Nursery Blog

It's a Girl!

Our very own Baby's Dream mom blogger, Michelle, had her baby on Friday, July 9, 2010, 4 days after her due date.

Momma and baby Savannah are doing great. Big brother seems to be adjusting well and has already started sharing.  Also, I applaud Michelle, the baby was born with no meds!  

Congratulations and welcome to the world Miss Savannah!

My Birth Story and Lessons Learned

I'm sure many of you are wondering how it will all play out as soon as your water breaks.  Here is how my first labor and delivery progressed and a little bit of what I learned that I hope to pass along to you.   

Started Slow

On October 3^rd (two days past my due date) I had a doctor's appointment. At the appointment, I found out I was 1 cm and maybe 20% effaced. The doctor set me up for an appointment to be induced the following week. (Something I did not want to happen.) My doctor told me not to try any funny stuff, like drinking castor oil. So, after the appointment, my husband and I went shopping. When we checked out at a baby store, the clerk asked "When are you due?" Her eyes bugged a little and she said she'd get me out quickly once I told her I was due two days ago. We then went to the mall and walked around a little more before heading home. My husband had purchased a new video game and was playing it for a little while before heading back to work. While he was gaming I went for a LONG walk around the neighborhood.

 

Sneaking Suspicion

All throughout our shopping trip, I kept feeling little contractions. Eventually, it got to the point where when my husband went back to work at 3pm, I told him to come home quickly because I had a sneaking suspicion that today was the day. After he left, I went for another long walk around the neighborhood with our dog. The contractions kept getting closer and a little stronger.

Finally, around 5pm, I called my doctor and told him that I think I'm having contractions and starting labor. He asked me "Are you having one right now?" I said "Yes, I am." He then told me "Well, you're not really in labor yet or you wouldn't be able to talk right now. Call me in a couple hours."

Around 7pm, I could finally say that the contractions were getting much stronger and closer together so off we went to the hospital. When we arrived in Triage, the nurse was skeptical about us staying because we brought in the hospital bag. She said that most people who bring in the bags end up leaving quickly. But, by then I knew... it was time.

After being monitored for an hour the nurse said "You're not far along enough to be admitted, but I don't feel comfortable sending you home." I had progressed from 1cm at my appointment at 11am to 2cm when she finally told me to go "walk the floor". As I went to get up from the bed I said "AND, my water broke." The wonderful triage nurse replied "AND, you're admitted!" Unfortunately, when my water broke, we found out that there was meconium in the amniotic fluid, so my birth plan went out the window. I would not be able to hold my son immediately after giving birth and my husband would not be able to cut the cord. Bummer.

Picked Up The Pace

As we walked to my labor and delivery room, I felt the contractions come on a lot stronger, mostly thanks to my broken water. Once we got to the room, I went to the bathroom, and my husband asked me if I wanted to walk the floor. At that point, the contractions were REALLY kicking and I just wanted to lie in bed. Here is where my memory apparently fades. I recently recalled this whole experience with my husband, and I apparently forgot a few details in there. He said that I tried a lot of things from my birthing class. Getting in the shower, the birthing ball, walking the floor some more. None of which is in my memory. I just remember lying in bed... in pain.

I wanted to have a natural birth, well... one without an epidural. Needle + back = no thanks for me! Eventually, I asked for a dose of Stadol, which helped me relax enough to take a little power nap. When I woke up from it, the contractions were just outstanding. Finally, around 11:00pm I asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologist was with another patient and couldn't get to me immediately. After waiting 30 minutes, the nurse checked me and I was 7 centimeters!!! Woo hoo! I looked at my husband and was like "Hey, maybe I can do this!" At some point in the night, I remember looking at the clock and thinking that it would be fitting for him to be born on October 4^th. "10-4, over and out."

Go Time

It was after midnight when I looked at my nurse and said "I have to push. I have to push. I have to PUSH!" The urge was overwhelming. She calmly said "No, you can't, you'll tear your cervix." With a little more insistence, she checked me... I was fully dilated and ready to go! By the time the doctor got suited up and I started pushing the anesthesiologist called my nurse and asked if we were ready for him to come up. She said "Um, no. She's pushing." I must say, the pushing was the most GLORIOUS part of labor for me. Once I was able to channel the pain into something productive, all the pain went away. After pushing for 45 minutes, my son's heart rate was dropping and not coming back up as quickly as the doctor liked. But, with an episiotomy and one more push my son was born at 1:37am.

Lessons Learned

The number one lesson I learned through the entire process was to really trust my body. While mentally, I was unprepared for what was going to happen; my body knew what to do. I just had to listen. My brain actually turned off at some point, obviously. There are a few hours in there where I don't remember anything but turning from side to side. My body turned off my mind as some kind of natural survival method.

I also learned the importance of having a good nurse... and being really nice to them. My nurse was awesome and knew lots of tricks my husband didn't. While he attended birthing class with me, and helped as much as he could, nothing can be said for someone with true experience. At one point, when I started having some back pain my husband tried to relieve the pressure, but it didn't work. However, the awesome nurse just put the heel of her hand where it hurt and instantly the pain went away. Ah, the power of experience.

