Gregory Ellis' Birth Story part 2

Here is part 2 of his birth story. If you have not read part 1 go here.

The contractions started pretty quickly after having the Cervadil inserted. I thought I would get to sleep. My sister in laws even set up the couch bed to rest on. I got that first one, then a minute later another and another. My body responded pretty quick to the medication. Remember how I am sensitive to medications, well this was no different. After 20 minutes of contractions every minute my body began to tremble. I could not control it at all and my whole body was shaking tons. I felt nauseous and horrible so we called the nurse in to ask if this was a normal reaction. She responded it was, but Gregory's heart began accelerating so they put me on oxygen. She also came back with some Zofran for the nausea. She left and I continued shaking through each contraction. My sister in laws were a little worried, you could see it on their faces. I had to hold both of Lucas' hands to help me not feel so out of control with the shaking. I labored with 1 minute apart contractions and shaking for an hour. Our midwife and nurse came in to check me. At 11pm they took out the Cervadil to give me a break and get Gregory's heart rate down a bit. I was now at a 3cm and 70% effaced. They also decided to wait on starting Pitocin because his heart rate was so high. Also started my IV with fluids and turned me on my side to see if he would calm down. As soon as that darn Cervadil came out my body relaxed and stopped shaking. It felt good to not be shaking like that anymore. I continued having contractions but with a bit more space between them, thankfully. Now I was able to sleep a bit and rest in between contractions. Around 2am my water broke and we called the nurse quickly. She came in and checked me to be at 4cm and 80% effaced. Flipped me to my other side and rested for an hour when I felt some pressure. She came in again and checked me to be at 6cm and still 80% effaced. Got up to the bathroom and came back to rest. They still were not doing Pitocin because my body was already laboring on it's own. This is a first for me to be in labor without Pitocin. It was definitely different and more bearable. Around 4:45am I felt a lot of pressure and began to cry because I was so exhausted. The nurse came in and checked me at 7cm and 100% effaced. The midwife came in then as well and they discussed having me try some IV pain relief. I didn't want it, so the nurse suggested laughing gas. I agreed to try because I wanted relief, this is usually a sign it is getting close but didn't really say anything. I forget how I become right before they are born. Lucas usually will say you are probably almost there just wait it out, but he knew how exhausted I was so kept quiet.
It takes awhile to set up the machine that pumps the gas. At this point I felt him coming down. I know laying on my side helps me not push but this time it didn't matter. She had just set up the machine and on the next contraction I had to put the huge mask to my face. I don't feel like it did anything because I had the sudden urge to push. I threw the mask in Lucas' hand and began panting. I yelled at the nurse, "I have to push and he is right there." She just said, "Use the mask and breathe." But I yelled again, "I am pushing." I did and could feel his head there ready to come out. I looked at Lucas like he is there and no one is in here for him. I seem to have this fear of birthing my babies without a midwife present and now with this baby it was fear of no NICU team there. She then called the midwife immediately and said, "Get on your back so I can check you." I said, "No cause he will come out." At that time another nurse was there and just lifted my leg she checked and said, "Yup, his head is right there! Okay, just breath it is okay." They began quickly shuffling around to get everything ready. I stayed on my back until the midwife came in and they put the plastic under me. She then said I could get on my back and push when I was ready. They were trying to get his heart beat on the monitor. She then said, "It is okay to push Krystle." I still couldn't get my head in the game. Then Gregory must have needed to be born because I had to push. I pushed three times, his head was big, lol. At 5:27am on April 18th, 2019 he was born! A no crying, bluish baby was placed on my belly. Sweet relief, but I knew he needed help. His head was all cone shaped, poor him. I have never had a cone headed baby, lol. They clamped his cord and cut to get him to the warming bed. They still let his cord pulse for longer before Lucas cut it. The Neonatalist took good care of him and got him breathing. They let me hold him for about 10 minutes, but could not feed him. I knew he needed to go because he was grunting still. So with tears in my eyes and kisses I let him go. Daddy went with him to the NICU and I stayed to get cleaned up. He weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5" long.

 Getting cleaned up and checked out.

 Daddy cutting his cord.

