Makayla's Birth Story - Viewer Discretion Is Advised

My due date was soon approaching (November 4, 2009) and I went for my 40 week appointment with my OB on Monday, November 2, 2009. My Doc was leaving the following day to Mexico for 10 days for her daughters third birthday and she assured me that there was NO WAY that I would be having this baby while she was sipping on a margarita! I left the office with a three non-stress tests booked for November 11th, 13th & 14th, an ultrasound for the 13th and an 8:00am induction on the 16th (the day after she would return with a tan). So away I went, huge, disappointed that I would still be pregnant for a few more weeks and happy at the same time because a complete stranger wouldn't be delivering my baby!

By Thursday I was getting really cranky, so big, so sore and so tired. So what do I do, stay up late watching TV! I finally went to bed at 1:30am just to awake at 2:00am with "gas pain". I got up, had a drink, went to the bathroom, went again, and again, and again....All I could think of was what we learnt in our prenatal class "your body will clean itself out". Yet I still didn't believe anything was actually happening. By now this "gas" was really bad, I was pacing up and down the hall, going back to bed, sitting on the toilet, pacing, pacing, pacing....moaning. STILL...I just kept saying that it was only gas. Finally I thought, ok, maybe this could be more. I called my Mom and asked her opinion, while I was telling her about this gas pain, I handed the phone over to Clint so that I could take a moment to "breath". When my Mom heard me in the background she told Clint "this is not gas pain, get her to the hospital".

I had already packed my bag a few days prior, as my due date had now come and gone. So I threw my toothbrush in and walked down our 15 stairs to the front door. When I squatted to sit on the last step to put my shoes on, my water broke! Ok, this is really it! It was now 4:45am. The 10 minute ride to the hospital seemed like an eternity. We pulled up to Emergency and Clint dropped me off so he could go park. I waddled in and was now sitting in admitting, with soaking wet pants while the lady behind the desk seemed to take forever to enter my information into the computer. I got wheeled into a room where I was told to change and give the nurse my underwear so she could test to see if my water had actually broken. NO, I'M LYING! After it tested positive they checked me to see how far dilated I was. Apparently I was only 3cm so they were planning on sending me home because they don't admit until you are 4cm. Give me a break, my water had already broke!



About an hour later the nurse came back and gave me morphine and demerol (which did nothing for the pain) and advised me that I was going to be moved up to a delivery room. I didn't really have a "birth plan", my plan was to go as long as I could before taking an epidural or whatever it was that I needed. After I was transferred to the delivery room I was given laughing gas as the pain was getting quite bad. They hooked me up to oxytocin because the contractions had slowed down and shortly after that I was told that if I wanted an epidural I had to take in now, because the anesthesiologist was really busy that morning. I knew that I was going to end up wanting it because this pain was getting hard to handle. I wasn't going to be a hero, I decided to take it. I was so worried about getting it because of what they showed us in prenatal class, let me tell you it was wonderful!

A few hours later a nurse checked me, I was now 9cm dilated, she said they were going to take a lunch break and after I could have this baby! At this point the epidural was wearing off, so they topped it up and inserted a catheter (I was able to get up and go to the bathroom with the original epidural as it was a low dose). I finally met the Doctor that was going to be delivering my baby, if you recall my OB was chilling on the beach. I was advised that the baby's heart rate dropped to 60 bpm, stayed there for a while and then shot up to 220bpm and the operating room was being prepped for us; then it stabilized around 150bpm. I was told that I could try to have her vaginally, but if the heart rate went wonky again I would be rushed away for a cesarean. The Doctor informed me that the baby was face up, so he reached up and manually turned her. That hurt! I was now ready to push.

After pushing for only a few minutes the Doctor said that I wasn't "stretching" properly and that he had to give me an episiotomy and use forceps; he then went on to explain that the forceps were not going to be used to pull the baby out, but to pry me open. So he did. OUCH! After only 20 minutes of pushing a healthy baby girl was born! Her very proud Daddy was there to cut the cord, and Grandma Vicki was there to take pictures!



On November 6, 2009 Makayla made her appearance weighing in at a whopping 7lbs 1oz and was 19.25in. All the waiting, 9 months of pregnancy and 13 hours of labour and delivery were worth every minute when I got to hold my baby girl!

Due Date....Still No Baby!

Today is my due date, yet we don't have our baby girl. I had an OB appointment two days ago and I was still only 1cm dilated. I have been like this for about two and a half weeks. My tummy has really changed the last few days; before it was almost rock hard, now it is soft and squishy...the Doctor said not to worry about it, that the baby has probably just dropped down. It feels so weird though. So my OB leaves tomorrow for 10 days to Mexico, I really hope Makayla doesn't decide to come while she is away, it would really suck having a new Doctor I have never met delivery my baby. My OB honestly doesn't think I will be having the baby before she gets back. I am actually scheduled for non-stress tests on the 11th, 13th & 14th, an ultrasound on the 13th and induction for 8am on the 16th. It seems as though this "mucous plug" they often refer to keeps falling out...how many times can it fall out? Well my OB said that your body will keep producing it and it will continue to fall out if your baby isn't ready to come out....

