Hudson's Birth Story

Rusty and I went in Monday, March 26th for my 39 week checkup. This was the day that we had been anticipating since my 36 week appointment. This was the day that we would "come up with a plan" to get big boy into this world. My appointment was at 11am, but there was a mix up with appointments in the computer system and the office was swamped. I did my labs quickly, but did not see my doctor until almost 1pm. I was LIVID. I was uncomfortable, impatient, and extremely anxious. When we got in our room, I could tell my doctor already had a plan just by the look on her face. She examined me and I was still about 2cm. She looked at us and asked us if we were ready to have a baby and we said absolutely. I was waiting for the calm talk about "the plan", but she quickly informed me there was protein in my urine and that I was going to be admitted to Labor and Delivery immediately to be monitored and do a more detailed round of lab work. I. Was. Stunned.

What? Admitted to the hospital? Me? Right now? But I haven't eaten lunch! (hey, at the time, that was pretty important)

We quickly debated regular delivery vs C-Section, and she said she was confident that induction would work and that I would be able to have him on my own. She said if I were petite (she said 5'2") she would go ahead with a C-Section, but she was confident that I could do it. She said if we induced and he didn't look like he wanted to come down and out, she promised she wouldn't put me in a bad predicament and we would move on with a C-Section. She left the decision up to me and I decided I would give the induction a shot.

I was so excited, but I was very nervous because if I was being admitted, that meant she was afraid something was wrong. We got all checked in and they monitored my liver enzymes, retested my urine, and checked my blood pressure 9 times while I was in 3 different positions. Meanwhile, since there was a risk if having an emergency C-Section, I wasn't allowed to have ANYTHING but ice chips. At 4pm, they said I looked great and could be released. We were allowed to leave, and we were told to return at 8pm to be admitted to be induced! YIPPEE!!! We were so close to meeting Hudson!

We went STRAIGHT to Newk's for my "last meal" - which was lunch/dinner by the way. We ran home to do a few last minute things, show our first babies Macy and Coop Coop some loving, and see my parents. Then we went to the hospital, got checked in, and Rusty's parents, brother, and sister-in-law came to see us for a little while. Uncle Jackson came by for a little while, too.
I was told to try to get some rest, but who can sleep knowing in a few hours you are going to deliver your first child?!?! They came in around midnight and set up IVs and all sorts of goodies and by 12:45am I was receiving Pitocin. I was able to sleep through the contractions until about 3:15am, then they started getting painful enough to make me too uncomfortable to sleep.

At around 5:30, my doctor came to examine me and check my progress. She broke my water and inserted the intrauterine pressure catheter to monitor my contractions. At this point, I was 4 cm, so I could have gotten my epidural. They said if I could wait a little longer, that the baby may progress more quickly without the epidural. So I toughed it out for about an hour and a half. The contractions were MUCH, MUCH more intense after she broke my water. I probably could have gone a little longer, but I went ahead and asked for the epidural. They were REALLY busy that day and I sure didn't want to be one of those horror stories that waits too long and can't get it because you are past the point of no return. To me, getting the epidural was no big deal. Yeah, it was uncomfortable, but it wasn't like I wanted to scream or anything.

They do lots of blood pressure checks and quick little exams to make sure you are not going to have a bad reaction to the epidural. All of that was fine except the meds went just a little too high and I felt tightness in my chest. I wasn't one of those people who flips out and says they can't breath - thankfully. I could just tell that something wasn't right. My nurse immediately put my bed at a 90 degree angle and I was sitting up super straight so that the meds would run back down. After a few minutes, I was fine. It was no big deal. After that was over, I just felt really weird. I wasn't nauseated, and I didn't get the shakes; I just didn't feel good AT ALL. My legs were super numb, but other parts that needed to be weren't. After a "boost", I was good to go. Our families came back in the room and I put on my make up. Momma wanted to look presentable to meet her little man! So epidural - worth it? ABSOLUTELY. They checked me throughout the day and contractions got worse...I can't possibly imagine having to feel all of that pain. All I could feel was pressure.
So the day went on with several checks. I was dilating like most first time moms, about 1 cm per hour. Everything was moving along great, but the doctor was concerned that he had not dropped enough. My A-M-A-Z-I-N-G nurse Stacy was determined to get that baby down, so we tried every position and trick she had up her sleeve.

