Both of my boys came about a week before their due dates. So, in keeping with this tradition I assumed this baby would also come early. My mom made the trek out east to a very cold Saskatchewan in anticipation of her new grand baby being born. We waited...and waited...went shopping...and waited...out to eat...more shopping...lots of movies...more shopping...and more shopping. It was wonderful!! And then the time came that she had to leave, and still no baby. I was So. Sad. As I watched her and my dad pull away I couldn't hold back the tears. I couldn't believe she had to leave and this baby hadn't come. Another week went by and still no baby. I was now 10 days over due and the plan was to induce me.
41 weeks and still smiling!
I was terrified of being induced. terrified. I don't know why but I just didn't feel good about it and I really wanted this baby to come naturally. So we decided to wait until Monday to go ahead with the induction. This way we could see what my body would do and my in-laws could get here to watch the boys. So Monday morning came and I woke up had a shower and prepared for the day that my baby would be born. It was a weird feeling to be able to think ahead and be prepared. My bags were packed, my in-laws were here but I still didn't feel good about the induction. Just before we were heading to the hospital (it was like a miracle) I started to feel what seemed like the start of labor pains. I wasn't positive, but it seemed different than the braxton hicks I had been feeling before.
We got to the hospital and I was hooked up to the monitors. Baby was doing fine and sure enough, my contractions were showing up on the paper. Not very strong or very often, but they were real labor pains. The hospital was really busy (another blessing) so I was given the option to hold off on inducing to see what happened. So we went home. I decided to try to take a nap but was waking up every 20 mins or so for a contraction. The contractions were getting stronger but not unbearable. They were getting strong enough that I didn't want to be around my other kids and I needed distractions. So Davis suggested that we leave the house and go to the mall to finish some Christmas shopping. It was a great idea but by the time we got to the mall I was having to stop and breath through each contraction. We started to time them and they were still inconsistent. Eventually I decided that it was probably time to head back to the hospital to see how far along I was. As we were leaving Davis suggested we go to the art gallery across the street. To be honest I wasn't too keen on the idea and thought I was in enough pain that we should be at the hospital, but (being married to a doctor and all) I figured if he wasn't in a rush to leave then I must still have time. The pottery was amazing... but lets get real here, I was in pain! It wasn't long before Davis could tell I was in enough pain that we better get going. Getting in and out of the truck was getting harder as the pain was getting stronger. Davis suggested I eat something since I hadn't ate in a while and would need all the energy I could get once it was time to have this baby. (which felt like it could be any minute now!!) He suggested a sit down restaurant. Not a chance! So we went through the Wendy's drive through. It felt like the longest drive through wait EVER!! The contractions were so strong and so painful I thought this baby was going to be delivered before my JBC! When we finally got to the hospital, Davis suggested we finish our frosty's in the truck before going in. I may appear to be very calm and handling things really well but, ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I AM ABOUT TO HAVE A BABY!! is how I felt. So we went inside.
I was at 9cm. Yes, NINE cm. I felt ready to push and have this baby! But... we were reminded that I tested positive for Group B strep (is that what it's called) and that I should have been on antibiotics hours ago in order to have two doses of meds before having the baby. (Maybe the museum wasn't such a good idea? ya' think?!!) So even though I felt ready to push and have this baby, I was hooked up to IV antibiotics and had to sit for a WHOLE HOUR waiting for the first dose to go through me. Apparently you are supposed to wait 4 hrs between doses but there was NO WAY this baby was going to hold off for another 4 hrs. So one dose would have to do. It was time. They broke my water, I pushed for 30mins and my precious little angel was born!!!
