Tuesday, July 22, 2014

It's a BOY!

On the afternoon of Monday, June 30th, I went to the doctor for a regular appointment. Dr. John checked me and I was 4+cm and about 75% effaced. After some discussion, we decided I should be induced the following day (my due date). Mostly because my body was SO ready to go and doc was concerned about how fast it might happen and either him or I not making it to the hospital. I didn't believe him or fear things would happen fast, but was fine with the decision. I went home from the appointment and started contracting every 10 minutes ALL afternoon/evening. I was in denial that this was true labor because of the false labor episodes I had prior...but these contractions were much more legit. I just kept working through them--preparing dinner, writing instructions for boys for coming days, cleaning up the house, etc. I noticed the contractions got closer together at one point, but then late evening, around 11 pm, they slowed down. I talked to Dr. John and around 11:30 pm and he recommended we go to the hospital at midnight (that way I was checking in same day as scheduled induction) and just get settled in and rest there for the night...just in case something happened. I was hesitant, but followed his advice since we were already planning to be there in 6 hours anyways. I thought we might could actually get more sleep if we went ahead and went up there. So, we arrived shortly after midnight. The nurses did all my initial work up, but I told them I didn't want an IV or anything since we were just there to sleep. As soon as I settled in the hospital bed though, I noticed my contractions had really picked up. They were monitoring me and could tell they were all of a sudden every 5 minutes. Nurse was still doing all my assessment though, so I was somewhat distracted during that first hour. Around 1:00, I was starting to hurt! Nurse checked me around 1:15 am and I was still 4 cm. I couldn't believe it because my contractions had become pretty painful and frequent. I realized I WOULD need that IV and possibly an epidural sooner than expected. I still didn't completely realize what was happening, I just knew I hurt and it was getting worse by the minute. It took the nurse 3 tries and about 5-10 minutes to find an IV site....by this time I was in severe pain--contractions were pretty much constant and EXTREMELY intense. Dr. John arrived around 1:45 am (Alex texted him to say I was hurting bad; and he said his intuition told him to get there fast) and checked me. I was 8 1/2 cm and in transition! Everything happening around me was a blur because of the pain I was in, but I remember hearing that and thinking "Oh my word, I'm about to have this baby totally naturally". The anesthesiologist had arrived though, so they went ahead and gave me epidural. I had been BEGGING for him to get there the prior 25 minutes, so I wasn't going to turn him away even though I knew I would be 10 cm and ready to push after sitting up for the procedure. The epidural caused baby's heart rate to dramatically drop and not recover, so after I laid comfortably for about 3 minutes, it was all of a sudden emergency "get the baby out" mode. Thankfully, it only took 3 pushes for him to be delivered. As soon as his head was out, Dr. John announced that baby looked perfectly fine, pink and healthy. I was able to relax a little at that point and just a moment later I heard "It's a boy!" The prior 45 minutes had been such a crazy, intense, scary experience that it took a while to process what had just happened. I mean, we had just showed up at the hospital to rest....I did NOT expect to have the baby at that time, and especially in that way. It all happened SO fast, just like Dr. John warned me. I'm thankful we went to the hospital when we did, or who knows what would have happened!
Right when baby was being delivered, Dr. John said, "Better get your camera ready". Ahhh, it hadn't even crossed our minds. I'm so glad he said that! Here are the first moments of meeting our sweet James Oliver.



 Alex cutting the cord
 We love Dr. John

James Oliver Burke
Born July 1, 2014
2:09 am
7 pounds 11 ounces
18 1/2 inches
Perfect!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Alex turns 30!

What do you do when your husband's 30th birthday is 3 days before your due date? Well, in my case, pretty much nothing! I just knew if I planned something big and special I would go into labor before the event. Thankfully we were able to make Alex feel special on his big day. It was a Saturday, so I made sure to keep the boys quiet in the morning so that Alex could sleep late...and he did! We had a normal day with the kids, and since Alex has been a super strict health nut, he didn't even want a special treat. The boys were dying for something though, and the chance to sing Happy Birthday, so I pulled out some muffin "cupcakes" for them as our celebration.
Happy Birthday, Daddy!
That evening we went out to dinner with Travis and Anna. We started off meeting at Superior Steakhouse for appetizers and drinks (and that's when my "false labor" contractions started--like every 5-10 mins for the next 2 hours). I was timing contractions on a Steakhouse cocktail napkin, ha! Since they weren't getting too strong, we carried on with our evening and headed to Bella Fresca for dinner. We always love going there! It was a great night out with friends, but I had to cut it short (no dessert) because I was certain we were going to have to go to the hospital that night. Once we got home and I laid down, the contractions stopped. I hated that the ordeal compromised our time, but Alex assured me that it only added to the excitement. 
heading out for the night
Travis and Alex
My YOUNG husband! 
Alex--The boys and I love you so much and are thankful to God for your 30 years of life! 

37, 38, 39 weeks

The last few weeks of my pregnancy were spent waiting for baby....it was an exciting time. I felt pretty great, except for the nausea that still plagued me! Doc appointments showed everything looking good and normal. I had my cerclage out during week 37. It wasn't the easiest experience, but was over and behind us quickly. At 38 weeks, I was a little dialated, at 39 weeks, I was dialated to a 4 and about 70% effaced. I had a couple episodes of "false labor" in those weeks, and was getting pretty excited, but nothing ever came of it...until my due date, which I'll post about later.
38 weeks
end of 39 weeks--this was actually the day before I delivered
Glad I took this! I wouldn't get the chance for another pregnancy shot.