Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Vada's Birth Story
Once again, I was extremely blessed to have Vada's birth go better than I could have hoped for. I had been worried about all sorts of things, even after having such a great experience the first time with Lucy. Not only was it relatively quick, our family was able to start and end our day at home, together.
Friday, July 27, I woke up around 6am with noticeable contractions. I had been having lots of Braxton-Hicks so I didn't think much of them, but of course I was hoping! Lucy woke up much earlier than usual that day around 6:15am so I got up and started fixing us both breakfast. By 7am I knew it was time to start timing these contractions because they were coming consistently and had that same feeling as when I was in labor with Lucy, in my back. I called Jameson then my sister to let them know that I was timing them. By 7:30 I called my mom to let her know I may be needing her to take me over to the birth center since Jameson was at work. By 8am, Allison, Mom and Dad were all at my house and convinced I was in labor. My contractions were only 4-6 minutes apart at this point but I just couldn't believe the baby was actually coming this early, on the day Jameson chose. I called my midwife who said to wait an hour then call her back. Once everyone showed up, though, the contractions no longer hurt as badly and I was afraid it was a false alarm. I packed Lucy up in the stroller and went for a walk while Allison kept timing me, 5 minutes apart. I wanted to wait for things to get more painful or closer together before I went to the birth center but my Mom and Allison convinced me it was time to get things together to leave, in case things went from 0-60 and I was 35 minutes away from the birth center. Lucy was eager to go with her Aunt Duck (Allison) so I kissed her goodbye and headed off to the birth center, driven by my Mom and Dad.
Around 11am, I met Jameson at the birth center and went in to talk with the midwife. She checked my progress and told me I was 5cm dilated and completely effaced but that I was free to walk around the hospital campus or go to the mall or whatever I felt comfortable with. At that point I finally accepted that I was in labor and that we were going to be going home with our baby. Jameson and I headed to lunch while the contractions picked back up in intensity but were manageable. After lunch we headed to the mall and walked around for awhile until I decided I did not want my water to break at the mall. We headed back to the birth center around 12:30pm and found out I was 7cm. We were left alone to labor however I was comfortable so I tried the tub for awhile but ended up liking the big bouncy ball that I could sit and roll on. As expected, our baby was face up so most of the pain was concentrated in my back but I had packed a rice sock to heat up so Jameson held it for me during contractions.
Things were still very manageable until after 1:30 when I started feeling like I wasn't getting a break between contractions. I moved to the bed where the midwives told me I would be more comfortable on my hands and knees since the baby was face up. At that point I don't think anything would have made me more comfortable but I stayed there then I was able to start pushing. I pushed for 15 minutes and at 2:30pm, our baby GIRL was born and handed right to me to rest on my chest. She seemed so tiny and I could not believe that we were lucky enough to have been given another perfect baby girl.
We were able to start nursing right away and before I realized it, the midwives had left the room and given our family time together to rest and marvel at our new angel. We were left alone until we asked to know how much she weighed and only at that point did they do the complete newborn exam.
By 4:45, we were all changed, packed up, and ready to go. We were given last minute instructions and sent on our way. We were home by 5:30 and by 6pm, Lucy was home and our family has been together from that point since.
I could not have asked for a more relaxed way to welcome Vada into the world. I see the entire process as something completely natural and what women are made to do so being able to have her and then come home to my family to recuperate seemed like the best scenario possible. I am amazed at how easy my postpartum weeks have been and how great I have felt, both physically and emotionally. Nursing has been a much easier process this time around and I feel like my body has bounced back much faster than it did the first time. Needless to say, this won't be the last Hunter baby for our family :)
Last pregnancy picture- 38 weeks
Jameson had picked a day, Friday, July 27, way back in June that he asked me to please have the baby on. If baby was born on that day, he would have the most vacation time possible and we would still be able to make it to the beach for vacation. At the time, I didn't pay him much mind because I knew the baby would come whenever it wanted and there was a very small chance it would come that early, let alone on that specific day.Once we passed the full term mark at 37 weeks, we began doing things to encourage labor to start but nothing too dangerous or extreme. Lucy and I began taking daily walks and we had lots of spicy dinners. At 38 weeks, the midwife was comfortable with stripping my membranes so we did that on Tuesday but nothing significant changed. Friday, July 27, I woke up around 6am with noticeable contractions. I had been having lots of Braxton-Hicks so I didn't think much of them, but of course I was hoping! Lucy woke up much earlier than usual that day around 6:15am so I got up and started fixing us both breakfast. By 7am I knew it was time to start timing these contractions because they were coming consistently and had that same feeling as when I was in labor with Lucy, in my back. I called Jameson then my sister to let them know that I was timing them. By 7:30 I called my mom to let her know I may be needing her to take me over to the birth center since Jameson was at work. By 8am, Allison, Mom and Dad were all at my house and convinced I was in labor. My contractions were only 4-6 minutes apart at this point but I just couldn't believe the baby was actually coming this early, on the day Jameson chose. I called my midwife who said to wait an hour then call her back. Once everyone showed up, though, the contractions no longer hurt as badly and I was afraid it was a false alarm. I packed Lucy up in the stroller and went for a walk while Allison kept timing me, 5 minutes apart. I wanted to wait for things to get more painful or closer together before I went to the birth center but my Mom and Allison convinced me it was time to get things together to leave, in case things went from 0-60 and I was 35 minutes away from the birth center. Lucy was eager to go with her Aunt Duck (Allison) so I kissed her goodbye and headed off to the birth center, driven by my Mom and Dad.
