Welcome to the World Evelyn Mae Nussbaum! (Birth Story)

So as many of you know from previous posts Evelyn was a bit on the larger side for a newborn. The doctors gave me a heads up on a possibility of a cesarean. I had my mind set on a peaceful unmedicated birth so this was not good news to me. I feel like I got a lot out of my birth experience regardless of the outcome. So continue on for the full fledged deal.

Welcome to the World Baby Girl!

So it all began on July 9th. At 8am we went in to our 40 week u/s appointment to check her fluid levels to make sure everything was still looking adequate. She was measuring pretty large and they thought her to be about 9 1/2 lbs. So they were keeping a close eye on her. I had been having these painless contractions since that morning but didn't think anything of it since I had had them on an off for the last week and even a case of them a few weeks prior. They never turned into anything so I just shrugged them off.

We went out to a nice breakfast after the appointment. Ran around, did some errands and went home. When we got home I just got in some comfy clothes and tried to relax. I began timing the contractions because they were coming pretty close and they had never lasted this long before. So I timed them and they were about 3 min apart so it was definitely peaking my curiosity even though they were painless. I decided that we should go on a long walk just to see if we could make anything come of the contractions. So we took a 2 mile walk around our town and came home. Still had them but still really no pain. So we just got a pizza and relaxed for a little bit into the night.

By about 8pm that was when I thought there might be a little bit of pain/cramping to the contractions, I still wasn't sure though. We just laid on the couch watching TV a little longer and I noticed the pain a little more than before even though it still really wasn't bad. They weren't going away by laying down or drinking water so I knew this had to be the real thing. So since I planned a  unmedicated natural birth I called my doula told her I thought I was in labor and told her my times and decided yes that I was most likely in labor. She came over by 11pm and we labored in the comfort of our home for a while until about 2:30am when I was beginning to have to vocalize through the contractions. We then headed to the hospital.

Evelyn Mae

We got checked in and I was hooked up to fetal monitor because they needed a strip on her heart rate. Nurse checked me and I was actually already dilated to an 8cm, I was so relieved! I honestly thought I'd be only 3 cm dilated. Labor up to that point really wasn't that bad it was very manageable. Anyway nurse wasn't happy with the heart rate on baby said there wasn't enough fluctuation in the heart rate, that it was too flat. So they put me on continuous monitoring. Thank goodness they have a waterproof one so I could still use the tub.

I was about to have a contraction just before I hit the tub and it just disappeared it was amazing! Anyway, I labored in there for about 3hrs. I began feeling pressure so they moved me back to the bed and checked me. This is when the contraction were getting really bad. I was pretty much fully dilated with just a little lip left.

I ended up laboring a little longer in hands and knees position because the baby was still really high. They thought she might just be in a weird position. So I did for a bit but I started having urges to push. So they got me on my back and I began trying to push with my contractions. This was by far the worst part of my whole labor honestly. Felt like the contractions never let up even though the monitor was saying they were. By this time the doctor and the nurse were getting a bit frantic. Her heart rate was dropping way too low when I pushed and having a hard time coming back. It dropped down into the 50's it was really scary.



First time touching her.

They put me on oxygen and IV fluids which seemed to help. She started doing a lot better. I just kept having to be constantly reminded to breath deep and steady after each contraction. They then broke my water hoping it would help her descend it didn't. Then they come to find she has already had her first BM, which was why she was distressed. I pushed for two hours and she never made it past the -2 station... she was a stuck baby!

At that point I was so exhausted after laboring 10hrs and pushing for 2hrs. The pain was so intense it was the most pain I'd ever felt. The fact of the situation was all too clear, I had to have a C-section things were just not happening. So they brought me in for the C-section. They gave me a spinal and you do not know how good that felt after being in that much pain for that long! I imagine it's what it feels like when your baby finally pops out, except the massive numbing feeling!

They got me all prepped and started operating. Once they finally got to baby she was so far wedged in my pelvis they literally had to shove her back up to get her out. Those first cries were the best sounds I had ever heard. I instantly started crying. I watched them caring for her across the room while they patched me back up. They finally brought her over and I got touch her is was really a magical experience regardless of how it happened.

First Family Photo!

She was born on July 10 at 8:56am right on time (her due date!). She weighed 8lbs 5oz and 20.5 inches long! Her Apgar score was a 3 then a 9 thank goodness. She had swallowed a lot of meconium and they were trying to get it out of her before she inhaled it. I am not disappointed with the outcome at all as I know it was necessary and my daughter is doing so great she is amazing. Recovery will be a little different for me but it's really not bad. I am completely at peace with the way things worked out and so happy with my birth experience. I added some pictures for your viewing pleasure :)

 

 

 

Belly Music (20 Weeks)

I have been anticipating feeling a kick from outside the womb for some time. I have been feeling her strong kicks for some time now,  so you can imagine my anticipation. So I figured it was experimentation day. I have been reading a lot online about how music is good for babies development inside the womb and can sometimes even recognize songs once outside the womb. I went online today and downloaded some Mozart. I grabbed my big padded headphones hooked them to my ipod and placed them on my belly. To my amazement she reacted right away! It felt as if you were having a dance party in my belly she kept going and going! When Ernest got home from work I showed him and he got to feel her kick for the first time! I think that's when it really starts to feel real for the dads is when they can actually see and feel the baby moving. This was definitely one of the best days being pregnant so far!

