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Austin's Birth Story
Austin Matthew?s birth story
I was scheduled to be induced on Tuesday, January 3 at 8 a.m.
Around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, January 2, I started having contractions. They felt similar to other contractions in the past, so I waited/labored at home until around midnight, when I decided that we should definitely go in. After spending Christmas Eve and New Year?s Eve in l&d triage before being sent home, I wanted to be sure it was the real thing before heading in.
In triage at 1 a.m., we found out I was dilated to 6-7 cm. I asked how much longer they thought until I would hit 10 cm and be able to push. When they couldn?t give me a timeframe, I asked for the epidural. I really feel it was the best decision I made.
After the epidural kicked in, my parents, Matt and I were able to relax a bit while I continued to dilate. We listened to music, cracked jokes with the nurses and rested.
Around 5:30 a.m., they said I was fully dilated and could push if I felt the urge. I didn?t, so they continued to let me rest. An hour later, I still didn?t feel the ?urge? but figured I?d give pushing a try. I ended up pushing for 20 minutes before Austin arrived at 6:43 a.m., weighing 8 lb 9 oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. So, from my first real contraction to delivery was a little over 8 hours.
Our little guy decided to come out with his hand up next to his face, giving me second degree tears in three different spots and a hematoma. Clearly God was watching over me and helped me make the decision to get the epidural early on. I cannot imagine what that pain would have felt like sans epidural.
We are settling in at home. My parents left today which was extremely hard for me. They have been incredibly supportive and helpful since arriving at our house last Monday evening.
We have had some challenges with breastfeeding and Austin dropped more than 10% of his body weight at his check up yesterday morning, down to 7 lb 8 oz. We were able to get an appointment with the lactation consultant at the hospital yesterday and things have been getting better. My milk is in, but my nipples aren?t ?sticking out? like they should. This has created latch issues and the pain has brought me to tears multiple times. So we are now using a nipple shield which has helped a lot.
My pain ?down there? is getting worse instead of better each day. My legs/ankles are swollen beyond recognition. I feel like I have Princess Fiona sausage feet. Disgusting. The doctors are concerned so I?ll be going in tomorrow morning after we take Austin for his weight re-check.
I?m looking forward to getting back to nesting!
Re: Austin's Birth Story
I was so happy to hear that Austin decided to come on his own, and glad it was quick.
Sorry to hear about the tear and the continued pain "down there." I also had issues, and didn't heal quickly nor properly (I had an episiotomy). I ended up having a surgical procedure two months after Liam was born to fix it. I hope that tomorrow's appointment can figure out what is going on, and give you additional medication/guidance on what to do so you can be more comfortable.
Good luck with the breastfeeding, sounds like you are now on the right path and LC's are wonderful!
And love the newborn pic of Austin, he is a cutie!!
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Our crazy, wonderful life
TTC since Sept 2009, 2 uterine septum surgeries (Jan and March 2011), 1 chemical pregnancy (4/11), 1 ectopic pregnancy (8/11), and missed m/c at 11w5d (3/12)
Failed IVF #1 (July 2012)
FET #1 October/November 2012 BFP, m/c at 5 3/7
February - operative hysteroscopy
Late April/May FET #2
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Congratulations on Austin, he's precious! I'm glad you are utilizing the LC at the hospital, hopefully the breast feeding will just continue to improve and will become an enjoyable experience. I needed to use a nipple shield also after LO was born and it made a huge difference (we no longer use it, but it was a great tool for us).
My parents left today too, I so know how you are feeling. Hope you get some relief from the pain soon. The pictures of him are too cute!!
Claire Elizabeth 12/31/2011
Married Bio
Cut the Crap - Weight loss journey of a Few Fat Chicks
The pictures of Austin turned out awesome! Your sig is adorable
Hope you're feeling better soon!
m/c 7/17/10
Dx: MFI- 3% morph
IUIs: Gonal-F + Ovidrel + b2b IUI= BFNs
IVF with ICSI= BFP! EDD 11/25/11
3/18- Beta #1 452! 3/20- Beta #2 1,026!! 3/27- First u/s- TWINS!
Our twin boys arrived at 36w5d due to IUGR and a growth discordance
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Neena Mae. 1/7/10
"A baby nursing at a mother's breast is an undeniable affirmation of our rootedness in nature." - David Suzuki
Your siggy pic is adorable!
Good luck with breastfeeding. We're currently using a nipple shield and also bottle feeding breast milk. Hang in there, I hear that the pain eventually goes away and it should get easier. Unfortunately I'm not to that point yet!
I hope you feel better soon!
Aspen Marley ~ 12.22.11
My Blog of Randomness - Pocketful of Roses
Not a bad labor and delivery, though OUCH about the tear! I hope you start to feel better soon. Nora came out with her hand up by her face (the nurses joked that she was "already looking for daddy's credit card") but I don't think that was the reason for my tearing--I still don't know how severe mine was, because I asked "Is it bad?" and he was just "Well, she tore you." Um, OK? A+ on the vagueness, doc.
It's normal for your emotions to be all over the place these first few weeks, so make sure to cut yourself some slack. I didn't have family stay with us, but I CRIED AND CRIED when Michael had to go back to work the week after she was born because I felt like I was going to miss him so much. I also cried when we got home from the hospital because I was sad I'd never see my hospital nurses again. LOL. It's easy for all the tears to make you feel like a crazy person. Just keep reminding yourself it's normal.
And hang in there with the breastfeeding, you're doing a great job!
Congrats again!
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Congrats! I was just getting ready to page you and say how cute your siggy pic is.
I feel ya on the tearing... I had 3rd degree inside and out. It took me a good 2 months before walking didn't hurt. And sometimes I still get pains during sex and putting in tampons. But hey, our LOs are worth it! I know they probably gave you lots on instructions, but the best thing for me was standing in a hot shower (TMI...) against the wall with my legs apart so the water could run down my back to my lady bits without directly hitting them. I did this several times a day for a few weeks.
I pray you heal so you can enjoy your LO!
Life of mrsjanks