Kirsch Family Adventures

Drake and Eli have had such a great time visiting with family in Florence. Drake is spending his days outside, playing with Grandpa. Eli is spending his time snuggling with Grandma, in between feedings with Mommy. He REFUSES to take a bottle. We've already tried three types. Eli went to his cousin Peyton's baseball game last night. Drake has had loads of fun playing with Aunt Amber, who he absolutely LOVES. And they've both gotten lots of love and snuggles from their Great-Grandma Sissy.

We've gotten some adorable pics, but you will all have to wait until I get back to Charlotte so I can upload them. The funniest ones are of how dirty Drake is at the end of the day. He plays so hard outside. Today one of my best friend's from college is coming over, so they will have more fun visiting. I have a hair appointment tomorrow, and can't wait to get this hair cut! Eli is just gonna have to go with me, since he wants no part of a bottle. Luckily, the girl who does my hair when I'm here, is very pro-breastfeeding.

We are heading home Thursday, with a fun pit stop planned in Columbia. My parents are going with me and the boys to the zoo!!! I can't wait to take Drake, and see his reaction to the animals. Eli will just enjoy the stroller and my Moby wrap. We've got it planned to drive up there during Drake's morning nap, wear him out, and then I can drive on to Charlotte in the afternoon when everyone is exhausted. And then my parents can head on back home and enjoy not having their house being taken over:-)

Eric is at home, working and taking care of the house/dogs. At least he's getting some sleep, b/c this Mommy sure isn't. Eli is still eating every 2- 3 hours at night. Usually every two. I can't wait for him to get to about 10 pounds, and start sleeping better. And then I want to freeze him there, b/c I just can't take my sweet boys growing up so fast. Anyone know how to make your kids STOP growing up so fast?

Welcome to the world, sweet Eli! Eli was born at 5:13am on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Six pounds, 2 ounces. Technically he was 1.6 ounces, but they rounded up. 18 entire inches long! He is healthy and handsome, and perfect in every way. I love going back and reading the details of Drake’s birth story, so Eli’s will probably be just as long.

For the week before Eli’s birth, I’d been having sporadic yet painful contractions. (From here on out referred to as PW- pressure waves). Sometimes they were regular Braxton Hicks PW, but some were painful and real. However, they were never extremely painful or regular. I think “uncomfortable” is a better word to describe them. The Thursday before Eli’s birth, I had actually called in sick to work for the day. I hadn’t slept the night before, I was hurting and uncomfortable, and nauseated at times. Things improved over the weekend, and we actually enjoyed the outside weather on Saturday. Sunday Drake went to Florence, for his cousin’s birthday party. Monday brought things back to the real world, and I headed to work for a ten hour shift. Completely uneventful, other than being asked 20 times when I was going to have this baby. That, and people saying they were surprised to see me still there. Monday night I went to a business dinner with Eric, but was home and in bed by 9pm.

At midnight, our dear dogs started barking and raising hell......seriously, it was ridiculous. I honestly thought someone was in the yard, or breaking into the basement. After ten minutes, they finally chilled out. However, I was so freaked out that I couldn’t go back to sleep. Interestingly enough, I realized after a few minutes that those annoying and uncomfortable PW were back. Now I was really ticked off: the dogs had woken me up, and the PW were keeping me up. So unfair! And I knew I couldn’t call out again; I really needed to save my hours for maternity leave.

