Baby Augie - October 18th
"We are really thankful to have taken natural child birth classes, and the knowledge we learned there helped us immensely. My wife, Sienna, gave me one of the most beautiful experiences of my life." -Grant
Mr. Malcolm Augustine "Augie" Kimbell
October 18th
7 pounds, 14 ounces
Our Birth Story:
Sienna had been having mild pre-labor symptoms for almost a week starting around the time of our due date, October 8, 2012. Mild cramping would come and go, nothing consistent. We were excited, and had planned to stay at home as late as possible before going to the hospital.
When we went to our last pre-natal doctor appointment, we were informed that we would have to check in to the hospital and induce labor. This was not what we had wanted to do. There were signs that indicated the longer we waited for Auggie to come, the harder it would be on him and Sienna. There was a fairly rapid decline in the amount of amniotic fluid, less room for him. This is also a sign that the placenta was not distributing nutrients as efficiently. None of this was critical just signs that our wise doctor detected. Sienna was at 2CM at this point.
We convinced our doctor to postpone one more day and try some last minute efforts to induce: Acupuncture, black cohosh herbs, spicy foods, bumpy roads, walks. We tried all of this. By Wednesday morning, still no signs of eminent labor, so we checked into the hospital...
8:30 AM
We checked into Cottage hospital's new birth center, which is more like a 5 star hotel that is also a hospital. Sienna had an IV hepa-vac inserted, so if she needed fluids, antibiotics or anesthetics, they could be administered immediately.
10:30AM to 4:30PM Pre-Labor Contractions Begin
The nurse administered Cervacel, which is basically pigs sperm, to get labor going. It takes 12 hours for the body to fully utilize, so we just hung out and took a few walks, went to the farmer's market at the hospital, and waited. The walk seemed to help and we retreated to Birth Room Number 8 to focus on the contractions.
10:30PM Contractions start getting regular and more intense.
Our Doctor was planning on giving Sienna another round of Cervacel and a sleeping pill, since she had not been sleeping well (2-3 hours a night) during the previous week. She needed to have energy for the upcoming events. She downed the pill and had a vaginal exam, where we discovered that she was 2.5CM (disappointing), but the effacement was becoming more anterior and the cervical wall was thinning (signs that things were progressing). Almost immediately after the Doctor performed the exam, Sienna's body kicked in and she started to have regular contractions at a higher intensity every 3 minutes. The Doctor decided to forgo the second round of Cervacel and re-evaluate in a few hours. Here we go!
12:00AM Active Labor Starts
Sienna vomits. Her contractions are getting much more intense. She is shaking (I was informed that all of this is normal). I am administering acupressure to alleviate the pain. I call our Doula and inform her of this and tell her that now is as good of a time as any to get to Birth Room Number 8.
2:00AM
The nurse gives Sienna another exam to determine if she would need another round of Cervacel. She is at 6 CM! This is very encouraging to all of us and we continue to cheer and support Sienna as she experiences the freight train pass though her every 3 minutes. She has been mostly on the bed. The shaking has made it almost impossible to support herself in any other way besides laying down.
2:30AM
Our Doula has Sienna go to the bathroom. Upon getting to the toilet, we let her urinate and have a few contractions there. Moving around in labor is great because gravity helps the baby and mother and usually speeds things up. Sienna is too shaky to be in any other position other than in bed on her side. We bring her back to the bed. When lying on her left side, Augie's heart rate would dip below base line. This concerned the Nurses, so we kept her on her right side from here on out. Augie's heart rate remained strong when Sienna laid on her right side, so we kept her there.
5:03AM Transition
All of a sudden Sienna felt the urge to start pushing and we all encouraged her. She was having a contraction and I applied pressure to her lower back. I hear and see her water break. We all cheer because this is another sign indicative of progressing labor. The fluid was clear (this is a good sign because a stressed baby will defecate, leaving the amniotic fluid tainted green). Upon examination, we determine that she is at 10CM!! By this time, she is really tired. We all tell her that she is doing great, that she can do this, and that things will go fast now.
