A Birth Story

Nellie Jayne Garrett
October 27, 2008
6:22 PM
6 pounds 11 ounces
20.25 inches

So here is the birth story...read at your own discretion.

I started having contractions on Monday morning (Sunday night) at around 12:30 a.m. They felt different and I couldn't sleep through them and taking a bath didn't take them away. We started timing them and they were anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes apart. We labored at home until 10:30 a.m. Those 10 hours consisted of walking up down our stairs and around the house stopping to breathe through the contractions with Cody. By 10:30 I was feeling nauseous so we headed to the hospital. The contractions were much worse while sitting so the car ride was miserable. If I was contracting over a speed bump or turn I wanted to die.

We checked in and I was a stretchy 3 centimeters. I got in my gown and they did a fetal heart monitor check for a few minutes and then we started walking to progress the labor. Our nurse was super nice and so excited to have a patient doing natural birth. She was very encouraging and helpful. They came back and checked me at about 1:30 and I was at 4.5. By about 3:30 the contractions were getting too strong and I was too exhausted. Because it hurt worse to sit or lay down during a contraction I was standing all day long. So I decided to hop in the labor tub for awhile. FYI you can still feel contractions in the tub! But it did help me relax some. At 4:30 they broke my water and the contractions were right on top of each other and I had a very painful transition from 8 to 10 centimeters. By 6:00 I was ready to push this baby out...and I couldn't control it anyway! The pushing was very quick but incredible exhausting. Thankfully my contractions slowed down so I had time to breath and regain composure and strength in between. When she finally came out it was the most exhilarating, beautiful experience. They placed her on my chest and I imediately started kissing her. Cody was amazing through the whole process. He was the perfect supportive labor partner and he really believed in me that I could do it without drugs.

All the next stuff happened so fast. The placenta wasn't detaching on its own after an hour of breastfeeding and trying different things they called in the doctor. Cody took the baby up to the nursery and they put me under with some crazy drugs and extracted the retained placenta in pieces. I had hemorrhaging and lots of blood loss during the procedure. When I woke up I was convulsing and my teeth were chattering through the oxygen mask. I didn't know where I was or that I had just had a baby. My memory and sanity returned after about 20 minutes. An hour later the nurse tried to take me to the bathroom to get cleaned up but I fainted and they had to bring me back with the bad smelling stuff. So back to bed I went. The the next day they came in to tell us that my blood levels were dangerously low and I would need a blood transfusion. So we ended up waiting until Wednesday for the transfusion. By Thursday I had regained some strength and color in my face and they discharged us that afternoon.

Despite the post labor complications, I am so pleased with my labor and delivery. Cody took such good care of me an Nellie the rest of week in the hospital. He changed all her diapers and brought her to me for each feeding. Since returning home we have had some good rest and time together. Here are photos from our time in the hospital. Next post will be some since coming home.

Cody cut the cord and when it was time to take her upstairs he took her off my chest, put her in the bassinet, and took her to the nursery to get cleaned up.  

While Cody was in the nursery for 2 hours, my mom stayed with me while I was recovering from the procedure.  Nobody was allowed in the room during the placenta extraction.  


Finally Cody and Nellie came back downstairs.  I know, we look rough!

I am so happy Nellie has a Granny who is a photographer!  

My parents holding their first grandbaby.
Cody's parents holding their first grandbaby.


Happy Family!  

Big yawn!  
Little Russian baby

Sweet baby girl





Trust me, she is as sweet as she looks!

Still Waiting...

This week will be a short post.  As you can guess I wasn't thinking much about a blog post. Here's a three pics from this week:

I love the Fall!  The leaves are turning yellow and red around and it's so amazing.  There is a lovely park right near Cody's office and we went and lunch there this week and it really felt like Fall now.  


In other news we got a new SLR camera.  We wanted to be able to take good pictures of the baby and the point and shoot definitely has its limitations.  Now I have to think back to photography class and remember all about the f-stop and shutter speed and learn how to use this thing.  


As you can clearly see I am still pregnant. At my 39 week appointment on Wednesday my midwife was surprised by my progress. I was 1 centimeter and %60 and she went ahead and sweeped the membranes. This lead to heavier contractions but they were only seven minutes apart and they would quite after awhile. I really want her born before Halloween because I do NOT want her born on Halloween. If she doesn't come by Thursday I will just chill out and wait until the end of the weekend. So there's the latest, if my due date comes and goes this week I'll see you again...still pregnant next week. OR maybe I'll be introducing ya'll to our baby girl!

