We started this blog to share our adventures as newlyweds in a new city. Now we have a brand new adventure: Greta Louise. This is the story of her birth.
Dear Greta,
It all started nine months ago. Even before you made your appearance into the world, we new you would be a great baby because I had a great pregnancy. I had no morning sickness, crazy hormonal mood swings, cravings, or other major side affects of pregnancy. Besides my growing belly and swollen ankles, I felt pretty great. Even when I felt tired or achy, I was so excited to meet you that I didn't mind it.
Just before we went to the hospital.
We wanted your birth to be calm and gentle so we took classes, read books, listened to cds, created a birth plan and a soothing birth playlist and even hired a doula to ensure that you would enter this world peacefully. K-ma and Doc flew to Austin on your due date to make sure that they would be here to greet you. I went on lots of walks, ate spicy food and drank raspberry leaf tea to try to coax you out, but your due date came and went and there were no signs that you were planning on arriving any time soon. Finally, my doctor said that she didn't want to let you go more than a week past due because there may be risk of infection and the placenta may start to break down, so we scheduled your induction. We wanted to try to bring you into the world naturally and without the use of any medical interventions, but more importantly, we wanted you to arrive safely. So we changed our plans just a little bit. Your dad and I got to the hospital at about 6:30am on Tuesday, January 17th (6 days after your due date) and the nurses got us all settled in.
Just after we got to the hospital. We were very excited!
After three tries, they finally found a vein they could use to hook me up to the IV and got me started on Pitocin. I could see the contractions coming regularly on the monitor, but couldn't feel anything and things were moving right along. This lasted for a couple of hours until my water broke and then the contractions got really intense. The doctor stopped by around 12:30 or so to check on me and asked one of the nurses to get the ultrasound machine. She took a look and discovered that you wouldn't be coming out on your own, you were breech (butt down) and she would need to perform a c-section. All this time we thought you were being stubborn, but really you were stuck and just needed some help getting out! Your dad and I were disappointed that all of our preparations to bring you here naturally, peacefully and gently were not going to be able to be put to use but we agreed to the c-section without hesitation, knowing that it was the safest way to get you here. All of a sudden the mood changed from peaceful and calm to emergency. They threw a jumpsuit, mask, booties and hat at your dad and told him to quick put them on so he could go into the operating room. The doctors and nurses were moving fast and tried to explain what was happening, but I was still having intense contractions every 2 minutes, and it was hard for me to pay close attention. They popped the wheels down on my bed and rolled me into the operating room to prep me for surgery. Your dad had to wait in the hall. He hated that part. When everything was all ready they let him in to sit right next to me. It only took a few minutes before we could hear the doctors and nurses saying things like "she's mooning us!" and " look at all that hair!" You were born January 17th at 1:41pm. We could hear your first cries and they let your dad over to the table where they were cleaning you up and checking all of your vitals. We were relieved to find out that you were healthy (8 lbs, 10 oz and 20 inches long).
Dad took some pictures to bring back to me so I could see your beautiful face. We were both thrilled and excited to finally have you here!
The last line of your birth plan read "These preferences entail our ideal birth. However, we completely understand the complex and unpredictable nature of birth and are open to changing course if need be." This turned out to be the theme of your birth!
Love,
Your parents!
Just a couple of minutes old.
Proud Mom.
Proud Dad.
Beautiful Greta.
Proud K-ma.
Proud Omie.
Going home outfit (newborn size, which is a little small already!).
All ready to go home.
Finally home, just the three of us!
