Quintin Beckim Dorn

Our little bundle of joy has FINALLY arrived!! Actually he's snuggled up on my chest asleep (with his mouth totally open) as I write this. I can't believe he's 14 days old. But at the same time, I can't really remember life before being Quintin's mommy. Anyways...here's the story. I've provided it in 3 levels to let you decide how much info you want. I will warn you that the most extensive story spares no details (unless I already forgot them). And, this is my first time writing one of these labor stories out so maybe I included too much...But, I will throw in pictures in between to break it up :)



Or if you don't care how he got here, here are his stats:

Quintin Beckim Dorn
Born 1:17 AM Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Weight: 7 lbs 12.9 oz
Length: 20 3/4 inches




Shortest story: Went into the hospital at noon on Monday October 18, 2010. Had the baby at 1:17 AM October 19, 2010.


Short Story: Went to the OB at 11 on Monday October 18, 2010. They were worried I was starting to have preclampsia so they wheeled me over and admitted me to the hospital. Started pitocin at 2:20 PM. Had my water broke at 6:15 PM. Started really hating life. Got my epidural in at 7:30 PM and started loving life again. By 10:30 I was fully dilated and thinned out. At 10:45 PM I started pushing. At 1:17 AM on Tuesday October 19th, Quintin was born. Steven cut the umbilical cord.


The Story:
On Friday Oct. 15, I went to my regularly scheduled OB visit. Except, I was with the nurse practitioner because my OB was out of town. Everything measured normal except I had a high level of protein in my urine. So, they made me go down to the lab and have some blood drawn and do another urine analysis. We went home and waited for the call. At about 5:30 we got called by the NP and told that I was starting to show signs of preclampsia. She gave me the list of warning signs and told me to take it easy for the weekend and come back on Monday morning. So, Monday morning came and I got dressed and headed to the OB again (well the NP actually because my OB is still out of town). This time I went by myself. We had had so many false alarms we figured this would pan out normal and so Steven went to class and I went to the doctor. Luckily, we did put the hospital bags in the car just in case the slight chance I was having the baby came true.


Well, I got to the doctor and the protein in my urine had gone up even more over the weekend. I had also gained a half pound and another cm to the top of my belly. So, I was at 40 cms and officially full term. The nurse practitioner came in again and announced she had discussed with the on-call OB and I would be getting induced that day. She checked me and I was at 3 cms, 75% effaced, and 0 station. She told me I had a few minutes to call whoever I needed too and then I would be getting wheeled over to the hospital. So, I called Steven first. He was just as shocked as me...he was at work and had to take a test in about an hour...oh and I had the car. So he hung up in a panic and I called my mom, dad, and Steven's parents. By then, my time was up and the nurse came to take me on a 'cadillac ride' (her words not mine) over to the hospital. I know it's just protocol but man did I feel dumb being wheeled through the floor across the main entrance of the clinic and the hospital and up to the birthing center.

