Happy New Week Everyone!

Today's beautiful baby bump picture comes from bff Megan

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Today's friend of the show is Author Laurie Puhn and her book

Fight Less Love More

Author Laurie on the left and Kelli of BSOD on the right

http://www.lauriepuhn.com/

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 Today's featured birth story is a "Partner Problem" and "Unbelievable" story.  I'm very close to this woman and I can tell you it actually happened.

           I knew my husband was having an affair.  His new girlfriend and I looked enough alike that when friends saw them out, they assumed it was me.  I'd then find out about "our" dates in casual conversation.  Even though I knew of his infidelity, I didn't think it was serious.  I thought it would pass and we would be a normal family.

          I began to have labor pains in the morning.  My husband had to be at work by noon, so we went to the hospital early to see if I was ready to have the baby.  I was checked into the labor room.  I was pleased to see that my best friend's mother was working and would be my nurse.  My husband was getting ready to leave so he wouldn't be late for his shift when I asked him if he would please stay.  He said no, he didn't want to, and it didn't matter anyway because he had found someone else.  He then went on to say that when I came home from the hospital, he would be gone.  With that, he left me alone in the hospital.

          I just worshiped my husband, so I was really crushed!  Naturally, the whole delivery was emotional for me.  I was also on edge because I didn't know if he would come back or not.  My nurse was upset because we were so close.  I could see the shocked look on her face, then the fury, but she never said a word.  Sometime later my mother came by the hospital on her way to work to check on me.  I didn't tell her what my husband had done.  She only stayed briefly.  By the time she sat down at her desk at work, I had called her to tell her she had a new grandson.

          After the delivery, I was put into a new room and settled into my bed.  Frequently I would see people peek in the door at me.  I figured that they had all heard the story and wanted to see the woman whose husband had left her in the labor room.  That was a hard time.  I felt like a freak.

          My husband did come up to the hospital to see the baby.  I thought after he saw the baby that he might decide to stay with us to become a family.  He didn't.

          My son and I did great.  I eventually remarried and had other children.  My husband married the woman he left me for.  The ultimate irony was finding out that they had to adopt a baby because they were never able to have children of their own.

Terrific Tuesday on BSOD ★

♥Ashley♥

 

My cousin Melanie and her website

Mudder Hen Designs

http://www.mudderhendesigns.com/index.html

I love her bags! She makes diaper bags, totes, handbags, just about anything.

A Mom Shares The Birth Story of Her Son After 23 Weeks of Bed Rest

 This birth story was used by permission from:

The good the bad the family

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 20, 2010

Delivery Day!

After a looooong and suspenseful pregnancy, our sweet baby boy was safely delivered September 7th at 11:01pm! And boy was he ready! Our sweet baby boy arrived at a hearty weight of 9lbs 14oz and stretched out at an amazing 22" long! I guess I am just TOO good at bed rest!

I was scheduled to be induced at 39 weeks and 3 days on Tuesday the 7th. My contractions started on their own the Friday before. They were strong and pretty regular. I almost went in for a labor check by Sunday night but decided to wait and see if my water broke. I mean, it was only a few days until induction. And with my last pregnancy I had the same contractions 3 minutes apart from December 26th until January 3rd when our now 3yr old was born. I went into the hospital 3 times with our 2nd and all 3 times they confirmed I was in labor and sent me home since my water hadn't broken. Therefore when the contractions started this time we decided to wait it out.

The night before I was induced I took a sleeping pill (standard issue by my OB to ensure that mommy & baby are ready for the big day) and hit the sheets. We had to be up at 5:30 to get ready for our 7:30am check in time. But at 4:00am I was awakened by extremely strong back labor. By 4:30am it was time for my hubby to wake up and rub my back! No sleep for mom- no sleep for hubby! But even that didn't help. Induction or not, this baby was coming today! So we got up and started getting ready. We dropped off kids at school & daycare and headed to the hospital.

We checked into St. Francis at 7:30am and got settled in. Our friends arrived and once school was out the children also arrived. In all there were a total of 10 people who joined my husband and I at the hospital just waiting for this baby to make his appearance! Six of those were children ages 1yr to 14yrs and they did an amazing job waiting!

