Samuel Gray Wheeler was born around 5 am. He weighs in at 9 pounds 4 ounces and is a 10 on the cuteness scale.
Mommy and baby are doing great. Melissa birthed in the tub, as she had hoped.
They won't be taking visitors until they get some recovery sleep. Three sleepless days can really wear you out.
Please wait for an invitation before visiting.
We are all over-joyed that Melissa and little Sam made it safely through the passage.
Carol
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Saturday, November 12, 2016
A little help is on it's way
Melissa's doctor met with Tim and Natalie and the three of them agreed on a plan for the night. A "whiff" of Pitocin will help increase the intensity of Melissa's surges and hopefully accelerate her dilation. With the 48th hour post rupture in our rear view mirror (water broke Thursday at 8:45 pm) , it is time to get serious about helping this little treasure out.
Once Pitocin is started, the baby will be monitored continuously. Melissa won't have as much freedom to walk around, but she will definitely see progress.
Anna spent some precious time with Melissa this evening. The room has been set up with focal points, candles and other tokens to help Melissa manage the increasing waves of pressure.
We are all hoping the Pitocin does the trick and brings baby down. It will be a long night for Melissa, Pitocin contractions are no joke.
Keep your good wishes and love flowing to our Melissa and the little one.
They are both more precious than I can express.
Carol
Once Pitocin is started, the baby will be monitored continuously. Melissa won't have as much freedom to walk around, but she will definitely see progress.
Anna spent some precious time with Melissa this evening. The room has been set up with focal points, candles and other tokens to help Melissa manage the increasing waves of pressure.
We are all hoping the Pitocin does the trick and brings baby down. It will be a long night for Melissa, Pitocin contractions are no joke.
Keep your good wishes and love flowing to our Melissa and the little one.
They are both more precious than I can express.
Carol
Making progress
Melissa is making progress, still in early labor, but best guess is that she is effacing (~ 70%) and dilating (~ 4). Checks are still infrequent and undefined since they are protecting the baby by limiting exams, but she appears to be moving forward.
Natalie and I recalled how long we labored before really getting going. Two or three days of early labor is pretty typical for our family. Our hope now is that she moves into active labor tonight and that the baby makes a move toward the outlet relatively soon.
Natalie and I recalled how long we labored before really getting going. Two or three days of early labor is pretty typical for our family. Our hope now is that she moves into active labor tonight and that the baby makes a move toward the outlet relatively soon.
Saturday afternoon and no baby yet
Melissa continues to soldier on. Tim is doing his best to support and encourage her. The labor surges come and go, not much change in that department.
She had a brief visit to the birth tub, but the heat was not comfortable and she decided to return to her previous position on the bed.
She walks, squats, and listens to Hypno-Birthing in an effort to relax her pelvic floor and let the baby descend.
She has gotten some relief from counter pressure and sleep, but the march continues.
She had a brief visit to the birth tub, but the heat was not comfortable and she decided to return to her previous position on the bed.
She walks, squats, and listens to Hypno-Birthing in an effort to relax her pelvic floor and let the baby descend.
She has gotten some relief from counter pressure and sleep, but the march continues.
Into the Tub
Around 9:30 Melissa was told that she could move into a room with a tub! YAY! Carol has been here since around 7:30am, labor trucked along through the night, contractions every couple minutes, still quite strong. She was experiencing a lot of pressure in her back, but as the morning has progressed, the back discomfort has decreased. I arrived around 9:45, Melissa was fast asleep on her right side with the peanut ball between her legs. Once she was told she could move to the tub, her body relaxed and gave her a little break. Contractions spaced out, now about 10-15 minutes apart. She is doing an amazing job taking full advantage of the break and sleeps between each surge. Around 10:45 she decided to head to the room with the tub, it is beautiful. The tub is full with very warm water, there are fake candles all around, there is a sound machine on with sounds of the ocean. Melissa got in to the tub and smiled. Tim sat down next to her and her nurse started pouring water down her back. She will stay in the tub for as long as she wants to. We imagine she might get out and walk a little later, but for now its tub time.
-Natalie
-Natalie
It's a beautiful morning
Sorry about the long hiatus. There are definitely challenges to
being completely present with Melissa's and still try to connect to
the outside world. I am very challenged with walking that thin line.
Her labor is steady, and she moves through each wave with power and noise. Baby is shifting to a bit more comfortable position and continues to be active.
