When September 12 finally arrived I was so excited. I was scheduled to be induced on September 13 and was going in the night before to prep my cervix. I ran a bunch of nonsense errands trying to keep my mind occupied. Even though I was so excited to finally meet our baby I was really freaked out about labor. My parents flew in that evening. It was so awesome to have them here. For some reason I was a little too concerned about Koda being lonely ha ha. She will always be my Koda-baby I guess. It took a lot of stress away knowing my parents would be staying with her (they feed her table scraps so she was in HEAVEN).
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| The nurse suggested sending the hat that Raelyn wore right after birth home so Koda could check it out. I feel like it kind of backfired because she cried all night until my mom let her sleep in her room. She slept with the hat in her mouth all night. |
Filling out paperwork at the hospital
The pill they gave me to prep my cervix started very mild contractions. They asked me if I wanted something to help me sleep and I 100% SHOULD have said yes. But I thought I could sleep on my own. Once hooked up to the fetal monitor it showed Raelyn's heart rate staying in the 170-180's which is a little higher than they like to see. They were guessing it was because I was dehydrated. So they hooked me up to an IV...there went any chance of me sleeping because I basically stared at her heart monitor all night.
I was excited about all my contractions but I only progressed to a 2. At 5:30 am on September 13 my nurse brought me a light breakfast and I took a bath. She told me to be ready to start the pitocin at 7:00 am. At 6:59 I walked out of the bathroom to find my doctor waiting for me to break my water. I had no idea they were going to do that. I'm kind of glad I didn't though because I definitely would have over thought it. My water breaking was very strange and contractions picked up immediately. They then started the pitocin and within minutes I had strong contractions about 40 seconds apart. It was exciting for about 5 minutes and then I wanted to know when I could get an epidural. Unfortunately the anesthesiologist was busy prepping people for morning surgeries so it was about 1.5 hours until he showed up. 30 minutes before he came my nurse had me sit at the edge of the bed all hunched over and waiting. She thought he was coming any minute so I just sat there for 30 minutes. That was the worst part because contractions were really painful and I didn't like sitting like that. I was scared of the epidural but it was seriously no big deal. It was weird but definitely a relief. I was pretty nauseous so they gave me something for that as well which knocked me out. It was the best nap I had ever taken. For the past 5 months I struggled with a pinched nerve in my thigh and back pain which made it difficult to sleep and I couldn't feel any of it! My nurse brought in "the peanut" which is the same material as an exercise ball..but it looks like a peanut. This goes between your legs while laying on your side and helps open your pelvis.
I was excited about all my contractions but I only progressed to a 2. At 5:30 am on September 13 my nurse brought me a light breakfast and I took a bath. She told me to be ready to start the pitocin at 7:00 am. At 6:59 I walked out of the bathroom to find my doctor waiting for me to break my water. I had no idea they were going to do that. I'm kind of glad I didn't though because I definitely would have over thought it. My water breaking was very strange and contractions picked up immediately. They then started the pitocin and within minutes I had strong contractions about 40 seconds apart. It was exciting for about 5 minutes and then I wanted to know when I could get an epidural. Unfortunately the anesthesiologist was busy prepping people for morning surgeries so it was about 1.5 hours until he showed up. 30 minutes before he came my nurse had me sit at the edge of the bed all hunched over and waiting. She thought he was coming any minute so I just sat there for 30 minutes. That was the worst part because contractions were really painful and I didn't like sitting like that. I was scared of the epidural but it was seriously no big deal. It was weird but definitely a relief. I was pretty nauseous so they gave me something for that as well which knocked me out. It was the best nap I had ever taken. For the past 5 months I struggled with a pinched nerve in my thigh and back pain which made it difficult to sleep and I couldn't feel any of it! My nurse brought in "the peanut" which is the same material as an exercise ball..but it looks like a peanut. This goes between your legs while laying on your side and helps open your pelvis.
After the epidural... now its time to wait!
I guess it really works because I was progressing a lot faster than they thought I would. My nurse originally guessed that Raelyn would make her grand entrance late evening but by noon she was guessing late afternoon. I was having my good friend Summer take pictures during the birth because she is a photographer and labor/delivery nurse. How perfect is that?? I called her to tell her that the estimate for starting to push was 3:00 pm. She was coming at 2:00 pm to get set up and get some pictures before. At 1:30 pm I started getting really really nauseous with each contraction. Before the contractions were hardly noticeable with the epidural but now they were super strong and SO much pressure. I called my nurse in to ask for more nausea meds and explained my symptoms. She said that sounded like I was actually ready to push. She checked me and I was fully dilated and she could see Raelyn's head. Now I was REALLY nervous. My nurse told me they usually do practice pushes before the doctor comes but she said not to push because Raelyn was ready to pop out! Luckily Summer was in the parking lot and my doctor was in the building. We snapped a few pictures as my doctor was getting gowned-up and we were ready.
They explained pushing to me but I was so SCARED. So with the first contraction i totally faked it and didn't really push. How stupid is that? Well I finally manned up and started pushing. Aubrey recommended that I use a mirror so I can see what type of pushing worked. That just freaked me out more. Instead I gripped Bradyn's hand like we were going to arm wrestle and each time they told me to push I would basically arm wrestle him. I don't know how it worked but she just popped out. (I had also read that using a towel to play tug-a-war works pretty well too).
My doctor was cheering me and all of sudden the pressure was gone and my stomach was empty! Such a strange feeling. Hearing her little cry and seeing that little pout was the sweetest moment of my life.
They laid her on my chest and I could not stop crying. She was so tiny and perfect and everything I had ever wanted.
I love my sweet little Rae-Rae and feel so blessed to finally meet her. When I think back to the pain I felt a year ago all I can feel is my heart ready to burst rather than ready to break.
My sweet momma brought me Cafe Rio all the way from Utah. (They do allow that through TSA!) Cafe Rio has never tasted better! YUM!
My doctor getting ready/ Anxious soon-to-be parents pc: Summer Lily Photography
My doctor was cheering me and all of sudden the pressure was gone and my stomach was empty! Such a strange feeling. Hearing her little cry and seeing that little pout was the sweetest moment of my life.
pc: Summer Lily Photography
They laid her on my chest and I could not stop crying. She was so tiny and perfect and everything I had ever wanted.
pc: Summer Lily Photography
I love my sweet little Rae-Rae and feel so blessed to finally meet her. When I think back to the pain I felt a year ago all I can feel is my heart ready to burst rather than ready to break.
pc: Summer Lily Photography
Birth Stats:
Time- 2:42
Weight- 6.16 lbs
Length- 20 inches
My sweet momma brought me Cafe Rio all the way from Utah. (They do allow that through TSA!) Cafe Rio has never tasted better! YUM!
The hospital stay flew by! I honestly don't remember a lot of it. Because the pushing stage of labor was so fast Raelyn's stomach didn't get emptied of the amniotic fluid. She puked every time she ate. Plus with trouble latching she really struggled with her weight. I definitely overreacted about this but I blame that on being sleep deprived ;) Bradyn was at school for most of the day but I loved my one-on-one time with Raelyn to bond.
Finally it was time to go home!
Look at this nice Jaundice tan ;)
Koda loves her little sister!
We are so lucky to have such supportive parents, family, and friends. Raelyn got some extra love and cuddles when Grandma and Grandpa Bishop got to come out for a visit as well.
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