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. 

36 Weeks

Maybe there's a little too much skin in this picture, but it's my blog right? He's totally pushing up on my right side too... well maybe a less exposed picture next week

So I'm now 36+ weeks, here's the good and the bad...
Good things:
*hopefully only 2 more weeks to go.... but possibly 4, and I pray not 6?
*I'm almost completely ready, he could come today and I think I would survive
*I only have a couple more Dr. appointments... sometimes it bugs me having so many
*I can still walk up stairs
*I can veg at night with a good excuse
*Darick does dishes every night, not just when we run out (dishes are his job- I cook dinner)
*I have rediscovered how much I love pebbled ice from Sonic, and have a cup very often

Bad things:
* I just started to get stretch marks :( hopefully they won't get too bad
*It sort of hurts to move at night, I get really bad nerve pain in my back, and often my leg just drops out from under me, so I limp around, and walk by things I can suddenly hold on to if needed
*I still have a few projects I want to get done, we'll see how it goes
*My feet are super sore all the time, especially my toes

Jayne's Birth Story

This is my sister Courtney and me last time we were pregnant, we're both pregnant now too. It's tho only picture I have of me being pregnant with Jayne (well there's like 8 pictures that we took, but they are all in these clothes within minutes of each other) I just wasn't into taking pregnancy pictures then, I'm not really into it now either, but thought I should document this pregnancy more. In this picture I was 32 weeks, and Courtney was 36 weeks, she had Eli one week later.

Ok so now onto Jayne's debut into the world

When: June 18th, 2007 at 2:37am

What :Pretty Baby Girl

How: All natural

Stats: 7 lbs. 8oz, 21 in. long.. with some hair

I think I was in denial when I was in labor with Jayners... I knew I was having a baby, but completely ignored the fact. It all started The Thursday before. I went into the doctor for my weekly checkup, and the doctor checked my. I was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced. The doctor told my that he could strip my membranes and put me into labor if I wanted. I was really done being pregnant, but my mom was coming down the following week, and she wouldn't have been very happy if I had the baby before she got there, well on purpose. The doctor said that he didn't think I would make it to my next appointment, and I left merrily on my way. I called my mom and told her all that happened. She was planning on coming down like the following Friday, but changed her mind and was going to come Tuesday instead. So that Saturday I knew I had some cleaning to do, and pretty much crawled around the house all day scrubbing at all the little corners. My mom called me that day and said she was coming after church the next day. Yahoo! I thought. So instead of taking things easy, I did jumping jacks, jump roped, and jumped on my bed for a whole movie. I went to bed very tired, and had an awesome sleep. Sunday morning came and I was having contractions, but not painful.... just tight in the tummy. Church started at 1:00pm and I had things to do there. So I went, and all through primary I had contractions pretty often, every time I stood up, sat down, and in between. About every 7-10 minutes. Then I went to Sacrament meeting, and my friend who was also pregnant sat by me. She was really funny because she was keeping track of my contractions, now they were every 7 minutes. She told me I was in labor, but I had things to do. You see, that Sunday was June 17th, Fathers Day 2007! And Darick's dad was up visiting because my sister in law had her baby the Wednesday before, and so my parents in law were coming over for dinner. Then we were going to play games. So When I got home from church I got down to business and made calzones. Then after dinner we all sat down to play games. It was pretty fun, during our game of Settlers of Catan my mom in law Terri asked Darick what he was doing.... keeping track of my contractions, which were 5-6 minutes apart. It was about 8:00, and my mom rolled in with my little sister in tow. We finished up playing our games, and my parents in law went back to my sister in laws house. At about 9:30 I drove my mom and sister Nancy over to Courtney's house to see baby Eli. Nan hadn't met him yet, and my mom didn't remember how to get to Courtney's place from mine. We stayed about an hour, but by that time I was sort of getting uncomfortable. So we all came back home. I took a hot bath, to ease the contractions, and it totally made them worse! By 12:00am, they were like 4 minutes apart and lasting 1 min. but I didn't want to go to the hospital yet, I just didn't want to be in the hospital in labor, when I could be at home. But by 12:30 Darick went to go wake up my mom. She came upstairs and said "Honey, you're having a baby. We need to go to the hospital" So we started to get ready to leave. With a cup of pebbled ice in my hand we left for the hospital around 1:15am. My contractions were 3 minutes apart and lasting for over a min. We got to the hospital in Rexburg at 1:45am. I was unloaded, and brought to the "labor room" The nurse casually came in to check me, after all this was my first baby. I was dilated to 8cm, and moved in between contractions to the "Delivery Room." By that time the nurse was trying to get an IV in me, and had poked my about 10 times in each hand. But every time I had a contraction, which pushed the needle back out.. I was checked again and was now at a 9. The nurse yelled out to the hallway to get my doctor. She finally got the IV in, but just then, before she could tape it down my water broke. It sounded like a "POP!" and the needle flew out of my hand and the nurse was sprayed with blood from my vein. She said, "well, you aren't getting an IV." checked me again and yelled that the head was crowning, and to get the doctor in here! At the time I didn't want to be touched by anyone, Darick just stood by me. I was thinking that I wanted to be really nice to the nurses, because I've seen those baby shows and all those crazy ladies yelling at everyone, and this situation was NOT their fault. Well My doctor came in, and he looked like some HOBO off the street. He was wearing faded blue jeans, and forest green shirt, and really old tennis shoes. He basically put his arms into his robe thing, put on gloves and caught Jayne. I didn't push at all! She was born less than an hour after we got to the hospital. I then enjoyed a turkey sandwich, cause I was super hungry! and we stayed for 3 days. I've LOVED every minute with Jayners.

