Indigo's Birth Story

We had our little girl! We are overjoyed at the love we have for our new Indigo Marie. Here's her birth story. For pictures from the delivery, you can check out my Facebook album "Indigo's Birth"

It all began with my water breaking around 3:30 AM on early Wednesday morning, (April 24th, which is my due date!) and I started having contractions that were about 10-15 minutes apart. Our original plan was to labor at home as long as possible, but I know hospitals are pretty strict about wanting you to come in if your water has broken, so we called to make sure, then headed over to the St. Alphonsus Family Maternity Center in Boise. Tomás teaches as Skyview High School and had to whip up a lesson plan really quick and drop it off at the school before we headed over there, so we took our time. I knew I was still in very early labor, and we ended up arriving to St. Als around 6:00 AM.

When we arrived, the nurses noted that my water was green (instead of clear, like it was at home), which indicated the baby had a bowel movement in the amniotic fluid, so they just had to keep a little more watchful eye on baby, and would have to suction her throat/lungs after birth because of that. That meant more hospital personnel in the room during birth. Boo. Of course, that wasn't in the plan originally, but it still allowed me to labor naturally as I intended.

My labor was slow and steady, and I tried to walk around as much as possible. I mainly had the contractions in my back, so my midwife said she was pretty sure the baby was posterior, and I would need to try certain positions to help the baby flip around. I did my best to try a few of them, but baby didn't want to move. My water was continuously leaking throughout my labor as well, making it harder for her to move around in there. I did labor in the tub twice, and the first time it felt great when I wasn't quite into active labor yet, but once I hit active labor the water provided no relief for my back.

I did the best with contractions standing up, leaning over a counter or walking. Tomás did double hip squeeze probably a thousand times during labor for each contraction to help me cope. That was seriously the only way I was able to make it through to the end. There's no way I would have been able to do it without him. It wasn't until I hit transition, after 21 hours of labor, that I thought to myself, "I really don't know if I can do this much longer. Is it time to push her out yet?" Luckily, we were getting closer to the end, and Tomás stayed right by my side and kept me confident. It was starting to really wear on both of us. I couldn't rest at all in between contractions since they were coming right after another, and neither could he. I needed him every single time. He really did amazing.

After 22 hours of labor, I started to get the urge to push. We tried a few different positions to see which one I would be able to stay in. I found that almost every position was brutal on my back. We tried squatting, a birth stool, all fours, and side lying. None of them felt very great. Finally, my midwife decided she would try and help rotate baby from posterior manually, with one hand inside and one hand on the outside while I laid flat on my back. With each contraction and push, she would rotate baby a little bit. After about 6-7 contractions and many pushes, we finally got her flipped. At this point, it's time to push her out, and we are at 23 hours of my water being broken, and usually they want the baby out by 24 hours, so everyone started to get antsy. Loads of people from the NICU piled into the room, as I continued to push with each contraction. As the baby descended lower, Charlotte noticed I had an anterior lip, so she helped the baby's head make it through as I pushed, which required me to stay on my back. This was not how I intended to push her out, but I coped alright.

Hour 24: I'm exhausted, my uterus is exhausted, and Charlotte is thinking that I won't be able to push this baby out. I keep trying to get the baby to crown, but it just isn't happening. Finally, Charlotte decides the best option is to use a vacuum to get her out. I am devastated. I say no at first, but then agree that if it gets her out, then let's do it. After the first two tries with the vacuum, we get close to pushing her out, but Charlotte decides I need an episiotomy because there simply isn't enough room to get this baby out. She snips me and during the final push (and with some help from the vacuum), plop! All I feel is her fly out, and the rest of my water break. We did it!

Indigo Marie Fisher was born almost exactly 24 hours after I started labor, at 3:16 AM on April 25th, 2013. She weighed 9 lbs, 4.5 oz and measured 21 inches. I got to have skin to skin with her for only a few seconds before they had to take her away and suction her lungs out, and clean her. Even with the episiotomy, I still tore 3rd degree and had to stay in bed while they stitched me up. I didn't mind it though, because she made it out! In fact, during the contractions when I pushed her out, I didn't really even feel it in front at all, as I suspected I would. You would think pushing her head and body out as your body stretches would be the most painful part, but I could only focus and feel the pain in my back. My back killed! But, I was just glad I did it, and avoided a caesarean delivery. All is well, and baby Indigo is healthy and happy at home with us now.

