Tuesday, March 25, 2014
The Arrival
Wow! Time has flown by! My precious bundle of joy is almost 2 weeks old already!
Let's go back to the beginning....
Monday, March 10th: This was my first day of "maternity leave" and what I thought would be the day I would be going into the hospital to be induced. Mark and I went to the doctor's appointment, and instead of being sent to the hospital to be induced, Dr. Rathee decided to strip my membranes. This procedure, which only lasted a few minutes, felt like an eternity and was rather painful. In retrospect though, it was not all that bad. After this, Mark and I went home and started the waiting game! I did a lot of walking around the block and bouncing on the medicine ball. I was amazed that I was finally starting to feel cramps. Dr. Rathee told us to come back Wednesday morning and we would do this again if we did not begin labor by then.
Tuesday, March 11th: The longest day ever!
Wednesday, March 12th: Mark and I got up and went to the doctor's office. Once again, Dr. Rathee stripped my membranes. Mark and I drove home that morning and once I arrived at home I begin to feel contractions. The contractions were much more powerful than the usual cramping I was having, but I did not want to get my hopes up, so I told myself I will not go in until this has been going on for an hour. Well, things got real! I lasted 45 minutes and as I sat down on the couch I felt what could be my water breaking. This sparked Mark's attention and before I could say anything we were in the car and on our way to the hospital! We arrived at the hospital at 11:30 am. By this time, my contractions were every 3-4 minutes apart and lasted for 30 - 60 seconds each. I never saw Mark drive with such determination as that day! I never felt so annoyed with techno music as I did during the ride. As soon as we arrived to the hospital and I stepped out of the car, my water broke! So here I am waddling into the hospital with my water gushing out with each contraction! (Not attractive!)
I was ushered into the triage room and was set up with a monitor to watch the baby and I's heart rate. Baby Clark scared us a few times, but once I laid to one side it seemed to calm her down. In the meantime, those contractions kept on coming! I am pretty sure that I asked the nurse each time she came into the room about getting an epidural! The epidural did not happen for another couple hours though! An ultrasound was ordered because Baby Clark was in an awkward position (sunny side up) and they wanted to make sure things were proceeding along. The ultrasound tech mentioned the weight may be just under 8 lbs.
At last, we moved into a delivery room. I also had some much needed relief with the epidural! OMG! This was heaven! For those of you who believe in a natural child birth or were forced to have a natural child birth due to lack of epidurals back in the day...I am sorry! This was amazing!
Baby Clark was still in her sunny side up position, so once again it was a waiting game. The nurses had me lay on my side in hopes of her turning over on her own. Fast forward 8 1/2 hours later, and it was finally time to begin pushing. At 9 pm, we got the room ready to go. The lights were dimmed, music was playing in the background (Bruno Mars on Pandora), and Mark was ready to assist.
We pushed for 1 1/2 hours and with the last push....Nova Rae Clark entered the world at 10:25 pm. She weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. and was 19 inches long. She was perfect!
Let's go back to the beginning....
Monday, March 10th: This was my first day of "maternity leave" and what I thought would be the day I would be going into the hospital to be induced. Mark and I went to the doctor's appointment, and instead of being sent to the hospital to be induced, Dr. Rathee decided to strip my membranes. This procedure, which only lasted a few minutes, felt like an eternity and was rather painful. In retrospect though, it was not all that bad. After this, Mark and I went home and started the waiting game! I did a lot of walking around the block and bouncing on the medicine ball. I was amazed that I was finally starting to feel cramps. Dr. Rathee told us to come back Wednesday morning and we would do this again if we did not begin labor by then.
Tuesday, March 11th: The longest day ever!
