Okay, it's time to wo-man up and talk some truth about pregnancy, delivery, afterbirth. I'm making up some questions and then answering them. Partly so that I can remember everything I went though and partly so you can know a little of what to expect when YOU'RE expecting. And for all of you other Moms out there, well, you already know everything about the whole she-bang so just bear with me.
Alright. Here we go!
How long were you pregnant? : I was pregnant for 37 weeks and a few days. Today is Levi's ACTUAL DUE DATE! Can you believe that? Yikes. I can't imagine how big he would have been since he was 8 lb 7 oz and almost 3 weeks early. Oh, and 21 inches long.
Did you get the dreaded black line on your tummy? : NO! I couldn't believe it. Someone commented on my blog months ago and said she was a Labor and Delivery nurse and that in all of her years, she had never seen a fair skinned person get the line. Looks like she was right! Horray for vampire skin!
Did you get stretch marks? : Miraculously, I didn't get one stretch mark on my stomach (How? I will never know - my tummy was huge). I did, however, get a few on my lower hip, but none on my tummy. Thanks Mom, for the good elasticity genes.
Did your belly button pop out? : Nope. I had a very deep innie, so it just became flush with the rest of my stomach. It was so strange.
How much weight did you gain? : 37 pounds. The Doc recommended 25-35, and thought I'd break the rules and go over by a few pounds. Ya know, for good measure. ;)
How much weight do you have to lose now that Levi is here? : I have to lose 10 pounds to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Pretty sure I had a ton of water weight because no one loses 27 pounds in two weeks! Ha! I totally feel like the Biggest Loser. ;)
What was the worst thing about labor? : Contractions with a failed epidural. Worst pain of my life. I cried. And almost broke Husby's hand.
What was the best thing about labor? : An epidural that worked. Finally. And having Husby and my Mom with me to calm my nerves and make me laugh. Oh, and Mom even helped apply makeup a few minutes before pushing time! :)
What was the worst thing about delivery? : When they suctioned Levi's head FOUR TIMES and made a horrible horrible wound on my beautiful baby's head. It looked like it hurt him SO bad. Thankfully, it's healed now. Made me sad.
What was the best thing about delivery? : Hands down, watching Husby pull little Levi out and them throwing him on me. Indescribable and absolutely incredible.
How long did you push? : Two and a half hours. They said I was a grrrrreat pusher! Woo hoo! It totally didn't feel like I pushed for that long. I was focused on my prize!
Were you embarrassed being all "out there"? : Not at all. I am one of the most modest people you may ever know and in those moments, you lose all inhibitions and you just want that baby out. I had my Mom pushing one leg, the nurse pushing the other leg and Husby pushing my back forward. All four of us were pushing! HAHA! Oh, and it's totally not like the movies where you are sitting up with your legs in stirrups! I was flat on my back and had to hold my own legs. I'm telling you, it's WORK!
Did anything funny happen in L&D? : Actually, yes. Once, they had me sit out a contraction (and not push) because they had to do something. Well, it wasn't pleasant. When the contractions come, it feels SO MUCH BETTER to push. So, I sat it out and tried to catch my breath. Well, about an hour later, when the Doc came in to scrub up, she was over instructing Husby on what to do and when to do it. A contraction was coming and it was intense. No one was paying attention to me, because they were busy putting on gowns and talking 90-to-nothing about delivering this baby. I looked at Mom and said, "Uh oh - I'm having another one. I need to push!" She said, "go ahead and push"! She grabbed my leg and was pulling it toward me, and I was trying to push. We were doing this one all on our own. She was trying to count like the nurse had been doing and mid-contraction and mid-push, I looked at her and BURST into laughter. It was hilarious. She was trying to keep from laughing the whole time we were doing it and finally we both lost it. The nurse looked over at us as we were laughing and I said "I had a contraction and didn't know if I could push without you knowing", and she told me of course I could. Oh man, it was absolutely hilarious.
