Ryleigh's Birth Story

She is here! After 40 weeks and 5 days of waiting, Ryleigh Rá Gooden made her way into the world on December 17, 2010. The happiest day of my life, so far!

Born December 17, 2010 at 2:49pm, Ryleigh was 8lbs, 2oz and 21 inches.

Dr. Knapp stripped my membranes on Monday during my office visit, so I had off-and-on contractions all week, but labor did not set-in on its own, so I went-in to St. Mary's hospital early on Thursday, Dec 16. We left the house at 10am because there was a snow storm starting, and I didn't want to miss my scheduled induction at 3pm. We waited in the lobby for several hours, just passing time and waiting for the fun to begin :).




At 3pm, LDR gave me a bed, but they were SWAMPED with 20 deliveries the day before (a hospital record), so we were a little late getting started...
I spent the evening trying to sleep while the PG tape (Cervidil) worked its magic! I dilated from 2cm to 3cm and effaced from 50% to 70% overnight, experiencing contractions that made me very uncomfortable. They finally let me up to walk around at 5:30am on Friday, Dec 17th. And that was the best walk I've ever taken!




At 6am on Dec 17th, Dr. Knapp started the Pitocin drip. WOW! I thought I knew what contractions were!!! I was asking about an epidural by 7:30am, but the nurses encouraged me to wait because it could be a long day and they wanted the pain to be worse than the epidural procedure itself, so I waited... Until 8:30am... And then I BEGGED for the pain relief. It came around 9:00, and I was still able to feel the contractions, but the pain was relieved significantly.


At 10am, Dr. Knapp checked me and I was 5cm dilated. We were thinking dinner time for delivery... And then at 11:30am, Dr. Knapp came back in and asked me how I was feeling. I told her about the pressure, and she checked me again. Almost 9cm... At noon, I was complete and started pushing.
That's when things got tricky... I pushed until 2:30pm before Dr. Knapp came-in, and at that point, I was exhausted. I was having trouble because Ryleigh's shoulder was stuck. After a few really violent pushes and an elbow-assist from a nurse, Ryleigh made her appearance at 2:49pm. She was darn-near perfect with APGAR scores of 8 and 9 :). Barry cut her cord and we spent the next hour or so spending time as a new family.



After visits from family and friends, we were able to go home on Sunday mid-day. We have been spending time together bonding as a new family!

While I Wait...

Because this week is a waiting game (and because my husband got an AWESOME Christmas gift from me), Barry bought me something to help pass the time...



That's right, a new iPad!!!! I'm so spoiled :).

She's Officially Late!

What a beautiful Monday morning! I woke up to an unexpected and beautiful blanket of snow. It was just enough to be pretty but not enough to keep me from getting to the doctor...
As of today, Ryleigh is a day late. Apparently, she's comfortable right where she is :). I went to the doctor this morning, and my doctor did an ultrasound and non-stress test to make sure the baby is doing well. All her vitals are pretty darn close to perfect! Can't help but be a proud momma :).
And... I am now 3 cm dilated. Since I've made progress and am overdue, my doctor went ahead and stripped my membranes. Here's to hoping that induces labor! But, if she's stubborn even through that, we are planning to induce Thursday afternoon and have a baby no later than Friday.
Cannot wait to meet my baby girl!!!! :)

0 Days to Go!

That's right!!! Today's Ryleigh's due date!!!! BUT... Where's Ryleigh?! She's obviously comfortable where she is, so we're still waiting :). Any day now... :)

Fake-Out!

Yesterday, I had 5-6 hours of contractions about 8 minutes apart. I was so excited thinking labor was underway!! Turns-out... Ryleigh was playing games with me!!! The contractions stopped... Fingers crossed that she makes her way out into the world soon! I can't wait to meet her and kiss her little fingers and toes :).

The Doctor Didn't Laugh

In my last post, I mentioned the tug-o-war between my scale and the holiday season, and I just KNEW my doctor was going to have a comment. And she did... She told me she was impressed that I was keeping it under such good control over the holidays! WHAT?!?!?! Shocker right?!

In terms of progress... still 1-2cm and 50% effaced. Not too much progress to speak of, so we continue to wait. If she doesn't show-up on her own, we will go through another u/s and non-stress test on Monday, after which, we will set an induction date. Fingers crossed she shows-up on her own this week :).

