Around 8pm on 9/23 I felt like I peed myself. All night I kept "peeing" myself without any warning.. So naturally I googled it. Turns out it was either my water leaking, pee, diabetes, or cancer... LOL. I decided to call my OB first thing on 9/24. He said I should go to L+D. We arrived at L+D at 10am. By 1030 it was confirmed that my water had in deed ruptured and I had full control of my bladder. Hah {my water broke!} We got the last Labor room available and had an amazing nurse named, Kathy. Kathy is so special to Justin and I because she was the nurse that delivered Emmett! She was so loving and made sure to stick to my birth plan!
After getting to our room they attempted to put an IV in my arm.. This was not fun. It took 3 tries and left me with two sore arms and some bruises.
So for the first few hours the contractions were sporadic and weak. But none the less, at 2pm I had progressed to 5cm From the 4 I was when I came in!
At 2:30 my birth photographer/best friend arrived and contractions started to pick up thanks to the pitocin that the nurse had sneaked up to 14! With the support of my amazing husband I was able to maintain myself and relax during each contraction. This lasted a while but soon the contractions started getting worse and worse due to the pitocin. At 3:30 the beautiful day turned into one of retched pain. The contractions were no longer bearable, my nurse was taking care of an emergency and was unable to come check on me, and the pressure started. With each contraction a ridiculous amount of painful pressure took over. I started demanding that I couldn't do this and I needed an epideral. My sweet husband and bff tried convincing me that I could but yall, I lost control. I literally COULD NOT bear the pain and pressure that came with each contraction. So after 45 minutes of declaring I couldn't do it, I was able to tell my nurse I needed an Epi. She wanted to check me and wait for dr Whitaker. I was 7 cm dilated and there was a bulging sac of water that was causing the pressure and keeping me from 10 cm. I honestly DID NOT CARE. The epideral was the only thing on my mind. So Dr W came in at 4:45 and broke the remaining sac of water and put in a monitor for the contractions since the outside monitor wasn't picking up accurately.
Yall, those contractions after that were death. I was in a dark place and couldn't maintain even the slightest composure. At 5:15 the anesthesiologist arrived! He didn't speak English and I couldn't understand him but he could save me! They made Justin and Katie leave the room and it took him 25 minutes to give me an epideral. During those incredibly difficult minutes I barely held on. The only thing getting me through was the thought of the relief I'd soon feel. Kathy ended up having to hold me down
Finally the epideral was in, each contraction was less and less intense until I could no longer feel them ripping me apart. At that point I was now 10 cm. {I know what you're thinking, why didn't I just hold off.. I can't describe this ripping and burning and absolutely excruciating pain} at 5:56 my nurse and doctor instructed me to start pushing! It was a breeze now that I had an epideral. I was able to focus. Each contraction brought me closer to meeting my sweet baby. At 6:14pm Leighton Grace Reeder was born and placed on my chest. Perfect in every way. Every ounce of pain forgotten. We took our time and waited for her cord to stop pulsing before Justin was able to cut it. My sweet girl nursed like a champ as well.
Soon after we were all put back together and taken care of Karleigh and Emmett were brought in to meet their new sister. Emmett declared that his "baby sisser is soooo toot." And he smothered her in kisses. Karleig had a long day and told us she was hungry. The baby wasn't a big deal to her. {this soon changed}
She is this beautiful miracle that completes my tiny family. I'm blessed beyond words to have a God so mighty that he gives me such a little angel to take care of.
- 12:50 AM
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