Emmy’s Birth Story

So I thought I would document Emmy’s entry into the world. Starting on Friday evening, I had a really bad back ache and had contractions on and off in my back throughout the weekend. On Monday, October 1st I was woken up with contractions. They were every 30 minutes to an hour. I decided to go into work, which was closer to the hospital than my house.

My contractions weren’t super consistent and would range between every 15 minutes to every 4-5 minutes. Contractions are so weird. While I had them, I was like I need to go to the hospital NOW. Then when they were over, I was like, “oh, I’m fine.” At the end of the day, I decided (after much coercing from my family and friends) to go to the hospital to get checked before going home.

I snapped this picture of my bump before I went. (I was 39 weeks.)

I got to the hospital and the nurse checked me and I was dilated to a five and a 100% effaced. This baby was coming sooner, rather than later!

I got checked in and got my epidural. My mom, sister, mother-in-law and Megan came up and I felt awesome after the epidural.

Ah, these were happy times.

At about 11:30 they checked me and I was dilated to a 9.5. They stopped the pitocin and everyone left except for Tommy. We all knew the baby and I would share a birthday at this point.

Also, at this point is when I started being able to feel my toes, which the nurse assured me was normal. I kept getting checked and by 2:30 there was still no progress, so they decided to turn back on the pitocin. I was able to feel pressure from the contractions, but still no pain. However, I could feel my legs at this point. (Can you see where this is going?)

I started pushing around 3 in the morning. And pushed, and pushed, and pushed. At about 4:00 I was getting to the point where I could push no more, so they brought in the doctor. And I continued to push, and push, and push, but now I could feel everything “down there.”  Um, yeah. I would not recommend this to anyone. I thought I was going to DIE.

After pushing for 2 hours (and at this point telling everyone who would listen that there would never be another baby coming from me…and a few choice words), I told the doctor she was going to have to get this baby out and I didn’t care how. Unfortunately, we had to enlist the help of the “vaccuum,” but seriously, I was so exhausted and I thought I was GOING TO DIE.

After one more contraction and a little assistance sweet Emmy was born. I have to admit it was one of the best feelings in the world…physically. When they put her on me, they said they guessed she weighed 8 pounds. Honestly, how in the world could I have been carrying close to an 8 pound baby??? Prior to her being born we were all taking guesses on her size. The nurse and my mom thought she’d be at least a 7 pounder, but I was just sure she’d be around 6.5 pounds. I guess the nurse sees a lot more babies being born than I do.

Emmy had some stress getting out (she and I both), so she had to go special care for about an hour for them to regulate her breathing, but I was able to hold her before she went.

She was quite a birthday gift and is so precious! Still not sure if I can have another, though ; ).

And as any proud mama, here are some pictures my sweet friend Addie took of Emmy yesterday. I am in love!

Baby’s got some hair! :) And I never had heartburn once during pregnancy!

My little pumpkin!

More pics soon!