Labor and Delivery

Meet Jackson Alvin David Crockett, born December 30, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. Weighing in at 8 pounds 1 ounce and measuring 20 inches long.

I'm excited to finally share my labor and delivery experience. It was such a long, hard process so I feel like I need to write this down to remember how my son came into this world.



Tuesday, December 29th at around 5:30 p.m. Jackson was much more active in the womb than usual, it was a constant, almost painful pushing and kicking. I got up from my chair to get some more water and started to "pee my pants" I couldn't stop the gushing so I knew that my water was breaking. I told Davy and we started packing for the hospital. I was excited to know that my body wanted to go into labor and I think Jackson's activity just before that helped my water break, our little guy was ready to come into the world! It was so exhilarating knowing that we were going to meet our little boy within 24 hours.



We arrived at the hospital around 6:30 p.m. where they tested my fluid and discovered that my water had indeed broken. They checked my cervix only to discover that I was still 75% effaced and only dilated to a 1. Because I wasn't having much progression, at around 7 p.m. they started me on an IV of pitocin to get my body kicked into gear. The contractions were coming, they were uncomfortable but certainly not too painful. I was far too excited to go to sleep so we just sat there, waiting for the nurse to check my cervix again. At around 3 a.m. they checked my cervix again and I'd slowly dilated to a 3.



I labored all night, getting little sleep in between contractions. They were painful and I definitely had to breathe through them. By 10 a.m. Wednesday, I thought for sure that I'd progressed because of the pain of the contractions. The nurse checked my cervix and gave us the bad news that I was still dilated to a 3, so she sent the doctor in to discuss options with us. He told us that I needed to progress soon or else I'd be forced to have a c-section.

I had surgery on my back in 2001 and needed to take my x-rays in for the anesthesiologist to decide if I could have an epidural for pain. The nurse anesthetist looked over my x-rays and decided that they would not be able to give me an epidural because of the scar tissue in my lower back, which could lead to some serious complications. I wasn't exactly set on the idea of an epidural, so I wasn't too heartbroken by this news.



While my doctor was in the room, he noted how much pain I was in and called for an anesthesiologist to give us a second opinion on the epidural. She came into the room and told us the exact same thing the first anesthesiologist told us. I was upset because the pain was getting harder to breathe through and I was losing energy and confidence quickly. The nurse offered me a narcotic pain reliever called Nubain that could be administered through my IV. We were hoping that the pain reliever would relax my body just enough so that my body would progress quickly to get our baby out. I immediately felt the effects of the Nubain and slipped into a deep sleep.



I awoke around 12 p.m. to some really horrible contractions. The nurse checked my cervix again and discovered that I'd progressed to a 6! It was such a relief to hear that this process might be over soon and I could finally meet my son. Because of my progress, the doctor decided to let me continue laboring instead of going immediately into a c-section. They were having problems with their monitering equipment. They were no longer doing a good job of monitering my contractions and the baby's heartbeat. This is essential information so the doctor had to insert an IUTC device to measure my contractions from the inside. He also had to insert an electrode into Jackson's head that was the best way of knowing his heartbeat. The insertion of the IUTC was worse than any pain that I've ever had in my entire life. I'd been so strong up until that point that I just screamed and screamed until it was over.



At around 3 p.m. the contractions seemed like they were one on top of the other and I could get no relief. The breathing exercises I'd been practicing thus far were harder to concentrate on and more intense. My doctor came in to check my cervix to find out I was dilated to a 9. My body was ready to push and kept trying on it's own everytime I had a contraction. I had to fight off the urge to just let my body push because my cervix wan't ready yet. I did that for about an hour and had lost so much strength that I just finally gave in. We discovered that Jackson was sunny-side up and not in a favorabe station for vaginal delivery. I tried to push, but nothing was coming from it. The doctor checked my cervix again to find out that it had begun swelling and there was just no way I was going to give birth vaginally.

I signed some forms to go into the operating room for a c-section and off we went. Davy and my mom were extremely worried and anxious, but we all realized that this was the only way to have a healthy baby.

I awoke in recovery to hear that I had a sweet little 8 pound 1 ounce baby boy that was 20 inches long. All I could do was smile and be thankful that I'd woken up from the anesthesia to finally meet my son. I thanked Heavenly Father for helping me through everything and the chance to raise my little boy.

