Our Birth Story: A natural VBAC at 41 weeks, 1 day

Our birth story with Amelia really began with the birth of her big brother Grant.  As some of you know, we had intended on having a natural hypnobirth with Grant but because of his being frank breech we had a c-section at 39 weeks.  I knew before he was even born that I wanted a natural VBAC with our next and that is exactly what we had with Amelia.  If you didn't have the chance to read more about our attempts to turn Grant and his birth story you can read that here.

For me this birth was exactly what I wanted and needed.   It was healing and empowering, beautiful and enlightening.  I had heard from women in my shoes and with similar experiences that there was no greater feeling than birthing your baby the way it was intended and I wanted that experience more than I can even put into words.

How it began:
Leading up to labor and delivery, I had what I would call an active uterus. It was nothing for me to have a couple days in a row where my Braxton Hick's (BH's) were like clockwork anywhere between 5-7 minutes apart and then have them taper off a bit and have them every 20 minutes or so.  Even with all that action, I never dilated beyond 1 cm at any of my appointments.   

At 40 weeks, 2 days I lost my mucous plug.  I finally felt like things were progressing in the right direction and I had some indication that my body was beginning to do what it was made to do.  The next couple of days my BH's continued as normal but occasionally I had some mild cramping and back aches associated with them.  It wasn't until I was sleeping Wednesday night (40 weeks, 6 days) that I had contractions that actually woke me up because of the cramping and back pain associated with each wave.  Still they were nothing regular or unbearable so I went back to sleep comfortably. 

The next morning at 41 weeks I woke up as normal and went to work.  I was still having what I would now deem as "real" contractions every 10-20 minutes but never focused on them too much.  I knew that I and my body would know when it was time to dial in and really focus on how it was all making me feel and to leave work if need be.  Well, I made it through the day with no problem and no change and headed to my 41 week appointment.  I was at 2 cm and 70% effaced.  She stripped my membranes and off I went.  Dr. Dennis had us schedule a biophysical profile (BPP) for the next day just to check on Amelia and make sure we were still safe to go to at least 42 weeks if needed but we both felt confident that wouldn't be the case. 

Labor at home:
By the end of the day my contractions still were not regular but they were more uncomfortable.  I attributed some of that to stripping my membranes.  I gave Kamala (our doula) my update before bed and put my relaxation music on knowing that even at this point with irregular (6-11 minutes apart) but uncomfortable, not painful contractions I would need help relaxing between them so I could get some sleep.

The music worked wonderfully and I was able to doze easily between contractions that by 11 pm were now regular and coming every 10-11 minutes. This same trend of 10-11 minutes continued all night and though I didn't time them all night I would periodically do so to make sure they weren't getting closer because everytime I had one it would wake me and I had to actively breath through them.  I was pretty tired going into Friday morning.  Once I woke and got moving, they became somewhat irregular depending on what I was doing so I honestly wrote it off again as noting.  As the day continued they settled in to about 6-9 minutes apart and lasting anywhere from 45 secs if I was moving to 1 min 15 secs if sitting still.

We still went in for our BPP and she scored 6/8 because she was being lazy and didn't want to move so they sent me to labor and delivery to do a non stress test (NST).  I was a little frustrated at this point because she was moving like crazy leading up to the BPP and I thought the NST was a waste of our time.  Well she was looking great on the monitor during the NST and they were just about to let me go when I felt a pretty big contraction and gush.  My water broke at 11:45 am.  My contractions were about 5-6 minutes apart at that point and I was still at 2 cm but 80-90% effaced.  That is when reality set in that what I had been feeling over the last 24 hours were indeed "real" contractions although like I mentioned they weren't always regular but different than my very active Braxton Hick's.

Labor at the hospital:
After admission to the hospital, we got settled in.  Matt got the call to leave work, my mom had been with me all along, and Kamala came shortly after.  I was hooked up to a hep lock and not confined to having an IV the entire time.  I had my next vaginal check at around 4 pm and I was at a 4 cm and still about same effaced.  My biggest fear with my water breaking at the hospital and being admitted right away at only 2 cm was that we had a very long road ahead of us and I know I would be much more comfortable at home.  I am happy to say that things progressed rather quickly and it was perfectly ok laboring at the hospital in my case.  I was unhooked from the baby/contraction monitor at anytime I wanted.  I labored in the tub, on a birth ball, on a birth stool, in bed, on my hands and knees.  Basically whatever position felt best for me, body and baby at the time that is what we did.   

