My Second Labour Story

Well, its been four weeks since I gave birth to my second precious baby boy, and as promised, I am ready to share the details of this labour and delivery. Grab a coffee.. its a bit of a long one!

You may recall my labour story with E's arrival, that ended with a fairly traumatic delivery...which I can now look back and say it was all worth it, but it still not a labour & delivery fairytale - that's for sure.

This time around was so much different from my first experience.  For one, I had to be induced as labour didn't come on naturally. This was frustrating in a way, because of the waiting.  I had an induction scheduled for the 15th of December, but the hospital got extremely busy that morning and so my induction was pushed back. I was pretty bummed about this... as the anticipation was at an all time high on the morning of the 15th, but nonetheless, waiting one more day was pain free... which was nice.

Prior to my induction date, lots of people wished me well and hoped that I didn't have to be induced, but I would say induction is the way to go in a sense, because in my experience, its a gradual labour and for the most part is always monitored and under control (especially if you opt for an epidural).

So.. the morning of the 16th, we got the call at 7:15 am from my good friend and nurse SS9 to come in to the hospital to get the induction underway.  The hospital was still extremely busy and the triage nurse wasn't overly happy to see me, but I explained we were called to come in and she reluctantly agree to put me on a monitor while she got to the bottom of my story.  After being on the monitor SS9 arrived to explain the situation to the triage nurse and let us know that although there wasn't a room available at the moment, there were many rooms freeing up over the morning, so to come back in a bit and she would admit us to get the induction going.

The hospital was busy, and our good friends Vicki and Toubi were actually occupying one of the rooms in the hospital as they delivered their baby boy, Tomi the day before. We visited it with them and then PC and I had some Timmy's breakfast and then waited around for a bit before SS9 came to bring us to our room.

By this time it was 10:00ish, and by 10:30 I was in a gown and the resident OB, was breaking my water.  As she broke my water, we learned that the baby had already pooped... so although not a big concern, it was a definite sign the baby was ready to come out.

The plan after my water was broke, was to WAIT for the contractions to come on by themselves. At the time I was only 2 cms dilated, so if the contractions didn't start to intensify naturally, then they would put an IV in and put me on the drip (oxytocin) to help me along.

PC and I walked around, we visited with our friends, and while I was leaking water with every step, contractions were not really present or anywhere near intense.  This went on for a couple of hours, and while I was having the odd pain, I could tell I really wasn't dilating anymore, so they administered the IV and started the oxytocin. Contractions came on close together but not very intense at all. They checked me again, and I was 4.5 cms at around 3:30. The kept upping the drip, and soon the contractions were 2 minutes apart but again not too painful or intense (in comparison to my contractions with E).  After a short conversation with SS9 I decided that I would get the epidural now ... so that I could ensure I would get it while the going was good, and not be SOL later if things decided to process quickly.

By 6pm I had the epidural... and was feeling no pain whatsoever.  I was 5 cms and at the half way point, 8 hours after my water had broke. The epidural procedure hurt a bit more than my previous labour, I think because the contractions were not so hot n' heavy this time around that I was able to focus more on what the anesthesiologist was doing, which was not overly pleasant! Nevertheless... he got it done and I was very thankful for his work!

I think SS9 upped the drip again, and again. and again. Contractions were showing on the monitor as being 2 minutes apart but when the doctor checked me at 8pm, I was still only 5 cms.  I was holding back a few tears when the resident explained to me that if I didn't show any progress in the next couple of hours I could be headed for a c-section as it could become dangerous for the baby at some point.  I didn't want to have a c-section after waiting all. damn. day. for baby to arrive.  If I was going to have a c-section, we could have just done that at 10:30 am and be sleeping peacefully by now.

After the 8 pm check-in by the resident, we discussed maybe trying to get some rest while I waited to dilate more. She said she would come back at 10 to check me again, and we would devise a game plan for the rest of the night then.

My parents and my in-laws were at the hospital waiting, so they decided to go for coffee in the lobby for a few hours while I was to be resting.  I think they all thought it was going to be a long night so why not load up on caffeine to keep them going. PC went with them... and I told him I would message him on his phone if anything was happening.

During the time I was suppose to be resting, SS9 I got to chatting, catching up on things, and I was talking to friends on BBM. Around 8:30 the OB that was working the night shift came to see me and explained to me that she was prepared to be extra patient with second babies, because my first was delivered vaginally. She reassured me that if I showed a bit of progress in the next couple of hours, we could wait it out. That put me at ease, but I was still thinking there was no way this baby was going to be born on the 16th at the rate I was progressing (or not progressing).

Around 9ish SS9 maxed out the oxytocin, but again I wasn't feeling a thing so it made no difference to me. At 9:30 she left the room to go get a quick snack and to find the doctor to come in at 10.  She wasn't gone 10 minutes when I all of sudden started feeling a ton of pressure. At 9:50, I messaged PC to come back to the room because I was having all of this pressure suddenly and the doctor was to come in at 10. I told him to tell our parents to come up after 10 when the doctor would have already checked me.

SS9 returned to the room at about 9:50 pm, she sarcastically asked me how I was doing and to her surprise, I said I had A LOT of pressure in my butt. She got that look in her eye and said 'Really? Let's check'.  I was 10 cms and the head was very low.  SS9 took off out of the room to get the doctor and PC. Before I knew it, they were in the room, the resident checked me and confirmed I was definitely 10cms and ready to push.

