Oliver's Birth

As most of you know we planned a Home Birth for Oliver, as we did with Henry.  This round things turned out a lot different for us.  I still have a ton of emotions about this birth and what all happened. In the end though I am just very happy to have Oliver here and healthy.

My parents came in town to help out with the birth and arrived at 39 weeks, just in case I went into labor early.

On Monday 12/17 (due date was 12/16) I woke up around 3 a.m. and was restless.  By 4 a.m. I was having contractions.  I was scheduled to go see my Midwife, Lynnette, that morning in Greeley (about 2.5 hours away) so I sent her a text to say I had a few contractions.  She informed me to stay home, just in case I started to have more contractions and labor progressed.  Around 6:30 am contractions started every 12-15 minutes.  Lynnette decided they would head our way around 1 p.m. since a lot can happen in 2-3 hours and they had to make the drive.  Lynnette and Leah showed up around 4 p.m. and contractions were still 12-15 minutes apart. At 10 p.m. contractions got closer and were 10 minutes apart.  At Midnight Lynnette and I discussed that labor hadn't progressed that much so they would head back to Greeley and for me to call them if things changed.  Contractions stayed 8-10 minutes apart until 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday.  At that point I had also had my second showing of blood and so I contacted Lynnette.  At 6:20 a.m. I called her to let her know that contractions had moved to 5 minutes apart.  Lynnette and Leah were headed back to the house. 

I think back to Henry's birth and I know these contractions were way worse.  During Henry's birth I didn't scream or cry due to contractions until the end (right before crowning and during the pushing/crowning process).  These contractions with Oliver were so intense that the hot bath wasn't helping, breathing through the contractions was difficult and all I wanted to do was cry and moan/scream.  I remember turning to Chris and saying I don't think they will make it back here before this baby comes.  Thinking if they are this intense this baby was coming soon. 

Lynnette and Leah arrived around 9 a.m. and immediately checked on Oliver's heart rate and to check to see how far along I was.  Contractions were around 3 minutes or so apart at this time.  Lynnette told me I was almost there and 9cm....I was relieved.  This meant Oliver would be here soon.  Contractions only got more intense.  During contractions I would feel the urge to vomit and find myself throwing up the little bit of fluids I could get in between contractions.    Lynnette and Leah had me trying all different positions and ways to help Oliver along his way.  Labor wasn't progressing as it should be, so Lynnette checked me again.  She told me Oliver's head was pushing up against my pelvic bone and it was caught on the lip due to the tilt/angle of my pelvis.  At this point we needed to discuss back up plans.  This meant discuss transfer to a local hospital.  

Now I was scared....or you could say terrified.  Worried about Oliver, worried about a possible C-Section, worried about my energy level, the pain....some many things racing through my head.

All of a sudden the urge to push through contractions was there and intense so back on all fours trying to push him out.  After pushing for a while Lynnette checked me again.  She informed me that my cervix was starting to swell and she was sure we needed to get me to the hospital ASAP.  Her thought was Oliver may be too big to get past due to the tilt/angle of my pelvis, but it still might be possible to get him out vaginally with some pain management.  She told me that what I was experiencing wasn't normal labor it was really torture, she gathered this through my description and attending my previous birth.

Now the fun part...drive 18 miles to the local hospital that doesn't offer all services (some pain management and C-Sections are not offered).  If I went there and they couldn't help me they would transfer me to another hospital in an ambulance.  I told everyone I wanted them to take me to Sterling (45 miles away).  They offered all services and I have heard good things about the OB doctors there.  Chris got the suburban ready and now it was time for me to get loaded. 

I was in so much pain, getting dressed wasn't even an option.  I had a shirt and bra on...that was it.  Leah and Lynnette wrapped a sheet around my waist and Leah basically carried me out to the car.  Chris loaded me in the back laying down on a blanket and Leah hopped in for support.  Lynnette would make calls and meet us there. 

My parents would stay at home and take care of Henry for us.  Thank goodness they were in town to help out.

Driving along bumpy dirt roads and lots of curves was not pleasant.  I am sure Chris was speeding the entire time to get me there as quick as he did.

We arrived at the hospital and they took me upstairs to a room.  The doctor had been briefed by my Midwife and immediately said you are here for a C-Section correct.  I was now terrified even more.  We informed them we would like to see what all of our options were.  They put me on IV fluids, since I was extremely dehydrated at this time.  We opted to go for pain meds and IV fluid since Oliver wasn't in distress.  I would try to deliver vaginally until it wasn't an option.  The anesthesiologist came in to go over all the details about receiving an epidural.  I was hesitant, but everyone there told me I would need it if I wanted to deliver him vaginally since the pain was intensified by him pushing on my pelvic bone.   So time for the epidural......now that wasn't fun.  The anesthesiologist was having a very difficult time and had to try multiple locations along the spine.  She finally said she couldn't thread it and they would give me a one time shot that would last 1-1.5 hours. 

