You were worth waiting for as your daddy and I struggled for a year to conceive you! You were worth waiting to behold that very first moment I laid eyes on you and kissed you! To your 10 toes and your 10 fingers forming, it was worth the wait. For your little body to form, it was worth the wait. I would go through waiting all over again to feel the joy of meeting you for the first time!!
So here's how the day played out when the wait was FINALLY over!!!
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Texts to daddy:
Me/8:11am-"Just had a contraction. Maybe 30 seconds."
Dad-"nice!"
Me-"Felt like some cramping/stomach pain and then slowly went away"
Dad/8:12am-"Cool!"
Dad- "Did you practice the relaxation techniques?"
Me- "Didn't need to this time. It was an easy one. Just looked at the time (8:10) and breathed through it"
Me/8:31am- "8:29-another contraction "
Dad/8:32am-"Uh oh!"
Me-"Nothing to worry about. They may not be consistent."
Dad/8:34am-"But what if they are? I should've taken the metro"
Me/8:35am-"Well I'll let you know when they happen so we can keep track. As of now it could begin, but doesn't mean she's coming immediately. Just tracking. And 19 mins apart for 2 of them is kinda spaced out. It's ok. We will figure it out if she decides to come today."
Me/8:43am-"8:40-contraction. They're not bad, but definitely noticeable for sure. Like stomach tightening and feels like it first did with Leeana. I'm laying down so I'm not encouraging anything to happen at least"
Dad/8:43am- "Yeah. Please wait"
Me/8:45am- "That's fine. We will figure it out if things begin. I'm going to keep laying down and relaxing for now and go about my day as normal and just keep track of what's going on"
Me/8:57am-"8:55-60 seconds"
Dad/9:07am- "Wow"
Me-"I'm ok. Just keeping track. I'll keep you updated."
Me/9:11am- "9:08 {contraction}. Okay, my water broke"
Dad-"Whaaaaaa"
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And moments later daddy was headed home to come and see you! He got to the door and said "We're having a baby!"
Daddy ran upstairs and began getting his bag ready to go, as Leeana and I finished grabbing last minute things. Within 20 minutes we were packing up the van and then sat and prayed in the van one last time as a family of 3, praying for your safe delivery. Then we were on our way!
We arrived at the hospital and Grammy was in the parking lot waiting! She helped us get inside as we got checked in and waited about 30 minutes to get to Triage. Once there, they confirmed my water did break and our labor and delivery room was ready! They gave us a huge room with a Window view and we loved it! At this point my contractions were anywhere from 6-10 minutes apart and I handled them like a pro! Breathed easily and relaxed myself, once done, I was back to talking and joking.
Soon after your daddy and I were able to start walking the halls and get things moving even more! Contractions were between 2-4 minutes apart. I was getting excited to know that meant you were getting closer to your arrival! The day was officially here, and the feeling was indescribable to know you were coming! Soon after your granddaddy showed up with food for daddy & Grammy, and that's when things got more challenging. The contractions were back to back! {6:30pm}
Your Aunt Lauren was racing the clock to make it there before you were born!! She arrived around 7pm, and by then, your pleasant mommy was gone. Contractions were tough, but I was determined to keep going! I wanted to push, but I was only 4 centimeters! I felt discouraged because things weren't farther along. Finally Aunt Lauren had arrived!!!
It seems as though your desire to arrive has set off my high blood pressure/hypertension during labor. The midwife kept encouraging me as I went through contractions, and they tried to control my blood pressure. The next two hours were constant contractions! It felt like I would never make it through this intensity, but one contraction at a time and I was one step closer to seeing you. Thankfully your daddy & Aunt Lauren jumped in to help massage me all over as I faced each contraction. They were tough, but they helped me to make it much more bearable. I kept thinking "why did I choose to go naturally? My body can't possibly do this! I want to push her out NOW!" And yet I knew I chose it because it was the best option for you and me! It was something that was so challenging, but felt like the greatest accomplishment of my life!! They kept trying to control my blood pressure with medicine, and yet one contraction I was fine, and the next it was high again. This was definitely not good for you at all, but they kept a close watch the whole time.
