Colette's Birth Story

I am finally now getting around to typing this out. I kept notes on my phone so I wouldn't forget anything. I love reading these and looking back so here we go!

Since I had a C-section with Max because he was breech my doctor office makes me schedule a c-section for my 2nd birth even though they fully support doing VBAC's (vaginal birth after cesarean).  I scheduled that for Friday the 13th when I would be 39 weeks and 4 days. I had Max the night before I turned 39 weeks so I was hoping I would go early with this one as well. It was stressing me out thinking about it, but I didn't have to freak out too bad as I went earlier than that! These 2 births and stories couldn't be more different. With Max my water broke the night before our c-section and with Colette I had no water break at all.

Here we go!

I was planning on working at least through the 6th but was hoping to work till the 11th, a few days before the c-section all the while hoping I'd go into labor shortly after my 2pm pedicure appointment on Saturday the 7th. Let's go back to Thursday the 5th. That night while I was in bed I started feeling period type cramps. They were painful, but dull and I finally was able to sleep through them at 2am. I just chalked them off to braxton hicks.

Friday the 6th- I had a doctor appointment that morning and she said it was probably braxton hicks. I was 1 cm (not that it means anything really). I asked her about stripping my membranes (a process where they separate the bag of water from your uterus releasing hormones and it could lead to starting labor). She said she'd rather wait till my next appointment on the 11th. I agreed as I wasn't looking forward to the cramping that would probably occur the rest of the day. Well I went to work that day trying to finish things up as I had a feeling I wasn't going to be back the next week. I had what I thought were braxton hicks all day at work. Some painful, but still workable. I was fine until they happened and then it was intense and short lived. It was a good distraction at work, but I hauled out of there by 4/4:30 (didn't want to get stuck in traffic). We met some friends at the pool (Hi Windy!) that night and I thought I was feeling fine, but towards 8pm I was very uncomfortable. The contractions started hurting pretty bad although I kept calling them BH. All our neighbors were out hanging by the pool so they were pretty surprised to hear that we had the baby the next day. We left shortly after and put Max to bed. Friday night was ROUGH to say the least. I took a bath that night hoping to stop the BH and just relax my body so I could go to sleep. Well that did not work, nothing did. I spent the whole night hunched over the bathroom counter or on the toilet (sorry TMI) with contractions about every 5-7 minutes and no possible way to sleep them off. I used a timer to track them and they were not constant or getting closer so I didn't really think they were the real deal.  I have never been so happy to see 6am. I decided to take another shower so I could do my hair. I was really hoping they would subside so I could get to my 2pm nail appt.

After epidural selfie- can you tell we got bored. 

Saturday the 7th- Once I finally woke David up (he kinda heard me throughout the night but I didn't want to freak him out) he was concerned how I was acting. He said that he didn't think I was in labor, but he wanted to know what was wrong with me lol. I called the DR office number and Jodi the midwife called me back. She said wait for them to be a little more constant and come to the hospital to get checked out.  David said it was time to go because I kept bending over the kitchen counter and couldn't eat or do anything. We called the midwife and headed in. We got there around 8:30-9am. The hospital is normally 40ish mins with no traffic, but David definitely got us there in only 20ish. There was no one at the counter for check-in and we pre-registered so we were taken back fairly quickly. They did a TON of paper work and acted like we were being admitted and I just wanted them to check and see if I was in labor. Finally when my midwife came, she checked me and said I was a 2-3 and definitely was in labor and wouldn't be going anywhere.  David was surprised and I was pissed I would miss my pedicure appointment and I didn't stop to eat anything. I knew we were staying though but was a little disappointed in my whole night of contractions to only be 2-3 cm. I knew it was going to be a long day! Jodi highly recommended I get an enema to clean me out and I was hesitant, but obliged (sorry TMI). That was not very fun as you can imagine, but it did work for the rest of the day. I did not feel like I had to go to the bathroom at all after that. I walked around the room, used a birthing ball (not really sure what I was suppose to do on it but it passed some time). She said to try to hold out till I was a solid 4 before getting the epidural. I held out till around 1pm without getting checked and I was hoping I progressed more and I did get to a 4, but that was it. I decided that since it already took me 4 hours to get only 1 cm that I mine as well get the epidural soon so I could rest/sleep since I really haven't had any the past nights. Around 2pm I had my epidural and I was stuck in bed. You have to stay on your sides and we rotated positions every 45 mins. Jodi kept saying how low she was and how great she was positioned so I felt positive about the whole thing.

Yep no food for 24 hours makes for a happy girl with ice chips. They were the best kind though.

I didn't get checked that often, but I was very slowly progressing, even more so because the epidural (which I knew would happen). Jodi wanted to do pitocin, but Dr. Parker said she'd rather not risk anything with my past c-section. I was a little discouraged, but agreed with her. The ice chips were amazing as that was all I could eat. David gave me sips of juice he got, but don't tell. Around 8-9pm She checked me again and I was only a 7. She mentioned the c word (c-section) if I wasn't progressing in a little bit. I didn't want to hear that, after this long day I had. She said she had to go deliver the baby next door and she'd be back around 10 to check me again and to think happy cervix opening thoughts. And that I did! She came back around 10:30 and I was a 10 and ready to go!! I was so happy!

