Baby Number Two...I Guess I Need A New Blog Title

I absolutely loved reading about my first's delivery on my one and only blog post.  Memories.  But... that's all I had.  One post.  Another failed expectation of mine I guess ;)  I will try this time though.  I mean, I have a 14 month old and a newborn.  What better time than now to start this blog thing back up?!

Jade McKenna was born on July 8, 2016.  That's right- she was born exactly 14 months after big brother Jackson.  I love that!  Should make it easier to remember their birthdays, right?  We'll see about that.  Jade has a totally unique story.  And I love her baby story just as much as Jackson's- as crazy as her story might be.  Here is Jade's story...

My due date for baby #2 was July 21st.  Whew, I thought.  The end of July sounds good.  It will give me more time with baby #1 and it will give Daddy more time with getting our basement done.  Good plan.  Except, it was not her plan.  Or better, it wasn't His plan.  Jade did not wait until the 21st.  And she didn't wait until July 13th either, her second due date.  Because Jackson was a c-section baby (read his story in post 1 here), Dr. Mormol also felt it best that Jade be delivered via c-section.  So the new date of July 13th was set for 7 o'clock in the morning.

Let me start by saying this was not an easy pregnancy.  It wasn't complicated, and Jade and I were never in danger (thank God!).  It just wasn't easy on me the same way that pregnancy isn't easy on many women.  With me, it's the nausea.  It starts the moment I find out that I am pregnant (although it has never been my first sign that I am pregnant) and (with this baby) ended the day she was born.  That's a long time to be nauseous.  I had heartburn (although not as much as baby #1- and let me tell you that baby #2 has A LOT more, dark hair), extreme fatigue and exhaustion, insomnia, numbness, etc.  But mostly... nausea.  Towards the end, I got very uncomfortable too.  I just felt I could not go the full 39 weeks until my c-section date.  Running around with a 14 month old did distract me, but it also made the exhaustion even more present.  Because of my insomnia, sleeping didn't really happen too much either.  In addition, at night, I would have to move from side to side to side to side to stop from feeling completely numb on one side.  (I didn't get carpal tunnel in this pregnancy though- isn't it funny how different pregnancies can be totally different for the same lady?)

Well, on July 7th, not only was I switching from side to side to side while sleeping, I was also adding a bathroom break in there EVERY hour.  So, like my other pregnancy, I felt off.  I knew, "This baby has got to be coming soon."  At 5:30am, even though Jackson was still sleeping, I gave up on sleep.  Getting up every hour was getting old and obnoxious.  Goal-oriented, there was a lot I could do to still prepare for baby #2 anyway.

Once up and out of bed, I also noticed that I was uncomfortable in a different way.  Ugh, Braxton Hicks, I hate you!  I went to the hospital with false alarms too many times with pregnancy #1 to already start this with baby #2.  I decided to eat some crackers and peanut butter (cravings got me good this pregnancy and I totally gave in!) to ward off these contractions.  But, I could time them.  They weren't painful, but they were consistent- every two minutes.  However, some could have been three minutes apart, so I told myself that it was still nothing to worry about.  But just in case they did continue, I wanted to be ready to be in the hospital for 5 days, so I took a shower (it had been a couple of days anyway...hey, I was still pregnant people- exhaustion makes the smallest of tasks seem impossible and sleep always wins).  I got in the shower around 6:10am.  I didn't time my contractions in the shower, but they didn't go away.  I got out of the shower and just mentioned to my sleeping husband, "Hun, just so you know, I am contacting and they're about two minutes apart." It was enough to wake him up, but I just didn't have any urgency in my voice to have him get up.  No need for that at this point.  But, in case this got serious, I could't stop thinking that we were totally not ready for this.  Jade's bag was packed- all of her sleepers (Newborn size just in case), her flower blanket, a few photo props (ex. name banner), and her going home outfit.  But my husband and I had nothing packed.  I kept track of the time and duration of the contractions on a note on my iPhone while I packed, something I highly suggest.  (Noting the contractions- not waiting until the last minute to pack.)  A contraction at 6:29am sent me to my knees.   A contraction at 6:40 also felt very strong and caused me to stop walking around the house, cleaning and packing.  At 6:50, I stopped keeping track of the contractions.  Shortly after Marianne got to our house (but not soon enough), we left for the hospital.  This was probably the 4th (yet final) time that I told my husband that we needed to go.  I just had a feeling that the strong contractions I was having made up for some of the weaker ones in between and that these were not Braxton Hicks.

