Liam was born on October 7th at 7:24 pm. He weighed 8 lb and 12 oz and was 19 inches long. We didn't post for such a long time because we just got released from the hospital last night at about 8:30 pm due to some concern about a possible heart problem. We are thankful to say that everything checked out fine and the doctor says he is very healthy. We feel very blessed from the Lord to have such a beautiful boy.
Here's the saga of Liam's birth...
At the beginning of the long, long hospital stay...
We were told to arrive at the hospital at 7:30 pm on October 5th to be induced because Liam was about a week late. The plan was to have a cervix softener placed overnight, then start Pitocin to really get the contractions going at 7:30 am. They did place the cervix softener, but then the plan fell apart. Apparently the doctor on call was running all over town delivering babies, so she told the nurse that she didn't want to deliver us that day. She ordered to keep the cervix softener in for an extra 12 hours (24 hours total), and then take it out, wait until early am of the 7th, then start the Pitocin so most likely we would deliver after she was off call.
This was obviously a bit frustrating for several reasons. We could have stayed home an extra day. I had to stay in bed the entire time because the baby needed to be continuously monitored with the cervix softener as it can cause complications. The nurses all felt bad that I had to stay in the delivery bed because it was very uncomfortable. Also my skin started have an allergic reaction to the tape and gel they put on my skin to monitor the baby.
Unknown to us, the discomfort I had been feeling the past several weeks actually was mild contractions. The cervix softener had helped the contractions increase in strength and frequency, so by the time the Pitocin was started my contractions were well on the way, although still not awful.
By 1 pm on the 7th, I was ready for an epidural. I've got to say that I highly recommend them! Labor started progressing quickly from that point on. Coming into the hospital, the stats were 1 cm dilated and 70-80% effaced. Just 36 hours after admission, the stats were 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced (all I've got to say is that I don't think much of that cervix softening medication). By 1 pm on the 7th, it was 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I got the epidural at 2 pm and everything progressed rapidly. By 3:30 pm, it was 7-8 cm dilated and 80%. The doctor (a different one is on call now) decided to break the amniotic sac and by 6:15 we were ready to deliver. The doctor made it back to the hospital by 6:40 and the baby was out at 7:24-almost exactly 48 hours after admission!
The epidural made it so I couldn't really feel anything. The nurse and Andy had to hold my feet up because they were flopping all over the place. Andy was very encouraging throughout the whole process and was the perfect coach. The doctor decided to assist me with the pushing with a vacuum. He started with a "mini vacuum" then had to advance to the regular vacuum. When Liam's head came out, the doctor was saying how surprised he was that the baby was so big. All the doctors had said they thought he'd be about 7 lbs. Little did they know :)
Soon we were transferred to our post partum room and two days later we finally made it home! We're thankful to be in our own place and getting used to life with Liam. It has been great to have the support of family, neighbors, and friends.
Proud Papa
Tired Mama
Here's the saga of Liam's birth...
At the beginning of the long, long hospital stay...We were told to arrive at the hospital at 7:30 pm on October 5th to be induced because Liam was about a week late. The plan was to have a cervix softener placed overnight, then start Pitocin to really get the contractions going at 7:30 am. They did place the cervix softener, but then the plan fell apart. Apparently the doctor on call was running all over town delivering babies, so she told the nurse that she didn't want to deliver us that day. She ordered to keep the cervix softener in for an extra 12 hours (24 hours total), and then take it out, wait until early am of the 7th, then start the Pitocin so most likely we would deliver after she was off call.
This was obviously a bit frustrating for several reasons. We could have stayed home an extra day. I had to stay in bed the entire time because the baby needed to be continuously monitored with the cervix softener as it can cause complications. The nurses all felt bad that I had to stay in the delivery bed because it was very uncomfortable. Also my skin started have an allergic reaction to the tape and gel they put on my skin to monitor the baby.
Unknown to us, the discomfort I had been feeling the past several weeks actually was mild contractions. The cervix softener had helped the contractions increase in strength and frequency, so by the time the Pitocin was started my contractions were well on the way, although still not awful.
By 1 pm on the 7th, I was ready for an epidural. I've got to say that I highly recommend them! Labor started progressing quickly from that point on. Coming into the hospital, the stats were 1 cm dilated and 70-80% effaced. Just 36 hours after admission, the stats were 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced (all I've got to say is that I don't think much of that cervix softening medication). By 1 pm on the 7th, it was 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I got the epidural at 2 pm and everything progressed rapidly. By 3:30 pm, it was 7-8 cm dilated and 80%. The doctor (a different one is on call now) decided to break the amniotic sac and by 6:15 we were ready to deliver. The doctor made it back to the hospital by 6:40 and the baby was out at 7:24-almost exactly 48 hours after admission!
The epidural made it so I couldn't really feel anything. The nurse and Andy had to hold my feet up because they were flopping all over the place. Andy was very encouraging throughout the whole process and was the perfect coach. The doctor decided to assist me with the pushing with a vacuum. He started with a "mini vacuum" then had to advance to the regular vacuum. When Liam's head came out, the doctor was saying how surprised he was that the baby was so big. All the doctors had said they thought he'd be about 7 lbs. Little did they know :)
Soon we were transferred to our post partum room and two days later we finally made it home! We're thankful to be in our own place and getting used to life with Liam. It has been great to have the support of family, neighbors, and friends.
Proud Papa
Tired Mama
7 comments:
Yeah for pictures!! Congratulations Tobin family! Arianna, you look simply amazing for a 48 hour pre-birth saga. Nice work Mama.
BTW- he is SOOOOO CUTE!
I'm so glad that he is here :) Congratulations!!! Good job Arianna (and Andy too!) Liam is adorable!
We will be praying for you all as you adjust to 'normal' at home together.
Congratulations - you look awesome! He is super cute and you will love being parents - we've loved our first two months. :-)
Beth
Oh my word, HE IS SO ADORABLE!! Congratulations you guys - we are thrilled for you. AND, we are excited to be joining you in parenthood in another 6 months! :) Not sure if you heard yet, but Chunny is going to be a daddy too!
We love you three.
xoxoxo
Chris & Lisa
Yippee! It's so nice to finally see Liam! He looks like a toddler already! I can't believe how much hair he has and how little he cried in that video. He is a very handsome and alert little boy. Just remember, you can never post too many pictures for your adoring public.
Wow!!! We were anxiously awaiting to hear the story and see the pictures!!!
Dustin and Heidi
Yahoo!! Congrats Tobins!! He is incredibly handsome - I love all of the hair! thanks for the pics and the story - it's amazing how each little one is so different in how they come into this world. Praying already for God to give him saving faith :)
Love to all three of you!
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