Welcome Arya Marie Mathis

On Sunday June 7th at 11am, David and I were on our way to the store. Before leaving the house, I was tying my shoes when my water broke. It felt like I had just peed my pants. I called my mom first to explain what had happened, then called the hospital to let them know I was on my way. David and I arrived at the hospital at 12:30pm and they admitted me and got me ready for what was going to be a long evening. The doctor on call checked me and I was 4cm dilated and 100% effaced. I stayed that way for about 4 hours and then received some medication to ease the anxiety and the sharpness of the contractions. I walked around a little and visited my family in the waiting room to help move along the dilation.
Around 6pm I had dilated to 7cm. By 9pm, I was feeling really uncomfortable and received a pain reliever in my spine. I can’t recall the name, but it was not an epidural. It was a one-time shot. That helped considerably. I was able to rest for about an hour still able to recognize the contractions, just not the intensity. At 10:30pm, it was time to push. Pushing helped relieve the contractions and I was thinking to myself, this should take no time. After an hour and a half of pushing the contractions became harder. Two and a half hours had passed and Arya had stopped progressing down the canal. She was fine, however I could not do anymore. The doctor decided that I was going to have to have a C-section. At 2:30am I went to the OR for surgery. David was really nervous about the surgery, however throughout the entire evening, he was very supportive and completely there for me.
Arya was born on June 8th at 3:07am weighing 8 lbs and 8oz, 21 inches long. The doctor said that Arya had been lodged and a C-section was necessary. Arya scored well on her Apgar score and was healthy under no distress from the delivery. David returned to the maternity ward with Arya while I went into recovery. Thankfully I wasn’t there long. When I came up to the maternity ward she had been cleaned up waiting for me. To see her, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. She is so beautiful; I still cannot believe that David and I had made this perfect person.
I was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning. My mom and sister in-law came that evening for a couple of days to help out around the house due to my surgery. Tavia, my sister in-law helped David work with the addition upstairs and cleaning. Arya’s room is almost complete. The molding is up, room is painted and the doors are in. We are waiting for carpeting at this point. Mom helped with preparing and cooking of the meals, cleaning and organization. So things continue to move forward and everyday the house is more comfortable and getting closer to moving things upstairs. Can’t wait for that day.
Arya had her first doctor’s appointment this morning, June 15, 2009. She continues to be healthy weighing 8 lbs and 5 oz. She looks and is doing great. She has a prescription to take vitamin drops to go along with the breast-feeding. She has another appointment next week.
David has been so great this past week. He really wants to be involved with everything; cooking dinner, feeding, diaper changing, bathing, play time, and even getting up with me in the middle of the night. I have been pumping so he can feed her in the evening prior to putting her to bed. Arya has been a joy watching her different facial expressions, having snuggle and play time. She is a perfect addition to our family and we love her very much.

39 Weeks Along

I think I’ve been having contractions; however, it has not been time to go into the hospital yet. I had my weekly check-up yesterday, 6/3/09, and was informed that I was 3cm dilated and 75% effaced. I asked the doctor when I should stop working and he replied that I should consider stopping now. I’m far along and the process has started, so I should rest. I am going to finish off the week and start my maternity leave on Monday. I am looking forward to having the summer off from my working job.
My doctor also wanted to give me the option of moving forward with labor. He said that the baby is full term and if I wanted, we could schedule a day to have my water broken. I started to feel anxious and scared. I realize that she is going to be here any day now; however, I really don’t want to force her here and create an increase of discomfort for myself. I really want to try to embrace her coming naturally on her own. Her due date is not until the 10th of June, so I’m going to wait. If she is not here on the 10th, then I will consider proceeding with getting my water broken.
I’m really nervous and excited. I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom. It is somewhat emotionally overwhelming. I knew this all along, however sometime in the few days this is truly a reality. David is excited. He has been working his butt off trying to finish the baby room. He is being so particular; he just wants it to look perfect. It is really sweet of him. I have my call list ready to inform everyone the news. Pray for me and wish that I have a good experience with labor.