After my check at 4 pm my contractions began coming very close together.  I was lucky if I was getting a 1 to 1 1/2  minute break between them.  I was feeling pretty run down and tired.  The nurse came in at 6:50 pm and I asked when Dr. Dennis would be in for another check.  She told me 8 and asked if I wanted her to come in sooner.  I knew if I said yes and I was only at say a 6 I would feel let down but if I were further it would give me a boost of confidence.  I took my chances and asked the nurse to have Dr. Dennis come in and check me.  Well I am glad she did because I was then at 8 cm.   That of course explains the intense contractions I had been having.  After another check at 8:00, I was at 9-10 cm with a slight amount of cervix "between 9 and 12 o'clock that wasn't fully effaced."  The order was given to prep the room and I was given the go ahead to continue to gently breath her down and work with my body.  I was feeling the urge to bare down during contractions at this point, not labor pushes just pushing to get her further down the birth path. 

Delivery:
We were doing well, I was at a full 10 and fully effaced but at about 9 pm we were noticing some dips in her heart rate with each contraction.  Dr. Dennis let me continue to breath Amelia down and push on my own until 9:30 and then she decided the dips were getting too big and we needed to work a bit harder to get her out.  I began pushing and she tolerated well for a little bit but her heart rate began taking some bigger dips (as low at 70 bpm at some points and not having enough time to recover because my contractions were coming so quickly).  They decided to give me oxygen in between contractions to help get her heart rate up and Dr. Dennis was also massaging her head in between contractions.

After some hard work of pushing for about 30-40 minutes her head emerged but her shoulder was stuck so that took another push or two and some help from Dr. Dennis to deliver the rest of her.  

After Delivery:
Amelia arrived into this world a little shell shocked and slightly distressed.  Dr. Dennis had to unloop a single wrap of the cord from around her neck.  She respected our wishes for delaying the clamping of her umbilical cord and was giving her a good rub down then brought her to my tummy all the while leaving her cord in tact.  She still wasn't responding the way we had hoped so Dr. Dennis made the call to cut her cord (which had stopped pulsating already) so the nurses could do some quick work on her.  In less than 5 minutes, she was back in our arms and left completely undisturbed until we were ready.   

I delivered the placenta and Dr. Dennis repaired a 2nd degree tear I experienced.  All the while we were allowed to nurse at our leisure (she latched on like a pro from the beginning), bond, cuddle, take pictures.  It was truly amazing.  Overall, Amelia's APGAR scores were 6 and 8.  I experienced some post partum hemorrhaging that they first used pitocin to try to slow down which didn't work so they had to give me an injection methergine which did the trick.

Amelia's official stats were as follows
Birthday: April 26, 2013
Weight:  9 lbs 0 oz
Length:  20"
Head Circumference:  35.5 cm   

She is actually considered "large" for her gestational age (which I found surprising because she was born at 41 weeks, 1 day afterall) so we had to do 2 blood sugar checks for diabetes before 2 of her feedings.  She tested just fine so there are no further concerns there.

Thus far at 2 days old she is doing amazingly well.  I have been having to wake her to feed her but she is very alert when she is awake.  Eyes wide open looking around and she already has a little personality.  Grant is so in love with her and so attentive.  If she cries, he is immediately concerned and wants so badly for her to play.  We are very much looking forward to the time ahead and we are continually reminded how blessed we are.

Thank you to all of our family and friends for your thoughts and prayers.       

Introducing...

Amelia Grace Fisher

  
Yesterday April 26, 2013 at 41 weeks 1 day at 10:07 pm we welcomed our beautiful baby girl via a natural VBAC.

She weighed 9 lbs & 0 oz and was 20 inches long.

She is the most beautiful little girl we have ever laid eyes on and the three of us love her so much!

Stay tuned for many more pictures and our beautiful birth story. 

41 Weeks

How Far Along:  41 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Jack Fruit Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lbs (Another source says baby weighs about 6-9 lbs and could be approximately 19-22 inches head to toe.)

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale: 1.8 lbs this week bringing me to 31.5 lbs total
Doctor’s scale: 33 lbs at our 41 week appointment today (1 lb this week)
Weight gained with Grant at this point:  Unknown, he was born and 2 weeks old.  Weight gain at 39 weeks was 42 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  Is there really any other choice at this point? 

Baby's Movement:  It seems she has settled down a little.  She is still active but the movements aren't as big or sharp.

