I'd say I'm a little behind, but with this sweet little boy snoozing in my lap, at least I have a good reason! Harrison's birth story began the morning of Thursday, September 19. Anthony came with me to my 41 week appointment, which included and ultrasound to check the fluid around the baby, a non-stress test to monitor his movement, and an appointment with one of my midwives. To our surprise, my fluid was higher than normal - an afi of 22 when 12 is the expected number at 41 weeks. We wondered what that meant for the size of the baby, since I'd been told all along that he felt small and my belly hadn't gotten any bigger past 38 weeks. His movement was normal, and we were lucky to catch a glimpse of his profile. We had wondered all along if he'd have chubby cheeks like his brother, and it looked like that was probably the case! My midwives would have let me go to 42 weeks, at which point we would have needed to schedule a medical induction, and while I had desperately wanted the "I'm in labor!" moment, the timing seemed right to bring up elective induction. If I had him that weekend, Anthony would have more time to adjust away from work, Papa could watch the kids (allowing Nana to be present at delivery), and I wouldn't have to spend Mary Ann and Marinda's visit in the hospital. A time was set for the next morning!
(That bulbous mass in the center of the ultrasound is baby's cheek!)
The baby woke me up an hour before my alarm on Friday morning, and I enjoyed having that hour of peace with him to feel some of his last movements in utero. The kids had spent the night at Nana and Papa's, and Nana snapped our last belly picture (41 weeks and 1 day - can't say I didn't give him time to bake!) before we made our way to the hospital.
(The rest of these photos were taken by our awesome birth photographer, Carolyn Spranger.)
It was a beautiful morning. It's worth noting that all of our children have been born on gorgeous, cloudless days.
After we checked in, we were introduced to our labor and delivery nurse, Katherine, and learned that my midwife Martine would be delivering our baby. I had joked all along that Martine was humorously laidback, and I wasn't sure how that would translate during labor, but I'm very thankful for her calm demeanor now! We opted for my water to be broken as the first step of induction, hoping that would kickstart contractions and maybe I'd be able to avoid pitocin. I was a 3 when Martine broke my water at 9:30, and she terrified me by telling me that baby had his hand up by his head and that she could feel fingers. I was determined to go unmedicated with this birth, and the idea of pushing a head AND an arm out simultaneously was horrifying. We walked the halls for four hours, and while contractions fell into a more regular pattern and got stronger, I was not in any pain.
I was checked again at 2:30 and had dilated one centimeter to a four, which bought me a few more hours to labor without pitocin. We also learned that baby had moved his hand, which was a relief! Papa brought Alaina to the hospital after lunch. We continued to walk and use the labor ball to bring on contractions.
Papa retrieved Connor from school, and we all waited with baited breath for my next check.
The kids got a little rambunctious, so Nana and Papa took them to the cafeteria for an early dinner. At my 4:30 check, I was sad to hear that I hadn't progressed any, and my midwife recommended that we start the lowest dose of pitocin. I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to handle the pain on such a powerful drug, but my will remained steadfast.
Almost immediately after I was hooked up to the drip, my contractions became strong and painful. Martine showed Anthony how and where to apply counterpressure to help me get through them. I had to sway and vocalize through them while Anthony put his whole body into the counterpressure. He said it was crazy how he could feel the baby moving through my back.
The kids came back up at this point and were very curious about the machine and tubes attached to me. In this photo, I'm trying my best to hide my anxiety about an oncoming contraction. I told Papa that it was time to take the kids home.
