Labor & Delivery Details

Some of you have wanted to know what my labor and delivery experience was this time, so here it is! Beware; if you do not want to know details, stop reading this post!

As you probably know, we were hoping and praying for labor to start on its own so I wouldn’t have to go through an induction again. Luckily labor started on its own! It all started Wednesday morning. I had gotten up with Shaun in the 5am hour a couple of times after Bill had gone to the gym, with no symptoms. Then when I got up at 6am, I started to have slight pains. I took a shower and by the time I got out of the shower, I new that this was labor because the pains were going and coming pretty regularly, even though they weren’t super painful. I didn’t bother to dry my hair, and just put on my sweats instead of work clothes. By this time, Bill would be home from the gym soon. As soon as he got home, I told him to come upstairs right away (instead of checking email, etc first). It was 7am, and since the contractions were still there and getting stronger we packed up the rest of our bags and I called work to tell them that I wouldn’t be in. Then we realized we should time them, and they were 3-4 minutes apart! Weren’t they supposed to start farther apart and then get closer, not this time!

It was then about 8am, we called Serina to tell her we would be coming by to drop off Shaun (she was our daytime “on call” person, until my parents could take over). The drive to drop Shaun off and then to the hospital seemed to take forever! The contractions were getting much stronger by this time and still just as close together.

We got to the hospital about 9am. I was then evaluated in triage. I was at 5cm with a bulging bag of water. The nurse asked if I wanted an epidural, and of coarse I said “YES!” She said I could get it as soon as possible. I was “jumping” for joy. Another nurse then came and got me to take me to my room. By this time it was about 9:30. I had to stop in the hall before getting on the elevator to get through a contraction. After the nurse got my IV hooked up and a bag of water in me, the anesthesiologist came and started the epidural process. By 10:30 it was kicking in and I was feeling good. They really did get me the epidural as soon as possible!

At around this time I was checked again and was about 7cm. The doc said it probably wouldn’t be that long before baby arrives. The nurse requested that someone bring in the sterile cart and baby station already since things may go fast. I loved what I was hearing! I couldn’t help but remember back to the labor with Shaun and them saying that it was going to be a long night. One of the times that the doc was in the room he broke my water. He explained what he was going to do and the risks involved, and then he had to literally leap out of the way to not get wet. It was the loudest gushing sound I had ever heard! My right sock got soaked. Luckily the doc was quick enough that he stayed dry, but there was a ton of water! It was pretty funny!

I was able to relax until12:15. The nurse had to experiment with me in different positions because Logan’s heartbeat would go down periodically. So, then at 12:15 she said it was time to start pushing; a lot of the reason being that baby was going to be better on the outside then stressed on the inside. When I first started pushing, it seemed like I was getting no leverage and would make no progress. However, soon the nurse said that I was doing really well, and by a little before 1:30 the doc was summoned, and baby was going to be born on the next push or 2! Then at 1:40, Logan was born. They put him up on my chest where Bill then cut the chord. It seemed like it took forever for him to cry, but he did and I couldn’t help but have tears in my eyes. Our precious Logan was here!

The whole labor and delivery process this time lasted from about 6am-1:30pm; 7.5 hours. That is almost exactly half the time of the process with Shaun, 7pm-9:30am, which is what is typical for 2nd births. I’m glad I was typical!

In comparing my 2 labor/delivery experiences, I liked the non induction labor much better. Each contraction was shorter and less intense. The breathing methods actually helped me get through the contractions, unlike with the contractions with Shaun. They were so hard and long that I was crying and wanted to die during each one; not so this time. So my advice to anyone considering induction: try to avoid it like my doctor recommended for that reason and the other increased risks (like c-sections, etc.).

Logan's 1st Doc Visit

Today Logan had his first doctor visit; it is a standard well baby visit between 3-5 days old. He is doing well! He is back up to his birth weight of 9 pounds. He was down to 8 lbs 10 ounces Thursday morning, and I'm guessing he lost a few more ounces before starting to gain again. He is nursing from me! Shaun never was able to get a good latch, so I am very excited. I am pumping occasionally to make sure enough milk gets produced because Logan hasn't totally mastered the whole thing. Birth stats: Height: 20 inches, Weight: 9 pounds, Head: 13.75 inches.

Here are his stats at 5 days old:

Height: 21.5 inches (nurse said that they tend to stretch out more after birth, but one of the measurements could be sligthly off). This is the 96th percentile.

Weight: 9 pounds; 86th percentile.

Head: 14.57 inches; 75th percentile.

