Hannah's Birth Story

Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 5:12 PM

 

"Before I knew what was going on, I was rolled into the delivery room. I remember wanting an epidural but being told it was too late. My baby was coming now, whether I liked it or not."

 

 

 

An early arrival...

At 2:30 a.m. on May 10, when I was 31 weeks and 5 days pregnant, I woke up and needed to use the bathroom. Then, only a half hour later, I woke up again. That was weird—it wasn’t like I’d drunk a lot of water before bed. Shortly after, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: cramps. They were mild at first, but my tossing and turning woke up my husband, Thomas. Just to be safe, I called my hospital’s nurse line. “On a scale of 1 to 10, please rate your pain,” the nurse asked me. “Hold on,” I answered, “another one’s coming!” When the nurse heard my groans, she advised me to come in immediately.

Certain we’d be home soon, my husband and I didn’t even pack our hospital bags. We arrived at the hospital at 6:15 a.m., and my parents met us there soon after. The contractions were coming harder and faster. Since it was so early, I was given two shots: one to stop the pain and one to help my daughter’s lungs develop.

A painful wait

My husband paced the room, and my mother stroked my arm to soothe the pain. The second round of medications wasn’t nearly as effective, and my contractions were incredibly painful. At check-in, I’d been dilated 1 centimeter; only a few hours later, I was already at 8 centimeters. Everything was happening so quickly.

“Now push!”

Before I knew what was going on, I was rolled into the delivery room. I remember wanting an epidural but being told it was too late. My baby was coming now, whether I liked it or not. An oxygen mask was put on my face, and I heard a nurse yell, “If you can scream, you can push; now push!” My husband was by my side. “Push so you can get her out and not be in pain any more,” he said. On top of the excruciating pain, I was scared. It was so early—would my baby be okay?

Welcome, baby Hannah!

I pushed for about half an hour—my delivery was extremely fast! After one final push, baby Hannah was born. She was so tiny and weighed only 4 pounds, 5 ounces. We saw her for a moment, but then she was rushed to the NICU for further examination since she was such a tiny preemie. Now, I’m so grateful that I had taken a birthing class only a few weeks earlier. From the class, I was able to recognize that my water had broken and that I was having contractions, and I knew a number to call for help.

Those first few days after Hannah’s birth were so hard; she had to stay in the NICU, and I hated not being able to take her home, but at the same time, I was reassured that she was being cared for. Three weeks later, Hannah was healthy enough to leave the NICU. Today, she is a joyful 18-month-old, and I’m so excited to be her mom!

 

 

>> Want to share your birth story with The Bump? Email Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@xogrp.com

Averie's Birth Story

Posted Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:24 PM

 

 

"It just seemed so surreal that my little one could be inside of me one day, and the next day she could be in my arms."

 

 

 

“I can’t believe that I will have a baby tomorrow!”

My baby was breech, so a c-section had been scheduled for April 26, when I was 39 weeks pregnant. Since I knew exactly when I would be giving birth, I was incredibly anxious the night before. I tried to mentally prepare myself by keeping busy; I finished errands, bought last-minute infant gear and went on a long walk with my dogs. I knew it would be awhile until I felt up to those activities again! Before I went to bed that night, I excitedly said to Matt, my husband, “I can’t believe that we will have a baby tomorrow!” It just seemed so surreal that my little one could be inside of me one day, and the next day she could be in my arms.

A completely new experience

My mother and Matt brought me to the hospital at 9:30 a.m. the next day. The surgery was scheduled for 11:30 a.m., so the next two hours were spent preparing for what would happen. I’d never needed so much as stitches before, so as the hour came nearer, I became increasingly nervous. I was very scared about the surgery itself—whenever I let myself think about the spinal needle, I’d start to cry. Thankfully, Matt and my mother were hugely comforting. They helped remind me that the c-section was a necessary step toward meeting my new baby!

Like being in a dream

At 11:30 a.m., I was given anesthesia, and then Matt accompanied me into the operating room. My baby was “stuck” beneath my ribs, so the c-section took longer than the doctors expected. But to me, it seemed to go by quickly, as if I were dreaming. I remember being asked if I felt anything, and then, after what seemed like only a minute, I heard my doctor say, “Okay, we are about to pull her out. You will feel a lot of pressure.” What? Already?! I thought. Before I knew it, the doctors had safely pulled my little one out into the world.

Hello, Averie!

Averie was born at 12:07 p.m. and weighed 6 pounds, 9.8 ounces and was 19 inches long. I stared, astonished, as they gently cleaned her up and wrapped her in a blanket. I marveled at Averie’s features: She had skinny legs, a little nose and the tiniest ears. Those ears amazed me! It seems silly now, but I couldn’t get over how perfect and adult-like they were.