Then, I was in my birthing room. Still no Steven. I was turned over to a great nurse who started all the admission stuff. I got asked some of the dumbest questions ever, but the nurse was hilarious and we made the best of it. She got my IV drip started and also drew some more blood. If you don't know, there are 3 signs of preclampsia: high protein in the urine, quick swelling of the hands, feet, and face, and high blood pressure. Well, since I was showing one of them, they had to monitor the other 2 pretty well. I was getting my blood pressure taken every 15 minutes...talk about irritating. So after about an hour of questions and answers with the nurse, the on call OB came in- Dr. Lays. I had never met her before but man she was great too! She had excellent bedside manner. She came in and told me what was happening and what I could expect. She actually gave me the choice to not be induced and come back every day to the lab to have more blood drawn, urine samples given, and blood pressure taken...So basically we could wait for something bad to happen or I could have my baby within 24 hours...like that was really a question. She also explained to me the risks of being induced and the epidural and we talked through how I wanted my labor to go. Seriously I felt so at ease with her that I knew it was an answered prayer. During this time, I also met the on-call resident, Dr. Mahji. She was also an answered prayer. We had already been to the birthing center 2x in the past 2 weeks. Once because baby wasn't moving and we needed to check he was ok (he was-he just didn't like the contractions either). The second time, we thought I was in labor--I wasn't. During both those visits there had been another resident doctor that I didn't love, so I was happy with Dr. Mahji. Anyways...at about 2:20 the nurse was finally done with everything and started the pitocin drip. Steven got there very shortly after this. *A BIG thanks to McKenzie for driving him. He basically just showed up at her door and asked her to take him to the hospital*. At 3, we got a new nurse who I can honestly say was one of the most obnoxious people I have ever met. She rubbed both Steven and I the wrong way. She kept telling me that my contractions weren't strong enough and I wasn't in enough pain...it still irritates me just thinking about her. She also called in the CNRA (the lady who gives out the epidurals) to talk to me (this lady was great and put me at ease also) But, this obnoxious nurse was sure to point out that I wasn't hurting enough to get an epidural yet. SERIOUSLY I could have killed her...Then, she kept moving me around in bed which wasn't helping anything either. Finally at about 6:15, Dr. Lays sent word that I needed my water broken. So, Dr. Mahji came and broke my water (which actually was one of the worst parts of the night) and put in a inter-uterine device catheter to monitor the contractions from the inside. Baby does not like to be monitored and I think they were tired of him kicking off our monitors. After my water was broken and I have this new contraction monitor on, this obnoxious nurse says "Wow you must really have a high pain tolerance, I think you've been in active labor for awhile" Ya...like I was trying to tell you, irritating. After, I was checked again and I was at a 4 and I was cleared to get my epidural at any time. My goal was to get to a 5 on my own and then have it.
At this point, things really started to pick up. I was gushing fluid and having TERRIBLE contractions. Steven was helping me breathe through them and I was miserable...oh and did I mention I also had back labor?! The only good part of this stage was that the nurses were overstaffed so my nurse had to go home. Bummer. BUT again, with an answered prayer, we got Haley, a FANTASTIC nurse who made it through the worst part of labor with me and Steven. She was supposed to stay on until 7 am so she would be the one to deliver with us. When Haley came into the room around 7:15, I told her I was ready for the epidural. By this point, I could hardly catch my breath in between contractions and I had promised Steven he was never getting another child out of me.


Finally, they had me sitting up ready for the epidural. Sitting up caused me to GUSH fluid like there was no tomorrow. So, I'm sitting on my bed, gushing fluid, having regular HARD contractions, back labor, crying (which made my nose run like crazy) all while trying to keep still and relaxed to get the epidural in. It took about 3 or 4 of the worst contractions of my life to get it in and get me laying back down. All the while Steven and Haley breathed through them and talked through them with me. I laid back down and the epidural wasn't working yet. Dr. Lays came in right at the end of this stage and introduced herself to Steven. She also had to check me. I was still feeling contractions and I was at a 6. So that means I went 2 cms in about 40 mins...That's fast. AND I made it to 6 on my own. No wonder I thought I was dying.
After this point, things were much more relaxed. The epidural kicked in and I was able to relax a bit. In fact, it was more of an anxious waiting excitement at this point. I was one of the lucky third of women who get an epidural and it works perfectly for them. I truly admire women who do it without pain medicine, but not me, not ever. At about 9:30 PM Steven decided to go get some food and go for a walk. While he was gone, Haley checked me and I was at 9+ and 95% effaced. She told me I was about ready to push. She also said she'd wait for Steve to get back before she checked me again and called me ready to push. Also, she said that they needed a nurse to go up to the 5th floor to babysit a patient who kept trying to get out of bed or take their lines out...and it was her turn :( Almost in tears I asked her what we had to do to keep her there. She told me there was a good chance the baby would be there before she had to leave at 11 anyways. Steven came back at about 10 and I told him the good news. He was shocked out of his mind. He text my mom right away and she requested to be put on speakerphone so she could listen while we pushed...Steven obliged and I found out later.