I started pushing at 9:58 pm and 17 minutes later at 10:15 pm, Hudson was in my arms and crying that sweet sweet cry that was so reassuring.

It happened VERY quickly. So quickly that when our parents returned to the room, they were waiting outside thinking the doctor was checking me, when in fact, they were stunned to find out that their newest grandson had already arrived.

I think I was shocked too that he was actually in my arms and looking at me. He literally just flew out after making us wait all that time.  To say labour was quick and painless, would be fairly accurate. Of course there was some pain and a lot of waiting, but when it came to actual delivery - it was quite fast which meant no time for pain.

I have to say, this delivery would not have been possible without SS9... she A. got us admitted to the hospital, B. got labour started, and C. was still working a full 15 hours after she first called us that morning. She was the best coach, and is a superstar nurse and even better friend! Thanks SS9... could not have done it without you.

 

As I said before, this experience was so much different from when I had E. This labour reassured me that childbirth doesn't have to be traumatic and can be a wonderful experience. 

I give a ton of credit as well to the resident doctor, Dr. Jennifer Brown-Broderick who delivered H. She has an awesome bedside manner and overall wonderful coach during the actual delivery. She was really great, and put me at ease and ensured the arrival of H didn't cause my body too much wear and tear ;-).

PC was also the best... I think he puts other husband's to shame in the delivery room as he is very comfortable in the medical setting, and for me he is a calming influence and great partner to have by my side.  

I am 99.9% sure this will be the last time I have a labour story to share with you... but if by narrow narrow narrow chance I had to end up doing it again, I would want to repeat this story to you! 

Thanks for reading... I have spent the last month falling in love with my little boy and being even more in love with my little family of boys! I'm definitely outnumbered but wouldn't have it any other way.

Final boarding call: Mommy of one!

Well... tonight is my last night as a Mommy of one!  Tomorrow I will be the proud Mommy of not one, but TWO boys.

Mother of two... sounds about right to me!

So many things are running through my head, but the most important is that I am so EXCITED to meet our little bundle of boy! I have waited 10 months for this day, and tomorrow I start my second labour of love that will end with a brighted eyed little boy starring up at me.

There are also other crazy thoughts running through my head, like ... will this labour end in blood, sweat, and tears like the last one? Will an induction mean an easier time or more painful experience?  Will I ever get a good night's rest for the next 18 years? Will my upbeat mood of the last few weeks die a quick death, or will I ride the high of having a newborn in my arms well into 2011? Will my baby boy be a good sleeper and eater... or will this be the baby that tests my every nerve? Will I be easier going as Mommy to a newborn than I was the last time? How will E adjust to having a new brother?

Yes... so many things to consider yet so many moments to look forward too - moments I probably I can't even dream of right now.

On the eve of the journey that will most likely complete our family, I am beaming at what is to come - but also a little emotional.  My one on one time with E is quickly coming to a close - take for instance the video below of he and I chatting tonight - those moments melt my heart. My love for him will still be as strong as ever, but I also know that the time I have to give him will nonetheless be interrupted by his brother's need for equal attention, if not more, at the beginning.

How will I be able to balance out both of their needs, while keeping in mind my needs and the needs of the entire family.  Adding a second child to the mix will test my every ability as a mother and a wife, but its a challenge I am so grateful to accept and one that I take on willingly.

Ahhh... so much to think about and a lifetime to live it!

I am off to get some rest and I hope I can update you soon with news of the arrival of our new baby boy.

Stay tuned!

Heading for an induction!

So... I am almost 41 weeks pregnant.
That's code for 'shoot. me. now.'

For those of you who don't follow pregnancy math all that closely, that's an entire week past the regular 40 week pregnancy.  While this baby has dropped and I am dilated 1 whole cm (you need to get to 10 cms before the baby is ready to be pushed out), there is no real indication that he is planning on making an entrance anytime soon.

I am sleeping pretty well, feeling comfortable, and so is baby - apparently.

I saw the doctor on Friday and she took the initiative to schedule me for an induction, Wednesday, December 15th, in the event The Sequel decides to keep up the 'I'm just fine where I am' attitude.  It seems like a ways off, but I am excited to have a foreseeable end date (even if it happens to be on the one year anniversary that Grandma Coleman past away). 

My parents arrived on Thursday night and have been a welcome addition to the household and E's busy days. They came straight from the North Pole with enough Christmas presents to fill a Boeing 747 aircraft! E has been entertaining them with all of his tricks since the moment they arrived... as if he's earning every present under the tree! I can't wait to see his face when he gets to tear into all the presents - but first I have the JOY of labour to look forward to (and of course meeting my new baby boy)!

Keep you posted - either here or via Twitter!

One last belly update... 40 weeks and counting!

Yesterday, I took advantage of a day home with E and decided to take a few last photos my baby belly - since this will probably be the last time I have a belly this big (hopefully)! I am feeling pretty run down these past few days, but I am still trying to keep a positive attitude, and to cherish the miracle of being able to carry such a precious human being inside me. I know that the tail end of pregnancy is not a lot of fun, but I also think when I look back at these photos I will see the love I feel for this baby, and the bond that has grown between us over the last 10 months.

PC offered up 10 minutes of his lunch hour and snapped these photos so I will have them to include in The Sequel's baby book.

