They say the third time’s a charm. We were nearing the due date for our third wee one and I remember Ross saying, I just want it to not be scary when we’re at the hospital. Needless to say, we had so many friends and family praying that we would have the chance to bring a baby into this world in a way that was calm and easy!
I never wrote about Julia’s labor and delivery story, but I will at some point. Mamas who have had c-sections or other complications know how sad it is when you have this baby and you can’t have that initial bond and hold it. She was taken to the level 2 NICU on site at our hospital. I did write about Brooks’ labor and delivery... and his was super scary!
When we were nearing our third due date, I prayed and prayed that we would have an enjoyable experience! Here is the story of our little caboose’s delivery into this crazy world.
When Will Baby Come?
I thought for sure our due date was just a number in the future–you know… the third one won’t stay in that long, right? Wrong! Even after what felt like weeks of painful contractions and
potential water breaking (am I leaking fluid?). At any rate, our due date was Feb. 17, 2020, and I made it to my 40-week appt. on Feb. 18. Additionally, the doctor stripped my membranes and offered to schedule an induction for Feb. 24. What’s another week when it’s already been this long? Plus… I like to cook babies a little longer anyways 😉
However, she ended up letting me know that once you turn 35 (ahem! Advanced Maternal Age!) you can be induced anytime after 40 weeks. So she asked me if I wanted to wait or pick a different date. I laughed and said I had to check with my husband and his work schedule. We decided 2-20-20… it has a nice ring to it!
Looking back, I know I said in a previous blog that I would probably just wait it out and let the baby come naturally. However, when you’re in the thick of it, and with the painful contractions that just wouldn’t quit, I was not interested in waiting it out. You Mamas get it 😉
It’s Time for Baby!
Knowing there is an end in sight is refreshing. Furthermore, I had a day to wrap things up at work and give hugs to my coworkers. We were able to have a fun and restful night with Julia & Brooks, drop them off at daycare, and seamlessly arrived at the hospital at 9:00.
They got us checked in and we met our team for the day. I can say, without a doubt, that we were paired with the best. Our nurse Kim was simply amazing, and our doctor, Dr. A (we’ll leave her name out for privacy!) was insanely intelligent and SO with it! There was one answer to prayer already and we haven’t even gotten the ball rolling yet. After they both left the room I swear I had tears and looked at Ross and said they seem like the best.
Making a Plan
We decided on a balloon catheter to get things started (I was still only dilated to a 1 and about 60% effaced at arrival). It was in and fell out within 45 minutes. Yay! I was at least dilated to a 3, so they let me walk for a while. We got the Pitocin line started at about 11:30 to help things pickup. I carted my Pit-Pole around the maternity floor no less than 50 times. With every creak, I wondered… How are things going down there. Baby, are you ready yet?
Dr. A. decided it was time to break my water around 1:30. I knew once that happened things would progress quickly. They did! We called my Mama and my Mother-in-Law, as Ross and I had decided they could join us during delivery. I had a feeling things would progress quickly now. We wanted to do something special for these two women who do SO much for our family–and this is something that is a memory we will all be able to share and cherish forever.
Epidural: Yes Please!
Trying to fight something medically induced, naturally, is just not worth it. Pitocin is wicked. It comes so much more forcefully than regular contractions (I’ve had both!) and I knew going in, let’s just get it over with sooner than later. Once the anesthesiologist had it placed, I was able to rest comfortably.
Our nurse Kim gave me the peanut ball to help baby continue to move down and into position. We all chatted, watched the Twilight series on TV, and even placed some friendly bets on baby’s gender & weight! Things were progressing; I could feel the baby and it was near time to meet this sweet little babe!
I turned to Ross and Kim. “I’m feeling a lot of pressure, I think it’s time to start pushing soon!” Kim did one final check and confirmed: “You’re complete!” I decided to labor down for a few minutes, but then it was time. Our doctor arrived, and with a few pushes as Ross and Kim held my legs and I gripped the bars on the side of the bed, I could feel the baby coming. Dr. A. gave me a chance to feel the baby’s head as it was coming out– Wow! What an incredible experience! I cried and said I probably shouldn’t have done that– I feel like I lost a little strength and momentum. Nonetheless, it is something I’ll remember forever.
Our Sweet Little Baby Girl
With Ross and both of my mothers at my side, at 4:26 PM on February 20, 2020, our little girl arrived. She was incredible. With one little loop of the cord around her neck, Dr. A. gracefully removed it and placed her on my chest. She was 8.5 lbs and 20.5″ long. She had this cute little black hair on her head and beautiful color.
We named Maggie Mae; Maggie because it’s always been on my “list” and it fit her, and Mae because Ross’ Grandma’s middle name was Mae. It was the perfect combination! And YES. I will play Rod Stewart every year on the morning of her birthday 🙂
The pediatric nurse who cleaned her off and checked her vitals placed her on my chest. I cried. Of course they were happy tears, but I also cried because I had never gotten to hold my babies after they came out. They had always been taken away for something. So this moment, when I looked into her eyes and heard her cry, was breathtaking. In the back of my mind I also knew that this would be the last moment in time I held a brand new baby in my arms, so I relished in all its beauty.
A Prayer Answered
Not only was our sweet little girl healthy, the Lord gave us an incredibly smooth and easy day. I still have waves of thankfulness for the whole experience. Of course I’m thankful for all of the experiences I’ve been blessed to have, but I felt that immediate prayer was answered and I was reminded how powerful God is and that he was looking after us on this day!
We had a few visitors come that first night, and then a handful the next day. Because we were healthy and Maggie passed her newborn screenings, they were able to discharge us by 5:00 the next day. We were able to bring our sweet little Maggie home with big sister Julia & big brother Brooks. Our sweet little family, once four, was now a Party of Five.
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