The Birth of Jameson Edward

Late Sunday morning, 8/21/2011, I was having contractions I could tell were real, but they were far enough apart. They didn't really hurt but I could tell that they were at least wavelike with a peak in the middle. I figured that they would lead to "the big deal" later in the day. By the afternoon, they were coming closer together (6-8 minutes apart). I was still able to get through them without people around me knowing I was having contractions (I was at my grandparents' house). I decided to go home around 4:30. At this point, contractions were 5 minutes apart. Things began to pick up shortly thereafter. I finished up some last minute things around the house (like laundry). I noticed that I was urinating quite often and I figured the baby was getting lower in the pelvis. Around 5:45 or so, I had bloody show. I knew then for sure that my baby was coming because I had bloody show the last two times only when I was in active labor. I called my mom over because my kids were driving me up the walls and my house was a mess, and Rob was gone with his brother, and I just needed someone there. She came over and swept the floors, did the dishes, made supper for the kids, and folded my laundry. I didn't ask her to do any of this, but that's just how she is and she said she didn't want me coming home from the hospital to a mess. She was just so excited to know that her newest grandbaby was on the way. During contractions, I went into the bathroom and sat on the toilet. It was what worked for me in the past, and it helped this time around too. Plus then I could lock the door so I could breathe through the contractions distraction (kid) - free.

Around 8:00, I sent my mom home with the plan that she would pick me up when it was time to go to the hospital. My mother-in-law also came over to stay with the kids. It was shortly after 9:00 when contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and my mom took me to the hospital. At this point I was still breathing through them and didn't feel the need yet to "ah" through them. I got checked around 10:00 p.m. and was 4 cm, 90% effaced, and 0 station. I was glad I was at the hospital because last time, I went from a 3/4 to an 8 in just 2 hours. I really thought that birth tub sounded enticing!

I got into the tub just before 11:00 p.m. Ah, instant nirvana. Amazing. Contractions continued to come every 3-4 minutes and I "aaahed" through them, as I did last time. The reason why this works so much better is because then I am slowing down my breathing. The tendancy when blowing through a contraction, at least for me, is to take more breaths. I kept my voice low to allow myself ultimate relaxation. The midwife on-call was not my regular midwife but she was very nice. She kept the lights low in the tub room and basically just let me be. My mom served as my "doula", telling me "good job" when I got through a contraction, and feeding me ice chips. I got out of the tub around 12:30 a.m. and had to use the bathroom. Prior to, I felt the shaking that I knew meant I must be in transition. After using the bathroom, I had the midwife check me and I was at 8 c.m .Yes! Transition! Home stretch, baby! I knew within 2 hours I would know the gender of my baby and have him or her in my arms finally. The nurse used the handheld doppler a few times thoroughout the labor, but that was my only "monitoring". The heartbeat sounded great and she told me the baby was definitely moving lower as things progressed.

Within a half hour, contractions started lasting 2 minutes, then three. When they were consistently lasting 3 minutes and I could feel a little more pressure, the midwife stayed close, but still continued to allow me to do things on my own and get through the contractions. Loose jaw, loose bottom was my mantra. I was using cold, wet washcloths to rub my face down because I started getting a little warm, and it helped to distract from the pain. Just before 2:00 a.m., she checked me and I had just a lip of cervix left. The bag of waters was still in tact. I was all "game on: let's go" so I had her break my water. After an intense contraction, I felt it. The urge to push. The baby pushed lower and I could feel that pressure in my bottom as my eyes watered. I heard the midwife tell me to push whenever I wanted to. She told me blow out in short spurts so that I could prevent tearing ("who-who-who"), so I did this and started pushing at 2:10 a.m. I felt the warmth and pressure as the baby crowned. Crowning! I was doing this! There was no turning back! "Push, push", I could hear them say. "The head is out!", I heard next, and then, "push again -- get those shoulders out!" I knew I had to just do this one more thing and my baby would be here. "Reach down and grab your baby!"

2:12 a.m.: My baby was out! Oh my God -- my baby was out. My hands grabbed the slippery, warm body and I pulled the baby close. "What do we have?" "I moved the cord out of the way and announced, "It's a boy!" My son. Jameson. He was here. Nothing else mattered in that moment and time seemed to stand still for a few seconds as I gazed at him and took him in. I held him close to my body and he cried out for a moment, but for the most part, he was just content in the water and close to his mama.

Another amazing waterbirth. The moments after labor are almost surreal.
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Jameson Edward: 6 lbs, 13 oz. and 20 inches long., 8/22/2011

Please welcome . . .

Jameson Edward! He was born at 2:12 a.m. 8/22/11 via waterbirth. 6 lbs, 13 oz. and 20 inches long. I am working on the birth story now.

The final countdown!

I am one of those people who always needs something to look forward to. I keeps me going, so to speak, and prevents depression. There is always something exciting coming up that I can think about. Obviously, right now it's this watermelon I have growing in my belly. I'm down to 11 days until my due date. The not knowing makes me impatient -- will I go early, on time, or late? Really, in pregnancy, 40 weeks is just an estimate. Even if a woman goes to 42 weeks, she's really not "late". 40 is just the average. But I find myself wondering if every little contraction is going to be a big contraction, even though I know this information. I am just so excited to go through labor again and meet my little one, and find out of it's a little miss or mister. I am not "hoping" for either gender (I get asked that a lot). I only care about a healthy baby. So wish me luck as I get through the last week-and-a-half (or more) of this final pregnancy!