As Augie approaches the narrow area of the pubic bone, we reposition Sienna in a semi reclined, legs spread apart and high position. The nurse feels this is the easiest way for Augie to get past the pubic bone. We position the leg stirrups so that between contractions, Sienna can rest. When the contraction comes, our Doula and a nurse lifts her legs from the stirrup into position, I lift her head, and she pushes as hard as possible for 10 seconds. Deep breath, repeat a second time. Deep breath, repeat a third time. Rest. Sienna does not stop this pattern until the baby is born.
6:35AM
The nurse checks and Sienna is at a +2 station, but still not past the pubic bone.
7:11AM
I saw Augie's head for the first time! It looked like a white dome with fine, wet hair. Sienna would push and I could see it. When she stopped it would disappear. The Doctor comes in to check and Sienna is at a +3 station. She notices how exhausted Sienna is, since she had been pushing for over 2 hours. She mentioned that she knew we wanted a natural birth and that she would not like to use the vacuum extractor (a suction device that attaches to the baby's head leaving the baby with a red mark on his head). Instead, she gave Sienna's IV sugar, so she could have stamina for the last hurdle.
7:35AM
The nurses decide to drain Sienna's bladder by means of a catheter. This will give Augie a little more room to pass the pubic bone. I never thought I would be eating grapes while watching the nurses insert a catheter!
7:45AM
Augie passes the pubic bone!!
8:42AM
Augie starts crowning. We call the doctor and tell Sienna that very soon, she will have a baby in her arms. She reaches down to feel Augie's head, which is now visible at all times.
8:50AM
The Doctor arrives again. Sienna has a contraction. Doctor massages (rips) her perineum and Augies head emerges almost to his ears. Upon her next contraction, his whole head comes out to the neck.
8:55AM Birth
One more push and the biggest relief of Sienna's life happens when Augie slips out and is placed on her chest. He did not cry, but just had his little hands in his mouth and crawled up to Sienna's chest. I touched Augie for the first time on the bottom of his left foot.
9:15AM
The Doctor hands me scissors and I cut the umbilical cord.
9:20AM
The placenta is delivered. I look at it. It is like a semi-translucent off white membrane punctuated by spots of hamburger embedded within. We saved it. We plan on burying it and planting a tree when we move to our new home soon.
9:25AM
Augie finds his new favorite spot: The nipple.
10:55AM
We move to Recovery Room 31. Sienna is tended and I accompany Augie to the nursery, where he is cleaned and checked. He weighs in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. His APCAR score comes in at 9/9/10.
Words cannot express how proud I am of Sienna. At 37, she wanted a natural birth and made it happen. Throughout this entire process, I had learned a lot. We are really thankful to have taken natural child birth classes, and the knowledge we learned there helped us immensely.
Sienna gave me one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I was able to put my fear of blood, doctors, etc., aside. After all, it was not about me at all. I had to be there, cheering her on, encouraging her, and giving her the support she needed. Perhaps it was the adrenaline kicking in, but surprisingly I felt nothing but awe and joy during the whole experience.
Our Augie is so precious. He has Falk features: Long fingers and huge feet. He is tall and barrel chested. He also has Kimbell Features: The high forehead and is already raising his eyebrows! We can't wait to see him grow and develop more traits from both sides of his family.
Augustine has two main nicknames:
1) Groove- When we had our first ultrasound, he looked like he was feelin' an Atlanta Rhythm Section or Bob James riff and I pointed out that he was grooving! Hence, the name has stuck.
Since conception, he has attended a number of concerts. At six months, he heard Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) as the Dukes of September at the Santa Barbara Bowl. At seven months, he heard Jackson Browne and Jeff Bridges play at the Hollister Ranch Hoedown. At eight months, he heard Def Leppard and Poison at the SB Bowl. His Grandfather Malcolm (Mac) Falk loved music, played bass, and booked shows in Southern California.
2) Augie. We named him Augustine in honor of a beach that is a special place for us. Grandpa Mac loved surfing Auggies and his ashes are spread there. It is also one of my favorite waves to surf. A fast, steep drop that pitches and bowls over a vibrant shelf rock reef dotted with purple urchins and orange star fish. Golden kelp encircles the reef, keeping the water surface smooth and crystal clear on most days. It is such a sacred, beautiful spot!
