Asher's Birth Story

I'll try to keep this short, but it was an amazing day and pretty hard to sum up.

3:00 am
Woke up with contractions about 7-8 minutes apart, at one point they were only 4-5 minutes apart.

8:00 am
Went to the hospital for the scheduled induction, internal exam showed I was still only 1 cm, contractions had slowed down to 15 minutes apart, spent the next several hours prepping for the induction and doing a non-stress test.

11:00 am
Pitocin started and contractions picked back up to 6 minutes apart and not too painful. Dr. Pujo stops by to check on me and says he will be back later in the afternoon.

12:30 pm
Internal exam showed I was at 3 cm and could get the much desired epidural, contractions were becoming more and more painful, pitocin was stopped.

The rest of the times are pretty fuzzy...

1:00 pm
Contractions are coming one on top of another Roger is helping me breathe through them and try to relax, our friend Raegan was also there to show me how to breathe and to translate for us and generally try to encourage us.

Maybe 1:30 pm
Another internal exam and I am now at 6 cm, but still waiting for the epidural.

Sometime Later
The anesthesiologist finally arrived and began the epidural, I had to curl up on my side and try not to move during contractions, it was excruciating. Roger was amazing and ended up with some wounds from my fingernails.

An Hour After That
I can tell something is going wrong with the epidural and I'm starting to doubt whether or not I can make it through the pain, Roger continued to breathe with me and do everything he could to help me get through each contraction. At this point I was only getting about a 1 minute break between contractions. The epidural was actually not painful at all, just scary. Finally the epidural is finished and I start waiting for some relief.

10 Minutes Later
The epidural didn't work, I'm getting no relief at all and after waiting another 10 minutes the anesthesiologist decides to try again.

Maybe 15 Minutes Later
Sweet relief! The contractions had mostly been in my back and I could finally feel them start to lessen. I could still feel my legs, I was only numb around my waist, but it was wonderful. It was at this point we took a picture. I remember feeling so good for about 10 minutes...

As soon as the epidural started working the nurse did another internal exam and I was at 8 cm. I was looking forward to a little rest before the pushing.

3:30 pm
I start feeling the overwhelming urge to push, but I'm not completely dilated yet. The nurse checks and I'm at 9 cm and Dr. Pujo is called, I have to pant to keep from pushing every time I have a contraction. The poor nurse keeps telling me to stop pushing in Indonesian, I keep telling her I can't help it in English.

4:00 pm
Dr. Pujo arrives and suits up, I'm completely dilated and I can start pushing. Raegan and the anesthesiologist coach me on how to push and I feel like I am making good progress. Even with the epidural I can feel the contractions and feel the urge to push.

4:40 pm
Dr. Pujo announces that Asher is stuck and that he wants to do a C-Section. We are all shocked because Raegan had actually seen the top of his head a few pushes before and Asher's heartrate was still great. He gives us the choice of vacuum extraction or C-Section, I'm beyond being able to process anything, but definitely don't want to have a C-Section. Roger says we can try the vacuum extraction and Raegan gets Dr. Pujo to agree to 15 more minutes of pushing.

5:00 pm
Dr. Pujo starts the vacuum extractor , but it doesn't work, he is now telling us we have to have a C-Section. Praise the Lord Raegan was with us, she told him no and told me to keep pushing. A few minutes after that he decided to try to the vacuum extractor one last time.

5:18 pm
With Dr. Pujo using the vacuum extractor and all of the nurses and the anesthesiologist pushing on my belly Asher's head finally started to come out. One more big push and an episiotomy his head was born. With the next push he was out and Dr. Pujo put him on my belly and Roger and I got to see our son for the first time. As soon as he came out he gave a good cry to let us know he was okay.

This is our favorite picture. It was taken just seconds after Asher was born. I just love the look on our faces as we meet our baby boy. There were definitely some tears and some big goofy smiles.

And this is one of our first family photos. We were so happy and so tired and glad to finally have our baby boy with us.

Game Plan

Well, I think today might finally be the day. At 8:00 am (Friday night US time) we will go to the hospital and hopefully check in. I have been having contractions for the past few hours, so I am hopeful that I have made some progress and Dr. Pujo will be able to get Asher here sometime today.
Depending on the internet access at the hospital Roger (or somebody else) may be updating the blog, so check back to see what's going on.

