The Birth Story in Pictures

Lucky labor room #7

Resting before things really got going

Foot massage from our Doula!

Focusing on prayer.

Here we go... 

Like my very warm, comfy, funny looking labor socks??!!  Hehe.

Getting close!

Time to push!

Welcome to the world George Theodore!

Love at first sight.

Doug cutting the cord.

 Safe in daddy's hands

My dad (Theodore) hearing that his grandson was named after him.  Ahhh.  Love this.

Our family of three.

And then of course... texting my blogger buddies... ;)

The Birth of George - Part 2

On the morning of 10/13/12 we woke up, went on a few walks, had some breakfast and then headed to the hospital to have a baby.  It was such a weird feeling.  We had driven to the hospital several times before, but this was THE DRIVE.  Very strange feeling!

I admit, I was a little bit annoyed that I hadn't gone into labor on my own.   I saw all my hopes for a natural birth flying out the window.  I didn't know what Pitocin would do or if I could handle those types of contractions.  I had had several friends inform me that Pitocin contractions were from the devil!   I was scared, excited, nervous, etc.  Doug had to calm me down many many times that morning.  

I did receive a prayer from a friend that morning.  It was so sweet and just what I needed to get my head back in the game and focus on our baby boy coming into the world.

We walked into the hospital and made our way up the Labor and Delivery.  They were waiting for us!  It was like we were checking into a fancy hotel!  We were hanging out in one room and I noticed it did not have a labor whirlpool tub.  I wanted a deluxe room so we moved to lucky labor room #7!  We labor in style in Indiana.  Our room had a flat screen tv and a fabulous tub.  Whoot!

I changed into my 'labor outfit' and we just chatted with the nurses.  I really didn't want to wear a hospital gown.  It might be silly, but they remind me of all my surgeries and I hate them!  I had a black tank top and sports bra, along with a comfy black skirt I had work over the summer.  It was perfect.  I figured, and told the nurses, I would change to a hospital gown if, and when, needed.  They didn't seem to mind, which was great.

They also gave me some FABULOUS mesh panties and the hugest pad ever!  It was the best for me -- since I was still leaking all over the place!  I'd never been so happy for mesh panties in my life!

The plan was to start me on a low dose of pitocin.  They hooked me up to some monitors to see what was happening before I received any medicine.  The monitors were going and it looked like I was having some serious contractions, but I was not feeling a thing.  I thought, "Man, this is great!  No pain!"  The nurse came in and explained that the monitor was actually showing the action in the room next door!  Hahaha!  It was on the wrong screen!  Dang!  She switched it to my screen - it showed a flat line!  Absolutely nothing was happening!

So they hooked me up to the pitocin about 10am.  I rested a little bit while we waited to something to happen.  I was already exhausted.  It was Saturday and I hadn't really slept since Thursday night.  It's a bit strange just laying there waiting for the pain to start, but that's what we did.  They checked me and I was about 3-4 cm and 50% effaced.

Since our Doula was at another birth... we had a backup Doula who arrived right when they started the PIT.  Erin was wonderful!  She came in and started 'prepping the room'.  She combined a whole bunch of stuff that smelled fantastic.  The room lights were dimmed and she started massaging my feet!  Labor?  This was like being at the spa!  Doug was watching football and I was getting a massage.  Nice!  Erin also said some prayers, which really helped set the mood.

My parents came in and chatted for a bit while Doug got some lunch.  My contractions were few and far between still at this point.  But I was at least finally having some.  The mood was pretty light.  Daisy was at the Day Care place... and we watched her on the Puppy Web Cams.  Yep, I was watching my dog on the web cam while in labor!

The nurse kept upping and upping the PIT, since everything was pretty slow.  Luckily, contractions and the pain started to pick up right when Doug arrived back.  Perfect timing.  My parents left and it was time to get to work!

Doug and I walked the halls and would stop periodically for contractions in the hallway.  The PIT was increased several more times and then things were really going.  Man, those PIT contractions were harsh.  Once they got going... UMMMM OUCH!

I had a little wooden block with me that read "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."  I just kept repeating that to myself and praying.  I prayed all of the intentions people sent me during the contractions.  I would try to relax through the contractions.  I would say to myself, "Just relax, relax, relax."  That is hard to do while in so much pain, but it seemed to work. I knew if I tensed up, they would hurt worse.

We tried different labor positions:  We walked and stood the majority of the time.  Sitting or laying down was soooo uncomfortable.  I had a birth ball that was so comfortable while I was pregnant.  It had been on of my favorite places to sit while I was pregnant.  During labor - not at all.  Hip presses, etc., that I loved during all of our classes... I hated during labor.  The best position was just leaning up next to Doug and squeezing his shoulders while I tried to relax.

