Introducing Joseph Mark - birth story!

This Thanksgiving, we were able to finally hold our newest blessing!  And we are truly thankful!

Joseph Mark was born on Thanksgiving, 11-24-16 at 7:14pm.  He weighed in at a whopping 9lb 12 oz and was 23" long!

We are praising God for his hand in this delivery.

Labor was about 25 hours long, starting around 6pm at home and we went into the hospital around 9:30pm.  My water broke almost as soon as we got to the hospital Wednesday night. I was hopeful the labor would go quickly!

Well, to shorten a long story, I was stuck at 7cm for 10 hours! At 5pm, when contractions were strong but there was still no change, I broke down. We started talking about pitocin. I was crushed but exhausted and feeling defeated.

I decided I wanted as many prayer warriors, so I turned to an online Christian mom's group I am a part of and asked for prayers that this would get going!  A few of these women suggested a position called "The Running Man" - where I would lay on my side with my bottom leg straight out an my top leg bent over the top and hanging off the side of the bed.  

I tried this position while Tyler and I prayed for wisdom about whether or not to take the Pitocin.  Sure enough, contractions picked up and something started to change.  I felt like someone had already given me the Pitocin!  Doc came in and said FINALLY I had changed.  He gave me a cervical block (basically a numbing agent - just a localized shot to numb the cervix).  He left to go get scrubs and would be back soon.  The pain was INTENSE and I was desperate for him to come back.  I felt like I had to push.  I wanted to be done.

He checked again and said I was at 9cm.  I told him "No!  I'm a 10!"  I heard him laugh, but I wanted to push!!  He gave me another cervical block (which I don't think worked- I could feel everything).  He helped to stretch the cervix and let me push!

Tyler said I pushed about 15 minutes.

And then things got scary.

I heard the nurses and Doctor sounding frantic.  Tyler gripped my hands and cried to God to protect our son.  They had whisked him away from us without us getting the immediate skin-to-skin, the delayed cord clamping, or Daddy cutting the cord.  You know, the birth plan stuff.  

They were frantically working on him I kept asking "What's wrong with my baby??  What's wrong?!"  As Tyler continued praying.

Finally a nurse told us that he is not breathing but they are picking up his heart rate.  But we still didn't know why.

Then we heard a faint little cry and after a little while we heard a stronger one.

They told us he had swallowed meconium while in the womb and was not breathing.  We were also told later that he had his cord was wrapped around his neck, his abdomen and between his legs.

His apgar score was 2.  They got it to 7 and finally then to a 9.

He had a large hematoma on his head as well as another sharp black bruise. They think this was caused by his head pressing against my pubic bone for so long while I was stuck at 7cm.

Everyone was amazed at his size! Including his mom and dad. 

And we are so truly thankful.

Bumpie - 41 Weeks

WHAAA???!

41 weeks.  How did we get here??

With how big this baby boy has been measuring, I really did not expect to be posting a week 41 update!  I thought Baby would have been here two weeks ago - 1 week ago tops.  Silly Mommy...

This past Saturday evening my doctor called and offered to induce me Sunday morning (he had an opening).  Boy that was tempting.  It was hard to turn down when I am so uncomfortable and haven't really had anything happening.  I mean, it's Tuesday now.  I could have had Baby in my arms already!  But I did say no.

So today we had my 41 week appointment.  I am SO grateful to say that I finally was about 2-3cm dilated and Doc said there was no reason to talk about inducing with the progress I was (finally) making.  Baby has dropped a little bit... and I had a contraction right there on the table while he was measuring my stomach.  He stripped my membranes and informed me Thursday around 2:30 would be a good time to have the baby because it would get him out of doing Thanksgiving dishes!  Ha!

So, little man is healthy and just taking his sweet time.  If he's going to be like this his whole life, this will be a challenge to his mommy.  I hate being late. 😉

So now, feeling relieved (I really wasn't sure how well I'd handle a push to induce), I am relaxing and cuddling with my sweet Aaron.

Speaking of Aaron - he really is a treasure.  Every time I show any pain, he is immediately concerned and wanting to help.  And he sings so sweetly all of the time.  He melts his mama's heart.

Singing "Mama's little boy"

I am so very blessed.

Bumpie - 40 weeks

Oh wait, that's not actually me.  Though it is exactly how I feel at 40 weeks.

I had forgotten this baby was a stubborn Sauck.  I had great hopes he would make an early appearance.  Instead, we're at 40 weeks and he's settled in and said, "Nope!  I'm not budging!"

He still hasn't even dropped.  I haven't dilated at all.  0% effaced.  NOTHING HAPPENING.

Oh, except the additional stretch marks, the Braxton Hicks, the night sweats, the constant need to pee... 

And this little joy- I've swelled up a TON in the last two weeks!  Even just in this one week.  I can't even wear the "fat ring" I bought at Walmart anymore.  I think I actually could wear Tyler's wedding band without fear of it slipping off.  

And I don't know why!  I've actually cut way back and/or completely eliminated coffee, pop, and juice.  I've been drinking about a gallon of water a day.  And yet I've gained 10 pounds in the last two weeks!!  What?!

Today Doc asked if I wanted to think about induction. But I guess as long as he's healthy, I'll just keep on waiting.... I guess.

Perhaps I'll be showing up for Thanksgiving dinner afterall...looking like I've got the Butterball stuffed under my shirt.

I'm ready...

Ok, I'm ready.

Baby's apparently not.

Huge!!

At our doctor's appointment last Wednesday, Doc informed me that Baby has not dropped, that every thing is still tightly closed up- there is no sign of Baby being ready soon.  In fact, Doc told me that he was heading out of town this weekend, but he wasn't worried about me going into labor while he was gone.  "We'll be seeing you at your 39 week appointment next week."  

Sheesh- thanks.  ;)

Though I'd prefer my doctor be into town when I go into labor, I was really hoping that Baby would prove him wrong...

I don't think he's going to.

My beautiful niece was born on the 25th.  Since her birth, I have become even more impatient.  But I sure have loved getting in some newborn cuddles while I wait for my little man!

Look at all of her hair!  Just like her oldest sister, but lighter.  So fun!

Also, since her birth, Aaron has been more needy with me.  I think connections are being made.  Perhaps he's realizing there'll be change happening here soon too.  I want to spend all day playing with him like he wants me to, but when I have to clean or (more often) use the bathroom, he melts down.  Thankfully, when we do play, he's pretty good about letting me sit on the couch or lay in the bed!  This mama is tired!

Not the best photo, but he looks so old with his new haircut.  And looks even more like Daddy!

Speaking of Daddy- it's deer season!  Aaron helped him get every thing ready last night (much to Aaron's delight), and Tyler went out first thing this morning.  Haven't heard from him yet.  But it's a gorgeous day for it!  I'm kind of hoping he gets his deer right away, so he's at my disposal when I need him. ;)  But he loves being out there so much, I'm happy he's getting the chance to!

Well, I think I'm going to drink my giant glass of raspberry leaf tea and bounce on my birthing ball a while.  Let's get moving Babe!!