Labor: What they won't tell you!

Okay, let’s talk about GIVING BIRTH!

 Mostly about what no one told me.

Giving birth is a beautiful thing. It really is, no matter how cliché it sounds. I know, I’ve done it TWICE! And both times I was in awe.

To know that I helped create life.

My body was a vessel for another being for almost 10 months. How cool is that?

How lucky am I? Because not everyone is as blessed as I am to be able to even carry a child.

It’s just beautiful.

Creating life, that is.

…Because let’s face it, the whole labor thing is one ugly, wretched, awful, excuse my language, bitch.

Someone has probably told you not to worry, because although it hurts (Very much an understatement) and it can sometimes last a long time (also an understatement), once you have your baby in your arms, you’ll forget all about the labor.

This might be true, but I’d like to put a very large sum of money on the fact that my husband will NEVER let me forget what happened during labor. I’m sure he’s also not going to let a lot of other people forget what happened during my labor, so I’ll just beat him to the punch and fill you all in.

I expected lots of things to happen while in labor.

 I expected to be in pain, and I was, oh yes I was!

I expected to be all wet and leaky with amniotic fluid, and I was.

I expected to feel a little sick and possibly throw up, and I did.

I expected to be moody and tired, and I was.

I did NOT expect to have an uncontrollable bowel movement, but oh yea.. I did that too!

Yep, you read that right. I just could not stop pooping!

I had been in active labor for about 6 hours when I started to feel my contractions again (for the first time after getting the epidural... maybe 4 hours prior.) They were a painful but not as excruciating as before I got the epidural. Every time I had a contraction, I felt the urge to poop. Normal right? I mean at least I thought so. I actually got excited because I had the same sensation just moments before I was told I was ready to push with Keegan. So I thought for sure I was having a baby in the next ten minutes!

I let Mikael know and told him just to wait a few more contractions to see if it keeps up before he got the nurse.  

There was another contraction… and there was the urge to poop. Okay, baby soon?

And then again. And again.

And then… what the heck was that?!

I can only imagine the look on my face when I told my husband I thought I pooped my pants!

He laughed at me and let me know that wasn’t possible since I wasn’t wearing pants. Thanks smartass…

...But I think I just pooped myself! I made him hand me a box of tissues and find the baby wipes I saw the nurse use earlier.

Sure enough that just happened to me.

The contractions that had me gripping the bedrail not even 5 minutes before had suddenly been masked by an overwhelming amount of embarrassment.

And every time I had a contraction, more and more just kept coming out… seriously? My husband oh so graciously donned blue surgical gloves and held open the trash bag for my wipes and tissues. I know, I scored a real keeper didn’t I?

That has to be true love.

...literally

After about 15 minutes of this, the nurse came in and I let her know I was having an uncontrollable bowel movement, to which she responded by asking me if I wanted her to “clean me up”…

What? ... No!

I’m embarrassed enough that it’s even happening and you think I want you to wipe my ass… Please let me keep a little bit of my dignity… She swore this happens all the time and she didn’t mind because it was her job…

Yea, I just kept “cleaning” myself as it came... I was so embarrassed that I didn’t even notice my contractions anymore.

I wanted to crawl in a hole and hide!

The nurse did check my cervix though, since an involuntary bowel movement can be a sign that the baby is bearing down and ready to come out.

And he was.

So she called in the doctor and rest of the team. In less than 20 minutes and 10 pushes, Ronin was born.

And that was beautiful.

I was embarrassed and swore I would never tell a soul, but it happened and that’s real. And maybe just a little funny… now. I know I’m not alone and I won’t be ashamed. I might not forget about this labor, but at least I’ll laugh about it. Hope you do too.

Getting back to Healthy

 

I think every new momma has one of the same goals: to lose the baby weight! I'm no different, that is certainly on the top of my to-do list. Thankfully I only gained 20 lbs during this pregnancy (and almost 10 of it was all baby!!) but I would like to lose the the baby weight and then some considering I never lost all of the baby weight the first time.

 

I've always been active, so getting back into the groove of working out will not be the problem. I've already started walking and pre-planning all the awesome workouts I want to try once the doctor says "go for it" at my 6-week checkup. My husband recently became a certified crossfit instructor, so once I do get the okay, I'm going to test those waters... I think I'm really going to need my weekly yoga class to recover from those workouts.. they can be pretty intense. That's good though right?

 

Anyway, here's the real problem. My eating. I love food, and I really love junk food. As much as I try to eat healthy, I can never deny a cupcake or piece of candy. It's awful, I know. And I know some pretty good bakers, plus I love to bake myself, making things twice as hard.

 

But, I am on a mission!

 

I will eat healthy!

