Me and Mommy at the hospital

Home in my own crib - FINALLY!

My first visitor at home

I'm all clean!

I was officially released from the hospital this afternoon after much arguing that I did not need to be kept for another day for further observation. I realize that Scott did not post much information about the actual events that have transpired over the last few days, both due to lack of time and knowing how much to disclose. This has led to some confusion about why Caleb and I remained in the hospital for so long. I will attempt to explain while trying not to freak out all those friends and loved ones out there who have not yet had the "joy" of experiencing labor.

First, I must clarify a typo that was put in an earlier post of the midwife's concerns about the labor. Caleb was indeed positioned in a difficult position which, from what I'm told, led to a more difficult and painful labor (obviously I have nothing to compare it to). Though Caleb was head down, his back was to my back (the ideal position is his back to my tummy), making it difficult for him to fully enter the birthing canal because of his position. It also resulted in intense back labor throughout the duration of the labor.

Though light contractions began on Wednesday night, I was not fully sure that I was in early labor until the middle of the night when I began waking up with stronger contractions. By 4:30a.m. I began timing the contractions and found that they were about 6 minutes apart. I labored at home until about 2:30p.m. by using water therapy in the bathtub to deal with the contractions. When the contractions were about a minute and a half apart we called the ambulance (since we don't have a car and the ambulance is free) and headed to the hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital, we learned that I was only dilated to a 4. I asked for a birthing pool but the hospital currently only has two and they were both occupied so I returned to the bathtub. I will spare the painful details of the day but it involves a lot of back pain, constant vomiting, and a lot of Jack Johnson playing in the background.

When I dilated to a 10, Caleb's head was still far up in the birth canal so they had me wait another hour to help the head descend more before I started pushing. They also broke my water as it never naturally broke on its own. The pushing began around 1:15a.m. on Friday and lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. By the end of this phase, I was literally falling asleep between contractions and pushing because I was so exhausted. I had not eaten in a couple of days or had anything to drink all day. There were no drips put in me to assist with this and I had thrown up everything inside my body many times. I was ready for it to all be over.

After he was born, Caleb was immediately placed on my chest, as requested. However, instead of having private time alone with him and Scott for a while, I found myself being told that they needed to take me to surgery immediately because I had been ripped so badly. Scott and my mother went with the midwife and Caleb and I was taken to surgery where I received a lot of stitches (we won't discuss how many).

When I rejoined my family in the recovery room a little over an hour later, I found myself about to pass out and learned that I was highly dehydrated because of my intense sickness all day. I was hooked up to a drip for hydration but they quickly decided that I was not getting fluids fast enough so they hooked me up to a second drip. I had both arms occupied and they also began taking blood and running all sorts of tests. I felt like a human pincushion (a feeling that continued over the next few days).

I was admitted to the postnatal ward around 6:30a.m. and thankfully was able to get a private room for the duration of my stay. Caleb was an angel and let me sleep a good 5 hours (which was much needed sleep) before waking up and demanding attention. At this time, I believed I would be headed home the following day (Saturday). However, when Saturday arrived I asked about leaving and was informed that this was not possible yet but that I should be able to return home on Sunday.

Sunday morning arrived and the midwives came in to complete my discharge. Scott and I packed up the bags and even had Caleb in his carseat (as previously shown) because we had been led to believe that I would be released within a few minutes. Then the midwife returned and instead of giving us discharge papers, she informed us, with the assistance of a specialist, that I would have to remain in the hospital because I needed a blood transfusion.

WHAT?!

Apparently due to the rip, I had lost an insane amount of blood (something they neglected to ever tell me). I knew I was pale but I figured it was due to fatigue and everything my body had been through. However, my hemaglobin levels were excessively low and though I did not appear to have any symptoms, they were convinced that I would collapse as soon as I got outside. I spent all day Sunday hooked up to an IV, receiving the blood of another person and lamenting the fact that I was still in the hosptial. All day the midwives claimed that I should be able to be discharged as soon as the blood transfusion was over. However, when 11:15p.m. hit and they removed my IV, the night midwife informed me that they must monitor me for the evening.

Monday morning was a repeat of Sunday in the fact that we were told I was being released and we packed up everything only to have a doctor come in and say that they needed to complete further tests and I could not be released until tomorrow. After fighting our case and arguing our frustration with being told so many different stories, we were able to reach a compromise with the doctor and she finally discharged me around 4:00p.m. today, along with iron pills because I continue to be highly anaemic.