I hope they scream 'I love you to pieces my baby boy and I can't wait to meet you'.  E was also willing to participate in the photo shoot and I think the few pics we did get reflect his excitement as well!

Ready to have this baby...

So... its GO time, except nothing is going. 

I was hoping The Sequel would have arrived by now, but in true Sara fashion... he is gonna be fashionably late. 

I am not sure why, but I had it in my head that this baby was going to come early.  E was 6 days overdue... so for some reason I thought The Sequel would be 6 days early.  It appears that is not the case. I have been driving myself a little crazy the past few days, everytime I feel a little twinge or cramp I think 'oh, here we go' but the truth is its more like 'here we go NOWHERE'.

I know with E I had the true nesting urge a few days before he arrived... cleaned cupboards, bathrooms, floors, and even cubby holes I had forgot existed. But this time around I don't think the nesting thing has happened, unless of course 'emailing the cleaning company to see which day they are coming' qualifies as nesting.

I have basically done everything I wanted to do in my time off leading up to my due date.  The baby's room is ready, the Christmas tree is up, the laundry is caught up, I have a lot of my Christmas presents bought, a few wrapped. My bag for the hospital is even together.

There is literally nothing big I want to do - and it makes me mad a bit, because I know once The Sequel arrives, I will be dying to get out and about for an hour to myself.

I really want to have this baby in the single digits of December... but its looking like it will between the 10th and the 15th at this rate.  My OB wasn't in any rush to get me on an induction list... he said to come back and see him next Friday (the 10th) and we'd go from there! JOY!

I'll keep you posted... because what else will I have time to do but blog and tweet!

A letter to my second child!

Dear Baby Boy-to-be!

Your pending arrival is only a few short weeks away, and I can't wait to meet you!

Its been awhile since I had my first peek at you... you were only 8 weeks developed when I got to meet you on the ultrasound screen, and while I was somewhat shocked at your creation, my love for you began from that day and has only grown with every month I've carried you.

Your Dad and I got to see you again at 13 weeks, 20 weeks, and a final peek at the 32 week ultrasound, and I am so happy to see you're developing just as expected. 

Your Daddy and I decided to find out if you were a boy or a girl, and we were overjoyed to learn you are a baby boy. Not only do we have some experience with parenting baby boys, we also know a great role model for you in your big brother Emery. We are thrilled that you two will be close in age, and hopefully the best of friends as you grow up (but that's for you two to work out!).

My pregnancy with you has been fairly routine... you are much more active than your brother was, and often times when E and I are reading stories, or playing 'choo-choo's' you give me a nudge or a kick just to let me know you are part of the group.  I really can't wait to have you physically in my arms to hold you and love you and introduce you to E in person.

I am so curious to know what you look like and see to if you look like your brother or more like Daddy's side of the family. By the looks of your lips on the 32 week ultrasound, you and E will have that feature in common, but I know you will have your own distinct features as well, and I can't wait to see them!

I also have a special place in my heart for you, the second child, the baby of the family. Your Dad and E have the first-born thing together, but you and I will be tight on the second child stuff and I am fully aware of all the pros and cons of being the second born in a family, so not to worry my sweet boy, I'll have your back!

One thing I want you to know is that no matter what you do in life or what choices you make, your Daddy and I will be here to love you, support you, and guide you, whatever the circumstances may be.  That goes today and everyday we have with you. We truly are blessed to be able to bring you into this world, and we know that being parents to two special boys is a privilege we will not take for granted.

I know I have a bit of anxiety about going back to the newborn stage of parenting... but between the four of us, we will work through it, and I know we will have our routine down in no time.

Yes, my sweet sweet boy... you will be in my arms in a matter of weeks, and there are so many people who can't wait to me you, and get to know you. You are a lucky little man, and I can't wait to introduce you to our family - you will complete us and make us a wonderful family of 4!

All my love...

Mom
xoxo

To have and to hold... with or without the rings!

You may recall my last pregnancy... I had a post called 'And the rings come off' - well its that time of the pregnancy again - but this time my rings were officially stuck on my finger as of last night.

What an ordeal taking, budging, ripping my rings off. My poor poor POOR finger.

I wore my rings to the cottage but didn't really wear them while I was there... I may have had them on the first two days, but with swimming and applying suntan lotion all. the. time. I just put them in my purse and forgot about them until the final day. When I was packing up, I remembered them and tried to put them on but with little success. I commented that, its that time again - bye bye rings.

However, come Tuesday morning, out of habit, I tried them on again, and while they didn't slide right on, I was able to use a little a lot of force to get them on. And ON they stayed... as the day heated up, so did my body temperature. When I got home from work, I looked down and my rings looked like they were forced on an overweight marshmallow. Not cool. I tried to take them off, but with no such luck.

I had a little meltdown... okay, I cried a little, and swore A LOT - then I pulled myself together and did the logical thing - Google'd 'How to get rings off a swollen finger'.

Luckily there are TONS of options, none of which really work, but a couple which I was willing to try - including taping my swollen finger up for an hour on ice... using saran wrap and windex (don't ask)... and going between heat and ice for 30 minutes.

Finally, last night, I used a combo of baby oil and soap and warm water and 35 minutes later I managed to get my engagement ring off. I did a little happy dance... until I looked down at my poor little finger and saw my wedding band still on there, and I remembered that my other band was a half size smaller than my engagement ring.

