Good-bye Ryuchan, Hello Adina
Oct. 21st, 2010 12:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rkoldIt's odd, slowly we've stopped using Ryuchan and have started just using Adina or the ever popular appellation of "the baby."
Adina is doing much much better. On Friday/Saturday my milk finally started to come in. We continued to supplement with formula, but since Sunday she has been formula free! I'm glad. We have a hard time getting a lot into her from the actual breast. She's great at sucking but awful at swallowing. She also just gets sleepy and loses interest fast. But thanks to pumping, we can get 2-2.5 oz into her per feeding with a bottle. On one hand I am sad to miss the closeness of breastfeeding, but using pumped milk is nice because it allows Kennis to be a lot more involved. It is also less painful. She has not gained as much weight as the doctors would like, but she is up from her low and so that is good. We now want to get her back to her birth weight/past there.
Most people who use formula to supplement and then get back to breastfeeding thank their lactation consultants. The person I owe everything to is my husband. Kennis' commitment to fatherhood and our daughter is just awe inspiring. I have no idea what I would do without him. I honestly can not say enough positive things about Kennis from the start of the pregnancy through today, where he is sitting next to me gently sanding down Adina's nails.
She passed her hearing test, no news is considered good news for her PKU tests, and she had her first vaccine for Hep B. So other than being on the small side she seems healthy. I'm so pleased because I rather adore her. She's overall a very good baby and even when she fusses it is mostly because she wants to be held or fed. She loves being held.
I woke up Monday morning on the 11th from an extremely vivid dream of having given birth to my baby and then breastfeeding her. Within a few seconds I also realized I was having minor contractions. Over the last few weeks, I started having contractions when I went for walks, but it was unclear if those were Braxton-Hicks contractions or Pre-Labor contractions. And neither sort of contraction tells you anything about when your baby will actually come. But these contractions seemed different, for one thing, I was getting them relaxing in the bed. I didn't want to be the pregnant woman who cried wolf, so I just assumed they were nothing serious. On the 11th, I was planning to go into work with Kennis in the morning and then meet my mother around 8ish for pancakes and a trip to Buy Buy Baby to finally buy my stroller. We were also debating returning our car seat (a Graco Snugride) and switching to a another brand (Chico Keyfit.) After, I really wanted to pick up our *VERY* late taxes.
During the trip down to the office, I noticed the contractions seemed more regular and just felt different and about 30 minutes from here (as we passed Katonah) I came close to asking if we could turn around and go back. But when I timed the contractions they were pretty far apart and I really wanted to run my errands and get my chocolate chip pancakes with my mother. We got to the office and I ate a little zucchini bread and talked to my husband's officemates about the pregnancy. They were all super nice and shared stories about their children. Around 8 I met my mom and went back to my parent's house with her. It took a while for me to eat the pancakes because I just felt sort of nauseous and unwell, the contractions were also getting more painful, but around 11ish I forced myself to head out with my Mom to Buy Buy Baby. It took a bit to get a salesperson, but finally we got one and got to try out the UppaVista one more time to make sure I was sure about it. I decided on red and we bought it. Waiting for our stroller was just painful and I started to wonder if my contractions really did mean something because they were not going away. I spent a lot of time looking at the other pregnant women and kept thinking so many of them were larger than me. It seemed funny that I was so close to my due date and still not so big.
We drove over to the accountant's and my Mom worried about the fact there were no parking spaces nearby and I would need to go up some stairs. I assured her it was no problem, and went in. The accountant was very gracious as I explained that I was feeling a little tired and once everything was signed offered to walk me out. So did the next customer who came in, but I assured them I could make it on my own. When I got back in the SUV, I decided it was about time to start timing contractions. They were about 7 minutes apart. I timed them for about 30 minutes once we got back to my parent's and then decided to call Kennis to see about heading home. Kennis wanted to leave IMMEDIATELY and asked my mom to drive us up. My mom wanted to eat some lunch first, but I had no appetite. We left about 2:30 to get Kennis and head home meanwhile Kennis called the midwives to give them a heads up. During the trip up, we heard "I Gotta Feeling" which I tried to sing along with and told my mom and Kennis how I thought of that song as my pregnancy song. That tonight was going to be a good night. We got home and asked my Mom what time we could call until, just in case. She didn't think we would be having the baby for some time still. I lay on my side and rested after sending out a few fast emails while Kennis put together the stroller and car seat.
