Life In a Shoe » live labor: The Boy

more labor notes

kimc — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:18:00 +0000

So thankful during labor for:

Hubby, who knows and reads me better than anyone else in the world. After so many labors, I hardly have to ask for anything. He seems to know instinctively when I need a back rub, when I need a gentle hand or an encouraging word, and when I just need some privacy.
Liquid calcium, still my drug of choice for labor pains and after pains.
Birthing pool, filled to the brim with very warm water. The deck ended up being a great place, as we didn't have to think twice about spilling and sloshing. As the water cooled, we just turned on the hose (hooked up to the hot washer valve in the house) and let it overflow, slowly heating the water.
The shade that Hubby set up, using stepladders and a blanket.
My frozen frapuccinos to sip - they sit so nicely in a nervous, laboring tummy!
The fact that the computer was right between the pool and the bathroom. This certainly made blogging easier!
A beautiful south Texas day. Warm and dry, but not blistering hot - perfect for an outdoor delivery.

Wish I had thought of:

A tennis ball for massaging that same spot in my back that (as Hubby reminded me) has plagued me with every labor.
Something to sit on in the pool during the actual delivery. The cushioned bottom was comfy for laboring, but a low underwater stool of some sort might have been more practical for pushing and delivery.
More practical pool attire. I wore a short gown of cotton/polyester. This worked, but a lighter fabric would have held far less water. Mom joked that I should wear a negligee next time.
A birthing ball. The more I think about this, the better it sounds. There were several times during labor when it seemed like the perfect idea. I want to remember to have one on hand next time around.
The acoustics of our hilly neighborhood. Sound can sometimes carry in amazing ways here. I wonder how many neighbors heard me yelling during the last moments of delivery? And how many of them didn't assume it was just our girls playing loud girly games? Gulp.

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The Boy

kimc — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 20:54:00 +0000

The Boy and I are doing fine, and Hubby is still blissfully uploading pictures and videos - in between cooking, cleaning and cracking the proverbial whip over the older 7 children.

I feel fantastic after a long but fairly easy labor. I always feel a bit like a phony for lying about in bed when what I really want to do is run laps around the house, but I'm obediently resting while Hubby is home. I've learned the hard way that it's much easier to rest now when I don't feel like I need to, than in a week or two when I start to feel run down because I didn't rest enough at first.

Thank you again for the outpouring of prayers and encouragement during labor! It was wonderful to have so many "visitors" that I've never met before, and I'm glad that so many people enjoyed being able to share in The Boy's birth. I thought live-blogging was a fun idea (I think it was originally Hubby's idea), but we never imagined how special it would be to so many people!

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Just a few more quick details

kimc — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:58:00 +0000

Born at 7:03 PM, 13 minutes after my water broke. 3 long pushes, I think. And yes, born in the little birthing pool outside on the deck. Not a swimming pool, mind you. Nice warm water.
8 lbs, 9 oz. Our biggest by one ounce.
21.5 inches long
Dark hair
Proud daddy has already posted lots of pictures. My favorite is here.

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Perry C. — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:50:00 +0000

Boy!

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Whew!

kimc — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 01:19:00 +0000

I'm glad that's done!

Thank you for all your prayers, well-wishes and encouragement. I didn't get a chance to read every comment, but I look forward to doing so in quiet moments.

Now I have to relearn how to type with one hand as I nurse in front of the computer. Blog posts may get a lot shorter from now on.

And happy birthday to my beautiful Mom! How many 52yo mothers of 14/grandmothers of 16 do you know that look this good?

PS After having a good look at my belly, our 4yo is pretty sure the little guy will having a twin.

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My boy!

kimc — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:42:00 +0000

Pc3

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it’s…it’s…it’s…

kimc — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:23:00 +0000

a boy 7:03 pm

no name yet......

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Poolside update

kimc — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 23:35:00 +0000

Not quite pool side...but Kim joked about coming in and makeing a post "just to be a show off" and then started getting some strong contractions with a bit of the urge to bear down. So she stayed put.

This may be the last update for a good while

Pc3

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Quote from the midwife

kimc — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:57:00 +0000

five minutes ago...

"8cm and not fully effaced"

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quick update

kimc — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:07:00 +0000

Right after the last post Kim got a doozy of a contraction and the baby picked that precise moment to start wiggling about.

So back to the pool it was. It took her about 10 minutes to settle in and for the contractions to resume in ernest. While out of the pool they were intense and coming faster and faster. The last few were about 2 min apart. Once back in the pool it took a good while for them to build back up in intensity but we're getting there and they are back under about 4 min. ( I keep syaing about 'cause it's been a half hour since we actually timed them.)

Her mom is sitting with her by the pool while I type.

That's Kim typing the last post.

TTFN

Pc3

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