Welcome Maisyn Ariyah!

I was scheduled to be induced on December 10th at 6 a.m.  Not because I was past due, just because my doctor said I could be anytime once I turned 39 weeks.  I know it’s probably frowned upon, however, it was a decision I had discussed and made with Mr. Chaotic.  I was so uncomfortable and just ready to meet my little girl.

I arrived at our hospital at 6 a.m, after hubby made a quick pit stop to McDonald’s for breakfast.  We checked in and were taken up to my delivery room, which I’ve actually delivered in before, twice if I’m not mistaken.  Once in my room I changed into my lovely gown and waited for my nurse to get me hooked up to my IV.  Of course it seemed to take forever, but when she finally did, she explained that there were five or so others that came into deliver as well.  Then there was shift change and a lot more waiting. 

Finally just after 8 a.m. my doctor came in to visit with me and let me know that her nurse practioner would be in to break my water, which happened shortly after 8:30 a.m.  We had decided to break my water before starting pitocin to see if that would help move me along since I had been sitting at 3.5 cm and 75% effaced since 35 weeks.  At first I didn’t feel much water at all and then all of a sudden I felt like I was peeing myself. 

Around 9:15 a.m. I started feeling some slight cramping. 

9:35 a.m. My nurse started pitocin since there didn’t seem to be much progress.  Still just mild cramping.

10:15 a.m. Really big contraction, but didn’t seem like anything major.  Was able to just grin and breathe through it.

10:40 a.m. Nurse came in to see how things were going.  I told her about the one contraction, otherwise just mild cramping.  She asked if I was ready for my epidural.  I told her to give me like 20 minutes since I was just having mild cramping.

11:00 a.m. Nurse came back to tell me that the anesthesiologist was on his way.

11:30 a.m.  Anesthesiologist finished my epidural and told me to take a nap.

11:44 a.m.  Baby girl arrives!!!

Honestly, the time between my epidural and baby’s arrival went so fast I don’t exactly know the details.  I just know that shortly after 11:30, I asked the nurse about my catheter because I really had to go pee.  She got the catheter in me and literally in seconds I started to feel so much pressure.  I told her I really had the feeling I had to poop, which means baby girl was ready to make her way into this world.  They had to call my doctor, who was in surgery just down the hall, to get to my room in time to deliver the baby.

You’d think after having three previous kids I’d be a pro at delivery, but I’m pretty sure it seemed like I was a first time mom.  I just know that all the times before, the nurses would tell me when to breathe or to bear down and give it all I got.  This time though, it didn’t seem like they were giving any assistance in regards to my breathing and pushing.  I was just in so much pain because my epidural didn’t have time to kick in that I forgot the proper technique.  In the end though, I got my baby girl through the birth canal.  I may or may not have screamed out so loudly the entire floor could hear me.

Our daughter, Maisyn Ariyah was born December 10, 2014.  She weighed 9 pounds, 6 oz and was 21.5” long. 

I’ll be back soon with an update on our first two weeks with a newborn.

Until then, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!!

Bumpdate: Almost 39 Weeks

Last I left off, I was not quite 38 weeks.  I had my next weekly appointment on December 8 and baby girl was being quite active.  As my doctor listened to baby’s heartbeat, her rate was in the 210s!  At my previous two appointments, her rate was in the 190s but would drop back to the 160s within a couple minutes.  This time, however, baby girl was not returning to normal.  They hooked me up to the baby monitors to monitor me to make sure she came back down to normal.  They were afraid if she didn’t, she may have an infection and would have to induce me that day, rather than in two days.  It took just over an hour, but baby girl’s heart rate finally dropped back down to the 140s. Phew!  Other than that, everything was good…my weight had mostly stayed the same over the past few weeks as well, which was amazing.  Down a pound, up a pound basically.  My total weight gain for this pregnancy is 29 pounds.  Which in my books is pretty dang good!  However, it was the pre-pregnancy weight gain that caused me some issues so I have lots of work to do once my doctor gives me the all clear.

Bumpdate: Almost 38 Weeks

Don’t laugh!  I’ve been telling you how huge I am, well here’s proof!  I went to my weekly appointment today and I’ll be 38 weeks on Wednesday.  My doctor checked my cervix again today and told me I’m dilated to 3 1/2, almost 4 cm.  She didn’t give me my percent effaced or the baby’s head station.  Or maybe she did but I was in so much pain I wasn’t paying attention.  We went ahead and set up my induction date for next week, just in case I don’t have this little thing between now & then.  I have hubby’s Aunt on stand-by and Talyn helped me get her bedding washed so Aunt Sandy can stay in her room.  

Since I came home from the doctor around noon today, the cramp-iness has gotten horrible.  Like I should be taking Motrin, even though it’s not allowed when pregnant.  The lower back pain is becoming unbearable also.

We’ve been attempting to get our Christmas tree up since Friday.  It was not cooperating though.  I noticed when I plugged it in that 1/2 the lights didn’t turn on.  It sucked because we have a pre-lit tree so it’s not like I could just get a new strand of lights.  Though I was tempted.  We did end up buying new lights and then just taking them off the strand and putting them onto our tree.  I think there were at least 35 or so lights that had burned out.  Talk about frustrating!  Oh well, at least it’s up and the lights are on.  As you can see in the picture above, I decided I’m only doing the bare minimum with my tree this year.  Beaded garland, a few penguin Hallmark ornaments, and the kids’ first Christmas ornaments.  I still need to get the bulbs on and hang our stockings. 

The Elf on the Shelf has arrived at our house!  I was on the ball this year and made myself a list of things I’d like our elf, Mister Elf, to do for the kids.  I have printed a calendar, but am not going to fill it out too far until we have the baby.  I’m just gonna wing it nightly with my list and save the easiest things for hubby or his Aunt to take care of while I’m in the hospital.  When we come home with baby girl, I’ll go ahead and fill in the rest of the calendar with Mister Elf’s antics.  Here he was today on his arrival:

Talk to me:

*Does Elf on the Shelf visit your home?
*Your Christmas tree – real or fake? Pre-lit or not?