Nate's Birth Story

Nate's labor story was WAY different than we had previously experienced. With Anna and Christopher when I felt my first contractions they were regular and 5 minutes apart... contractions, call doctor/midwife, head to the hospital!! And we went into labor at night!

You all know part of the labor story, just from keeping up with us during those last days:) Thursday and Friday! But basically after being checked on that Thursday I was soo crampy and ready:)

Then Saturday, I felt decent so I took a couple of pictures of our church participting in OIAM. The kids and I visited with some friends at their house. Then I fed the kids lunch and jumped back into taking some pictures.

About 2:30ish, I'm back at the house getting the kids in bed for naps. I finally crash in bed with the computer getting a few emails done. And then I lay back to sleep..... and a contraction!!! A REAL contraction...

So until 3:30 I timed the contractions and they were only 10 minutes apart. But since they were regular and walking made them come a little more quickly I got Brian. Knowing that I was having contractions... Brian immediately got on the phone to make arrangements;)

Within minutes we had church members at the house ready to keep the kids for us.

I felt bad going to the hospital.

Really!!!!!... the contractions I felt were strong. But they were 10 minutes apart. Longer when I would sit down. I really thought that they were just going to send me home.

Since I wasn't in active labor we stopped for food (needed to eat a little dinner before labor!) and attempted to visit a commuinty member in the hospital. I finally got checked into the hospital about 6-6:30ish.

I went into triage and my midwife was there. When she checked me I was 6-7cm dilated and she said my water was bulging... ready to burst! Hmmm, all the pressure I had been feeling... so obviously they wanted to keep me.

So from 3 to 8:30pm my contractions stayed about 10 minutes apart. When I did have them they were STRONG!

Brian said I was really hyper during those hours... really talkative! I like to think I was psyching myself UP for the real labor!

At 7:30 they started to give me the antibiotic for the Group Strep B. And then we had to wait an hour before my midwife would break my water to give the antibotic time to work. I was VERY fortunate that she was willing to just give the antibodic without keeping me hooked up to the IV the entire time!!!

After walking and waiting around (getting paperwork done with the nurses), we got ready for LABOR at 8:30pm when my midwife broke my water.

Like I thought, the contractions came on STRONG and regular and we got started laboring to meet Nate!! During actual labor once my water was broken I stayed pretty in bed trying to relax!!

I've never experienced back labor before.... but whoo buddy!! My back had soo much pressure and I felt it up and down my spine. Which is why in many of the "laboring" pics that Andrea took, my midwife was rubbing and applying counter pressure to my back.

My labor progressed like my midwife had predicted.... but what slowed us down was actually PUSHING!! (which was actually a blessing since we were able to get a 2nd dose of the antibiotics into my body, so Nate didn't have to have blood drawn and tested!)

I usually look forward to the time when I can start pushing... it usually feels a "little better" than the contractions. But not pushing NATE!!!

We had a couple of things hindering us all because of Nate's position. So I tried all sorts of positions to try to get Nate to move so he could be delivered!!!! Honestly, if I would have had an epidural I wouldn't have been able to move and attempt to change Nate's position..... the Dr would have had to manually turn and move him.... OUCH!!!

I have to share that it was in the middle of pushing that my MOmma walked into the delivery room!! She was there for Anna's birth! She has her own labor experience as well as Anna's and Hannah's births... funny how a MOmma's presence is always comforting.

Anyway, we tried all sorts of positions and finally Nate moved. I tell you one of the most painful things was when the midwife was pulling my belly to the right (since Nate was laying on my left side) during a contraction and attempting to push. Whoo-hoooo!!

Nothing was better than after 1.5 hours of actively pushing to have Nate placed on me!!! He was soo sweet and big :)

There is always a feeling of relief especially since I had been pushing soo long and had gotten really tired. And the on-call doctor had also made an appearance, so I know that they were getting a little worried.

