Sierra's Birth Story

As promised....Better late than never...

*WARNING...THIS IS VERY LONG*


I wrote on Sunday, April 6th that I was having bloody discharge and continuous cramping which continued into Monday, April 7th. I went to bed Monday night (Brian was at work) with no significant changes and just feeling tired because I had not been sleeping well. At 4:30 am I woke up having to use the restroom and feeling the first contractions. I really knew this time that the contractions were real because there was no doubt that these pains were different from any I had felt up to this point.

I spent some time in the bathroom and then tried to lay back down; however the contractions were continuing to come every 10 minutes. Brian was scheduled to get off work at 6 am, so I called him around 5:30 am and asked if maybe he could leave a little early to come home and be with me. Brian came home and the contractions continued throughout the day, staying about 10 minutes apart. I drank all my red raspberry tea, and funny enough, while consuming the tea the contractions were about 5 - 7 minutes apart. I "labored" all day at home. Depending on my activity level (walking increased the contractions, laying down slowed them), the contractions were any where between 5 minutes to 15 minutes apart. Unfortunately there was no consistency.

Around 7 am Wednesday morning (26 1/2 hours after contractions started), we called our midwife. I truly was exhausted and had not slept, just rested between contractions all night. We went into the midwifery center at 8 am and had an internal exam. Our midwife, disappointingly, told us that we were only dilated 1 cm (and it was her exam that made us 1 cm)!!! Basically, 26 hours of contractions did nothing to open my cervix. She gave us 3 options.

1. Go home and continue to just wait it out
2. Go home with a sleeping aid - hoping that getting some rest would allow my brain to increase oxytocin production and progress the labor
3. Go to Labor and Delivery (risk out of the midwife center) and receive IV morphine and get some rest to help progress labor

Brian and I talked about it and decided that getting me some rest would be best, so we opted to head home and take a sleeping aid (Ambien). I was told to eat something, take the pills, and lay down. We arrived home and I was not very hungry, but managed to take a couple bites of a bagel, I took the pills and according to Brian, was out of it before I even made it upstairs. I fell fast asleep and woke up around 2 pm (about 3 1/2 hours later) to really strong contractions.

When I woke up my contractions were about 2 - 3 minutes apart and they were longer and stronger. I could no longer talk during them and they were much more painful. Brian and I continued to monitor them and after about an hour, decided to call our midwife. She advised us to come to the center at that point.

When we arrived at the center, our midwife, Nell, did a cervical exam. Honestly, everyone was expecting me to be at least 5 cm dilated at this point. However, after the exam, my cervix was only dilated a disappointing 2 cm!!!! Nell explained our options at that point. We had been in labor for 36 hours by then and she was very concerned about me and the baby and our exhaustion levels. Our options were limited. Basically our only option was to get an epidural, have my water broken and be administered pitocin. Nell left the room to talk to my mother and let Brian and I have some time to talk to one another. At that moment I was feeling so broken. Brian and I embraced one another and sobbed. We knew we had to do what was best for me and for the baby, but everything we had prayed about and prepared for was no longer an option; amid the exhaustion, I feel like Brian and I were both at our lowest points at that single moment.

Nell had given us another option, to break my water and get pitocin and see what happens. However, her fear was that I would do great getting to 10 cm and then be entirely too tired to push the baby out, especially considering my exhaustion level already. We decided to do what would be best for the baby and take the "full cocktail" - epidural, broken water, pitocin".

So around 6pm the "cocktail" was administered and I did well during the administration of the epidural (although they basically read you your rights before giving it - I think my mother was having trouble with that part.) :)

I was so thankful to have my family there with me and having Nell continue to monitor me. Brian was my rock throughout the whole thing and he even was able to sneak in some Popsicles for me! We convinced the nurse to let me eat them and after she saw me eat 2 in a matter of 30 minutes, she recommended that I limit it to only 1 every hour. :) My family left to go eat dinner and Brian and I were able to get some rest. After they ate dinner, around 8:30pm, they came back up to our room to say good night and my mom told Brian to call her when I started pushing.

