July 14th at 7:06am our little girl Quinley Mai showed up into the world weighing 6lbs 14oz and 20.5 in. This is my birthing story and if you don’t do TMI then don’t read. If you don’t mind a little TMI read on. But, be warned. There is nothing glamorous about giving birth. Yet, it’s the most amazing thing in the world. Ok, here we go.
This labor was almost exactly the same as my first just twice as fast. And I mean, twice as fast. I was in labor with Evelyn for 19 hours start to finish and Quinley I was in labor for 9.5 hours start to finish. You know what did it for me? A 2 mile walk and some spicy food for dinner. Apparently that’s what it takes to get my water to break! Yes, both pregnancies. See…
July 13th at 8:30pm, right after I put Evelyn to sleep, my water broke. I was going out to the deck to join my mom and MD (husband) to hang out on a beautiful night and just as I was about to sit down, my water broke! Like, cross your legs, omg I’m peeing my pants, gush. Yeah, gushhhhhhhhhh. And it wouldn’t stop. That part was different this time.
So, we called the doctor’s office and started getting our things together. Took a silly photo…
And on our way we went! Listening to Tick, Tick, Boom by the The Hives. Yeah, we did that. And maybe a little Kanye and a little Macklemore. This mama was getting ready. And of course MD drove the weirdest way possible to get to the hospital, it was hilarious. But, I also needed to get to the hospital because ya know…I was in labor.
We, FINALLY, get to the hospital and of course try to go in the wrong entrance. haha. I guess after hours you go through the emergency entrance. WHO KNEW. Keep in mind I’m still leaking like crazy trying to find this entrance. So here I am running, well pregnant hobbling, around like a crazy preggo lady. Luckily I got to sit down once we FINALLY got to the entrance and I got wheeled in.
The nursing staff was wonderful. And my main night nurse Jodie was incredible. Actually incredible doesn’t describe her. She was exactly who I needed that night and I will never forget her. From the moment we arrived she treated me with such kindness, rubbed my back, held my hand, and was the mama I needed for what that night had in store.
After we got checked in to our room I decided to try a few laps around the floor. But with my previous pregnancy, nothing happened and couldn’t get those contractions started. But here I am, ready to go and having no idea what is in store for me in those few short hours…
So, pitocin it was! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy. FML. PAIN PAIN PAIN. It kick started my contractions WAY, WAY faster this time. I went into hard labor within just a few hours. Tried to sleep some once I got it. But, about 2-3 hours later my contractions started to get intense. I tried to tough it out but, nope. Things got so intense, so fast I couldn’t cope. So I opted for the epidural! No shame, none whatsoever. And if you’ve ever had an epidural you know how hard it can be to sit still while its happening. And my poor husband got his fingers crushed while trying to support me. (Sorry babe!!) So epidural is in, but of course that juice doesn’t work instantly. So this is me hurting and waiting…
And here is me finally getting comfortable…
FINALLY my epidural is kickin in and we go to sleep for about 2-3ish hours. This is that point where I was SO HAPPY I brought my soft comfy blanket and an eye mask. I was OUT. O-U-T, OUT. Only to be woken up by a pressure that feels like you have a softball in your rectum. Ha, yeah. How amazingly comfortable does that sound?
So the nurses came in to wake us up and start getting things ready at 6:30am. Luckily Jodie, my nurse, was still around! My super awesome nurse mama. And by 6:45am I started the pushing process. And I was using all the strength my abs could produce. It’s extremely hard to push for 10 seconds 3x through while you are contracting. This is where all that swim training really came in handy. All that breath work we did? Yeah, that training comes in to play when you are having a baby. However, Little one kept stepping or pushing on her umbilical cord so her heart rate was dropping. This caused me to put an oxygen mask on for the entire pushing process. See how cute I look…
She was ok, just needed to hurry up. After a little vacuum action our little miss Quinley Mai showed up at 7:06am with the cutest tiny cry and a funny shaped head. She was instantly placed on my chest for cuddles while Papa Bear cut her umbilical cord and I got stitched up (second degree tear). She was quick to start rooting around so she could feed. Things haven’t changed much, little girl is HUNGRY. She showed up healthy, tiny and ready for life. Her lips were so full and lush! Here we are…
It was such a happy moment! So happy in fact, I just couldn’t stop puking after. Ok, I wasn’t puking out of happiness. I just got done pushing a baby out in lightening speed and my body was all like WTF. So, I puked SEVERAL times. Such a happy moment. Took me several hours to feel better. I could only eat saltines for a bit. Blah.
But after all that, I got to snuggle my baby girl. See…
Happy! Happy! Seeeeee…..
And then big sister got to meet her! After I was feeling a bit better…
I stayed in the hospital for one night after baby was born! My day nurse wasn’t so great. I was left alone for about 5 hours. I was fine and didn’t need much. But that’s a bit ridiculous after just having a baby don’t you think? My husband went home with our daughter so I didn’t have any extra help around. Luckily I had very nice night nurses again who helped me get water, swaddle and hang out with the little one so I could take care of myself. But sheesh, I wasn’t too happy about that day nurse. Oh well. Next morning I had a very nice day nurse again who said something about it. She was great but we opted to still go home that day. I’d at least have my husband at home for help!
So that’s our birth story. We couldn’t be more excited that she is here! She’s a little puker and cryer these days. But I know she will be a happy little thing once we get past the 4th trimester. You can read more about that later!
And to my dear little Quinley if you ever read this, you are amazing! You came into this world ready to go. Calm at first but roarin now. We can’t wait to see more of your personality! Evelyn is desperate to play with you and has been such a wonderful sister to you so far. Can’t wait to watch your relationship grow. I love you little one!
xoxo