Finally around 2 pm, it was showtime. Everyone left the room except Rusty and my superhero nurse Stacy and another nurse. At 3pm, the other nurse's shift was over. So now it was just the three of us. Not at ALL what I pictured labor to be. But, if you think about it, Momma is doing all of the work, so there isn't a need for a bunch of people to stand around while she pushes. My doctor came back down around 3:30pm and I could tell she was not convinced that this baby was coming. But Stacy was determined and so were Rusty and I. I didn't starve myself for almost 24 hours, lie in pain, and push for an hour and a half to go have a C - Section. (Since there was a risk that I might have to have an unplanned C/S, I was not allowed to eat anything but ice chips from midnight on.) So with 15 more minutes of pushing, she paged the doctor. It was time. He was almost here. I mustered up the energy and pushed until 4:01 pm. He was finally here!! It took almost 2 hours of pushing, Rusty being an terrific partner - counting and holding me up with every contraction, and our awesome nurse Stacy, who I feel like was more of a best friend than a nurse, to bring Hudson into this world. Neither Rusty or I cried, which is really shocking considering how emotional I had been up to that day. We were just so happy to meet our happy, healthy baby and relieved that everything went so smoothly.

Labor was exhausting, but that is the best way to describe it. I wasn't in terrible pain, but towards the end the pressure did get REALLY intense and it was very uncomfortable. I honestly think that I was in more pain immediately after delivery than during labor. I won't share any gory details. It was just your typical post delivery procedures, but I truly think I was in more pain then than during labor.

We stayed at the hospital until Thursday afternoon. I didn't really feel to great the whole time I was there. We determined Thursday morning that it may have been the pain meds that were making me feel so bad, so I stopped taking them since I was feeling a little better.

Coming home was great, but just like any first time parents, we were a little overwhelmed. Taking care of a newborn is exhausting, but it was very hard for me because I felt TERRIBLE. I still don't know what was wrong with me, but my mom thinks I was dehydrated and not getting enough calories on top of being so physically exhausted. I felt like I had the flu. Thankfully by Sunday night that was all over with and we were off to the pediatrician's office Monday morning.


I took too many pictures to post, so here is a link to my facebook album so that you can see all of them.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.956634973886.2260092.20500532&type=3&l=6f1658fd47

I have to give one more round of applause to the St. Vincent's nursing staff. They TRULY went ABOVE AND BEYOND our expectations. They were so kind, considerate, and helpful at all times. I wish I had gotten a picture with Stacy, my main nurse that day, because without her, I probably would have had to go in for a C-Section. The nurses in labor and delivery and postpartum were outstanding. Thanks for everything!!

Introducing...

Hudson Michael Ashworth

Born Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 4:01 pm

Weight 8 pounds 14 ounces Length 20 1/2 inches

Hudson is now one week old!!

So what has happened in Hudson's first week?

He is not a fan of bath time, but we really think it is because he is still having to have a sponge bath on the counter, so he is kind of "exposed" to the chill of the air. But, he LOVES getting his hair shampooed!

He has had some visitors at home.

He has played with his gym.

At his one week checkup, Hudson got a great report! He lost 11 ounces at the hospital and left weighing 8.3, but he weighed almost 8.10 at the doctor's office Monday, so Momma's Milk is doing its job!
While at the pediatrician's office, we had a little diaper incident. Being the Type A/over packer that I am, I packed 10 diapers even though I estimated us to be gone for no more than 3 hours at the most. When we got to the doctor, he was wet, so Rusty was going to change him really quick before he got weighed. Well, that turned into a lengthy diaper change. I think he went through 5 diapers in that one change. He just kept pooping and kept pooping while Rusty was changing him. We would give him a minute to see if he was finished and as soon as Rusty would get a clean diaper on him, he would poop again.
Then, Rusty held him in his diaper and blanket as the doctor talked to us. She asked Rusty to put him on the table to be examined, and when Rusty put him down, he has a huge ring on is shirt. He had peed out of his diaper, through the blanket, and on to Rusty. Just a day in the life of a newborn parent. I've been peed on twice since we've been home. All we do is laugh - you just can't help it!

Quick Facts about Hudson:

He is very alert and loves to raise his head and turn it already!! We are amazed at how strong his neck is and how much he moves his head!

He is a VERY easy baby. He only cries if he has a gas pain, and that cry is a very short, slightly fussy cry. He is not a crier (yet) and hopefully he won't be. Our biggest problem is that he seems to have his days and nights mixed up.

He was crying during diaper changes for the first few days, but since his little wee wee is almost healed, he doesn't really cry anymore. But, if he ever gets upset, we break out the secret weapon - the Glow Worm from Nana and Papa. Our nephew Dominic had one and he loved it, so they got Hudson one and we grab it if we anticipate any tears being shed (see the pic for "poop explosion").

One Week and One Day Old!