When the nurses took him to be weighed. They first asked everyone in the room how big they thought he was.... LOL!!! I don't remember all #s that were shouted out, but I remember my mom saying that he couldn't be bigger than 9 lbs because he looked smaller than my brother who was 9 lbs!!

Imagine our surprise that he weighed 9 lbs 13 oz!! He was a chubby monkey:)

Andrea was there and took some great pics;) Here's her slideshow of the delivery!! We are blessed to have such as sweet friend willing to travel soo late to capture Nate's birth!

And I had the BEST staff!!! I loved my midwife;) I love how "granola" she is and was willing to let me labor without being hooked up to the IVs the whole time. And she was also very willing to let me push in ways I thought would be beneficial and then suggested new ways.... she's a super hero in my eyes since her final suggestion was what got Nate out;)

The head nurse and her "shadow" were soo encouraging and friendly. They took good care of us the rest of the night as well as the following night;) They totally let me shower as soon as I got out of bed in the wee hours of the morning;)

I'm sure I left out something....

But I am sooo fortunate to have had a GREAT labor. Even with the GSB and antibiotics, I had very little medical intervention.... no IVs. I could move around:)

And more importantly..... Nate was such a healthy little guy!! And that he's here now and always ready to be snuggled;)

WW: Slideshow of Birth

I know I haven't posted Nate's Birth story... but I wanted to share the slideshow that Andrea made from all the pictures that she took at our birth.

I told you that I was "sitting the fence" as far as having a photographer at the birth. Laboring without an epidural is HARD and I really didn't want to feel like I was "distracted" (not that she would have but anything extra mentally on a momma at that time isn't beneficial) .... so Andrea was soooo gracious in being a part of laboring and then waiting for the pushing (which was very HARD) and getting all those newborn moments that MOmma misses!!!

Andrea, Thank you soo much! You truely are a sweet and gracious friend. I thank you for being a part of Nate's delivery.... I know you were not far away even when I pushed :) And thank you for going beyond to prepare the slideshow for us!!



Click HERE (if you can't play it above).

Let me say that I really have enjoyed these pictures! And I'm soo thankful that Andrea was soo encouraging and willing to work with us!!

And for those expecting... it really is an awesome thing to have labor/birth pictures done!!

You can find some other picture posts at Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom and Go Graham Go!!!

And here he is....

Nathaniel Stephen
Born May 1st at 11:29pm
Weighed in at 9 lbs 13 ozs and height of 20 3/4 inches

He's here and he's adorable. He came out looking like a football player and at times looks like he has 3 chins:)

To say my labor was "easy" would be a lie... LOL!! I pushed for 1.5 hours and he was a BIG and turned and lopsided:) It was the strangest labor and I can't wait to share the experience..... when we get a little more rest:)

A HUGE thanks to Andrea who came over to the hospital in the middle of the night (and into the wee hours of the morning) to capture some memories for us!!

Now onto our recovery plans.... snuggle with Nate, feed him when he wakes and watch Pride and Prejudice!!!!

****Thanks to you ALL for your prayers and support!! I am soo privileged to have you as my bloggie friends:)

And I'm praying for the other three bloggie Mommas who will be delivering this week... hopefully!!!

http://mmangumfamily.blogspot.com/

Sarah@ Loving My life

my everyday blog

In Labor

Yes... i actually have the ability to blog... weird labor this time!! I'll share the details later...

But praying he comes soon:) Maybe a May 1st baby!!!

WOW... 39 weeks & the plan

Our appt yesterday went well... as usual Nate and I are doing well on the medical side of things!!!!

I was checked to see if I was making progress towards labor and I am.... we are 2-3cm dilated and 70% effaced! My midwife was amazed that I wasn't in labor yet and emphasized that it could be really ANY TIME!!! which is encouraging :)

The last two days and then when I got home, I have been really crampy and sore. Tonight was the worst so Brian sent me to bed after dinner tonight ( I "snuck" my laptop in with me.... to UPDATE you, of course... LOL!!). And honestly, laying down I feel sooo much better!!! Standing or sitting up I have a TON of pelvic pressure, like Nate is going to fall out:)

I don't remember having this much pressure with Lydia or Chris.... with Chris I had NO clue he was coming!!! Brian and I enjoyed 2 date-meals after I was 40 weeks when we were waiting around for Lydia!!!!

