The Birth Story of Hannah Belle Cavanah

*Note: This is a loooong post :) And some parts might be a little TMI, but I want to remember everything, so I decided to include it all.

It was Friday night, May 25th and Noah and I were having what is a pretty average night for us. I had been pretty nauseous all day long, so I was resting in bed playing on Pinterest and Noah was playing a video game on his computer. Around 11pm I decided to call it a night, but not before I randomly mentioned to Noah how strange of a thought it was that I could technically go into labor at any moment. We talked about how weird that we could be thinking that we were about to have a normal weekend, but in actuality we never know when our baby is going to decide to make her debut! My due date wasn't until Monday, May 28th, and I was pretty sure that Hannah was going to be late (just based on the fact that most first time mom's deliver about a week late)...so I laughed at how funny that thought is, and passed out.

I woke up during the night at my usual times for bathroom breaks...never suspecting anything. At 6:30 am I woke up from a strange feeling...kind of like I was very slowly leaking. However, the feeling passed and I fell back asleep. I woke up about 30 minutes later to the feeling again, I shifted slightly in bed and then I felt a huge gush. At this point, I was pretty positive that my water had broken. I called out to Noah to tell him that I thought my water was breaking, he sat right up and asked "are you sure?" I stood up and pulled the blanket back. The sheets were soaking, and I was literally dripping fluid. Noah shot out of bed and began making phone calls to the hospital and his family. I ran down the hall to let my mom know and then a weird calm-panicky feeling came over me and the last thing in the world that I wanted to do was go to the hospital. So I showered. And I took my time. 

By this point, everyone in the house was awake and running around, trying to get me to rush and finish showering. Somehow Noah was able to persuade me to get out of shower and a few short minutes later we were in the car and on our way. I was pretty nervous, but also excited...and more than anything, I was uncomfortable. I wasn't in any pain, but I was still gushing fluid (for future Mama's, if you ever have a fear that you won't be able to tell when your water breaks...let me erase your worries by letting you know now, that there is no way you will NOT know. I would continue to leak fluid for the whole 20 hours that I was in labor, which is apparently normal...but surprising to me). Anyways, we arrived to the hospital around 8am. They took me into triage where they usually do an exam to determine if you are ready to be checked into the hospital, however, they saw how much fluid I was leaking and were able to confirm that my bag of waters had completely broken. So we were whisked behind the double doors of the maternity ward and checked into our labor and delivery room. 

By 9am, I was in my hospital gown, hooked up to my IV and sitting comfortably in my bed, with Noah and my family around me. After your water breaks, they don't like to do too many cervical checks so as not to introduce germs to the baby, but I was not having any contractions, so they wanted to get a feel as to where I was, so they did a quick check and found out that I was only 1cm dilated. I was told that we were going to have to start pitocin to try and activate labor and get things moving along. The labor and delivery unit was packed  that day, so I didn't actually start getting pitocin until noon. At that point I had started having very small and irregular contractions. The pitocin takes about an hour to kick in and by 1pm, I was feeling them, however they were still very manageable. 

Over the next few hours my contractions got closer together and were getting stronger. By that time, Noah's family had arrived and everyone was doing a really good job of helping me manage my pain. I spent most of my time on the big labor bouncy ball thing...for whatever reason, it worked best in helping me to manage the pain. Eventually my contractions started coming in really strange intervals...I would get two contractions back to back...and then I would have a 5 minute break....I also started having really bad back labor, these things combined means that the baby has turned into a breech position. I wasn't in the mood to deliver a breech baby, so I spent the next hour on my feet trying to flip the baby back into a good position (which she eventually did flip back into).

By 7pm my contractions were so bad that I was literally crying through them and could barely breathe...they were also still incredibly close together, so I wasn't getting much of a break. A nurse came in to perform a cervical exam and I was barely 3cm. I was disappointed and did not want to get the epidural at only a 3, so the nurses gave me the greatest thing on Earth. Nubain. It is a pain/anxiety medicine that they inject into the IV. It makes you incredibly dizzy and out of it, so I had to be confined to the bed, but honestly at that point, I did not care...and after the Nubain, I had no cares in the world. It was amazing. I was able to relax and sleep for a few hours and let my body work itself through labor. 