How was recovery? : Um. Well, for me, it was pretty bad. My body isn't exactly made to push out babies as big as my little lovie, so it did some pretty good damage. I could barely get out of bed the next day and I am just now starting to heal completely. And please, let's not even discuss bowel movements. Yet another thing I wasn't warned about!! Y-I-K-E-S.
Did Levi look like what you were expecting? : Yes and No. I can't believe how CUTE he is, and I was shocked that he has dimples (ahhhh, amazing!). He definitely looks like his 4D Ultrasound pictures, though.
How was your hospital stay? : Great! I got the room that I wanted and the nurses were fantastic. Husby and I even got a four course steak dinner the last night that we were there, complete with candle light and a table with white linens. So sweet. :)
How did you do with anxiety, emotions, etc. after you came home? : Well, the first week was pretty rough because my emotions were a roller coaster. I was literally laughing one minute and crying the next! I never knew why I was crying and there was truly nothing wrong - I just cried a lot! (Thankfully, my hormones are back to normal and I haven't cried in a long time!) Also, Levi had to spend two nights in the big bad jaundice light thing and I hated it. It was so hard. We had to take him to the Doctor three days in a row, so they could check his jaundice, and so we never had time to just sit and BE. We were constantly on the go. I never was anxious or freaked out, though about being a new Mom. I was just tired and emotional and stressed (Husby had to reschedule one set of boards that he was supposed to take the day we came home from the hospital and then take the other set a week after he was born! AH!). I don't know how I would have survived it without my Mom. Seriously. The second week was a cake walk compared to the first!! But I did roam around the house telling Husby "I miss mom! I miss mom!" He did, too.
Now that Levi is 2.5 weeks old, are you caught up on your sleep? : YES! Levi is a great baby (and I'm not just saying that because he's mine!) He only wakes up twice through the night now to eat, and is eating bigger portions fewer times. It's wonderful.
What is the most unexpected thing about being a Mom? : The immense love. For both my baby and my husband. I can't explain either, but having a baby creates a whole new love within your marriage. It's pretty amazing.
We weren't expecting Levi until today, June 18. The Lord had totally different plans in mind for this baby and I am so glad because it has given me three extra weeks with him. :) Remember the Christmas present Husby bought for me? The gold bracelet with the pearl (June's birthstone) dangling from it? Well, it looks like we will have to add a little Emerald to it. We have a precious May baby! I will keep the pearl on because it represents when he was supposed to be here...the little fella just couldn't wait to meet us.
It has also been amazing because instead of the 2 weeks that Husby would have had with Levi had he been born today, now he is getting a FULL MONTH! Rotations start July 1, Levi was born May 30, and by the grace of God, we get a full month together as a family - spending our days as we wish and loving around on our baby. It's Heaven.
I hope you enjoyed my little survey!
Alright. Here we go!
How long were you pregnant? : I was pregnant for 37 weeks and a few days. Today is Levi's ACTUAL DUE DATE! Can you believe that? Yikes. I can't imagine how big he would have been since he was 8 lb 7 oz and almost 3 weeks early. Oh, and 21 inches long.
Did you get the dreaded black line on your tummy? : NO! I couldn't believe it. Someone commented on my blog months ago and said she was a Labor and Delivery nurse and that in all of her years, she had never seen a fair skinned person get the line. Looks like she was right! Horray for vampire skin!
Did you get stretch marks? : Miraculously, I didn't get one stretch mark on my stomach (How? I will never know - my tummy was huge). I did, however, get a few on my lower hip, but none on my tummy. Thanks Mom, for the good elasticity genes.
Did your belly button pop out? : Nope. I had a very deep innie, so it just became flush with the rest of my stomach. It was so strange.