Around 11am, I met Jameson at the birth center and went in to talk with the midwife. She checked my progress and told me I was 5cm dilated and completely effaced but that I was free to walk around the hospital campus or go to the mall or whatever I felt comfortable with. At that point I finally accepted that I was in labor and that we were going to be going home with our baby. Jameson and I headed to lunch while the contractions picked back up in intensity but were manageable. After lunch we headed to the mall and walked around for awhile until I decided I did not want my water to break at the mall. We headed back to the birth center around 12:30pm and found out I was 7cm. We were left alone to labor however I was comfortable so I tried the tub for awhile but ended up liking the big bouncy ball that I could sit and roll on. As expected, our baby was face up so most of the pain was concentrated in my back but I had packed a rice sock to heat up so Jameson held it for me during contractions.
Things were still very manageable until after 1:30 when I started feeling like I wasn't getting a break between contractions. I moved to the bed where the midwives told me I would be more comfortable on my hands and knees since the baby was face up. At that point I don't think anything would have made me more comfortable but I stayed there then I was able to start pushing. I pushed for 15 minutes and at 2:30pm, our baby GIRL was born and handed right to me to rest on my chest. She seemed so tiny and I could not believe that we were lucky enough to have been given another perfect baby girl.
We were able to start nursing right away and before I realized it, the midwives had left the room and given our family time together to rest and marvel at our new angel. We were left alone until we asked to know how much she weighed and only at that point did they do the complete newborn exam.
By 4:45, we were all changed, packed up, and ready to go. We were given last minute instructions and sent on our way. We were home by 5:30 and by 6pm, Lucy was home and our family has been together from that point since.
I could not have asked for a more relaxed way to welcome Vada into the world. I see the entire process as something completely natural and what women are made to do so being able to have her and then come home to my family to recuperate seemed like the best scenario possible. I am amazed at how easy my postpartum weeks have been and how great I have felt, both physically and emotionally. Nursing has been a much easier process this time around and I feel like my body has bounced back much faster than it did the first time. Needless to say, this won't be the last Hunter baby for our family :)
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Vada's 2 Week Update
Vada is now two weeks old! She had a doctor's appointment yesterday and checked out beautifully. She has already grown 3/4 of an inch and blown the "back to birth weight" goal out of the water... she now weighs 8 lbs 11oz, up 2 pounds in two weeks! Good thing Jameson and I love our babies chunky because she is well on her way. Her cord stump fell off last Friday on her one week, just in time for her to head to Ocean City for her first vacation. She spent her time sleeping and nursing.
She has now outgrown the newborn outfits, sigh, and her cheeks are definitely filling out. She still spends 90% of the day sleeping but we have enjoyed seeing her awake for longer periods in the last couple of days. Generally she is a great night sleeper, most nights up only once or twice to eat then right back to sleep.
I am looking forward to seeing her first smiles as she learns to recognize Jameson, Lucy and me. She seems to be a fairly content baby and so far really likes the swing and the moby wrap. She is an awesome snuggler and for now it is working out for everyone for her to be in bed with Jameson and me so we can nurse at night with minimal disruption; plus, lets be real, i love our babies in bed with us :)
She has now outgrown the newborn outfits, sigh, and her cheeks are definitely filling out. She still spends 90% of the day sleeping but we have enjoyed seeing her awake for longer periods in the last couple of days. Generally she is a great night sleeper, most nights up only once or twice to eat then right back to sleep.
