Welcome Parker Kenneth Jenkins

IT''S A BOY! Parker Kenneth Jenkins born Monday October 25, 2010 at 4:36 pm. He weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and is 19 1/2 inches long. Chest and head both 13 inches. Heart rate 120, great muscle tone, strong reflexes,very alert and active after birth.

My Labor: I woke up Sunday morning at around 8 am to get ready for church and lost my mucus plug. At or around 11:15 my water broke. I wasn't 100 % sure if it had broken because it was just a small leak. My friend Amanda was the one who convinced me that it had broken. Once I decided to believe her she came home with me and helped me pack a bag to take to birthing center since I never did that. At this point I was still having a hard time believing I was in labor 2 1/2 weeks before my due date. I didn't call my midwife to tell her my water had broken until about 1:00 and she did confirm that yes my water had broken. At that point she advised me to buy hipicleanse to keep myself clean to avoid infection and to get rest. Getting rest was the last thing I could do knowing that I was in the early stages of labor. I ended up going to Walmart and picking up a few last minute things I needed before the baby arrived. At this point only my friend Amanda and Alycia knew my water had broken. We had a family dinner planned that day and decided since I wasn't in active labor that we not tell anyone. Sorry everyone for not telling. We went to the family dinner and enjoyed some lasagna and than I left to come home to get some rest. I was extremely tired at that point so I laid down to get some rest. I only slept for an hour and woke up wide awake. I even took 2 Tylenol pm and it did nothing. When I woke up my contractions were very mild and felt like a light stomach ache. They picked up as the night progressed and were all over the place varying from 5-15 minutes apart lasting from 20-40 seconds. At around 2:30 they really picked up and were 5 minutes apart lasting about 35 seconds for 1 1/2 hrs.. I was trying to wait to call Donnellynn (my midwife) until they were a minute long lasting 5 minutes. I was feeling cold, shaky and nauseous so sent her a text to let her know and I got in the shower. She called and spoke to Blake and reassured him everything I was going through was normal. Since I was feeling that way she felt it was about time to go to the birthing center. Once she passed Watauga she called us to let us know we could head out. We arrived at the birthing center at 4:30 am Monday morning. She checked me and I was dilated to a 4 and two hours later I was a 6. My labor progressed very quickly in the beginning. I did the best I could to sleep between contractions until about lunch time when they started in my back. I got in the jacuzzi tub around 1 or so and stayed in for about 2 hours. I got out to take a break and get adjusted and got back in and I couldn't really relax anymore. I was dilated a that point to a 9 and stayed at a 9 for a few hours. I tried to push through contractions to help me go from 9 to 10, but for some reason I wasn't able to make myself push. Donnellynn said that she thinks I was just scared. I got out of the water for the last time and she asked if I wanted to try to get some sleep or just push our way to 10 cm. I was so tired at that point I just wanted to hurry and have my baby boy. I got in bed and we waited for a contraction so I could push. My first one came and they coached me through on how to push. They told me take a deep breath and hold it in and push and when I was done take another deep breath and push my heart out. I didn't feel like anything had changed but Donnellynn was there reassuring me the baby had moved we made progress. I got a 5 minute break in between contractions which was really nice since I was so tired. Next two sets of contractions I had pushed the baby almost to crowning position. Next push the baby was officially crowning...I know understand the ring of fire. I was trying my best not to scream but it was the worst pain ever...sorry to scare anyone. I was having a hard time relaxing with the pain and to help me get more oxygen to Parker they had to give me oxygen. I may of only pushed one or two more time and his head was born then the final push...whoosh out came Parker. That was the best feeling ever. I was still in shock that I had actually just had a baby naturally and survived! Blake and I were both crying we were so happy! Well Blake was actually crying from earlier but he thought I didn't know. Later he said he was crying because it hurt him to see me in so much pain. The pain was worth the reward! I love Parker so much I can't explain it, any mom out there can agree.

After the umbilical cord stopped pulsating and I delivered my placenta, Blake cut the umbilical cord. I was then officially not pregnant anymore! My pregnancy was super easy and it was fun at times to have a big belly, but I am happy not to have to carry the extra weight around.

I may have left out somethings about my delivery but its hard to remember every little detail. It has taken me three days to finish writing this post. I don't have any free time anymore, changing diapers and feeding him alone make up most of my day.

37 weeks

I had my weekly check up yesterday during lunch. Everything looks and sounds good! Parker's heart beat was just puttering away... he always gets excited to see our midwife! She always talks to him and tells him what a good boy he is for being in the right position. It's cute!

I had to have more blood work and my group B strep test this visit. Not fun but it had to be done. I should get the results for my group B strep test on my next visit. I took Vitamin C and garlic all week so we can hopefully get a negative test.

I didn't gain any weight and that alone always makes me super happy. Staying away from carbs and sugar is harder than I imagined. I figure if I continue to eat really good for breakfast, lunch and dinner a cookie here and there wont hurt! At our work charity event Bras For A Cause they had cake and the lady serving it gave me a big corner piece! I will post pictures as soon as I get them.