Brian and I continued to rest and around 11pm they came in to check me, I was already dilated 9 cm! The "cocktail" was working! They said they would be back in an hour to check me again and at that point they turned the epidural down (thank God)! However, they did not turn the pitocin down. Almost as soon as the nurse walked out of the room I started having major contractions and LOTS of pressure. I told Brian the baby was coming right then (at least it certainly felt like it). Around 11:30 pm the nurse came back in and I told her I was ready to push. She didn't believe me (of course), but I was really feeling the contractions and the pain! She decided to check me and she said "oh yeah, the baby is right there".

Around 12 am (midnight) they turned the epidural off (which again, I was so thankful for, even though the pain was intense, I wanted to be able to feel everything and push on my own). I started pushing and pushing and pushing. She had me push on my back a few times, then on my side, then again on my back. At one point the nurse said I was almost ready to deliver, so she went to go call for my midwife. She left the room and it was just Brian and I in there, alone, pushing together, with Brian doing all the counting for me and giving me ice chips in between contractions. I would not have been able to do it with out him! He was amazing!!!

Nell came in the room and was able to use the Castor oil that we brought with us. As the head was crowning, they pour Castor oil over the baby's head and it helps to relieve the pain you feel in that area, at that moment. Finally, the head was out and I heard Nell say, "reach down and pull your baby out". :) That was the best moment!!! I basically delivered my own baby, I reached down and grabbed Sierra and pulled her out and onto my chest. What a glorious feeling!!!

Unfortunately, after one short cry, Sierra started to "grunt" or sound wheezy (as we would say). They were telling me to pat her back and rub her back, but nothing was helping. They quickly took her from me and called the nursery for a specialized nurse. Everything was happening so fast and Brian just stood there next to me, holding my hand as we prayed that God would take care of her and help her to breath. I remember I just kept repeating, "Please Lord, help her breath, open her lungs, let her cry Lord". We were wanting so desperately to hear her cry! Brian just kept telling me, "she is okay, she is going to be okay". He seemed so rock solid at the moments when I needed him to be.

Soon they wrapped her up and brought her over to my bedside and told me that she had to go to the nursery. The nurse said, "Say Bye to Mommy" and as they took her away, she was completely purple and my heart was breaking. Nell assured me that she would be okay and that the nursery would take great care of her. Brian left with the baby and the nursery crew and I really felt at peace about the whole thing, I knew God was going to take care of her.

A little while later, my family came in to see me. They were all wondering where the baby was and when were they going to be able to hold her and see her. I was yearning for all the same things! I was feeling tired and overwhelmed and disappointed. The doctor came in a few minutes later with news that Sierra's lungs were filled with fluid and the chest x-ray possibly might be showing signs of pneumonia and she might have a blood infection. All of which turned out negative, praise God; she simply ingested a TON of fluid during the labor and delivery (She was diagnosed with TTN - Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn). However, the docs have a way of scaring you into thinking about all the possibilities.

Following delivery, I was taken to my room and given IV fluids, I was dehydrated and running a slight fever and extremely exhausted! Around 5 am we were finally able to see and touch Sierra, pretty much for the first time. She looked pitiful with all the tubes and wires, but she was beautiful! 24 hours later we were able to hold her and about 36 hours after delivery, I was finally given the chance to nurse her for the first time.

Although I had come to terms about the labor and delivery process not being natural like Brian and I had hoped for; for many days I had feelings of being "cheated". I was so emotional that I missed the bonding time the first 24 hours of her life and the chance to nurse right away, etc. With all that said though, I am thankful for a healthy and happy baby girl. My whole life thus far has been about God using circumstances to teach me to place the Glory and Honor back on Him; Sierra's birth story is just another one of those ways that I can honor and glorify God for the miraculous work He has done. We thank Him daily for our precious miracle! We know she is truly a gift from Him and we are honored that He has entrusted us with her life.


*Side Note* - Nell told us that Sierra came out head first, with her arm and elbow up next to her head. Nell exclaimed "Your pelvis is amazing to be able to deliver all that!" Not sure how amazing I felt pushing all that out, but it seems as though this was the reason that (without the assistance of the pitocin) my cervix was not opening up properly after 36 hours of labor. Later that weekend, my mom ran into my labor and delivery nurse that checked me in, (her shift had ended at 11pm and she was not there for the birth). She asked my mother how things went and when my mom told her that we were able to have a vaginal birth, she said "oh good, I didn't want to tell you all, but they were talking about the "C" word". Thank God I didn't end up with a cesarean, but I guess it was definitely something that was being discussed...I am glad it didn't end up that way! Praise God!

