Born March 18th, 6:04pm
8 pounds, 6.5oz; 20 inches long
My 29th birthday (and due date) began about 5:30am with regular contractions about 10 minutes apart (just long enough for me to almost fall asleep in between and then be reawakened). I got up and things started moving quicker. The day before I had gone in for some acupuncture that is supposed to encourage labor as well as taking black and blue cohash--herbal supplements for labor. Even though it was my birthday, I was more than ready to have a baby!
Ryan and I headed to the Birth Center around 8am and it was clear that I was starting labor, but still only 4-5cm so I decided to head to the acupuncturist again (conveniently located upstairs). Anytime I sat or laid down, the contractions would slow, so I was able to relax during the 30 minute treatment. By noon I was continuing to dilate, but slowly because the baby was posterior (turned face-forward instead of face-backward) which not only makes it all go slower, it makes for awful back labor. Bridger was this way as well and I remembered the feeling. It was also frustrating because I needed to keep walking to keep things moving, which was making me very tired.
By 4pm I had been stuck at 7 for several hours so I let the midwife break my water. I had been resisting this because I knew from past experience that the pain gets much worse once the insulation's gone. Sure enough, things got moving and very painful. Thankfully there was a nice whirlpool tub that took the edge off a bit. I even tried to have her in the tub, but I couldn't seem to get in a good position, so she ended up being born a land baby at 6:04pm. The delivery was very difficult due to her 95 percentile head (just a shade smaller than Asher's) and her 8 pound, 6.5oz body. It also didn't help that I was so tired! Unfortunately, as her shoulders were delivered we heard a little pop and thought she might have broken something. She was amazingly content, though, and nursed right away. We were all home by 10pm.
We had Eilidh to the pediatrician yesterday and she had to have x-rays during her first day of life. Sure enough, her left arm was broken during the delivery. The doctor just taped it down to her chest a bit and said it would heal within a week. She's such a sweetie that she hasn't fussed about it at all. She seems to have a very calm and happy temperament, which is such a blessing! You'll hear her lungs a bit in the video as the boys had been holding her awhile. Bridger's very gentle, but Asher's so excited about her that he's a bit of a bull in a china shop around her. She'll be tough and protected!
8 comments:
She is just beautiful! What a blessing.
so exciting! Look at your beautiful children! Go birth centers! You rock, Rachel!
Funny thing, I thought you might be in my bedroom -- I think we might have the same bed, and our walls are the same color!
We are so excited for you!
Can't wait to meet her - hopefully we can make it happen this summer.
Have a wonderful Easter celebrating with your beautiful family!!
What a beautiful blessing! The boys are going to be such a big help! We can't wait to see you guys sometime next month. Hugs to each of you!
Congratulations Rachel! What a fantastic birthday present...well when all said and done, and you're holding a sweet nursing Eilidh.
When Satya came out I remember the first comment I heard from the delivery team was, "wow, that's a big head" and she has yet to go below 90th precentile for head. Big difference from her brother's 10th percentile head. Makes you feel proud to know your body can open up that big!
I also LOVE the name. She can join my kids one day in the support group for kids whose names are never pronounced or spelled correctly. :)
Congratulations! And you joined the BOMBD(born on my birthday) Club!
I love the little newborn cries and whimpers-- makes me feel nostalgic.
Bridger breaks my heart in that video. Love to everyone!
Congratulations, Rachel and Ryan. She's beautiful!
Julie
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