Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Elizabeth's Birth Story

Yawn.  Probably only five or six of my blog readers will actually care about this.  My mom being one of the five. However, for me it's sweet and cathartic to relive some of the crazy details.

My due date was always a little hazy.  My OBs office had December 6th in their chart and the specialists office listed December 10th (we started seeing a specialist around week 30 because Elizabeth was measuring really small on the growth charts).  Pace was on a cushy hospital rotation from the middle of November through December 9th--and the St. Louis weather was AHHhhmazing-- so I was incredibly anxious to have her before one of her two due dates.  Around week 38, Pace and I started walking everywhere-- malls, neighborhoods, parks, etc. I read and tried just about every wives tale around ( yes, I drank a whole bottle of apple cider vinegar) and nothing seemed to speed the delivery of my sweet Elizabeth.

On the night of December 5th, I finally surrendered to the fact that I was not in control and no amount of walking, bouncing on balls or stairs would speed the process.  I had a scheduled 40 week doctors appointment on December 6th and since E seemed to be doing just fine in womb, I assumed the appointment would be quick and painless and they'd send me out the door to continue carrying my baby.

We woke up on the morning of the 6th to several inches of snow and nasty road conditions.  Pace--who was scheduled to work and was not planning to go to the doctor with me-- decided to go into work a little later than normal so that I didn't have to drive myself out to West County. We arrived at the Specialists office (inside the Hospital) for our 9:00 appointment where the ultra sound technician did a routine scan to check E's heartbeat, breathing and fluid levels.  I'd already had at least 10 scans at this point and knew what to expect... so when the ultrasound technician left the room for ten minutes I started getting really nervous.

She came back to our room with a male physician who I'd never met before.  He sat down and delivered the news-- we were going to have a baby that day!  Now one might think that my immediate reaction would be an outpour of joy or excitement... however, I immediately started crying. Pace, my more level-headed, rationale better-half, began drilling the physician with medical questions.  The doctor had terrible bedside manner and was not able to clearly articulate why it was so important that we be induced that day. The doctor who delivered the news was not my OB and did not realize that Pace and I really wanted to have a natural delivery and had prepared for months for our ideal labor.  The physician was very impatient and ushered us down to the Labor and Delivery floor of the hospital. 

When we arrived at the front desk of L&D, the triage nurse asked why we were on the floor.  Still crying, the only response I could muster up was, "I don't know".  We decided at that point to wait in the lobby until I could speak to my OB.  My OB-- who I really love-- is incredibly level-headed explained that (to make a really long story short) due to the way Elizabeth presented on the ultra sound today that they thought she'd do better outside the womb. 

We still weren't excited about the idea of being medically induced-- but did not want to go against what was being medically recommended and ultimately decided we wanted a healthy baby.  Once back in the ward, the nurse on duty placed me on a regulated intravenous pump of Pitocin. Pitocin is a synthetic form of the "natural hormone oxytocin which stimulates the gravid uterus to contract." Pitocin or "Pit" is a common drug used in hospitals. At this point, I was not on any pain medication and was able to freely walk around the room and the hall of the hospital.  For 16 hours (maybe 17?!), I bounced on the medicine ball, did laps on the hall, did EVERYTHING I could possibly do to encourage labor.  I was also receiving increasing amounts of pit (up to 24 milliunit/min) but labor was still not progressing. After 17 hours, they checked me again and I was only 2 CM dilated (for those of you unfamiliar with the labor process, your goal is to get to 10 CM).  Receiving this news felt like such a set-back.  I was so exhausted from the hours I spent being so active, the contractions and lack of food (because you cannot eat!). 

My doctor suggested I get my water broken.  Pace and I were very hesitant all along to have my water artificially broken--because once your water is broken, you are in some ways put on a timeline for delivery.  It puts your baby at great risk for bacteria if you do not deliver within 24 hours of your water breaking. Because of the "timeline", we knew that if I had my water broken, I was much more likely to have to get a C-section... which for many reasons, I really did not want to get.  We did not take this decision lightly, and after spending some time praying about it-- we decided this step  was our best option. The physician on call at the hospital broke my water and IMMEDIATELY I started having intense contractions. The pain was the most intense pain I've ever experienced and occurred about every 1-2 minutes.  At this point, I decided it was time to have an epidural.

About 20 minutes later, the anesthesiologist came into my room and administered the epidural. We discussed my desire to want to be apart of the birthing process and he agreed to give me a "light' epidural. Unfortunately, it did not take at all on my right side, and I had to have a second epidural about an hour later.

Fast forward to hour 35, still no sleep... no food... Pace and I were absolutely exhausted.  Our amazing nurse Shelia kept me motivated until the very end.  The last hour, my OB drove in to the hospital to be with me during the active part of labor.  My epidural left me a little numb, but I still had range of my legs and was able to push and feel my contractions. They let Pace coach me on breathing and he was by my side motivating me to push.  At this point, it really did feel like the end of a very long marathon race.  I got a "kick" of energy and exerted everything I had into getting her out of me (Afterwards, everyone commented on how committed I was). 

Finally, I got to hold my sweet girl.  I'd like to say I heard bells and symphony music, but to be honest-- I was so physically tired that the nurse had to assist me while I held her.  The next hour was a bit of a blur, but I sort of remember doing skin to skin and breast feeding. 