I am going to do a post of his Birth Story and our time at the hospital, but I know it is going to take me a little while to write it. Since I only have about a 2 hour break in between each feeding, it is hard to get things done and rest in that short time! ; )

Thanks to EVERYONE for all of the sweet messages, prayers, visits, food, and everything else you have done for us the past week and nine months! We have the most wonderful family and friends.

We feel extremely blessed to have this little boy in our daily lives now!! He is PERFECT and brings us more joy than we could have ever imagined!

Still Here...

It's 6:30 on Sunday afternoon, the night before my 39 week appointment. I honestly didn't think I would be sitting here childless. Why? I'm not really sure. I'm not due for another week...what was I thinking? I guess it is mostly because of the words of others. People constantly looking at me and telling me I wouldn't make it 40 weeks, my doctor telling me last Monday that I was 2 cm and 50% effaced...I guess hearing those things in addition to all of the Braxton Hicks episodes I've had over the past 2 weeks really got my hopes up that I was going to go into labor on my own before 39 weeks.

But I didn't. Or at least not yet!

So tomorrow I go for my 39 week appointment. Rusty is going with me since this is supposed to be the day that we "come up with a plan" according to what the doctor told us at my 36 week appointment. She acted like since he was so big at 36 weeks (estimated 7 pounds 8 ounces) that if he wasn't here by 39 weeks that we would induce (if it looked like that was favorable, and at this point I'm pretty sure it does) or schedule a C-Section if she thought he wouldn't "fit". So needless to say, I am EXTREMELY ANXIOUS to see what the doctor will have to say tomorrow!

Daddy:

I got to thinking about something the past few days. I always post pictures of me/my belly and tell all of my symptoms, thoughts, etc. But what about Daddy?

Rusty has been great. I know I have morphed into a slightly different person over the past few months. One who snores EVERY NIGHT and apparently has started having kicking fits as I struggle to get comfortable, has to have the house FREEZING to sleep, can be VERY indecisive, and occasionally a little emotional. But Rusty has been a trooper. He has helped me stay focused on what is important and has been extremely supportive the past nine months and even before as we planned for our first baby. The past few days he has gone walking with me, trying to get Little Man to come on out, and he has even been sleeping in the recliner so he can actually get some sleep while I take advantage of the king size pillow top. : )

AND.............even though he TOTALLY shouldn't have and I told him that A TRILLION times afterwards, Rusty surprised me Friday with a little "push present". He said he didn't want to give it to me at the hospital and since we didn't know when Hudson would be coming, he wanted to go ahead and give it to me. (Sidenote: Rusty has a really hard time waiting to give someone a present that he is excited about...it's kinda cute. : ) He even proposed early because my ring was ready earlier than expected and he just couldn't wait.) I insisted that this was NOT necessary, but he insisted that I deserved it and he wanted me to have it to remember this special time in our lives in the years to come. He is the sweetest. I'm a very lucky lady.

Please excuse my swollen man-hand. I told Rusty that I would (hopefully) have to go get a smaller size once I am back to normal. ; )

Symptoms:

I can't believe this could be my last week of preggers symptoms! I'm super excited, but many people say you will miss it and I can totally understand what they mean. Who doesn't want to have a little buddy with them all the time? Being able to feel their little kicks, rolls, and hiccups? This week the swelling in my feet has gotten a little better as I have tried to take it easy the last half of the week after being a little swollen and having elevated blood pressure Monday. My biggest complaint is just general uncomfortableness. In the bed, when I sit, when I walk waddle, pretty much all the time. It's not so bad that you can't stand it. It's just frustrating when the only way you are comfortable is in the recliner with a pillow behind your back. My friend heartburn is still hanging around, too. But besides that, I honestly have no complaints. Pregnancy has been very kind to me, I am well aware. Many women suffer almost the whole nine months with "morning" sickness, heartburn, major swelling, etc, so I know I have had it very easy.

Sleep:

Once I get comfortable, I am OUT. I don't really have any trouble going back to sleep if I get up during the night. I am SO glad it has been spring break for me this week because I have taken a 2 hour (at least, sometimes more) nap Wednesday - Sunday. Not because I wanted to, but because I literally was exhausted I couldn't stand it.

Maternity Clothes:

I hate getting dressed now because it is so hot and I all I have to wear is jeans. I wish I was one of those cute girls in a dress, but I am not going to go buy one. I am too cheap!! I have the maternity dress on in the picture from today, and that is it. All of the other dresses I wore were not maternity and I can't get away with that now.

