Our Five Ring Circus: Liliana's Birth Story

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Liliana's Birth Story

It is so hard to believe that my baby girl is 2 weeks old! The last two weeks of my pregnancy felt like an eternity, yet the 2 weeks since Liliana was born have flown by. She is an absolute joy!

My labor and delivery with Lily was quick! On Tuesday, August 2nd, I began having the same pre-labor symptoms that I had been having every day for almost 2 weeks. It started in the early afternoon, but felt no different. I joked that I was going to run on the treadmill and try to "shake" the baby out. I did run, but it didn't change anything.

Around 8:00 in the evening, I sat down and typed out my "Guess-What-Nugget-Is" post, having no idea that I was in actual early labor. Shortly after, I put the kids to bed, and Grant and I settled down on the couch to watch a movie. As I sat there, I began noticing that my contractions were regular and lasting longer than they typically did. I was getting a painful contraction every 9 minutes.

I refused to believe that it was actual labor, because I had several false alarms in the previous days. I figured that as soon as I went to bed, the painful contractions would stop, like they always did. Grant, however, kept insisting that we should go to the hospital.

Let it be known that Grant was right.

After an hour of timing contractions, and trying to see if they would stop if I changed positions or took a bath, we decided to head to bed around 11 PM to get some sleep. I fully expected the contractions to stop, but I ended up laying in bed timing the contractions every 6-7 minutes. They were really hurting by that point, so it began to dawn on me that this was probably real labor.

Around midnight, I climbed out of bed, and decided to have a snack, feed our pets, and read a few chapters of my book. The contractions kept coming. I knew it was time to call the doctor and head to the hospital. After speaking to the doctor, I called my dad to come stay with the kids. Shortly after that call, the contractions began coming much faster, and I was in agony.

By the time my dad arrived, I was on my hands and knees on the floor, crying. The contractions were coming every 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

The drive into the city was the most agonizing drive I've ever taken. It didn't take us long to get there, but it felt like it! Grant was a nervous wreck, and I was in horrible pain. The contractions continued to come every 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Just when a contraction would ease, I'd start to get another one. We both thought that I might deliver in the car!

Grant was right. We should have left when the contractions became regular!

Fortunately, we made it to the hospital after 2 AM, and Grant rushed me up to labor and delivery. The standard procedure is to go to triage first to determine if you are really in labor. However, after the nurse witnessed 2 contractions that caused me to double over in pain within the time it took to give them my name and get weighed, she rushed me to a real room, and immediately checked me. Well, checked me after they were able to pull me up off the bathroom floor. I was 5 cm and fully effaced.

The next hour or so was a blur. I was in so much pain that I can't even remember everything that happened. The labor and delivery ward was completely empty, so I had everybody's attention. The nurses worked quickly to get me hooked up to everything, and had the anesthesiologist in the room soon after.

My anesthesiologist was a Godsend. With both of my previous epidurals, the needles got broken or bent, so I had to be stuck twice. This doctor worked with my contractions, and had the epidural in place in a matter of minutes. Soon, I began to feel relief. I have never felt that much pain before!

Photobucket

I had an issue with my blood pressure dropping (the needle jammed into my thigh hurt worse than the epidural) and with getting really itchy, just like my labor with Lexie. My water broke, and at that point, I didn't feel any more contractions. Once I was feeling happy and pain-free, Grant and I made our guesses. Grant said boy, I said girl. I was fairly convinced all along that Nugget was a girl, and I made my final prediction based on the high heart rate.

When my doctor checked me immediately after the epidural, I was 7 cm. Right after that, he had to go to the OR for two c-sections. I didn't see him again.

The nurses decided to just leave me be, other than checking in on me, because there was no doctor available. The only thing I felt was pressure every time I had a contraction, but it didn't seem like a big deal. The pressure continued for almost 2 hours, and as soon as my doctor's replacement arrived at 6:30 AM, they sent him in. I had never met this doctor before, but I ended up liking him more than my regular doctors!

When he checked me, he realized that when my water broke, part of the water filled sac blocked my cervix. With each contraction, I was feeling the baby's head push that down. He broke that sac, and Nugget's head immediately came down. It was at that moment that he announced that I was fully dilated, and probably had been ready to push hours ago!