Happy Baby

Sierra turns 7 weeks old tomorrow; so, I decided this week was the week to really start to get serious about sleep-training. Brian and I both read the book Babywise while we were pregnant and have read through it again since Sierra was born, along with Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. We feel passionately about training our baby to achieve healthy sleep habits both at night and during nap time in the day. All Babywise babies that I know are happy, well-rested, healthy babies.

We believe that all children are different, yes...but we also believe any child can become a good sleeper with the proper training and discipline from the parents. God has provided us with this child and it is our responsibility to train her properly in many ways; we believe sleep is one of those things.

Here are some pictures of our happy, well-rested baby after sleeping 10+ hours the past two nights (with one early morning feeding) and 3 naps during the day!

Thank you!

Some people thought that my "Breast is best" post was a little too much information; But I would just like to say THANKS to all the wonderful women/mommies who sent me emails and left me comments. Your suggestions, advice, and encouraging words were much appreciated and very helpful.

For any other breastfeeding moms out there, if you need some help, all I can say is that Medela Breast Shells are lifesavers! My sister gave them to me as a shower gift (knowing this is the only thing that worked for her) and I avoided using them for the first few weeks because I was leaking so much and they had to be dumped out like every 10 minutes. However, I wish I had not avoided them, they have been the only thing that has allowed air to flow and healing to take place. The Lansinoh oil worked also, but with a bra on and no shield, the crack would never have healed!

I have found a good blog resource for anyone looking for more information. I must say that I do not agree with all the discussions posted here, but most of the info and resources are helpful.
It is Breastfeeding 1-2-3 - The most recent blog post is entitled, Breastfeeding Basics: Ten Tips on How a Pregnant Woman Can Prepare for Breastfeeding and it does have some good information.

I apologize for being TMI - saying "Too much"!!!
But THANK YOU for all who love me enough to read what I have to say and be willing to share in return!

God Bless!

Seeing Double...

I may look like my daddy....but I got my Mama's double chin (and chub)!!!

1 Month (6 week) Check-up

Thursday Sierra went for her 1 month check up! She is doing wonderfully!

She now weighs a whopping 10 pounds, 8 ounces! And is now 23 inches long - she grew 2 inches and picked up 2 pounds in 4 weeks!!! I call her my little "chunky monkey" :)

She is smiling at us all the time now; in fact this morning I went into her room to nurse and Brian was changing her. As soon as she saw me and heard me say "Good morning, sweet girl" her face lit up and she was all smiles! I love it! Her smiles melt my heart!

The doctor was encouraging about the horrible case of baby acne she has been sporting the past few weeks. She said it will go away eventually and besides her cheeks being a little dry, it doesn't seem too bad.

The past two nights she has slept for 6-7 hours straight! I guess that is okay at this age. She lets me know when she is hungry and if not, I let her sleep. We have been working on sleep training and getting Sierra used to sleeping in her crib for nap time, she has been sleeping every where but her crib during the day for the past 6 weeks. She isn't always a fan and she definitely puts up a stink about it. It is horribly painful listening to her cry (and I realize not everyone is a fan of the "cry-it-out" method) but we think it is best for us and her in the long run. Hopefully in the next few weeks we will be 100% sleep trained and on a very good nap schedule.

Sierra loves to play and it is enjoyable to have her be more awake these days. She loves the activity mat, the swing, and her bouncy seat with lights and sounds. Tummy time is something we do often and she is so strong, doing push-ups like Brian has to do every day. :) She mostly loves to be held and talked to and she is starting to babble back, it is so cute!

Here is a short video clip of Sierra in the swing. This is the first time (and last) that I let her sleep in the swing. I was vacuuming and getting other things done and she happened to fall asleep. She is so precious....especially when she is sleeping! :)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget to remember and pray for our troops and all those that serve this country, day in and day out. Freedom is NOT Free!

God Bless!

Return of Mastitis!!!

