Hello world: Delivery

I have to admit, I was very unaware of how the whole delivery process would go. Would our midwife speak English and understand 'give me drugs'? Did I want drugs? What exactly did the midwife do vs. the doctor? Would an hour drive to the hospital be too long? And on and on.

We'd chosen a hospital in Starnberg, south of Munich, as their info-abend was impressive: the delivery rooms were recently renovated and looked more hotel than hospital, the staff seemed nice and older (to me, that meant more experience), and we could move into a 'residence' part of the hospital after the birth with WiFi, etc.

Our decision could not have been any better. I've already asked Tim if we could fly back here to delivery baby #2 in Starnberg - it was that great.

Cramps started around midnight, and we were on our way to the hospital with contractions between 5-8 minutes and lasting a minute by 1:30am. Once we arrived at the hospital, they confirmed labor had started, hooked me up and said I was already 2 cm dialated. On our way! By this point, I already knew I wanted a PDA (similar to epidural, but not as strong and doesnt penetrate the spinal cord). Within an hour, I'd dialated another centimeter and they wanted to move me into a birthing room. From then on out, I pretty much progressed at a centimeter an hour. But after the PDA, I really didn't feel a thing and both Tim and I got to nap for a while.

Our hebamme's were awesome - super nice, spoke perfect English, had a lot of experience to discuss options with us, and were willing to follow any and all wishes we had. Although, things dont always happen as you wish - I wanted the enema, but due to someone else being rushed to deliver via a c-section, the anesthetist had to give me my PDA immediately and there was no time for my enema. Needless to say, I poo'd during delivery (TMI? Well, stop reading). I don't recommend poo'ing. Even through the pain, it's embarassing. If you're debating, get the enema.

Everything was going perfectly, until the PDA started to wear off around 9am. Although, in hindsight, even that worked out well. I could have had another dose of drugs, but it would have slowed the delivery. So, we proceeded without and by the time his little head was pushing through, there was a lot of pain! I kept my eyes closed during all the pushing, trying to focus on when the contractions were starting since it was hard to tell, it seemed to hurt all the time. At one point, I shamefully admit this, I begged both Tim and the hebamme to 'just get him out'. I was tired, and it hurt. The hebamme saw his head, and said he had a full head of dark hair. That gave me a boost of excitment. Then his head was out, and she asked if we wanted to see, and both of us said 'no' - I was still concentrating on pushing. But one more push, and out he came at 10:14 am - all pain seemed to go away and we were ridiculously happy to have our baby boy.

They wiped him off a little, Tim cut the umbilical cord, and then they laid him on my chest. Van was warm, small and all curled up on me - the powerful rush of emotion is indescribable. We were a family and it was the best day.

Dad then got to hold little Van and gave you your first kiss, and Van went through the reflex tests, scoring a perfect 10 on the Apgar. Coming out of my delivery haze, I remember hearing "Lovely Day" on our ipod. Then the doctor and hebamme discussed my tearing, and proceeded to give me 20-25 stitches downstairs. Thank goodness for anesthesia.

An hour or two later, we were wheeled to the regular section of the hospital to our private/family room and started to get to know our little man. To say we stared at him a lot is an understatement. Stared, slept next to him and stared some more. We treated oursleves to a margarita pizza that night (and every other night following), a little to the nurses dismay (she said it could cause me to get sick, but no problems).

It was wonderful. All of it. I felt overwhelming love for both Tim and Van. Seeing them together was... perfect.

Welcome to the world, Van. We love you and are so happy to have you in our lives.

Introducing...

Introducing, the light of our lives: Van.


Born on January 27 at 10:14 am, after 10 hours of labor. Weighing in at 3830 grams (8.44 pounds) and 55 cm (21.65 inches) long.

We couldn't be happier, or more in love with him. He's perfect, and everyone is doing great.

xoxo from Deutschland,
T, L & V

Contractions?

How could I forget to ask what a contraction feels like?! Whatever they are, they're 5-8 minutes apart and hurt really, really bad... so, we're off to the hospital! 1:30am

I suppose if it's a false start, we'll be home soon.

Chinese New Year

Happy New Year precious baby...

You're going to be born in the Year of the Ox. We have nothing but complete and consuming love and best wishes for your life.

Fu - the Chinese word for 'luck'

xoxo,
mom & dad

The Final Countdown

After searching for some good music to put on my birthing playlist, I somehow ended up on this youtube video...


It's my new theme song.

Check out the microphone and hair shaking moves of the lead singer, and some of his expressions... inspirational. He's living the final countdown, just like us.

Week 39

1 week to go... or more, or less.

Baby's foot at 37 weeks
Baby is still happy to be inside and is moving/kicking plenty. He's big now, but is still such a good, happy baby... he hasn't given me any heartburn, no painful rib jabs, etc. We're just coasting along as we always have.

The most I can tell you is that he's head down, 'engaged' in my pelvis, and we could see the vernix floating in his amniotic fluid at yesterday's appointment (which does mean he's preparing for his debut, but apparently he's still enjoying being cramped like a pretzel). My doctor also said that if he's not voluntarily going into labor, they will induce me on the 8th day past my due date - which means February 6th. One way or the other, this baby's being born.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy a weekend with Butter.
xoxo,
L

Resourceful

I just read this on the Boston Mama's blog...

A friend of the editor shared her way to re-purpose the leftover Lansinoh breast cream she had:

“So everyone (or many of us) get gnarly feet in the winter months, and I am always in search of the miracle product that will soften my feet. I recently cleaned out my “mother drawer” and began using my Lansinoh lanolin breast cream on my feet, and voila - cracked heels and rough toes be gone! Four days of use and it’s like having a new pair of feet! A fun way to repurpose if you’re not planning on breastfeeding for a while.”

I've got some Lansinoh cream, and rough heels. Check, check! Will be sure to remember this one.

Happy New Year & 36 weeks

A very Happy New Year to all our family and friends! We celebrated by going out to dinner at a Vegan restaurant in Munich. The food was so delicious; how do they make cheesecake vegan? Unfortunately, the service was terrible, and after about 45 minutes of laughing about our dessert still not being delivered, we got serious and focused our sugar vibes on the waitress. Eventually, we got our treat, and then lit some sparklers on our walk back to the S-bahn.

When we arrived in Sauerlach, it was almost midnight and neighbors were lighting off fireworks (These are not little bottle rockets, we're talking serious, explosive, look professional with less altitude, fireworks) all around town. Apparently, they're not as worried about fires and liability as the US. It was really pretty to walk home to, and a great way to end the evening.

I hope you enjoyed a fun new years eve too, as well a feeling of excitement to ring in 2009. (We've dubbed 2009, 'The Year of Thor')

As for week 36... I can say that we've chosen a final name (only to be announced upon his birth), that baby continues to grow and squirm around, and I've developed my first stretch marks (a sign that you were inside me, little man). Otherwise, it's a normal week.


It's hard to describe the excitement that has built up to meet him, we can't wait.