So that's the gist of what we have been dealing with for the past few days. We are now all at home. We are tired but we are blessed. Caleb is a wonderful baby and we are so excited about beginning this journey. Even though the past few days have been highly frustrating, I would much rather be stuck in the hospital because I am having complications than if they had concerns about Caleb. As it is, I am so happy. I am finally at home. I have a beautiful, healthy baby boy. I can shower in my own shower and sleep in my own bed. I don't care that I will have sleepless nights, what is important is that pregnancy and labor (and the initial aftermath) are over! :)

Hello all. I know you are all anxious to see more of Caleb and all of our pictures will soon be available on our other website for your viewing pleasure. Until then, here are some more pics that are from Day 2 & Day 3.

Cheryl has had to remain in the hospital for 3 nights, 2 more than we originally were expecting due to continued observation here. We were all packed up and ready yesterday morning and then we got the big blow that they would have to stay over on Sunday (pic of Caleb in his carseat). We are hoping the hospital doesn't come up with any other reasons to keep my family there and they will be home by midday today (Monday).

Pics...

I'm tired

The newest McFaddin family, not just a couple anymore

I am ready, let me go home!!

Mommy and little Caleb

This is a Day 1 picture, but its a good close-up

He has arrived!!!! Caleb arrived through a regular delivery, as in no c-section was necessary. Cheryl is a champ for pushing (quite literally) through the most difficult type of labor for our wonderful baby boy to arrive. Mom and baby are doing well and hopefully are sleeping at this very moment (the moment I am writing this).

Click to enlarge any picture.



Quick specs:
Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz. (3.892 kg)
Length: 21.25 inches (54 cm)
Beautiful blue eyes

Mommy and her baby

Daddy and his buddy

GaMa and grandson number five

As I look back over some previous posts (especially the most recent), I feel that I need to put up something positive. I do not want this whole pregnancy to end with people thinking that I hated every moment of the experience. Granted, I have had a rough pregnancy and I am antsy for it to be over, but there are things that I will miss about being pregnant (though there are days I really think that I will just continue being pregnant forever; especially if this child cannot fit out of me!).

Anyhow, I decided to make a list of my top 5 things that I'll miss when I am no longer pregnant and Caleb is actually a part of our family (in no particular order):

1. I can no longer use the phrase "But honey, I'm pregnant!" I mastered this phrase long ago and have found great delight in manipulating situations so that I could use this phrase (Stephanie can verify my mad skills in this area). However, I realize now that after the baby is actually born, I will probably be able to use the phrase "But honey, I just had your GIANT baby" until the child is AT LEAST 20 years old, by which time I should have found something else equally as effective. :)

2. I am almost always given a seat on buses, trams, trains, and tubes. This has been a wonderful change, particularly for longer transportation experiences. However, I have to admit that I feel guilty when old people are standing up and insisting that I sit down in their place because they have as much of a need to sit as I do!

3. Unlimited Scott and Cheryl time. We have yet to have grown tired of each other and thoroughly enjoy each other's company without having interruptions from others unless we so choose. Adding a baby to the mix will be the end of such an era when we enter into the world were couples notoriously forget how to communicate with each other without children around, thus leading eventually to the challenging empty nest syndrome.

4. Being able to do whatever we want whenever we want without considering the schedules and needs of a child. This would include everything from sleeping in to travelling to visiting friends to grocery shopping to seeing movies. This freedom has been wonderful and will undoubtedly be greatly missed. However, as I've previously mentioned, I am determined not to be held captive to the "burdens" of a child and will find ways to still pick up and go with the child in tow...particularly in the travelling capacity - there's simply too much that I still need to see!

5. The movements of the alien inside my stomach. Though the movements have gotten somewhat painful more often than not, it's still always fun to try to figure out what pose this child is striking or to see other people's looks of amazement when my stomach is continuously contorting into bizarre shapes and sizes. I have never failed to tell people that this baby never stops moving but they seem not to believe it until they see it and then they are mesmerized. It's highly entertaining for me and I will miss the looks of shock and awe from everybody who probably thought I had been exaggerating about these movements until they were witnesses for themselves.

And one to grow on: Let's face it, I cannot end this blog post without also singing the praises of the fact that it's great to be able to have a giant belly and look like a giant marshmallow woman (as in the picture in the previous post) without fear of people looking at you in disgust. On the contrary, you can be a giant blob and people will tell you that you look cute or even just look at you with amazement and respect because of your size. In no other circumstance can you be equally as large without people looking at you judgementally.

