Johanna's Birth Story

Our baby Pumpkin arrived on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. We couldn't be happier.

When I went to my OB appointment on her due date 10/31, I was 3cm and after talking it over with my OB and the hospital we scheduled to get things started on the 2nd. My OB wasn't scheduled to come in until 6PM so when the hospital wanted me in at 1PM, we determined that we would get things going slowly.

I arrived at the hospital with Becky and Emma at 1:00 and we went through the admitting process. I made sure the nurse understood that I was hoping to help labor get started by only breaking my water and that I wanted to avoid other medical interventions. The nursing staff was great. I did need to get in IV going right away because I tested positive for Group B Strep and needed antibiotics in my system before they broke my water. That took 2 tries but I got the antibiotics.

Jim and the younger sisters all arrived at the hospital at 2:00 and came into visit. They were very well behaved. My girls were concerned for me and didn't like the machines and tubes but they could see that I was doing just fine. Bridget didn't like the smell of the room and preferred to be in the waiting area. Over the next 2 hours we just waited. Mary arrived and she, Jim, and Becky took turns with the girls in the waiting area. A little after 4PM they broke my water. It took a little while for contractions to start and they were very mild. I could talk through them and enjoy the company of everyone in the room. Jim took our 4 girls to get dinner and returned to find me still pretty comfortable.

Contractions got more consistent as Magaly and Heather arrived but they were still mild and I got to catch up with everyone as I rocked in the rocking chair. I really love having a close family and I was so excited we had so much support. Rachael, Megan and Bridget came to check on me every once in a while, sometimes together and sometimes individually. They were so sweet to me. At about 7:30 I started having strong contractions. Everyone in the room could tell the difference and Becky ushered the 3 younger girls back to the waiting room. Emma was very good throughout the day and had just the right touch at the right time. It was wonderful having her there. Jim, having seen me labor multiple times, knew it was getting close and made sure I did what was comfortable. He got me over to the bed because I was obviously in transition. I stopped talking except for one word here or there. I closed my eyes and focused on getting through the pain. My OB came in to check me at 8:00 and asked everyone to leave but Jim and Emma, and I just about cried when she said I was 5cm. There was no way I was going to be able to labor at that pain level for a long time. I think hearing that really made the pain harder to deal with. The OB team left the room because they had another mom delivering but my nurse Jan stayed. Mary and Becky came back in the room. I was so uncomfortable on the bed so I moved to a sitting position on the side of the bed. I remember saying "ow" and breathing and bouncing my leg. I drew into myself.

At 8:17 Johanna was born. No doctor, no prepared bed, just a room full of loved ones, Jim's capable help and our nurse who guided her out. I went from 5cm to delivered in 17 minutes. My OB and the staff showed up, wrapped her up and I got to hold her. Johanna was alert and big eyed but she wasn't crying much and her color was more purple than pink so they moved her over to the warming bed. The room was a mess so it took a little while to get me, the bed and the room cleaned up enough to have people in. Johanna immediately looked better and Jim and Emma kept her company. 

When everything, including Johanna and I, were cleaned up Rae, Meg and Bridge came into the room. They were quiet and gentle and waited for a space to see their little sister. It was so wonderful to see the love on their faces. The Aunts came back in as well and got to enjoy our little Pumpkin.

 

 

Pumpkin weighed 7 lbs. 14 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. She looks so familiar and so new. I love her!