They are both entering the serious business of birth and I will repeat my request to refrain from visiting or calling.
Exhaustion and dehydration are the challenges with long labors, so Melissa naps and sips between contractions that come about every 3 minutes.
For those of you wondering what her dilation is or what interventions have been used. At this time, she is not being routinely checked for dilation because her membranes are ruptured.
She got a little kick start to stimulate contractions yesterday, but nothing since last evening.
She is moving along as women have done for thousands of years, using the rhythm of her body to dictate her progress.
She is strong and feels your love,
Carol
Her labor is steady, and she moves through each wave with power and noise. Baby is shifting to a bit more comfortable position and continues to be active.
They are both entering the serious business of birth and I will repeat my request to refrain from visiting or calling.
Exhaustion and dehydration are the challenges with long labors, so Melissa naps and sips between contractions that come about every 3 minutes.
For those of you wondering what her dilation is or what interventions have been used. At this time, she is not being routinely checked for dilation because her membranes are ruptured.
She got a little kick start to stimulate contractions yesterday, but nothing since last evening.
She is moving along as women have done for thousands of years, using the rhythm of her body to dictate her progress.
She is strong and feels your love,
Carol
Time for a shower
Melissa has been contracting every 2-3 minutes, about 45 seconds long. She is swaying, breathing and Tim is providing counter pressure on her back. She has moved from sitting on the ball, to standing, to hands and knees and now is sitting in the shower. She enjoys the warm water on her back and belly. Tim sits next to her offering her words of support and encouragement. It's not easy, but she is smiling.
I arrived a little while ago and started capturing of the beauty on film. She is so beautiful.
-Natalie
I arrived a little while ago and started capturing of the beauty on film. She is so beautiful.
-Natalie
Not quite rolling, but a steady boil.
Moving...
I got a text from Melis around 11:30 pm. Things were very busy on the unit which had distracted her nurses from bothering her much. On her own she has gotten her body started.
Over the last hour we've had 12 contractions averaging about 45 seconds and close to two minutes apart.
More updates to follow. She's doing great and we're getting ready to inquire about moving to a tub room.
Stay tuned for correspondence...
I got a text from Melis around 11:30 pm. Things were very busy on the unit which had distracted her nurses from bothering her much. On her own she has gotten her body started.
Over the last hour we've had 12 contractions averaging about 45 seconds and close to two minutes apart.
More updates to follow. She's doing great and we're getting ready to inquire about moving to a tub room.
Stay tuned for correspondence...
Friday, November 11, 2016
Update from big momma
Apparently a watched pot really never boils... Tim left a few hours ago to get some rest and I have started a nice wave of consistent every 2-3min 30-45 second long contractions. Hurray!! *Woah* just had to stop typing for another... Two doses of cytotec might have just done it, hoping to stay off the monitors and meds and get into a groove. Thanks for everyones love and support!
Time for a quiet night
The time has come for a little rest, Tim is going to get a little sleep while Melissa spends some quiet time alone.
Baby and mom are doing great.
Please no drop-ins or calls until further notice, we will keep you posted 😘
Send positive thoughts and love to Melissa as she moves through this passage.
Carol and Natalie
Baby and mom are doing great.
Please no drop-ins or calls until further notice, we will keep you posted 😘
Send positive thoughts and love to Melissa as she moves through this passage.
Carol and Natalie
Try to spin that baby
We just tried some spinning babies moves :) now she is going on a little walk with Tim. Excited to be off the monitors for a little while.
Baby steps
Melissa has not been having regular contractions, Dr. Romo has suggested starting the induction process with a very small dose of Cytotec. I (Natalie) arrived around 2:45 and enjoyed catching up with Melissa and hearing about her day so far. She had an IV placed, blood drawn and then it was hep-locked. At 3:30 Melissa signed consents to start the induction process with Cytotec, one dose right now with a reevaluation in 4 hours. She was monitored for 30 minutes before she took the oral medication and will have to be monitored for two hours after it was taken. Then she will have 1.5 hours off the monitor before they do it all again. Right after she took the cytotec she decided to try and rest, she was in her left side, holding her heat pack and listening to her hypnobabies. Tim headed out to get some coffee and I enjoyed sitting with Melissa, holding her hand. Tim came back, Melissa adjusted a little and told us that she feels a little bit of cramping. We are excited for this small baby step. Baby is still very active, the heart rate looks good and Melissa's blood pressure has been good.