 My baby looking more pink and crying a little.

 Getting to hold him before going to the NICU.

 So relieved to see him and hold him.

 He needed oxygen right away.

 His board in his NICU bed.

So he had a cardio echo gram and they still couldn't see if a coarctation was present. His aorta did look narrow still. He would have another echo the next day. He had to be monitored with 4 point blood pressure checks every 3-6 hours. He was not allowed to eat anything, so he had an IV placed with fluids and sugar. He was having levels of gases checked in his blood stream every few hours as well. This could indicate that there was a heart problem if they went too high. It was great he was so well cared for. Our nurse we had for most of his days there was amazing!

This is my colostrum I got pumping the first time! Liquid gold!!

 Poor baby had to have a tube inserted to get air that was in his tummy. He also had a central line placed in his umbilical cord.

 Little cutie could not be moved from his bed still.

 Daddy's first time holding him was Saturday night April 20th.

 Finally got to feed him because his oxygen was off! He had another echo and it still revealed a narrowing but no coarctation. So no transfer needed at this point which was awesome.

 Full of milk!

 He was in bed 7, our favorite number!

 He finally got a bath and our nurse gave him a mo-hawk.

 Received this blanket from this group and I was crying. I was so emotional at this point. His blood sugars had to be good enough to get off the lipids he was receiving through his line. He also started to have high bilirubin levels.

 Another successful nursing. He was doing good and still had a lactation consultant come by because I suspected a lip tie. Also he was not staying latched the first day, but I always forget the first day nursing they have struggles because they have to learn how to do it.

 His little blood pressure cuff.

 His central line and heart monitor cords. His blood sugars were looking good so his central line came out Monday April 22nd. He also no longer needed to be in the warming bed.

 It was so exhausting sleeping in the tiny couch bed, but they graciously let me stay there. The first night I got no sleep because the beeping machines and crying babies. The NICU is one big area with only curtains separating beds. It was so hard emotionally for me. All the families that have babies in the NICU are champions. It is the most difficult thing ever! I was only there for a week, but others have been there for months. My heart was definitely grateful for all our answered prayers and I began to offer my little suffering for all the families there. On an especially difficult day when I was so exhausted and missing my family at home another family suffered a loss. Their baby was born really early and she couldn't breathe on her own. That day everyone in the NICU was frantic because her lungs were hemorrhaging. She was not going to make it and that night when the parents came in the NICU was so silent. Not even the babies were crying that much, it was so weird. Anyways our bed was just two away from theirs so I could hear everything happening. I will never forget hearing that poor mother cry for her child. It was the most heartbreaking thing ever! They sang to her and prayed over her. I remember waking up cause Gregory was hungry. I just fed him, prayed and cried too. I still keep them in my prayers because the loss they suffered and heart ache they probably still have is too much. I share this because there I was complaining about the couch bed and lack of sleep yet I could hold my baby and he was almost going home. It was a lesson I needed to be grateful for all our blessings and to really pray for those in the NICU. It is a different world in there for families and without the amazing medical care all the staff provides it would not be so bearable. So thanks to their caring hearts and hard work for all those babies and their families!! 

On Monday's echo it revealed no coarctation still and now the narrowing was not there. It is truly a miracle and healing he had. We asked for intercession through the Sacred Heart of Jesus and he answered!

 Gregory getting ready to go home on April 24th.

 Selfie with my baby!

We were so excited to go home to all the family and so I could sleep in my bed!!

Thanks again to all those that helped provide food for my kiddos, money for me to eat at the hospital, and especially the prayers!!!! A huge thank you to my parent in laws whom took care of the kiddos for us!!! We are so grateful for all the support and love!!! Thanks to our Lord for all his provision through all of it and for allowing us to get to love this sweet baby boy!!!!!! :)<3

Gregory Ellis' Birth Story Part 1

Finally getting around to writing down Gregory's birth story. It still is so amazing how different each birth experience is and so grateful for that.

