The birth of Madelyn Eve
I woke up remember at 38 weeks and 2 days I went into labor with Easton, so this could be the day. I had my NST & Fluid check at 8 a.m. followed by a 10:30 OB appointment. Due to the amniotic fluid being low my Doctor was thinking about inducing me, but decided I could safely wait a bit longer at this point. I went through my day, taking "it easy" per recommendations since I didn't have much amniotic fluid protecting the baby.
I had invited the whole family over for dinner and while cooking I started to have mild contractions. After about an hour or so, I started my "contraction app" and they were coming about every 5-7 minutes. I wasn't too excited since I had been having contractions for months. Once everyone said their goodbyes and left. I decided I would watch some tv and relax, the real test. When they didn't decrease, I told Tucker we should probably do Easton's bedtime routine so that he is good and asleep if we have to go to the hospital. Of course at this point I cried while looking at Easton play before bedtime. I was so emotional thinking that I was about to rock this little guys world and things would never be the same. He was being cuter than ever and I did not want to leave him.
Once he was good and asleep I realized they were still happening very regularly, but still mild. I couldn't sleep and after awhile was certain I was in pre-labor. I wanted to labor at home for awhile, like I did with Easton. I got in the bath, had my phone on the edge of the tub (so that I could continue to press start and stop during the contractions) and of course painted my nails. I wanted to be distracted as possible.
Fast forward to 1 a.m., I woke Tucker up and said, "If you want to shower before we have this baby, now would be a good time". I went downstairs, to attempt to get some rest on the couch. I texted my Mom to let her know that I would be calling shortly for her to come over so we could go to the hospital. I dozed off for a little bit and woke up in active labor and holy moly, it was intense. I can honestly say I never once felt one of those contractions with Easton's labor, maybe I already had the epidural by the time they hit, or maybe it was my drinking of raspberry tea leaf that made them much stronger this time. Tucker came downstairs at about 2-2:30 and asked what I was doing on the couch…he obviously wasn't really awake when I told him to get in the shower. He showered, I labored and was waiting for these awful contractions to be 3-5 minutes apart, I would have one every 2 minutes then every 10 and was in so much pain. I was adamant about staying at home until they were regularly 3-5 minutes apart. That was until I said I don't care how progressed I am, I am going to the hospital NOW. I called my Mom to come, it was now about 4:30 a.m., walked to the car and then realized I had to get in the car. You know your in real active labor when you can't imagine possibly sitting in a car. We drove to the hospital, thank goodness there wasn't anyone on the roads. I had a couple contractions on the way, it took under 10 minutes. Tucker was about to pull into the hospital over a speed bump, I thought I would die, mid contraction going over a speed bump. So we stopped in the middle of the road until the contraction was over (again, thank God it was the wee hours). We parked outside the ER, walked in (with a contraction stop on the way) got checked in and wheeled up to labor and delivery. By now it was about 5 or 5:30. I am one of those patients that no one wants to start an IV on and 3 nurses attempted and then they called the anesthesiolgist who after a couple attempts got it! I had to wait for the fluid to finish being infused (to prevent the massive drop in blood pressure that I had with Easton) and then finally got the epidural. I enjoyed being pain free for a little bit, but couldn't quite rest because I was shaking so bad. I started to feel all the pain again, pressed my call light, and the nurse said, "you're probably ready to push". Tucker called my Mom and told her if she wanted to be there, she better come now (by this time my sister was at my house). And about 15 minutes later at 7:52 a.m. Madelyn Eve was born. My mom didn't make it.
When she came out Tucker said, "She is huge". And everyone in the room said she was at least 8 lbs. Then she was weighed and was actually only 7 lbs 6 oz.
My poor Mom was woken up all night by me, then had to come over at the butt crack of dawn, then rushed to the hospital to be there for the delivery. But when she walked in, I was already holding Madelyn. She shockingly said, "She's already here?".
Tucker watched while she got her assessment and first bath. And she was screaming the whole time. (If I had one less chin, I could post our first family photo)
After all was said and done, she finally stopped crying.
All of her aunties and uncles came to visit while she was in the hospital, and her cousins too!
Big brother Easton showed up too. Top left photo, the first time he laid eyes on his sister. I think it was love at first sight!
And when your 2 year old wants a ride in the bassinet, apparently you make sure no staff members are present and give him a ride.
Then it was over, just like that. And we went home and started our life as a family of 4.
We are so happy she decided to come before her Christmas Eve due date, so that we got to spend Christmas together as a family.
