It took me a while to get this written down. Not because it was difficult to write the story, but because I have been caring for and enjoying our little girl. Motherhood is the best. But it's hard. Really hard. But more on that in another post. 😉
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If you have been following along, you know that my due date was the 18th and that I thought labor would never begin. I was ready to be done with pregnancy and meet our little man or lady.
I went in for a checkup and they found that I was a few cm dilated and baby was in position, but I wasn't on the verge of labor as far as they could tell. Could start any time, could be days still.
The next checkup was scheduled for Friday, July 27th, when they would check fluid levels and baby's stats. Depending on what they found, possible induction would be discussed. That was not part of my "plan." I didn't have a birth plan written down; I knew that labor and delivery is different for every mom and that I needed to be prepared for anything. But I did have a plan in my head. We started praying specifically that I would naturally go into labor and not have to be induced.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
A contraction woke me up at 3 a.m. to visit the toilet.
I would not go back to sleep for over 24 hours.
I spent the day at home in varying positions, trying to help things along and stay as comfortable as I could in active labor. Haha
I think Paul was more nervous about the experience than I was... Sure, I had thoughts of, what if we don't make it to the hospital in time? and should I go get checked just to get sent home? But overall, I figured that my body and L&D would tell me when we should go.
As he walked out the door for afternoon chores, Paul made me promise to call him with as much notice as I could when we needed to leave. I kept him in the loop all during chores how things were on my end and what L&D was suggesting. Finally I took a shower to help my body and mind relax, then I got dressed and got my bag ready by the door.
Paul flew through the last of feeding calves and grabbed a quick shower before we headed out the door at 6 p.m. My water broke as I stood to walk out the door. Perfect timing or what?!
The ride to the hospital was rough. I thought I was going to have the baby there in the car. Thankfully we made it to UVM Medical Center and proceeded to check-in, I opted for the wheelchair and clung to Paul's arm as they took me upstairs. I had my eyes closed the whole time concentrating on breathing through the contractions that were close and quite strong; so I don't know how many people saw the moaning lady in the chair go by, and that's ok haha
After they got me in the room they started taking vitals and said that while I was in active labor, I still wasn't dilated too much so it would be a while still. I concentrated on trying to get in a comfortable position in between contractions, and then growling my way through them. I sat in the shower but the water was only tepid and didn't help ease anything. They had to give me IV fluids because I was so dehydrated (even though I had been slugging the water most of the day). After being stabbed more times than I want to think about, the IV team dude got it in and I sighed with relief. I am a hard stick to say the least; combine that with labor and I may have been a testy grizzly a couple times.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
In the wee hours of the morning, I knew that I was getting past the point of exhaustion. If I didn't get some rest soon, I wouldn't have enough strength to push when the time came.
(Remember, I haven't slept since 3 o'clock yesterday morning.)
After a short conversation with Paul and mom-in-law in between strong and steady contractions, I signed the papers and sat trembling on the edge of the bed to receive the epidural. Sitting completely still while in active excruciating labor is no easy task. But I made it through and when the drugs hit I was finally able to rest. I could still feel when contractions hit, but they were duller and manageable. After 24 hours, sleep felt glorious.
The rest of the time is pretty much a blur of nurses checking me, doctor in and out, Paul getting me ice chips and Popsicles...
Because of the epidural and the mostly loss of sensation in my legs, I was not allowed out of bed, but I switched sides and used the peanut ball to progress labor along.
Finally, about 3 or 3:30 in the afternoon I buzzed the nurse and told her she needed to call the doc, I needed to push. She smiled and gently patted my arm, "I'll have her come check you hun." When Doctor Lowell walked in she said, "I hear you want to push." I nodded and told her I felt ready. She checked and got the team into gear - we were ready to have this baby!
4:08 p.m., Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Our daughter, Clara Rae entered the world hungry, healthy, and taking everything in with her big beautiful steel grey-ish blue eyes.
To say that I was in-love is an understatement that only other mommas understand.
"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." - Elizabeth Stone
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