Original: Birth Story (2008)

Birth Story
(non-graphic, but long)
I had my 40 week appointment on July 8 at 8:30am. As standard procedure they were going to do a sonogram, an NST (non-stress test), and an internal exam. My mom came with me to the appointment since Tony had to work. They start with the sonogram and are checking things out. The tech measured the fluid around the baby and found it low and it was the doctors decision to send me in to be induced.

Since they didn't want me at the hospital till the early afternoon, my mom and I had all morning to kill time. I called Tony to let him know what was going on, and he was going to meet us at the house after he finished the morning at work. So my mom and I went to Target to get some last minute things, then back to the house to finish up a couple things around the house. Then I realized I had a ton of fresh strawberries in the fridge, so we made jelly to help the time pass.

Tony came home around noon and we had a quick something to eat and then headed to the hospital. We checked in and got set up in a laboring room. It was so surreal to think this was actually happening. The cervadil was inserted around 2pm and would take 10-12 hours to kick in. So we waited. The day actually went pretty fast, it wasn't too bad.

The next morning I was woken at 2am by the nurses, got to take a shower and move around a bit and then they started me on the pitocen at 4:30am (I was around 2/3 cm dilated). I started to get some pretty strong contractions and they were coming pretty frequently, so by late morning I got the epidural. That was a scary experience but once it kicked in, I was so happy I got it. We continued to wait the rest of the day. Around 3:30/4:00pm the contractions started to get worse and I had progressed to 6 cm. The doctors kept monitoring me and noticed that the baby's heart rate was dropping and not raising high enough to recover. They started to discuss a c-section which I really didn't want to have. They decided to wait just a bit and see if the baby could raise its heart rate, but with no luck, it was actually dropping more. So the c-section became an emergency situation, and the next thing I know I am being wheeled down the hall... I cannot express how scared I was of the whole situation.

As the anesthesiologist was administrating the drugs, I started humming/singing to myself, just to keep my mind off things and so I couldn't hear anything. He thought I was feeling something, so I scared him. After I was all set up and they had started Tony was allowed to join me. We sat there together as he asked me questions and joked about things, to keep my mind off the surgery. The next thing we heard were the most gentle cries and it brought tears to our eyes. We immediately asked what it was and they didn't respond so we kept asking, and finally they said "a girl!". She did great on her apgar and scored a 9 at both the 1 minute and 5 minute tests! We were so thrilled our baby was healthy and safe!

I will never forget this day for the rest of my life! We are so happy and blessed to have our baby girl in our lives!

Pregnancy Updates (2008)

LaDota Family

July 6, 2008 - Lots of Contractions today! Not consistent though.... We are getting so excited! We are ready for the little one to come out! I have been having contractions since about 11am and they are still coming, so we hope this means something is happening soon! Wish us luck! So far they are just teasers!

July 3, 2008 - Well last night I had my first experience with contractions. I am not sure if they were Braxton Hicks or the real thing, but they started around 9pm when Tony and I were grocery shopping and pretty much kept up till the very early morning. They weren't very painful, but there was definitely something going on. I tried to not get too excited, b/c I had a feeling it wasn't the real thing. So now, I am patiently waiting for some strong ones. The kitty has been super attentive to me since this started happening, she doesn't really leave my side, so I think something is definitely up. Let's hope little ladota makes an appearance soon, mommy and daddy want to meet him/her!

July 2, 2008 - Had my 39 week appointment today. Nothing to report, we are doing great. I haven't had any Braxton Hicks contractions or real ones, so they didn't do an internal exam. I am scheduled for next week to have a sonogram and an NST (Non-Stress Test - which measures the babies movement, amount of oxygen, contractions etc. very typical exam for this stage of the game, so no concerns there.)

June 26, 2008 - Well we have a little acrobat on our hands! Baby has flipped again and is in good position (thank god!!). We are both doing very well! Doctor said I am 1 cm dilated... which really doesn't mean anything, but exciting to know something is going on! The countdown is on... less then 2 weeks till due date!