Around 5:30 we called the midwives again and they agreed to let me come in. We got there about 6 and then had to wait to see Jamie. The wait was awful, because I could not move around the way the table was set off hurt my back. The room was also way too hot and too bright and I was not happy. At about 6:30 Jamie checked me out, listened through a contraction and looked at my cervix. By this point I was having a strong contraction every 7 minutes with a weaker contraction about half way. It was painful, but not PAINFUL. I was at 4-5 cms, which meant I was far enough into labor I could be checked in. The midwife on call was about to change, so they recommended we go for a short walk while we waited for Kathy to arrive from Katonah. Kennis suggested we walk in the nearby cemetery but I nixed that idea. Instead we slowly walked down the street and called my parents to let them know I was 4-5 cms and being checked in. The more I walked the more painful the contractions became, but they still didn't seem so bad. Not the OMG I can't take this, that I had thought would be the case. Kennis held me and let me lean against him and tried to massage my back and hands. We walked down another hill nearby and got questioned by some people to see if we were OK. I found when the contractions were at their worst it helped to squat down. Kennis helped me stay steady and at one point I used a fence around a parking lot. (It was actually pretty ideal) Kathy drove past us while I was in the middle of a contraction and offered us a ride back to the birthing center but I wanted to walk. It took us a bit and when we got back I was introduced to Lisa, a nurse and Kathy wanted to check how dilated I was. I was now at 6cms and it was close to 7:30. I sat on the birthing ball for a few contractions which helped some and moaned with each contraction. I sort of let myself sink into the moan and it made things a lot more comfortable. It felt like time was standing still though, sort of like how it feels on an airplane.
At some point, Kathy asked me if I wanted to use the bath, and I was like YES! I got naked and happily climbed into the water which felt amazing. I was still moaning when the contractions came and had no idea how close they now were. Kathy suggested that I change position to try to lean against one of the sides of the tub. (BTW the tub was HUGE and deep and everything you want in a tub.) I stretched out and tried to hold in my mind the image of when I was using the onsen in Takayama. I remembered leaning out over the side and staring up at the distant snow covered mountains and I just tried to put myself in that image. I was offered a pillow but I didn't want it. I just moaned with the contractions and stretched myself out over the side. Kennis was rubbing my back the whole time and it felt wonderful. I sort of wondered obliquely what transition was like and when I would hit that wall people talked about in the "Business of Being Born"
Kathy asked me if something felt different and I said maybe and then she asked Kennis if my moans sounded different to him. They both agreed and asked me to try to get out of the tub so they could check me again. Intermittently they had been checking the babie's heart beat with a doppler. I got out of the tub and was a little grossed out by the bits of blood and gunk floating in the water with me and worried about my slightly wet hair.
I made it onto the bed and they told me I was fully effaced and 10cm but had a small lip of cervix in the way. Kathy asked if I wanted any help with that and I said yes, I wanted to have my baby already! Sometime around then I was told my waters had broken. I was very happy, because I hadn't liked the thought of someone helping me by breaking them. Kathy helped move the bit of cervix while I pushed and got the baby's head past it. I have to say pushing as so much harder than I expected. I had no idea really how you did it and it just hurt in a way that contractions did not. To try to increase the effectiveness of my pushing, Kathy held a warm wash cloth and directed me when I had a contraction to push towards the cloth. It helped so much, and everyone kept telling me what a good job I was doing. Kennis helped me by holding up a leg so I would have an easier time bearing down. I soon felt an awful pressure against my vagina which really hurt a lot. This was probably the single most painful part of the entire birth process for me. It felt like pretty much exactly like what it was, the baby's head right pretty much at my vagina trying to get out. I wanted that head out so the pain would stop, and kept trying to push. I felt like pushing went on forever and I wondered if I could really do this. Finally, I just gave a few really good pushes and out she came. I was so relieved when I heard her cry and then she was sitting on my belly all red and crying and squirming. The midwives said it was 10:11, so I had had my baby on 10/11 at 10:11! I felt so relieved and happy though some pain from the umblical cord pressing against some part of my vagina which did not want umblical cord touching it. My legs just kept shaking as if I had run a marathon and I felt so cold! I think my teeth started to chatter a bit. Kennis was really proud and I was just in awe. I had really done it. I felt this euphoria and pride that I had really been able to do this.
