Proud Parents

This is Tillman's birth announcement!

(click on the photo to make it larger...not sure why all the white is there)

He was born 9.12.10, Grandparents Day and the reverse of his due date (21st) at 11pm.  He weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces (really 2.9 ounces but the nurses rounded up in the chart). 

He was a c-section baby.  Due to the long labor and premature water breaking, I got a fever (sign of infection) the evening of 9.12, which caused Tillman to begin not to react well to the contractions (could tell by his heart rate going from 150 down to 70 bpm when the contraction released).   We made it to 7 centimeters from 2:45AM to 10:00 PM, so the c-section seemed to be inevitable given the circumstances. 

Tillman and I received antibiotics after deliver for 48 hours in case we had an infection.  Tillman was in the Level 2 nursery for the first 12 hours of life under observation.  That was hard for us, but I'm very thankful for my wonderful doctor, Dr. Villers, who wrote special orders for me at 3AM to get out of bed early (supposed to remain in bed for 6 hours after a c-section), so I could breastfeed Tillman in the nursery. 

Sunday's Child

I've grown up with the poem below.  Every time we would hear of a birth, my mom would quote this poem.  I was a Wednesday child-full of woe.  Lucky me for my mom to have a planned birth on a Wednesday and for it to be April Fool's Day as well!

Nick was born on a Saturday, and I couldn't agree more that he fits the Saturday child profile-works hard for its living.

Tillman was set up for a pretty good out come.  He was due on a Tuesday-full of grace and born on a Sunday-blithe and bonny and good and gay! 

Here's our blithe and bonny and good and gay child! 

He fits this definition 20 hours out of the day.  He turns into a Wednesday child between 2-6 AM, but we love him just the same.  We think his days and nights are mixed up for sure.  He has little patients for breastfeeding during those hours, and really just wants to be held and suck your finger.  Nick, my mom, and my finger have been in his mouth more than he has breastfed since being home from the hospital!  We're not using a paci yet, as we are told it can affect his interest in a breastfeeding latch.

Monday's Child (poem name)

Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for its living,
And a child that's born on the Sabbath day
Is blithe and bonny and good and gay.

"‘Monday's Child’ is one of many fortune-telling songs, popular as nursery rhymes for children. It is supposed to tell a child's character or future based on the day they were born. As with all nursery rhymes, there are many versions. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19526."  Published in 1838.

Preparing For Birth During Final Weeks Of Pregnancy

I would suggest to anyone now after going through the labor process to talk about your wants and needs before the big day.  As I found out, the big day is not the due date always and can come at any time.  Nick, Dr. Villers and I were all on the same page.  Check out this video of us discussing with Dr. Villers our questions, thoughts, and wants about our experience.


Well....embedding the video won't work for me, so here's the link. 

We were hoping for a normal delivery, but it just wasn't in the cards for us with Tillman since my water broke prematurely (before I was in labor).  However, the birthplan forced me to think about the possibility of a c-section.  I am sure glad we filled out the plan!

Picture from Cici's Camera

Picture right before going to OR for C-section

CiCi and JRS with one drugged up mommy ready for after the C-section

Hour 21 after breaking water

Meet Tillman Alexander

Got a small cut on his head from the procedure

Here he is checking out the world

Follow Up Growth Scan Video & Yesterday's Appointment

The above video is from my 33 week follow up growth scan.  The results were very good, so we won't have to have another scan!

I had my 35 week check up yesterday.  At this appointment they tested me for Group Strep B (GSB) infection (GSB is not an STD) by a simple swab test.  Every pregnant women will be tested for this because this is an infection that can be transferred to the baby during delivery.  If the test is positive, then antibiotics can be taken.  Many women go symptom free who test positive.  To find out more about the test and GSB, click here.

At this appointment, I was also "checked" for the first time.  Ladies, that is totally unpleasant and uncomfortable!  Dr. Villers checked to see if my cervix was dilated and to see if any effacement has begun to occur.  As I stated earlier this week, I could wait another week to prepare for the rest of my life, so I am really hoping my progress will go slow.  Dr. Villers was also glad to hear this, as she will be out of town the week before my due date (but we have a back up plan if she isn't in town)!

From the "check," Dr. Villers said that my cervix is still completely closed (no dilation yet), and I'm about 50% effaced, but that is completely normal at 35 weeks. 

I have probably told you way more than you ever were interested in hearing about my personal exam, but oh well!  It is much easier to type these things than it is to tell people this in person.  I don't know why that is.  It is kind of like saying the word "sex" in front of my mother.  It isn't a big deal, but IT IS!!!!

Happy Friday!

My Birth Plan

As I mentioned in this post.  I was creating a birth plan for Tillman.  Nick and I truly don't know what to expect, but there are some concerns I have and other things that I want to make sure happen the way I always envisioned.  A birth plan is a way for us to think about our wishes and fears in advance and prepare the staff that will be taking care of us when Tillman is born.

Here are the items I checked as wanting to occur during the hospital stay.

*This is only a plan.  If something goes wrong, I will rely on the hospital staff to tell me what is safe.  I, by no means, want my wishes to come before the safety of Tillman or me.  I am very thankful to be in the hands of the MUSC staff that are the best trained in high risk situations in the Lowcountry!

Labor:
-I would like to be free to walk around during early labor.
-I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
-I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible.
-I would like the lights in the room to be kept low during my labor.
-I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum. (can I add 5 exclamation points to this one?)

Anesthesia/Pain Medication:
-I would like to be asked if I would like to have narcotic pain relief.
-I would like to have a standard epidural.
Comments: I want to be given my options around these (ie how long I can wait to receive it, know all options, and meet Anesthesiologist)

Cesaeran:
*I don't plan to go this route, but I don't think many women have a choice when it come to the health of the baby.  A birth plan is good time to think about this possibility in advance.
-If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
-I would like to (coach) present at all times if the baby requires a Cesarean delivery.

Epistotomy:
*The majority of people I have spoken to have ripped (ouch!).  It seems pretty inevitable.  However, Nick has a friend who mention some herbs to take to avoid this from happening.  I'm trying to find out those herbs, so I can review them with Dr. Villers.
-I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby’s safety.

-I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by squatting, doing Kegel exercises and perineal massage. (I got an email about this....need to talk to Dr. Villers about this at my next appointment)
-I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
-If possible, I would like to use perineal massage to help avoid the need for an episiotomy.

Delivery of Baby:
-I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including
-I would like Nick and /or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
-I would like to try to deliver in a squatting position, using (coach) or a squatting bar for support.
-Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
-I would appreciate having the room lights turned low for the actual delivery.
-I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when the baby is born.
-I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Comments: If possible, I'd like to breast feed and hold my baby right after birth before taken away to be fully cleaned and eye meds are put in.

After Delivery of Baby:
-I would like to have Nick cut the cord.
-I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
-I would like to hold the baby for at least fifteen minutes before (he/she) is photographed, examined, etc.
-I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
-I plan to keep the baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
-If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, (coach) or some other person, I designate will accompany the baby at all times.
-I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have (him/her) placed under heat lamps.
-I would like to delay the eye medication for the baby until a couple hours after birth.
Comments: All of these are my wishes, but don't want to jeopardize his safety.

Breastfeeding
-I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
-Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to the baby
-I would like more information about breastfeeding.
Comments: I'd like to be visited by an Lactation Consultant or nurse specializing in breastfeeding to hear tips and to make sure my technique is correct. This is one of the most important things to me.

Circumcision
-I would like to discuss options for pain management during the circumcision
Comments: We'd like for him to be circumcised. I would like to be updated of when it is done and how it went. If possible, husband, Nick, would like to stay with baby.