We welcomed our little girl 3 months ago and we have been obsessed with her since. Monroe Scarlett was born on June 13 at 11:06am weighing 6lb 11 oz and 19 1/4 inches long - 3 days before her official 'due date'. Despite all the books and classes Heath and I read and took we had no idea what kind of experience it would be welcoming our daughter to this world. Naturally, as first time parents when I started to have labor pains, we immediately started timing contractions and preparing to head to the hospital.
Monday, June 11: I began to have more serious labor pains and started timing contractions. As the evening passed they were becoming stronger and closer together. My birth wish was to stay at home as long as possible... well with my anxious husband and concerned parents everyone suggested heading to the hospital to be safe. Around 10pm we headed in. We arrived at the hospital, immediately got checked in and placed in a triage room. Contractions were happening about 5minutes apart. I was checked and 3cm dilated ( I had been 3cm dilated the week prior at my checkup). This was extremely discouraging considering I was having contractions but not progressing. We stayed at the hospital for about 2 hours with consistent contractions but because I was not progressing we were sent home. This was so frustrating and concerning for us because we didn't know when to return. We got home around 2:30am - still having consistent contractions. I immediately got in the shower to try and relax and got a couple hours of sleep waking up throughout the night to the more intense contractions.
Tuesday, June 12 ( My Dad's birthday!): I woke up exhausted and still consistently having contractions. Some were worse than others. Heath decided to stay home from work to keep an eye on me ;-). Throughout the morning they were getting more intense and yet again my anxious husband and concerned parents suggested going to the hospital. At this point I didn't want to go, afraid to be turned away again. We arrived and yet again were checked in and yet again I was still only 3cm dilated. **water works** I was so frustrated and exhausted that I was not progressing but clearly having consistent contractions. We were asked to stay and see how things progressed. The doctor on call saw me walking the halls and clearly appearing to be in labor came in to check me herself. I had progressed to 4 cm dilated ( with the painful help of her stripping my membranes - holy smokes OUCH!). We were finally admitted!!!
Little did I know this was only the beginning of a very long journey. My original birth wish was to have an unmedicated birth. With the support of Heath, my mom and some amazing nurses I tried all the tricks to stay calm and comfortable (haha, right!?!). Lori our nurse was amazing and so helpful, continuing to keep me moving and providing all her expertise to keep things progressing. But sadly, it was a SLOW process for my body and not only was I getting exhausted but so was my teammates! At one point I remember thinking, "Can't I just go home? I just want to go home and snuggle my puppies. I'll come back tomorrow!" I was at 7cm dilated around 11pm when Lori went to check me again and I still had not progressed in 2 hours. I was DONE! I remember saying, "Hands up, I'm done, get me the drugs! ".
Wednesday, June 13: At around 1:30am the anethestilogist arrived and I could have kissed him after he left. Honestly, Heath probably could have kissed him! Everyone could finally relax a little, my body could finally relax. I look back and wouldn't have changed anything, yes my plan didn't go as planned. Although, there comes a point where my body physically had enough and needed to recharge. At this point Lori suggested taking a nap and try to relax. Also, the doctor that I wanted to deliver me arrived at 7am. At 6am I was dilated to 9cm, I was now placed with a new nurse, Breeda (amazing as well!). Breeda was ready to get this baby out and so was I! At around 9am I was 10cm dilated and ready to push. My naive self thought, "Oh, my goodness my little lady will be here at any moment - thinking 30 minutes tops." Well, 2 hours of pushing later, thanks to my funky shaped pelvic bone and tailbone getting in the way our Monroe Scarlett arrived!
Giving birth whether medicated, non-medicated, c-senction or not is truly the most amazing yet exhausting (& honestly a bit gross at times) experience for someone. Not just for the one giving birth but everyone involved. Heath had previously stated, "I'm going to stay up by your head the whole time!" Well, when the nurse barked at him to grab a leg, he had a front row seat! Ask him today and he's so glad he got to see her take her first big breath! To sum it up it's a beautiful, messy, emotional, why did I sign up for this, love at first sight marathon that one will never forget. AND you do start to forget how bad it is! Even 3 months postpartum with my tailbone broken and killing me I'm forgetting the short moments of pain to sweet Monroe!