Can you say '#$%@ @#$%, &%#@, !@#$, &%#$"

Ya... I did.

I thought... just calm down, give it a half hour and try again, but an hour later, my finger was throbbing, and tingling. By the time PC got in from hockey, I said to him 'Would you be mad if I got my wedding band cut off?'

His immediate reaction was 'You can't, its platinum'.

Apparently, platinum is hard to cut or dangerous as you can lose your finger - either way, I am thinking, I am going to lose my finger if I don't get this sucker off.

I questioned PC a little more 'Are you sure you went with platinum and not white gold' to which he assured me, as per the insurance appraisal that IT IS PLATINUM.

So, I decided to ice it for a bit, wrap my finger up with tape as per Google's advice... and sleep on it. During the night, I woke up about 3 times with my finger tingling, and my arm half asleep. This morning, the swelling was down, but the ring still would not budge. I showered and moved the ring a bit, but not enough to get over my hippo knuckle.

I starting praying ... 'please lord, let me have a SKINNY day... PLEASE'.

However, after consulting a friend who consulted a friend of hers, she told me to drink a lot of water to bring the retention down, so I went to town chugging water all morning, and when I got home today my finger seemed skinnier! I ran warm water ... used the old baby oil and a lot of soap and after another 20 minutes of cursing and forcing the ring, I finally got it off.

You can only imagine the celebration that follow... WHOOO-HOOO!

What a relief... I honestly thought I was going to lose my finger.

The lesson... and my advice to all pregnant women out there is if you force the rings on.... its gonna take double the force and few hell mary's to get those puppies off. Bottom line, its not worth the pain and agony - trust me!

Any one else out there ever have to force your rings off due to pregnancy or any other reason? Do you have any secret solutions for any one suffering from swollen ring-gers!!!

Baby Bump Update

A few of peeps have been asking for a baby bump update on 'The Sequel', so here it is... nothing too pretty, I can see a stretch mark from my pregnancy with E that is rearing its ugly head much to early in this pregnancy - but I guess that goes with the territory this time around.

The funny part about this pic is that, when I was pregnant with E, I think I took belly pics at 12 weeks, 18weeks, 22 weeks, etc., but here is my first belly pic of 'The Sequel' at 24 weeks - "sorry buddy, its not that we don't love you, its just that Mommy and Daddy are bit lazy with the camera these days"!

Nevertheless... presenting the belly @ 24 weeks!
Yee-haw!

HORMONA ... the superhero!

I've always wanted to be a superhero of some sort - but just never thought my superhero name would be 'Hormona'!

I really love the girls I work with, they have seen all sides of me this pregnancy... so a colleague of mine joked how at her old workplace when she was pregnant, they called her Hormona and said all she needed was a cape. I don't have the cape (yet), but I adopted the title and the crown!!

Catch me on a good day and I'll refrain from whipping up a batch of my flying tacos!

Don't mess with Hormona... she's only drinking decaf these days, and it isn't pretty!

Self portraits of my team at work - mine was a little enhanced by Miss Lidia & Nikki!

Pass the kleenex please!

Can someone please explain why your body and hormones don't return to *normal* after pregnancy. It's been 15 months since I gave birth, and my teary eyed hormone (if that's a hormone) is still all out of whack.

What is the deal?

Before pregnancy, I basically was neck in neck with Stone Heart for teary eyeness - but since I got pregnant - I just well up at the drop of a hat, and I don't foresee this reaction going anywhere anytime soon.

I remember driving in my car at 5 months pregnant and listening to the CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) radio-a-thon. I was bawling listening to parents talk about how CHEO saved their son's life. Nobody died, nobody was fighting any disease -their family was in complete good health now, and there I was sobbing at the thought of what could have happened if CHEO was not around.

I knew at the time, it was just hormones, and I totally thought - push this baby out, and go back my Stone Heart ways.

However, an entire year later, I am still crying over the little sappy things. For instance, I watched Baby Story over the weekend.. and I was crying at the moment the mother pushed out her baby and saw him for the first time. It brought me right back to my delivery moment - and it was as if I had just delivered E. Brutal I tell you.

Last week at work, a woman who has worked for the government for 36 years retired. We threw her a surprise party and when she walked in she started crying, to which I started crying - who does that. I hate that. I look like a loser. I had to tell people I was teary eyed because I know I still have 25 years left until my surprise retirement party!

One other piece that is guaranteed to make me sob is watching this video on You Tube. It's a piece from Kelly Corrigan's book The Middle Place... and its just about woman and friendships and life in general - but every time I watch it, I can't help but cry. You would think after the 4th or 5th time I would be able to get through it without any tears - but that's just not the case. Pre-pregnancy I would have watched and said, that's nice... but post-pregnancy I am a leaky faucet.

I guess my only hope for recovery is that a second pregnancy would throw me so outta whack again - that it might put me back to my pre-pregnancy Stone Heart state. But... since a second baby isn't in the works for a while, I guess I better stock up on Kleenex!

Do any of you get this? I want a coping mechanism ... suggestions?

My Labour Story

Okay... so here it is, my account of labour and E's birth!

You may want to grab a coffee and a donut... its a bit of a long account!

E was born on Sunday, October 5th at 10:52PM, but it was a definite 24 to 36 hours of pain and agony excitement that I had to endure before he actually arrived.

