You guys, so much has happened since my last post! All of it centered around our sweet little man, Beckett Matthew!
8lbs 14oz 21in
(No one can really agree on his length. Every document is different, anywhere from 20 - 21 ¾ in.
I decided to just split the difference!)
I was scheduled to be induced at 40 weeks + 2 days. Apparently, when you're over a certain age, going full term is no bueno. But, since I was fit and had a healthy pregnancy, (and after seeking out a second opinion from another one of my doctors) I was allowed to go full term. I really didn't want to deal with induction, after hearing a lot of negative stories through the years. And even though so many of you guys shared your positive induction tales, I still was totally freaked out about it. I kinda felt like the kid would come when he was ready.
The day before my induction, I had an appointment with an ultrasound, a non-stress test, and an exam. The ultrasound showed that baby boy was squished, but in great shape (and weighing in at around 8 ½ lbs), the non-stress test showed that his heart was strong, and my exam showed that although I had been progressing (yay for dilation!), he was in no rush to make his way into the world. But the PA said something during my exam that stuck with me...lots of women tend to go into labor in the 24 hours after an exam. Now, I can't be sure, but I swear she did something to help things along. Because 12 hours later, things got started.
By 1am, I started timing my contractions, and by 4am, I was waking Damon to head to the hospital. My contractions got intense quickly, but were wildly erratic. Some were 20 minutes apart, then I'd have a few that were less than a minute apart, then I'd just have one long continuous cramp. It made me nervous, so I just wanted to get to the hospital. By the time I made it into the birthing room, things were progressing, and the bag of pitocin just sat on the cart. I was in terrible pain, so by mid-morning, they called in the anesthesiologist, who got my epidural going. Although getting the epidural was a painful experience this time (mostly my fault as I was going through one of those extra long contractions at the time and just couldn't relax), I was so happy to have it, I could have kissed that doctor on the lips!
I have always had pretty low blood pressure, and this time, it posed a tiny problem...After the epidural got going and they had me lay flat, I started feeling sick. I totally thought it was just my reflux, so I asked the nurse if I could sit up. Then I started feeling light headed and my ears were ringing. The nurse asked if I also was seeing stars, which I wasn't, but man, was the room spinning. She pushed some epinephrine into my iv and I instantly felt better. Turns out, the epidural caused my blood pressure to bottom out and I was a second away from completely passing out! The nurse said she'd never seen it happen so quickly! After that excitement, things settled down and were pretty routine. Damon and I spent the day watching HGTV while nurses popped in and out to check me and offer me popsicles. I was starving, by now it was lunchtime and I hadn't eaten since dinner the night before and all I could think about was grilled cheese sandwiches and fries. Not quite the same, but it would have to do...give me all. the. popsicles!!!
By the time Ellen was on at 3, baby boy was showing no signs of dropping, even after my doctor broke my water, so the nurse brought in Mr. Peanut - similar to one of those exercise balls, but peanut shaped...obvi. I had to lay on my side and throw one leg over the peanut. Totally ridiculous and unexpectedly comfortable. Wish I had taken a picture! I'm not sure how, but it worked...by the time the nurse returned to do a test push, I was ready for the real deal. Just like with Zoey, three contractions and pushes later...baby Beck was on my chest, all perfect and gross and covered in goo. Amazing!
Zoey came to meet Beck the next day, and was a little unsure at first. it didn't take long for her to slip into her role as big sis. She's totally smitten!
I wish I could say that we spent our time at the hospital staring at our beautiful boy and being taken care of by the nurses before we all went home together. That's only part truth (the nurses were all amazing!). I did finally get a grilled cheese that I inhaled in about three bites! But because of Beck's "large" size (which is ludicrous in my opinion), he had some issues with his blood sugar. I'll tell you now that he's totally fine, but there's definitely a story there. A story for another post.
Always such a grumpy face!
I have always had pretty low blood pressure, and this time, it posed a tiny problem...After the epidural got going and they had me lay flat, I started feeling sick. I totally thought it was just my reflux, so I asked the nurse if I could sit up. Then I started feeling light headed and my ears were ringing. The nurse asked if I also was seeing stars, which I wasn't, but man, was the room spinning. She pushed some epinephrine into my iv and I instantly felt better. Turns out, the epidural caused my blood pressure to bottom out and I was a second away from completely passing out! The nurse said she'd never seen it happen so quickly! After that excitement, things settled down and were pretty routine. Damon and I spent the day watching HGTV while nurses popped in and out to check me and offer me popsicles. I was starving, by now it was lunchtime and I hadn't eaten since dinner the night before and all I could think about was grilled cheese sandwiches and fries. Not quite the same, but it would have to do...give me all. the. popsicles!!!
By the time Ellen was on at 3, baby boy was showing no signs of dropping, even after my doctor broke my water, so the nurse brought in Mr. Peanut - similar to one of those exercise balls, but peanut shaped...obvi. I had to lay on my side and throw one leg over the peanut. Totally ridiculous and unexpectedly comfortable. Wish I had taken a picture! I'm not sure how, but it worked...by the time the nurse returned to do a test push, I was ready for the real deal. Just like with Zoey, three contractions and pushes later...baby Beck was on my chest, all perfect and gross and covered in goo. Amazing!
I wish I could say that we spent our time at the hospital staring at our beautiful boy and being taken care of by the nurses before we all went home together. That's only part truth (the nurses were all amazing!). I did finally get a grilled cheese that I inhaled in about three bites! But because of Beck's "large" size (which is ludicrous in my opinion), he had some issues with his blood sugar. I'll tell you now that he's totally fine, but there's definitely a story there. A story for another post.
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