Penny: Newborn pics

Penelope Kay Carpenter

Penelope Kay Carpenter

7 lbs. 13 oz.  19.5 inches

3:39 Am April 3rd, 2014

 

Lingo: Contractions-Pressure waves, Labor- Birth time

Method: Hypnobabies

The last couple weeks of Penny's pregnancy were crazy.  I was having tons of pressure waves, and thought she was going to come for two weeks before she did.  But I really wanted to wait until April to have her.  The first reason was because my Midwife was going to be out of town, the second was I wanted Jayne to be on her spring break when I was in the hospital, the third was that we have no April Birthdays (with the 50+ people in my family).

 

The week Penny was born, my midwife wanted to have me come in that Friday to be induced.  I was starting to show some signs of Preeclampsia and she was pretty nervous about it.  I really didn't want to be induced, so I hoped she would come on her own.  On April 2nd, Darick and I went bowling, in hopes of getting things started.  That afternoon, Darick's Aunts and uncle all came over to visit because they were in town for a funeral.  While were all sitting around visiting, my water broke(around 5:30pm).  It was one of the craziest things that has happened to me! (Jayne's water broke at the hospital, the Dr. broke Max's at the hospital, and Charlie was born in his bag of water)  So it was a totally new thing to just have it happen.  Luckily I was able to leave the room without anyone noticing.  We called the midwife and told her what had happened and hoped to start some real birth time pressure waves.  We were so ready to meet our new little darling. 

 

I went to lay down to get some rest, knowing we were going to have our baby soon.  Later that night, around 11:00pm my midwife called.  I hadn't had any pressure waves, and she was getting worried.  She wanted us to go in, knowing that we were going to start on some Pitocin and have this baby. I really didn't want any Pitocin.  After my experience with having it with Max's birth, I was really worried about it.  I wasn't used to the idea yet and was having a really hard time accepting that might be what we needed to do. 

 

We got to the hospital and my midwife checked to see how far long I was.   I was dilated to a 4 and like 70% effaced. So no progression since the week before.  When she checked me, she was pretty aggressive.  She wanted to hopefully jump start my birth time.  It was really uncomfortable. 

 

The plan was to get some Pitocin started and have this baby as soon as possible.  I was still really nervous and unsure.  I was really trying to find a way out of that option.  We got started on some fluids and I got all checked in (answering tons of questions).  I started having regular pressure waves, and it didn't take long for them to feel pretty uncomfortable.  I really needed to relax through them.  We called my Rachel back in to tell her we wanted to wait to start the Pitocin.  She was pretty upset and reaffirmed her desire to get this baby born as quickly as possible.  This isn't her normal MO either.  she is a firm believer in a woman's body being able to birth a baby with little intervention.  But she was really worried about my high blood pressure.  We agreed that we would start on a super low dose of Pitocin, and once I was having regular pressure waves and dilated to a 6, we could turn it off.  I was super emotional and really struggling accepting I needed Pitocin.  I was sure that if we gave it a little more time, my body would birth this baby just fine. But we all agreed that Penny needed to be born soon.  Rachel went to go lay down while we waited, and left me in my nurse Aralee's care.   

 

Just before the Pitocin was started, I told Aralee that I wanted to wait an hour before we started on the Pitocin.  She said that we already had a plan, and we should stick to it.  Rachel was asleep and she didn't want to wake her up to have the same discussion.  So we decided to have Aralee check me, and if I had no progress still, we would start the Pitocin.  Also at this point, I was having really strong pressure waves.  She checked, and miracle of miracles, I was at a 6! So no Pitocin was needed! 

 

From there Darick and I worked through each pressure wave, using our Hypnobabies training.  I couldn't just use my hypno-tracks on my phone, because the pressure waves were so strong.  I was having a hard time staying relaxed without Darick's help.  So he coached me through everyone of

them.

 

Soon I felt like I needed to have Rachel in the room with me.  She came in and waited with us.  I was in my own birthing zone.  As I had each pressure wave, I visualized holding Penny.  I would give little pushes between pressure waves, really focusing on breathing the baby out.  This is a technique Hypnobabies suggests.  It is easier than pushing during a pressure wave. 

