-Went into labor at 1:30. Riley had just come into bed and cuddled up to my back and there was no way I was staying in bed.
-contractions started right off the bat about 1 min long and every 2-3 min. Started off strong and painful. After probably a half hour or so it got to the point that I couldn't really stand through them and I had to concentrate. I told tony to start getting ready and to let his mom know to come but not to really hurry too much.
-went to the hospital and got there at 4 am. I was dilated to a 4+ which was what I was the Tuesday before at my appt so they had me walk the halls for an hour. We got into a good routine where tony would put pressure on my lower back during each contraction and help me sway my hips. The nurse, Ashley, had another patient so it ended up being closer to 6 before I got admitted. I was dilated to a 6 plus.
-we moved into the birthing center room and met our nurse, Dianne. She was amazing
-i laid in bed for a little while then got in the tub-my saving grace! I labored in the tub almost the entire time. I was able to relax since there wasn't so much pressure on my joints like when I was out of the tub
-things seemed to be moving along well, about a half centimeter at least every half hour to hour. At 9 things slowed down which was fine
-I was able to handle the contractions really well on my own most of the morning. Tony took a nap for about 2 hrs which he really needed, especially for how much support he gave me throughout the day
-once the contractions started getting stronger I needed to hold Tony's hand just to keep me grounded, just distracted from the contraction. A few of them I needed to squeeze it tighter but it was mainly just a comfort thing to have him there
-every half hour Dianne would check harper's heart rate with the Doppler and it was great the entire time! She was such a trooper
-Dianne kept asking what she could do to help and I really didn't need a whole lot of help for the most part
-it was really a relaxing morning despite having contractions
-Amy came at about 10:45 because we were thinking things were going to keep moving quickly but she could have stayed at work awhile longer
-about the last 5 contractions I had in the tub were difficult. I couldn't relax my lower back and Tony had to keep reminding me I needed to relax and breathe. I was trying to do "j breathing" like hypnobirthing teaches but her head was causing so much pressure and I couldn't focus enough. I could feel her head when I tried to curve more into a "c" instead of arching my back
-the nurse told me she thought if dr ott broke my water then Harper would come right out so I decided to do that, not knowing how much control I would be able to maintain if something didn't happen
-I assumed he would just break my water in the tub but they made me get out and that was absolutely miserable! I had another contraction just as I got to the bed and I just clung to Dianne to get through it. It was at that point that I think I kind of lost my control
-once in bed I kind of lost track of what all happened. I remember the contractions hurt so much more now that I was out of the water and I was a little annoyed that they had me get out. I know at one point I was on my side by tony and really wasn't in control and I think it must have been Dianne came behind me and pushed on my knee as well as my lower back and it felt so good-wish they could have provided that relief during the actual pushing
-dr ott came in and broke my water and gave me some instructions on what would happen and what I would need to do
-tony was right by me the entire time which I wasn't expecting! He laid right by me on the bed and held my hand and one leg
-dr ott told me I would need to curl my back, take a deep breath and hold to 10 while pushing then breathe out and do it again. He said don't worry if I had to pee or poo because then we'd know I was doing the right movements
-pushing hurt more than I thought possible. He kept telling me to listen to my breathing and my body and to relax my legs in between. He really gave me some great instruction and guidance but I had a hard time concentrating and doing what I needed to
-I think it was about 5 contractions til she was out but man it felt so much longer. It hurt being in the position I was in but I couldn't figure out what position I wanted to be in and I honestly didn't know if I would be able to move into another position if I tried. Amy told me the next day that dr ott had asked me if I wanted to reposition but I don't remember that at all honestly.
-I remember him asking if I wanted to feel her head and I said no. And I remember tony telling me she had a lot of hair. I vaguely remember thinking how surprised I was that he looked down at all for him to know she had lots of hair.
-I remember looking at tony and was so grateful he was right there helping me when I knew it must be hard for him. He looked like he was pretty pale at one point but he never let on he was struggling at all. He really stepped up and I am so thankful for the help he gave me
-I found out I was a yeller. Tony told me that I apologized for yelling in his face and dr ott cracked a joke saying "you haven't yelled that his parents weren't married when they had him so I think you're doing good". I knew he was referencing something but I couldn't concentrate to figure out what it was from-I just realized that it was bill Cosby
-I also yelled at Harper to hurry and come out haha
-between contractions dr ott was trying to help so I wouldn't tear, tony said he'd barely touch me but even that little bit was so incredibly painful that I could barely handle it. I remember feeling like I was sobbing but no tears would come out
-hearing Harper cry was so great and the relief from all the pressure that came was unlike anything else-so weird(it was also weird to feel her feet move as she squirmed out). She started crying before she was completely out and Tony told me later that Dr Ott cracked a joke and said "you're not supposed to be doing that-you're not even born yet!" Haha
-they handed her to me and I was just so happy!
