This will probably be a post of random scatter-brained thoughts, but I just want to record the birth of Joshua before I start forgetting little details. So you are forewarned that it might not make sense. Ha, now who wants to keep reading?
March 9, 2010 - Couldn't sleep Tuesday night because we were going to be induced on Wednesday morning. Had to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. and all night I kept thinking of "one more thing" that I needed to pack for Riley or myself. Riley was spending Wednesday with my twin sister here in Bryan and then after meeting Joshua, she was going to Sugar Land with my in-laws for a couple days.
Josh had two assignments that he had to finish for school before Wednesday. They were due on Thursday, but of course, he needed to get everything done before the induction. So he was at MugWalls (I think, or some other coffee shop) until 1 a.m. working on them.
March 10, 2010 - I was soooo nervous on the way to the hospital. I don't remember being that nervous for anything before in my life. I wasn't nervous at all for Riley's birth and I've had several surgeries that I was never nervous for. However, since Riley's birth resulted in a broken tailbone and since this pregnancy had been so difficult, I just kinda freaked out that something would go majorly wrong.
When we got to the hospital, Josh prayed with me and then asked one last time if I wanted a C-section. Our doctor had said we could change our minds at any time. He wanted to do what we believed would be best. I really love my doctor, Dr. Smith. I can't say that enough. I really love my doctor. Ha, ok, moving on.
Anyways, I said no. I wanted to try to do it vaginally. So we went in to be induced. And just like when I was induced with Riley, I was already 3 cm dilated and I believe I was somewhere around 80% effaced on the morning of the induction.
Although we got there at 5:30, they didn't start the pitocin (sp?) until 8:00 a.m. There had been an emergency so we had to wait for a room and then they had a hard time putting the IV in. (None of this is a big deal at all, but like I said, I just want to record all the details.) They had to try several different spots. Apparently, when you're nervous, your veins roll. So after several tries, they said they were leaving for 30 minutes to let me calm down and Josh spent the whole 30 minutes making me laugh. When they came back, they got me the first time! However, I still have a huge bruise all up and down my arm from the various IV attempts. It doesn't hurt at all though. Just a crazy sight to see.
At this time they also started the antibiotic for Group B Strep. I had tested positive for Group B Strep when I was pregnant with Riley, so they never even tested for it during this pregnancy. They just went ahead and gave the antibiotic. During Riley's labor, it burned when they gave the antibiotic and I had to put ice on my arm, but this time I hardly felt it. That was a blessing!
I honestly don't remember when Dr. Smith broke my water but it was probably sometime around 9 a.m. Before long it was time for the epidural. For a little background, I HATE the epidural. Just like with Riley's labor, I got the epidural at 5 cm. That's my deal with Dr. Smith in order to be able to deliver here in CS instead of Houston. And just like with Riley's labor, I was not yet feeling pain at 5 cm.
Although my contractions were registering off the scale, they felt no different than the contractions I'd been having for the past few months. So needless to say, I was super nervous again. The good thing was that I knew I had to have the epidural in case I broke my tailbone again (don't want to imagine what that would be like on top of the drama of delivery). And I got the same anesthesiologist, whom I also love!
And I have to brag on my husband. He was a ROCK when it came to holding me down. He didn't realize how nervous I was when they put the epidural in during Riley's labor and I literally almost jumped off the table. Ever since then I've been telling him it's his job to keep me still while I'm getting the epidural. And boy did he ever! I felt very safe in his super strong arms. Way to go, Josh!
Once I got the epidural, things moved pretty fast. Kathryn Berilla came to visit on her lunch break and while she was there, I started to feel a lot of pain on my right side. Apparently, the epidural didn't work on my right side but I believe that was a blessing because it helped me push and since I moved so fast from that point on, it was no big deal.
So anyways, they were coming in to check my progress as Kathryn was leaving at 11:45 a.m. They said I was at 7 cm. The nurse left the room and I started gripping Josh's arm in pain. Not even five minutes later I looked at Josh and said, "This baby's coming out." He said, "Should I grab the nurse?" I said, "Well, I don't want to sound like an idiot since she just said I was at a 7... but this baby's coming out!"
