Fowler's Birth Story-Part 2

On Valentine's Day I had an appointment to determine when my induction would take place.  I would either be going in that night (if my body was showing little to no signs of progress) or on Saturday, February 15.  I had spent the most part of the week in bed, so any sign of contractions pretty much went unrecognized.  I simply got up enough to shower, use the restroom, and grab any food that appealed to my appetite.  To my surprise, I was 4 cm. dilated and approx. 80% effaced.  My orders were given and I was told to arrive at the hospital at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.
So....... after not sleeping very much due to being uncomfortable, a full moon, an earthquake, and knowing I was meeting my little boy...Michael and I were up at 4:00 and headed to Athens by 5.  Thank goodness I wasn't really "in labor," because Michael was so tired and drove very slow.  I had to keep talking to him to be sure he wasn't falling asleep (looking back I probably should have been the one in the driver's seat).
Once we arrived at the hospital, the night shift nurse got my IV started and had me read for the induction.  When the day shift nurse arrived (the same sweet nurse that took care of me when I went the week before) the pitocin was started.  Shortly after 9:00, my OB came in to check me.  I was at 6 cm, so she broke my water.  The contractions went from tolerable to "knock my socks off" painful!  I  couldn't breathe through them and sent Michael on a hunt for the nurse.  I needed an epidural and needed it NOW.  About an hour later I met my BFF (the anesthesiologist).  Once the epidural was in, I instantly felt the warm cozy feeling.  I was able to rest for a few hours.  The nurse came in to check on me about every 30 minutes.  My OB was in constant contact.  She came in to check me around noon and told me it wouldn't be long.  An hour later I was told it was time to begin pushing.  I pushed for a little over an hour with NO progression.  Sweet Fowler wasn't coming down the birth canal.  I couldn't feel any contractions and was being told when to push.  I didn't even know if I was really doing it right. My OB decided that it was best to try to let gravity take it's course and let me rest for a little while as I was weak from the flue and Fowler's heart rate had dropped some.  I was given an oxygen mask which totally freaked me out and told to rest.  An hour later we were back at it!  I pushed for about 45 more minutes and was making very little progress.  My body was beginning to swell around Fowler's head which caused concern.  I could tell by my doctor's face that she didn't want me to try much longer.  She kept asking how I felt and told me to let her know if I was just too tired.  She tried to be very positive when I would ask if he was coming down any.  He just couldn't get under my pubic bone.  By this time they had turned the epidural way down and I was feeling contractions enough to know when to push.  I was giving it everything I had and just simply couldn't do it.  So...my options came.  We could try to suction him out with the help of pushing and if it didn't work I would have to have an emergency c-section.  I really wanted to deliver simply because I had already been trying so hard and was already sore (if you know what I mean).  My doctor told me she would give me 3 pushes and if he didn't come that was it.  I pushed once and NOTHING...on the second push I felt a big pop and out came Fowler's head, and one push later I saw and heard the most precious little boy!  I do have to say that when I felt the big pop I raised my arms in the air as if I had one a gold medal....and yes, I believe I did win gold with Fowler.
Fowler Samuel Adams arrived into our lives at 3:50 pm on Saturday, February 15 weighing 8 lbs and 2 oz and measuring 21 inches long.  He was given a perfect score on the APGAR test.  We just love our precious "little brother" and could not be more blessed!

"Resting"

 Love at first sight.  This moment is like nothing I could ever imagine.  It's just as priceless the second time!

 Daddy holding Fowler for the first time.

 Proud Grammy

 So happy to meet our sweet boy

 Proud Poppy

Proud Pop-Pop

 Just minutes old.  Yes, his little head is red from the suction, but it disappeared very soon.  Look at all that hair!

 First bath in the nursery

Dylan seeing his baby brother for the first time....not so sure about him! 

 Our first family picture.  Poor Dylan was tired and didn't understand why mommy was in the bed.

 Really ready to get some rest

 The next day meeting his cousins for the first time.