-I was getting a little worried because dr ott said I was losing more blood then they would like, it seemed like a lot. The look on tony and Amy's face worried me a bit too. They gave me a shot of pitocin and he ended up getting me another medication as well. They also wanted Harper to nurse but she wouldn't so they asked me to just stimulate my nipples so it would help my uterus contact and control the bleeding. It seemed like it took awhile before he was satisfied enough. In between dealing with that he was stitching me up too because I had a second degree tear. I wasn't numb the entire time so that was not enjoyable
-my body was so spent that I couldn't even try lifting Harper to nurse or to hand her off to anyone. My arms just didn't want to work for a little while. Yet while they were cleaning me and the bed up I had no problem helping move my hips and legs out of the way
-because of the bleeding he said they would want to watch me for 6-8 hrs to determine if I could go home that night or not
-also because of the bleeding they didn't weigh or measure Harper for a few hours after she was born. She peed and pooped right after coming out and nursed a little while later
-she ended up weighing 7 lbs 6 ounces, 20 inches and her head was 34 cm-smaller than her sister!!
-I felt pretty weak after for a little bit, from the effort and I think from the blood loss but by 6 when Tony's family brought Riley I was feeling so much better! And throughout the night I felt pretty good. A little sore but not bad at all honestly. I was able to get out of bed without getting light headed and take a shower. I was able to eat quite a bit and really felt like I could move around pretty good considering. I'm more tender today than I was last night
-I had tried feeding Harper again before I got up and we tried for about 2 hrs to wake her up and feed her but she wouldn't have it. I was getting tense and it just wasn't going well. After I showered we tried again and she latched but wouldn't eat. The nurse wasn't too concerned so long as she started eating today but to keep trying to offer it at least every 3-4 hrs
-I had to wait from 9-11 to see if they would discharge me and it ended up being perfect because that's the same time frame harpers dr could come check her out and discharge her. We got home about 11 last night
-she finally ate about 11:45 and we headed to bed but she wasn't having it. I thought she was going to cluster feed but by the time I got settled to feed her she was out so we ended up sleeping in the recliner. Everytime she would wake up we'd try again but it just wasn't happening. This morning at 6 we finally were successful and she's been making up for last night ever since. We're struggling a bit with a correct latch but she's getting better. She won't open her mouth wide enough and when she finally does she slips her hands right in front. I've got a blister on one side so we've still got some learning to do!
The 8th:
-Went to get the newborn testing done. Still have to do hearing test
-struggling with latching
-brought Riley home around noon. She was not overly interested in Harper but seems interested
-Harper does not like being set down at all
-a little more sore than last night. Just have to be slow sitting down and standing up
-I was expecting to be bleeding a ton because of having issues bleeding after she was born but it hasn't been bad
The 9th:
-didn't leave the house all day
-Harper peed and pooped first thing in the morning and didn't again until almost midnight. I was getting really worried something might be wrong
-she ate a lot but we're still struggling with latching
-Riley thinks she's cute and she's doing pretty great with her
-we all got at least a short nap
-Harper had 3 really good naps
-getting better at letting us set her down for a bit
The 10th:
-she slept in the co sleeper when she was asleep. I feel like we were up a lot
-she's peeing and pooping again(she didn't hold back!) her first one was about 3 am and she started spitting up over everything as well so I had to change her. The second one I had just got in bed(not even out my head down) and I heard her poop. As I was putting on a clean diaper she peed everywhere
-I met with a lactation consultant today because I have been in pain and felt like we couldn't get a good latch. Of course Harper latched perfectly while there. I got a couple tips and ideas on how to heal so I'm not in pain anymore.
-my milk came in-I forgot how uncomfortable it is. I like that she doesn't have to suck as hard to get what she needs but I hate feeling tight and have to pump to be comfortable because I only nurse one side per feeding
It's been a great six weeks with our girls and it has flown by! I can't believe Harper is already 6 weeks old and I have to go back to work on Monday. I have loved being home with the girls so much and can't wait til I have the opportunity to stay home with them again!
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