Because I have made some progress towards labor and because of Nate's size, scheduling an induction was discussed. I'll be honest that I really, really didn't want to go this route just because it's nice to know that Baby is ready and Chris' labor IV, tube-free was wonderful!!

But I was informed that I'd have to have an IV anyway to administer the antibiotics regardless if I was induced or not..... WHY!!????!!! Group Strep B??? Never had it before, didn't even know what it was or knew I had it until our final conversation at this last appt!!

So one of my MAIN reasons for not being induced was gone!! My body has been fine with induction before. I am about to DROP this baby out now. And we could pick who delivers Nate and make arrangements for the kids if we had a particular date....

so we scheduled the induction!

Bright and early Tuesday morning, May 4th.... which seems like forever right now:)

Honestly, my midwife thinks I'll be at the hospital before then anyway!!! I like that it's enough time for my body and Nate to act if they are going to. And I may not even need pitocin if I continue to dilate (whoo -hooo!!!). And we think it will keep Nate from getting too big (although it's only days from my actual due date which is May 7th!).

I read this set of verses weeks ago and they have stuck with me.... they are kind of a stretch to fit my (tough end of preggo) situation since it's talking about a much bigger "trial" - persecution of believers and looking ahead to eternal rest and glory....

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:17,18

But it's still a challenge to me !!! NOT to dwell on the "little" troubles that cause discomfort right now... I need to have the bigger picture in my view...

which is soon to hold a new, sweet, amazing blessing that we have been given to nurture & care for!!!

*** I also need to thank our community and church members for their willingness to be called to come sit with the kids when we do go into labor. I'm thankful at how many have volunteered!! They have also been a blessing to us this week with revival meals, leftovers and help with the kids so I could enjoy the services myself!!! Oh, and gotta love those guys running to the carpet place to plead with the installation people to finish the job before Nate arrives... LOL!!!

Why TONIGHT Would be a Good Night... LOL!!

I'm all about a baby coming when they are ready (with the health of baby and Mommie in mind, of course)!!!

But NATE.....

tonight would be great!!!!!!!

• Tonight was the last night of our great revival. Mommy has had the opportunity to sit through each service (with your siblings mixed throughout the congregation) and be challenged! It's been a very spiritually challenging and emotionally encouraging week as we have spent time soo much time each night with church members and friends.


• If you come after midnight, you'd fit right into our family's birthday pattern since tomorrow is the 29th!!


• We've had three different church members offer to come and stay with your siblings on Thursday!!


• Daddy could be home to lead Operation In As Much at our church on Saturday. I wouldn't be able to visit each group and take pictures.... but that's ok, I might not be up to it with you in my belly either:)


• We have to visit the midwives on Thursday, anyway! Wouldn't it be nice just to come out and meet them in the morning and not wait until the afternoon??


• Doesn't ONE more squished car ride in the belly sound better than two or more???


• Does the fact that it's a full moon tonight mean anything for us???

***Of course if Nate decides to wait and we head to the OB office.... there will be some MAJOR triple shopping happening Thursday afternoon before I head home.... LOL!!!

Feelings at the "End"

It's amazing how close we are getting to Nate's due date.... just days away... and that's before we even consider that he could surprise us;)

The "end" is hard... there is just such a crazy mix of emotions during this time for ALL of us!!!

Obviously with the physical strains on me... I am ready! It's not comfortable carrying the extra 35+ pounds... it really gives me more compassion for those who struggle with weight!! Because the extra weight DOES make a difference in how I move, wear and my energy level.

