Hollands Birth Story

A little background first. Tuesday was a VERY long day. Just ask Mike and the girls I was to put it mildly, miserable. I walked, squatted, jumped, bounced you name it I tried it. I felt like this little one was never going to come out.

Wednesday morning. Mike was late to work after letting me cry on his shoulder and vent about the fact that I was still very pregnant. After all my venting I convinced myself to put a smile on my face and go about my day as if this baby would eventually come out. I had a doctors appointment in the afternoon and convinced myself that if they could just srtip my membranes then I would be able to go into labor. I went over to Haley's house to work on our quiet book until my appointment. With my tennis shoes in hand I was going walking after the appointment and with any luck I would be in labor within the next 24hrs. I was optimistic!

After checking in at the appointment and learning that my Doc would not strip my membranes because my strep b number was too high I was to say the least, disappointed. I was having some mild contractions and just felt I needed that extra encouragement to get things moving along. I was dilated to a 4 and 80% effaced. My doctor asked me if I wanted to head right over to the hospital start my I.V. antibiotic and start on a low dose of pitocin for the extra "encouragement" that I needed. Hmmmmm he had me thinking. Mike and I told him we would think about it and let him know. So after much deliberation, a prayer, and a blessing Mike and I decided that with my strep b number so high this would be the best option. After checking in at the hospital and getting all set up I was still feeling very anxious. You all know how I wanted my story! After a quick prayer asking if I was doing the right thing a calm re-assurance passed through me and I realized that I was getting my story just not how I had anticipated it.

They set me up with the I.V. antibiotic, the lowest dose of pitocin and off we were ready to have our baby girl. Because I wasn't planning on having the baby that day Mike had to go home and get our stuff make sure the girls were okay. I felt like I was getting the best of both worlds. I went into the hospital knowing that I was having my baby that day and I had the excitement factor of not having it be the plan at all!

My contractions picked right up and were about every 2-4 minutes so they never had to up the pitocin throughout the labor/delivery. I knew my body just needed that little encouragement :) My doctor came in to break my water and I told him "NO" Mike wasn't back yet and I knew after that everything would happen rather quickly. I was still able to talk through my contractions and wanted Mike there for when I couldn't do that. My doc was a little surprised but assured me that whatever I wanted to do was fine with him.

The nursing staff all knew I wanted an un-medicated delivery and they were great! They showed Mike a couple of things he could do to help lessen the contraction pain. Bless them because it actually worked pretty good. I also learned some great tips with the hypno-birthing book that I read. Can't say I actually used the hypno- technique fully but what I did used worked great for me.

I had Mike, my Mom, and my MIL all working on me to help get through the contractions. Pushing on my knees, rubbing my feet, hands, and back. (Too bad for them I never did make it in to get a pedicure :) Thankfully when I told them I was ready to push, they all scrambled fast and got the doctor and I started pushing. Not even going to try to explain that sensation. 5 HARD pushes later my little beauty was laying on my chest gooey and all. I couldn't have been happier or more relieved that I was done. I dont think I would have lasted much longer!

I am so thrilled that she is here. I know just how fast she will grow up so I am trying to enjoy every newborn moment that I can! So needless to say I got exactly what I wanted. A story, a "natural" delivery, and most important a beautiful healthy baby girl!

Let the Adventure Begin!!