Today is officially Scott's one-year anniversary in England. Happy anniversary to him!! (Mine was about 6 weeks ago)

Today is also officially my due date. Though I haven't been pregnant for all of Scott's 525,600 minutes in England, it sure feels like I have! I figured I should post a picture in honor of my due date. I recognize that it's not the most flattering photo ever but let's face it, I've spent half the day with my head in the toilet and I didn't really feel like putting any effort into looking cute. And there's no point in faking a smile because that would just be dishonest. Seriously, who is happy about making it to their due date with no baby!

I saw the midwife today and here is the update:

1. The chances of me going into labour naturally are slim because of the size (the head is possibly too large for the exit) and position of the baby (the back is against my tummy), which are preventing it from moving down into the birth canal and becoming fully "engaged," therefore starting the contractions.

2. If I go into labour naturally or am induced, the chances of me being able to have a normal vaginal labour are slim due to both the size of the baby and the position of the baby.

3. If I am able to have a vaginal birth, it will be long, difficult, and painful due to both the size and position of the baby (what every expecting mother loves to hear).

4. They will not consider induction or a c-section for another couple of weeks, which then presents the problem of whether or not the baby will actually make it here before my mother is scheduled to leave and allows the baby to continue to get even larger (which seems to me to only add to the concern that it won't fit into the birth canal).

5. I will continue to be very ill with regular nausea and vomiting and will continue to have immense back pain because of both the size and position of the baby...until the baby is born. But, once again, it looks like this will be another couple of weeks.

To sum up...both the size and position of the baby are causing just about every complication possible. I am emotionally drained right now and would appreciate prayers for this situation.

Taking upon the overwhelming challenge thrown down by Sarah, I have compiled a draft list of Dave Matthews Band greatest hits. This is overwhelming as Micheal evidenced with his 40 song selection. I did attempt to limit my choices to at least a 2-disc collection (not including length on some tracks), but ultimately that didn’t work out.

Picking your favorite DMB tunes is easy enough if provoked, however selecting the best version of each song (it will be live unless in rare circumstances) is like picking your favorite child (an experience I don’t plan on having to worry about for a long time), its impossible.

In selecting songs for greatest hits, I avoided songs with guest artists other than the usual suspects (Tim Reynolds, Butch Taylor, the lovely ladies). For example, the “Warehouse” performance at Golden Gate Park with Carlos Santana is omitted. Also, I have to exclude great covers such as “Long Black Veil”, “Redemption Song”, and even considered excluding “All Along The Watchtower”. However, if Jimi Hendrix can put it on his greatest hits collection, why not Dave & Co. I would like to point out that I would not debate too much against varying choices because they are all so darn good.

[Choices were made with only the following albums…all studio albums except Remember Two Things. Does not include Listener Supported, LIVE Trax Richmond, or LIVE Trax Meadow Brook, nor Weekend At The Rocks, which I just received recently. I sill need time to get through it.]

THE LIST…(in no particular order)

JTR – Live At Folsom Field (Great song from The Lillywhite Sessions)
So Right – Live At Folsom Field
Everyday (#36) – Live At Folsom Field (Great mix of 2 great songs, I never get tired of this performance)
Best of What’s Around – Live At Red Rocks 8.15.95 (a little bit quicker tempo, however Golden Gate is a close 2nd)
Joy Ride – Live From Golden Gate Park (I purchased this show for this song.)
Ants Marching – Live At Folsom Field
What Would You Say – Under The Table And Dreaming (the one that “started” it all)
Don’t Burn The Pig – The Gorge (disc 3)
Grey Street – The Gorge (disc 2)
Bartender – Live At Folsom Field
Tripping Billies - LIVE Centrum Centre Worchester
Recently – Live At Red Rocks 8.15.95 (first version I heard…also having memories of being in a car trip with my parents & sister in high school and having to explain to my mom what “smoke a bowl” meant.)
Two Step – The Gorge (disc 4)
Crash Into Me – Live At Folsom Field (has to be on a Greatest Hits collection due to its popularity amongst non-Dave fans)
#41 – LIVE Centrum Centre Worchester
So Much To Say > Too Much - Live in Chicago At The United Center
Jimi Thing – Live in Chicago At United Center (Golden Gate version includes Buffalo Springfield song, so I took that into consideration.)
Warehouse – The Gorge (disc 3)
Lie In Our Graves – Live From Golden Gate Park
Don’t Drink The Water – Live In Chicago At The United Center
The Stone – The Gorge (disc 3)
Pantala Naga Pampa > Rapunzel - LIVE Centrum Centre Worchester (love the “YEAH!!” Listen you’ll hear it).
Busted Stuff – The Lillywhite Sessions
Crush – The Central Park Concert
True Reflections – Warehouse Vol. 5 (I am not member so thanks to Michael for this one.)
All Along The Watchtower – Live At Folsom Field
Dancing Nancies – Live At Red Rocks 8.15.95

I really could select one performance of each song in their catalog and still be incomplete. Grace Is Gone, Say Goodbye, Dream Girl, Hello Again, Lover Lay Down are just a few songs I left out. Thanks to Sarah for getting me reacquainted with DMB. Now where is her list?