I was checked and it was discovered that I had a little bit of water in a bag that had not fully ruptured... which might be why I never spontaneously went into labor when my water broke the day before.  The nurse suggested that we brake it.  I was really nervous about this because I knew that once they did that... things would really pick up and hurt even worse.  I could.not.imagine.  I was about at 6cm at this point.  But I also didn't want labor to stall.

Luckily, our trusted original doula, Tonya, arrived.

Side note:  The other mom was still in labor as well! She would end up delivering later that night... with Tonya present at that birth too!

When Tonya arrived, Doug and I talked with her and Erin and decided that water needed to break to get the baby to move down.  I really dreaded it and the pain, but knew meeting my little man was getting closer and closer.

The doctor came in and broke the sac.  Gush!  I was use to that by now.  Haha.  I was about a 7 or 8 and 'real stretchy' when she broke the water.

I quickly ran over and got into the labor tub, which was filled with warm water.  And when I say ran... that's what I did.  The contractions were so strong and close together at this point that I did not want to be anywhere but in the water.  It was just what I needed.  It relieved a lot the pressure and I was able to relax during the contractions.

The pain at this point was crazy.  SO MUCH PRESSURE.  Nausea was also kicking in.  I felt sick to my stomach and just wanted to throw up.  I drank and ate a little to help counteract that.  I never got sick, but thought I would.

I tried different positions in the tub until the pain was unbearable.  I was kneeling over the edge and yelled, "I can't do this anymore!"  I then laughed out loud.  In all our labor classes, they had said that once you yell "I can't do this!" that the baby was almost here!  So cliche! But so true!

I got out of the tub for a few seconds and they checked me and I was at 9 cm.  Again, I ran back to the tub before they could ask me where I wanted to be.  The nurse was laughing a bit at that!  Hahaha.

Tonya said that just me walking back to the tub had probably gotten me to 10cm. Yes!

I was standing in tub and moaning and trying to breath through the contractions.  It felt like a bowling ball was coming out of my butt... I did not expect that feeling.  OUCH!  I was trying not to push, but there was just so much pressure.

And then... I yelled -- "He is coming out - NOW!"

Tonya had a very serious look on her face and told the nurses to get the doctor and fast.  She told Doug that she thought I was pushing a little bit while standing up.  Doug saw her face and later said that that is the time he knew baby boy would be here real soon.

Things got real busy, real fast.  The nurses ran and got the doctor.  I ran to the bed and put my legs up. There was lots of running going on.

The doctor came in and said, "I don't need to check you - there is his head!"  Whooo hooooo!

I pushed when having contractions.  I felt the ring of fire - OUCH!  I just wanted to meet my baby!  At one point they told me to reach down and feel his head - he was so close!  They told me he had lots of hair!  I couldn't believe he was so close!

Three contractions, about three minutes and three pushes later...

George Theodore Hauser was born at 3:25pm!

Right after he was born I said, "That feels better!" and that is so true!

It was the most wonderful feeling of my life -- both physically and emotionally!  Doug and I were both crying.  George was immediately placed on my chest.  It was love at first sight.

It was the perfect birth - for us.  Who knows what will happen next time (yay!).  If George's birth taught me anything... it's God's plan that is important... not ours!

Welcome to the world baby George!  We love you!

The Birth of George - Part 1.5

I guess I forgot a few things about the day my water broke... and a few people had questions... so here it goes.

I did text Hebrews (and others too!) who flipped out.  My water broke the day of Claire's surgery.  We had agreed (haha!) that I would have baby boy that day to keep her mind off the surgery and to keep her busy while baby Claire was in surgery.  What a good friend am I to keep my end of that deal??!!  Granted, he wasn't born on that day, but I tried!

Doug made a prediction that baby boy would arrive on Friday, October 12th.  He was almost right on!

About my water leaking... It leaked and gushed all day!  Seriously, I really wished I had listened to K at More Like Mary, More Like Me.  She had bought some Depends for this very situation.  Man, I wish I would have had some!

I basically would sit down for a while and every time I got up... GUSH!  Apparently, amniotic fluid just keeps replenishing.  I wore super plus maxi pads - that did nothing.  I wore old crappy clothes and just changed and did laundry over and over that day.  I took a nap in bed on Daisy's old puppy pads and lots of towels.  When I rode in the car, I sat on puppy pads.  I pretty much felt like I was peeing on myself all day.  There was also lots of running to the bathroom.  A lot!

Funniest looking part of the day... Jumping up and down on the walking trail in our neighborhood.  Seriously... I would have done anything to kick labor into gear.  A nine month pregnant lady jumping up and down.  I wonder what my neighbors thought!  Hahahaha!

We had been in contact with our Doula, Tonya, throughout the day.  She had another October client who was due a few weeks later than us.  Turns out, her water broke right around the same time as mine!  She had been in the hospital all day on Friday with no baby, so Tonya had been with her.  What are the odds!  Craziness!