Back to pushing and trying to get Oliver out.  After 20 minutes or so the Hospital Doctor informed me that he was still pushing against my pelvic bone.  She then told us that I would need a C-Section.  She said he was too big and if I managed to get his head past my pelvic bone that we would then possibly run into a problem with getting his shoulders past it.  She would go next door deliver the baby in the next room and when she returned (she guessed 20 minutes or so) we would proceed with the C-Section.  I was more then upset and couldn't stop crying.  My heart was breaking.  I didn't understand why if I was fine, if Oliver's was fine, then why couldn't I keep trying.  The doctor said if I wanted to continue to try while she was next door that was fine, but when she got back it would be time for a C-Section.  She left the room.

The Nurse we had in there, Kristen, then told me if I wanted to continue to try she would help.  She thought there was still a chance I could have him vaginally and the Doc said we could continue to try if we wanted so why not.  Of course this is what I wanted.  With the help of Leah, Lynnette, Chris and Kristen there was a lot of switching positions and pushing taking place.  They were all so key in what happened in that room.  Helping hold my legs, back, head...you name it.  The nurse was also trying to help Oliver turn a little to get past my pelvic bone.  I am guessing 30-40 minutes or more pasted by.  Then everyone said you did it in amazement.  Oliver was past my pelvic bone and was crowning.  Nurse Kristen informed me his heart rate was dropping and I need to give it everything I could to get him out.  At this point the epidural was wearing off and I could feel contractions and what I was doing again.  The Doctor walked in the room and said is he ready to be transferred, Kristen informed her I was crowning.  I was told the Doctor was shocked and didn't give the most pleased look to Nurse Kristen. 

Oliver was now out...he was very blue.  They put him on me and made Chris cut the cord immediately, so they could move him across the room.  They gave him one puff of oxygen and he was screaming.  They brought him back to me immediately.  The cord had been around his neck when he was born, but not tight.

I think everyone in that room was amazed by what took place.  They let me hold and bond with him until I was ready for them to weigh/measure and clean him up. 

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Oliver Ian St.Peter was 8lbs 12 oz and 21 1/4 inches long.  He was born at 12:56 p.m. on Tuesday 12/18/12. 

Chris went home late that Tuesday night to take care of livestock and to gather things.  We figured best that he just come back in the a.m. since the livestock also need to be taken care of in the morning.  My parents decided to stay at the house and wait for us to come home.  Oliver and I stayed the night at the hospital and they released us early the next morning due to the blizzard conditions that we had so we would be able to get home.  The hospital was great and they had the co-sleep/room policy there so Oliver never left my sight from the time he was born to the time we left. 

Henry came with Chris to pick us up and we were all so happy to see each other.

I look back at this experience and I am so thankful.  I very lucky that I had a great Midwife and Assistant to help take care of me and knew when I need to be transferred.  That I had my parents in town to help with all the details and Henry.  My amazing husband for being as supportive and caring as one could be...he is my rock.  That I ended up at a hospital with an incredible Nurse that was willing to disagree (to an extent) with the Doctor and did everything she could to help me have a vaginal birth.  The big man upstairs for watching and guiding all of us through this situation leading to the birth of our son. 

All in all, my hospital birth was pleasant, it wasn't horrible by any means.  I didn't have to have the C-Section the Doctor wanted me to have and I am so grateful for this.  A big thanks to all the Nurses/Doctors at the Sterling hospital, especially Kristen, for all the good care you gave Oliver and I.

I also can't thank my parents Pam and Bruce Marsden, my Midwife Lynnette, my Midwife Assistant Leah, and of my Husband Chris enough for everything they did to help make this birth happen!!

As for the question many are asking....will I plan a home birth next time....well Yes.  This birth may not of happened the way I planned it, but it turned out good.  Home birth is still where my heart is when it comes to birthing and I will never give that up.  I did it successfully with Henry and I am sure it can be done again :-)

Meeting Grandma Pam 12/19/12

Meeting Grandpa Bruce 12/19/12

Oliver 12/19/12

Henry holding Oliver

Henry giving Oliver kisses

Picture Update

Chris got the new stove all set up and done.  YEAH!!

 Henry reading in his chair.

 Chris gave Henry one of his Birthday/Christmas gifts early.  Thank you Grandma Tarri!!

 Riding in the wagon.

 Grandma Pam helping pull Henry around....he can't reach the pedals yet.

 Trying to get the chickens to climb in the wagon.

Happy little guy....loves his new tractor.

Recent Photos

Just being cute

Waiting for the car to be finished at the dealership.

Playing in the dirt

Visiting the office.

Henry wanted to answer the phones.

Playing James's drums while we were at their house.

Bath time fun

More Bath time

Wanting up on Daddy's tractor

On Daddy's tractor

Wanting down from Daddy's tractor

Playing in the Snow

Pictures from today

We are having another Boy!!