If you are tired of listening to me talk about my feet????? Just imagine my hubby, he's been soo understanding!! But it is by far the hardest thing about my pregnancy.... I am VERY fortunate and thankful that this is the case!! But since my feet have been soo stretched, they are also very sore... I've yelped a couple of times from pain when my kiddies have hit or stepped on my feet... OUCH!

One of the funniest feelings I have had is a little uneasiness about labor.... it's funny because I've been in labor 3 other times before so I go into delivering Nate with plenty of experience! But I guess each labor is different AND there is PAIN involved... LOL!!

But I'm thinking that the reason we get soo uncomfortable at the "end" is because we actually look forward to labor and are very willing to start;)

I am trying to enjoy these "last days"!!!

I feel Nate moving in my belly and KNOW I will miss him being sooo close and feeling him in there! He's been such an easy baby to carry:) And it's just too sweet of a feeling to WISH these days away!!

In fact last night I called Anna to come feel Nate moved as I rested in bed (for a second!!). Nate was moving around and I really didn't want her (and then Lydia joined us) to miss feeling him, too!! I was glad to see them start to interact a bit and try to talk to him;)

We feel like we are mentally ready for Nate, but both Brian and I are trying to get "last minute" things done. Brian has worked sooo hard finishing up (what he can) of the house renovations and new living room decor! He's also trying to get church events coming up planned and ready so he'll be ready if Nate surprises us;)

The kids are doing well. They've been pretty good with me trying to sit and rest a little more. I know they are getting a little restless with me, but that's the season we'll be in for now and a few weeks after Nate comes.... so we've been talking a lot about that. What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home is one of our favorite books to get them ready:)

One thing is for SURE.......
when Nate gets here.... he will be WELL- LOVED!!!!

Thanks again to Andrea for these great pics;) They are soo precious!

WFMW & WW : Funny Labor Graphic!! and link to Maternity Pics

So I have just 2 days before I am 37 weeks!!!

I'm not expecting Nate to KNOW that it's OK to come NOW.... LOL!! But I've been feeling the need to be ready, really ready.

I mean, I can pack an overnight bags in minutes! But for labor, I always want to feel confident that I understand and know what my body is about to go through... LOL!!! So I have pulled out the labor resources we've collected from our 3 other births and have started to review:)

In the reviewing, I was reminded of this graphic.... which I LOVE:) but also find it soo helpful:) ENJOY:)

***This picture is a picture of a graphic from a booklet untitled Birth Companion Booklet that we received more than 6 years ago as we prepared for Anna's birth!! They still sell it HERE!

You can find some other picture posts at Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Mom and Go Graham Go!!! And more always super helpful Works for Me Wednesday at We are That Family!!

We also had the chance to meet up with Andrea who took some family maternity pictures for us!!!

She is sooo super talented and makes even a simple moment gorgeous:) She's posted some of the pictures of the maternity shoot and our families together.... on her personal blog and photography blog:) They all are great and will be treasured !!!

Ultrasound Results

We had a good visit with the OB for the 36 week checkup. And the ultrasound DID answer many of the questions we had been having and the things that we were concerned about.

First things first! Nate is healthy and growing well:) Despite all my crazy "what if" scenarios.... he's normal and looks good from the ultrasound.

Second, what position is he in?
Nate is head down!!!! Whooo-hoooo!! Although he is laying with his back towards my belly and is pointed back. And he is curved to the right, which is why I am feeling most of the movements to the high left.... his feet:) The lower movements I am feeling are his little hands doing what babies in-utero do.

Third, why don't I feel Nate moving more strongly?
One reason could be his personality. But another is where my placenta is in my uterus! How it is laying, Nate is kicking at my placenta, but the movements don't all hit my uterus which is where the nerves are.... I KNEW I wasn't feeling a lot of movements! It's not a problem... just where and how everything attached months ago:)

Fourth, why am I measuring sooo BIG???
One reason is that I have plenty of fluid for Nate. It's in the normal range for a preggo lady, but it's on the higher end of the ok range and I am sooo small:) Who knows why I am carrying that much but I also had plenty for Lydia... so it's nothing new!