We got in the old Mazda and drove off.  Once almost to the main street, we realized that we had the keys to the Explorer.  If Jackson and the MIL were going to come up later, they were going to need the keys to the car with his car seat.  And of course I wanted them there.  So, although contractions were extremely painful the moment we got in the car, I made the tough decision to tell Josh to turn around and drop the keys off in the mailbox.  At this point, I didn't have a seatbelt on, my back was arched in the seat, my pants were pulled all the way over my stomach as not to touch it, and I was holding on to the handle on the top of the car door.  I had never felt this type of pain before.  Well, I remembered similar pain... exactly 14 months ago as I pushed for 5 hours...

As we finally entered the highway, we realized that it was about 7am and there was rush hour traffic staring us in the face.  Luckily, it wasn't too bad yet.  There are times that I think Josh drives too fast or too "crazy" as I call it.  This wasn't one of them.  I was crying and moaning and yelling and begging for him to break the rules...all of them.. just this once!  Drive in the shoulder, ride the car's butt in front of us, speed, ANYTHING to make this little, old car drive faster.  MoBap had never seemed so far away.  And even as we were pulling up to vallet parking, we still weren't close enough.  I was helped into a wheelchair and rolled to the third floor.  I didn't have to say much when we reached the front desk of Labor and Delivery, which is good because I could barely get a word out.  The receptionist paged a nurse and told her that I was in active labor.

Very shortly, I was wheeled into a room with my husband and about five frantic nurses.  One nurse helped me into bed and assisted me with taking off my clothes and putting on a hospital gown.  One nurse put a monitor on my stomach to hear the baby's heartbeat.  At the time, it was one of the most uncomfortable feelings and I immediately wanted it off no matter what it's function.  That same nurse told another that my stomach was really tight- seeing and feeling exactly where the baby was.  Another nurse put in my IV while yet another took my vitals.  A doctor came in to feel how dilated I was.  Two anesthesiologists were in the room.  In the moment, I might not have been very friendly or kind with the nurses while in labor, but I do love those anesthesiologists.  Before he could get out a "Would you like an epidural?" I said yes.  Actually, I think I said yes a few times.  Then, Dr. Mormol walked in.  Luckily, he had just delivered a baby and was next door.  He spoke with the nurses in the room.  Apparently, I was 9 cm dilated, the baby was at a +1, and my bag was bulging.  Of course, it was obvious with my moaning and crying and super short answers (if anything) that I was constantly contracting.  It was hard for them to find the baby's head though.  Dr. Mormol asked if I wanted to try delivering vaginally or if I still wanted a c-section.  I hate when doctors ask me questions- I wanted him to tell me.  He is the doctor.  He is the expert.  So, I asked back, "What do you think I should do?"  He said it was up to me, but that he was thinking a c-section.  I told him that I was nervous for both.  Anything could go wrong in either situation and both were scary whether I already had gone through a delivery or not.  We decided to keep the planned c-section (which is good since we later found out that we would have had to anyway because of the way baby was positioned).  I was somewhat relieved that we had decided on it because it was all almost over.  But, I was still nervous because 1) it is a surgery and 2) as easy as the operation is for me, the recovery is NOT easy.  And I knew with a 14 month old, the recovery would be trickier.  Also, I am not a fan of sharp objects.  Last c-section, I feel asleep.  This time, without pushing for 5 hours and with it being morning, I thought I might be more aware of what was going on.  And I was.

Around 7:30, I was taken into a sterile, white, bright, operation room.  They moved me from the room bed onto the operation table, and I got my epidural.  For some reason, this time it was much less painful.  Maybe because the nurse did a good job holding me forward (like a huge hug), and I kept telling myself that "it was almost over."  I knew c-sections were quick.  Again, I had my best friend the anesthesiologist (and my husband) by my side.  It is amazing how quickly that medicine works.  One moment I can feel every painful contraction and muscle in my body.  The next moment, I am completely numb below my head.  I knew that a curtain separating my head and my body wasn't going to be enough to distract me from what I didn't want to pay attention to though.  I made Josh and the anesthesiologist talk to me, especially after (I swear) hearing the word "wrench."  Also, being more awake this time, I felt way more tugging.  It was not comfortable and I did not like it.  And I made sure my BFF the anesthesiologist (I wish I remembered his name) knew it- just in case there was a way to get more medicine.