Kathy asked me to push again to expel the placenta and I did. She offered to show it to me but I had no interest. I think Kennis looked at it though. I was then told I had ripped a little and would need a few stitches. The tears were first degree and towards the front. (Which is why it now sometimes burns when I pee, vs having other problems...) Getting the shot for the stitches and being sewn up was probably the second most painful part of giving birth for me. lol I needed 5 in total, so now I've had 6 stitches. I asked to have my baby weighed and after about an hour they took her from me to do so. We took a poll on what her size would be and we were all off. (I had thought 6 lbs 7 oz) She was 5 pounds 11 ozs, so TINY! Everything after this is sort of blur, I remember calling my parents and Kennis' parents and talking to my sister. They cleaned her off and we all sort of snuggled into the bed and fell asleep. I did at some point wake up and puke up (into a garbage can) the apple juice and watermelon I had had immediately after birth. But I'm not sure of when. I had help walking to the bathroom to pee and learned that because of where my stitches were it burned to pee. It was not happy. I now use a peri bottled, which I use to squirt myself to keep that from happening. Eventually, we got up and started getting things together because the birthing center kicks you out by 10 am. They offered to send me to the hospital, but I didn't want to go. Hospitals give me the heebie jeebies and I really wanted to be with Kennis and Adina. I remember I had to eat and drink something (and keep it down) which I finally did. We got her dressed into her coming home outfit only to find out it was HUGE on her. Being under 6 pounds, Newborn/0-3 months was the wrong size. (BTW anyone who gave me baby clothes as a gift, I do appreciate it, just everything I was given is way too big which is why you've not seen pictures of her in it yet.) I spent a lot of the rest of the day drifting in and out of sleep along with Adina.
Overall I think I had a great labor and the midwives were very impressed with how quickly I had her. Kennis later told me that the point when I felt like she was up against my vagina she actually was, and they kept trying to keep her from coming out too soon, because she was coming so fast everyone worried I'd rip worse. Kennis was really impressed and moved by the birth of his daughter and again, I don't know if I could have done it as well without him and his support.
Adina is doing much much better. On Friday/Saturday my milk finally started to come in. We continued to supplement with formula, but since Sunday she has been formula free! I'm glad. We have a hard time getting a lot into her from the actual breast. She's great at sucking but awful at swallowing. She also just gets sleepy and loses interest fast. But thanks to pumping, we can get 2-2.5 oz into her per feeding with a bottle. On one hand I am sad to miss the closeness of breastfeeding, but using pumped milk is nice because it allows Kennis to be a lot more involved. It is also less painful. She has not gained as much weight as the doctors would like, but she is up from her low and so that is good. We now want to get her back to her birth weight/past there.
Most people who use formula to supplement and then get back to breastfeeding thank their lactation consultants. The person I owe everything to is my husband. Kennis' commitment to fatherhood and our daughter is just awe inspiring. I have no idea what I would do without him. I honestly can not say enough positive things about Kennis from the start of the pregnancy through today, where he is sitting next to me gently sanding down Adina's nails.
She passed her hearing test, no news is considered good news for her PKU tests, and she had her first vaccine for Hep B. So other than being on the small side she seems healthy. I'm so pleased because I rather adore her. She's overall a very good baby and even when she fusses it is mostly because she wants to be held or fed. She loves being held.
