Birth Story

MaryJane Vernessa was born on Friday, March 13th at 11:55pm. She weighed 7lbs 15ozs and was 20 and a half inchs long. I was 41 weeks pregnant. That morning we went to the hospital to have some tests done to make sure she wasn't under any stress and measure the fluid levels. After everything checked out OK we headed for home convinced I really was going to be pregnant forever. We thought I was in labor the night before. I was up till 4am with contractions 10 minutes apart getting more intense as time passed. Then they just decided to stop. I was having contractions here and there in the morning but nothing that made me think I was going into labor. Dave and I decided to go for a walk around 2pm while the kids were at my parent's house and we also stopped by our house to spend some time together to see if we could get things moving along. :0) We headed back for my parent's house around 4pm, after hanging out there for a while we decided to go for another walk because I was having a few contractions here and there. We got back just when it was starting to get dark. We started counting contractions at 8:30. They were around 7 minutes apart lasting 1.5 minutes for about an hour. Then they went to being around 4 minutes apart some lasting longer then 2 minutes. I was laboring sitting in a recliner most of the time. It was the easiest way for me to relax and work through the contractions. The general rule I was trying to follow is the 411, Contractions 4 minutes apart lasting at least 1 minute for 1 hour. So we called Becky, our midwife, just before 11pm. We headed down to the birthing center, pulled up at 11:15pm. Becky met us at the door. At this point I was having one contraction on top of the other. We got into the room and Becky checked my cervix. I was an 8 almost a 9 and feeling the urge to push. The best position to get through the contractions at this point was to lean over the counter or the bed and Becky would squeeze my hips together, and boy did that make it feel better! At this point Dave called our family and friends to head down ASAP. I climbed into the tub while it was still filling up and I am so glad I did. The water felt so nice! 20 minutes till midnight Dave tried to make a bet with me if she was going to be born on Friday the 13th or not. I said there is no way I am going to have her in 20 minutes. :0) I still had a tiny bit of cervix left but the urge to push was too intense I couldn't stop it. Becky told me to trust my body so I pushed passed the rest of my cervix. MaryJane's heart rate was going so low it was almost none existent during contractions that we had to get her out as soon as possible. The bag of water still had not broken and it was bulging out which was painful because the pressure of the babies head was not low enough to give me that natural epi, so Becky broke the bag. I was not able to let my perineum stretch slowly to avoid tearing. I pushed her out in 2 contractions. The cord was wrapped around her neck. But she did wonderful! Her color was great. It wasn't till now that the others arrived, no more then 1 minute after she was born. (darn it!) I was able to sit with her in the tub for about 15 minutes before delivering the placenta. Everything happened so fast. I guess my body kind of did me a favor and prepped my body early by having all those false alarms. It was very intense! The whole experience was amazing! :0) We went home that same night at 3:30am. Everyone is doing great! Best experience I've ever had!!!

Still Waiting...

Dave took the day off. We really thought we were going to have a baby last night. I was contracting every 10 min and they were hard and painful. I was up till almost 4am before I was finally able to get some rest and then they just stopped. I was a bit sick to my stomach because we just ate a ton of tacos for dinner at like midnight so I thought I was probably going to throw up, luckily I didn't. All day yesterday I was feeling like MaryJane was trying to dig her way out. I called Becky around 10pm because Dave and I were starting to get a little worried about how much it was hurting. Becky thinks she was laying on a nerve so every time she moved it sent a shooting pain through my stomach/cervix. The same thing is kinda starting to happen again but not nearly as bad as it was yesterday. I am having contractions again. they are 10-15 min apart it seems but they are lasting over a minute and a half. It's so frustrating because ever time I get contractions going they always seem to stop so hopefully they will keep up I think everyone is ready for her to be here including MJ. I went to the IMC hospital this morning to have a stress test done. They checked the fluid levels, normal is between 10 and 25. I am at about 13.5 I believe is what she said. The baby's heart rate was great. They wanted to see a few peeks in a 20 min time period and she did wonderful. Her base line heart rate was about 135. I didn't have any contractions during the 20 min I was monitored but as soon as I got up I had one, the last one I had before that was when we were walking in so about 30-45 min prior. So if we look at the day as a whole my contractions have gotten closer. I just hope as soon as I go to bed they don't stop. I don't want to stay up all night to try to keep them going because I really need sleep if I AM in labor. I have had so much of this now I wonder how far dilated I am. When I finally do go into real labor I bet it's going to fly by because most of the work has gradually already been done. I just hope I don't have her in the car or something. I lost my plug yesterday morning and Some this morning. Becky said you have to be dilating to loose it so I am pretty positive I am over a 3 now. I have never been past a 4 without an epidural.

