How it all went for our 1st delivery.

On Sunday Sept 21st I began having stronger, more regular contractions around 7pm at Elissa's while eating dinner. They were 15 min apart and lasted all night. The next day I woke up with a feeling that we might be going to the hospital that day. I did my yoga, walked and then decided to pack our last bag just in case. I went in to work and the contractions went from 15 min to every 10 min around noon. I took a nap after lunch because I was soooo tired. Then at 3:45 I woke up with contractions every 5 min and really hurting. So we began to time them. I call Dr. Dias and spoke with Nurse Karen who told me that we should wait about 45 min and then head to the hospital. I waited till Tyler got home from work. He picked me up from Mom and Dad's and we went home. I took a hot shower and slowly got redressed while he called L & D. After I was ready to go the contractions began to not be so strong. So we decided to wait around and see what happened. After the last time in the hospital I didn't want to go on a false alarm. We watched TV, I walked a bit more, I sat on my yoga ball and ate oranges and bananas. Then at 7pm I decided that we should go on in. I was going to pick up the last bag from our bed when a contraction hit again and had me doubled over on the bed. That is when Dad called to see how we were doing. I guess he heard the pain in my voice or something and told us to get to the hospital. He knew she was coming soon. So we went. I was checked into L& D and was told I was only 1 cm. It was the same nurse from last time and she asked if I had been up there since she last saw me. I hadn't. She asked if I had been walking and doing what she had told me to do. I had. So she monitored me for a while and then asked us if we would like to walk around the floor for 30 min. I said sure I couldn't hurt. So we did walk very slow and called Mom and Elissa to let them know what we were doing. I was back in the room at 8:30 and was being reexamined still at 1 cm. She said she wanted to monitor me for 30 more minutes. Right after she walked away I felt like I was peeing uncontrolled. So not realizing that my water just broke I asked Tyler for help and to get me paper towels. I was so embarrassed that this was happening and couldn't figure out why. When the nurse walked back in I told her I had a small problem and she said "um well yes your water had broken. You are now admitted." I was amazed and immediately began to cry. My prayers had been answered that we were having Elizabeth in about 14 hours. Tyler went out to call Mom and Dad and tell them that we were being admitted. In the mean time I had 5 nurses around me asking questions, filling our forms, and inserting the IV. I hate needles and was not looking forward to the IV when Dr. Johnston walked in and calm me down. (She is awesome by the way!) She explained that since my water had broken at 1cm, which is in the 5% category of first time Moms, then they would have to induce me for dialation. That meant pitocine. Then she asked me about our medical history and thankfully Tyler was back. He was thinking much clearer than me and told her everything. After I was admitted and hooked up they wheeled me to the L & D room where I met Jennifer, my nurse. She was so calm, collected, and just sweet. She again asked for my history, explained to Tyler what they would be doing, got us settled in, and began the pitocin drip. It was ok for the first hour but then the contractions began to really hurt and Mom and Elissa arrived. That was comforting. Tyler was fixing up the room and I was told that I would probably labor till the next afternoon. So I shouldn't expect for anything fast to happen. So I didn't. Tyler set up the DVD player and we were watching our favorite movies while I was breathing through the pain. After about 2 hours and 1/2 increase in dialation I was in serious pain and crying. At that point Jennifer asked me how I was doing and I begged for the epidural. At 11pm the anesthesiologist came in and got to work. He was like a grandpa...very calming. He walked me through everything and made sure I was ok. After the catheter was in place he explained that it would take about 15 min for it to work. He asked me how my legs felt and if they were beginning to feel numb. They were so he told me to lie down. Then he asked me to move my legs which I couldn't and asked me if I could feel from my waist down which I couldn't. The only place I had a hotspot was on my front left hip. It wasn't terrible and I could feel the strong contractions. That helped me to push during delivery. I was also told that this would take a while and I should settle in. So we did with a good DVD. I tried to get some rest figuring it would take a while. At 1am Jennifer checked me at was surprised that I was at 5cm. Then she checked me again at 3am and I was at 9cm. She was shocked and asked me where my family was. Tyler quickly called Mom and Dad who were just getting to sleep and told them to hurry up if they wanted to see me before Elizabeth was born. Mom wasn't quite awake and said she would see me in a little while. Dr. Johnston was called in and told Jennifer to wait till 5am to see if Elizabeth would descend on her own. I was told to let then know when I felt any pressure. Jennifer kept a close eye on me and constantly asked me if I could feel pressure which I couldn't but I could feel the contractions. She checked me again at 5am, explaining that we were hoping Elizabeth would be in position at this point so I wouldn't have to push so long. She again was shocked to find Elizabeth almost crowning. So she ran to get Dr. Johnston and we began pushing at 5:05. By 5:17 Elizabeth was born. I was so amazed that our baby girl was born and shocked that it happened so fast! Tyler was the best coach helping to keep me calm and focused as well as taking pictures. And Elizabeth passed her APGAR test with a 9.9. We had finally become our family of three!

