Since it has been 15 days since Pierce came into our lives, I thought I better write this down before I forget.
It was Sunday, February 22. Todd, Cash, and I had just gotten home from a quick trip to SLC the night before. We had a great (and relaxing) time while we were there (I need to post pictures of that).
Our church starts at 11:00, but that morning we were all tired and truth be told I really didn't feel like pouring my swollen feet into church shoes one more day. I decided that I was only going to go to the last hour for Young Women's. As I was getting ready, I started having some cramps, but nothing too crazy or serious. It lasted just a minute. I went and laid down in our bed. Todd walked in just then and asked me if I was feeling okay and told me that I looked pale. I honestly didn't think anything of it and told him I was just tired. I felt better so I got up and went on my way. I went to church for an hour and then a meeting for another hour afterward. I felt fine! The afternoon was just like any other Sunday afternoon. I took a nap and planned on going to work that night. Well, that evening rolled around and for some reason I just didn't feel like going to work.
I WASN'T having cramps or anything.
I called work and told them that if they were going to put anyone on call, to think of me. They weren't putting anyone on call, so I was heading to work. Right as I was leaving I made the comment to Todd "What if I call you tonight and tell you I am having the baby?" He laughed and asked "Well, do you have your bag packed?" I replied, "No, don't worry though, it won't happen."
Work was just like any other night. I was busy with my NICU babies and occasionally I would walk out and talk to everyone else. At some point in the night, Laura asked me if I was having contractions because I kept rubbing my stomach. I honestly had no idea that I was! They weren't especially strong and I just thought they were braxton-hicks like I had been having for weeks. Well, after a while I had a minute and decided that maybe they could put me on the monitor just to see if anything was going on. It was about 3:30 in the morning. To my surprise I was having contractions like 2 minutes apart!
I was in COMPLETE shock.
Laura and I talked about if I should get checked. I was leaning toward not being checked because in the office only a few days earlier I was only dilated to a 1 and my cervix was SUPER high! I laid in bed for a while and watched the monitor. We decided I should get checked. Well, minutes later it was discovered that I was dilated to a 4+ with a bulgy bag of fluid.
I WAS IN LABOR.
I cannot tell you the SHOCK that I felt at that moment. This was not happening! I never planned it this way. I thought I would be driving to the hospital, in labor, with my husband... you get the picture. I had joked the last few weeks that at 37 weeks I was going to start running laps, yadda yadda yadda... well that didn't happen.
I went to the phone and called my husband who answered the phone in a groggy voice and I immediately told him this was not a joke, that I was in labor. We "packed my bag" over the phone and soon arrangements were made for my mom to be at our house so Todd could join me at the hospital.
I went back to work until my replacement got there. I had babies to take care of for heavens sake! The contractions got stronger and by the time I was giving report I was breathing through the contractions. So, off I was to my labor room. Soon after, Todd arrived to find this:
me charting in my bed! I had no choice but to catch up on my work!
It was Sunday, February 22. Todd, Cash, and I had just gotten home from a quick trip to SLC the night before. We had a great (and relaxing) time while we were there (I need to post pictures of that).
Our church starts at 11:00, but that morning we were all tired and truth be told I really didn't feel like pouring my swollen feet into church shoes one more day. I decided that I was only going to go to the last hour for Young Women's. As I was getting ready, I started having some cramps, but nothing too crazy or serious. It lasted just a minute. I went and laid down in our bed. Todd walked in just then and asked me if I was feeling okay and told me that I looked pale. I honestly didn't think anything of it and told him I was just tired. I felt better so I got up and went on my way. I went to church for an hour and then a meeting for another hour afterward. I felt fine! The afternoon was just like any other Sunday afternoon. I took a nap and planned on going to work that night. Well, that evening rolled around and for some reason I just didn't feel like going to work.
I WASN'T having cramps or anything.
I called work and told them that if they were going to put anyone on call, to think of me. They weren't putting anyone on call, so I was heading to work. Right as I was leaving I made the comment to Todd "What if I call you tonight and tell you I am having the baby?" He laughed and asked "Well, do you have your bag packed?" I replied, "No, don't worry though, it won't happen."
Work was just like any other night. I was busy with my NICU babies and occasionally I would walk out and talk to everyone else. At some point in the night, Laura asked me if I was having contractions because I kept rubbing my stomach. I honestly had no idea that I was! They weren't especially strong and I just thought they were braxton-hicks like I had been having for weeks. Well, after a while I had a minute and decided that maybe they could put me on the monitor just to see if anything was going on. It was about 3:30 in the morning. To my surprise I was having contractions like 2 minutes apart!
I was in COMPLETE shock.
Laura and I talked about if I should get checked. I was leaning toward not being checked because in the office only a few days earlier I was only dilated to a 1 and my cervix was SUPER high! I laid in bed for a while and watched the monitor. We decided I should get checked. Well, minutes later it was discovered that I was dilated to a 4+ with a bulgy bag of fluid.
I WAS IN LABOR.
