Lyla's VBAC Birth Story

            On August 15^, 2012 I woke up at 7:00 am with contractions.  I didn’t think much of it since for the previous 4 days, the same thing happened.  I would have contractions for about 2-3 hours, and then they would stop.  I had my scheduled appointment that morning at 11:00 am.  This appointment happened to be the appointment where the Dr’s would have me schedule a c section since I was 41 weeks.  I was checked, but I was only ½ centimeter and 70% effaced (the same as the week before).  I scheduled the surgery for the next morning (August 16^th) at 7:30 AM with the Dr who delivered my first son via c section.  I was devastated.  I had dedicated the last nine months to preparing myself for a VBAC.  My mind was set on one.  I did not want another surgery.

            My husband and I took a LONG walk on the beach to see if anything would happen.  During that amazing and beautiful walk, we both came to peace with the fact that if I didn’t go into labor by 7:30 the next morning, I would have to have a c section.  We decided to go out to lunch at one of our favorite seafood shops.  It was just the two of us which is very rare (my mother and sister were watching my son).  During lunch at 1:00 PM I went into labor.  The contractions were a steady 4-5 minutes apart and getting stronger. 

            I labored at home for just a short time since the Dr’s were very adamant on me calling the hospital as soon as I went into labor. 

            At 4:00 PM we arrived at the hospital.  We weren’t admitted at first, they kept me monitored for about an hour to see if I would dilate at all.  I was at 2 centimeters, so they decided to admit me (even though I wasn’t in active labor….I was a VBAC, so they needed to take extra precautions).  The Dr that was on call was very cold and nasty.  He was not open to VBAC’s at all, and tried to scare my husband and me.  

 

            I walked the halls, took a shower, bounced on my birth ball, etc.  I was checked again at 8:00 PM and I was the same (2 centimeters).  The Dr wanted to break my water, but I refused.  For some reason, this made the Dr very mad and annoyed at me.  From this point on, he was very difficult to deal with (to put it lightly). 

            I labored in the room from this point on.  Mostly attached to the monitors, but walked around the bed, bounced on my birth ball, sat in a rocking chair, and constantly used the bathroom (the toilet was a good place to deal with contractions).  I forgot to mention that the room we happened to be in was FREEZING!!!  The thermostat was broken, so the AC was set to around 55 degrees!  If I was cold and in labor, I can’t imagine how my husband, mother, and doula felt.  After many complaints and my husband blocking the vents with towels, we were able to switch to a different room.  

            My labor from 8:00PM-2:00AM was very painful and difficult.  At around 11:00 PM, the Dr checked me again, and I was 3 centimeters.  I asked about breaking my water at this point and for some reason he didn’t want to….it almost seemed like he wanted to prove a point.  I was fine with it.  I know that with a VBAC, when the waters are ruptured, you’re on a clock. 

            At around 12:00 AM, I asked for an epidural, but the Dr was on another floor in the OR.  Finally, at 2:00 AM, the nurses got permission from the Dr (who was still on a different floor) for the anesthesiologist to give me an epidural.  I was completely exhausted and drained from the 13 hours of hard labor.  My doula gave me a message, and then decided to leave to get rest herself. 

            My mother and I were in the room when the Dr finally came in to check me (still at 3 centimeters) and to tell me that he doesn’t understand why I would want to prolong this.  The way he said it was very condescending and rude.  I was taken back, as I didn’t understand what he was saying.  He refused to tell me what he was talking about, and then I figured out that he was referring to me not allowing him to break my waters.  I reminded him that I asked him to do it around 11:00 PM, and he said that I didn’t.  So, I asked him to do it again.  His response was “Yeah 10 hours later” and left to go to sleep.  I was lost for words.  I kept asking God why I was stuck with his horrific Dr. 

            When my husband returned, I told him what happened, and he was very upset as well.  We decided to just wait it out until 7:30 AM when my other Dr would arrive.  My mother left to get rest as well.

            My husband and I were able to speak alone for a while and came to the decision that a c section was the way to go.  I was again devastated and felt like a failure. 

For the next few hours, I was able to get rest.

            At 7:30 AM, it seemed like an angel walked through the door!  It was my new Dr!  I finally felt relieved, relaxed, and safe.  My husband and I told him we were ready for a c section, since it was scheduled for him to do it anyway, and after the night we had along with the horrific Dr.  He told me that I’ve wanted a VBAC for too long to just give up.  He ruptured my waters and checked me at around 9:00 AM.  I was 5 centimeters!  He checked me again at 10:00 AM and I was 6 centimeters!  I was rejoicing!  He checked me again at 12:00, but I was still at 6 centimeters.  Since the baby and I were doing well on the monitors, he decided to give me pitocin.  I was against it, but decided that if it was the only way to VBAC, I would give it a try.  I started dilating 1 centimeter an hour.  At 4:00 PM, I started to push, and at 5:00 PM my little baby girl was born via VBAC!  Lyla Jo, 7 pounds, 8 ounces, 20.5 inches long!

            I can’t stress enough how important it was for me to have a supportive Dr.  If the second Dr never came in, I wouldn’t have had my VBAC. 

Ryder's Adorable Reaction.....

