Juniper Mae’s Birth

 Just over two months have passed and I’m still mixing up my days as I learn to be a mom of 5 now. This is the longest it’s taken for me to share my birth story! My recovery has been overall good but not as quick as my last 3. Not to mention, life is significantly busier when you have a gaggle of school age children and involved with a number of extracurriculars. It’s a lot of schedules to balance when you’re already losing your mind haha!

For several weeks before my due date, I would have episodes of prodromal labor. That combined with my pelvic and sciatic pain made for a very lousy and tiring last 2  or 3 months of pregnancy. Starting at 36 weeks, my midwife checked to see how dilated I was due to all the false labor. First it was 3 cm, then 4, and by 39 1/2 weeks I was somehow walking around at nearly 6 cm! I had made up in my mind early on that I did not want to go past my due date because of the pain and exhaustion I was experiencing. Though I was nervous about being induced, I had made peace with that decision and felt prepared. 

I opted to be induced on my due date if she didn’t arrive by then. The night before, I was packed and ready, my parents were in town, and we were all excited to meet this little girl! I started having contractions but again, I had them intermittently for weeks at that point. I managed to fall asleep and woke up at 5 ready to conquer birth. 

I have used the Hypnobabies birth program for the last 3 births with really great success. This pregnancy, I felt too occupied with online schooling and covid to go through the course so I just practiced my hypnosis cues every night and chose to do my own modified hypnobirth. I had some doubts, but drew from my past experiences that I could do this again! 

We checked in at 6 am sharp and got settled into the room. It was nice to see my friend Rachel and have her expertly insert my IV. I was spoiled the past 3 births to not have an IV and very minimal fetal monitoring, but again, I felt peace with the decision to be induced. Pitocin was started just before 7 am and Carl and I were left to ourselves. I was told by so many over the years about the intensity of pitocin, so I was a little concerned. I had several contractions during that first hour but nothing I couldn’t talk through. My midwife checked in with me around 8 am, did a cervical check and I was still almost 6 cm. She said that we could look into rupturing my membranes by noon if I didn’t progress and Carl and I both looked a bit skeptical and said “I hope not that long!” My last two births were 2 and 3 hours long total. The pitocin was turned up a unit and we were alone again. 

We chatted about how this was the most ideal setting for how far along I was, tried some hypnobabies scripts to practice relaxing, and sipped on coconut water. My nurse tried to get a wireless monitor connected but it wouldn’t work consistently so I was strapped down again. Part of me really wanted to be able to move around but at the same time I was content to just rest in bed while I waited for some legit and regular contractions to start.

It seemed like within minutes of feeling very little, I felt a very strong contraction that I had to breathe through and concentrate on relaxing. This was around 8:15 am at this point. The contractions felt like huge waves that would envelope me completely and then smooth out to calm in between. I chatted with Carl and our nurse in between a few of them but by 8:30, I was all in and putting every effort to relax and breathe when I had a moment’s rest. I moaned and groaned, “ahhh-Ing” the baby down, doing the best I could to use my hypnosis cues to stay zen. This birth, I also wanted to record it so that I could see what I experienced later- “but I don’t want to see EVERYTHING so don’t record down there” is what I told Carl haha. Carl strategically placed his phone on a bracket on the wall behind me and began recording around the time where intensity began. 

My nurse came in to check every few minutes it seemed, bringing in supplies and tables, asking if I felt like pushing. I was so focused on relaxing through the intensity, I wasn’t sure if I was feeling “pushy” or not so I had her do a cervical check, but my water bag was in the way, so she said she’d just call my midwife back (even though she had just barely left haha). As soon as she left the room, I had a few more really intense contractions and told Carl, “I just keep thinking about an epidural and how nice it would be to sleep through it all.” Carl remained so calm through this entire experience and I loved watching him in the video think for a moment and reply to me, “positive thoughts.” I suddenly felt the urge to push with the next contraction and then my water broke! This was about 9 am. 

Carl calmly pushed the call light button and let my nurse know I felt like pushing and water broke. A few more nurses or techs came in along with my midwife too! I surprised myself (I do each time) with my primal moans and groans as my midwife told me to listen to my body and push when I was ready. Recording my birth was so cool. I didn’t feel exposed because of the camera angle and it was neat to see the hypnosis in action. Like every unmedicated birth I’ve had, it was very intense but the pain/pressure was manageable. I love having supportive providers who encourage mother-directed pushing. Only as baby girl was crowning did my midwife tell me to take a deep breath and push a little harder. 10 minutes of pushing and out came all 8 pounds, 6 ounces of Juniper Mae at 9:09 am! When the time was announced, I said “the kids just started school!” Haha. My midwife and I have kids at the same elementary school. My modified hypnobirthing was a success! 

Even within a few days after birth, I was forgetting exactly how intense those last contractions were! This pregnancy was hard and recovery was slower than I anticipated. Something about 5 pregnancies and deliveries perhaps, but my hips and pelvis were not happy for the first 2-3 weeks postpartum. Juniper has been adorable, but much more needy than my others were. She’s a bit colicky, but doesn’t have reflux. She does not like to be put down any where! I do get breaks for a few naps and my other kids have all enjoyed doting on her. She’s lucky to be the baby and so very loved! 

I thought I lucked out by not getting mastitis, but alas, it got me for the 5th time. Antibiotics on board and frequent nursing along with friends and family who take care of me made it go away so quickly! Breastfeeding is actually came along much faster and smoother than the previous children and for that I am so grateful. Juni is a great little nurser! I joke (but not joke) that starting nursing for me is akin to Peter Pettigrew sacrificing his arm to the lord Voldemort stew in book 4. Yes, the baby is the dark lord. But this time only for 2 weeks and not 6 ha ha ha.....

