Its all about the delivery

Mason Irene Hillstrom
Born 9/25/2009
at 12:10 am
7 lbs 8 oz
19.5 inches

Yay for a VBAC. My water broke Thursday at 0430 am. I labored at home until about 1pm then when to the hospital. I was doing well with staying relaxed and employing my Hypnobirthing preparation until about 5 pm and I started getting scared. I wasn't handling the pain well and requested an epidural.
It was looking pretty grim after I received my epidural. Mason did not respond well to it. Her heart rate dropped into the 50's. They nurse called a code (meaning emergency call) and I felt like I just ruined my chances for nonsurgical intervention. After oxygen, position changes, and much prayer her heart rate came back up.
At 10 pm I was dilated and per the Dr. and Nurses digression ready to push Mason out. I had prepared for a natural birth and in my mind babies should be breathed out rather than forced pushing. The Midwife and Physician (whom I had not met previously) kept asking my how committed I was to a vaginal birth and telling me it could go either way. This just made me mad as I am lying there working to get my baby out. So I pushed. and pushed. and pushed. And finally the Dr. said if she hasn't come by midnight we will have to go for cesarean. That just made me more irritated. I knew Mason would come without being sliced open. I kept yelling 5 more minutes and at 12:10 am she was born.
I think she just wanted to share her birthday with her mom and grandpa.

Jacob's loving baby Mason. My SIL gave Jacob a big brother book that really helped him understand.

Mason has some jaundice so we have to supplement her feedings until my milk comes in and stimulate my milk supply. So that means nurse every 2-3 hours, then I pump afterward for 15 minutes. I pray it comes in quickly because Eli is headed back to work and it may be a few days before my mom can get here.

Nested

Well Mason is due today, but not a whole lot happening. I hope she waits until Friday then she will be born on my dad's and my birthday. So I have doing some decorating of Jacob's new big boy room and Mason's nursery. Here are the before and after.

Jacob's room with all the baby furniture I needed for the nursery:

After converting to a big boy bed: (He loves it)






Mason's room was a guest bedroom for almost 5 months:Now it is pretty and flowery just how I wanted it:

So I made salsa and canned it yesterday because I had oodles of tomatoes to use. Next time I'll stick with the Pace Picante it was way too much hassle.
My hospital bag is packed. I have a weeks worth of dinners frozen. Laundry is caught up. Good thing because all that energy boost is burnt up. It's 10 am and I am ready for a nap.

38 weeks, 2 days

Full term and I am feeling it. Jacob was delivered at 36 weeks. I have never been this pregnant before. Now I understand what all the complaining is about. Carpal tunnel, numb hips, frequent urination, pelvic pain-- What fun. Overall, I feel pretty good. Just tired. My nesting energy went away this week. My mom has been here for almost 3 weeks helping so that has been so nice. I have 3 days of work left. My last day is Friday the 18th. I hope Mason stays put till then. In the mean time Jacob is getting lots of attention from grandparents. His favorite phrase, "do it again please".