We got to the hospital and I was hooked up to the monitors. Baby was doing fine and sure enough, my contractions were showing up on the paper. Not very strong or very often, but they were real labor pains. The hospital was really busy (another blessing) so I was given the option to hold off on inducing to see what happened. So we went home. I decided to try to take a nap but was waking up every 20 mins or so for a contraction. The contractions were getting stronger but not unbearable. They were getting strong enough that I didn't want to be around my other kids and I needed distractions. So Davis suggested that we leave the house and go to the mall to finish some Christmas shopping. It was a great idea but by the time we got to the mall I was having to stop and breath through each contraction. We started to time them and they were still inconsistent. Eventually I decided that it was probably time to head back to the hospital to see how far along I was. As we were leaving Davis suggested we go to the art gallery across the street. To be honest I wasn't too keen on the idea and thought I was in enough pain that we should be at the hospital, but (being married to a doctor and all) I figured if he wasn't in a rush to leave then I must still have time. The pottery was amazing... but lets get real here, I was in pain! It wasn't long before Davis could tell I was in enough pain that we better get going. Getting in and out of the truck was getting harder as the pain was getting stronger. Davis suggested I eat something since I hadn't ate in a while and would need all the energy I could get once it was time to have this baby. (which felt like it could be any minute now!!) He suggested a sit down restaurant. Not a chance! So we went through the Wendy's drive through. It felt like the longest drive through wait EVER!! The contractions were so strong and so painful I thought this baby was going to be delivered before my JBC! When we finally got to the hospital, Davis suggested we finish our frosty's in the truck before going in. I may appear to be very calm and handling things really well but, ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I AM ABOUT TO HAVE A BABY!! is how I felt. So we went inside.
I was at 9cm. Yes, NINE cm. I felt ready to push and have this baby! But... we were reminded that I tested positive for Group B strep (is that what it's called) and that I should have been on antibiotics hours ago in order to have two doses of meds before having the baby. (Maybe the museum wasn't such a good idea? ya' think?!!) So even though I felt ready to push and have this baby, I was hooked up to IV antibiotics and had to sit for a WHOLE HOUR waiting for the first dose to go through me. Apparently you are supposed to wait 4 hrs between doses but there was NO WAY this baby was going to hold off for another 4 hrs. So one dose would have to do. It was time. They broke my water, I pushed for 30mins and my precious little angel was born!!!
Edith Annemarie Yawney - 7lbs 13oz
Me and my girl!
Would you look at those eyes! Holding my finger just moments after she was born.
It is impossible to describe the feeling you get as parents when you meet your new baby for the first time. Pure joy and happiness!
Her first bath.
Meeting her brothers for the first time.
Thomas is a big brother! and he LOVES his new sister.
Home in less than 24hrs. Looking back, I don't know why I was in such a rush to get out of my private room with Jacuzzi tub, TV, and endless nurses willing to watch my baby in the nursery while I relax and read a book. Maybe I will remember to take advantage of the alone time if we have another baby instead of rushing home to my the responsibilities of life.
Having a girl is so much fun! So many cute clothes!
Learning to do cute photo shoots!
And laughing at the ones that don't turn out! Haha.
Edith is a such a special little girl already. I always knew that if I had a girl I wanted to name her after my Oma. Little Edith was born on the 14th anniversary of my Oma's passing. It was not a coincidence that she was born on November 25th. I feel so strongly that I was not supposed to be induced to have her any earlier than she was meant to come. I was watched over and blessed to have a natural healthy birth.
She has been the most perfect baby I could ever ask for. She nursed really well right from day one. She rarely ever cries. She sleeps 4-6hrs at night, in her own crib in her own room. My boys adore her. I feel so blessed.
I am so excited to get to know this little girl and find out what her personality will be. I look forward to the friendship we will build and the phone calls I will get from her when she is living on her own and having children of her very own. I hope we will always be best friends.
awesome Eliza! Loved reading this!
ReplyDeleteI think this is my most favorite entry you've ever written!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing the story! And I love all the pics - especially the one where she's meeting her big brothers for the first time. It made me tear up!
And I love your mini photo shoots with her - especially that one where she is face down and "winking" into the pillow. SO cute!
You have such a beautiful family!!! :)
-Anita :)
Thank you for sharing Eliza :) I love hearing about birth stories. And what a beautiful story yours was! Can I also say that you are one strong woman!
ReplyDelete