** If you don't care to hear detailed stories of child birth then skip this post **
Let me start with saying I have never been one to have a big plan all prepared for the birth of my children. With the first three I was induced with each one. I had high blood pressure with both the boys and just done being pregnant with Laney. Because of this I really wanted to wait this baby out and go into birth naturally (unless medical reasons said otherwise). At my 38 week appointment I thought that was all going out the window. They were concerned the baby had flipped and was no longer head down. The talk of c-section was being discussed if this was the case. I was not prepared for that or really had ever thought that was the direction this pregnancy would head. They scheduled a sonogram the next afternoon to check on her and see her placement. I spent the next 24 hours wrapping my head around the thought of a c-section and having the baby later that week. However the sonogram showed her head down and doing good so we were back on track with the waiting game.
When I went back for my 39 week appointment on Monday the 22, I was dialated to almost a two and 50% effaced. I was having contractions but nothing consistent. I had told this baby she had to hold out until after Thursday morning so I could take the boys to their first days of school on Wednesday for Luke and Thursday for Lawson. She did not listen though and was on her own schedule. I knew going to bed Tuesday night that she was coming. I just had a feeling. Early Wednesday morning I woke up around 3:30 and was having contractions about 5 minutes apart. About 4 I got out of bed to see if they kept coming or stopped. They continued so I started packing my bag and getting things ready. I woke Erin up and called my Mom about 4:30 to come stay with the kids. We got to the hospital and checked in by about 5:15 AM. Contractions were still about 4 or 5 minutes apart and I was dialated to a 5. Hearing a 5 made me think a lot about how I wanted this to go. My water had not broke (which didn't happen until delivery) and I was already over the contractions so I talked to the nurse about getting an epidural. Of course you have to get fluids for 30-45 minutes before they can do that so I started watching the clock and counting down. I was trying different positions to get through the pain but I was miserable. I started feeling a lot of pressure so the nurse told me to get back in the bed so she could check me again. I had dialated to a 10. I couldn't believe I was there already, but not sure how I was going to get through it at the same time. They had to quickly call the doctor. The epidural thought was out the window and I was just trying to focus on getting through each contraction. The next 5-10 minutes are a complete blur of nurses coming in and out moving things. This is also the same time I think I went a little crazy. Our doctor got there and 3 minutes later at 6:51 Lexi was born. It was a fast and furious labor. They asked me when I arrived in my labors were quick which I said yes, but I didn't expect that quick.
We were able to call the kids and share the news with them before Luke headed to his first day of school. He was so excited and told his principal and teacher right when he got there. The whole school even said a prayer for her that morning which shows just how special of a place it is.
I appreciate everything the nurses, doctor and my husband did to keep me focused through it all. I know that couldn't have been easy. Even though it wasn't what I had pictured, it was an amazing experience that blessed us with our beautiful baby girl.
