Jade's Birth Story

First of all, let me just say that I did not enjoy being pregnant. I was always really excited to be pregnant and I hoped I was one of those glowing, perfect pregnant women...I wasn't. I may not have looked awful, I didn't gain a ton of weight, I was all belly, but I did not enjoy it. I was sick just about the whole pregnancy and it didn't matter if I ate or not. Zofran was my lifesaver! I would have died without it. I was also always tired...whoever said you get your energy back in the 2nd trimester is a liar. I never had energy -- ever! It's probably a good thing I stopped working so early so I could keep my sanity. I would have loved to just sleep all the time -- everyone says to sleep as much as you can before the baby comes but I had insomnia the last month. I guess my body was preparing me for no sleep once Jade arrived haha. Some of you may be thinking "I never heard you complain, I didn't know you didn't like it" (or maybe you did, I'm not perfect) that's because I figure complaining wouldn't make it go away, so why annoy everyone? It would only make things worse!

I went to the doctor for my 39 week check up on Thursday, December 6th and I was dilated to about a 2 and he said I was pretty effaced. Since he was estimating that Jade would be about 7.5 lbs and I have a narrow pelvis we decided to schedule an induction for early Monday morning. I was relieved, I didn't want to be pregnant anymore, but I was also nervous and a tad bummed because I really wanted her on 12/12/12. Turns out, Jade had plans of her own! I don't remember much, just that that night Lisa, Landon and Claire came over and I was laughing really hard because Claire had put like 10 bows in her hair. I remember feeling a strong cramp and it hurt to laugh but it was so funny I just couldn't stop. I had trouble sleeping that night because I was cramping on and off. Finally around 1:00 am I couldn't sleep through them anymore so I started to time them. They were pretty regular, about 1-2 minutes apart, so I called the hospital. The nurse wasn't very helpful, she told me that I could come in but since it was my first they'd probably send me home. So she told me to take a bath, wait an hour, and see if they go away. They didn't. They got much stronger and more painful. I woke Rick up before my bath to tell him I might be in labor. After the bath I called the hospital back and she said "so...are you going to come in?" I was annoyed...I thought she would be more helpful. So we decided to go in around 3:00 am. I have never wanted an epidural, but as soon as I got to the hospital I changed my mind. I could hardly walk I was in so much pain -- and I have a very high pain tolerance, so you know it was bad. I had to have Rick help me get undressed and into the robe because I couldn't move! It got so bad that I was shaking violently and I eventually threw up. I was only at a 3 when I got to the hospital but they said my membrane sac was bulging so there was no way they were going to send me home. Thank goodness! Finally I got the epidural just after 6:00 am. I dilated 1 cm each hour and before I knew it Dr. Ferguson broke my water. I had to wear an oxygen mask because Jade's heart beat wasn't where they wanted it to be. It was so annoying...they don't make those to fit small faces haha. Then it came time to push -- I think around 11 maybe? I can't remember. I didn't push for long...Jade's heart beat started to drop and they got Dr. Ferguson back ASAP to get her out. As he lubed up the forceps he asked me if he had permission to use them (even though I'd signed the permission slip earlier). I said yes and before I knew it she was out! I started crying, I didn't know what else to do. I had a baby! Rick cut the cord and blood splattered all over the blinds and on the floor and even onto our jackets! She didn't cry for a long time so they were nervous and I didn't get to hold her right away. Apparently the placenta had detached from the umbilical cord so Dr. Ferguson had to remove it manually, piece by piece. I am SOOOO glad I couldn't feel any of that haha. I guess I ripped pretty bad too, I never asked but I was told it was bad. Finally I got to hold Jade! It is truly a miracle! Just thinking about how I had this little baby inside me is insane! I am so glad that she's here and that she's healthy!

Although I didn't have much fun I'm still excited for the next one :)

Jade was born December 7th at 12:02 pm, she was 20 inches long and weighed 6 lbs 10 oz.

She's so cute!