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Walter’s Birth Story

One thing that I have learned is to never expect your delivery experience to
go a certain way. Each of my kids have entered this world so vastly different,
and it is probably one area of my life that I go in with zero expectations
except wanting a healthy baby.

A week ago I had posted our 38 week update, so here is the story of how
things changed over the next 48 hours.

On Saturday, I was having a couple contractions every hour. My back started
hurting. My anxiety started ramping up, so I called the OB on call line to talk
through where the threshold would be of when to come in. Through that
consultation, they advised me that we did not need to head to the hospital since
Walter was still moving enough in an hour’s time.

Sunday, it seemed that more symptoms started piling on: contractions more
regular, brutal headache, and some blurry vision. Walter had also severely
decreased his movement. He was normally fairly active after I eat, but he was
maybe kicking once every couple hours. I was supposed to document at least one
hour that had 10 movements. By the time that the Chiefs game ended that
evening, I was freaking out. I called the hospital again, and this time the
nurse recommended that I came in to at least get observed on the monitors.

So around 7:30 pm we packed up our hospital bags just in case and kissed the
kids goodnight. (My mom lives with us, so we are fortunate that we didn’t have
to wait for someone to come and be with them. It also meant that there was some
normalcy for them.) I wasn’t quite sure what to think. Would we would be coming
home or not? I even mentioned to Tom at least it is still fairly early in the
night if we do have to come back home.

Once we got to the hospital, I got all strapped up to the monitors, and we
heard the sweetest noise of Walter’s heartbeat. I had a wave of peace come over
me knowing that at least he was ok in there. They also gave me an IV of fluids.
The doctor’s came in and said they wanted to monitor us for a couple hours
before making a call on whether to send us home or keep us. They did reiterate
several times that Walter looked perfect!

I was having contractions about every 9 minutes at this point. I was only
dilated at a 3 though.

I can’t remember the exact time, but it was enough time that Tom and I were
able to watch all of Christmas Vacation. I also want to note that the nurses
said I could eat so Tom went and got us a variety of snacks while we waited and
enjoyed the movie. It was so weird to me because every other delivery I was
basically forbidden to eat once I got in a hospital gown.

Anyway, a couple hours had passed, and the medical team came in to discuss
options. The doctor gave us two scenarios. He said that my symptoms were mild
enough that they would be comfortable sending us home and waiting it out for a
more natural progression. My blood pressure had been higher the whole time we
were there, and it spiked while the doctors were in the room. So the second
option was to induce based on the fact that I have chronic high blood pressure
and did have some other pre-eclampsia signals starting to flare (headache and
blurred vision). We asked him which option he would recommend if he were in our
shoes. He said he would lean towards the induction since we were at 38 weeks. I
was ecstatic to hear this as an option because I just knew I couldn’t
reasonably be able to stay sane and calm if we went home. The thing about
anxiety is that it doesn’t always make sense, and the doctor was giving me a
safe solution to have this baby.

We settled in and called our families to let them know we were having a
baby!

They started the pitocin at 1:15 am. It was a different experience for me
thought since I was not on magnesium for my blood pressure. Thankfully, even
though my BP was elevated, it was not in a place where it warranted the devil
that is the mag drip. I also didn’t have a catheter, so I was able to get up on
my own. While I could not walk around freely because of the monitors, it was really
nice to get up to go to the bathroom on my own. Those beds are not comfortable,
and I know that being confined to them is an element of my previous experiences
that really brought my mood down.

They came in about every half hour to increase the pitocin. While the
contractions were increasing in length, at this point they were nowhere near as
painful as I remembered with the other two.

I was so excited though that it was all happening that I really only slept
an hour that whole night.

At 4:30 am, I had only progressed to a 4. In order to go higher with the
pitocin, they wanted to break my water. While they did so, the doctor said she
could feel Walter’s head. It was happening!

The contractions started increasing. I was holding off on the epidural as
long as possible because I really did not enjoy the catheter experience I
wanted to minimize as much time as possible with that. But I did finally
request it around 7 am. Unfortunately the request was delayed due to two
C-sections that were occurring at that time.

