Welcome Anders!
I had that virgin mint julep, watched the Derby and started to feel very, very tired. So we went home and I tried to nap on the couch with a little success. At 1:20am, I felt my first contraction. They continued about 8-10 minutes apart until 3:00, when I decided to get up. While watching an Ellen DeGeneres stand-up special on HBO, the contractions sped up to 3-5 minutes apart. So I called Kathy and James to come watch Ellis and we went to the birth center.
I have to take a moment to point out how nice it is to have such a supportive sister and brother-in-law. The reason I could focus on Anders was because I knew Ellis was with Kathy and James. For one, Ellis adores them and wouldn't be upset that we were away as long as they were around. For another, I knew that they would make everything feel as normal as possible for Ellis. James took a cab over just after 4am and stayed until his Sunday morning church gig. Then Kathy took over. They were on duty -- with a teething Ian, who is just miserable right now -- until 6pm when we got home. Seriously, they were game changers for us.
When we got to the birth center, I was 4cm dilated -- something that, with Ellis, was only accomplished after 13 hours on Pitocin. Jamie, the midwife, had us walk the halls and coached me on ways to help things along and counter the pain. At 7:30, she checked me again and I was 6cm dilated. While she was recording this fact and admitting me formally (they don't admit you until you are 5cm), my water broke.
The contractions definitely got more intense from there. Jamie encouraged me to get in the tub with the jacuzzi jets on my back. This did help. But after being in the tub for about 20-30 minutes, I felt compelled to move to my knees. Jamie had just told me that the fact that my contractions had slowed meant we were heading to the final stage. And about 2 contractions later, there was a baby. What is funny is that I was the only one who realized the baby had arrived. Jamie was encouraging me to focus on the pressure and push and I said, "The head is out." One more push and Anders was born, right at 9am on Mothers' Day.
Introducing Anders Axel. Anders because we like it and Axel for Mike's grandfather. He was 8lbs, 2oz, 21"; but he doesn't look that big. We think he takes after Mike, who has such dense bones he cannot float in a pool. Anders got an 8.5 apgar score, being held back a bit because he was so quiet.
Being in the tub made this whole process SO much easier. I had doubts, but it really made a huge difference. The difference between natural and the epidural is amazing. I had to push for 40-45 minutes with Ellis because I couldn't really feel where she was. With Anders, I couldn't stop pushing even after the contraction stopped because I was so aware of his position. As a result, his head was really beautifully round because he spent so little time in the birth canal.
The labor and delivery were text book, and very different from the first time. But as opposed to the first time, recovery was tricky. I didn't get to spend much time with Anders before I started to feel nauseated and dizzy. Turns out that blood clots in my uterus were making it impossible for my uterus to contract and, as a result, I was bleeding too much. My blood pressure dropped to 60 over 40. Of course this all happened as soon as I sent Mike out to get food and assured him that I was fine.
The midwives got rid of the clots (not pleasant) and I started feeling much better, ate some food and got my blood pressure back up to normal range. But when I got in the shower to clean up, it all came rushing back. I ended up on the bathroom floor for 30 minutes while they stabilized me. Turns out, the blood loss required a little more rehab before I could go home. With an IV, a nap and food, I finally got back to normal and was sent home.
Ellis was interested in her baby brother but got more excited as time went on. Anders and I woke Ellis up in the morning and came with her to daycare -- she treated it like the best show-and-tell ever. Anders also brought her an interactive map of the US, Cinderella on DVD and a Buzz Lightyear flashlight. By bedtime tonight, Ellis was insisting that Anders sleep in the crib in her room (or even in bed with her) and pronounced that she loved her baby brother. While Mike was rubbing Ellis' back for bedtime, she heard him crying (because he was getting his diaper changed). She told Mike that Anders was crying because he missed his big sister.
After a good night's sleep and relaxing morning, Anders, Mike and I went out for a good walk and some sun in the beautiful spring weather. While out, we ran into Cassandra and Alastair, who thought I was crazy for being out and about so soon.
