On The Day You Were Born: Oscar's Edition

My sweet sweet Oscar boy,
I waited a looooong 9 months for you. The second you joined our family I felt complete. You are meant to be our son. It was hard pregnancy but worth every second. This pregnancy brought the longest time sick, so hot, tired, sore, cranky, daily heartburn and you were incredibly LOW. I didn't think I would ever make it to the end. Your due date was August 1st, 2014. I think Gretchen knew weeks before that date that I wouldn't be able to stay pregnant that long or I was going to lose my mind. The entire pregnancy you were measuring ahead of your due date. When I went in for my 39 week appointment and had lost a few pounds and you hadn't grown at all that week we felt comfortable letting you make your debut early. I was scheduled for an elective induction on the morning of July 25th.  It had been a busy night at the hospital that night so they didn't have a room ready for us until about 10:00 a.m. I was started on Pitocin and I.V. fluids around 11:00. The beginning labor process was perfectly smooth. I labored through contractions while Dad and I watched The Price is Right. After a few hours I sent Dad to get himself some lunch and had them set up my epidural while he was out of the room. Gretchen came in shortly after and broke my water. The epidural took the edge off and Dad and I watched funny YouTube videos for an hour or so.  Around 4:30 I started having some sharp pains in my side. The epidural was losing power and we weren't sure what was causing the pain. Looking back the nurse thinks you had your hand up by your face and was pushing on sore stretched muscles.  I pushed the epidural button for another dose.  No change.  I pushed the button again and still no change. At this point I was feeling a lot of pressure and Gretchen checked me. I was 8.5 cm. Within an hour I was fully dilated and ready to push. With no pain medication. The epidural had given up at that point. Your cute little head was coming out but coming out sideways. It was intense. Luckily it only took three contractions and you were out.  Sideways but perfect! You were immediately placed on my chest and only cried for about ten seconds. After a while they took you to clean you up and get your stats. You weighed in at 7 lbs. 14 oz. (Dad's exact guess) and measured 20 inches long with blue eyes and a whole head of dark brown hair. Meanwhile I needed a few stitches. Gretchen gave me a shot of a local anesthetic.  Just like the epidural it was a dud. I suffered through the stitches. Then Gretchen noticed another tear that she thinks was caused by the CNA inserting or removing the catheter incorrectly.  I suffered through those too while cursing the CNA under my breath. After delivering my placenta I started to hemorrhage. I was laid back and the nurses took turns pushing on my belly to pass the clots. I have never been so scared. It was hands down the most pain I have ever endured. It is funny how quick I have been to forget the pain though and just love the intense way you entered our lives. The stitches held and the bleeding stopped.  After two hours we were wheeled to recovery (with my placenta in a bucket for encapsulation) and greeted by good friends who came bearing spicy chicken nuggets and a Frosty. I think I spent most of the night in shock after the traumatizing delivery. But once the sun came up the next day it was all forgotten and we started our lives together. Your sisters came the next morning to watch you scream through your first bath. They all fought over who got to hold you first and longest. They will take good care of you Oscar. And your Daddy and I will do our very best to protect you and teach you all we know. Welcome to this crazy crazy world little man. I love you fiercely!
Love, Mom

Photo cred: The talented and wonderful Christine Olson Photography

Preggo Progression.

Baby Boy Edwards: ETA August 1, 2014

11 Weeks

19 Weeks

20 Weeks

23 Weeks

26 Weeks

                                                                       28 Weeks

                                     

                                                                ...to be continued

And for those who have been asking, Yes, I am going to be getting my placenta encapsulated again. YumYum!

The Story About Eating My Placenta.

This post has been on my mind for two months now. But somehow it kept getting pushed to the back burner with all the princess dresses I have been sewing, toddler bed nightmare I have been living, the holidays, packing, Disneyland and sickness going on around here. But here I am and I am excited to finally get to share this experience with you.

As you all know I gave birth to a little sweetie in October. A few months prior to delivery my friend Sam was telling us at her baby shower that she was going to encapsulate her placenta after delivery. I had heard of this process vaguely but didn't pay much attention for three reasons: 1. We didn't have the money for it 2. I hadn't had any trouble after either of my other deliveries 3. Frankly it sounded a bit gross.

Two weeks before my due date my mom and dad offered to gift me my placenta in pill form as a baby gift. That took care of factor #1.
Then Sam proceeded to tell me about all the benefits of placenta encapsulation that I hadn't ever heard about.
That took care of factor #2.
As for factor #3...I still think it's a bit gross.

Unfortunately Sam was unable to encapsulate her placenta because the hospital accidentally destroyed it. (They burn the old placentas in case you were wondering) But she was kind enough to pass along her info for the placenta lady she was going to use, Alisha from The Healing Group.

Here's the basics:
The placenta is saved in a fridge by the nurses station and picked up at the hospital by whom ever is preparing your placenta with in 24 hours after delivery. Then within 48 hours the pills are returned to you. You take a differing amounts for the first two weeks and then after that it is two capsules a day. The amount of capsules you receive depends on the size of your placenta. I'm pretty sure my placenta was twice as big as my baby so I have enough capsules for months and months. It cost $200.

Common Benefits:
Increase in energy postpartum.
Decrease in postpartum depression.
Quicker recovery.
Healthier hair/decreased hair loss postpartum.
Increased immune system.
Increase in iron to prevent anemia.
Increase in milk supply.
Milk comes in earlier.
And i'm sure there are more but I can't think of them all at the moment.

I have never had a problem with anything besides hair loss and anemia (only while nursing Nora). But because I had to wean her early due to low iron that benefit alone was enough to win me over. Or so I should say I thought I had no problems after delivery. I still have easy recoveries but this one was a breeze!

Here is how taking my placenta benefited me:
Increase in energy. I came home after 24 hours and cooked/cleaned/ran errands from day one. Which was a huge blessing considering I had no help besides Aaron this time around. It made the transition from 2 to 3 seamless.
Quicker recovery. Stopped bleeding after 8 days ladies!!!
Healthier hair. I haven't lost a strand.
I'm assuming I am not anemic because I have not experienced any paleness or decrease in energy.
Milk came in 48 hours after delivery and I have an abundant amount.

I am a believer. And will be forking out $200 each pregnancy for my placenta pills.
If you need/want more information feel free to email me at heatedwards@gmail.com
A big thank you to Sam and Alisha and to my Mom and Dad for the funding!