At 8 am, they checked my cervix again, and I was only dilated to a 5. The
contractions I was having were pretty intense at this point as well. They ended
up needing to break my water again. It was at this same point that I was able
to get the epidural. I was in tears at this point from the contraction pain, so
the process of getting the epidural set went pretty fairly quickly. I will note
that they never did get a chance to put in a catheter.

It was at this point, that things moved so quickly it is hard for me to
remember exactly what happened. The anesthesiologist kept trying to work the
epidural magic, but I was still feeling harsh pain like I never experienced
with the other two. I had a sharp searing pain in my lower left abdomen that
felt like I was being stabbed. And then a similar pain in my left thigh. It was
so bad that it was making me lose my breath. This was in conjunction with the
contractions basically being on top of each other at this point.

I don’t even remember how many people were in the room, but it seemed like a crowd had gathered to start
prepping the bed for delivery. The leg stirrups came up, and they started
telling me instructions for pushing.

I was having a hard time focusing though because the epidural was not
working. I felt like someone was attacking my body with a knife and squeezing
the life out of me at the same time. I kept saying “this is not ideal”
through the tears.

The anesthesiologist gave me as much of the epidural as he could, but it
seemed as though I would be feeling all of everything.

And so the pushing began. We did four rounds of pushing before Walter shot
out of there. I will say that it felt like an eternity, and in my head I
thought he was stuck. They kept telling me he was right there, but to me it
didn’t feel like he was moving at all. Feeling all of it due to the epidural
failing was not ideal…

But eventually he came out like a rocket and so did so much amniotic fluid. Both Tom
and I commented on the amount of stuff that spewed everywhere this time.

At 9:24 am, Walter was here: 7 lbs and 8 oz, 20 inches long.

At this point the epidural did kick in which I guess was helpful as I pushed
out the placenta and got stitched up.

They put Walter on my chest for a brief moment while Tom cut the umbilical
cord. But they soon took him away to check his breathing.

All the amniotic fluid that shot out with Walter also went into his lungs,
and he was having a hard time breathing.

I could see the pediatric team flock around him, but I couldn’t hear him
cry. I kept leaning over to Tom saying something is wrong. I had flashes of
what happened with George come through my mind. Tom did his best to reassure me
that this was so very different, and that it was unlikely that the NICU was in
our future again. They kept Walter for about a half hour. During this time they
were giving him oxygen and suctioning out any fluid. Tom went back and forth
between me and Walter to check on both of our progress.

Finally they were able to give him back to me, and very quickly they were
trying to get us moved to a post-partum room.

I was kind of in shock at this point because the turnaround never happened
so fast for us. The epidural was wearing off and my blood pressures were
steady. Walter was beautiful and perfect and breathing fine.

Around lunch time we were settled into our post-partum room. It is just
insane to me to think back on all of my experiences. Tom and I were still
fairly anxious since it was later in the afternoon after Daphne was born that
my hemorrhage happened. However, the doctor’s had taken some extra precaution
throughout the delivery and then checked my belly every 15 minutes to help push
anything remaining out.

Tom went and got me Sonic corn dogs, and we settled in for our stay. The
hospital policy is to stay at least 24 hours after the birth. And due to the
pandemic, we did not have any visitors, so it really was just a waiting game at
this point.

We watched several Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore romcoms and played rounds of
Rummy. We switched off sleeping to monitor Walt. He was gurgling after he was
fed, so we wanted to make sure that he didn’t projectile vomit anywhere. I also
don’t think I changed a single diaper while we were there. Tom really rocked
that duty!

The next morning came and we were out of the hospital by 12:30.

Y’all I wasn’t even in the hospital for 48 hours to have this kid. We just
had so many complications throughout the other two deliveries, it was unreal
how calm this one was. George was there for 2 weeks, and I was there for 1. And
with Daph we were there for almost 5 days.

Tom and I were sure they were going to hold us over for some reason, so we
were practically running to get out of there once the discharge papers were
given.