We have an amazing hospital and that extends to the two amazing L&D nurses that joined us that day for our delivery. Yvonne & Evelyn were just amazing and I think we were just as much of a gift to them as they were to us! As I am not a screamer or yeller when I am in labor, we were all able to enjoy the day. We joked, laughed and even watched "Swamp People" while I was pushing! The nurses had a fun day and so did we! The nurses took such amazing care of me while I was in labor and even took care of all of our visitors. At one point one of them delivered Popsicles and Graham crackers to all of the children waiting so patiently in the waiting room!

When it came time to push our 14yr old decided to stay in the room for the delivery which I was so excited about! He was there for the birth of our other boy so it felt complete to me to have them there again. And while I was on bed rest I spent a lot of time prepping our 3yr old for what would take place during delivery as it was my hope that he would also be in the room. We talked about how the baby comes out and even discussed C-sections in case that happened. While he wasn't in the room at the moment that the baby arrived, he did spend a good amount of time in the room while I was pushing. And while my 14yr old chose to stay safely at the headboard of my bed to avoid further mental scarring, our 3yr old bravely chose to be at the business end so he could see what was taking place! At one point I was mid push and I heard my 3yr old say, "I gotta get out of here". I lost it and we all started laughing!

So after an hour of pushing our baby's head emerged! Whew! Hard part's over- right? Nope. Someone has daddy's shoulders. One of his shoulders got stuck and the doctor had to twist and pull and prod to get him free. Finally I looked down and saw this massive hand sticking up. Our baby was here- and he was BIG! When they placed him on my chest I was in a bit of shock. I was amazingly relieved. But I later told my husband that it was like we were on that show "I didn't know I was pregnant"! We spent so many months keeping mental distance from this day just in case it turned out badly. So to be at this moment... to have him in my arms... so see him healthy and big and strong... I can't even explain it. It was surreal. But I couldn't exhale just yet. My husband and I had dreaded a part of delivery. We were scared that when it was time to deliver the placenta, the very thing that was the source of all of our issues, that I would hemorrhage again. So I couldn't totally relax until I knew it was out. Usually new mom's miss that whole part of the delivery because they are so infatuated with their new baby. But I was waiting. And when I felt it pass I asked the doctor if it was out and if I was okay. He confirmed both. At that point I relaxed. Were we really done? Was it really time to be happy?

It's been almost 2 weeks since he arrived and I can't stop looking at him, kissing him, telling him I love him, and thanking God that he is here! He truly is a surprise we never knew we needed! My family is complete. I have 3 healthy boys, an amazing husband and I have made it out healthy and able to enjoy them all.

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****Read more of this mom's remarkable journey through months of bedrest and fear for her unborn baby.  Amazing woman!****

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I wanted to provide everyone with a glimpse into what propmpted me to start this blog.  I had a trip to the ER at 13 weeks and was on bed rest for the next 23 weeks.  That’s almost 6 full months on bed rest.  That’s a lot of stress, worry, adjustment, and ups and downs.  I can look back now and say I’m grateful for it and all it taught me.  But for a while it was a very low period in our lives.  Here are a few of the blogs I wrote during that time.

“That Day” This is the story of the day it all began. 

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/08/that-day.html

“A Princess Locked In A Tower” A cute take on what it’s like to be on bed rest.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/princess-locked-in-tower.html

“In Sickness & Health” Appriciating how my husband stepped up and lived his vows while I was on bed rest.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/in-sickness-health.html

“Bed Wreck” On bad days I called it Bed Wreck- not bed rest!  Here’s one of those days!

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/bed-wreck.html

“Secret Baby” Going on bed rest so early I felt like I was having a secret baby that no one knew about.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/05/secret-baby.html

“Coming Back From The Other Side”  This blog deals with the emotional rolloer coaster of what happens when you lose your job while on be drest.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/coming-back-from-other-side.html

“Holy Cow!  We’re Having A Baby!” For bed rest moms there is a wall we put up in case the pregnancy doesn’t end well.  This blog is about getting close to the end and realizing that a baby is happening.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/07/holy-cow-were-having-baby.html

“Excitement!  A First In Months!”  Another blog about coming to terms with the possibility of a healthy baby.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/07/excitement-first-in-months.html

“A Place We Never Thought We’d Be”  About getting to the end and reflecting on the experience.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/08/place-we-never-thought-wed-be.html

“The Last Day”  My last day of being pregnant before being induced.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/09/last-day.html

“Delivery Day!” The story of how our family became 5.

