Lincoln's Birth Story

 

Since 35 weeks we have been waiting this little man’s arrival. A few times a week I would question if I needed to go to triage. My contractions would take my breath away and were happening every 5 minutes. As soon as I would get up and walk around they would stop. 

I measured 2cm and 75% effaced at 36 weeks so we expected baby to come sooner then later.

I had an induction massage at 37 & 5. I walked curbs, sat on a yoga ball, drank raspberry tea, ate dates, I tried all the things. I was exhausted and hurting. I was taking multiple naps a day while trying to hold my food down and stay hydrated. 

On Friday the 2nd, I went to the chiropractor. I saw him through this pregnancy, my miscarriage last year and this pregnancy. I went home and sat on a yoga ball for hours.

Saturday morning, I woke up at 9:30 and was having contractions 6-8 minutes apart. I ate a Costco muffin and drank some water. I stayed in bed for a while and called my mom to go on a walk. I packed my purse with last minute items – phone charger, glasses, water bottle, etc. We walked about 2 miles. Half of it up hill. Chloe was a trooper and scootered along with us. I could walk through contractions, occasionally slowing down but I didn’t need to stop.

Dylan’s friend was getting married that afternoon so he went to have lunch with him midday. 

We got home from walking and ordered Dions over the phone. I wanted to make sure I could eat before going to the hospital. My mom drove Chloe and I to pick up lunch. As soon as I sat down my contractions went from bearable every 6 minutes to every 2 ½ minutes without warning. I had planned to take a shower and wash my hair, but that clearly wasn't going to happen. I couldn’t sit down and was holding myself up out of my seat because I was uncomfortable. 

I called Dylan on our drive home and asked him to meet us out the house.

We loaded up the car with our bags and snacks and kissed sweet Chloe goodbye and let her know we would face time her later. 

Last pic with the bump! 

We arrived at the hospital and they checked me into triage around 1 pm. They took my blood pressure, hooked me up to a monitor and took some blood as my blood pressure was a little high. 

My contractions were coming every 2 ½ minutes and didn’t slow down. They slowly got stronger. At 2 pm I measured at 3 cm. Baby kept moving away from the monitor so we struggled to get the consistent reading they wanted of his heart rate. I stayed standing while in triage because sitting was NOT comfortable. They raised the bed and I leaned against it during contractions. 

At 4 pm I measured 4 cm and my contractions were getting stronger. The nurse checked with the midwife and they decided to admit me. We walked over to L&D and I got an epidural and it took affect almost immediately once it was placed. They tell you to stay still and let them know if you feel any tingling – my entire body jolted twice. My right side felt like it was being controlled by someone or something else. The nurse and Dylan had to hold me still. I felt a wave of relief once he finally placed it. Dylan noticed a change too. We talked with our nurse Emilee. I could still feel my legs and pressure in my stomach with each contraction which was nice. She checked me at 5 pm because of all the pressure I was feeling. I was at 5 cm and 90% effaced. We decided to take a nap and she prepped the table and the warmer. 

We met our night nurse around 720 when shift change happened. I was sad to say goodbye to Emilee, but this nurse was nice as well!

I woke up at 830 on the dot and felt my water break. I told Dylan and he paged the nurse. I facetimed Chloe for a few minutes before the midwife and nurse came in. I said goodbye to Chloe and told her we would talk to her soon. The midwife checked me and told us it was time to push. They prepped everything they needed and Dyl walked over and they told him to take a leg. I pushed once and breathed out. They told me to hold my breath while pushing and three pushes later Lincoln Tyler was born at 8:50, 7lbs 3 oz, 20 ½ inches. 

They placed him on my chest and he cried immediately. Then stopped. He was purple and we were freaked out. They paged the NICU team and Dylan cut the cord. 

We were terrified. They whisked him over to the warmer and kept him on oxygen. He was breathing, but not efficiently enough on his own. They tried to keep him in our room as long as possible and transition him so he didn’t have to go to the NICU, but he wasn’t having it. They took him to the NICU and Dylan followed. I kissed him goodbye and asked when I could see him. They told me I needed to be able to walk, then check in downstairs and then I could make my way to see him. 

Around 11 I could walk, Dylan helped move all our bags downstairs and I waited to see the nurse. Once she checked my vitals I booked it up to the NICU to see my little guy. They had gotten him down to 21% oxygen and level 5 on the bubble scale. Both of which were supposed to help with his transition. Around 1 am they pulled him off oxygen and the bubbles and I nursed him for a few minutes. We then gave him donor milk to keep his blood sugar up. Dad fed him and then Lincoln spit up all over him.

They kept an eye on his oxygen and pulse but then sent us to the family unit around 3:30 am. 

We had some trouble feeding but had a lot of support– THANK GOODNESS FOR NURSES.

We were exhausted after spending the first few hours of his life in the NICU, but were happy to be discharged. 

We made our way home on the 5th! Now Lincoln is 11 days old.