She wanted to turn down my epidural and wait a little, but as soon as I sat up (not on my side) it started wearing off so I advised the nurse not to turn anything down (she agreed). I still had to wait and that was so annoying to me. But by around 11 it was time to go. Jodi kept saying how low she was in great position so I guess I was hoping the baby would just fall out in one or 2 pushes haha. I guess I pushed for around 30-40 mins and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be and did hurt a good bit, but not intolerable (thanks epidural). It was David and Jodi (the midwife) who delivered the baby basically. The other nurse(s) didn't do anything besides hang out with me and see if I needed stuff. David was a great coach/doctor assistant. She was born at 11:38pm. I guess my kids are night owls (guess that's why they don't sleep) as Max was born in the 11 o'clock hour as well! She came out and was placed on my chest.

David was able to cut the cord and Jodi and David had a medical lesson on the placenta (pictures and all-I'll spare you those). We did have the best nurses (I really can't say enough about the north side staff-top notch) and mine brought me a turkey sandwich (even though the kitchen was closed) with yogurt and lots of juice. I was STARVING and scarfed it down within 10 mins of giving birth. A few other tidbits in case you wondered. I did use a mirror to watch the birth. It was kinda like I was in my own tv show/movie. I felt out of body at one point like I was in the room, but the noises were dull in my head but I could tell it was loud in the room with everyone telling me to push and all that (hard to explain). I got up and walked to the bathroom within 30 mins-1 hr (I mean compared to like day 2 of the c-section I was amazed and they were impressed because of the epidural (I told them it wore off). We stayed in the delivery room for almost 2 hours while she was evaluated and got a bath. I was able to breastfeed right away (she was such a good eater and latcher from the beginning) before they did all that and after. They were awesome about all that.

Always have to capture the first meconium dirty diaper for daddy! 

I was so glad to have experienced this type of birth as well as my c-section. There is nothing wrong with double c-sections or whatever you need to have to keep you and baby safe, but for me it made sense to try. So glad our precious little Colette is here!

Family Maternity Shoot/Max's 2 Year Photos

I forgot to post the photos from our maternity shoot/ Max's 2 year photos. I figure I better get these up before we have newborn ones to post. Photos were taken by Lizzie Lemoine Photography. I think I was only about 33-34 weeks pregnant so not as big as last time, but I was fine with that.  Max was very slow to warm up and I wasn't sure we'd get any good shots so I am very pleased with them. Lizzie did a great job making Max feel comfortable. I have ordered some prints already for the house and can't wait to see the newborn pics she took a few weeks ago! 

Sprinkle for Baby Girl!

My sister and mom came up with the cutest ideas for having a sprinkle for baby girl. I was so excited once I got word of it. Look how cute the invitation was! They incorporated so many little mason jar ideas, it was a big hit!

Michelle had the most beautiful diaper cake from the Honest Company sent filled with goodies! She also had a little station for people to write late night messages for the mom (hopefully dad) to read for the middle of the night diaper changes.

I love the flowers in the mason jars, just so cute. Michelle did a lot of the pre-shopping and gathering luckily, but she was down and out for the setup because of the stomach bug starting to make it's way to her. My mom stepped it up with David and myself for last minute planning.

Look how cute the bow holders are that they found!

The food was so good! We had fruit served in waffle cones, chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad and a quiche that I heard was out of this world made by my cousin.

The drink center was very fun with mason jar glasses, mason jar punches serving regular lemonade and strawberry punch lemonade. Guests could add champagne and have wine in addition. My mom put little chalk stickers on each glass and attached little chalk with twine to each glass. These also doubled as favors so it worked out great!

Mmmm

Love this idea and it really did work well in there. We made sure not to set them up too early for any soggyness but we didn't have an issue.

For dessert my sister ordered these amazing petite fours from Publix. They were filled with different cake flavors and fillings. They were perfect.

She also got this cute cake with sprinkles on it. It also gives away the initials of baby girl. At the time of the party we had some choices narrowed down, but I'm glad we didn't put any name on there as I think we've switched again :) Would love to know your guesses/suggestions. Honestly no one guessed the name that is probably the winner and it's not that "different" of a name. Still fun to hear all your suggestions.

Here are some guest photos some that we got and some that Gina took. The W sisters.

Michelle isn't a huge game person, but I talked her into a few quick fun ones. The first she came up with was the what's in mommys purse game. We had some people that had A LOT of stuff in their purses, it was amazing. 

The second was a celebrity children name game. That was super hard as I didn't recognize most of these crazy celebrity baby games. Of course the prizes were cute mason jar candles from BBW.

How adorable is little Levi! 

Hadley and Levi. Hadley wasn't feeling well as you can see with her pacci and blankey.

Baby girl was so spoiled with the most adorable outfits and gifts. Some of the highlights included bathing suits, 4th of july outfits, girly clothes, bows and swaddle blankets (I just love them).

 

More guest shots! 

 

The girls

 

My cousin Karen and 2nd cousin Christie. So glad they moved down here so they can come to our fun gatherings! 

 

So glad my sister got to meet Susan who is our friend and pediatrician. We just love her. 

Neighborhood gals.

 

Mr. Mom. Hadley loves David now. I think it's because he talks a lot and she likes his voice. Max had the most adorable Big Bro Shirt on (pictured here) that Michelle found. We should have gotten a better photo, but I'm sure he will get good use out of it soon. 

You can't even tell Michelle was sick here, way to put yourself together for the shower (and actually take a shower).

Best hosts ever!! Thank you to everyone who came to the sprinkle and celebrating with us.