Thanksgiving 2012 came and went. My sister, Jill, and I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while my dad and Dan grilled the turkey and my mom was being a domestic goddess in the kitchen. (I will note that my mother decided that a 19 pound turkey would be a perfect size to feed 6 people. Yah, she's crazy but she means well) My friend Stef came over to celebrate Thanksgiving meal with us. We all stuffed our faces and were so thankful to be together on such a momentous day and weekend. After our meal, we went to a local park and attempted to walk off our meal/possibly get labor started.
The day ended with football watching and a rousing game of Things. We all went to bed knowing that the next morning, Dan and I would be calling the hospital for an induction time so everyone was very excited. I knew I should have gotten more sleep than I did but I could not sleep well because the excitement and anticipation was overwhelming. At 5am, just like my doctor instructed, Dan and I called the hospital for our induction time but the nurses said, "I'm sorry, we're too busy right now. There is no room for you. Please check back in 2 more hours." My heart was slowly breaking because I felt let down. Our doctor who had us schedule an induction was fairly confident that when we scheduled it that we would be able to be in the hospital by 8am. Well that was over a week ago when she conjectured about this.
My family was calling and texting, asking when they should go to the hospital and what the plans were for the day. I let Dan tell them that we had to wait a few more hours to find things out. I tried to sleep for 2 more hours to not much avail. 2 hours later, I called back and received the same message, "No room for us. Try back again in 2 more hours." Dan was trying his best to keep my spirits up so he let me sleep in and dealt with the PR. 2 hours later, same story...no room, call back again. These nurses were getting to know me by name by now. My spirits kept getting lower and lower as the day went on.
My family came over for breakfast and we watched Duck Dynasty all day long while they feasted on Thanksgiving leftovers. Because I was supposed to be getting induced that day, I was instructed to not eat because they didn't want anything in your stomach once labor started (for your own good). So I also was grouchy from not eating anything but I couldn't have a snack because I didn't know what time I was going to go in to get induced. 2 hours later, same story. More sadness.
I made cookies with my mom. I wanted to be able to bring some to the nurses at the hospital when we get there, whenever that may be. (I wanted to make sure I was on the nurses' good sides...cookies always helps). Around 1pm I broke down and ate a granola bar with a glass of milk. I was dying! I also played Life on The Farm with my mom and sister and completely dominated! I won with way more cows than they both had combined. (I hate to lose)
2 hours later, another call, another let down of no room for us. I started crying at this point. We've waited so long to meet our little guy and we had the end in sight but just when we got close enough to it, it kept getting delayed. To say that I was disappointed was an understatement. I was devastated. I just wanted to meet our little guy so badly. I hated having to wait any longer to meet him. Every two hours we would go through the same routine, and the emotions just got more intense as the day drug on. I wanted so badly to report back to my family after the phone calls that we got our time to come in...but it didn't come.
Finally around 6pm (Duck Dynasty episode #8 for the day), I decided to eat a little snack, cookies, rolls, milk, and some green beans. It tasted so good because I hadn't eaten much that day. At 7pm, my phone rang. Everyone looked at me with anticipation and I ran into my bedroom to take the call. The hospital was calling and they said that there was finally room for us and we could come in anytime! I was in shock. I didn't know what to do. FINALLY we could go in to get things stated. I reported the amazing news back to my family and they all equally excited. My sisters' first nephew. My parents' first grandchild. Dan and my first child. Meeting this little one was now even closer than we thought! Cue the crazyness.
Dan and I ran around the house, quadruple checking our hospital bags, the baby's carseat, the baby's bag, packing our last minute items, making sure we brought snacks for Dan, wrapping up the cookies for the nurses, and of course, calling Dan's parents about the news. Within 15 minutes, everything was in the car and Dan and I were on our way to the hospital. A 10 minute drive later, we arrived at the hospital. I thought to myself, next time I come to our car, we'll have our baby, ready to bring him home.
This picture does not come close to showing how excited Dan and I are to have finally gotten the call to come to the hospital. Our bags were in the car and we were ready to go "pick up" our baby.
We checked in (gave the nurses the cookies), got our room, and met our nurses that would be taking care of us for the next few days. I changed into my gorgeous butt-less gown, got an IV put in that would stay there until we left (ugh!), got my stats taken, and then met my doctor who would be delivering our baby. He informed us of all of our induction options and then said that since I was still just 2cm and 50% effaced that he would recommend that we start our induction with a Prostaglandin insert to ripen the cervix. I was given the Prostaglandin at 10pm and it needed to be in for 12 hours. After that, the doctor would check me and then move forward with the next part of our induction (if needed). He told me that this way, I could get some sleep at night before we had our baby the next day (hopefully). Well sleep was relative term because I had nurses checking on me every 2 hours. I know they meant well and were just doing their jobs, but gosh, I wanted uninterrupted sleep.
