Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 15:22:36 EST
Subject: Hannahs Birth Story
Here it is!!

Oct 13th 1999 between 7am & 7:30 am I was lying in
bed & I just returned from going to the bathroom.
DH was just getting ready to leave for work & I felt
this pain & I went back to the bathroom & GOSH my
water broke before I could even get to the toilet.
I quickly yelled to my DH that I didn't think he was
going to work today & he asked why & I told him that
I think that my water broke, I could her the
excitement in his voice. I asked him to all the DR
office & tell them my water broke cause if I got up
from the toilet I would leak everywhere. So he called
& Dr. asked if I had any contractions & I
didn't so he said take your time & come to the Hosp.
So I really took my time while DH was getting
a little nervous for us to leave after I called
everyone from the Toilet LOL I got ready even though
everytime I moved I felt wet YUCK!! I had a little
dress on cause I couldn't put on pants on with a
towel in between my legs & I made DH put my
underwear on cause I felt naked what a funny girl.

Well, finally we were on our way around 8am the
biggest traffic time for us. SO we saw I cop & told them
& they said do what you have to do by riding on
the shoulder until it ends so we did & got to the
Hosp. around 8:30am Still not feeling bad contractions
at all & then after we checked in & waited for a
room we got me settled in. We were in the room
around 9:30ish or so. Changed & laid int he bed I just
kept saying that I need something cause I had streph
B, And I didn't want anything to happen to Hannah.
So Finally got that with IV and Now the Contractions
were SO PAINFUL gosh the first strong one I
started to cry my DH was so scared that I was going
to cry the whole time but I didn't I just cried that
one time. They gave me a cathader which was the
most uncomfortable thing ever in the whole world.
Finally got check & I was 5 cm and fully effaced,
I wanted an epi & was waiting for test results to come
back when nurse checked me & I was 9 cm and I wasn't
allowed to have anything. But I begged to
get something & nurse gave me a little Demerol
which didn't help with the pain just made me relax a
tiny bit. Finally noon still the same day I started
pushing. And after fifteen minutes Hannah
Suzanne was born at 12:15pm and weighed 7lbs and
12oz and was 21inches long. DH cut the cord & They put
her on top of me & It was one the BEST moments of
my life looking at her. They then took her away to
weigh her & I asked the Dr. if I had a epositomy
or did I need stitches & he said no to both. I was
so Lucky. I felt really good after the birth I was just really
tired. But I know look back & say I would do it
over in an instant for this little girl she really
is one the best things that has happened in my life.
And I must say that my husband was wonderful &
could not have done it without him there. He made me
feel wonderful & my love for him has grown so much
deeper now that we have made this perfect little
girl together that no one will ever replace.

I also want to thank everyone that has helped since
the start before I was even Preg. You all are the
best & I thank God everyday for the people he has
made part of my life that has helped me in any way.

Jennifer W & Hannah

Kerri presents Dylan's Birth Story
Well, here it goes.......
I was due on October 15th.
When he still hadnt come the week before,
the Dr. decided to induce me Sunday morning,
October 17th. Well he told us to check into the
hospital Saturday night and they would give me
some medicine to soften my cervix. At this point I
had been 50% effaced for 2 weeks with no dilation
at all and the baby was not engaged at all
(they said he was in the heavens).
So anyways, dh and I decided to do a bunch of last
minute preparations on Saturday during the day.
We were on the move the whole day, because we figured
I get some medicine on my cervix and sit around and watch
tv in the hospital room and get a good nights sleep
for the labor the following day.

Boy were we wrong!
When I got there, the first thing they did was hook me up
to a baby heart monitor, a contraction monitor,
and give me a heparin block (an IV in the arm for
when they needed it). I was having contractions
that werent painful, but big enough that they couldnt
give me the oral medicine so they gave me the prostaglandin
gel. This was after they decided that since
I was having contractions already anyways why
not just try to get things going with
a balloon inserted into my cervix.
They insert the balloon, blow it up to 3 cm
and it presses down on your cervix from the inside
like baby's head would. So by 7:00 p.m.
I was hooked up to all these machines,
and had rubber hoses coming
out of my vagina (hooked to the balloon) and the gel.
As soon as the balloon was in, I started having
very painful contractions. They came about
every 3 - 4 minutes. Dh was helping me with
my breathing from Lamaze, but he was dead tired too
and wanted to get some sleep for the next day.
At 11:25, I felt a huge pop and a big gush between
my legs. I thought the balloon may have popped
(it was filled with water) so I called the nurse (about
the 8th different one I had that night).
Well, it wasnt the balloon, it was my water.
Since I had Group B Strep I knew theyd have to
start the penicillin drip now that my water had
broken. Thank God this nurse was nice and
inserted a new IV for me. The first IV had
been put in wrong and was causing me real pain
in my arm (for about 5 hours now). She started
the penicillin and warned me that it would burn
going in and it did. I had to get this penicillin
refreshed every 4 hours until delivery.

