The Whaleys: Birth Story

Wow, what a whirlwind the past week has been! It all started bright and early on Wednesday morning, the day of our scheduled induction. My mom came over to watch Jackson as Justin and I got ready and headed out to be at the hospital around 6:30. On the way to the hospital we were so excited and just talking about how we couldn't believe this day was actually here. I was telling Justin about all of the things I was nervous about and I am sure I was talking a mile a minute. We got to the hospital, checked in, and got settled for the day. We had an awesome labor and delivery nurse named Betsy who started my IV just a few seconds before my fabulous dr, Dr. Geier, came in to break my water. I had really been dreading this part, but it didn't seem to be as painful as it was with Jackson. Dr. Geier said that I was already 3 cm, so things should start progressing quickly. I declined the epidural at that point because I wanted to get in some good contractions before getting the pain meds. They started me on the littlest bit of pitocin and BOOM, I was off and running. The contractions began coming and were bearable at first. Then out of nowhere, they started coming fast and furious and there I was again as I was with Jackson-crying during the intense contractions, and laughing in between. At that point, the epidural couldn't come fast enough.

The anesthesiologist came in about 30 minutes after I requested but the pain was just so intense. I told him I was a 9.5 on a scale of 10 for pain and he said that I must be moving really fast. I didn't even care about the potential pain of the epidural going in-I just wanted that sucker in asap. After the epidural was administered, right away I could feel that there was still some pain in my back area still, but the epidural still needed some time to work. I had progressed to 5 full cm when I was checked immediately after the epidural. About 30 minutes passed, but I was still feeling pain in my lower back, although my legs were almost numb. Then the pain got really intense again, so the anesthesiologist came back and bumped up my epidural. Once that kicked in, I felt extremely relaxed and happy like I did with my epidural for Jackson. But-I could still feel the contractions in my back-just waaaay more bearable than before. I just laid back and relaxed and definitely felt a little loopy. I kept laughing at everything Justin was saying. Then I started getting restless-I was ready to have this baby. I called my nurse in and she checked me at around noon and I was 9.5 cm. About 30 minutes later I was 10 cm and ready to push. She estimated that I would push for about 30 minutes and have the baby out. I was feeling really optimistic since it took all of 2 hours of pushing with Jackson. I began the first couple of pushes but they were not really doing much. Also, I could feel each contraction getting a little stronger and I could feel much more than with Jackson. TMI alert-I could feel amniotic fluid leaking out with each contraction. The nurse was surprised that I could feel it and said I probably shouldn't be able to feel all that I was.

So there I was pushing, and pushing....and pushing with little progress. The baby was moving down, but very slowly. Betsy said I was pushing perfectly and bearing down exactly where I needed to, so it wasn't that I was ineffective at pushing. The pain started getting more intense and Betsy suggested that I roll on my left side to see if maybe we could try and help the baby move down. Let me just say there is nothing glamorous about pushing a baby out on your side. It is awkward and that is when the pain started skyrocketing. I was sobbing through each contraction and getting exhausted. I had been pushing (4 times each contraction) for an hour and a half and deep down I suspected that my epidural was failing. The baby's heart rate started decelerating slightly, so we tried moving to my right side. This was even more painful! Betsy called Dr. Geier and she came immediately. At this point I was a total trainwreck. I was snapping at Justin and a couple of nurses for not holding my legs comfortably. Dr. Geier gave me an oxygen mask and I was adamant that there was not oxygen coming out of it. I felt like I was hyperventilating. The pain was so intense that I didn't know how I was going to make it through. I just kept asking Dr. Geier how much longer. Justin was calm, but I know he was concerned at how much pain I was in. I kept asking my dr not to do a C-section or break his collarbone to get him out..not sure why I was focused on that so much? She assured me that we wouldn't need to do that. Finally I asked to get back on my back and Dr. Geier said 3 more contractions and she would have the baby out. Finally-the end was in sight! I soldiered through until I felt the extremely painful burning from the baby crowning (and a 2nd degree tear!) and then with one final push...he was out!

As soon as his head was out, Dr Geier said "Well this explains why the little guy took so long to get out. He's OP" , or occiput posterior. Most people refer to it as "sunny side up" or face up. About 4% of babies born to non first-time mothers are born posterior. Here is an illustration as to why birthing these little ones can be so challenging. Also, Dr. Geier confirmed that my epidural had become dislodged, so that explains why I felt everything at the end.

Also, he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck like Jackson did, although it never posed a threat to him (thankfully!). Justin cut the cord and we got our first look at our sweet baby boy.

Welcome to the world, Rhett Derrick Whaley!
7 lbs, 8 oz and 21 inches.
Born on 4/4/2012 at 3:22 PM.

We both loved the name Rhett (one of the very few we could agree on) and Derrick is my grandfather's middle name on my mother's side. Rhett is such a sweetheart and a good baby. Although it is still early to tell, he seems to have more of a temper than Jackson, especially during diaper changes. He is a rockstar at nursing and this past week has been nursing every 2 1/2 hours or so. On our first night home, he nursed almost every hour and had to be held all night long. Now he is sleeping in 2-3 hour stretches at night, which is nice. Still, Justin and I are both tired. Jackson has been waking at night every other night or so, so Justin is up with him so we are both averaging about 6 hours of broken sleep each night. It will get better, though! I will also say that I have been peed (and pooped! ) on more in the last week than I can count! This little guy can go the distance! :)

When we brought him home, he was 7 lbs 2 oz, and at his 1 week check up, he was 7 lbs 5 oz. Actually, he was technically only 5 days old at his visit, so he is officially one week old today! The pediatrician said he looked great and appears to be quite the healthy little guy.

I can't get over how much more he looks like Justin than me. Me and Justin agree that you will be able to tell that they are brothers, but that they will look pretty different. Jackson has been doing well with adjusting to this new life with baby brother. We have noticed moments of jealousy and acting out, but overall he is dealing really well with it. He has been really great at "helping" with the baby. One funny thing Jackson keeps asking to do is to see my "boobies". haha! I guess he is curious about breastfeeding. Justin has been sure to get him out and give him special attention, and I sneak in moments whenever I can. Still, I miss Jackson. It sounds silly because he is here with me, but I miss our early morning snuggle time. I know it will come again with time, though! Also, I have already lost 20 of my 36 pregnancy pounds, so 16 more to go!

I still can't believe how blessed we are with these two precious little boys! Rhett is the perfect addition to our family and we are so in love with him already. This week has been a whirlwind as we adjust to our sweet little family of four, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Although the labor was hard, it was so worth it in the end and I am so thankful for both of our sweet angels. Welcome to our family, Rhett! We love you so much!

Getting all settled in