I was able to sleep for a bit though but around 3:30 am I started feeling contractions. I knew they were contractions because they were definitely different from everything I felt during pregnancy. These contractions confirmed that I definitely did not have any Braxton Hicks contractions during my entire pregnancy. This feeling was definitely a new experience for me. Around 4am my contractions were getting fairly regular around 2 minutes apart. They weren't particularly intense but they were definitely contractions. O and this is about the time that I regretted eating a snack. I threw up at least 3 times during my labor and it did not feel good especially when I was having contractions at the same time. UGH!
I was able to sleep until 10am when Dr. Smith (o that was his name btw) came back to check on me and my progress and remove the Prostaglandin insert. Dr. Smith was happy to report that I was 100% effaced and now 3cm. Because I was having natural, regular contractions, he did not want to continue with the "induction" with Pitocin like he would usually recommend. He said that things were happening and progressing naturally so I was I on my way to having a baby! I continued to have regular, increasingly more painful contractions. After some begging, the doctor and nurses let me take a warm shower and mini bath so long as they covered my IV in plastic wrap. I looked ridiculous. This was the point in which my mom came to the hospital and she helped me take my shower and bath. She and Dan didn't leave my side for the rest of the day.
One of the many machines I was hooked up to. This one monitored my contractions.
After my shower and some more super painful contractions, my doctor came in to evaluate me. It was noon and I was now 5cm dilated. The doctor said if I wanted an epidural for pain management that it was now the time to decide. I told him I wanted to wait until that point of no return to decide whether or not I would like pain management options. It was now that time. I decided that I wanted the epidural because my contractions were getting more painful than I thought I could handle. Mom and Dan were doing their best to help me through each one. In order to get the epidural, I had to be given a couple bags of fluid so that the anesthesiologist could administer it to me. At 12:30, I was given the epidural by a doctor named Julie. (too weird! The doctor delivering my baby was named Dr. Smith and my anesthesiologist was named Julie. And my mom was in the room with me and she was formally Julie Smith). Dr. Smith said I could expect to dilate about 1cm per hour afterwards but not to get my hopes up because it would probably take a little longer than that. My doctor also broke my water right then because he said it would help the contractions come at a good rate. Breaking my water also meant that we would have to have the baby within 24 hours. That made me so happy because I now knew that within that time, I would get to hold me little guy! There was no turning back!
The epidural was wonderful. I was able to get a little nap in while my body was having major contractions. This was such a relief. I even gchatted Dan's sister-in-law and Dan's brother right after I got my epidural. My whole family was now in the waiting room along with Dan's parents. They were able to come and visit me (I was much more pleasant to be around once I had the epidural) while we all waited. Apparently they all started a pool on when I would actually deliver. (I believe Dan won that btw....Dan's mom won the official baby pool though)
I took a nap and I woke up from my nap around 1:45. A nurse checked me and I told her that I was starting to feel some intense pain down near my cervix. She took a look at me and said surprisingly, "It looks like you're completely dilated and you're ready to start pushing." WHAT?!? I was in shock! Just about an hour ago, they told me I was only 5cm and to expect at least 5 more hours of contractions before the "pushing" moment. Holy Jeez! The doctor came in and took a look and confirmed what the nurse just said, that I was ready to start pushing and that's why I was feeling pain despite the epidural. It took me less than 1 1/2 hours to go from 5cm to 10cm! Despite the nurses upping my epidural, it wasn't able to keep up with the briskness and intensity of my contractions/pain.
At 2pm I started pushing and I felt everything. My mom and Dan helped me through every push. (I will admit that my mom did a better job at putting chapstick on my lips at my request than Dan did) Dan was a champ through everything. I was so happy that I had both my mom and Dan there because I don't think I could have gotten through it without both of them. Pushing was EXTREMELY painful. Pushing a head out of your cervix felt like taking a massive poop at first then it just got painful on a whole other level, like nothing I've ever experienced before. I continued to push until around 3:45 when the doctor informed me he either had to do an episiotomy or risk tearing (I also asked him to inform me if and when that decision needed to be made beforehand because I didn't want to do something like that before we really needed to). He did the episiotomy and within 1 minute, Jacob was born!
Jacob Daniel Koch was born at 3:46pm. He was 21 inches long and 8 pounds even. He got an 8 and 9 on his apgar and we were able to start nursing right away. The doctor fixed me up while my mom went to spread the news to our anxiously awaiting families. They didn't even know I had started pushing. They all thought I would be in labor until at least 5pm. They all rejoiced at the news and couldn't wait to see little baby Jacob. (No one correctly guessed the name. Our secret was a success!) I was also finally allowed to start eating food (the hospital food was not the best, but I didn't care) so I was much happier.
Jacob getting measured. The nurses kept repeating, "He's so long! How did he fit in there?"