Finally, the doctor placed Averie on my chest, and I was overcome with emotion. I couldn’t say anything except, “She is so beautiful.” Matt and I started crying—we couldn’t believe that we had a baby! Everything about Averie is incredible, and I am so excited to see what she has in store for us!

 

>> Want to share the story of your birth with TheBump.com? Email Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@xogrp.com.

Cruz's Birth Story

Posted Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:25 PM

 

 

"After we signed the paperwork, I was wheeled to the OR. I started to cry because I was so scared. This is finally happening, I thought."

 

 

 

Not your typical anniversary

 On the night before our first wedding anniversary, my husband, Rudy, and I went out to dinner. I was almost 39 weeks pregnant, and although I was a little tired, I felt fine. When we got to the restaurant, however, I started having lower-back pain and mini spasms. I ignored it, but the spasms continued when we returned home. I lied on the couch and called my doctor. "Unless your water breaks, it isn't time yet," she said. Around 12:30 a.m., Rudy suggested I go to bed. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep," I said, lifting myself off the couch. As soon as I stood up, BAM! My water broke! Rudy quickly got me a change of clothes, and we left for the hospital at 1 a.m. I was excited and nervous at the same time; I'd assumed that my baby wouldn't be born on my exact due date, but I wasn't expecting him to be born on our anniversary!

 The waiting game

At 2 a.m., my contractions became a little stronger, but they weren't as terrible as I'd imagined. The anesthesiologists gave me my epidural, and everything went numb below my ribs. The nurses continued to check on me throughout the morning, but I wasn't progressing enough. At noon, they gave me Pitocin to help things along, but still, at 3:30 p.m., I had only dilated 5 centimeters.

 "It doesn't look like he's going anywhere soon"

"Your baby is comfortable," my doctor told me. "It doesn't look like he's going anywhere soon." She told me that since my water had been broken for more than 17 hours, I'd need antibiotics to prevent infection. My other option was to have a c-section, which I decided on. After we signed the paperwork, I was wheeled to the OR. I started to cry because I was so scared. This is finally happening, I thought. In the OR, I was given morphine and prepared for the surgery. The morphine made me loopy, and I began to feel a lot of heavy pressure. They were performing the surgery.

 Hello, baby Cruz!

Before I knew it, I heard my baby cry. It was the best sound in the world! Cruz was born at 4:58 p.m. and was 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. I looked at Rudy, and he had tears in his eyes. The nurses cleaned Cruz and brought him to me. I was tired and my arms were weak from the anesthesia, so a nurse held my son to me so I could breastfeed him. He was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen! I was so happy and amazed that I was a mom. When I looked at Cruz, all I could think was, How can you love someone so much after such a short amount of time?

>> Want to share the story of your birth with TheBump.com? Email Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@xogrp.com. 

Lila's Early Arrival

Posted Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:15 PM

 

 

 

"Before I knew what was happening, I was admitted to the hospital for additional monitoring. I couldn’t believe it—how had my regular appointment turned into this?"

 

 

A not-so-normal appointment…

 At my 35-week appointment on July 26, everything was normal. I’d had a worry-free pregnancy and anticipated that my daughter would be born in exactly one month, on August 26. My son, Charlie, had been a week late, so I was hoping that my baby girl would be on time! Before I left the doctor’s office, I mentioned that I hadn’t been feeling the baby move very much. My doctor suggested I make an appointment at the hospital for fetal monitoring—just to be safe.

 At the hospital, I was hooked up to monitors and given an ultrasound. The nurse “buzzed” my stomach to try to get my baby to move. But every time she did, the baby’s heart rate dropped, and the doctors were concerned that she was in distress. Before I knew what was happening, I was admitted to the hospital for additional monitoring. I couldn’t believe it—how had my regular appointment turned into this?

 Headed to the hospital

 I called my husband, Fritz, and explained that I was at the hospital. Everything was happening so quickly; I was even told that my baby might come that day! I was beyond stressed—not only was the nursery not ready, but I was also worried about potential complications. Would my baby need to go to the NICU?

 Welcome, Lila Elizabeth!

 When my doctor returned, I was told I would need a c-section. “Your baby’s heart rate is too low,” she said. “There is no time for an induction.” That’s when it really hit me: my baby girl was coming today. I started to cry; I never thought I’d need a c-section. I’d heard about difficult c-section recoveries and got incredibly nervous. At the same time, I wanted my baby to be okay and knew that she needed to be born immediately. We were moved to the operating room and Fritz held my hand while we waited. Before too long, it was time for the surgery.