Food Cravings:  A tuna salad sub?!?  I wanted a sub the other day and saw tuna on the menu and had to have it.  It was delicious.  Apples and peanut butter, pineapple, ice cream. 

Food Aversions:  No real aversions but my appetite has diminished slightly.  I am not starving all of the time. 

Sleep:  Sleeping great and 1-2 potty breaks at night (with the exception of a restless night's sleep on Tuesday night)

Symptoms:  I haven't mentioned it lately but reflux is really ticking me off these days :)  Lost my mucous plug on Saturday at 40 weeks 2 days.  In the last 24 hours I have been having cramping and back pain associated with contractions but nothing unbearable or close enough together... Just more "real" than my previously very regular but not at all painful braxton hicks.  I am still wearing my wedding rings and there has been no sign of the swelling I experienced during week 37. 

Best Moment(s) This Week:  Library date with Grant, pedicure with my mom, reflexology/massage appointment to help things move along hopefully... I'd say it's been a great week!

What I Miss:  Not being asked by every person I encounter why I am still pregnant.    

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Beside meeting this little girl who is making it clear we are on her schedule already?!? Nothing!  We are beyond excited. 

What's Different This Time:  Grant was now 2 weeks old!  

Appointment Update:  Today's appointment went great.  It was exactly the boost I needed.  Baby's heartbeat was 128 bpm again and belly was still measuring nicely.  I am a full 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced.  Dr. Dennis was very happy with the progress and said she has no doubt I will go into labor on my own.  She stirred things up a little by stripping my membranes as well.  We are going to do a biophysical profile (BPP) tomorrow just to check amniotic fluid levels, breathing, movement, and muscle tone.  I have no doubt she will pass with flying colors.  I am also happy that Dr. Dennis will be on call beginning Friday at 7 am through the weekend so it seems like a good weekend to have a baby to us and she agrees! 

Next Appointment:
April 26th - Biophysical Profile

40 Weeks

Will there be a 41?!? or even a 42?

How Far Along:  40 Weeks and entering my 10th month of pregnancy... never thought we'd make it this far!

Fun Fact:  Studies have shown that about 70% of apparent post term pregnancies (>42 weeks) aren't post term at all.  They are only believed to be late because of miscalculation of the time of conception.

I don't think people realize how discouraging it is when the first words out of their mouth when they see you (and you haven't even hit your guess date) are "you still haven't had that baby" like we are some phenomenon and no one has ever gone past their due date.  I guess in today's society and the age of elective inductions and cesareans (when not medically necessary) that is the way of thinking.  If you didn't recently see a link on my facebook page to this story about a study that was done on children who were born electively before 39 weeks click Here to check it out.  Or another article about how estimated due dates (EDD) are often miscalcuted based on a 28 day lunar month when in all actuality a lunar month is 29.53 days click Here.  And that is my soap box rant for the day! :) 

Baby's Size:  Jack Fruit Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lbs (Another source says baby weighs about 7 1/2 lbs and could be approximately 19-22 inches head to toe.)

My prediction is and has been all along that baby will be a solid 8-9 lbs.  Grant was 7 lbs 15 oz at 39 weeks and I was 8 1/2 lbs when I was born. 

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale:  1.1 lbs this week bringing me to 29.7 lbs total
Doctor’s scale: 32 lbs at our 40 week appointment today (no weight gain according to her scale)
Weight gained with Grant at this point:  Unknown, he was already born and a week old.  Final weigh tally at 39 weeks... 42 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  I am so sick of my maternity wardrobe options!   

Baby's Movement:   Rolls and jabs and and knees and elbows... oh my!

Food Cravings:  Ice cream, sweets, salads, fish... still about the same.  Although I wouldn't say I am starving like I had been.

Food Aversions:  None   

Sleep:  Like a champ except for my 1-2 nightly potty breaks.   

Symptoms:  My energy levels have been like I am back in my 2nd trimester (with the exception of one day this week).  Discomfort in my ribs is back.  I have still been sweating like a pig at night.  Braxton hick's have continued and I would say they are stronger and bigger now... not uncomfortable or painful though.  Lower back achiness has continued and menstrual like cramping has increased along with pressure.  I would say all signs are pointing towards go any time now. 

Some natural remedies we've by trying to coax things along:  Eggplant parmesan, pineapple, red raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, walking, hip circles and "down baby down"... among others.  Bottom line if she isn't ready and it isn't time then nothing natural is going to help either.   

