SCOUT’S BIRTH STORY

I’ve had so many of you ask about Scout’s Birth Story that I just couldn’t wait any longer to share…

If you asked me throughout my pregnancy about a birth plan or details for my delivery, then you know I had zero plans going into the labor and delivery. My nurses and doctors knew that I was relying on them to lead me in the right direction and trusting them to guide me was the best thing I could’ve done. I didn’t take any classes and honestly didn’t do any research on delivery, because I knew that my doctors had Scout’s best interest at hand and as long as Scout came into this world healthy and happy, it didn’t matter to me how she made her arrival. My doctor scheduled my induction for January 8th at 6:00PM. I arrived at Patewood Hospital and the sweet nurses helped me get comfortable in the delivery room and gave me meds to help ripen the cervix. A few hours later, I got my epidural. I was already having contractions when I went in so they waited until the next morning (around 10AM) to give me the Pitocin, which causes the uterus to contract. I dilated pretty quickly and was at 10cm by around 1:30PM the next afternoon. Next thing I know, my wonderful nurse was in the room guiding me through the pushing process while calling my doctor on speed dial since the pushing process only took about 25 minutes. My amazing doctor came running through the doors and literally caught Scout in his hands. She came so fast, he didn’t even have time to grab his gloves.. He said it was the first time that happened in his 30 years of practicing! My labor and delivery was wonderful and I couldn’t have asked for better nurses or doctors to help me through the process.

Once we got to spend one on one time with our sweet baby girl, we were taken to the room where we would be spending the next couple of nights. Our sweet families came to visit and provided us lots of coffee and delicious  meals when they came. After the first night we were ready to be in our own place again but so thankful to have such wonderful help and guidance while in the hospital.

Two days later, we arrived home and walked into a house full of flowers, food, and so much happiness that it made us feel so loved. I can’t even describe the feeling when we got home and how thankful we are for the amazing friends and family that care so much about us.

The first week home was very overwhelming. I literally had no idea what I was doing and wanted to make sure that I could provide Scout with everything she needed. People will tell you that it comes natural, and now I know that it’s true! You just do everything you can to keep your baby happy and healthy and it all falls into place. No one can ever prepare you for the sleepless nights in the beginning but it is so worth every second when you get to look at your sweet little miracle and realize God made this precious baby just for you! Scout is now 3 weeks old and we are starting to get more into a routine, I will say the first few weeks were VERY hard work. The sleep deprivation and constant feedings were nothing that I could’ve prepared for (she did the cluster feeding the first week at home so I was feeding her every hour which was exhausting but the feedings have spread out now and she is now sleeping about 2-3 hours at a time). Everyone keeps telling me the first few weeks are the hardest so we are pushing through and saying lots of prayers to get us through the tough days. If anyone tells you the newborn stage is easy, tell them to call me with tips and advice- ha!

MUST HAVE BABY ITEMS

There are so many baby items out there now that I felt like I needed everything before Scout arrived. There are lots of things you can definitely live without and then there are the items that have saved my life as a new mom! Below I am sharing the items that I have used over and over again and couldn’t live  without these first few weeks!

If you plan on breastfeeding, these nipple shields seriously saved me from almost throwing in the towel on breastfeeding the first week. They made all the difference in the world with helping Scout to latch on easily at every feeding and the pain of breastfeeding completely went away when I started using these.

I was so bad at swaddling that I got really frustrated when I couldn’t get the swaddle tight enough. Ryan is a pro and could swaddle with any type of blanket. We got these velcro swaddles as a gift that helped me tremendously when it came to making her cozy in her swaddle for sleep time.

At my baby shower, my hostesses gave me this Uppa Baby Cruz Stroller. I have used it every single day since we came home from the hospital! We got the infant snug seat insert so that we didn’t have to purchase the bassinet for newborns. We also purchased the Uppa Baby Mesa Carseat which is compatible with the stroller and inserts easily right into the stroller.

This portable white noise machine went with us to the hospital and we used it in the delivery room and also once they transferred us to our room after Scout was born. I would highly recommend taking with you to the hospital and now we use it for Scout’s stroller rides and in her bassinet for naps.

We purchased this Baby Bjorn Bouncer once we got home. I started doing the Moms On Call Schedule this week and for her 6PM feedings she is fussier, so we use the bouncer after her evening feeding to help get her energy out. My sister also swore by this and when her kids were babies she would sit it in her bathroom to watch them while she got ready for work. We also purchased this Baby Bjorn Carrier so we can easily carry her around the house while trying to get things done.

THE OTHER ITEMS WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:

This personalized embroidered swaddle blanket from Chicory Stitches is another favorite! I feel like every baby needs one of these, I mean the embroidery is too cute to pass up and large size of the blanket makes it easier to swaddle and can also be used as a normal blanket for when they outgrow the swaddle!

Our favorite clothing (pjs) for her tiny 6.9LB body has been the Kickee Pants Bamboo Cotton Footies. I did have to go out and buy preemie clothes when we got home from the hospital because the NB was too big. So, my advice would be to have a few preemie sizes on hand just in case.

THE BASICS:

Our favorite diapers have been the Pampers Swaddlers.

We bought tons of super cute paci’s but these NUK Newborn Pacifiers are the only ones that Scout will take!

This Finesse breast pump has been a lifesaver. Ryan helps with the night time feedings so that we can both get some sleep. I use this pump every morning after her first feeding to pump at least 2 bottles for him to have for the night time feedings which has helped tremendously! We use these bottles which luckily, she took right away!

I ordered the Snuggle Me Organic over the Dock A Tot after reading reviews. The Snuggle Me fits in her Moses Basket, and is super soft and snug. We also use it when I’m doing computer work in the den or watching tv and put it on the couch beside me for her to lay in.

I went back and forth on the bassinet and kept wondering if I needed the SNOO, but after 1 week home from the hospital we put her in her crib and she loved it! So, I am glad I didn’t spend tons of money on a bassinet (although I have heard wonderful things about the SNOO).  And I am glad I won’t have to transition her to the crib since she is already loving it! She takes all of her naps and bedtime is always in her crib now.

I will continue to share the things we are loving, and I know every baby is different so some thing I love may not work for others, but I hope this list helps new moms when it comes to narrowing their list of things to buy…because there is SOOO much out there for babies these days.

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