I cannot tell you the SHOCK that I felt at that moment. This was not happening! I never planned it this way. I thought I would be driving to the hospital, in labor, with my husband... you get the picture. I had joked the last few weeks that at 37 weeks I was going to start running laps, yadda yadda yadda... well that didn't happen.
I went to the phone and called my husband who answered the phone in a groggy voice and I immediately told him this was not a joke, that I was in labor. We "packed my bag" over the phone and soon arrangements were made for my mom to be at our house so Todd could join me at the hospital.
I went back to work until my replacement got there. I had babies to take care of for heavens sake! The contractions got stronger and by the time I was giving report I was breathing through the contractions. So, off I was to my labor room. Soon after, Todd arrived to find this:
me charting in my bed! I had no choice but to catch up on my work!
My water broke at about 4:45 and I walked a few laps around the floor. Things were starting to hurt REALLY bad!At about 6:15 in the morning my epidural was in place and I was feeling so much better! I was back to my happy, talkative self. Laura turned off the lights and told Todd and I to get some rest. I was so anxious I just lay there with a racing mind. At 7:00 Dr. Leavitt came in the room and checked me. He said I was a 5 and told us that he would probably be seeing us again around 10:30. HA! At 7:30 Laura came into the room and asked if I was feeling more pressure. I was and she checked me. COMPLETE (10 cm)! I begged her to let me labor down (it was happening so fast). She laughed and told me that the head was right there, no laboring down for me. Dr. Leavitt came rushing in, threw on a gown, told me to push once for the head and once for the shoulders.
7:32 am: Out came baby Pierce. Screaming and all! He was perfect and I loved him the second I saw him. It was seriously the easiest thing I have ever done! Probably the easiest money Dr. Leavitt has ever made for two minutes of work.
They weighed him and did all the "stuff," cleaned him up and brought him to us. We had about an hour with him when this happened.
He started grunting with nasal flaring. The NICU nurse in me took over and I immediately called out and told them they needed to take him to the nursery. He stayed there. He got hooked up to monitors, got a chest x-ray, and some oxygen. It made me sick to see MY baby in there. I was so anxious I was in and out of there all day! I couldn't stand seeing him laying there grunting so bad! It was awful.
Things did improve, however, and by about 4:00 that afternoon, he was doing so much better. He got to have his first bath and come to our room!
Thanks to good nurses like AMBER;)!
He had an older brother who COULDN'T wait to see him.
Our family was finally ALL together! It felt so good.
And by the next morning we were ready to bust outta there and get home!
To our house where a very happy big brother was waiting to show Pierce all of his toys and his new room!
And things haven't changed very much since. Todd and I are madly in love with our two sweet boys. I can't imagine our lives without either of them, and the addition of little Pierce has been such a blessing in our lives. We all love him so much. He is such a sweet boy. Cash asks about him all the time and wants to know where he is and what he is doing.
The only two words I can use to describe all of this:
AWESOME and MIRACLE
PS~Laura, if any of these events are wrong, please correct me because the whole thing is still kind of a blur! :)
11 comments:
I can't believe you were working while you were in labor!!! Holy moly, you're one touch girl. Glad that he made it here safe and sound! He sure is adorable (:
I love your story and pictures. Did you learn a good lesson about keeping up on charting? :) Ha! Tell Todd he's quite the photographer.
Hi from NV, grandma said you had your baby thought I would take a peek. What a cute little guy.
Oh my gosh, I don't know if I can handle this! Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I am glad that it all worked out and that Pierce is home safe and sound!
It was so fun to read your story. Lauren, Bonnie S., Sam, Amy and I are all sitting here checking out your cute family. Honestly, that was such a fun night! You have everything documented well!! I love that you got the picture of you charting in bed!! And yes, you are the only pt who has every begged to labor down!!
What a sweet baby and great family! I'm glad you found us, it's good to be in touch again. Congrats on baby Pierce, he's a cutie. I had a similar experience (minus working at the NICU) with the delivery of my second too.
Hillary- I love how you blogged your amazing story. it is like a little book you should print out for Pierce to read. Thanks for the shout out! I was thrilled to be there and see your new tiny miracle. He is sure to be a heart breaker like Cash. I hope all is well and you are adjusting to 2 kids. I love you tonz! I can't wait to see your boys again.
I couldn't believe it either. Can you believe you still should be pregnant? We are so glad little Pierce made it here and is doing so well---and that you are feeling good too, HIllary. It was not a "routine" night at work that is for sure. You are awsome and such a good mommy to Cash and Pierce. We love you so much. Mom
Eliza looked with me and she is very excited to see the baby. Everytime I move the page she says "where'd go?" That's way exciting for you guys. I hope all is well. We'll come by and visit sometime, when your up to it of course!
Well, I do think this story grants you some prize for one of the most unique deliveries ever. I still can't believe it! And I'm glad you documented it all, you'll be so glad you did too. It'll be fun to read in years to come and for Pierce to read when he gets older (especially since you've got such great pictures to go with it!!).
I love that story! I can't believe you went back to work! And then charted in your labor room. So funny, but what do you do? =) I am so glad that everything went good for you. You look so good by the way.
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