Starting March 6th, I began contracting pretty frequently and strong too. I was currently 33 weeks and 2 days at the time. We went in to labor and delivery triage. They checked if I was dehydrated and blood pressure was fine. I was checked for dilation and there was none. Offered to give me terbutaline to stop the contractions. I had some when I was pregnant with Ezekiel at 34 weeks. It is not a fun experience, I remember feeling heart palpitations and Ezekiel was moving weird. So I told the nurse we would think about it and she left. After a while she came back and asked if we had decided. I refused to take it because of the way it effected me last time. I tend to be extra sensitive to medications and react to them instantly. She had the doctor come in and check me. He also discussed what that medication could do and not taking it was totally my decision. We were discharged and went home. I was still contracting, but it was more bearable. I continued this way for 3 days. I know that resting, hydration, and magnesium help. This time it didn't seem to be doing much, so just trying to get through them and pray for strength.
I was doing pretty good and not getting too many. A family tragedy happened and we lost a cousin. I grew up with her and hearing she had suddenly passed was so hard. It was so heart breaking and shocking. We were the same age and she was like a sister to me. I knew it would not help my already delicate situation. It was difficult because my family was so far away and not being able to be with them was difficult. So I tried not to think about it that much to not get worse. Even though death is a part of life that doesn't make it easy to accept. With many prayers and love we all got through it.
At 34 weeks we had another ultrasound to check on growth. He was measuring at 5 lbs. 11 oz. and everything looked normal, except his heart. They were seeing his heart valves different sizes. We were then referred to a pediatric cardiologist. It made us worry and stress a lot. I finally had an echo cardiogram done at 35 weeks. It showed that his pulmonary valve was dilated and the aortic artery was narrow. She suggested delivery there at their hospital, but later found out we could deliver at our hospital. He had to have an echo as soon as he was born. He would also be in the NICU for monitoring. I was still contracting this week and continued until 36 weeks. I lost my mucus plug the night before my appointment that week. I was really contracting at my appointment and was seen by a different midwife that week. She insisted we just go to labor and delivery to get checked. We went knowing I was probably not in active labor yet. I was checked to be only 1cm and 40% effaced, his head still high. A few days later went in to labor and delivery with stronger contractions and thought my water could be leaking. Still the same status as far as dilation was concerned. I felt really nauseous and they gave me Zofran to help me get food down. We left at noon and still contracting. We decided to hang around town and eat lunch. We went to walk around Ross and see if they would continue. They kept coming and walking was making me tired. We drove to the hospital parking lot and sat in the car timing contractions again. They were close, strong, and painful. We sat for about an hour and then they began spacing out so we drove back home. Still feeling nauseous so I took some more Zofran and Tylenol for pain. I took a hot shower and that made them strong again. Finally felt a little less nauseous and ate a banana. Cried about being in so much pain and being so exhausted. Prayed and read my birth affirmations to help calm me.
I feel like as I get older it is harder to cope with labor and not get so in your head. I also feel that because his heart issues were unknown I was fearful of going into labor and birthing him. Even with all the great medical care we were receiving, it was so hard for me emotionally again even though this was my best pregnancy so far. The next morning I was still contracting and feeling the same nausea we had another appointment this week. My midwife checked me and still the same as the day before. She prescribed me a different anti-nausea medication and asked if I wanted her to strip my membranes. I agreed to give it a try and it was so painful. We also decided to go ahead and schedule my induction for April 17th at 8pm. My contractions were still going but sporadic and had a biophysical profile the next day to check on baby boy. He passed his biophysical profile and had some bloody show, but not much else happening. From this day which was April 3 until April 16 continued contracting off and on. Every appointment she would check me and still the same. I asked what we would do to induce me since I was only a 1cm still. She explained that the midwives usually like to start with Cervadil to get it going. She discussed what it was and how it worked. I was a little nervous about it because I have never had it. All my previous labors have started on their own, although I have had to also have Pitocin to augment them to progress. Even with Michael, when we went in for an induction I was already at a 6cm and contracting. So it was hard to know how I would do with the Cervadil. Also my blood platelets were up to 130,000 this week, so even though that is low it is not low enough to need intervention for that, thankfully.
April 17th finally came and the day went by slow. I finished last minute nesting projects like the kids sibling bags, laundry, and cleaning the house (well as much as I could with contracting). We made the kids dinner and gave Grama Georgie all the instructions on the kids. Also what we would do as far as Easter because we would most likely still be in the hospital.