By 12:30, I was confused. The PW weren’t going away, but I didn’t think I was lucky enough to have another baby at 38 weeks. I busted out my trusty Iphone, with the contraction timer app. There really is an app for everything. Immediately, the timer was showing them to be about 50-60 seconds long, and only 4-6 minutes apart. I still didn’t believe I was lucky enough for this to actually be my birthing time, but the contraction timer doesn’t lie. If they kept up like that for another 30 minutes, then they’d meet the 5-1-1 rule that is indicative of heading to the hospital. Sure enough, they were still strong and regular by 1am. While they were strong, they were still just uncomfortable. But since I know that my interpretation of just how “painful” PW are is “skewed” due to my hypnobabies, I recognized that this could actually be for real. About 1:15am, I decided to get up and see what happened with them. I called my midwives office at 1:22, and the OB nurse on call returned my call. That was strange and new since I had Drake. I’m assuming they implemented it to weed out the hypochondriacs that think they are dying at 2cm, and cut down on pages to the midwives. The nurse was super nice, and asked a bunch of question, and said she’d page the midwife on call. At about 2am, I decided it was finally time to wake Eric up. I told him that I wasn’t sure if this was for real or not, but that I thought it would be safe to get our stuff together and load it in the car.

The nurse said that if I didn’t hear back from the midwife in 30 minutes, to call them back. I gave Eric my phone, and headed outside to get in the hottub. I knew that the water would make me feel much better, and that it would slow/stop the PW if this was a false alarm. But, it didn’t. I got out of the hottub at 2:30am, perplexed that I hadn’t heard from the midwife on call. (It was Jan, one of my two favorites.) I had Eric page her again, while I got dressed. I was convinced that it was indeed my birthing time, so I told Eric we were going on to the hospital without hearing back from Jan. We got in the car, and I was listening to hypnobabies (HB) on my iphone. On the drive there, Jan called back- it was 2:47am according to my phone. The first thing out of her mouth was to profusely apologize for the delay in calling me back. Apparently, the answering service/OB nurse had paged the wrong midwife.

Let me just tell you how much I love Jan. She was the very first midwife I ever saw in the practice, over two years ago, when I was first pregnant with Drake. She is so loving, compassionate, and motherly. She’s from Wales, and calls me “love” and “darling” in every sentence. Except it sounds like “luuuuv”, and “daahhling” with her accent. She actually calls everyone love and darling, including Eric. Jan moved to one of the practice's satellite offices, which is just too far for me to drive for appointments. Tina is my other favorite midwife, and my primary caregiver. She delivered Drake! I was thrilled that Jan was on, if Tina wasn’t. And when I got there, Jan told me that Tina was coming on at 7am!!!!!! So, either way, one of my two favorite midwives was going to be catching Eli. I was happier than words can express.

So, back to the birth story. My dear nurse Becca (L-O-V-E-D her!!!) wrote down all the times and info for me, so I actually have all the information to write my birth story. Thank You!

Apparently, my official arrival time was 2:58am. Eric dropped me off at the maternity entrance door, and the security officer unlocked it and let me in. Eric parked, and I headed on down the hall. I went to the desk, and Jan was waiting with my chart. The secretary confirmed a few things, and asked for my insurance card. At this point, Eric walked in, and I was quite happy. It meant I no longer had to talk:-) I put my earphones back in, listened to HB, and let him deal with all the nonsense. He knew that if there was something he didn’t know the answer to, that it better be a life or death matter to interrupt my concentration. He handled a few more questions, and we headed to our room.

Jan and Becca took us down to our room, and they gave me a gown. I hate those gowns, so that immediately got tossed to the side. I simply stayed in the comfy shirt I’d arrived in, and ditched my sweat pants. They require a 20 minute strip on admission, so Becca got that while Eric set up the computer to play hypnobabies, and filled the tub. Becca didn't care what positions I got into to stay comfortable during those 20 mins, and I knew from that moment that we'd get along fabulously.

I also signed a couple of papers, and Jan checked me during that time. It was about 3:30am, and I was 5cm dilated/ 80% effaced. Eli’s heartrate was 135 on admission, just perfect. By 3:45 my dear husband had the tub filled, and I was climbing in to relax. Jan warned Becca before I got in that I would probably progress quickly. She told her that if I went super fast, and was pushing uncontrollably, to toss some towels on the floor and call her quickly. She said she’d just deliver me in the tub, since I probably wouldn’t be able to get out. I was so unbelievably ecstatic to hear that. Unofficially, I was hearing her say that I could potentially have a waterbirth if I wanted one (AKA accidentally had one due to fast progression).

