Born: June 21, 2014 at 12:09am
Weight: 6 lbs 9 oz
Length: 18 ½ in
On
Thursday, June 19, I went in for my 38 weeks appointment. Because of measuring
small at my 36 weeks appointment, they were doing weekly ultrasounds to check the
baby’s size and my fluid levels. At my 36 week appointment, she measured 34 ½
weeks in the ultrasound and my amniotic fluid levels were at a 6 (which
concerned them since it’s considered low). At 37 weeks, my fluid levels had
gone up to an 8, which I was ecstatic about because they were discussing
induction if they went down, and anyone who knows me well knows that I really
enjoy having my babies naturally and without intervention. So when they told me
at my appointment on June 19 that my fluid levels were at 13 (which is really
good), I was very happy. The ultrasound also guessed her weight at 5 lbs, 10
oz, but my midwife guessed that she was at least 6 pounds by feeling her. I had
been losing my mucous plug for a couple of days, so I asked my midwife to check
my dilation, and we were both surprised that I was already 4-5 cm. dilated! I
hadn’t had a single contraction at this point. I went home, assuming I would
probably have her in the next day or two.
[38 Weeks]
I was
actually surprised to wake up on Friday morning with no contractions. I made
sure I had bags packed for me and Sophie and Brielle (who were going to stay
with Grandpa and Grandma Miller). I soaked up my last moments with just two
daughters and laid down with Sophie for her nap. As I lay with her, around 4pm,
I had my first definite contraction. I was excited, as I knew my body was
beginning to do the work it needed to in order for our little girl to come. I
had a few more sporadic contractions, and around 6pm, they started to come
regularly. They came about every 5 minutes, but they were very short (around 10
seconds) and not uncomfortable. Around 7:45, I began timing my contractions and
writing it down. They were becoming longer (between 30 seconds and a minute)
and more intense, but they also got further apart (between 5 and 10 minutes
apart). So I decided to wait a little longer before going to the hospital. I
had my cousin, Brittany, come over to stay the night with the girls as I
assumed we would probably be heading to the hospital.
The
contractions stayed inconsistent but became more intense, so at 9pm, I decided
Ben and I better head toward the hospital, especially since I knew I was already halfway
dilated and because I was Group B Strep positive and needed to get the IV. We
got to the hospital at about 10pm and met my mom there who was with us for the labor and delivery and would be taking pictures. The nurses took me to a room to begin
monitoring me and to ask me questions for the hospital paperwork. My midwife,
Betsy, got there around 10:30, and she checked my dilation and I was 6-7cm
dilated. They went ahead trying to get my IV in which took three times (an
improvement from my last birth where it took seven or eight tries). By the time
they were done monitoring me, asking questions for my paperwork, and getting
the IV in, it was getting close to 11:30. They brought the inflatable tub in
and began filling it. I got up from the bed to move around and had a
contraction immediately, and then they started coming really close to one another. I labored
through a few contractions standing up. One of the nurses rubbed my lower back
during one, which I really liked, so I had Ben continue doing that. My midwife
suggested I get in the shower until the tub filled (which took an hour!), and I
told her I thought it might be best if I get checked first as I was beginning
to feel pressure, and at that point with Brielle, I was at 9cm. She checked me,
and I was 8-9cm dilated, so she made a comment about how she loved quick births
and how she better get out of her street clothes.
[Breathing through contractions]
[Betsy getting ready to check me around 11:30]
I got in
the shower, and the hot water felt good on my back. I was definitely
uncomfortable at this point as the contractions came close and intense, but I
kept control. I started feeling my body bear down, and I knew I was getting
ready to push and needed to get out of the shower, although I was reluctant. I
breathed through a couple more contractions in the shower and then forced
myself to get out, and Ben walked me to the bed. Once in the bed (around 12pm),
I immediately began feeling the need to push. My water broke a minute or two
after I got in the bed, which was such a relief, but then my body began
continuously pushing down and I couldn’t catch a break for a while, though my
midwife reminded me to breathe in between. I finally had a break and then with
the next contraction, I pushed her head out (such relief). I breathed and
waited, and when the next contraction came, I pushed the rest of her body out.
What a relief and so much joy! Our little girl, Lyla Jubilee, was born at
12:09pm on June 21, 2014. I was able to hold her right away (and for the next two
hours before they took her!). We are so happy to have another little girl to join big sisters Sophie and Brielle.
[My midwife Betsy]
[My nurse Carrie]
[Sisters for Life]
[First picture as a family of 5!]