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My memory gets hazy here, as all of my energy was focused on just getting through this. Martine asked if I wanted to labor in the tub, and I agreed. The nurses couldn't get the wireless monitors to work at first, and those few minutes that I stood waiting were excruciatingly long. I couldn't remain upright during contractions, so I had to use anything in my reach for support, including my nurse and the bathroom sink. Finally, I was able to get in, and the buoyancy the water provided was a relief. I had to keep moving through the pain, and Anthony diligently kept watch as I squeezed two of his fingers, and vocalized while trying to stay on top of my breathing. I started to feel lots of pressure as baby descended, and urgently yelled that I had to push. I heard Katherine tell Martine that I was feeling "pushy", then Katherine told me that I had to get out of the tub. The thought that I couldn't have my natural birth hadn't crossed my mind, but the act of getting out of the tub seemed so insurmountable, I kept saying, "I can't do it! I can't do it!". Anthony and Katherine lifted me out of the tub, and I'm glad I have photos, because I was delirious from the pain.
I was checked again and was at an 8. I had a few more hellacious contractions to get through before I could start pushing.
One of the coolest things about our delivery was that Anthony got to play an active role in our baby's birth. What a treasure! Once I was finally allowed to start pushing, Martine told Anthony to get ready; this baby is coming!
After a few pushes, I decided that I had had enough of that sensation, and made up my mind to just get him out. The "ring of fire" that everyone talks about was not that bad compared to the feeling of what was behind it! Martine told me to stop pushing since the baby had his cord wrapped around his neck, but thank goodness she was fast, because there was no stopping me!
At 7:09 P.M., Harrison Pierce was born into the hands of his Daddy!
It was such a relief to have this much-anticipated baby in my arms!
I was able to hold him and feed him for over an hour before I had to share him with the nurses, which I loved.
There was so much talk of him being small, then as my due date came and went, of him being too big. When I had asked my midwife weeks before what she thought of what people said, she replied with, "I think people are dumb." She was right, since he came out at the exact average baby weight!
I couldn't have asked for a better birth! I had fairly easy recoveries with my epidurals, so I can't say if this time was "better" or not, but I am glad I've been able to experience birth both ways. Now that we've got three weeks as a family of five under our belts, things are beginning to run more smoothly, and it's been a joy to watch the newest little Dietrich grow and change each day!
Going home from the hospital!
It was a treat to come home to flowers from Ryan and a gift for Harrison from his girlfriend.
The first few hours home were a bit surreal, since Connor and Alaina were still over at Nana and Papa's and it was so QUIET. I enjoyed a lovely shower while Anthony and Harrison snoozed together (that hat was huge when we brought him home, and it fits him perfectly already).
Connor can't get enough baby snuggles! Who can blame him? It feels like Anthony, Connor, and I are battling over who gets to cuddle him. Luckily, Mama is the food source, so I win out!
At 5 days postpartum, Marinda and Mary Ann came to visit. When the tickets were purchased, we were all certain that I'd have a month old baby at that point, but I am actually so thankful that they came when I needed their help the most! I regret that I was pretty terrible at taking photos while they were here, but they helped out so much. They got the kids ready for school and out the door, then one would hold the baby while I made phone calls (I don't remember so much paperwork with the other two kids!) and the other would be making meals or doing housework. They'd pick up Alaina from school while I fed the baby, then they took us out to lunch. Alaina is currently in girls'-lunch withdrawals! She got a taste of the good life and liked it! After lunches, I'd be showered with baby gifts, then we'd fetch Connor from the bus stop. Marinda and Mary Ann played with my kids, helped them with their homework, made us all dinner, then helped get the kids to bed. It was like having two live-in nannies - awesome! Thanks for taking the time away from your families, you two! You were lifesavers!
Mary Ann gave Harrison his first real bath at home. She did the same for Alaina when she was a newborn!
Here's a visual interpretation of the above paragraph:
It was sad to see them go, and Alaina told me she has plans to save up all her money to go visit Aunt Mary Ann and Aunt Raminda. A few days later, I took some pictures of Harrison's newborn details that I don't want to forget. I'm glad I did, because he has changed so much already! I love newborns' hairy backs...
...and how the soft brown hair at the nape of his neck is so much longer than the rest.
I've yet to find anything better in life than brand new baby feet!
I love the spotty nose and how his irises take up most of his eyes...
And these tiny hands with long, skinny fingers.
We feel very fortunate to have three healthy, beautiful children. We are on cloud nine!