39 Weeks - How Much Longer....

Yesterday I lost my mucous plug; this makes me a little excited because it is the first step to early labour!! I know we could still be looking at 3 weeks (maximum), but it could be within a few days! I have had period like cramps for a few days, and I've been spotting since the 27th (I had an internal and was 1cm dilated). Hmmm...what else is new? I applied for EI today, so hopefully I did it properly. Not much else has changed...I feel huge....

38 Weeks - A Very Busy Week!

My friend Anne-Marie has come to stay with me for a week from Quebec City! She arrived on October 16th and will be here until the 25th! It is really nice having her around, as I am getting really sore, it is hard to even move around, I am so ready for this baby to arrive!! This weekend on the 18th my baby shower was held by my BFF Nicky. Nicky and I are both pregnant, and due within two weeks of each other!

Here are some pictures from the shower, it was a wonderful day filled with great people, great games and too many gifts!! :)

I can't even begin to tell you how overwhelmed I am with everyone's generosity! This baby is one VERY spoiled little girl and she isn't even here yet! It took me two hours to open gifts! The same day Clint had his Diaper Poker Party so he brought home lots of diapers! Here are a few pictures of Makayla's room; now we will just wait for her! The first picture is her room filled with all the gifts after being brought home....

Makayla's dresser filled right up!

Well, that's about if for this week! Let me just say that I am so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends, and also that Anne-Marie was here to help me go through everything, get it washed and put away! Oh yeah, I had an OB appointment yesterday. I have now gained 42lbs, my cervix is still closed and hard...back to waiting for baby!

37 Weeks

Quick update - I went to the OB yesterday and told her that I have been feeling less movement the last few days so she sent me directly over to the hospital to have a non-stress test. The results came back as normal, thank god!! She will do another internal next week...

So of course once I have a little scare of no movement, it does a complete turn around...I was having contractions last night so I timed them but they were very irregular - 5, 3, 4, 5, 3, 2, 4, 2 minutes apart. My tummy was moving all over the place; I am thinking that I should probably start packing my bag though just in case!

36 Weeks

Weight gain is now at 38lbs!! I had an OB appointment on the 5th and she did an internal, apparently I am fully closed and hard, no baby! She did a strep B test and we also talked about the results of the ultrasound. Baby was measuring 35 weeks 3 days, and weighs 5lbs 12oz! The OB did say that baby is head down but her feet are up above her head so we will wait to see if she continues to turn and prep herself for delivery...

Today was my last day at work...finally!!! Yesterday they held a lunch pizza party for me and had a huge gift basket full of goodies! It was really nice!

4 Weeks to go!! Woo Hoo...it can't come fast enough!

35 Weeks - Nesting

I have now gained 34lbs, and her heart rate is 150bpm. The OB said that she would wait to see what the ultrasound said, then she will do an interal next week to check on my cervix.

A few days later I went for the ultrasound and it seems as though baby has turned and is now head down, but her legs are straight up and her feet are above her head. They are a little concerned and may have to send me for another one in a few weeks.

I have been on a bit of a cleaning spree, must be nesting kicking in. I decided that for some reason that I need to go through our linen/storage closet and take everything, jeesh...what a job! I also set up the playpen and put it in our room beside our bed, as that is where we plan on having her for the first while.

I decided to start taking these stupid calcium pills again, the leg cramps are worse than ever, so I will just suffer with the constipation I guess...I don't know which is the lesser of two evils! Oh well...there really is no winning here.

34 Weeks

Calcium gone bye bye! I can't take it anymore...I have only been taking these pills for about two and a half weeks and I am sooooo constipated! I am not taking them anymore, I will just deal with the leg cramps!

Hello stretch marks! I have been lucky and haven't seen any stretch marks as of yet; well that has now changed, they are appearing on my hips!

We had our prenatal class last week, and the breast feeding class yesterday! I found them very informative, and would probably recommend them to people to take. Most of the things the spoke about were things that I read in books, but it is still nice to be reassured that what you are reading is right. Some things though, like info about the car seat it is nice to have it actually demonstrated for you. I am happy that I decided to take the breastfeeding class, LOTS of info!

My best friend Nicky has now sent out the invites for the baby shower on October 18, so we shall see if this baby wants to come early to make an appearance at the shower!

Grandma and Auntie gave us some money this week to pick up some of the bigger ticket items on our list, so we got a toy box, diaper genie, bouncy chair and a floor playmat! Slowly but surely we are getting everything together!

33 Weeks

I have now gained 32lbs, and her heart rate was at 165bpm today! The OB has booked a ultrasound for October 1 to check on the position of baby as well as the size and weight.

Good god, I don't like taking these calcium pills for my leg cramps, sorry a little too much info, but I am so constipated it is insane! I am having a really hard time sleeping these days between the leg cramps, heartburn and baby rolling around at night, it is difficult!

