A Birth Story: Avery Abigail

 

Little Avery's birth was such a smooth, positive experience...I'm excited to share it before I forget all the details. Although, once again, if squeamish this might be a no-no post for you :-) Here we go!

 

 

I didn't sleep well that night, unfortunately. The usual late pregnancy thing; hot, uncomfortable, restless. I attempted to go to bed around 1 AM but was still staring at the clock at 3:18AM. I finally dozed off but woke up again around 4:30 from what felt like a big kick from the little lady (same thing with Aili's birth). I got up to pee and noticed I was a little crampy. We'd gone out to the Melting Pot the night before and I figured I'd just eaten way too much and had yucky tummy. I was so sleepy and just wanted to go back to bed, but didn't think I'd be able to get comfortable enough. So, I paced instead. I tend to like to pace a lot when in labor. Once I thought I *might* be in labor, I decided to put on a swim suit just in case I wanted to get in the tub. 







 

 

Mom and I checking to make sure I had everything I wanted at the hospital in my bag.



 Mom and Jeff were convinced I was in labor after watching me pace around the halls, but I still wasn't. They started calling people like my dad to come get the girls and I was getting nervous because I wasn't sure I was in labor and was going to feel really stupid if I wasn't and we woke everyone up for no reason. It then occurred to me that I could check my own cervix and then know if it was labor or not. It wasn't the world's most accurate exam, just a quick check, but it felt like 7/90/-1 (7 centimeters dilated, 90% effaced, and minus one station). At least that's what I told Jeff. Really it was more like 8cm, but I thought "maybe 7" might buy me a little more time at home before he forced me into the car for the hospital. We woke up Aili then because I wanted her to help with labor support and be a part of the process before dad and Sigrid came and got her. She's very maternal and I think she'd make an excellent labor nurse/midwife
someday :-)

Aili helped by pouring warm water over my stomach during the contractions. For awhile it was just us, and I had a painful one, and I just said, "Aili, Aili, pour faster!" She did great :-)

Dad and Sigrid arrived from visiting Aunt Aimee in Anacortes. Perfect right? Everything so far was going awesome, they were much closer than if they'd been at home in Redmond. I had them come in and visit for a bit while I was in the tub.

Dad and Sigrid get
here to grab the
kiddos

The girls wanted to pick some flowers before leaving. At this time it was almost 7am and we were getting ready to leave for the hospital. I'd texted Steph to let her know so she could meet us there and then it occurred to me that I hadn't yet hot glued a pearl to her going-home headband. So, I plugged that in and got to work. I made a mental note not to forget to unplug it before leaving...that would've sucked.

 

Next came some cul-de-sac walking before getting into the car. I was nervous about the car ride and worried it would be really painful if I was forced to stay somewhat still. I really like to walk during labor.

 

Say cheese....My mom took a picture of Jeff and I before we left and then we were off. My dress is a little wet from the tub.

 

The car ride actually wasn't bad. I laid down on a pillow on mom's lap and just relaxed. I just went to my happy place. Every time I would have a contraction that was more intense I would just imagine sitting in the hospital room snuggling my new baby and visiting with family and friends. Every contraction was helping to bring the baby closer. When we were getting to the hospital my mom asked me if I was still contracting. She thought I'd fallen asleep!

 

Once we got there I jumped right out and walked in. My mom said I looked like a mother cat about to drop some kittens, just looking for a dark corner to give birth. That's actually a pretty good description of how I felt. I really just wanted to get to the room and get comfortable. The pic below is me approaching registration. I was afraid they'd make me go to triage first and I did not enjoy that experience the time before. I just wanted to get to wherever we were going to be when I had her.

Buuuttt yea!!! They didn't make me go to triage. Jeff had called them ahead of time and let them know I'd checked myself and was advanced dilation with a history of precips, so the had a nurse and a room ready when I got there! Sooo nice. I checked in at 7:22 an they were all ready for me and had 2 nurses. We chatted as we walked down the hall. I asked why there were 2 and they said since they thought I'd go fast. A part of me was still really worried that i'd done the worst cervical exam of my career and they'd send me home or something, how the heck embarrassing would THAT be for a labor nurse?? But when we got into the room my water broke all over the floor, so I knew I as staying. Clear fluid too! No meconium! So, no NICU/RT and skin-to-skin directly after birth. So excited!

Checking out the room. I decided I liked all the people and the room, and felt very calm at that point. I felt a little bad because I didn't really want to do anything- they'd ask about an IV or urine sample, and I'd just say, "Well, I'd prefer not..." They were very accommodating though and really wanted to make it a good experience for us. So, no IV, no triage, direct admit, and delivery in my position of choice.  (Side lying this time. A different position for each kid) My nurse wanted to check my cervix, so I climbed up to let her. 

 

Complete and +1 station. Not feeling the urge to push though yet. Took only about a few more minutes and then I did though. We chatted with the hospitalist for a few minutes while we waited, she used to work at prov so we knew the same people. She was standing by for delivery while my doc was burning rubber trying to get there in time. He did too, with a few minutes to spare. 

 

 

The urge to push came soon after. Ouch. I think it was about 3 pushes to get her out. I felt everything. With the other 2 I don't remember as much, even though they were natural deliveries too, I think because the contraction pain distracted me from what was happening. This time I could really feel her head coming down, stretching everything, and then the stinging of crowning (unfun). I just thought, well, its supposed to sting, and that means I can push maybe once or twice more and she'll be here. I go half her body out and then Jeff wanted a picture (Doc had him glove up and help deliver her himself). I wasn't so accommodating of that though, I wanted her OUT.  

 

She's here! 7:42 am 6/8/13. 8/9 apgars.

 

The one above is my favorite, of Jeff and the doc delivering her and handing her to me. No tear! Not even a scratch! Good job boys. That news was like CHRISTMAS.

 

After the delivery I did bleed a little heavy, so I got an IM shot of pit in my leg and some methergine. Fun times.

8lb 4oz!! My smallest baby. But the doc and I both guessed seven and a half pounds, so a little bigger than we thought. Soo tiny compared to my other girls though!

Jeff giving her her first bath

 

 

Andie was very concerned about the cord. She thought it was an owey.

 

Such a good big sister. She is so maternal.

 



Going home! Got my ice, too :-)

 

 

 

 So happy and in love with my sweet little one. It really was the perfect birth. I am so lucky.
The recovery has been great, I feel fine, the cramping the first day sucked but I'm great now. I have porn star boobs though :-/
 Baby is a dream baby. She is easy peasy so far. I adore her.

Next up: An onslaught of newborn photos! Coming soon :-)