Looking back, I would have loved to have the experience of my water breaking
naturally and not having to be induced, but I am happy with how it all turned
out. While not having a successful epidural was not ideal, this was a great
delivery for me. I never thought it was possible, so it was amazing to have a semi-normal experience.

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Baby 3: 38 Weeks

How far along: 38 weeks. I can hardly believe that I have made it this far. This is the longest I have ever been pregnant, and I have no idea what is happening.

Sex of Baby W: At the ultrasound, it was confirmed that this one is still coming out male.

Weight gain: I have gained 15 pounds total.

Size of Baby W: He is the size of a Pomeranian or spaghetti squash. At the ultrasound I had last week, they shared that he was 6 lbs and 6 oz, and he is measuring a week ahead. (His head is measuring a couple weeks ahead so not sure how I feel about that.) Daphne was exactly this when she was born, and George was 5 lbs 14 oz, so it looks like little man may end up being my biggest baby yet.

Maternity clothes: Seriously, why don’t they make all clothes this stretchy?

Baby items: Nothing else is needed, but I have few things I am still eyeing that may make our lives easier in the upcoming months.

Stretch marks: I have some but for the most part it seems that my skin has stretched out nicely.

Belly button in or out:  I officially have an outie.

Sleep: Sleep hasn’t been as awful this past couple weeks. I don’t know if I am just so exhausted that I am phasing out the pain or what. I will say that I am sleeping in that half sleep phase where I am not ever fully asleep. And when the kids climb into our bed it is even worse.

Best moment the past few weeks: I had a surprise baby sprinkle at work. It was such a funny and special moment to see so many people pop into the virtual celebration. It was truly a surprise, and I was really overwhelmed by it.

Worst moment the past few weeks: We lost all of our chickens this last week due to a variety of predators. George took it really hard, and is convinced that his favorite chicken just moved next door. After a couple years of fresh eggs, it is so hard to go back to store bought eggs.

Miss anything: Being able to stand up without a sudden urge to pee. I am making the list of things I want to eat that first week: corn dogs, sushi, coffee, and a deli sandwich to just name a few.

Cravings/Aversions: I haven’t really had many cravings that I can recall. Although, being 9 months pregnant during Thanksgiving was pretty amazing. I had three thanksgiving meals in a matter of 5 hours.

Movement: He moves a lot in the morning and evenings. I have been trying to get a video so I have documentation of his crazy movements, but it’s like he knows he is being recorded every time I try.

Symptoms/how I am feeling: I definitely am feeling 9 months pregnant. Just this week, I have had bouts of nausea. I am having contractions periodically through the day. At my appointment earlier this week, I was still only dilated to a 3, but it feels like things are happening. Today, the lower back pain arrived. I do feel really silly though that I have no idea what to expect. Here I am round three, and I am clueless like I am a new mom on what gradual labor looks like. Because of that, I have been getting a lot of anxiety that I will miss the signs. I am really trying not to freak out, but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult with each day to not just hang out on the nurses line with every twinge.

Looking forward to: Having this baby in my arms!

I don’t have any updates from the other kids since at this point they were already born!

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Baby 3: 36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks. This very well could be my last update.

Sex of Baby W: I think we have a middle name. Also hearing Daphne say the baby’s name is seriously the cutest thing ever.

Weight gain: I have gained 14 pounds total.

Size of Baby W: a chihuahua or a papaya

Maternity clothes: I am basically in maternity yoga pants all the time.

Baby items: We got the last few things we needed over the last few weeks. This weekend is really prep time though. We have to set up the crib again, install baby monitors, and reconfigure the car seat situation. I also need to pull out the diaper bag and pack that as well as our hospital bag. When the weekend is over we should be completely ready for this baby to be here.

Stretch marks: nothing new in this department, but the dark vertical line has shown up below my belly button.

Belly button in or out:  It is officially popping out! It is such a weird thing to see your belly button completely transform.

