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Washington Babies
Anna Catherine's birth story
So you know how everyone always says the second labor is shorter than the first? Turned out to be very true in my case! Max was 16 hours of labor and 90 minutes of pushing. Anna, not so much. 
Thanks to Angel for cutting your maternity session short to come to our house, and for updating the fabulous Bumpies! Thanks to all of you for your encouragement, support and congratulations, it means a lot. Here's the story:
Yesterday morning I was one day past 39 weeks. I had a prenatal visit in the morning and was 3cm dilated and 50% effaced. The midwife said she was pretty sure I wouldn't be overdue, and asked if I wanted my membranes stripped. I said no, if I made it to my appointment in a week I'd do it then. Back I went to work, feeling no different than usual.
Late afternoon and early evening I was having what I assumed were Braxton-Hicks contractions. We had dinner as usual and around 7:00 DH took Max up to get ready for bed. I was chatting online with Jaxy and told her I was having Braxton-Hicks. After a bit I realized I was having to breathe through them and told her I was going to time them for a bit and then I'd come back and let her know if we were headed to the hospital.
DH came downstairs and I told him I was timing contractions and I thought things might be getting going. He went next door to feed the neighbors' cats, when he came back I said I thought we should call our doula, Justine (who was going to photograph the birth), my mom, and Angel and her DH. We called our doula, I talked to her and we decided we'd call the midwives/triage and probably head in soon.
We went upstairs to change and grab last-minute things. DH called triage as I was breathing/moaning through contractions at that point. They were telling him to have me get in the shower and see if they stopped, and I remember thinking no way, we were going in. Around 8:20 my water broke, and then all of a sudden things got REALLY intense. I was feeling a lot of pressure and also like I was going to throw up. DH called our doula back, she heard me in the background and told him we should leave right away and she'd meet us at the hospital. Shortly after that I told DH to call 911, I wasn't going to make it in the car to the hospital. He called and they told him to have me lay down on the floor and check to see if he could see the head (thankfully no).
The paramedics arrived pretty quickly and took me downstairs on a chair stretcher and got me in the ambulance. A neighbor we know saw it arrive and came over, Jeff asked him to go inside and stay with Max (who thank goodness slept through all this) until my mom or Angel could get there. Then DH hopped in the car and followed the ambulance. Thank goodness it wasn't a night the trestle was closed, we could have gotten through regardless but I don't know what he would have done.
The whole ambulance ride I was having one intense contraction after another and was just breathing through them and trying not to push. We got to Prov and they wheeled me inside and into triage. Thankfully the midwife on call was there already. They moved me from the stretcher to a triage bed and I said, "She's coming!" The midwife checked and there was her head. One push (and a scream) and her head was out, another push/scream and she was here! They put her on my chest and waited for the cord to stop pulsing. I delivered the placenta, which took more pushing then Anna did, and then they got us to a room. I had a first-degree tear, not bad considering how fast she came out!
My mom and our doula arrived right after she was born, and Justine came as soon as Jeff called her to tell her Anna was here (though she didn't believe him at first, understandably, since he had called her a bit over an hour earlier to tell her labor was starting!).
She was born at 9:12pm, 7 pounds 11 ounces and a bit over 20 inches long. She wanted to nurse not long after she arrived and is just gorgeous, we are so in love. Max came to meet her earlier today, he wasn't interested in holding her but did say "Hi Anna" and give her a kiss. We will likely go home tonight, and then the real adventure begins! I'll try to get some pictures up on my blog, and I'm sure the lovely Justine will have some sneak peeks on her blog soon.
I can't believe it was so fast! Thanks again for your kind thoughts and well wishes!
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Re: Anna Catherine's birth story
TTC #2 for a million years: SA normal, CD 23 bloodwork shows nothing amiss, ovulation detected. Next step: ? maybe CD3 bloodwork to check eggs? All out of pocket, so limited IF tests/treatments.
Well, I told you I have special powers.
This is an incredible story, Keri! It's also somewhat terrifying to me given that I go to Swedish for all things baby related and that is 42 miles from my house.
I am so glad you got into the triage room before Miss Anna decided to make her appearance! I love her name and I love the pics I have seen so far. I can't wait to come meet her -- I still maintain that you got pregnant just to get me to come up to Canada. Hee. Much love to you all!
Sooooo, I'll see you AND Anna on Saturday then?
But seriously, I have knots in my stomach reading that!! So glad you guys are doing well and everyone is healthy and happy!!! The pics I've seen so far...well, she is just beautiful Keri! Congrats again Moore Family!!
Holy sh*tballs Keri! I thought I had fast labors!!!! Way to go Anna - she was ready!
When things settle down a bit, I'd love to get our kids together for a playdate!
What an amazing story!! Thank God you knew to have Jeff call 911 instead of trying to make it there in his car, you could have had a freeway baby! I just cant wait to meet her and squish all over her! She's super gorgeous!
Wow Keri so that is great that your labor was so fast. And great that you made it to the hospital. Love the name Anna too.
Oct 2011 3 1/2 years old.
Robert Williams Birth date 5/16/2008
I know exactly what you mean about thinking they were BH then realizing you were having to breathe thru them. Same thing for me. Sneaked up on me like that as well.
Congratulations and enjoy this magical time of a new family of 4!
The only Easter Bunny I can get behind.
Maxwell Joseph 4/09 Lucy Violet 10/12
Photo by J Shelton Photography
Married 10/5/08 | 2 yrs of TTC, tests, procedures & a m/c | IVF #2 =James!
This is an amazing story! I'm so glad you knew your body well enough to call for the paramedics. I'm so happy for you, she is beautiful (I saw pics on FB) and I love her name! Congratulations!!!
p.s. Max is going to be a great big brother!
Great story!
I love her name!
Welcome to the World Anna!
I'm going to make an AWESOME big brother.
WoW! Congrats mama. Seems like everything worked out in the end. Can't wait to see some pics of the little lady.
Congrats again, my dear! Love you guys!
Jen - Mom to Jillian (10/2008) and Hayden (4/2010)
My Blog
Holy moly!!! Good work, mama!
Congratulations!
Bio & Blog | The Chic Bambino | Bumps & Babies Fair
Alivia Nichole Willow Nov. 9th 2007 @ 8:22pm 9 lbs 4 oz 20.5"
Ian Robert March. 5th 2010 @ 6:41pm 9 lbs 1 oz 20.5"
Our blog http://rappfamilyof4.blogspot.com/