We are making plans to try some different positions once she is off the monitor :)
We will continue to keep you all updated :)
-Auntie Natalie
We are making plans to try some different positions once she is off the monitor :)
We will continue to keep you all updated :)
-Auntie Natalie
Status Quo
Conditions unremarkable, aside from the snoring coming from my wife's nose.
Her body said rest, so we listened.
Doc McStuffins (aka Christie) should be by anytime to discuss the plan moving forward. It's likely to be more of the same. Wait and be slow to intervene. We trust her judgement.
More updates to follow.
Her body said rest, so we listened.
Doc McStuffins (aka Christie) should be by anytime to discuss the plan moving forward. It's likely to be more of the same. Wait and be slow to intervene. We trust her judgement.
More updates to follow.
Baby sounds great, BP normal, out for another walk
The charge nurse just gave Melissa and Baby a check. All good, however, no labor yet. The unit just had 3 consecutive births, a bit much for a small unit, so Melissa's nurse is helping with other mommies and babies.
The Full moon seems to be doing it's work early. Melissa is in a "holding pattern" until the delivered moms are stable and her physician returns to the unit. It is a good time for a walk.
The Full moon seems to be doing it's work early. Melissa is in a "holding pattern" until the delivered moms are stable and her physician returns to the unit. It is a good time for a walk.
Walking, walking, walking
The gardens and sidewalks are easy, the stairs, not so easy. But Melissa longs to leave the "comfort" of pre labor and get down to the real deal.
Baby continues to enjoy the water less environment. We await the hourly checks including blood pressure and baby's heart rate.
The affirmations are hung and Melissa's ladies continue to wear the wrist bands waiting for labor to begin.
Keep sending your energy and positive affirmations.
Carol
Baby continues to enjoy the water less environment. We await the hourly checks including blood pressure and baby's heart rate.
The affirmations are hung and Melissa's ladies continue to wear the wrist bands waiting for labor to begin.
Keep sending your energy and positive affirmations.
Carol
11/11/16, a good day to be born
So far, things are not going according to plan, but everything is fine. After a little walk this morning, Melissa has decided to stay at the hospital. Her physician was willing to give her a bit of freedom, but she is happy to stay close to care, for the moment.
Still no regular contractions, but she has lots of time. Come on Baby Wheels we can't wait to meet you.
Still no regular contractions, but she has lots of time. Come on Baby Wheels we can't wait to meet you.
First entry
Dear Friends and Family,
Melissa was hesitant to "publish" her labor progress, but it has become immediately clear that texting updates to all of the people that love her is not possible. So, with her permission, I am beginning this blog to let everyone who loves Melissa, Timmy and baby check in to see what is happening and send volumes of loving thoughts toward them all. Please do not forward this address without permission.
Thanks,
Carol
From the beginning:
After a relaxing pre natal yoga class and a spicy dinner with the family, we arrived in the driveway and the water began to flow. For those who care, the amniotic fluid was clear (good sign) and there was lots of it (another good sign). After a shower and a few quick calls, Melissa and Tim were on their way to the hospital.
Arriving about 10:00 pm and expecting a simple check and discharge orders. Instead, she was admitted for the night. Timmy gallantly stayed with her and likely got just a few winks of sleep. The rest of us gathered at a hotel and got whatever bits of sleep we could.
More to come,
Melissa was hesitant to "publish" her labor progress, but it has become immediately clear that texting updates to all of the people that love her is not possible. So, with her permission, I am beginning this blog to let everyone who loves Melissa, Timmy and baby check in to see what is happening and send volumes of loving thoughts toward them all. Please do not forward this address without permission.
Thanks,
Carol
From the beginning:
After a relaxing pre natal yoga class and a spicy dinner with the family, we arrived in the driveway and the water began to flow. For those who care, the amniotic fluid was clear (good sign) and there was lots of it (another good sign). After a shower and a few quick calls, Melissa and Tim were on their way to the hospital.
Arriving about 10:00 pm and expecting a simple check and discharge orders. Instead, she was admitted for the night. Timmy gallantly stayed with her and likely got just a few winks of sleep. The rest of us gathered at a hotel and got whatever bits of sleep we could.
More to come,
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