My Angel

The day my wonderful amazing Aubrey came into the world!

Hubby and I had just finished our birthing classes on the 14th of July and had visited his Aunt and Uncle the weekend after that to gather the last little bit that they gave us for Bean. I was getting pretty miserable with the hot weather, work, and back ache. On the 30th, I had a doctor’s visit and this visit was what I am positive set me into labor: that and the fact I had been walking 2 or 3 miles every other day.

It was the visit, and all of you who have had children know this visit, where they doc or NM wants to check and see if your insides are o.k. and all that good stuff. Well, during mine she told me that I was dilated to 3 cm and could have the baby any time (my due date was the 23 Of August). She grinned at me and said she was going to deliver Aubrey, not to be surprised if my exam sent me into labor, and that her shift was the next day. hubby and I laughed at the idea and were kinda in shock that the big day was at hand. When we got home that afternoon, I didn’t feel very well. I was kinda crappy spirited and tired but thought it was only from the heat. (contractions )

The next day started for us like any other. I get up and get ready for work and to take hubby to work. I am still feeling crappy: not bad just icky. I drop the boy off at work and head to the store to pick up the last things that were needed for the hospital bag I was in the process packing. When I get to the store, I have a bad cramp and almost decided to go home. It went away and I decided that I would continue on my quest of buying the items that were needed. I shoped for about 30 mins and headed home. Which for me is totally bizarre as I love to meander around the store for no good reason. Once I got home, I began to do a load of the baby’s laundry (I think I knew subconsciously that she was coming as I almost asked the boy to stay home from work that day) and finish getting ready for work. I was talking to one of my friends on IM planning dinner for that afternoon. She was teasing me about how we would be eating dinner at the hospital and I was in disagreement.

About 11:30 a.m. or so, my water breaks. Although our birthing classes tell you to go to the emergency room ASAP at that point, I called K and asked him what we should do. He told me to call hospital. I called they said to get to the ER ASAP. SOOO… I called K back told him where we were going.

I had yet to pack our bag, the laundry was still in the wash NOT THE DRYER, and I had to drive acroos town to get K from work  in road construction. (dramatic, I know but TRUE) After I get the bag packed, get the wet clothes in a bag, and call my mom and dad (30 min later) I leave to get K. It takes me another 20 mins to get there because of road construction and when I do get there it take us another 15 to get to the hospital. By this point, I am in some pain. Upon arrival at the ER, I HAD TO FREAKIN’ CHECK IN and wait for someone to decide to come take me up to labor and delivery! (mind you I was told I didn’t have to check in, I was pre-admitted) This takes another 10 mins and the ride up the elevator seemed like another 10. By the time we get to the exam room, I was dilated to 6 cm.

Did I mention I had had nothing to eat?? They wouldn’t allow me to eat in case I had to have a C section.

My friend who I was speaking with on IM comes in as they find my CNM and get me hooked up to all the lovely machines, stick me with needles, and ask me if I want an epidural or just drugs. I chose a shot of a narcotic and tell them we’ll wait to see how I feel. My NM tells me that I am feeling the most pain that I would feel so I decided that no epidural would be needed. After about 3/1/2 hours of labor, I needed another shot of the drug and 2 1/2 later, Aubrey was born. I had to have 4 superficial stitches. Honestly, the pain for me was bearable. I think that it had a lot to do with the fact that I had a great team with me and I was able to relax between contractions. Nursing has proven to be harder than being preggers and actual delivery.

K helped deliver her! He cut the cord and went to watch everything they did too her as they cleaned and stitched me up. The worst pain I felt the entire time was when   a vein blew and the nurse tried to clean it out. The bruise that was left from that, lasted almost a full month. We stayed in the hospital for 4 days. Not due to the need to heal but because Aubrey had jaundice pretty bad. She was 3 weeks early, had some bruising from delivery, and our blood types were different. We finally got all that under control and are now healthy as a horse and gaining weight and growing. Needless to say, we all did have dinner in the hospital that night: Wendy’s.

Being a mommy is the most rewarding thing I have ever taken part in. She is so amazing. Even when she cries and I have to be up with her, she is so worth it! The way her little hands move, the way she kicks her feet together when she sleeps, and when she smiles at me… or how you can watch her smile as she sleeps… *sigh*This year has been so amazing, difficult but AMAZING! I would not ever change any of the choices that I have made up to this point for fear of not having my little one. I have never felt so much love for one human being but she has my heart!!!!