I had a doctor appointment on December 7th at 5:30 pm. I was only at 2 cm and only 38 weeks. Doctor asked if I wanted my membranes stripped. Sure, why not? It doesn't usually do a ton anyways. Maybe she'll actually be out before Christmas!
At 10:30 pm, I started getting contractions every 3 minutes. Sadly, this has happened to me every night for the last week, so I didn't think anything of it. Then I couldn't sleep. Then I couldn't breathe. "Hey, Am, I think we need to go to the hospital. If nothing else, I really need something for this pain". So, we loaded our bags and Emma in the car just in case they sent me home. Contractions are now on for 90 seconds off for 90 seconds.
Check into hospital at 12:30 am December 8th. I've dilated to a 6! We call someone in the ward to come get Emma. Unfortunately, Emma witnessed several intense contractions before she left. During my down time, I tried explaining that it hurts a little before a baby comes out. Emma was sweet and tried holding my hand to make me feel better. After Emma leaves, Nurse asks if I want an epidural.
"Yeah, I might."
"Okay, but since you're the only one in labor and delivery, the anesthesiologist is at home. We'll have to wait for him to get here".
By 1 am (30 min later), contractions are on for 45 seconds, off for 45 seconds. The chart looked like a topograph of Mt. Everest. The nurses referred to them as "labor from hell!"
So my response was: "I want an epidural!"
Answer: "Well, you're an 8, so you're moving pretty fast. You might not be able to have one? Should we break her water, doctor?"
Me: "Too late!" As pea soup goes everywhere.
Doctor: "That looks like meconium, you'll have to labor faster now. She might be in distress."
Me: "WHAT?!?!"
15 minutes later (1 am) contractions are on for 60 seconds, off for 30 seconds:
"Jes, do you feel the need to push?"
"Not til I have my epidural."
"In order to get an epidural, you have to hold still for longer than 30 seconds."
"Well then I give up...PLEASE give me an epidural...where on earth does this doctor live?"
"An epidural will not happen. You're complete and ready to push."
Cue anesthesiologist meandering through the door, followed by hushed tones from a nurse of "you're a little late."
Another 15 min later (1:30 am):
Doctor: "Jes, the baby's heart rate is dropping, get her out, NOW!"
Me: "Oh, so I'm supposed to try to push, not pretend to? That's what I've been doing wrong!"
By 1:43am, Little Miss Adele came with the cord around her neck only once (big improvement from Emma's 3 times, although my doctor said she's seen a baby with the cord around SIX times)! She has dark brown curly hair, sucks sucks sucks on her adorable hands (like she did inside me), was WIDE awake from the second she came out til an hour later, only cries when getting her temperature taken or when she's unswaddled, has big beautiful eyes and Emma's cute little mouth, has her mommy's feet and toes, and is completely perfect in every way!
Her APGAR scores were 8 and 9 (same as Emma's) because she was a little blue. I only had 4 stitches (I had 10 times that many with Emma)!! But at the same time I don't understand why I even needed 4! She's TINY! I guess I'm really not built for big babies after all.
After the birth, my nurse told me that the contractions were so intense during my labor because they were moving me along so quickly. Apparently it's not suggested to move from 6 cm to birth in an hour. Poor Ammon might have permanent damage on his hands from me squeezing them so hard. He was very helpful in dealing with my intensity and constant "I can't do this anymore!" Once she was out, I felt AMAZING! I probably could have climbed Everest! :) It wasn't until then that I was so glad an epidural didn't happen. I've had a much better recovery so far, and didn't throw up at all.
Basically, this pregnancy, labor, delivery, and recovery could not be more opposite than Emma's! Adele and Emma are also totally opposite already...other than the fact that they are both girls. :) I LOVE my girls and feel so blessed that they are in my life!
"Why are you doing this to me?"
That, my friends, is a 6 pound baby! Insane, huh? The diaper is a newborn diaper, which barely stays on her. Emma was in newborn diapers for barely a week! I kept asking the nurses if she was okay and healthy. They kept reassuring me that she was an "average" size. Yeah right...average in my family is 8.5 pounds!
Proud Daddy! He looks amazing despite the fact that he downed NyQuil a few hours before and didn't get any sleep. I appreciate everything he's done for me through the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and recovery!
Stupid IV on my arm to prep me for the epidural. All it did was make me have to pee afterwards.
She makes it all worth it!
Her first bath
She LOVED it!
Tear-jerker moment: Emma meeting Adele for the first time. She ran into the room and shouted, "my baby sister!"
She immediately had to hold her...
...and couldn't wipe the joy from her face!
Emma helping Gramma hold Adele
We LOVE her awake time! How cute is she?!?!
After a much-needed shower! :)
Cuggle time
Being discharged
This 3-month outfit DROWNS her!
A nurse made her "bow hat". So stinking cute!
Princess Adele
this is ammon. i have been asked to break this down from the husband/father/man perspective. here it goes.... i love my wife. you may look at her and think: wow, she's gorgeous and smart and a joy to be around. all true. but you may not think: wow, she's tough and courageous and gritty. i'll be honest, before the birth of adele, i thought jes was a delicate little flower. but she is a lioness!
let me describe some moments that stuck out in my mind. when we arrived at the hospital, and jes was contracting every other minute, i naturally assumed the roll of dutiful husband. i held her hand and told her to breathe. i watched the graph that showed jes's contractions rise, peak, and fall, and braced myself as jes dug her nails into my hand. i was doing great. but then came the moment when i realized that i had no business saying anything--no amount of coaching or verbal encouragement was going to help. the best i could do was just stand next to jes and hold her hand. this realization came when, as i monitored jes's contractions, i uttered these words (in all seriousness): "here comes another one jes." just let that sink in for a second.... jes's reply was this: "I KNOW!" i suddenly became very small. now, let me remind you all that this was not my first rodeo. i had been there when jes gave birth to emma. i should have known better. but something happens when a man sees his wife suffering from a pain that he will never understand. he must find a way to contribute, to help the situation. and in a situation that can use none of his assistance, he says silly things. i say this as a warning to those male readers who will one day be tempted to say silly things in an attempt to be useful. lesson learned.
the other lesson might be this: don't take nyquil if your wife is in labor. in my defense, i didn't know she was in real labor. jes had been contracting for weeks. so i popped a couple pills and dipped into a coma about an hour before jes woke me up to go to the hospital. so i can't be sure who was more tired after adele was born, me or jes. hahaha-- no but seriously, i was really tired. luckily, nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like seeing one human coming out of another human. especially if you are in love with those humans. was that a weird way of describing birth? maybe.
lastly, let me say this. i love my girls--jes, emma, and adele. they all performed wonderfully this week. emma was so patient and accommodating--not a typical 3 year old response. so kudos to emma. adele was also very patient. all that fussing and monitoring when all she wanted to do was sleep. brutal. and jes was a gem as always. even at the height of her pain, she glowed. there was a time when i thought i wanted/needed to have a son. i can't remember why anymore. i've realized that i need to learn empathy. i need manners, and sensitivity, and long-suffering. i need to be taught about when to not say silly things. i need to be taught those lessons that can only be taught by beautiful and intelligent women.
