Family of 4
8:06 PM Edit This 4 Comments »
Violet Jayne arrived on Monday morning at 10:58am after a 5 hour labor.
She is now 4 days old and I think I'm still in shock. My birth was pretty much ideal in every way, and now that it's over, I'm finding it difficult to stay 'in the moment.' I still can't believe that I have a little girl. Duncan looks absolutely huge to me right now, and I miss him so much even though he's with us all day long. I miss Eric, too, though in a different way. Nights are going well, and breastfeeding is becoming less painful, thank goodness. At least I've managed to avoid the nipple shields this time! And all physical healing otherwise is going amazingly well. Duncan seems to be adjusting really well, too.
My biggest issue right now is that I have anxiety ... and the anxiety is over things in the future that may or may not happen. How ridiculous is that? In addition, I am terrified of being by myself with both children (though that's not new) and I can't stop thinking about how complicated things are going to be for many years ... but then I tell myself that this is our LIFE and this is what I've always wanted (and it is) and that I need to be thankful and not anxious. Saying and doing are two very different things.
Regardless of how I'm feeling now, I know that a lot of it is hormones and that these feelings will subside eventually.
Eric is being amazing. I couldn't ask for a more supportive husband and partner during these days.
I am so lucky.
Here is our birth story:
The end! And the beginning. :o)
She is now 4 days old and I think I'm still in shock. My birth was pretty much ideal in every way, and now that it's over, I'm finding it difficult to stay 'in the moment.' I still can't believe that I have a little girl. Duncan looks absolutely huge to me right now, and I miss him so much even though he's with us all day long. I miss Eric, too, though in a different way. Nights are going well, and breastfeeding is becoming less painful, thank goodness. At least I've managed to avoid the nipple shields this time! And all physical healing otherwise is going amazingly well. Duncan seems to be adjusting really well, too.
My biggest issue right now is that I have anxiety ... and the anxiety is over things in the future that may or may not happen. How ridiculous is that? In addition, I am terrified of being by myself with both children (though that's not new) and I can't stop thinking about how complicated things are going to be for many years ... but then I tell myself that this is our LIFE and this is what I've always wanted (and it is) and that I need to be thankful and not anxious. Saying and doing are two very different things.
Regardless of how I'm feeling now, I know that a lot of it is hormones and that these feelings will subside eventually.
Eric is being amazing. I couldn't ask for a more supportive husband and partner during these days.
I am so lucky.
Here is our birth story:
April 17, 2011
Had just a few contractions during the evening. Not painful at all, but could tell my uterus was hardening all over. No other signs that baby was coming, unless having to pee every 30 minutes counts.
April 18, 2011
6:00 – 7:00am – started having light cramps that just felt like my period. Didn’t think it was anything. Took a shower, put on makeup, got Duncan up like normal. Eric decided he was going to stay home ‘just in case.’
7:00-8:00am – breakfast (cheerios) while I sat on the birth ball. Contractions were getting stronger. I was breathing heavily through them, but still only lasting about 45 second to a minute long, about 3 to 5 minutes apart.
8:00-9:00am – I went back and forth from the bathroom to the living room floor (leaning on the ottoman and rocking back and forth). We started watching ‘Mean Girls’ while we waited for my mom to arrive to pick up Duncan … he could tell something was up and did not like it when mommy made noise. He whimpered.
9:00am – called Jennifer and rest of birth team
10:00am – Duncan left with Mimi and Eric blew up the pool and started filling it with water. I went to the bathroom and the contractions started coming really fast and a lot harder.
10:20am – got into the pool, which was not filled yet. Contractions were really intense and I had to vocalize a lot louder.
10:30am – started feeling pushy (and Eric was slightly worried since no one was here yet)
10:37am – Dori (doula) arrived
10:47am – Rebekah (midwife asst) arrived
10:53am – almost crowning
10:58am – Violet was born!
11:03am – placenta out
The end! And the beginning. :o)
4 Observations or Opinions:
I read your birth story and thought, "Holy crap! That was fast!" Go mama! You rocked the natural birth:-) Let me know if you need anything...I can imagine how scary it is having the two, but I'm always happy to lend a hand:-)
What a great birth story! You just about had to deliver your little sweetie on your own!
Glad the nursing pain is getting better. Much more enjoyable when it doesn't hurt like heck.
Take care!
Beautiful. You are amazing! I can't wait to meet her!
Wonderful news! I'm so happy everything went as intended and everyone is doing so well. You are such an encouragement to me.
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