Welcome Asher!

Proudly introducing...

Asher Lawrence Harmon

February 21, 2010

3:33 am

9lbs 10oz

22" long

3 1/4" long feet!

Full head of wavy dark blond hair 

 

 

He was born after 5 hours of active labor plus 3 hours of pushing, with vaccuum assistance on the last two pushes. His heart beat had been slowing down, so it was time for him to come out, plus I was getting very tired because the pitocin-induced contractions were lasting so long I was pushing 5 or 6 times per contraction. But I didn't use any pain meds, and he was quickly given a clean bill of health!  

We broke every mold with our journey. After going into false labor three times in the weeks before his due date, I was induced 8 days after his due date. My body did not respond to nearly 48 hours of cervidil and pitocin, so we finally broke the water on Saturday evening, even though I was only 3cm dilated. I was utterly convinced that nothing was going to work and that I was headed for a c-section, but breaking the water immediately kicked me into labor and I progressd to 9cm in about 4 hours! Then I pushed out a huge baby without pain meds and very little assisance! After the birth, my placenta was just as stubborn, and a doctor had to reach in and physically separate it from the wall of the uterus  she offered me drugs, but I couldn't imagine going through labor without pain meds only to get doped up at the end, so I stuck it out. Afterwards, the doctor told me she was amazed I hadn't kicked her in the head! The new shift of nurses were calling me super woman! 

At least we have had zero newborn health issues so far and he is nursing like a champ! And Matt was an awesome partner through the whole thing. 

 

Can't wait to see everybody,

Sarah, Matt, and Asher

We'll have more to share soon: asher.mattandsarah.org

Max Baby has Arrived!

Our baby boy Max was finally born two nights ago. We are so in love with him! It was definitely a long, long journey, that could definitely go straight into the 'when labor needs help' file. The teaching to not be attached to our birth plan was invaluable for us. An imminent induction for being overdue and having a big baby led to me trying castor oil, then water breakage, then a cascade of interventions, of which none worked to avoid, 60 hrs later, a C-section, which ultimately delivered a healthy and wonderful baby! We are physically still at Sutter, but emotionally in baby bliss! Here are some pictures...







We look forward to seeing you all at the reunion, and meeting your babies!

You can see more from us at our "Baby Max" blog http://shark2k.blogspot.com/

Cristiana, Bill, and Baby Max!