Mommy and Daddy at our first shower in December - 25 weeksMichelin Man Mommy in the same dress - 39 weeks

We can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!! I am going to touch up the house and have everything ready when I go to the doctor tomorrow. And OF COURSE I will keep you posted!!

Hudson's Room

I didn't really have a theme in mind when I started. I'm not really a theme person, but it has kind of turned into a "transportation" theme. I just knew I liked the striped and polka dot fabric by Caden Lane. So I had Becker's Bedding make the bedding, and then I just found things that matched from there.

All of the furniture is from Storkland in Vestavia Hills

Custom Artwork by Jan Phillips, inspired by Renditions by Reesa

Changing table from Buy Buy Baby
Pack N Play is ready in Mommy and Daddy's Room
Swing is ready in the living room
EVERYONE is (im)patiently waiting on Hudson's arrival!!

38 Weeks - Just call me "Queen of the Ultrasounds"

Today I went in for what I thought would be a very routine 38 week check up. I figured I would do my labs, get examined, and be on my way. Why have I not learned from this pregnancy that my little man is full of surprises and is constantly going to keep me on my toes?

So I sign in, do my labs, and the nurse comes and gets me to check my weight and blood pressure. I always hold my breath a little bit during this 3 minute span because I am always silently praying that my blood pressure will be ok. I know so many people that make it 8 months just fine, only to have Preeclampsia with a few weeks to go and wind up being on bed rest or induced. My blood pressure has been great - even LOW, until today. At my 37 weeks appt, my BP was 122/68. Today, the first time she checked it, it was 130/90. She was not too happy. After a few questions for me and a quick chat with the doctor, they decided they would do an ultrasound to check my amniotic fluid. I was shocked. Since I was having an ultrasound and they were planning on me getting a growth ultrasound next week anyway, they went ahead and checked his measurements. Ultrasound results: everything looked great, and they guesstimated that he weighs about 8 pounds 4 ounces. I could be wrong, but I think that makes my 7th ultrasound, and he's/I'm not even high risk! Just call me "Queen of the Ultrasounds."

After the ultrasound, I went back to the exam room. She said I was 2cm and 50% thinned! WOOOOOHOOOO!!!!! She even stretched my membranes a little bit, without much warning, and it was pretty uncomfortable. But, if it speeds up the process, I'm fine with it! She said there was no protein in my urine, so they did another BP check before I left and it had dropped at little to 138/80, so those things combined made the doctor a happier. She wants me to come back in Thursday morning for another BP/urine check, just to be safe.

Symptoms:

Let me first say that last time I posted I felt bad about listing my "symptoms" because it sounds like I am complaining. While most of the current symptoms are somewhat unpleasant, I'm just stating the facts. Lots of pregnant ladies like to read other pregnant ladies' blogs and compare symptoms/experiences, so I want to tell what I have really been going through. This past week, the feet swelling has really picked up and has gotten pretty bad the past few days. Heartburn and reflux have drastically increased, including in the middle of the night. Frequent bathroom breaks, back pain, and fatigue are still part of the regular routine.

Sleep:

Sleep has been ok. I woke up recently with acid reflux so bad that I had to take medicine and stay sitting up for an hour or so before I could lie back down. That's the worst that it's been.

Maternity Clothes:

It's 88 degrees outside and I don't have any maternity shorts/summer clothes and I REFUSE to buy any to wear for a few days.

What I've been up to lately:

wreath for the hospital door

goody basket for the nurses' station and Hudson's visitors

Belly Pic:

Could these be the LAST ones??? : )

POST ON THE NURSERY TOMORROW!

37 Weeks- "A Good 1"

Just a quick update...sorry for no pictures. I've been running lots of errands and doing tons and tons and tons of little things. Rusty was my chauffeur and side kick as I tried to get a lot accomplished all over town Sunday after church. He was great and handled all of the "house stuff" so I could do some baby and work stuff Sunday night. I am so lucky to have such a great partner in life. : )

Symptoms:

All of the normal from last week plus waddling, reflux, finding it impossible to get comfortable, and SOME CONTRACTIONS!!! : ) No, I was not in labor. There was no pattern; they did not become more frequent or intense, but when I did have one, it HURT. They were pretty painful and scattered throughout the day on Friday, then I only had 1 or 2 a day on Saturday and Sunday. The doctor referred to them as "practice contractions".

Sleep:

Sleep is about them same. It is just getting harder to get comfortable. I'm still getting up once or twice a night to use the bathroom. If I have a lot to do and I stay moving, I'm ok. I didn't go to bed until after 11 last night because I just kept doing stuff. But, right now I'm in bed (trying to get comfortable) as I write this and I can barely keep my eyes open.