Boy the contractions were really strong now.
I was using my breathing and dh was
applying pressure to my back.
This went on all night.
Contractions every 3 minutes.
I was in misery, everytime I would
need to go to the bathroom, dh would help
unhook me from the machines and I would
limp to the bathroom wheeling my IV stand,
2 monitors strapped around me,
and rubber hoses dangling between my legs
and use the toilet all the while having
these terrible contractions.
Then we'd get back to the bed, he'd hook me
back up and a nurse would come in to see
why I was unhooked. Duh, you are infusing
me with a continuous flow of liquid
and you wonder why I might have to use the bathroom.
And worse, with my water continuously running from me,
my dh would have to keep changing these waterproof pads
that were on the bed. They were pretty much soaked all night,
as were my sheets, and the pillows between my knees.
God it feels awful to lay in a wet bed.

The Dr. would check me every few hours and
we would think all these contractions had to
be doing something. Then, we would be devastated
to hear I had made absolutely no progress.
The contractions slowed down some and dh and I
mananged to get some catnaps between 5 and 7 a.m.
At 7:00 a.m., 12 hours into this ordeal, they started the
pitocin drip. The contractions worsened
and just went on all day.
No progress, no progress!
Finally at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, I could take it no more.
I had been in labor for 21 hours and
wasnt progressing past 3 cm.
I started bawling and said I had to have the
epidural and that I couldnt take it any longer.
We thought maybe the epidural would relax me
enough that maybe I would open up,
if not I would need the epi anyways for a
c-section. I got it within 20 minutes.
Within 5 minutes the pain of the contractions was
gone, but I was reacting badly to the drugs.
I got very cold and started shaking uncontrollably.
My tongue felt like it was swelling.
The Dr.s did all kinds of little tests to
access my condition and the nurses put warm blankets on me.
My main nurse at this point was really nice and funny.
She started making jokes to keep me calm.
I was pretty calm though anyways,
because that pain was finally gone.
I figured that freaking out would just
make things worse. Finally they stabilized me.
Two hours later at about 6:30 the Dr. checked me again.
Still the same. We figured as much. The Dr. said he
felt this was like pounding a square peg into a round hole.
What an analogy!
He told us we needed to make a decision.
We didnt have much time left because of my water breaking
the night before. Dh and I decided with much relief
just to go for the section. We wanted our baby
and we wanted him however we could get him.

A few minutes later they turned off the pitocin
and the epidural and scheduled the surgery
for 7:45 p.m. We were so relieved and excited!
We would have him soon.

My parents and sister arrived just in time
to see me before we went into the OR.
They started the epidural again
(went through all the same reactions,
except they had to give me stronger drugs
in addition because I could still feel things
in the OR) I remember the anesthesiologist saying ok,
you are gonna feel really weird I was really out of it.
My dh later told me that he was crying because
he was afraid something was gonna happen to me
because I was shaking so bad and wasnt responding
to him after a while. At 8:06 p.m. Dylan was born
and I remember them holding him up in front of me
and my dh saying hon, he's here he's here
and I was crying and saying look at him,
he's so beautiful.

Ive never in my life felt such a rush of emotion.
I asked them to move him to my other side
so I could see him better because I couldn't open my left eye
(Horners syndrome - another reaction from the drugs).
I guess they then put me back together and whisked me
away to the recovery room and I dont remember too much except
that I was begging them to put me on my side because my
back ached so bad and they wouldnt
and I couldn't move my legs no matter how hard I tried.
They covered me with these huge air filled blankets
and then my dh arrived with Dylan.
Two hours had gone by but I had no idea at the time.

I had to stay in the hospital until Wednesday night
and it was so awful except for the baby.
Dh stayed with us the whole time.
I was in such bad shape the next day that
I couldn't believe I would ever feel better.
They wouldnt let me out of the bed for two days
and I was hooked up to an IV until right before we left.
It was very frustrating.

So in the end it was a really rough experience
but I got the best outcome possible:
My beautiful baby boy!