Around 9:20pm they finally checked to see how dilated I was since I kept complaining of wanting to push. Our midwife, Kelly, checked and we were 8 centimeters! She said that she wanted to tickle your head since your heart-rate wasn't jumping like it should during labor. She tickled, you did nothing. She tried again, no response. At this time they called in the OB on call, Dr Allison Brenner, and she came in to check as well. She tickled your head, nothing. She took out her hand and a huge puddle of blood was everywhere. I couldn't see anything (thankfully) but immediately your Aunt Lauren walked out crying. The OB mentioned how it's 5 times more than the normal amount, and we should discuss a possible c-section. By this time my blood pressure spiked to 191/101, and a moment later your heart-rate immediately dropped. {I had no idea it had dropped, but knew my blood pressure spiked}
Next second the OB says "we're doing a c-section now!" Within a minute I was out of that room and on my way to get surgery. Your daddy asked Kelly if he could come in and join, and she said not now but that she would come and get him. Grammy was crying, and I remember telling her as they rolled me out, "it's ok guys, I'll be fine!" I remember grabbing your granddads arm on the way out and down the hall I went. Clearly I had no idea what was really going on, because the nurses, OB, and midwife were all so calm.
At that time, Kelly had given daddy scrubs to wear, and said "change, and I'll be back to get you in a few moments." The contractions kept coming, and in the operation room I lost sense of "mimicking sleep/relaxation" as I was supposed to do. It was intense as each contraction hit and people were all talking calmly, but moving quickly to get things done. I remember one thing they said which felt impossible "you have to move yourself onto this table here." I was screaming through the contraction, but had to move quickly. I got on the table and the sheet went up, and I hear them say to me "hunny we have to knock you out" and immediately I'm in tears! My midwife asked what was wrong and I said "I won't be awake when my baby is born!" And she reassured me she would be with me. I asked "is my husband coming?" And she said "no." Of course I cry again because your daddy wouldn't be there, and I wouldn't be awake for your first cry. Next thing I knew, my midwife pinched my throat, and that was all I remembered. {later found out I was intubated} Little did I know how urgent getting you out was.
Minutes later, midwife Kelly, had gone out to daddy and told him "baby Olivia is doing just fine!" You had arrived at 9:36pm!!!! Daddy asked "ok, so what about my wife?" So she repeats "the baby is doing just fine. You need to be with your family right now and pray. Unfortunately I don't have any answers for you right now." She began to pull daddys scrubs off of him, and gave Daddy a hug as he began to cry. He went back to Grammy, granddad, and Aunt Lauren and told them what he heard and began praying. They had no idea what was going on with me at the time. About 30 minutes later, Kelly & then Dr. Brenner had come in to tell them that I was doing fine and let them know what happened. I had a placental abruption (the placenta separated) and you were no longer getting oxygen. When you were born, it took them about 5 minutes to resuscitate you, and they placed you on oxygen for a little bit until you were breathing on your own. It was hard for them to control my bleeding after you were born, but thankfully it was done! What a relief! Kelly said she had never had that happen before with any of her patients, and Dr. Brenner said its so rare that it happens, that she was scared. Thankfully they both handled it so well!!
Next thing, you got to meet some family! Your daddy was so happy to finally hold the little one who he anxiously awaited this whole time!
At this point I was in the post operation room, as I had to be there for 2 hours to make sure I was doing ok. I remember asking them if you were ok, and they had showed you to me after you were born, but I remember seeing everything so blurry, and hearing a baby cry. I was glad to know that you were okay, and with the family. Finally, it was after 11:30pm, and it was time to go back and see the family and my baby girl!
I arrived at the room, and hearing one of the family members say "is that Arielle?" And immediately I raise my hand up (my bed was being backed in, and it couldn't fit) and immediately granddad comes out and gives me a hug and kiss. Next thing, I see your daddy. He's never looked so happy to see me in my entire life! He can't seem to stop giving me kisses, and boy am I enjoying them! We get in the room and immediately they ask me, "do you know what happened in there?" And I say "of course, Olivia had to be resuscitated, but she's okay." And immediately they say, "no, do you know what happened to you?" And of course I say "no!" They begin to tell me and I was shocked! I had no idea because of how calm everyone in the room was before my emergency c-section.
Minutes later, they brought you in and wow, the emotions were overwhelming! Of course I cried! I was thankful to God for sparing both of our lives!!
I'm so thankful to have you here today, and that you were truly worth the wait! No matter what, I would give my life to save yours anyday! I love you Olivia Nicole!
Love,
Your mama
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Some pics during your hospital stay!
We love you sweet girl!
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