37 weeks and counting...

(Not my picture, but pretty cool huh?)

I'm 37 weeks along now, and feeling HUGE more than ever. I'm measuring a little bit ahead (39 cm), and have been staying that way for a week now. Tomás and I are anxious and excited to meet our little sweetie. The baby's room is finished, and today I packed our hospital bag (or rather multiple bags... seems like you need one for you, one for the baby, one with extra special items.. etc.) We just need to install the carseat, and I think we're just about ready for this baby to come!

I'm planning a natural birth (vaginal delivery with no medication), and I am stoked! We've both been going to a birthing class every week called Confident Birthing, and we love it. We're learning tons, and I feel more and more prepared and informed about birth. It makes me relieved as well, knowing what may happen and just being prepared for all outcomes. Luckily, I've had many family members do natural birth already and they've been a big help in giving me confidence and information as well. I know each woman who gives birth has an "ideal," and of course not everyone gets that. But, it's always good to think positive and in the direction you want. Overall, I'm feeling pretty good. My lower back is what's killing me the most right now. I wake up every few hours at night to roll over, or to go pee. During the day, I can't stand/walk around for more than an hour or it really starts to ache. So, I just rest and take it easy a lot of the time, while mixing in some yoga of course. Other than that, (and my constant nausea that stayed with me the entire pregnancy) I feel great!

I'm starting this old wive's tale today... something about eating 7-10 dates every day for the last few weeks of pregnancy. Apparently it's supposed to help you have the baby on time (not too late), and decreases the length of labor/helps your body progress faster... etc. Who knows! I like dates though, so I just went to WinCo and bought a big bag. I'm having this weird feeling that I won't make it to my due date. No reason why, that's just a feeling I have. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! I'm going to let my body (and the baby) decide so it's just a waiting game now.

The baby seems pretty high still, and she kicks me in the ribs non-stop. She pretty much moves non-stop actually. I sit and rock on an exercise ball a lot, to get her feet out of my stomach/ribs. I wonder if she'll come out dancing, or be so worn out from birth that she's a sleep zombie, haha. So far, we have a few names picked out, but we're going to wait until she's born to decide. Anyway, that's my little update! The next post will either be maternity pictures or when the baby is born, so stay posted!

2nd trimester!

I know, it's been forever. I'm a horrible blogger lately! Tomás takes the computer to school each day, so it's hard for me to have time in the evenings. Anyway, here's my second trimester recap! During my second trimester we drove down to Utah for Thanksgiving, and drove up to Portland for Christmas. Lots of family and traveling, which was fun. Two of my pregnancy pictures were taken in those places. I'm still sick, as far as nausea goes, and I'm just expecting it to stay the whole time. I kinda had figured this would happen. Especially with everyone saying "Oh, don't worry after the first trimester it will ease up," or "Oh, just wait until after 20 weeks, that's when I felt better." Welp, everyone, I don't think it is! hahaha... So i'm just facing the facts now. I'm on Zofran, and probably will be until I deliver. Woo! Here are my 2nd trimester photos. This trimester I grew the most from beginning to end, I think. But who knows, I'll probably be huge by the end of the 3rd. :)

It's a Girl!

As most of you may know already, we found out a few weeks ago that the baby is a girl! On Dec. 4th we went in for my 2nd trimester ultrasound. It's crazy seeing her move around so much when I can't feel her yet. But, she looks healthy, and her heartbeat is healthy... etc. etc. Seems like she's doing great!
Here are a few pictures from the ultrasound.

I'm just over halfway into my pregnancy (21 weeks), and still nauseous! Bleh. I'm on medication for that, so I feel great when I remember to take my daily nausea pill. So many people ask "So, how are you feeling? any better?" And it's like, well.... no... but when I'm on my medication I feel great! So yes? Ah. I've just been resorting to saying "yeah, I am." I guess most women start feeling better after their first trimester. I must be one of the lucky few who get to have it the whole pregnancy! Crazy. I figure, if I just expect to be nauseous the rest of the time, it will be a surprise if it ever lets up.