Still Not Here

We went to see Dr. Pujo tonight and were expecting to be admitted to the hospital. We had all of our bags packed and were ready to go. Unfortunately, Dr. Pujo feels like Asher is still not ready to go. So, we are back to waiting.

He did an exam and said I was 1 cm and it would be best to wait until Saturday to induce. I told him we wanted to stay and he said we could if we wanted to, but Roger in all of his infinite wisdom asked Dr. Pujo what would be best for me and for Asher. Dr. Pujo said to just give it another day.
We are so disappointed, but hopeful that labor will start tonight or tomorrow and we will be able to avoid being induced. I am having some contractions now, so pray that they continue and get stronger so we can repack the car and head back to the hospital before Saturday.

We were able to pick up a few last minute things today. We got a nice mosquito net to go over Asher's bed and some window shades for the car. Normally we don't use mosquito nets, but if Asher is anything like his mom he will be the target of every mosquito in Southeast Asia. During this time of year it's impossible to keep all of the mosquitos out of our bedroom. The window shades are pretty self-explanatory...it's about 100 degrees everyday and the sun is bright and strong, we've got to protect our baby boy from that. As an added bonus I think it will also help keep people from staring inside our car at stoplights.

Asher Watch - Day 8

Dear Asher,
Consider this your eviction notice. I've enjoyed having you grow in my belly for the past 9 months (maybe a little longer...), but your time is up. Tomorrow is the day, either come out or Dr. Pujo is coming in to get you. Your father and I are tired of waiting on you.
Sincerely,
Your Mother

So, here's the plan.
Tomorrow night (Thursday morning in the USA) we will go see Dr. Pujo. We think he will admit me to the hospital and induce. I'm not really sure if he will induce Thursday night or Friday morning, he was sort of vague on the details and really I didn't think to ask.
This is the final Asher Watch, but we do plan on updating the blog from the hospital. We hear there is wi-fi at the hospital, but we will wait and see if it works.
So, be sure to check this website or your inbox for any news. Or maybe check facebook.

For the final Asher Watch quote:
"My brother were forced to borned."
Roger was discussing the possibility of inducing labor with one of our friends. He shared with us that his mother was also induced when his brother was born.

Asher Watch - Day 4

We're still watching and waiting.
Only 5 more days for Asher to come on his own.
I walked another 2 miles tonight and got stared at by all the neighbors...again.

Quote of the day comes from the world famous (or at least Surabaya famous) Dr. Pujo:
"If no baby by next Thursday I think better to terminate the pregnancy."
I promise, we really are in good hands over here.

Asher Watch - Day 2

We went to see Dr. Pujo tonight and he once again told us that Asher is healthy and that I am healthy. So healthy in fact, that there is no reason to do anything besides wait another week. He did a non-stress test and we got to spend an hour listening to Asher's heartbeat. It was good and strong, just like it's supposed to be and we got to check out the labor and delivery room.
The good news: if Asher is not here by next Thursday Dr. Pujo will induce me. We are happy to know that the end is finally in sight. I can handle another week knowing this.
We are still praying that Asher will decide to come before next Thursday, we really want to avoid being induced.

Finally, for the bad English/having a baby overseas quote of the day...
"I wish your baby have a Indonesian style on his attitudes, as like as Obama."

Asher Watch - Day 1

Well, there's not really too much to watch or report. Still no Asher. Roger says tomorrow is the day, I'm not that optimistic. We do go back and see Dr. Pujo tomorrow night (Thursday morning in the USA) and hopefully we will have some word from him about what happens next.

I have been walking every day in hopes of helping Asher get here sooner, but so far no luck. I am really sore and he has dropped down even more, so maybe the walks are helping some. I have also read that eating spicy food can sometimes bring on labor. I have been eating super spicy food for about a year and a half now...and we're still waiting.

So, for the funny part of waiting for a baby to be born in another country...
Roger gets about a thousand text messages a day and they almost all say this:
When Courtney will born your baby?

