...it's a....
...GIRL!...
That's right! On July 8 our sweet baby surprise arrived! And that surprise was a GIRL!!! We are over the moon with our new daughter and she has her Daddy wrapped around her tiny baby finger already. We are still 100% in shock, I believe both Josh and I fully believed we were having another boy. I had prepared for another boy, pulled out and washed all the newborn blue baby clothes and had wrapped my mind around being a total Boy Mom. We even had settled on a boy name (last minute) where we hadn't fully committed to a girl name.
So how did it all begin?! I know...you are probably dying to see pictures of my sweet baby and learn stats and such, but not so fast! I have to keep things chronological (because I am that Type A!).
I believe I mentioned in my last post that at my 38 week doctor's appointment I was 2 cm dilated. I had been having contractions off-and-on for some time and I could tell they were getting stronger. But nothing was lining up consistent. I was walking and increasing my activity in hopes of getting them to become "real." I worked up until Wednesday but called my employer and told them it was probably best that I make Wednesday my last day because I was kind of freaking my patients out! I had two little old men ask me to please not have 'that" baby in their home! Haha!
Wednesday evening the boys and I went with my friend Maegan and her two kiddos to Yaya's Island in Paducah and then to Fazoli's for supper. I had some seriously strong contractions that seemed to be one after another while we were playing at YaYa's and Maegan told me she would take me to Labor and Delivery if I needed it, but once we chilled out at supper the contractions slowed. So home we went. I did make sure to get in a quick walk before Josh got home from work just to see if it would make a difference. I wasn't in a huge hurry to have this baby, but at the same time the inconsistent yet strong contractions were making me a headcase. My water broke with Finley and it was a no-brainer for us to head to the hospital. I was kind of hoping to have the same thing happen so there would be no question when to go.
Here are some pics of our sweet kiddos from YaYa's Island Wednesday night. Keagan and Finley had a great time with Maeci and her baby brother Maddox. The kids hardly slowed down long enough for us to get good pictures, so a lot of these are a blur! Maegan and I remarked on several occasions that these kids play so well together!
Because I didn't work Thursday morning, I decided to take the boys to Murray. We had plans to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then go see Josh at work, then Walmart for some random things. On my way down to Murray I called Mom to tell her I was still pregnant (this had been the daily convo since my appointment Tuesday) and that I was concerned that they would get here (coming in Saturday) and I would still be pregnant with this crazy pressure to have a baby before they headed back to Texas. I mean, afterall I was "just" a little over 38 weeks. Lots of women pass that 40-week mark and still find themselves pregnant!! While I was chatting with her and on my way down to Murray I had one of my strongest contractions yet. It caught me off guard, but that was about all. So the boys and I ate our breakfast and then checked out the toys and goodies in the Cracker Barrel store, then headed to Walgreens. (Finn decided he wanted this pink tiny rocking chair...we didn't buy it but maybe we should have? Did he know something we didn't?)
At Walgreens my tummy started cramping and I recognized what was probably going on...I use the term that I "cleaned out" in the Walgreens restroom and my contractions became stronger and more consistent. But, still not enough to send me to L&D. I let the boys play in the toy aisle (we like to drive the employees crazy by rearranging the toys...and making a scene!) and we looked around a little before I decided I had to sit down in the pharmacy lobby and rest. I could tell something was going on. I told Josh this may be happening soon...he told me he had coverage at 2 that afternoon so he would come home if I thought it was time.
So onto Walmart the boys and I went. I tried to focus through what I was needing there, but the contractions were strong enough to make me feel like I was in my own world, so I decided we had better check out and get home so I could figure out what to do next. Once I got home, the contractions kept coming. Still nothing crazy, but enough that I felt like I may need to be checked out (the doctor had told me not to labor at home because of me being a VBAC again...she didn't want me laboring against my old C-section scar unmonitored). I texted the doctor to ask her if I needed to be checked out, I didn't want to make the trek up to Paducah just to be sent home. But she told me to head to L&D. So Josh got home and packed a bag, we dropped the boys off with Stacey and contacted his mom and dad to keep them on alert...then headed to Paducah. Stacey sent me some pics of the boys playing...practicing playing with girlie toys! So very thankful for this wonderful friend who took two rambunctious boys in for the night until their grandparents could come!
