Silly Stories

A couple fun stories about Quincey's birth....

First one, we were told that induction could last a long time so we should pack snacks.  I went to the store a week prior and grabbed snack food for us such as granola bars and crackers.  They were all packed up and ready to go but, for some reason, as Joe was packing his overnight bag, he found tuna in the cupboard and proceeded to pack every bag of tuna he could find in the house.  I saw him grab the tuna before we left and didn't say anything but what I didn't realize is that he grabbed every thing of tuna we had in the house.  It was just so funny when we got to the hospital and his bag was full of tuna.  Both Grace and I told him DO NOT open up any nasty smelling tuna in our room.  So, the tuna came home with us and Quincey and is back in the cupboards.

 


BAD HOSPITAL BED!

As soon as we arrived, checked in, and I laid on my hospital bed I asked the nurse if there was any way to make it more comfortable.  It was as though I was laying on a piece of cardboard on top of a metal frame.  I couldn't believe that beds designed to birth a child in would be so uncomfortable.  I mean, I didn't expect posh comfort but, holy smokes!  Good thing I didn't significant back problems or something otherwise that bed would have been completely unbearable.  The nurse told me this was as good as it would get.  I saw on the side of the bed that there were buttons labeled, "inflate" with a picture of the bed and when I went to push the button, nothing happened.  I asked her why they didn't work and she just kinda breezed over the question and said something along the lines of how they wish they had better beds.  So, for hours I labored in that God awful bed.  I could not get comfortable more from the bed than the contractions and I wasn't able to leave the bed because I was hooked up to monitors.  We tried everything to make me comfortable.  We put extra clothing under me, extra flat hospital pillows under me but nothings really worked.  After hours of labor I finally asked for an epidural.  When the anesthesiologist came in, he tried to raise my bed by pushing one of those buttons on the side but it wouldn't work.  He said hum, "wonder why the bed won't lift."  Then he looked behind the bed and said, "oh, the bed is unplugged."  No wonder the buttons wouldn't work!

So after hours of labor and after an epidural to numb my entire lower body anyways, I was finally able to inflate my bed. 

Horrible hospital bed

Labor at Last

March 14, 2020 @ 8pm.  At long last, it was time for Quincey to get the journey started.  About my birth plan... I went to the hospital with a pretty straight forward birth plan that I thought would be quite easy to follow.  Boy, was I wrong.  Barely anything on it was followed.  And, for the record, I have no regrets about not following it. 

First and foremost, I really wanted a natural birth which, was already somewhat thrown out of the water given that I was getting ready to be induced which is the furthest thing from "natural" Also, I had not wanted any pain management other than relaxation techniques.  I wanted a bath tub and was adamant that I have one in my room, I was also really excited about Joe rubbing my feet in between contractions to help me relax.  None of these things happened.  When all was said and done I think the only thing that went according to plan was having a healthy baby and drinking orange juice after the birth.  Not much of anything else at all about Quincey's birth story went how anticipated. So, without further ado, here is Quincey's birth story...

After coming back from the mountains, Joe and I decided to lay down one last time as just the two of us.  I certainly couldn't fall asleep but, surprisingly, was able to relax.  It was quite the out of body experience laying there realizing that in just hours, quite literally, our lives would change forever.

After some rest, it was finally time to pack up and head to the hospital.  The drive to the hospital was one of those thing we had anticipated being full of stress and nerves. After all, up until induction was scheduled our idea of that drive entailed me laboring in the front the seat.  Joe and I had driven the route a couple times beforehand to ensure we knew how to get there expecting that the drive would take place with me in full labor. Days before, Grace and I even made the drive together so she would know how to navigate her way around the hospital parking situation.  Of course, all the books we had read and shows we had watched suggested that we make sure we know exactly how to get there to avoid complete chaos and losing our way with a full blown labor taking place in the vehicle.  So, we were prepared.  Turns out, overly prepared!   More prepared than we certainly needed to be as we all peacefully entered the vehicle and took the nice little drive to the hospital.  I remember us even commenting on how gorgeous of an evening it was.  This was definitely one of the perks of an induction.