 

It's a Girl!

She's Smiling!

 

We found out today that it's a girl! I knew it was, I just knew it! Mother intuition?? They didn't forget to record the ultrasound session this time either thank God! I would have cried lol. I did everything in my power to make sure it got recorded.

They started off like a tease. Are you to wanting to find out the sex of your baby today? Yes, of course we replied. She started off by looking at the brain and taking some measurements. Then she moved down to the stomach (full stomach :D) and measured the diaphragm. Then she measured the baby's arms.   

She then proceeded to take a look at the heart and the blood flow, then the umbilical cord and the blood flow in that. She finally got to the bladder ( full bladder too :P) and then watched the blood flow from the heart to the kidneys. Last but not least, she measured the legs.

After all of that time the anticipation had built up to maximum and our feet were literally bouncing in anticipation. She finally blurted out, Looks like you guys are having a girl! Although I had a strong feeling that she was a girl, a feeling of relief came over me and my heart was skipping beats, I was so excited.

We had her name already picked out for her. Evelyn Mae, we just both fell in love with the name but only recently found out it was my husband's great great grandmothers name so I guess she is named after someone after all haha! It was my grandmother's great aunt's name too, so it's an OLD name lol!

We announced the news immediately upon leaving the office. We called my dad first and he shared the news with everyone on his side of the family. I called my mom next, who also shared the news with everyone in her family. Both of them were so excited about the news of a baby girl. Hubby called his mom too but had to leave a message when she called back she was very excited about the news too!  

We had a big family dinner that night. It was awesome to be in everyone's company. We showed them all the video of the ultrasound after dinner. They were all in awe of how awesome the ultrasound technology is these days. They really liked the 4d part, especially when she broke into a smile, it was so precious. I can't wait to meet my little Evelyn Mae!

Week 18: So Excited!

          Yes I'm slacking and I know it lol! Not much has been going on the last few weeks. Work, work, work! I don't mind it too much. keeps my mind off of how many days are left till I meet my little one. Which is only 153 by the way! I am really excited this week because for the first time someone that I don't know has actually noticed that I am pregnant.

          I'm sure I am going to hate it later when everyone notices and are all trying to touch and feel and give me advice... but I'll just savor this moment. It means I am actually getting big enough that I look pregnant and not fat lol! He was an older gentleman, a customer and on his way out the door he said " Good luck with the new baby!" I was a bit shocked and uttered out a thanks. He looked like he needed reassurance just in case he might of just called me fat! Nevertheless I was ecstatic.

          I just ordered the crib, changing table and dresser yesterday. I am so excited about it. The set should be here tomorrow or the next day. It's a really cute set expresso colored and just about matches our bedroom set in color and style so the house can be in unison :) My mom is going to be making the bedding as soon as we find out if it is a boy or a girl. We can pick out the fabric and she can go to town on it lol.

          So everything is starting to come together a little bit. I am going to call the hospital next week to see about their birthing classes. I really can't wait to take it. As a first time mother I feel this is very important step to preparing for the baby's arrival. I want to be as prepared as possible. I also really want to tour the birthing center as well so that's all part of it. The birthing center looks very nice from what I've seen online and am actually excited to spend a couple of days there.

          Only 4 more days until I find out it is a boy or a girl. I really want to have a girl but a boy would be just fine too. My husband and I both think it is a girl but my dad is convinced it is a boy. He said the picture we have of the baby at 13 weeks looks like a boys profile lol. We will see though I am about to start a pool at work :P I don't know how I'm going to get through this weekend, I'm just so excited need to keep myself busy, busy, busy! I'll update you all Monday!

Week 14: Pregnancy Woes

          Well, I can no longer fit in my size 7 pants anymore.. tear. I got so irritated trying to find things that fit this week that I just went out and bought some maternity jeans and a few maternity tops. I am so glad hubby is understanding. Whenever I complain about the weight gain or the stretch marks. He just shrugs it off it's ok sweetie your pregnant. Like it's expected and I know it is but I can't help feeling so fat and ugly sometimes haha. I need to be a positive thinker. I am only getting bigger because the baby is and that is a good thing!

