Labor and Delivery

I finished out my work week (week of 11/16/11), since there was no progress, and no reason for me to start my leave just yet. I had decided to start my leave officially on monday 11/21. Even if I was going to be induced, it would only be 3 days with out baby and I could attempt to relax, with Nick, since he started his leave on 11/14/11.

On Monday morning, I woke up as usual for my day and got ready for our non-stress test appointment at 11am. I felt a little crampy. It came and went through out the morning.

By the time I was at my appointment (in the hospital right down the hall from the birthing unit), the cramps were becoming a little more regulated and intense.

We stopped at Subway for take out on the way home. I couldn't go inside to order my usual, so Nick did. When I felt the cramps/contractions it made me want to stop what I was doing, and concentrate on the relief at the end of each one.

Once I finished my lunch, Nick started timing the contractions. From noon until 2:45pm when I finally decided to contact the doctor (with some coaxing from Nick and a friend), I paced the living room and the dining room to walk through the pain. They were 5-6 minutes apart and becoming pretty painful.

Arrived back to the hospital around 3:30pm; got set up in the delivery room, IV was started,blood was drawn. I was 3cm dilated. The nurse doing the intake and asking me questions was very patient and supportive. I felt bad, she had to wait after almost every health history question she asked because I could not answer her until the contraction had ended. By that point, they were 2-3 minutes apart.

YES, I did get an epidural. At that point, I wasn't afraid of the needle anymore. I just wanted to be comfortable, especially if I was only 3 cm and had 7 more cm to go before pushing. It was such a relief. When the medication took effect, it felt as if nothing was happening and I was just relaxing and chatting with Nick and the nurse in the room. We could have had a tea party.

Fast forward a little:

My mom arrived at the hospital at 6:30pm.
I was 6 cm dilated around 8pm.
I was 8 cm dilated at 10pm.
I was 10 cm dilated at midnight, and was instructed to start pushing with each contraction I felt to help move baby down the birth canal.
I pushed for 1 1/2 hours, until it was actually time to push Baby Hinman into this world.
My OB returned to the room, and with his assistance and an additional 20 minutes of hard pushing,

Tyler Lewis Hinman blessed us with his presence.
7 pounds 1 ounce, 20 inches long. Born at 1:54 AM on 11/22/11.

We were discharged on Thanksgiving day. We are very thankful.

Late Entry: Baby Bump Series Week 39 & 40

Better late than never.

OB appointments week 39 and 40, still showed no changes on exam. I have to admit, I was pretty upset to hear that it could be potentially another week after week 40 that we meet our baby boy. Even though the OB stated, "really, it could happen any day now. You may end up coming back to the hospital tonight."

We were scheduled for induction on Thanksgiving afternoon, if baby did not arrive by then. With the anticipation of a planned induction, we also were scheduled for a non-stress test on Monday 11/21, to ensure baby was doing well. Of course, every day, I was attempting to 'will him out.'  :-)

Baby Bump Series: Week 37 & 38

We're getting down to the wire. I can ALMOST see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Last week's OB appointment (week 37) was a little disappointing, since I was told there was "no change" since the previous week's appointment.

Since then, I've been feeling more crampy and having more contractions, although they never amount to any pattern that would warrant a phone call to the OB.
I've been keeping busy at work and at home. Nick, Brasky and I even went for a mile walk this weekend, hoping it would jump start some progress.

Today's OB appointment went a little better. Am now between 1 and 2 cm dilated. Next OB appointment is scheduled for next Tuesday, but I am hoping that baby Hinman does not wait that long. Let's shoot for 11-11-11.

Baby Bump Series: Week 36

Let the countdown begin...

Everyone at work has be asking me, "how many more days?, how many more weeks?" I've been answering with, "I don't know, I'm not counting."

Well, now I think it's ok that i start counting. I didn't want to be counting down the days when there were so many still left to go; but now that we are into the last month until the due date I'll allow myself some increased anticipation.

This past Monday we had our first of the weekly OB appointments. I was told that I was a "finger tip" dilated. I had to bring myself back to reality because that is only between 0-1cm dilated. I potentially could be that way for another few weeks... But I still can't help to get excited with the little bit of change that was noticed.
I was told by the OB, "just try and keep him in there for another week and a half so he's full term."

10/28/11 We have plans to attend Chase and Dani's wedding. Nick is one of the groomsmen. I want to go. So anytime after Friday, I am ready for baby to arrive :-)   (I know, I know...it is what it is, and what is meant to be will be)

So, since my appointment on Monday, I have been having more pelvic pressure, more braxton hicks contractions, AND I am running to the bathroom what seems like every 30 minutes. I also have been having weird shooting sensations of numbness that starts in my groin and runs down to my knee, lasting 30-60 seconds. (either left or right side, but not yet both at the same time).

Wednesday is or next OB appointment and marks 37 weeks.

Baby Bump Series: Week 34 & 35

We're down to the home stretch. Hard to believe that about 4 weeks from now, we will be holding our baby boy.

Material/supply wise; we are prepared. The house is ready, the baby room is ready. All clothes, blankets, etc have been washed and folded and given a home.

Mentally, Nick is ready. I am ready for the 'after hospital' experience. It is the laboring and delivery that I can't seem to get passed at the moment. It's the fear of the unknown, I guess, of the labor. I'd really like to go without an epidural. I'm well aware that I may change my mind, but at the moment, my fear of the needle in my back is greater than my fear of the laboring pain.

Over the past week, week 35, I've been experiencing an increased sensation of pelvic pressure. My hips are sore. My thighs are sore. I've also been having an increased amount of Braxton Hicks contractions. Once I find a comfortable position in bed with my body pillow, sleep is pretty good. Rolling from side to side can cause some discomfort. I can tell that baby Hinman has very little room to move around at this point.

This Monday starts our first of the weekly OB appointments.