Derek's Post # 8................. Holding Station

  Courtnie and the baby are both doing great.  Mrs. Elizabeth and I have eaten our dinner and are hanging out with Courtnie.  There are a few things going on not previously mentioned....

1) Station is still in the MINUS...meaning she is not dropping like she should. If Courtnie dilates all the way that means the baby might be too big to come out of the CANAL. The only way to then safely deliver the baby would be C-Section.  

2) To counter act all of the above the doctor just came and started her on a Pitocin Drip.  This should intensify the contractions and hopefully push Natalie to a Positive Station.

Keep Courtnie in your prayers....She really doesn't wanna have a C-Section but knows it might happen.

Derek's Post # 7 .....Broken Water

As previously stated, the doctor was suppose to come in and break Courtnie's water for her but Courtnie's water just broke all by itself.  She has been very proactive  in this process up to this point.  Going into labor on her own and now water breaking own its own.  She was happy that it happened without help.  And at her request, there will be no pictures of the broken water....

DG

Derek Post #6........".Hello my name is Ron and I will be shoving a SPEAR into your wife's back"

Epidural is in!  I almost passed out during the installation. I had to leave the room twice..  No joke.  I now get why GOD created women to bare children b/c I am a big fat WUSS and so are you other GUYS don't even try to tell me different.....Anyway...Courtnie was a CHAMP all the way through it, she is now Numb and trying to get some sleep.  The doctor will be in soon to break her WATER....She is now about 4 to 5 cm dia and almost completely effaced.  She  is doing so GREAT, you guys don't know how proud I am of her!  

DG

Derek Post #5....Settling In

All is progressing nicely....The Epidural is coming soon....We walked around awhile and she is being such a trooper through all these contractions.  She truly is My Hero!!  

Derek Post #4....She's in LABOR

COURTNIE has been feeling pain all morning so we came in to get her checked.  She was 3cm dia. & 90% effaced.  We are now all checked in the hospital room.  She has an IV in and she is about to get up and do a little walking.  Also, the DR. has already came by and said all looks great and we should have a baby some time TONIGHT!! BOO YAH!!!

Derek's Post#3 ...It has begun( We Think?)

Contractions for Courtnie began at 5Am this morning.  We think its the real deal.  Currently they are 8-10 minutes apart.  Ruston has been brought to the Kennel for the time being and We are all packed and ready to go to the Hospital when they get about 3-5 minutes apart....More info to follow..

DG

Derek's Post#2-Harder than it seems or is it just me?

Not much to report on yet......BUT

I did manage after many struggles, cuts, bruises, and curse words get the "infant carrier" (car-seat) installed yesterday.  So I guess legally we can drive her home now.  If she'd only just come!

Derek's Post.....

Hello All! Following J. Nida's lead I will attempt to keep everyone updated during the process of  the birth of Natalie.  Not much to update now. Courtnie has a doctor's appointment on June 10th(D-Day).  If nothing happens between now and then, hopefully they will give us some good options.  In the meantime pray that she comes soon, Courtnie is starting to get a little( alot really) miserable.

DG

Contractions Contractions!

Hi Everyone

For the past 3 days I have had a lot of contractions!  They are not regular and not too intense (but are getting more intense each day!), so no rushing off to the hospital or anything.  The doctor says they need to be 5 minutes apart for at least an hour to come in...

They come and go throughout the day, but tend to slack off when I lay down or take a bath, which means it's not "real labor".  Hmmm.   I am really hoping Natalie decides to come out this weekend cause I really don't wanna go back to work Monday!  

Hopefully these contractions will strengthen and get into a regular pattern!  Until then, I am doing last-minute things with mom just to make sure we are ready.  Today we are gonna go shopping a little and try and walk this baby out!  I've tried several home remedies and I will keep on doing them (long walks, spicy food, pressure points), so maybe all this will help things along!

39 Week Appointment and just a little progress...

Yesterday me, mom, and Derek went to the doctor for my 39 week visit. It seems I have a made a LITTLE progress since last appointment, but not too much. I am still not even 1 cm dilated, but I am 50% effaced, which is a measurement of how much my cervix is thinning out. Apparently you have to be effaced a little before you can dilate. Now that I am effacing, hopefully the dilation will follow soon! My blood pressure was great (120/78) and I had gained only a pound in a week and a half, which was normal.

Natalie is doing great -- just running out of room! I am posting an eviction notice for her by this weekend (my goal is to have her out by Saturday)! I am really enjoying my time with mom and all of the cleaning and cooking she's been doing for us. I am getting spoiled for sure!

My next appoinment is next week on my due date (Tuesday), and if I'm dilated more, then they may consider induction at some point after my due date. We'll see!