I have to admit, it still doesn't seem real. I still can't believe that I went through nine months of pregnancy, then labor, and am finally a mom to the most precious little girl!
Emersen Maree McKay
Friday, September 30, 2011
5:25 am
8 lbs 5 oz ◦ 21 ¼ in
We absolutely ADORE her!
Emersen's Birth Story -
I always wondered how I was going to know when I went into labor. Well, when they say you will know, it's true.
At the end of the school day on Wednesday, my back started to bother me and I started feeling contractions. However, because I was so worried I could be wrong, I headed home from school and forced myself to stay busy - getting everything done in case she came! Well, by the time Robert came home and we went to bed, I decided it might be a good idea to track my contractions. Turns out they were 5 minutes apart, but only lasting about 30 seconds. The contractions were strong enough to keep me up most of the night, but not enough to do anything. Plus, I did not want to bug anyone at 3 am! So when Robert got up, we talked and I decided I may as well go to school since I was feeling okay and I did not have sub plans done!
Well, apparently all that I needed to do to get this labor progressing was go to school. Within an hour of getting to school my contractions started to really hurt and were only 3 minutes apart. So I sent a text to my cousin Abby(she works at the doctor's office), and she said that I should get ready to go to the hospital. So when my kids when to special, I called my sub and went home. I called Robert and he was going to finish up and school and then come home.
At about 2:00 we decided to head to the hospital. Before we left, my awesome husband gave me a really sweet blessing that I am certain helped me to feel so calm and peaceful during everything. After we got to the hospital and got checked in and into our room, it was about 3:00. Once they finally got me hooked up, they noticed that my blood pressure was really high, and Emersen's heart was really steady (I guess there is supposed to be some movement with contractions and all). So my nurse was worried and didn't want me out of bed until we heard from the doctor. After a few hours we heard back from Uncle Eric. He wasn't concerned, so I could get up and walk around and try to get the labor progressing! After Robert and I went for a walk, I had progressed two centimeters (to a six), so I decided I wanted to get my epidural before they broke my water. First off, our anesthesiologist was amazing; I did not feel anything...not even the initial shot! Second, epidurals are incredible!!! I don't know why anyone would choose to go without! At about 7:00, Uncle Eric got there to break my water.
Well, over the next few hours our families came to visit and we had fun chatting and hanging out. I was so tired since I had been up the night before, but with all of the people coming and out, I did not get much sleep. Around midnight my nurse came in to check on me and I still had not made any changes. At that point she started the pitocin. By about 2:30 I had finally dilated to a ten, and it was time to start pushing. At this point I remember thinking that I could not believe how easy everything had gone and that in just a few more minutes it would all be over and we would have our baby here!
Yeah...not exactly how it happened! Pushing ended up being a long process - almost 3 hours to be exact! For whatever reason, our little girl was not cooperating! At this point I had been up for almost 48 hours, and I was exhausted. Plus, when I continued to see/hear that we were not making any progress, I was frustrated! At about 5:00 am, my uncle came in and asked if we would like to try to use the vacuum. Robert was very quick to say yes! They reminded him that it needed to be my decision. When they told me I could be pushing for a few more hours, it was a pretty easy choice!
Within about 15 minutes and just a few pushes, Emersen was finally there! It was the most amazing feeling when Robert told me he could see her, and then even moreso when I sat up and saw her little body! She came out screaming and with her eyes wide open! She was so alert and very aware of her tongue and mouth. By the time they cleaned her off and gave her to me, I was so out of it! Before I knew it, our families were there taking pictures and holding our baby!
The whole progress from pregnancy to delivery is seriously a miracle! Its still hard to believe I went through all of that and am now a mom! I am so grateful to have such an amazing husband who was seriously the perfect support every step of the way.
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| Its a good thing that she is so sweet because I look like death! |
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| How do you moms look so beautiful and rested after giving birth?! |
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| She was so interested in her tongue...as you can see by her bubbles! |
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| Don't you love that look? |
