Claire's birth story

Well last week I was trying to find time to write my 39 week pregnancy update but before I got around to it, I went into labor. So we just skip that and get right to the story of sweet Claire's birth!

On Thanksgiving morning, Matt ran in the YMCA Turkey Trot. Then, we headed over to my brother's house for food, family time, and football watching. This is the last time they would see me pregnant. Little did we know, Claire would arrive the next day!

The Start

The next day I was scheduled to work. They put me on call but I ended up getting called in around 8:30 to relieve a sick co-worker. Around noon, I was sitting down to chart and my water broke. My co-workers were really excited and wanted me to go to triage to be checked. I wasn't feeling any contractions, pressure, or anything and really didn't want to be checked there. I wanted to labor at home as long as possible. After some convincing, they let me drive myself home. I had sent Matt a text and called him and for a minute he thought I was joking. When he realized I was serious, he left work and headed home. When I got home, I got in the shower to wash my hair. Matt arrived shortly after and started heating up Thanksgiving leftovers. At this point, I was having a few contractions but nothing too bad. We sat at the table and started to eat. I took about 6 bites then lost my appetite. I knew the contractions were really close together but I wasn't watching the clock or paying any attention to time. Matt was doing that and he was realized they were about 2-3 minutes apart. He started packing up the car and trying to convince me to get in. I finally gave in and we headed to the hospital.

The Drive

We called the midwives on the way and they said to go straight to the Labor & Delivery floor. The hospital is about 35 minutes away without traffic. Luckily, there was none that day but the skies decided to open and just pour down rain. Matt was flying down the toll way in dead silence. I'm screaming in the back seat, basically standing up with every contraction, and biting a towel. In between contractions I was telling Matt to slow down (though I really didn't want him to). I was so terrified we'd get stopped for speeding or we'd go hydroplaning and wreck. At one point, I started to think I was going to have the baby in the car. When we went through our birth education classes, the instructor told us that women sometimes say "it's pushing" - as in the baby / their body is instinctively pushing, not them intentionally bearing down. That thought was running through my mind. That's exactly what I was feeling but I wouldn't say it out loud. I didn't want to make Matt panic any more.  We finally arrived at the hospital,  jumped out at the valet, and headed inside.

At the Hospital

I'm not sure how I made it anywhere because I was walking with my eyes closed the whole time. Somehow, with a few stops for contractions, we made it to the floor. The security guard started asking us questions and let the staff know we arrive... but nobody was responding. As I'm leaning on the counter, screaming into and biting my towel, she realized this was urgent. She started calling on her walkie-talkie and hit the panic button. Matt was getting impatient and about to just bust through the doors himself. Then, with a glowing light behind them, the double doors opened up and there was my midwife and about 5 nurses! Oh what a great sight! We made it to room and they had me get on the bed to check me. The midwife checked and said, "Oh! Yeah! There's the head! She's complete and +3. We're ready to push!"  The nurse replied, "Wait! Let me get the table ready!" By this point, I think I got on all fours, smiling, and telling them I'm so happy. I was terrified that I'd be in this much pain only to find out I was like 4cm dilated or something. But it was time! We were so close to meeting our baby!

The Delivery

I had hoped and planned to have a natural, unmedicated delivery. Even if I had wanted something, there was absolutely no time. They had me lay on my side and start pushing. During the pregnancy, Matt and I had discussed his role in the whole delivery. Being that he gets nauseated at the thought of anything medical, his plan was to stay shoulders and up. I joked that he would be in a stretcher next to me if he looked and he agreed. But when the midwife said, "There's her head!", Matt looked and couldn't take his eyes off his daughter. They offered me a mirror and I agreed to watch too. It helped me to see the progress and since I see this everyday at work, it wasn't weird to me. A few more contractions and pushes later, and she was here. The midwife said, "Matt, grab your daughter!"  Without hesitating, Matt caught our baby and placed her on my stomach.  Matt and I both double checked to make sure the baby was in fact a girl! We finally got our answer. After several minutes, the cord stopped pulsing, they clamped it, and offered to let him cut it. He drew the line there and said no. :) So I got to cut it!  The delivery was perfect and everything I had hoped for. I'm so thankful it was quick too - less than 4 hours! My midwife suggested that I come up with a 'plan B', maybe something closer to home, for the next baby.

 

Claire was born at 3:15 pm. She was 7 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches long. Perfect and healthy. 

 The sight of Matt holding his baby girl was probably my favorite part of it all. I never thought I could love him any more nor be able to another person that way but my heart grew and so did my love for both of them. He's an amazing dad and every time they interact I'm overwhelmed with joy.

We moved to the postpartum room and Claire got to meet her extended family. The nurses also let me give Claire her first bath.

I had to add a bow to her hat and make her all girly. The bow was obnoxiously large :)

On Saturday, we welcomed more visitors, watched football, and ended the day with a complimentary celebration dinner. They put a white table cloth out. Matt got steak, I got chicken, there was a bottle of sparkling white grape juice and a little birthday cake. It was really good and fun to celebrate our baby girl.

 

 

 On Sunday, we had a photographer take some pictures of Claire that turned out soo great! Then we headed home! 

She wore the same dress that I wore when I went home from the hospital as a newborn. The bonnet was worn by Matt's mom, his two sisters, and 2 nieces so far. So much meaning in that little outfit! We are home, doing well, and getting adjusted to life as a family of 3... well 4 including Nix who is quite fond of her baby sister :)

The birth of our first baby, our sweet little girl, will be something we never forget. We are completely captivated by her and are so very thankful to our God who provides such blessings.