My good friend Micheal informed me that the TV ads for World Trade Center feature the song Fix You by Coldplay.

Thanks Micheal.

August 8, 2005 "Fix You"

They say black is slimming. I'm not convinced.

Well, I had another doctor appointment on Friday. This was probably my favourite doctor of all of the ones that I have seen (which means nothing because I will probably never see him again). However, I got so side tracked from chatting and joking around with him, that I forgot to get all my questions answered! I was just relieved that he seemed to know what he was talking about and he had a good sense of humor!

In any case, they don't do all of the "checks" here in England that they do in the States (which I'm definitely not unhappy about, though it leaves me in the dark a little more than my American counterparts are). In fact, he didn't even measure my stomach! He took the usual vitals and then was feeling my stomach (at which point I also forgot to ask how far the head is engaged and I can't read his notes at all).

Anyhow, I finally got up the nerve to ask how big this baby is. Up until now, no doctor has given my a size prediction...they just tell me that it's "a very healthy size" or that I have a "big baby." Now, I realize that often these predictions are not accurate, but I figured it would be more accurate coming from a doctor than my officemates (who are predicting that I am carrying TWO TEN POUND babies). In any case, after feeling this baby and looking through my notes, he very confidently said I was going to have AT LEAST a 9 lb baby. He then went on to comment on how I should have considered this before marrying my husband because the baby obviously gets the size from him. Seriously, I'm going to start warning every woman I know who is thinking about marrying a larger man!

I admit, however, that despite the fact that I got up the nerve to ask about the size, I chickened out when it came to clarifying whether he was saying it would be at least 9 lbs if I had the baby that day or if he was predicting the size if I go full term. I'm not sure that I wanted that answer.

I do not have another doctor appointment until 2 days before this baby is due so I will have little more to report on progress until all the "festivities" begin. We are praying that I don't make it to that appointment.

I typically have a no-work posting philosophy, especially naming my employer. However, I figured it would be perfectly okay to make a positive statement. I work for what is the largest insurance and financial services company in the world, AIG. Techincally, I work for a wholly-owned subsidiary, but my email address is @aig.com and the stock is sold for AIG, so let's just go with that.

Football (soccer) teams here are sponsored by companies here in the UK. The company logo is larger than the team name on the jerseys. Well, in June AIG made the largest football shirt sponsorship deal in history with Manchester United, probably the most well-known football team. Click here for the whole story.

Anway, the point of the story... This afternoon, an email was sent notifying all full-time employees can receive one official AIG-sponsored Man U jersey as a gift! Pretty cool! No, I am not a big "football" fan, and most people in my office are avid non-Man U fans (they root for Chelsea or Arsenal), but I was thinking about getting one of these as I have no other alliance.



I also think its pretty cool that the company has extended this offer to its staff. Way to go!

Okay, what the mess??!!!!

Cheryl and I just finished a 5 episode marathon of LOST, the last 5 episodes of the second season (thank you Julie & Jesse), and what the heck is going on? We have been waiting for months to finish the season and finally happend tonight.

I really asked Cheryl why are earth I EVER decided to watch this show. It is so great yet so frustrating and stressful it amazes me. It doesn't come back until October in the States, which means we have to wait even longer here for some friggin' answers...soon followed by more questions.

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

As I wrap up my time at work (only 3 more days to go!!!) I am becoming more and more aware of the fact that the next couple of weeks (we won't even discuss the possibility of it being more than 2) have the potential of dragging by if this baby is stubborn and refuses to show his face early. Now, if you know me at all, you know that I hate sitting around doing nothing - I get bored. Scott could sit at the computer all day and surf the internet or watch movies/tv. I cannot. I have to be doing something. Therefore, I admit that I am a bit anxious about quitting work before this baby actually arrives. However, the powers that be will not let me continue at my job because of "health and safety concerns" (aka: their fears that they would end up delivering the baby at the office).

So, my dear friends and family, I am looking to you for reading suggestions. I anticipate that much time between the end of this week and whenever the dear child of mine decides to be born (or figures out how to chisel his way through my stomach from the inside - I swear he's working on it!) will be spent at the library or laying on the couch engrossed in the books checked out from the library.

What books and/or authors do you recommend for good reading that will help me pass the time?