The Scale is NOT my Friend

WOW! I know with Thanksgiving and the celebratory nature of the season that a few extra pounds are acceptable, but add being EXTREMELY pregnant and incapable of note-worthy exercise to the mix... and WOW!

And it's not going to get better now... It's Hubby's birthday weekend! So of course, there is a lovely dinner out, lunch with his family tomorrow and (of course) CAKE! My doctor is going to laugh at me during my check-up on Monday!

The Car Seat Doesn't Fit...

Hubby and I went back and forth on whether to keep my car or sell it and just drive the truck. We decided to refinance it for a lower payment and keep it, since it is the lower mileage vehicle with a warranty... BUT... the car seat doesn't fit!!!

Well... that's not 100% accurate... The car seat fits, but the front passenger seat is uncomfortably close to the dash when the car seat is installed.

AND... her stroller (the small umbrella stroller that I was so proud to have chosen over the monstrosity that most 1st time mommies buy) takes up the WHOLE trunk. I'm serious... NO room for groceries...

How can someone who is going to weigh approx 8 lbs and be less than 2 feet long take up a WHOLE vehicle?!?!

38 Weeks and Counting...

We received good news from the doctor today! Based on our ultrasound, Ryleigh is a healthy, normal-sized baby... YAY!!! As of today, they estimate 7lbs, 3oz :).

On the flip-side: because she's average in size, no early induction is planned, AND I made very little progress since last week (still at 1-2 cm and 50% effaced, despite all the contractions!!!!)... I am a bit disappointed, but I know it's all part of a greater plan. So... bring on the spicy food and long walks!

Having Contractions

I am 2 weeks out from my due date, and I'm starting to have contractions. Tonight, it feels like one big contraction that won't stop. I can't say how far apart they are, cause I can't quite tell. They are not really painful though, so I'm not too concerned. I have a doctor's appointment with ultrasound tomorrow, so we'll see how much progress has been made... Fingers crossed that she'll be here soon!

Give Thanks!

Granted, she's still in utero, but Ryleigh celebrated Thanksgiving and Black Friday with us!

Thanksgiving was WONDERFUL! Breakfast with the Goodens, my Mom and Jade followed by a traditional turkey meal at Dad and Joy's house. It was a blessed day to spend time with family :). Barry and I ended our day by relaxing on the sofa at home, reflecting on everything wonderful in life that makes us so thankful.

As for today, Black Friday... Ryleigh is trying to make her way into this big, crazy world, and to try to convince her that it is much safer in my belly, Barry and I took her to the 4am opening at Target, followed by the 5am opening at Best Buy. I don't think it worked... although there were TONS of people waiting in line, there was no shoving, cursing, trampling or violence of any kind to deter her. If anything, I think I may have enticed her further to join us by being on my feet at 3am drinking hot chocolate...

Progress Being Made...

So... my doctor estimates Ryleigh at 7.5 lbs already... But to be more accurate, we have another ultrasound scheduled for Monday. Fingers crossed she stays put till then!! Turns-out, I'm 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated, so she really could decide to join us at any time! YAY!!!

Full Term Baby!

With 20 days left to go until my due date, Ryleigh is officially considered "full term." I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon, so hopefully I'll get a better idea of when little missy will grace us with her presence. I just hopes she holds-out till after Thanksgiving!!!

Swimming Feels GREAT!

If I'm honest, working-out has been difficult recently. I've been trying to walk, but since the baby has dropped, long walks are getting uncomfortable. I can feel that I'm gaining weight more quickly, and I suspect it's a little faster than is typical... so...

Now I'm swimming! Our gym has an indoor pool, and it has given me the opportunity to workout while weightless. I recommend it to any pregnant woman who wants to workout, not sweat and not feel like her pelvis is about to fall out of her body :).

Only caveat... make sure you buy a maternity swimsuit with EXTRA space! This summer, I bought 2 that fit well... Now, one won't go over my belly and the other exposes an inch or so of belly skin. Sorry fellow swimmers, you're just going to have to deal with seeing a bit of my baby belly for the next 3 weeks or so!

