On to our birth story...
The Sunday after Thanksgiving was uneventful for the most part. Aaron and I got up, made breakfast, went back to bed, got up again and went to church. We joined my parents and brothers family for Sunday Dinner afterwards. When I arrived I mentioned to my sister in law that I was feeling pretty swollen and ready to have this baby. My sister in law is a nurse and she pressed on my ankles and confirmed the edema. She also suggested I give my doctor a call because I'd had some itchy hands and feet which can lead to cholestasis, and cholestasis can lead back up of bile in the liver, which can lead to stillbirth. No thank you. I wasn't happy when the doctor confirmed that information and said to come in for labs the next day. How was I going to sleep? How would I possibly work the next day and worry? Meanwhile my sister in law also checked my blood pressure and it was running pretty high.
We left dinner and Aaron and I debated on the way home on whether I should just go into labor and delivery and get the labs started for the cholestasis. I really didn't want to wait after a full day of work to get the process going. Aaron wanted me to error on the side of caution so we decided to check on the dog, grab my hospital bag and head to labor and delivery. It wasn't 40 minutes into our visit before the nurse came in and said that with the blood pressure readings that they were getting, there was a good chance that they would induce labor and I wouldn't be going home until after delivery. Surprise! We're having a baby!
We called our mothers and told them to be on stand by. IV was started and induction was impending.
The night was a blur in the hospital. Our mothers arrived in the morning and hey had started petocin and a balloon to get things going. Neither were awesome and actually both caused me a ton of pain so I didn't wait long to get the epidural. I don't think my body was ready to labor at all. I was 38 weeks exactly, but feeling no labor symptoms when I went into the hospital.
My maternal fetal medicine doctor happened to be delivering on Monday so I was really happy to have my own doctor making the decisions and informing me on what was happening. She came early in the morning and told me that I'd developed preeclampsia and that's why the blood pressure was sky high. Not good.
By 5pm the following day (now Monday), my labor had not progressed. We made the decision to go ahead and do a C-Section. I could hear Rosie's strong heartbeat and all that mattered to me is that she was ok. I didn't want to push for a vaginal birth that could go south very quickly and end up in an emergency C-Section anyway. This way the doctors could do it carefully and we'd give Rosie a good chance of coming out healthy.
It wasn't long before Aaron was suiting up and we were wheeled off to the Operating Room. I was numb from the chest down and Aaron was behind my head. I didn't feel a thing, but at 7:02 pm on Monday the 27th of November I heard the sweetest sound in the world. Rosie came out screaming. She was alive, she was hear, and she made her grand entrance! They checked her out and weighed her. 7lbs, 2 oz I heard them say. She was handed to Aaron she immediately quieted her cry. Aaron had tears streaming down his face and I laid there getting sewn up as he sang "You are my Sunshine" to her. It was the sweetest moment of my life.
After all was done they wheeled me back to our room for our "Sacred Hour" as new parents. Rosie came out sucking her fingers and it was the most amazing feeling when she latched right on to my breast and started feeding. There's no words to describe that moment when you start feeding your baby. It's the most natural thing I have ever experienced. It is just what they call it, Sacred.
Life in the hospital the following week consisted of Rosie, Aaron, and I bonding with her. Friends and family came to visit and continued the love we have received all along. Rosie and I continued to work on breastfeeding and although we are still learning it is going well. I've had a number of moments where sitting in the quiet with my baby girl I am overcome with emotion and gratitude. I love this baby fiercly and I would do absolutely anything in the world for her. She is my greatest blessing (aside from Aaron and Maddox). Nothing can prepare you for the love you feel when you become a mother. It hit me like a ton of bricks, and such an amazing, glorious way!
We are home and doing amazing! C-section recovery wasn't near as bad as I thought and so far my post partum time has been mostly bliss. Maddox is so sweet with her and I am amazed this dogs ability to cater to the new situation and find joy in Rosie. He has been very gentle with both her and I and so far I am just so in love with my new situation, and our new addition!
Thank You for all of your support along the support, the gestures, the love along the way. We couldn't do any of this without our people! I would go through every heartache, procedure, IVF shot, and horrible pregnancy system again just to meet Rosie. I saw her face and none of that matters! We are truly seeing the Rainbow after the storm and again, we are so thankful!
Enjoy your Holiday Season! We hope that you too, have much to celebrate at this time of year!
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