Just Taking Notes

Jan. 6, 2009 - Baby Boaz is here

Boaz Ebenezer Dec 21, 2008 9:09pm 10lbs 3oz 21" long Here is the rest of the brood I can hardly believe it has been over 2 weeks now since I gave birth to baby Boaz. We had been chewing on the name Boaz for several months and have even had it on previous name lists, but it was only after he was born that we were able to commit to Boaz and we love it.  It is a Hebrew name meaning "Swift, Strong".  Boaz was the husband of Ruth in the old testament.  He was her kinsman redeemer and a type of Christ.  Ebenezer comes from the book of 1 Sam 7:12.  It means "stone of help".  And if you just can't get Ebenezer Scrooge out of your mind, remember that he too was redeemed in the end and was to be a help and a blessing to those he had once abused. Birth story below if you like reading such things. It all began for real on Sun (21st) morning about 4-5am.  I woke to use the bathroom as usual and noticed that my usual cxs were a little stronger than they had been.  I grabbed my haircombs and brought them to bed with me for sqeezing as needed.  We woke as usual, had breakfast and headed off to church in the below zero weather.  Brrr. Cxs which were coming only every 10-30 min were very mild, but were the real kind that you know are doing something down there.  I sat through Sunday school wondering if this could be the day.  I did not feel comfortable enough to sit through church service so I headed to the nursery to stand and rock and visit with a friend.  Nothing stronger or more regular, just more of them than usual. After coming home and having lunch, I decided to take a nap- and I did.  Upon waking I decided that my cxs were here to stay even though they were still quite mild and far from being anything regular or closer together so at 4pm-ish I called my friend who was going to be my labor support to see what she had to say.  She said I should just head to the hospital and get checked- she was on her way over.  I called the on call Dr. who suggested the same thing and said that with so many babies under my belt {so to speak} that I may never get regular cxs at all- and I didn't. After arranging sitters for the kiddos we headed out the door arriving at the hospital around 5pm or so.  By 5:45 I had been hooked up to the monitor for a while and my cervix measured at 4-5cm.  I was told to walk around for an hour and we would check again.  Now I was feeling like this really was the big day and I was getting a little anxious.  My friend and I walked around the L/D floor visiting, her encouraging me, and me astonished that these labor "pains" felt like little more than BH cxs.  I am convinced that her applying pressure on my shoulder acupressure points resulted in easier labor.  As I would feel a cx coming on I would usually squat using the hall rail as support while my friend applied pressure.  Many times my cxs felt as if they had completely subsided when she did this. After an hour or so of walking I went to be checked again.  I was measuring 6-7cm at 7pm-ish which granted me admission.  I went to one of the 2 NCB rooms eagerly anticipating my time in the tub.  While the tub was filling I stood about and talked through a coulpe of cxs.  Then I donned my tubwear and climbed in.  Ahhh- perfect.  Total relaxation- almost sleep.  I had 2 big cxs that the water eased me through- these required a bit of moaning and vocalizing, but were not painful at all.   Then came the strangest transition moment ever.  After my last big cx I began to cry and shake- no pain at all mind you- none.  I was crying and saying "It's OK it doesn't hurt.  I'm OK".  My DH still makes fun of me about this.  The nurse did a quick cervical check and insisted that I get out of the tub.  I told her that she had to call my Dr. because I would surely feel pushy if I stood up as was the case with my other babies- but this one was going to be different.  She called for the Dr. and I climbed out of the tub complete- a full 10. I changed out of my wet clothing into a dry gown and tried to get comfortable on the delivery bed/table.  Until my Dr. arrived, I just lay on the bed waiting- complete, not pushy, easy peasy cxs.  At this point I was having my friend and DH apply pressure to my feet.  Ahhh.  Finally my Dr. showed- she told me later she was thinking closer to midnight- we showed her. Now with my Dr. on the scene I can push-or wait.  I tried to get comfy on the bed but could not find any position that I liked- not standing, kneeling, squatting or anything so I just perched my bum on the end of the bed and sat there.  OK so it has been 20-30 min since climbing out of the tub I am guessing and still no urge to push.  Dr. says "No hurry, just when you are ready."  So after growing impatient and making myself nervous about the whole ring of fire part I decide to give it a try anyway.  It takes a few pushes, but I finally am getting into the moment and pushing pretty hard to get this guy out because my natural urges are of no use to me at all this time.  FINALLY, the head is out but it sure doesn't feel like it to me and the next thing I know I am flat on my back, knees in my face, a nuse is pushing under my pubic bone, and Dr. is telling me to push with all my might like I have never pushed before.  Shoulder dystocia.  Kind of scary.  After what seemed like forever, which I am guessing was only a minute or so, baby pops out 9:09pm and is immediately taken across the room for some O2.  Yes, he was huge. It was a perfect labor and nearly perfect delivery.  That is pain I wish on no woman- good thing it was so brief and that I have forgotten it already.  Miraculously, I have no tearing, just some small abrasions which are mostly healed up and baby is perfectly fine- no damage.  My DH insisted that I do nothing for a week, but with Christmas that did not happen so I am still feeling a bit tired and weary, but mostly I am up and around being as normal as I should.  Boaz is nursing well and sleeping 3 hour stretches at night. He is a treasure that I am so in love with already.  I am so glad to have him here with us.  Now if only I could get some cute pics of him.

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