How much weight did you gain? : 37 pounds. The Doc recommended 25-35, and thought I'd break the rules and go over by a few pounds. Ya know, for good measure. ;)
How much weight do you have to lose now that Levi is here? : I have to lose 10 pounds to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Pretty sure I had a ton of water weight because no one loses 27 pounds in two weeks! Ha! I totally feel like the Biggest Loser. ;)
What was the worst thing about labor? : Contractions with a failed epidural. Worst pain of my life. I cried. And almost broke Husby's hand.
What was the best thing about labor? : An epidural that worked. Finally. And having Husby and my Mom with me to calm my nerves and make me laugh. Oh, and Mom even helped apply makeup a few minutes before pushing time! :)
What was the worst thing about delivery? : When they suctioned Levi's head FOUR TIMES and made a horrible horrible wound on my beautiful baby's head. It looked like it hurt him SO bad. Thankfully, it's healed now. Made me sad.
What was the best thing about delivery? : Hands down, watching Husby pull little Levi out and them throwing him on me. Indescribable and absolutely incredible.
How long did you push? : Two and a half hours. They said I was a grrrrreat pusher! Woo hoo! It totally didn't feel like I pushed for that long. I was focused on my prize!
Were you embarrassed being all "out there"? : Not at all. I am one of the most modest people you may ever know and in those moments, you lose all inhibitions and you just want that baby out. I had my Mom pushing one leg, the nurse pushing the other leg and Husby pushing my back forward. All four of us were pushing! HAHA! Oh, and it's totally not like the movies where you are sitting up with your legs in stirrups! I was flat on my back and had to hold my own legs. I'm telling you, it's WORK!
Did anything funny happen in L&D? : Actually, yes. Once, they had me sit out a contraction (and not push) because they had to do something. Well, it wasn't pleasant. When the contractions come, it feels SO MUCH BETTER to push. So, I sat it out and tried to catch my breath. Well, about an hour later, when the Doc came in to scrub up, she was over instructing Husby on what to do and when to do it. A contraction was coming and it was intense. No one was paying attention to me, because they were busy putting on gowns and talking 90-to-nothing about delivering this baby. I looked at Mom and said, "Uh oh - I'm having another one. I need to push!" She said, "go ahead and push"! She grabbed my leg and was pulling it toward me, and I was trying to push. We were doing this one all on our own. She was trying to count like the nurse had been doing and mid-contraction and mid-push, I looked at her and BURST into laughter. It was hilarious. She was trying to keep from laughing the whole time we were doing it and finally we both lost it. The nurse looked over at us as we were laughing and I said "I had a contraction and didn't know if I could push without you knowing", and she told me of course I could. Oh man, it was absolutely hilarious.
How was recovery? : Um. Well, for me, it was pretty bad. My body isn't exactly made to push out babies as big as my little lovie, so it did some pretty good damage. I could barely get out of bed the next day and I am just now starting to heal completely. And please, let's not even discuss bowel movements. Yet another thing I wasn't warned about!! Y-I-K-E-S.
Did Levi look like what you were expecting? : Yes and No. I can't believe how CUTE he is, and I was shocked that he has dimples (ahhhh, amazing!). He definitely looks like his 4D Ultrasound pictures, though.
How was your hospital stay? : Great! I got the room that I wanted and the nurses were fantastic. Husby and I even got a four course steak dinner the last night that we were there, complete with candle light and a table with white linens. So sweet. :)
How did you do with anxiety, emotions, etc. after you came home? : Well, the first week was pretty rough because my emotions were a roller coaster. I was literally laughing one minute and crying the next! I never knew why I was crying and there was truly nothing wrong - I just cried a lot! (Thankfully, my hormones are back to normal and I haven't cried in a long time!) Also, Levi had to spend two nights in the big bad jaundice light thing and I hated it. It was so hard. We had to take him to the Doctor three days in a row, so they could check his jaundice, and so we never had time to just sit and BE. We were constantly on the go. I never was anxious or freaked out, though about being a new Mom. I was just tired and emotional and stressed (Husby had to reschedule one set of boards that he was supposed to take the day we came home from the hospital and then take the other set a week after he was born! AH!). I don't know how I would have survived it without my Mom. Seriously. The second week was a cake walk compared to the first!! But I did roam around the house telling Husby "I miss mom! I miss mom!" He did, too.