Cheers From the Kimbell Family!
October 18th
7 pounds, 14 ounces
Our Birth Story:
Sienna had been having mild pre-labor symptoms for almost a week starting around the time of our due date, October 8, 2012. Mild cramping would come and go, nothing consistent. We were excited, and had planned to stay at home as late as possible before going to the hospital.
When we went to our last pre-natal doctor appointment, we were informed that we would have to check in to the hospital and induce labor. This was not what we had wanted to do. There were signs that indicated the longer we waited for Auggie to come, the harder it would be on him and Sienna. There was a fairly rapid decline in the amount of amniotic fluid, less room for him. This is also a sign that the placenta was not distributing nutrients as efficiently. None of this was critical just signs that our wise doctor detected. Sienna was at 2CM at this point.
We convinced our doctor to postpone one more day and try some last minute efforts to induce: Acupuncture, black cohosh herbs, spicy foods, bumpy roads, walks. We tried all of this. By Wednesday morning, still no signs of eminent labor, so we checked into the hospital...
8:30 AM
We checked into Cottage hospital's new birth center, which is more like a 5 star hotel that is also a hospital. Sienna had an IV hepa-vac inserted, so if she needed fluids, antibiotics or anesthetics, they could be administered immediately.
10:30AM to 4:30PM Pre-Labor Contractions Begin
The nurse administered Cervacel, which is basically pigs sperm, to get labor going. It takes 12 hours for the body to fully utilize, so we just hung out and took a few walks, went to the farmer's market at the hospital, and waited. The walk seemed to help and we retreated to Birth Room Number 8 to focus on the contractions.
10:30PM Contractions start getting regular and more intense.
Our Doctor was planning on giving Sienna another round of Cervacel and a sleeping pill, since she had not been sleeping well (2-3 hours a night) during the previous week. She needed to have energy for the upcoming events. She downed the pill and had a vaginal exam, where we discovered that she was 2.5CM (disappointing), but the effacement was becoming more anterior and the cervical wall was thinning (signs that things were progressing). Almost immediately after the Doctor performed the exam, Sienna's body kicked in and she started to have regular contractions at a higher intensity every 3 minutes. The Doctor decided to forgo the second round of Cervacel and re-evaluate in a few hours. Here we go!
12:00AM Active Labor Starts
Sienna vomits. Her contractions are getting much more intense. She is shaking (I was informed that all of this is normal). I am administering acupressure to alleviate the pain. I call our Doula and inform her of this and tell her that now is as good of a time as any to get to Birth Room Number 8.
2:00AM
The nurse gives Sienna another exam to determine if she would need another round of Cervacel. She is at 6 CM! This is very encouraging to all of us and we continue to cheer and support Sienna as she experiences the freight train pass though her every 3 minutes. She has been mostly on the bed. The shaking has made it almost impossible to support herself in any other way besides laying down.
2:30AM
Our Doula has Sienna go to the bathroom. Upon getting to the toilet, we let her urinate and have a few contractions there. Moving around in labor is great because gravity helps the baby and mother and usually speeds things up. Sienna is too shaky to be in any other position other than in bed on her side. We bring her back to the bed. When lying on her left side, Augie's heart rate would dip below base line. This concerned the Nurses, so we kept her on her right side from here on out. Augie's heart rate remained strong when Sienna laid on her right side, so we kept her there.
5:03AM Transition
All of a sudden Sienna felt the urge to start pushing and we all encouraged her. She was having a contraction and I applied pressure to her lower back. I hear and see her water break. We all cheer because this is another sign indicative of progressing labor. The fluid was clear (this is a good sign because a stressed baby will defecate, leaving the amniotic fluid tainted green). Upon examination, we determine that she is at 10CM!! By this time, she is really tired. We all tell her that she is doing great, that she can do this, and that things will go fast now.
