3 Weeks and 3 Days (6/29/07)

I've been working hard on keeping Samuel happy, but this blog has been ever on my mind. I wanted to record some things so I would not forget, but it's been hard to find time to do anything but take care of my baby. That is the way it should be I suppose.

Here's a brief catch-up: June 5 we went to the hospital to be induced. Pitocin was started around 6:30. My water was broken by the doctor around 1:30. Labor started to pick up around 2:30. I got stadol via IV around 4:15 (I was 3 centimeters). I got an epidural at 5:00. We then discovered I was at 9 centimeters. I started pushing at 5:30. The epidural was cut off because I could not feel enough to push effectively. Samuel was born after an episiotomy, with the aid of a vacuum, and without pain medication for Mommy (other than a local anesthetic for the episiotomy) at 7:34. I was extremely exhausted and don't remember much of the process other than labor is painful and I definitely recommend getting an epidural as soon as possible!

The doctor needed about 45 minutes to clean and stitch me up. I had internal and external tears as well as the episiotomy. The nursery worker was kind enough to wait an extra long time so we could spend time with Samuel before he had to go to the nursery. My blood pressure dropped and I was told I would not be able to nurse him before he left. I begged them to let me anyway, so they opted to let our family and friends come in the room first to give my pressure time to come back up. We had a wonderful time together looking at him and blessing him - even sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Then everyone left to go back outside the nursery and wait. I was able to nurse him and we both did extremely well. Kris went with Samuel to the nursery and I was moved to my post-partum room (around 9:15).

Samuel then made his first poopy diaper before they could even weigh and measure him. We then discovered that he weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long. Everyone got wonderful pictures and video of him getting his first bath. He was a good baby even then - managed to find his fingers right away.

Meanwhile, I received a turkey sandwich for all my hard work. Then my blood pressure spiked, I got sick and had a brief seizure. Nurses went into action and found a doctor who advised them to give me a shot of magnesium. Just in case you ever have to have that, let me forewarn you, it burns a lot when given all at once. Then, I was moved to ICU to be more closely monitored and I was put on a magnesium drip. My blood pressure returned to normal immediately, and there it has stayed. They did find protein in my urine that night, but it was gone by morning. Sadly, there was a man in ICU with pneumonia, so Samuel could not come visit me. My stay in ICU was uneventful - mostly sleeping with occasional interruptions from a nurse checking my reflexes (to be sure I was not getting too much magnesium).

Around 11:30, the nursery called and said Kris could come in and feed Samuel a bottle. The next day, they allowed Samuel to go to the room with Kris and my parents where he received two more bottles. I was gladly sent back to my room around 6:30 that evening. What a glad reunion with my husband and my baby! AND.. a cheeseburger and fries. My first meal in over 36 hours. And of course, my second chance to nurse Samuel. He again did well, but had quite an appetite since he'd already been introduced to formula. The remainder of our hospital stay was without incident. I got an extra day since I had the seizure and ICU stay, so we went home Friday, June 8.

The time between the 8th and the 19th was somewhat uneventful... just getting used to having a baby at home and the adjusted sleep schedule. However, I can say I was somewhat prepared for the nighttime feedings since I was up so often at the end of the pregnancy. Kris, on the other hand, has really had to adjust. He is such a big help though and so willing to get up and change a diaper and bring me the baby! My milk came in the night of the 8th, and nursing has only gotten better.

On the 19th, we took Samuel for his 2-week checkup and for his circumcision. All that went extremely well. He is so healthy - weighed 8 lbs 4 oz and was up to 20 1/4 inches long. That seemed like quite a jump on the length, but the nurse said that sometimes at the hospital they don't/can't really stretch them out well enough to get an accurate length. His circumcision went well although Kris and I opted to not be in the room. The doctor said he actually slept through it and had no bleeding. They put a foam band around the site to act as a scab.. we were told to just let it fall off. However, Samuel decided his hand needed to be down there at his first diaper change, and he pushed it up! We tried to do all we could to leave it alone, but by that night it had come off. I was told as long as there was no bleeding, he was all right. We just continued to put Neosporin on it and he did very well. It's looking really well and I am thankful.

Now, we've got another week under our belts and are starting to feel comfortable. And big news! His cord stump fell off last night. That was such a good thing for me, because that ugly thing was stinky and seemed to always be in the way. And believe it or not, my son just pushed himself over from his tummy to his side. Have I ever mentioned that his middle name, Bryant, means STRONG? It is a fitting name!

I'm hopeful to get some pictures uploaded to shutterfly soon. I will do another post when pictures are available.

Samuel Bryant Hollis

Just a quick post to let you know our Samuel is here. A friend of mine created this collage from pictures taken just after delivery. Thanks, Maria! Birth Information:
June 5, 2007
7:34 p.m.
7 lbs 6 oz
18 1/2 inches long

In Labor

9:20 a.m.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 this morning. As soon as we arrived in labor and delivery, the nurse said, "Room 2". Apparently, we look like expecting parents. :) Pitocin was started around 6:30 and has been increased every 20-30 minutes. I was still 2 centimeters when I arrived. I can feel the contractions but there is not any pain. The doctor said she would probably come around lunch to break my water. So, we wait...

2:20 p.m.
The doctor came around 1:30 and broke my water. Before then, my contractions managed to become regular (every 2 minutes or so), but I still had no pain with them. Now, about an hour since my water broke, I am feeling some pain with the contractions. They are still tolerable though. I was dilated to 3 centimeters when the doctor checked me. I am told things will accelerate now. We still wait...

41 Weeks - Still Counting

We are still waiting on Samuel to arrive. My checkup Friday was good. My weight and blood pressure are still great - my total weight gain now is 23 pounds. The non-stress test was non-stressful (at least for me). The baby's heart rate was terrific, but I had no contractions during the monitoring. The nurse 'buzzed' my belly a couple of times and the baby's heart rate jumped up and then came back down as expected. The best news is, I had dilated 2 centimeters. I will not be surprised if it's more than that now.

Since I am overdue, the doctor scheduled me for an induction Tuesday morning. If I make it to Tuesday, I will be 10 days past my date. While I definitely want to start labor on my own, I am thankful to know that at least by Tuesday, our baby will be here!

I've had a few somewhat painful contractions since Friday, but still nothing regular. I do notice contractions more frequently now, but I do not consider myself in labor yet since the contractions are not very strong or consistent. (Maybe my typing this will get me going!)

I suppose my next post will be announcing the arrival of our little one. I can hardly wait!