A few days leading into the Saturday night, I had sporadic contractions (and mild in comparison of what was to come...), I knew something was happening but its funny how I really wasn't convinced it was anything major until I actually was at the hospital.

On Saturday afternoon I had made plans with some friends (shout out to Clapper & Boyder) to spend the afternoon shopping and the evening chilling out with them while PC was off to Winchester to referee hockey. I would say we were spending quality time together, but it was more like they were babysitting me, so PC could have some peace of mind while reffing.

As a precaution, when PC and I left our house on Saturday, I put my bag for the hospital in the car (just in case), but fully intended I would sleep in my own bed that night.

The afternoon was okay... I went shopping with the girls, to Pier 1, Home Sense, etc... and during our outing I was working through some contractions in the stores. We ended up going to Lonestar for dinner, and the contractions were still present (which sucked because it ruined my appetite for fajitas). By the time dinner was over and we were back at Clapper's house... I would say the contractions were pretty steady, to the point where the girls and I started timing them... every 12 minutes, every 10 minutes, every 8 minutes.

We spent the evening hanging up some stuff on the walls at Clapper's house. I was in the game every 6 minutes, then would feel a contraction coming on, take a time-out, and then resume my duties of holding the level or screwing in a screw, it was quite humorous ... looking back on it.

By about 11 pm... I was upstairs on the bed at Clapper's and really doing whatever I could mentally to get through each contraction. I think PC called somewhere around 11:30, and Clapper basically told him to 'get here' ... while Boyder and I talked about whether or not to go to the hospital.

I decided that when PC came to pick me up, we would stop at the hospital to see what they had to say... I thought it would be easier to stop in and be sent home, then to drive all the way home only to have to come back in a few hours if the labour intensified.

So... PC drove like a mad-man to get to Clapper's, picked me up about midnight-ish - and then drove like a mad-man to the hospital. The contractions were about every 4 or 5 minutes. To my surprise, the nurse at triage gave us a bed immediately and checked me out - no waiting whatsoever. She determined that my contractions were about every 3 to 4 minutes, and that I was 4cms dilated.

At that point, I think I let out a 'holy shit'! 4 cms... I was thinking I would be 1 cm, not 4. 4 is almost half way to 10, I was ALMOST half way to pushing. The nurse offered to give me a shot for the pain, and for a while I hesitated thinking I didn't need it as I was working through each contraction, but then she told me it might let me rest a bit, so I gladly took it and it helped with the pain and calmed me a bit too.

She checked me again in an hour and I was 4.5 cms ... she told me to get some rest if I could and at that point, I sent PC home to change (out of his dress clothes), make some phone calls, and retrieve the baby's bag that was still at the house. The OB on call that night saw us, and told us that I wasn't going to be sent home, they would admit me when I wanted to get the epidural.

PC left for home and returned, while I rested the entire time, still feeling the contractions but not really any pain. The nurse instructed us to walk the halls for an hour and then she would reassess me. We did so, but I was still 4.5 cms and the labour had slowed considerably.

By 8 am Sunday morning they gave us a room, but my contractions were back to being sporadic and not all that intense. I went in the tub for a few hours, laid on the bed, and walked the halls some more, but there were no real signs that the baby would be arriving anytime soon!

By 2 pm Sunday afternoon, they decided to break my water to speed things up, ... and WOW, did it ever! The contractions came back fast and furious, and double the pain. I went from being in a zen state of mind, to I WANT TO DIE, HOLY SHIT, GIVE ME A GUN. My in laws showed up around 3 pm and probably saw me in my finest form... but at that point it didn't matter - all I wanted was for SOMEONE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GIVE ME AN EPIDURAL.

The nurse I had in the afternoon was not in favour of giving me the epidural, until I showed I was in active labour again - I don't know how she could tell that as she was NEVER in the room with me (although she was very nice). By 3:30 PM, my luck had changed as my good friend, Sophie Savage 9 (SS9), surprised me by coming in on her day off to work the evening shift so could be right by my side to delivery Baby Coleman. I was ecstatic to see her, although I am not sure my faced showed that emotion! She arrived on the scene and immediately step things into high gear, she arranged for the epidural at lightning speed and within an hour of her arrival, I was on cloud 9!

The epidural was a quick and painless process... it took about 5 minutes to administer, and another 5 to kick in. After that, it seemed like I was on a totally different planet, a much better one than the one I just came from!

It was kind of a blessing that my labour progressed (or didn't progress) the way it did, as it allowed my parents to make the 8 hour trip from the North... and arrive in enough time to share in the arrival of their first grandson.

After I received the epidural, things progressed rather nicely... I went from 4 cms, to 5cms, to 7cms, then to 10cms by 7pm. At 8pm, SS9 cleared the room of visitors... and PC and my Mom stayed behind as the pushing was about to begin.

I pushed for over 2 hours... in the beginning it was going really good, SS9, PC, and my Mom were very encouraging and when they told me they could see the head and that the baby had hair, I was thinking it wasn't going to be very long before I could meet the baby.

However... his head was turned and kept turning, he wouldn't keep his chin tucked in, so I pushed and pushed and pushed, and well everyone commented 'your doing good... good job', no progress was really being made. Just after 10PM, SS9 got the doctor to come in as she said the we would need some assistance to get the baby out. I was near exhaustion at that point and was really willing to do anything.