Appointment 40 w 4 d

The end is near. I am 2-3 cm dilated and about 60% effaced "very soft". Baby's head is low but still able to move. I am thinkin my anatomy is just a bit different then most... My uterus tips back a bit, Becky says I have a post tearier cervix. I wonder if I just have a bigger pelvis and that is why the baby doesn't seem to be wedged in. I dunno maybe I am just made for this kind of stuff? :0) I do push my babies out pretty fast... I gained 3 lbs in 1 week. oops. I think part of that is because my appointment was later in the day then normal this time and I ate a huge lunch before I went in. So that puts my ending weight at 229 lbs. Hopefully it's the end! I do have a bit of a yeast infection right now. Talk about bad timing. Becky is hoping we have a few more days till she's born so we can take care of it first. If she is born while I still have the infection it can get in her mouth and intestines and in result give it back to me while nursing. And it will make my skin more vulnerable to tearing during delivery. SO I took a pill today that should get rid of it in 3-5 days and I have to soak in salt water every night and use yogurt and make sure I am taking my acidophilus twice a day. I am thinkin part of why I got it is because I am also taking keflex to prevent UTI/Kidney infections. So the antibiotic is killing not only bad bacteria but good too. So I think I will stop taking that for the next few days. I just hope I don't end up with a UTI. I have only ever had to deal with yeast infections when pregnant so I know they are common in pregnancy as is. SO anyways sorry I hope that wasn't too much info. I am measuring at 40 weeks and baby's heart sounds good. I have to go in to the hospital on Friday if I haven't had her by then to get an ultrasound to make sure the fluid is not decreasing and the placenta is still good. They are also going to do a stress test by hooking me up to the monitors for a bit. Then if I still have not had her by Monday and everything is good Becky plans to do what she calls an eviction. The plan is... eat a good breakfast, have sex and go in at 9am so she can strip my membranes. Then I take 1 dropper full of blue and black cohosh every half hour and walk. Then go back in at 10am to have her strip my membranes again and continue taking a dropper full of the cohosh every half hour, which makes 4 doses, and walk more and maybe some nipple stimulation. Then I will go back in at 11am and she will strip my membranes a 3rd time if I haven't already gone into active labor. This works almost 100% of the time. The side effects of the cohosh are thought to be an increased risk of jaundice in the baby so I can not take more then 4 doses. I did buy some castor oil the other day I was going to try it this last weekend but after reading on it I decided to ask Becky about it first. I am glad I did! She said to use it as a last resort only. She told me a couple horror stories from woman that have taken it and I really don't want to deal with the side effects and end up being more uncomfortable then I am already going to be in labor. So I may try it if I get to be 42 weeks but not till then. I am having a contraction right now, I have been having a ton of braxton hicks so hopefully I will continue to progress and I can see my baby girl in the next few days. :0) We are SO excited! I think Dave is going to have a nervous brake down if she doesn't come soon. He is more impatient then I am.

Belly Pics at 40 weeks 1 day

Appointment 39 weeks 4 days

Becky checked my cervix today. I am 1 cm dilated and 25% effaced. She also checked to see if the baby was engaged, aka dropped, but she hasn't she is still floating around in there which would explain why she was able to turn last weekend. I thought I was carrying a bit lower but I guess not. My ribs have been aching so badly. Becky recommended I sit on an exercise ball as much as I can to open up my hips and get her to go down as well as lots of walking and sex. She thinks it will be another week though. I gained 2 lbs in the past 2 weeks, yay. I am measuring at 39 weeks. I have another appointment in a week. Group appointments are done. So next time I see everyone they will have babies. Crazy to think MaryJane is going to be here so soon! :0) My nerve in my arm issues I was having a bit ago have gotten better. My hands still fall asleep but they don't ache like they did, so I am relieved. I am SO glad she is head down again. Maybe that is why labor stopped on Saturday because she was laying sideways. Becky said the head pushing on your cervix is what makes you dilate. I have been having a ton of contractions and it seems every time I get in the truck they get more intense and are usually about 10 min apart but then they stop as soon as we get home. Not much left to do but wait... Everything is ready!