The weather has been GREAT lately and I am so happy to have more daylight now. Maybe Rusty and I will have the time (and energy) to do some walking to help little man come along. However, with spring comes dresses, bathing suits, and short shorts. Which leads me to this:

Dear Victoria's Secret, Express, Macy's and all of the other places where I love to buy summertime clothes:

Please stop sending me emails and sale ads with the latest and hottest bathing suits, dresses, skinny jeans, etc. I long to wear your brightly colored fabrics and styles without a hem line right under the ladies or ruching on the sides, but right now it is just not happening and probably won't until the first of summer. It is KILLING me to keep putting on these stretchy belly pants over my pasty white legs while everyone else is breaking out the sundresses. So please remove me from your email list for the next few weeks. Thanks.

Nursery: I just keep adding little things here and there, but I did order a big 20x20 quote frame off Etsy last night and it will hopefully be here at the end of the week. When it gets in, I will post pictures of the finished nursery.

AND NOW TO THE IMPORTANT STUFF:

At the doctor today:

Heartbeat: 147 - perfect
Blood Pressure: 122/68 - perfect
Dilation: "A GOOD 1 CM"!!!!! Not just a centimeter people. She said, "Oh, you're 1 cm...you're a good 1 cm (with a huge smile on her face). Making some progress!" Even the nurse was excited! I think my "team" is hoping this baby will come on his own within the next two weeks so that we don't have to force him to come out. I haven't thinned any really, but hearing I was 1 cm was enough for me. MUSIC TO MY EARS.

I may post some pictures later in the week with a few other little things I've been working on. For now, I've got to get up or I'm going to fall asleep.

Keep praying for progress and good health!

36 Weeks - NONE?!?! Not even a little?!

Today I went for my first "check". Ladies, you know what this means, so I won't go into great detail. It was the normal routine: lab work, weigh in, and blood pressure check - which was perfect - YAY! Then it was off to the ultrasound room. For once, there was only one person in front of us, so we were in and out quickly. Another YAY! Hate waiting at the doctor!

Ultrasound:

The ultrasound was great. We were able to see his sweet face, but he is already getting squished against me, so AGAIN, couldn't get a great picture. I hope this isn't foreshadowing because this Momma is a picture taking fool and I will need little man to participate! Anyways, the important stuff: no change in the kidneys, which is good, amniotic fluid was perfect, AND...... he is still at D-lineman status. Now, I've had several people tell me that their doctor estimated their baby's weight and they were actually less than that at birth. The last doctor I saw said they usually over estimate, and the ultrasound tech said they can be off -/+ 1lb, but either way, we still have a hefty boy. From babycenter.com: "At 36 weeks, your baby weighs about 6 pounds.: Today, they estimated Hudson to weigh 7 pounds 8 ounces, which puts him in the 90th percentile. So, that is now the thing to watch. If he isn't here on his own by 39 weeks, we will have another growth ultrasound and come up with a game plan from there. He is currently head down, looking toward my left side.

NONE:

During my "check", she did the Strep B Test, then came "the exam". I was relieved when it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as people said it would be, but when the words "yeah, he is still nice and high" and "yep, nice and tight...no thinning or dilation" I was in shock. I even asked her...."None? Not even a little?" I was so sure that SOMETHING was going on down there after all of the pains I have been having. Not to mention the daily "How far along are you?.....You ain't gonna make it ____ more weeks....He is really low." comments from EVERYONE - even complete strangers! I'm totally ok with him baking for a few more weeks, but I was truly shocked when she told me there was no progress at this point. She did say that was totally typical at 36 weeks for first time mothers. All I could think was, "Yeah, but my baby is HUGE and is pushing on my insides!! You mean all those pains mean nothing?!?"

Symptoms:

Besides aches/pains/contractions (?), the urge to pee is even worse, lots of back pain, feet hurt all the time, slight swelling, and I've noticed I'm walking slower. INDECISIVENESS. I've always been terribly indecisive, but now that preggers brain has seriously lowered by brain function, making a decision is almost possible. I literally started sweating when trying to decide on a font and thread color to monogram his coming home blanket in. I'm sure the rude lady helping me made it worse, but still....it was really bad.

Sleep:

Getting worse, but thankfully I'll have a good night every few days to catch me back up. It is just hard to get comfortable with this belly, and now my back has even started hurting when I am on my side.

What we've been up to the past few days...

boiling bottles and pacifiers to sterilize

all of Hudson's stuff for the hospital
bags are packed and in the car
car seat and mirror installed

Belly Pic:


AND................................

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT ADRIANNE!!! How about an old school pic to celebrate? ; )