Our little one has finally arrived!
We are so grateful that she is finally here, healthy and happy. I am posting her birth story so that those who care to read it may do so.
On Sunday, May 27th (one week after my due date), Matt and I went to church and were planning to attend a church picnic in the evening. After church, Matt went home to get some sleep and I stopped to get groceries. After I put the groceries away, I relaxed on the couch with lunch. After lunch, I was planning to clean the house and do some laundry. Before I got up after finishing lunch, I started having contractions. This wasn't unusual, so I assumed they would stop once I got up. I started working on cleaning but the contractions didn't stop. They were still spaced quite far apart, but it didn't seem possible that I could be anywhere near labor. I decided to see if I could sleep through any of the contractions, but they were stronger than any of the Braxton-Hicks that I had had previously.
I woke Matt up at about 3:00 and decided to take a shower, get dressed, and start getting our hospital things together. Matt and I ate dinner and got things done in between contractions. We took classes on the Bradley method and we utilized the relaxation techniques that we had learned as I labored. Around 8:30 or 8:45, I took a bath to see if the water would help the contractions, but I wasn't in there long before I realized that we needed to head to the hospital. Matt had recognized this before I even said anything and he was taking care of our dogs so that we could pack the car and leave.
We left for the hospital around 9:00. At this point, I had only been laboring for about 6 hours and I couldn't even imagine how far dilated or effaced I might be (we had decided that I wouldn't get "checked" during my appointments, so I had no idea how far along I was at this point). We arrived at the hospital around 9:30 and checked in. I changed into my hospital gown and felt the urge to push during the contraction I experienced at that point (the contractions had also been double-peaking for some time). When I got on the table to get checked, I told the nurse that, although I had only been having contractions since 3:00, I felt like I was supposed to push. The nurse checked me and confirmed that I was 9cm dilated and that our baby was breech. While waiting for an ultrasound machine and a doctor, they started to prep me for a c-section. It was confirmed that the baby was breech and I was quickly moved to have the procedure done.
Aynsley Patricia McDaniel was born that evening at 10:51pm, weighing 6 pounds and 8 ounces and measuring at 21 1/2 inches. Her name is pronounced like Ein-sley (and we understand if that takes awhile to pronounce correctly; we have been fairly certain that it would be her name for some time now). Even though things didn't go exactly as we planned, we are so happy that our little one has arrived. I was completely blown away by how quickly labor progressed and surprised that she had turned. We have hope to use the Bradley method again through a vaginal delivery next time and we have no reason to think that that won't be possible.
For all the well-wishes and congratulations, thank you! We are beyond blessed and excited about the beautiful new addition to our family.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
A Pregnancy Review
As baby's birth approaches, I wanted to put together a quick post about some of my (and Matt's) thoughts related to the last several months.
1. I had no idea how AWESOME pregnancy would be. Seeing that positive line on the pregnancy test, feeling all of baby's little stretches and kicks, seeing her during the ultrasound, watching my belly grow (and move!), to witness the outpouring of love from our family and friends...It has been amazing.
2. I had no idea how much I'd miss stuff. One of my favorite foods is steak, and I really prefer to eat it medium rare, so the last several months have been difficult whenever I venture to Texas Roadhouse. I also really like carnival rides, and I had to sit one out in the fall. It broke my heart to tell my niece that I couldn't go on the ride with her (and it was one of my favorite carnival rides, often known as the Zipper), but I knew it was for the best. I will probably have some steak shortly after giving birth and we already have an amusement park trip planned for July, so it won't be long before I get to do some of those things I've missed for so long.
3. I had no idea how weird people would think we are. Matt and I knew going into this that we wanted to try the Bradley method, a partner-coached method of childbirth that utilizes relaxation during labor. We took classes, read the material, and did the exercises. I had no idea how many people would think we are crazy and a few were downright rude. Also, I have a low-risk pregnancy and see a midwife, and a lot of people think that's totally weird. A few assumed that I was having a home birth or going to a birthing center, which are not things that I'm opposed to, but we'll be delivering in a hospital. Also, I'm in a 42-week practice, meaning that I could go until 42 weeks before baby is delivered. Matt and I are extremely determined to go into labor on our own, and I will do just about anything to avoid induction, and this has been surprising to many people. I am blessed to still be feeling pretty awesome at 39 1/2 weeks (and still sleeping through the night), so I am in no rush to meet my little girl before she is ready. Anyway, although Matt and I are trying to stay as natural as possible, I have been surprised by how many people have been rude or have been lacking support of our decisions for our family.
