E's Birth Story

I had a few complications at the end of E's birth so I decided to share them.  I had been having contractions off and on for well over a week.  I was kind of hoping my water would break like it did with D because then I would know I needed to go to the hospital. 

I woke up on the morning of her birth with contractions on and off and I just didn't "feel" right.  I really didn't want to go to the hospital just to be sent home.  My doctor had told me that I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced a few days before.  I had the brilliant idea to go see my doctor, who happens to be right next to the hospital.  He could tell me if I should go in and then I wouldn't have to be embarrassed if I was wrong.  Long and short, I called my doctor's office and they asked me to come in right away so off we went. 

When my doctor checked me at around 11am I was 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced so he sent me next door to have our baby!  Even though it was right next door by the time we checked in it was noon and then I was 8 cm dilated. 

The doctor on call decided that breaking my water might speed things along.  When they did this, they found meconium.  They weren't super alarmed but they were concerned and so during delivery there was a NICU doctor waiting for our baby - waiting to suction out the lungs in case of meconium complications. 

 E was checked out right away!

I labored for another 2-3 hours.  My pain was a little off but I couldn't place why.  When it came time to push, it became obvious.  I pushed E's head out with one push and the doctor noticed a chunk of my placenta behind her head - she gently pulled the baby the rest of the way (according to my hubby, I didn't really see this). 

Apparently, sometime during delivery I had placenta abruption, which is pretty bad news. 

Luckily, E was born perfectly healthy.  The NICU doctor was super pleased with her - they just monitored us both a little more closely the first day.  You can tell in this picture right after delivery that my color and E's color are a bit off, more gray than pink - I am fairly certain that has to do with the abruption. 

E and I right after delivery.  With my 5 kiddos I have had 4 different doctors deliver them.  This was my only repeat doc, delivering C & E - she was fantastic!

Anyhoo, long in short is that E came at just the right time - for both of us!  Praise God that we are both okay!!  Thanks for all the prayers during my pregnancy, they really were heard.

 Us with my doctor, whom I love :)  And yes, I am sleep deprived.  I was so tired but I couldn't sleep at all the first night because all I wanted to do was stare at E.