When the doctor arrived on the scene, she could see that the baby's head needed to be turned. When she started to explain to me what her best advice was, I thought I was heading for a c-section, but she wasn't thinking that at all. She said I could still deliver vaginally with the assistance of FORCEPS and an EPISIOTOMY.

I didn't have a strict birth plan going in, but in my head the last two things I wanted to happen where the use of forceps and to be cut. However, at that point... after 2 hours of pushing, I really just wanted the baby out... and the labour over with, so without much hesitation I agreed with the doctor, and all of the nodding heads in the room, and the doctor went to work.

I really don't remember feeling PAIN per say... but I do know that the doctor had to use some force, and the baby didn't come out easily. By the look on my Mom's face... it was not pretty what the doctor was doing. I could hear the forceps being used and between the tugging and pulling, I became pretty upset... thinking to myself: GOD, PLEASE HELP ME.

But after a few minutes of sheer terror, I heard a cry and before I knew it SS9 was laying Little E on my chest, while PC was announcing 'ITS A BOY Sars, A BABY BOY'!

I couldn't really process seeing him for the first time... I was still trying to get over what I just went through to bring him into the world... but once I got myself together, I looked at him, and looked at PC and my Mom and could see he was absolutely perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes, and some outdoor plumbing. He had some bruising from the forceps, but aside from that... I thought he was pretty handsome!

The moments after the birth... are bit fuzzy. I do remember the doctor hammering on my stomach to deliver the placenta... and then it seemed to take her an awfully long time to stitch me up, but I will say she did an EXCELLENT job at that, as the after care at home has been relatively painless.

I can't say enough about my nurse SS9 - she is the BEST. If you have the pleasure of delivering at the Mont Fort Hospital in Ottawa, ask for Sophie! She went above and beyond the call of duty for me, and although her shift was done at 11:30 that night, she stayed with us until 1AM, ensuring that I got to breastfeed E, and that we were all safe and sound before she left. She really was fantastic... thanks Soph!

SS9 and Little E

I know a lot people say that once you see the baby, the pain and trauma of labour all go away... and while I will admit that seeing E for the first time was nothing short of amazing, I think it will be a very long time before I forget the last 5 minutes leading up to his birth.

Having said that... it is all very worth it but I think I will just enjoy him for a few years before we go planning to give him a sibling!!

Overdue: Day 4

Well, I am not quite as miserable as I thought I would be on Day 4.

I think it may because I am making progress... two nights ago, PC and I ventured out for a walk and it brought on some contractions... not super painful or anything, but enough for me to know that something was happening.

I went to the doctor yesterday who tells me that I am primed and ready to go into labour anytime, but that its not up to him, its up to the baby when that happens. He went as far as to schedule me for an induction on October 8th (next Wednesday), if Baby Coleman decides to stay put until then.

Last night, I went to bed, only to be woke up every hour on the hour with a lot of cramping. 12:15 am, 1:15 am, 2:15 am... this went on until 6:15 am... but now that I am up and at 'em, the pains are less intense but still occurring. I like to think this is a good sign, the baby is definitely doing its part to get ready, and so I am going to do mine, by trying to rest up as much as I can until he/she is ready to greet the world.

I sort of have peace of mind right now, knowing that if nothing happens this weekend... something will at least happen by next Wednesday, which has put me in good spirits. PC has hockey all weekend, and my favourite labour and delivery nurse, SS9, is off for 4 days, so it would be nice now if the baby held off until next week, but of course we will gladly take any action that comes our way.

That's all for now.
Hopefully my next post can be about the arrival of Baby Coleman... stay tuned!

Overdue: Day 1

So it begins... I am overdue.

Day 1 wasn't too damn eventful. I started the day out with a Timmies coffee, had some yogurt for breakfast, and then went into cleaning and tidying mode most of the day.

I talked to my parents for a bit... PC came home from work a bit early, and since then I have just been doing laundry and walking up and down the stairs as much as possible - good times!

I even got up the energy to make a batch of spaghetti sauce .. so at least supper will be good.

Last night... on my actual due date, PC took some pics of the belly, complete with a shot of my lovely stretch mark that appeared last week! I thought I would post them for your viewing pleasure!

Enjoy!

Baby Belly @ 40 weeks

The big day officially arrives.... AND

AND NOTHING.

Today is my actual due date.... check out the counter on the right sidebar - it says zero, which is an exact indication of what has happened today - zero, zip, ziltch activity in the labour department!

Baby Coleman is moving around inside of me like he/she wants to be there for another twenty years. But I have news for this baby.... SHAPE UP AND SHIP OUT! That's something you are suppose to say to your 30 year old son or daughter still living at home, not to a helpless unborn infant, but I can't help it! For nine months you wait and wait and wait and plan and plan and plan around this one date, and when nothing happens, you start to wonder what you have to do make this baby come out!

I pretty much knew this baby wouldn't come on time... because, well, I am never on time for anything - so I guess this is payback for the 28 years of my life I have spent arriving fashionably late for everything!

Hopefully these good labour vibes everyone is sending me will eventually pay off! PC has actually been really sick the last few days so its probably a blessing that I haven't gone into labour yet... but he seems to be feeling a bit better today - so hopefully that's a positive sign too!

