Keira's birth story

The blog is going to be out of order for a bit until I go back and add the weeks I missed. I wanted to go ahead and write about Keira's birth story so that I would not forget details.

It all started on August 27th, the day after her due date. Richard and I went to the Dr. to see if I had progressed any. The Dr. was a little concerned about her size and they didn't want her getting too big and me not have a chance of delivering her natural. At the appointment, I was still at 0 cm and she was not in the birth canal. That news was hard for me because I was so sure she had dropped some. We decided that I would be induced that night and see what happens. I was hoping for everything to be able to happen naturally but as I have quickly learned, PLANS CHANGE.

We headed to the hospital around 9pm. I received the cervix softener, and when they checked me the next norming, I was at a 2! Everyone was excited and hopeful that she would be born that day (Thursday.) As the day progressed, I did not. It was decided that we would try another cervix softener that night since it had helped the night before.

 



At 4am, I told Richard I think my water broke. He called the nurse, and sure enough, it had broken on it's own. That means that no matter what, in 24 hours we would have a baby! I got Pitocin to help progress the dilation and (against what I originally wanted) and epidural. I (thought) I was prepared for naturally birth without medicine but when the time came, the pain was just too great. I applaud and am amazed by Mama's that have completely natural births, you are rock stars!

 

 

I started pushing around 4pm on Friday August 29th, and Keira was born at 6:23pm. I pushed as hard as I could for two and half hours with only short breaks in between contractions. It was the HARDEST thing I have ever done. There were times when I wanted to give up, but Richard was there the whole time. He was so loving and encouraging and he would not let me quit no matter what. I could not have done it without him!

When she came out, her cord was around her neck and arm, which is why she wasn't in the birth canal and why I pushed for so long. The first few minutes after she came out were very scary. The nurses took her away immediately, and we did not hear her cry for a bit. Richard could see her, but I could not, so I just kept looking at his face. When she finally breathed, the look of relief on his face is one I'll never forget.

Keira Juliette was born at 6:23pm, weighing 7lbs 10 oz (not even big, like the Dr, thought), and 21 inches long. She had a full head of hair and (as of now) blue eyes.