Lula is the star of the holiday card this year. I had dreams of a Tilley family nativity scene featuring Burns, Zelda, Townes, Jack and Lula…but no one cooperated on that one.
See our favorites from the 2010 Holiday Photo Shoot.
All snuggled up with Daddy in the backyard this morning. Oh, so cute.
Drooley McPhee here loves to spend time in her bouncy seat having long conversations with Mr. Zebra (who hangs above the bouncy). Sometimes what he does or says hurts her feelings and she cries. Then she avoids Mr. Zebra and focuses on either Mr. Elephant or Mr. Crocodile.
Just after birth, Lula was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. The pediatric orthopedist thought it might fix itself by the time she was a month old, but that didn’t work out. She has to wear the harness 24/7 for eight weeks to help her hip sockets form correctly. As you can tell by the yawn, she doesn’t really notice.
Lula’s first month has been filled with excitement and adventure.
Lula’s birth story from Shelley Scotka, our doula
Continued from Part Two–Epidural
Arrangements were made quickly–Kim had only a moment to visit with her Dad, to get love and a hug, before they wheeled her off to the Delivery Room. I stayed with Mark, giving him an explanation of what was ahead, while they got Kim ready for surgery. Mark was called in around midnight–I sat just outside the OR and could hear your first cry at 12:12am, officially 2 days after labor was initiated, and someone cry out “It’s a girl!” Then I heard Dr. Weihs report that you had a “true knot” in your umbilical cord–which explained all the varying decelerations we’d been battling all day.
Mark and Kim were able to enjoy you afor a few minutes, then I saw Mark coming out, escorting you with several nurses to the nursery. I gave him a big congratulations hug, then headed into the OR to be with Kim. Her repair took a while–there was more bleeding than normal and the “extra” work was making her nauseous. I stroked her hair, massaged her head and shoulders, and held her hand to help her stay calm. We focused on slow breathing and I encouraged her to just close her eyes and finally rest–her baby was here safe and sound, and she didn’t have any more work to do right now.
I stayed with Kim through recovery–it was about 1:00 in the morning now, and she was completely exhausted. I held her hand and encouraged her to rest–soon Mark appeared with you in tow–he looked like such a proud Daddy! Kim was so tired she could hardly hold you, but we helped her get you skin to skin, and you two enjoyed each other for a while–finally together. As you started showing signs of rooting, I healped your mom get you to the breast for the first time, and you latched on… It had been a very long day, but there was finally peace in the world. LulaMae Louise was here.
Mark and Kim,
Thank you for inviting me to share in the day you welcomed LulaMae Louise. Although we took a journey we had hoped to avoid, I felt honored to have been a part of the process, to have supported you both through those long hours, and to help that day be the best that it could be…the beginning of your life with your daughter!
Warmest Wishes,
Lula’s birth story from Shelley Scotka, our doula
Continued from Part One–Induction
We started getting things ready. Our student nurse Brit watched the anesthesiologist do the procedure, while Mark supported Kim from the front. Things went smoothly and it was in by 4pm. As the epidural took effect, Mark came to offer a kiss, and Kim replied with “Baby, go brush your teeth!” With her pain finally gone, the “old” Kim was back.
I strongly suggested both Kim and Mark get some rest–they had a long previous night at the hospital with broken sleep, and we still had a long way to go for this labor. Mark went off to make a few phone calls and to check in with his parents, who were in the waiting room. I helped Kim get comfortable and she finally dozed off.
At 5pm, Dr. Weihs came in for another exam–this time she was 3-4 cm, 90% effaced…still -2 station, but we were encouraged with the large cervical change this time! We were still battling occasional decelerations, but with oxygen and position changes, we always were able to resolve them. We rested off and on, sadly having to say goodbye to Lakisha at 7pm. Kim was feeling more pressure and needed to press her “bolus” button to get relief, as Mark and I helped her focus on staying relaxed and not tightening those muscles.
Jaime took over (for Lakisha) at 7pm–everything was looking good. Mark went out to help find Kim’s Dad who was somewhere in the hospital. We got a knock on the door at 7:15pm, Kim’s Dad and stepmom, looking for Kim. She wasn’t ready for visitors, but luckily, Mark came down the hallway and was able to show them where the waiting area was, to join Mark’s parents.
At 7:30pm, Dr. Weihs did another exam–5-6 cm now–hooray, there was great progress! Finally we felt like we were at least 1/2 way there–things were looking good. Kim continued to use her relaxation and breathing to keep herself calm, with Mark rubbing her back and legs. I stepped out for a quick break, and updated all the doting grandparents, so eager to meet you! I encouraged Kim to continue to rest–there was still work ahead of us.
