As I looked through old blog posts, I realized I never made a post about the birth of my sweet Emily Rose! So here we are, 8 1/2 months late.
Thursday, June 28th 2018. I was at work, and I remember thinking I was as miserable and uncomfortable as I had ever been in a pregnancy. My boss and a couple coworkers commented about how I looked like I was "done" or "ready".
When I got home, I just laid down. I couldn't eat, or sleep, or do anything but sit around. The kids enjoyed the freedom to eat and do what they wanted. I think I knew labor was beginning, but everything seemed so different than my previous experiences, and I did not want to get my hopes up too soon. I had an appointment the next day anyway, I just tried to rest.
I ordered Papa John's pizza for dinner, it sounded good until it arrived and then I didn't want it. I had barely eaten all day, but I wasn't hungry. Just miserable. I finally started timing contractions, and sent Jason a screen shot of the app I was using to track them. He asked if he should come home, and I told him to finish up. No rush.
I got the kids ready for bed, and we put on a movie. When Jason came home we told the kids we were going to the hospital and would see baby Emily soon.
Labor was slow and miserable. Again, I kept thinking that none of my previous experiences were like this at all. The nurses implied they might send me home if things didn't start picking up. I was angry, and discouraged. I thought maybe I should have waited at home longer or timed the contractions more consistently. After several hours, I was starting to progress so they asked if I wanted an epidural. I had really wanted to try for another unmedicated birth, and I wanted to say "no" but I had been miserable so long, and I just wanted rest.
When it came time for Emily to be born, my doctor was unavailable. The doctor on-call was the same doctor that had delivered Karleah! It was really interesting (I want to say fun, but let's be honest, labor is NOT fun).
As Emily started her entrance to the world, one of the nurses said "oh, she has a necklace!" it took a while to register, but I looked at Jason and Dr Hutchison and saw their focus. I knew that the umbilical cord was around her neck. When the nurses told me to try and relax, I flashed back to Nathanael's birth (my unmedicated experience.) I remembered how those nurses had told me not to push, and wait for the doctor, even though it had been less than an hour since they suggested maybe I wasn't really in labor.... I could NOT stop pushing, no matter what they said. Nathanael was born before I had been admitted, and before the room was prepped. The doctor literally walked in at the last second. With that memory, I knew why I had felt the need for an epidural. I know I would have continued pushing and she could have been seriously hurt with that cord wrapped tightly around her neck.
As I waited for Dr Hutchison to ease the cord from around her neck, I heard Jason and the nurses talk about my beautiful girl. I couldn't see her, and I was so anxious. I was feeling a little upset that I couldn't see her. When I tried to look, all I saw were her arms flailing around between my legs. (it's funny now... but not then) When my sweet Emily Rose was finally out, she didn't want to cry and take that big, deep breath they want to hear from newborns. This is mainly due to my bipolar medications. (I had the same experience when TJ was born, but my dose had doubled since then so I was a lot more nervous this time around.)
She never did take a deep breath, or scream out like we wanted, and I wanted to cry because I wanted to hold her so bad. I think I've made up for that now, because I hold that little angel every chance I get.
She is perfect and healthy and happy. She's fun and has such a sweet personality and spirit. Her single dimple on the right cheek gives me such a thrill. She is definitely a blessing to all that know her.
Emily Rose #emilyrose was born on June 29th at 4:24am weighing in at 8 pounds 2 ounces.