I woke up Monday morning on the 11th from an extremely vivid dream of having given birth to my baby and then breastfeeding her. Within a few seconds I also realized I was having minor contractions. Over the last few weeks, I started having contractions when I went for walks, but it was unclear if those were Braxton-Hicks contractions or Pre-Labor contractions. And neither sort of contraction tells you anything about when your baby will actually come. But these contractions seemed different, for one thing, I was getting them relaxing in the bed. I didn't want to be the pregnant woman who cried wolf, so I just assumed they were nothing serious. On the 11th, I was planning to go into work with Kennis in the morning and then meet my mother around 8ish for pancakes and a trip to Buy Buy Baby to finally buy my stroller. We were also debating returning our car seat (a Graco Snugride) and switching to a another brand (Chico Keyfit.) After, I really wanted to pick up our *VERY* late taxes.
During the trip down to the office, I noticed the contractions seemed more regular and just felt different and about 30 minutes from here (as we passed Katonah) I came close to asking if we could turn around and go back. But when I timed the contractions they were pretty far apart and I really wanted to run my errands and get my chocolate chip pancakes with my mother. We got to the office and I ate a little zucchini bread and talked to my husband's officemates about the pregnancy. They were all super nice and shared stories about their children. Around 8 I met my mom and went back to my parent's house with her. It took a while for me to eat the pancakes because I just felt sort of nauseous and unwell, the contractions were also getting more painful, but around 11ish I forced myself to head out with my Mom to Buy Buy Baby. It took a bit to get a salesperson, but finally we got one and got to try out the UppaVista one more time to make sure I was sure about it. I decided on red and we bought it. Waiting for our stroller was just painful and I started to wonder if my contractions really did mean something because they were not going away. I spent a lot of time looking at the other pregnant women and kept thinking so many of them were larger than me. It seemed funny that I was so close to my due date and still not so big.
We drove over to the accountant's and my Mom worried about the fact there were no parking spaces nearby and I would need to go up some stairs. I assured her it was no problem, and went in. The accountant was very gracious as I explained that I was feeling a little tired and once everything was signed offered to walk me out. So did the next customer who came in, but I assured them I could make it on my own. When I got back in the SUV, I decided it was about time to start timing contractions. They were about 7 minutes apart. I timed them for about 30 minutes once we got back to my parent's and then decided to call Kennis to see about heading home. Kennis wanted to leave IMMEDIATELY and asked my mom to drive us up. My mom wanted to eat some lunch first, but I had no appetite. We left about 2:30 to get Kennis and head home meanwhile Kennis called the midwives to give them a heads up. During the trip up, we heard "I Gotta Feeling" which I tried to sing along with and told my mom and Kennis how I thought of that song as my pregnancy song. That tonight was going to be a good night. We got home and asked my Mom what time we could call until, just in case. She didn't think we would be having the baby for some time still. I lay on my side and rested after sending out a few fast emails while Kennis put together the stroller and car seat.
Around 5:30 we called the midwives again and they agreed to let me come in. We got there about 6 and then had to wait to see Jamie. The wait was awful, because I could not move around the way the table was set off hurt my back. The room was also way too hot and too bright and I was not happy. At about 6:30 Jamie checked me out, listened through a contraction and looked at my cervix. By this point I was having a strong contraction every 7 minutes with a weaker contraction about half way. It was painful, but not PAINFUL. I was at 4-5 cms, which meant I was far enough into labor I could be checked in. The midwife on call was about to change, so they recommended we go for a short walk while we waited for Kathy to arrive from Katonah. Kennis suggested we walk in the nearby cemetery but I nixed that idea. Instead we slowly walked down the street and called my parents to let them know I was 4-5 cms and being checked in. The more I walked the more painful the contractions became, but they still didn't seem so bad. Not the OMG I can't take this, that I had thought would be the case. Kennis held me and let me lean against him and tried to massage my back and hands. We walked down another hill nearby and got questioned by some people to see if we were OK. I found when the contractions were at their worst it helped to squat down. Kennis helped me stay steady and at one point I used a fence around a parking lot. (It was actually pretty ideal) Kathy drove past us while I was in the middle of a contraction and offered us a ride back to the birthing center but I wanted to walk. It took us a bit and when we got back I was introduced to Lisa, a nurse and Kathy wanted to check how dilated I was. I was now at 6cms and it was close to 7:30. I sat on the birthing ball for a few contractions which helped some and moaned with each contraction. I sort of let myself sink into the moan and it made things a lot more comfortable. It felt like time was standing still though, sort of like how it feels on an airplane.
