Wow. What a week!
Last week Sunday Mommy spent all day feeling "off". Mommy's tummy felt ucky, Mommy's back hurt really badly, and Mommy was just more uncomfortable than normal. It snowed for most of the morning. Daddy had to go to work for 2 hours to scoop snow, but Mommy did not allow herself to take a nap while Daddy left. Mommy hadn't slept well the night before and wanted to be able to actually sleep that night.
At 8 PM, Mommy was getting settled on the couch and felt a trickle of liquid. Mommy convinced herself it was just pee and not her waters breaking. Daddy started the bath for Mommy and we just sat in the bathroom and talked about what the next weekend would be like... what you would look like... what being induced would mean for us and you. Mommy convinced Daddy to give her a back massage after the bath since her back hurt REALLY REALLY badly. At 10:00, Mommy and Daddy got ready for bed. At 11:00 PM, Mommy got out of bed and tried to nest on the couch since she thought a change of scenery might allow her to find some sleep. Daddy decided that since Mommy was miserable and on the couch that he'd take up shop on the other couch in the living room.
Mommy started telling Daddy whenever her Braxton Hicks/contractions would start, stop and start again. They were the perfect showing of the 511 rule... 5 minutes apart, 1 minute in length, and it lasted for a full hour. At midnight, Mommy finally called the hospital and they asked her to come in to see if it has been her water that broke and see if you had decided it was time to join us. Mommy and Daddy scrambled to pack all the last minute necessities and took off to the hospital. The roads were slick in OC, but Daddy took it nice and easy.
At 12:30, Mommy and Daddy arrived at the hospital and went directly to Labor and Delivery. At 12:45 PM the nurse confirmed that Mommy's water had in fact broken. Mommy then had to get an IV put in. Daddy kept Mommy nice and calm while they put it in.
Mommy asked Daddy to put in the movie, "The Ugly Truth" to distract Mommy from the contractions. She wanted to go as long as possible without the epidural. Well... Mommy's a pansy and asked for the epidural at 3:00 AM. Mommy was only dilated to a 2.
Mommy then took a nap for a few hours while Daddy watched television. Daddy refused to take a nap. He told Mommy he needed to make sure both his girls were safe. At 6:30 AM, Mommy awoke to the smell of Daddy eating Cheez-its. Gross. Mommy put a quick end to that and made Daddy order an omelet a little after 7. At 8 AM, Dr Pals determined that Mommy was only dilated to a 3 and said she'd be back in an hour to check progress.
Daddy decided that since Mommy had only progressed 1 in 4 hours, that he could quick run home to let Tink out and feed the animals. He knew that at night he'd just want to be with Mommy in the hospital holding you and he didn't want to instead have to go home and clean up animal poop in the house.
At 8:30, Mommy asked the nurse if she could use the potty. The nurse helped Mommy to the potty and at the moment that Mommy tried going potty, your heart rate dropped quickly. The nurse practically threw Mommy on the bed. At 8:45 a nurse checked Mommy and we discovered that Mommy was at 8. Mommy immediately got ahold of Daddy and told him to hurry up. at 9:10, Daddy got back. at 9:15 the nurses had the room all set up for your arrival. At 9:20, Mommy overheard the nurses asking where the doctor was. at 9:23, Mommy heard "Dr Pals, to OB Stat" over the intercom. at 9:25 Mommy was told to lay on her left side and push when she felt the next contraction since you were facing the wrong way. The hope was that you would rotate if Mommy was on her side.
At 9:30 AM, Dr Pals attached the vaccuum to your little head and Mommy started pushing like crazy. Shortly after 9:40 Mommy was told that they could see the tip of your little head. At 9:43 Daddy told Mommy that your head was out. The nurses started yelling at Mommy to push and push now. Finally at 9:47 AM you were born.
Allison Jolene. You were welcomed in to the world on January 21, 2013 weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces. You were just 20 inches long. Mommy remembers the joy on Daddy's face as he told Mommy to look over to the warmer where they were wiping you off. Mommy started asking the nurses if you were okay. Mommy kept saying "Please let her be okay, she has to be ok. Is Allison okay?" Finally after what felt like hours to Mommy you let out your first cry.
Seconds later the doctor was explaining to Mommy and Daddy that Mommy has torn internally very badly from the vaccuum popping off once. Mommy told Daddy to take lots of pictures and take care of you before Mommy was put under so she could be stitched up.
Next thing Mommy knew, she was being helped off the bed and into a wheelchair. She was then wheeled to the post partum room. Daddy got the honor of carrying you into the room. The joy on Daddy's face warmed Mommy's heart.
Finally, Mommy was helped into the rocking chair in the room and FINALLY you were handed to her. You are perfect peanut. Everything about you makes Mommy's heart overflow with love.
It was after Mommy had been given a few moments to feed you and snuggle with you that she was fully informed of why delivery happened the way it did.
Allison, we're so lucky that you are here. So lucky that you are alive and well. Allison, your umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck. That's why your heart rate dropped when Mommy tried to use the restroom. That's why they had to use the vaccuum to get you out so quickly. That's why the nurses were all yelling at Mommy to push once your little head came out. That's why Daddy didn't get the privlege of cutting your umbilical cord.
Once Mommy and Daddy found that information out they both just sat there. stunned. amazed. overwhelmed.
In the 48 hours that followed, Mommy and you were 'stuck' in the hospital. Many people came to meet you. All of them were so excited to hold you. All of them decided that you are beautiful and perfect.
The first night home was a shock to Mommy's system. Mommy was an emotional mess. Mommy ended up having a break down during your second time waking up during the night. Daddy was wonderful and helped Mommy pull it all together to care for you. The fourth time you work up during the night, Mommy didn't fully wake up and instead of comforting you, Mommy started shaking Daddy asking Daddy, "Where's my baby?" Daddy helped Mommy wake up fully and helped Mommy take care of you again that time.
The second night home went a lot better for Mommy. Daddy was able to sleep all night (Mommy told him to sleep since Daddy had to return to work right away) and Mommy didn't have an overflow of emotions. Mommy was able to care for you like the rockstar Mommy she is.
When you were 5 days new, Mommy and Daddy took you to have a newborn photo shoot. The photographer posted the following sneak peeks yet that night:
More soon peanut.
<3 Mommy and Daddy