Here I am, still happy in the tub. Sports bras and old swim suits are perfect for laboring in the tub, if being naked doesn't appeal to you. Eric kept my thermos of ice water filled. Becca offered me other stuff to drink, but I wasn't interested. I also had some serious heartburn from our earlier dinner, so I wasn't interested in food either. While the PW weren't fun, they were so very manageable. Even at the 5-6 cm I was. Either the HB was working very well, or my sense of pain/discomfort is off. If that's what 5-6 feels like for most people, then I can't for the life of me understand why people are freaking out at that, and begging for an epidural. The coping skills I've learned from HB are truly amazing. It was very peaceful and serene in the bath. We had the lights off (until Eric snapped a couple of photos), and the HB track "Easy First Stage" playing.

I only stayed in the tub about 25 minutes. The jacuzzi jets were great. I just chilled out and listened to the tracks. As good as it felt, I needed frequent changes in scenery. I decided to get out and try out the birth ball that Becca brought us.

At 4am, I was on the ball enjoying rocking around. Moving my pelvis in circles really helped the PW. I was probably about 6-7cm at this time (a guesstimate), and Eli's heartrate was 160 by a handheld doppler. Becca never once asked to put those annoying straps back on my belly after that initial strip. She really was the best. I was capable of smiling between PW. Even at this point, everything was very manageable.

By 4:15, things started to suck a little more. Still on the ball. The main issue now is that after every PW, I'd get super nauseated. While that sucked, I knew it was a good sign- I was transitioning! Eric put the trashcan beside the ball, and brought a cool washcloth.

We moved the bedside table, and put the ball right at the end of the bed. With every PW, I'd stand up to lean over the bed, while moving my pelvis in circles.

Things were getting more and more intense, and I was becoming more and more unhappy. Transition really does suck. Since I did it at home with Drake, and didn't realize what it was, I don't remember it being so bad. This time, I don't know if any amount of pregnancy and labor amnesia will wipe away how much transition sucked. The time between 8 to 10 cm just isn't fun. I was getting more and more nauseated with each PW. At one point, I got off the ball and leaned over the trashcan and absolutely puked my brains out. When I did, I ended up with some fluid on the floor underneath my legs. Becca asked if it was urine, or if I thought my water broke. I told her that I honestly had no idea. Since it was obvious things were progressing nicely, she called Jan back in. (We'd sent her to lay down for a rest while I was in the tub, and chillaxin on the ball). Only about 20 minutes had gone by since getting out of the tub, and it was now 4:30am. Jan checked me, and I was 8cm dilated, 100% effaced, and +1 station. Eli was engaging nicely in my pelvis, and I had a bulging bag of water. I asked her to just break it, in hopes I'd go straight to 10cm and we could get him out!!! Jan, knowing that wasn't truly what I wanted, talked me into waiting. While I look sorta peaceful in this photo, I certainly wasn't feeling peaceful.

After that check at 4:30am, Eric, Becca, and Jan all had their work cut out for them. I was quite unhappy. The first stop was the tub. It lasted maybe 20 seconds before I got out and threw up some more in the toilet. Then back to the birth ball. Jan was with me, putting pressure on my back and hips, which was heavenly. I only made it to probably 4:40 before demanding drugs. Jan left for a few minutes, to triage another lady who had come in. I was telling Becca that she needed to get my IV in, and get it in NOW! I'm not proud to say I definitely snapped at my sweet nurse. Eric was doing just as I asked, suggesting positions and tricks to get through this last bit. I told him that what I'd said before was irrelevant, that his only job now was to help me get drugs and an epidural. I demanded that the anesthesiologist on call be paged, even if I didn't have my IV yet. I "informed" Eric and Becca that it took at least five minutes to set up an epidural tray, and she'd surely have my IV in by that time.

