On Thursday, December 26th we went to the midwife for my 38 week appointment. The nurse took my blood pressure and it was high. When the midwife came in she wasn't overly concerned but said I needed to go to the hospital to have my NST (Non Stress Test) and to have my blood pressure monitored consistently. The kids were with us for the appointment and thankfully Nana Sue was able to pick them up so they didn't have to wait around with us at the hospital. After a few hours of monitoring baby and my blood pressure, everything seemed fine and I was released to go back home. But, with me I had to take a 24 hour urine collection to bring back the following evening. I hadn't packed my hospital bag yet, but that night after the kids were in bed I took some time to gather some things "just in case." I was so thankful to crawl into my own bed that night. Little did I know it would be our last night together at home as a family of 4.
Friday I laid low at home with the kids. I took two naps, chilled on the couch and put aside my to do list. Friday afternoon/evening the kids spent with Roy's parents while we made a quick trip to Pella for a funeral visitation. On our way in route home we stopped at the hospital to make a (what we thought would be quick) delivery of my 24 hour collection. They monitored baby and my blood pressure again, both which were normal. We waited on the results from the lab on the urine sample for 2 hours while we watched football. Around 10:00pm the nurse came in and said my sample was 13 points high and they were going to induce labor. There was concern of preeclampsia. Because of my age and because I was full term, they didn't want to mess around with the possibility of me developing preeclampsia. I remember my response vividly...I hit the bed and said, "No!! I'm not ready! I don't want to be induced!" And then the tears started flowing. My plan was to get through the weekend, ring in the new year and then have this baby. I looked at the clock and knew I didn't want to begin induction at 10:00pm. This mama needed some rest before labor, both mentally and physically. When the midwife on call arrived I asked if I could go home to sleep and come back first thing in the morning to begin induction. She was not supportive of that idea. I then asked if we could sleep for the night at the hospital, allowing Roy to run home and get our stuff, and me to get some mental and physical rest in preparation for labor the next day. The midwife was willing to "compromise" with me and let us stay the night and begin induction first thing in the morning.
Saturday morning, December 28th, I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and then they started the pitocin around 8:00am.
Roy took this picture to document all of the hall walking we did. We should have counted the number of laps we did. The idea of being pumped with pitocin was not part of my birth plan. I prefer just to let my body do its natural thing, yet I didn't really have a choice.
Certainly not my most glamorous pictures but sharing them to document the memory. I enjoyed popsicles while waiting for the contractions to begin. For most of the morning and all afternoon we walked the halls, I sat on the exercise ball, moved to the chair and then in the bed, moving positions often. And yes, we watched more football. The midwife broke my water around 1:00pm and they assured us "things usually pick up after that." The contractions were happening but not much. Around 4:30 Roy and I were both getting a bit discouraged, we wanted things to pick up and we were hoping this baby would arrive today!
Around 5:00pm the contractions picked up and at 7:00 I was complete and ready to begin pushing. At 7:19pm our Ivy Rae was here! She was 8 pounds 6.6 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.
It was love at first sight, of course!
Getting all checked out, and obviously not super excited about it.
Skin to skin time with Daddy.
Ivy means "faithful" and Rae is my (and my moms) middle name.
The midwife Susan delivered Ivy. She was awesome and such a blessing. We are so thankful for her calm and honest wisdom. Susan was the same midwife who delivered Greta, 5 years ago. So special!
A list of blessing to document God's goodness...
*labor and delivery without any pain medicine
*staying calm
*wireless monitor so I could move and walk
*Roy's supportive words, demeanor and back rubs
*texts and prayers from friends and family
*movement, rocking and motion to get through the contractions
*the pitocin worked
*healthy baby and Mama
*calm and confident words of the midwife
*a pretty low key and relaxed day spent with my favorite guy
*2019 arrival (Roy was thankful for the tax deduction)
*popsicles and Italian Ice treats
*Hudson and Greta being cared for my Nana
*daytime labor
*support, kindness and expertise of hospital and nursing staff
