This is a long one…

It all began at about 4:00pm on July 7th, 2015. I went in for my last doctors appointment and we had agreed to do a membrane sweep to start getting this baby to move. I was a day short of my due date and my doctor was shocked that I hadn’t already had my baby. I had contractions at 27 weeks and was 1cm dilated, 50% effaced. I was told to take it easy and we both thought I would be having a baby earlier than my due date. Well, back up a few weeks, I was trying everything to keep this baby in while my parents were in Italy 2 weeks before my due date! Once my mom and dad got back and came up to stay with us (thinking I’d have this baby since I was feeling stronger Braxton Hicks contractions) I was then ready to have this baby. So, about a week before, I tried everything to get that sweet baby moving. I did oil massages on my ankles and other labor inducing points, I went on many walks, I walked the hilly golf course with my husband, and he even caught me mowing the lawn up the hill of our backyard when he came home from work one day. I was told scrubbing kitchen floors on my hands and knees would help. Well, all that helped was my husband’s OCD as we had a sparkling clean home!

So, on July 7th, after the sweep, I went on a small walk and then ate dinner with my family who was in town (except for my brother). Around 8pm, I started feeling stronger and different contractions than the normal Braxton Hicks. I knew it had to be it. From 8-11 pm I started really feeling them come on. My husband kissed me goodnight thinking he’d have to wake up and go to work in the morning. Boy was he in for a surprise when I called him on his cell phone from the bathroom at 2:30 am. I hadn’t gone to bed because I was in too much pain, squatting beside our bed to help reduce the intensity of the contractions. I was in the bathtub breathing my way through each growing contraction. I did just what I was supposed to..time them and wait until they were 5 minutes apart for an hour. He was still in a fog when I called him, so he wasn’t totally convinced I was in true labor because it hadn’t been an hour yet. I opted to call my mom who was just sleeping in the room next to the bathroom and told her I was ready. She got him, my sister, and my dad up and they hecticly got all our bags and things packed in the car. My sister, mom, husband and I headed to the hospital and checked in at 3:00am. Why they make you preregister at the hospital before you go into labor is beyond me. They still asked me what felt like a million questions before I could walk upstairs to the labor and delivery floor. My biggest fear was being told I wasn’t ready and that I would have to go home. I was so scared because at that moment it was the worst pain I’d ever experienced and I didn’t think it could get worse! When the nurse said I was 4cm dilated and able to stay, I felt relieved!

checked in and smiling through the pain

massaging my back & stomach (tennis ball came in handy!)

resting through the contractions (before the epidural)

the point where i gave up

I came prepared to do this thing naturally! No drugs, no needle! Well, after throwing up my tatertot casserole several times, not sleeping, and being in excruciating pain, I started to doubt myself and my pain tolerance. I tested positive for Strep B, which meant I had to have 2 doses of penicillin before I delivered or my baby would have to be monitored an extra day. At that point, waiting until 9:30 am seemed too far away. I was crying and finally told myself it was okay to go away from my plan. I needed sleep and the only way I was going to get any was getting an epidural. Before I knew it, the anesthesiologist was forcing me into a bent over position and telling me sternly not to move a muscle-mind you, during a contraction! Within minutes I was laying down and the epidural started working its magic. I was a whole new girl! I was able to sleep, play cards, watch How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, joke-which seemed like something I would never be able to do considering the amount of pain I was in! I no longer felt pain which was great but it also slowed down the process of delivery. 

 Time flew for me, but unfortunately not for my friends and family in the waiting room. After many hours, 10 to be exact (from when we checked in), I was finally ready to push! After I delivered, someone asked me how long I pushed and my reply was “20 minutes maybe?” My husband gave me a look like wow you are insane! He said, “Try 2 hours!” Apparently the drugs helped! It didn’t seem as long for me! However, when trying to brush my hair the next day, I couldn’t. I then realized the 2 hours of pushing resulted in my arms hurting so badly that I couldn’t lift them at all. After those 2 hours of pushing, my husband announced to my sister, mom, and me (who were all in the delivery room), that we welcomed a little girl into our lives, as my doctor handed this new born baby to me.

it was hard holding my breath while pushing – had to use oxygen & a wet rag to help

already has daddy wrapped around her finger

One very proud grandpa

  At 3:41 pm on July 8th, 2015, a 7 lbs and14 oz, 20 1/2 inch bundle of joy changed our lives forever. I never knew I had this love for someone until she entered my life. She is the greatest thing to come into our lives and I love her more and more every day.

happy Mimi

great grandpa

great grandma

[[Thank you to my lovely sister who took all of these photos. I am so happy I have these to look back on! I also couldn’t have gone through that painful, yet amazing experience without my incredible husband and mother. You two were my rock when I needed you the most. With one massaging my back and other my belly-you two made it possible to hold off on the epidural as long as I did. I’m so thankful for all my supportive family and friends who were there for us that day. We are truly lucky.]]