We were wondering how this compared to Shaun, so if you are too, here are his stats at his first appointment:

Height: 21 inches, 86th percentile
Weight: 6 pounds 15 ounces, 21st percentile
Head: 14.06 inches, 42nd percentile

Logan's next well baby visit is in about a week on Tuesday, for the standard 7-14 day visit.

Logan Edward Hunter....

....was born on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 1:40pm. He weighed 9 pounds; and was 20 inches long! Labor started on it's own about 6am on Wednesday morning (more on the whole experience later). We are thanking God for not needing an induction and a safe and fairly quick labor and delivery.

Today is our first full day at home. We got a decent amount of sleep last night; better than the first night when in the hospital.

Here are a few pictures; I have a bunch more to download, which I'll be posting soon on Facebook and linking to the blog when I get a chance.

"Non Stress" Test

Today I had the "non stress" test that my doc says is standard after you pass your due date or if you are having problems it is done on a more regular basis. All is good. First they put on 2 straps to monitor baby's heart beat and any contractions for about 20 minutes. Baby's heartbeat is good. I was having a few contractions, but nothing I could really feel or that were regular.

Then I went to ultrasound to get the fluid level checked. It came up as "13" which is good, so they said I could go home. Also saw that he is still a boy!

Next is the weekly doc appointment on Wednesday. Hopefully labor starts soon though!

39 weeks and 3 days pregnant

I am at 2cm and 80% ephased!! Last week I was 1cm and 50%; the week before 1cm and 30%, so progress!!! He "stripped my membranes" today, so hopefully that will get something going. If I make it to Sunday (EDD), the hospital will call me to set up a few tests like monitoring the fluid and heartbeat. If all is good we keep waiting.

I have another doc visit scheduled for next Wednesday if needed. Then, if we are still waiting, I can get induced on 1/30, when I reach 41 weeks. I guess an induction before 41 weeks is considered elective (if there is no other reason),and so a non priority and thus hard to schedule, so doc advises against it.

This is all new to us even though it is baby #2! Shaun being 9 days early has gotten our hopes up and making this time seem to take forever!

We are praying for baby to come soon and on his own!

Polling all friends!!!!!!!

I have put 2 polls over on the right hand side. I am curious about what people think, so please vote for when you think baby Hunter will be born and what you think his weight will be!

The Christmas Season

Well, December flew by and so has the first half of January and I just got to posting for the month of December! The holiday season was crazy busy like usual. Shaun sang with his fellow 2s & 3s Sunday school classmates along with the 4year-Kindergarten class. He didn't sing much, but he was up there ringing his jingle bell; and at sometimes sitting. Oh well. He had the opportunity to be in the Kids Praise & Worship performance earlier in the month, but I didn't feel up to taking him to practice and the evening performance, etc on the weekend that Bill was gone at work. Next year I'm sure will be different.

The Sunday before Christmas we visited my Grandma (Shaun's Great Grandma) at her adult family home down by Seatac. We had someone take this family picture of all of us. I'm sure we will treasure it always. She is the oldest of all of my grandparents; the last one still with us at the age of 96! She is super excited to have a 2nd great grandchild coming soon!

We started a new tradition this year for Christmas eve day. It is a day for just us Hunter family to be together and celebrate Christmas. We had a lazy morning and I made Swedish pancakes for breakfast; a favorite in this house. Then Shaun and I made our 2nd annual birthday cake for Jesus. Then we went out to a special Christmas eve dinner; and then to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. We may have been to the church service once when we were first married, but not since then since we have always been busy at other people's houses. It was a good time. Then we came home and had a piece of the Jesus birthday cake, yum! We also read the Christmas story out of Shaun's bible together as a family. Shaun got to open one present; a new pair of pajamas and then it was off to bed! I really enjoyed the day and am looking forward to continuing the tradition for years to come!

Christmas day was our usual tradition of opening up presents at our house and then going over to my parents for brunch and presents. Then later more family comes over for more presents and a good time together for dinner.

Daddy's and their sons!

On New Year's day we got together with my Aunt Corinne & Uncle Doug who we usually have seen on Christmas Eve to celebrate Christmas.


Pregnancy update!
Today, January 15, is 8 days until my due date! This is the day that Shaun was born. My water broke with him 9 days early. I am hoping that something will start happening soon because I am ready to meet our new little guy, but we are enjoying these last days as a family of 3. We went out to the mall to walk around; one of the things that we can do to maybe help things along if they are ready. I was 1cm and 50% ephased at my appointment on Wednesday. The week before I was the same 1cm, but only 30% ephased, so a little progress made. The doc said that if I make it to my next appointment on Wednesday, we will discuss options. We also have a name all picked out for our little guy, but it is a secret until he is born just like we did with Shaun.

Here is a picture of me from today; with 8 days until EDD (estimated due date)!