No News Yet

I just got back from my appointment with Dr. Pujo. Asher and I are both perfectly healthy and he told me to come back next week, which will be 2 days after my due date. He said if Asher is not here by next Thursday he will do a non-stress test to make sure everything is still okay.
For now we are continuing to wait. I will try to update the blog when something starts to happen and since there is wi-fi at the hospital we should be able to post some pictures soon after he is born.

For now, here are some pictures of stuff Asher has gotten in the mail recently.
All the orange is from the Record family and these are Asher's first pair of shoes.
These pajamas and this bib are from Aunt Jessica. She should be here to welcome Asher into the world, but unfortunately because of her Thymus gland she is already back in America.

Thank you all so much! I love getting mail, especially when it's for Asher.

39 Weeks at the Buffet

There's not too much to update this week. Still no Asher and I haven't been to the doctor again. I do go back to Dr. Pujo on Thursday night, hopefully he will tell us something really exciting like, "It's time for Asher to be born!" So, check back on Thursday and see what we find out.

While we have been sitting around sweating and waiting for Asher we have had some fun. Yesterday we went to the Shangri-La Hotel for a little breakfast buffet action. It was heavenly and we managed to eat enough that we were not hungry again until dinner time.

This is what gluttony looks like. They told us the buffet was closing so we all went back and loaded up our plates with one last round of bacon, pancakes and other goodies. For some reason I also ended up with several pieces of cheese. I guess that's just what happens when you take a very pregnant woman to a buffet.

After we rolled out of the restaurant we went outside to take a few pictures.

Roger and I wanted to compare our bellies. Since I've been pregnant Roger has lost 20 pounds and I have gained 20 pounds.



I made Roger pose for a few pictures with me. Who knows, these may be the last pictures we have together before becoming a family of 3!

And of course, Roger couldn't be serious for all of the pictures. I think in this picture he is giving Asher a little pep talk...
"Get out here boy! I'm tired of waiting around to meet you!"

By the way...check out that countdown on the right side of the screen. We are in the single digits now!

36 Weeks

I went to see Dr. Pujo last Thursday night and he said all is well with Baby Asher, he is head down and engaged and we are ready for him to get here.


We are now going to the doctor every other week and as far as I know that will continue until Asher decides to make his appearance. Until then I am trying to keep myself busy and distracted. One very exciting distraction this weekend will be a baby shower! My friends here are throwing a baby shower brunch for me on Saturday. Check back later for pictures from the festivities.

27 Weeks

The third trimester is here! Only 13 more weeks until we meet Asher. That's 90 days. 2160 hours. Unless he's early...or late. Either way we are getting to the end. The belly is continuing to grow and so is Asher.

I really don't think my belly is as big as it looks in this picture, every week I am surprised to see how big it looks. I thought it was maybe just the picture making me look big, but Roger assures me that's no the case. I think I'm starting to feel huge and just a little awkward when I bend over.
We go back to see Dr. Pujo tomorrow and hopefully I will be able to give my mom a tour of the hospital where Asher will be born.

Big Head Baby

Yesterday we went to the doctor and has the customary ultrasound. Baby Boy is still doing great, Dr. Pujo said everything looked perfect. We saw (and I felt) him squirming around as the doctor checked him out. He made sure that we know he is definitely a boy, just like last time, we didn't need the doctor to tell us that.
He said the baby has a big head (just like his daddy) and was according to the ultrasound I am now 23 weeks (I thought 22). This actually makes the doctors due date of 09-09-08 more likely, originally he just picked that date because it sounded good to him.
I will get Roger to take some pictures soon and put them up in a few days.

We're Thinking Blue!

We went to the doctor tonight and could very clearly see that we are having a son! We are excited and so are the grandmas. Last we heard Grandma Susan was running through the halls of Lone Oak Elementary making sure that everyone knows she is going to have a grandson. Doesn't she look excited?

Everything looked good with the baby boy. We actually got to hear the heartbeat for the first time tonight and could see that he has grown a lot since our last ultrasound 4 weeks ago. In fact, we could even see him starting to take after his Uncle Mel by sucking his thumb!

We went to a new doctor tonight and really liked him. He said that he thought my due date should be September 9 instead of September 15 because, "09-09-08, that would be a good birthday to have, you know with all of those 9's." So, yeah, the power of modern medicine is not to be out done by the doctor thinking that having lots of 9's would be great thing.