I waited and woke up some more in the recovery room for about an hour when I was finally wheeled up to my room. Seeing and holding my son for the first time was the best feeling in the world. He is so perfect in every way and I'm so thankful that I have the chance to love him and be his mommy.

Merry Christmas - 38 weeks pregnant

Davy and I had a wonderful 2nd Christmas together. We spent Christmas Eve with my family eating delicious food and enjoying the company. Christmas day was also full of family and friends and laughter. I love the holidays.

We invested in a new digital camera for Christmas so that we'll have pictures of our baby boy and hopefully get some pictures of our home since it's finally clean from most of the packing. Here's a picture of me on Christmas morning, 38 weeks pregnant:Jackson's crib is finally at our house! Now we just need time to get it put together. We also bought all of the materials so that Davy can start working on shelves in Jackson's closet for the millions of clothes that this little boy already has. I also took time this weekend to wash the car seat cover and get the car seat ready for him to come home in, now we just need the baby :] .

We were hoping to have our baby boy by now but it looks like he's really comfortable in the womb so we're not going to bother him too much. There is only 10 days until his due date, however, so we're hoping to meet him before then. We remind him often that he can come out anytime now and I think he's listening. I've had horrible pelvis pain the last few days and have felt his head engaging and getting further down. He's still so active, there's just so much less room for him that now I notice every single movement and I know I'll miss it.

This year has been so great for Davy and me. We've had so many blessings come our way and I'm just so thankful that we're moving on to what promises to be an even better year.

38 Week Update

Well ... I did not have such a great day at the Dr.'s office. My original appointment time was at 9:15 this morning. I got all the way to their office only to find out my Dr. was doing a C-section and would not be back until 10:30. I was offered an appointment on a different day and I refused to be seen any other day than today, so they changed the appointment time to 11 this morning. I had to wait for almost an hour before they got me into the room and another 15 minutes of waiting for the Dr. once I was back in the room. No big deal, just a lot of boredom and time wasted that I could have done without.

She checked me and I'm 75% effaced and still dilated to a one. That means I only have 25% more to go before things will start to move along quicker. My doctor doesn't think I'll make it past next week to my due date. GREAT NEWS. Then she tells me that she's out of town all of next week. I'll be stuck with the "doctor on call". A freaking stranger will be delivering my baby if I do happen to deliver next week, which my doctor thinks is likely.

Am I mistaken in the fact that the Dr. you choose at the beginning of your pregnancy is the one that you want to deliver your baby? Needless to say, I'm disappointed in my doctor. I have been upset all day, but have slowly come to terms with this news. I just want my baby to be healthy and as long as I have a doctor to deliver him, I am happy.

So - we expect Jackson to arrive sometime next week, if not sooner. He may surprise us and come late, but I think he wants out - haha. If you're reading this: Send me some labor dust!

37 week Update

I went to the Dr. this morning for my first internal and 37 week appointment. I had high blood pressure but no protein in my urine so I'm still doing okay. I'm also up 2 more pounds which is perfect!
I am dilated to a one and my cervix is thinning. I'm also measuring over 38 weeks so I hope that means we'll be meeting our little boy soon. It's good to know that my body is getting ready for labor and I'm looking forward to next week's appointment and for more progress!

35/35

I haven't been able to blog in so long because of the craziness of moving into our new house and lack of a power cord for the home computer. We closed on our house November 5th and have slowly begun unpacking everything. Not a day goes by that I don't have to go out to the garage or down to the basement to search through boxes for something I need.

We're working really hard on Jackson's room and this weekend I'm hoping to get it fully ready for him although he won't be sleeping in there for a few months. We're going with a jungle theme and I'll post pictures as soon as it gets finished.

We set up our Christmas tree on Monday and our house looks so much more cheerful with it up. I love Christmas time.

Here's an update on baby Jackson and my progress. 35 weeks down and only 35 days to go. I can't believe it:

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? 14 pounds gained so far.

Stretch marks? They just keep crawling up my expanding belly. I've just noticed a weird one right above my belly button too!

Sleep: Except for the occasional heart burn and acid reflux, I sleep wonderfully.

Best moment this week: Feeling Jackson's movements get even bigger - I didn't think it was possible, but he's proven me wrong.


Movement: He likes his butt to hang out near my right sided ribs, feet and knees in the middle to left side of my belly and his head and hands down in my pelvis. He has moments of crazy activity that just make me laugh. I can also find his little feet and tickle them as he moves them up and down my left side.