 Lila Elizabeth was born at 4:19 p.m. and weighed 5 pounds, 7 ounces. A team of doctors surrounded me anxiously during her birth; they had no idea whether she would be healthy. Thankfully, Lila was just fine and cried immediately when she was born. The umbilical cord had been wrapped around her neck, which was what had caused her distress. Lila was so tiny and beautiful. I was scared to hold her at first because she looked so fragile! I didn’t want to let her out of my sight, and I couldn’t believe that she was really with us. Lila’s birth taught me to trust my instincts. Every pregnancy is different, and I’m so thankful that despite being early, my baby girl is perfectly healthy!

>> Want to share your birth story with TheBump.com? Email Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@xogrp.com.

Derrick's Emergency C-Section

Posted Thursday, January 19, 2012 3:56 PM

 

 "Sometime during the wait, my baby’s heart rate had dropped dangerously. I was told that I’d need an emergency c-section."

 

 

 

A bumpy ride

My husband, Derrick, who is a truck driver, was going to work the Saturday I was 39 weeks pregnant. May 5—my due date—was only six days away, but I felt totally normal, so I decided to go along with him. At the end of the day, he was trying to drive his truck over a huge hill. We had no idea how difficult this would be! We went over a few bumps, and the truck was bouncing like crazy. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. Derrick instantly got concerned that I was going into labor. “It was just one pain,” I said. “I feel fine.”

That night, Derrick and I went to a friend’s house for dinner—we had a feeling that this would be one of our last nights out for a while. During dinner, I felt a strong pain in my back. Thinking I was just sitting in an uncomfortable position, I tried adjusting myself. But by the time we were heading home, the pains were only four minutes apart. Shortly after, we grabbed my bag and headed to the hospital.

At the hospital

We arrived at the hospital at 3 a.m. By the time the doctor checked me, I was dilated 9 centimeters, but my water hadn’t broken, so she broke it for me. She told me to wait an hour to see if I could make it to 10 centimeters naturally. Seems like smooth sailing, I thought. I began to relax and thought about meeting my baby boy.

A different kind of bump in the road

When my doctor returned, however, I had actually gone back down to being only 7 centimeters dilated. Even worse, sometime during the wait, my baby’s heart rate had dropped dangerously. I was told that I’d need an emergency c-section. However, I wasn’t numb enough for the surgery, so I would need to be unconscious. I wasn’t happy about it, but my only concern was that my baby arrive safely, so I agreed.

Welcome to the world, Derrick!

Derrick was born at 6:36 p.m. on May 1 and weighed 8 pounds, 2.8 ounces. I was so tired after the surgery that I could barely keep my eyes open. All I wanted to do was hold my new baby boy, but since I had a fever, the doctors told me I needed to wait so Derrick wouldn’t get sick. In the meantime, I could be in the same room as him as long as someone else was there to hold and feed him. I couldn’t help but be upset about this—a part of me was worried my baby might not know who I was.

But once I was finally able to hold him, I knew it was worth the wait. When I held my newborn baby in my arms, I was speechless and so overwhelmed with joy. I don’t think there was a single thought in my head that wasn’t about Derrick. I’m so glad my baby boy is here, and I’m excited to be his mom!

 

>> Want to share your birth story with TheBump.com? Email Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@xogrp.com.

Rachie_B: Sophia's Birth Story

Posted Monday, November 21, 2011 12:36 PM

A (very) early start

I’d been trying to conceive for three and a half years, so I felt especially lucky to have a healthy pregnancy. But when I was 27 weeks pregnant, I experienced some minor spotting and was sent to the hospital for observation. When the nurse checked on me, she found I was already two centimeters dilated, so the physician ordered an ultrasound of my cervix -- only to find it had thinned so much it was no longer measurable. I was having preterm labor! Before I knew what was happening, the labor & delivery nurses rushed in and started giving me IV fluids, antibiotics and magnesium sulfate. I had begun the day merely being observed, but now I was staying in the hospital on strict bed rest. It was frustrating, but my husband and I celebrated each passing day that I stayed pregnant. We knew my little one was slowly getting stronger to prepare for birth!

“You’re going to have this baby today.”

When I was 28 weeks and 6 days pregnant, I woke up at 4 a.m. with steady contractions. I called my nurse into my room, and she immediately got my doctor. Even though it was still really early, my doctor said he couldn’t do anything to stop the contractions. “You’re too dilated,” he said. “You’re going to have this baby today.”

It’s time!