At 10:35 I got all set up to start pushing and Haley taught me the counting procedures and everything. By 10:45 it was game time. We started pushing and Haley immediately could see baby's head. Even Steven looked to see how much hair the baby had. At 11, my new nurse Karlina came in and took over the breathing and pushing coaching. Haley was able to waste time and stayed until almost 11:30. We kept thinking the baby was almost out but he kept going right back up after every push. Luckily, Karlina was equally awesome and she got us through the next 2 hours of pushing...that's right I pushed for 2 1/2 hours total. Dr. Lays and Dr. Mahji came in after about an hour and checked on me. Dr. Mahji stayed for about 30 minutes and helped as well. Finally at 1 AM I made a deal with Karlina. If the baby wasn't there by 1:45, she would let me order food and I would save it until the baby was born. You see I had expected to be home for lunch...so I hadn't eaten anything but a cup of jello and water since 10 AM...that is a LONG time for anyone to go without eating. AND the hospital room service closes from 2-5:30 AM every morning. I needed to make sure I had some food. She countered with an offer of "If he's not here by 1:30 you can order food". Turns out both were unnecessary. At 1:05, the nurse supervisor came in and suggested a different position to push in. I tried it and it got things really going. I think I had finally figured out which muscles to use. By 1:10, Karlina called in the crew. The doctors got gowned, took out the IUDC monitor and left it up to me to feel the contraction and push the baby out. It only took one more contraction. In the second set of counting to ten, I got to 6 and something felt weird but I was still pushing. Then I heard someone say, You can stop...I opened my eyes and lo and behold the most beautiful thing I've ever seen: Quintin. I saw Steven cut the umbilical cord and then they laid baby Quintin on my chest. I got to hold him for a minute before they took him to the warmer. He got to the warmer and gave the nurses a shower in his pee...they all laughed about his plumbing working. I got stitched up (level 2 tear which I guess is normal for a first time delivery and pushing for so long). Steven ordered me some food, and things started calming down. I got to hold my baby for awhile while we waited for the epidural to start wearing off and my food to come. Haley came down on her break to see him.

(Not the most flattering picture, but I think it shows all the emotions I was feeling)

Quintin is honest to goodness THE most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I've seen lots of babies, but none that were BRAND BRAND new. And none that were quite so handsome. The nurses all loved his hair, and so do we. I couldn't help but cry when I first saw him. I was exhausted and it had been a long day, but he was worth every single piece of it. I'm still amazed how blessed I am to have seven pounds of Heavenly Father's most beautiful creation to take care of.


He is such a well-mannered baby. We were able to come home from the hospital on Wednesday evening. We could have stayed until Thursday but I was ready for my own bed and not to have people coming in and out of my room at their discretion. Quintin is a good little nurser and an even better snuggler. My mom came for about 5 days after he was born and it was wonderful. She helped take care of me and took care of Quintin. She woke up with me at night to help carry him and change him and get him back to sleep. I cried a lot when she left.

Steven is such a great daddy. He comes home in between any classes that he can and helps however he can. Today, he held Q while I took a shower...it's the little things that mean the most.

All in all, we were so blessed in labor and delivery of our little guy. We had great nurses and although our original doctor was not around, we were blessed with a wonderful OB and resident to deliver as well. We still pray that our nurses and doctors get extra blessings for the great work they did for us. We were also blessed with great nurses during recovery. We were lucky to have friends come visit in the hospital and also to have my mom come stay with us. She heard the birth via the phone and was on the first flight out the next day to come visit. In fact, she had to fly to Minneapolis and drive the 4 1/2 hours to get to us. But, I'm sure after she snuggled Q all that work was worth it ;)


Life is good, Quintin is beautiful and we couldn't be happier :)

PS Congrats if you made it through this whole rambling mess ;)

Progress on Baby D

Alright so I am officially in the second trimester and I can see why everyone raved about it. No more morning sickness, more energy, bella bands and pretty soon I get to feel the baby!!