I found out that the birth plan usually means nothing once labor gets going. While it's good to know what you want to happen, and what you don't. It is best to have a person instead of a piece of paper. You need an advocate that knows what you want to happen and can step in and speak for you when things aren't going the way you hoped. While you need a plan, you also need to be able to go with the flow. No matter how much you want to control the situation, you just need to let go and let your body do its thing.

 

 

 

 

 

What is your birth plan or how did your L&D go?

Mom Describes Second Pregnancy

Been there, done that? Not really!

Pregnancy the second time around has been an adventure. You would think that since I've been there, done that, I would have a more "veteran" state of mind and not have the normal pregnancy worries. Well, that's not really the case. While many things have changed, others remain the same.

 

Changes with friends and family:

With my first, I received calls almost daily from family members asking how I was feeling. Some of them even knew when I had appointments and remembered them. This has changed dramatically! Forget about doctor's appointments, I now have to remind them of my due date! While this doesn't describe everyone, the vast majority of family members seem rather uninterested this time around. Maybe it is because this is their second or third grandchild, maybe they the think I'm a veteran and don't need check up calls. Whatever reason, it has changed and is very noticeable to me. I can actually spend three hours at a family function where no one brings up the pregnancy or asks how I'm feeling. One day, I was talking about the pregnancy, and someone said "well, you're only a month or so along". I was about 4 months at that point.

 

Unexpected Joy:

I did not have many friends with my first; I think I had two friends at the baby shower, out of 30 women. I am blessed to have made many new friends in the past three years. I have to thank my friends for their constant support and joyfulness. If it weren't for them, I would feel like almost no one cares about this child or how I am feeling. They are sharing in my joy and excitement about the baby and will talk to me about the nursery and not brush me off. It's an amazing feeling to have friends that care.

 

How my body has reacted:

As far as pregnancy symptoms go, I have been very lucky. THANK YOU MOM! She gave me some good genes. With both children, I experienced zero morning sickness. I also have not expanded anywhere but my belly. The only symptom that kicked my butt with both kids was fatigue.

 

There have been a few different symptoms, or rather symptoms that have shown up sooner. I found out A LOT sooner than with my first. First time around, I did not have a positive test until I was 7 weeks along. This time I got a positive test at 2 weeks. I started showing earlier, but my weight gain has been right on tract. I started having Braxton Hicks contractions around 18 weeks; where with my first, I was around 30 weeks before I started feeling them. But, I have also felt kicks sooner!

 

Mental Changes:

A lot of mental and emotional energy went into my first pregnancy. This time, it takes a good kick to remind me of the process going on inside while I'm running after my toddler. I find myself not thinking about the pregnancy as much. Or, I should say not "worrying" about everything little thing that happens. I do not take as many belly pictures this time around. With my first, I took a picture almost weekly, now it's once a month. While I am thrilled to be having another child, I still have one that needs constant care and attention and all my mental energy goes to him first.

 

I have found myself worrying a lot more about how I'm going to get to the hospital. We live a lot further from the hospital than with our first. My husband also works further away. It stresses me out to think about how it will all work, but I'm sure I will make it on time, hopefully. I also worry about how our son will adjust to having a sibling and sharing me.

 

I hope to appreciate the little things more. When I hear an infant cry now, I think it is so cute, especially since I have experienced a 2 yr olds temper tantrum and know what a real cry/scream is. With my first, I kept saying "I just have to make it to 6 months". This time around, I plan on taking it slow and enjoying every little step of the way. I wished for my sons' independence, and I now I wish it didn't come so quickly.

 

I also have changed my mentality on a lot of baby rearing topics. I want to learn how to make baby food. I think it will be a huge money saver, as well as healthier for the baby and greener for the Earth. I always hated throwing away (or even recycling) the millions of baby food jars we used. While I don't think I will ever go to cloth diapering. But, I am going to look into more "green" disposable diapers. I also have decided not to use a bumper. I was going to make one, but after reading everything about SIDS and suffocation, I can't bring myself to risk it this time around. I guess you could say I have become a little green and a little paranoid.

 

I will say this, having been there and done that... I appreciate everything so much more. While some of the pains are the same, and different pains have emerged, I can look at the beautiful child I made and know that in the end, all the blood, sweat, and tears are worth it.

Introducing our new blogger and Baby's Dream Mom

I am very excited to introduce to you a new face, and someone that will be able to lend some very helpful information to our readers, Michelle Kersey.  Michelle is our new "Baby's Dream Mom Blogger."  I'm sure many of you will be able to relate to her helpful articles and true mom advice. 

Introducing Michelle Kersey...

So many decisions, so little time. What is a future mommy to do? Well, Michelle Kersey will take away some of the guesswork for you. This stay-at-home mom was once faced with choices and preparations essential to get ready for her now 2 year old son. After receiving a degree in Hospitality Management and bouncing around the north and south with her husband in the military, Michelle has made it back to her childhood roots and feels planted once again. With baby number 2 on the way, Baby's Dream will remain the furniture Michelle can count on to help keep her kids safe and belongings organized (she has the Kathryn collection for baby number 1).

In the coming months, Michelle will talk about everything from Baby Shower ideas to storage solutions, and we will be able to follow along in her pregnancy (due in July). 

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Michelle directly at michelle@babysdream.com.