Ethan's Arrival

(From my recollection) I received the epidural between 4:30am - 5:00am Tuesday, July 29th at which time I was only dilated a whopping 2 centimeters. Before I knew it and 5 hours later, I was finally 10 centimeters. About 10:30am my nurse, Joy, instructed me on the proper delivery technique, and so we began to try to push little Ethan right on out. I must say that ...that whole scenario was nothing like I thought it would be. The doctor didn't even come in the room while I was trying to deliver. It was very quiet, and it was just me, Sajid and Joy. This part really isn't too exciting.

Once again before I knew it, 2 hours had passed (of pushing) and still no Ethan. He came a little ways down the birth canal, but he wasn't coming any further. Joy suggested that we take a break for a little while b/c she said that I was exhausted. At that point, my epidural was wearing off, and I requested another dose. After they administered the second dose, Joy and Dr. Brown informed me that I would have to have a C-section. There again, this was extremely upsetting to me. Looking back, I don't know why, but at the time it just broke my heart. When I ever imagined the birth of my child, I never imagined it by c-section. Plus, I was very scared. My wonderful mama reminded me that I had never had surgery before nor stayed overnight in the hospital. I was so upset, but I didn't have a choice. Sajid did an exellent job throughout the unsuccessful labor process and at comforting me.

So, they wheeled me down to O.R. And, boy when that door flung open it was a mad house. There were people (nurses, doctors, anesthesiologists) everywhere. They quickly lifted me from my bed to the operating table. Strapped my arms down, place tubes in my nose, put a blanket shield over me, and who knows what else. Sajid, dressed in his scrubs, sat down right next me and held onto my hand as best he could. He knew how scared I was.

Then, someone else dressed in scrubs leaned over and said, "Amy, I'm here." I said, "ok." I gues she knew that I did not recognize who she was. In fact, at the time, I didn't even know if it was a man or woman. All that was visible was his/her eye glasses. Then, this individual said, "it's Dr. Palmer." I never doubted Dr. Brown's abilities - not once not for a second - but to know that Dr. Palmer was also in the room assisting with the c-section was a huge comfort. I can't explain that either, but it was. A few things I remember are:

1) the anesthesiologist who was at my head the entire time and wearing some sort of headphones said, "it's about to feel like I'm sitting on your chest." I remember thinking, "ok - whatever." 2 seconds later, Dr. Palmer comes around behind me, and it feels like she's literaly pushing on my chest, but now I know she was pushing from the top of my stomach downward I guess to help Ethan come out.

2) Sajid saying, "he's about to come; he's about to come." How did Sajid know that? Oh - he had his head peeped around the blue shield the entire time, watching the whole process. Then, sure enough I heard my baby's cry, and Sajid and I both burst into tears. Sajid leaned in towards me and we just cried tears of joy together.

3) Lastly, I remember Dr. Brown whisking Ethan to a table behind me where the nurses washed him off and wrapped him up. Then, Joy, breifly brought my precious bundle, swaddled in a blanket over to where I was still laying and let me see him. I think she brought him close enough to me where I could kiss him.

(ALL Photos by: Kyle Hitchcock http://www.kylehitchcock.com/)

Ethan was born at 1:30pm on July 29, 2008 at Oconee Regional Medical Center.

Epidurals are Amazing

The cytatec sent me into contractions, but did nothing towards dilating me. I was 1 centimeter for about 4 weeks prior to "checking in" to the hospital, and after a very exhausting night of contractions, I was now dilated 2 centimeters.

They (I guess it was Dr. Brown) finally decided it was time for the epidural. At the time, I was so frustrated and a little angry that they wouldn't administer it sooner, but looking back I realize that doctors have to strategically time it just right since epidurals tend to slow the labor process instead of speeding it up. As I was sitting up, slightly hunched over, trying to be still and relaxed, I felt this gush of liquid leaving my body. I don't know why but that upset me a little. I didn't know why once again body fluid was involuntarily coming out of me. The nurse (Haley)said, "Your water just broke." Poor Haley, I was so out of it; I kept calling her Hillary. The 'gush' happened a second time before the anesthesiologist completed the epidural.

It seemed like it only took about 2.5 seconds for the epidural to kick in. Boy - I had never been so relieved in my entire life. I told the anesthesiologist that she was an angel sent from heaven. I felt very tired and worn out, but I felt no pain. My whole body was numb except for my head and arms. My legs felt like they weighed a thousand pounds each. From that point, things went pretty well - except for my delivery nurse (Joy); she was very aggrivating. She talked a lot about herself and what she had done for all her previous patients. Sajid was great. He kept feeding me ice chips. Some women are starving for food during the labor process, but that never crossed my mind. My mouth was just dry. We just watched the monitors for a few hours noticing how my contractions were becoming for intense and closer together. It's weird to see monitor charting that and not actually feeling it happen.

Photos by: Kyle Hitchcock (http://www.kylehitchcock.com/)

Headed to the Hospital

After reading through my blog, I realized that I left off with "Cozy as can be" explaining that I was past my due date and if Ethan didn't make his arrival over the weekend, Dr. Brown was going to perform a couple of tests on the following Monday to see what the next step should be towards Ethan's arrival. So, this is where I'll pick up with our life story.