Around 9:30pm, the Nubain started to wear off slightly and the nurses decided to do another cervical check. Still only a 3. At this point, they gave me my options. I could continue to labor on my own and see if I progressed, or I could get the epidural and see if that sped things up a bit. They informed me that they will only let a patient go 24 hours after their water breaks, before the baby needs to come out...meaning a C-section was in my future if my cervix didn't start getting into gear. I opted for the epidural. 

The epidural was a breeze. I didn't feel the numbing injection, and I didn't feel the catheter going in. I could, however, feel the catheter in my back as it was getting placed, but it didn't hurt at all. The epidural kicked in pretty quickly...I felt the full effects of it after about 30 minutes. However, I was slightly disappointed in it. I couldn't feel my legs at all and I couldn't feel my contractions...but I was feeling ENORMOUS pressure in my lower region. I had assumed that I wouldn't be able to feel anything...but this pressure hurt just as bad as my contractions had been hurting. I had Noah get the nurse because I was in so much pain...they did a check and discovered that I was at 7cm! I had progressed from a 3 to a 7 in about an hour. The nurse was surprised to find that the baby was so low that she could feel her head...which was why I was feeling so much pressure. She decided to give me another hour. 

I tried my hardest to relax over the next hour, but the pressure was crazy. I was trying my hardest not to hold back, but also not to push. It was definitely an uncomfortable feeling. I also had started to shake uncontrollably....apparently this is totally normal and due to hormones going crazy, but it was an insane feeling. On top of all that I had started getting a fever and I was incredibly nauseous. So I was getting ready for all of this to come to an end.

At midnight the nurse came back in and did another check...I was 9.5-10cm and almost ready to push. They decided to let me labor down for awhile on my own in an upright position to let the baby move down naturally. During this time, my family wished Noah and I good luck and left the room to wait out the rest of the labor in the lobby. I remember feeling really calm, despite the crazy pressure, and I remember telling the nurse that it was past midnight so my baby was going to be a May 27th baby. 

The nurse came back in and it was time to start pushing. All of the sudden I became SO thirsty...I think it was from nerves, because I had been getting fluids all day and would have no reason to be that thirsty. I had one tiny sip of water and immediately threw it up, so I was not allowed to have any more water. 

We began pushing at 1am. Noah was amazing and by my side the whole time. My nurse was incredibly motivating and enthusiastic...in fact, she was so enthusiastic, that I started questioning whether or not what she was saying was true (she kept telling me that she could see the head and that the baby was moving down)...so I eventually asked for a mirror so I could see for myself. I pushed two more times and it was amazing to be able to see for myself how far Hannah moved down with each push. At 1:45am, my temperature was up pretty high, so I was given ibuprofen despite the fact that the nurse was sure I would throw it up. Sure enough, it came back up. But then everything was a blur...one minute I am so sick and then next there are nurses everywhere running around like crazy and telling me to stop pushing (I wasn't aware that I was pushing...I was just busy not feeling well).  

Finally, at 1:54am the doctor gave me the okay to push. I gave one big push and Hannah came into the world. The cord was wrapped around her neck so the doctor had to cut it, but she gave a piece for Noah to cut anyways. 

It was the most amazing experience. They put Hannah on my chest right away, and I was making the strangest noise from half crying, half laughing. She was so beautiful and I couldn't believe that MY baby was laying on my chest. I couldn't believe that I was touching MY baby's little arm. Noah was so happy and proud and ran out to let our families know that Hannah had arrived. 

She was born on Sunday, May 27th, 2012 at 1:54am. She was 7 pounds 13 ounces and 20 inches. She had a great APGAR score of 8 and 9. And she was adorable. 

The next few days were an emotional blur. I couldn't believe that I had given birth to such an amazing and beautiful girl, and I was so afraid that I was going to do something wrong. I barely slept the first couple weeks because I felt like I needed to be watching her at all times. I felt like, if Noah was sleeping, and I was sleeping...who was going to be awake to make sure that Hannah was breathing?

