Jill's Birth Story

Jill Martha Catherine Wilson

March 25, 2012

7 lbs 10 oz

20 in

I first woke up around 5 with what felt like gas pains/cramps.  I tried going to the bathroom but nothing was happening so I went back to bed.  I woke up again around 5:30 with the same feeling but nothing happened again.  So I laid in bed and decided to see what happened when I felt the pain again.  After a couple times I noticed it was more painful into my back and my stomach was tightening. 

About 6 I went to the guestroom and mentioned to my mom what I was feeling and that I thought it might be the start of contractions.  We went downstairs and starting timing them and pretty much right away they were coming about 4-6 minutes apart.  Since my labour with Paul was fairly fast we decided to go to the hospital right away.

They hooked me up to a monitor and checked for about 20 minutes to a half hour.  They said that I was about 3 cm but my cervix was still fairly thick and "floppy." My contractions were coming 4 1/2 min apart consistently and she said that I could go home and come back when they were coming 3 min consistently. 

So I went home for 4 hours and did some labouring in bed and walking around.  When I got up and started walking around they were beginning to come 2-3 minutes consistently and getting more intense.  We went back to the hospital and they checked/monitored me again and I was 5 cm/75% effaced but my contractions slowed down to about 6-7 minutes apart.  They were getting more intense, though, so they admitted me at 2:25 (that's what is on my bracelet.)

They gave me my antibiotics for GBS and then let me use a birthing ball to help bring her head down 'cause it was still pretty high.  I did that for about an hour and a half until they were so strong I started feeling some pressure to lightly push.  Also during that time I threw up in the bathroom and lost my mucous plug, but my water was still intact. 

At 3:55 the doctor checked me and I was at 7 cm.  The nurse said to me "let's see if we can get this baby out by 7!" She was hoping she'd get to be there when it happened before shift change.  I thought "it would be nice if she was born a half hour from now!" I was on the bed now and the contractions were coming about 1-2 minutes apart and getting really intense so I didn't want to move back to the ball.  I didn't have any pain relief and it wasn't long before I was writhing on the bed, almost in tears it hurt so bad.  I had been just breathing through the contractions but I was starting to groan a lot. 

Then my water broke during a contraction and she crowned right away.  There was a bit of meconium in the water so she called the doctor and everyone in right away.  I was telling the nurse that I HAD to push and she said "wait wait wait! Not yet!" So she checked me real fast and said that when I felt like I needed to to push.  In 4 pushes Jill was out crying away! I had 2nd degree tearing so it took time for them to stitch me up (same as with Paul.) About a half hour after she was born I was able to hold her.

So I guess my desire for her to be born within a half hour was reachable 'cause 25 minutes later she was born!

Arrived!

She is here! Jill Martha Catherine Wilson arrived March 25th at 4:20 pm. She weighed 7 lbs, 10 oz and was 20 in long. And she is beautiful!

Jill at 5 days old

Proud big brother Paul

One big happy family

Time

I should be doing so many other things right now but instead I'm being lazy...or relaxing. Whatever you want to call it.

Dan is at work and we sent Paul to daycare for the day so I have had the house all to myself. I went back to bed about 9:45 and got up at 1:45 (with a little bathroom break in between...can't get away from those these days.) It was wonderful! The last time I had a day like this I felt guilty for relaxing 'cause I knew a lot needed to get done but Dan told me to just relax and do nothing so I did! I didn't even wait for him to tell me today.

So, I'm just catching up on some Glee I've missed (we don't have cable) and enjoying the birds chirping outside my open windows! I have less than two hours of "freedom" left so I should get going. My next post will probably be when baby girl is born - anxiously awaiting to share the good news!

I'm still here...I promise! I'll give you a better update soon but for now I'll leave you a belly pic! 38 weeks and counting...

Time Off

Some weeks are full of opposite shifts, daycare, running around, paying bills, barely having enough for groceries, tired, cranky children and tired, cranky parents.

Then there are weeks that are full of love and life. Paul and I have been at my parent's house since Saturday and it's been so relaxing and ultimately uneventful. I love that. My parents get some quality time with their grandson and I get a little bit of a break from having to keep an eye on him every single minute of the day. There's also games of Yahtzee, hot coffee and great conversation. We've been to the Fair, celebrated "Gwampa's" birthday and found some good deals at second-hand shops.

Throwing rocks in the water

Paulie and Mommy

I'm on vacation for two weeks (sixteen days to be exact) and am loving every single moment. I haven't had any vacation since I went back to work over a year ago. It actually all fell into place perfectly. Our daycare provider had her baby today (congrats, Sam!) and is off for two weeks and I just got a new job I start Oct. 3rd. That's right, brand spanking new. I'm moving from women's clothing into children's clothing (dangerous.) It's a better position and better pay. I'm excited for the change but I'm also kind of nervous - who isn't when facing a new job?

Another thing I'm excited about is a new baby! We are expecting again and I'm due March 24th. Only 4.5 more weeks till we find out what it is! Boy? Girl? What's your guess? Until then I am content just knowing that it's growing (boy oh boy is it growing) and healthy.

So, as I spend the morning hanging out with mom at her work I feel thankful and blessed to get this time. I like feeling free to say "whatever...we've got all the time we want." I'm soaking up all this beautiful transitional fall weather and making the most of it. Today is shopping and Pad Thai for lunch (something I save for trips "home") with my mom. Lovely day it is, then :)

6 Months Ago

Six months ago I was growing a baby in my belly. It had a beating heart and a brain. It had little hands and feet. It was going to grow up to be someone special - someone great. At least in my mind it was.

Six months ago I was looking forward to August 31st. It was a prominent date in my mind. It still is, but in a very different way. I have been dreading it. That date will now always remind me of the baby that didn't get to be; that never got a chance. I will probably always be just a little bit sad on that day.

There is a silver lining, though. There is now a new little one getting the chance to grow and become someone special right inside me. I have seen it. I saw it wiggle and was told it had a heart beat of 171 bpm. I am 10 weeks and 3 days.

I am grateful to be able to face this day knowing that God has special plans for a different child in our lives. One that will be just as great.

TWO!

My son is two today! When did that happen? I remember my first post about being pregnant - seems like yesterday!

He is such a delight. Words are spilling out of him so fast and it just blows us away. We've been teaching him that it's his birthday and he's two - he loves saying it: "Birtday - TWO!" We feel so lucky and blessed to have him...every single day :)

Just a few days old

First Birthday

Two years old!

Today is also my wedding anniversary! 5 years I have been married to a wonderful, charming, thoughtful, loving man. I am amazed every day that he chooses to love me. I feel so undeserving of his love.

Happy Anniversary, my dear husband - with all that I am and will be :)

2006

2011