Tyler and I would like to introduce......

Dr. Johnston
Nurse Jennifer Magee


Elizabeth Lynn Crosley
Born: Tuesday September 23, 2008
Time: 5:17 am
Weight: 7.2 Ilbs
Length: 19 1/4 "
APGAR: 9.9

We are so proud and truly blessed to have Elizabeth Lynn. She is our little miracle and angel!! At the moment she is sleeping peacefully and so beautiful!

39 weeks and 3 days

So we had a very eventful weekend. I've been trying very hard to keep my mind off of the contractions so when they are really bad I'll notice them and won't concentrate on the small ones. Friday we attended the AHS Alumni Association Tailgate Party at the UTA stadium. Tyler helped Dad cook hotdogs while I talked and sat in the van. Saturday we attended Jim & Kim's engagement party at Bunny's house which was so much fun! They did a great job and the food was delicious. Sunday we celebrate Ella's and Mom's birthdays at Elissa. JT and she made the best steak dinner!

All weekend I've been noticing harder and longer contractions but not regular. And then last night they became 15 mins apart for 1 min 15 secs each for 3 hours. So hopefully they will be more regular and stronger today.

Fingers are crossed!!!!!!!!!!

38 weeks

I saw Dr. Dias today. She said that I haven't really progressed but that is totally normal for a 1st baby. She did say that I'll have my next appt next week (which is Wednesday), if not in the hospital, and we will see what happens. If I haven't progressed she will induce (maybe next Thursday when she is on call). Either way Baby Elizabeth will be born next week. That makes me very happy!! And after the experience in the triage with the nurse, Dr. Dias told me that I'm totally fine and not to worry.

Stats:
36 cm
142 heartbeat
1 cm dialation
I'm not even posting weight at this point. : )

Not yet

So I began what I thought was hard contractions yesterday around noon. They weren't a regular pattern so I didn't go in. At 1am they were 5 min apart, for 1 min each, for an hour. We decided to go to bed and see what happens. At 4am I woke up with a sharp pain shooting down my leg which I thought was a contraction that hit my sciatic nerve. I walked around for a while and got some ice water. The contractions didn't stop. So I called the Labor & Delivery and told them what was going on. We went in and were hooked up to the fetal monitor. Unfortunately I have not progressed since last Thursday except for the contractions. The nurse told me that since I'm a week early I need to walk as much as possible during the day. She said that I might even have to be induced but that is for Dr. Dias to decide. She did tell me that my contractions are 5 min apart but they aren't the same strength each time. So I walked away with the knowledge that I'm a wimp. I've decided not to call till I'm on the floor and can't really move. If that doesn't happen by my due date then I'll be induced.
As we were driving home Tyler could tell that I felt like idiot and he told me that he could imagine Elizabeth holding on to my ribs refusing to let go because she is so comfortable in my womb. She is warm, able to sleep whenever she wants, she gets rocked when I walk and eats when I eat without having to cry. That made me feel much better! I have the sweetest husband!! And now I'm not expecting to see the hospital till Sept 26th. (which is also the first night of debates between McCain and Obama)

So now I begin the walking for a long time each day......