           I have done everything I can about the stretch marks but they just keep spreading and spreading. They started on my lower belly and now they are kind of just circling around my belly button. I have been putting on palmers stretch mark lotion every night and every morning since the beginning. It is purely genetics for me though. My mom had them so I suppose I will just have to deal with it. I can only pray that they will fade. Hubby says I am earning them, I don't feel so positive about it.

           I do have something to look forward to though. Just one month until we get to find out if it is a boy or a girl. Everyone thinks it's a girl. I am hoping for a girl but we will just have to see. I bought the cutest little girl onesie, I may have jinxed myself but that's okay I kept the receipt and the tags on. My mom thinks it is a girl because she never had morning sickness with any of her girls just my brother. Since I haven't either she thinks it's a girl. We will just have to wait and I suppose. I have heard every wives tale in the book about gender so far, some are just plain ridiculous.

          One of my good friends is going to be throwing me a baby shower and I can't wait. I get to help plan it and everything, glad I get to be included on that part should be a lot of fun. I think I will have it about a month before my due date, I think that is about the right time to have it. My sister whom I haven't seen in two years is going to come up and stay for a month. She is going to be doing my newborn photography as well. I can't wait to see her.

Week 13: Stubborn Bouncing Baby

~Our baby at 13 weeks!~

        This week started out just perfect! We went to our NT Scan this week to screen for any genetic abnormalities. It started off a bit rough and slow but in the end we got our results. Apparently we have quite a stubborn little one. Probably takes after me in that way, I wouldn't say it's a bad quality at all. I am very headstrong about things and I let people know it. I hope my little one is as independently thinking as I am. 

        Well the appointment started like all the others. Check the uterus, placenta, ovaries and bladder. Then came time to check out baby. It felt like forever though as she was moving back and forth looking at things, all I wanted to see was my little one! I kept trying to make things out for the longest time until bam there he/she was. The baby was so beautiful it looked perfect. There was so much more detail in this ultrasound than the last. It was just amazing to know how fast the baby actually grew in just 6 weeks. From a little 2cm gummy bear to 4in baby.   

        Well the technician was having a hard time getting the NT measurement. The baby was in a very strange position. She started poking my belly to get the baby to move. It was so funny. The baby would just not budge. She finally had me use the restroom to try to give the baby some extra room to move. When I came back she tried again but this time the baby had completely flipped over and was face down. After a little more poking the baby finally flipped back over into the right position. It was funny to watch the baby flip over it looked very irritated. Well that's my stubborn baby for you. 

        The rest of the ultrasound went very smooth. We got to watch the baby bouncing around in the womb for a while it was so precious. The baby's little legs kicking all about and arching its back floating around looked like it was having way too much fun. It just put a smile on my face for the rest of the day. The baby was measuring about a week ahead of schedule still and the computer actually computed my due date as being July 4th by the measurement. I wouldn't mind that at all.

        One disappointing thing did happen and I was really sad about it was that we had bought a DVD at the front counter so that the technician could record the entire ultrasound. Well the girl at the front counter forgot to stamp our paperwork. So the technician didn't know we bought one and did the whole ultrasound without recording it. I almost cried. We got some extra pictures of the baby for compensation and our money back but can't really replace the joy we would of had watching our baby bouncing in the womb years later. I guess that's life for you though.

Week 12: Here come the symptoms

          This week has been one of new experiences. Between getting over my cold, the new year and these new symptoms my week has been a full one. I am really excited about seeing my baby next week. Last time I saw it, it was just a little gummy bear at 8 weeks. This time we will really be able to see some detail. Best of all hubby is going to be able to make it so it is going to be an exciting experience.

          So far I would say I have been really lucky. I haven't had much in the symptom department throughout this pregnancy. No morning sickness or nausea or really anything for that matter I really feel like myself. Well this week was the week of change. Possible because I am creeping up on my second trimester I have no idea but the we all let loose this week
  

          First up this week is bloody nose. I know gross! I was in the shower this week and one just let loose. I am thankful I was in the shower and it did stop after about a minute. The weird thing about this though, is that I have never had a bloody nose before in my life. This was the first one I have ever experienced and I didn't like it. I am hoping I won't be frequently visited by these unwelcome visitors

          The second one symptom I had this week was heartburn... If you ladies have had it you know how uncomfortable it can be. I have never had any previous heartburn before this pregnancy. The sad thing is, is that it happened with pasta, I love pasta. It is going to be tough to cut back on that. I guess your body really does change a lot while you are pregnant whether you notice it or not.

          This week I can definitely tell when the baby moves. I get those flutters almost equivalent to butterflies but a little different kind of twitchy feeling haha. I have to really concentrate and be still to feel them but it is so amazing when you do. So I know I wasn't imagining last week. However, everything tells you that you shouldn't be able to feel the baby as a first time mom until about week 16. I guess I am just lucky? I'm sure other first time moms have felt them early too. I can't wait to feel an actual kick though.