The real reason is NATE!!! He's a BIG boy (for me). Technically we are almost 36 weeks preggo (by everyone else's charts) but the ultrasound was estimating me to be about 39 weeks pregnant and had my estimated due date at April 21st.... not May 7th, like we have calculated! All b/c of Nate's measurements!

Today Nate'e weight estimated to already be 7lbs 10 oz!! Some of his measurements were at the 97% level for a newborn!! In fact I hunted around a bit for an average weight of newborns and it is 7 lbs 11 oz!! NEWBORNS!!!!!... we still have 4.5 weeks before we are full-term.

They said that the most a baby will gain is a 1/2 lb a week which makes the maximum that Nate could weigh at birth is like 2 more pounds or 9 lbs 10 oz!!! he would easily be my biggest baby... Chris was 8lbs 9 oz and the girls were both 7 lbs 14 oz!

The Plan
Right now because our vitals are great! Nate is healthy and head down! And that I have already birthed 3 decent sized babes.... The doctor is letting us continue normally:) I will hopefully just go into labor when it happens and Nate is ready (or my body is ready...LOL!).

We have to admit that we were a "little" disappointed that they weren't going to possibly start the discussion about inducing early because of his SIZE (it would be great to meet Nate soon!!)....

But I am MORE thankful that he's healthy and that the doctor has confidence that a normal labor and delivery is possible.... it just makes sense that my body would labor better if it's on it's own schedule... even though there could be uncomfortable days ahead... especially with the warmer weather and my ankles/feet/legs/hands!

Oh, and I am also glad that there is no other "special" concerns because that means I can see the midwives again and that they can deliver Nate!! It was going to be a little sad that I would have had to switch over to the doctors since I have had such great experiences with the midwives!

Thanks for all your prayers!! Everything looks good:) We will have a big, healthy baby boy in our arms in a little while longer;)

On the Other Side

Andrea posted Owen's Birth Slideshow today! HERE it is....

I know I am one of the most excited that she was able to put it together since I was able to be involved and do some of the pictures for her (until she felt well enough to get the camera into her hands again.... LOL!!).

I'm not sure where to begin how I got to be involved;)

Let's just say that when Andrea approached me about photographing the birth, I was very hesitant!! VERY, very hesitant..... first ME taking pictures for Andrea... she's a GREAT photographer, I am NOT!!! Then ME being at her baby's birth... like labor, and delivery and everything...

To say I was hesitant, honored and even overwhelmed is putting it mildly!

So for months I've been working with her manual SRL to figure out "How in the world am I going to take decent pics of this once-in-a-lifetime event???" And Andrea also gave me some websites/slideshows to watch for "inspiration"!

But on that Friday morning, I learned 1st hand the range of emotions from being "on the other side" of delivering a baby... the anxious friend in the room, quietly cheering you on and trying to work your SRL camera:)


I feel like part of the experience was very comfortable because I had the same midwife deliver Lydia and for all three deliveries I didn't have an epidural! So there were a lot of times I very much knew what was going on because I have been there.....


But in many ways I wasn't a participant, but in other ways everyone in the room is a participant when you are talking about a delivery room. As Andrea labored, I "felt" every contraction, I wanted to start the slow breathing to "help" her get through it.... or as she was pushing, so wanted to "help" her push!


I wanted my friend to have a great delivery and a healthy little boy! But during those intense moments at the end, as the doctor was called and Andrea was just exhausted.... we all felt the intensity of the birth....

And then there was Owen!!


A nurse had quietly told me to NOT take pictures before Owen had been checked over by the NICU.... so I held the camera but not snapping away... until the actual doctor brought Owen up and said, "Did you get a pic of him, yet?" or something like that!!!!