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/2010/09/delivery-day.html

For more follow here:

The good the bad the family

http://thegoodthebadthefamily.blogspot.com/

and the bedrest blog:

http://embracebedrestblog.com/

Terrific Tuesday on BSOD ★

Today's belly picture of the day comes from BFF Heather!!  It's the perfect belly picture on the perfect day ☺

Today's friend of the show is BFF Susan

The Shower Diva! ☂

Check out her website!  Lots of fun and love there. ☂

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Featured Birth story of the day:

Today's story has a rare apgar of 10.  I thought it would be appropriate for today! Enjoy ♥

Years had passed since I had my first two children.  With my first two babies, I had had no ultrasounds and did not know the baby's gender prior to birth.  They didn't routinely do ultrasounds in those days.  You only got one if something was unusual.  In addition, the first two had been born in Air Force hospitals and before the advent of birthing suites.  You labored in an ugly green tile room and delivered in a delivery room and recovered in a recovery room.  You then went to a four-bed ward for the remainder of your stay.

          I must say I liked the modern changes.  We knew we were having a girl thanks to ultrasound.  I personally like knowing in advance, having done it both ways.  It helps me bond with the baby and the baby had a name before she arrived.  In addition her nursery was all done in eyelet and pink and she had a full "girly" wardrobe ready and waiting.

          I gave birth in a beautiful birthing suite, which beat the heck out of the ugly green tile and trips down hallways when you least felt like it!  Whitney was due January 27, which was my birthday and our wedding anniversary.  I thought this was special although I expected she would arrive late like her siblings did.

          I had had a tremendous amount of cervical discharge for a few weeks and figured that was a good sign.  At my OB appointment on January 23 the OB stated that he did not like my blood pressure.  That surprised me because I was feeling pretty good.  He asked if I felt the baby had been less active.  I said that, in fact, she was less active.  But I attributed that to being "almost due", which is not unusual.  He wanted to do a non-stress test.  So I was hooked up to the monitor we sat there doing the NST.  I flunked.  The OB said he was concerned about her activity level and my blood pressure and would prefer if I would agree to be induced.  He would break my water and hopefully labor would start.  I was 2cm dilated and things looked good for labor.

          I liked this!  No guessing if I was in labor.  I was going off to the hospital looking all fresh with my makeup on.  I'd get to arrange everything at home all neat and tidy so I was all for it.  I went back home, got my suitcase, ate lunch (they advised me to), got my mother to pick up the kids after school, hubby called in and got things arranged at work; and off we went!  At noon (on the dot) the doctor broke my water.  This was not painful at all.  Fortunately, my contractions began five minutes later.  I had an internal monitor which was also new to me.

          I decided that I had had enough of natural childbirth and wanted an epidural with this baby.  I was getting through labor fine and they said that when I was in active labor I would get the epidural.  My in-laws and my mother and the kids came by and visited with me and it was all very leisurely and pleasant.

          When I got into good labor, I asked for the epidural and when they checked me I was 6cm.  They got me the epidural right away.  Getting it was far more painful that I had imagined, mostly because of the position you have to get in while having it and trying to stay that way, while not moving, in good labor, is very difficult.  I didn't feel the epidural at all, just the contractions.  Ugh!  Then...voila!  NO pain!  How wonderful!  I couldn't believe it.  I loved it!       The family had left the room for the epidural and now all came back in to visit and chat.  The only odd thing that happened was that I started feeling very strange, kind of like I was "sinking" and "fading."  I knew something was not right and before I could even tell my husband and mom to go get a nurse they were flying into the room.  I didn't realize that the monitors on me had communicated everything to them at the nurse's station.  I got oxygen and medication and within a few minutes felt great.  Apparently it was just a drop in blood pressure that happens sometimes when you get an epidural.

