Pregnancy for me was amazing. I think because I know what its like to loose a baby I tried to love every minute of my pregnancy! Once I started getting my belly I loved to hold it, and when Aria started moving I loved it! Now I am sitting here looking at my beautiful 4 month old baby as I finally write her birth story!
December 12th started out like any other day! Eric and I made a list of things we wanted to accomplish. We wanted to get the house clean, go grocery shopping, decorate the Christmas tree, and pack the hospital bag. Little did we know we wouldn't get that chance. At 3:45 we went in for a doctors appointment. I hadn't felt any contractions so I didn't think there would be any progression. So imagine my shock when Dr. Isbell turned to Eric and I and said "we are having a baby today!" I was dilated to a 3 and my blood pressure was high so we were going to induce labor. This was only 1 week early from going the full 40 weeks. I knew Aria would be okay but we still had things to do. I asked Dr. Isbell if we could go home and pack the hospital bag, he informed me that we needed to head to the hospital to get things started.
Eric and I stopped at motherhood maternity on our way to the hospital to get a nursing bra. It was starting to sink in that we were about to meet our little girl. As we made our phone calls to family to let them know what was going on our excitement was building.
We went to the hospital and got checked in. Eric left and went to pack and bring the hospital bag. They started the Pitocin at 5. I had always imagined going into labor without assistance and being able to walk around the hospital, but instead I was hooked up to machines and got to listen to my baby's heartbeat all night.
The anesthesiologist came in around 6:30 and let me know that as soon as I dilated to a 3 I could get my epidural. Although I could have had it right then I wasn't feeling any contractions yet and wasn't ready. Eric and I sat in the room and watched TV while the excitement was building. At 10 my back was starting to hurt so I decided it was time for my epidural.
Eric was such a great support holding me as I prepared for the epidural. The lidocaine was the worst part. They tried to put the epidural between the L4 and L5 disc's in my spine, but back slightly curves to the right and they couldn't get it in without it being to much to the right. So he had to go to in between the L3 and L4. As I was laying back down I started feeling sick and ended up throwing up, the pressure of throwing up also made me pee. Eric and the nurse changed my padding on the bed and prepared to do the catheter. Once again I got sick and peed. Finally everything was in and I was ready for bed. I didn't want any flavored ice chips at that point, I just wanted plain but I was able to keep them down.
After my epidural I was dilated to a 4. The nurse checked with my doctor who told her to let me sleep all night and let my body do what it knows what to do. It was a fitful sleep but I did my best. The epidural didn't completely numb my legs, instead I had a tingly sensation and was able to move myself around to try to get comfortable.
At 5:30am on Tuesday December 13th the nurse came in to check me. I was still dilated to a 4. Dr. Isbell said he would be in at 6:30 to break my water. He came in at 6. as he broke my water, more came out than expected and went all over the floor. He said I was Dilated to a 5. at 9:30 the nurse came in to check me and I was dilated to a 6. Labor was slow and I was anxious to meet Aria!
The nurse brought in a peanut ball and I put one leg up on it the other off, she said this has always made her mom's dilate. Sure enough at 10 I was dilated to a 10 and it was time to start pushing.
I was so thirsty at this point and ready to go! My second push in the sets of 3 was always the best and I kept telling myself I needed to push that strong for all my pushes. Eric was so good at having the water ready after my 3rd push. I was getting exhausted. At 10:30 the nurse told me to stop pushing until the doctor was here. Dr. Isbell came in and watched my next round of pushes and started getting everything draped in blue. I couldn't believe this moment was happening. My daughter was going to be born. I kept pushing and at 10:47am Aria was brought into the world! Eric says she looked like a blue goblin, all I could think was my daughter is finally here! It was love at first sight. Aria had a hard time breathing at first. But I finally heard that scream and realized my life was complete. I sent Eric to be with Aria and when I finally got to hold her my life felt complete. I couldn't believe she was here. She was 7lbs 12 oz and 20 inches long! Our first couple of hours together were perfect. Eric cuddled Aria while I took a nap.
Aria has been our pride and joy, and we've enjoyed every moment of watching her grow up. We still can't believe God has trusted us to be her parents but we love her and we are trying to be the best parents to her.
Aria you are our whole life and world. We want everything the world could offer for you! You have competed our family and spending everyday with you is the best! You are so loved by not only your dad and I but by your grandparents, your great grandparents, your aunts and uncles, and cousins. Our world now revolves around you, thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives!
