Julianne's due date was August 21. I was to be induced that day, as I was experiencing high blood pressure, but I was to deliver at a small hospital and they were already inducing a lady that morning who had gestational diabetes. So we went home and had a mini last date (my husband and I) while our family that was visiting went on a tour of a vacation property for next years visit.
I barely slept both August 20 and 21 as I knew Julianne was to arrive any day. I wished I went into labour naturally and my sister in law tried every trick in the book to induce labour (lunges down the block anyone?)
August 22 we got up, ate oatmeal for sustained energy, and off to the hospital we went. The did the routine tests to make sure I could be induced and at 921 am I was induced via gel. I didn't know what to expect but the contractions started right away. We were walking up and down the hospital hallway, my mom timing my contractions and my husband holding my hand or letting me lean on him. I couldn't believe how intense some of the contractions were right away. I didn't want to eat, sit, drink water, nothing. I was burning up and sweating mostly, and my lower back was in a lot of pain. I was lucky to have three excellent support people on my team (husband, mother and sister in law). My mom has experience assisting births and my sister is a doula. Very lucky!
They rubbed my back while the other held my hands. They took turns having breaks and during their lunch break is when my water broke but we didn't realize (I had taken about 5 bathroom breaks in an hour). During that time the gel left my body so the nurse had called the doctor and told my husband that generally that means I will have a long labour. She was wrong as at 3pm I was lying on my side as it hurt too much to walk and for the first time I was considering pain medication.
The doctor arrived at 4pm and did a check. When I came into the hospital I was 2cm dilated. I was 9 cm now and she could see the crown of Julianne's head (dark hair). They quickly prepped the room for delivery and away we went! I was so lucky that I had the opportunity to deliver in a large room (about 20x15 feet) with staff that supported various labour positions. I think I did about 5 or 6 positions before they got me on the bed to deliver the baby using the bar. At 621pm Julianne was born. I remember Dr Ansar saying its a girl as she placed Julianne in my arms. I was so blissfully happy (see photo above) and I remember Chad and my family crying. My husband watched the whole thing (he said he wouldn't but it was like a car accident - you can't turn away). I delivered baby with no pain intervention except oxygen while giving the final pushes. I also avoided the episiotomy.
We announced her name to our family (as they didn't know up until this point regardless of whether it was a boy or girl). If our baby was a boy it would have been named Julien William (after Chad's and my grandfather's first names). Julianne is the female version of Julien and Anne runs in both my family and Chad's family for the girls. Barbara is my grandmother's name and this is her first great granddaughter.
The first night in the hospital was a blur. Between getting cleaned up from the delivery to moving to the recovery room, to calling all our family and friends to announce the baby. I think we finally stopped calling people around 1 am and Chad slept on a tiny mattress shaped like a coffin on the floor while Julianne slept in the cradle beside me.
Saturday our friends Jill and Shaun got married. Chad was to be in the wedding party but obviously he had to back out and we were too exhausted and were still in the hospital. In our community you don't leave until after 48 hours (at least) as new time parents. We were ready to leave the Saturday night but in hindsight it was good staying one more night as the nurses cared for Julianne so we could get a little sleep (Second night with a newborn is a bit different as they realize they are in the world and want to be held a lot!).
We had company though throughout Saturday and a few more on Sunday before we were released. It was amazing how much you learn in so little time. From how to wash and change baby, to videos on feeding and post natal depression. Half the stuff I packed we didn't use as we weren't in labour long enough and a few things Chad had to go buy (like baby mittens, nipple ointment and d drops).
I don't think my husband has ever driven so carefully and slow home when we left the hospital. Our angel was finally home at about 12 pm on Sunday August 24, my dad's birthday.
I barely slept both August 20 and 21 as I knew Julianne was to arrive any day. I wished I went into labour naturally and my sister in law tried every trick in the book to induce labour (lunges down the block anyone?)
August 22 we got up, ate oatmeal for sustained energy, and off to the hospital we went. The did the routine tests to make sure I could be induced and at 921 am I was induced via gel. I didn't know what to expect but the contractions started right away. We were walking up and down the hospital hallway, my mom timing my contractions and my husband holding my hand or letting me lean on him. I couldn't believe how intense some of the contractions were right away. I didn't want to eat, sit, drink water, nothing. I was burning up and sweating mostly, and my lower back was in a lot of pain. I was lucky to have three excellent support people on my team (husband, mother and sister in law). My mom has experience assisting births and my sister is a doula. Very lucky!
They rubbed my back while the other held my hands. They took turns having breaks and during their lunch break is when my water broke but we didn't realize (I had taken about 5 bathroom breaks in an hour). During that time the gel left my body so the nurse had called the doctor and told my husband that generally that means I will have a long labour. She was wrong as at 3pm I was lying on my side as it hurt too much to walk and for the first time I was considering pain medication.
The doctor arrived at 4pm and did a check. When I came into the hospital I was 2cm dilated. I was 9 cm now and she could see the crown of Julianne's head (dark hair). They quickly prepped the room for delivery and away we went! I was so lucky that I had the opportunity to deliver in a large room (about 20x15 feet) with staff that supported various labour positions. I think I did about 5 or 6 positions before they got me on the bed to deliver the baby using the bar. At 621pm Julianne was born. I remember Dr Ansar saying its a girl as she placed Julianne in my arms. I was so blissfully happy (see photo above) and I remember Chad and my family crying. My husband watched the whole thing (he said he wouldn't but it was like a car accident - you can't turn away). I delivered baby with no pain intervention except oxygen while giving the final pushes. I also avoided the episiotomy.
We announced her name to our family (as they didn't know up until this point regardless of whether it was a boy or girl). If our baby was a boy it would have been named Julien William (after Chad's and my grandfather's first names). Julianne is the female version of Julien and Anne runs in both my family and Chad's family for the girls. Barbara is my grandmother's name and this is her first great granddaughter.
The first night in the hospital was a blur. Between getting cleaned up from the delivery to moving to the recovery room, to calling all our family and friends to announce the baby. I think we finally stopped calling people around 1 am and Chad slept on a tiny mattress shaped like a coffin on the floor while Julianne slept in the cradle beside me.
Saturday our friends Jill and Shaun got married. Chad was to be in the wedding party but obviously he had to back out and we were too exhausted and were still in the hospital. In our community you don't leave until after 48 hours (at least) as new time parents. We were ready to leave the Saturday night but in hindsight it was good staying one more night as the nurses cared for Julianne so we could get a little sleep (Second night with a newborn is a bit different as they realize they are in the world and want to be held a lot!).
We had company though throughout Saturday and a few more on Sunday before we were released. It was amazing how much you learn in so little time. From how to wash and change baby, to videos on feeding and post natal depression. Half the stuff I packed we didn't use as we weren't in labour long enough and a few things Chad had to go buy (like baby mittens, nipple ointment and d drops).
I don't think my husband has ever driven so carefully and slow home when we left the hospital. Our angel was finally home at about 12 pm on Sunday August 24, my dad's birthday.