At some point, Kathy asked me if I wanted to use the bath, and I was like YES! I got naked and happily climbed into the water which felt amazing. I was still moaning when the contractions came and had no idea how close they now were. Kathy suggested that I change position to try to lean against one of the sides of the tub. (BTW the tub was HUGE and deep and everything you want in a tub.) I stretched out and tried to hold in my mind the image of when I was using the onsen in Takayama. I remembered leaning out over the side and staring up at the distant snow covered mountains and I just tried to put myself in that image. I was offered a pillow but I didn't want it. I just moaned with the contractions and stretched myself out over the side. Kennis was rubbing my back the whole time and it felt wonderful. I sort of wondered obliquely what transition was like and when I would hit that wall people talked about in the "Business of Being Born"
Kathy asked me if something felt different and I said maybe and then she asked Kennis if my moans sounded different to him. They both agreed and asked me to try to get out of the tub so they could check me again. Intermittently they had been checking the babie's heart beat with a doppler. I got out of the tub and was a little grossed out by the bits of blood and gunk floating in the water with me and worried about my slightly wet hair.
I made it onto the bed and they told me I was fully effaced and 10cm but had a small lip of cervix in the way. Kathy asked if I wanted any help with that and I said yes, I wanted to have my baby already! Sometime around then I was told my waters had broken. I was very happy, because I hadn't liked the thought of someone helping me by breaking them. Kathy helped move the bit of cervix while I pushed and got the baby's head past it. I have to say pushing as so much harder than I expected. I had no idea really how you did it and it just hurt in a way that contractions did not. To try to increase the effectiveness of my pushing, Kathy held a warm wash cloth and directed me when I had a contraction to push towards the cloth. It helped so much, and everyone kept telling me what a good job I was doing. Kennis helped me by holding up a leg so I would have an easier time bearing down. I soon felt an awful pressure against my vagina which really hurt a lot. This was probably the single most painful part of the entire birth process for me. It felt like pretty much exactly like what it was, the baby's head right pretty much at my vagina trying to get out. I wanted that head out so the pain would stop, and kept trying to push. I felt like pushing went on forever and I wondered if I could really do this. Finally, I just gave a few really good pushes and out she came. I was so relieved when I heard her cry and then she was sitting on my belly all red and crying and squirming. The midwives said it was 10:11, so I had had my baby on 10/11 at 10:11! I felt so relieved and happy though some pain from the umblical cord pressing against some part of my vagina which did not want umblical cord touching it. My legs just kept shaking as if I had run a marathon and I felt so cold! I think my teeth started to chatter a bit. Kennis was really proud and I was just in awe. I had really done it. I felt this euphoria and pride that I had really been able to do this.
