With Jack, my labor started with my water breaking at 38 weeks 1 day. My contractions never started so I did the whole thing on Pitocin which was very difficult, leading to an epidural, a long time pushing with an eventual assisted delivery, and a long recovery. With Henry, I wanted an all natural birth. Well, he was too cozy, so we induced 12 days past our due date. I did go natural, but had to have Pitocin again. With Ella, my goal was to go into labor naturally, labor without drugs and deliver her naturally. I am so excited that I had the experience I was hoping for!
The whole week leading up to Ella, I was having a lot of Braxton Hicks. On Thursday, they went on for a couple of hours and on a regular pattern. I told Matt to not get excited, and not to time them, but he secretly did. I went to bed, and they stopped. When I woke up Friday, I felt crampy. I told Matt, I think today is the day. I had this sense of calm about me all day. My body seemed to be preparing because I was spotting a little and my body was clearing itself out.
Luckily, I had a midwife appointment. I went in and the midwife decided to check me. The previous week I was not dilated and was 50% effaced. This appointment I was 1cm and 50% effaced, but Ella's head was super low. I measured 36 weeks, where the previous week I was 38 weeks. She was getting ready!
I got home and we went for a walk. Matt was super antsy for things to get going. I felt so calm and relaxed about it. We had lunch, relaxed and enjoyed a quiet day.
Around 4, I decided to run some errands. I had bought a couple of Christmas outfits just in case, so I needed to return those. I went to Carters and shopped around. I started getting more cramps. I bought my stuff. The ladies who worked there were surprised I was 3 days overdue. They joked they needed to get me out before I went into labor! Little did I know, I was in labor!
I walked over to Target, grabbed some random things I had needed. I remember feeling more cramps and thinking, "this is it!"
I texted my sister and said I think Ella is on her way, called my mom to make sure they were close by in case it was time. I got home and told Matt I thought I was in labor, which was around 5:15. The contractions were building and coming pretty fast! We made a pasta dinner while I had contractions. They started to get more serious so we got our final things for our hospital bag. I started to really need to focus during the contractions. I knew I was only a 1 in the morning, so I was nervous to go to the hospital too soon. Matt was insisting it was time. My mom heard it in my voice, so they started to make their way to our house. Jack was asking, "Why is momma breathing like that?"
We left around 7. Contractions were every 3-4 minutes. They were super uncomfortable, especially in the car. We got to the hospital and checked into the ER. It felt like an eternity, and felt like every person there was staring at the lady in labor. Finally we made it up into labor and delivery. I had tons of contractions on our way up, so we skipped triage and went straight to a room. They checked me at 8:30 and I was a 4 and 50% effaced. They hooked me up to the monitors which was not fun, because I was experiencing a lot of back pain and it hurt to sit. I continued to labor, and had a lot of back labor. I worked on swaying, standing, and working through each contraction. Matt was awesome throughout. The midwife came in and we chatted. Contractions seemed shorter but were still coming quick. They checked me again at 11ish and I was a 5-6 with 80% effacement.
The midwife filled up the bath tub for me to relax in. I got into the tub and the contractions became very difficult. At that point I could feel a lot of pressure. The midwife could sense that I was moving through transition. She insisted I get out. I felt like I couldn't move. She said that she had birthed a baby in a tub that small, but it is hard. Finally, I got out of the tub, onto the table. She examined me and I was complete!
The urge to push was crazy! I pushed and my water broke around 11:35. It was crazy!
I pushed a few times and Ella came into this world at 11:46 p.m. on January 2, 2015. She was so tiny and perfect! She came out pink and healthy, an answer to so many prayers.
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| Ella was 6 pounds 15 ounces and 19 inches long |
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| Checking out their new baby sister. She was smiling |
I can't believe we are now a family of 5! I knew my heart was full of love, but it just exploded with love again for my sweet Ella Rose.
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| First Picture as a Family of 5! |
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| First Bath! Look at all that hair! |
We love you Ella Rose, and we can't wait to watch you grow! Thank you Lord, for a healthy baby!