 Here I am before we left for the hospital at 39 weeks pregnant.

 Here is a picture of everyone giving their final blessings to baby Gregory.

 We were scheduled to go in at 8 pm, but we left at 7:50pm. We checked in to the hospital at 8:30pm. They had just had an emergency so the nurses were not around. The midwife that would be delivering baby met us and said they would get me in a room as soon as they could. We had asked my hubby's youngest sisters to be there for the birth, since they missed Michael's because it went so fast. So we all four hung out in the triage waiting room talking and snacking. By 9pm they had a room ready and we were taken back to get checked in. We met our nurse, had vitals checked, got my iv started, and discussed our labor pain management plan. Also discussed baby's heart issue and that we needed NICU here when he was born. They checked how dilated I was to see what we would do. I was still 1cm, 60% effaced, and -2 station. Our midwife explained we would start with Cervadil, what it would do and that it could be 12 hours before anything happened. It was mostly emphasized because the girls were not going anywhere. They didn't want them bored and tired I guess, lol. We also can't know how long it will take our bodies to react to it and begin labor. I had the Cervadil put in around 9:30pm. They explained that a thin strip was placed into my cervix and left there until it fell out on its own or they needed to remove it. They told me to get rest now to be ready for labor. I was sitting there thinking it might be a really long night and that I could get some sleep. Then I got the first strong contraction within 15 minutes and had my hubby read me the birth affirmation cards I had made.

 Here is the warming bed for baby Gregory Ellis!!

Stay tuned for part two and see what happens next...

:)<3

 

Birth Announcement Baby #5

Presenting our 5th baby...

Gregory Ellis Hibler

Born: April 18th, 2019

Weight: 7 lbs. 8 oz.

Height: 20 1/2" long

Time: 5:27am

We will give updates as we get them. We appreciate prayers!! 

Pregnancy update/ Anxieties about birth

Every pregnancy has been so different, as well as each birth. I am no fool to believe that everything will always be just dreamy in life. Life is hard, ugly, and at times just horrible.
This pregnancy has been pretty good until this last trimester. With my history of prodomal laboring to low blood platelets. Then getting a suspected heart defect in little baby boy. It just shows how unpredictable life can be. Sharing all this helps me cope and stay hopeful.
So the reason they sent us to a pediatric cardiologist was because his pulmonary valve was dilated in comparison to the aortic valve. So there is what is called a pulmonary stenosis. This can resolve on its own as he grows, which was good to hear. The problem which she saw and took about two hours trying to see through the echo-cardiogram is what is called a coarctation of the aorta. In babies in the womb there is what is called a ductus arteriosus which connects the pulmonary valve to the aortic artery. Now once they are born it will close up because it is not needed to help blood flow to the heart anymore. The problem is for a glimpse she did see a slight kink in the aortic artery right where it connects, as well as blood flowing out which is typical and not so typical blood going back in. So once he is born that kink can cause tissue to close up the aortic artery, which gives blood flow to lower parts of the body. The time frame that it closes is from a few hours to a few days. This is why he will need another echo-cardiogram as soon as he is born. She couldn't get a clear view of how severe it is, but it explains the back flow blood they see and the pulmonary stenosis. She also hopes she was exaggerating what she did see and because of the uncertainty we have precautions to take for him to be treated. So the plan is we can deliver at our original hospital and have all the needed tests. If there is a coarctation of the aorta he will be stabilized with a temporary line to help keep the aortic artery open until the pediatric cardiologists decides the best course of action once transferred to the other hospital. They can help it stay open with a cardiac catheterization which is inserted through a main artery in the leg. How they will do it is still dependent on the severity of the coarctation. Apparently only 1% of babies have a heart defect and nothing I ate or did/didn't eat or do had to do with this. Can you see now why I am anxious and trying hard not to be? I am feeling not great with all the contracting and my excitement for someone about to welcome a new baby is not quite there yet. I am not sure if it will be until we know everything that will happen once he is born. It is in my human nature to be anxious and a little sad at the moment, but it will pass.
We are not ever prepared for things to go differently than we expect. I really have always prayed for healthy babies and don't expect to have them just because I asked. Every parent deserves and desires a healthy child. I have gained understanding through life experiences that we can't go without suffering. Whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual. With that said, I have learned that we can pray for certain things and have faith. Ultimately, God's will is what prevails and what will occur. See the thing about life is we can't see God's bigger picture for our lives, let alone our children. He has a big plan through all of this uncertainty. I know with all my heart that no matter how Gregory's heart looks after birth it will be okay, God is good, no matter, what bottom line!!! So as well intentioned as your he will be okay comments are. God is in control is better and we are praying for him. I want everything to be okay more than anyone, I have after all been carrying him for 9 months. I desired him for months before he was conceived, to the point of tears in my prayers. So please just be prayerful for us right now, it is honestly the only thing that is keeping me going. Our Lord knows my heart's desire and prayers are so powerful!!!!
My next post should be his birth announcement, so stay tuned! :) <3

