Madelyn's Birth Story

Madelyn Christine was born 10/12/09 @ 7:23am. She was 7 lbs 7 oz, 21 inches long and head measured 13.5 cm. Danny and I had this name picked out since we were first pregnant with Caleb and it was only fitting that she get this name. She was also named after my grandmother.

I woke up Sunday morning and kept thinking she's coming soon. I packed and got most everything ready. I cleaned out the garage while Danny and the boys washed the boat. Finally, around 8 pm I started having contractions. I just knew she was going to make me labor all night long!!!!! The boys were easy on me!

I got in the shower to see if the contractions would stop and they didn't. I called my friend Jennifer to let her know we may end up at the hospital since she was nice enough to come over and watch the boys! I tried to lay down thinking I could sleep through it. Yeah right! I wish! Finally about midnight, they were 5-7 minutes apart and since this was my 3rd baby I went ahead and called my Midwife on call. After all, they say the 3rd one comes really fast!

Bridget was the midwife on call. Thank goodness. There was one at the practice I was avoiding and the midwife I'd seen throughout my pregnancy was oncall on Monday. Bridget told me to come on so we called Jen and loaded up the car. We were on our way about 12:30 am! I got there and they didn't want to admit me until I was checked and monitored. At that point my contractions were back to all over the place so Bridget said I could stay or go home. It was up to me. Since Jen was with the boys, I figured I'd stay. I didn't want to have to come back an hour or so later. I was 4 cm dilated when I was checked at 1:30 am. My labor and delivery nurse was horrible! She was the one who checked me and I have NEVER had it hurt so badly!!!!!! I cussed her every time she walked out of the room after checking me!

I got on the birthing ball and rocked in the chair and about 3:30 she checked me again and I was 6 cm dilated. Again, very painful. It was obvious this nurse didn't know what she was doing. I even told her that her checking me hurt worse than the contractions!!!!!!!

At that point, they admitted. I got into the tub since my contractions were consistent and were hurting like hell. I can't really say it eased them, but it was a change. I stayed there for a couple of hours or so before I had to be put on the monitors to check the contraction and heart rate. I also got checked again and around 5:30 I was about 8 cm dilated and was in quite a bit of pain at that point. It was taking forever and I was so sleepy!!!!!!

I was really starting to feel a lot of pressure by about 6:40ish. Nurse came in and asked me if I wanted her to check me again and I said NO!!!! I couldn't take her checking me again. No way in hell. I think she got the point because she asked if I wanted Bridget to come check me and I said yes that would be great!

Bridget apparently talked to Carrie before she came in and asked if I could hold out for 10 minutes until Carrie could get there since I had seen her the entire pregnancy and I told her I'd try. I mean I can't really control it at this point!!

I managed somehow. Carrie came in and checked me which by the way didn't hurt at all. I was 9 cm and my water was bulging. She knew I didn't want to augment labor in any way, so she asked if I wanted her to break it and I said YES! No hesitation there. It had been a long night and I wanted her OUT! Carrie broke my water and it was within a matter of minutes I was feeling the urge to push.

I was so hot and was telling them to fan me. Danny would start fanning me and then I'd start yelling at him to give me his hand. I needed something to squeeze. The last few minutes were rough. I was sorta waiting to see if I needed to push and waiting to see if I was going to get some guidance so I didn't rip, but I didn't get any. I just got that overwhelming urge to push and they couldn't get my legs in the stir ups fast enough. My left leg went up, but my right one was not going. I was having a calf muscle cramp mid contraction and trying to push. They were yelling at me to get my leg up and I am saying between gritted teeth that it isn't going up because of a leg cramp. Finally, I got it up and I don't think I even pushed 3 times and she was out. I was exhausted.

Carrie laid her on my chest and the first thing I said was..."She has hair!" I was so surprised by that. I just knew she wouldn't. Her umbilical cord was in a knot. Carrie said that was rare. It was cool looking.

Danny said I turned into the exorcist at the end and I am sure I did. It was rough, but I got the birth I wanted. I think next time I should have drank more water to prevent those cramps!!!!

I sure thought my 3rd birth would be quick, but it definitely wasn't! It was as long as the first. I think if my water had broken sooner it would have been much faster!!

Birth Plan

Since this is my 3rd birth experience, I really wanted this one to be a birth just like I wanted it. With Caleb, I had a horrible experience with an epidural and swore I'd never have one again unless I had to have an emergency c-section. With Ian, I had to be induced with pitocin due to high blood pressure, but fortunately I was in active labor by the time I got to the hospital. I did not get an epidural, but I did get a shot of nubane.

This time I didn't want any drugs. I didn't want to be hooked up and monitored and be forced to stay on my back.