The day Hannah came into this world was the most amazing day in the world. I get so emotional just remembering it. It is the day that changed our lives forever and I couldn't be a happier or more proud Mama. :) 

Checked in and hanging out

Noah, ordering lunch (I got to enjoy some lovely jello and ice chips)

Just walking it out with my portable IV

Opening presents from Uncle Levi and Aunt Molly

About to start the Pitocin

Tracking my contractions as well as Hannah's heartbeat

More information

Nap time for us, after I received the Nubain

Passed out

Our view of Bellevue

Hanging out before pushing time! 

Texting with Amy :)

Pushing time!

Holding my angel for the first time

Noah holding Hannah for the first time

Our new family! 

Birth stats

Getting weighed 

Going through all the tests

This picture makes me laugh...I'm so happy to be drinking water that I look drunk

Getting a bath

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July, from our family to yours.

World's Worst Blogger Award goes to....

Me!

I know it seems as though I have fallen off the side of the world (is that the correct saying?)...but I assure you, I am here!

It's amazing how little time I have for personal things now that baby is here...I have a whole to-do list with items that I plan to check-off every time Hannah goes down for a nap...but as it always goes, nap time comes around and I find myself catching up on episodes of The Kardashians and Mrs. Eastwood and Company (is anyone watching this?!) instead of crossing off important wedding to-do's. Whatev's...I figure it will get done eventually.

I am currently working on Hannah's one-month update as well as her birth story...(yes, that is still coming.)

But in the mean time I leave you with some things that I'm currently loving...

I'm loving.....

...that my fiance thinks it's funny to pose our baby with Corona Lights. (Hannah seems less amused...)

...that I found this J.Crew knock off bubble necklace for only $39! Even better...it's a special, buy two statement necklaces, get one free...sign me up! 

...family nap time. 

...reality t.v. The amount of reality t.v. being recorded on my DVR these days is shocking. But, when you have a baby attached to your boob all day there really is nothing better than parking your butt on the couch and planning for a day full of trashy drama.

...when I come in to check on Hannah and find her sleeping like this.

...that I somehow scored Steve Madden heels for $35 (originally $100) because of an employee error in the display...basically an employee accidentally put a $35 sale sign next to the shoes, so the store granted the price for me...I'll take it! (Note...these are not the actual shoes).

 

...As always...I'm loving this sweet little angel. 

2 Weeks!

My little munchkin is already 2 weeks old! We have had a long week this week with getting use to not having Noah around all the time, as he went back to work. The day's have been going pretty well, but the nights have definitely taken some getting use to. All in all, we are transitioning into our new life as a family of 3 pretty well and couldn't be happier about our new addition. 