Wednesday, March 12th: Mark and I got up and went to the doctor's office. Once again, Dr. Rathee stripped my membranes. Mark and I drove home that morning and once I arrived at home I begin to feel contractions. The contractions were much more powerful than the usual cramping I was having, but I did not want to get my hopes up, so I told myself I will not go in until this has been going on for an hour. Well, things got real! I lasted 45 minutes and as I sat down on the couch I felt what could be my water breaking. This sparked Mark's attention and before I could say anything we were in the car and on our way to the hospital! We arrived at the hospital at 11:30 am. By this time, my contractions were every 3-4 minutes apart and lasted for 30 - 60 seconds each. I never saw Mark drive with such determination as that day! I never felt so annoyed with techno music as I did during the ride. As soon as we arrived to the hospital and I stepped out of the car, my water broke! So here I am waddling into the hospital with my water gushing out with each contraction! (Not attractive!)
I was ushered into the triage room and was set up with a monitor to watch the baby and I's heart rate. Baby Clark scared us a few times, but once I laid to one side it seemed to calm her down. In the meantime, those contractions kept on coming! I am pretty sure that I asked the nurse each time she came into the room about getting an epidural! The epidural did not happen for another couple hours though! An ultrasound was ordered because Baby Clark was in an awkward position (sunny side up) and they wanted to make sure things were proceeding along. The ultrasound tech mentioned the weight may be just under 8 lbs.
At last, we moved into a delivery room. I also had some much needed relief with the epidural! OMG! This was heaven! For those of you who believe in a natural child birth or were forced to have a natural child birth due to lack of epidurals back in the day...I am sorry! This was amazing!
Baby Clark was still in her sunny side up position, so once again it was a waiting game. The nurses had me lay on my side in hopes of her turning over on her own. Fast forward 8 1/2 hours later, and it was finally time to begin pushing. At 9 pm, we got the room ready to go. The lights were dimmed, music was playing in the background (Bruno Mars on Pandora), and Mark was ready to assist.
We pushed for 1 1/2 hours and with the last push....Nova Rae Clark entered the world at 10:25 pm. She weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. and was 19 inches long. She was perfect!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Week 40
I have arrived at week 40! I was originally thinking by this time I would either have delivered or well on my way, plans have changed and Baby Clark is showing a side (well most likely my body) of her stubbornness.
At the doctor's appointment, the doctor decided against inducing, as he foresees it would cause for a really long labor and end up with my body being too tired and getting an unneeded c section. As much as I wanted to see my little bundle of joy, I agreed with him. It was exciting to hear I was a whole 1.5 cm dilated! Instead, he stripped my membranes (ouch!) and told me it might kick something into gear. So far, just a lot of cramping...
If nothing happens, I go in Wednesday morning to his office and he does it again. (Those of you who picked your dates....you still have a chance!). The hospital I have decided to deliver at has a new policy where they will not allow doctors to induce until you reach 41 weeks. So we will continue to wait....
Today's plan of action...walk...bounce...walk...bounce! Come on Baby Clark...Mommy and Daddy are really excited to meet you!
At the doctor's appointment, the doctor decided against inducing, as he foresees it would cause for a really long labor and end up with my body being too tired and getting an unneeded c section. As much as I wanted to see my little bundle of joy, I agreed with him. It was exciting to hear I was a whole 1.5 cm dilated! Instead, he stripped my membranes (ouch!) and told me it might kick something into gear. So far, just a lot of cramping...
If nothing happens, I go in Wednesday morning to his office and he does it again. (Those of you who picked your dates....you still have a chance!). The hospital I have decided to deliver at has a new policy where they will not allow doctors to induce until you reach 41 weeks. So we will continue to wait....
Today's plan of action...walk...bounce...walk...bounce! Come on Baby Clark...Mommy and Daddy are really excited to meet you!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Still Pregnant!
In the words of my doctor..."Good news is you cannot stay pregnant forever....!"
Today is my last day of school. It will be bittersweet and I will definitely miss these students.
Updates soon...hopefully with lots of pictures and a name announcement!
Today is my last day of school. It will be bittersweet and I will definitely miss these students.
Updates soon...hopefully with lots of pictures and a name announcement!
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