We have made progress...38 weeks

I just returned from the Dr and Elizabeth is getting VERY ready.
Dialation = 1 cm
Effacement - 50%
Heartbeat = 150bpm
Belly - 35 cm
I've leveled off on weight and my blood pressure is perfect.
Her head is down, bottom is at my belly button, and her feet are on my right side. Dr. Dias said that she doesn't have much room left and is trying very hard to stretch. Dr. Dias will not wait past 1 week to induce if need be. However, she doesn't think that will happen. She says that Elizabeth could be born tonight, tomorrow, this weekend or next week.

So I have been given instructions to keep walking and up the time frame. And to begin practicing timing the contractions.

Yes.... I'm very excited about the news!!!

Painful day.... (pelvic bone beginning to make room)

I'm writing this so when I'm pregnant again I can look back and remind myself what I felt. Yesterday I woke up and I felt like my sciatic joint was out of place in my right leg. I stretched, walked, took a hot shower and let it beat on my lower back, had Mom try to pop it back into place, walked some more on their Treadmill, put Icy/Hot on my leg, right side of back and lower back, and finally took Tylenol. I was in so much pain and thought Elizabeth was sitting on the never. Then I remembered that she has dropped some so that wasn't possible. Then I thought maybe I had slept funny or done something while stretching. I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes and as I was going I realized the paint would come and go. It wasn't always shooting down my leg. It would change to the left side, up my back, right side, down my leg then leave for a second. So when I got off of the treadmill I began to read what could be happening to my body at this point. I read about symphysis pubis which makes your pelvic bone separate to allow the baby to be born. It makes total sense of why it hurts so badly and why you have to move for the pain to lessen. So I walked again on the treadmill after work and felt a little better. When I got home Tyler was prepared to go and look for a treadmill. He had figured that this will continue and it will probably be during the night when he is asleep and I have to get up. We also live on a busy street and we don't feel comfortable walking after the sun goes down. So we bought the treadmill and he put it together last night. And in the middle of the night the surge happened and I had to get up. But instead of having to walk around the house in circles I now have a wonderful treadmill that I can change speeds and look at our beautiful garden while walking. (yes it was dark but I could still see some flowers).

I do remember feeling something similar about a week ago but I took it as my back straining to carry the extra weight. Now I know what it is and what to do to make it better. This morning I don't feel anything at all so I'm encouraged. Maybe it only happens for 24 hours because your mind can only take over your body for so long.

So in the future when I feel horrible pain in my pelvic bone around 36 - 38 weeks I need to walk, take tylenol, listen to peaceful music, and remember that it will end and our baby will be born soon.

Wedding ring

Well it has happened. My wedding ring has finally come off till after Elizabeth is born. I realized my finger was a tinsy bit swollen while watching Sarah Palin speak and tried to get it off without anything. When that didn't work I resorted to lotion and after lots of turning it finally came off. I was going to wear it the entire time but then realized if I had to go through a C Section I can't wear any jewelry so I decided to take it off now before my finger swells more. I really don't like to not wear my ring so I think I'm going to wear it around my neck till everything is back to normal.

Just 2 1/2 more weeks!!! I hope. ;-)

36 week appt .... good all around

Everything is good. Elizabeth is head down and more than likely will stay head down. Dr. Dias confirmed that Elizabeth has begun to drop but no dialation yet. She could feel her head which confirms that I am feeling things when they are happening. She did the last tests and told me not to worry. She also predicts that I'll be very near my due date.

Stats today:
Weight: 3 lb gain
Blood Pressure: normal
Bump: 35 cm
Elizabeth's heartbeat: 148 bpm
Changes: I'm eating all of the time cuz I'm always hungry. And everything is good now!! : )
We predict Elizabeth with be around 6 to 7 lbs when born.

I go back next Thursday. And we go to the Labor/Delivery/Tour of hospital class this Saturday.

Ready

We are completely ready for Elizabeth to arrive. Her room is finished, bags are packed and in the car, and lists are completed. My back pain has subsided and I'm feeling really good. Mom, Elissa, the kids, and I went shopping for 5 hours yesterday and I purchased the last few things for the hospital and after. I know I have about 3 more weeks and it is up to Elizabeth to decide when she is ready but we are ready for her arrival!

Maternity Pictures...these are my favorites! (Taken by Tiffany Spencer)