Hospital Stay

After Oliver was born they took him to the nursery right away.  His heart rate and oxygen levels were low.  I didn't get to hold my son or nurse him...We were very worried.  I couldn't move- I was still really numb.   --Denny went with Oliver.  They gave me fentanyl for the pain and stitched me up.  I had a 3rd degree tear/cut. All I wanted to do was be with my son & Denny.    At 1230p they came to take me to my room.  We stopped by the nursery so I could see my son.  He was still on oxygen.  We couldn't hold him or have him with us until his heart rate and oxygen levels stabilized.  I got settled into my room. 

At 130p I heard a knock on our door....I turned and saw the nurse bringing Oliver to me.  She said he was stabilized and I could finally nurse him.  I was overwhelmed with emotions.  She placed him in my arms and he latched on perfectly.  I was in love.  He was so perfect and so amazing.  There are no words to describe how powerful that moment was.

Shortly after, Frank, Gail, and my mom came to visit us.  After that Dana and Mike visited also.  Later that evening Brandi came by.  The next day Juliana, Jen, and Diana came to visit as well.  Oliver didn't leave our room very often.  We couldn't take our eyes off of him... and we haven't been able to since.

On Tuesday, Oliver was circumsized.  He handled it like a champ.  We nursed often and the three of us cuddled on the bed.

On Wednesday afternoon Denny & I brought Oliver home.

We couldn't be happier with our nurses, our midwives, and all the hospital staff.  Everyone was so good to us!

My Birth Story

My due date: 2/3/10

Oliver's birth date: 2/8/10

The anticipation of Oliver's arrival was almost too much.  We were so excited to finally meet our son...When my due date came I had a feeling that Oliver wasn't quite ready to make his entrance into the world.  On Friday, 2/5 I had my doctor appointment with one of the Midwives, Laura (Lori was my normal Midwife).  I was still dilated at 3cm and my cervix was very thin.  She asked me if I wanted her to strip my membranes and I decided it couldn't hurt.  I was feeling HUGE and very ready  for the next chapter of our life to begin.  My induction was scheduled for Monday night.  If I didn't go into labor by 9pm on Monday, we were to report to Mercy Medical Center.  I knew that we would meet our son in just a few short days.  I hadn't been sleeping well and my last day at work was on my due date, 2/3.  I wanted to take a few days to sleep, clean, and make final preparations for Oliver's arrival.

Sunday morning I woke up with a craving for breakfast- I hopped in shower & planned to head to the Waveland with my mom for some pancakes.  I was standing in the shower and felt something trickle down my legs... hmm....could it be happening I wondered- did my water really break???  I called for Denny to come in the bathroom and told him I thought my water broke.  He asked if I was sure....but I wasn't- I was IN the shower with water running so maybe it was just the running water I was feeling.  I stepped out of the shower and a gush of water went all over the bathroom floor.  Yep, my water broke.  It was FINALLY happening.

Suddenly we were all nervous... what do we do?!   Water was still coming out...everywhere.  I was thankful Andrea gave me the depends pads- they were clearly going to come handy.  I knew Laura was the Midwife on call- I paged her and patiently waited for her to call me back.  When she called I told her that my water broke at 10am but I wasn't having any contractions.  We would touch base in a couple hours... so Denny & I got the bags ready, called for my mom to come watch Chloe, and waited for contractions to begin....There was a bad snowstorm on its way...scheduled to arrive that evening or following morning.  I laughed- figured I would go into labor when a snowstorm hits!  As the afternoon passed and I still wasn't having any contractions I knew that I'd have to be induced.  At 5pm Laura told me it was time for us to head to the hospital.  We said goodbye to the cats & Chloe and made our way to Mercy.

They checked us into our laboring room- I changed into a gown and anxiously waited for the next steps.  Laura arrived shortly after us. She checked me and I was dilated at 3cm, still.  At 6pm they started the Pitocin.  They were going to increase it every 30 minutes until my contractions were strong and regular.  Denny & I decided to watch more episodes of The Office.  As time went on the contractions began to really hurt....I was so uncomfortable.  It was hard to move around because I had a blood pressure band on one arm and the Pitocin IV on the other arm.  I could only take a few steps away from the bed.  I desperately wanted to walk around, take a shower, or just be able to stretch out.  At 9pm I was only dilated to 4cm.  I knew it was going to be a long night.  Laura, Denny, and I hung out & watched The Office...although I was getting uncomfortable enough that I wasn't really paying attention to the computer.  It was such a surreal time.  Denny & I were almost in a daze- so many emotions running through us.

By Midnight I couldn't handle the pain any longer.  I asked for the epidural.  Getting the epidural was nerve racking- I didn't like the idea of a needle being so close to my spine. Denny held me while they inserted the epidural...then from my stomach down was completely numb.  I couldn't feel my legs at all.  I felt paralyzed.  Strong contractions would come regularly but I couldn't feel a thing.  I could seem them coming on the monitor but I didn't feel anything.  They told us to rest...so we tried.  Hours & hours passed... by this point I was starving and wishing I had eaten more before coming to the hospital.  All they allowed me to have was popsicles, ice chips, and jolly ranchers.  At 4am, I was 5cm.  I knew we only had 24 hours or until 10am to deliver our son....or I'd have to have a c-section.  The clock was ticking.   Laura said that if I didn't dilate any further within a couple hours I was going in for a c-section.  I hoped & prayed that my body would start cooperating. At 7am, Lori came on and Laura went home.  I knew I was in good hands with both midwives but we preferred Lori.  Something about her put me at ease.  I trusted her completely. At this point I was dilated to 7cm.

At 8am I was given a round of antibiotics since it had been 22 hours since my water had broke.  By 8:30am Lori said I was ready to push.  Denny was by my side and holding my leg while Andrea (nurse) held the other.... I pushed & pushed... as hard as I could.  I remember feeling like giving up- I was so exhausted and hadn't eaten since 12:30pm the day before. 

Around 9:30am Lori asked Denny if he wanted to feel our son's head... he was crowning... It was amazing.  I knew I didn't have much longer and I had to keep pushing.  Shortly after I knew something wasn't right... Lori told me she had to give me an episiotomy.  I knew she wouldn't have done that if it wasn't really necessary...His head is out but his shoulder is stuck.

Next thing I know Lori & Andrea both start pushing hard on my stomach to try & turn him so he can come out.  Lori then calls for Dr Hwang (the high risk doctor)... I was scared... She told me to push one last time and give it everything.  Then it happened, I felt him come out and was so relieved.  After that it's a blur.  They cut his umbilical cord and rushed him to the warmer.  Then we heard the most amazing sound- he started to cry.

Our son, Oliver James Maximilan Barden, has entered the world and changed our lives forever.  He was born at 10:20am on February 8, 2010.  He weighed 8lbs and was 21 inches long.