So, after Mission Hospital had cancelled my induction for the 22nd (rescheduled for the 23rd, cancelled again, rescheduled for the 24th, cancelled... they were so full, women were laboring in the hall, I was told). So my doctor suggested I "run some laps" and get some contractions going on my own since I'd been dilated to a 3 for the past 4 WEEKS.
Thursday afternoon, I took her literally and did my curb-walking (one foot on the curb, one foot off...) and ran some stairs, then just decided to walk to my doctor's office to get checked and see how close together I could get my contractions. On my way, I was intercepted by my wonderful friend Suzanne for a ride to BK for a BIG diet coke... After all that, my contractions were nothing more than the annoying Braxton-Hicks... So I was on strict orders from my doctor to go home, put my feet up and rest since neither one of us wanted to have a 3 am delivery!
Of course, that's exactly what happened! Later that night, I went up to get ready for bed and felt some contractions. The real ones. Mind you, the time was 11:45 pm. After wanting to go into labor for the past month, now just wasn't the time, I was so tired... I just wanted to go to bed and sleep! So, Mark and I timed them until 1:30 am when it was pretty much unbearable then jumped in the car and rushed off to have a baby.
After getting a ROOM, yay! (glad I didn't have to labor in the hall) I labored through that one liter of IV fluid (apparently that's the RULE before you get an epidural, gotta have one liter first)... Half way through the bag, I shouted out "YES!" which totally took the nurses by surprise because one nurse told me she'd find my best friend, Dr. Wong when the bag was half empty... He came to my rescue as I was dilated to a 6 and pretty much DONE with contractions (it was 3 am).
After the epidural, Mark and I got a little sleep until about 5 am when Shelby was ready to make her appearance! Of course, I slept through pushing my epidural button, so it had WORN OFF! I was in PAIN all over again! And, not a fun feeling when my nurse is saying, "Don't push, Kristy... your doctor isn't here yet..." Not something you tell a laboring mommy whose epidural had worn off... I was SO ready to get her out!
At 5:49am and after about 2 pushes, out came that TINY little baby! She was placed on my chest and I got to meet her sweet little face... when all of a sudden my gown was ripped down and my nurse shouts, "Skin to skin!" and lays that slimy baby right in between my boobs... sorry to all you "skin to skin" people out there, but that just isn't my thing. Especially when that sweet little thing peed all over me.
Lucky for me, this little girl is a great nurser. I never nursed my other 2 babies due to poor latch issues, poor milk supply, etc etc. I pumped with both of them and bottle-fed them breastmilk for their first few months of life... But little Shelby is a natural and it's truly a blessing because with all the bottles and sippy cups and everything else going on with my crazy life with 3 under 3, it really is the easiest route for feeding, especially at night!
She's been doing great since we've been home too minus a few burping issues... no burp equals big cries. We made a most unforgettable trip to Target today (why did I think that at 4 days post-partum I was ready for a Target trip??) in which I nursed her in the front seat of the car in the parking lot for 45 minutes, then ran around Target with 2 carts (one for the kids, pushed by Suzette, and one for the stuff) throwing in the items on my list in record speed because Shelby screamed the entire time... Not something that sits well with a post-partum crazy Mom. Oh the anxiety... It was the best feeling ever to come home, put all the kids to sleep and take a 2 hour nap. Suzette got a nap too! Hopefully that can be routine for all of us.
I'm going to stay home for a while. I'm pretty much terrified to leave the house now. Suzette leaves in less than 2 weeks, Mark is going out of town the very NEXT day... So, I will really be on my own then! Right now, I'm scared. I have no idea how I'm going to do it. Send your good thoughts this way around May 13th... the day my true test of motherhood will begin.
18 comments:
Shelby is beautiful, I can't wait to meet her! Kristy, I love the picture of you and your 3 little kids on the hospital bed... too cute and so sweet!
Kristy, your kids are adorable, and Shelby is so beautiful! Your blog post cracked me up, and made me cringe at the familiarity of it. I've had screaming babies at Target a few times...Good luck on the 13th! I'll be thinking of you, and sending good mothering vibes your way! =)
That's exciting to hear you are having a positive nursing experience, that probably is the most convenient thing for you about now. Get what you need before Mark and your MIL leave- if you take all 3 out to the store you are asking for it, the odds are against you, lol. But seriously, I will be sending positive vibes your way. Thanks for sharing the birth story! You are a rock star!
Kristy she's so beautiful! She looks a lot like you. Thanks for sharing your laboring experience. I can't believe Suzette is leaving in just a couple of weeks. What an amazing mother in law you have. I'm here to help when she leaves....I'll be checking on you.
Great story! So glad she is finally here. Don't worry about the 13th! I am here for you. Come over for dinner that week or you can just send over Rowan and Sarah for a while to rest!!!!!
Kristy, your story cracked me up. I hear you about nursing in the car, still do it sometimes. It is hard but Ethan now loves it since I let him wander around the car while I am nursing. Glad that it is going well, it is really such a wonderful thing when it works. Let me know how I can help out when you are solo, Bryan is also out of town on the 15th for the weekend so we can have 5 kids under 4 together!!
You go mama! You amaze me Kristy. Shelby is darling!
Congrats! I saw Mark's mom at Park Day on Thurs, and then we saw her walking on Sunday. She told us the story- it was bound to happen after all those cancellations, right? Congrats, though, she's gorgeous. What an adorable family!
Kristy, you are amazing! Congrats...I am proud of you.
I learned A LOT by reading your blog and birthing experience! It also gave me anxiety :)
We'll have to talk....
Do the have to do the "skin to skin" thing?!? Strange.
Congrats Dunnings!! Shelby is beautiful!! The nurse did the stupid skin to skin thing with Carson and it was insane because I was still being stitched up and bleeding like crazy- I just looked at her like "are you serious?!" Can't wait to see more pics!!
She is gorgeous! You are inspiring and also TOTALLY crazy for going to Target. I love it! How many times did people do a double take of your three babies?? I may be able to lend a hand one day after the 13th.
Holly cow! Kristy I am so happy for you! She is gorgeous! All of them are! I don't know how you are doing it!!! You'll have to let me know how you survive w/ three! I'm toying with the idea!
Congrats....and God bless you. I have had those Target days too early too. The whole time you are thinking..."What was I smoking, thinking I could do this!!!" You're family is quite adorable. You and Mark make beautiful children. I love the moments you capture of Sarah's priceless faces. Hang in their. It will eventually get easier!
Hey! Love the story, and pictures. She is a doll. I come home this tuesday, and am willing to help if you need me after the 13th!!! :) let me know! hope all is going well! Tell Suzette and everyone else I said hi.
Congratulations! Shelby looks so cute. I can't imagine how busy you must be, but it will be so nice for the kids to have siblings so close in age. I can relate to the in-store stress with kids screaming!
What a roller coaster! Glad you two made it out in one piece. She's adorable!
Kristy, I had to post a comment on this subject. I think I saw you the day you went to Target?!? You are amazing and you'll have everything under control (all be it controlled chaos) in no time! You're little ones are so cute and lucky to have you as a Mom! Try to get some sleep and let me clean your house or make dinner for you sometime. :)
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