 

I was thinking that maybe after 7-8 more pressure waves I would ask Rachel to check me again, to see if I was ready to start pushing.  I've never been coached through pushing the baby out.  Its always been one big push, and there they are.  Then I saw Rachel leave the room, apparently she was going to the bathroom and getting a sandwich?  I didn't have a problem with her leaving, because I thought I still had some more time.  She was only gone a few minutes when I gave a little groan (just like the first three!) and felt Penny's head be born.  It all happened really fast, and I had no idea she was so close to being born, or I wouldn't have let Rachel leave.  I pushed the call button on my bed, and said Rachel's name, probably in desperation.  Rachel and Aralee came in the room, and just kind of stood there waiting.  Obviously they didn't know Penny was halfway born.  It took everything in me to throw the blanket off my body. (Remember I was using Hypnobabies, and in it you train your body to stay completely relaxed and limp.  Where you literally cannot move a muscle, you are so deeply relaxed.)

My Mother-in-law said, "oh! we have a head!" and then Rachel jumped into action.  She asked my to lift my leg (I was laying on my side).  I told her I couldn't, Darick help my leg up for me, and Penny was born!  No tears, and very easily.  I was a little shocked because it happened so fast, and without my midwife being present (again!!)  I seriously would never have another baby without using Hypnobabies!  It just makes the whole birthing experience exactly what it should be.  Easily bringing a baby into the world, with little to no stress.  And being able to really focus on and enjoy the miracle of childbirth.  I can't say enough good things about it. 

 Click to read Jayne's, Max's, and Charlie's birth stories. 

Foot Love

got the idea from here

52 Finishes: Week 32- Baby Weber's Blessing Dress

My little brother Ian and his wife Karissa are having their first baby in February, a little girl. We're all so excited for them! I wanted to make her blessing dress, and they were nice enough to humor me :) I can honestly say it's one of my most favorite things I've ever made. (Max's purple suit being one of my other favorites)

 I used the same idea as Ellorie's Baptism dress, only smaller for a baby.  The dress has bridal lace on the bodice, sleeves and back. Lace has embroidery and beading With cap sleeves, back button opening, and long gathered skirt with ruffles. 

 Dress is 21 inches long. Chest is 18.5 inches. It's made from soft cotton sateen fabric, it makes up the base of the dress as well as the ruffles. I love this fabric because it's so soft and comfy against baby's skin.

 If the baby looks a little manly, he is.  Sorry Charlie!!

To see my other finishes, click here.  To get a dress of your own, click here.

More Charlie

There were a couple pictures I saw on the Internet that I wanted to take, here's the first one.  Its a before and after picture (duh, haha).  HERE's where I got the idea

 Then I loved THIS one too, and I think its a cute picture of Darick and Charlie.  I love the little wrinkle on Charlie's head.

One week old

Charlie is one week old!

*He LOVES snuggles

*He's starting to even out in his eating

*He smiles in his sleep

*He will sit and look at you

*His cord fell off today

*He sighs alot

*He has 3 dimples

Charlie's Birth Story

This pregnancy was a little different.  When I was pregnant with Jayne I took a pregnancy and labor class the college offered.  I learned all about how a baby develops and grows.  I learned all about labor and the different stages and what words like "effaced" and "transition" meant.  I didn't really have a plan for pain management, it was just gonna be a wait and see what I could handle kind of deal.  To read Jayne's birth story click HERE.  During Max's pregnancy, I did a bunch of research on natural childbirth and how beneficial it is for mom and baby.  I made my mind up to "go all natural" just like I did with Jayne.  After all, if I did it once I could certainly do it again.  To read about Max's birth, click HERE.  With Charlie I knew I wanted to go natural again, but I needed to work on a few things. I love the way I can get up and take care of my baby and myself after a natural birth.  I don't love about an hour before the baby is born when my contractions are so strong I can't breath.  I don't like going numb in my face, hands and feet. And I don't like feeling like I don't have control. So this time I decided to try Hypnobabies.  To me Hypnobabies is all about learning to relax, breath and let birth happen.  So I found a class offered and joined it. 