False Labor

So yesterday evening I was in false labor. The contractions started around 4 pm they didn't seem to be very consistent but were getting more intense. Dave, the kids and I were on our way to his sister's wedding reception about 45 min away from home, I don't know if it was the bouncing from the truck or what but they started getting consistent about every 15 min or so. When we got there we were so busy I didn't really time them but they were still coming. They were starting to take my breath away. We were there till about 8:30. On our way home I was able to time them again and they were every 5 min, still feeling the same. We brought all my bags and the car seat with us just in case we had to rush to the center. I was getting a little stressed out because I think she is laying sideways or at least on an angle. I have a big lump pokin me in my side just under my rips. I am not sure if it is her bum or head but I also feel a lot of kicks in my cervix so I was just praying she would turn in time for me to deliver her properly. I'm glad it's not a leap year! Or I would have really been freakin lol. When we got home I picked up the house a bit and got the kids in bed. Jack ate WAY too many M&Ms at the party so I think he was sick to his stomach. He threw up so I had to clean that up. I was beat so I decided to lay down even though I really wanted to go for a walk to get labor moving. I was hoping to have her that night because it was my grandpa's birthday. Well it was getting late so I decided to go to bed. I have been up for a few hours now and have felt a couple small contractions but nothing different then what I have already been feeling for the past week or so. So no baby :( We were getting really excited and I think I got my mom all freaked out when I called her at the party to give her a heads up. I am going to go for a walk a little later today after Jack wakes up from his nap and hopefully that will start it up again or at least help her move into the correct position. I went for a long walk and went grocery shopping Thursday and it was Friday after McDonalds that she turned. What is it with fast food that's makin my baby turn? My FIL told me he thinks I look pretty big, I sure hope she's not a huge baby, or at least if she is I hope my body can handle it without tearing! I am tired of waiting. Dave and I were tempted to get some Castor oil and try that Friday but we didn't because it gives you the craps and if it didn't work I didn't want to go to the party like that. yuk! Plus I don't feel comfortable trying something like that till I am at least to my due date. 5 more days!

The Room

The baby's room is officially finished today. yay! Although we still need a couple of things such as a hamper and diaper pail everything is put together and waiting for her to come. I am so excited to see her! The car seat is washed, the video camera is charged, we are ready to go. I plan on packing a bag tomorrow. My hands are SO swollen! My feet are not too bad but my hands just ache all the time now. I can't sleep! I hope she comes soon!

My Shower

I never blogged about my shower so I wanted to tell you about it. It was Saturday Feb 7th. Everything looked great! Jaime did a great job putting it all together. My mom, Brie, and Erica helped as well. Brie did the invites and brought some food and drinks. My mom brought the plates, eating utensils, etc. and Erica did chips and dip. yum! We had a chocolate fountain with tons of things to dip like bananas, strawberries, grapes, etc. (I'm making myself hungry). They played a couple of games. We all got a piece of ice with a plastic baby inside and whoever's baby was completely born (melted out of the ice)first won. Mariah's soon to be step daughter Samantha won. And they also played the game where you cut off a piece of string guessing how big around I am. Dave's grandma Mary must think I'm an elephant, lol. Crystal won that one, almost right on! Almost everyone I invited came, which I really didn't expect. It was great to see everyone and I got tons of great gifts. Everything was just so great and I had so much fun! :0) We weren't able to sign the belly cast like I had hoped, nothing would write on it. So I had whoever would write a little note for me and the baby. Everyone wrote such sweet things! Made me cry. Mary took my belly cast home with her after giving some suggestions on what I liked. I am excited to see what she does with it!