Gregory's profile

Little cutie!! 

"Sing praise to the Lord, you faithful; 

give thanks to his holy memory. 

For his anger lasts for a moment;

his favor  lifetime. 

At dusk weeping comes for a night;

but at dawn there is rejoicing."

Psalm 30:5-6

Pregnancy update plus name reveal

This pregnancy has been completely different. Everyone knows my pregnancy with Michael was by far my worst. From horrible nausea and vomiting to laboring since 26 weeks. So going into this pregnancy I expected the same thing to happen and yes still wanted another baby, they are worth it. I know every pregnancy is different but they have gotten worse the more I have. Not true for this little baby.
Let us back up a bit for a better picture. We kept saying after Michael we were probably done having children. Last November a cousin had a little baby girl whom was not well, won't give details due to sensitivity and respecting family. Anyways, we were open to the idea of possibly adopting her and were praying diligently for her health. Things didn't work out for us, but she is well and thriving. Well this brought out in my heart a longing for another baby. When I say longing and it is hard to say out loud. But would I pray constantly and cry for another baby. I feel it  was because I see how precious life is and it so beautiful we have the free will to choose to be open to it. So whether you think, wow they are crazy! Well we are crazy, crazy in love with each other and our Lord. We trust that He will provide if we trust Him and seek Him always!

We tried for a few cycles and I know others try for years to get pregnant. We are blessed with super fertility and it was hard emotionally for me to not be pregnant after the first cycle trying. I was pretty discouraged, but prayed and offered it up for others suffering from infertility. When we finally got the positive result on the test, I was shocked and couldn't believe it. I took more than one test for a few days just to be sure. As weeks went by and I was not feeling any nausea, I started to get anxious. I had my midwife order a dating ultrasound just to see for sure there was a baby in there. There on that screen we saw the little baby wiggling and a strong heart beat! Such a relief to see and with a grateful heart I found some peace. Here we are at 18 weeks (5 months) and I feel pretty great! I have energy again, which in the first trimester was really my only symptom, pure exhaustion. I also was having some asthma issues, which were leaving me breathless after just putting laundry away. After getting on an oral steroid my asthma is under control, thankfully. We got to keep an eye on blood platelets again. I am now having an increase in appetite and my belly finally popped. We didn't get to hear the heart beat at my 12 week appointment. This appointment we couldn't hear it right away and she finally found it low, but it sounded so far away. She thinks that my placenta might be in front. Which would explain not feeling movement yet. So we shall see at the anatomy scan where little baby is. I am so blessed to have a pregnancy like this and it feels too good to be true. I will take it though and just enjoy it! 

We had our anatomy scan this past week. So baby is a boy!! He was a wiggly little baby. It turns out my placenta is in the back. I guess I  just have more space so movement is hard to feel still. He was measuring a few days ahead, so he is growing well. Everything looked great and my cervix is looking normal. I do have to go every two weeks to get it checked for shortening until 24 weeks. I will probably start the progesterone cream again and have already began taking magnesium supplements. Overall, just taking steps to prevent early contracting. Although, I don't think I have total control at least I already know how to get through it. Prayers would be appreciated for no irritable uterus nonsense. It is so draining emotionally and physically. I feel it might be different this pregnancy but we shall see. Here is the video reveal of the kids reactions! Everyone was hoping for a baby girl, they are overall excited. We told them to pray before we decided to try for a baby. It was a good lesson for them to see even when we pray for what we want God gives us exactly what we need. 

