Initiation

So last night was the first night home. And yes, I, Katie, am up at 6:30 in the morning being productive. But it's only because I haven't gone to bed yet....
I feel like last night was my personal initiation into parenthood. Anybody can go through labor, but I was up all night trying to feed, clothe, and change baby Austin. And then the cycle would restart just about the time I was laying him down in his bassinet and heading to the bathroom.
I had the hour of attempting to breastfeed and finally turning to a bottle.
I had the diaper change that turned into, how many times can I make mommy rewipe my butt and then let her figure out after the 4th poop in the same diaper that I just peed all over myself and the changing pad (and the blanket covering me because I had gotten poop on my clothes too) - btw, I did have his diddly-doo covered with a wipe when he went everywhere. And then he pooped again.
I just quit putting clothes on him and he's content (and warm enough) in a swaddled receiving blanket.
I haven't had more than an a couple hours sleep at a time since I gave birth to him on Wednesday.

And he's still the best thing that ever happened to me.

Austin's First Day

It's been a busy, busy day here in Belleville. Austin has had visits from both Grandmas, and Aunt Jennie. He'll get to meet his cousin Becca after he goes home (most likely tomorrow).

Aunt Jennie with Austin

Grandma McCarthy with Katie

Katie and Austin

Grandma DeWolf and Austin

We believe he'll have more visitors by the end of the day...

Welcome, Baby Austin

Austin William
9 lbs, 14 oz
21 inches
11/11/09
9:43 pm

He's here!

Austin William DeWolf 9# 14oz, 21 inches, 9:43pm, 11-11-o9!!

Mom, Dad, and baby are all doing well.

Thanks to the best nurse and OB DR in southern IL!!

More news!

So she pushed for about 25 minutes, but Austin is being stubborn (hmmm, where'd he get that from?), so Dr. told her to take a little break until about 10 til 9, then he wants her to start pushing again.

More updates to come once she's pushing again.

And the show begins

Dr T is on his way back to the hospital (he had to leave and head to St E's for an emergency).

RN just kicked out everyone except Zach, mom and Jennie.

The rest of us are either in the waiting room or downstairs getting food.

Hopefully we'll have a baby within an hour or so!

Calm before the storm

Katie's trying to nap now before it's time for her to push. Not much longer now, just waiting and hoping that the doc makes it back from the other hospital soon.

Almost there...

She was just checked by the nurse and Katie's almost at a full 10... just a little stubborn lip that is taking it's time getting out of the way.

Dr. took a short field trip to a nearby hospital, but should be back soon. It's OK, though, Katie's not even pushing yet. But she will be soon....

Katie Contracting and Computing

Katie's at 9+!

The Dr. just came in and checked Kate and she's dilated to 9 to 9.5! Dr also says the baby's between 0 and +1 station! So he's dropping lower. This is a really good thing. Maybe we'll have a baby soon...

Epidural Topoff

Katie's been feeling quite a bit of pressure (almost like she didn't have the epidural). So the anesthesiologist topped off Katie's epi, and now she's feeling a little better. Although, the medication makes her itchy, but she'll take that over the pressure.

Better News!

Katie's JUST been checked and she's dilated at a 7 cm, and Austin's at 0 station (for those of you that don't know, that's a GOOD thing!).

More new info

Nurse checked Katie a little bit ago, and she's up to between 5 and 6 cm. Those dilation vibes are working, keep 'em coming people!

Cold Stuff and Reanimated Monsters

Katie's chowing down on grape popsicles while watching "Young Frankenstein."

New News!

She's up to 4.5 cm. The nurse says between 4 and 5, so I'm splitting the difference. But the nurse also said the baby's a little lower, which is good news because he'll put more pressure to get things really going.

Keep those dilation vibes coming! They seem to be helping!

New Position

The nurse just came in to have Katie adjust her position because it appears that the baby is posterior. So now she's lying on her left side, with her leg propped up on a folded pillow so she's a little more on her belly to help her contractions dilate her more evenly. Send out some dilation vibes to help push this along! (You know kinda like clapping if you believe in fairies, cuz that works)

New info

The nurse came in and checked her a little after 1 p.m. (our time) and she was dilated to 4 cm. She's asleep now.