Baby Stats: 
Sleep: The little lady is sleeping in 2 hour shifts, for the most part. She will wake up for food and will usually go right back to sleep for another 2 hours. She still loves sleeping on Mommy and Daddy's chest, however, that doesn't really allow us to get very much sleep, so we only allow her to do that during her daytime naps. She doesn't like sleeping in her bassinet or crib...no matter how deeply asleep she is when we put her down, she will realize right away that she is no longer close to us and will wake up crying. So instead, she sleeps right on the bed with us, however I get super nervous about her getting rolled on or getting blankets and pillows near her face, so I wake up to check on her very often...which makes me one tired mama. 
Daily Routine: While we are still just going along with whatever Hannah wants, she does seem to be on more of a schedule. We usually wake up for the day between 7am and 8am. I feed her, change her diaper and get her dressed for the day. Then I either stick her in her swing or have my mom come in and hold her for a little bit while I pick up the room and take a quick shower and get ready for the day. After that, the little missy is usually ready for another feeding and then will go down for her first nap. The rest of the day consists of 2 hour naps and feedings...scattered with quite a few diaper changes and possibly some outfit changes when spit up happens. She usually does down for bed time around 10pm and then will wake up for feedings at midnight, 2am, 5am and then finally 7am.
Feed: The little lady still loves to eat! She has plumped right up. I feel like all I do during the day is either feed her directly or pump for extra milk. However, we have learned that Hannah is not a fan of drinking milk from a bottle...I haven't figured out yet if its the bottles she doesn't like or that the milk in the bottles is colder than it is when it comes directly from me. I love nursing her, but being the only one able to feed her is pretty exhausting and a little overwhelming. We don't have the option to feed her a bottle at one nighttime feeding so I can get some extra sleep...and I can't go anywhere without her being close enough to feed every 2 hours...which makes me nervous for some upcoming weddings we are attending. But she is only 2 weeks old, so we are still working on getting her use to the bottle, and I'm thinking about trying out a bottle warmer and/or supplementing with formula for one bottle a night. We'll see how it goes! 
Weight: At her one week check up she weighed in at 8 pounds 5 ounces...which puts her in the 75% percentile. She is one growing baby! 
Length: 20 inches and 3/4...putting her at 90% percentile. 
Diaper Size: Newborn...but she's getting a little too big for these, so as soon as she loses her cord we are making the transition to size 1. 
Clothes Size: She is definitely in-between Newborn and 0-3 month clothes right now. It's pretty hit and miss depending on what designer the clothing is from...some 0-3 month outfits are huge on her...while others fit her perfectly. She can still wear Newborn onsies...but some of my favorite sleepers are definitely too short and don't allow room for her long little body. 
Hair Color: I thought her hair seemed to be lightening up a little bit...but it actually seems to be getting darker! Seems that her dark hair is here to stay! 
Eye Color: Blue...doctor says this could change though. She should have her permanent eye color by 3 months of age. 
Funniest Moment: We are still loving her facial expressions...she has the most expressive face and you can totally see what she is thinking just by the way she looks at you. 
Milestones: She is continuing to open her eyes and is much more alert. Her neck strength continues to impress everyone! Even her pediatrician was impressed and said she was like a 2 month old baby! She is also smiling more and even laughed for the first time the other day. P.S. she got Noah's dimple on her left cheek...:)  
Favorite Toy: She loves her swing and bouncer...by love, I mean she falls asleep as soon as she sits in them. She is still loving her wubanubs and we can't go anywhere without one of them. 
Firsts: 
1) First pediatrician appointment
2) First time in the swing
3) First outing (other than doctors appointments)
4) First outing with just Mommy (SO happy this went well!)

5) First walk around the neighborhood with Mommy and Hudson
6) First time practicing tummy-time! 
Other: I seriously can't believe Hannah is already 2 weeks old! We were heading to the mall to go pick out a birthday present for Noah and drove right by the Women's hospital at Overlake and saw the room that I delivered Hannah in...it was so surreal that just 14 days ago we were in that hospital room waiting to meet our munchkin. 


Mommy Stats:
Weight Loss: Down another 5 pounds...which is a total of 25 pounds down. Only 10 more to go! I'm pleasantly surprised at how quickly the first 25 pounds came off...but I've heard that the last 10 are the hardest to lose, so I'm prepared to start my workouts in just 4 more weeks! 
Clothing Size: I'm back into my pre-pregnancy shirts and dresses...however I'm too nervous to try on my old jeans yet, so I'm still wearing my maternity jeans for now....although to be honest, I've only worn them one time so far because I've pretty much been in yoga pants non-stop.  
Best Moment: We've had a lot of good moments this week. Hannah is so much more alert and loves looking around at everything. I've also been getting more of a "grasp" for things and have been feeling more and more comfortable by myself. Although, I will be the first to admit that this week has been EXTREMELY emotional for me (apparently this is very normal behavior with all the hormones) with Noah going back to work. But, I am definitely getting the hang of things, and even though I still have my emotional moments, I'm loving my new job more and more each day. 

 On our way to our first doctors appointment! 

Sweet little girl in her swing

Tummy Time! (P.s. my child wears socks on her hands because the little baby mittens are too short and she pulls them off)

Sweet baby.

WSU bib. (p.s. check out those eyebrows...she definitely got those from Noah)

She's very amused

Trying out her new sunglasses...

She doesn't love them...

Sitting up in her boppy! 

Loving her wubbanub

Smiley baby

Nap time

Hope you enjoyed our 2-week photos!

On a separate note, my Grandma is very sick in the hospital...we are waiting on some test results but it looks like we will have to make our way over to New York in the very near future. Please send good thoughts our way!