We've had our first official appointment to meet the OB and get all the blood work results. All is well, all is well. We feel really good about our Dr. and as far as she could tell, everything is going well with baby. I was way more relaxed this time and so was the baby. All the blood work came back normal. The downside was they forgot one test so I had to do more lab work, but it was really nothing compared to last time!

Our next appointment is June 4th and it is the ultrasound appointment!! So, we want your vote! Boy or Girl?! To help you make an educated decision, I've provided a few other pieces of info!
- In my family, there are 3 girls and 2 boys. In Steven's there are FOUR boys! (There are no nieces or nephews to count yet)
- I have more girl cousins than boy cousins. Steven has A LOT of cousins some of whom I haven't met so that might not help you. My mom's family has more girls than boys. My dad's family has more girls than boys. Steven's dad's family has more girls than boys. Steven's mom family (is huge but I think I counted correctly) has more girls than boys (unless I counted the in-law instead of the sibling...)
- Our wedding was VERY pink and a few of the bridesmaids cursed us with having all boy children. Random, yes. Possibly relevant, also yes.
- You know that Chinese Gender Calendar that everyone says is completely accurate? Not for me. You use the conception date and mine could have happened in January or February. January makes girl. February makes boy. Sorry if that's too much info...just thought you should know that won't help you!
- According to the Old Wives Tales in my Pregnancy for Dummies book, and on several websites, I usually come out predicting it's a girl, but there have been a few that determined boy. It's usually a 60/40 split between the two.

So, I hope that helps you cast your vote! The poll thingy is on the right side of the blog. There's 25 days to cast your vote and then we will announce the official result.

Dr. Visit #2

Sooo it has been awhile since we updated. Steven had a bout with pneumonia, we faced a flood (that turned out to be minor) and enjoyed Easter. Those posts will come later, but here is the latest about our adventures to parenthood!

