal points and Mozart CD's. I was ready to do this au naturale!
PSYCH! My body decided that was not happening. My OB compromised with me. She allowed me to just break my water and not start Pitocin right out of the gate. When they broke my water they discovered that Lucas had pooped in his amniotic fluid. Strike One. They were worried but allowed me to bounce on a birthing ball to get things moving. I was required to get blood pressure checks pretty regularly. After about two hours (and two centimeters), my blood pressure was dangerously high. Strike Two. I was ordered into bed where I was "encouraged" to lay on my left side.
This was the exact time that I started having active labor. My contractions came on fast and hard. My plan had been to battle through the contractions with walking or swaying.... anything but laying down. Flat on your back. Or in my case, on my left side. Because I wasn't allowed to get out of bed.... I was not handling the contractions well at all. This also caused my blood pressure to jump even higher. Strike Three. My OB was forced to give my IV blood pressure drugs which really didn't help.
My OB was concerned about Lucas at this point so made the decision that Pitocin had to be started. I knew I was not going to be able to handle the intensity of the contractions from Pitocin without an epidural. So I caved. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me his spiel about the drugs. I found out that originally he was a pharmacist before he went to med school, so I was pretty impressed. Then I found out he was an Auburn fan... I wanted a new doctor. Just kidding ;-)
Most people don't know but I have a metal rod in my lower back as a result of severe scoliosis. Unfortunately, it resides in the location where they place an epidural. The MD poked me the first time and couldn't get the epidural to go in. He was hitting the bottom of my bar. So, he had to stick me again in another area lower down my back. Luckily it worked.
The great thing about epidurals is that they make you feel nothing! And they also lower your blood pressure. Which for some women is a problem. For me, it was marvelous. Everything changed. I relaxed and was able to get some rest. They increased the Pitocin at a steady rate. My contractions were off the grid, but I FELT NOTHING! Not even a twinge or a pinch.
By 3 pm, I was ready to push. My husband was a great coach and counter. One short hour later, we welcomed our baby boy, Lucas.
My short story is nothing compared to some women... but the moral of my story is that things don't always go as planned. I had a plan, but God had a different plan. His plan taught me patience beyond measure and a unwavering faith that he would see us through. My reward was a beautiful, healthy baby boy.
Let's start with my last post welcoming the new year. I mentioned being put on bed rest which continued throughout the end of my pregnancy until about a week before my due date. Unfortunately, my body decided to respond negatively by causing a rise in my blood pressure. This required a few extra trips to the OB's office and having to have my labor induced. Yuck!
I had planned all along for a natural birth. I had read several books and had my birth plan in writing. Breathing had been practice along with positive affirmations for my husband to shower me with during labor. I had purchased a "birthing ball" and did daily exercises to loosen my muscles for labor. I was semi-diligent with my kegel exercises. I had packed my hospital bag with focal points and Mozart CD's. I was ready to do this au naturale!
PSYCH! My body decided that was not happening. My OB compromised with me. She allowed me to just break my water and not start Pitocin right out of the gate. When they broke my water they discovered that Lucas had pooped in his amniotic fluid. Strike One. They were worried but allowed me to bounce on a birthing ball to get things moving. I was required to get blood pressure checks pretty regularly. After about two hours (and two centimeters), my blood pressure was dangerously high. Strike Two. I was ordered into bed where I was "encouraged" to lay on my left side.
This was the exact time that I started having active labor. My contractions came on fast and hard. My plan had been to battle through the contractions with walking or swaying.... anything but laying down. Flat on your back. Or in my case, on my left side. Because I wasn't allowed to get out of bed.... I was not handling the contractions well at all. This also caused my blood pressure to jump even higher. Strike Three. My OB was forced to give my IV blood pressure drugs which really didn't help.
Most people don't know but I have a metal rod in my lower back as a result of severe scoliosis. Unfortunately, it resides in the location where they place an epidural. The MD poked me the first time and couldn't get the epidural to go in. He was hitting the bottom of my bar. So, he had to stick me again in another area lower down my back. Luckily it worked.
The great thing about epidurals is that they make you feel nothing! And they also lower your blood pressure. Which for some women is a problem. For me, it was marvelous. Everything changed. I relaxed and was able to get some rest. They increased the Pitocin at a steady rate. My contractions were off the grid, but I FELT NOTHING! Not even a twinge or a pinch.
By 3 pm, I was ready to push. My husband was a great coach and counter. One short hour later, we welcomed our baby boy, Lucas.
My short story is nothing compared to some women... but the moral of my story is that things don't always go as planned. I had a plan, but God had a different plan. His plan taught me patience beyond measure and a unwavering faith that he would see us through. My reward was a beautiful, healthy baby boy.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Welcome 2013 and exciting new adventures!
2012 was a fantastic year, but I was happy to welcome 2013!
Highlights of 2012 include:
Switching jobs- the grass wasn't really greener but I got more time home with my husband and Champ
Traveling to Alaska to see my best friend, Lauren Coburn. Experience of a lifetime.
Discovering we were expecting our first child!
Traveling to Lake Lure for a wedding- so pretty and peaceful.
Finding out that my sister was also pregnant and due four weeks after me.
Keeping myself entertained while Jim was away at Squadron Officer School in Montgomery, AL.
Finding out we were having a son! We decided to name him, Lucas Charles.
Meeting up with my husband in Alabama for our annual Alabama football game. RTR!
Having my husband leave again for IP School in Altus, Oklahoma!
Welcoming our new nephew, Will, into the world!
Celebrating our First Anniversary!
Decorating the nursery- we chose a Monkey theme!
Attending an awesome Baby Shower hosted by family and friends in Grundy.
Celebrating the holidays at various times with our families!
Ringing in the New Year with both my three boys!
2013 looks to be a promising year filled with the new adventure of being parents! We have 30 days to go until our son is officially due to enter this world. Unfortunately, it appears my son is so much like his parents that he would rather be early than on time. This past week I was put on bed rest due to my progress and my OB being concerned that Lucas would before term (37 weeks). So, here I am, Ms. Independent having to be waited on by my loving husband. Not exactly what we had planned for our final weeks of life before parenthood. But, God has a greater plan and we will do whatever it takes to keep our baby boy safe.
Welcome 2013! We are so very ready to meet our sweet Lucas!
Highlights of 2012 include:
Switching jobs- the grass wasn't really greener but I got more time home with my husband and Champ
Traveling to Alaska to see my best friend, Lauren Coburn. Experience of a lifetime.
Discovering we were expecting our first child!
Keeping myself entertained while Jim was away at Squadron Officer School in Montgomery, AL.
Finding out we were having a son! We decided to name him, Lucas Charles.
Meeting up with my husband in Alabama for our annual Alabama football game. RTR!
Having my husband leave again for IP School in Altus, Oklahoma!
Welcoming our new nephew, Will, into the world!
Celebrating our First Anniversary!
Decorating the nursery- we chose a Monkey theme!
Celebrating the holidays at various times with our families!
Ringing in the New Year with both my three boys!
2013 looks to be a promising year filled with the new adventure of being parents! We have 30 days to go until our son is officially due to enter this world. Unfortunately, it appears my son is so much like his parents that he would rather be early than on time. This past week I was put on bed rest due to my progress and my OB being concerned that Lucas would before term (37 weeks). So, here I am, Ms. Independent having to be waited on by my loving husband. Not exactly what we had planned for our final weeks of life before parenthood. But, God has a greater plan and we will do whatever it takes to keep our baby boy safe.
Welcome 2013! We are so very ready to meet our sweet Lucas!
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