Food cravings: Mexican food. Yum yum yum.


Gender: He's still a BOY!


Labor Signs: Still some Braxton Hicks contractions but no real signs of labor, which is alright because he's not full term for another 2 weeks.


Belly Button in or out? It is now officially even with the rest of my belly and sometimes threatens to pop out. If Jackson sits in a certain position or puts his knee up against it, it becomes an outie.

What I miss: Not much. I love being pregnant, and have had a great time with it so far.


What I am looking forward to: Christmas and holding my baby, seeing his little body that I've been feeling move inside of me for so long.


Weekly Wisdom: Tums are a pregnant woman's best friend. Drink lots of water because I have NO sympathy for pregnant women that end up in the ER because of dehydration. It's not hard to drink water - juice and milk work great too.


Milestones: This is my 35/35. 35 weeks down and 35 days to go. What a great milestone!

Update

How far along? 26 weeks, 3 days - Third Trimester already!? Where has all this time gone?


Total weight gain/loss: 0. I lost 10 pound to begin with and have slowly gained that back.


Stretch marks? OH MY GOSH. Just this week I noticed them - they are growing up my belly day by day and getting more reddish purple by the minute.


Sleep: I love sleep. I have some crazy messed up dreams and nightmares but I get plenty of sleep.


Best moment this week: Cuddling with Davy on the couch, watching our new TV ( Davy won a 42" plasma TV from work) we watched conference and it was just so peaceful and nice.


Movement: He's getting further up every day. He's also getting so strong and never seems to stop moving.


Food cravings: Mashed potatoes and gravy, soups, breads, cinnamon rolls, brownies, just about anything that is really hearty - I think it's partly because of the weather change and partly because of being pregnant.


Gender: He's still a BOY!


Labor Signs: I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions randomly, but no signs of real labor and that's definitely a good thing. He still needs to cook for 13-14 more weeks!


Belly Button in or out? I've slowly been losing my belly button - give it a couple weeks and it'll be flat with my skin and a couple more weeks I'll look like a Thanksgiving turkey! hehe


What I miss: Not much. I do miss being able to lift and carry things whenever I wanted. Now I have to wait for Davy to get home to move boxes, take out the trash, etc.


What I am looking forward to: Maternity pictures should be taken sometime this month, so that's going to be fun!


Weekly Wisdom: Do NOT eat mashed potatoes and gravy within 2 hours before bed. You will wake up at 2 a.m. with the worst heartburn ever and have to shove tums and milk down your throat until the burning pit of he** that is in your chest is drenched. (good visual, right? :])


Milestones: This week I reached the 99 day mark. As of today, only 95 days until the due date!

Labor Day Camping

We went camping this weekend with my family. It was very fun and somewhat relaxing. Davy enjoyed the four wheelers and the wilderness. I enjoyed the bathroom in my parent's camper (he he) I am NOT a wilderness pee-er!

Davy set up our tent and we stayed in it for two out of the three nights we were there. The weather was so nice that we wore t-shirts most of the time and I only slept with one or two blankets on.

We took a drive up to Meadow Lake about 20 minutes from our campground. I watched everyone fish and sat on the rocks with my mom. Jackson was kicking like crazy so I had my mom put her hand on my tummy and sure enough he gave her a little nudge. My grandpa saw my mom's hand there and said "Hey, is there a little fish in there?" and sometimes it does feel like a fishy squirming around in there. I woke up this morning and Jackson had hiccups (the first hiccups I've felt!)I could feel him simultaneously up above and near my belly button and down by my hip on the opposite side. He's become so strong now that I can sometimes see the kicks, especially in the morning as soon as I wake up.

Only 4 months until I get to hold my little man. It's amazing how fast time goes by when you still have so much to do. We already have everything that he needs, however, there's no room for all of it in our two bedroom apartment. We will hopefully be able to move into a bigger space and in the moving process I can get everything organized.

Davy's cousin has recently acquired a crib and wants us to have it! I'm so excited to see it and get it into a nursery for Jackson. We also have all of the baby things that he'll need including clothing because my sister is kindly letting us borrow everything Jameson has grown out of and no longer needs. I'm so thankful for her! We will be going to Costco this weekend to buy his car seat/stroller so I'm excited for that.

Well, that's about it for the Crockett family - we're just living and loving life!