Happy 1 Week Birthday, Baby Girl!

As of 1:54am this morning, my little princess is officially one week old! Yesterday was a very emotional day for me because I kept thinking about what we were doing at that particular time just 7 days earlier. I'm even getting teary-eyed right now, just thinking about that special day that changed my life forever.

It's only been a week, but I have already seen so many changes in Hannah and I find myself wishing that she could just stay this little forever (although, I know I'll love every age and stage she goes through).

Here is our one week update:

Baby Stats: 
Sleep: She sleeps constantly....she pretty much just wakes up to eat and then falls back asleep again. She loves to be double swaddled and then laid on a very soft blanket. So far she has only taken two naps in her bassinet. Instead, she loves sleeping on Mommy and Daddy's chest or right in-between us on the bed. She also loves being held and will often wake up fussy, but falls back asleep as soon as she knows she is safe in our arms.
Daily Routine: We don't have much of a routine yet...we pretty much just do whatever Hannah wants. So far our schedule seems to be Hannah napping for about 2-3 hours at a time and then waking up for a feeding. Feedings last about an hour and then she is back asleep for a few hours. Every other day she gets a bath (which she does not love)...but that about sums up our days so far!
Feed: This little missy LOVES to eat. In the beginning we had a little bit of trouble with my milk not coming in quick enough for Hannah and we had to supplement with formula...which she did not like. Fortunately things cleared up very quickly and our little pumpkin would eat all day if she could!
Weight: At birth: 7 lbs 13 oz, 2 days after birth: 7 lbs 12 oz, 5 days after birth: 7 lbs, 12.6 oz (Barely any weight loss!)
Length: 20 inches at birth
Diaper Size: Newborn
Clothes Size: Newborn, but we have been putting her in some 0-3 month clothes and they are a little baggy, but they work.
Hair Color: Very dark at birth but it seems to be lightening up a little bit on top.
Eye Color: Blue
Funniest Moment: It is SO funny to watch her search around for food. I swear she could make herself crawl to food if she had to. We also love her facial expressions...Noah seems to think she has acquired my confused look, which she does 80% of the time she is awake.
Milestones: She is opening her eyes more and more and taking in the world around her. This sounds very cliche, but it is absolutely amazing to watch her discover new things around her. I love just watching her look around. Her changing table is right by the window and it is one of her favorite spots because she just loves looking out the window.
She also has amazing neck strength. She is already holding her own head up for short periods of time. She's already growing up too fast.
Favorite Toy: She hasn't had very many opportunities to play with all her toys (since she doesn't do anything but eat and sleep) however, she loves her pink puppy wubbanub and she loves finding the tags on all her burp cloths and blankets and holds on to them while she's eating. It's pretty adorable.
Firsts: A lot of firsts this week (obviously) but some big firsts were:
1) First postpartum doctors appointment
2) First bath
3) First car ride
4) First time napping in her bassinet
5) First diaper accident
Other: I can't believe my little monkey is already one week old! It seems like this week just flew by. I love everything about being a mom. This past week that we have been home, I have barely left our room because I just sit and hold her and watch her. She makes the cutest sighs and coos while she sleeps, and the cutest facial expressions when she is just waking up.
Being a mom is without a doubt, the most amazing thing in the world. It isn't the most glamorous job (I swear I've been covered in breast milk, spit up and on one occasion, poop since we have been home), but it is the most rewarding and fulfilling job. Our first night home from the hospital, I was so emotional because I was just in awe that this amazing little girl was all ours forever.


Mommy Stats:
Weight Loss: On the day I went into labor, I was up a total of 35 pounds. As of today I am down 20 pounds. Only 15 more to go!
Clothing Size: So far I haven't ventured too far out of yoga pants and t-shirts this week...but I know for sure that I wouldn't be able to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans yet. My stomach might be going down..but I'm realizing now how much weight I gained in my hips and thighs (oh joy).
Best Moment: Hannah loves sleeping skin to skin on my chest...which also happens to be my favorite thing. I love feeding her and then just taking a nap with her right there and smelling her sweet head. I love her so much!


Happy One-Week Birthday to my little princess!


P.S. Stay tuned for Hannah's birth story!