Cute clips

The other day Henry picked up my cell phone and started having a conversation with his Dad, but his Daddy wasn't on the phone.  He just kept saying Dad and rambling on to him.  So I have been trying to catch another one of those cute moments.  He has a little keyboard he picks up and talks to sometimes.  Above is a video of him talking on his keyboard.  When I asked if he was talking to Daddy he left to find Daddy since he was in the other room.



Henry loves to play with Chris's tools.  Chris is not the biggest fan of it.  Yesterday Chris was working on fixing the dishwasher....YEAH!!!  Every time Chris walked out of the room Henry would grab his Daddy's drill and act like he was using it.  Sound effects and all.  When he would hear Daddy on the porch with the saw-zaw he would stop and go look out the window.  It was too cute not to record.  Chris even got a chuckle out of it when he watched the videos.

Hope you enjoy!!

All About Cloth

As many of you know we decided to go with the cloth diaper route and starting using them when Henry was about a month old.  Took the advice of my midwife and got into the swing of having Henry and breastfeeding before starting to use cloth.  I had done a lot of research and decided to go with diaper covers and prefolds.  It seemed to be the more traditional and cost effective way to do cloth.  This worked great until Henry got around 7 months.  He would kick and roll over and made it impossible to keep the prefold folded right.  At this point more research had to be done.  Then I discovered the Wee huggers Diaper cover which had flaps inside and the front and back so you could tuck your cloth diaper insert in.  Loved them!!!

In December Thirsties had some of their all in one pocket diapers on sale.  So Henry got some from my Dad for his Birthday.  Now I was in trouble.  These were so awesome I wanted more and found a good deal on a 5 pack of the BumGenius All In One.  I was hooked at this point.

Here are some pictures of each system I used:

Prefold:
Fold diaper in one of the many ways you can; I went with the newspaper fold.

Prefold with Weehugger:

All In One Pocket Diapers:
 

 The all in one systems run $17 and up for the most part per diaper.  I wanted more since I find them so much more convenient, so I ventured on to Ebay.  I found a bunch of different types (non-name brands) that were on there for around $4-$10 each.  Did a little research on one brand and decided to give them a try. I bought a bundle of 10 for $44.99 with shipping.  I have been using them for 2 weeks now and they are working great.  They are not as nice as the Bumgenius or the Thirsties brand ones I have, but for a 1/4 of the price well worth it.  We haven't had any blowouts or leaks and they are super cute.  I am giving them  a few more weeks and if I am still happy I plan to pick up a 20 pack for the new baby and Henry. Here are some pictures of them.

 Just in case you are wondering.  The cloth diapers come either in one size (around 7lbs-35lbs) or in a couple of different sizes (S,M,L) depending on brand.  The one size and some of the sized models have snaps that adjust to make the diaper smaller or bigger.  You can see these snaps in the pictures.

All In One pocket diapers make it so simple it is just like a disposable except when you are done you put it in a diaper pail and wash when time.

I do a load of diapers every other day.  It isn't as gross or as hard as some like to make it.  I have a pail specifically for the dirty diapers.  When I get a yucky poopy diaper I spray the diaper out in the toilet then put it in the diaper pail.   You can buy a diaper sprayer or you can make one of your own.  Chris didn't believe in spending $50+ in a sprayer system so he picked up the smallest hose he could and a garden hose sprayer and that is what I use.  It is set up in the bathroom beside the toilet.  Works great and was less then $20.  I found using Rockin Green Laundry detergent and their ammonia busting formula works best for us since we have very hard water (well water).

I would recommend every Mom and Dad out there to give cloth a try.  Not only is is better for the environment but it will also save you money.  I buy a box of disposable diapers every 2 to 2.5 months for night-time use; that is it.  You can use cloth during the evening too; Henry is a heavy night wetter so I use disposable for the long night hours.  There are night-time cloth systems, I just haven't researched them enough yet.  There is an initial investment in the cloth diapers, but it is a lot cheaper then cost of disposable diapers in the long run.

Plus cloth diaper systems have such cute designs/patterns :-)

Here are some cute pictures of Henry in some of his diapers at different ages.

I hope this information helps some Moms and Dads out there with some information on cloth diapering. 

Big News

Exciting news!!!

Henry is going to be a big brother.  Our new blessing will be here in December.  We are very excited and feeling very blessed.

Due date is 12/16 (Chris's B-Day).  Hopefully Henry won't have to share his Birthday on 12/20.  As Chris says we should just try to have all of our babies in December then they can have one birthday party.  I don't know how Henry will feel about that.

Thank you Lord God for this amazing gift.  You continue to bless us and we are so thankful.  We promise to raise this child to know you and worship you..as we do with Henry.  We are forever yours.  In Jesus precious name Amen!!

Here are some recent photos of Henry:

 After breakfast...trying to run away from getting a diaper change.

 Just being the adorable baby boy he is.

  This is his kitchen cabinet to play in.

 Cheese smile.