SHE'S FINALLY HERE!!! Adilyn Marie Fletcher was born Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 7:58pm!! She was 20 1/4 inches and 8 lbs., 4 oz.
Friday morning, I woke up around 4am and was pretty sure my water had broken. We decided to wait things out a little bit because we didn't want to be in the hospital without being in active labor. One of the midwives had me schedule an ultrasound for the day since she was overdue. Because I thought I might be in going into labor, I needed to get it cancelled so had no other option but to call the office and let them know. When I did, they cancelled the ultrasound appt and told me to call labor and delivery to let them know. When I called labor and delivery, they of course told me to come in right away. We knew how important it was to get a good meal before heading in so we took our time, got Sailor around and over to the neighbor's house, finished packing up the bags, went and got a delicious Mexican lunch and then headed in.
When we got to labor and delivery, they ran 2 tests on the fluid and both came back negative for being amniotic fluid. They said it wasn't urine, it wasn't my water it was just excess fluids. They sent us home with the best of luck, thinking they may see us very soon...or it could be a few days yet.
We went home more than discouraged because we felt like we were so close. We ended up taking a long nap and then I started getting consistent 10 minute contractions, proceeded to 8 minute contractions and getting stronger and then around 10:30, I made it to the bathroom and then there was no question that my water had definitely broken!! Mom was in town and ended up coming over and stayed the evening with us. We all got some shut-eye and we got up around 4 am and started doing positions as contractions got to a consistent 4 minutes. By the time they were at 3-4, we all packed up and headed for the hospital.
When we got to the hospital around 7am, we got checked in and settled in our room, and everything had stalled. The midwife came in and talked with us and said since my water had broken at 10:30 the night before, I'd have until 10:30 that night to have my labor progressing or they would have to intervene.
By 11am, we were feeling more comfortable at the hospital, comfortable with the midwife that was on call and everything started to pick up again. I had been determined from the very beginning that I did not want to use any pitocin, painkillers, etc. We had done so much research, and knew that my body knows how to give birth and I just needed to trust that I could do it. As contractions got harder and stronger, I labored in the tub, I labored with the birthing ball, I labored in different positions and once in transition, I was feeling like I couldn't take it much longer. I had read in one of my books, "when you feel like you can't do it anymore, it's a good sign that you won't have to do it much longer." I remembered this and the midwife came in, checked and said, "You did it! You're at 10 centimeters and it's time to push!" Pushing was hands down the worst part of the experience. I've heard the natural birth stories where women say, "I wouldn't call it pain, I'd call it discomfort..." Nope; it was pain, it hurt, but I'm so glad that I was able to do it! She was born at 7:58p and I had pushed for about 2 1/2 hours. I ended up with a second degree tear, but other than that, no complications.
The first few hours after were incredible as Mark and I bonded with Adie, I was able to start breastfeeding and we had family time! Mom and dad had left to go get some dinner and call family/friends and then they came back and got to hold their grandbaby for the first time. Adie and I both got baths and then we transferred to a recovery room.
The next day we had lots of family and friends who came to visit and see her and were so happy to have so many people who were excited to celebrate with us! By about 9pm, visiting was done and Adie had to go get her 24 hour tests done (heel prick, hearing test, etc.) Mark went down with her while I stayed with a nurse. I knew it was going to be pleasant for her so I was worried about how upset she'd be when they came back. He came back and she was sound asleep in his arms and he said, "She was a little trooper just like her mama!!" She did great through the whole thing.
We went to bed around 11p, she slept for 3 hours, fed/changed/etc. and went back to sleep for another 3 hours. For being night number and 2 and getting a good six hours of sleep, we were very excited.
The next morning, we packed up and had to meet with the the midwife for my discharge, the pediatrician for her discharge, the discharge nurse, the lactation consultant, the lady who took her picture for the hospital website, etc. and then we finally got to go home!!!