Baby Fowler- Birth Story Part 1

Fowler has an eventful birth story for sure....let's start with week 38.  I went to the doctor for my weekly check-up.  My OB was concerned with Fowler's size.  At the time of the appointment she estimated him to weigh about 7 1/2 lbs.  We discussed an induction at 39 weeks (since insurance will not let inductions take place before then).  We set the induction date for February 15 but of course that would depend on my progression at my next appointment. After leaving that appointment I worked the entire week.  Each day became harder and harder as I was exhausted and beginning to have back and hip pain constantly.  On Friday, February 7, Michael and I got the chance to go out to dinner while Dylan spent the evening with his baby sitter.  As we were eating, I began to start coughing and felt chilly one minute and hot the next.  I just thought the cough was from sinus type drainage and the chills/sweats was hormones. That night I went to bed, but ended up moving to the couch around 12 when I became very nauseated.  At 4:00 in the morning I woke up with what I thought was the stomach virus.  I was sick for about 3 1/2 hours straight.  Once Michael was up and going and on his way to get Dylan I crawled back in bed.  I was able to sleep for about an hour when I woke to pain in my back.  The pain would come and go.  I started timing it because it felt a lot like the contractions I had when I was in labor with Dylan.  I ended up calling the on call doctor to see if I should go to the hospital to be monitored.  At this time I was having contractions about every 5-10 minutes.  They weren't consistent, but were not stopping.  The doctor told me to drink plenty of fluids and rest.  I called Michael, who was keeping Dylan out and about so I could rest, to tell him to come home because I was having contractions.  I called my mom to tell her what was going on.  An hour later, I was in tears.  My entire body was hurting and the contractions were 2-3 minutes apart.  My mom came to my house and insisted I go to the hospital.  I took a shower and felt terrible.  I was weak and freezing cold.  Michael packed the car and put in the car seat and we headed to the hospital.  On or way, I contacted the on call doctor again to let him know I was on my way.  Once we arrived at the hospital I was hooked up to the monitors, given a urine test, and checked for dilation (not even 1 cm).  Fowler's heart rate was nearly 200, which really concerned the nurse.  She immediately started IV fluids.  The urine test came back that I was dehydrated.  The nurse continued to monitor my vitals every 30 minutes.  In just 3 hours I went from no fever to a fever of 103.6.  Each time the nurse came in I had a new symptom (hands, feet, body aches, cough, congestion, exhausted, etc).  The nurse decided to do a flu test and it came back positive.  I as given 3 bags of fluid which helped Fowler's heart rate come back down.  I was monitored for a few more hours and sent home with a prescription for Tamiflu.  When I got home I went straight to bed and stayed there for 3 days.  Well....my next appointment was scheduled for Tuesday, February 11.  This appointment had to be rescheduled because the office closed due to a heavy (in the south) snow storm.  The appointment was rescheduled for Thursday and once again was canceled due to the amount of snow still on the ground.  On Friday, I called the office and they asked me to come in at 1:00 that afternoon.  I was checked and told I was at 4 cm. and 80% effaced.  I was progressing nicely on my own and was told to come to the hospital at 6:00 a.m. the next morning (unless of course, something happened sooner).  We left the doctor's office, had a nice "early" dinner, and headed home.  We took Dylan to my parents house and then headed back home to rest.  Again, I opted to sleep on the couch because I was so uncomfortable and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep well because of the anticipation.  About 10 minutes after getting settled in and trying to go to sleep, the couch started shaking and the house was rumbling.  We were having an EARTHQUAKE!  So.....two snow storms, the flu, and an earthquake.....I was ready to meet my sweet baby...not to mention it was a FULL MOON!

Weeks 32-39

I'm catching up on blogging and wanted to document my final weeks of pregnancy.  My entire pregnancy was pretty much uneventful up until the last week.  The last 7 weeks included the typical third trimester symptoms of having difficulty sleeping at night, onset of braxton hicks contractions, weight gain (38 lbs total, 33 according to the doctor), pain in hips, growing growing growing, and decrease in appetite due to an increase in heartburn.  These are the last few pictures I have of the baby bump.....this post is so bittersweet for me.

 Week 32

Week 33

Week 34

Week 35 (maternity session photos taken by Memory Lane Photography)

Week 36--snow

Week 37---School baby shower

Week 38 (in the big snow....with the flu)

 Week 39 (the night before delivery)--last belly bump pic

Happy Valentine's Day baby Fowler!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Ok...so really, I didn't want it to snow.  We have already missed so many days of school and will have to make them up on Winter Break.  I was planning to have the entire week of Winter Break to plan for baby Fowler......and I still might.  I will just have to see how I feel as that day approaches.
Dylan and I did enjoy the snow in small increments.  To our surprise Michael's business closed for the day, so we all got to stay home, play in the snow, and enjoy hot chocolate!  I also couldn't resist the idea of getting some belly shots in the snow.  Michael is no photographer, but at least we have some memories!

Weeks 20-32

I've been so bad when it comes to documenting this pregnancy...poor baby.  Life has been crazy busy. So....
Week 20--We found out we are expecting another baby boy!  Honestly I can say I am thrilled.  At first I really wanted a girl, but my Dylan is soooo much fun.  I totally see myself as a mommy of 2 boys.
Over the past 12 weeks I have:
Gone from not wearing any maternity clothes to having a VERY difficult time finding anything to wear bc of baby's sudden growth.
Gained a TOTAL of 25 lbs.
Started having some Braxton Hicks contractions (week 31)
Craved any and everything SWEET.
Had to take a round of antibiotics due to a yucky sinus infection I just couldn't fight.
Felt the baby kick, kick, and do a total flip in my belly.  He is no longer breech.
Experienced leg cramps (week 29)
Started not being able to sleep at night (week 31)
Discovered that the couch is VERY comfortable.
Been told by two different doctors that baby boy is measuring BIG.
Felt great (20-29)
Started having hip pain (week 31)
Experiencing shortness of breath (week 27)
Had 3 great thyroid readings!! 

My growing belly:

20 Weeks

 

24 weeks

 

25 Weeks

 

27 weeks

 

28 weeks

 

 

29 Weeks

 

 

 



30 weeks

 

31 weeks

 

 

 



Baby #2--The First half of pregnancy

We are expecting:

 

Week  6

Announcing to our friends and family...9 weeks

Week 10: trip to the beach with family

 First day of school (after work) Almost 12 weeks

14 weeks

16 weeks in Baby's future room (not remodeled)

19 weeks

Yes, this pregnancy had been very, very different from Dylan's.  With Dylan, I had morning sickness during the first trimester and it was truly MORNING sickness.  Once I ate breakfast and got going, I was fine.  This time....not so much.  I've had ALL day sickness, food makes me sick, I could sleep 24/7, and I started showing VERY soon.  I've been terrible at documenting this pregnancy as well as taking weekly photos...poor child!  So here are the facts.....

• To date I've gained 8 lbs (since my first official ob appointment)
• I'm taking Zofran as needed for nausea
• I'm taking 150 mg of Zantac everyday for heartburn
• I started using my bella band at week 18 (and can still button some of my larger pants w/out using it)
• I haven't worn the first maternity top/pants but know I will be in the tops pretty soon.
• I started feeling the baby move very early on (12 weeks).
• I can actually see my tummy move when this baby kicks (19 weeks).
• I haven't had any cravings or aversions...it is just very difficult to decide what to eat.

• We find out the gender this FRIDAY!!!