Birth Story

Doug took the kids to go look at yard sales. So instead of cleaning, I am going to do this :) I had an appointment on Wednesday morning and found I was 4cm dilated, 90% effaced and -1 station. They asked if I wanted to have my membranes stripped on the next appointment but I declined because I have heard it is very painful and not a guarantee. I still felt it was going to be a while. That morning I threw up and felt nauseated most of the day. After we got the kids to bed, I started cramping around 8:30. I honestly just thought I was getting sick. Anyway, they started hurting more than I thought they should so we started timing them. Lo and behold, every 2 minutes. By the time we found someone to watch the kids and head out, it was 10 o'clock before we made it to the hospital. They checked me and I was still the same that I was that morning. I was dissapointed. I figured they were going to send me home again. But they said since I was contracting that frequently, they wouldn't send me home and if I didn't start making progress they would break my water. I wanted to do this whole thing completely naturally so I was a little frustrated about that. After about 45 minutes of contractions, I asked them to check me again. I was not handling the contractions as well as i thought I was going to, and wanted to make sure they were doing something now. I was at a 6, and was very discouraged. I know now that that is not bad progress for 45 minutes, but in the moment I could not see it. Anyway, after a few more contractions I begged Doug for an epidural. He knew I wanted to try it naturally and was torn between helping me do what I wanted to do and what he knew would help. The nurse who had been helping me said that she would check me again just to make sure. I was at a 9. I said, "Oh crap." The midwife said "What?" I said, "Now I have to do this naturally." She said, " I thought that was the plan all along." Haha, I didn't think that was funny. I started pushing and my water broke. There was meconium in her bag and they wanted me to push on the bed. At this point I was standing next to the bed. I tried to get up onto the bed but it hurt way more, so I said sorry not happening. And they started to put towels down on the ground. Yup, I was that earthy chic. I pushed again and felt that ring of fire sensation they talk about but it felt wonderful to push. Two pushes later she was out and I had delivered my baby next to the bed. The best part was that I didn't tear or get an episiotomy. Recovery was a breeze. She was born at 11:06 pm and was 7lbs 2 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. She is so little. It is wonderful! I'm sure that had a lot to do with not tearing, too. She, like her siblings before her, had some wheezing when she was born and spend an hour in the special care nursery. The meconium turned out not to be a problem, thank goodness. No, we do not have a name. Yes, we know that makes us bad parents. I have never actually left the hospital without a name before. I forgot the wonder that is babies. I love everything about her. I love her smell. I love every sound she makes. I love cuddling her. I could watch her for hours and wish sometimes that she was my first again so that I can actually do that. My kids are doing great with her. I told Doug we should have 8 more of them and I honestly wasn't kidding at the moment. There is something magical about babies. Anyway, here are some pictures


Here she is with her proud big sister who loves to hold her as long as she isn't crying


Can't get enough of her baby sister


Here is the proud big brother



My sister Nicole who was a pro with her. Cami, on the other hand, much prefers older kids. They both came to visit me while at the hospital and it was great. This is the first baby I have had surrounded by so much family and it has been wonderful to share the joy with everyone


Here's the angry newborn picture! The hospital has a lojack system for the babies. Step past a certain area and a huge alarm sounds. It was pretty interesting. Anyway, name coming soon. We are almost there!