At 9:30pm, Dr. Weihs did yet another exam–6-7 cm now, which was great, however your head was still about -2 station…she mentioned that usually most babies heads are lower by now, so it was a reason for her to be a little concerned, but she was happy with the cervical change, so we’d just do a wait and see. Dr. Weihs explained we were doing everything we could to encourage a vaginal birth, but she alluded to the possibility of a cesarean if the baby didn’t make his or her way down.
I led Kim through a visulalization, focusing on thinking about your head coming down, lower and lower, then finally pushing you into the world. I helped her imagine meeting you for the first time, holding you against her chest, feeling your warm body, and finally being able to meet you and see who you were! We didn’t know if you were a boy or girl, and Lakisha had hmaed you “Shim” in the meantime, a combo of “she” and “him”…
I continued to encourage Mark and Kim to get some rest, because no matter what happened, there was work ahead of us…and it had been a very long day. Mark finally succumbed and unfolded the couch for a good nap. I settled into the rocking chair and took a rest myself. That last 2 hours flew by.
Dr. Weihs returned at 11:30pm, to check on progress. She reported Kim was still 6-7 cm, and the baby was still high. She felt every opportunity to have a vaginal birth had been presented, but with compounding indications, the meconium in the amniotic fluid, the off and on decelerations all day, and the failure to progress despite the increased Pitocin, she strongly recommended a cesearean to get the baby here safely. While Kim and Mark were disappointed, they quickly agreed it was time to “throw in the towel” and call it a day. They were ready to meet you!
Lula’s birth story from Shelley Scotka, our doula
This tale spans hours…days…which brought you to your Mom and Dad…a long story, but one that fits you perfectly. Here is the story of the days of your birth:
It was a full week past your due date, so based on recommendations from Dr. Weihs, your Mom and Dad arrived at Seton Medical Center on the evening of 10/25/10 to begin the eviction process. It was a little bumpy start, with difficult IVs and high fetal heart tones, but in the end the nurses placed the Cervidil and we waited for contractions to begin.
By 7am Kim was 1 cm and 60% effaced–it was time to start Pitocin to strengthen the contractions. Kim rated the current contractions at a “4” on the pain scale–we talked about needing to “welcome” the Pitocin, as stronger contractions were needed to get a baby here.
Lakisha took over for Courtney (our overnight nurse)–she brought a good energy to the room, and a nice sense of humor. Mark took a few minutes to call/text family and friends–your fans–to give them an update. I think on that trip he also snuck some cold pizza in…the breakfast of champions!
I gave Kim a nice relaxing foot massage with jasmine oil–known for it’s effect on strengthening contractions…if nothing else, she got a nice foot massage! She noticed the contractions getting stronger for sure–needing to begin to focus and breathe through them now.
Over the course of the morning, we periodically noticed slight decelerations in your heart rate when your mom changed positions. They always resolved themselves, so we didn’t worry much. Around 8:30am, Kim noticed her water broke–there was some of your poop inside, which is normal for babies coming past their due date. The nurse did an exam and confirmed Kim was still about 1 cm.
After the water broke, Kim noticed a definite increase in the strength of the contractions. She was rating this pain as 6-7 now, and inquired about holding off on more Pitocin. It seemed her body had finally kicked into gear! Lakisha checked with Dr. Weihs and ok’d keeping it on “1” for now and see where things headed.
I suggested that Kim get out of bed, as it became obvious the contractions were getting tougher. We got her settled in a rocking chair and she instantly said the contractions were more manageable. With every contraction, more amniotic fluid gushed out, so we went through a lot of towels! It was pretty poopy water, so not the prettiest sight…luckily Kim had a good sense of humor and was able to laugh (at least between contractions) for now.
Mark provided popsicles which Kim welcomed. We helped Kim stay relaxed with massage and encouraging words. The nursing students were on the unit that day, so we were able to say hi to Shelly Clarke as she introduced Brit, our student nurse for the day.
The later morning progressed with more slight decelerations which always resolved. Dr. Weihs came in at 11:30am to do an exam, and said Kim was now 1-2 cm and 80% thinned–good change. She was encouraging, but also reminded us we had a long way to go.
At noon, Mark went to update your fans again, and brought back messages of support from family. Kim’s Dad was still east of Dallas but was on his way. Kim’s sister sent her love. So many people eager to meet you!
Kim’s back was really bothering her, so I heated up the rice sock, and as I placed it on her back, Kim groaned–“good?”…yeah… The contractions were nearly one on top of the other. Kim wondered if it was time to back off on the Pitocin, but Dr. Weihs assured her this was necessary to make progress. Kim was beginning to feel overwhelmed and discouraged–Mark and I provided encouragement and support that she could keep going. We just needed to take one step at a time.