My eyes quickly filled-up... all was well!! Owen was healthy! Andrea did it!! (Oh, wait, doc.... I need to get that picture!!!) LOL!!

It was truely amazing to be a part of the miracle of Owen's birth and Andrea's labor!!

Some have asked if being with Andrea in labor has affected my own labor plans in a month or so! Well, yes and no..... :)

Having had my three without an epidural I will still go that route!! While the level of pain is intense with an epidural-free birth, I still feel confident that it's the best way for us. If anything Andrea's labor was encouraging because she did it as her 3rd birth!!

The staff that attended Andrea were amazing. They had her in different positions for pushing that really helped.... I remembering telling the midwife, "I need to do that when I labor this time." So I learned some new ways to labor as well:) And I'm SOOOOO hoping Nate will come when Andrea's nurse is on-duty... I'm asking for HER by NAME!!!


It was also nice that while Andrea labored and described some of her pain, I could identify some of the "stages of labor". I have always found it comforting to know the "stages" because you know your body is working right. You know the pain/feeling is normal. And you know that the end is getting closer!! So I am TOTALLY reviewing my laboring information so I can be "prepared"!

I've totally been "sitting the fence" about having someone attend the birth to take pictures.... I have already been questioning myself about this after the few that Andrea posted from her delivery and now with the SLideshow!! I have some of when I had Anna... my mom was snapping away, so a little more graphic than I'd like... LOL!! So this conversation has been restarted in our house as we prepare for our labor and delivery of Nate:) We will see!!

The other side of labor & delivery is amazing and I definitely got to see the miracle and "enjoy" it without the pain:)

You did AWESOME Andrea and Travis!! And Thank you for letting me be the "fly on the wall".

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Yay!! It's Tuesday!! And here's what I've heard from my kids this week:)

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Chris (4 yrs old): "Mommy, you gotta big 'ole tummy.... I like your big tummy, Mommy."

Me: "why?"

Chris: "Because it's got my baby brother in it."

As a preggo-momma whose been asked almost a dozen times now if I'm carrying twins... it's very comforting for those who love me most and have to see me everyday to "like my belly" and for such a great reason!!
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After giving Lydia a bath, I followed her into the room to help her get dressed more quickly. She takes off her towel and stands in the middle of the room. She says,"I,I,I,I..... I is cold!"

And of course she had the cutest little expression:) She hammed it up even more when I got the camera.

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Lydia asks to takes a picture and points the camera at my belly and says,"Say 'Cheese', whittle brother."



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Since Andrea delivered Owen, the kids have heard a few conversations about laboring and babies being born...

So Monday night as Brian was helping with baths I heard Anna ask him, "Daddy, does it hurt to push out a baby?"

Ha hahaaa, LOL!!!

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More Tiny Talk Tuesday HERE:)

A Year Already?

Well today we celebrated Lydia's birthday. Brian and I remember the hoping we did each night waiting for labor to come during the night :) But to no avail, Lydia had to be "induced" out.

I guess I can chase the rabbit about my theory about labor and the kids' personalities. Anna wasn't too early or too late...she's very timely. She required alot of hard work but she was ready and willing. She still can be a little stubborn at times but is usually soo complaint and wanting to please! Christopher...phew...he came at least 10 days early and surprised us all. And we labored in the sweetest environment and immediately had visitors. Can I say Christopher?? He is always TWO steps ahead of us, he can have the sweetest nature (hugging toy babies, saying "I wuv you" to Mommy) and he easily makes friends. Lydia (like I said above) had to be FORCED out and then be checked over by the NICU (who she smiled and coo-ed at). Lydia is by far the snugglest baby we've had and she is very good natured, we've had a LOT of smiles :)

I pulled some of our favorite pictures.....I hope you enjoy as we celebrate Lydia's 1st year :)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We praise God for our sweet blessings....Anna, Christopher and Lydia!! And we thank Him for everyday (exhausting or fun) that we are given with eachother:)