Birth Story

Monday, July 23^rd I had been at work for about 2 hours and realized I hadn’t felt the baby move all morning.  This was at around 10:30am and I had been up since 7:30am.  So I started to poke at my belly to try to get her to move but I wasn’t getting any reactions from her so I called my doctor, Dr. Nance.  He told me if you drink some juice within about 10 minutes she should start to move the sugar will wake her up.  But when I told him I had eaten cereal, yogurt, and juice he immediately replied with a very urgent voice, “Go to the hospital”.  So I then called John and told him what was going on.  I was fine until I heard John’s voice on the other line then I was very emotional.  Then I left to pick John up and go to the hospital.  I was out of there so fast I didn’t even bother to clock out or turn off my computer.  My child could possibly be in danger! 

On the way to the hospital I called my mom and John called his mom.  John’s mom actually works in Labor and Delivery at the hospital we had decided to deliver at so she met us there.  On the drive to the hospital she still wasn’t moving until we were getting off the freeway she kicked once.  I told the nurse when we got there and asked if I was over reacting.  She told me that I couldn’t over react.  I’m to far along not to have a healthy baby.  That put me at ease that I was doing the right thing.

The nurse hooked me up to a monitor to watch her heart rate and my contractions.  There were a few decels, which were a little concerning.  They said when I would have a contraction (B.H.) she would hold her breath.  She might be sitting on her cord cutting off her oxygen.  Even though, my doctor said to come back on Thursday and they would do another non-stress test and an AFI test, an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid.  

So Thursday, July 26^th we went back to the hospital at 9:00am.  We wanted to get there when we knew the doctor would be there.  I was put on the monitor again for the NST for about an hour.  Then my doctor walked in and checked it over and said to me with a smile “well it looks like your going to be pregnant a little longer” but he still had us go for the AFI.  We had the ultrasound done and they found that there was only about half the amount of amniotic fluid then there should be.  That can be very dangerous for the baby because if she rolls on her cord it will be very difficult for her to roll off.  So we went back up to Labor and Delivery and the nurse checked my cervics.  She said, “You’re thick and closed” and walked out the door.  I then started to cry because of the fear of what I thought would happen next.  The doctor then came in and checked me again and said the same thing.  He then told me why my fluid level was so low.  He said that pretty much the placenta had decided it was done being pregnant and stopped working.  There are some things that can cause that to happen like smoking, but in my case it just happened.  And because it happened one time it’s more likely to happen the next time I get pregnant.  That was devastating to me.  I felt like I was failing as a woman and mother.  This is something my body was made to do and it wasn’t working.  Then he gave me my options.  He said he could try to induce labor but because my body was not ready to go into labor I could labor for 48 hours and maybe have the baby vaginally but I would have stressed out my body and the baby so much that she could end up in the nicu or end up after all that time having a c-section, or just have a c-section now.  He left the room so John and I could talk and make a decision even though we already knew what needed to be done. 

I should add that before going into the hospital that morning we came prepared to have the baby that day.  I had a feeling that this was the day we would be having her.  Not just because we were going in but I had mentioned to John earlier in the month that this would be the week she would come to us.  I just knew.  And after the doctor left and we talked about the c-section John told me he has had a feeling that I would have a c-section.  I find it amazing how throughout our marriage we have had experiences like this one.  The spirit preparing us for something and then it happening just how we “had a feeling” it would happen.  However, I still felt defeated and that it wasn’t fair.  I was made to have babies and my body wouldn’t allow that for me.  John comforted me and told me he loves me no matter how we have to get her here and that he is proud of me. 

We told the doctor our decision and he said we would start the surgery at 5:00pm.  It was about 1:00pm at the time.  Then about 30 min later he came back and said actually we’ll be doing it at 3:00pm.  “You’ll have a baby by 3:30pm!”  That’s a surreal feeling!

We called our parents and told them what was happening and that we were having a baby!  Once both our parents got there John, my dad, and father-n-law gave me a priesthood blessing.  That really helped me to find some peace.  I was so scared.  I have had surgeries before but this time I was involving my baby and I was so worried about what could happen.  But I knew I was in good hands.

They then prepped me to go into surgery.  I got my IV put in and signed all the paper work.  Then made the long walk down the hall to the OR.  The nurses and I joked that we were in a parade and waved at my family as we walked down the hall. 

After they gave me the spinal and got my catheter in they had John join me.  I felt better seeing him beside me.  He was so supportive telling me what was happening (not the gross stuff) and telling me I was doing so well and that he loves me. 

John gave one of the nurses (he was an intern) our camera so he could take pictures for us.  He took pictures of everything!  And the setting John put the camera on allowed him to take multiple pictures at once.  So the pictures are seconds apart.  That was really neat for me to see her be born. 

Two people could watch in a window and we picked our mothers.  They were so excited to see their granddaughter be born!

When they finally got to her the doctors both said, “she’s got lots of hair!”  Then they showed her to me.  Beautiful!  There’s my baby girl.  My little Laina Rose.  It was love at first sight.  I thought all of this but what came out of my mouth first was “she has your nose!” then they took her again.  I laid there in a dream and listened to her cry.  I was so overwhelmed. 

Laina was born 3:27pm weighing 6 lbs 11 oz and 18.5 inches.

When they took me to my recovery room they brought her to me right away.  They waited to give her a bath so I could see her and breast feed.  She knew just what to do.  The nurse was very impressed.

 This wasn’t the way I planned things to happen but I’m glad I had a doctor who cared so much about my baby and me, to do what was necessary.