Once checked in, my contractions slowed. Isn't that how it goes?! They checked my cervix and I was only 2-3 cm dilated, contractions only every 5-7 min at best. Nothing strong. I was sure I was going home. Two hours later, checked again and 3-4 cm, but still not consistent or terribly strong contractions. But Dr. Savells (who delivered Finley 4 years ago and was covering Dr. Tolar this time because he was on vacation) had me stay. When the nurse came in and put in the IV and I remarked that this was going down. She said Yep! I reiterated my statement/question with, "so...we aren't leaving this joint without a baby..." and again the nurse replied YEP! :) I think I was still in denial. I was sure I was going home! But a little while later Dr. Savells came in and broke my water and things got real. Like really real...it was Go Time! The epidural catheter was placed and test dose administered, and all looked good. I talked at length with the nurse anesthetist about not dosing the medication just yet because I wasn't hurting and wasn't ready to have to labor in the bed. He finally said that was fine, after running through the risks. So I labored in a rocking chair, on a ball, standing up. The contractions never fully became anything close but they were definitely getting stronger. Because I wasn't in the bed, Josh decided to lay down and snooze a little. I was bored between contractions and snapped this picture. At least someone was getting some rest. :)
I don't know exactly what time it was, but while I was standing my contractions got super strong and I became a little pukey and decided it was time for that epidural. It didn't work with Finley and so I wanted to do all I could to ensure it worked this time! And listen, it was phenomenal. Just as soon as the medication was administered I could relax. I was checked and was only 5 cm dilated so I assumed it was going to be a much longer time before we met our baby. I still had the most horrendous shakes (I was told hormones...?) but otherwise the contractions were tolerable. I was able to chill out and that's exactly what I wanted. I could still feel everything, and could move my legs pretty much independently (the right leg needed a little extra effort) and so I was thankful for not being completely numb. Josh was able to rest some more and slept about 2 hours. I couldn't sleep because of the shakes...and the momma next door screaming as she birthed her baby (yikes...it lasted so long!). While I was listening to that other momma, I felt a huge change and quite a bit of pressure. I couldn't imagine it was push-pressure already, but I didn't want to take any chances and since I had felt it for about 20 minutes I finally woke Josh up and had him to go get the nurse. She checked me and said I was complete! It was time to push!!! I couldn't believe it...the epidural relaxed me just enough that I went from 5 to 10 cm dilated in less than a couple hours and though my contractions never fully lined up to anything consistent (still 5-7 minutes apart!!!!) we were ready to go! Three big pushes and our sweet baby GIRL was here!! We had to ask what the baby was because we were so caught up in the birth experience. We were in total shock. I think I hyperventilated! SHE was here!! We didn't initially have a solid girl name, but we decided on one rather quickly.
Maclyn Alice Owens was born on July 8th at 5:00 am, weighing in at 6lb 15oz and 20 inches long! And perfect and beautiful!!! And she immediately began to root around and nursed like it was her job! We were immediately in love.
After cleaning Maclyn up they gave her a new hat with a BOW! It couldn't have been more adorable.
That hair! It was all business in the front and party in the back! (yes, slightly mullet-esque) I don't have a good picture, but she actually has a ton of hair in the back and it is very dark with light brown tips. Adorbs!
Kangaroo care with my sweet baby GIRL before we were moved to a postpartum room. Check out that pouty little mouth! LOVE!
While we once again missed having Dr. Tolar, who is my regular OB, deliver our baby we are incredibly grateful for Dr. Savells. She allowed me to have another super successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) delivery. In fact, having had her for Finley's birth really helped me to feel at ease during this delivery in knowing what to expect from her. Having been allowed to have two VBAC deliveries I now know just how lucky I am, and how important it is to have a good doctor who is comfortable with it. Several nurses and even our pediatrician remarked that "I must have a good doctor!" to attempt (and succeed) with VBAC deliveries. The risks are not lost on me, and nor is the level of commitment from the OB who has to be at the hospital the entire time I am laboring and through delivery. Josh and I are thankful to have not one, but TWO, great doctors who are willing to do this for us, including the education and preparation leading up to delivery. We have had another amazing birth experience and much easier recovery!!