Kathy asked me to push again to expel the placenta and I did. She offered to show it to me but I had no interest. I think Kennis looked at it though. I was then told I had ripped a little and would need a few stitches. The tears were first degree and towards the front. (Which is why it now sometimes burns when I pee, vs having other problems...) Getting the shot for the stitches and being sewn up was probably the second most painful part of giving birth for me. lol I needed 5 in total, so now I've had 6 stitches. I asked to have my baby weighed and after about an hour they took her from me to do so. We took a poll on what her size would be and we were all off. (I had thought 6 lbs 7 oz) She was 5 pounds 11 ozs, so TINY! Everything after this is sort of blur, I remember calling my parents and Kennis' parents and talking to my sister. They cleaned her off and we all sort of snuggled into the bed and fell asleep. I did at some point wake up and puke up (into a garbage can) the apple juice and watermelon I had had immediately after birth. But I'm not sure of when. I had help walking to the bathroom to pee and learned that because of where my stitches were it burned to pee. It was not happy. I now use a peri bottled, which I use to squirt myself to keep that from happening. Eventually, we got up and started getting things together because the birthing center kicks you out by 10 am. They offered to send me to the hospital, but I didn't want to go. Hospitals give me the heebie jeebies and I really wanted to be with Kennis and Adina. I remember I had to eat and drink something (and keep it down) which I finally did. We got her dressed into her coming home outfit only to find out it was HUGE on her. Being under 6 pounds, Newborn/0-3 months was the wrong size. (BTW anyone who gave me baby clothes as a gift, I do appreciate it, just everything I was given is way too big which is why you've not seen pictures of her in it yet.) I spent a lot of the rest of the day drifting in and out of sleep along with Adina.
Overall I think I had a great labor and the midwives were very impressed with how quickly I had her. Kennis later told me that the point when I felt like she was up against my vagina she actually was, and they kept trying to keep her from coming out too soon, because she was coming so fast everyone worried I'd rip worse. Kennis was really impressed and moved by the birth of his daughter and again, I don't know if I could have done it as well without him and his support.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-21 07:17 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-21 10:11 pm (UTC)Haha, I had made sure to buy extra large baby clothes as babies grow so fast! I'm glad to hear she's gaining more weight. Do share more photos when you have the time :)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-21 10:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-21 10:59 pm (UTC)And yes I was pretty impressed that we managed 10/11 @10:11 :D
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-21 11:01 pm (UTC)Yeah most babies outgrow baby things fast, it sort of depends on how big your baby is. I was expecting a small baby (under 7 lbs) just because I only gained 20 pounds and Kennis and I were small, but was not expecting under 6!) I'm sure at some point she will fit in your gift, just expect it to take somewhat longer lol
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-21 11:03 pm (UTC)But Adina is tiny! Currently, she fits best in preemie sized things. I suspect she is always going to be small for her age, just because neither I nor Kennis were particularly big. I know I always fit in sizes exactly as they were labeled and I imagine the same was true for Kennis.
I just want people to not be offended if I'm not taking pictures of her in their gifts for some time. When I put her in the 0-3 months outfits they are swimming on her! I'm hoping that they fit on her by her first month.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-21 11:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-22 12:00 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-22 12:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-22 04:39 am (UTC)We try to keep it warm and she has a lot of blankets. It just seems those are easier to clean and originally we had no preemie things and 0-3 was swimming on her.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-22 05:40 am (UTC)Yeah my main thing with babies but especially newborns is whatever works to make baby and parents happy is best.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-22 08:52 am (UTC)Adina is adorable and it sounds like you were blessed with her temperament. (Did I mention I love that name? It's beautiful.) It's so adorable that she fusses mostly to be held. X3
I'm really glad you're so happy and seem to be doing so well. And you're incredibly brave to go through all that naturally, far braver than I am. XD And massive kudos to Kennis, it sounds like he's really enjoying being a father, which means he'll be an amazing one.
*hugs for you and the baby* ♥
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-22 09:16 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-24 03:16 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 03:32 pm (UTC)I'm so glad you like the name! I really wanted something unique but not strange. I feel very blessed in general, I've really wanted a baby for a long time, it's still unreal she is nearly 2 weeks old!
Honestly, the medical interventions actually scared me more than doing it naturally. I'm petrified of hospitals. I was really scared of ripping, but it hasn't been as bad as I was scared. I'm lucky, my baby was small, I had a relatively short and easy labor (or so it seems), and I had knowledgeable midwives and my amazing husband to help me. It would have been a lot harder without someone like Kennis. Kennis is the most amazing father ever. He has changed so many diapers!
*hugs* ♥
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 03:33 pm (UTC)Right now she's sleeping in her MobyWrap against my chest and it's just the nicest feeling. ♥
(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 03:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-25 04:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-26 04:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-10-31 01:32 am (UTC)