My birth was nothing like I had planned unfortunately... don't get me wrong, it went very well and he was born after only about 6 minutes of hard pushing, but it was nothing like I had planned.
I don't like to dwell on the negativity of it, but being induced really sucked... it was necessary medically, but it sucked. Because he had to be monitored due to the induction and my health concerns, I had to stay on my back in a semi-reclined position for the entire time... it's hard to get some relief that way and everything hurt, so I gave in and had the epidural.
Getting the epidural was the worst part, but only because the contractions were coming one on top of the other really strong and I had to stay perfectly still and keep my back pushed out.
The anesthesiologist wasn't very sympathetic, but Dave was and I know I couldn't have gotten through any of this without him.
Even with the epidural, the contractions hurt like I had to have a major poo... like a great big spiky poop that feels like you have to crap out a pineapple. I kept begging the nurse to let me go sit on the toilet so I could have a poo so I could continue the labour without having to poo so bad. She wouldn't let me, especially after the epidural. I figured out that if I just pressed down a little bit it helped relieve some of the pain.
As time went on I started pushing a bit on my own, and I'd sneak in little pushes when no one was looking... I guess I felt guilty as I wasn't "told" it was time to push, but I had read in some granola type birthing book that if you feel like pushing, push!
Finally the nurse asked me if I felt like pushing and I was like "YEAH!", so I gave some good pushes the way it's supposed to be done and really hard.
But I guess when he moved down, it was harder to monitor the baby and the nurses seem to be getting nervous... although I didn't care because I knew the little guy was fine and was just avoiding the monitoring thingies!
So they called the doctor in for a "scalp probe"... all I heard was "scalpel" and I got scared.
Only because I REALLY didn't want an episiotomy, but I was so busy with the birth I really couldn't say anything. That's the only real time I felt out of control though.
Right after the probe, the nurses left... one to check on her other patients and the other to go tell the doctor that I'd be another 20 minutes to half hour (which was an hour shorter than they originally figured it would take me).
I continued pushing and all of a sudden the kid crowned... with only Dave and I in the room!
Dave had to yell into the hall "his head is coming out!!!" and I was told to stop pushing... I guess to wait for the doctor or something.
But after a minute or two I was done waiting and out he came with another push.
Dave and I were in total shock and couldn't believe what had happened... the first thing Dave said was "you had a baby!" as soon as Jensen was born. It was so sweet!
As the nurse was cleaning him up and giving him some oxygen, Dave and I just watched him and didn't say much... even when he was all cleaned up and the nurse was getting a blanket, Dave didn't even touch him until the nurse said "it's okay, Dad... you can touch him. He's yours".
As the nurse was cleaning him up and giving him some oxygen, Dave and I just watched him and didn't say much... even when he was all cleaned up and the nurse was getting a blanket, Dave didn't even touch him until the nurse said "it's okay, Dad... you can touch him. He's yours".
Dave and I are adjusting rather quickly to parenthood... it's still just sinking in that he's really "our son". We tend to use "my son" or "our son" quite a bit when we're talking (following by a silly grin or giggle) just so we can brag to ourselves about it.
Jensen had a few issues when he was born; he had jaundice, low blood sugar and he wouldn't stay awake to get a full feed in - we had to "top him up" with formula after every feed; but things seem to be coming around well now... he eats like there's no tomorrow and the yellow is gone from his eyes... he's steadily gaining weight and is up to 9.3 lbs.
Jensen had a few issues when he was born; he had jaundice, low blood sugar and he wouldn't stay awake to get a full feed in - we had to "top him up" with formula after every feed; but things seem to be coming around well now... he eats like there's no tomorrow and the yellow is gone from his eyes... he's steadily gaining weight and is up to 9.3 lbs.
At birth he was 8 lbs 6 oz, and then was down to 7lbs 14oz and then 4 days later he was up to 8 lbs 8 oz, so we're very happy. He's about 21 inches long.
We named him Jensen Robert Daniel ... Jensen because of my maiden name, Robert for Dave's father and Daniel for my father.
Breastfeeding has been an uphill battle... no more formula top-ups thankfully but he's so sleepy on the breast that it feels like I'm constantly feeding him. Many times we take half his clothes off to feed him just to keep him awake! Little monkey!
We named him Jensen Robert Daniel ... Jensen because of my maiden name, Robert for Dave's father and Daniel for my father.
Breastfeeding has been an uphill battle... no more formula top-ups thankfully but he's so sleepy on the breast that it feels like I'm constantly feeding him. Many times we take half his clothes off to feed him just to keep him awake! Little monkey!
He's generally a happy little guy, very snuggly and loves his Daddy.
