Olivia Jane Gow
Labor story- I suppose it is graphic(ish) near the end- you are WARNED!
I started having "false" labor about a week before she was born every night from about 1-5am. By about day three of this I was starting to get quite exhausted and annoyed. Chris had finished up work on a Friday and had the next two days off. He was really hoping that he wouldn't have to go back to work Monday for the next two weeks. I told him not to expect anything in my frustrated state.
Saturday night I had given up hope that this "false" labor would ever turn into the real deal. I think I even said something whiney before we fell asleep that night.
Well as luck would have it I woke up a few hours later. I was pretty sure it was the real deal. I monitored myself for 3 hours with a stop watch for the first time and they were getting harder and longer and were regular. I decided it was time to call the midwife.
We met her at the hospital at 6 (I think), but on the way to the hospital I felt like maybe things were changing again. She checked me out. Sent back home. I was SO bummed. I was hungry and sad so I demanded we stop at Tim Horton's on the way home...I ate a lot.
Climbed into bed when we got home. Fell asleep (clearly things were slowing down... again). Woke up. Went for a walk. Stayed in bed watching movies all morning. As luck would have it by 12 I called the midwife again and they checked me at home. Bingo bango ready to go to the hospital.
As I started to get ready, I broke out in HIVES. Are you kidding me? I made Chris speed to the hospital as I felt like I was going to lose it. Itchy and in labor is hell (sorry no other word). My head was feeling spacey all of a sudden. My throat was itchy. I feared my life (secretly... not so secret any more).
We get to the hospital I say I want an epidural. It is 1pm and I am 4cm.
They give me Benadryl.
I calm.
I am informed there aren't even enough beds for all women who are laboring. Because I have a midwife there is no nurse available for me therefore an epidural is very unlikely. LAME.
Chris reminds me that I wanted to try the tub. So I get in the tub. 6cm. Have maybe two contractions and casually mention that I am feeling pressure. They calmly tell me I should get out of the tub.
Hard labor... starting to lose it... thinking oh I must be in transition... check again...6cm. I can't even describe the level of my disappointment. Think of a way out of this situation I am in. There is none. I am hooped.
They inform me that they should break my water as this will help but will also make the contractions stronger. I really didn't want to do it, but I did anyways. Still 6cm. 4:20pm.
The break the water, meconium is in it. I am super worried about having to have a C-section. I keep asking if babe is ok.
Then I kind of go into my own world.
They're strapping monitors on babe. Her heart rate is low. Having a hard time finding it. OBGYN is brought in the room. Again still in my own world of... you know what.
They start telling me to hold my legs and I wanted to tell them to bugger off. So I didn't listen. Then the doctor got in my face and said hold your legs you can push. Still confused because I didn't have to hold my own legs with the girls and I really didn't want to.
Her shoulders got stuck apparently but I only remember pushing 3 times. 4:39pm I hear my (our) crying baby girl.
I think I asked like 4-5 times if she was here. I think I was in shock. I was extremely weak not having eaten since that early morning Tim Horton's stop. I was so thirsty. I just remember asking repeatedly if she was ok. She was.
True to form of a not first time parent... we pulled out our camera to take pictures of the first moments and... the battery was dead. I-pad to the rescue.
Much to my displeasure we were kicked out of the hospital the next day by like 11am.
Olivia ate for like an hour after she was born and then slept through the night. I (unlike last time) was wide awake. Gazing wide eyed at this new little babe.
She was so adorable. She reminded me of me so much (and still does). Despite the hectic delivery she is a very content and peaceful baby. She is happy. Smiling all the time. Talking to anyone who will listen. She loves to watch her sisters. I love seeing her by the Christmas tree. I love having a small baby at Christmas. As I hold her and sing Christmas songs there is a special burning in my heart.
Just this week she has started sleeping through the night, much to my delight and surprise. (I will get into this on my next post... soon I hope) Don't hate.
Transitioning to three has been fairly easy for me. I am ever so glad Chris had two weeks off after and that my mom spent time with me on and off for the next two. We've had some hairy moments but all in all I am very much enjoying it. I guess the transition has been made much easier due to the fact that I have always been outnumbered.
Olivia was named by her Uncle David. We are so pleased we asked for his input. It feels like a real way to honor him. Although we didn't decide immediately we would go for his suggestion we are so glad we did. Chris asked him one day near the end of his life, I thought he wouldn't remember he asked, but the next day David told Chris what he had thought of.
When Olivia was 10 days old we took her to get photos. I am so glad we did even though I was BEYOND exhausted afterward.