Also, there is a lot going on right now. Andrew turns 4 one week from today (I have his presents all picked out but they're not wrapped yet), I am working on night weaning Elise (not going so well), and pre-school for Andrew starts September 6th (at least I have most of his school supplies purchased). All of this on top of working full-time keeps me busy and distracted.

38 weeks today!

Likewise, I had my appointment this morning. There is really nothing to report. My blood pressure is nice and low (well, normal low). I haven't gained too much weight; in fact, I think I'm below where I was with Elise. The baby sounded great and my midwife felt my abdomen and said she thinks he/she is around 6 lbs. now (makes sense -- both of my other kids were 6 pounders). She did not check me, but I am okay with that because it's not like it tells you when you will go into labor anyway. My fundal height was 37 cm. She remarked that I look amazing! It's nice to hear that, because I certainly don't feel like I look amazing.

SAY, if you're interested, I have added a baby pool (guess the date, gender, and weight) to my sidebar. It's all for fun -- no prizes here -- I'm about to go into a 3 month, unpaid maternity leave here. It's easy to put your guess in and you don't have to register to play the game.

I will try and update the blog when I go -- I think my hospital has wi-fi, but I'm really not sure. For those of you who are Facebook friends with me, I think someone will be posting updates there. I can't wait to find out what I'm having! So exciting.

I also want to share these lovely pics I took of my offspring yesterday.

Long time no post!

Summer has been busy for me. You know how summer is just "go-go-go"? And it seems like you never have time to just relax? That is how mine has been. If I'm not busy at work (and I am, with some new duties they gave me), I'm busy with the kids. We are always out enjoying the weather, going for walks, going to the park, or going swimming. Anyway, I'm 37 weeks today! Officially full-term. It makes me happy to know that if my baby decided to come now, he/she would have lungs strong enough to breathe on his/her own and would most likely need zero medical intervention. These weeks have been flying by. Next week I start my weekly appointments. At my last one, last week, the midwife said, "whoa" when she felt how low the head was. I was also measuring at 34/35 cm at 36 weeks, so I'm betting on another small baby. That is fine with me! I am just so anxious to know: boy or girl. Yet the suspense has been amazing and I'm glad we didn't find out.

I also wanted to share something we did on a forum of mine. It's where you interview your child. I did this with Andrew. Enjoy!

Andrew's All About Me Interview
August 7th, 2011, almost 4

What is your name? Uh, Andrew [last name]

When is your birthday? Uh, in August. August what? (I said): August birthday, and Mike's (that's my brother, and he is correct).

How old are you? Uh, I don't know.

Where do you live? Where do I live? At home.

Who is your mommy? Sarah

What does your mommy do? My mommy do? She goes to work and she gets my "bitamins" all the time. Mom can you give me my bitamins now?

Who is your daddy? I don't know.

What does your daddy do? My daddy do? He bikes with me and Squeaker.

What is your favorite color? My favorite color? My favorite color car? My Lamborgini and my soccer ball van... they're my favorites.

What do you want to be when you grow up? What do I want to be when I grow up? I talk.

What is your favorite food? My favorite food? Salad.

What food do you not like? Uh, stinky cheese. I don't like that. (He's referring to swiss.)

What is your favorite animal? I don't know. I do like squirrels, but they go in their homes.

Where do you want to live when you grow up? When I grow up? I don't know.

What do mommy and daddy do after you go to bed? After I go to bed? Brush my teeth.

What does daddy say? To brush my teeth!

What does mommy say? What does Mommy say? I don't know what Mommy says.

What is your favorite song? Shake, shake it... and shake shake

What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie? Um, bumblebees.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Um, the black ice cream. Vanilla ice cream.

Where is your favorite place to eat? My favorite place to eat? At the restaurant! And get ice cream!

Who is your favorite person? Mom

Who is your best friend? Mom

What is your favorite book? I don't know...the strawberry book!

Do you have any brothers or sisters? Um, I have a sister named Squeaker and how old is she?

Where did your sister come from? The doctor!

What is your favorite thing to do? My favorite thing to do? I don't know.

Favorite cereal? Favorite cereal? Vanilla ice cream!

Favorite vegetable? My favorite begetable? Salad!

Favorite drink? My favorite drink of water?

Favorite toy? Rings.

Favorite TV Show? Electric Company

Favorite game? I don't know.

Favorite restaurant? The restaurant!!! (Probably referring to the only place we have really been as a family, our favorite local restaurant.)

Favorite holiday? I don't know.

If you could change your name, what would you choose? Choose? Chips and ice cream and...

What do you love about each person in our family? Mom. M-O-M. Dad: nothing (). Squeaker: I hug her. Mom, can you get my orange pickup truck?

Where would you like to go on vacation? On vacation? I don't know.

What are some things you wish for? I wish? I don't know.

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Elise is doing great. She's 17 months now and is learning more and more words and can drink from a regular cup (she never caught onto the sippy thing). She is still nursing a few times a day and I'm working on night weaning, but that's been put off so long now I don't know if it'll happen.