Toward the end of my pregnancy I was starting to get a little uncomfortable. However, I was still able to be really active. I was walking every day and still doing all my household chores. Despite the constant pain I was in, I felt great! At about 36 weeks, I decided I was ready to be done. Each time I went to the doctor I kept hoping he would tell me it was time. Unfortunately, they would just tell me, "wow! she is so low. i can't believe how far down she is!" Then, at 38 weeks he told me that I was 80% effaced and 2 cm dilated. At my 40 week appointment I was convinced that I was not having Ellie for another week. So, the night before I unpacked all my hospital stuff and re-washed all of Ellie's clothes.
We went to the doctor on March 14 at 10 am. They told me that I was 100% effaced and 2 cm dilated. So, I was thinking we would have to come back in a few days. But, then the doctor said very nonchalantly, "So, do you guys want to have a baby today?" Both of us responded with a surprised, "wait, today??" We were told to go home and get something to eat then meet the dr at the hospital in an hour. As we rushed home we called everyone! Once I got home I realized that this is what I have been waiting for. I took a long shower, vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen, and repacked all of the hospital things. Andy gave me a blessing and I was much calmer after that point. We left the house, went to Sandwich Tree (our favorite sandwich place in Idaho Falls), and went straight to the hospital around 1130.
While we were getting settled at the hospital my mom, megan, and amanda were scrambling to get up to Idaho. I'm so grateful that they were all able to be there! It was such a blessing to have family there. My mom got on a plane right away to Salt Lake. Then, my mom, Megan, and Amanda drove up to Idaho as fast as they could (despite getting lost once!).
At 1130 I checked into the hospital and got into my wonderful, spacious room. Around 1230, I got changed and they started me on an average dose pitocin. Then they broke my water a half hour later. Once they did that, things went fast- TOO fast. All of a sudden I was having really intense contractions. They realized how sensitive I was to medicine. So, they slowed down the pitocin big time. The nurse said she had never seen anyone that was so sensitive to such a low dose. Things got better after that, but still moved quick. After a couple hours, i was dilated to a 3-4. Then the nurse came in 15 minutes later and explained that she knows that I was just checked, but the dr insisted that I be checked again right then. She said, "I'm sure nothing has changed, but the dr told me to". Well, thank goodness for our dr!! I was already to an 8. So they rushed the anesthesiologist into the room to give me an epidural. I was having a lot of contractions, so I had to stay laying down for the epidural. I warned the anesthesiologist that I was a lightweight with medicine, so he gave me the absolute lowest dose possible. Immediately after the epidural, my whole body was shaking. I tried so hard to control it, but I couldn't. Apparently that is normal. It was freaking me out. All of a sudden I got super hot and felt like I was going to pass out. My blood pressure dropped to 70/48. That lasted a few minutes and the nurse was able to talk me through it. The anesthesiologist did everything he could to lower the dose, but it was already low.
Anyway, I finally stopped shaking after about an hour. I fell asleep and couldn't feel any contractions anymore... it was GREAT! The nurse came in at 600 and said it was time to start pushing! The whole time I was pushing, I was thinking, "is this really it? I thought it was supposed to be hard and I am supposed to be screaming". I was having a great time though! My dr was making me laugh the whole time and we were making jokes between contractions! It was a very pleasant experience.
7 lbs. 12 oz. 21 in long!
Meeting my little girl.
First family photo
Grandma Miller
Aunt Megan
Aunt Amanda
such a good daddy!
going home on 3-16
We just love our little Ellie girl. We have so much fun with her. The whole experience at the hospital was wonderful. My doctor, dr.leavitt, was amazing! And the hospital, Mountain View, exceeded my expectations!
yay! keep up the posts! especially ones that make childbearing seem pleasant! :)
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see you & meet ellie in 2.5 weeks! weee!