Today is Rachel's Baby Shower for Devin. I better run Tiffany and I have a busy day ahead of us!

36 week update

I went to see my midwife yesterday morning before work to have my 36 week checkup. Everything checked out good! I love seeing my midwife every week, she makes me feel very good about myself and always has something positive to say. I weighed in and gained 2 pounds in one week...that was my fault I cheated. Work was a struggle and I needed to get out and let loose. At the time the nuggets and fries and the Halloween Hershey kisses did the trick!

Food update...this is going to be really hard for me to accomplish! Since I am nearing the end of my pregnancy and Parker will be gaining the most weight the next 3-5 weeks I need to try to stay away from carbs as much as I can. High protein diet here I come. My first thought was I am having to do this because I am gaining to much weight. Donnellynn told me that right now the baby feels to be a really good size but she doesn't want me to go over board on carbs and have a big baby. I don't want a huge baby either so I will do my best.

This coming up week should be really fun and exhausting. Monday I have a breastfeeding class that I am really looking forward to, Tuesday scouts for church, Wednesday Bras For A Cause, my work is a sponsor. It's held at the Gaylord Glass Cactus. We decorated a bra...can't wait to see it on the runway! Curious you should come and find out what I am talking about! Thursday I have a relief society event at Church, always fun hanging out with the girls! Friday doctor and then NOTHING! Saturday is Rachel's baby shower for Devin! and Sunday we have a family dinner. I know I am really busy.

Tonight Blake and I are taking advantage of him not working the Rangers playoff game and going on a date. We have been trying to do something for the past 3 weeks and something always comes up. Next weeks post should be a good one...stay tuned

35 week update

I had my last 2 week check up with my midwife yesterday. I now will be going in every week until I deliver...I can't believe its almost time!

Everything sounds and looks great! My blood pressure was a little high but nothing that made them real concerned. I have just been very overwhelmed at work trying to train two new people and the morning before my appointment was a bit rough.

This past weekend I had a cold/allergies and was stuck inside the house all weekend getting plenty of rest. On of the midwifes told me to eat a tablespoon of honey and minced garlic to help prevent my cold/allergies from turning into a sinus infection.On top of that I was taking my vitamin C and Echinacea. After two days of that I was feeling much better. It wasn't fun having to force it down my throat but I wasn't about to start taking medicine this far in my pregnancy. I am now just stuffy in the morning and at night, nothing I can't live with.

Night time has been an experience. My belly feels so heavy at night especially when its time for me to go to bed. It's hard to get comfortable and if I want to flip over to my other side I feel like I am carrying 100 pounds. who would have thought 35 extra pounds made such a difference. I am super proud of myself I have made it this far in my pregnancy and only gained 35 pounds. I think over the last 2 months I have gained 2 pounds!

My emotions were crazy early in the week, I think mostly because I was tired and not feeling my best. It could be because I wasn't able to go to the gym too. Now that I am feeling better I plan on getting out and enjoying this nice weather and it's back to the gym Monday morning!

Birth Class #4

Last night we had our final birth class. It was over mother and baby care. We went over the basics for caring for our newborns. We touched base on keeping them warm for the first 24 hours, and what clothes we should have with us when we go to birthing center for them.We were told to keep a chart of when baby take a poop and urinates for the first few days. We also went over cord care, the newborn screening test, jaundice, and circumcision. Since we are having an out of hospital birth we are going to hire a Mohel (Jewish Rabbi) to perform the circumcision for Parker. I learned that we will have it done once Parker is 8 days old. Don't quote me on this I may not be 100% right but it has something to do with by the 8th day the babies blood can clot on its own. At the hospital they take the babies immediately and have them circumcised and have to put a jelly on them to help stop the bleeding. My midwife has watched this Rabbi perform many circumcisions and she said that it only takes about 7 seconds, and that the babies are done crying by the time they are dressed. I am dreading having to watch it :(


We talked about postpartum care for me! Lets just say that Blake has to treat me like a Queen! I have strict instructions to do nothing but rest and take care of Parker. Sounds easy but from what I hear you don't get much rest. We talked about keeping up with my diet and avoid all caffeinated drinks...easy since I don't drink caffeine now! I need to empty my bladder every few hours for the first few days, we talked about postpartum bleeding, whats normal and not normal. I have to check my temperature three times a day until my midwife comes to see me 2 days later. Oh and if I don't have any stitches I am to resume doing my kegel exercises on day 2....wahoo I get a one day break.


Overall the birth classes were great! I was a great review and nice to hear it from an actual person instead of just reading it in birth books. I have a great library of birth books if you need to borrow them. They are more targeted towards natural childbirth but great information either way.


I have a breastfeeding class in a few weeks and I am really excited and interested in learning everything I can about breastfeeding. At first I was hesitant to want to breastfeed because I have heard horrible stories. Now I cant wait for my chance to bond with Parker and hopefully I don't have any bad experiences.

Fun part about the classes was we got to meet couples that are experiencing all the same things we are. We all felt comfortable talking about everything since we all have the same wants, needs, and desires.