Kim felt tired later in the afternoon, so headed back to bed. Side lying provided the opportunity for rest but wasn’t her favorite labor position…we used the rice sock which helped greatly, and some peppermint oil to relieve the occasional nausea. Around 2pm, Kim reported she was feeling some pressure, something different “down there”. We hoped that meant a baby was coming down!
Dr. Weihs was in again around 2:30pm and did another exam…she was now a good 2 cm and 90% effaced, some progress for sure but not nearly as much as Kim was hoping for. The baby was still a little high, around -2 station, which concerned us a bit, but we kept our spirits up and provided lots of good words and energy to Kim. Dr. Weihs felt strongly that we needed to continue to increase the Pitocin to progress the labor. Kim was already feeling her contractions were an “8” on the pain scale–not sure how much more she could handle. We discussed her options and she decided to try some IV medicine to just take the “edge” off and help her sleep. So at 3:15pm, Lakisha administered a dose of Fentanyl.
It took effect quickly, but it wasn’t enough for Kim. She was still needing to breathe through the contractions, and they were so close she couldn’t really get rest. Within 30 minutes, Kim requested the Pitocin be turned way down and she wanted an epidural…she was exhausted and unable to relax effectively anymore and was starting to think she was actually impeding her own progress.
World, meet LulaMae Louise Tilley!
Born Wednesday, October 27th at 12:12am
7 lbs, 15oz
21 1/4 inches
Named for her great-grandmothers:
Lula Mae Lovin Bertmann, Mark’s mom’s mom
Helen Louise Cobb King, Kim’s dad’s mom
See photos of Lula’s first days.
Read the short birth story, or the epic saga, parts one, two, and three.
On Monday, we checked into Seton Medical Center to get this show on the road. The plan: some meds to start dilation Monday evening, followed by full on induction first thing Tuesday morning, with a natural birth sometime on Tuesday. Clearly not the birth story I had hoped to have, but something I had accepted.
MT and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Salvation Pizza before checking in. I cried for the full five minutes it took to drive over to Seton…anxiety about the drugs I was about to receive, bittersweet feelings about our last moments as just the two of us, overwhelming emotions in general about the massive change we were going through.
By 8pm, I was in my hospital bed with two nurses making their fourth attempt to put a saline lock in my arm. The first two left me with 2″ bruises that were black and blue weeks later; the fourth one finally worked.
The whole process shot up Shim’s heart rate to 175 bpm, where it stayed for at least three hours and caused enough concern that they ditched the original plan for Cytotec and switched us to the less scary Cervadil.
Monday, 10pm: Barely 1cm dilated, Cervadil administered
Overnight, I had regular contractions and was able to sleep a little. Shim’s heart rate continued to be a bit erratic so the nurses kept coming in to check on us, shifting my position, giving me oxygen, hooking up IV fluids. MT slept a few hours and I got in a few 30 minute naps before Shelley (our doula) and Dr. Weihs (our OB) arrived to get the party started.
Tuesday, 7am: 1cm, Pitocin drip started
Over the course of the day, my dosage of Pitocin was increased bit by bit and by the afternoon my contractions were strong and increasingly difficult to handle. My water broke early in the morning and there was meconium aplenty, so we were watching Shim very carefully as his/her heart rate continued to be erratic all day.
By 4pm, I asked for the epidural because I couldn’t handle it anymore. If I’d been 8cm dilated at that point, it would have been a different story because we’d have been so close to the finish. But at barely 3-4cm, I had more than halfway to go and was having unending contractions already.
Tuesday, 11:30pm: 6-7cm dilated, prepping for C-section
After about 24 hours of labor and constant concern over Shim’s erratic heart rate, we decided that a C-section was the way to go. I’ll leave more of the details for Shelley’s birth story (parts one, two, and three), as she captured everything that happened with a clear mind. I can’t imagine going through that without her; she was able to help me find as much physical comfort as possible while providing mental and emotional support for Mark as he watched me go through all of this.
Wednesday, 12:12am: Shim arrives!
After the long ordeal, Shim is finally here! We discovered a true knot in Shim’s umbilical cord, which means the cord itself was tied into a tight knot. More often you’ll see babies with the cord kinked up or wrapped around a limb, but the “true knot” is very rare. This was the cause of the erratic heart rate and also prevented Shim from arriving through the normal exit.
We’re so happy to have Shim with us, healthy and happy as can be. I’m also completely in awe of what my body was able to do, protecting that baby from dropping down and cutting off blood supply from the cord. It’s pretty amazing.
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Adventures with Shim 