My last check up before her due date was April 29th. They checked me and I was dilated 5cm (WHAT?) I didn't even think this was possible...to be THAT dilated and NOT be in labor? Not even having one single contraction? Tania (my midwife) said since I was as dilated as I was, they could break my water and I would go into labor. I wanted to give myself the chance to start labor naturally. So we decided that if there was still no baby, we would go in on Saturday and let them break my water. Saturday morning arrived and still no baby; so we headed into the hospital. We got there about 11:30am, they broke my water around 1:30pm and sweet little Ava Adele was born at 6:08pm. She weighed 7lbs 9oz and was 20 inches long.
After they broke my water, Reese and I walked around the hospital for about an hour allowing my contractions to start. And boy did they start! Once they started, they escalated hard and fast. I had wanted to have a natural birth with Hollis, but he came out posterior and the pain was just TOO much to take. I ended up getting an epidural. My labor with him was 18 hours, I pushed for 3 hours and my recovery time took months and months. So I really wanted to try this whole natural thing again. After about three hours of being in labor, the nurse checked me and I was only at a six. Mentally I was defeated. I thought to myself that this was going to be another long labor and quite frankly I didn't know if I was up for all that again. I mean, I checked in at a 5, how could I only be at a 6 three hours later? Tania encouraged me to get in the shower for a little while. I was so relaxed under the hot water I really thought my labor had slowed down or even stopped. I confided in Reese that I just didn't think I could go through with this without an epidural. He said he would support whatever decision I made, but he encouraged me to let Tania check me before I made my decision (I had prepped him months in advance to say that to me!).
Tania checked me and said I was at a 9 and if I felt like pushing with the next couple of contractions I was all green lights to do so. She gave me a shot of Stadol and mentally I was back on track. The next half hour was the most excruciating half hour of my whole entire life. I have NEVER felt so much pain EVER! I screamed and I cried...LOUD...yes, I was THAT girl. [I was told later that there was a first time mom in labor that was already scared to death to have a baby. She was walking the halls and got to my room, heard me screaming, turned back to go to her room and burst into tears. She ended up getting a C-section. Poor thing! ] After pushing for 15-20 minutes, my excruciating pain was quickly replaced by sheer joy. I did it...we had done it...she was here! When they placed her on my chest, I was so overwhelmed with joy, gratefulness, pride, love, excitement. It was one of the best moments of my life! The day my daughter was born! Reese was my rock through the whole thing. We had an amazing day. Without his strong, gentle support Ava's birth would have gone much differently.
After they cleaned her up, Reese went and got Hollis from the waiting room. He walked in with a pink balloon attached to a little pink dolly. He looked so eager and excited to meet his little sister. It was like it all clicked for him when he saw her! Daddy introduced them and he reached out to touch her. I thought my heart would burst! Friends for life! Hollis said, "Ava! She came out of your tummy!" After a few minutes, he and daddy left to get the rest of the family. I could hear him yelling, "Come meet my baby sister!" He loves her so much!
2 comments:
What a great birth story!! Can't wait to meet her!
So sweet! Glad everything came together and worked for a natural birth. That's my plan, but we'll see.. :)
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