Now that Levi is 2.5 weeks old, are you caught up on your sleep? : YES! Levi is a great baby (and I'm not just saying that because he's mine!) He only wakes up twice through the night now to eat, and is eating bigger portions fewer times. It's wonderful.
What is the most unexpected thing about being a Mom? : The immense love. For both my baby and my husband. I can't explain either, but having a baby creates a whole new love within your marriage. It's pretty amazing.
We weren't expecting Levi until today, June 18. The Lord had totally different plans in mind for this baby and I am so glad because it has given me three extra weeks with him. :) Remember the Christmas present Husby bought for me? The gold bracelet with the pearl (June's birthstone) dangling from it? Well, it looks like we will have to add a little Emerald to it. We have a precious May baby! I will keep the pearl on because it represents when he was supposed to be here...the little fella just couldn't wait to meet us.
It has also been amazing because instead of the 2 weeks that Husby would have had with Levi had he been born today, now he is getting a FULL MONTH! Rotations start July 1, Levi was born May 30, and by the grace of God, we get a full month together as a family - spending our days as we wish and loving around on our baby. It's Heaven.
I hope you enjoyed my little survey!
This was a very sweet post. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the new love for your husband. My husband and I both felt....just different after we had our daughter, we just felt like we loved each other even more! ;-)
Great survery filled with lots of "must-knows" for soon to be mommys! i am so thrilled Levi is here!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have another question if you don't mind answering...are you breastfeeding? You said something awhile ago about Husby trying to convince you to. How's that going? Anything unexpected?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah...BM's. Those ARE scary for a little while. I forgot about that.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so happy that you guys have so much time to really bond together as a new family. That's so vital.
Okay, now go take some pictures! I missed them this morning.
You never answered my breast feeding question!! Yay? Nay?
ReplyDeleteI retained a ton of water, too. Bad during the pregnancy, but good for quick weight loss!! :)
awwww that was fun fun to read! thanks for posting! you and your mom crack me up. i adore you guys.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! Although, you know that you will eventually have to share all the details with me to get me prepared! I couldn't imagine if Levi would have come today. Holy cow that would have been a huge baby!
ReplyDeleteGreat survey.
ReplyDeletetearing up! what a great blessing! Thanks for all those q&a's. We're "planning" on trying in 2 years but my mom lives 29 hours (by plane) away so it was good to have someone else tell me things she might not get to tell me.
ReplyDeleteThis was so great to read girl!! It's so nice to hear these things to help me prepare :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a great sweet baby on your hands!! ;)
Awww Whitney ~ all your posts are just so sweet and I'm sitting here with tears running down my face. Oh how I miss my kids being babies...time goes by so fast. Enjoy all your time with little Levi! And give him a big kiss and hug for me!!!
ReplyDeleteHugz,
Michele
Whitney - this was so helpful for me to read as a very scared mom to be. Scared of the labor and delievery part that is. Thanks for sharing all of your honest answers and experiences!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're on the way to recovery and enjoying your new little boy together! (o: He is so precious!
I loved, loved, loved the honest survey Whitney!
ReplyDeleteGreat survey! It was fun hearing all about your experience. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat survey--I would have asked every single one of those questions ;) Okay, maybe not every one--but I did enjoy reading it!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting, Whit! I love hearing all of these details. Random: I met an old friend of yours the other day, Bethany Walsh from your old Precept teen days! She does college ministry at a student center that our sororities use for events a lot. We met there and are doing lunch next week! Gotta love the "mutual friends" function on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI am so emotional right now and your post just made me start crying here at work! I think I'm scared, anxious, etc about being pregnant and having a wonderful little baby!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are so open in sharing this, it helps prepare all of us girls that haven't had a baby yet. I love the story about you and your mom, hilarious! What hospital were you at?
