Charlotte's Birth Story Part 2: Come On Labor!

Catch up on part 1 here...

Fast forward to 40 weeks pregnant. I was still feeling fantastic. No contractions, no cramps, and still sleeping comfortably through the night.

It was annoying. Haha!

I was convinced that because I was feeling nothing that she was staying put for the long haul. I was right. At my 40 week appointment my cervix showed almost no signs of change. Dilated to a 1 but not thinned out at all. I knew things could change overnight so I stayed positive. I was okay with her cooking for as long as she needed.

But the days start to wear on you. Any day could be THE day. So every day I worked tirelessly to keep the house clean, the laundry all washed, and everything ready for the baby's arrival. By 41 weeks I was done trying to keep everything together, it was way too exhausting.

Sunday morning, 41 weeks, we were sitting in church when I noticed I was feeling horrible. I felt light headed and dizzy, and was developing a horrible headache. I looked down at my hands and realize that not only were my feet and legs starting to swell, but so were my hands. I told my husband as soon as the service was done that we needed to leave right away so I could check my blood pressure. We stopped at a Walgreens and I went in to check my blood pressure. Sure enough it was high- 144/90. I called my midwife immediately. She was already at the birth center with some one in labor so she said to come by and she would check me over.

When we arrived at the center she checked my urine and blood pressure. Sure enough I had protein in my urine and my blood pressure was very high. She checked my cervix again and found I was still at a 1 but at least I was thinning out. I was terrified this meant I was going to have to transfer to a hospital, have an induction, epidural, all of the things I desperately did not want.

My midwife said we definitely need to have the baby soon, but that there were things they could do to encourage baby to come. She stripped my membranes and gave me a tea mixture of pregnancy tea and black and blue cohosh. She told me and my husband to go walking and that if labor hadn't started by morning to be back at the center by 8:00 am.

Our dear friends watched our boys for us while we went on a little mini date. We got some dinner and walked around a bunch of stores. I had some minor cramps but no contractions.

 In the morning (Monday) we finished packing our bags and headed off to the Birth Center. When we got there my midwife immediately checked my urine and blood pressure. To every one's surprise and relief there was no protein in my urine and my blood pressure had gone back down. My midwife checked my cervix again and discovered I was dilated to a 3 now, 80% thinned out, and she was able to stretch me to a 4. She stripped my membranes again, gave me another mixture of black and blue cohosh, and sent us out walking again. She was sure that by lunch time, dinner time at the latest, we would have a baby.

So my husband, my mom, and I went to walk around a few stores. Still no contractions. We headed back to the Birth Center after lunch for the midwife to check me to see if anything was going on. I was dilated to a 5. So we decided to head home for a few hours to rest and would come back to the birth center around 5:00, and if no more progress had been made they would go ahead and break my water.

I was still not feeling any contractions by the time we headed back to the birth center. The whole day my midwife had been checking my blood pressure and it had stayed low. After talking, we decided that we would go home, get a good nights rest and come back in the morning and she would break my water then to get things going.

We went home, had a wonderful dinner, enjoyed the company of family, and slept wonderfully. Still no contractions.

Tuesday morning we woke up and headed back to the birth center, hoping this would finally be it. When we got there my midwife checked my blood pressure and urine again. Still great. Praise God! They decided to wait on breaking my water though and try some more black and blue cohosh. This time just straight black and blue and not diluted in a tea. Wow that stuff was horrible! After taking several rounds it and bouncing on a birthing ball, I was still feeling zero contractions. Not even a single cramp. So my midwife came back in and stripped my membranes one more time before sending my husband and I out to do some curb walking.

We walked around the birth center, on foot on the curb and one off. My husband was amazing during this entire process. He was so encouraging and loving. Through out this entire thing I found myself falling more and more in love with the man that he is.

It was now 3:00. It had been a long day of trying our hardest to get labor started. I was dilated to a 5 but nothing was happening. Another one of the midwives met with us and said that my midwife would break my water for me if I wanted or we could just wait since my blood pressure had been perfect.

I felt so torn. I thought that if they broke my water that might just be the thing my body needed to kick it into gear. But, if contractions did not start I would end up in the hospital, on pitocin, and all things I did not want to happen. After talking through the pros and cons with my husband and mom, we had finally decided to go ahead and ask her to break my water. I still felt scared and unsettled about the whole thing though.

When my midwife came in I expected her to say 'if you all want me to break your water I will'. But I was surprised to hear - "Ok, we have done everything we can to start contractions naturally. Obviously your baby is not ready to come yet. I think we should wait". That was all the reassurance I needed that waiting was the right decision. My midwife told me "go home and relax. Take a bath, enjoy a nice meal, and don't think about labor. Don't time contractions. Nothing. Just enjoy your evening." The plan at that point was that if labor had not started on it's own by Friday that I would come into the center and they would for sure break my water. (Once you get to 42 weeks you can no longer deliver at the center and have to go to the hospital. So at that point the risk of breaking my water would be worth it.)