Unfortunately, there was meconium, so he had to call a NICU pediatrician to be present at the birth. I ended up feeling a bit disappointed. It was the middle of the night, so nobody was able to make it into the delivery room with us, as planned. Grant had to be my labor coach and the photographer. We didn't take many pictures during the labor and delivery, as planned. The biggest disappointment was the fact that Grant wouldn't get to cut the cord and I wouldn't be able to hold my baby immediately after she came out. This was the third time that happened. Dylan was a considered to be a preemie, and Lexie had a heartrate fluctuation during labor. Nugget was going to be rushed away, just like my other two babies.

The pediatrician didn't show up until shortly after 7 AM. It was so hard not too push in that half hour of waiting!

During the third set of pushes, in the quiet of the labor and delivery ward, as the sun rose over Pittsburgh, my precious baby was born. It was 7:24 AM, on August 3rd, just minutes after I began pushing. With the last push, I sat the entire way up, and watched her emerge into the world. As I laid eyes on my baby girl, my heart exploded with love for her. Grant shouted out, "It's a GIRL!!!" and tears began running down my cheeks.

The nurse rushed away with her, and Grant and I gripped hands and celebrated the birth of our baby girl. I quickly shooed him away to be with her, and after a few minutes, she began crying. It was the best sound!

Photobucket

The pediatrician finally gave our 8 lb 12 oz 22 1/4 inch baby a clean bill of health, and handed her over to Grant and I. Despite being tongue-tied, she quickly began nursing like a champ. I fell head over heels in love with her.

Photobucket
Photobucket

Just after the doctors and nurses cleared the room to give us a few minutes of privacy with Liliana, my parents and the kids arrived. They had just missed her birth! Dylan and Lexie were so excited to hear that they had a sister!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Our new family of five spent some time together before my parents took Dylan and Lexie home. We gave them gifts before they left-a Lego Hero Factory figure for Dylan and a stuffed owl that Lexie had seen a few weeks earlier. Lexie cried when the nurse took her baby sister away to the nursery, and declared, "I miss Willwee!"

Photobucket

We stayed in the hospital all day Wednesday and Thursday, and went home on Friday, at noon. Grant took off work for over a week, so he never even left the hospital. Although we were frequently interrupted by doctors and nurses, and visits from family and friends, we had such a nice time together, bonding with our baby girl. Plus, not having to worry about meals was nice, especially since my morning sickness was gone, and I could finally eat!

After the birth, we were moved over to the maternity ward, and we settled in to our new room.
Liliana was an angel! She was so sweet and cuddly. We spent the entire time holding her, just because we could!

Photobucket
Photobucket

My sister came to visit that afternoon, followed by a visit with my best friend and her husband. That night, after being awake for almost 48 hours, we quickly fell asleep! Lily went to the nursery to get some tests done, and I got to sleep for a 3 1/2 hour stretch, which felt amazing!

On Thursday, another sister and my nephews came to visit. After they left, we spent the next few hours cuddling with our sweet girl.

Photobucket

That evening, our hospital treated us to a celebratory dinner. It was delicious, and the guest of honor was the best part!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

After dinner, Grant's mom and brother came for a visit. When they left, we were officially exhausted from two lazy days in the hospital, and interrupted sleep!

That night, we had an interesting incident. Our shower in our bathroom turned on by itself. Grant and I just stared at each other, and moments later, the nurse came into the room and asked who was taking a shower. We told her that we were wondering the same thing. She was thoroughly freaked out after going into our bathroom and realizing that the knob was actually turned on, and then told us about rumors of a ghost in the maternity ward. ;)

On Friday morning, we were ready to go home. Okay, so I could have easily stayed another day, but Grant was definitely ready!

Realizing that our photos from the hospital were seriously lacking, I snapped a few pictures before we headed home.

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

Lily and I were finally discharged, and just like that our hospital stay was over. It was bittersweet, because all the excitement had passed. Lily cried the entire way to the car, but soon fell asleep.