What was birthing during Covid like? Not bad at my hospital! I was required to be tested 2 days beforehand and honestly, the nasopharyngeal swab was not bad. I also was not required to wear a mask and Carl only had to if he was next to staff. Once I established nursing, I felt comfortable getting vaccinated and got my first COVID shot and just received the second dose last week. I also just started back at work and have been adjusting to that once a week. So grateful I have a flexible career and employer. 

While this was a hard pregnancy and Juniper has been taking up all my time, I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and outreach of my friends and family. I had a socially distanced baby shower that fulfilled most of my baby registry (first time using one!!), my employer threw me a really cute baby shower during our lunch break, my friends have watched my children many times, they brought me meals, my parents and in laws have both helped us out, and my sister and sibling in laws too! Juniper is surrounded by an outstanding support system and community. We are blessed. 

Thanks for reading.

xoxo

38 weeks with #5

38 weeks in a few days this week! Being my 5th rodeo, I feel a little more prepared but at the same time, just like a new mom. It’s amazing what we forget between pregnancies! Like how I naively forgo how painful my hips and low back would be by the 3rd trimester... is this time the worst pain or is it all in my head?

As tradition calls, I’d like to share some things I have or haven’t experienced this pregnancy. 

1. No morning sickness! I had just a few days of nausea or low appetite but I was otherwise ok! This was a shocker as I was so sick the past two pregnancies. 
2. I had a very healthy start because of this! I jogged the first half of the pregnancy 3 times a week because I felt so great. Then Oregon caught on fire and I couldn’t jog outside anymore due to smoke inhalation, so that quickly turned into a distant memory. 
3. Cravings... it’s hard to remember specifics but I definitely have indulged in a lot more sweet treats than typical- ice cream, candy, sweets of all kind. I lack self control as a craving. I gained like 15 pounds immediately after I stopped running! 
4. Swelling. Week 35 I started getting very swollen feet at the end of the day and now this week, both legs from thigh down are +1 pitting edema, maybe +2. For those unfamiliar with this medical term, you squish my shin bone and a finger imprint is left behind. 
5. Complications. I can’t say it’s been horrible, because my complications have been resolvable overall. Scary at times, but OKAY. First, at week 20 baby had “choroid plexus cysts” which sent us to a specialist for more ultrasounds and monitoring. Concern was a marker for Edwards Syndrome. Those cysts resolved by week 32. But at week 32, I was measuring huge and diagnosed with polyhydramnios, which is excessive amniotic fluid. So the baby is in a swimming pool and also happened to be measuring around 5 lbs at 32 weeks. My A1C was in a good range though, so diabetes was ruled out. Baby’s growth has mellowed out some and is estimated in the high 7 lb range and while I still have extra fluid, polyhydramnios is borderline. The 3rd ugly diagnosis is pubic diastastis. Separation of the pubic bone. Comes and goes depending on the week. I’ve had many good days despite the miserable bad ones!
6. Regardless of diagnoses, I am huge for being just under 4’11”. I was huge for my last two pregnancies too. I think I’ve gained about 45 lbs at this point. I long for the days of hopping out of bed or off the couch to grab something. Quickly. Quickly does not exist in my day anymore. I’ve had a few incidences (including while I type this out) that have made me bed bound for a day because I can’t bear weight on my legs/pelvis. I saw a free walker and almost had Carl get it for me. We improvised with a bar stool, but still- I feel like I can write a chart note about myself. “32 yo female, gravida 5, para 4. Increased pain in bilateral lower extremities noted, decreased mobility r/t pain.  Reports ‘shooting pains and pinching’ upon ambulation. Difficulty sitting or standing for longer than 15 minutes, does report relief in side lying position, however requires assistance in position changes.”
7. Baby girl is ACTIVE! I think she is my most active yet. Not sure if it’s because I’m huge or because my muscle walls/abdomen are paper thin, but I can see it every movement and she is constantly moving, day and night. 
8. I am far less anxious than I was last pregnancy. Medication makes the difference. 
9. I am opting to not complete my Hypnobabies course this time, but I plan to apply many of the techniques. I’ve said it before, but birth is not what scares me. Breastfeeding and postpartum does...
10. I’ve breastfed 4 babies now for 1+ year each. It ******** hurts each time for the first 2 months. There, I said it. I’m hoping for miracle this time for pain free nursing and NO mastitis. 
11. A baby registry shower! I was going to forgo a baby shower and just eat the cost of buying new baby items. I had gotten rid of a LOT of stuff after I thought Betty was our last (ha ha ha...) but my friend, DeLisa, convinced me to let her host one, which I am so grateful for! I’ve always loved hosting baby showers and using friend’s baby registries to get things on their list, so it was fun to utilize my Amazon registry for an actual baby shower instead of a wishlist of sorts and discount coupon. I felt SO spoiled by the generosity of friends and family!
12. Far fewer pictures. Is it because this is #5? Or is it because I’m too darn busy with online school? Ha. I think it’s a combination of both. I am so grateful that elementary kids returned to in person school today because I need to rest more than ever these days between the swelling and pelvic/hip pain. I did do something that should be picture worthy though- eyelash extensions! Didn’t think I’d ever say that, but eyelash extensions have been one of the best “self care” things I’ve ever done. I feel like crap, but I wake up and have glorious lashes haha! Bring on post birth pictures because my lashes are gonna be glam. 

Anyway, 12 seems like a solid number. I told this baby to stay in until I finish my last work day tomorrow haha. I only work once a week and there are things to wrap up before I go! I think she’s listening. Much thanks for all the kind thoughts and prayers on our behalf. We feel the love!