What can I say about the baby boy? I don't know him very well yet. He has dark blond or light brown hair and blue eyes, so far. And so far, he is not very vocal, unless he is getting his diaper changed. Other than that, he might sometimes make a squeaking noise when he is really upset. Here is the miracle blanket doing what it does so well.
I have to take a moment to point out how nice it is to have such a supportive sister and brother-in-law. The reason I could focus on Anders was because I knew Ellis was with Kathy and James. For one, Ellis adores them and wouldn't be upset that we were away as long as they were around. For another, I knew that they would make everything feel as normal as possible for Ellis. James took a cab over just after 4am and stayed until his Sunday morning church gig. Then Kathy took over. They were on duty -- with a teething Ian, who is just miserable right now -- until 6pm when we got home. Seriously, they were game changers for us.
When we got to the birth center, I was 4cm dilated -- something that, with Ellis, was only accomplished after 13 hours on Pitocin. Jamie, the midwife, had us walk the halls and coached me on ways to help things along and counter the pain. At 7:30, she checked me again and I was 6cm dilated. While she was recording this fact and admitting me formally (they don't admit you until you are 5cm), my water broke.
The contractions definitely got more intense from there. Jamie encouraged me to get in the tub with the jacuzzi jets on my back. This did help. But after being in the tub for about 20-30 minutes, I felt compelled to move to my knees. Jamie had just told me that the fact that my contractions had slowed meant we were heading to the final stage. And about 2 contractions later, there was a baby. What is funny is that I was the only one who realized the baby had arrived. Jamie was encouraging me to focus on the pressure and push and I said, "The head is out." One more push and Anders was born, right at 9am on Mothers' Day.
Introducing Anders Axel. Anders because we like it and Axel for Mike's grandfather. He was 8lbs, 2oz, 21"; but he doesn't look that big. We think he takes after Mike, who has such dense bones he cannot float in a pool. Anders got an 8.5 apgar score, being held back a bit because he was so quiet.
Being in the tub made this whole process SO much easier. I had doubts, but it really made a huge difference. The difference between natural and the epidural is amazing. I had to push for 40-45 minutes with Ellis because I couldn't really feel where she was. With Anders, I couldn't stop pushing even after the contraction stopped because I was so aware of his position. As a result, his head was really beautifully round because he spent so little time in the birth canal.
The labor and delivery were text book, and very different from the first time. But as opposed to the first time, recovery was tricky. I didn't get to spend much time with Anders before I started to feel nauseated and dizzy. Turns out that blood clots in my uterus were making it impossible for my uterus to contract and, as a result, I was bleeding too much. My blood pressure dropped to 60 over 40. Of course this all happened as soon as I sent Mike out to get food and assured him that I was fine.
The midwives got rid of the clots (not pleasant) and I started feeling much better, ate some food and got my blood pressure back up to normal range. But when I got in the shower to clean up, it all came rushing back. I ended up on the bathroom floor for 30 minutes while they stabilized me. Turns out, the blood loss required a little more rehab before I could go home. With an IV, a nap and food, I finally got back to normal and was sent home.
Ellis was interested in her baby brother but got more excited as time went on. Anders and I woke Ellis up in the morning and came with her to daycare -- she treated it like the best show-and-tell ever. Anders also brought her an interactive map of the US, Cinderella on DVD and a Buzz Lightyear flashlight. By bedtime tonight, Ellis was insisting that Anders sleep in the crib in her room (or even in bed with her) and pronounced that she loved her baby brother. While Mike was rubbing Ellis' back for bedtime, she heard him crying (because he was getting his diaper changed). She told Mike that Anders was crying because he missed his big sister.
After a good night's sleep and relaxing morning, Anders, Mike and I went out for a good walk and some sun in the beautiful spring weather. While out, we ran into Cassandra and Alastair, who thought I was crazy for being out and about so soon.
What can I say about the baby boy? I don't know him very well yet. He has dark blond or light brown hair and blue eyes, so far. And so far, he is not very vocal, unless he is getting his diaper changed. Other than that, he might sometimes make a squeaking noise when he is really upset. Here is the miracle blanket doing what it does so well.
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