Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Theodor Gustav has come:)

Theodor entered the world at 10:14pm on March 27th after over 25 hours of birth. I was able to use hypnobabies to almost have the completely natural birth that I wanted. Active labor started in the evening on March 26th, at around 9:00/10 pm we started timing contractions and we went to the birth center at 2am by the time they checked me at 3am (a birth had just ended so Thomas and I went on a walk for an hour) I was already at 5 cm, and at around 10am I was at 10 cm dilated!! I used hypnobabies throughout this time to keep myself in a hypnotic state which helped me breathe and relax through each contraction- they were sometimes VERY uncomfortable but never impossible and I knew I could do it. My midwife was super impressed as was I LOL. Unfortunately though my water wasn't breaking and since I was now completely dilated that needed to happen for the birth to continue. We tried for 4 hours to get the water to break naturally but nothing was working. They didn't feel comfortable breaking the water themselves at the birth center because it was possible to push Theodor up away from my birth canal and the danger was there that the cord would go before his head when they broke my water, so it was decided that I would transfer to a local hospital to have my water manually broken.

Once we got to the hospital the doctor did an ultrasound and commented that not only did I have a lot of amniotic fluid, he said that the baby was also probably a bit big- maybe between 8 and 9 pounds. I didn't take much stock in this but I was happy that he was willing to break my water because his second suggestion had been a c-section. At this point it was now about 3 in the afternoon and I had been in labor for over 17 hours so when they told me they were going to give me something to increase my contractions I had them give me a short working pain reliever instead of an epidural.

The doctor broke my water and there was so so so much- it was crazy. I was having strong contractions and the baby moved right down just like he should. At this point it was about 7pm and I had been in labor for almost 24 hours and I started to feel the need to push. My midwife said I was doing everything perfectly and that many women liked pushing more then the first part of labor since you were actively doing something. Well after about half an hour of excruciating pain I asked how much longer- hoping for something like 5 minutes LOL when she said not more then 2-3 hours I freaked out. I was able to get an epidural but in Germany they don't keep you from feeling the pain and pressure of your lower half so that you can actively help with pushing although they do keep you from feeling contractions. I can honestly say that the worst contraction med-free was nothing like the pain of the pressure I was feeling with the epidural while pushing.

I pushed for over 2 hours with the epidural and in the end was able to deliver Theodor vaginally with the help of a vacuum and the doctor and midwife pushing on my stomach and Thomas by my side as I screamed and pushed it was so intense my nose started gushing blood at one point and after each push I swore that I couldn't do it anymore (I should add that DH was SO SO amazing for the whole birth he could not have done a better job helping me). I also later found out that I was very lucky to not have a C-section forced on me-I will be sending a card to the doctor and midwife on duty as only later did I realize what a supportive team they were.

It turns out there was a reason why pushing was incredibly difficult and why it almost wasn't possible for my body to get him out- Theodor was a little over 10 pounds!!!!!! His head and body were also over the averages at 21.65 inches long and his head had a circumference of 14.96 inches.

When they put him on my stomach the first thing I said was Oh my gosh he is SO big. I couldn't believe someone that size had come out of me. I was completely exhausted and in shock but SO SO happy! Theo then started nursing like a champ right from the beginning!

I am super pleased with my birth. I was able to go natural for almost the whole way and I honestly don't know if I could have delivered him vaginally without the help of the vacuum which wouldn't have been possible at the birth center. I also think there was a reason my water wasn't breaking on its own, as the way everything happened was so calm. Driving on our own to the hospital from the birth center, being able to make informed decisions about the next step without pressure, and delivering without an emergency C! For this I really have Teddy to thank as his heart rate was perfect throughout- he also had perfect Apgars:D The one downside for me is that I both tore and was cut although this is a case in which I think the cut was necessary. I won't lie though it is quite painful and the healing will probably take a good long while. I still wouldn't change anything though!

Here are 2 pictures of our "little" prince :)




Thursday, March 25, 2010

41 Weeks

Everything still looks great with the baby so the waiting game continues:)

Saturday, March 20, 2010

4 Things

So first off I feel incredibly blessed to be pregnant, to have made it this far, and to have a wonderful supportive husband and family. I am truly blessed and thankful.

However I am very pregnant and hormonal and there are a few things I would like to get off my chest. Please know that I am not referring to anyone reading my blog- so don't take any of these comments personally!

1. I know how I look. Honestly. Telling me you feel sorry for me, or that I look "HUGE" so it can't be long now, surprisingly does not make me feel better about myself. You know what does.. Saying I look great even if you can't do it with a straight face. The hubby can however which has given him points with me for life. Also I should add that I only dress up to take the weekly photos. I normally have a T-shirt of my hubby's on with PJ pants- and the chances that I have showered that day are only 50% so him saying I look great with a straight face is impressive:D

2. I'm going for a natural birth which means that I don't get to decide when the baby comes. Obviously if I could I would not still be waiting. So please don't ask me for my due date and then look at me in surprise that he isn't here yet- What do you want me to do? Pull him out with my bare hands?! Or better yet please don't email me or write me a message on Facebook asking if he is here. Honestly, I update Facebook regularly so you can bet that when he does come there will be at least a freaking update with his stats. And if you are family- we will call you! Seriously.

3. Please do not tell me that babies decide their birthdays. I am guilty of this and for that I am forever sorry to all the women I said this to. Honestly I GET IT. But you know what? I am averaging about 4-5 hours of sleep a night- half of which are on the couch, I'm not able to partake in almost all activities which I enjoy or which could take my mind off things and I'm just going to come out and say that yes I would be happier at this point with this guy outside of me. I get it will be stressful, tiring, difficult- but this pregnancy is already all of those things with no freaking rewards. I'm not falling asleep with a little one curled up next to me, I'm falling asleep with 7 pillows situated all around my body to help relieve back and leg pain (little secret: doesn't work!).

4. Please let me remember these things when I am not pregnant. I have a feeling that like the morning sickness of the first trimester these feelings are quickly forgotten (although I still remember being truly miserable during the first trimester and am honestly not sure how I got through it) and I would hate to say or do any of these things to other pregnant women when the time comes.

I've been limiting my contact with people so that I don't bite their heads off, after reading this post I think it has been the right decision:)

Thursday, March 18, 2010

40 Weeks

I got a pregnancy massage yesterday and it helped so much with the pain and discomfort I am feeling! I have a lot of back pain which is partially due to carrying almost all of the 40 pounds I have gained right in my stomach. The massage really made me feel human again and it was great. I am still uncomfortable but I have another one booked for next Wednesday as it is so worth the money.

I feel completely at peace with hitting 40 weeks. Now that Teddy can't come early there isn't really anything for me to hope for LOL. So I am just going to enjoy these next few days or weeks until he comes. I am allowed to deliver at the birth center until 42 weeks= April 1st and I am sure he will play along and come before then so now it is just a trying to stay as comfortable as possible until the time comes game :D

Thursday, March 11, 2010

39 Weeks


Photobucket
39 Weeks and still pregnant. I'm not sure how I feel about it all. On the one hand I am so happy that Teddy is doing well and is comfy in my stomach, on the other hand I am not so comfy and would really, really like to meet him. Ahh the confusing last weeks of pregnancy.

Monday, March 1, 2010

37 Weeks!


So here is a picture of me at 37 weeks. I am going to be honest and just say that baby is welcome to come any time! Preferably sooner rather then later:)