June 20, 2008 - So baby has decided to be difficult. It has flipped around again... I just hope it flips back again soon and stays there. I am starting to get a bit uncomfortable but I am doing really well!

June 18, 2008 - Last night we had the hospital tour. It was pretty nuts walking through the laboring/recovery rooms and then the rooms you stay in after delivering. It is so surreal to think we will be here in a very short amount of time. It made me feel better, just knowing where to go and what things look like. There were a couple newborns around, and they were so adorable and tiny. I cannot wait to be holding our little bundle of joy!

June 12, 2008 - Went to the doctors today. Everything is really good. I had my first internal, no progress, but that is ok, baby is still cooking! They did a quick ultrasound to check the baby's position b/c we were concerned it was breech. Well baby is in position, so we are all set, now we just have to pray it doesn't flip again. I am getting so excited. I cannot wait to meet our little on and find out if it is a boy or girl! The countdown is on!!!

June 5, 2008 - I was supposed to have my first internal exam today, but the doctor had a c-section scheduled and didn't have time. So I am going next week and it will be done then. My weight gain has plateaued, and I have been lucky that I haven't gained that much anyway. Everything looks good, but we think baby is breech... so we need to get this baby turned around. I will post more next week.

May 30, 2008 - I am feeling the baby's hiccups for the first time! Or maybe I am just realizing what the feeling is finally. Just had to share my excitement!

May 15, 2008 - I had a regular doctor appointment today, and he said everything looks great. I am measuring right on target, and everything looks good. I have another appointment in a few weeks and he said it will be my first internal exam! YIKES! I can't believe how fast this is going! Little LaDota will be here before we know it!

April 30, 2008 - I am 30 weeks today! We had a growth measurement ultrasound today. I was so excited to get to see the baby again. Everything looks great! The baby has a full head of hair (I have had LOTS of heartburn!) and is measuring in the 71% in weight... which puts it around 3 lbs. We start our birthing classes in a few weeks, this is happening so fast!

April 17, 2008 - At my dr.'s appointment today they had trouble locating the heartbeat b/c the baby was lodged under my belly button, so I got a free Ultrasound, so I got another peak at the baby! Everything is going really well! I am feeling really good too! I can't belive how fast things are happening!

April 8, 2008 - Finally Tony got to feel the baby kick! Sweet pea was very active last night, and was continuously kicking! We are so excited that Tony finally got to experience this!

March 20, 2008 - I felt the first kick from the outside last night. I waited all night to feel another one, but it only happened the one time. I am getting excited b/c that means Tony will be able to feel the baby soon!

March 5, 2008 - The past week has been so amazing, the baby is moving a TON!! It is such an amazing feeling, and so bizarre at the same time. We are getting so excited!

Feb 18, 2008 - We had another ultrasound today. Everything went really well! Baby was very cooperative and we were able to find the stomach, and everything is looking great! It is amazing how much he/she has grown since the last sonogram. We are getting so excited!! Wednesday marks my half way point of 20 weeks! (Ultrasound pictures to be posted soon.)

Feb 14, 2008 - Happy Valentine's Day!! Today I felt the first flutter of the baby! It was so exciting! I can't wait for more! On a side note, the ultrasound to look for the stomach was cancelled yesterday, and we are now going on Monday.

Feb 6, 2008 - We got a call from the Dr.'s Office. For some reason they were unable to find the baby's stomach (they said it may have been empty) so we are going for another ultrasound next week.

Feb 5, 2008 - We had our Big Ultrasound this week. (This is the one where they check for all the development and make sure everything is on track). We were so excited to see our little one in action, and man does he/she like to move ALOT!!! Everything looks good and measuring right on track. Right now our little bean weighs 8 oz.

Jan 28, 2008 - I had my monthly appointment today. Everything seems good. I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. It was so amazing. I was so disappointed at how short of a time I got to hear it, but it was breathtaking. I can't believe we are actually having a baby!!!