I was exhausted. The past week and a half I'd been having constant contractions. 2 times I was ready to jump into the truck and head to the hospital after having 2+ hours of contractions 3-5 minutes apart... but they would just never pick up in intensity and then would die back down. I'd continue contracting every 15-20 minutes throughout most days. I was tired physically and emotionally- each time I'd get my hopes up- it was such a tease!
At our appointment, Saylor's heart rate was a little elevated. Dr. Simon was concerned that with all the contractions I was having that it was beginning to put stress on her. She checked me and I was at 3 cm still- no progression after another week of contractions. She recommended that we go ahead and break my water so Saylor didn't get stressed. We agreed and she left the room to schedule it. She came back in and said "how about today!?" After some tears (I didn't get to tell Gagey bye) I agreed and we headed across the road to the hospital.
From there it went quickly. I was contracting on my own every 3-5 minutes. In an hour I was to 4 cm. Ryan & I walked the halls, I bounced on the exercise ball, and Jess came by bringing our bags from home and snuck me some Neighbor's Mill.
Around 5:30 Dr. Simon came and broke my water. IMMEDIATELY the contractions picked up in intensity. I remembered what labor was like all over again and that's when I lost focus. I cried and cried and cried. I missed Gagey, I didn't want to go through the pain of labor again, and I was terrified.
I sucked it up for about 2 hours. I was dilated to a 6. I was really debating the epidural. I didn't want to continue in the pain, but I didn't want an epidural either. 2 super intense contractions later, and I said "I want the epidural". This wasn't in my plan, but I decided in that moment I didn't want to deal with the pain anymore. It was getting to that point where I couldn't take it!
So after almost having a panic attack during the epidural, I got it and low and behold it only worked effectively from about my belly button down. So basically my legs were numb and I couldn't feel them check me anymore, but I felt the contractions still. I was uncomfortable and super anxious. I couldn't get comfortable in the bed and I felt like I was dying. Around that time, Ryan, Mom, & Jess stepped out to grab a drink. In those few minutes I threw up and felt extremely panicky. GUYS- this is how awesome my doctor is. She came in, caught my puke in a bag, put cool wash clothes on my face, turned down the lights, rubbed my shoulders, and basically calmly gave me a pep talk. She eased my anxiety and I was able to relax.
Literally, she walked out the door and I labored through 5 or 6 more contractions and told my nurse I felt pressure. I finally had that "I need to push" feeling! She rushed to check me and then ran and got Dr. Simon. Saylor was right there and it was time for her to come meet us!
Luckily, Ryan came back in right then and Dr. Simon said "Are you ready to have a baby!?" as she geared up and got in position. We were all shocked I'd progressed that fast and I couldn't believe I was about to see my little girl.
I pushed through maybe 5 contractions when they told me she had lots of dark hair and with the next push her head was out. Dr. Simon yelled something and next thing I knew 2 nurses were on top of my pushing down on my belly and a nurse threw Ryan out of the way. Her shoulders were stuck and they were yelling at me to push harder. It was like it was happening in slow motion- I look at the concern on my doctor's face, then turned and saw Mom praying and Jess's face looked white. I pushed as hard as I knew how and with a technique Dr. Simon used, she came out- after being stuck for 45 seconds.
I looked down and saw my BIG baby girl with lots of dark hair who then started crying. All I wanted to know was "IS SHE OKAY???". Yes, she was. The proud daddy cut the cord and there was much "oooing and awwing" from all of us. Next thing I knew she was on my chest. We immediately did skin to skin, and I swear she came out sucking her little hands. We moved her down and she began nursing right away. It was so surreal.
Saylor Kate Smothers was 7 lbs 10 oz and 19.5 inches long. Born at 9:59 pm on February 17th, 2015.
We were smitten right away and couldn't get over how pretty she was, our little girl.
Tomorrow will be a month that we've had her in our arms and somedays I still can't believe she is here. Her birth was much harder than Gage's. I really think I just wasn't prepared mentally and I came into it exhausted already. The good thing is- when it's over, it's over!
The night I had her I said "I never want to do that again, she can be our last!" A month later and I already don't think that's true. There is no greater blessing than a child. Thank you, Lord for our sweet Saylor Kate.
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