37 weeks 4 days appointment

My appointment went well today as usual. In group we talked about worries again and wrote them down, wadded them up, and threw them in the trash. I really do feel really good about things today and am getting way excited to meet my baby girl! It could also be that we are finally finished painting the room. YAY! Dave says it reminds him of the Neapolitan candy/ice cream. I will post pics when we get it all set up. Anyways the appointment... I gained 5 lbs, yikes. But I think part of it is because I have been swelling so bad. My blood pressure is good so we are not worried about preeclampsia. Becky just wants me to drink more water and put my feet up a couple times a day. My hands are the worst and it's more annoying then anything. They fall asleep when I eat, talk on the phone, drive, and worse of all at night when I am sleeping. I will wake up to roll over and my entire hand will be asleep like you could chop it off and I wouldn't feel it. The baby is doing great and that is all that really matters to me. I am measuring at 38 weeks. Only 17 days left till my due date. CRAZY!!! Becky even wrote me a prescription for the pain meds I may need for after delivery. It still feels like it should be so far away but she could be here any day now...

Belly Cast

Dave and I did my belly cast last night. We still need to sand it down to make it smooth after it dries. I think it turned out pretty good. I am really happy with it and Dave seems to be happy that he was the one who made it and knows how special it is going to be. :0) I am going to take it to my shower tomorrow and have everyone sign the underside and Dave's Grandma is going to take it home to paint it for us. It was really hard holding my arms up for so long my hands started going numb. It took about an hour to do it.

Appointment / Outfit

We had an Indian ceremony in group today. We all got tied together with bracelets. All of them had stones on them representing something significant to being there for each other in a life changing experience/labor. I was missing a stone on mine so I got 2 :0) We started filling out forms for the birth certificate and talked for a bit. I had my GBS test done so we will get the results next time. I gained 2 lbs, I am SO excited! I think this is the first time I have ever gained exactly as much weight as I was supposed to. I have a rash at the top of my stomach that I didn't really think much of. It's been a bit uncomfortable at times though so I pointed it out to Honey (the midwife I saw today) and she says it looks like yeast. yuk! so I need to go get some meds to get rid of that and cut out as much sugar from my diet as I can. The baby is head down. YAY! So I am relieved about that. I thought my appointment were going to move to every week now but I guess Becky doesn't do that when we are doing group. But that's OK I will have one on the 17th then another the week I am due if I haven't had her by then. Time is getting away from me. We have yet to paint the baby's room everyone is sick right now so things have been moving pretty slow. The boys were up every 2 hours last night so I didn't get much sleep. I am definitely looking forward to the weekend so I can sleep in!

This is the outfit I think we will be taking her home in. My parents gave it to us for Christmas. I haven't had my baby shower yet so I am sure I will have more outfits to choose from but this one seems perfect. the long sleeves have the little cuff that you can fold over her hands and it buttons up on the side so we can avoid putting it over her head. Even though we will probably put a onesie on under it as well. my mom is making her blanket we will use. and also made the little white hat.

35 weeks 1 day

She Flipped

I think MaryJane flipped into a breech position last night. I know for sure that when I went to bed she was laying side ways! It felt very strange. I first noticed it when I got home from eating at Carl's Jr. so I blame it on the food. I always get sick when I eat there, I knew I shouldn't have eaten but I did. She was moving a ton when I went to bed and didn't really notice anything different through out the night. But all day today I have been feeling all movements down low and it kinda hurts. I am starting to stress out cause I want to deliver at the birth center and I don't want to go through having a Dr. try to flip her back around, I heard it hurts. But I think it may be worth it rather then to have to go through a C-section. I am going to have to do some research and see what kind of risks are involved. I have my appointment on Tuesday so I am hoping she will flip by then if not I will ask Becky what she thinks. Pray she isn't breech when I go into labor!

Bedding

Here is the crib set we ordered. LOVE IT! It should be here soon! Thanks to my mom and dad! :0) Then we can paint...

