My baby girl is almost 2 weeks old. I decided I should stop hogging her to myself.
Anyways, our baby girl is finally here. I can't believe I am writing this already, because I thought about how it would go for so long. And it wasn't how I thought it would go at all... Sorry if this is long and very detailed... you can skip down to the cute pictures. I just don't want to forget it.
Here is how our baby girl entered our lives.
Monday, April 9: We went to a weenie roast at Grandma Brown's house. My feet and hands started to swell up pretty bad, but we figured that if it hadn't gone away by morning we would call the doctor.
Tuesday, April 10: Woke up and still completely swollen. I sat in bed thinking that this would help. Lying in bed, I realized I wasn't feeling her move. This freaked me out. She was normally quite the acrobat. I called my doctor's office to report my swelling and the lack of movement. They told me to go straight to labor and delivery to check the baby and they would also check the swelling.
I arrived at the hospital about 12:45. They admitted me and put the monitors on my stomach to make sure she was doing fine. I texted Anthony who was freaking out... wanting updates every 5 minutes. They said she was doing fine, but my blood pressure was off the charts. I had been having problems with my blood pressure the last few weeks, and this is what was causing my swelling. They monitored my blood pressure for about 2 hours and the nurse came in and said, "Looks like you are buying your ticket to being induced." Uhh, what?! I thought this was just a routine stress test and they would send me home soon. I texted Anthony and he left work and came right over. Around 5:00 the nurse came in and said the doctor was going to induce me.
I called my mom and they walked me into my laboring room, Room 105. The baby hadn't dropped at all, I wasn't dilated at all, and I was probably 25% thinned. I wasn't really looking forward to long labor ahead of me . I was basically starting at ground zero. The nurse came in about 6:00 and inserted some medication that was supposed to soften my cervix. It had to stay in for 12 hours. After 12 hours, they would start the pitocin.
Wednesday, April 11: Well, the medication started my contractions around midnight. I can't really explain what it felt like, but it hurt... I got no sleep that night. Around 5:00 in the morning the contractions were full blown labor contractions lasting about 20 seconds and were 1-2 minutes apart. I thought for sure I would be at least dilated to a 5 when the nurse came in to check. Well, 6:00 rolled around and she came in. I was at a 0, the baby hadn't dropped and it didn't soften anything! I was basically in labor without any progression.
At 6:30 they started pitocin. They offered an epidural, but I said no. If I would have known the outcome of my delivery, I would have gotten one! This made my contractions very regular. They last about 30-45 seconds and were 1-2 minutes apart. We practiced all of our training. The breathing, the positions, the walking, the relaxation... I am so grateful we took the Lamaze classes. My mom came around 7 and we just waited. The pain was so bad I was in tears, but Anthony was such a strong coach. I would have gotten an epidural if he wasn't there. There is no way I could have done it without him.
At 8:30, the pitocin was being administered at the highest level. The nurse came in. Nothing. Nothing had happened.
9:00 the doctor came in. This wasn't my doctor. My doctor decided to spend Spring Break with his family at home so he was not available all week. The doctor said we had 4 options:
1. C-Section right away.
2. Stay on Pitocin for another 9 hours. See what happens, but probably get a c-section at 6:00 pm.
3. Send me home to labor on my own. But probably get a c-section tomorrow.
4. Start another round of the meds to soften my cervix and see where we are tomorrow, with a 50% chance of having a c-section.
The doc left and let Anthony and I have some time to talk it over.
This was my WORST nightmare coming true. I was planning on going completely natural and not wanting to be all drugged or my baby being drugged. This was so much worse... I started freaking out. Hyperventilating, sobbing...
Once I came to terms with our situation and explored all the outcomes, we decided a C-Section would have to suffice. I am so grateful I went with this option...
9:30: The anesthesiologist came in and asked a bunch of questions, and left. The nurse came and said my real doctor heard what was happening and decided to come do the surgery himself! I was so relieved. I love my doctor and I am so grateful he cared enough to come see me. He knew my birth plan and knew that I was really struggling with what was happening.
10:00: I went into the OR and they gave me a Spinal Block. This made my whole body numb. I have never had surgery so this was really weird. Anthony came in and sat by my head. Then the doctors poured in. Of course Anthony stood up and watched the whole thing...
10:34:
Amelia Nicole Brown
made her first appearance
7 lbs 10 oz
21 inches
We stayed at the hospital until Sunday. We enjoyed many friends and family. I also loved spending 8 straight days with my amazing husband. I couldn't ask for a better support system.
I know a c-section was not what I planned, but I am very grateful for that option. When she came out, we learned that her cord was prolapsed (the cord was trying to exit before the baby.) If I would have tried vaginally, it would have been an emergency c-section with a lot of scarier possible complications. Her head was also quite large and wouldn't have fit. They found that my hips are very narrow and it just wouldn't have worked out.
Anthony's sexy suit
I look kind of out if it..
My mom and Ron watched from outside.
We had so many visitors. So many people to greet our little angel into this world.
(Sorry if I fell asleep while you were visiting... I was a bit tired)
We are so in love with our baby girl. She fits with us so well and I am so glad she is ours!!
