Pete and Tanner: Scarlett's Birth Story {September 14, 2012}

Scarlett's delivery day! Woohoo!

I had run 20 scenarios through my head of how this day would go. My delivery with Reagan was pretty quick, and your second is usually faster, so I was a tad concerned about where and when this would happen. There was also the issue of who will take Reagan if this happens in the middle of the night that worried me too. I took my last grocery trip 3 weeks out from due date and tried to stick close to home to be safe.

Reagan's Delivery 4 years ago...

My water broke first at 7 am to kick things off, 2 weeks before my due date. I thought it was a great way to go so there wasn't any guessing of whether it was 'real labor' or not. I barely made it out of the shower by 7:20 and my contractions hit like a tidal wave, one on top of the other. I had my epidural shortly after I got to the hospital and she was born at 12:20pm. I could not have asked for a better delivery. The whole experience was great, but I did realize that every delivery is different and just prayed for this one to be remotely close. The bar was set pretty high for miss Scarlett!

My labor this time started off very differently. It was 10 days before my due date, and I had just gotten up to make breakfast. I thought that I might have felt something... nah. Then maybe?... nah. Around 9:30 I knew I was having contractions, and started keeping track of them on my phone. They were by no means painful, just a tightening or slight cramp, and very irregular. I clocked about 8-10 an hour for 3 hours, just pacing the house wondering what I should do. They still didn't hurt and I hated to cry wolf if it was false labor. I had never had to make the call to go in or not because Reagan's was so different!

My mom was on her way, and I told Junior to go ahead to work on schedule since I didn't know what was going on yet. He works close and could be home quick anyway. After a few stronger contractions I went ahead and sent a text out to our close family that today might be the day. Around 1:00 I started getting some stronger contractions that stoped me in my tracks, but they were less frequent... Ahhh! So aggravating! I was on the phone with l&d talking to the nurses about whether to come in or not. I'll just wait... From 1:00-3:00 I only had 4 contractions an hour, so mom left to run an errand. I thought for sure they were going to stop all together.

Oops... 3:00 hit and BAM Scarlett meant business! Junior had just called to check on me. I was on the phone with him when I had my 2nd serious one, and when I couldn't speak and my eyes teared up, he said he was on his way. It wasn't 10 minutes later the three of us were in the car and headed for the hospital. I stopped recording my contractions at that point, because they were so close together I didn't even have time to write it down! Seriously 1-2 minutes apart in no time.

The thing I'll remember the most about the drive to the hospital, is trying to deal with Reagan calmly and contractions at the same time. I swear it was emotionally a Jekyll and Hyde moment for me. I went from tears in my eyes, trying to control my breathing and death grip on the handle, to forcing a smile and trying to carry on a 'normal' conversation with Reagan. I knew she would worry if I was hurting, so I dealt pretty quietly and Junior took over the conversation during my Hyde moments.

We arrived at 4:15, someone wheeled me up to triage while Junior and Reagan parked the car and brought in our stuff. They checked me in at 5-6 cm's and had me in a room by 4:45. I breathed through contractions for another HOUR until the wonderful epidural arrived just before 6 o'clock. At this point I was about 7 cm's and 100% effaced, (SO proud of myself!) so he said he gave me a 'boost' of extra meds so they would kick in quick since I was so far along. WOW. As far as I was concerned my body had been amputated. At one point my leg had fallen off the bed and I wasn't even aware.

At this point I could focus for longer than 30 seconds since I had the epidural, and I looked around and realized how many people were there I loved... it meant the world to me. Seeing them just as excited to meet my daughter was pretty awesome.

This day was so bitter sweet for me. I was so excited to meet this new little person, see her Pace nose and count her Hawkes lashes, but so sad for Reagan not to be my only babe.

That last kiss before she left the room... oh it was hard to let her go.

Junior loved this- the epidural cart was a craftsman toolbox.