Appointment

I am 33 w 4 d pregnant today. Dave and the boys came with me to my appointment. It was quite hectic. First we had group so there was Gage and Jack plus 2 other young kids. And a new mom in the group with her husband and another girl brought her husband as well so it was pretty crowded and a lot going on. We talked about the different things that could go wrong in a birth and reasons they would transfer you to a hospital. We had to sign some consent forms and whatnot. We were supposed to talk about sibling issues and things but we ran out of time I think.
Baby is measuring at 34 weeks which is great, her heart rate is about 140. Becky is pretty sure she is still head down she said it is hard to tell when she was feeling around because she has a hard bum. (she must be a boney butt) but when she listened to the heart rate it was down low which usually means the baby is head down. I thought my blood pressure was high but the machine must have measured it wrong cause Becky did it by hand and it was fine, still a little higher then normal but nothing to worry about I guess. I had a trace of protein in my urine which is normal for me. I am sure it's because I don't drink enough water. Although I have been getting up in the middle of the night just for a drink and to go potty the past couple nights and I normally don't. I have had a hard time sleeping lately I am getting pretty uncomfortable. It's hard to sit up straight I feel like I have to recline back all the time, and forget eating off a plate on my lap and not getting anything on me that is near impossible. At my next appointment I will have a test done to check for strep. Hopefully we are good there. And I believe that is the last test we have to do before she gets here. I found out my glucose level was 74 which is good. Only 3 w 3 d till I am considered full term. Then the waiting game begins.
We finally got Jacks bed up and the boys room mostly put together so we are able to get the babies room started whenever we can go get a piece of the bedding so we can match the paint to it. I am excited to get everything done and be able to just relax I feel so overwhelmed right now with everything. I am excited for her to get here but I am not feeling very anxious about it yet. Let’s just say, I can wait. I worry about the challenges a new baby will bring. But we are prepared for it. Bring it on! :0)

I Fell

So I was keeping busy today trying to get the boys room moved around so we can put up Jack's bed so we can move him out of the nursery. I was runnin around the house and I guess I was moving a little too fast. I went to step over the baby gate blocking off the kitchen when my foot didn't quite make it over the top and I was already moving forward so down I go. And forget about putting my foot out and catching myself the gate got in the way of that. So I went crashing down onto my right hip and elbow. I busted the plastic on the gate and it gave me a good scrape on my ankle. The moment I hit the ground I seriously peed myself. I actually felt MaryJane bounce around and I think she just crushed my bladder so hard I didn't have any control over it. Luckily I had recently gone pee so it wasn't like fully unload puddle on the floor. I got up and ran to the bathroom because at this point I didn't know it was pee I just knew I was wet. Then I started shaking like mad cause I was so scared that MaryJane was hurt. I changed my clothes and was ready to walk out the door in less then a minute I was crying and in shock not knowing what to do. I got myself to calm down and think clearly long enough to call my midwife. I could hardly talk to her because I was so freaked out and out of breath. She told me to do kick counts to make sure she is still moving at least 10 times in an hour. And to watch for any bleeding or cramping. She said if I didn't hit the ground hard enough to bruise then we should be OK. I called Dave to tell him but he didn't answer so I laid down to see if she was moving. O boy was she. She had the hiccups and she was kicking around like crazy. She isn't moving as much now so I think she must have been just as freaked out as me. I am feeling OK now just have been a little sick to my stomach and have a head ache from worrying. I have fallen while prego before but never this hard so it was pretty scary. I do have a bruise and a bump on my elbow but my hip seems to be OK.

Dream

Have you ever had a dream that you were dreaming? That's what I just had, a dream in a dream. I was pregnant hanging out with friends when I started complaining about the pain I had been feeling and how I didn't feel well. (I couldn't tell you what it felt like, at this point in my dream I was looking down on myself I wasn't actually inside my body.) Next thing I remember is we are trying to find a place for me to deliver the baby. We ended up in my mom's bathroom. It was just Dave and I with the midwife who just kinda stood off to the side. I was not in the tub but somehow I was still in the water. Dave was sitting on the toilet. I was in the squatting position and I could see everything that was going on, (I don't think I was outside myself anymore but my mom has a big mirror in her bathroom and I think that is what I was looking at but it had to of been bigger.) I didn't feel any pain at all just pressure and she came all the way out in a single contraction (even though I wasn't feeling them) Her head came out then I set back for the rest of her body so I could use my hands to grab her. For some reason I remember a bucket being there at that point like someone was holding it for her to drop into. weird. so I pulled her up and out of the water. When the midwife moved I told Dave to come over beside me he didn't budge from the toilet the whole time. We were examining our GORGEOUS baby! (I dreamt her up so beautiful!) I asked if we could drain some of the water out because she kept getting water in her mouth because it was so high. (I guess I didn't realize I worry about that for real) Then she gave us the BIGGEST smile. I told Dave to hurry and get the camera. It was kind of a creepy smile like the joker. Our reaction to it was like OMG! then right before my eyes my little baby grew to be a toddler standing there smiling at us. Then I looked down and I was still holding a baby. I then came to the realization that I had 2 boys and 2 girls (which I am starting to think is the way I want it, don't tell Dave lol) Then I woke up from that dream but I was still in my other dream. And Dave knew what just happened so we started talking about what we wanted to be different when she really does get here. Like I wanted him to be closer to me when I was delivering her and that he needed to make sure he was taking pictures sooner. Then I really woke up.