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you share these things so that expectant moms can get an idea of what to expect.
ReplyDeleteI gained 37 lbs while pregnant too and lost most of it in the first couple of weeks. That was nice, although the last 5 lbs are the ones that stick. I did get the dark line down the stomach and 5 months later, it's still there (just less dark). You got lucky in not getting that. It looks weird.
This was great and so so sweet!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful how many blessings you have and you are always so positive and grateful. You're story is quite inspirational.
Love the honesty! I wish someone would have done this with c-section questions before I had Alex - Mucho Helpful!
ReplyDeleteOh, God bless you and that pushing. I did the same thing for 3 1/2 hours, epidural had to be turned off after 1 hour so I could feel. Oh lordy, the pain! And I did the exact same thing about counting and pushing. Part delirious from the pain but I thought someone would count for me every single time. Isn't that what we pay those big bucks at the hospital for? ha! I walked like an old lady for at least a month from all the pushing damage *ugh*. You know it's bad when you give up and leave TARGET because it's too hard to walk. And WHY don't any of the books (at least the ones I read) give the low-down on the whole potty after baby situation? It's so important to know what to expect and doesn't just get better in a day or two.
ReplyDeleteThis was great and so informative, thank you for sharing!! You are just the cutest family EVER!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! I needed to read that! I'm only 7 wks out from meeting our tiny :)
ReplyDeleteLove this post - you definitely make it tempting to have a little one even though I am not "ready" yet! :)
ReplyDeleteCute story, and great idea for writing it down. My epidural only worked on 1/2 of my body ( I have slight scoliosis) and then it wore off on that side too, and I labored for 14 hours... So, Power to the women!!! It is all worth it as soon as you see that precious baby. Levi is beautiful...and you look great too!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
That is a very sweet post!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that things are going so well! And am also glad you are living your dream after waiting the 37+ weeks for your sweet little boy!!
I am 4 weeks out from having out little one... this was great, thanks!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the baby boy. Levi is one of the most beautiful newborns I have ever seen!
Hey, I totally hear you with the pumping/supplementing/first week. I'm glad you settled on a decision that was best for you both. You definitely don't want to push yourself to do something that could ultimately make you resent feeding your baby, and breast feeding moms who feel that pressure can often feel that way! One of my closest friends said she felt exhilarated when she finally stashed the breast pump in the attic forever after that first week! You just do what you gotta do.
ReplyDeleteCaleb was a crazy good nurser, so I don't take credit for successful breast feeding. Once he got the hang of it (it did take a week), he was a pro. My next baby might look at me like I'm crazy. Who knows!
I'm so glad you're doing well! Welcome to the adventure!!
Oh, and yay for only two feedings a night! That was my first hint that maybe you guys had gone to formula :). Sleep deprivation was the cause of my anxiety (Caleb nursed every two hours), so I'm glad you're getting good sleep and therefore avoiding anxiety!
ReplyDeleteThis is so brave of you! Thank you so much for posting it. I have so many fears about pregnancy, BUT when I see pics with you and Levi it totally eases them. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis was such a sweet post!! You so make me want to have a baby!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your survey! My lil one is one month today!
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower and Mr. Top Gun and I are getting ready to try for a little Top Gun soon! So, I THANK YOU for your honesty on this post!! Love your little one, he is gorgeous.
Mrs. Top Gun
i didn't want to comment bc you are a new mommy and all, with soooo many emotions but i just wanted, after much deliberation, to let you know that i thank you profusely for your blog. i know. sounds crazy. but my grandmother just passed and your levity and joy in such a new, happy, blessed new life has helped me in more ways than i could ever tell you, so thank you, for your love and your real-ness and your honesty. i am now afraid of pregnancy lol :) just kidding!!! but thank you, for sharing. it helped me through a very rough night. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for being so honest! We're thinking of trying for a little babe soon, but I may hold off now after this post! Just kidding :)
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