Swanky Office and Nursery

As you probably know, Cody got a job at an accounting firm and we were more than impressed with his new office.  The firm is on the fifth floor of an office building and the whole thing is decorated super nice.  

The back wall is windows and he can see the mountains!  To the right is several book shelves and in front of him is two chairs for his "clients" to sit in.  Oh, and yes he does have one of those adding machines that spits the tape out all old school style.  

Now, on to the nursery.  It was hard to take a picture of the whole nursery because of the weird angles so I will just show tons of pics.  Here is the rocker and leather ottoman (bought it in North Africa and stuffed it with old clothes).  

Here is her "play area."  That's her toy box and she has an activity gym floor mat and those two swings/bouncers.  

Here is her changing dresser with diaper pad, diapers, and all the baby stuff you need.  (which is a crazy lot of stuff!)  

A view from one end of the room.  


I finally washed her sheets and bumper and put those in.  It's all red to match the rug below, I know I am crazy about red!  But I am so glad I brought all this stuff back from North Africa to be able to decorate.  I wouldn't have been able to find it here.  
Another view of the crib.  

Okay so the big question on our minds is WHO will BG look like?  From her ultrasounds everybody has said "me" but who knows when that little girl come out...she could surprise us all.  Well I have put two baby pictures of Cody and me up so you can try and guess when she makes her big debut!

Here me (that's my bro in the background).  I know it's ghetto to take pictures of framed photos but there simply was not digital 25 years ago!  I had some chubby cheeks, dark eyes, and VERY little hair.  One little mohawk down the middle.  Cody and I were both in the 7 pound range but his head was much larger that mine and he was about and 1 1/2 inches longer than me.  

Here is me a little bit older (with some more hair thank goodness).  Can you tell it's me?

Okay, on to Cody's baby pics.  I don't think we are THAT much different looking as babies.  Our eyes are different shapes and my lips are pretty huge.  

His baby pic shows he had some chubby cheeks too, so I don't think our little girl stands a chance for the slender cheekbones :)  Which is good, I like em' chubby!  Also, I will be surprised if she has hair because Cody looks to be a baldy too.  Thanks goodness she has some cute hats!  

So we shall soon see who BG takes after the most.  Although newborns are all swollen for awhile we may have to wait on the verdict to see what her true features are.  

BG Update:

-Alas, the waiting game continues.  I did finish my nursery and everything is ready for her but I am still working on the hospital bag.  Why is it so difficult to pack this thing?!

-My weight gain has pretty much ceased for awhile.  I gained 2 whole ounces.  I can't tell if my belly is staying the same.  Look below to see if you tell a difference. I don't feel bigger she just feels heavier in there. 

-My 39 week appointment is on Wednesday and we will decide then what course of action should be taken in the form of natural induction techniques.  She did say if everything looked okay and BG was still thriving I could go to 42 weeks if I wanted.  My fear is if I keep in their too long she'll be huge!  

-Yesterday we went to the zoo and walked for hours.  No baby but it did leave me with sore hips and swollen feet and hands.  I really want her to come on her own...Pitocin (drug to induce) is not the road I want to take.  

Well if you don't hear from me next week, then you'll know where I'll be...hopefully giving birth to our baby girl! 

Balloon Fiesta and Party Time

After our failed attempt due to bad weather at the balloon fiesta last week, I returned twice this week.  Both times without Cody.  And both times on the same day.  I went to the morning launch of the special shapes and then to balloon glow that night.  I was EXHAUSTED the next day and my hips hurt so bad from all the walking.  But I am sure glad I went because almost all of the rest of the weekend was cancelled because of bad weather.  

This morning I went with friends Todd and Teri and they had VIP passes so we got free breakfast buffet and non-porta potties...sweet deal!  


The weather was perfect on this morning and we got to see all the shapes.  
That night I returned with Gabe, Gelaine and their kids and we were suppose to meet up with Cody but that didn't happen...hence the reason for no photos of Cody.  

But, here I am enjoying the festivities with this strange man though.  I know it looks like we are together and yes those are balloons on his cool shirt.  You MUST click to enlarge this one for the full effect.  

Me, Gelaine and Lucy enjoying the show.  

On Saturday we had a baby shower/welcome to Albuquerque party at Gelaine's house.  It was co-ed so all our married couple friends came and it was super fun.  Everyone brought food so we ate dinner together and then these delicious sweets!  We have so many friends from NMSU here plus new ones that we already love!  