For 20 minutes, they all managed to stall me from getting drugs. It seemed like 20 hours, but it really was only 20 minutes according to Becca's charting. By 5am, I was feeling pushy. No doubt about it. I hopped off the ball and climbed on the bed, leaning on the back of it, which was straight up. I was on my knees, and my body was instinctively pushing. I told them I was pushing, and couldn't stop, so she needed to hurry up and get ready to catch. She called Jan (who was assessing another lady), and she dashed back in. Jan checked me, and I was sure enough 10cm. Eli was down to +2 station by that point, and all that was left was to push him out. I again asked Jan to just break my water, and this time she did since I was complete. At 5:05am, she ruptured my membranes, and there was a huge tidal wave of clear fluid.

At that point, I got down to business with pushing. I knew that if I would start pushing effectively, then it would all be over. When we had first arrived at the hospital, I told Jan that Eric wanted to catch. I said it jokingly, and truly didn't expect her to let him help. But she did! At this point, Eric was still taking pictures. He knew that was really important to me. (I wish I would've had someone to video). He asked me in between contractions if I wanted him to keep taking pictures, b/c Jan had told him to get some gloves on. I told him that he could do whatever he liked- including catch. I knew that even though we always joked about it, he really would like to deliver one of his children.

It took a few good pushes to get sweet Eli's head out. Again, not an enjoyable time. I offered Jan money to get some forceps and just yank him out. She declined:-) My statements went from "Holy shit" during the ring of fire, to "Thank God that's over" after his head was out. During the delivery of his head, Jan asked Eric to move his hands for a moment, b/c Eli's head was getting stuck on something. Turns out, little stinker was a compound presentation with his hand up by his head. Jan said he was just trying to wave to us all! The amazing sense of relief after delivering his head made me quite lazy. Jan had to encourage me to muster up one more push to deliver his body. At that point, Eric already had his hands back on Eli head, and Jan grabbed his body as I finished one last push.

I love this next picture. Jan is in the green scrub top. Eric is on the left in the black sweater, so his arms are the two on the bottom. My hand is grabbing his left hand, helping pull Eli up to my tummy. And the little hand in front of Jan's chest? Yep, that's Eli! That was his hand that was causing the trouble. Despite all of that, it only took 8 minutes from when she ruptured my membranes, to when he was completely born. Those were the longest 8 minutes of my life.

After the cord stopping pulsing, Eric got to cut it. The cord was kinda short, so Eli had been on my tummy since birth. Finally, I was able to get my arms around him and snuggle him on my chest. Poor little stinker, his face was already black and blue from being turned funny, and having his hand by it.

It is amazing this sense of relief right after delivery, when the PW finally stop. Sweet relief! Women talk about the amazing high they get after natural childbirth. Well, I haven't really experienced what I'd call a high, with either birth. I just feel relief it's over. That's what I was thinking in the photo below. "It's over!!!" His Apgar scores were 9 and 10- Awesome!

Snuggling while Jan delivered the placenta and checked out the damage Eli's hand caused. Stinker!

After Jan was all finished, Eric climbed in bed for skin to skin with our sweet baby boy, covered in a bunch of warm blankets.

On the scale. He was six pounds, and 1.6 ounces. They rounded up to 2 ounces.

By 8am, I took a shower and put on fresh pajamas. And had some snuggle time:-)

His first bath! It was about lunch time by this point. The nurses will do it in the nursery if you'd like, or they let the parents do it. My nurse was Marilyn (same nurse I had when Drake was born), and I had a student nurse named Adam. Marilyn asked if I minded if she taught Adam and two other students how to do a bath and newborn exam. Of course, I didn't. I'm all about nurses learning;-)

Marilyn and Adam

Sweet Eli

About 11am, Drake and Grandma arrived from Florence! I'd like to say he was so excited about Eli, but I think it had more to do with seeing Mommy and Daddy after being gone for two days. He was wide open, and nothing but smiles. We were so excited to see him, and introduce him to Eli. He is completely oblivious to Eli, and what him being here means. 15 months is just too young to understand.