July 1, 2015 The birthing Story

On June 30th, we had a Dr. appointment with Karen Wells.  She checked me and said I was dilated to a 3 and effaced 70%.  My Dr asked if we would like to be induced tomorrow, July 1st.  Mike was very excited about scheduling it.  She said she was the Dr on duty so she would be the one delivering our baby.  We decided to go ahead and schedule our delivery.  We were told to arrive at 7:30 a.m. and To call around 6:00 a.m. to be sure they still had a room for us.  

We picked up my mom from the airport and told her that our baby would be born tomorrow.  Mike called Joe Todesco and asked if he could come over to help give me a blessing to give us some comfort and that everything would go safely as we go into the hospital.  My mom took this picture of me this morning before we left the house.

Mike and I arrived bright and early to check in. On the way to the hospital, Mike saw a bald eagle fly over the road, it was a cool morning.  They started the Pitocin.  Keppi and Grandma Gamble got to the hospital around 9:30.  Before they arrived, Decker called Mikes cell phone a few times asking "is our baby sister here yet?"  each time telling him, "no, not yet."  Annie watched the boys all day and Grandma Nickie was at work in Everett.  If everything went well, I was thinking we would be holding our baby girl this afternoon.

 The morning was also busy work wise....I should be starting my maternity leave, but I also had a buyback starting at Bellevue College.  --I had hired Becky Fisher to buy for me.  About 10 minutes into the buyback, she got a phone call that her son had broken his leg and she needed to get to the hospital.  Yikes!  So here I am sitting on a labor and delivery bed calling buyers trying to figure out who can fill in for Becky. She called Elizabeth and Becky ended up calling her neighbor, Kerry who could buy the first day and then she called Marisa who was going to finish out the second day.  They took care of everything.  I felt so blessed that these women, my friends and buyers were taking care of me and my business.  They told me not to worry about it and they would take care of everything.

So a couple of hours later, Becky came and visited me in my room, since her son was in the emergency room at the same hospital.  It all worked out because Mike had his consecrated oil in his pocket from the night before...he went back with Becky and helped Paul Fisher give their son a blessing.

 I liked watching the contractions and baby's heartbeat on the printout.

 When I was dilated to a 4, I went ahead and asked for an epidural.  I wasn't going to play around and see how far I could go without the drugs.  

 I got all cozy in my bed and waited for the drugs to do their work.

 
I was dilated to 10 and the pushing started early afternoon.  I held on to Mike by his jean pocket.  Mike was a great coach.  He counted for me and kept me on track during my pushes. He made sure I had ice chips and anything else I needed. It didn't seem like my pushes were doing anything....not seeing any baby's head, no cervix moving.  We tried all sorts of different positions, we used a bar....felt like I was doing acrobats.  After 4 hours of no change and being exhausted, our Dr said, we would need to have a c-Section.  I was starting to get a fever, and baby's heartbeat was irregular.  Mike quickly got on the phone to call Joe Todesco again.  He quickly came as soon as he could.  We had the hospital staff waiting for us to get this blessing.  Then they rushed me off to the Operating Room, where there were 6 doctors waiting.

We had an anesthesiologist come in to give me a spinal tap so I wouldn't feel a thing.  They laid me out on this bed with my arms out stretched and a big curtain in front of me to shield my view of what was about to happen.  I had a little window in front of me that they would raise the curtain once Kaylie was born.  The drs noticed after laying me flat on my back that there were 2 bumps on my stomach which indicated that the baby was in the wrong position.She was sunny side up instead of face down.  When they pulled her out of me, she had her little hands up on her chest under her chin.  So sweet!

 There's Kaylie being pulled out.

 and then shown to me through my little window.

 They then immediately handed baby girl off to two other doctors while I was being sewn up.

 I kept watching and waiting to hear her cry.  She didn't cry right away.

 They allowed 2 people to come into the operating room...my mommy and Mike were my support team.  I'm so glad my mom was here to be with me.  I also love that she has been at the birth of all 3 of my babies.

 what????  9 pounds, 22 inches long?????  She is a BIG baby!!  and finally I heard her cry.  Best sound ever!

 They wiped her all off and wrapped her up.  They changed the way they bathe the newborns...they wait for at least 24 hours now...the Ambiotic fluid is a good thing to leave on their skin longer.

 Daddy and Daughter....Mike's getting a little teary eyed.

 Then I go to be near her.

 I got to talk to her for a few minutes and I felt like she was listening.

 

Here's the 3 girls...

 Grandma and baby Grand daughter number 25...1 more to go and she will have 26 grandchildren....Adam and Amber's baby.

 Then, they took Baby Girl to the NICU.  Since she didn't breathe right away, they were concerned and needed to watch her for 4 hours. Mike went with her to the NICU.

 Here's Dr. Karen Wells and Baby Girl.

 Dad and Baby Girl.

 She's got a hold of daddy's fingers.  ;)

 I was relieved.  I was exhausted and could hardly keep my eyes open. Even in all the excitement of having this new little one added to our family.  I needed a rest. This would give me some time  before they brought her to my room and then I would be in charge of taking care of her.  After 2 hours, they determined that she was doing great and she could come be with mom.

 I just love her little face and her hair looks a little curly and big eyes.  She just looked all over the place and was taking everything in.  so Alert and SSoooo cute!

 We had another visitor...our Bishop Farner came to visit the newest Wood.  I'm not sure if he was visiting the Fisher family as well.

 This is our 1st night nurse.

 Grandma Wood came from work in Everett before we went in for the C-Section and waited with everyone else.  They had childcare all arranged for the boys.  Sara Kerwan came over to sleep at the house until Keppi dropped Grandma Gamble at home.

 Look at those big EYES!

 Aunt Keppi has been so patient...waiting to hold her newest niece.

 I had these leg squeezers on to help the water retention for a day after the surgery.

 Love these skin on Skin moments.

 Daddy is exhausted too...This must be Day 2, July 2nd.  Mike got some sleep on this couch behind him near the window.  The nurses coming in every couple of hours to check our vitals and give me medication never woke him up....not even a stir.

 Do you see her hair...I think it's auburn!  :)

 She's rooting for something....

 oh man!  It's not there...  ;(

 Mike has a magic pinkie.  She loves it...calms her right down.

 And out!

 Yep, he's got it!

 Baby FEET...so sweet.  I think she's got long little toes...