Audrey Violette is here! Scary birth story with a happy ending :)

christyp80 · February 2011

I woke up having contractions on Saturday night at 2 am. DH and I went to the hospital at 6 am, and I was 4 cm. While the nurse was checking me, my water broke, so I knew I was definitely staying! I labored for 6 hours on my own and only got to 5 cm, so my doctor recommended pitocin. After only a few hours on pitocin, I was having super intense contractions and was only to a 7. I decided on an epidural so I could relax a little bit and get fully dialated. After the epi, I went from 7 to 10 in less than 2 hours. The nurse checked me and was completely suprised that her head was only an inch away from the outside world--she had dropped down the birth canal really fast and actually ended up with a bruised face because of it, poor little thing.

So I started pushing, and had her head out in only 45 minutes, hooray! Then things started getting a little crazy in the delivery room. People were literally running in, because her shoulders were stuck. I had 2 people on each side of me, lunging on my stomach from the outside, trying to get her out. They were trying to break her collarbone or dislocate her shoulder to give her enough room to get through. They were yelling at me to push, even when I wasn't having contractions. I pushed as hard as I could, and finally she came out. They put her on my belly, but then immediately took her away again. She wasn't breathing. There were 5 people gathered around her, working on her. I was asking what was wrong and if she was going to be ok, and no one would answer me. I heard someone say, "resuscitate", and I was so scared...I started praying out loud for God to save her and for her to breathe. 2 minutes after she was born, she let out a little whimper, then a big cry. It was the best sound I have ever heard!! But then they still were working on her, and I found out that she was unable to move her left arm. They hadn't broken it, but her nerves were stretched during delivery, and she can't lift it up on her own. She can wiggle her fingers though, and they say it should heal on its own, or she may need some physical therapy. She completely failed her first APGAR, but then got an 8 on her 2nd one, so in my eyes she is a total rockstar! They finally brought her over to me, and I got to hold my baby girl and nurse. She nursed right away, and has continued to nurse like a champ. When they finally told me how big she was, I was shocked. 21 inches long and 9 lbs 9 oz!! I had no idea I could even birth a child that big!

We had a bit of a scary beginning, but DH and I feel so blessed to have gotten our little love here safely. Oh, she also had a full knot in her cord, and the cord was wrapped around her body. She truly is a miracle.

And here's a picture of our little miracle--she's a little bruised and swollen from her eventful trip down the birth canal, but to us she is perfect.

smllel · February 2011

Whew! Quite a beautiful miracle you have there! Congrats!

pkate98 · February 2011

yay, congrats on your little miracle!! So glad she's safe and sound now.

sarag0116 · February 2011

Wow, you went through a lot. Good thing Audreys are tough!! That's why Audrey means noble strength

MarriedWriter · February 2011

So glad little Audrey is okay! Congrats!

Neva&Jack · February 2011

So glad that she is ok, congratulations on your beautiful girl!

bunnie712 · February 2011

Congrats! Someday you'll have quite the story to tell her about how she came into the world!

mommapolicare33 · February 2011

amazing story. sooo happy ur little girl is here and all are doing well. congrats!!!

*Merry* · February 2011

Congratulations again Christy. Audrey is a beautiful girl and I LOVE her name! I am glad everything worked out in the end though I am sure it was very frightening as it was happening. I can't believe we ended up having our girls so close together! I hope you, DH and Audrey are enjoying your fisrt days as a new family.