I made it to 39 weeks this time before our new baby girl arrived. Here are the details but remember that there may be too much information. If you really like details, remember that there is
Xander's birth story and
Josie's birth story too.
I had my weekly doctor's appointment on Friday, February 10 and was told I was still only 1 or 2 cm but was finally 50% effaced. The doctor asked if I'd like my membrane stripped but I declined since I was not yet overdue (and it sounds uncomfortable and might not do anything anyway).
I had already started maternity leave at school so spent a typical day with the kids, getting a small break while Xander was at school and Josie went to the sitter. That evening was supposed to be the usual weekly Pizza and Game night but we substituted frozen pizza and Beauty and the Beast. After the kids were in bed, Chris and I chilled with G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. I started having contractions while sitting there but didn't think they were anything new so decided to ignore them.
On Saturday morning, Chris woke up to head into work extra early, as in 3 am. By the time he left, I was having contractions again but didn't say anything. I did think it was weird to have contractions while laying in bed because they usually go away when I lie down. I did manage to go back to sleep until 6 when Xander and Josie woke up. Ugh! I was not happy especially considering the contractions were still there. They weren't strong and there was plenty of time between them so I wasn't panicking yet. I did call Chris to let him know.
By 8 I was a little panicky. Most of that was due to not wanting to go to the hospital and find out it was false labor. But the contractions were about seven to nine minutes apart even though I could walk and talk through them. So I called everyone on the list of sitters to see who was available to watch the kids (all of them!) and told Chris he should probably head home. I called the doctor to check when I should go in and was told I could stay at home a little longer if I wanted.
At 11 I gave in to the pressure (haha) and was having to stop and breath through the contractions that were coming every five minutes and lasting for thirty seconds to a minute. We dropped the Xander and Josie off with a neighbor and headed into the hospital. We went to the hospital in town this time so the eight minute drive was much easier than the thirty minute drive to the previous hospital.
This entire time I was timing my contractions using the timer on my phone, I would just hit the lap button when a contraction began and ended. Every time I turned on my phone Chris would ask "Is that another one?" with eager glee. It was rather annoying.
Also annoying was the oppressive heat of the day. The high was 31 but it was probably only in the mid-twenties when we headed to the hospital. I complained at home about how hot it was and was walking around barefoot. I was ready to roll down the windows during the car ride. When we arrived at the hospital and I was told to go ahead and change, the first thing I did was take off my boots and socks again. I do not understand the repeated suggestion to have socks in case my feet get cold during labor and delivery.
Back to the story. I was in for observations for a limited time because plainly I was having contractions (Chris loved watching the monitor and comparing the peaks of each contraction, "Oh, that one only went to 60, the last one was 70!") and I was dilated 4 cm. I was admitted and taken to a delivery room.
At this point Chris (noon?) was starving and begged off to get food from the cafeteria. He returned in due time with a burger and fries. I was okay while he ate the burger but then the smell of fries hit me and I made him leave. He must have inhaled those fries because he returned in about one minute.
My contractions were coming about three minutes apart and I would have to squeeze Chris's hand to make it through without crying "Owowowowowow" like a little girl. It's nice that I can whisper his name and he'd dart across the room, hold out his hand, I would grab on and squeeze with everything I had and he wouldn't even wince. I had already been given an IV (I think I was even on my second bag because the first was soaked up like water on sand) so the nurse asked if I'd like some drugs and I said yes, please. They worked immediately and I became almost giggly as I said "Wow, that worked fast."
Now the order of things get sketchy for Chris and I. I know the doctor was around and the nurses were checking in with her. I know that my water broke, maybe around 1:30? It wasn't a huge mess this time. I know the anesthesiologist was in and out and finally had the results of the blood work to put in my epidural. They checked and I was 7 cm so I was given the go ahead for the epidural. Then the process of the epidural seemed to take forever. I was bent over and fighting not to move during contractions and repeatedly told "You'll feel a small prick." But then it was done and I was able to lie down and relax.
Except that it still hurt! Well, the contractions felt infinitely better but suddenly there was pain shooting across my lower back in time with the contractions. So I found myself clutching Chris's hand and trying not to whimper again. Then I was 10 cm and waiting for the doctor.
Two pushes and our little girl joined us.
Hannah Hope
8 lbs, 7.9 oz
20 inches
February 11, 2012
I was able to hold her for the first minute or so. Chris and I were both a little worried because she was so purple! Since the doctor and nurses weren't concerned, we tried not to be. Soon enough she was bright pink and red. They whisked her away for cleaning, measurements and such on the other side of the room and Chris followed. I really thought Hannah was going to be my biggest baby yet, but she was lighter than Josie. She looked like she was chunky and long but only came in at 20 inches.
The best line of the day was Chris, after following the nurses and Hannah around for fifteen minutes, blurting out "Are you done yet? I'd like to hold her." And he did. I didn't think he was going to hand her over to me and he said the only reason she did was because she was already rooting on him.
I was able to hold her again and she took to nursing like a champ. I was told we'd go to the hospital room when I could walk but that took two hours because the epidural was given so late and took so long to wear off. That's ok, my sister-in-law was able to visit right away and was excited to be the first one to hold Hannah. We eventually made it to the new room and were able to relax a little.
