--so if you don't want to read a birth story---stop reading now--come back another time=)
On Sunday Feb. 12--about 2 weeks before baby's due date- we went to church that morning and I wanted to just listen from the atrium area..just didn't really feel like sitting thru the service--having some braxtyn hicks (I thought) but not often and just felt blah. I talked to my sis (the experienced mom of 5) and she told me not to get too excited and that I would make it to my 9am ob appt. the next day just fine and would most likely be disappointed to find myself still at a 3 or maybe 4. So I decided to take a nap after church and see if these "contractions" went away. Well they didn't but I was able to sleep and the contractions were still 20 mins to an hour apart so I didn't really think much of it. I figured "Who knows this is my second? Maybe I will have contractions for days!" SO that evening we went to my parents for dinner (yeah no cooking for me!) and we had chili (important because my hubby thinks that was the clincher=). By then I was starting to admit that these hurt. I remember having to stop talking multiple times during dinner to breathe thru a few strong ones.
I know this sounds silly but I still wasn't even thinking about going to the hospital--didn't think we were all that close. SO we went home and I did a Thomas the Train puzzle with the Mover and my Hubby laid him down. About the time we laid him down (9:00ish) I decided maybe I should actually keep track of the time on these guys. Within 10 minutes the contractions went from 15 mins apart to 2-3 minutes. I found the only position I could handle was on the floor on all fours. But oddly I still wasn't really stressed- I think it was God. Hubby called my parents and my brother and sister said they would come stay with the Mover. At this point I think Matt was sure they would send me home still. So they drove over and we grabbed our stuff and took off. We arrived at the hospital at about 11pm ish. I remember when they checked me, the nurse asked my pain level and I said- 7.
She asked about pain management..this is where it was a little hairy...see I had determined in myself that I didn't want an epidural...but didn't so much share that with my Hubby ekkk. I knew it would stress him out so I avoided. Now here I am in labor trying to decide...I felt bad not going with my Hubby but I felt like I could do this. So as we were talking about it, the nurse checked me. I was at a 5 and 99% effaced. She told me the doctor on call would be their soon- so I decided to wait and decide on the epidural then. I would get it if I hadn't progressed. My nurse was super supportive and AMAZING! And my Hubby let me know he would support whatever I decided. So they moved me to a room, got me a birthing ball--which did wonders--, and started trying to put in a IV. Just as protocol in case I needed fluids. Well, that was not going well..poking, prodding, digging...took my mind of the contractions at least....well a little=). so doctor arrives...about 15 mins after we go there and checks me. I am at a 6.
She breaks my water and HOLY CRAP I had no idea how much that would intensify the contractions! I remember I was getting off the bed to get back on the birthing ball and had my first "post water break" contraction and I couldn't move-- I was holding on to the nurse for dear life! But it pasted and I got off the bed and on the ball and nurse #2 started attempting an IV--no luck...now #3 nurse from the ER came up to try--nope...I remember them talking about calling in one of the life flight guys. That's when I told the nurse...or really just said to anyone who was around...that I thought I was gonna poop...about 2 seconds later I pushed...I remember saying that I couldn't stop pushing and apologizing! I think I was apologizing because I was sure I wasn't at a 10 yet and I was doing something wrong! But I don't remember anyone answering me- they just herded me onto the bed. I remember yelling at the point that it hurt so bad and remember the doctor reassuring me and saying, "I know I know" Then I told Hubby I couldn't do this and he said he could see the head! I was shocked I had no idea that it could happen so fast!! People were running around the room grabbing stuff and I was pushing away! Probably 2 or 3 contractions later baby was out! I do remember she had to cut me a little because her shoulders were stuck and I remember that hurting...I thought even then, "How can that little cut hurt when I am popping out a 6 lb baby!? But it did!
So baby is out and I hear the nurse (the wonderful one who I feel deserves payment as a doula as well) "she, she, she"..in conversing with the doctor and then my hubby asked ," so what is it!!??" I guess they kind of forgot to tell us! IT'S A GIRL!! SO exciting!
Then I learned that pushing out that placenta hurts like having a twin that is just a little smaller=) whew!
It was 11:15pm when we arrived and by 12:15am Liberty was out in the world! It was crazy fast and amazing. My hubby did great and I think he was pretty proud of my mad skills too=).
Well the story extends for the next few days of "stuff" but that is the actual birth story..and surprisingly I could have made it longer=)! Thanks for listening. We are so blessed by God's gift to our family and I am so excited to get to know this sweet little girl!