Isn't that just cute?

Sleepin'

Katie's going to nap, and I think Mom and I are going to go eat lunch. No major updates at this time.

Update (sort of)

Nurse just came in to check her, and Katie's still dilated at 3 cm. She's 100% effaced, though. So hopefully the pitocin will get things going now that it's been running for about an hour.

Birthing a baby in 2009

There are two women knitting in this room, along with two laptops up and running and four cell phones with texting capability. What a funny juxtaposition.

Started pitocin

The nurse came in and started pitocin to strengthen Katie's contractions. Hopefully this will push things along. She's still doing well, I think her new favorite word is epidural.

Kaite Post Epidural

Look at how big that smile is compared to an hour ago! She's much better now.

Katie's Getting Her Epidural!

Katie's in getting her epidural right now, so the Grandmas and I have been relegated to the waiting room. So here's some pictures I took about 20 minutes ago, before the anesthesiologist showed up.

Katie smiling at the beginning of a contraction

Katie about two seconds later breathing through it

Sweet moment between Zach and Katie after the contraction

Katie contracting again a few minutes later

We got Zach a chair because he had been standing next to Katie since who knows when and we didn't want him to drop. I'll post again once we get to visit Katie after her epidural is in and running.

Good Morning!

Hello everyone, I'll be your friendly labor and delivery moderator for today (and hopefully only today!).

Katie and Zach arrived at the hospital around midnight last night. The cervadil has her contractions going pretty regularly now. Dr. T broke her water this morning, so she's really starting to feel it!

The nurses are making us stick to the 3 visitor rule (boo), so I'll give updates as I can.

Tonight's the night!!

Hey everybody! So Heather (Zach's mom) just flew into Lambert in preparation for tomorrow... WHICH IS INDUCTION DAY!!!

I'm ecstatic. Seriously, I thought today would never come soon enough. I feel ready, Zach's ready, and everybody is waiting for THE phone call.

Here's a run-down of the birth plan thus far:

1 Get to the hospital around midnight
2 Get cervidil and wait
3 And wait
4 And wait
5 Contractions start (or if they don't by morning, Dr. T will start me on pitocin... blegh.)
6 Labor, labor, labor...
7 EPIDURAL
8 and pushing. pushing. pushing..... THEN
9 Baby Austin gets here sometime tomorrow

Hopefully, there will be no complications, and he won't be too big for natural birth. I really don't want a c-section, but I'll do what needs to be done to get him here safely.
Everybody has been wonderful! Thank you for all the support and advice!
We'll be keeping this blog as up-to-date as possible, so if you are wondering what the heck is going on, just hit refresh!
Love all of you!

False Alarm...

So we went up to the hospital around midnight and I was having some contractions. However, after 2 hours of evaluation, the nurse determined that I was still just in early labor which can go on for a few days before real labor begins.
Sorry for those of you who were kept up pretty late waiting for the call to send you up to the hospital.
Maybe today I can walk myself into labor.

So things might be happening soon...

I've been having contractions all day, but I knew that they weren't real ones.
Until about 9 rolled around and I'd been having contractions consistently for about 2 hours. Now it's 11, and I've talked to the hospital nurse and nurse on call for Dr. T and they said it sounds like I'm entering real labor. I've still got some time before I need to go to the hospital, but I'll post when we are about to leave.
Zach is so funny! He's running around taking care of last minute packing and cleaning before we leave. He's great though :)

Hello!

So I thought it was about time to begin a blog since baby Austin could be here any day now. We've still got some things to do before he gets here, so it's ok that he takes his time getting here :)

If you want to be kept up to date when I DO end up going into labor, just send me an email and I will add you to the list of contacts (you can also follow on Zach's facebook). I'm not sure at this point exactly who will be responsible for sending out mass emails/texts. But we'll get it figured out.
Love all of you and thank you for your support!