Luke's Birth

Luke's birth was the most pleasant labor and delivery experience I've had. Everything went pretty smoothly and I really enjoyed the process. I never thought I would say that I actually enjoyed giving birth.

On Friday, September 5th I had an OB appointment, and found out I was 3-4 cm dilated. My doctor stripped my membranes. He has offered to do this with all 4 of my kids and sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn't. I figured it wouldn't work because I was just shy of 39 weeks (38 wks 5 days) and none of my kids have come that early, but I was willing to try anything to jump start labor.

On Friday evening and during the day on Saturday, I was having contractions off and on. They were uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, but they weren't getting regular at all, so I wasn't sure if it was true labor. Membrane stripping can cause cramping and contractions that don't really amount to anything, so it's hard to know. But then, at around 6 or 7 PM on Saturday, I started to feel super crampy and the contractions started to come about every 3-5 minutes. You would think that was a clear sign that I was in labor, but I was still unsure because of the fact that I wasn't in very much pain. I didn't want to risk waiting too long though, because I tested positive for Group B Strep and so I would need a 4 hour course of IV antibiotics before the baby was born. So we called Nate's mom to come stay with the girls and we headed for the hospital at around 9 PM. During the drive, I kept doubting myself because sometimes the contractions were more like 7 or 8 minutes apart, and still not that painful. I really didn't want to go all the way to the hospital, only to get sent home.

When I got to Labor and Delivery, and into a triage room, the nurse checked me and I was 4 cm. I thought for sure I would be more than that! But it was clear on the monitor that I was having regular contractions, so they told me to walk the halls for an hour and then come back. During that hour, I started to feel more pain with the contractions, but they were still bearable. I came back to the room at 11 PM and she checked me. Still 4 cm. Dang it. I really didn't want to be sent home because I was confident that things were starting to pick up, and I was feeling more and more pain.

After checking me, the nurse went and talked to the OB who was on call there and he said that I could either go home and come back when things really picked up, or they could admit me and see if I progressed over the next couple hours and then possibly break my water. I chose the second option. Duh.

So a little after 11 PM they got me into a room, and pretty soon after that, I was able to get into the jacuzzi tub. I had never done that with my previous pregnancies and it felt awesome. It seemed to take the edge off the contractions. After about an hour of that, they checked me and I was 5 cm. I really thought my labor would go more quickly because Kate's was pretty fast and Halle's was even faster (I had her 40 minutes after arriving at the hospital.). They started me on the IV antibiotics around this time (for Group B Strep).

The CRNA (nurse anesthetist) came in around midnight and talked about getting an epidural. I was quite sure that I wanted an epidural this time around. I didn't feel like there were major benefits to doing it natural when I had Halle. I wanted to hold off on getting it for a little while though. I'm not really sure why. I think I was afraid that it would slow my labor down even more, but I don't even think that's true. Some people believe that it is though. Who knows. So I just kept breathing through contractions, which were really, really painful, but not to the point where I was crying and hyperventilating, like I was when I had Halle. :)

By 3 AM I was very ready for the epidural. I was exhausted and in so much pain, and I just wanted to relax so badly. The CRNA did such an amazing job. The epidural went in very quickly and took effect right away. It was such a huge relief! Nate fell asleep after the epidural was in.

The doctor came in and talked about breaking my water. They checked me again and I was 5-6 cm, but Luke's head had not dropped yet. It was still pretty high, so they said breaking my water would be a bad idea since it could cause the cord to come out first. So instead, they started some pitocin in hopes of getting his head to drop. After 30 minutes of that, his head had dropped, so they stopped the pitocin and broke my water.

For the next 3 hours or so, I was able to just relax, and I slept a little bit. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and it was so nice to sit there peacefully and enjoy the moment, knowing our son was about to be born.

At around 8 AM I was starting to feel the familiar pressure down there, but unlike my other 3 deliveries, it was not painful! Again, the epidural was awesome. I told the nurse about the pressure I was feeling and the doctor came in and checked me. I was 9 CM.