Arriving at the hospital had us all hyper-vigilant about sanitation given COVID-19.  The hospital had security outside the door that, apparently, were supposed to be ensuring that we had no flu like symptoms and had a legit reason to be at the hospital.  Although the screening process to get in was a complete joke and none of these questions were asked, it was another reminder that this virus was real and present and needed to be taken seriously. We made sure to not touch anything and used every hand sanitizer squirty thing we walked by.   Once arriving safety at the labor and delivery unit, we got checked into our room and settled in.

 
Here is us using hand sanitizer and Joe waiting for us to get into our room.

So, back to the birth story, when we first checked in, the nurse told me that I needed to change into the hospital gown. Again, everything I had read and watched talked about the need to be comfortable when giving birth and there was no way that was going to happen in a starched hospital gown.  All the suggestion were that I pack something that I was comfortable in and that was easily opened for skin to skin contact as soon as birth was over.
 So....
Side story--- I had been looking for months for pajamas that buttoned up so I could give labor in something comfortable and immediately unbotton the top for skin to skin contact with Quincey.  I ordered two different sets from Amazon on two different occasions and on both occasions had to return them.  I went to copious amounts of Targets and Walmarts looking vigorously for the perfect pajamas but in the end gave up.  I did find a set I loved at Target but didn't want to spend 25 dollar on pajamas so resolved with packing a t shirt I really liked instead.  The night before induction I was going back through my bags assuring myself that I had everything needed.  We got to talking about how I have a t shirt to birth in instead of button up pajamas.  I think it was Grace that mentioned this might be difficult to do skin to skin contact and it was at that point that I just lost it.  I started to uncontrollably bawl.  I had tried so hard to find something that I was comfortable in and now that plan was no longer good.  Joe went into "fix it mode."  He thought the perfect solution would be to bring scissors to the hospital and have them handy in his back pocket in the midst of birthing our child.  He said once the baby was born he would whip out the scissors and cut my shirt off.  He had floated this idea with me weeks earlier when I was in a panic about not finding pajamas and I had adamantly shot it down.  There was no way that I was going to rely on such an idea.  So, he went upstairs and found some of his button up shirts for me to possibly wear.  Like his long sleeve flannels.  This was definitely not the solution either and I made it clear this option was unacceptable.  He was trying so hard to help but in my mind I was no okay with relying on scissors to cut off my shirt in the midst of such a special moment or laboring in a long sleeve flannel. So, while I continued to bawl, Grace got on her coat and at 9pm at night, in the midst of the coronavirus, she made her way to Target to buy me pajamas.  She came home with 4 different options.  One of which was the set of pajamas I had wanted from the beginning!  I was so relieved.  Looking back I can't believe how worked up I was about silly pajamas but I'm sure there was more to it than just pajamas.

 

The dreaded hospital gown!

 There was no way I was going to stay in that thing after all the energy I had spent in finding and obtaining the perfect pajamas so, I did what she told me to and got into the hospital gown but the first question I promptly asked when the midwife came in was if I could change into my perfect pajamas.  Of course she told me that was perfectly fine so, with my pajamas on and us settled in, the first dose of medicine was administered to prompt contractions.  I opted for a pill to be placed on my cervix to begin to "soften" it.  So weird how they describe that.  Sounds like a science project getting underway that could go seriously wrong!  But, as my cervix supposedly ripened and softened, I drifted to sleep.

 

Here is me finally getting the show on the road and Joe reading Quincey her Frog and Toad goodnight story book like he has been doing for months now.

