Birth story

[rootofnewt]

We're home, less than 24 hours after I went to the hospital. I'm about to go take a glorious shower. Ronan is sleeping in boy's arms after nursing for half an hour (!!!). He slept most of the day--this is the first time he's latched on for more than a suck or two since 5 or 7am.


Coming home from Lowe's Friday night, I felt a couple real contractions, spread far apart. I figured they were just random. I continued to have 3-4/hour all night. They made the sciatica really pleasant. Around 9:30am, they settled in at six minute intervals with 60-80 second lengths. I called the OB around noon to ask when I could go in because I wanted to use the birthing tubs to take the edge off the back pain. He said I should wait until I was 3 minutes apart or my water broke, but that I could go in and use the tubs sooner if I needed to.

I had boy fill our tub with hot water and I got in there for awhile. Afterward, I climbed out and labored on the bed, having boy time the contractions and press on my back.

Around 4:15, I felt a strong intuitive feeling that said "get to the toilet". I sat down, had a small contraction, and my water burst with a huuuuuge pop as the mucus plug ejected with a splash. From that point on, every contraction brought a gush of fluid. We hurriedly finished packing the bag and got in the car and got to the hospital.

The nurse asked for a 20 minute monitor (that was it--no need for being hooked up any longer) and then saw that my contractions were bringing on decels in the baby's heartrate. She asked to do a cervical check and discovered that I was 7-8cm and 95% effaced. I got in the tub after that and proceeded to scream for awhile.

I got out of the tub and eventually made my way to the bed (broken down for squatting) around a quarter of seven. I pushed for half an hour, apparently, with searing sciatica pain down to my toes. I squatted upright and in a semi-upright position with my feet on the bar and pulling up on a towel, like a crazy monkey slingshot. My OB was surprised today--the nurses had neglected to mention to him that I couldn't even *walk* into the hospital unassisted because of the sciatica (Tom had to get a wheelchair). I told him that while the pushing was hard work and uncomfortable (my perineum didn't want to stretch around Ronan's 14" cranium), that the sciatica was the worst part and the only truly painful part because it went from my sacroiliac joint down both legs to my toes, hitting my tailbone, hips, and knees in the process. He said that I did amazingly well and that the birth was about as natural as they come. I have a few skid marks, two tiny tears, and a tear that was about a one and a half on the grading scale for tears (required a few stitches). The OB did his best to aid in stretching and support--no episiotomy. Ronan was born at 7:17pm with his eyes wide open. He was put on my belly immediately.

His cord wasn't cut until after the placenta came out. It was completely white, so he got all of his cord blood. Hopefully, this will derail any neonatal anemia, since I don't exactly have the best iron situation to pass on. I have the placenta and keep threatening to feed it to explodingcat if he shows any signs of postpartum depression.

We had trouble convincing him to latch on at first. He prefers his two fists (at once) to my ginormous nipplage. I lost a lot of blood (not quite enough for a transfusion and it did stop, so no need to find pitocin that I could take), so I was heavily vested in getting him to suck to stimulate my own oxytocin release. He finally did pick it up--he was just too distracted and alert and interested in everything. He stared at me or Tom for hours. He was also up most of the night nursing (not crying much at all) until he nodded off around 7am. He roomed in in my arms or Tom's all night.

He loves being swaddled and despises being undressed. He doesn't mind skin to skin contact once he's undressed, but he really prefers being bundled up. He's in a Swaddle-me right now.

The OB says that I can resume regular activity/exercise in a week and that I can walk and carry the baby as I feel able now. He said that the blood flow/loss will help me gauge my capabilities. I need to call my hematologist tomorrow and schedule an appointment.

We're very happy. I'm very sore. Gonna go shower now. I'll probably have a short soak in epsom salts later.

Comments

[phir.livejournal.com]

that's wonderful that your labor pains weren't bad, but i hope the sciatica flares stop soon or are at least manageable. i'm so very happy for you & tom & jericho... & amazed that you're already home! that's great!

[eilonwy.livejournal.com]

As I told E-cat last night, I'm so happy for you guys, although this seems to be manifesting itself mainly in my crying. ::blink:: ::blinkblink::

Home already?! That's wonderful, and I'm so glad that things went well. I can't wait to meet the little guy, and to see you and E-cat and Jericho. (Plus, I have weird little gifts for the baby. Heh.)

::hugs:: I hope you enjoyed your shower and will enjoy your soak and that the pain quickly subsides.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too. This is the third time I've cried about it in 24 hours, and I didn't have any sciatica.

[mustelidmania.livejournal.com]

yea for being home!!!!! JDavyd was the same way latching on, he was much to interested in everything around him.

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

Much grinning here on the west coast, and Tim says "Skol!!" I say "Zye Gah-zoont!" and "le'chayim! (feeling Yiddishy today). Now, take good care of yourself and each other and enjoy!

