And Welcoming Little Squeaks (a long birth story, feel free to just look at the pictures)

(Please remember this is for memory books and some pictures are probably really ugly, like this one...)


Due date was Friday October 5, 2012 and that day came and went.  We met with our AMAZING ob Dr. Scibetta on Monday Oct. 8 and asked if she was still moving around.  Her movement had actually slowed down a lot, she wasn't a big kicker to begin with, but even I was concerned.  So, Dr. S said if she was okay after an Nonstress Test that day we would induce on Wednesday.  So we prepared for an induction but of course at 1030 I started feeling stronger contractions that just kept becoming more and more regular.  I didn't sleep at all, and when Brett woke up at 3am the contractions were so strong that I couldn't talk during them anymore.  I took a shower, that helped immensely.  I finally decided I should call the Dr. and get ready to go to the hospital.  I had our bags all packed and ready for the last 3 weeks so at 0430 our awesome friend Shanna came over to sit with Toddles we headed out.  Toddles actually woke up at 0400 and wanted to hang out.  He witnessed me go through a contraction moaning and rocking/swirling and the poor thing couldn't stop laughing.  He said... "You are funny mom!"  If only he know how much it hurt he would not have said that.  Luckily it wasn't Brett, because he would have received a quick kick in the shins.  We got in the car and drove all the long 5 minute drive to Strong Memorial Hospital.  Contractions really really hurt.  We parked and started walking.  Brett tried to get me a wheel chair, but I said I could walk.  We walked all the way to Triage, passing 3 people who kindly offered to get me a wheel chair.  But, I was "fine" I would walk.  At the Triage desk they decided to just admit me into the Birth Center instead of checking me and assessing if I was really in labor.  That was so nice, not sure what tipped them off that I was in active labor, the moaning?  The doubling over?  The not responding to questions?  Not sure, but it was a blessing.  I accepted a wheel chair and holy cow was that so much easier!  They got me in a room, checked me out and finally got an IV in after 3 tries.  I was dilated to a 5/6, and 80% effaced.  Pretty good progress, once they let me get up and move around I took another shower, then a bath.  I had been preparing to have a "natural" birth and was doing really well.  I was getting really tired, and the pain was just getting worse (go figure, labor right?)  So after an hour, I asked to be checked again.  I was at a "stretchy" 5/6 so I decided to have an epidural.  The craziest thing, once I had mentally decided to get and epidural, I couldn't control the pain as well and I was really starting to lose it.  Until, the anesthesiologist came in (finally, took him a while).  He kept asking me things, and informing me on risks and I just kept thinking... "shut up! I don't care!"  But I didn't say anything.  Brett was a wonderful advocate and gave all my correct information for me, so I didn't have to scream at anyone.  Once the anesthesiologist got to it prepping my epidural site I had actually gained control of the pain and was able to manage it really really well, but I knew I wanted to sleep so I still opted for the epidural.  THAT WAS THE GREATEST DECISION OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!  When it really kicked in, I felt so so good.  The resident told me that I would probably still feel contractions and if they felt "different" like I needed to push... not to, and call her.  After about 2 hours of dozing and pure happiness I started feeling pressure again, it started to hurt again, and at one point it felt "different."  I called in the nurse and explained... "she said to call if it felt different, it feels different.  I don't really have the urge to push but the idea of pushing sounds like it would feel better."  She said... "eek don't, I'll get the doctor."  The resident came back in, checked me and said that my bag of waters was putting extra pressure on my cervix.  In order to get a real measurement she said they had to break my water.  She did, and all the fluid came out clear and just like it should.  What a relief!  With Toddles horrible meconium problem when he was born, I was really nervous for this one.  But everything looked good, and I was at a 9.  Again, she told me to call her when I felt like I needed to push.  The contractions started coming about every 30 seconds and were very very strong.  It had only been 5 minutes, but I called the resident back in and I was at a 10 and complete!  Hooray!  I was so excited, but it still hurt so bad.  Luckily and thankfully, Brett was there letting me hold his hands and squeeze them when I needed to so I wouldn't push.  They asked if a medical student could come in, which was completely fine with me.  He was in Brett's class and a really nice guy.  No joke, when he came in and introduced himself and I was spread eagle, I told him... "do whatever you need or want to do.  Don't be shy, I'm not... obviously." (I also told Brett at some point "Now I know where the term 'a butt load of pressure' comes from.")We all laughed and got ready to push.  They told me 3 pushes to every contraction, so with the next contraction we started.   That was hard hard work.  The resident called Dr. Scibetta in and in his oh so calm and under control state came in, sat down and told me what to do.  All of a sudden I felt a lot more pressure and Dr. Scibetta told me he was doing something so I wouldn't tear.  Then he told me the baby was a little posterior and he needed to turn her.  He turned her, I pushed and her head came out.  They told me not to push, and to just breathe.  I really wanted to push, but I listened and did some quick in and out breaths.  Then they told me I could push again it took maybe 3 pushes and WHOOSH she came out.  All I could see were her hands and feet flailing in the air.  I heard her adorable squeaky little cry.  They quickly wiped her up and put her on my chest for some skin to skin action.  She really didn't cry much and was so beautiful.  Amazingly beautiful.  It was such a great birthing experience.  It really couldn't have been more perfect.  I didn't tear at all, I didn't hemorrhage, and she was perfectly healthy.  It was so calm, Dr. Scibetta and the resident kinda sat back and watched as I did the work.  I really felt like I had delivered her, everyone else observed.  She weighed 7 lbs 15 oz.  and was 20 1/2 inches long.  Her apgar scores were 9 and 9.  Her feet are so long and skinny they barely fit into 6 month size socks.

Hooray!  Its over!

 Toddles is so gentle and good with her.  When he holds her he won't move and asks you to get her for him. He automatically started giving her kisses and said without any coaching... "I love you baby sister!"  He is so excited for her to be able to play with him.  As a gift for being born, she gave him a Fisher-Price castle he has been wanting, and he really wants her to play that with him.  While I was pregnant, when Toddles would first start talking to me in the morning, she would move and kick and get all kinds of excited.  I know they are going to be such good friends.

Guess who wants to be a baby again?

 Baby girl was so healthy, and I felt perfect we got to come home the day after delivery.  They had a ton of babies at the hospital, so I was glad I didn't have to share a room, and I could relieve them of some patients. Brett really wanted us to hold out for a day so her birthday would be 10/11/12, but I 1) didn't want to wait... 2) didn't want to deal with all the people that also wanted their babies to have that birthday.  So her birthday is 10/10/12 and that is perfect for me.  Oooh we love our little girl!  It is so amazing to be a family of 4.  She has the cutest little cry (for now) she is really squeaky, and a fabulous nurser.  We are so in love with our little squeaks.  I will post more pictures tomorrow, or sometime...