Friday morning around 2 am, I got up to use the bathroom and my contractions were much more intense than they had been. I tried to lay back down and go to sleep but around 3:30am, I could not take it anymore. I woke Richard up and told him I thought I was in labor. I downloaded a contraction app and the contractions were very close together and lasting for about 30-45 seconds. I called my Mom and she said to call the nurse (duh! I should have done that first) and to call her back. RC called the on-call nurse and she said for us to come in. Called my Mom back and they headed over while I got in the shower. Mom and Dad arrived around 4:10am and we left for the hospital. It was so dark out and raining really hard. We got to the ER around 4:30am and they could tell I was in labor, no question there. A nurse came and took us up to labor and delivery. The nurse checked me and said I was only about 3 cm. At this point, the contractions were really painful. After the nurses got my hooked up to an IV, they gave me medicine (I can not recall what) and it basically made me fall asleep for the short time in between contractions. It did help with the pain but it was still there. Richard said I would be snoring and then all of a sudden be awake and in pain. While we were waiting for the epidural, the nurse checked me again and I was at a 7cm. I feel like the nurses were a little panicked at that point because I believe they do not give epidurals after 7cm. The anesthesiologist arrived and gave me the epidural. It took him a while to get the correct placement. My water was not broken at this point. I was feeling good after the epidural was in place. I 'think' the nurse broke my water when she 'checked' me again, but I'm not sure if it was natural or on purpose. At this point, I was at 10cm and everyone was ready. There was meconium in the fluid, so Dr. advised me that they would give Skyler to me right when she came out but that the cardiologist will take her away quickly after to make sure everything was okay. I pushed for 3 sets of 3 for 10 seconds each and Skyler AnnMarie was born on Friday September 25th at 7:06am. A mere 5 hours and 6 minutes after my labor started and one day before her due date. She weighed 8 lbs and 5.2 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. Her umbilical cord was wrap around her neck one time, but not tightly. Richard had tears in his eyes when he saw her for the first time, it was a special moment. The cardiologist took her for a long time (I don't know exactly how long because everything runs together) but she got the O-K from the Dr and then Richard and I got to snuggle her. We got to spend a few hours of just the 3 of us and it was just a joyous time. Skyler nursed but not extremely well. Basically, I knew I was going to exclusively pump for her but to get people off my back I nursed her in the hospital. Eventually, RC left to get Keira and my Mom and Dad. They came and visited around lunch time. Keira was not so sure about her new sister. She was more interested in all of the things to play with in the hospital. They stayed a few hours and then went back home with Keira to see if she would nap. I got to spend time alone with my new girl, something I didn't get when Keira was born. Around 5:30, Richard's Mom and Dan showed up and RC had just arrived with Keira. They visited for a bit. Richard left around 6:00 to get KJ home from dinner, bath, and bed.
The hospital moved me to a different room on a different floor soon after Richard and Keira left. The first room I had was in the corner and tiny. I hated it. Fortunately, the nurse and I could not get the sound to work on the TV in that room and they moved me to the middle of the floor to a much nicer room. Skyler did not sleep well her first night. I spent most of the night just holding her, and I was completely fine with that!
The next day, both Skyler and I were checked by our Dr's and cleared to leave. Around 4pm on Saturday, we headed home. I only spent about 36 hours in the hospital which is a far cry from the 4 days we spent in the hospital for Keira's birth.
This birth experience was easier and quicker and I am grateful for that. I am thankful to have a healthy Skyler AnnMarie who completes our family.