Having girl talk.  The boys were nice enough to let us sit down while we ate :)

Sweet girls!  

 

The boys went upstairs after our game and the girl opened gifts.  I sure got some super cool stuff!  

The ONLY photo I got of Cody all night.  Good job dude.  

And here is a collage o' friends.  Thanks guys!!!

BG Update:

-So the waiting game has begun.  Yes I freak out and look up every symptom hoping it's a sign of labor but realistically I am not quite ready.  Sometimes during a hard contraction the thought will pass my mind "what if is labor, I am NOT ready for this!"  

-At our childbirthing class this weekend Cody and I saw more babies coming out then we care to see in a lifetime.  I guess there won't be any surprises as to what Cody will see but yowza, enough already!  My goal is to have our bag packed for the hospital and the nursery and everything ready by Thursday...38 weeks!  

-I have not been sleeping so well this week.  Lots of contractions and two night of insomnia.  Not matter how tired  I felt I couldn't go back to sleep.  
-My midwife said BG felt about 5.5 to 6 pounds at my 37 week appointment so I guess she needs to cook a little longer.  


Here is a little 17 week and 37 week comparison. Yikes! I actually thought I looked pregnant back then, what was I thinking?!

This week I hope to get photos of Cody's swanky new office and the finished nursery. Plus some baby pics of each of us so you can guess who BG looks like when she's born. Stay tuned!

Baby Shower and more Barn Pics

Last weekend Bren (Brianne) and her Mom hosted a lovely shower for us.  The boys watched the football game inside and we snacked, played, and opened gifts outside.  


Opening my super adorable diaper bag, if I do say so myself (and I did).  We got all kinds of great stuff including a black adjustable sling that Cody can wear!  The Peanut Sling comes in sizes and I obviously need a small so we won't be able to share that one.  We also have a front back pack that we borrowed in case she likes that better.  We are all about toting this baby!  Those carseats are stinkin heavy to lug around!  
Remember that photo of Bren and I a couple of months ago when we were both pregnant?  Here we are, me a lot bigger and her with her precious Macey.  We are two months apart so we will have to an AFTER picture once BG comes.  

So last Monday we officially arrived in Albuquerque and Cody had four interviews over the next three days.  Three of which were second interviews.  By Wednesday we had made our decision to go with a smaller, more flexible accounting firm that didn't require much travel.  (one job said 12 weeks a year!)  Cody likes the possibilities of what he will be getting experience in.  He will have to start studying for the CPA soon and the three months of tax season will be crazy busy but the rest of the year it's an 8:00-5:00 job.  I am so proud of my employed man, but today is only the second day of him being at work and I already miss him!  This is going to be quite an adjustment for us.  


Okay, on to some more Barn pics.  Here is our "office/living space."  There is a window next to the computer so we can see the mountains from here.  That's our new iMac by the way :)  All of our wall hangings are things we brought back from North Africa.  The rug behind the computer is one that my friend made for me.  I love it!  
More living area.  The TV you just saw is behind me in this pic.  


Dining area.  We also LOVE this rug we bought from North Africa.  
Our bedroom.  Behind me is two chester drawers and to the left will be a couch and there is more closet space there.  The bathroom is connected by both bedrooms and the living room.  


Our beautiful stroller.  I can't use this until she's three months old but it goes up to 55 pounds.  (half my weight, how old is that anyway?)  It folds up nicely and reclines, can't wait to try it out!  

BG Update:

-Well I am officially full term on Thursday.  Which basically means BG can come anytime in the next FIVE weeks.  Between 37-42 weeks babies are considered full term so now we play the waiting game.  A lot of first time moms go past their due date...please Lord not me!!!!

-I do want BG go to come b/c she is super heavy but I still have lots to do.  We have a shower this Saturday and then my Madre comes on Wednesday to help finish up the last touches and then there is a big consignment sale at one of the churches next Saturday that I would like to visit.  But after that she is free to come whenever :)

-We took our first of two childbirthing classes on Saturday.  They are four hours each and 9 couples.  The teacher taught us some relaxation techniques and what to do when labor starts and some very graphic videos.  YIKES!  There was only one other couple due this month.  Everyone else was later, even as late as February!

-My contractions are getting stronger and more frequent.  As of last week I was %40 effaced if that means anything to you.  Still measuring small but the baby is doing great.  She is still really active and I am waking a lot more times during the night.

When we tried to go to the Balloon Fiesta this weekend it got cancelled due to rain so we will try again this weekend.  Have a great week!!!!