Ava's Birth Story

I am writing this story for me, for Ava, and for anyone who wants to know the details of Ava's birth.  It was a beautiful and amazing night/day and I want to document it so i never forget these moments.

just short of 6lbs

Nervous and excited, not knowing exactly what to expect, Chris and I headed to the hospital at 7pm October 5, 2010.  We got checked in and settled in our room.  An IV was started (actually two b/c the first one blew) and, I was checked and 1cm dilated and 80% effaced. Around 9:30pm the nurse placed the cytotec gel into my cervix.  I sent Chris home to sleep and planned to rest through the night for my assumed big day to follow.  My body had other plans though.   I had already been contracting (as i had for the past two months) but less than an hour later i was contracting more regularly and starting to have back labor.

The night passed in a blur of pain from back labor and nurses coming in to make me flip from side to side because Ava was not tolerating the labor.  I was supposed to receive more cytotec every four hours but after the first dose the doctor cut me off due to Ava's decreasing heart rate.  Chris returned at 6am and I was surprised to see him not realizing the whole night had already gone by.

just after her first bath

At this point Ava was looking better and my new nurse decided that it was time to start Pitocin in place of the missed cytotec.  My nurse called herself the Pitocin Nazi and swore to "get my labor going."  Let me just say me and Pitocin do NOT get along.  Almost immediately I started having insane contractions, one right on top of the other, doubles, triples, quadruples.  It was truly terrible.  I couldn't breath, move, anything.  The nurse tried to talk me into an epidural.  I ignored her.   After an hour Ava again was not looking good. Soon Dr. Hicks arrived and after looking at me and Ava she started talking about a C-section.  Knowing I really wanted to have a vaginal delivery and agreeing, we decided to go ahead with breaking my water. I was now 4cm and 85% effaced.


At 7:30 Dr. Hicks broke my water, and suggested an epidural.  I ignored the suggestion and continued to try to breath.  The next hour or so was rough.  The pain made me nauseated and i began vomiting.  Chris was great and held my hand, placed cool rags on my forehead, and rubbed my back.  Finally they turned off the pitocin and let me contract on my own.  The pain changed and was more tolerable and having two minutes between contractions was a blessing.  I was able to get into a rhythm of breathing through contractions and resting for two minutes and we went on.

At 11am the nurse checked me again and i was 5cm and 95% effaced.  Chris suggested i accept a dose of Stadol and rest while he went to grab lunch.  Tired and trusting his voice of reason, i requested some pain relief and an anti-nausea med (why i had to ask for that i don't know, still mad at my nurse for not thinking of it for me!).  The Stadol was wonderful. It allowed me to sleep and dulled the contractions.

At 12:30pm I woke with an incredibly intense pressure and need to push.  It was literally overwhelming and i felt she was coming.  I yelled to Chris that i had to push and it was time and frantically pushed my nurse button.  Thankfully she came quickly and sure enough i was dilated to 10 and ready to go.  Dr. Hicks was called and while the nurse set up I pushed gently.  Soon Dr. Hicks was there and first thought she had no time to change but the nurse pushed with me until she had her scrubs on.  Then it was time.  Everyone was ready and Chris held my hand as I pushed FOR REAL.  I touched her head as she came out and i cut her cord once delivered.

After 15 hours of labor our baby was there on my belly. She was sweet, blue eyes wide open, lots of brown hair, and pink with purple hands and feet.  She was perfect.

36 hours of work and daily naps

This week has been lovely.  I only worked 36 hours, usually starting at 8 or 9 in the morning allowing me to sleep in and have breakfast before leaving.  I have had most afternoons off to work on my research and nap (and when i say nap i mean a good 2 hours on the couch).  Me and and the dogs have been spending a lot of quality time together as Chris is gone again for military stuff. 

My awesome co-workers gave me a baby shower a few weeks ago where i received a gift certificate for a pregnancy massage. I am going tomorrow for a spa day and can't wait to get pampered and hopefully work out some of the hip and pelvic pain i have developed in my last months of pregnancy. 

In some of my time off i decided to get very ambitious and find Chris' power drill to put up curtains in the nursery.  Chris has been so busy with work i thought i would attempt a little handy work myself.  If only i had a picture of me 38 weeks pregnancy, on a chair, with a power drill.  I should say chris probably could have done a better job but the curtains are up and i was proud of myself.

No signs of baby coming yet, but we are ready.  She has definitely dropped (even more, who knew it was possible?) but i decided to skip the pelvic check this week.  No rush, she will comes when she is ready.  

where did july go?

I guess i should not be surprised i lost an entire month of blogging after the busy month i just had.  Shortly after Chris left, Nicole and Hannah came to visit for a week (see nik's blog for details).  We had a great time and it was so nice to have people around to help out.  My sisters were amazing and while i went to the doctor they cleaned my house (THANK YOU !!!).  We completed some very fun and important baby shopping then worked together to prepare the nursery for Ellie (my new nickname for our no-name baby).  Nicole was so helpful with all of her baby knowledge and i think we may have everything we need now.  I think by the end Hannah was definitely babied out though.

love my farm animal theme, so cute!

After they left, my world consisted of keeping up with my many hours/stress of the Surgical ICU, while keeping the house together and trying to keep baby inside.  There were many nights on call i would debate going down to OB for a check due to my numerous contractions.  Thankfully we made it through successfully, still pregnant and and a better doctor. 

work baby shower

35 weeks

Chris is now home again which is such a relief (i did not want to have this baby alone!)  I am now a full 9 months preg and contractions get stronger everyday.  At my last check i was dilated to "fingertip" and 75% effaced.  Because i contract pretty much all day everyday, my new criteria for going to the hospital is not being able to "smile through the contractions."  Chris is predicting a Sept 7th birthday but i am still holding out for the end of the month.  I guess we will see.

36 weeks

does this count as a smile?