Two weeks later, I still have a lot of resentment about my delivery.  I am still dealing with lingering physical issues from having an induced labor (I can privately discuss those with friends who are considering birth options). I am not mad at my OB or the nurses-- I genuinely think they are fantastic and did a great job. Most of my frustration is with the American healthcare system and how America views birth. I think too many babies are medically induced for marginal issues. I will spare you my soapbox-- or at least save it for a rainy day.

Ultimately, I have to be thankful for a healthy baby. Elizabeth is a sweet, beautiful little gift. I am also grateful that Pace was able to go to the Doctor with me that day-- I can't imagine receiving that news alone. I am also thankful that E has Pace as a dad. I knew I married well... But over the past 18 days, my heart and love for him has grown immeasurably. He is such a wonderful father and husband and has been so supportive during my recovery process.


  
 

Newborn Pictures!!


We got our newborn pictures this afternoon... And I couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out!! Our photographer, Megan Talbert, did a great job of capturing Elizabeth's innocence as well as some special family moments. We had the pictures taken five days after she got home from the hospital. 

 
 
 
I've already had a few people ask me about my photographer.... And I would totally recommend her!! She just relocated to St. Louis from Nashville so that her husband could go to graduate school to become a pastor. She left her thriving photography business in Nashville and is looking to rebuild it in St. Louis. She's so sweet, patient and really listened to what we wanted. She has a Facebook page with other families she's worked with: https://m.facebook.com/MeganTalbertPhotos

Sunday, December 15, 2013

How we chose our little girl's name

What's in a name?
 
Her name is "Elizabeth Lois Johnston".
 
This name is very special to us for many reasons. Elizabeth has always been a personal favorite... in fact, as a little girl, my parents let me "choose" my sister's middle name.  I confidently chose Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is also the name of John the Baptist's mother.  The Hebrew definition or meaning behind the name is "my God is abundance" or my God satisfies. Looking back on the five years of our marriage, we feel abundantly blessed and provided for.  As we think about the parents that we want to be--we desire nothing more than to instill in her the confidence that Christ alone satisfies.
 
Lois is an equally special name.   Lois is a variant of the name Louise.  Other than his parents, one of the people who shaped Pace the most as a young man was his late grandmother Louise "Wheezy" Dillard. My great-grandmother was Mary Louise Black.  She was one of the spunkiest women I've ever known. And of course, Pace's mother, Louise McMath Dillard has been beyond supportive and loving of Pace and me.  This name honors all three incredible women.
 
Lois is also the name of Timothy's mother in the Bible.  In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul writes to Timothy, " I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also".  Again, our hope is that our daughter has a sincere faith in Christ.
 
As a silly aside, Elizabeth Lois will be born in St. LOUIS (Different pronounciation).
 
Lastly, I think the last name can be taken for granted, but it's important to point out that our sweet little girl will bear the last name of all of the many wonderful Johnston's who came before her.
 
There are many nicknames for Elizabeth (Liz, Betsy, Beth, Betty, etc).  We haven't decided if we will call her by her full name--Elizabeth-- or if we'll shorten it to Eliza/Liza.  For now, we are calling her Elizabeth ( and a whole host of silly nicknames!).

Monday, December 2, 2013

Top 3: A Few Good Reads

I love reading other people's blogs.  I am always amazed at how creative, smart and interesting people can be.  Here are my "Top 3" favorite blog reads this week:



3. Shout out to my friend Hannah.  Her family has taken the "primal" food challenge.  She has some great, practical recipes: http://simplyprimalfamily.com/.  I recommend her almond butter pancakes! http://simplyprimalfamily.com/2012/06/27/almond-butter-pancakes/



Best Online Deals today!

I get it-- Black Friday and Cyber Monday are generally a big, fat joke retailers play on consumers.  (Side note:  Great article from the Wall Street Journal  http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390443615804578042700772445448)

However, there are occasionally deals to be found! Today I'll post the best of the best as they come across my inbox.  Happy Shopping!

1. Best deal I've seen all day!  
If you have your Christmas card picture ready to go.... you can get cards printed and mailed for .49 cents each today on http://www.cardstore.com/shop/holiday?cms=email&affid=310&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=aff&CS_003=535922.

That includes the stamp!  I am unfortunately unable to use this deal but hope some of you will be able to take advantage of it!

2.  If you wear Stila makeup, they are having a warehouse sale today http://www.stilacosmetics.com/category/makeup/stila-online-warehouse-sale.do?mobile=off&page=all&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=affiliatetextlink&utm_campaign=warehousesale&siteID=cjaffiliatetextlink.  Many of their prices reflect an 80% discount.  Shipping adds $5.95 but is free on orders of $50 or more. These items are final sale.

If you use the coupon code HOLIDAYTEN at checkout you can save $10 making the desk $47.80.  Be sure to select in-store pick up so that you can avoid the $50 delivery charge.


5. St. Louis only:  The Magic House is running a 1-day membership promotion. $75 for a Family membership! https://www.magichouse.org/membership-promo.php


I'll update again later if I come across any other "incredible" deals.  Please feel free to post in the comments section any hard-to-pass up offers!