Change of terms:

Labor- Birth Time

Delivered- Birthed

Contraction- Pressure Wave

Transition-Transformation

In the class they go through your pregnancy and you learn different techniques to put yourself instantly into a deep state of relaxation/hypnosis.  I started practicing hypnobabies around 30 weeks, so I used it for a while.  I would practice for about 30-60 minutes a day.  Normally right before I took a nap or went to bed at night.  Darick did it with me a couple times a week so when I was in birth time, he could help me stay focused and relaxed.  Most of my birth time, I looked like I was sleeping, but really I was just staying relaxed.  You start using hypnobabies the moment to start feeling regular pressure waves, when they are short, spaced well apart, and not as strong.  That way when they get stronger you don't have to all the sudden relax and try to not think about them. 

For those that were there with me, it was a seriously boring day.  I needed it to be quiet in the room so I could stay focused.  I went into the hospital at 6am because I have a fear of not making it to the hospital in time.  I knew I had a while to go, but I wanted to be at the hospital.  So my midwife Karen came in and checked on me pretty often, she wanted to break my water, and get things moving, but part of using hypnobabies is to let things progress naturally.  Charlie's head was really low, I kept getting comments that he was just gonna fall out.  If I had let my midwife break my water, I bet I would have had him way sooner.  There is no benefit to breaking the water, except to "get things going."  There are a bunch of risks though, and I wasn't willing to do it.  There were some people annoyed by my decision, but it was my labor, and I wanted things as natural as I could make them. I was monitored about every 30 minutes, my nurse Jessica would come in and listen to the baby and check on me. I drank a ton of water (so I didn't need an IV), peed a ton, and moved from the bed to a birthing ball, to the rocking chair and finally the Jacuzzi.  Hypnobabies encourages changing positions about every 30 minutes.  But I liked laying down the best, it was easiest to stay in hypnosis then. 

Around 5pm my pressure waves were stronger but I was comfortable and relaxed.  I think this is about the time I went into transformation.  I could feel the baby pretty low and I didn't feel like I had to push or anything, but I knew that I could have pushed.  I asked my midwife Karen to check me about 5:20pm.  She did and said I was only at an 8 and to hold off for a little bit.  The urge to do something was becoming stronger but I tried to just stay relaxed and keep breathing and focusing.  Karen checked me again about 5:50pm and I had a bulging bag of water, which is the reason I wanted to push.  Karen had to attend an emergency c-section and wanted me to hold off til after that.  I basically said no, but she had to go.  So my nurse Jessica came in.  I told Jessica that I needed to push and I couldn't stop it.  The next pressure wave I had some uncontrolled tightening type pushes and I said  "oh"..."oh." Then Darick told them I was gonna push.  I think that there was about a 3 minute break between the pressure waves.  I told Jessica that on the next one I was gonna have to push because I couldn't stop it, and that she needed to be ready.  When the pressure wave was about to start I said "OK" and basically my body took over, during the pressure wave I pushed 3 times.  The first push my bag of water came out.  I told them something came out.  They lifted the blanket and got to work.  The next push was his head, and finally Charlie's body.  He was born at 6:13pm with the bag of water intact.  We chose a midwife this time because they stay with you the whole time.  With Jayne and Max the doctors came in and caught the baby.  So it's funny that Karen missed the baby, and my nurse delivered him.  It's OK though, I really liked my nurse.  She was so supportive of our desire for a natural child birth, and she was respectful of me and my needs. 

Karen came back about 6:20 and delivered the placenta and helped to clean me up.  She waited at the hospital all day... oh well, there were a couple other ladies having babies too.

He sure is a chubby little thing!

Darick was really great, he helped my stay focused and relaxed, especially at the very end when things get a little more intense.  I would definitely use hypnobabies again and recommend it.  I was able to keep breathing, and not feel light headed or numb.  I also felt like I was really in control of my birth.

Afterwards I had a chocolate milk shake, fruit and a club sandwich.  The last time I had eaten was at 4am before leaving my house.  It was a banana :)  so I was pretty hungry!

We stayed for 24 hours and then came home

He has a perfect head

Chubby cheeks

Thunder thighs

Perfect little feet

And is super kissable

Here he is, ready to go home.  This is the same outfit Max came home in.

I was ready to go home too.

We all were