For all of you who did not read my facebook status, today was one of the longest days of my life and included a 3 1/2 hr doctor appointment. This was the first appointment at the OB/GYN office. We got to the hospital center at about 1:30 to check in and register. That didn't take too long and I was upstairs and back with a nurse by 1:45. First off, I have gained about 4 lbs 8 oz since becoming pregnant. I think it is actually a bit less because I had my jacket on while being weighed. It is weird to see the scale keep going after where you are used to it stopping...
Now there were a lot of contributing factors to why this visit was so long. First, today is the first day they are all moving to a mostly-electronic system of records. Let's just say I'm almost positive they were inadequately trained (that is my professional decision!) So with the initial nurse, I got asked all of the questions at least twice. She was keeping a paper record and trying to write it in the computer system that she did not like or understand.
Eventually, the nurse practitioner finally came in. We went through the health history part which took FOREVER because of this new program. And they didn't ask me anything about Steven's side of the family- is that normal? They asked about me, my parents, my grandparents, my siblings and all of my aunts and uncles but NOTHING about Steven...isn't he half of the contributing factor to this child?
After that and a brief discussion about my prenatal vitamin (I'm going to start taking a prescription one I guess) the real fun began. First, she let me hear the heartbeat sort of as an incentive to go through the rest of the visit I think. I don't know if it is just me or what but it always takes them a little while to find the baby and get the heartbeat. Long enough that I start to think that maybe I'm making all this up, gaining weight, and there is no baby inside me! But every time they find the baby and all is well :) I can hear my heart start beating faster every time I go through that little panic that there is no baby. It's not that I don't feel, look, and act pregnant in every regard but wouldn't that be embarrassing if there was NO baby in there? Call me crazy...
Anyways, I won't go into details of my full body inside, outside, up and down exam but I will say it was not as bad as I had conjured it up in my head to be, but it was pretty invasive. It didn't take as long as I was expecting, for which I was grateful. It is so relieving to know that I am all around healthy, a blessing that I am realizing more and more.
After I got to get dressed again, the nurse practitioner came back in and we went through this mound of handouts and papers they gave me. A lot of the info I had already learned from my copies of What to Expect When You're Expecting and Pregnancy for Dummies. The one thing we talked more about was diet and prenatal testing that we will have to decide on. They gave me this book and the NP gave me page numbers to reference certain things for next time. She was good about not giving me way more information than I could take in at one time.
After we got through the folder of stuff, I went and got Steven so he could hear the heartbeat. Again, she had a hard time finding the baby and I panicked a little...it can't just disappear in the course of an hour can it?! But she got it and we could hear the heartbeat again. I love watching Steven's face when this happens. He comes back with me looking and probably feeling rather uncomfortable (no man wants to know what happens at the OB office I'm pretty sure) BUT as soon as the heartbeat comes on the monitor he gets a big smile on his face...I love it.
After hearing the heartbeat, the nurse left to go double check on my lab orders. While she was gone, I used the visual aids in the room to show Steven exactly what had happened to me in the past hour and a half. All he could say was, "I'm lucky to be a man..." and he kind of shuddered. He is right but our baby will be so worth all of this in the end.
Are you still with me? because the fun part is coming up ;)
After talking through some prenatal testing info with the NP with Steven there (decisions we have to make for next time) we were sent to the lab for more poking and prodding.
The girl asked me if I could give her a urine sample.
What I wanted to say was: "Girl, I'm pregnant yes I can pee in the cup"
What I think actually came out was something like: "YES! I thought you would never ask" How embarrassing...
After wards, I had to get a LOT of blood taken. In the few times I have had blood taken, I was in my own room with lots of privacy and there was a bed. At the lab, they have tiny cubicle things with just the chairs...I immediately sensed this to be problematic. Last time I had to get blood drawn was when we were engaged. They couldn't get it out of my arm and halfway through the first vial I got dizzy and about passed out when they moved me to the bed. They ended up taking it out of the back of my hand and I was dizzy for about an hour....so you could sense my anxiety over today.
Now, I knew I had to get blood taken today. I figured it would just be one or two of those tiny vials. We were at the hospital like 2 weeks ago with Steven and he only had to do these tiny vials and only like 2. Well the things the girl pulled out were about as long as my forearm and I think there were 6! But I saw an empty one at the end...so maybe she only took 5. They got me juice because I warned her I am not very good at this sort of thing. I was impressed that she got the blood out of my inner elbow. She told me she had too because she had to take a lot of blood and it was too much to take out of my hand...why that didn't send off a warning sign, I don't know...When she was done, I glanced at the blood on the counter. I always thought my blood would have more of a pink tint to it and I wanted to see it (it doesn't, bummer I ate pink starbursts all morning just in case it would help)...I figured I could handle it now that I am getting those special mom powers...well it didn't make me sick, but it didn't help the already queasy feeling I was getting. So I felt like an idiot but I slowly stood up and kept drinking my juice. She told me I could leave it there but I didn't want to risk it so I sipped it all the way back out to Steven and all the way back to the elevators and upstairs to the doctor.