Kerri, Mom to Dylan

Lisa Z
Wed, 20 Oct 1999 19:40:43 -0400
Hello Everyone,
I just got a chance to post.
Thursday afternoon I posted that I thought
I was "leaking."
I didn't know it, but my water was breaking.
My doctor instructed me to go to the hospital.
We arrived at 4:30 pm. The placed me
in an exam room and by 4:45 pm I began
feeling contractions. The doctor
examined me and found that I was 2 cm
dialated and 100% effaced.
By 6:00 pm I was 4 cm dilated and the pain
was beginning to get quiet uncomfortable.
So, I asked for an epidural.
By 7:15 I had my epidural and felt wonderful!
At 10:30 pm, the nurse had me begin
pushing. I couldn't believe I was already dilated
10 cm. Unfortunately, I couldn't feel the contractions.
This made pushing a little difficult.
So, they turned off the epidural.
I continued pushing until 12:32 pm when
little Austin made his arrival.
He was 6 lbs, 12 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.
He's just perfect.
I hope to have pictures real soon.
DH was wonderful he coached me through like a pro!

Thanks to everyone!
I never thought he would arrive on time.
He shares is birthday with his grandma. :-)

This may not be the most detailed birth story
but while Noah is content sleeping
and DH is awake it would be best to post.

At 1:20 am Sunday night/Monday morning
I awoke to what I thought was another bathroom break.
Well, instead the bathroom break never stopped
so I woke up DH and told him Noah was coming early
and we needed to call the Dr.
The Dr. on call was the one whom I've seen the
most and had hoped would deliver. He told us
to go immediately to the ER and he would meet
us soon. We hurridly got ourselves awake and
together, prayed that Noah was okay, called our
parents and left.
At 2am I was admitted, checked and
found to be 0 dilated.
Shortly after some cramping started
and I was found to be 1cm (a lifesaver)
and 40% effaced. The Dr. came by and
said that he felt it would be a while and
that we should prepare for Noah to be
small, about 4-1/2 lbs. Dr.L was very
noticeably concerned as well. We were told
that I could walk and that should help
Noah to drop. The more we walked, the more
frequent & stronger the contractions.
Dr.L had the nurses stop my walking
and monitored both baby & me.
For quite a while I was bedridden
and on monitors. At 8:30am
the contractions were VERY strong and
FREQUENT!! The nurse offered Nubaine,
which I accepted.
Dr.L wanted me checked again.
They thought I would probably only a few cm
dilated. Instead I was found to be 5cm & 90% effaced...
perfect candidate for an epidural:-).
I gladly accepted because the pain was becoming more
than I could bear. The anesthesiologist was so
caring & comforting...also the chief anesth.
Oh what a relief to have the epidural!!!!!
I was checked a little later and found to be
7cm, then 9. There was a hot spot at my right
leg/groin area that didn't take w/the epidural.
The anesth. was called to give me another epi boost.
Aaaaah, that was better! At 12:45pm I was checked
and found to be 10cm & 100% effaced....
the pushing could begin!! Three hours later and feeling
totally exhuasted, I was still pushing.
Dr.L came in and found that the baby needed help
w/the vacuum. OMG, what DISCOMFORT, even w/the
epidural!!

At 4:06pm our BEAUTIFUL gift from God was born.
The delivery was SO VERY rough because his
head was face down but turned at an angle.
I did have an episiotomy and a 3rd degree tear.
Our angel weighed 5lb15-1/4 lbs & was 19" long.
Everyone was quite surprised at his weight.
How much would he have weighed had he been full-term?!!

It's hard to express the elation, overwhelming joy at
our beautiful boy!!

Post-partum depression has been felt some because
it's difficult for me to take care of him right now.
Since Tuesday I've had uncontrollable shaking of my
left arm when I'm tired. We tried breastfeeding
but Noah wasn't latching on at all but could eat
from the bottle. Also, w/my shaking I need medicines
which would affect the breast milk. He's now adjusting
to the formula and we hope will continue to eat well.
He's lost more weight than he should which is a concern
to us all.

Please keep him in your prayers.
Today he was found to have a noticeable heart murmur.
A test was run and showed him to have VSD.
Elizabeth, please email me w/any details you
might have. The Drs. feel it's enough to be concerned
yet not a serious case. We should receive a call today
from a Ped. Cardiologist in Indy for an appt. soon.
Hopefully as early as today, Friday or Mon.
Needless to say we are so very worried
but trust in God to take care of him.

