Adeline's Birth and Hospital Stay

I went to my last doctor's appointment on Tuesday October 5th. I was still only 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. After much discussion with the doctor and Kevin we decided we would go to the hospital Thursday night to begin the cytotec pill to get this baby moving.

We got to the hospital right at 10 pm and they got us right in a Labor and Delivery room where I was hooked up to two monitors, one for my contractions and one for the baby's heart rate. After about an hour of being monitored while they got me checked in they noticed that I was having contractions (I still didn't feel anything) and that Adeline's heart rate would drop after the occasional contraction. This was a small concern because if they started the cytotec pill my contractions would come irregular and may not give Adeline a chance to get her heart rate back up before the next contraction. They called my doctor and he said to go ahead and start pitocin. I was hoping I wasn't going to have to have pitocin and that my body would do its thing with just the cytotec but for the safety of the baby I trusted him and glad I did. Pitocin was started at about Midnight. I could definitely feel the contractions but tried to breathe through it. We did not take any birthing classes so I was not ready to birth a baby naturally. I ended up asking for the epidural around 2 am hoping I could get some sleep. I was only 4 cm dilated at this point. I never could fall asleep and around 4 am I could feel the pressure to push. The nurse went ahead and checked me and sure enough I was 10 cm dilated ready to go. I woke Kevin up and he called my mom (who was staying at our house) and told her it was go time. I started pushing around 4:20am. My mom and sister made it about 10 minutes before Adeline came and were able to watch in the delivery room. Kevin was tweeting up to this point that's how I know around the time frame everything went down.

At 4:53am We welcomed the most beautiful second baby girl into this world. The delivery was a lot quicker than Lillian and my amazing doctor made sure I didn't tear to where I needed stitched. I realize I didn't go into a lot of detail because all i really care about is posting pictures and we took A LOT! :)

Had to wear an oxygen mask most of the labor due to Adeline's heart rate dropping

I finally understood and could read this machine and unfortunately could tell when another contraction was coming without looking at the machine

one last contraction before the epidural

my awesome L&D nurses. I was blessed with great nurses for both of my deliveries. Liz and Lolita were informative, caring, honest, helpful, and fun. And you can't tell by looking at her but Lolita (on the right) actually has 3 kids in their late 20's. That Mama looks good!

Daddy cutting the cord!

I was so happy Adeline came out breathing well because it meant I got to hold her immediately.

We are in love!

Weighing in at 8lbs 4oz (they rounded up) and 19 1/4 in.  

tiny head

This was my amazing doctor. He always addressed any concern I had and worked so hard to make sure Adeline came safely and took good care of mommy. So very grateful for him. Sunday morning (the day we were getting discharged) he came to check on me one last time and said a prayer over Adeline before he headed to church. 

Proud Daddy

First "bath" in the hospital

Clean baby!

Meeting her big sister for the first time. 

Lillian did so well meeting Adeline. I think we did a good job prepping her through out the pregnancy or Lillian is just naturally an awesome big sister. ;) 

Proud Papa

Proud Nana

Proud Aunt Nina with her 3rd niece

I hope she got Lillian and Daddy's gorgeous lips.

Daddy changed all of her diapers in the hospital. 

Proud cousin Amy

More awesome Proud grandparents, Nena and Poppa

Check out those long fingers

If you haven't already seen this picture, this Eric Carle caterpillar pod was knitted by Adeline's Nena!

We had quite a few visitors in the hospital and tried to get a pictures of everyone with Adeline.

These are my best friend's parents. The came to give Adeline snuggles since "Aunt" Kinsey couldn't be there. 

Mrs. Amanda ( our sweet friend and one of my go to mommy of multiples)

Uncle Alan (Kevin's Uncle) happened to be in Tennessee for work so he drove the extra few hours to meet his great-niece

Mrs. Jessica (Another sweet Mommy friend who has a heart of gold!)

Finally getting to leave this joint!

Ready to go home!

Baby #2: Pregnancy Week 40

Technically I will be 40 weeks tomorrow but I had my last doctor's appointment today so figured I would go ahead and update where we are.

Baby Growth:

No Clue what a Jack Fruit is but it sure doesn't look very big in this picture. I'd say I'm still more like a watermelon!

• She's continuing to grow hair and nails.
• And she's keeping up that lung development, too

Movement:

I Still feel her move just as much as before. The movements aren't as intense probably because she is running out of room. If I start to worry about not feeling her in awhile I just eat something and she goes crazy!

Symptoms: 

heartburn, trouble sleeping, and being uncomfortable. I do occasionally feel a couple cramps but since I still haven't made much progress they are probably just small contractions or cramps from being too busy. 

DR. Appt: My doctor is out of the office the remainder of the week so my appointment was today instead of Thursday. Baby's heartbeat was strong at 136 bpm and unfortunately I had not progressed at all. Despite all the things we have tried to get her to come on her own. I have been 1 cm and 50% effaced since week 36. My doctor said I must have a comfy womb that my girls just don't want to come out. Kevin came with me to this appointment to discuss with the doctor our options. We have thought and prayed a lot about what we do as far as wait or be induced. Neither one of us wanted to have me induced. We waited with Lillian until 11 days post due date and finally went in to get induced to avoid risk of a still birth. I have really just not wanted to wait 11+ days again and I discussed my concerns with the doctor. He is so great at addressing things medically and not pushing for or against anything. He leaves it up to me and makes sure I had all the correct information as far as each  option. Our main concern with inducing was my body must not be ready yet so why force it. It will only cause a longer harder labor. Dr. mentioned that could generally be true with the first baby. the second "generally" comes faster since your body has already experienced labor and has an idea of what to do. He said if we waited she would just continue growing which meant a bigger baby to push out. He said that could be why I pushed for an hour and 46 min. with Lillian. Most (he used the term loosely) women push an average of 45. So my concern of it being a harder labor inducing was not as high because now there was another reason behind it could be hard/long (Lillian did come out at 8lbs 9 oz.) Dr didn't think Adeline was that big yet but felt like she was in the upper 7lbs - 8lbs range. Unless she decides to make her debut between now and then we decided to go ahead and go into the hospital Thursday night to start the cytotec pill (same thing i took with lillian that casued my water to break on it's own) to ripen the cervix and hope we have a baby by Friday afternoon. 

Car seat is in the car. diaper bag and mommy's bag are a go. groceries have been purchased. nursery is set. Ready to meet our girl!

Baby #2: pregnancy week 39

Baby Growth:

• She's probably able to flex her limbs now.
• Her brain is still rapidly developing — she's getting smarter by the week!
• Her nails may extend past her fingertips.

Symptoms: 

-Nothing new. May have felt a contraction here or there this week but nothing to get excited about. 

-Occasional swelling of hands and feet

Movement: 

Still moving the same which is good so no concern. 

Weight gain:

Same 2lb range I've been in the last couple weeks

Dr Appt: went today for my 39 week check up and unfortunately no further progression. Still at a 1cm and he didn't even say a percentage of being effaced. He just said still pretty thick and although she had dropped she is sitting pretty high. He asked if I wanted to be induced tomorrow or next Friday if I wanted. As much as I'm over being pregnant inducing before 40 weeks just because I'm tired of being pregnant is silly to me. Kevin and I both agree about this and I feel like when my body is ready she will come. With that being said I waited 11 days past due with Lillian and my body still wasn't ready but that far along runs more risks. I have another appointment Tuesday (one day shy of being 40 weeks) and if nothing has happened I will discuss with the Doctor about at least doing the cytotec pill again and hope my water breaks like it did with Lillian. Until then we will just keep praying for wisdom about what will be best.