Layla's Birth Story

**Ignore the various sized font and formatting issues.  On my edit screen it looks normal but when it's published it looks all crazy.  I'm too tired to figure it out.**

I still can't believe Layla was 10 days early!  Given my previous history (both kids were 5 days late) I fully expected to go past my due date.  There was no question in my mind that I would have another July baby.  With a July 4th due date, I honestly prepared myself for a July 9th baby, but Miss Layla had other plans!

On Sunday June 21st we spent the afternoon at my sister's apartment swimming and enjoying the fantastic summer weather.  After swimming we stopped by my dad's house for dinner  After a day in the sun I was miserable, and my Braxton Hicks contractions were non stop.  To say I was uncomfortable was an understatement.  Of course this led Donna and her Mom, Judy to believe that the baby was right around the corner.  I was not so sure, and definitely didnt' want to get my hopes up.  I did, however, have some painful contractions that evening, but they didn't last long.  The following day I had my 38 week checkup, and unfortunately it was uneventful.  Layla was high, my cervix was firm, and I was barely 2cm.  Boo.  My doctor said, "Looks like she will be in there for a while longer."  I agreed. When I got home I texted my Douala, Gina, to tell her about the painful contractions from the night before, and my lack of progress. Neither of us thought I'd be having a baby just a couple days later!

On Tuesday I got a babysitter for the kiddos and I spent the morning at the salon getting my hair highlighted.  I ended up having a little extra time after my appointment so I swung by my favorite nail salon and got a much needed pedicure.  I can't tell you how many women commented on my belly.  Lots of "Any day now!" comments.  Clearly I looked ready to pop.  I felt fabulous though.  Nothing like fresh hair and pretty nails. I remember thinking, man if I give birth tonight I will look fantastic!

Despite feeling fantastic, I hated this picture.  I'm glad it kept it though.  It's my last pregnant belly picture!  I was 38 weeks and 3 days here.  

Early Wednesday morning I woke up around 2:30am with some major Braxton Hicks contractions.  I assumed I was dehydrated and chugged some water.  I tossed and turned for a while and couldn't get comfortable in bed.  I thought it was strange that the contractions weren't stopping, but being in early labor didn't even cross my mind.  I decided to get out and take a bath to see if that would help.  While i was in the tub my contractions started becoming a little painful.  Strange.  Especially since this was a new sensation.  I never felt this type of discomfort in my other 2 labors (I had epidurals early in both).  My contractions were coming every 3-5 minutes, but lasting only 30-40 seconds.  I didn't want to be a huge dork and text Gina that early for a false alarm, but after about 30 minutes I decided to give her a heads up that something was definitely different.  Almost immediately after I sent the text

my contractions quickly became 2 minutes apart and more painful.

It was 5am so I woke up Andy to tell him I might be in labor.  I started packing the kids' bags, and trying to keep busy, but within the next few minutes my contractions got so intense I needed to drop to the ground to ride them out on my hands and knees.  They were still 2 minutes apart and now I started worrying that I would be having the baby in the car!  I began panicking.  Andy called Gina (she had never responded to my text since she was asleep).  I called my dad and had him come get the kiddos.  Right after I called him my water broke during a contraction.  Oh God.  Now I was sure I was having the baby at home!  More panic!  We got the kids up, I frantically finished packing their bags and mine while contracting every 2 minutes.  Its pretty impossible to get much done in those tiny pain free windows of time.  I tried to stay all calm and collected in front of the kids, but I was yelling at Andy a lot.  NO ANDY, YOU CANNOT SHOWER.  Duh.  Move faster.

My dad and Gina arrived at the house around 6:15.  I got a bit teary saying goodbye to the kiddos, but they were excited to spend the day with Papa.

Gina wanted me to hang out and labor at home, per our plan.  But NO WAY.  I already had it in my head that Layla was coming to quickly and I was NOT going to have her in the car.  Plus I was already so uncomfortable at home, I knew the 25 minute car drive would be brutal. Gina insisted Andy make me eggs before we left.  She wanted me to have some protein.  Once those eggs were done, we threw them in a Tupperware container and I ate them on the way to the hospital.  They were cold and disgusting, but I managed to eat half of them.  I texted a few friends to keep myself distracted during the drive.  It was definitely a rough 25 minutes. I've never been a "zen" person by nature. So relaxing and breathing through the contractions wasn't doing a damn thing.  I knew I wouldn't be able to "relax" until I got to the hospital.

