Olivia's birth story

This may be somewhat lengthy and if you don't want to read it I won't be offended but I always love to read birth stories and for obvious reasons.... This one is my favorite.

I went a little mad at the end of pregnancy and a lot of it was my own fault. I was so uncomfortable (who isn't at that stage?) and all my friends had already had their babies...I was so ready!!!!! Steve's family came out the day after Christmas and that made if even worse because I wanted her to be born before they left so that they could meet her....this made every single day seem like a year!! But...she came at the perfect time.

The days leading up to her birth were spent with the family going on long walks, walking up and down stairs, and even getting manicures and pedicures with the girls! (we chose pink as to let this little girl know we were ready for her!!) sheesh I even went shopping and walked all around the mall to try to get her out!!(me..at the mall!lol) my midwife even told me at my appointment that she didn't think I would make it through the week..she was right. However, when she told me that I kept waking up in the morning telling myself that today was the day...resulting in the days going by even slower.

Thursday the 30th.. I was finally convinced she wasn't going to come anytime soon and I was somewhat okay with it. That night the family all went to eat at this delicious steak and seafood place. We had a great time. Then The family wanted to go to the movies so they all went and I wet home.. I was just too tired. Steve came home a little after 11 and we both got ready for bed. I was laying in bed waiting for him to come in and turn off the lights. As I was laying there I heard strange noises in my tummy and I remember thinking "what is she doing in there?" and then I knew I better stand up...and sure enough my water  broke. And it was just like the movies show it... It was a great big gush...wow!! Sorry if thats tmi! Lol anyway.. I called steve in and told him. I think I was a little in shock but couldn't help smiling... This meant that I was most definitely going to have my baby!!! Yay yay yay!!

I called the hospital and they told me to come in within the next 2 to 3 hours. So Steve hopped in bed... I got together the rest of my hospital bag and hopped in the shower (only after feeling like my water had broke again.. And just as much! Sheesh!) My contractions started arou d 12:45 and i could def tell a difference from the false labor i had been feeling all week long. Then I woke Steve up and we got to the hospital a little after 2:30am. They hooked me up to the heart monitors etc... Checked my blood pressure etc.. And then told me to go walk around until 5:30 when she would check me and see how I had progressed, and see if I really was in labor.

My contractions were getting closer and closer together..about every 2 & 1/2 minutes apart and they lasted about a min each. They kept getting stronger. I felt them a lot in my thighs and then it would switch and I felt it more in my back. By 5:30 I didn't need the nurse to tell me I was in labor... I KNEW I was in labor. A 5:30am I was dilated to a 5. I felt like I should have been farther than that so it was a bit discouraging. She put me up tp the monitors again just to make sure the baby was okay etc... And everything looked great.

At 6 I hopped in the bathtub because I wanted to relax a little bit. It was a rough bath. By 7 I was almost screaming because the contractions were coming so so close together. We weren't timing them at this point but I know they were less than 2 minutes apart. I couldn't get any relief. This was where I had had it. I told Steve "I don't think I want to do this anymore" and by that I meant.. Try to have her naturally. I didn't want to feel this way anymore. I was in complete agony. Steve called in the nurse and told her that I wanted the epidural. She came in and I was bawling. Steve asked me if it was worse than I imagined it would be...most definitely!!!!

We now had a new nurse because the shift a had changed..and I loved this nurse.. She was the BEST! Her name was Kelly. During this time I was hooked up to an iv and pumped with fluids. I was struggling to get through the contractions. They asked me if I wanted any pain meds while I waited but I said no.. My body responds really well to pain meds and I didn't want to feel "out of it" so I kept suffering. Then our old nurse came in one last time and told us that we might not be able to get the epidural because he was working with another patient first and that he had a scheduled c-section at 8am. I almost screamed...and I know I started to panic!! I didn't want to do this. I was done....I couldn't think about how I was going to get through this. Steve was so supportive through all this. He asked me at one time to describe the pain...and I coukdnt do it. It was more than I could possibly. My mom described it later and I think she hit it right on. It feels like your soul is being sucked and squeezed out of you...yes that and so much more. (I hope I'm not scaring anyone...I don't mean to! And for some women maybe the pain is more bareable.) and I have to say that I have SO MUCH RESPECT for those of you who have your babies naturally... I really do, its amazing what you do! I mean it!! I really didn't think I was going to make it...8am came and I still hadn't received the epidural and I figured it was too late. I was also feeling a lot more pressure and I was afraid.. Once again panicking (seriously panicking) that it was going to be too late and I would have to start pushing soon. Panic... Really!

Fortunately around 8:15am the nurse and the anesthesiologist came in! They walked in on me screaming through a contraction. They waited until the contraction was over before they started the process. Steve was holding my knees and I was bent somewhat over him for stability. I asked the nurse.. What am I suppose to do when my next contraction comes? She told me that I MUST hold still. Hold still? Are you kidding me?!?!?! I told everyone that I would need a lot of encouragement..and they all did such a great job. I had to hold still through 3 more contractions and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I couldn't believe it. But they were all very supportive. After the medication started working I felt 3 more contractions but barely and then the pain was all gone. Finally some relief. Next the nurse checked me and I had made it to an 8!! I was so proud if myself.. I had made it I to transition and I was proud. I felt okay with everything..especially simce the pain was gone. I fell asleep for the next hour. It was heaven!! I did have a couple of issues with blood pressure at this point but they seemed to manage it fairly easily.

Around 10am I was dilated to a 10 but the baby wasn't quite ready to come out so we waited...until around 11:15 when the baby's head was only half an inch inside. She was ready to come!! I pushed for a little over an hour..but it seemed like 10 minutes. It was the most calm and comfortable experience. It was just me, Martha my midwife, Kelly my Nurse, and Steve. We talked about church, families, Chicago, and so many more topics all while I was having a baby! It was nothing like the movies with all the drama...it was just calm and relaxed. I loved every minute of it, especially since all I could feel was pressure and not pain. Honestly it was so enjoyable?! Love love loved it!!

I remember martha saying...okay with the next set of pushes this baby is going to come out. I was so excited and anxious and I just started to cry. I had been waiting for this moment for my whole life!!!!!!! The other ladies almost started to cry as well. It was so tender. Ands then the next contraction came and I pushed...and out she came! It was the most unbelievable experience. I couldnt believe that this human being had just come out of my body! Ah!!! She was very blue but quickly turned pink and her little cry was so adorable. I loved every moment of it. They took her right out and put her directly on my chest and we bonded. Her cute daddy was there too and here we had our own little family. I remember looking down and going into a little bit of shock as I saw her come out of my body! WHAT?!?!?! Now I look at her and think... how did you fit in there? (I guess that explains why I was so uncomfortable!) The nurses kept telling us how beautiful she was...but words didn't describe just how special she was to us. Our own little girl. Our little Olivia.

Within the first hour of her life both Steve and I got to hold her. I also got to feed her...first experience with nursing was actually pretty good. We were so proud and our phones were going off like crazy as all of the family wanted updates and pictures!!

She is such a blessing in our lives. We love her more than I could have ever imagined. She is our miracle, our little Angel sent to us from heaven and we couldn't be happier!