[sophy.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing this - it just makes me so so happy for you all to read. :)

[twostepsfwd.livejournal.com]

Oh mazel tov! Thanks for sharing the story with us. I'm glad you had a relatively "easy" birth (you know, considering how some of my friends' births have gone... it's all relative), despite all the horrible sciatica. Can't wait to see pictures of the little one.

Congratulations

[xiane.livejournal.com]

That's a pretty amazing story, and I'm really glad you shared it with us. Things sound *wonderful* over there, yay! Can't wait to meet the small Ronan person!
The photo last night made me all teary-eyed, too. :)

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

You realize that poor kid is going to have stretch marks around his mouth from your ginormous nipplage? ;-)

Sounds like he's been alert from the start - is he showing a personality yet?

I'm just so happy for y'all.

[avitania.livejournal.com]

Congratulations from me and The Chad!

I sat down, had a small contraction, and my water burst with a huuuuuge pop as the mucus plug ejected with a splash.

HOLY JESUS H CHRIST. Thank God cool people like you can carry on the human race, which saves people like me who are afraid of phrases like "mucus plug" from having to encounter one in person. :)

Congrats again - we're thrilled for you guys!

[natf.livejournal.com]

Hear hear!

[lightning-rose.livejournal.com]

Damn! I stay offline for 18 hours and the whole world changes! :)

Welcome Ronan! I predict it's going to be an interesting ride. :)

[ashiegrrrl.livejournal.com]

Same here! I've been gone all weekend and suddenly there is a baby Ronan! =)

Congrats to you both, krasota! Enjoy the little one

Welcome!

[allicat40.livejournal.com]

Congrats to you and your new little bundle! :) I'm so happy for the both of you.. My neice in law was home within 4 hours of giving birth to my grand nephew- she didn't have much tearing either- and he was 10 lbs! Enjoy the little one :) and hugs

Congrats!!!

[rav3n.livejournal.com]

I'm mad happy for you both. Give Boi and the little one a hug for me.. I'll try to get off my lazy bum and come see you kids 'soon'.

[laverick.livejournal.com]

oh wow, congratulations! thank you so much for sharing the details of ronan's birth day--welcome little guy!

[jb98.livejournal.com]

I have the placenta and keep threatening to feed it to explodingcat if he shows any signs of postpartum depression.

ROFL! Gods, I love your twisted sense of humour. You're quite impressive, woman. Enjoy the new squidlet :)

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I should verify--boy cut the cord, he didn't chew through it. I told him I expected him to do this naturally if I did, but he took the easy way out with shiny sharp objects.

[natf.livejournal.com]

I am so pleased that it all went so 'easily' and without event for you. I could not imagine childbirth plus sciatica. What a scary thought. Was he early? I was under the impression you had a couple more weeks?

*hugs* you all...

[krasota.livejournal.com]

His estimated due date was 24 April (Tuesday). He's certainly full term. Forty weeks is just an average. At 39w6d, he's right on time. ;)

[djdead.livejournal.com]

Grats krassie, boi, and tiny boi! =)

[new-shoes.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh! Congratulations! Have fun with your adventures with your new little friend. :)

[bedbugsbite.livejournal.com]

I'm soooo very happy for you guys! Also: Ronan is a wonderful name.

[kirst.livejournal.com]

Squeeeee!! Congratulations on the babyness!! Sorry, just a random passer who gets a little over excited by babys. In a good way though. I swear. Ok, now I'm just gonna go before I look like even more of a weirdo.

Congrats again!!!

[(Anonymous)]

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear that your labor went so smoothly. I am a bit jealous, though ;)

[mjhamilton.livejournal.com]

Oh, the last anonymous comment was mine. I didn't realize I was logged out...

[crankles.livejournal.com]

Welcome back, new mommy! What a beautiful baby!

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

What a gorgeous birth! I'm so glad you got exactly what you wanted. :)

[kismet09.livejournal.com]

congrats to the whole family! so glad to hear that all is well.

[elizebethjoy.livejournal.com]

OMGWTFBBQ YAY!!!! Many congrats to you and Ronan. Please post everything baby; I can't wait to hear what your experience is like!

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Tom's taken The Continuum Concept to heart. He was sitting, listening to opera, and Ronan got fussy. Tom decided he was bored and went for a walk around the house, baby calmed right down. Went outside to let the dog out, baby was interested. Started putting away the dishes, baby fell asleep. He's now pestering me for a wrap so that he can wear the baby all the time. I'll either have to find something in the fabric pile, or send mom out for five yards of gauze for a lightweight two-shoulder wrap (can make three 20" wraps from 60" fabric). I imagine the ring sling will suffice for a couple weeks, but I need to wash it.