Sleep: is really the worst. I just cannot get comfortable at all. This week, I have started getting charlie horses in my calves. It is so painful. On the plus side, I am not having issues with needing to pee interrupting my sleep. I can usually make it through the night. I just can’t get in a decent position.

Best moment the past few weeks: getting our maternity pictures back was great. We didn’t officially get pictures done with the other two, so this was really special. Usually I dread trying to get our family pictures done, but we actually had a good time. And I just love them. We also put up the Christmas tree, and it is so peaceful and beautiful.

Worst moment the past few weeks: As far as things go, it’s been a pretty low key couple of weeks. Nothing really significant to say that has been horrible.

Miss anything: a good night sleep.

Cravings/Aversions: I have been wanting cosmic brownies.

Movement: He is moving a lot right after I eat, especially fruits. I usually feel a foot on my right side. He does some big tumbling now, and I feel hiccups at least once a day.

Symptoms/how I am feeling: Up until this week, I have been feeling good. Just this week though, I have started feeling really uncomfortable. It feels like I have a broken rib. I asked my doctor about it, and she explained that the cartilage between my ribs are expanding so it can be painful. It hurts really bad, and it’s not that he is kicking up there at all. They definitely are tender to touch and hurt like the dickens. It hurts worse throughout the day after sitting at my computer. It is like my belly pushes up on my ribs when I am sitting. I also have to pee ALL THE TIME. At my appointment this week, my doctor did say that I am three centimeters dilated and the tightness I have been feeling are actually the start of contractions. That was a huge wake up call! I have completely stopped working out to slow that down a bit. My doctor says that I could be at this stage for weeks, but she also said she would love it if I made it another week. I for sure would like to make it until next week to wrap up a few more things work wise. She did order another ultrasound to be on the safe side next week. As I mentioned in my other post this week, it was weird to talk through what to expect for labor since I have been induced with the other two. I am used to contractions starting at a 10, and this whole gradual thing is a foreign concept to me. So I feel like I am going into the unknown here with these last few weeks. Prayers are definitely welcome that everything is safe and healthy for us.

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday, so I am hopeful we are able to have a peaceful food-filled day.

You can read about George at 36 weeks here and Daphne here.

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Just a little bit of Normal

This third pregnancy has been so weird, different, and honestly normal.

It has been interesting doing this whole experience during a pandemic and mostly from the comfort of my home.

But the oddest part is going from two high risk pregnancies, to one that is seemingly normal. My doctor walks into every appointment lately singing “How is my most normal pregnant lady?”

It has just taken me three times to get to this state of “normal.”

At this point with George, I was on bedrest. And with Daph, we had scheduled my induction for the following week due to my high blood pressure. I started this third pregnancy as high risk not only because of my past deliveries, but also due to my age. So it is a miracle that this one for lack of better words has been easy. I am not having any of the signs of pre-eclampsia, and surprisingly despite all the stress that the year 2020 has brought, my blood pressure is all normal.

It has been so odd to go from George where I had so many issues from the get go and got an ultrasound every 2-4 weeks, to this baby where I have only had 2 ultrasounds and until recently only heard the heartbeat every 4 weeks.

It’s been easy to not think about the pregnancy all the time since I wasn’t at doctor’s appointments weekly like I was with Daph and George. With the pandemic, there were months where I didn’t see anyone outside of my family so I wasn’t really talking about it as much because no one is watching my belly grow. Even now, I only leave the house a couple days a week. (Honestly, there are folks at work who probably still have no idea I am about to be out for three months.) This pregnancy hasn’t been a focal point of my every day worried that something was wrong because of complications. And because of just how 2020 is going, there is a lot that keeps me busy during the day. Without others pointing out my pregnancy, I could just keep moving through as though everything was normal.

That to me is the interesting part though because I haven’t had regular confirmation that everything was ok. Normally, something like this would push me into a heightened state of anxiety because I didn’t know what was happening. Instead, I have sunk into the normalcy and trusted that everything was ok and wouldn’t let myself think about the unknown.

