Friday, August 26, 2011

Rochelle and Skyler


It seems everyone was pregnant with boys due in January 2011.  I was fortunate enough to have formed close relationships with two extraordinary women due with boys in January.  We shared "pregger" stories, reviews on strollers and car seats and attended each others’ baby showers.


Everyone at my shower always ask how my “new mama” crew is doing.  So I will share their stories with you.  First up is Rochelle and her son Syler Jordan Danners was due 1-11-11 but he came on his own time!


Q. Describe your trip to the hospital.
A. It started off when I had a routine doctor’s appointment on the morning of December 23. For a couple of months prior to this date, I had been having contractions with no pain for three months. My doctor put me on a monitor to check my son’s heartbeat and my blood pressure. So during my appointment my blood pressure was very high and not an hour into my doctor’s visit I was told, 'We're sending you to the hospital to have the baby tonight!"

Q. How was your labor?
A.I think I’m one out of a million that can say my labor was not so bad. I was in the hospital by 5 p.m. and induced labor started at 9 p.m.. My spine is shaped in an "S". So the epidural would only treat one side of my body. 

By 4 a.m. on December 24, I was ready to push Skyler out. My OBGYN arrived right when it was time to push. He was a difficult little one! He didn't want to come out, every time I would push he would scoot back up into my pelvic bone. Between my pushing and Skyler not wanting to come out, my doctor was falling asleep during my labor! I didn't even know until I was told after Skyler arrived. I thought she was down at the bottom trying to get my baby out. 

So, by the time 6:15 came, the doctor gave me ONE option; to have Skyler suctioned out. She told me all the risks but I would rather have my baby out and healthy than unable to breath because of my pushing and him not wanting to come out. My doctor tried suctioning him out twice and both times, he was unsuccessful. I then recieved an Episiotomy. Then, at 6:45 a.m Skyler Jordan Danners arrived. :)

Q. How many lbs and height was Skyler?

A. 6lbs 13oz 21inches
Q. When was Skyler born?
A. Early Christmas Eve morning at 6:56 a.m.


Q. Who was in the room during your labor?                        
Skyler’s father, my mother, my two sisters Jasmin and Lexy, my cousins LaBelle and Kierstin and my good friends Devin and Rob. But, by the time the pain started to settle in, the nurses asked for everyone to leave except my mother and my sons father.


Q. Describe your first 24 hours after labor.
A. My first 24 hours were the same as any other day, besides the fact that it was Christmas eve rolling into Christmas. The only difference was that I had a brand new baby boy, my first son who I cherish so dearly.


Q. Describe your first 24 hours at home with your little one.
A. My first 24 hours at home was very weird. I had a new responsibility. It’s different when you only have to take care of yourself, but now having someone who depended on me was a whole 180. At times I was nervous, scared and anxious. My son seemed as though he was still trying to learn how to breathe, so every moment I would check on him to make sure he was doing okay. 


(mommy, Skyler and dad)

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

What is a doula?

It’s a funny story.  Shortly after the nuptials of Laura and Alexander Judge, myself and about 10 other women got pregnant!  Laura was a great support and source of information to me during my pregnancy and up until this very day.  I remember sending multiple panic-laced texts while she was at work because I didn't know how to set up my Medela breast pump.  I swear those days seem so far away and my little one is only 6 months!

So, my friend and we shall call her my pregnancy coach, Laura Judge, mom to Alexander Lee Judge III explained to me that she used a Doula.  My first question was, “What is a Doula?”

Laura explained a doula knows your birth plan and will make sure to keep you calm and relaxed while making sure medical staff know your wishes and your birth plan. “She helped with pain management through massage and helping me change positions,” said Laura. “She also gave my husband a break when possible.”
Laura at the hospital.


Please read Laura’s birthing story:

Q. When did you go to the hospital?
A. I had my 41 week (and 3 days) appointment and my midwife let me know that induction would happen that evening, since the practice wouldn't allow me to go past 1 week overdue and that I needed to grab a bite to eat. I was way too nervous to eat (I decided on Subway) because I was excited to meet my little guy and then drove to the hospital about one hour later.

Q. Why did you decide to have a doula?
A. I wanted someone to help me through my labor that was calming and had a great energy around them.  I was big on my baby coming into a relaxing environment.  When I learned that Dee Dee was a doula I knew she was the perfect person to help assist with my labor.  If you ever meet or talk to Dee Dee, she has this calming aura around her.  Also, I believe she has 7 of her own children, so experience is an understatement.

Q. What was your labor experience?
A. When I got to the hospital, I was given Cervidil (which helps dilate the cervix) on May 5, at about 7 p.m. with no progress I was then given Pitocin (to help my contractions) around 9 a.m. on May 6.  Dee Dee arrived early that morning, but I had been in contact with her through phone calls and text messages letting her know to be rested for Thursday (the 6th).  She immediately helped calm my nervous energy and let my husband get some much needed rest.  She helped assist me on the birthing ball and gave me massages to help my son travel down the birth canal.  I was still not progressing and the baby's heart rate started to decrease.  Dee Dee was very motivational, letting me know that I was doing everything right and letting me know how strong I was.  Ultimately, I delivered my son by c-section on May 7 at 1:46 a.m.  Alexander Lee Judge III weighed 8 lbs 2 oz. and was 21.5 inches long.

Q. Who was in the hospital room with you?
A. I had made it clear in my birth plan that I didn't want to many people running in and out of my room, nor did I want many visitors (makes me feel pressure to perform well).  So in the hospital room was my husband, doula, my mother and limited hospital personnel (nurse, midwife). The surgery room was super different: my husband, midwife, doctor, pediatrician (for the baby) and about 6-8 other medical staff.

Q. Explain the moments after your delivery.
A. Recovering from a c-section and trying to see my baby.  I was so drugged up from the surgery, all I remember is speaking gibberish to the nurses.  My husband came to check on me and I yelled at him for leaving the baby's side but my family was watching the baby (sorry love!). They took the baby to the special care nursery for "breathing issues" but I wanted to breastfeed.  As soon as possible (probably too soon), I had my husband take me to see him since no one was bringing my child to me.

Q. Explain the your first time home with your little one.
A. I had lots of visitors. I tried not to have people make me laugh because the incision HURT. I had my husband give the baby his first bath because I was afraid of breaking him.  I couldn't believe we made such an awesome little human being! There was lots of sleeping and nursing, and of course lots of staring at this magnificent little boy!  Dee Dee even called to check in on how healing and nursing was going for me....did I mention how awesome she was?
Alex and Laura


For more on Laura, her birth experience and raising her little one.  Please check out her blog at http://linlalaland.wordpress.com .

Dee Dee Cocheta served as Laura’s doula.  For more information on contacting Dee Dee, please www.facebook.com/DeeDeeCocheta .

For more information on doulas, please visit http://doulanetwork.com/directory/Georgia/  .