I was feeling weak but I figured that was a combination of the whole visit and that I was getting hungry again. We went to schedule my return visit. In the process one of the nurses was like "Don't forget your immunizations" At first, I didn't even know what she was talking about...then I remembered that they had asked me when my last tetanus shot had been (I told them I'd have to ask my mom...I am totally an adult) but we had also talked about flu shots and the H1N1 vaccination. I didn't realize they were going to give me shots today! I thought it was like everything else where they say, "Think about it and come prepared with a decision next time"
We scheduled our appointment and went back to the room. The nurse brought in the shots and found some paperwork I needed to fill out. She left us with the shots on the counter right by my papers (with 2-3" needles on each one). I should have recognized something was up because my handwriting was kind of shaky. Instead I was feeling pretty proud of myself that I had not fainted in the lab and was almost done! After she got the paperwork, she had me stand and gave me a shot in my right arm (which is currently feeling like dead weight after all it's been through today). I thought it was the seasonal flu shot, but now I'm thinking it might have been that tetanus shot...we will have to check when we go back (isn't that terrible?!) Now you can see how out of it I was at this point. She had me stand there and was getting the H1N1 shot ready.
Now, I think I will explain why I chose to get that vaccine. First off, most people know that I was working at a daycare when H1N1 came about and the panic that ensued. I thought lots of parents were crazy to give their babies this vaccine as soon as it came out. Also, in general I am usually very opposed to flu shots anyways. I do not get the flu during flu season...I do not even remember the last time I threw up (a pregnancy blessing indeed). Even when at the day care I would drink lots of juice, take Vitamin C and sometimes Airborne. I generally am very healthy and have never seen the necessity to get flu shots. Oh, and someone told me flu shots have formaldehyde in them...I'm still looking into that. Well, the first week we moved here I found out that someone in our new ward had died of the swine flu. Then today, when talking with the NP she told me that H1N1 has really run rampant here in GF. She said she wished she could tell me that it was mostly under control here, but many people are still getting it (didn't this all start like a year ago?!) She also told me that if I got it, we would almost 100% loose the baby and I was at a higher risk of death because of all the things I can't take and they can't do while pregnant. I told Steven this and he said I was easily swayed...but when I was talking to the nurse this was the only thing she highly recommended I take--everything else including a stronger prenatal vitamin was left up to me to decide. Also, she pointed out that there is a special dosage of the vaccine for pregnant women. So, I felt I would be ok and just in case I would go ahead and get the vaccine. There is my reasoning...which is kind of irrelevant now-keep reading.
So I got the first shot (that I need to find out what it was tetanus or the regular flu shot) and I was still standing talking to the nurse while she got the H1N1 ready. I was standing there talking and I started sweating and things kept falling off to the side of my vision and I noticed I was dizzy. It felt like I had stood up too fast. I tried just holding onto the chair but that didn't help. So I mumbled something about dizzy and sort of fell into the chair. Well people started moving. Steven said something like "oh no save my wife" (ok not that dramatic but a girl can dream...and he did say something) the nurse opened the door and went and said something to someone she opened the cupboards, turned the water on, and started getting something wet (I later learned was a paper towel) Then in came the nurse practitioner who had me lay down on the table which I don't even know how I got there. Then she held my feet up while she sent the nurse to go get pillows and a washcloth. And I just laid there thinking how embarrassing, I was doing so good too! When things calmed down, I just laid there and tried to calm myself down and Steven talked to me so I was ok. The nurse left the door open and then kept coming in to ask how I was doing. To be honest I don't even know all that happened...I think Steven filled out a form and people kept coming in but I just laid there and tried to relax. After about 15-20 mins the NP came in and I was feeling quite a bit better and apparently looked a little better too. She told me I had been through enough for one day and they would schedule the H1N1 for next week. So after all of my debating in my head and everything about the vaccine, I didn't even get it! I felt like going down to the lab and telling the girl "HA I told you I would get dizzy! I just about died upstairs" But by the time we got out of there (they couldn't get the computer to make another appointment for me-HA) all I wanted to do was eat and lay down (but not in that order because I learned that is a no-no for pregnancy)
So my dear, sweet, supportive husband, took me to Subway to get a tuna sandwich. I learned I can have tuna and the only time I get that is at Subway because Steven doesn't like it. After eating and finally getting home the whole trip had been about 4 hours... I was feeling a lot better, but SUPER exhausted.
We came home and I started reading for my classes and Steven studied for his tests. He is pretty wonderful to sit in the waiting room for at least 2 hours to hear 30 seconds of our baby's heartbeat. Good thing he was there because I probably could not have driven home. He is also a good sport to let me eat tuna. All in all, he is fantastic and taking very good care of me. Not once in this pregnancy have I felt like I was doing it alone :)
We had quite the experience today but I have been assured the next check up will be MUCH shorter and I don't think much if any blood has to be taken! My right arm is sore in two places and moving or flexing any of the muscles hurts, but I'm sure that will wear off.
If you made it this far in the post, congratulations! I hope you had fun reading and Hey- at least it didn't happen to you!! :)