I felt peace about our decision to wait, like God was telling me to keep trusting Him. I still cried however, as we drove home. I knew my baby wouldn't stay put forever, but I was still sad that I wasn't going home with her in my arms. We decided to stop at the grocery store on the way home. As we were walking into the store my husband turns around and says "Now you know that since we are going home you are not allowed to have this baby tonight right?".

And wouldn't you know...I had my very first contraction right at that moment.

Part 3 Happy Birth Day continued here...

Charlotte's Birth Story Part 1: Why a Natural Birth?

 It is now 6 weeks since the birth of our precious baby girl. Life has been busy, but wonderful. We are currently visiting with my husbands family and I finally have a few moments to sit down and write our daughter's birth story.

For her birth we decided to use a midwife and have our daughter at a free standing birth center (meaning it is not located in a hospital). Before I jump into the birth story I want to give you a bit of background to explain why in the world I would even want to have a natural labor.

When I was pregnant with my first son the thought of a natural labor was completely insane to me. Why in the world would some one not want an epidural?! I always said I wanted to enjoy my labor and remember my son's birth, not be screaming in pain and so out of it that I remembered nothing. So at 39 weeks, after being on bedrest for the last 6 weeks dealing with preeclampsia, I went into the hospital for my induction. Looking back now I realize how uneducated I was about the whole ordeal. I just went with the flow and did what ever the nurses and doctors told me to. Praise God because I know His hand of protection was on me and my baby during that labor and delivery. I had no idea all of the risks I was taking by being induced- a cytotec induction no less. Thankfully I was able to deliver my son vaginally after only 6 hours of labor, an epidural, and a horrific tear.

I remember being so drugged up and feeling very out of it. I loved my baby and was so happy to meet him, but something was missing. I truly believe all of the drugs made it difficult for me to really connect immediately and enjoy the experience. Funny how what I thought would help me enjoy my labor more actually disconnected me from it.

Recovery was horrific. I healed for 6 weeks, then had to have surgery since my tear did not heal properly and had 6 more weeks of healing. There had to be a better way.

My second son was born in a different state, with a different doctor. I had a dear friend who had told me all about how wonderful her natural homebirths had been so I began doing some reading and research. I found myself thinking if having a natural birth can help me feel more connected and not tear as bad I think I could handle the pain. But here we were at 39 weeks again and I made the choice to have another induction. My little sister was getting married two weeks later, 12 hours away, and I was to be her maid of honor. I just couldn't miss that. Yes I know many would say that I was selfish, stupid, whatever, for having an elective induction, but I made the choice and I would not change it.

His birth was the one that made me know for sure that I would never have an obgyn or hospital birth again. After pitocin being set to the highest level possible, not being allowed to get out of bed to even pee, an epidural, and 4 hours of labor, our second son was born. I had a 3rd degree tear and still felt very drugged up from all of the pitocin and epidural. But this time I had made it to 8cm before getting the epi. I was proud of my self for making it that far but also disappointed that I was not able to have the birth I had really wanted. I realized that for me that would never be possible in a hospital with an obgyn.

Praise God that He protected me and my precious boys through both of my inductions. I know not all women are as lucky.

When I got pregnant with our daughter, I determined that this time would be different. We were living in Oklahoma City at the time but were going to be moving soon to Houston. I decided to temporarily go to my OBGYN that I had with my last baby, but as soon as we moved to Houston I began looking for a midwife and a birth center.

Read Part 2 here...

SHE IS HERE!

Nine days late but she is finally here! Charlotte Laurel born Tuesday, January 28th at 8:30pm. 9lbs 2oz and 21 1/2" long. Birth story soon to follow!

Charlotte's Sweet Vintage Handmade Nursery Reveal!

So I'm still here. Still pregnant.

I always thought 'oh going past your "due date" is no big deal, if I go over it won't bother me'.

Yah, what in the world did I even know?!

Apparently nothing.

Because, even if you can keep your self patient and positive it wears on you. Every day you do the same things to get everything prepared just in case today is the day. And then sink into bed at night disappointed that you didn't feel a single contraction, a single cramp, a single moment of maybe something is starting.

So, instead of making myself crazy trying to 'stay prepared' I have decided to just forget the fact that I am pregnant and it is time for this baby to get here. I have finally been able to write off the last few things on my to-do list and baby girl's nursery is finally complete! (the only exception being that she needs a crib mattress still!)

Here it finally is...the big nursery reveal! I am so in love with how it turned out. There are so many special little details that I have a hard time picking my favorite part of the room. So here we go...

Charlotte's Sweet Vintage Handmade Nursery

The curtains were the final project that took me forever to get to. But I am beyond in love with how they turned out. They are actually a mix of two different sets of curtains that I cut up and pieced together. The beautiful lace part of the curtain came from my moms house. I cut them apart and pieced in some sheer panels that I already had on hand to lengthen them and add interest. I just love looking at them! 

Her crib minus the mattress. Still need to buy that...hopefully in the next few weeks. You can see more details about the ruffled crib skirt here.