I am looking forward to seeing her first smiles as she learns to recognize Jameson, Lucy and me. She seems to be a fairly content baby and so far really likes the swing and the moby wrap. She is an awesome snuggler and for now it is working out for everyone for her to be in bed with Jameson and me so we can nurse at night with minimal disruption; plus, lets be real, i love our babies in bed with us :)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Vada Belle Hunter
Once upon a time, a tiny baby girl named Vada Belle Hunter was born to make the world a more beautiful place. This is how her story begins...
Jameson, Lucy and I are so excited to introduce our new angel baby! Vada was born on Friday, July 27th at 2:30pm at Bay Area Midwifery Center. Our family was home by 5:45pm the same day. We have spent the last five days snuggling, eating, napping, smiling, and being generally smitten with this little lady. Lucy has completely fallen for her little sister and makes sure she is always being held, with a blanket, and with plenty of toys to play with. She loves to rub her hair and kiss her head. We love seeing how Lucy has already become so attached to Vada and making sure she is happy and held.
Vada had her first doctor's appointment on Saturday morning. She weighed in at 6 lbs 9 oz, down 3 ounces from her birth weight. Dr. Freddy said she looked and sounded perfectly healthy and sent us on our way. We checked back in on Monday morning and she had only lost an additional ounce. Next appointment is scheduled when she is 2 weeks old.
Vada has spent most of her first five days sleeping and being admired. The first two nights home she had some trouble sleeping but last night she slept from 11:30pm to 3:45am. She is a nursing champ and both momma and baby are loving the quiet time we get to spend together while she nurses. It is one of my absolute favorite feelings in the world every time I get to nurse one of my babies. Vada had her first trip to the library yesterday and spent her time there asleep on momma's chest in the moby wrap. Another favorite feeling for momma :)
Our family is loving every minute that we have had together since Friday. Being able to just relax and play has truly been the best way to welcome Vada home. While having a baby is a life changing event, everything seems so natural and normal having her with us. Jameson has off for two weeks so we plan to spend some of the next week at the beach.
I am soaking up every minute of newborn-ness that I can. I love listening to the squeaky noises she makes, having her fall asleep on my chest after she nurses, seeing the definition of peacefullness on her face, and smelling that most amazing new baby smell. She has the most beautiful little face, pouty lips, blue/gray eyes, dimple in her chin, and strangely clear skin. Jameson and I think she looks very similar to how Lucy looked and though her hair is brown now, when the sunlight shines on her it is very light. We are so excited to see how this little girl changes and develops but for right now we are loving every minute of our little snuggle baby. We are so blessed :)
Jameson, Lucy and I are so excited to introduce our new angel baby! Vada was born on Friday, July 27th at 2:30pm at Bay Area Midwifery Center. Our family was home by 5:45pm the same day. We have spent the last five days snuggling, eating, napping, smiling, and being generally smitten with this little lady. Lucy has completely fallen for her little sister and makes sure she is always being held, with a blanket, and with plenty of toys to play with. She loves to rub her hair and kiss her head. We love seeing how Lucy has already become so attached to Vada and making sure she is happy and held.
Vada had her first doctor's appointment on Saturday morning. She weighed in at 6 lbs 9 oz, down 3 ounces from her birth weight. Dr. Freddy said she looked and sounded perfectly healthy and sent us on our way. We checked back in on Monday morning and she had only lost an additional ounce. Next appointment is scheduled when she is 2 weeks old.
Vada has spent most of her first five days sleeping and being admired. The first two nights home she had some trouble sleeping but last night she slept from 11:30pm to 3:45am. She is a nursing champ and both momma and baby are loving the quiet time we get to spend together while she nurses. It is one of my absolute favorite feelings in the world every time I get to nurse one of my babies. Vada had her first trip to the library yesterday and spent her time there asleep on momma's chest in the moby wrap. Another favorite feeling for momma :)
Our family is loving every minute that we have had together since Friday. Being able to just relax and play has truly been the best way to welcome Vada home. While having a baby is a life changing event, everything seems so natural and normal having her with us. Jameson has off for two weeks so we plan to spend some of the next week at the beach.
I am soaking up every minute of newborn-ness that I can. I love listening to the squeaky noises she makes, having her fall asleep on my chest after she nurses, seeing the definition of peacefullness on her face, and smelling that most amazing new baby smell. She has the most beautiful little face, pouty lips, blue/gray eyes, dimple in her chin, and strangely clear skin. Jameson and I think she looks very similar to how Lucy looked and though her hair is brown now, when the sunlight shines on her it is very light. We are so excited to see how this little girl changes and develops but for right now we are loving every minute of our little snuggle baby. We are so blessed :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)