Documenting all the details of my girls birth so I never forget a single moment!
During my 36 week appointment, I found out I was GBS+ and needed to be on antibiotics for a minimum of 4 hours before delivering. Due to my precipitate delivery with Marina, my doctor recommended we schedule an induction to insure I was able to receive the necessary antibiotics and avoid NICU time for our baby girl.
My due date was December 30th, and my doctor gave us the option of December 23rd (39 weeks) or December 27th. Jaime and I went through the pros and cons of both dates and ultimately decided on the 27th. I was so anxious that my induction was only going to be 3 days before my due date and that I would have another precipitate labor but with my 39th week falling during the week of Christmas, it really was our only option unless baby girl decided to come on her own earlier.
On Wednesday, December 18th, I went in for my 38 week appointment at 1pm. I was dilated 2 cm and my doctor said she expects to see me at the hospital tonight. I called Jaime as soon as I walked out of the office and we were both just in disbelief. We had a final list of things to finish up before baby girl arrived and had the most productive night. We installed the car seat, put some final items in our hospital bag, I took a shower, cleaned the house, registered at the hospital (a little last minute ha), picked up a few last minute Christmas presents and got them wrapped and ready to go. We called our parents and let them know since my parents had a 4 hour drive ahead of them and Jaime’s parents would need to be available to come and stay with Marina when it was time.
The evening of the 18th, I was having some contractions and cramping that I could tell were different than the usual Braxton hicks but none that were consistent enough to time. Around 11pm as I was getting ready for bed, I lost my mucus plug and then found myself googling how soon you go into labor after that as if I was going to find a black & white answer.
I woke up at 2:30am on Thursday, December 19th (I was 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant) to use the bathroom and when I laid back down, the contractions started. I downloaded an app to start timing them and did so for almost an hour before I woke Jaime up to let him know. My contractions were about 1 minute long and coming between every 3-8 minutes. At 3:30am, I called my doctor to let her know and she recommended I come in. Jaime called his Mom so she could come stay with Marina and we packed up our bag and headed over to the hospital.
We arrived at the hospital at 4:30am, I was taken to triage and was 3.5cm dilated. The contractions at this point were painful but not unmanageable. I was admitted and brought to my room at 5:15am to start my 4 hours of antibiotics. I called my Mom and my parents packed up and hit the road right away.
6:30am – I was checked and was now 4cm dilated and even though I wasn’t in a ton of pain yet, I decided to get an epidural. I think it was knowing that I needed to be on antibiotics for 4 hours and knowing that the pain would only get worse during those hours that convinced me it was worth it this time around. The anesthesiologist arrived quickly. I was so scared to get one (and was crying my eyes out) but overall it wasn’t too bad and I could no longer feel the pain of my contractions.
7:30am – I was now 5cm dilated and 80% effaced. The nurses gave me a peanut ball to keep between my legs to keep baby girl moving down (although she was already extremely low!)
9:30am – I finished my 4 hours of antibiotics and the doctor came in to check me and break my water. I hadn’t progressed at all and was still only 5cm dilated. My contractions were actually slowing down at this point rather than getting closer together. My doctor hoped breaking my water would speed things up!
11:00am – Still 5cm dilated. My labor was at a standstill and my doctor decided to start me on Pitocin to get things moving again.
11:30am – I was 6.5cm dilated and 90% effaced. I was feeling so discouraged on how slowly things were moving and was so ready to meet my baby girl. The nurses upped my Pitocin a little bit more.
12:00pm – 9cm dilated!! The nurse called the doctor and my room was quickly filling up with nurses, and all things necessary for baby girls arrival! Our nurse told us we should put some music on for the birth (which we totally didn’t prepare for) but I had Jaime put on one of my favorite playlists on my phone.
12:10pm – It was time to push! She told me baby girl was very low and that she would be here quickly. I pushed through 2 contractions and during my last push baby girls head was half out. I was in so much pain at that point but had to wait for another contraction before I could push again. During the next contraction, I pushed one time and she came right out!
12:15pm – Our little baby girl arrived!
Elena Belle Becher
7 pounds 9 ounces & 20.5 inches long!
Our girl let out her first little newborn cry and was healthy as can be.
We’re now a family of 4 and couldn’t love our two girls more!
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