Kate Mitchell Tucker
July 20th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
6 lbs, 8 oz
20 inches long
Of course Denny and I would have been thrilled with a boy or girl, but there's something so sweet about having 2 girls. SISTERS! I love the way the phrase "the girls" rolls off my tongue. It seems so perfect:)
Kate's birth story was many hours longer than Macy Brooks. This came quite a surprise, since labors are supposed to get shorter.
We arrived at the hospital on Tuesday 7/19 at 7:30. Got all checked in and settled in our room. Nurses came and went, paperwork was filled out. Then the fun started with trying to get an IV going. They blew a vein in each arm and decided to call the IV team. An awesome man came and said I had perfect veins for IV's, then he got one in seamlessly. Next up was placing the Cervidil. I opted for the ambien this time and it was off to slumberland:) I remember with MB's labor, I tuckered out quite early since I hadn't slept the night before, so I chose sleep!
Denny and I woke up at 4:45 & 5:45. At 8 the nurse came to remove the Cervidil. Her response, "oh, it's just sitting right here." Which means it wasn't placed where it should have been and therefore didn't do it's job:( I was still only 2cm and feeling a little discouraged. By 8:30 I was showered and began walking the halls from 9:15-11 to try and get things going. Labor wasn't where we wanted it to be so we began Pitocin at 11. Macy Brooks came by for a visit and it did my heart good!
By 2:30 I was 4 cm. I started feeling better at this point because contractions weren't hurting and was surprised by my progress! At 4:30 I was 6 cm and feeling great still! I was shocked I had progressed more, because I still had little pain. Then at 6:30 and 8pm I was still only 6 cm-Boo!
That's when "water breaking" conversations really got serious. I was the only one who did not want to do it. I really wanted to go without an epidural this delivery and had a feeling breaking my water would send me over the pain edge. My dr, Denny, and family members were all pushing me to let them do it. I had a good cry and talked myself into it being a good decision and told Dr. G I was ready. So it was broken at 9:30 and to my surprise I was between 7&8 cm.
Here comes the pain and boy did it hurt! I was managing it okay for awhile. Good thing the pain was that severe for less than 2 hours. At some point I got it in my head that I wasn't getting an epidural and I could do this. So I kept plugging along. By 10:30 I was 8-9 cm! By 11:00 I was starting to push. This was the point I started wanting pain control, but I knew it was too late. Before I knew it, I was screaming at the top of my lungs. I didn't even know that was in me! Then by 11:21 our beautiful baby was out!
I know I'm in the minority having this little dream, but I've always wanted to deliver a baby with no pain medicine. I knew this was likely my last chance so I tried extra hard this time. I'm thankful I was able to accomplish that goal. It hurt like nothing I've ever felt before, but it felt good to stick to my guns and reach that dream. The 1 thing I would have changed, was the feeling directly after the birth. I've always read and heard that you feel instantly better after a natural delivery-like a euphoric high. I did not have this. I remained in a little pain for a couple hours after birth. I also could not stop shaking! I would have thought I'd have felt better as soon as she was out.
By 2am we were in our other room and Kate was nursing like a champ! She did not act like a 37 week baby at all. She's a pro!
I'm incredibly thankful for another healthy baby! Life has been surreal ever since. God is too good to me!
4 comments:
Congratulations again Ashly! She is just beautiful. That was a long labor, but thankfully not too painful fr you until the very end. Good for you for pushing through and believing in your strength. I did a non-medicated birth as well with Eli...I remember feeling almost "out of my head" (the best way I can describe it) but did feel a sense of euphoria after he was born but still in pain and shaking as well. It was definitely surreal. I think the "euphoria"was the overwhelming relief that I did it and he was out! Ha. I look forward to meeting her. Your girls are so darling.
I enjoyed reading this. I had a non-medicated birth with Jessica, 8lbs, 7oz! It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life and my plan was to have all future babies the same way. God had a different plan, though. When Emma Grace was born emergently by a general anesthesia c-section via a classical uterine incision at 25 weeks, that dream was gone forever. It was c-sections from then on. I am ever so thankful for my one "normal" birth experience. I remember feeling so, so empowered after her birth...like I could do absolutely anything in the world. My birth experience with Jessica was what made me become a certified childbirth educator. Not because I thought everyone should have a "natural" birth but because I believed in the body's ability to do it. Congratulations to you on a HUGE accomplishment. My postpartum nurse 12 years ago called me a "rare bird" for giving birth with no pain medicine. I know it is even more rare today.
Beautiful birth. Beautiful baby. Beautiful big sister. Beautiful big brother in heaven.
Sorry for such a long comment. Love and hugs to you!!!
You all look so beautiful...dying to meet that sweet girl and see MB with her! Your right...GOD IS GOOD!!!
That first picture of Kate resembles Macy B a LOT! Yay for you for making it through a med-free birth. :) Congratulations on entering in to a world with two littles. Best ever! Can't wait to see you soon!
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