Then I made several decorative pillows for her bed. The patchwork in the back was made from my baby quilt. The embroidery pillow in the front was made from two place mats that I found at a thrift store. I love the flowers on it!

I made the sweet little rag doll using this pattern. I plan to make her a few more in the future. Maybe for next Christmas.

The quilt/crib blanket was made from a vintage thrifted sheet, the backing from my baby quilt, and some satin binding. It is so incredibly soft.

I have been in love with the pom pom mobiles and decorations I have seen on Etsy and Pinterest lately and knew that I HAD to make one for Charlotte's nursery. It was actually a really fun and easy project to make. You can find a how to here.

Next up is the "gallery" wall. It is definitely one of my favorite parts of the room. When I started thinking about what I wanted to do with the nursery I asked my mom and each of my sisters to paint a special picture that I could hang in Charlotte's room. I love the fact that she now has something special from her Hunny and each of her aunts! We found a lot of the pictures we used off of Pinterest and etsy and changed colors to match her rooms theme. 

The bunting was made from extra fabric scraps I had laying around. I love those kinds of projects!

 I have shared previously about the Ombre dresser that I painted for Charlotte. I am still in love with it. I would love to add some glass knobs eventually though.

With the boys I bought wooden letter and spelled out their names above their cribs. But I decided to go with a giant C for little miss this time instead. To make the C I simply cut out a giant C from card board and wrapped it in yarn.

I had also been given a large amount of embroidery hoops and decided to make a small grouping for her wall. The white one says 'You are loved', the pink one has a creme dandelion on it, and the mint green one has a small heart in the corner.

On the dresser I have the mint green lamp, some brave girl books, and Charlotte's head band holder. The holder was made from gluing scrapbook paper to a oatmeal container and hot gluing a spray painted candle holder to the bottom. 

I love this little shelf. It holds a few storage containers, books, and that adorable little vintage playhouse. I am still looking for a little lamp to put on the table as well.

In the basket next to the shelf is all of the little toys I have been making and collecting. You can see them in more detail here. 

 On the last wall is Charlotte's Kite Hair Bow holder. You can find a tutorial on how to make your own here. If you can't tell I have been busy making bows!

I have added many items to her room that were my own as a little girl. The carousel horse, little white slip, dolls, and cradle were all mine.

So there you have it. Charlotte's vintage sweet handmade nursery. I love this room so much.

Now we are just waiting for the little girl to show up...anytime little girl...anytime...

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39 Weeks and Counting!

I can't believe I am already at the end of this pregnancy. This time around I decided to take weekly pictures from 20 weeks on to see how my belly progressed. So here it is weeks 20-39!

40 weeks is approaching quickly and I am patiently waiting on this little girl to decide it is time. I can't wait to see if she will have red hair and blue eyes like Jack or brown hair and brown eyes like Luke. I'm excited to snuggle a newborn again, but until then I am cleaning, resting, and spending as much time with my boys as I can.

Staying Busy...

Here is my view as of late...actually I am kind of cheating and peeking over my belly. My toes are no longer visible looking straight down. Almost done with this pregnancy though, and starting to feel it.

I am thankful it has been a very smooth and easy pregnancy. Other than baby girl being temporarily breech, there have been zero complications. Praise God! We have been staying super busy and time has been flying by! I have been cleaning and nesting, taking care of little ones, and keeping preoccupied with the holidays and family.

Baby girl's room is almost completed and I will have a full nursery reveal soon! Just waiting to get the final touches in place and it will be all ready for our sweet little one.

The last few days preparing for Christmas have been very relaxing, and I have had some spare time to sew a few fun things for baby girl. Here is what my sewing machine and I have been up to lately...

My Garden Touch and Feel Book

I have made a book similar to this one in the past for my etsy shop and just had to make one for baby girl.

For this sweet little sensory book I used lots of left over scraps of lace, ribbon, scarves, yarn, and textured fabrics to make each flower. I also added two little crocheted pieces that my Grandmother had made several years ago. It was a really quick and fun project to make.

Sunshine and Cloud Rainbow Plushies

I originally found the ideas for these little guys on Pinterest and loved them. They were so quick and easy, and literally used scraps to make. You can find the Happy Cloud Baby Toy Tutorial on ReFabulous and the Rainbow Sunshine Plushie Tutorial on Chez Beeper Bebe.

I love sweet little hand made toys like this. Hopefully Charlotte will love them for a long time to come too.

Now it is time to finish packing my bags for the birth center...only 3 weeks left to go!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We hope you and your families had a wonderful day! We spent our entire day in our pajamas, playing with new toys, watching movies, cuddling, and eating tons of good food!

So thankful to be able to celebrate a loving Savior who became flesh some 2000 years ago! In order to celebrate with the boys, our elf was found kneeling at the manger this morning. We then read the story of the birth of Christ from our Jesus story book Bible and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. The boys thought it was the coolest thing that it was Jesus' birthday. Do you and your family have any fun traditions to celebrate Christ on this special day?

Merry Christmas!