I was extremely whoosy after delivery...it was a combination of not being allowed to eat, drink, and losing a lot of blood during delivery. Because of this, the doctors and nurses kept us on the labor and delivery floor for a while longer before moving us up to the Postpartum room. Our families came in to our room shortly after I got fixed up and got to meet Jacob. It was so wonderful to get to see everyone hold him and gush over our perfect little man. Shortly after, Dan changed his first ever poopy diaper! It was pretty comical.
All cleaned up. This is after Daddy Dan changed his first diaper!
Bring on the family visitors!
Grandma Mary couldn't wait to hold Baby Jacob! Let the ooo'ing and awww'ing begin.
Auntie Jill with Jacob
Auntie Jenny and Jacob
Newly deputized Grandpa and Grandma Koch with their first grandchild!
Grandma and Grandpa Jones with their favorite (and first) grandbaby. (It's the first boy in the Jones family and Grandpa Jimbo couldn't be more excited about that)
Once in our Postpartum room, Dan and I got to relax and snuggle with our beautiful baby boy (minus the nurses coming to check on Jacob and me ever couple hours). Dan's brother and a few close friends even came to visit us and meet Jacob. Finally on Monday, we got clearance for discharge and right around noon, Jacob, Daniel, and I made our way home.
Grandma Julie decorated our home for Jacob's arrival. We were so happy to have such a wonderful, healthy, and happy baby boy to bring home.
Welcome home!
My mom stayed with us for a few more days (she even made those curtains for the baby's room I've ben trying to get together. She's a crafty one. She said she wants to get started on Jacob's Halloween costume for next year. I'll make sure to have a posting on how to make curtains). Dan's brother and sister-in-law stayed with us on Friday and Saturday. Dan's mom came on Sunday and stayed with us until Wednesday. It was wonderful to have such amazing family come and stay with us during Jacob's first few weeks especially because they helped us figure out this whole "We have a baby. Now what?" thing. We're so blessed to have them.
Finally home and here is Jacob (and his ridiculously awesome hair) after his first bath
Now begins all the exhaustion, funny stories, baby firsts, and lots and lots of diapers.
I'll try my best to keep posting stories of Jacob and how Daniel and I are doing with our little guy. Jacob's been keeping me busy (he has to get fed every 2-3 hours even during the night) so I've been a little behind on posting so far. I hope you've been enjoying Dan and my journey during my pregnancy but our real journey is just starting.
We love our little guy and can't wait to share him with the world. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and all your love for our little family. We appreciate it all!
And here is a brief update for tradition's sake:
How far along? 41 Weeks and 2 days upon induction
Total weight gain/loss: Enough
Maternity clothes? Yepp! Now I need to get nursing shirts. My maternity bras have come in soooo handy though.
Stretch marks? I survived pregnancy without a single stretch mark! I hope my others (future) will be this nice to my body.
Sleep: Lots of sleepless nights because Dan and I were so anxious about meeting our little one. Now our sleep cycles are interrupted by Jacob's feedings. No more plastic sheets though!
Best moment this week: Holding my perfect, beautiful baby boy. Best moment of my life.
Miss Anything? Nope...I was ready to trade in my belly for a baby!
Movement: Jacob was active up until the end. He was practicing his booty shaking until his eviction day.
Food cravings: After a delicious Thanksgiving meal, I wasn't allowed to eat anything. So basically I'm just craving any and all food. During my contractions I was trying to bargain with my doctor to let me eat a bowl of chocolate ice cream and a glass of milk. I made sure those two things were part of my first meal afterwards.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Those snacks I ate on Friday definitely came up during labor. Woof!
Have you started to show yet: The nurses were trying to prepare me that I would have a small baby because I wasn't that big but Jacob proved them wrong....all 8 pounds of him!
Gender: The ultrasound proved accurate. He was a beautiful baby boy!
Labor Signs: Everyone was telling me that you'll know a contraction when you feel one. I guess they were right. I could definitely differentiate between my normal aches, pains, and cramps and the actual contractions I was feeling when labor began. The doctor broke my water for me so I never had that experience of my water accidentally breaking in Target like I feared it would. When he broke my water, it definitely felt like I peed myself on the table. Super weird! I was so glad that my contractions started naturally and that I didn't need the full "induction". Apparently my body just needed a kick start and once the Prostaglandin helped ripen my cervix, I was ready to go.
Symptoms: Feeling different kinds of pain now instead of the uncomfortableness that plagued the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Belly Button in or out? My belly button never came close to being an outie. It will forever be an innie.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I was a mess going into our induction mainly because of the ups and downs that happened every time we called the hospital to get an induction time. When we finally got to the hospital, I was just so happy that we were so close to holding our baby boy. Once we finally got to see and hold our son, I was the happiest I had ever been in my life.
Looking forward to: The rest of our life together. Jacob is amazing and I can't wait for more memories to make with him. I love my son!
Anything Else?: I'm a mommy now!