The rest of the labor story coming soon!

The Birth of George Part 1

Not a day has gone by since baby George was born that I have not thought about the day he was born. It has taken me a while to sit down and get it all on paper (or computer).  I tend to just start crying when I think about it.  But here is goes...

When I got pregnant, I had never really thought about what type of birth I wanted.  I just figured I would show up at the hospital and have the baby.  But as I read more and learned more about the birthing process, my mind started to change.  Side note:  I'm fine with how anyone wants to give birth... this is just my story for this birth.

I began to realize that I wanted a natural birth.  I wanted as few interventions as possible.  I don't even like having a paper cut, so wanting to have a natural birth was a shock to me... and to Doug.  I'm a wimp when it comes to pain, but I somehow felt that I could tackle birth.  I read and read and read, practiced breathing at home, did prenatal yoga, took the normal hospital class and an 'advanced class' and I even did a few kegel exercises every now and again.  We hired an amazing doula and we were set.  I didn't tell a lot of people about my birth 'plan' or 'preferences' because I would often get a look like I was crazy.  And... I didn't know if I really could do it, so I kept a lot of it to myself.

Labor did not go in any way as I had 'planned.'  I thought I'd spontaneously go into labor at home, we'd labor at home as long as possible and then head to the hospital.  That did not happen - at all!

On Friday, 10/12/12, I had an OB appointment.  I was due in two days and ready to have little George. On the way to the OB, my car started puttering.  Great timing.  I made it to the OB and entered the appointment in tears over the stupid car.  My OB checked me.  I was about  2 cm. dilated and 60% effaced, pretty much what I was the week prior.

I headed home and made it to the car repair shop.  Never have I seen men so nervous as when I told them I was due in two days and I needed my car!  Hahaha!

My good friend Mary sent me a 'it will all be ok' text and asked if I wanted to go to breakfast.  Yes!  If I had to take the day off of work for my car, then I wanted to do something fun.  We ate and chatted and when I was getting back into her van after breakfast, I noticed I felt... ummm... wet.  I knew I hadn't gone to the bathroom - or had I?  I ran back into the restaurant and I was kind of in denial that my water had broke.

I sent Doug an email.  "Honey... I think my water has broken.  You might want to head home."  I wish I could have seen his face too!  I called our Doula to let her know I was 'leaking'.

So... My friend didn't take me home.  Instead I called the OB back and told them that I had some 'clear fluid' leaking from me.  I'm sure they were laughing.  They told me to head on back to the office.  They checked me and my waters had in fact ruptured.  My OB sent me home.  She said she'd check in with me later that day and that I'd need to come to the hospital on Saturday if nothing had started.

I spent the rest of the day doing some last minute nesting.  Doug arrived home early from school.  We tried to take a nap.  I couldn't sleep a wink.   We took Daisy to doggie camp and went on several walks.  We picked up my car, had some dinner and just waited.

And waited.  And waited.  And waited.  And yet... nothing.

My parents arrived from Ohio.  I think we all expected I'd be going into labor at any minute.  Nope.

My OB and I spoke that evening.  She said she wasn't on call the next day, but would head in late afternoon for the birth.  She said to check back in the morning.  But surely I would be in labor by then... right?

Nope!  I tried to sleep that night.  That was a joke.  I think I might have had a few contractions - maybe 4 total.  But nothing steady.  We woke up and got ready to go to the hospital.  It was a really strange feeling.  I was nervous and excited and already exhausted.  I was disappointed in a way that I wouldn't be laboring at home and such.  But Doug and I talked and he calmed me down.  He said that however George entered the world would be great and we just needed to go with the flow.  My OB had wanted us to bring in a typed 'birth preferences' since she was not on call.  I edited it before we went in - took out all the stuff about wanting my waters to rupture on their own - already did that... took out no piton... I needed that, etc.  Hahaha!

We had a little breakfast and headed into the hospital.  Soon George would be here!

Part II coming soon!

Right before heading to the hospital.

Thankful days 25, 26 and 27...

I am thankful today for the generosity of others!

So I'm dedicating these three days to my friend and fellow blogger... JULIE!

She generously is letting me use some Dr. Brown's glass bottles.  Little George was having some problems with his special feeder bottle.  It was taking him FOREVER to suck down a few ounces.  Side note: Same problem on my boob.

But anyway... the lactation consultant suggested we try Dr. Brown's bottles. Did we have to go out and buy some bottles?  NOPE!  We were able to try out Dr. Brown's because Julie had already dropped them off!  And they work great!  George is able to gulp down my breast milk!  It doesn't take him over an hour any more to take a few ounces!  HUGE difference!

So thank you thank you thank you JULIE!!!!