As Augie approaches the narrow area of the pubic bone, we reposition Sienna in a semi reclined, legs spread apart and high position. The nurse feels this is the easiest way for Augie to get past the pubic bone. We position the leg stirrups so that between contractions, Sienna can rest. When the contraction comes, our Doula and a nurse lifts her legs from the stirrup into position, I lift her head, and she pushes as hard as possible for 10 seconds. Deep breath, repeat a second time. Deep breath, repeat a third time. Rest. Sienna does not stop this pattern until the baby is born.
6:35AM
The nurse checks and Sienna is at a +2 station, but still not past the pubic bone.
7:11AM
I saw Augie's head for the first time! It looked like a white dome with fine, wet hair. Sienna would push and I could see it. When she stopped it would disappear. The Doctor comes in to check and Sienna is at a +3 station. She notices how exhausted Sienna is, since she had been pushing for over 2 hours. She mentioned that she knew we wanted a natural birth and that she would not like to use the vacuum extractor (a suction device that attaches to the baby's head leaving the baby with a red mark on his head). Instead, she gave Sienna's IV sugar, so she could have stamina for the last hurdle.
7:35AM
The nurses decide to drain Sienna's bladder by means of a catheter. This will give Augie a little more room to pass the pubic bone. I never thought I would be eating grapes while watching the nurses insert a catheter!
7:45AM
Augie passes the pubic bone!!
8:42AM
Augie starts crowning. We call the doctor and tell Sienna that very soon, she will have a baby in her arms. She reaches down to feel Augie's head, which is now visible at all times.
8:50AM
The Doctor arrives again. Sienna has a contraction. Doctor massages (rips) her perineum and Augies head emerges almost to his ears. Upon her next contraction, his whole head comes out to the neck.
8:55AM Birth
One more push and the biggest relief of Sienna's life happens when Augie slips out and is placed on her chest. He did not cry, but just had his little hands in his mouth and crawled up to Sienna's chest. I touched Augie for the first time on the bottom of his left foot.
9:15AM
The Doctor hands me scissors and I cut the umbilical cord.
9:20AM
The placenta is delivered. I look at it. It is like a semi-translucent off white membrane punctuated by spots of hamburger embedded within. We saved it. We plan on burying it and planting a tree when we move to our new home soon.
9:25AM
Augie finds his new favorite spot: The nipple.
10:55AM
We move to Recovery Room 31. Sienna is tended and I accompany Augie to the nursery, where he is cleaned and checked. He weighs in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. His APCAR score comes in at 9/9/10.
Words cannot express how proud I am of Sienna. At 37, she wanted a natural birth and made it happen. Throughout this entire process, I had learned a lot. We are really thankful to have taken natural child birth classes, and the knowledge we learned there helped us immensely.
Sienna gave me one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I was able to put my fear of blood, doctors, etc., aside. After all, it was not about me at all. I had to be there, cheering her on, encouraging her, and giving her the support she needed. Perhaps it was the adrenaline kicking in, but surprisingly I felt nothing but awe and joy during the whole experience.
Our Augie is so precious. He has Falk features: Long fingers and huge feet. He is tall and barrel chested. He also has Kimbell Features: The high forehead and is already raising his eyebrows! We can't wait to see him grow and develop more traits from both sides of his family.
Augustine has two main nicknames:
1) Groove- When we had our first ultrasound, he looked like he was feelin' an Atlanta Rhythm Section or Bob James riff and I pointed out that he was grooving! Hence, the name has stuck.
Since conception, he has attended a number of concerts. At six months, he heard Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) as the Dukes of September at the Santa Barbara Bowl. At seven months, he heard Jackson Browne and Jeff Bridges play at the Hollister Ranch Hoedown. At eight months, he heard Def Leppard and Poison at the SB Bowl. His Grandfather Malcolm (Mac) Falk loved music, played bass, and booked shows in Southern California.
2) Augie. We named him Augustine in honor of a beach that is a special place for us. Grandpa Mac loved surfing Auggies and his ashes are spread there. It is also one of my favorite waves to surf. A fast, steep drop that pitches and bowls over a vibrant shelf rock reef dotted with purple urchins and orange star fish. Golden kelp encircles the reef, keeping the water surface smooth and crystal clear on most days. It is such a sacred, beautiful spot!
Cheers From the Kimbell Family!