So this is the first dream I have had about my baby girl. I have had other dreams where I was pregnant but nothing happened directly related to her. I am so excited to feel that happiness I felt in my dream when she was born. It was amazing then and I know it is going to be so much more intense when she really gets here. :0) As far as me having more babies after this I am going to save that conversation for later, we will see how I feel in a couple years. It may take some convincing to get Dave to go for it.
MaryJane has the hiccups right now... :0)

Fetal Foto (take 2)

We went to Fetal Foto again today. MaryJane's hands were still in her face but we were able to get some better shots then last time. We brought both of the boys. Dave was not able to watch the beginning of the scan because both of them decided they had to go to the bathroom just before I went back. At first she had her foot right up by her face and it looked like she was trying to suck on her hands the whole time. She has chubby little cheeks and smiled for us a couple of times. I bought a tiny little bracelet for her while we were there. It's so cute! :0)

Just an Update

We have been pretty busy lately trying to get the boys room ready. I just started moving all Jackson's clothes in the new closet organizer we put in. I am still not sure how we are going to fit everything in that room but we are going to do it one way or another. Hopefully we can start working on the nursery soon. I don't plan on moving Jack over to the other room for another month though. I want to wait as long as possible to put him in the toddler bed. But I think he is going to do OK.
I did my baby registry at Babies R Us on Tuesday. That was fun. We took the boys with us and it got to be pretty late so Jackson started getting cranky. I kinda rushed through a lot of it so I've been going online and updating a few things. But I am glad I did because I was able to read some reviews and make some good changes. I didn't really put any clothes on it. I still need to go through the ones I have. We set a date for the shower. It will be Saturday February 7th. Jaime and Brie are going to start on the invites next week so I gotta get a guest list goin. I'm excited! :0)

Worries and Birth Plan

I had an appointment on Tuesday the 6th. It went well. In group we talked about things we worry about. Some of the things I worry about are... The pushing stage. I was able to push Gage and Jack out pretty quick but that was with an episiotomy so I worry what is going to happen without one, and will I tear. I worry that as soon as I feel that ring of fire I will want to suck her back inside me just from the fear of the pain. Although they say after going through all the labor pains it feels good to push and the ring of fire doesn't last long at all so I shouldn't worry but I do. I worry about going home 4 hours after delivery. Will I be ready? Will Dave be ready to care for me so I can care for the baby? Will my house be clean for visitors (stupid I know). Will Dave be OK during delivery? He worries so I worry. He is going to my next appointment so hopefully that will take care of that worry after he knows more about what will be expected of him. I also worry about going places with 3 kids by myself. It will be near impossible till Jackson starts listening. I am hoping I can find or make a baby sling that both MaryJane and I like cause that would make things a little easier. I worry about who is going to be in the room. Should I have my friends there or should I just have family. I worry about her being in the correct position to ensure I have the easiest vaginal delivery possible and I definitely don't want a C section. I worry about things going wrong with nursing. I didn't talk about all of my worries in group but it feels good to write them down so I can see what kind of things I need to work on before the big day. But even though I worry I still feel ready and I am super excited! :0)
After doing group I met with a midwife named Honey. We went over my birth plan, she said it was well written and thought it was great for if I get transferred to hospital but they already do most everything at the birthing center that I had down. I gained 3 lbs which is pretty good and she said I am measuring perfect at 31 weeks and babies heart rate was same as always. I haven't gotten any new stretch marks yet and I am not swelling so that's good. MaryJane has been getting the hiccups a lot. I didn't really know what they were till I asked. It feels almost like she is practice breathing. They are very fast hiccups nothing I have felt before.
I was able to put down what room I prefer to deliver in. I just hope no one goes into labor the same day I do cause I really want that big tub. If not my second choice will do I don't want to set myself up for disappointment you never know what will happen. All the rooms are done real cute and will do just fine.