Best Moment(s) This Week:  Tons of energy and more organization and cleaning.  A quiet dinner with Matt.  Spending some time with my mom. 

What I Miss:  Honestly, nothing at this point.  I know we are so close to meeting this little girl and this whole pregnancy experience is almost over again so I am soaking up every moment.   

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Meeting our little nugget and finally choosing a name... no, we still don't have one or even 2 that we have narrowed it down to!  She is still "baby" or "baby girl" or "baby sister" or as Grant has taken to calling her when you ask her name "D."  

What's Different This Time:  Still being pregnant at 40 weeks 

Appointment Update:  Baby's heartbeat was 128 bpm ("closer to what a newborn's heartbeat is") and my belly was measuring right on at 40 cm.  During my cervical check everything is still the same... 1 cm or a fingertip and otherwise closed up pretty tight.  Dr. Dennis feels confident she will come before 42 weeks on her own and is completely fine with sitting back and letting things happen.  I scheduled my 41 week appointment and she said sometime between 41 and 42 weeks we would schedule a non-stress test to check on baby (amniotic fluid, placenta, movement, etc.) and see how we feel about going slightly beyond 42 weeks if need be. 

Next Appointment:
April 25th - 41 week appointment

39 Weeks

This is the very last picture I have of my Grant bump.  It was taken the night before our c-section

How Far Along: 39 Weeks

Baby's Size:  Watermelon Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lbs (Another source says baby weighs about 8 lbs and is approximately 21 inches head to toe.)

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale: 1 lb this week bringing me to 28.6 lbs total
Doctor’s scale: 32 lbs at our 39 week appointment today
Weight gained with Grant at this point:  42.2 lbs (this will be the last weight comparison I have for Grant as he was born at exactly 39 weeks)

Maternity Clothes:  More than ever.  Depending on what clothing option I choose I either get "you are so tiny" comments or "wow that shirt makes you look big" (which I know some of them do make me look huge!)  I am still able to wear my work polos though!     

Baby's Movement:   She is still a busy little girl.  I have still been feeling some sharp kicks in my ribs but I am thinking maybe she really has dropped a little because the burning sensation and extreme discomfort in my ribs has let up a little. 

Food Cravings:  Still salads, my almost nightly bowl of cereal, fish, and apples and peanut butter.

Food Aversions:  I don't think I could turn down many food options. 

Sleep:  Waking 2-3 times per night with at least 1-2 bathroom breaks. 

Symptoms:  Sweating like a pig at night.  My cankles have disappeared.  Not sure what it was about those 4-5 days last week when they were so terrible but they are almost completely normal.  I am even wearing my wedding ring on a daily basis with no problem. 

Braxton hick's have continued and some days they are stronger than others... Nothing painful.  Still having occasional period like cramps, occasional achy back and more feelings of pressure. 

I will say that I am absolutely not stressed or nervous about labor what so ever.  We are definitely ready to meet this little girl and I trust in my body completely and know that everything will fall into place.  I am trying not to get antsy about being 39 weeks.  Everything has fallen into place beautifully thus far and we are excited for this upcoming new journey.

Best Moment(s) This Week:  My mom is here and we are so happy she made it in time! 

We also got some more organization done around the house.  Because of the way our house is configured, there is no mud area when you walk into our kitchen from the garage (which is where the majority of traffic flows).  Our solution... Matt built us some cubbies in garage to hang coats, backpacks, shoes, etc.  I LOVE having a handy husband!  I am very excited about this and cutting down on the clutter in the kitchen! 

And yes... we have an American flag painted on the wall in our garage by the previous owner :)

What I Miss:  Overall I consider myself extremely lucky.  I could maybe go for a glass of wine but I am in no hurry to evict this little girl.  I definitely don't feel huge and miserable nor do I feel like I could have this baby at any moment.  I am hanging in there very well.  Work is still a breeze.  I still feel pretty energized in the afternoons.  I really can't complain! 

What I Am Looking Forward To:  Date night with Matt tomorrow.  April 22nd will be 7 years since we met so we are going to celebrate a little early. 

I think I am finally going to cook and freeze some meals this weekend.  I have been lagging in that department because my mom has been so adamant about taking care of the cooking while she is here but it would be nice to have some meals stashed in the freeze for after she leaves.  She has offered to help make some to freeze and put away as well!

What's Different This Time:  I lost my mucous plug with Grant at 38 weeks 5 days.  Thus far with baby girl there has been no sign of my mucous plug but that doesn't mean maybe I missed seeing that I lost it somewhere along the way.