32 weeks!!

Good things:
*Less than 8 weeks to go!
*The little guy is really strong, some of the kicks are pretty intense
*I got a new pillow to sleep with
*No headaches
*I love pears, apples, and wheat bread
*I don't have any swelling
*Jayne talks about baby brother.. or more baby brothers stuff-like "baby brother's crib" "Baby brother's chair"

Bad things:
* It hurts to lift my legs, like "sit up" kind of lifting
*I'm always out of breath
*I have heartburn pretty bad... and I hear it will only get worse
*I'm SUPER itchy, ALL the time
*I think I'm coming to accept that eventually (like within 8 weeks) this baby has to come out, maybe I'm in denial :)

25 weeks

Well, today I'm officially 25 weeks closer to having our baby Boy here! Here are some highlights and lows of months 5-6

Good things

*Most of the time I look pregnant and not just chubby

*I don't have to pee as often (but still all the time)

* You can see my belly move when the baby kicks (and others can feel him now)

*Things I love: Hot baths, breakfast sandwiches, Orange Juice, Laying down, fruit, sherbet, special K cereal, hamburgers and WATER, my winter boots

Bad Things

* Sometimes my hands are a little swollen

* I feel like I waddle

*My feet are sore

It's a....

BOY!! My appointment went well today, everything about or little man looks perfect so far. He's a little cuddle bug though. He was pretty much as far down as he could get, and was scrunched up into a tiny little ball. Every time the ultrasound tech tried to get him to move, he would get into a tighter ball, and put his chin to his chest. He was pretty much hiding his face. So here is a pregnancy picture, I'm 21 weeks.... YAY for BOYS!

Surprise!

Well, some people might not be surprised who have seen me cause it's pretty obvious when you you get a good look that I'm pregnant... 5 months pregnant to be exact! We're excited to have a new little baby. So far this has been a pretty easy pregnancy. I was REALLY tired, but not sick at all. Although I'm a nap person by nature, they have been a must up until about a month ago. So here are some highs and lows of the pregnancy right now...

Good things

* I only have 19 more weeks

*The baby moves a lot, especially at night

*Darick felt the baby move last night

* I am loving bagels and pears

*We find out what kind of baby we get on Tuesday

Bad things

*I'm always cold (aren't babies suppose to make you hot?)

