New Blog for William

Hi there! Just wanted to let everyone know that I have started a new blog about William and life as a new mom. The address is...

http://oursweetwilliam.blogspot.com/

I probably will not be posting on this Blog anymore since it really was about my pregnancy, and now that that is over, it is time to start a new Blog. Thanks for reading and hope to see you at my new Blog!

Alesha

William Jackson Reed is here!!!!!

He is finally here!! William Jackson was born March 5, 2007 at 4:38 PM, measuring 20 inches and weighing 7lbs 15oz! Here is his birth story and some pictures.

On Monday at 5:00AM we were scheduled to be induced, so Benjamin and I headed off to Parkview ready to be parents. Once we got there, they wheeled me up to the birthing room, started an IV (twice - ouch!), and took all my vitals. My heart rate was 144, so I guess you could say I was just a tad nervous! ;-) Once they got all my information, they started the induction by giving me a suppository that was to ripen the cervix, even though I was 2 cm and 90% effaced, which was some progress from my last Dr's appointment. They only gave me a 1/2 a dose and that seemed to be enough. I started contracting pretty regularly and was breathing through them pretty well. At about 10:00 AM, I was 4-5 cm and was ready for the epidural. Unfortunately, the epidural was not a total breeze. The anaesthesiologist was having trouble finding the right spot because I was pretty swollen. The second try he got it, but the whole procedure took about an hour! They had kicked out Benjamin, Mom, and Dad during the procedure and since it was taking so long, they were getting nervous. After I got the epidural, I wasn't feeling that well. The numbness traveled up too far, clear up to my chest and close to my neck and my blood pressure was falling. My blood pressure fell as low as 70/48, so then they had to give me more medicine to bring it back up. I couldn't feel ANY contractions, but was feeling so sick that I was kinda sorry I had asked for it, even though I was getting a lot of relief from the contractions. At about 2:00PM I was 7 cm and wasn't progressing much, so they decided to start Pitocin to make stronger contractions. They didn't give me anymore epidural until some of it wore off. I was feeling much, much better once it wore off a little, even though I was feeling the contractions again. The nurse gave me the pump so I could pump in more epidural medicine as needed, but I was afraid of giving myself too much because I feeling so much better and I didn't want to go numb to my chest again. The nurse assured me it wouldn't happen again, but I didn't believe her! Well, I should have listened to her because as the afternoon progressed the Pitocin had done its job, and I was feeling the contractions a lot and didn't have much relief. At about 3:45PM the baby's heart rate started to drop. Talk about SCARY!! They hooked me up to some oxygen and put me on my side. That didn't help much, so they turned me on my other. I was really nervous they were going to say C-Section because I thought I was still at 7cm, but luckily at this point, I was feeling the urge to push, so the nurse checked me again. I was 9 1/2 cm, but the baby's heart rate was still kinda low. The doctor told me, "Let's have this baby!" I started to push, and boy was it hard! The baby wasn't quite in the correct position, so pushing was much harder. Everyone (including Benjamin and Mom) were really encouraging me to push because they wanted him out and fast! I pushed and pushed, but didn't feel like I was getting anywhere! The Dr decided to try they vacuum, but that didn't work. He lost suction twice, so after that came the forceps! They said we were going to do it "Old World Style". It's funny, because if you were to tell me that I would need the help from forceps I would have been totally freaked out about it, but at the time I didn't care what they needed to use, I wanted him out!! With the help of the forceps, an episiotomy, and 25 minutes of pushing, William made his appereance at 4:38PM! They put him on my belly, but the blanket was in the way, so I didn't really get to see him. They whisked him away to check him out because of the heart rate, but he was doing great and screaming his little head off! They asked everyone to leave (except Benjamin) while the Dr worked on getting the placenta out, which wasn't easy. He kinda had to fish the thing out and then since I had a 2nd degree episiotomy the doctor had a lot of sewing to do. It was a totally amazing experience! I have to admit that things did not go exactly as planned, but in the end out came our beautiful boy! I am still pretty sore from the birth, but am feeling a little better everyday. Dusty and Zarbie (our cat and dog) are doing pretty well with William. Our family is doing great and even though it is harder than I thought, I love being a new mom.

His coming home outfit!!

Belly pictures!

Here I am - taken today at 38 weeks...

Look at the difference... This one was taken at 20 weeks...

Not only has my belly grown, but my hair as well!!

March 5th is the day!!! WooHoo!!!!!!

I can't believe it! We have an induction day! At my appointment last Tuesday, the doctor told me he wants to induce me March 5th. By that time, the baby should be about 8 pounds! I was 1 cm dialated and a little effaced (even though I'm not sure how much). The doctor said that I was not exactly at the starting line of labor, but in the arena! I have one final appointment on Feb 27th! I can't believe that I am so close to being done with this pregnancy! Wow, only one more appointment. It is hard to believe. Oh, I am no longer on the Procardia (YEA!!), but I have been advised to still take it easy. I've been home now 31 days and am really getting bored! I haven't been to work in over a month, and it just feels strange. I'm trying to enjoy my time off before the baby comes, but I am getting a little antsy. Physically, the last weeks of pregnancy are getting pretty tough. I am getting very big and to the point that bending over to do something like tie my shoes is getting very difficult. Walking takes a lot out of me, and I feel as if I weigh 1,000 pounds! Sleeping is not very fun as I am getting small amounts of sleep because I can't get comfortable, have to get up to go to the bathroom a million times a night, or have 3 pillows propping me up because of heartburn. I can't wait until I will be able to sleep on my tummy again! The waiting of going into labor has been kinda hard. I'm not a very patient person, so I think this is God's lesson to me. I am still pretty nervous about the whole labor and delivery thing, but I do have a bag packed ready to go to the hospital, just in case. This baby may be coming before March 5th! You never know!