Everyone started getting things ready and just waited until I was completely dilated. At about 8:45 I started pushing. It only took 3 pushes and little Luke was born! Best feeling ever. We were so excited to finally see our little boy!!

This was the first time that my OB was not the one who delivered my baby, but I didn't mind. The doctor on call was so nice and laid back. It was just a great experience.

I would consider doing it again. Maybe. Someday.

Luke Hudson Carter

6 lbs 11 oz

19 in

We love him!

Luke's stay at the NICU

As soon as Luke was born, we saw that he has a pretty large growth on the left side of his head. The doctor and nurses who delivered him were all unsure of what it was. That's a great feeling, let me tell you. I was definitely worried about it. They told us to wait and see what the pediatrician thought, when she made her rounds in a few hours. 

So the pediatrician looked him over and she said that she thinks it is probably a hemangioma, but she wanted to rule out other possibilities, so she ordered an MRI. Luke did really well during the MRI, which surprised me because it was really, really loud in there. They put some ear plugs in his ears though, so I guess that helped. 

After the MRI, I was bummed to find out that he would have to stay in the NICU on IV fluids in order to help flush out the dye from his system. (They used a dye to see contrast on his MRI.) Being in the NICU is rough. It's just a stressful feeling. Luckily, I didn't have a complete meltdown like I did when Kate was in the NICU for 5 days after she was born. But it was still just sad to have him on an IV. Nate and I took turns staying with him. It was tiring.

Luckily, we got good news from the MRI. They told us that the growth is just under the surface of his skin, and so it isn't connected to his brain or anything. Based on the MRI, they think it is more likely to be a Venolymphatic Malformation. But it could also be a hemangioma. They are quite similar. We were referred to a dermatologist who will be able to give us an official diagnosis. 

The good news is that both of those possible diagnoses are not super serious. They look much worse than they actually are. From what I've read, you basically just have to wait for it to eventually shrink on it's own. There are some possible treatments available, but some seem a little scary. I'm very curious to find out more from our dermatology appointment. I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, we're just going to snuggle our sweet little Luke and adore him. 

Newborns are the sweetest little things.

Luke Hudson Carter

Luke was born on Sunday, September 7th at 8:51 AM. He weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and was 19 inches long. I am so glad he is here, safe and sound! Those last few weeks of pregnancy are rough, and I was so ready to have this little guy. The birth story is coming up soon. 

 

This was just a few minutes after he was born. I was so tired! I had been up almost all night and it's a miracle that I was able to push him out because I thought I had zero energy for that.

I know what you're thinking, and yes.. I'm kinda surprised that I'm posting this picture of myself also.

 

 

I have only seen him smile once, and I happened to get a picture of it. Such a cute little face.

  

Unfortunately, Luke had to spend about 24 hours in the NICU. I will get to that part of the story later. Poor little guy had to have an IV.

Coming home! He wasn't so sure of the car seat at first, but now he seems to really like it. 

He's always super happy and peaceful. 

 

 Oh, wait... maybe not always.

But most of the time. :)

The girls really like him. Whenever they come home from somewhere, they ask where he is and want to look at him or hold him for a minute. Even Halle asks, "Where baby boy?" all the time. I didn't think she would care too much. He's definitely going to be a spoiled little boy.

Our bedroom

We got a new bedroom set and mattress recently and it's been so nice. Having a good, new mattress makes a big difference. We got a king size and I think it was totally worth it. I love the extra space. I found some cute lamps at TJ Maxx that I want to get soon. I think that will add a lot.

 And here is our baby boy's bed (for the first couple months). Less than 2 weeks and he should be here! I can't wait!

Paige's first day of 2nd grade

Paige started 2nd grade today (September 3rd) and I was surprised at how sad I was when I walked away from her class. She seems so young to be away from home all day. She was a little nervous because she doesn't know anyone in her class very well, but I'm sure she will be just fine. I'm excited to hear how her day went. We miss her! Poor Kate keeps asking when we can go get her. She even cried when Paige left this morning. I wasn't expecting that. Kate starts preschool next week though, so that will be good for her.