I had my 6 week check up on Tuesday and my midwife took a sample of my milk to send away for a culture. Unfortunately yesterday I got a call from the nurse telling me that the culture came back positive. The infection is still showing up in my breast milk; therefore, as of yesterday I am back on the antibiotics. I had a feeling the bacteria was back because I had been experiencing some tenderness and pain, but I was not having all the symptoms I had the first time (thank God)! Hopefully this time around the infection will completely clear up and the crack will continue to heal as well.

Breastfeeding is not nearly as painful as it was, so I am hopeful that I am heading in the right direction. I am proud to say that I have made it this far and besides 1 formula bottle in the hospital, Sierra has been exclusively breastfed for the past 6 weeks. It has not been easy though, and many times I could have given up. I hope when Sierra is 6 months old and still being breastfed, I will be able to look back and be thankful for not giving up; knowing I am giving her the best nutrition possible.

Please pray for me as God continues to use this medicine to heal me.
Thanks!

Surprise!

Last weekend we surprised my brother-in-law Shaun with a 30th birthday party at my parent's house in Richmond. It was a blast and he was very surprised to say the least.

Both of my sisters have posted pictures from the festivities / weekend. It was a great family weekend! Check out Kirsten's blog and Kate's blog for those pictures. Pierce and Sierra are so cute together already!

Here is a video clip of the actual surprise...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Breast is Best....

...But not always easiest!

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that Breastfeeding is the best for new babies. However, over the past 5 weeks, I have discovered that breastfeeding is not easy and smooth sailing at first. Initially, I was frustrated because the hospital nursery gave Sierra a bottle and pacifier even though we had requested that they not do so. Sierra was having trouble latching on and I was certain it was because of the nipple confusion.

Then, we both got the hang of it, but I was leaking all the time, all over the place. I was changing my clothes nearly as often as I was changing diapers. Then, I developed severe cracked nipples; I literally had a hole in my one nipple. Every nursing session was agonizingly painful. Turns out, I did everything wrong!!!

Because of the pain, I would skip nursing sessions on that side, would not make her empty the breast all the way, wore wet nursing pads too long, was losing sleep, and was stressed out! All of which lead to a breast infection called Mastitis. (Most likely, in combination with the things listed above, bacteria in Sierra's mouth transferred into my milk ducts from the crack in my nipple and caused an infection).

Last Friday, I seriously thought I had the flu. I had extreme chills, headache, loss of appetite, body aches, fever, and terrible tenderness and pain in my left breast (the one with the crack in it). Brian's family was visiting, so I was in bed trying to rest and he was downstairs visiting. I sent him a text message asking him to bring me some Tylenol and to tell him that I thought I was getting the flu (again). He brought me some medicine and got in bed and held me for a while to help keep me warm - I was literally shaking with chills. The Tylenol helped and I was able to drift off to sleep. Brian and I both did some research and found that Mastitis starts with symptoms similar to the flu and develops into redness of the breast. Sure enough, when I woke up on Saturday morning, my breast was covered in red splotches around the tender area. I worked on trying some natural remedies all day Saturday, but when I woke up on Sunday, the redness had increased up and around my breast. I called my midwife and she called in an antibiotic for me. So, for the past 10 days I have been on the antibiotic and I am thankful for healing!

Over the past few days, I have been trying a few ways to help with the healing of my sore nipples as well. I am finally experiencing some relief and am hoping that in a few more weeks, breastfeeding will become a wonderful experience for both me and my growing little girl. I am thankful for loving friends and a loving sister who keep advising me that the pain does go away and it does get better. I now know why so many people give up breastfeeding, but I am glad that I have stuck it out these past 5 weeks and that I can provide wonderful nutrition to my precious baby girl.

Any other women out there who have "stuck it out", I welcome any suggestions you may have to help continue to get me over the "healing hump".

Random Blessings

Today we had lunch with Brian. That was fun! For the next week and a half he will be training at the Blackwater facility in NC, so we won't be able to meet him for lunch; So we made sure to get in lunch with him today!