Through all the tugging and conversations that I was trying so hard to make happen, I heard it this time!  I heard a baby cry and I knew that we were almost done!  Jade McKenna was born at 8:06am and weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce.  She was 19 inches long.  And again, Daddy got to cut the cord, watch the footprints and birth certificate being made, and hold baby right next to me when she was clean(er).  Although I couldn't hold her immediately, I loved that he could.  I was still in shock that she was our baby.  This time, I felt more comfortable and awake holding her as we made our journey back into our room.

I immediately got to feed her and do skin to skin (my favorite!) once we made it to the room!  And then, shortly after, family came in.  The best part was that I got to enjoy my family of four!

 

Expectations

Our first, Jackson James, is now 5 weeks young!  I can't believe it!  I wanted to blog earlier, but like I said, 5 weeks ago we had an adorable baby boy!  And here the story goes...

The first lesson I've learned from parenthood- or maybe even just life in general- is that there is no plan.  Things aren't always going to go perfectly.  I definitely have high standards and self-diagnosed OCD, so a hard lesson to learn indeed.  At first, everything did go according to plan.  About a month after Josh and I decided we wanted a baby, we were pregnant!  And perfect timing too!  Being a teacher, May was the perfect month to bring a baby into this world.  What was even more perfect, is I asked off two weeks ahead of time- I wanted to plan for baby.  Oh, and yeah, I did ache and was tired.. so there was somewhat of a medical reason there.  The cherry on top- I had a great student teacher who was able to be my long-term substitute!  Like I said, it couldn't have been more perfect and according to my plan!  My last day of school was April 24th, which was about a week and a half from my due date of May 4th, and over two weeks for the doctor's due date.  My OBGYN had changed the due date late in pregnancy, but I didn't.  I was determined to have this baby early.  And early I almost had him!

On April 2nd, at 35/36 weeks, I was sent to triage at MoBAP because my nurse at my biweekly afternoon doctor's appointment had said that I was contracting every 2-3 minutes.  I did not even feel them!  I was hooked up to the stress machine, and that's when they found out.  I remember calling my husband, who I told not to come to my appointment since we didn't have a fun ultrasound or anything.  "So,.. they are sending me to the hospital because apparently I am contracting."  It was super surreal.  I thought, Wow, this having a baby thing must be easy!  I can't even feel the contractions.  My cervix wasn't dilated though and after a few hours and some medicine to stop labor, we went home.  I even remember getting some Andy's ice cream on the way home (gotta satisfy those cravings!).  Despite my principal's wishes, I even went on our field trip to the Missouri History Museum the next day!  And then on April 4th, I admitted myself to triage.  I was now super confused that I didn't know how to feel contractions.  And since I couldn't feel them, I couldn't time them.  A very frustrating thing!  This time though, the contractions were all over the place.  So again, I was sent home.

It wasn't until Thursday, May 7th when I'd really feel the contractions.  Still, it wasn't what I thought it would be.  My husband and I knew baby was coming soon.  So, on his off day, we decided to run some errands.  The first, to a recycling yard to cash in our aluminum cans and some copper wire.  The road to this place was super bumpy.  It was 11:30am.  I felt off- I was contracting (or so I thought- I guess I could say I was cramping since that's how it felt) every 7 minutes.  However, I still think I got some off times.  After that, we went to BabiesRUs.  I was having some major issues finding some white socks for baby.  Plain white socks.  You wouldn't think they're hard to find, but oh they are!  I don't even remember if we bought anything, but we for sure weren't lucky with white socks.  Next we went to Walmart.  Josh went to return something, and I was on my search again for white socks.  Again, no white socks!  At this point I was contracting every 6-7 minutes.  So, I decided that our last stop should be Sam's Club to return some extra ingredients my mom and I had from making 23 freezer meals earlier that week (yum- so worth it!).  Finally, we were able to "just go home."  When we got home, I started packing- my hospital bag was mostly packed, but I needed to pack the final things.  Josh started making lunch.  Apparently I wasn't clear that I thought this could be it, baby time.  We cleaned the house just a bit- after all, if this was the real deal, someone would have to come in our house and take care of our pitbull.