Stay tuned... you haven't heard the last of my whining - I'm sure of it!

Belly Update - 36 Weeks!

Well a few of you have been emailing me on the side and leaving some comments asking for a belly shot update.

I didn't get time to do the bare belly shot, but while at the cottage this weekend, my BFF (Kristy) took a few pics of me... and PC too, for your viewing pleasure.

This is the belly at exactly 36 weeks, less than 4 weeks to go now until my official due date - I can hardly believe it

I can also hardly believe that it is officially September... back in January, I never thought September would ever get here, and now that it has I have a feeling its going fly by!

Anyways... back to the photos that some of you have been long awaiting!
Enjoy!

As well... since the weather the cottage was soooo beautiful all weekend, I couldn't resist posting this one of the gorgeous sunset on the Georgian Bay.

I thought breast-feeding was the cheaper option?

I always thought that one of the perks of breast-feeding was the amount of money couples were saving by not having to buy formula. But today I learned... you still have to shell out some cash if you are going to breast-feed!

I hit up the maternity store on my lunch hour, as I am trying to put together my bag for the hospital. Some of things I need, I can't just go to Walmart and stock up, I have to get at the speciality stores for preggo ladies.

I thought... I will go in and see what they have, and what I think I need, as I don't have a clue whats out there.

Well! I was greeted at the door by two very nice and enthusiastic w0men, who asked what I was shopping for today, and when I told them I was in the neighbourhood for nursing attire, they practically hoisted me up on a pedestal... sounded the Cinderella music, and went to town with fitting me for nursing bras, having me try on a few different styles of them, then onto the pjs, tops... all the while advising me of the pros and cons of each style.

In my head I thought I would just get one or two bras, but then after seeing all the different styles, etc... I ended up buying 4 bras... 2 good ones, 1 sports-type one, and 1 sleeping one. Then, I secured a pair of pjs for the hospital, some washable breast pads for home, some disposable breast pads for the hospital, and 2 fairly fashionable nursing tops that were on sale.

I hadn't even thought about needing tops that would accommodate breast-feeding... and I guess you really don't need all that many, but I figure if I am going to actually go out in public and breast-feed (which I am not totally convinced I am yet!) I am going to need a top or two that allows me to do it with ease, rather then getting half naked in the middle of a restaurant or the mall!

All this to say, I had a great experience, (mostly due to the service I received at the maternity store), as I felt like I was really outfitted and ready to take on this motherhood/breast-feeding thing... but at the end of the day the bill came to THREE HUNDRED AND THREE DOLLARS.

Let's recap:

4 bras: 2 good ones, 1 sports, 1 sleeping
1 pair of nursing pjs
2 nursing tops (on SALE)
1 package of disposable breast pads
1 package of washable breast pads

All of this... was $303.48.

Now... I have no idea what formula would run me.... but I am going to assume that for $303 I could get quite a few bottles out that!

The thing is, I have no idea how breast-feeding will go for me, if it will be easy and I will want to do it for awhile, or if I will absolutely hate it and want to give it up within the first few weeks. I hope to hell its the first option... as I just spent three-hundred bucks on stuff I won't need, if its the latter!

Whatever the case is... I will look damn good doing it, whether its for 3 weeks or 9 months!

Nesting!

So I have heard and read many things about the nesting phase of pregnancy... the phase were every pregnancy woman gets this surge of energy and cleans and organizes every nook and cranny of their home.

I am 8.5 months pregnant and I mentally have my nesting list ready to go:

• finish the baby's room
• disinfect the fridge
• clean out the freezer
• organize the cupboards
• organize the pantry
• wash windows
• get bookkeeping in order

This is the list .... but yet I don't seem to have the motivation or energy to do any of it.

So here I am... with my list ready to do, but all I can do is wait, and wait, and wait for the energy to come.

I am starting to wonder if I am suppose to be doing all of this stuff during the wee hours of the morning, as that when I am wide awake, with nothing to do but watch reruns on tv, and toss and turn. Perhaps I should just put myself on the night shift next week and see what type of productivity comes from that. I have a feeling PC wouldn't think too much of it, as the major nesting activities would take place on the main floor, and he has setup camp in the basement, so that he can actually sleep, since I am up all night!

I am going to try accomplish some of the tasks off my list this weekend, but I have a feeling I will end up napping more than anything, since I am a zombie at work these days. However, who knows, maybe it will turn out to be a productive weekend, and then once my nesting energy arrives (if it ever does), I can use it to just annoy PC and the whole neighbourhood!

Did any of you expert pregnant ladies out there ever experience the surge of nesting energy... if so, when did it happen for you, and what were you like?

Too much information!

I want to apologize for this blog going all baby, all the time, but that is bascially what is on my mind 24-7 these days, so I can't help but share these thoughts.

I have been doing quite a bit of reading lately. I actually stopped reading baby stuff around week 20 because one of my books suggested that I just take a break before I freak myself out.... so I did that. But now I think I am more freaked out that my stupid baby countdown ticker over there ---> is just burning through the weeks like they are free fuel!

I haven't read a lot since week 20, now I am at week 31 with only 9 weeks to go - and starting to go into a state of shock that I haven't prepared (reading wise) as much as I could have! I have been going through the baby books quite rapidly now, trying to absorb as much info as possible - but some these books are little scary.