Dr. Bartley came by to check on me at 7:45 and I was 8ish cm's so she went ahead and broke my water. Game on! She and I both knew it wouldn't take long after that, so she just stayed in the room to chat til it was go time. She had 2 other women in labor that she said would still be pushing long after I delivered.

I really love having her for my doctor. I've known her for years from helping photograph her son and just did her family pictures last year. She is such a great person, and I trust her completely. My whole family loves her too, ever since she was so good to us for the emergency surgery in 2007.

It barely took an hour and I was 10 cm's! Woohoo! I got in position, but honestly couldn't tell if I was pushing productively or not. My super sweet nurse Maggie said I was only supposed to feel the extra 'boost' of meds from the anesthesiologist for an hour maybe, but I was surely more numb than last time. I felt absolutely nothing, not even the pressure of when to push. I kept saying that I would be able to push harder if I felt something, but apparently I did well anyway. Something I loved the most was being able to use the mirror, it really helped me focus my energy and see progress. The room was relaxed through everything, even myself, and my sister and both our mom's were there for the big moment while everyone else was just outside. I pushed just short of a half hour and she was born at 9:20pm. Alden and Reagan were right outside the door and got to hear her first cry.

She was the most perfect, beautiful baby... it's overwhelming. There is no feeling like holding your babe for the first time. Her tiny little nail beds and velvety head, oh I just can't get enough!

One of my favorites... Can't help but be emotional when you first hear that cry...

He is such a proud daddy~

Very involved and such a great coach and support for me through the delivery.

After they got me all cleaned up, we wanted Reagan to come in first to meet her sister. She went to grab Scarlett from me the minute she hopped on the bed, so cute, and spoke to her so sweetly. "Hi baby Starwet! It's your bid sister Readen! I wove you! We're so dwad you're here!"
That moment was priceless for me... Tear-jerker for sure : )

In came the fans.

We have such an awesome family that were so supportive... love them so much.

They let us have 1 hour from delivery in the room with her until she had to get weighed and cleaned up in the nursery. We passed Scarlett around for a quick hold so I still had time to nurse. She latched on like a pro the first time and was so sweet, just like her big sister.

Junior carried her to the nursery, and rang the birth day bell~

Proud big sister~

Scarlett was in the nursery for 2 hours (they say is normal, but too long for me) and I was transferred to my regular room. Junior took Reagan home, which was important for me that her evening be as normal as possible. I didn't want someone else to take her (my emotionally sensitive girl) and have her upset without us. So it ended up that my BROTHER stayed as my babysitter for the night. I was so thankful, and flattered that he would stay with me. When Reagan was born, he didn't meet her until after I was home. She was the first baby in the family and he never spent time with kids really, no big deal. THIS time, he was one of the first to arrive at the hospital while I was in labor. He has been such an awesome uncle and Reagan loves him like crazy.

I was on cloud 9... My pain was under control with just a Motrin (and a lingering epidural), and everything just went so smoothly- I was thrilled. I did end up taking something a little stronger for pain the second day but only because of the cramping while I nursed. Ouch, those felt like borderline contractions.

I really enjoyed my hospital stay, but I was so ready to get home. The food was pretty good, bed comfortable, and someone always available to take Scarlett so I can sleep. I love having her in the room with me, but I know from last time what sleep deprivation can do to you. Even if it was only 2 hours of sleep between nursing, worth it. We didn't stay the full 2 days though, since I was dying to have a real shower and a bed and pillow not lined in plastic. : /

Ashton stayed with me the second night, and sooo thankful she could be a part of everything. She even shared her middle name with Scarlett : ) I loved having her in the delivery room, and having just the two of us all night was much needed sister time for me. We walked to the nursery early the next day to see all the babies... 22 of them! Boy were they crowded.

Nana had the best visit the next day- Scarlett was so alert and content... it was awesome : )

Ashton helped me take some pictures of my girl before Junior and Reagan came to pick us up to head home- I'll add those in the next post since this is long enough!