No sign of Ethan over the weekend (July 26-27). Monday, July 28th, Sajid and I went to Dr. Brown's office. Kim, his nurse, hooked me up to the stress monitor. We had to stay there until Ethan moved 3 times. It was slow in the beginning. My baby was sleeping. So, they gave me (and Sajid) a soda to try to wake him up and get him moving. After a few hours, we accomplished the goal of 3 movements. It was at that time Dr. Brown strongly suggested that we induce labor. He said that I have a very healthy baby at this point and waiting for Ethan to "make the first move" could result in a more risky pregnancy/delivery. As much as I didn't want to induce labor (b/c of the horror stories of extremely loooong labor), I didn't want to create a more risky situation. Therefore, Dr. Brown called the hospital, and sure enough they asked that I "check in" - like it's a vacation getaway - between 5 and 8pm that night (Monday, July 28th).

Even though it was exciting to think about Ethan finally joining the outside world, it was kind of weird "planning" our trip to the hospital. Then agian, it was kind of nice. I was able to go home and get some much needed things accomplished around the house. I was able to miticuloulsy pack my bag, and make the necessary phone calls to our family and friends. Sajid was able to get in one last nap.

Our goal was to check in on the OB floor about 5:30pm. When we stepped off the elevator, it seemed like they were not expecting us. It was extremely quiet and stuffy. To our dismay, the maintenance man was changing air filters. Therefore, the air was cut off. So, the nurses basically told us to come back later. We filled out a few forms; left our bags in one of the rooms; then, went to eat :) We had a nice dinner at Sylvia's. I think we may have gone back home for a short while before heading back to ORMC. Our second check-in time was 8:30pm. In no time I was in the very fashionable hospital gown in the oh-so comfortable hospital bed with the monitor hooked around my big ole belly.

Of course, the nurse was a good bit later starting the Cytatec (spelling?) than originally planned. I think I was supposed to get it about 9pm. And, I think it was closer to 10:30pm. To my understanding, the Cytatec is used to thin the cervix and potentially start the labor process (contractions). Well, I guess it worked. I think (and I keeping saying "I think" b/c (1) it's been 4 months and (2) I now suffer from mommy brain) that the contractions started about 12:30 am. All I remember is squenching (if that's a word) my eyes closed and squeezing the crap out of Sajid's hand to try to endure the EXTREME pain for about 45 seconds to a minute every 2 minutes until about 4:30 AM. Then, once the contraction was over, my bladder automatically emptied. I could not control it. It just happened. This may be TMI for most people, but poor Sajid not only had a very sore hand, he also had to empty the bed pan after every contraction and replace it before the next one started. Once upon a time, I handled pain very well. Not these days. My famous quote while having the contractions was, "We're not having anymore!!!!" And, believe me, I meant every single word of it. There is no way I could go through that again. Yes, the nurse gave something for pain, but as she was handing it to me, she explained that it would not completely take the pain away, but it would reduce it a little. I would hate to know what it would have felt like with out any sort of pain reliever.

Oh - Where do I Begin

As you can see I haven't posted an update since Ethan was about 2 weeks old. He turned 4 months this past Saturday (Nov 29, 2008). There's just so much I can and want to share, but it's very over whelming to think about chronologically updating the blog. I'm going to put a lot of effort towards it though. Just bare with me.

4 MONTHS OLD

Our Precious Angel

Ok - So - as most of you know, I have tons of updating to do. I'll include all the details at a later time. For now, I'd like to just share the most wonderful blessing we've ever received.

Ethan's Nursery

Theme: Noah's Ark - Two-by-Two

Floor Rug

Crib - Given to us by shower hosts:
Doris Santarone, Jen Garner, Traci Rollins and Jamie Steinmeyer. Thanks so much, Ya'll!

Old chest-of-drawers of Sajid's that my dad sanded and stained. I think Sajid said he has had this since he was in either elementary or middle school. I can't believe it made it all the way through his "college" years. I am so proud of it. I think my dad did such a wonderful job. Thanks, Daddy!
I also need to thank my mom since it was her idea. I had forgotten that we even had it. It's been at her house since we move out - since we married in July 2005.
Thanks, mama!

Changing Table
We purchased this with the gift cards that we received.

Rocking Chair-I bought off the GCSU sale list for only $5
Quilt-Given to us by "Nana B" (Sajid's mom); quilted by Mrs. Few (brother-in-law's mom)

Cozy As Can Be

First, let me say - a very dear friend of mine, Tracy Norris, was due to deliver her precious little Abigail on July 27th. Another 'hunch' I've had was that she was going to deliver this week. Yesterday morning (July 23rd), I texted her, "Just checking on ya", as I've done every day this week. And sure enough, she replied, "We've been at the hospital since 3AM". I couldn't believe it. Person #2 who was due after me, has now delivered before me. It's just the way it's supposed to be though. As ready as any 9 month-pregnant woman is to deliver, I was comforted after we saw Dr. Brown yesterday.

According to him, Ethan is "a happy baby". His heart rate was perfect. Dr. Brown said that from a physician's viewpoint, I have a perfect exam. He realizes that it's hard for me to understand, seeing that I'm past my due date and still haven't dilated beyond 1 centimeter - which I've been for 3 weeks now. But he assures me that everything is great. He did say that my cervix had thinned quite a bit. And, he said he slightly stripped my membranes which could move things along a little bit, but of course, there's no guarantee.

Basically, we just wait to see what happens. If nothing changes before Monday, we will have a stress test and sonogram Monday morning to monitor Ethan and see where we need to go from there. I REALLY do not want to have to be induced. I want Ethan to come when he's ready.

For now, I just like to think I've provided a cozy little home for him, and he's content right where he is :) I also tell myself that he's already a mama's boy :)

The most amazing thing is how amazing I feel. Most people wonder what in the world am I doing still at work. I just don't see any reason to use up my time, when I feel there's no real reason to stay home. I would love to be at home. But I also know having the extra time at home after Ethan's born will be much more important.

Well, until next time...