Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Birth Story

As you know, Dorothy Grace entered the world a week ago today. I can't stop looking at her and thinking of how amazing it is that she came from me and David! Sometime in the near future I need to post some of my baby pictures along with some of hers so you can see how she looks like me. But on to more interesting things, like how labor went.

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am on Tuesday morning, September 5th. Here I am right after we checked in, sporting my big baby belly.



We waited around for a few hours until the doctors could get in to check me and get things started, so here I am just waiting.




Once I was checked, I was found to be 5 cm dilated and 90% effaced, so they broke my water right then and there, starting the pitocin immediately after. The contractions picked up right away, so I asked for the epidural early. I didn't even have to wait around for the anesthesiologist because it was a slow morning. Unfortunately, he kept having to come in and "dose" me, meaning give me extra meds other than the ones that were already coming through, as I had a large spot in my lower abs that kept hurting. He adjusted the catheter to help with it a bit.



We had a lot of family in the room for the delivery keeping us company throughout the day.



Once it came time to push, the last dose in the epidural had started to wear off, so in the lower part of my abdomen, I could feel TONS of pain. The good part was that when she was crowning I didn't feel the "ring of fire", just the contractions. Good thing, too, because I tore pretty bad. I pushed for 45 minutes, and as soon as her head came out I said, "it's really a baby!" Two more pushes and her shoulders were out, but let me tell you, they were the hardest pushes of the whole process. When she came out (the most incredible feeling ever) and was placed on my chest, it was overwhelming.




She was weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz and was 19 inches long! All this time wondering if we would have a tiny baby and here she comes out a solid, full-term chub!!



I am a very happy mommy to a very beautiful baby girl! She is all cuddles. Breastfeeding has been a big challenge so far, but using a nipple shield is helping with that. I'll write more about our breastfeeding challenges later. For now I am going to go enjoy this:



And maybe a bit of this:

21 comments:

Melissa said...

Thanks for sharing your story, Becci!! I am so glad you have your little (or big, lol!) Dorothy to hold in your arms. She is precious!! Congrats, again!

Mandy said...

So so glad she is a "chub" (well compared to mine at least :) ) She is SO beautiful! I literally could not be any happier for you three :)

M said...

All I can say about tearing is "ouch!" as I squeeze my legs together! Sounds like it was a wonderful experience though, and she sure is a gorgeous baby!

Angela said...

She's so cute, and it sounds like you had a pretty decent time of it for the birth. So glad for you!! Thanks for posting all the pictures!

Paige said...

she is so beautiful and great job during the labor!

Anonymous said...

She is abosoulutly gorgouse. I am so glad everything went so well. Congrads again. Keep posting pics because she sure is a cutie. Makes me want another one

Anonymous said...

Becci, I hope to come by in the next few weeks to see Dorothy. She is beautiful and you did a great job. You should be proud.

purple_kangaroo said...

Wow, she has grown up a lot already even in a week! I love the pic with her eyes open.

My offer still stands to bring my own baby over and see if I can help with any nursing tips for yours.

Anonymous said...

She is so beautiful! Your birth story made me cry :) Are there La Leche League meetings in your area? You can always call those people for advice!

Emmakirst said...

She's gorgeous. I'm so happy everything went so well, sorry bout the tear, but it's well worth it!

sarah said...

aaawwwww, she's so cute!!! i'm so happy for you!

Lori said...

Becci!! She is beautiful and I so appreciate you sharing her birth story!!

Good luck with the BF'ing. It was really difficult for me too at first and the nipple sheild was like a MIRACLE! It gets easier as time goes on...if you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to ask!!

(((hugs))) to you, David, and beautiful Dorothy!!

Mel said...

Thanks for sharing your story - I was so excited to stop by your blog and find new pictures and an update. Dorothy is a beautiful little girl and it sounds like you did a great job delivering her. Enjoy her! Mel x

Amy said...

She is just adorable!

I started with a nipple shield too. It definitely helped. We stopped using it about five days after Jack was born, and things worked out.

Just hang in there. It is going to be hard and it's going to hurt. But if you can stick it out the first month, it gets 100% easier!

Anonymous said...

She is GORGEOUS!!! I am so happy for you and David!!!!

abebech said...

She's so very beautiful!
It is such a shock when you're prepared for a preemie to have a big baby! (My five pounder surprised me - tiny as he was, we were planning/preparing for tinier).
So lovely. What a blessing.

soralis said...

I am just catching up. First off Congrats she is beautiful!

Enjoy! They grow way to fast!

Shawn Marie said...

I am sooooo happy! She is beautiful! You look gorgeous! CONGRATS to you and your dh! I know how happy and relieved you feel! HUGS TO YOU!

Tonya said...

I have been gone forever but I am so overjoyed at Dororthy's arrival.. she is sooo beautiful just as I knew she would be :)

Anonymous said...

oh Becci I'm so happy for you and David!!!!! a few weeks ago I started thinking about you and Dorothy and I wondered, "isn't her due date right about now?" it must have been right around the same time you were giving birth! I'm going to send this link to my mom so she can see- she's going to be so happy for you too!!! oh by the way this is Debbie. **HUGS**

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Becci and David! Dorothy Grace is a beautiful name for your sweet bundle :)

With happiness and blessings in abundance for you all,

Val H.