While I was driving home the most random thing occurred. I was stopped at a red light and this guy pulled up next to me and started honking his horn. I looked over at him and he took his hat off and started rubbing his head - he was bald. I must have had the weirdest look on my face, thinking who is this guy and what is he doing. He then pointed to the back of my car and said "brain tumor" and rubbed his bald head again and smiled. I realized that he must have spotted my "Brain tumor awareness" magnet on the back of my car and he was sharing with me that he has a brain tumor. In that one moment, this stranger and I were connected in this way. He was blessed by my car magnet and I was blessed by his smiling bald head. :)

It never ceases to amaze me the random ways that God blesses us and uses us to bless others. I immediately prayed for this stranger, whom I will probably never meet again, and thanked God for His randomness.

Smiling Face

Sierra is finding her smile. :)

All day I work to get her to give me some smiles, but I am not always very successful. Then Daddy comes home from work and Sierra is non-stop smiles for him. Is it possible to be a "Daddy's Girl" at only 1 month of age? Most of her smiles were full face smiles and oh so adorable; once I finally grabbed the camera I was only able so get a picture of a little smile, but she is still adorable none-the-less.

Enjoy the pics!Brian sticks his tongue out and Sierra does it too. :)

Smiles for Daddy!

Taking it all in!

Do you think we look alike?

1 Month Old Today

...and growing like a weed!

We are so blessed by her every day!

PS - Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mother's! This is a club I am proud to (finally) be a part of!
Grandma was insistent about putting something in my hair - Here she put one of her clips in my hair!

1st Trip to the Beach

Sierra had her first trip to the beach yesterday! We had a picnic lunch with Daddy on his lunch break - That was fun! :) Then we walked the boardwalk and the beach for a while! It was so nice outside and although Sierra slept most of the trip, I think she is going to be a beach bum! :)

Grandma Miller is Here!

Grandma Miller flew in on Saturday afternoon and is here staying with us until Sunday evening. We are enjoying her visit and since she has been here, I have only been "allowed" to hold the baby during nursing sessions. The rest of the time, Grandma is holding her! New York is so far away, so I am willing to share the baby while Grandma is here! :)
We have had a busy week so far, walks around the pond, shopping at the mall, trip to the beach, picnic lunch with daddy...and it is only Wednesday!

Sierra really loves Grandma! We are so blessed to have her here visiting! Thanks for flying down here Grandma!

Family Helpers

Last Wednesday, my mom had planned on coming and staying with me while Brian was back to work on the night shift. After my sister found out that her husband was not returning from a business trip, she decided to come with my mother as well.

It was so wonderful to have both my mom and my sister here to help with the baby and keep me company. Of course, as always, it was wonderful to spend some time with my nephew Pierce as well.

We did some grocery shopping, got some Starbucks :), went out to lunch, shopping at Babies R Us, they helped clean my house and bathrooms, made me dinner on Thursday night, and watched Sierra for me while I was at my last class for the semester. It was wonderful. I love my family!

Although it may be hard to believe, I didn't take any pictures. However, my sister and my mother did. If you click HERE you can see a quick slide show of our time together. It was a blessing (as always)!

My husband is Amazing...

...there is no doubt about that!

Brian was off work for 3 weeks after Sierra was born and it was soooo wonderful to have him here. He is such a big helper with everything. We make a great team, we truly are each other's helpmates. He doesn't let me do anything around the house yet. He has been cooking and cleaning and taking care of everything. In fact, the other night, his Sister-in-law (who is in town on business) said, "I haven't seen Karen cook since I have been here" and I had to respond with, "Brian won't let me!" He is sooooo good to me and I am so thankful for him. He is amazing and I love him!

Last Wednesday he returned to work - 12 hour shifts and night shift at that. I cried when he left. :( I am so blessed to have a husband that supports our family and allows me to be at home with our child and go to school. I just hate when he has to leave. We love Daddy! :)

This week, on Monday, Brian started Basic Training Academy. This will be a 15 week long process with graduation being on August 14th. Please pray for him / us - For him as he does his training, we pray that the Lord gives him strength, endurance, and wisdom for all his testing. After 5 years as a US Marine, we have no doubt that he can make it through! We are already so proud of him! Please also pray for me, as I am attending a little basic training here at home myself. Learning how to be a mommy with out the constant (daily) assistance of my husband.

Thanks! Love to all!!!

Uncle Mike & Aunt Blakely

Last weekend Uncle Mike & Aunt Blakely were in town for a Hunnings family event. We were very happy that they had a moment to stop by and see us. Sierra loves them already! :)