There's so much more I could post but am feeling tired.
Right now Noah is sleeping, so Daddy & I will take
advantage! Our parents have been such a wonderful
help. We were caught off guard w/his early arrival
and need so much. His sleeper gowns are too big, etc.
Our friends are shopping for Preemie clothes for us
tomorrow!

Words cannot express the pure joy, thankfulness and
awe at this beautiful boy...our precious son!
We have a lot to learn but will do so w/another's support.
My DH has been SUPER!!!!!

Thanks so much to all of you for your support,
love and concern through the TTC and pgy times!!
You have so much to look forward to in the months ahead!

My time online will be very limited for a while but my
thoughts are w/you! Please feel free to email me
anytime.

Love to all,
Mitzi & Noah:-)

Posted By: Page

Finally we have our baby!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, 4 October 1999, at 8:35 a.m.
Well ladies it's been a while
and here is the story long...m
We went to the Doc on 09-07
for our regular check up and I
was 3 days over due Bp up and
swelling bad with protei in urine.
The doc said my cervix was not doing
anything to prepare for this birth and
he wanted to try me on a new drug
to ripen the cervix and induce me.
The one draw back was that I had to
be in the Hospital to do the drug.
So I was admited to the hospital at 2:00 pm
that day. They started me on
Cytotec pills which are inserted up to the
cervix. After 2 pills which is rare
I still was only dilated to almost
2cm this was on Thursday the 9th.
At 7:30 that morning the doc came in
and broke my water and started me on
pitocin. This was no fun!!!!!!!!!!
So much for me wanting to go o natural.
At 1:30 on Thursday the 9th the doc
called and asked the nurse to check me
and I was still not even a 2cm yet.
So then he wanted to speak to my
husband. My Dh came in and did not
really say anything and I simply
asked when is he going to do it.
I knew it was going to be a C-section
and I was right. At 2:24 on Sept. 9, 1999
my beautiful little Jack was born and weighed
8lbs. 8.5 oz and was 20.5 ins long
with a 14cm head.
The doc said due to his position
that I would have never been able to deliver
him normally and that he was no where near
my cervix.

Mom and baby are doing well now but
what a road to get him here.
Congrats to everyone who had babies
and to the new alum.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Page

Posted By: Kristina
Saturday, 2 October 1999, at 2:35 p.m.
Baby girl came two weeks early...(m)
..averaging 3 hours of sleep a night...
but it is SOOOO worth it!

Baby Julia Marie arrived on Sept 24th at 5:04am
after 1 hour (yes ONE HOUR) of labor.
First child and I figured I had at least
12 hours after my water broke,
but I was wrong :)
Water broke at 3:15am,
pain started at about 4am
(before it was just BH contractions
which weren't bad at all),
by 4:30am I was 10cm and ready to push
(the nurse held her in because she was
transverse and had to have a C-section),
they barely had time to do anything
(no shaving, no monitors, very light anethesia),
and at 5:04 she was born.
We all thought it was a boy, but a pleasant
surprise... she's a girl!
I am so thrilled. I wouldn't have
cared either way,
but I love the idea of dressing her up.
I woke up at 5:30am and saw her for the
first time and just cried.
I still cry when I hold her and just think about how
amazing she is. We have already taken about
300 pictures and vidoes of her,
she's not at all camera shy!

She was 7lbs 4oz and 2 weeks early (38 weeks).
She is so beautiful I just can't beleive it!
My first words when I held her were
"I have never been so in love before".
My husband just cried and couldn't stop.
We haven't slept much,
she's a night owl like her dad,
but I wouldn't trade a thing for her!
I am completely and totally amazed and happy.
Oh, time to feed (she eats about every hour so I really have
no time for anything... but it's still worth it).
Love
Kristina

Posted By: Susan new mom to Megan!
Sunday, 27 June 1999, at 7:33 p.m.

Just wanted to let you know that we had a baby girl on
Thursday, June 24th. Her name is Megan Genevieve,
weighing in at 7lbs 15 oz, 19 inches long. She's doing fine.
Right after delivery, they had to take her into special
care for 24 hours because her oxygen levels were low and
they wanted to monitor her closely on it! We got her
back about 24 hours later. They kept coming
in and keeping us updated and
my DH got to keep going in to check
on her.

I was so surprised it was a girl because throughout the
fetal monitoring, her h/b was 137 - 145, and a few 150's.
Mostly stayed at the 137 range. I couldnt stop crying when
they said it was a girl. The overall experience was sooo
much better than my DS!! The delivery nurses and nurses at
the maternity ward were excellent. I felt like I was
almost in a hotel vs. hospital.

I'll give more info later!

Susan