Our 2nd daughter is here!! Birth Story...

andailey · April 2011

Hi, Ladies!

We welcomed Olivia Kate on Tuesday, April 5th at 8:18 pm. She weighed 6 lbs. 7 oz. and was 20.5 in. long. I was able to deliver via a successful VBAC, and it was truly an amazing experience! She looks so much like Madelyn as a baby, and she's just as sweet as her big sis. Big Smile We were released from the hospital on Thursday, and we've been enjoying our time at home as a family of 4! BFing is going extremely well, and she is quite the eater! (One BIG difference from her sister, lol.) I am quickly readjusting to running on no sleep.

Birth Story: Monday, April 4th - long story short. Lost my MP on Monday morning and started having regular contractions every 5 minutes. Thought it was the real thing so we rushed to the hospital only to be sent home 5 hrs. later after walking the halls did nothing to create progress. I was still 2cm and 60% effaced, and my contractions eventually came to an abrubt halt around 3 pm. They would start again later that evening at home, and they increased in strength and frequency overnight Monday...

Tuesday, April 5th - Woke up to pretty regular contractions that became unbearable by 10am. Called OB and headed to the hospital with DH and DD. My mom met us there to take DD to her house, and I was an emotional wreck...DD had kept asking me "Mommy, what's wrong?" during every painful contraction, and I tried to put on a smile for her explaining that baby sister was on her way. She was clearly confused and sad when we had to say our goodbyes in the lobby .

Admitted and checked at 11:30 am- 4 cm and 80% effaced. Painful contractions were every 5 minutes until 1:00, when they changed to every 10 minutes after some Nubane for pain control. (Since I was hoping for a VBAC, my doc won't induce but would only use a little pitocin when active labor had begun.) My OB came in to give me the plan since it appeared my progress wasn't continuing. I was practically in tears because I did not want to be sent home again! He said they would break my water at 3pm to hope to get some more progress. Then, if I was progressing every hour, then he would start a little pitocin. I was fine with this plan - I was so hoping for progress on my own because I wanted to avoid another c-section if at all possible.

3 pm - Broke my water after I learned I was 5 cm. Was happy for more progress, and my contractions had picked up again every 4-5 minutes. (I was GBS +, so I had to receive 2 bags of antibiotics before receiving my epi.) 4:15 pm - Received my epi after learning I was 6 cm. Was so relieved to get some pain relief after a long day of painful contractions. 6 pm - Was dilated to 8 cm and fully effaced, so all the residents and my OB arrived to prep for delivery and some practice pushes. (Baby's station was still +1, so she still had a ways to drop.) The epi was perfect, and I couldn't feel anything at all, which made it difficult to push once 7 pm rolled around: 10 cm and ready to go for the VBAC! I was so happy I had progressed on my own, but was a little frightened at the unknown that was ahead of me.

DH was such a support system to me, and the nurses and residents watching over me during the duration of my labor were phenomenal. I pushed for 50 minutes and at 8:18 pm they placed Olivia on my chest... I cried happy tears of joy and wonder! She is so beautiful, and I was so proud of myself for achieving the VBAC. I had a slight tear, my doc didn't even call it a 1 degree, but otherwise, I couldn't have envisioned a better birth experience! I felt great afterwards, and I continue to recover well at home with some pain meds.

I am ecstatic to be on maternity leave for the rest of the school year, and we are so in love with little Olivia. Madelyn is such a great big sis - so helpful and attentive, and we are so blessed to have 2 lovely girls!! Thanks for letting me share, ladies.

cooperme2871 · April 2011

Congrats! She is gorgeous and I'm so glad to hear you are all doing so well!

Traycee1242 · April 2011

Congratulations!!! I'm so happy you got your VBAC.. I'm hoping for one as well.. Your story gives me hope!

And, OMG that might be one of my favorite newborn pictures ive ever seen!!! So gorgeous!!

doodlebug914 · April 2011

Congratulations again, Amber!! It sounds like it went very well and I'm so glad you were able to get the vbac you were hoping for. Enjoy time with your precious two girls! Olivia is just adorable. She looks much like Madelyn!