My Birth Story

I woke up around 4am on Monday, January 25 with mild cramps. They were very mild, just felt like I was getting my period, but they were consistent. I kept an eye on them for most of the morning and called my OB just to check in with her. She wanted me to go to the hospital to get checked out. I wanted to try and last at my house as long as I could but went anyways. They checked the fetal heartbeat and my contractions and everything was fine. They wanted to admit me then but the contractions were still very tolerable and not very close apart. So I went back home for a few more hours. About 5pm they were pretty unbearable. Looking back now I could have just hung out at the hospital for the 5 hours or so but I honestly didn't think they would get that strong that quick.

So off to the hospital we went. I was admitted right away and got set up with an IV and administered the epidural. Which by the way was not as bad as I thought it would be - a little sting and then some pressure of the meds entering in my back. The progesterone shots were worse! :) So at around 7pm the OB checked me and I was 9cm's - almost there! We started to push around 815. The RN that was assisting me through all of this was amazing. She got me in every position possible, answering all my questions (I always need to know how and why, haha) And we kept pushing, and pushing, and pushing...when finally it was about 945. The RN said that they don't normally have a women push for more than 2 or so hours because by then the baby is most likely not coming out on its own. I was worried that I was going to have to go in for a c-section!! At 10pm I was still pushing and the RN said that the baby's heartbeat was raising so we had to start pushing at every other contraction and put me on some oxygen. I needed to get that baby out in the next few pushes or else!

We tried one last position, which seemed to work the best. (It was like doing a crunch) The OB asked me if I wanted to use the suction thingy to get her out. It was that or c-sect so I voted for the suction...they also had to cut me! Uggh! But with 3 more pushes I had my baby girl in my arms. I was so happy, crying of course! I also have to credit my husband who was nothing but the best birthing coach. I couldn't have asked for anyone better!

The next day or two in the hospital went fast but it was a roller coaster ride that I was not expecting. By the second night I was SO overtired, drugged up for the pain, in SO much pain and trying to breastfeed. I realize now why a lot of women don't make it through the entire process of breastfeeding. Sitting up in bed all stitched up down there sucked, and add a newborn to the mix wasn't helping at all. I felt bad, she seemed hungry but she wouldn't latch on. And if she did latch on she wouldn't suck or she would just fall asleep. I had a lactation consultant help me and I also had all my nurses giving me advise and watching over me when it was time to feed. But even with all the help me and Mackenzie were still VERY FRUSTRATED.

Finally it was time to go home. I was thrilled to not have to lay in that bed anymore. That bed was killing me down there! hahaha When they wheeled me down to the car ( I had Mack in my arms) I was crying like crazy. Call it hormones, but I had every possible emotion running through my body at once. My husband didn't understand :)

The first night at home was rough too, but after that things just started to get better. I was feeling better, got some much needed sleep and Mackenzie was starting to latch on. My milk came in today which makes me VERY HAPPY. I feel like she is finally getting full filled with each feeding and sleeping for about 3 hours between each feeding. We had our first sponge bath today too and that went really well.

All in all it was an AMAZING experience, the good and the bad. I feel so lucky, so blessed to have this little girl in my arms and I will do nothing but love, cherish and be there for her.