I want:
• an unmedicated, intervention-free labor and vaginal delivery
• to ask for pain medication three times before being offered any (until after the baby is born)
• the lowest possible dose of pain medication if I ask for it 3 times
• pain medication to be sewn up if I tear (local anesthetic)
• to breastfeed shortly after birth
• to have my husband present at all times
• labor in a variety of positions, including standing, squatting, sitting, lying, in a tub or in a shower, birthing ball
• my husband to be able to lie/sit with me in the bed or get into the tub with me
• walk freely during labor
• to eat and drink as I choose during labor
• to keep vaginal exams to a minimum
• to be an active member of any decision-making during the labor and delivery
• to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) before pitocin is administered to augment labor
• to have the amniotic membrane ruptured before drugs are used to augment labor
• to protect my perineum - I am practicing ahead of time by squatting, doing Kegel exercises, and perineal massage
• guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch
• to tear rather than have an episiotomy
• to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase, even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress
• to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery and to wait for cord to stop pulsating.
• to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made
• to hold the baby rather than have (him/her) placed under heat lamps
• to see the placenta after it is delivered
• to have photos taken during the labor and delivery
• my husband to cut the umbilical cord once it has stopped pulsating
• to room-in with the baby
• to leave as soon as possible after the birth

I do no want:
• to be offered pain medication until after the birth
• to have a C-section except as a last result to save my life and/or the life of the baby
• an episiotomy
• an enema
• IV fluids unless I become very dehydrated
• continuous fetal monitoring unless the baby is in danger
• internal fetal monitoring unless the baby is in danger
• a bottle or pacifier to be given to the baby
• the baby taken to the nursery at anytime
• to be given the Rubella booster after delivery. I would prefer to wait until 6 weeks postpartum to have blood tested again to see if I am still showing no immunity.

Awakened to a 3.2 Earthquake...

This morning I was up about 6:35 am with my bladder calling my name. I got up again for the 500th time and laid back in bed. As soon as I laid back down, I heard a boom and felt some shaking. The shaking only last 5-10 seconds. At first, I thought maybe it was an airplane since the airport isn't too far away, but then as I lay there I thought that had to have been another earthquake.

When I finally got out of bed, I looked it up and sure enough it was! It was less than 6 miles from me! This is the second one I have felt, but at least the 4th or 5th since we have been here!

Earthquake Details

Magnitude 3.2

Date-Time Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 10:37:13 UTC
Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 06:37:13 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location 33.033°N, 80.159°W
Depth 5 km (3.1 miles)
Region SOUTH CAROLINA
Distances 3 km (2 miles) N (358°) from Lincolnville, SC
4 km (2 miles) NE (39°) from Summerville, SC
6 km (4 miles) WNW (298°) from Ladson, SC
135 km (84 miles) SE (144°) from Columbia, SC
402 km (250 miles) E (100°) from Atlanta, GA
Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.6 km (0.4 miles); depth +/- 1 km (0.6 miles)

Parameters NST= 14, Nph= 22, Dmin=10 km, Rmss=0.17 sec, Gp=122°,
M-type="Nuttli" surface wave magnitude (mbLg), Version=B
Source Southeast U.S. Seismic Network
Event ID sehnw0829a

So behind.....

Gosh, I can't believe how far behind I am on blogging. Life has definitely gotten crazy the last few weeks. Between visitors, cleaning out closets and preparing for baby there hasn't been time for much else.

Now that school has started, it has been an even bigger adjustment especially for Mommy! Anyone who knows me knows I love my sleep and this 6 am stuff is for the roosters!!!!

Caleb is adjusting in Kindergarten and at the YMCA in his new routines. He is starting Football practice tonight.

Ian started his new preschool yesterday and so far it is SO much better than The Sunshine House!!! His teacher at Oakbrook CDC has been there for 13 years which is awesome considering Ian has been through 2 full time and at least 3 part time teachers at Sunshine House in the last 6 months!!

I am 32 weeks today. It is hard to believe I have only 8 weeks left. If I even make it that far! The heat definitely makes this pregnancy worse!!!! I have been begging Danny to let me go to one of his stores and sit in the beer coolers!!! Instead, the other day I walked out of the house and got in the truck. He comes out thinking I am mad or something and wanted to know where I was going. I told him I was HOT and trying to get cooled off!! Sleeping is nearly non-existent and I swear she is already 10 lbs! She kicks MUCH harder than the boys ever did!

Anyway, I will be going back to catch up and post pics of things we have had going on!

Caleb's First Day of Kindergarten

Today was Caleb's first day of Kindergarten! He was SO excited he was up before the alarm went off at 6am. He couldn't even eat breakfast and was rushing us all out of the house! Traffic was insane! I kept quizzing him on the way to school. What is your teacher's name? Where is your milk money? What bus do you get on after school? Danny finally told me to chill out and Caleb responded by saying, "Mommy is just trying to make sure I know what I am supposed to do." hahaha :)

We let him show us where his classroom was to make sure he remembered since we would just be dropping him off and not walking him in later in the week. He did a great job and I managed to keep in the tears. A few slipped on the way out, but I am SO exited for this next chapter in his life!!