Graham’s story really got set into motion on my last doctors appointment. I was at 39 weeks and hadn't had many contractions that I could feel. I got checked by the doctor and I hadn't had any progress from my last appointment. I was still dilated at a 2, which isn't too bad! At least I was somewhere. My doctor gave me my options and let me know that he was happy to induce me anytime that I wanted from here on out or we could wait. I could schedule a future appointment if I didn't have the baby by my due date and we could go from there. I decided to wait because I really wanted to give my body a chance to go into labor on its own because Lucy came right on time and I had a feeling that this baby would too.
I got to the receptionist and pulled a complete 180 and told her I wanted to see my doctor quick to ask him a question.....I decided that I wanted to schedule an induction date and not wait to go past my due date. Im not sure why, and I might never know, but it felt right. The doctor assured me that being induced doesn't increase your odds of needing a c-section like most people say and that its a safe and normal option. I really liked his calm and chill attitude and willingness to do whatever was best for me.
Fast forward to my due date which was 5 days later, and still wasn't having contractions and I was scheduled to be induced the next day! I guess I was wrong about him coming on his own, he was so comfy in there, I was happy to have scheduled it because so many women in my doctors office were due at the same time and I didn't want to risk not having my awesome doctor. I was a bundle of nerves the night before. I all of a sudden realized that things were going to be changing and that the next day I was going to have 2 kids! My second little baby :)
THE DAY OF.....
Steve and I woke up at 5am to get ready for my 6:30am induction. We got all checked in to the hospital, I didn't start the induction process till around 8:30/9:00 though. My doctor started me on a pill placed in the cervix that helps thin the lining naturally and bring on contractions. Thankfully when I got there they said I was already contracting on my own and dilated to a 3, I just couldn't feel the contractions yet. The first pill helped dilate me to a 4 and then I was given a 2nd pill about 3 hours later. By around 3:00pm my contractions had gotten really strong and It was time to get my epidural! In hindsight....I should've gotten my epidural sooner because the pain was a little intense and it was really hard not to move. This epidural took longer to get than with Lucy and took a couple tries.
P.s. While everything was happening throughout the day...Steve was writing name options for the nurses on the white board so they could vote for their favorite. Some were real suggestions and others were made up by him lol examples are...Guy, Steve Jr, Graham, Fernando, Tate, and Carter
Ill leave you to decide what you think is real and made up by him haha
After getting my epidural my blood pressure dropped multiple times and unfortunately I threw up like 3 times. This sounds worse than it was because I was on a liquid diet so it wasn't much. The doctor came and checked me and I was at 6 and the baby was a little turned to his side so they gave me this thing called a "peanut ball" (its like a yoga ball but peanut shaped) to put between my legs. I had it between my legs while I laid on my side (both sides for like 2 min). This helps to straighten out the baby and quicken labor....and let me tell you...I went from a 6 to a full 10 in just 4 minutes and it was intense! The nurses kept laughing at me because I was staring at my epidural drug button and every time it turned green I pressed the button to give myself more drugs. The problem was....my legs were completely numb...but my lady parts were not D: I could feel everything. At this point it was 5:00pm and the doctor thought we had about half an hour before the baby was going to come so he went to break another Lady's water in a neighboring room...I told him not to go because I was sure the baby was already coming haha but he said he'd be right back. 10 min later I couldn't hold the baby back and I felt the pressure of the baby coming. The nurses rushed to get their gloves on and nervously awaited for the doctor to rush in.
It was seriously so dang painful to be able to feel the baby being born. At one point I think I remember saying that I didn't wasn't to push haha. Steve told me later that it was like a movie delivery with the screaming lady and everything lol thanks Steve. I pushed twice and he was here! At 5:17pm I had my little boy, and it was like people told me...As soon as he was there with me, I knew his name. He didn't look like anything except for a Graham. Im so grateful for the fantastic doctors that I had the whole time and for the awesome medical student that I got to know throughout my doctors appointments and who helped deliver my baby.
HAVING 2 KIDS TODAY.....
The growing pains of having two kids has been hard. I struggle to give Lucy the time and attention that she deserves while taking care of a little guy who needs me. Being stuck at home has been difficult and Lucy often gets a little Stir crazy (I do too). The first week of his life I kept waiting for it to feel normal to have two kids and kept wishing for him to grow quicker so that I could divide my time easier between my babies.
Fast forward to Graham being 3 weeks old and its starting to get a little easier. Being sleep deprived never really gets easier but Steve and I are working to find a new groove. We each take a kid and try to give Lucy quality time every day. We know how to do things one handed more often while we get Lucy snacks and feed Graham at the same time. Being able to breast feed hasn't been as stressful this time around and I cut myself a little more slack and give myself understanding when I need to supplement and give him some formula. I know that he's going to be happy either way and more importantly he's full and healthy and being fed. I look forward to when my kiddos can run and play together but Im trying to enjoy the moment more and enjoy little baby Graham while I can before he's a strong willed little boy who thinks he can do it all (*cough* strong willed like Lucy).
Given the choice again, I would choose to be induced all over again and I encourage you to do whats best for you too :)
No comments:
Post a Comment