Here is the name we chose for this baby boy. It was hard and we actually voted between two names and this one won. We always chose a name before we find out because once we know it is nice to call them by name. We are excited and so blessed to have so many healthy children! 

Here is his coming home outfit and a special onesie in honor of his awesome Grama's/Abuelita's!

Guess what?!!!!!

   We are pregnant again...little duck number 5 heading our way next April!

Super exciting and yes we are crazy, crazy in love that is!!!

No, really we just couldn't help it and had to have another. It is such a blessing to be fertile and open to life. Ever since last year when we were praying about a baby that needed care and we could possibly adopt her. Our hearts knew there was room for one more and the love just multiplies with each child. So here we are announcing our 5th child's presence in my womb. 

Karissa really is praying for a baby sister. She seriously asked everyday and talked about wearing matching outfits. So say a prayer for her to get her sister because I don't know if her heart can take the disappointment. Or pray for her to be happy with another brother if that is what we get. 

Any prayers you could spare for us to be healthy would be great! I feel pretty good right now and I hope it continues, but ask me next week how I am feeling. Yes, last pregnancy was rough and we have prayed about getting pregnant again for a while. We just trust that our Lord knows how much my body can handle and that He will give me strength to carry another little life. :) <3 

Gentle Woman

As May is the month we honor our Blessed Mother, I had it on my heart to finish this post from a while back. I actually only had two sentences down and they had to do with the new year. So I erased them and decided to start it again.
I have always loved sharing my experiences and even more in hopes that someone would find them inspiring. I do not mean inspiring of what I accomplish but of what God accomplishes through me. I have always had a passion for sharing all God does in my life. It is to show that no matter how much we lack, He is there to give us all we need. How this relationship has formed and changed over the years is quite amazing. I never cease to be amazed at how God loves each of us and how we can reciprocate that love with our lives being lived for Him alone. I have always thought of our Blessed Mother as being a beautiful example of living for Him. She was so loved by God that He chose her to carry and bear our Savior. I also love that she gives us women an example of a gentle woman that trusts our Lord with all her heart. She especially demonstrates that gentleness by raising Jesus and doing it at such a young age. Of course we can look at other women in the Bible and Saints that provide a selfless example of love for our Lord. I have always prayed to be a women of prudence and integrity. Often we forget what we pray for ourselves and what the Lord truly wants for us. We get selfish, prideful, and bitter. We look to the world for a definition of how our Lord made us. We want to be strong, independent, and powerful. Not to long ago I shared this picture on Instagram with this caption...

"Karissa wants to be like mommy and journal in her Bible, too. In a time when us women are so pressured to be strong, independent, and powerful. I feel we forget that God made us in His image, as women we identify with God in the spiritual sense. So my hope is for my daughter to find her strength in Christ, to be dependent on God, and know how much power can come from prayer." 

This is truly what I pray and hope to demonstrate to her for how a woman of God should be not one of this world. 

Here is a prayer I wrote based on the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-25...

Lord, let me put on the fruits of the spirit: love, everyone that surrounds me and those far from me. Joy be with me in all my thoughts and actions. Peace of mind and heart. Long-suffering in all trials and temptations. Kindness to all I encounter this day. Goodness be filled within me and poured out to others. Faithfulness to You and others. Gentleness may it be my first action to others. Self-control in my mind, heart, an body. Christ help me to crucify the passions and desires of my flesh. Let me walk in Your spirit as well as live in it. Amen.  

I wrote it one day reflecting on what the fruits of the spirit were asking of us. As a mother of four children is so hard to always be patient and gentle. We are after all human and fall short daily. I am striving to be that woman of prudence and integrity to be gentle with my family. I know that the Lord desires for us to live out our lives as women with a selfless love for others and to always trust in Him to show us how.