Frank and I watch the show Parenthood.  We both love it.  We always DVR it because we usually go to bed early...
We were watching the season finally a few evenings ago, and Ryder was in the room with us playing with his toys.  At the end of the show, there was a wedding.  Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" (Adele's version is more known right now) was being preformed by a church choir.  Just after the first 3 notes/words of the song, Ryder dropped all of his toys, looked at the TV, turned around and asked me to lift him up so he could watch from my lap. 
A little history is necessary to understand the significance of this..... I made a "First Year" video of Ryder using a movie making program.  Ryder has seen this video countless times, and he loves it more and more with each viewing.  The song that I chose for the video was Adele's version of "Make You Feel My Love". 
Frank and I already knew that he was very musically inclined, but this amazed us both.  He KNEW what the song was, even though it wasn't the Adele version that we used in his "First Year" video.
He just might be an American Idol in the future!     

Mommy has a rash!

I have had a terrible terrible rash since just before Christmas.  It has become worse over the days.  I have been using every Essential Oil I could think of, but nothing was helping.  I finally gave up and decided to go to the dermatologist.  The Dr was helpful in telling me that I was allergic to something I was touching (allergic contact dermatitis).  She had me throw out my dish gloves (since the rash is only on the tops of my hands and inside my wrists).  She also gave me a prescription for a non-steroid cream (I dont' like to use steroids). 

Almost two weeks go by.  My rash has been progressivly getting worse every day.  It was sooooo bad this past Tuesday and Wednesday that I had to just sit back and really THINK of why this was happening.  I threw out my gloves, like the Dr told me to do.  I bought new disposable gloves, like the Dr told me to do.  Yet this rash is getting worse! 

It finally hit me......
My family was out for three weeks during the Christmas break (in their summer home).  I went to the house almost every day before and after work so my mother could babysit and spend time with Ryder.  During these three weeks, I helped out by doing dishes/cleaning the kitchen, etc.  My mother uses latex gloves....she always has, always will.  I've never had an issue with latex, so I was using her gloves to do the dishes.  This is when the rash started.  I threw out my non-latex gloves (thinking this was the problem) and purchased disposable latex gloves.  The use of latex gloves multiple times a day has turned my rash into an almost unmanageable situation. 

I just went to the Dr again this morning.  She could not believe how bad it was.  I haven't used the gloves for two days now, and the rash is disappearing slowly.  The Dr said that it should take about a week to fully go away.

I decided to share this story because I couldn't believe why the oils were not helping.  Yes, they were helping with the itching....fine.  BUT they weren't helping with the rash.  I could not understand why!!!  Now I know, it is because I was still in contact with what I was allergic to.....latex.

There will be situations where we need to sit back and think of why a specific issue is happening.  We might have to change something that we are doing/eating/drinking, etc.         

Florida Vaca Update

Well, we've been back from Florida for some time now.  I feel terrible that I haven't updated until now! 

Here goes.....

The flight down was OK.  Ryder was very fussy for most of the flight.  I used Peace and Calming and Melrose Essential Oil blend on him before we took off.  He responded well to both because he wasn't crying from ear pain, just fussy.  Frank walked up and down the isle with him until he fell asleep (I have a very patient husband). 

The vacation was a blast!  A much needed rest for our family. 

The flight back was a different story.  I forgot to put the oils on him, and he was almost unmanageable.  He finally fell asleep 30 min before we landed.  When we landed, the passengers on the plane decided to clap and cheer....resulting in Ryder waking up.  He was SCREAMING in pain for about 20 minutes until we finally were able to get off of the plane.  The pressure in his ears must have been unbearable.  I felt soooo very bad for forgetting to put the oils on him before we took off.  I felt like such a bad mother.  :(

My lesson learned was to NEVER forget to put oils on Ryder again.  He responds very well to every oil, and my heart breaks when I think about the plane ride home.  :(

 

FLORIDA!

As I am writing this, there are sooo many things "flying" through my mind.  We are leaving to go to Florida tomorrow!!  I am very excited, as we haven't taken a vacation for two years!  Before Ryder, a vacation was cake to prepare for.  Now?  Not so much.  Like I said before....sooo many things "flying" through my mind. 

We have a great friend that let us borrow a great travel stroller.....that's one thing off my list....check!
I had to reserve a car seat with the rental company we are using.....I then had to call to make sure it was still available.....check!
I have to use a carry on for Ryder's luggage.  Since he is a "lap passenger", he doesn't have the luxury of a checked bag.  However, his existence does come with an allowance of a stroller, car seat, and diaper bag.....check!
Cell phones, I pad, camera, toys for Ryder, lolipop for Ryder during take off and landing, etc, etc, etc.  The list can keep on going. 

One of the most important things on my list are my essential oils.  I will be bringing the necessities with me in my checked baggage.  I will also bring two with me on the plane in order to help Ryder's ear pressure. 

I hope to give an update as to how we survived the flight soon.  :)  

RC for Ryder's cold amazes Grandma and Grandpa

Last week, Grandma and Grandpa took Ryder for the day (instead of our babysitter) while Frank and I were at work.  Ryder had a cold and very congested.  I told Grandma to keep applying RC (a blend of a few different essential oils) every hour or so.  She was AMAZED at how quickly she saw results!  She even called Grandpa over to witness......  Every time she would apply the RC to Ryder's chest and underneith his nose and neck, his nose would start to run immediately.... within seconds!  It would begin to break up the congestion within seconds. 
This is just another experience I've had that was very noticable with the essential oils.  Ryder got over his cold within a few days with no meds. 

 

Ryder's First Steps

This morning, in front of BOTH mommy and daddy, Ryder took his first steps.  He was VERY proud of himself.  A beautiful four tooth smile adorned his face as mommy and daddy applauded with "yay Ryder!"s.  Daddy was able to quickly grab his phone and take a video.   

How exciting!  I'm so proud of my little boy.

Pics and/or video to come!