Maeve's birth story

This second pregnancy has been an interesting one.  I was lucky to have overall good health physically, but it has been hard emotionally.  Aside from some pretty stressful test results in the first trimester (more on that later), the last few months were focused on the baby's overall growth and health (she was measuring very small).  I was going in once a week for non-stress tests (NST) to monitor her heart rate, check amniotic fluid levels and overall health of the baby. These check-ups were going well and there weren't any red flags.  On Monday, April 22nd, I went in for a routine NST and follow-up.  Overall, things looked ok and the baby wasn't under stress.  However, what stood out to me at the appointment was how my doctor kept emphasizing just one more growth ultrasound at St. Mark's Hospital.  I really didn't want to have to hassle with another appointment down there, but for some reason I just felt really impressed to call and schedule an ultrasound.  So I did.  And miraculously they were able to squeeze me in the next day.

Tuesday, April 23:

My doctor/midwife was currently on maternity leave, but she said she was willing and wanted to be there for the delivery of my baby.  I hadn't talked to her for a few weeks, but she randomly called me this morning just to check-in and see how things were going.  I gave her the latest update and informed her that I was going in for an ultrasound in a few hours and that I'd keep her posted.  I went down to St. Mark's for my growth check ultrasound.  It was a different doctor conducting the ultrasound, but he was very thorough and straight-forward.  He said that in the two weeks time since my last ultrasound, the baby had dropped from being in the 19th percentile, to less than 5th percentile.  He also was really concerned with the overall health and functionality of the placenta.  It was starting to calcify and the amniotic fluid looked a little cloudy.  He used the term "placental insufficiency."  He strongly suggested I get induced and that the baby would definitely be better outside of me than in (and hearing the word "fatal" really puts into perspective how time sensitive the issue was).  After he contacted my doctor and filled her in on all of this, she called me and said, "Can you be to the hospital tonight at 6:00?"  Did I mention it was 3:00 when I got that call?  My gut instint knew it was the right thing to do, but I was just blindsided at the timing of everything.  Could I really wrap my head around having a baby in just three hours?  I thought I had three more weeks!  So, after a teary phone call to Chase and shocking him with the news, we were both headed home to make final preparations.

Once we got over the initial shock of a surprise induction, it really sank-in that a higher power had guided the turn of events the last two days.  The impression at the doctors office the day prior to schedule an ultrasound at St. Mark's... the last-minute ultrasound appointment that happened to be available... the random phone call from my doctor to check-in... to the inspired ultrasound doctor who put things in motion... it really is a miracle how it all unfolded!

My dad joined Chase in giving me a Priesthood blessing... and one of the most powerful/emotional blessings I've ever received.  I felt comforted in knowing, and was reminded, that God is in control and He is aware of me.  I just needed to trust in Him.  I can honestly say that I felt a peace come over me and was calm about the whole situation afterwards.

So we packed our hospital bags, ate a little dinner with Tate, and then we were on our way.  Having gone into labor on my own with Tatum, it was a surreal drive to the hospital knowing that for sure this baby would be coming.  Induction was inevitable.  We checked-in and got cozy in our room.  I got my sexy hospital gown on and waited for my IV (one of the worst parts of labor in my opinion... the pain, the swelling/puffiness from all the fluids... I hate it all).  It didn't help that the nurse literally dug in my arm for five minutes to find my vein. Blast!  My doctor came and broke my water around 8:00 p.m. and I was 4 cm.  After I was hooked up to monitors, the waiting game began. 

I started walking the halls and slowly contractions started kicking in.  More time passed and the contractions were getting a little stronger.  I made jokes, ate popsicles, and tried taking my mind off my discomfort.  Chase downloaded a contraction app to his iPad and we starting counting the time between them.  At first they were 2-3 minutes apart, but only lasted 30-45 seconds.  They eventually got more intense and lasted longer.  They were started to take my breath away and I had to stop and endure through each one.  I got back in bed around 12:45 a.m.

Suddenly the pain was getting too intense.  I started shaking uncontrollably.  I transitioned from early labor to intense active labor very quickly.  I was breathing through the hard contractions, changing positions in bed, and squeezing Chase's hand... but nothing was giving me relief.  So I asked for my epidural.

The contractions were so intense that the epidural felt like a bee sting.  Chase was a good sport for letting me squeeze his hand.  The shaking continued. Once the epidural was put-in and I laid back down, I felt an intense urgency to push.  I told my nurse and she kind of brushed it off.  After about 30 minutes, and more intense shaking, I said I really felt like I needed to push.  So finally, my doctor was called-in and she checked me around 1:45 a.m.  Sure enough, it was time to push.  And thankfully the epidural was just starting to kick in!

My contractions were still about 2-3 minutes apart, so pushing took longer than it should have (about 45 minutes).  But the experience was peaceful, exhausting, and filled with anticipation.  At 2:33 a.m., our sweet baby girl finally was born.  She let out a sweet little cry... music to my ears!  She was tiny and absolutely perfect.  They wiped her off and laid her on my chest.  I was instantly overwhelmed with love for this tiny little miracle.  I stared at her perfect, healthy little body and silently said a prayer of gratitude.  We did it.  She was here in my arms at last.

After the cord was cut, the nurses took her to be weighed, measured, and examined.  She was 5 pounds 5 ounces, some brown hair, and a questionable 19.5" inches long.  As the nurses tended to Maeve, my doctor and I disected my placenta (I found this fascinating).  There was some calcification, but not to the extent we thought it would be.  What was alarming was the size of the umbilical cord (no bigger than the circumference of my pinky finger)!  My doctor said it was the smallest cord she's seen, and it probably contributed to growth restriction.  It was a miracle she was as big and as healthy as she was.

Chase took her into the hallway for everyone to meet her.  She would smile as he brushed her cheeks and mouth.  Everyone was smitten by her sweetness.

At 3:30 a.m., the room cleared and it was just the three of us. The room was dark and quiet, so I laid Maeve on my chest to nurse. She instantly latched and ate for 90 minutes! I'm sure she was thinking, "Thank you mom for getting me out... I was starving!" Although I was absolutely exhausted, it was one of the sweetest moments from her whole birth. She was my little girl. I was so blessed to have her and that all was well.

I remember worrying so much before her birth that i wouldn't have an instant love for her.  Tate and I were a great team.  How could I love someone just as much as I love Tatum?  Was that really possible?  But, it's amazing how it happens.  How, in an instant, your heart swells with an overwhelming love for another human being.  How, in an instant, you can't imagine your life without this little person.  How, in an instant, your life has been changed for good.

We love you sweet little Maeve Kate.  Welcome to the world precious miracle.

{photos by Marci... thank you dear friend for such a priceless gift}