My doctor and I have talked about “birth” plans, and that I would love to avoid an induction. And honestly, it seems so surreal that this may happen. It is funny that this is my third pregnancy, and I had to talk to my doctor about what I should be watching for with natural labor signs. I have never experienced being normal before so I want to ride that out as long as I can. But it is a little ironic that as a “seasoned” parent, I really have no idea what to expect.

Being normal is such an odd feeling, but I’ll take it!

Who knows how long I actually have left at this point, but I do hope that I can enjoy this experience and just be proud of what my body has endured this third time around. I have learned with my pregnancies to not have any expectations. It is amazing and beautiful when I think about this year and the fact that I am bringing another new life into our world as crazy as it may be. But isn’t a little normal what 2020 needs? This little nugget has been that grounding point for me.

So let’s pray that it continues to be in these remaining weeks (or days). However, whether this pregnancy continues to be textbook normal or I take a turn back into the high risk zone, we are so excited for this little boy to join our family. We are blessed beyond measure to show this child an abnormal amount of love.

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Baby 3: 33 Weeks

How far along: 33 weeks. Hard to believe we are in the final stretch.

Sex of Baby W: We still have no middle name for mister man.

Weight gain: I have gained 9 pounds total. I feel like this baby is just going straight out. I am starting to get the looks and comments with shock that I still have 7 weeks to go.

Size of Baby W: a ferret or cauliflower blossom

Maternity clothes: It’s all maternity clothes. I really only dress it up a couple days a week since I am still working remote most of the time. I am still able to wear my fall coats, but I don’t think my winter coat is going to work…

Baby items: We have gotten a few things from family members to help us get ready. I am going to be looking here in the next week to get the final few items like a pack and play. We need to put the toddler bed back to the crib setting, but other than that the nursery is pretty ready.

Stretch marks: nothing new in this department, but I am not sure how this belly will stretch out any further.

Belly button in or out:  It is bumping out a little bit past flat. I feel like this is the first pregnancy that it has looked or felt like this.

Sleep: I wake up in a panic almost every night because I have kicked all the pillows around so I can be asleep on my back. I am just so uncomfortable when sleeping. I think I have restless leg syndrome, and I have shooting pains in my left leg. I also don’t feel like I am ever fully asleep.

Best moment the past few weeks: I feel like I am starting to finally get in the groove of teaching virtually. I have had some one on one meetings with my students, and they have given me really great feedback and compliments about how they are enjoying the class and getting a lot out of it. It has been a bright spot because teaching virtually has been a really creative challenge for me.

Worst moment the past few weeks: Work has been a challenge lately. My supervisor of the last three years left the institution onto her next career stop. We have had so many transitions in the past year, and then to lose a spot where I had stability was really emotional. While there are definitely opportunities for me to grow in my position here, it has just been a lot to take in recently.

Miss anything: Hot dogs and deli meat. I am glad that summer is over because I don’t feel like they will be in my face as much. Although Tom keeps buying corn dogs, which might have to be my first meal after this baby is out.

Cravings/Aversions: I have craved beef jerky which is something I eat maybe once every couple years.

Movement: He moves a lot in the morning now. His tumbling is getting a little more aggressive each day. He likes to stick his butt up right around my belly button and on the right side, just like his older siblings did. He also has the hiccups pretty much every day.

Symptoms/how I am feeling: I have been feeling great. I have been able to keep up with my workouts, which I don’t think I did with the other two. I am tired all the time, but that is to be expected when you have two kids already and your body is trying to make bones and brains for another one. My belly itches ALL the time. I have tried different balms, lotions, oils and cremes to help soothe that, but I think it just is what it is with my belly getting bigger. I am not having any of the symptoms that I had with George and Daph and pre-eclampsia. I also have no swelling. Just carrying around a basketball kind of uncomfortableness.

Looking forward to: We have our maternity pictures this week. It is supposed to snow this week, so we’ll see how it goes. We have never had official pictures taken of any pregnancy, so I am really hoping that it goes smoothly!

You can read about George at 33 weeks here and Daphne here.