And the biggest difference is that at exactly 39 weeks we were meeting Grant at 7:26 am.   

Appointment update:  Baby's heartbeat was 132 bpm and my belly was measuring exactly 39 cm.  Not sure if last weeks measurement of staying 37 cm was a fluke or just because it was a different doctor measuring me.  I am still at 1 cm so no progress there.  Dr. Dennis and I had a discussion about what ifs and whether I would be discouraged from being allowed to go to 42 weeks if need be (because baby may get "too big" for a VBAC).  She has absolutely no issues with allowing me to do so if we do end up needing that much time.  Fingers crossed we won't but I am just glad that we are not being put on a deadline of before at least 42 weeks. 

Next Appointment:
April 18th - 40 week appointment

38 Weeks

Holy smokes!  This is getting very real.  I think it is finally hitting us that we could literally be meeting her any day now.  Get your vote in for when you think she will arrive!  I had a feeling all along that she may be early but now I am obviously second guessing that...   

How Far Along: 38 Weeks, 1 Day

Baby's Size:  Pumpkin Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lbs (Another source says baby weighs about 7 lbs and is approximately 21 inches head to toe.)
Baby may have an inch or so of hair already

Total Weight Gain:
Home scale:  3.2 lbs this week (I don't know how much of this is from my appetite that has returned or from the water retention aka cankles I am sporting most days) bringing me to 27.6 lbs total
Doctor’s scale: 29 lbs at our 38 week appointment today
Weight gained with Grant at this point:  41.2 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  You betcha! 

Baby's Movement:  Still very active.  I thought she would have slowed down by now.   

Food Cravings:  Everything in sight!  I am definitely feeling much better and have my appetite back. 

Food Aversions:  Turn down food?  Yeah right!

Sleep:  I am back to sleeping great... thank goodness!  I am still up at about 3 or 4 for a bathroom break then right back to sleep.   

Symptoms:  The biggest change this week has been the appearance of major CANKLES!  It doesn't take all day for them to appear.  Instead they are raring and ready to go by late morning.  I have been getting a lot of food massages.  They were very apparent Saturday through Tuesday but seemed to have calmed down a little by Wednesday and Thursday.   

The picture really doesn't do them justice

Overall, I am feeling great though.  I have been having more twinges of pressure and cramps and achey middle back.  I even woke up twice one night this week because the contractions I had were slightly painful (nothing regular and able to go right back to sleep).  My appetite is back after being sick.  I was able to stuff myself on Easter.  I have noticed an increase in spider veins but feel very lucky that yet again with this pregnancy I have had no varicose veins and no stretch marks.  I am feeling energized even at the end of my days. 

Best Moment(s) This Week:  Mommy and Grant day on Good Friday at the Appleton Children's museum and lunch.  Easter... click here to check out a post about those activities if you haven't already. 

We finished up our progression maternity pictures with Jamie last weekend and took some family shots.  We were going to wait one more week but decided to do them last weekend to be on the safe side.

I also went to a group meeting called "Fond du Lac Birth Connections" at Blossom's Pregnancy Boutique (our doula, Kamala owns the store) this week.  It was extremely refreshing to be around a group of women some of which have experienced their share of battles and heartache in the births of their children and for subsequent births they chose to advocate for themselves to ensure they had the birth of their dreams.  I know I will soon have a similar story to share and it is awe inspiring to hear the true power and feeling a birth such as this gives to the women who have experienced it.   

What I Miss:  Being comfortable and having my body as my own.  I know I am going to miss her in there so I am still trying to enjoy every hiccup, roll, poke, jab and even contraction.   

What I Am Looking Forward To:  My mom's arrival on Wednesday and of course meeting this little girl! 

What's Different This Time:  Our c-section was scheduled and we knew the date that we were going to meet Grant (unless he would've have chosen to come earlier).  Again and I know I have said this already... the surprise and suspense is killing me!  We are so excited!  

Appointment update:  Baby girl's heartbeat was thumping away at 137 bpm.  My uterus measured the same as last week (37 cm) to which the doc (Dr. Peschong because Dr. Dennis is out of town) asked if it felt like she has dropped.  I told her no she is still very much all up in my ribs.  I am still sitting at 1 cm with no further dilation.  It just doesn't look like this bun is close to being done.  We'll see what next week brings...

Next Appointment:
April 11th - 39 week appointment