The Story- Part 2

Well, after I got my sleeping pill and could relax a little more, my contractions decided to come even harder and closer together.... just as I got to sleep. I'm so glad though. It really meant so much to me that I didn't have to be induced. I suffered through the contractions and finally called the nurse to see if there was anything they could give me that wasn't an epidural. She gave me a shot of something that took the edge off, but I could still feel each on hard and strong. It was not fun. She checked me and I was in active labor, at a 6!! I got through a handful of contractions and thought I was seriously going to die! I asked for another shot and by the time she got back to give it to me, I asked for the epidural. She called the anesthesiologist and she came right away. Within 20 minutes, I had the epidural in and she got ready to turn on the medicine, but wanted to check me first. I had progressed from a 6 to a 9 in about 30 minutes! OUCH! They started the medicine and within an hour I was pushing. 5 pushes later, sweet Leah was born. I wish I could tell you how amazing that moment was... unfortunately, the sleeping pill, shot and epidural made my body sort of freak out. I was shaking so badly, I could hardly hold her. I gave her a quick kiss and then handed her off. I don't remember George's face or really anything more after that. I have no clue how I moved from the delivery room to the recovery room. She was born at 3:37am and the last time I remember was 6:30 that morning. NO clue were those 3 hours went. It breaks my heart. George says not to be sad because he remembers everything and said I was normal and didn't act crazy or anything, I was just physically out of it. He said the moment was just a precious for him as it was with Charlotte. He said the second he saw her he didn't care if she came out perfect or missing limbs or whatever, he loved her so much. That was another one of OUR daughters. 

Over the past 3 days I have bonded so well with Leah. I love her so much and am so grateful to have her in our family. Charlotte loves her too... which is good.

George was able to take a week off of work to help out around the house and to take care of Charlotte. We're honestly getting a little bored, since I'm feeling great and Leah's doing well too. So if anyone has some ideas of things we can do in the house or little projects Charlotte could do with us, ideas are most definitely welcome. I'm sooooo excited... my Mom is coming next week for a couple days. I can't believe it's been almost a year and a half since we've seen her. Charlotte was 8 months old when we left. She's a totally different girl now! It's going to be so fun to have her here and to show her Tulsa. I have really come to love it here, so I'm excited to show her around. 

On another note.... Charlotte hates me. Seriously, she wants NOTHING to do with me. Only Daddy can help her with anything. Getting her dressed, bath, putting on shoes, reading.... everything! I've tried so hard to include her and do things with her, but she just yells at me and says, "NO! Dad!!"..... It's breaking my heart. I really hope it's just a phase. If not, advice PLEASE!

The Story- Part 1

Well, before this sweet baby is born, I guess I'll start documenting her birth story. I've basically been in "early labor" since last Tuesday (May 10th). Almost every night my body has contractions for 2-4 hours that range from 3-6 minutes apart. It's hard and frustrating. As soon as I think, "OK, this is real. Let's call the Dr. Or, Let's go to the hospital." they stop... BAH! Last Tuesday, I got really shaky and was throwing up a lot so I thought it was the real thing. We went to the hospital (at midnight!) and on the drive there, the contractions eased up. After being there for almost an hour, I was still only at a 1, so they sent us home. I was an emotional wreck. For the next week, I would experience the same thing almost everyday. RUDE. Wednesday (the 11th, Charlotte's birthday) Charlotte woke up early, throwing up. We had to cancel her MUCH anticipated garden birthday party. I was crushed. I had an appointment that afternoon and was dilated to a 3! (2cm overnight? YAY!) Unfortunately, my blood pressure was high, so my awesome Dr ordered a bunch of lab work to make sure it wasn't pre eclampsia, and had me come back in on Friday to get my membranes stripped (ow!) and make sure my BP was down (it was!). Monday morning, she called me with my lab results, I have pre eclampsia. Lame! The only way to get rid of it is to deliver the baby, so I was scheduled to be induced on Wednesday, May 18th, bright and early at 5:30am. Tuesday, the 17th at 5am, my contractions started up again and have yet to die down. They've stayed around 6-7 minutes apart, sometimes as close as 3 minutes apart... but nothing consistent. Kind of annoying. Because of the pre eclampsia, my Dr made me come into the hospital to be monitored until tomorrow morning, when I'll get induced. That is, unless things pick up and she comes on her own. In about half an hour, they're giving me a sleeping pill and some tylenol in hopes that I just zonk out until morning.
My plan this whole pregnancy has been to do this all naturally. Meaning NO epidural. No induction. Nothing... (OK, except a sleeping pill, hehe). I was mildly devastated when I found out I had to be induced. I have prepared myself to get through this with different relaxation and breathing techniques. I know I can do it without pitocin, but I'm scared to death for how it'll be once that's pumping through my veins. I'm going to try and go as far as I can. I'll post part 2 tomorrow!

Why, thank you.

This post could potentially sound unkind. It's not. It is just me venting upon the fact that there are unkind people in the world that think they can say whatever they want, because of age/gender/social status.
As you all know, I'm pregnant. Almost 37 weeks pregnant. That is still 3 WHOLE WEEKS away from full term. I know I'm huge. I know I look uncomfortable. But yes, I am still pregnant. If I have another person ask me, "You're STILL hangin' in there, huh?!" or say, as if it's nothing, "You're just so BIG!", I think I might say something unkind back. My question is, why do people think that JUST because I'm pregnant and NOT overweight or something, that they can make said comments? I didn't understand it last pregnancy, and I don't get it now. It's not OK.
I AM miserable. I am so uncomfortable. And I seriously feel like a beached whale more than 90% of my days. Believe me people, no one wants to see me UN-pregnant more than ME. But I still have 3 more weeks! So be nice. Please. Otherwise, I might cry. And that's just not pretty.

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