36 Week Check-Up

We had our 36 week exam today, and everything looks good! Ryleigh is head-down and LOW! Even though she's anxious to join us and ready to go, my body is not at all interested in delivery... No doubt we will be going-in for our 37 week check-up :).

1 Month to Go!

And Mommy's getting nervous... The reality of the labor and delivery process is starting to hit me. Everyone who has been through it tells me not to worry and to try to enjoy because it will be okay, and over before I know it. I'm trying!

In the meantime... I am so very excited to see my baby girl! I have only a couple more things to do to prepare for her arrival. I want to prep and freeze some meals, finish my Christmas shopping, learn how to use my Moby wrap and order maternity portrait prints. Hopefully that can all be accomplished over the next week or so :).

What a Weekend?!

My weekend started out wonderfully! I had dinner with friends Friday night, went to the Craftsman's Christmas Classic with Auntie Bridget on Saturday, dinner out with hubby Saturday night and church and P.F. Chang's to celebrate Momma G's b-day on Sunday.

It was down-hill... or should I say, down-stairs... Sunday night. My off-balance, pregnant body struggled with the last 4 stairs, and decided to go down them butt-first. With a huge bruise on my booty (not to mention my ego) and a cut on my hand, I went to the doctor today. They did a bio-profile test on Ryleigh to make sure she is okay. We did about 30 mins of non-stress monitoring and then an ultrasound. They were looking for her heart-rate, breathing patterns, movement patterns and circulation within the heart. She passed her test with flying colors - 8/8, 100%! I'm so proud!

She kicked the mess out of the non-stress test sensors... Maybe she was dancing to the sound of her heartbeat? The ultrasound technician was SO nice to us. She spent extra time letting us watch our baby girl. She first confirmed for us that Ryleigh is in-deed female! She also showed us that she is head-down, and so close to the front of my uterus that we were able to watch her cutie-patootie face as she sucked her fingers, swallowed and practiced her breathing. A couple times, she opened her mouth stuck her tongue out, followed quickly by popping her hand in her mouth. What can I say but "very cool!" She was a squirmy girl and wouldn't sit still the whole time! It was amazing to watch!

Here are the pictures we got to go home with...

Ryleigh face-on:

Ryleigh sucking her thumb:

Push Gift!

Hubby and I have been spending a lot of time together... working from home full time and enjoying our down time together. It has been wonderful! Last weekend, he took me on a "surprise" date to Cinebistro (the new theatre/restaurant experience in Richmond). AND... since we were at the mall, he bought me my "push" gift - a bunch of charms for my Brighton bracelet (a thoughtful "mommy" gift from my baby shower). He's a keeper!

Maternity Portraits

Picture Day

Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day, and Hubby and I spent it at Dad's harbor house in Mathews, VA. It was absolutely wonderful!

While we were there, Tyler Darden joined us to take maternity portraits. I can't wait to see how they turn-out when he sends me a link next week! It was a lot of fun, and quite a production... Barry held the light reflector while Dad held the light disperser... I felt like a movie star :). Hopefully, there will be a couple good ones that we can frame for Ryleigh's room.

Now that we're less than 7 weeks away, I plan to wash baby clothes and install the car seats this weekend... That way, no matter when Ryleigh decides to make her arrival, we will be ready for her!!! I have to admit, I am going to be sad when the pregnancy is over. I really love being able to feel her move around in my belly... I know that is how life goes as a parent though - sad to see one phase go, but excited about the next. Welcome to motherhood!

Babymoon!

Barry and I made time for the 2 of us this past weekend. Our last "hoorah" before Ryleigh joins us :). We didn't go out of town, but we had a wonderful "stay"cation. Here's a snapshot of the wonderful weekend!
Friday - prenatal massage at Red Door Spa for me while Barry worked on the Jeep, finished-up registry shopping, followed by pizza and a movie marathon on the sofa!
Saturday - Richmond Zoo with picnic lunch and dinner at Longhorn steakhouse (yum!!)
Sunday - Richmond Museum of Fine Arts, brunch at The Jefferson followed by a nap and DVR clean-out session on the sofa.
SO relaxing! It was great to spend time just the two of us, doing nothing but fun - no phones and no chores. :)

Baby Shower Pictures... Finally :)