Like the ones that say:

'If you had a tear or episitomony during the birth, you will have stitches that can be uncomfortable while they heal. Even without the stitches the area around your vagina may feel bruised and swollen'

or

'Don't be surprised if you sweat profusely for a few days, especially at night. Blood volume increases during pregnancy, so now your body needs to rid itself of excess water to get things back to normal'

or

'The first bowel movements after giving birth may not come easily'.

No wonder I can't sleep... did someone say 'too much information?'! All this reading keeps my mind pacing throughout the night, thinking of the sweating, the stitches, the constipation... and yet during all this you are somehow suppose to be overjoyed to be a new Mom, with a new baby - right!!!

All the books you read leading into a pregnancy are all happy-go-lucky, 'children are a wonderful adventure', 'parenting is so rewarding' - yada yada yada - now that I am getting into the home stretch... they start publishing the 'pregnancy isn't a cakewalk' and 'I hope you don't think this will be easy' type books.

I am in a lovely state of mind these days... if can't already tell! I am glad some of these books try to prepare you for what is to come, but at the same time are we really that unprepared, if nobody ever mentioned anything about the nasty stuff?

Don't leave home without a back-up pair of shoes!

This weekend, we went out for dinner with friends to celebrate a birthday. It was a casual night, I just wore jeans and semi-fancy maternity top with my brown sandals. I love my brown sandals, they give me a bit of height, but have a wedge heel so the comfort for walking is still there, while providing a bit of support to.

I haven't wore them much this summer, it just seems that my maternity wardrobe doesn't require a brown sandal too often.

Lately, my feet have become increasingly sore.... and while they hurt to stand on for long periods of time, they have never showed any signs of swelling, which I thought was a real bonus - until Saturday night.

During dinner... I was feeling hot, the restaurant was warm, and it was in low lighting, and my feet felt a little cramped, so I nonchalantly removed my sandals under the table, not thinking much of it.

The drinks and appetizers came, then the main courses (which I took my sweet time eating)... and finally we decided on some desserts... in total it was a good two and half hours we were at the restaurant. Just as dessert was over and we were thinking of packing up, I decided to slip my sandals back on.

One first try, they wouldn't go on, and I immediately thought to myself: 'I have them on the wrong feet'. So I grabbed one from under the table to check, but it was in fact the right sandal for my right foot. I put it back under the table and tried again, but no go. I could only get my toes jammed into the top part of the sandal, I still had a good 6 inches to go before I could even consider standing up on the damn things to walk.

In my head, I am freaking out.... and I mean FREAKING. This has never happened to me before... my feet haven't shown any signs of swelling before tonight, and the worst part is I only brought this pair shoes for the entire night and we still had a trip to the casino on the agenda before the night could even be considered over!

As the waitress comes to clean up the table from dessert, she asks if we need anything else... or if we are ready for the bills. I confess that I can't get my shoes on, so we are going to have hang out a while longer. Thank gawd the group concurs, and orders another bottle of wine. They slowly sip away at it while I spend the next 30 minutes forcing my fat feet back into my adored brown sandals.

I hate pregnant feet, and I really hate the fact that I didn't have a shitty old pair of flip flops in the back of the car, ready for an emergency situation like this.

I finally did manage to get my feet about 4 inches in the sandals, enough to at least walk out of the restaurant with my dignity in tact, and when we reached the car, I cranked the AC on the floor and slowly my feet returned to their pre-dinner state, but trust me from now on I don't go anywhere from home without my trusty, wide/large/roomy flip flops in the back for the car.

Did any of you post-pregnant ladies ever experience the fat feet prego syndrome.... ? How did you cope?

And the rings come off!

Since the day PC and I got engaged, and then married a short 9 months later, I have wore my wedding rings faithfully... I don't even take them off for bed!

I thought it would take something drastic to make me take them off... like some form of infidelity, or major accident that would required me to have my hand amputated, but apparently all it takes is a 28 week old fetus, and a few extra prego pounds.

The last few weeks, as the weather has gotten increasingly nicer out, I have found my rings posing a real problem. They are tight to get on, and the warmer its gets in a day the harder they are to get off.

I have now stopped wearing them to bed altogether because I get so hot when I sleep, that I wake up feeling like my hand is triple its size and my rings are so tight I start to panic.

Since last week, putting them on in the morning is basically a 50/50 shot that they will actually go over the knuckle. I basically know how my day is going to go based on whether or not the rings fit.

When they don't fit, I find myself cursing and swearing, saying 'perfect, I should have left the house 5 minutes ago, I don't have time to stop for a coffee, and my rings won't go on - god damn it'.

But on a good day, I am like 'wow, I woke up 10 minutes before my alarm, I knew exactly what I wanted to wear, and my rings slid on like a well oil machine - its great to be alive!'

I have read its just part of being prego... the ring thing, and people have reassured me that once the baby is born, the rings WILL go back on, but at the same time its depressing... my rings mean a lot to me, and when I casually look down at my hand and see they aren't there... it seems wrong.

However, I know its all for a good cause, these extra prego pounds, chubby fingers, swollen feet, puffy cheeks... the list goes on!

As I am now OFFICIALLY 28 weeks, and in the third and FINAL trimester... I guess the rings are the least of my worries... I should just be satisfied that even though I can't always wear the rings, I at least have a solid marriage that is going to be around regardless if I ever am able to get the rings back on!!!