*a ton of food I know I like grosses me out

*I already am out of breath all the time

* I get "jimmy legs" every night

*I have some pretty intense headaches

*I get charlie horses at least twice a week

All about Jayners

*How long have you been a Mom?
2 years in June..
*How many children call you Mommy?
One
*Did you know what you were having?
I really wanted a girl- and then the doctor guessed we were having a boy based on the heart rate, and I was all geared up for a boy, then we had an ultrasound and found out she was a girl... I was always leaning that way*How old were you when you became a mom?
22
*Natural or C-Section?
Natural
*How much did your child(ren) weigh?
7lbs 8oz *Do you want more kids?Someday
*Do you get stressed often?
Nope, I'm pretty laid back
*How many times have you been pee'd on?
2?
*How many times have you been barfed on?
She didn't really spit up very often... maybe like 3?
*Is your child named after anyone?
My grandma Jayne, and sister Rebekah
*When your child gets in trouble, who is the bad guy?
I am, she's a daddy's girl and runs to him for protection... she still has to sit in time out though
*Did you really brush their teeth even when they only had one or two?
Sometimes, now she has like 10 so we brush 'em all the time
*One thing you won’t give up on now that you’re a mom?
Naps :) and dates with my husband
*One thing you did give up now that you're a mom:
Nothing really... I do all the things I did before, Jayne joined my life, I don't think you have to crawl in a hole and hide from the world when you have kids.And I never smoke or drank, so what’s there to give up?*When the kids are napping, are you usually napping?Heck yes, I love naps, I've been a napper since I was little.And I don't think you're lazy if you nap, it's good for you
*Where is/are your child(ren) now?
She's in bed sleeping... she's cute when she sleeps (and when she's awake for that matter)see:http://sharon-c-thats-me.blogspot.com/2009/04/night-night.html
*Name(s)?
Jayne Rebekah
*Birthday(s)?
June 18th 2007
*How long did labor last?
I dunno, I was having contractions all day, but I had her less than an hour after I got to the hospital
*Who was in the room when baby was born?
My momma, Darick, a nurse, the doc...
*How long did you push?
I didn't push, she just slid out, they told me NOT to push, and she just came
*Any hair?
Yep Look http://sharon-c-thats-me.blogspot.com/2008/06/where-has-this-year-gone.html
*Be honest… How much weight did you gain during pregnancy?
Like 25 LBS the normal weight
*Was baby early or late?
She was two weeks early
*Who drove you home from hospital?
My hubby, he was so cute, I've never seen him drive so carefully
*How many baby showers did you have?
None, I just got presents from friends, we had just moved so I didn't really know a lot of people.
*When did baby start sleeping thru the night?
About a week old, she was born in the middle of the night, so when she got night and day worked out we had like 7 hour spans at night 12-7 am which was awesome
*Did you breastfeed?
Yup until about 7 months, then she was too interested in the world to stay on, so we switched to a bottle and formula, and she loved being able to eat and look around
*If not, what kind of formula?
Parent’s choice
*Who keeps your baby the most?
Me unless I’m in school, then I have some really great friends so she has play days.But I graduate with my BS in education on Friday, so yay, I get to stay home more with my baby!*When do you want to have another?
hmmmmm when Jayne is about 3
*How did you know when it was time to go to hospital?
ha-ha, I kept saying, let’s just wait until 1:00 (in the night) my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart, and my momma said "honey, you're having a baby, we need to go to the hospital” we got to the hospital at 1:45 and I had Jayne at 2:37am.How awesome is that?
*What was your pain management?
Oh nothing, I was all natural, it really isn't that bad, because as soon as you have the baby all the pain goes away.Seriously, it's not bad; you just have to breathe :)
*Did you go home or somewhere else when u left the hospital?
Home
*Anyone spend the night with you first night in the hospital?
My husband, he was so great... and she was born in the night, so we all had a rest together.