Brynn Renee : Birth Story

Well, first off I am such a planner (as I've said before) that I had every little detail of the way I would labor and deliver. From going into labor naturally to no epidural. Of course God has the best plan in mind and I had to let go and allow him to work.

Heading into my first appointment to be checked we had thought I was at a 4, we were sadly mistaken. I was checked 3 times all showing that I went from a 1 1/2 to a 2 at the last appointment only being 50 % effaced, but Brynn being anterior. I would feel contractions off and on while walking or swimming, but nothing else steady. At the last appointment my induction date was set for Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 5am.

I arrived at the hospital at 5am Thursday morning and got checked again, literally nothing had changed except being 75% effaced. They hooked me up to the contraction monitor and it showed that I was already having contractions 3-5 minutes apart. How I didn't know, I have no clue. We started the pitocin at 5:30am. The contractions were showing harder and longer, but I still couldn't feel them. Brad and I were napping off and on waiting to hear if I was making any progress. We knew it would be a long day. At 7:30 he came to break my water and come to find out it had either previously broken or I had no fluid. I kept thinking and I that clueless that I didm;t know I was in labor or that my water had broken before even coming to be induced. By 8am my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart, but I still couldn't feel them. They checked me again and I was still at a 2. If anything it was frustrating that nothing was changing. I kept waiting to feel pain, but I hadn't…yet. At 9:45 am I was checked again and finally at a 3, but still not any more effaced and still anterior. Dr. Harzke comes and tells me that I have an Android Pelvis. Which means it is flat and narrow causing long labor and a harder time for the baby to be able to come naturally. Which is why they think she was staying so high up and not wanting to come down. Causing me to sit at a 3 and not become anymore thinned. My parents and our photographer had finally showed up and I keep remembering saying I AM SO HUNGRY. By noon the contractions started coming pretty hard every 45 seconds and lasting a minute. They kept coming and asking if I wanted the epidural, but I knew that I wanted to go as far as I could and all the way. The nurses allowed me to get on the birthing ball, but after about 30 minutes they couldn't track the babies heartbeat so I went back to the bed.

If anything I was starting to get frustrated that I couldn't make progress, me questioning going ahead with induction and not getting the epidural. At 5pm Dr. Harzke came to check me again and once again 12 hours into labor zero progress was made. They inserted a device to track the strength and length of contractions that solid up inside around the baby. The contractions were now as if I were dilated to an 8 or 9, but was only at a 3. I was getting the scares of, your water can only be broken 18 hours and may need a c-section if we reach closer to that time frame. Because of they way my pelvis is shaped every contraction was slamming Brynns head into my pelvis causing a hot spot on the top of her head. The last thing I wanted was for me being the one causing Brynn pain and distress. Brad and I asked everyone to clear the room so we could talk and decide about what was best for Brynn. I was being so ridiculous worrying about what others would say, if I was already being a bad mom, etc. Brad was such a sweetheart praying with me and ensuring me that I need to do this for Brynn and that everyones situation is different. At 6pm I was checked one last time and I decided that if I still hadn't made progress that I would get the epidural and go for the c-section. What do ya know zero progress. I of course balled my eyes out and had to re gain while I was still having contractions. Breathing through them. quoting scripture and trying to talk isn't the easiest thing.  Not going to lie it hurt bad, but I was so glad that I went as long and as far as I did. I received the epidural at 6:15, got the greatest popsicle I had ever had in life and then got prepped for the c-section. I had our wonderful friend Tiffani Hebert doing our birth photography and I was told she couldn't come into the OR with Brad and I. One more thing to bum me out, but I knew this is what I needed to do. God was hugging us through this and had his hand on all of the doctors and nurses throughout. At 6:45 I was pushed into the OR and here comes Brad and Tiffani! Dr. Harzke said she should be able to come in. Reason 152784880 I love him! He really is the greatest doctor and btw best Dr. I could have had to do my c-section.

At 6:54 7/24/14 at 8 pounds 2 ounces 19 inches long (which was quickly retracted and she was actually 20 1/2 inches long) sweet Brynn was born! Everything happened so fast and was nerve wrecking, but the greatest moment ever. Brad went over where they were cleaning her off and then he brought her to me. She is the most beautiful babe I have ever laid my eyes on. Through my tears and Brads all I could do was stare and not say a word. Brad went back to the nursery with her while I went to recovery. The skin to skin and breastfeeding for the first time had me over the moon. I still can't believe she is mine. God chose me to be her mommy and take care of her. She was having some problems keeping her temperature up so she was taken to stay in the nursery until about 12:15. I was feeling pretty great from surgery. I was of course sore and had to slowly sit up. On Friday I got to shower and it was the best shower. I was amazingly surprised by how great I felt. I finally got to eat McAlisters for lunch on Friday and I was so excited. My incision and healing has gone so well. It can be uncomfortable, but worth it all. Everything with miss Brynn is going so great. I feel like at times I hit a wall of exhaustion, but it is the greatest feeling. Watching Brad with her absolutely warms my heart. He is the best daddy! Brynn has had so many visitors and she loves them all. :)

Her newborn picture post will come soon :) She is a week today, I can't believe it!