A lot of friends want to know how everything went with the birth, so here it goes. Three weeks before her due date, I was already dilated and effaced quite a bit. Talk about wanting that baby out! All the painful contractions every night made for a month-long labor of sorts. I was tired, sore, and frazzled. I was really, really surprised that she didn't come sooner. Mom took me to my last appointment on my due date last Thursday, and I had a sinking feeling that I'd probably end up going another week before they'd induce me. I didn't want to be induced initially. I went in to visit with one of my midwives, she stripped my membranes for the second time, this time finding I'd had a tough adhesion attached to my cervix, which was probably keeping my water from breaking on its own.
Another item of concern appeared, my blood pressure was higher than they wanted. It was odd because my levels had been amazing throughout the whole pregnancy. Candidate for preeclampsia, my midwife said they'd better send me to the hospital to be tested and monitored. She prepped me by saying if my levels weren't down to normal in an hour, they would need to induce me and have the baby that very day.
I was excited at the prospect of not being pregnant anymore, but I also started to internally freak out because Chris was in a seminar for work until 3:30 and I didn't know if I could get hold of him in time. He was dutiful, had his phone on vibrate, but didn't answer the first attempt for 5 minutes, so I had a good silly, irrational cry in the restroom before he called me back and I told him to get down there pronto.
Chris hurried down from Johnston as fast as he could. A little side note, a little miracle - that morning on his way to work, his gas gauge was registering on "empty" (which never happens! He's awesome about keeping it full). He was thinking, "Oh, I'll fill it up after work at the gas station next door." But something prompted him to risk a few minutes being late to work to just fill up right then instead. Now we realize what a blessing it was that he did fill up, because in the rush of the moment, he would have forgotten the gas situation, gotten stranded somewhere along the highway, and probably not made it down in time to go in with me before the birth.
My mom waited with me and Westley in the waiting room at the hospital while we waited for Chris. My dad also was able to get away from work to come and wish me luck. The three people I rely on most were there to help me prep for something I was terrified of, and I knew that Heavenly Father was giving me comfort and peace in preparation. Westley's birth went so fast and hard, I hadn't had known what to expect with him, so it seemed a lot less scary than this time around. Knowing what is coming does not necessarily make things easier! You think you're prepared for the world of pain that comes with childbirth, but it took me by surprise again. :)
Chris came in the nick of time, and we went in and were admitted by 1:30. My blood pressure levels were still bad. By 2:15, they'd broken my water and put me on a Pitocin drip. Because I had to have the drip and because of my elevated BP levels, the midwife sadly informed me that I would not be allowed to move around off the bed, and couldn't use the whirlpool bath. My birth plan had to go out the window. I was disappointed, but you do what you have to for the health and safety of your baby.
It wasn't too bad the first hour. The contractions came on gradually as they gently increased my dose of Pit. Chris and I were laughing and playing a card game of Monopoly Deal for that first hour. It was a great memory... before the contractions started to get painful. :P They hit harder and faster than I liked, obviously the Pit doing it's job.
I was super uncomfortable, begging my nurse to let me sit on the very edge of the bed. Melissa was her name, and I've never met a better example of an angel in the flesh. She kept telling me I was doing an amazing job and tried super hard to keep me comfortable. I had an accident and she helped half-carry me and the mess to get cleaned up in the restroom. She kept me warm, held my water cup for me, helped me stand up in the restroom, and did so many little acts of kindness and tenderness for me. I was in so much pain half the time I couldn't even vocalize what I needed. I know that was hard on Chris because he was trying so hard to comfort me and relieve some of my pain.
So I'd planned on not having an epidural again, going natural like I did with Westley. They said if at any point I changed my mind, I could have one... And presented another option of an IV narcotic called Fentanyl that I could use as a back up if I needed to take the edge off. About two and a half hours into the contractions, I could hardly keep my head on straight, the pain was so intense and I was just barely getting by with my relaxation and breathing exercises. I could feel my consciousness working so hard on keeping calm and trying to relax, but I wasn't progressing at all. Every time they checked, I was still only at 3cm. Talk about disheartening when you're feeling so cruddy! I started for the first time to panic and feel totally helpless. I cried in Chris's arms, "I can't do this, I can't do this, I'm not strong enough!" Last time, I felt so confident, so in control. Not so, this time. :)
I asked Melissa if I could please use the Fentanyl. As soon as she added it to my drip, I felt the relief. It allowed me to rest for the first time in between contractions. I thought I was still aware of my surroundings, but Chris had an entire conversation with the nurse that I have no recollection of. All I remember was the first wave of relief and the feeling that everything was going to be okay now. About five minutes later, though it seemed like hours of restful slumber, I felt the urge to push.