Photobucket
Photobucket

After a quick stop to meet her PapPap and great grandma, we brought Lily home. Pink balloons adorned our front porch and a sign made by Lexie and Dylan waited for us in the kitchen.

Photobucket

Dylan and Lexie were thrilled to have their baby sister home.

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

My parents stopped by to bring us dinner and to see Lily again, and then we were on our own. The kids adopted a new bedtime routine: snuggling with Lily before they go to bed!

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket

After Dylan and Lexie fell asleep, Grant and I snuggled up on the couch with our beautiful baby girl between us.

Photobucket

Life is perfect with Lily now in it!

27 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! What an exciting birth story! That's awesome that you spent so much of it at home, though...even if it was a little too much :) I love the nickname Lily! She is so adorable. You have so many great shots of the kids together. So happy for you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ps I had the itchies from the epidural too. It was THE WORST thing ever. I honestly think the pain might be better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a sweet story! I'm glad you got the epidural, got some relief, and that the birth went well. She is beautiful, and it is so cute to see how excited Dylan and Lexie are with her!

    ReplyDelete
  4. aww what a sweet story. crazy story about the shower though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful birth story! She is gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. beautiful...just beautiful! Love the story. Sorry you experienced such pain, but guess she was TOTALLY worth it. That outfit she came home in...PRECIOUS! I'm sure big brother and big sister are being wonderful with her. What a beautiful family of FIVE!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness! I thought you were going to deliver in the car too! Lily is such a little champ for being able to nurse while being tongue tied. She is so sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations!! She is absolutely beautiful. You look so happy and I love seeing her with her big brother and big sis. This almost makes me want another baby. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. So sweet! She is beautiful and the pictures of your 3 kids are awesome! Congrats again!
    P.S. - you look amazing for just having a baby!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love her birth story!

    That is crazy about the shower!! Do you think someone was running around playing pranks?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been waiting for this story!!

    I can't believe you waited so long before heading to the hospital!

    Jdaddy has never cut a cord or held a baby immediately after either...I've had 2 c-sections. he is seriously bummed that he's not been able to cut the cord.

    She is beautiful! Congratulations again!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Okay by the end of your post I'm sniffling. Such a sweet birth story and perfect little baby girl! XO Congrats again and again. =)

    ReplyDelete
  13. These pictures are beautiful! I'm so glad that the birth was relatively quick once you got there! I live an hour away, and am not sure when I want to leave. I was induced last time, and if I'm lucky enough to go on my own this time, I don't want to end up in transition in the car! Congratulations again - both Liliana and her name are perfect :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh man, you have me sold. Love the story, love the pictures and I love big sister and big brother! Congratulations again on your new arrival. I can't wait to continue to follow your life story.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a great story! She is so beautiful!! Glad to hear everything went pretty quickly for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congrats again! She's just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I definitely enjoyed readin your story! Such a sweet one! That epidural was such a pain after, argh! Anyways, Lily is such a cutie in that pink tutu :) Wish I could hug her!

    have a great weekend!
    hugs,
    Marice

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your post is giving my baby fever. I loved all your photos. I'm glad everything worked out. You look so relieved in that first picture, I'm assuming it was after the epidural. And that's crazy about the shower.

    ReplyDelete
  19. ...I am such a mom. I was crying by the end. It took me back. :) You are just glowing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a sweet story! I am so glad that you were able to get an epidural, and relief out of the pain that you were experiencing. I honestly think they are Godsend as well, but I have never had trouble with mine. (knock on wood, ha!) I absolutely adore the love that your family has for one another. The siblings are just precious, and Lexie crying for Lilly is just to sweet! Her going home outfit, is ADORABLE!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What an amazing birth story! Lily is absolutely gorgeous and Dylan and Lexie look like such proud big siblings.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations! You look beautiful as always and one would never know you just had a baby! Love the pictures! I am so happy for you!

    Mama Hen

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations! Lily is absolutely beautiful! And Dylan and Lexie look like they are doing so well with her.

    BTW...you look like a supermodel right after you gave birth! How on earth is that even possible? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful story!! I'm so glad she is here and that everyone is healthy.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you! Let's chat!!!