Yesterday was quite eventful. My premie cousin got to finally bust out of the NICU and go home. A niece celebrated her first birthday. It was the feast day of St. Augustine (thanks Meg!), the troublesome son turned saint of the saint I chose at confirmation, St. Monica. Aaaand…our dear daughter was born.
At 4am I woke up with period like cramping. I took it as more Prodromal. I tried to get back to sleep, it was hopeless. When GamerDad woke up for PT, I let him know what was going on and that it was probably nothing again. When he got back I was still crampy and had zero appetite. That gave me a small glimmer of hope that it was the real deal. By 6:45 or so, I had breakfast ready and forced food down my throat just in case.
The boys and I did our daily routine, including homeschool. While sitting there, I got our youngest son’s school planned out to the end of his term. Plus, I added two more weeks of planning to our oldest’s while I was at it.
I decided to repaint my toenails since my pedi lasted all of one day. That made me pretty dang proud, 39+4 and I could still reach my toes!!! By this point it was 10 and the cramps stopped. This made me do my fingernails too. Why not?!
Before I knew it lunch approached and I fed the boys and I despite me still not wanting to eat. Nap was short lived and left me grouchy. I told our oldest I was in time out and he went right to the playroom with his brother. I love those boys!
At 2 or so irregular contractions started. Nothing exciting, nothing timeable. By 3:15 semi strong ones hit. Then they kept coming. Timed them at 3:30 and averaged one every 5-7 min by 4pm. I let a few people know what was going on and got Chicken Rotel in the oven (thankfully, I prepped that the day before). Once GamerDad got home (he got things worked out with our backup sitters on the way home as the primaries were out and that is ok!), they got closer. I was in zero mood to eat and let my guys eat as I prepped things for this morning between contraction. He saw me lean on the island and rock my hips back and forth. That totally cluded him that this was the real deal.
Somehow I managed to keep texting my doula and got the sitter to hurry it up a bit because I was on all fours at the ottoman at this point. I had tears in my eyes and swore I was howling. I do recall having a huge sneeze and a contraction that slammed on top of that. That is when it got even worse! Whenever I tried to stand, contraction. I kept to the floor. Eventually, I crawled to get my flip flops as my guys were in a flurry to get things ready for the sitter.
It took every ounce of willpower to get to the car (SUV…not fun) and get in. I laid down on my side, eyes clamped shut. I desperately wanted to be on all fours! We flew out of the drive as the sitter picked up our boys. Before I knew it, we were at the hospital and I was in a wheelchair. I hated that chair! Soon as I saw the triage bed, I went for it, got right to all fours, my head nearly whacking the foot board. I did not care.
The nurse pleaded for me to drop my shorts and turn on my side so she could check me. I swear I felt feral. No friggen way was I going to give up my glorious position mid-contraction! Again, I swear I howled/yelled. With her third plead I went to my side. Soon as she said I was complete I went on all fours again. She asked if I could walk or sit in that horrid wheelchair again. Newp! I felt the urge to push and pushed. My water broke, her head came out, and then I heard the plop as the rest of her came out onto the triage bed.
Somewhere in there my hubby grabbed the bags and my doula came in. No clue when any of that was. I’d also like to note that I never lost my plug and I did not have bloody show. Do not try to look for those things to be 100% sure of labor. Real labor seriously kicks ya around a bit. I should know this by now.
She and I did skin to skin, boy was she one upset little lady! So upset that she peed on me! Every inch of her was blue. *Edit* My OB was on call and showed up right around this time. he delivered the placenta in his pink silk shirt, cuff links, and tie. I have only seen this man in scrubs twice. */edit* We tried to nurse, she screamed. The nurses took her and did APGAR. She pinked up and went to town nursing after that.
We did delay cord clamping. Tammy proved her awesomeness once more by not only letting me see the placenta, but she made two prints of it too! An aide almost threw those away thinking it was just bloody paper!
She is perfect, teeny tiny, and perfect! Her hair is platinum blonde. Her eyes are slate blue. Thankfully, she has Daddy’s ears. Her tiny hands and feet resemble the hands of those in elderly generation. She latches like a champ, passed all her miconium poo and has had her first real poo already. Spit up has also happened, twice. We think she is just trying to catch up to her brothers.
Already, I have learned some quirks of hers. Pacis are a no go. They work for short periods like a diaper change, but beyond that is there hell to pay if she cannot nurse right away. Swaddling is ok, but only if she can have at least one arm free. Her temper is quick! I have learned to listen to the tiniest of her cues. Hats are another big no for her.
Goodness, she smells wonderful! No, they did not bathe her. No blood was on her when she was born. Her breath is so sweet! I am so loving this!
Her ped and my OB have seen her today. Everything is great! I’m just tired but riding my natural high from an adrenaline rushed natural birth.
Our boys are beyond excited for their little sister! They saw her last night and this morning. Not only are they trying to help with her, but they keep urging me to drink more or steal food off my tray. π
Time for me to sneak a nap in as my angel is drunk with mama’s milk!
God bless!!
Haha I did notice your great nails in the first pic. Congrats Jen! You gotta PM me your address if you still want some baby clothes. π [E didn’t like hats either.]
Thanks so much!
I loved reading every moment of your precious miracle. Congratulations with all the love and hugs you all can stand!!!!
Thank you! π
Reblogged this on Idoula4u and commented:
Welcome to IDoula4U’s latest baby!!! Such a sweet story!!!!
Beautiful story for a beautiful princess. All the best of wishes from my family to yours.
Thank you!
Wonderful! I’ll be homeschooling our oldest this fall.Also I love the face of a baby’ s “milk drunk” look after a feeding! Prayers for all of you! π
Thank you!