He quickly stepped outside and since he also didn't want to sound like an idiot, he simply said, "My wife needs some help." When she came in, I told her I thought the baby was coming out. She basically looked down, checked me, and calmly said, "Yup, he's coming." She stepped out to get the doctor and I was mentally preparing myself to have to wait for the doctor, but to my surprise, Dr. Smith was there within just a few minutes.
The rest happened so fast that we were totally taken by surprise. Dr. Smith walked in the room and immediately, gently took command of the room. He told me how to push and explained that even though I could feel the contractions, they wouldn't hurt as badly when I was pushing. He was right. Two pushes later Joshua Cullen Owen, II was born at 12:12 p.m. weighing 8 lbs, 4 oz and measuring 21 inches long.
As soon as he was born, both me and the doctor were pretty confident that my tailbone did not break. However, I had to contain my excitement - I didn't want to be horribly disappointed once the epidural had completely worn off. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed at all. Once the epidural wore off, I felt better than I had in months and much, much better than I did after having Riley. I was filled with so much joy and I couldn't believe I was finally holding Joshua in my arms. (For the record, I had third degree tearing.) Also for the record, I was surprised that holding Joshua didn't feel much different than holding Riley. The realization that I had a son didn't come until about a week later, if that makes sense.
Joshua was born with some bruising spots on his face from the trauma of birth but they quickly disappeared.
That night Josh was very pleasantly surprised to find a bed for him in the postpartum room. He didn't have to sleep in a chair! We were released from the hospital the very next day. (With Riley's birth, we were in the hospital for seven days... yikes!)
March 11, 2010 - That night at home was quite a learning experience for me and Josh. We discovered very quickly that no two children are alike. Not only did Joshua have dark hair, dark eyes, and look nothing like Riley, his personality is also nothing like hers. What comforted Riley, doesn't comfort Joshua. Riley was only sensitive to sounds. Joshua is sensitive to temperature and light. Joshua does not move as much as Riley did. He screams much louder than she ever did. He also likes to be rocked to sleep. (Rocking Riley usually kept her awake.) He's a much better burper than Riley ever was. So needless to say, we didn't get any sleep that first night but we have since gotten to know the little man much better and each night is getting a little easier.
Ever since coming home - Here are some nicknames we've already called him: Blitz, Squirt, Our Little Dinosaur, Bear (of course), Jay... and I've called him Riley way too many times. How am I already mixing up my children's names?
Breastfeeding is going really well. Joshua eats a ton more than Riley ever did. He already weighs 9 lbs, 9 oz at 19 days old. Of course, breastfeeding is difficult at times but I am enjoying spending that time meditating on The Word or praying over my friends and family. Before I had Riley, a wise woman suggested that I use every feeding as an opportunity to pray or meditate on The Word. I believe that one suggestion is the reason I am able to breastfeed. It would normally be really hard to keep myself awake at night, but focusing on God helps me to do so! I spend the time listening to online sermons, memorizing Scripture, or even sharing the Gospel with my son. It's truly great practice!
His umbilical cord just came off the other day. It stayed on over two weeks. (And no, I do not keep it. I've heard that some people do, but I trashed it.)
Since Joshua was born, I've had moments when I think this is really easy and fun. Then, thirty minutes later, both children will be crying, I realize that we have no clean clothes to wear, and I am wondering how we'll all manage. I think that "roller coaster" feeling is normal for moms. At least I hope it is???
I'll leave you with some pictures of when Joshua was born. They are NOT professional in any way, but we did take professional pictures on Saturday so I'll post those whenever I get them. Also, I think there are only eight pictures. I just don't know how to cut the slideshow off at eight pictures, so it keeps going even though there's nothing there.
 |
 |
| Create a photo slideshow |
No comments:
Post a Comment