The weeks leading up to Stella’s birth were extremely busy and we worried she would make an early arrival like big brother Jack, throwing a glitch in all our plans. It turned out we had nothing to worry about.....even after all the contractions and early labor signs, she proved to be happy just where she was in momma’s belly, while we made it through Mommy’s big test, Big Brother’s 2nd birthday bash, and my doctor going on vacation.…...and then a few unexpected events; Jack getting very sick and the very unfortunate situation of the bank getting robbed, I guess she knew something we didn’t and decided it would be best to stay put for a little while longer. After another two weeks of waiting and watching my due date come and go, we decided to go with the induction option my doctor offered. Not my first choice, but at 41weeks 2 days, we were ready and there wasn’t much more time she could safely stay in there anyhow. We had the induction scheduled for a week, so I of course hoped I would go into labor on my own before that, but as each day passed, I began to think more and more that Wednesday the 23rd was going to be the day. As you already know, it was, and looking back at it I honestly wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Being scheduled to be induced is definitely a very different feeling than the unknown of waiting to go into labor on your own. The day before the induction felt odd to Dennis and me, it makes you think a little more about everything you do that day. Giving Jack his bath and putting him down for bed was filled with some extra emotion that night. Sleeping proved to be difficult and it didn’t help that a batch of severe thunderstorms came through in the middle of the night! At about 6am I turned and looked at the clock – only two more hours until we can go to the hospital, I was excited the long night was over. Only a few minutes later my phone rang………it’s the hospital…..that’s probably not good I remember thinking. The nurse informed me that unfortunately all of the labor and delivery rooms were filled at the moment, and my induction would be further delayed until they had a room available (I would later joke that the storms must have scared out everyone’s baby except mine!)………talk about a disheartening phone call. I cried, Dennis had a few choice words, and then I decided I was tired enough to sleep for a little bit. At 9am Dennis came and woke me up with some sweet words, “honey, are you ready to go have a baby?!” My doctor had called and told us we could come in at 11am - what a relief!
We arrived at the hospital and were greeted by our awesome nurse, who as luck would have it had just started her shift at 11am. They monitored the baby for a short while, checked me (still hanging out at 4cm dilated) and then my doctor came in so we could attempt to break my water……..I was really hoping this would work so they could do as little other intervening as possible……..and it did! My doctor did also start me on a little pitocin to get things rolling, which after waiting around all morning I just kind of went along with this (and in the end glad I did!) Contractions started after about 15 minutes (its noon at this point) and quickly intensified over the next couple hours. My “birth plan” this time around was not to have a plan, because as I learned with Jack’s birth you are not always in control of what occurs during labor & delivery! I worked through the contractions mostly on the birthing ball with the support of Dennis and our two awesome nurses until I was almost 8cm dilated. It was nice to be able to move around and not be bed ridden for the entire experience. I then decided it was time for the epidural (it’s about 2:30 at this point) anesthesia arrived very quickly and soon I was able to relax and enjoy my birth music playlist I’d spent so much time preparing. I can’t say enough about the entire staff during our experience, they hung out with us and joked around for a little while and then told me to rest up for the big push (it’s now 3:15.) Well as it turned out there would be no time for resting, as soon as they left I began to feel like it might be time to push, my doctor came in to check me again – still at 8cm. Okay, again time to try and rest a little while........but as soon as she left I began to get the shakes and the sensation to push quickly grew stronger. Our nurse came in and checked me again and announced I was 10cm fully dilated! In only a matter of minutes I had gone from 8cm to 10cm and everyone began to quickly get things set up for the delivery. My doctor came running back in ready to catch a baby :) I began pushing at 3:45 and it was such an amazing experience this time. Stella Anne was born at 4:04pm after just 19 minutes of pushing! The nurses couldn’t get over how wrinkly her little hands and feet were, and joked she’d been in the bath too long. She was placed on my chest and snuggled with me for almost an hour before they took her to be weighed and measured and checked out. Dennis was able to cut the umbilical cord and helped with her first bath. We were surprised when she checked out at only 6lb13oz 19.5in - such a little peanut even with being overdue.
Stella was definitely worth the wait and in the end her timing was perfect - the whole birth experience was so awesome and Dennis & I have now been blessed with a healthy son & daughter. I guess this little girl knew a thing or two that we didn’t……..enjoy the slideshow of Stella – our little miracle.
