Elise's birth story

My little Elise was due May 31st but didn't decide to make her appearance till June 7th. Being a week overdue, I knew she had to come quick or I would have to be induced. I tried everything: rocking my hips on the exercise ball, eating eggplant parm and pineapple core, getting some walking in and finally just taking a bath and relaxing with a glass of wine (what would it hurt at that point?!). Also, had a membrane sweep done at the OB's office (not the most fun procedure!). That next morning after all my attempts, I woke early with some labor pains and started timing them. I took a bath to relax and rest. The pains kept coming and getting more intense. Poor Emery kept trying to make me feel better sweet girl. We finally had her go to Grandma's house next door since I didn't want her to see me in pain. I had been seeing my doula Charlotte and called her. She told me to try and stay home as long as possible. I alternated between laying on my side and trying to rest and rocking on the exercise ball. My mom came over and after eating a bit and trying to rest, we all felt that it was probably time to get to the hospital. Once at the hospital, I got my iv in and did all my paperwork (gotta get your insurance down lol!). I opted to stay in my own clothing (didn't want that hospital feel) and kept the lights low. It was early evening by now and I was at about a 4-5cm. Charlotte came and put on some relaxing spa music. She was so great and massaged me and helped me do some exercise techniques on the ball (pressure on my hips while sitting on the ball) that helped tremendously with the labor pain. The nurse on call that evening was super supportive as well and left me alone to labor that night. While in a position on my knees, holding the headboard, I could feel baby girl slide down and engage and also could feel the bag of water bulging. However, after laboring for awhile the OB (Dr. Chua) noticed that her head might be off center (sunny side up) and it was causing a lot of pain. She broke my water with the hopes that her head would turn. Unfortunately it did not and I started to experience very intense back labor. Charlotte was wonderful. She helped me in the shower as well as trying a rebozo (long scarf used in laboring) around my hips while rocking them. Nothing seemed to work. The nurse had come in and checked me and said that I was at a 8-9 but after all that (maybe an hour) when she checked again, this time from another angle, she said she may have been wrong and that I was STILL at a 8-9. Basically going through transition for more than an hour or two. I couldn't take it any longer and begged for an epidural. I had to have IV of fluids before the epi so that was an extra 1/2 hour of agony!! The contractions were getting farther apart and when they had broken the water the OB noticed meconium in the fluid so we were getting a little concerned. When the anthesiologist came in to the epi, I could feel it kinda shock me down one leg and then the other. Very strange! But I was just glad to get some relief! I was exhausted! Once the epi was in, the pain was gone and I could finally relax and get some sleep. I got the epi in early that morning on the 7th and finally had Elise at 11am later that morning. It was just as I'd hoped it would be...calm and relaxed environment. It took a few pushes to get her out but she was really trying to work with us so that was good :) She came out fairly calm and alert! She was looking all around and just cried a little bit because the respiratory therapists had to look her over due to the meconium. She was/is perfect! Such an angel! Funny side bar story to the labor....my mom fell asleep in the chair while I was laboring and was snoring louder than I was moaning! lol! And the mama next door was having a natural birth and was screaming like crazy while I was in labor...not a good motivator for no drugs! hahaha! I did end up with some tearing and needed some stitches but felt ok afterwards. Elise stayed in the room with me and Kevin stayed the first night and then went home to put Emery to bed the second night. I felt so much calmer this second time around and the nurses were fabulous! The nurses that helped me with Elise were also the nurses that helped with Emery. So neat! All and all, although there was a lot of pain involved, I felt like it was a good experience and of course I got a healthy beautiful baby girl out of it so I couldn't be happier. Charlotte told me that how a baby comes into the world tends to reflect her personality and if that's the case. I think Elise will be a calm and happy little girl. I stayed two nights in the hospital and Emery visted the next day. She got a little present from her lil sis--a baby (doll) of her own wrapped in a hosiptal blanket and some other goodies. She was so happy and showed her lil sis her baby. Her face lit up so big when she held her for the first time. Made my heart swell to see them both together :) Emery will be a great big sis!