I had a wave of comfort wash over me, and I had the distinct impression that Chris's Grandma Turvey was preparing our little one to come. I thought that was odd at first and tried to dismiss it as my imagination, but that feeling became stronger as my body did it's job. The state of being between this world and the next is so frail. There really is a thin boundary separating us from our loved ones who have died. They are aware of us and want to comfort and guide us until we can be physically reunited again. It made sense that Elarie and Grandma would be close, since we wanted her to have a Welsh name and to have the middle name of Angela, Chris's mom who passed away. Grandma Turvey and Angela were both born in Newport, Wales.
So, the IV drugs were a good idea, because within five minutes I dilated from 3cm to 7cm! I was in "transition phase" before they could even get the Midwife there. She had gone down to the office across the street for a little bit, hearing that I'd only progressed to 3cm. The nurse called and told her things were rolling and she might want to come back. I had that familiar feeling, and told Melissa they needed to hurry the midwife because I couldn't stop the urges. She gently told me I needed to try really hard to wait. Pffff! You try telling your body to hold on to something it is determined to expel violently! Haha. I tried so hard to hold back, but couldn't for very long.
I told Melissa I was so sorry, but couldn't stop. She kept saying, "I know, honey. I know you can't, but you have to!" She called the midwife and said, "You'd better hurry up, she can't wait!" In two minutes, I felt the baby crowning and screamed that she was coming. They pulled in a neighboring physician who was available with a team of nurses to stand in place of my midwife because this baby was coming! My midwife, Sea, got there just as Elarie's head was showing, threw on a suit and gloves, and looked ready to catch a football. She gently told me when I could push, but I didn't need any coaching, I knew what to do. :)
I felt in control suddenly for the first time throughout the labor. It was a much more gentle time pushing that it had been with Westley. Five or so pushes and I was holding this coughing bundle of a fat baby on my chest. She was born three hours after they broke my water. I hardly tore, and only had to have a stitch or two. And my, she was a big baby! Westley had been born two weeks early, and he had been 7lbs 12oz. Elarie, coming right on her due date, was 8lbs 9.4oz. Her head was a lot bigger too. I looked up at Chris, only to find him sobbing with joy and saying she was so beautiful. That moment will forever be etched in my memory as one of the most beautiful ones of my life. We can't stop being in awe of her sweetness and the blessing of being her parents. She has the LONGEST fingers, toes, and arms. She has a future in women's basketball and piano playing. :)
I appreciated our hospital staff so much. The nurses were sweet and accommodating. The facilities at Methodist Hospital were comfortable and the Gluten Free food was really good. I ate like a horse and a half the whole time I was there. About a half hour after labor, I was ravenously hungry and ate as much food as I could stuff in my face for hours and hours. It was pretty comical. We really enjoyed the visits from my family in the evening, and from my friend Adena and her husband Ross. Adena and I had our baby girls the same day at Methodist, so we enjoyed being sleepless, new-mommy hospital buddies!
We were discharged after two days. I have only had two instances of the "baby blues" so far, luckily. One was when we left the hospital, and one right before we got home an hour later. Lots of sobbing, and feeling silly about it. But ever since we actually got home, I've been peaceful and enjoying my little ones immensely. Westley has dealt with the adjustment really well. He wants to be helpful with the baby, giving her kisses and rubbing her head, getting diapers, clothes, and wipes for me, etc. We've only had a few times when he is jealous of her. He's a very good big brother. We just have to watch him right now because he came down with a bad fever yesterday. Chris took him to Urgent Care and found out it's a virus. He loves the baby so much, it's been hard to keep them separated.
Thank you to our friends and family who helped with prayers and support. And thank you to our friends from church who have brought us delicious meals this week. It was so nice to have one less thing to worry about!
More movies and pictures to come from Elarie's first week!
Love to all,
The Wymans
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| Enjoying Sunday morning snuggles with my babies |
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| Proud to be a big brother |
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| Enjoying snuggle time with Uncle Tyler |
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| And Uncle Cory |