          I did not know it but apparently they didn't like the feedback from the monitor on the baby and I had made no progress as far as dilating.  I felt great so I did not realize anything was odd.  My OB was hanging around this whole time, even standing outside my door.  At 9:30 he told me that he was going to give me twenty more minutes to make some progress or he felt we should go with a C-section.  Oddly enough, I was not worried about this.  I felt safe and felt that the staff was watching me and baby very carefully.  My OB told our eager families that they should go home for the night and that it might be awhile. They all moped out the door.

          So I was lying on my side (as they wanted me to do) figuring on a C-section, chatting with hubby when I suddenly felt like my contractions were returning.  I said "Rick, go get the nurse and tell her I need more pain meds."  Of course, she was already on her way down the hall.  She said, "Let me check you."  She laughed and said, "You don't need any more pain medication.  You are ready to deliver."  I had gone from 6cm to 10cm in less than 30 minutes.

          The doctor was already there, gowned up and everything was ready to go.  They prepped the room, got me in stirrups and had me start pushing.  It was slightly painful, I'll admit but just a few minutes of that and Whitney Rose was born at 10:04 p.m. with the cord around her neck, clutching her umbilical cord in the other hand.  The nurses and doctor all burst out laughing and held her up so I could see the cord clutched in her hand.  This is why they had trouble with her heartbeat! She was cutting herself off!

          This was one feisty little girl!  Full head of dark hair and absolutely beautiful.  She screamed and screamed and screamed.  She seemed like she was hopping mad and ready for a fight.  Her Apgar was a 10 and they told me they rarely give any baby a 10!  She weighed a healthy 8lbs. 13.5oz and was 21in long.

          Some people say if you know the baby's gender prior to birth that ruins the fun and surprise.  I worried that it might; but I can honestly say it didn't.  She was still a surprise from what she looked like to what type of personality she had.  She is the family clown, and I guess she was showing us what a mischief maker she could be when she was born with the cord clenched in her tiny fist.

It's Easter at Birth Stories on Demand!

A few cute things I found around the internet 

Happy Easter 

From photographer and bff http://www.jadelangtonevans.co.uk/
 

Bff Katheryn's daighter wishing us all a happy Easter!

Leeann's Little daughter!

Bff Kelly's daughter! She is holding an Easter egg! 

 

Bff Kaitlin's baby bump!

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90158678/baby-bunny-hat-newborn-photo-prop-set?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=boy+easter+bunny&start=88&num=10&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1763&bih=852&addh=36&tbm=isch&tbnid=ExymYczLgpf6IM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cassiesclosetinc.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp%3Fidproduct%3D2382%26idcategory%3D85&docid=5ifH9T1t-YDkPM&imgurl=http://www.cassiesclosetinc.com/productcart/pc/catalog/il_570xn.286117030_546_general.jpg&w=300&h=338&ei=kLhyT7XhB5C6iAey1NjkDw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=563&sig=113301564421954013875&sqi=2&page=3&tbnh=160&tbnw=152&ndsp=48&ved=1t:429,r:33,s:88&tx=88&ty=62

http://dndweaver.blogspot.com/2009/03/ashleys-easter-egg-belly.html

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94955047/newborn-infant-soft-and-fluffy-floppy?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

http://www.bellyartphotos.com/

Mark Jordan! 

Thumbs-upThursday is here at BSOD ❤

 

Heather

She is the model, photographer, and bff from the blog:

http://babyslime.livejournal.com/

http://www.suehallmd.com/home.html

Dr. Sue Hall author of:

For the Love of Babies: One Doctor's Stories About Life in the Neonatal ICU

Is a video!!

Used by permission from the Hypnobabies Blog:

http://www.Hypnobabiesblog.org

Awesome Hypnobabies Birth Video: Midwife doesn’t quite make it in time.

I love this birth video. Mom is so calm and confident despite the fact she is pushing before the midwife gets there.

Here is the background.

• 6th Baby
• Liz used Hypnobabies.
• Midwife Called around 1 AM
• This video was taken around 2 AM a few minutes before midwife arrives.