We got to the hospital around 1:30.  At this point I felt contractions every 4-5 minutes.  I saw the sweet receptionist that I had seen twice before.  I told her that if this isn't it, I wouldn't know what was.  The cramps that came every 4-5 minutes were a bit painful, and it was hard to talk/think through them.  They were definitely something I hadn't felt before during pregnancy.  Plus, we were 4 days after my due date, and 4 days earlier than the doctor's due date for me.

This time, no medicine to stop labor.  I was dilated to 5 cm at the time we got to the hospital.  I remember them telling us, "You are going to have a baby tonight!"  The contractions weren't that bad.  According to plan, I got the epidural.  Although I felt the epidural and didn't like that part (I have scoliosis and didn't like the pressure on my spine), I didn't feel anything after that.  Again, labor, easy!  It was Josh's job to call the parents.  Of course his mom had a school concert to conduct that night.  Eventually my mom, dad and sister got to the hospital.  They came to the delivery room with us.  They made me laugh as I ate popsicles.  I realized I really hadn't had much to eat that day- oatmeal and a PBJ.  Within a couple hours, I was already 7 cm dilated.  The nurses told me that by 8:00pm I could start pushing and that the baby would be out in just a couple hours with the way things were going!  So, my brother and his wife made their way up to the hospital.  Once we decided that it was time to push, all the family members went to the waiting room.  It was my plan for it to just be Josh and I in the delivery room.

At 10pm, there was still no baby.  And even with the epidural, these contractions hurt!  I felt SO much pressure in my butt!  So much!  After a couple of hours of pushing, they gave me a peanut ball to put between my legs.  Then, we pushed some more.  We pushed for 5 hours.  On a scale of 0, +1, +2, +3, they couldn't see the baby's head at all.  The last 45 minutes or so of pushing, they gave me pitocin to help speed things up.  So, the contractions were even more painful, but still no progress.  After a few times of the nurses mentioning a c-section, I asked to call Dr. Mormol to discuss it with him.  And this is where my first expectation failed me.  I cried to Dr. Mormol.  I didn't want to have a c-section.  It wasn't my plan to have a c-section, and surgery scared me.  The nurses had told me that I'd have a baby by 10pm.  Here it was 11:45pm, and the thought of pushing any more seemed unbearable.  And a little worthless if there had been no progress in 5 hours.  Plus, now I had a slight temperature and it was becoming unsafe for me to continue pushing.  So, we decided to go ahead with the c-section.  Although it wasn't my plan A, I did begin to feel a sense of relief.  The nurses did a good job cheering me up too.  I realized that now I really would have a baby within a couple of hours.

The nurses prepped me as Dr. Mormol made his way to the hospital.  I was wheeled to the OR on my bed.  Josh had to wait outside as they prepared.  What I saw when we entered is what I fear about medical stuff in general- white walls, bright lights, and lots of shiny and sharp metal objects.  Josh was soon let into the room.

I don't remember too much.  I remember hearing the word "scissors" and then telling the doctor and nurses in the room (and the anesthesiologist, who I felt was my spokesperson) that I don't want to hear any other talk of what was going on behind the curtain.  My husband sat to my right and the anesthesiologist to my left.  He gave me medicine and comfort when I needed it- and my husband was ready for baby.  I was awake until I heard a baby cry and saw a nurse carry him off to be weighed and checked.  Then, I was out.  This is where my second expectation failed me.  With a c-section, you can't immediately do the skin to skin that I'd heard so much about.  The good news is that my husband got to hold Jackson though.  And he did for the 45 minutes or so it took them to put me back together.

I eventually woke up and was being wheeled out of the room.  I remember them giving me my baby to hold on the way back down to our room.  I was nervous though- the railing to my bed was down and I couldn't control my arms that well.  They put up the railing and I had a little "cove" for Jackson to sit.  All was well.

I think family showed up in our room the moment we returned.  It was super early in the morning, and the family took turns holding Baby Jacks.  Jacks stayed in the room with us that night- a reason I wanted to have him at MoBap.  I loved waking up (every 3 hours to breastfeed) and seeing that little baby burrito so close to us.  We were instantly in love like so many had said we would be.