This picture is taken around 1:30 am, notice I am still smiling.
Not for long. Rewind several hours. It was Andrew's birthday,
July 2nd and we joked about Cambria coming on his day since
he has changed the day he celebrates from Jan 2. That morning, I dropped Dev
off at a friends, did a little school with Bobo and folded laundry,
When Dev came home, we headed to the other side for
a doctor's check in and errands. I remember being so thirsty
in Target, I had an Orange juice, chocolate milk, a coffee drink
all waddling through the store. I got so tired, I headed for the café.
Then we headed to the craft store, Sears, Outback, and Costco.
In Costco I was so tired and I felt so much pressure. We ran into a dear friend
but after a few minutes, my feet just felt so tired and swollen. I just felt
I had to sit down. I made it to the car and was very relieved.
We headed the 45 minutes home and after we got the kids
down, we were watching Shark Tank and at 11:50, I felt a little pop
and then water. I told Drew to get me some towels and quick.
More water gushed and I thought, "I think this is it, I think my
water is breaking." Kimberly came over to watch Dev and Bobo.
I had just asked Dev that night if when the baby comes, does she
want me to wake her or go to the hospital in the middle of the night.
She said, no. Okay. We arrived about1;00 am. to the hospital.
When we arrived, I was 3 cm dilated. First, I needed some
antibiotics. had to wait on baby monitor to get a good reading, and
I was experiencing just mild contractions.
As soon as I could get up, I hit the showers. Water is always
good for me during labor. I started to get a little dizzy,
I think from the hear of the shower so I wanted to
continue the laboring in the room, I would sit in a chair
between contractions and during the contraction, I
would have Andrew support me from behind and
lean forward on the side of the bed. I did something similar
in my other labors. I realized for me it helps to have a
repertoire of labor positions. Contractions really started heating
up at this point. Andrew would push on my back at the same
time at the contraction, it helped to try and" match" the pressure.
I remember thinking, this is just so hard. What makes it so
hard is the relentlessness waves of pain, they just keep
coming and there is nothing you can do but ride it through.
And you don't know how long it's going to last.
I remember feeling and thinking, I just don't want to
feel all this again! And wondering if I could do it again.
Well back in the shower. I started some groaning and Andrew
said, "a couple more contractions and we need to get to the bed."
He knew pushing was coming. It is amazing how naturally
our bodies progress through labor. I was worried I wouldn't
know when it was time to push. Well, it just changes and you
know. You begin to want to bear down. I remember seeing
the doctor sitting at the end of the bed and just observing me,
so calmly as I writhed in pain at each contraction!
Pushing was really difficult. I was already very tired. The nurse
observed this and gave me oxygen. My pushes were not
great. The nurse said, "Your baby's heart rate is dropping and
then she let me feel her head, it was what I needed. I gave it
Everything! Finally, (it seemed), Andrew pulled her
out and there was such relief and he said, "She's a girl"
At one point, I did ask Andrew to take pictures...
Listen, for me it does not matter where or how I am.
I remember the camera. The doctor told me Andrew
was a bit busy...(getting ready to pull our baby girl out)!!!
After I pushed with every ounce of strength left, our sweet little girl.
I could hardly take it all in.
It was so peaceful, we had such a long lingering time together,
The doctor just said to take our time, so we did.
I will never forget feeling Cambria's head before she came out,
she was worth any contraction. She arrived at 5:34 am and the
doctor said, she loved babies born at first light. The sun was
just coming up over Haleakala
Hey Beautiful!
8 pounds, 7 ounces...21 inches long.
Maui Memorial Hospital
My sweet doc who I just met for the first time
to bring our little life into the world!
I went to bed on July 3rd telling Andrew I was so happy,
as my baby laid beside on the bed with Andrew next to us.
I will never forget it.
Words simply cannot express.
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