Ok.
I think I have finally mustered up enough emotional stability and energy to tell this baby story.
First off, I am convinced this baby was not going to come out, ever.
I truly believe if I had not had an induction, she'd still be in there today.
Chuck often asks her, "What was your plan Bo? What were you thinking?"
So, 10 days past my due date, we headed to the hospital.
Thankfully, my mom was eager to drive the 12 hours to be with us during this time.
I don't know what I would have done without her.
Charley had planned to ride to the hospital a little later that morning with her Granna, but the thought of waking up to a house without her Mama or Daddy did not sit well with her, so she came along with us.
She kept herself busy by sketching my contractions and the baby's heartbeat.
Chuck kept himself busy by studying the monitor and telling me when I was having a contraction.
Thanks Chuck. Super helpful.
I labored most of the day. For some reason I was reluctant to ask for the epidural. I felt like I needed to experience real contractions and suffer a little bit. Well, after a few of those "real contractions" I threw that idea out the window and promptly asked for the anesthesiologist.
Something I had forgotten from my first delivery, is that epidurals are incredibly painful. And to top it off, and this is the only complaint I have regarding the staff at Riverside Regional in Newport News, the nurse anesthetist was more concerned about showing off to the guy that was shadowing her (who had already been employed as a nurse anesthetist for the military) to concern herself with my feelings. She was SO loud, yammering on about things unrelated to the needle in my back, and SO obviously concerned with showing off her speed, and SO not in tune to the fact that I was a HUMAN, that I wanted to slap her. And in hindsight, I probably should have. No, slapping is wrong. Though, I might actually contact her superior. No need in this happening to any other ladies. If I wasn't supposed to sit so still to avoid PARALYZATION I would have turned around and tore the obnoxious lady's arm off. Thankfully the "untrained" male nurse anesthetist took the time to talk to me whenever the "trained" nurse anesthetist took a breath, saying, "You're almost done. You're doing good. Everything is fine." You know, those things you kinda like to hear with an incredibly long needle stabbed very near to your spinal cord.
I was sure to thank him later.
Charley was happy to put on her sister shirt and hammed it up.
I'll tell you how I made it later.
So, while I was getting a tour of my sister's apartment via facetime, I felt a strong pressure building and with it came an urge to push. We called the nurse and discovered I was fully dilated. A ten...a ten, a ten. Fear begins to radiate heat from the back of my neck. Needless near panic set in, in the 4 minutes I waited for Chuck to return to the room. Chuck walked in and I was able to breath again. I had him rearrange the furniture so that he could stand beside me. The nurse was ready. I pushed. And pushed. And then, 30 minutes in, I was told to stop pushing. The doctor was being called into an emergency c-section.
Flashback to Charley's delivery...exactly the same thing happened. They kept me waiting too long and it led to problems with her delivery. She ended up in the NICU for 9 days.
Flash forward....Chuck and I tried to stay optimistic What the nurse said about the baby working her way down further on her own, made sense. There was some concern that the baby wasn't getting enough oxygen, so I was asked to put on an oxygen mask. The nurse also decided to use an internal monitor to be sure we were getting an accurate reading of the baby's heartbeat.
30 minutes passed and the doctor was ready. In less than 10 pushes, our baby had arrived.
Our sweet, little baby
With no complications
If you aren't my mom's facebook friend then you probably haven't seen this video of Charley waiting to hear Bo's first cry just outside the delivery room door. It's pretty precious.
Bo Magnolia Burns
9 lbs. 10 oz.
21 1/2" long
I made sure that Charley was third in line (not counting the doctor and nurses) to hold her sister.
Immediate love
Understanding setting in....
No longer is this baby her competition.
She's somebody to love.
Later that night, Charley had the most grownup, heart melting, experience. Unexpectedly she began to cry sweet, little tears, saying, "It's just so sweet. She's just so sweet."
She was crying happy tears. Overwhelmingly happy tears.
Total time spent in labor: 9 hours
Hours pushing: 1 hour 15 minutes
Date of Birth: January 22, 2013
One incredible husband
Chuck was awesome in the delivery room.
Just as he has been this entire pregnancy.
I remember 7 years ago, a few days after Charley was born, I found Chuck's first gray hair.
We pulled it out and I put it Charley's baby book.
I noticed a lot more of those gray hairs while in the delivery room this time around.
Why does that make me love him more?
Now we have, two healthy sweet girls.
God is good.
The recovery room, one day later.
14 Comments
Oh Hayley she is just beautiful. Simply, totally, amazingly, beautiful. A cute little peach. Good job Mom! Congrats to you, Chuck and Charley. Especially Charley! It sounds like she's already the best big sister, and Bo will be so lucky to share things with her..and be taught by her...as she grows up. I loved this post! I've been thinking about you and the family and am glad everything is okay. Continued prayers to all of you.
ReplyDeleteMy friend had her baby girl less then a day apart from you! (She was due on the 12th) Went into labor at 5:42pm....gave birth at 11:34am. So they almost had the same birthdays. I'm relishing in the baby joy right now!
Thank you Katie! She is quite the beauty. Congratulations to your friend too!
DeleteOh and by the way...you look GREAT!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteCongratulations to the whole family - my thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone! What a beautiful story, Hayley - thank you so much for taking the time to post this. Reading it brought tears to my eyes - tears of happiness - enjoy beautiful baby Bo!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS from PA)))
Connie
Thank you Connie. We appreciate the prayers!
DeleteCongratulation on the birth of your beautiful baby girl. I love reading your blog. Started reading it when you were in Alaska. I'm glad everything went well.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that Tammy. I am glad to hear I still have some readers since our lives became more "normal" after leaving Alaska! Thanks again!
DeleteThat is the best birth story ever! She is absolutely beautiful! Amazing pictures! I feel so connected to you and how Charley reacted too. Kate was the same way. Kate and Liza are best buddies now and seeing them grow up together continues to warm my heart! You have lots of great moments ahead with Charley and Bo (however I can only vouch for the next 18 months though, lol!). Love her name too! So happy for you all. Congratulations and God Bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori! It is good to hear that Kate and Liza are best buds. I know the age difference with mine is more, but I still like to hear about how the first born handle new babies.
DeleteHayley,
ReplyDeleteThis entry made me cry...the most beautiful sweetest baby and family. You all look so beautiful :) Your photographer is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this so I could others could see. I guess I have a new 3rd cousin. I'd sure like to meet her and the rest of your family one day!! Love, Lori
p.s.
I love that you saved your hubbys gray hair :)
Thanks Lori. My photographer is my husband! Though, those last images of the baby are me. Chuck is good with the camera...I often tell him I taught him everything he knows..:)
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS, SISTER. And Chuck and Charley. I am so so so so happy for y'all and happy to be a 2nd time Aunt to my lil Bo girl! So excited to meet her. She is so beautiful. THanks for letting me get to see a part of this through the blog. Love y'all.
ReplyDelete