Amelia's Birth Story

Whether you look at it from a scientific or a religious perspective, Amelia's pregnancy and birth were truly a miracle.  Statistically speaking, since I had a history of recurrent miscarriages - with no discernible causes after a bazillion tests - it was unlikely that I could carry another child so soon after my fourth loss.  Yet, for whatever reason - be it the progesterone from early conception or my uterus just figuring things out - the pregnancy stuck. After a hellish first 20 weeks, a fantastic intermediary 10 weeks, and the on-set of pre-term labor at 30 weeks (with bed rest, hospital visits, medications, etc), it is amazing Amelia stayed in as long as she did.

My labor contractions began at 8 pm on Sunday evening, the night before 36 weeks. They came at regular 5-10 minute intervals throughout the night, keeping me awake and writhing in pain.  I woke up knowing this was it.  However, given my history of long labors (Andrew's was 48 hours), I knew better than to sit and wait.  So, I loaded the kids up in the car and drove to our favorite park for a lovely 4 mile walk.  Afterwards, we went home and I drank a delicious cocktail of Dr. Pepper and Castor oil (gag!)  (which I would not have taken had I not already started labor).  The contractions were still steadily coming at 5 - 10 minute intervals.  The kids and I settled in for our afternoon nap in which they slept and I writhed in pain.  I started timing the contractions using a cool internet site and was surprised to see them coming in at 2 - 5 minute intervals.

We picked Ben up from work and went home for a bite to eat.  We walked around the neighborhood. I cried on Ben's shoulder, terrified that I would be in labor forever.  He encouraged me to call the doctor, so I did.  She recommended I go to the hospital and see what was happening. Our dear, sweet, wonderful, and amazing friends offered to take the kids for us.  As it was an hour and 15 minute trip from our house, to their house, and to the hospital, we started as soon as I finished packing the bags. During the drive, the contractions continued coming at 2-3 minute intervals.  We kissed and hugged our kids, promising they would have a fun sleepover, and headed to the hospital.

We arrived at 9 pm. The nurse, Heather, checked me and I was delighted to hear I was dilated to a 3.5 and 75% effaced. To see if I was progressing (despite the obvious contractions coming at 3 - 5 minute intervals), I was monitored for an hour.  Nothing.  Heather recommended another hour in which I used a combination of birthing ball movements and squats during contractions to try and speed things up.  She checked me again and I was at a 4.  She consulted with the doctor after hearing my plea of "remember, I'm in pain!" They agreed to let me stay for more monitoring.  After 30 minutes, they moved me from the triage room into a delivery room at which point the contractions had reached their pinnacle.  Heather checked me again and delightedly announced that I had reached a 5!

I was admitted, finally, and the nurse anesthetist was called. At 1 am, I was finally given an epidural (which took like 45 minutes and was pure torture) and rested (I had been up for over 24 hours now).  After an hour or so, I felt liquid pouring out.  I called the nurse who checked me and said, "your water broke!"  Since my water has never broken naturally, I was thrilled!  However, I was still only a 5 and 75% effaced.

After another 5 hours (around 7 am), I called Heather because I felt intense pressure in my pelvic area.  She came in, checked me and called in another nurse.  That nurse checked me and said, "um, call the doctor, she's at a 10 and this baby is ready!" We waited for the doctor.  Since I was only 36 weeks, they also had to call in a NICU nurse, a pediatrician, and a few other people for after the baby was born to make sure he/she was okay.  Finally, after what felt like an eternity and me trying really hard to keep the baby in, the doctor arrived.  After 2.5 pushes, the baby came out.  I looked down, saw the baby's parts, and shouted, "it's a girl!!!  It's Amelia!!" After 35.5 hours in labor, I had a precious, baby girl.

Ben told me later (I was in a sleep deprived haze and could barely think) that the cord was wrapped around her neck a bit and Amelia was a gray color.  After Ben cut the cord (an amazing experience), the NICU nurse and pediatrician took her to the table for further examination.  She quickly acquired a pink look, breathed on her own, and whined a bit (but still didn't cry).  The doctor stayed with me as I birthed the placenta and happily told me I had no tearing (another first!).  Amelia was finally ready (after being weighed [5 lbs. 15 oz] and measured [19 3/4 in.]) to meet me and her daddy.  Ben brought her over and I cried big, fat tears of happiness.  I brought her to my breast and gave her the first few drops of beautiful colostrum while Ben announced her arrival - via phone - to our family and kids.  We took pictures (I took a few with my nurse, whom I had already developed a relationship with, she was THAT amazing) and exchanged looks and hugs of shock and amazement.

Once Amelia and I were settled, Ben left to get the kids.  The nurse took the baby to the nursery for all the requisite tests and the Hep B shot while I was taken to the recovery room and given a delicious breakfast.  I dozed as I waited for Ben to return with Emily and Andrew and the nurse to return with Amelia. When the kids arrived, they ran over and hugged me.  Emily happily announced, "Mommy! I'm so happy the baby is out of your tummy!"  Soon, the nurse brought Amelia back in and the kids spoiled her with hugs and kisses. 

The rest of the hospital stay was a blur of nursing, diaper changing, pediatrician and nurse evaluations, visits with Ben and the kids, phone calls, and sleep.

We had to stay an extra day because of Amelia's early arrival and a few other things, and happily arrived home on Friday.

We are now settling into our new family dynamics.  It's pretty cool.