Week 3 of bed rest, and doing ok.

Hi everyone! Here we are on week 3 of bed rest and doing ok. I'm now 35 weeks and 37 is considered term, so as long as he sticks around here for another week, we'll be fine!! I went to school last Thursday to talk to my students and pretty much say goodbye. I stayed there longer than I should have, and by the time I got home I was having some major contractions. I made sure to take it easy after that, and I have been doing better! I've still been swelling pretty badly and trying to keep my feet up. Bed rest isn't all it's cracked up to be. I do admit that it is nice to sleep in and not have to go to work, but at the same time I am getting cabin fever and have watched enough TV to last for a long time!! I think I am ready not to be pregnant anymore!


Benjamin has been in Florida this week for work, so my Mom has moved in with me until he comes back Friday. It has been nice to have some company since I am basically on house arrest! We make good roommates, and it is nice to know if I do go into labor in the middle of the night I have someone here. THANKS MOM!!


Nothing much more to report. This little boy is still kicking like Jackie Chan!! I'm not sure I've dropped yet, but I am feeling him trying to move into position! I am getting a little anxious about delivery, but I guess that is normal. I am getting to be so uncomfortable that labor is kinda looking like a welcome experience even if it is scary! I'll see some of you Saturday at the baby shower!

I won't be a March Mommy anymore!

Hi everyone! I had my doctor's appointment this morning. Things went well. I'm about where I was last week, thinning and softening a little, but not dilating, and now have gained a total of 20 pounds at 34 weeks. The doctor did take me out of work, but luckily I am not on strict bed rest. He wants me to be off my feet as much as possible, but I can still run a few errands if I need to. I am still having lots of swelling, but my blood pressure is great and no protein in my urine (which would point to pregnancy hypertention or preeclampsia). He told us he wants me to stay pregnant another 2 weeks, and then it is ok for the baby to come! TWO WEEKS????? WHAT????? YIKES!!!! I'm not ready for a baby in 2 weeks!!! I guess we better put the car seat in the car and get a bag packed for the hospital just in case! He doesn't expect me to hold out until March, so we will now have a February baby. I thought the baby might be born on my Dad or Grandpa's birthday in March, but now maybe he will come on Valentine's Day. I feel like a ticking time bomb! hehehe I thought it was cute when the doctor first came into the room today, he mentioned I was still smiling and the women this pregnant usually lose their smiles! I told him I put on a pretty good front and Benjamin said that I was having my moments at home! I do admit that I may not be the funnest person to live with right now. I'm feeling big, am having troubles bending, and have a constant back ache. I know I am a big, whiny baby, but I don't mean to be! I think the best thing I am looking forward to after the baby arrives, is having my body back. I can't wait to be able to sleep on my tummy again. I know I will be sleep deprived, but at least I should be able to bend again!

A semi-scary day = Preterm Labor!

Hi everyone. Today has been a very interesting day. I was feeling some cramping and had some other questions for the nurse, so I gave her a call during my plan time at school. When she heard the word "cramping" she said I really should go in to be checked. I talked to my principal to see if someone could cover my class, and then went to the dr. I got checked and the doctor confirmed that Yes, I was having contractions. He said my cervix was beginning to soften, but not dilating, and that I was in preterm labor (since the contractions were causing the cervix to change). He prescribed a medication called "Procardia" to stop the contractions and told me I really should stay in bed for the rest of the day. So, here I am in bed with my computer hoping that the contractions stop. The dr didn't seemed worried and said that as long as I don't feel any more contractions that I can go ahead and go to work tomorrow. (Which is a good thing because tomorrow is our Science Fair and I am the coordinator and a Judge!) This whole thing has kinda scared me a bit. The thought of delivering him early is running through my mind, and it really is too early. I think he probably would be ok, but would have to stay in the hospital and have some help breathing if he came so early (7 weeks early). I am kinda nervous to go to work since gravity works against me while on my feet, but if I feel anything that might be contractions then I will call off and ask the doctor maybe if I can be written to stop work early, which would be ok since we do have short term disability. I will have to stay on this medication probably for another month. It is really to lower blood pressure, but it also relaxes the uterus. It may make me dizzy, so I guess we will see how I feel on this. I'm still suffering from the carpal tunnel, which is really annoying, and some other issues. On one hand, if I did end up having him a little early it would be nice since I am feeling pretty "done" with being pregnant, but at the same time I DO NOT want him to come out before he is ready. I guess it is in God's hands now, and we will pray that when this little man comes he will be ready.