4. I had no idea that I'd hear everyone's (EVERYONE'S!) opinions. I have heard that, when you are pregnant, you get to hear everyone's opinion about everything, but I had no idea just how true that would be. "You're so small!" "You look like you're about to pop!" "You're huge!" "How can you be full-term?" It's so strange how differently everyone sees me.
5. I had no idea how annoying people would be. I would like to apologize for anyone this may offend, for I know that comments and questions are spoken with the best of intentions. Yet I found so many people annoying! They would ask questions related to my pregnancy and then answer with their own stories before I could respond. Um, please don't ask if you don't actually care. Additionally, I heard waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more birth stories than I ever cared to hear about, often from strangers. Our waitress last weekend was particularly graphic, and I wasn't even sitting down yet. However, the most annoying thing is probably (well-intentioned) comments of "sleep while you can." Hold the phone, are you telling me that having children might interfere with our sleep? My life won't be my own anymore? This is BRAND-NEW INFORMATION. I had no clue. And sooooooooo many people seem to think that's actually helpful advice.
6. I have no idea how this will go, but I'm very excited. I'm not quite ready to meet our little one yet, but I'm so excited to see what she looks like and hold her and kiss her...And put her in all the cute little outfits in her drawers! I'm excited to see Matt with his firstborn child and see our friends and family get to interact with our special blessing. I know that this is going to be a challenge at times, but I also have no doubt that it will be the most wonderful and rewarding thing I ever do.
1. I had no idea how AWESOME pregnancy would be. Seeing that positive line on the pregnancy test, feeling all of baby's little stretches and kicks, seeing her during the ultrasound, watching my belly grow (and move!), to witness the outpouring of love from our family and friends...It has been amazing.
2. I had no idea how much I'd miss stuff. One of my favorite foods is steak, and I really prefer to eat it medium rare, so the last several months have been difficult whenever I venture to Texas Roadhouse. I also really like carnival rides, and I had to sit one out in the fall. It broke my heart to tell my niece that I couldn't go on the ride with her (and it was one of my favorite carnival rides, often known as the Zipper), but I knew it was for the best. I will probably have some steak shortly after giving birth and we already have an amusement park trip planned for July, so it won't be long before I get to do some of those things I've missed for so long.
3. I had no idea how weird people would think we are. Matt and I knew going into this that we wanted to try the Bradley method, a partner-coached method of childbirth that utilizes relaxation during labor. We took classes, read the material, and did the exercises. I had no idea how many people would think we are crazy and a few were downright rude. Also, I have a low-risk pregnancy and see a midwife, and a lot of people think that's totally weird. A few assumed that I was having a home birth or going to a birthing center, which are not things that I'm opposed to, but we'll be delivering in a hospital. Also, I'm in a 42-week practice, meaning that I could go until 42 weeks before baby is delivered. Matt and I are extremely determined to go into labor on our own, and I will do just about anything to avoid induction, and this has been surprising to many people. I am blessed to still be feeling pretty awesome at 39 1/2 weeks (and still sleeping through the night), so I am in no rush to meet my little girl before she is ready. Anyway, although Matt and I are trying to stay as natural as possible, I have been surprised by how many people have been rude or have been lacking support of our decisions for our family.
4. I had no idea that I'd hear everyone's (EVERYONE'S!) opinions. I have heard that, when you are pregnant, you get to hear everyone's opinion about everything, but I had no idea just how true that would be. "You're so small!" "You look like you're about to pop!" "You're huge!" "How can you be full-term?" It's so strange how differently everyone sees me.
5. I had no idea how annoying people would be. I would like to apologize for anyone this may offend, for I know that comments and questions are spoken with the best of intentions. Yet I found so many people annoying! They would ask questions related to my pregnancy and then answer with their own stories before I could respond. Um, please don't ask if you don't actually care. Additionally, I heard waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more birth stories than I ever cared to hear about, often from strangers. Our waitress last weekend was particularly graphic, and I wasn't even sitting down yet. However, the most annoying thing is probably (well-intentioned) comments of "sleep while you can." Hold the phone, are you telling me that having children might interfere with our sleep? My life won't be my own anymore? This is BRAND-NEW INFORMATION. I had no clue. And sooooooooo many people seem to think that's actually helpful advice.
6. I have no idea how this will go, but I'm very excited. I'm not quite ready to meet our little one yet, but I'm so excited to see what she looks like and hold her and kiss her...And put her in all the cute little outfits in her drawers! I'm excited to see Matt with his firstborn child and see our friends and family get to interact with our special blessing. I know that this is going to be a challenge at times, but I also have no doubt that it will be the most wonderful and rewarding thing I ever do.
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