Weston's Birth Story

Yes, I know what you're thinking. It's been almost 6 months since his birth, and I'm JUST now sharing his birth story. But it's taken me this long to figure out what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. Plus these post-pregnancy hormones have made me cry every other time I've thought about it. So here it goes!

My due date was December 30, right between Christmas and New Year's. (Poor little guy!) Anyways, around 36 weeks, my doctor thought he was a little small and I was measuring small for how far along I was. He said it was most likely that he was just tiny like I am (I weighed 115 when I delivered), but it could also be low amniotic fluid! They did an ultrasound, and everything turned out just fine! He was just small.

Fast forward to December 24, Christmas Eve. I had my weekly check-up. They checked my blood pressure, weighed me, measured him, and then checked me. Dr. J told me I was already 2 cm and he was head-down and very low. She stripped my membranes (a natural induction method) and told me that I'd have a baby before my due date on Sunday. That night we went and saw Christmas lights around town then did Christmas presents at my parents house.

My Granny Florrie & I on Christmas Day.

On Christmas Day, we had Christmas lunch at my Granny Florrie's house. The day was like any other day, just a little bit of pressure because his head was so low, but no pain whatsoever. That night Josh and I went and got dinner at the only 2 places open in town (Sonic for me and Chinese for him). Josh went to bed early because of going to work in the morning and I slept on the couch so I wouldn't disturb him by getting up so much. Well around 12:30 am on December 26, I started feeling contractions, but they were light. I just laid there thinking that they may go away, but they didn't. I got up to use the bathroom and my water broke. Then the contractions really kicked in. I went in to get Josh and he must have sensed something because as soon as I opened the door, he goes, "IS IT TIME?" Yes, dear it's time. He ran around getting our bags and calling my mom to come ride with us.

As Josh is running around like a chicken with his head cut-off, I'm breathing through the pain of each contraction and trying to brush my teeth and put deodorant. Josh looked at me like I was crazy when I was trying to brush my teeth. Guess he thought Weston was going to come in the car. (haha).

We get in the car and drive the 30 minutes to the hospital. We arrived at the L&D floor and they took me to an observance room to see if I was TRULY in labor. When I told the nurse that my water had broke at home, she immediately took me to a L&D room and started the process.

The process included:

- checking to see how far along I was (4cm)

- checking my blood pressure which was 167/107 (they thought I had preeclampsia)

- getting my IV started which took them 3 different times

- giving me fluids so I could get my epidural

- asking me what seemed like 4,000 questions about my pregnancy and etc.

- filling out & signing all the paper work

- hooking me up to the monitor's to check on Weston

After about 2 hours of doing all of the above, I was able to get my epidural. My anesthesiologist, Steven, was AWESOME!! I was scared to death of getting an epidural, but knew I wanted one. I had heard all these horror stories about them, but I'm a wimp when it comes to a bunch of pain. But I couldn't even tell he when he had started and when he had finished except when he told me!

After my epidural...just waiting!

 We finally got all settled in the room and then family started to arrive. My dad, Josh's parents and his 2 sisters came over and joined us. I was feeling great, no pain whatsoever. We all talked and laughed and had a great time. Around 10:00, Josh and his family went to the cafeteria to get breakfast. Shortly there after, Dr. Pulsfus came in to check me. He said I was 8-9 and that Josh better hurry up and get there. Luckily, he walked in shortly after and it was show time.

After pushing for about 30 minutes, our little guy arrived at 11:19am on December 26, 2012. He weighed 6lbs, 10 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. He was perfect in every way. He had 10 little fingers and 10 little toes, a head full of hair and the cutest little face ever!

His first photo. Taking him to the nursery.

  They took him to the nursery to check him over, give him his HEP B and Vitamin K and to do all the other necessary things. When they brought him back, the nurse told me that his pediatrician would be in to see us which scared me. Our pediatrician came in and told us that Weston was jaundice (yellow) because he had what was called Coombs positive meaning his blood type is different than mine and that my red blood cells & antibody's were fighting his. Weston's Coombs positive was bad, but not bad enough to need blood transfusions (thank you Lord!). Also, his jaundice wasn't bad enough to need medical intervention.

When we left the hospital, Weston was still jaundice so we had to keep him in the sun for a bit during the day and if it got worse to call our pediatrician. Thankfully, it went away on its own.

Me on the other hand, had problems with my blood pressure the entire time I was in the hospital. It was even elevated when I went for my 6-week post check up. I was also having headaches so they were taking my BP every 4 hours even during the night, so sleep was a no-go while in the hospital. But I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Our 1st Family Photo

I am so blessed to have had an easy and safe labor and delivery! I had awesome nurses and my doctor was just as great! I'm also blessed with such a supportive husband & mom. Even though Josh didn't watch any of the delivery, he held my hand and talked me through everything.