Around 4am I had a cervical check with the midwife who informed me that there had been no progress.  So, I opted to try a new method of intervention.  She inserted these weird looking balloons into my cervix.  Not sure how they work but, work they did!  Finally!!!  I started to experience my first contractions.  They were manageable and I was saying to myself, "okay, okay.  Not so bad. I goIt this."  HA!  That lasted for all of a few hours.  They progressively got worse and worse.  I thought of my birth plan - warm bathing, nice feet rubs, controlled breathing.  But, the idea of trying to get into a bathtub in the midst of this pain or having Joe rub my feet (which I was so looking forward to hours earlier) or even just being touched or talked to was enough to make me want to scream.  So, because no one could do anything to help me, I laid there moaning through the contractions.

Let the moaning commence!

The balloons were definitely working.  Around 6 centimeters I had taken all I could and asked for laughing gas.  Once again, defying my birth plan.  It helped quite a bit. I was able to breathe through the contractions much easier. It didn't take the pain away but I was able to relax and breathe through them. However, it didn't help for long.  As the contractions got worse and worse, the relief from the laughing gas had less and less of an affect.

This was such great relief in the beginning but the more I used it, the more it made me want to throw up which is a side effect of it.  Trying to breathe through contractions while wanting to throw up was not a good combination!

So, without further ado, I defied my birth plan even further and told them I wanted an epidural.  They couldn't get that guy in my room fast enough to blast me with that medication.  Joe held me up while the process took place.  The relief was real.  REAL AMAZING THAT IS!  As I was getting the epidural I thought to myself, "Am I doing the right thing?  I was so determined to have a natural birth and my birth plan says no pain medication!"  But then another contraction hit and that was all I needed to confirm I was absolutely 100% making the right decision.

Then, I slept.  I remember being in this half asleep half awake state of complete euphoria.  I wasn't even concerned anymore about how I was progressing.  All I knew is that I was going to have a baby real soon and I could focus on that rather than the agony of every contraction. 

During those hours of pain relief some of my favorite memories were singing a Moana song with Joe by my bed side and holding his hand.  Those were such warm moments in the midst of labor that grounded me and reminded me of how grateful I am for my husband.

PAIN FREE!

At 9pm shift change occurred and my midwife, Brittney, came on shift.  I really like Brittney and was so glad that she was the next midwife on duty.  She told me that my contractions were not coming as quickly together as they would like and that they may need to administer patosin to intensify things and get me ready for pushing but first she wanted to check my cervix and see how dilated I was.  So, she went to check and could barely perform the check because my sweet little Quincey's head was trying to wiggle out.  She said, "well, your daughter's head is right there.  I think it's time to start pushing."

We prepared for the final leg of the race. Grace braced one of my legs and Joe braced the other and they said, "PUSH!"  It was weird pushing with an epidural.  I could feel pressure but had no idea if I was doing a good job and pushing hard enough.  But, after a couple preliminary pushes it was apparent that she was making her way into the world from all the "Good jobs!  I can see her head!"  A nurse took over for Joe which I am so grateful for.  He was able to be right by my side and talk into my ear telling me I was doing great, telling me to keep pushing, telling me that it was almost over, and most important to me, telling me how proud he was of me.  I couldn't hear anyone else.  It was complete "tunnel vision"  on his voice and his voice alone.  I had no idea how Quincey was doing and how close she was to coming out until I looked up to see my sister sobbing.  It was then that I knew  Quincey was coming out.

And then, after months and months of anticipation and a life time of longing for this dream to come true, this perfect little gift entered the world.  This beautiful angel made specially for Joe and I was finally placed on my chest. There will never be another moment like it and there will never be enough words to describe the feelings that came with that moment. Feelings that tip the scale and created a new deepness of love I didn't know was possible.

Quincey Sheridan Schroeder born March 15, 2020 at 9:13pm.  8 pounds of pure love.

Love.  Pure love.

 Look at those toes!

Sucking her thumb

 

8 pounds!