Once we arrived at the hospital I was able to skip triage since my water had broken.  Bonus!  While walking down the labor and delivery hall, I had immediate flashbacks to Brevin's birth.  It was exciting and terrifying all at once.  Then I realized I was put in room 8.  The same room Brevin was born in!  It was major dejavu!  Another thrilling realization: it was Wednesday!  My favorite doctor delivers on Wednesdays!  Brevin was also born on a Wednesday.  I honestly didn't think I'd get lucky enough to have my favorite doctor deliver me again. I was super super super happy!! (There are 5 doctors in the practice and I only like 3 of them.)

Anyway, my luck and excitement ran out when I met my nurse.  Really, lady?!  You are complaining about your heel spur and shoulder pain to ME right now?!  Thank GOD I had Gina.  I truly don't know how people give birth without doulas.

I was 5cm when the nurse checked me.  My goal was to make it to 7cm without an epidural. I received an epidural at 3cm with Isla, and 4cm with Brevin and it completely stalled my labor both times.  I knew I needed to make it farther along this time, and prior to labor I told Gina and Andy my plan.  Of course, I hadn't anticipated my contractions being so close together (even though this happened with both of my other labors due to my "hyperactive uterus").  I also didn't expect to have back labor AGAIN.  The pain quickly escalated to almost unbearable.  Gina knew right away I was having back labor and I started to instantly worry about Layla's positioning.  I was terrified of another shoulder dystocia delivery! 

Fast forward an hour or so and I was in terrible pain and I was finally begging for the epidural.  I was only 6cms but I didn't care at that point. Little did I know, Gina or Andy had told the nurse NOT to call the anesthesiologist until I was at 7cm.  So the nurse told me he was in an emergency c-section.  This lasted over an hour.  I finally started to get really pissed off.  Eventually at some point someone had to have felt bad for me and called the guy in.  My first epidural gave me relief for roughly 10 minutes before it stopped working on my right side.  I was having excruciating pain on my right side, and felt nothing on my left.  I had to decide if I wanted to have my epidural redone, or just deal with the pain.  I chose the epidural even though there was no guarantee it would work any better the second time.  

This is the only "during labor" picture we have.  Things were so intense and all I wanted to do was labor in bed.  No tub, no walking, no ball, no smiles.  

Thankfully I got relief the second time around, and I was able to relax a bit before I needed to push.  Around 2pm Layla was still facing sideways and hadn't dropped, but I felt the urge to push.  Gina put me in a position on my side that encouraged proper positioning and I was hoping for the best!  After 40 minutes of pushing  I wasn't making much progress so the doctor stepped out of the room for a minute to grab an ultrasound machine to check my bladder (another story for a different time). While he stepped out, Gina had me roll onto my back and then instantly Layla dropped into position. Her head was *right there*.  Of course I had to wait for the doctor hurry back in and get ready which seemed like eternity.  Everyone told me to stop pushing when I literally was doing nothing. My body was just pushing her right out.  Sure guys, I'll just keep her inside me as long as you need.  No big deal.

Layla Winona was born on June 24th at 2:51pm. No complications, no tears, no vomit, no weird primal animal noises and no screaming for a c-section!  Oh, and I kept my clothes on for what I can safely say was my classiest birth experience!  Woohoo!

I really couldn't believe my beautiful girl had arrived 10 days early!  She was soooo tiny compared to my other kids.  6lbs 15oz and 19 inches!  Such a peanut!  She was pretty much born with Andy's exact face, sans beard.  My uterus is most certainly a cloning machine.

My labor from start to finish was just over 12 hours...with 8 of them at the hospital.  It seemed like a breeze compared to the 33 hour labor I had with Brevin.  I felt amazing and nearly pain free after having her.  I never understood how women looked so good and felt fine after delivery.  I could barely sit for weeks after having Brevin, and I was up walking around just an hour after having Layla.  It was truly and incredible experience and by far my easiest delivery and recovery.

Happiness all around!

Layla stayed awake long enough to nurse (she latched like a champ) and then she fell asleep for 15 hours straight.  It was insane.  But I was able to catch up on sleep and enjoy time with visitors. My heart nearly exploded when Isla and Brevin came to visit later that evening.  The instant love they had for their baby sister melted my heart.  It was such a beautiful, joyous moment that I will cherish forever.  

I told everyone immediately after that I was DONE having kids.  I never wanted to feel that kind of intense pain again.  EVER.  It was brutal.  But now, almost 5 months later, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  I'd love one more!  I'd actually give anything for one more!  But that is definitely not in the cards for us.  Andy is done.  He will be permanently done on December 10th.  I'm thankful he agreed to one more baby.  We are blessed with 3 beautiful kids.  Life is good.

My Peanut!!