We have decided to have a "Daddy To Be - Diaper Poker Party" for Clint! Basically it is going to be a $10 buy in as well as a bag of diapers; the winner takes all the money and Clint takes all the diapers! I'm sure he will have lots of fun, it will be the same day as the baby shower.

We finished decorating the nursery! Yay!!! The crib is built, change table built, dresser out of the box, curtain and rod up, shelves up and stickers on the walls! Soon I will take some pictures and post them!

32 Weeks

So I have started to take calcium pills to help with the legs cramps...well I am still having them but not as bad! However taking calcium pills have "plugged me up" worse than I already was, oh the joys!

I have been having braxton hicks this week, kinda strange feeling. It makes me wonder if she is on her way or just teasing, probably teasing!

I have created the invitation list for the baby shower, which will be on October 18. My friend Anne-Marie will be coming from Quebec City to stay with me for a week, so she will be here for the shower! Yay!!

We have some big news this week - we have agreed on her name!! Makayla Elizabeth! Now I am getting even more anxious to meet her. Only 8 more weeks! ;)

Maternity Photo Shoot

We went for a Maternity Photo Shoot today! Here are some of the pictures!

2nd UC Baby Appointment

We went for our 2nd appointment at UC Baby today and we got much better pictures this time also a video! Yay!

Daddy's has already taught her this!

High Five!

Sticking out her tounge

Rubbing her eye

Yawn...

30 Weeks

Just a quick update today! These damn leg cramps...every single night they wake me up! I had an appointment today with the OB and she told me to start taking calcium supplements, hopefully it works. Heart beat was 140bpm. So as of today I have gained 27lbs! We go back to UC Baby in 2 days, I'm pretty pumped!

29 Weeks - UC Baby

SHE IS SO CUTE! We went to UC Baby today, and our little girl (confirmed) is camera shy haha! She kept her hands up in her face pretty well the entire time, that or her feet! Her legs are straight up with her feet above her head. We got 59 pictures on a CD today, but they have asked us to come back again on August 26 and hopefully she will cooperate for us then. Next time they will give us more pictures and a DVD of the the ultrasound!

26 Weeks

Hmmm...so what's new? Lets see; I've already gained 16lbs! I am feeling pretty huge; I was at The Bay earlier this week and I actually walked right into a shelf! OUCH! Heartburn and leg cramps continue to wake me up in the middle of the night, I keep telling myself "it will all be worth it"! It's been really hot here these last two weeks...I am not one to complain about the heat - I love it, but good god this is insane LOL!

We bought the playpen and swing this week, and we also ordered a crib mattress! A little at a time....

I had an appointment with the OB today, my diabetes test results have come back negative WOO HOO! That makes me happy! Heart beat was 145bpm :) I asked about getting an epidural today (I have a tattoo on my lower back), she said that it won't be a problem, thank god....not that I am "planning" on getting one, but if I need it I will be taking it! I also inquired about getting a hospital tour, some people recommend it; the hospital is renovating and not offering tours anymore. Oh well! I have one more appointment in 4 weeks, then I will "graduate" (as the OB put it) to every two weeks. Yay, one step closer to having baby!

We have talked a little about a name...we both like Makayla Madison! She is getting really strong; she is kicking me like crazy, but mostly it feels like she is rolling from one side to the other. Watching my stomach move around really is just amazing! We decided to book an appointment at UC Baby, it will be on August 14, I CAN'T WAIT!

23 Weeks - Attack Of The Leg Cramps!

OUCH *#*@#$!! That is the only way I can describe this! I wake up in the middle of the night and I feel like I am dying! My legs are cramping so hard I don't even know how to explain it. They are rock hard and spasming! But on a happier note, our baby girl is so busy rolling around now, mostly at night while I am trying to watch tv and relax. I feel like she is doing somersaults, it kinda hurts but in the same time I love it!




We went down to Calgary this weekend for Stampede and my birthday weekend! Clint's sister is so generous and so excited to be an Auntie; she gave us money for the car seat to go with the stroller we have already bought! Yay, thanks Auntie!

22 Weeks

I am starting to feel really big!! Also, I am starting to wake up in the middle of the night with really bad heartburn...bring on the Tums!

We had an appointment with the OB yesterday, the results for spina bifida and down syndrome both came back negative YAY! She has now given me the requisition form for gestational diabetes so I will have to book an appointment for that soon! 150bpm today...I LOVE THAT SOUND!

21 Weeks

20 Weeks - Half Way There!

Yay!!! We are half way there today! It seems like this has taken forever...only 20 more weeks to go ahhhh! I feel like we need to start getting the baby room together because I don't want to feel rushed at the end, but in the same time I don't want to do it now because I feel like then when it's done and I won't have anything to do...if that makes any sense. I'm feeling fairly good these days, I am still on the Dicelctin though, I am scared to stop taking it because I don't want to feel like crap!