I was brought to Labor & Delivery, and the nurses started to prepare me for the birth. It was a packed house; my husband, both our parents, my OB, four nurses and a five-person NICU team were all there. I was given an epidural, and then everything started to happen really quickly. My contractions were becoming stronger and stronger. I had been increasingly anxious during my stay in Preterm Labor, but now I felt completely panicked and afraid. I even started crying -- I think more out of fear for my baby than from actual pain. I didn’t have much time to be upset, though; my OB swiftly broke my water and I felt the urge to push.

Hello, Sophia!

Sophia was born on April 18, 2011, at 3:06 p.m. She weighed 3 pounds, 3 ounces and was 15 1/8 inches long. To my amazement, when she was born, she actually cried! My baby was immediately handed to the NICU team, who warmed and incubated her. Before they brought Sophia to the NICU, however, I was able to briefly hold her. She was so tiny and sick.

Sophia spent the next six weeks in the NICU. We were gradually able to start “kangarooing” with her, which means having skin-to-skin contact, which is good for preemies. We would do this for at least three hours every day, and it became a special bonding time for our new family. We knew that Sophia was nearly able to come home when she was moved from her incubator to her “big girl” bed, a bassinet. She was finally discharged when she was six weeks old -- when I would have been 35 weeks pregnant. Sophia has been doing amazingly well and is surpassing all expectations; she is now four months old and weighs 13 pounds. We love our little miracle and are so happy to have her with us!

>> Do you want your birth story featured on TheBump.com? Email the story of your birth to Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@xogrp.com

ladycee: Eric Ryan's Birth Story

Posted Friday, November 18, 2011 4:26 PM

An early start

When I was 36 weeks pregnant, I began having contractions at my regular OB appointment. My OB checked on me, but she said that I wasn’t even one centimeter dilated. “You’re not ready yet,” she told me. We scheduled my next weekly appointment, and I left her office and headed to work. After I got there, I was updating files for my upcoming maternity leave when I felt the same low, painful contractions I’d experienced at the doctor’s office. Nervous, I told my supervisor that I needed to go home.

Since I couldn’t go to the hospital just yet, my husband, Ryan, and I stayed busy by organizing the nursery. I helped as much as I could with my huge belly, and the activity distracted me from the pain. After we finished the nursery, I kept cleaning our home. I even organized the medicine cabinet. (Can you say “nesting”!?) Suddenly, I felt a “bubbly” sensation. Did I just wet myself? I wondered. As I walked into the kitchen to tell Ryan, it happened again! I realized that my water had broken. I called my sister, mom, dad and grandma and told them we were heading to the hospital. I’m not ready for this, I thought to myself as we drove away.

“My heart sank…”

At the hospital, the nurse prepared us for every possible thing that could go wrong with having a premature baby. My heart sank when she mentioned that he might be unable to breathe on his own—in which case he would need to be life-flighted to a hospital with a NICU. “Preemie boys typically don’t do as well as preemie girls,” she added. I knew it was her job to prepare us for the worst, but she scared me to death.

Since my contractions weren’t becoming more regular, I was moved to Labor & Delivery at 9 a.m. and given Pitocin to speed things along. My family (including my sister, Beth, who was also pregnant) arrived at 10 a.m. At that point, I was feeling more comfortable. The nurses continued to monitor my baby and, luckily, everything seemed okay! I even declined the epidural because I didn’t want to potentially slow down my labor. My family took turns holding my hands to help me breathe through the pain.

Time to push!

At 3 p.m., I was dilated four centimeters and my contractions were becoming increasingly painful. By now, I was more than ready for the epidural! I had been awake for over 24 hours, I was beyond exhausted, and my pain tolerance was going down the drain, so I got one. At 3:45 p.m., the midwife checked on me and said I was 9.5 centimeters dilated and fully effaced. Success! I couldn’t believe I had gone from four centimeters to 9.5 in just over an hour. Suddenly, the room transformed: nurses rushed in, equipment was brought in, and everything was finally set up for my delivery! It was go time! They lowered my Pitocin and told me it was time to push.

It was challenging to push correctly without being able to feel the lower half of my body because of the epidural. Ryan and my mom held my legs while my friend took care of my oxygen mask. The nurses lowered the ceiling mirror so I could see what was happening; there were some not-so-pretty parts, but I guess that’s all part of the experience!

Welcome, Eric Ryan!

Finally, with one last push, Eric Ryan entered the world at 4:34 p.m. He weighed 4 pounds and 10 ounces. He started crying -- and that meant he was healthy! I immediately began sobbing with joy. They laid Eric on my chest, and all I could think was, “He is the most beautiful thing in the world.” Ryan cut the cord, and we kissed our son for the first time. My husband and I had made a beautiful baby boy together -- Eric was finally here with us. I was finally a mom and my life was changed forever!

>> Want to share your birth story with TheBump.com? Email the story of your birth to Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@theknot.com.