Here's my birth plan...

Birth Preferences - Emmie Lue Hathcock
Due Date: 03/06/2009
Patient of Becky McInnis
Scheduled to deliver at Birth And Family Place

*Allergic to latex*

If the baby or I are transferred to a hospital please send us to the Intermountain Medical Center and consult me or my husband before making any changes to the following.

Sincerely,
Emmie Hathcock

ANESTHESIA/PAIN MEDICATION
-Do not offer pain medication

LABOR
-I want to be free to move, walk, and change positions at will throughout labor.
-I will have food and drinks if desired.
-I will be bringing my own music to play during labor.
-I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible.
-I would like the lights in the room to be kept low during my labor.
-I do not want an IV drip.

MONITORING
-I do not want constant electronic fetal monitoring. Intermittent monitoring only.

LABOR AUGMENTATION/INDUCTION
-I do not want any augmentation or an induction unless absolutely necessary.
-I do not want my membranes artificially ruptured.
-I do not consent to use of forceps or a vacuum.
-I do not want any kind of medication to speed up labor.

EPISIOTOMY
-I do not want an episiotomy.
-If absolutely necessary I want a pressure episiotomy. Do not administer any anesthetic.
-I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by squatting, doing Kegel exercises, and perineal massage.
-I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
-I would like a local anesthetic to repair a tear or an episiotomy.

DELIVERY
-I want to be free to move and change positions.
-I do not want stirrups to be used.
-I would like the chance to touch the baby's head when it crowns.
-I would like to deliver in the water.
-I must hold the baby immediately after delivery.
-I or my husband would like to pull the baby out of the water and bring her to my chest.
-My support people are my husband, mom, dad and sister and I would like them to be present during delivery.
-If the baby is in a breech position I would like to know my options for a vaginal delivery before reverting to a caesarean.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY
-My husband will cut the cord after it stops pulsing.
-If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany the baby at all times.
-I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have her placed under heat lamps.
-I would like all visitors/coaches to leave the room after the birth for at least 45 minutes so I can spend time with the baby and my husband.
-I do not want an injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
-Do not pull the placenta out.
-I would like to birth the placenta before being moved to the bed.
-After the birth, I would prefer to wash off, urinate and dress before nursing, while I do so my husband will hold the baby.
-I would like to delay the vitamin K shot, and the evaluation for the baby until a couple hours after birth and done so in my presence.
-Do not put gel in the baby’s eyes, there is no risk for infection.
-The hepatitis B vaccine will be administered at a later date.

POSTPARTUM
-Unless required for health reasons, I do not want to be separated from my baby.

BREASTFEEDING
-I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
-Do not give any bottles to the baby (including glucose water or plain water)

PHOTO/VIDEO
-I will be taking still photographs during labor and the birth.
-I will be taking a video recording of labor and the birth.

OTHER
-No students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel are to be present during my labor or the birth.
-I would like my other children to be able to visit me and the baby after delivery.

CESAREAN
-Unless absolutely necessary, I want to avoid a Cesarean.
-My husband is to be present at all times if the baby requires a Cesarean delivery even if I am unconscious.
-I wish to have a spinal for anesthesia.
-So I can view the birth, I would like the screen lowered just before delivery of the baby.
-If the baby is not in distress, the baby should be given to my husband immediately after birth.
-I want a low transverse incision.

Fetal Foto

We went to Fetal Foto today to get some 3/4D ultrasound pictures. MaryJane likes to tuck herself into my placenta and put her hands in her face so we were not able to get very good 3D shots so we are going to go back on the 8th (The day before daddy's birthday). I have to try and drink some juice before going in next time and see if that will help her be more active. My placenta is on the front of my stomach and the 3D ultrasound doesn't go through it so they have to work around it which makes it that much harder to get a good angle. She was looking right at us in 2D but when you go to 3D it does her profile. If we were able to get a profile shot of her in 2D then we could get her looking at us in 3D. I'm not exaclty sure how that works but that's what the tech said. But we got some good ones of her in 2D. She's head down, so that's good. I have been hoping she would be before my appointment Tuesday. We brought Gage along, he was very quiet but I think he enjoyed it.