At about 5:00 I woke Justin up and told him that I had been having contractions since 1:00. I texted my Dad who was in Texas to tell him to catch a flight home, and called my Mom while Justin called his parents. My Dad booked a flight that arrived at 11:30 am, my Mom took the day off, Justin's Mom called a sub, and Justin's Dad was on call. We had NO idea how long I would be in labor!
The day went on with little change in my status. We went on a long walk, and I paced around the house during contractions. Finally at 4:00 pm, we decided to call the doctor since we had finally got to the 5-1-1. When we got to the hospital, the nurse checked my cervix - I was 1cm dilated and fully effaced. 1 cm! I just about lost it! Apparently my response was "shut up!"....I just couldn't believe it. The nurse tried to make me feel better by explaining that effacement was just as important as dilation, but I wasn't hearing it. I was super tired and SO disappointed. They told me to walk around the hospital for a little bit and they would check me again in two hours. They checked me at 7:00 pm and this time I was 4 cm dilated - good progress! I was EXHAUSTED from not having slept the night before. The nurse said that it would likely take 6-12 hours to dilate the final 6 cm, at which point I opted for the epidural. It was wonderful. It allowed me to take a three hour nap and Justin said that it was one of the best decisions in our marriage:)
Around 12:45 am I started to feel serious pressure so the nurse checked me and said that we were ready to push. A little before 1:00 am I started pushing, but after only a few contractions, Andie's heart rate dropped and things starting happening really fast! The nurse put an oxygen mask on me and called in the doctor and NICU nurses. There was a sense of urgency in her voice that definitely worried me. When the doctor came in, she was deciding whether she needed to do a c-section when Justin asked if we could try for a vaginal delivery because he could see the head! A couple of pushes later and we heard little Andie's first cry! Andersen Taylor Smutz was born at 1:09 am on Friday November 9....exactly 20 months after her brother:) The cord had wrapped around her neck, so she was a little blue but her APGAR scores were 8 and 9. Justin got to cut the cord and she was able to eat right away! She is a really good eater - just like Caden:)
Andie weighed a healthy 7 pounds, 3.1 ounces
Daddy giving his little girl her first bath:) He gave Caden's his as well - LOVE what a hands-on Dad Justin is!
Tiny feet!
Big brother Caden holding his little sissy for the first time!
The hospital throws a little birthday party for the new baby and their sibling(s)....Caden enjoyed the whip cream:)
He also REALLY enjoyed all the buttons on the hospital bed and the warm cookies the volunteers brought around!
Our first family photo!
Andie getting her hearing screening:)
Snuggling with Daddy! We couldn't believe how much hair she had!
Going home outfit!
Justin and I are SO thankful that we were able to do a VBAC. Although it wasn't an ideal labor and delivery, and there is definitely some recovery that goes along with a vaginal birth, the recovery has been WAY easier than the c-section! We feel so blessed to have two wonderful children....welcome to the world little Andie!
1 comment:
Congrats! I am so glad you were able to do a VBAC, what a relief. She is beautiful and you look great!
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