I haven't been able to notice her moving around until recently, when I felt a few jabs and pushes that felt like it was her moving around. Still not sure if it was, but I think so! And that's exciting. Every once in awhile I'll feel a strong ache in one corner or part of my belly, and I figure that's her moving around or changing positions.

Sometimes I forget I'm pregnant. I feel pretty normal, I just have a little pooch. It's kind of sad I can't participate in activities like ice skating, or sledding though. Boo. We haven't exactly purchased anything, persay, for her yet either. We're just waiting until it gets closer to start her nursery, I guess. We've got time! :)

1st Trimester

I know, I know, I haven't blogger in FOR-EV-ER. But, I guess that's what happens when you get pregnant, and aren't feeling so great for a few months. After finding out I was pregnant, we were STOKED, but I wasn't excited to be so sick! Bleh. It's been pretty bad, from my comparison to friends, family and others I've talked to about pregnancy. My all-day nausea persisted (and still continues) but is subdued currently with aid from Zofran. I'm hoping by the end of my current re-fill of it, my nausea will have subsided. Coming to the end of my first trimester was a "YAY!" moment, but I'm still feeling about the same. The good news is, not as many foods/smells make me nauseous. The other day, I was able to cook meat no problem, which was nice. So, I think some things are changing. Woohoo! Tomás is excited to see my bump grow. Here are my 1st trimester pregnancy shots.

Recently, Tomás and I have both been blessed with job opportunities to earn more money for our (growing) family. I got a new job as a front tech at Swaim Chiropractic, which is only a block away from my house. I love it there, and it's been great to me. Tomás has been working a night school security job at Skyview after his normal school hours a few days a week, which has been crazy. We're working through everything we've been given as best as we can! We are excited to get our house more stylish, homey, and"us" before the baby comes.

As a band, (605 to San Gabriel) we have been able to play at Linder Farms this fall a few times, which was a great experience for us. Coming up on November 17th, we will be playing at the Tree House in Boise at 7:30pm. All ages welcome, so we hope any that are interested can come hear us!

Surprise, Surprise...

We're expecting! I found out two weeks ago when I was 5 weeks along, and now I'm 7 weeks along. We are suuuuper exited about out first baby! I've been feeling very nauseous, all day long, so it's been a little bit hard for me. But, it's all worth it for that little one growing in there!

I had my first prenatal appointment today, so here's the ultrasound I got of my little peanut!

Family time!

August was busy for us, with both of our families coming to visit us back to back. It was so much fun, but kind of crazy! Tomás' family came first, and mine came after.

First to arrive was Maritza, on Saturday the 4th. She was followed by Tomás' father Farrell, and his sister Sara the next Tuesday night. We had a blast BBQing at Lake Lowell, going on walks in downtown Nampa, going on a bike ride, visiting with his cousin Jessica and her fam, shotgun shooting south of town, and just hanging out at home watching movies and playing games. Wednesday was Maritza's birthday, so we went out to eat to celebrate at Texas Roadhouse too. We packed just a few days full of tons of fun stuff to do, and everyone headed out the next Friday morning back home. It was nice having everyone together again (minus Jared, who is on his mission in Cambodia).

Since I've met my photo upload quota on this thing already, I'm just going to be posting all pictures on Facebook. You can see the pictures from our Fisher reunion here.

On that Thursday and Friday when the Fisher's headed out, my Dad and stepmom Kay flew in from West Virginia, and Eli drove up from Logan, Utah. On Saturday, Miriam and Jordan, with their families, drove up. We spent a lot of time hanging out at home, trying to keep all the cute little neices and nephews entertained. We saw the Farmer's Market, went to the lake, saw the Discovery Center of Idaho in Boise, and played at a park downtown, paddled boats around a little pond, ate lots of yummy food, went swimming at a public pool, watched movies, made beaded bracelets, and they got to hear our band practice too! We also celebrated Sequoia and Aislin's birthday that week with a little party. We had an awesome time together. My sister Kirstin, and her daughter Maya were the only ones missing, besides Abe (Eli's husband). Since my family is so spread out, we've kind of made it a tradition to get together around once a year (either in the summer or winter), which was worked out pretty well so far. We've been able to do it three years in a row now, and I hope we can continue to keep the tradition and get together often.

Check out pictures from the Floyd family reunion here.