...99% of the time. Hey a girl's gotta cheat once in a while, right?

 

I will stick to my workouts.

 

I will feel good about myself.

 

Doing all of the above will make me a better mother/wife/person.

 

 

 

Here are some of my healthy eats this week!! All delicious and super easy to make!

 

 

Chicken Stir-Fry Breakfast

 

People have been bringing us dinner all week to welcome Baby Ronin and this was a great way to use the leftover chicken from dinner the night before!

 

 

Cheesy Quinoa Bites

 

These make for such a good snack, only 130 calories in four bites!

I liked them better when they were cold.

 

 

 

I'd love to swap some healthy recipes!

What are some of your faves?

 

 

 

Katsuren Castle Ruins

I’m more than ashamed that I have lived on this little island for two years and have just visited my first castle ruin.  I could give a bunch of excuses like I had a newborn when we first got here, I didn’t know anyone and wouldn’t want to go alone, my husband has a crazy schedule, I started working the second year…I could go on and on, but they’re just excuses. The truth is it was just so easy to settle into the daily routine of things and a little bit scary to venture out into a world full of unfamiliar Kanji symbols and people that didn’t speak my language.

Don’t get me wrong, we’ve been to lots of neat places here, but mostly the touristy ones that have lots of English options like the Churaumi Aquarium. And that’s great, but Okinawa is full of so much history it really is shameful that I haven’t started getting around to see it all sooner.

Keegan and I started meeting up with a group of other moms and kiddos for a weekly play group and it’s been decided that we ought to visit all of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Okinawa. There are a total of nine sites here that are collectively listed as “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.”

Last week we headed to Katsuren Castle Ruins, which was only about a 15 minute drive from where we live. The site is open 24 hours and has open access, though there is a visitor center located directly acrosse the street.

It probably doesn't strike you as the most kid friendly place, but honestly it was great for them to just be able to run around... K was knocked out no more than 2 minutes into the car ride home.  Plus it was free.. and you know I love free!!

There was quite a large hill and plenty of stairs, but I was 39 weeks pregnant and I did it with my two year old, so don't let that scare you... although it's likely that I was just trying to get my water to break.

The view was gorgeous! The ruins are located on a peninsula so you could view the Pacific on both sides.

You might not be able to tell, but there is a rather large hole next to this shrine. I wonder if they made sacrifices here...? hmm?

While we we're there they seemed to be excavating a portion of the ruins. I thought that was pretty neat. It seems crazy to me that there are still hidden treasures from the 15th century!

An here is some information about the castle in it's hay-day!

If you want to know even more, here are a few links that might help you out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsuren_Castle

http://www.chura-uru.jp/e/gusuku.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7125.html

Keep an eye out for future posts on other sites we'll visit!

He's here!

He's finally here!

Meet Baby Ronin.

Born: Monday September 24, 2012

9 lbs 7 oz, 22 in long

I'm so excited my baby is finally here. I now have 2 crazy boys to look after and though I'll still be keeping up with the blog, it might not be as much as you or I would like.

 Be patient with me as I transition from a mommy of one to a mommy of two!

Are we there yet? : 39 weeks

Seriously? Are we there yet?

 I am the most impatient person in the world, and pregnancy recieves no special treatment! I am ready to be done with pregnancy and more importantly, welcome my new baby boy.

Today I am 39 weeks, officially. ONE MORE TO GO! And of course I'm hoping it is less.

I started my maternity leave from work earlier this week and am eagerly waiting.

With K I tried every gimmick I read about online to get him to come early.. except castor oil. There is no way you'll ever find me drinking that. I did eat three whole pineapples in one sitting though, and I'm pretty sure that worked...and it left my mouth raw and numb for a week.

I haven't tried so many this time around, but I've definately been walking and seducing my husband more than usual! I'm told those are the two best methods to get the baby out.. I obviousy haven't had any luck yet.

As impatient as I am, I cannot complain. This pregnancy (as well as my last one) has been easy. There were days where I honestly forgot I was pregnant until little guy would kick me square in the ribs.

Morning sickness was minimal and late night cravings never existed. Yes, yes... all that cake that I blamed on the baby... well, I just needed an excuse!

I've only gained 20 pounds and have suffered no swelling! I can still do the daily things I did before, and just yesterday I hiked up a castle ruin (post on that coming soon!).

I suppose I am lucky because pregnancy has not ruined my day to day nor has it made me overly uncomfortable.

I am just impatient. I want the excitement now. I want my baby, now. 

And in two weeks you will find me saying that I miss this.

I will miss the baby rolling around in my belly.

Oh pregnancy, the things you do to me.

What about you? What was/is your pregnancy like?

Anyone as impatient as me?

Did you try to "self-induce" labor? How?