Athen Oustad Bingham

Introducing...

The newest member of our little family -

Athen Oustad Bingham

December 6, 2009 10:39pm

7lbs 15oz. 19.5"

Delivery Story: (don't read if you don't want details)

My contractions started Saturday night at 3:30am. By the time the alarm went off at 7:00am so Rick and I could get ready for ward council, the contractions were 10 minutes apart. I told Rick that this was it and that I didn't think we would be making it to ward council or church today. We waited a little for them to get closer together but since we had a hour drive to the hospital, we decided to get over in the general area. We walked around the outdoor Stanford mall for a few hours to help the process along (don't worry we didn't do any shopping. However, people were staring at us a little bit, especially when I would tell Rick it's starting, time it and then I would do some breathing exercises). Finally at 4 minutes apart we headed across the street to the hospital, wondering if they would take us or send us away. Sure enough they took us and sent the anathesiologist in to give me the epidural. It seemed pretty early for that but by the time it was done, my last contraction was getting pretty painful so it ended up being perfect timing in my eyes. The epidural worked wonders on the contractions, I couldn't feel a thing. Rick and my mom felt a little jipped that they didn't get to help me breathe, rub lavender lotion on me, massage me etc. I sat around with a smile on my face, pain free, chatting with them for about 4 or 5 hours. They finally checked me and said I was at a 10 and it was time to push. I couldn't feel a thing so pushing wasn't working out so well. They had to lower the epidural dose and sure enough the pain came flooding in. I pushed for 2.5 hours with all my strength and might. I had no idea it would be so painful. Who ever said epidurals make for a painless labor is soooo wrong. 

My little guy came sunny side up which was difficult for both him and I. Besides for the fact that he was pretty big for me (almost an 8 pounder) his head was off to the side, which was rough on him and made it more difficult for me to push him out. The doctor told me I needed to push harder or I would have to have a c-section - I pushed harder. He came out with a cone shapped head that was off to the right. Rick took one look at him and thought, that can't be normal - but I will love him anyway.  A few hours later the cone head was gone and his perfectly round head appeared. However, the trauma caused the little guy to get jaundice. 

The delivery caused me a little damage downstairs including severe swelling and 3rd degree tears with a million stiches (40 minutes worth of stitching). Needless to say 5 days later I still can't move or sit too well and am trying to recover.

Our little man has had a difficult time eating from the jaundice. He is so sleepy that he has no interest in eating and lost a lot of weight the first few days. We have been back to the doctor's (an hour away) everyday all day since he was born. We are working with a lactation consultant to help us get some food in him. It has been tough and a little stressful and we hope he gets better sooner.

I was going to write a little about the name and some other things but I think I will try and get some sleep instead. I will add more when I have time later.

Isn't are little guy beautiful!