Here is where I will be writing about the experience that made me a mom. I will preface with a potential for tmi (too much information) so be aware.
Our baby was due on July 27. Well, that day came and went. I did many things to try to induce my labor at home. I did not photograph all of them (obviously) but below you will see some pictures of a few attempts.
NONE worked.
Jumping on the tramp.
Drinking castor oil while laying bricks.
Giving up and taking a nap (with Boo of course.)
We had an appointment August 1 and an induction set up for August 2. At our appointment I was still dilated to a 1 (which is not far...the goal is to get to a 10) That was frustrating. We were told to call the hospital the next morning and go in. We called the hospital and they were full. This happened hourly from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm until we were told that we would not be going in that night and to call the next morning at 5:00 am. Zach woke up at 5:00 am and called. They told us to come in at 6:15, so we woke up, got ready and off we went!
I sat in the hospital and got an IV, then the nurse gave me a pitocen pill to take orally to start labor. That didn't work, so she placed one south of the boarder. After that, the contractions started and I got an epidural (that was quite the adventure!) The doctor got me all set up I breathed in really hard, felt a sharp poke and told Zach, "That wasn't so bad!" Then, to my dismay the doctor told me that was the pen to draw where to inject. Rats!
After that, I should have rapidly progressed thanks to the drugs and what not, however I camped out at dilation of a 4 until 5:00 pm. The doctor came and talked to Zach and I about the possibilities of a C-section. The baby's heart rate had dropped a few times and at one point another nurse had to run in and give me a dart shot in the arm. The baby wasn't doing well when I contracted, and we were all a little worried, but I told the doctor I wanted to wait and she if she would progress. At 6:00, after another drastic heart rate drop, the doctor strongly suggested a C-section. I talked it over with Zach and tearfully agreed. My mom came in, along with my in-laws and my dad. Zach gave me a blessing and then changed into his doctor clothes. They let my dad also be in the operating room, so he also changed.
Don't we just look fantastic!
After getting wheeled down to the room, transferred to the surgery table, the drug doctor started pumping me full of something that made my whole body feel super heavy, like I was being filled with sand. Zach sat above my left shoulder and I tried to hold his hand but I couldn't really lift my hand too well. The party started and it was really awkward because it was so quite, so I asked my nice drug doctor if we should talk or what. He suggested music and asked what pandora station I would like. I told him Boyce Avenue (thanks Hads!) and a cover of Journey's "Faithfully" came on. At some point during that song, I became a mom and Zach became a dad. August 3, 2013 at 7:15 pm.
I could hear her crying and I flopped my head to the side to see a pink wet baby in a plastic bin with doctors all around her. I told Zach to go be with her and my dad came and sat by me. It was a minute or two before they brought her over to me. I had to have help holding her, but it was such a special moment!
I couldn't really hold her by myself because my arms and hands were so floppy and heavy. Zach had
to help me.
A baby!
After that, I took about 25 mins to get all put back together, then they wheeled my bed out to a recovery area where Zach and I waited while they did tests on the baby. Then we got to reconvene in the hospital room and our parents were there. Zach gave her a bath and I threw up in a bucket.
I finally got to hold her again, and I could feel my body more so that was great. It was there that we announced that we had decided to name her Layla.
She had low blood sugar so she was admitted into the NCU, so we stayed longer and got to hang out with her there.
Skin to skin contact is supposed to be good for babies, so we gave it a shot. Notice her IV in her head. Sad!
Layla was free from the NCU on Monday, but they still wanted to monitor her to ensure she didn't have to go back.
We had fun getting to know our sweet little Layla!
We came home Tuesday afternoon to recover, pack up and get ready to move on Friday.
We were so blessed to have Zach's parents come up and my parents to help us out and help us adjust. We moved to Las Vegas the weekend after she was born because I started my job on the 13th. Zach starts school tomorrow and life is just moving fast! Its crazy how much can change but I have been blessed with so much support and love from family, old friends and new friends!
Layla has been such a perfect addition to our family. She sleeps all day and parties all night, and I'm lucky Zach is willing to stay up with her and take care of her!
We love her so much! :)