Grace Arrives

The time had finally come for Grace to arrive for Quincey's birth.  I was so excited for her to get here.  First I was overly worried that I would have Quincey before she arrived but that was not to happen.  If fact, once Grace got here, I thought surely I would go into labor at any second.  She was the final piece needed to get the show on the road and maybe my biological clock would tell Quincey all was ready and it was time for her to arrive.  But, as much as we walked and walked and walked, and rode down bumpy roads, Quincey had other plans. 

March 11, 2020.  The official due date finally came.  I didn't want to just sit around waiting for my little egg to hatch so Grace and I decided to head to the mountains.  What valuable time with my dear sister.  On top of walking, we went to the woods where I got to see my first herd of elk in the wild.  How I grew up in Wyoming and have never seen this is beyond me - especially when elk are my favorite animal.  It was such a cool little blessing and, of course, I took it as a sign that Quincey was on her way.  Of course, in these last few days, every burp I had, churn of the stomach, and hormone I felt, I thought surely it was time to leave for the hospital but this wasn't to be the case.

I had my final midwife appointment on March 12.  I remember it getting scheduled long ago and telling the receptionist that I would not need the appointment as it was past my due date.  I know that the majority of first time moms go past their expected due date but I thought surely that would not be the case for me.  My rational... No idea!  So, when March 11th came and went, I was bummed out but kept hopeful knowing that I had this appointment the next day that weeks earlier I was sure I wouldn't need scheduled. 

  So, when March 12 came, I was excited to get checked again and see how all my walking had progressed me.  To my disappointment, there had been no progression so, induction was scheduled.

March 14th at 8pm was the date and time of check in for induction. It would mark the official start time of Quincey's journey into the world. Although we initially didnt want induction, venturing home from the hospital with an end date in site was encouraging and exciting nonetheless..

Again, in order to avoid pacing up and down the house, on induction day, we decided to return to  the mountains for fresh air and enjoy the last day of our lives as we knew it.  What a beautiful drive and hike.  We even got out and did some fishing.  All fish lived to see another day though.  Joe and I have always enjoyed our time in the woods and I couldn't have asked to spend that day waiting for 8pm any other way.  Being with him and my sister in the woods was just perfect.  We sat by a stream and just soaked up our current reality while preparing for the one to come.

 

 

 

In the midst of all of this, by the hour, the coronavirus pandemic was getting worse and worse.  At first I did not put much stock into it.  I had bigger things to be consumed with such as having my daughter but as the hours ticked by, it became more and more apparent that this virus was going to affect our day to day lives and our birth story. 

Grace was super cautious coming here from Colorado.  She barely stopped during the drive here and when she did, she suited up in gloves and disinfectants to avoid any risk of exposure.  Again, I laughed this off as well such as I had the receptionist wanting to schedule an appointment past my due date.  No need to think this thing would touch home.  Pandemics like this are stories that flash across the news and leave the mind just as soon as the TV is off.  But, this issue continued to linger and get bigger and bigger.  In fact, it continued to magnify so rapidly that this virus was one of the reasons I readily opted for induction.  If the virus continued to progress at the rate it was and Quincey continued to not progress at the rate she was, it was better to get the delivery over with as soon as possible and on our way back home away from the central hub of sickness, the hospital. 

After much anticipation and not so patient waiting...,March 14, 2020 at 8pm, the time for induction had finally arrived. 

Dance Quinny, Dance!

I was singing to my wonderful husband at almost 40 weeks pregnant and he caught me on video.  I've got to say, I think I've rocked this pregnancy thing but, man, am I ready to meet our little girl!

Baby Bump

I wanted to throw together all my maternity pictures in one place.  I really haven't taken a TON of pictures of the baby belly. A lot of women take a picture every week, but I didn't.  It's actually gotten harder to want to take them as I've gotten further along in my pregnancy because I feel bigger and bigger (which I am) and more uncomfortable and less photogenic.  But, I want Quincey to have pictures some day so I've taken some.  Here they are from first picture at 20 weeks to now....

Me in my wedding dress!