Sunday, October 30th
Throughout my pregnancy, I had many Braxton-Hicks contractions.
But these were different.
They started out as a little painful, and I remember thinking, "Hmm, that feels different."
I wasn't due for ten more days!
Then I got more and more, and around 11:30am is when they started to become more noticeable.
Michael and I started walking around our neighborhood, and we went to my parent's for Sunday lunch, where we did some more walking.
We went back to our house, walked more, and they started to get a little more regular and more painful. We decided to go to triage around 10pm where they checked me, but sent me home because I was only 3-4 cm dilated.
That night was awful. I had contractions all night long that were so painful that I just moaned and writhed in bed. Sleep did not happen that night! The contractions hurt, but they were not consistent in timing! So, we decided to wait.
Monday, October 31
We got up that morning, and went to Chick fil A for breakfast, and Wal Mart for groceries. The contractions now were painful enough that I had to stop and breathe through them. We did a ton of walking to try to get them more regular, but they ever got consistent. Finally, the pain started to become so intense, and some of my contractions were last 5 minutes! So, we called Dr. Sontag and he had us come in to be checked. At 3:30, I was 5 cm and 90 percent effaced. He sent us to Labor and Delivery!
We settled into our L&D room. Our room was big and beautiful, with a large window. And our nurse was so sweet! Michael brought our bags up, and we settled in.
Dr. Lyle came in at 4pm where I was now 6 cm! He broke my water to get things moving. Contractions then got very long and very painful. We were able to watch the contractions on the computer via an internal monitor. My parents came up and sat with us as we waited for things to progress. I was so thankful to have my parents there - they have been our support, our encouragement, and have loved Evelyn from the minute they found out I was carrying her. They have listened to our updates, our worries, gone on countless baby shopping trips, have given us incredible advice, and have been an example of godly parents. They have been our prayer warriors, when we were starting to become hopeless in being able to have children.
I am so thankful. I love you, mom and dad.
I requested an epidural, and the anesthesiologist came pretty quickly. He was really nice, and was able to place the epidural on the first try, and it was pain-free. I instantly started feeling the effects, praise God, because my contractions were very painful and long at this point! Because the contractions were lasting long and painful but were not happening at regular intervals, I was given pitocin through my IV. Now, I had made up my mind early on in this pregnancy that I wanted to avoid pitocin at all costs, but at this point, it became necessary. We really don't know why my contractions were not becoming regular, but the pitocin did it's job. After the pitocin was given, I was dilated to 8 cm. I now had a new nurse, and she was phenomenal. I truly believe she was assigned my room for a reason, she was a God-send for me. I remember her telling us that we were such an awesome couple to work with, and this is why she does her job. I loved her.
My dear, dear friends (I should call them sisters), Christy and Jessica came and joined us in our L&D room as we waited. I am so thankful for them, their friendship, and support. They prayed and prayed for us and Evelyn - I think I would've lost my mind without their wisdom, prayers, accountability, and willingness to just listen as I poured out my heart to them. They have been by my side from day one in our journey to conceive, so it was an honor to have them with us.
Around 8:30pm, the nurse checked me, and I was 10 cm dilated and 100 percent effaced!!! It was go time!!! The nurse called Dr. Sontag and she started prepping everything. I was definitely feeling pressure and the urge to push. We had everyone leave the room, until it was only me and Michael, the way we wanted it. We wanted only the two of us to share the moment to come.
The nurse, Michael, and I did a practice push. They saw the top of her head!!! I was able to reach down and feel her, which was an amazing, emotional moment for me.
Sontag arrived, got ready, and I started to push around 9:30. I held onto my thighs while Michael held one leg and the nurse held the other. They coached me through cycles of pushes, and more pitocin was added to encourage faster contractions. I pushed really well, and Michael did such an amazing job encouraging me. I could tell he was so excited, and he kept telling me "Come on, baby. That's right, your doing great!" I could tell he was purely amazed by the entire process. Sontag was stretching me inbetween contractions, but I ended up getting an episiotomy to help - I didn't feel it at all. After about 10-12 contractions and pushing through each one, Evelyn was born at 9:54pm! As soon as I saw her coming out of me, I started crying. They put her on my tummy, and the tears were flowing. Michael had tears in his eyes. What a moment for us.
We waited
so long, what felt like an eternity, for this very moment.
Our precious little miracle now was laying on me, and the only thing I could do was hold her and weep.
With every breath she took, every little cry that she made, I praised God for this fearfully and wonderfully made gift.
My tears were so many things in that moment - they were thankfulness, relief, love, joy, amazement, and they were my
worship to God.
She was wailing, and I remember that she smelled so good to me, even though she wasn't cleaned up yet. She came out pretty clean as it was. Her hair was strawberry blonde, and she started opening her eyes. We kept touching and kissing her, and I just let my tears flow. Michael then was able to cut the cord. They took her to the adjoining room where she was weighed, cleaned up, and checked out. Michael went with her and watched and put on her first diaper. As they were doing all of that, Sontag and the nurses were cleaning me up. I asked to see the placenta, which is an amazing organ. It was the lifeline to my baby! It was pretty incredible to see. After they took care of me, Michael brought Evelyn back, and we were able to have some time together - just the three of us.
I then tried breastfeeding, and she latched immediately. It was absolutely beautiful and one of the most amazing experiences. We instantly had a bond, mother and daughter, and I am so thankful for that. I knew her already, and she knew me. This was the beautiful miracle that I had been carrying for months, that I had been feeling move inside of me, that I had been talking to. Words simply cannot explain the bond and the emotions that you feel when you hold your baby for the first time. I was already in love with her and would do anything for her. I felt a love for her that I had never experienced before.
I was STARVING and craving apple juice, so I quickly downed Corn Pops and a few glasses of juice. Michael went out to the waiting room and brought everyone back to meet our little pumpkin!
Evelyn was so excited to meet her Grammie and Grampie and Aunt Christy and Aunt Jess!
It was a sweet moment for all of us as we together marveled at our gift from God.
After everyone had a chance to get some snuggles from Evelyn, we left the L&D room and headed to our other room where we would stay for the next two days.
We all got good rest that night - we took advantage of the nursery. They brought her in about every two and a half hours for me to feed her, so Michael and I could rest well. We'd all been through a lot.
Tuesday, November 1
During the daytime, we had Evelyn room in with us. This day was full of visitors and tests for Evelyn. She aced all of them, and we had so much fun showing her off to our friends and family.
We were definitely proud parents.
That morning, Michael helped me get to the shower, and it was the best shower of my life. Seriously, one has never felt that good. I was tired and sore, so just standing there and letting the hot water run over me was heavenly.
Speaking of being sore, thank God for the people that invented epifoam and Tuck's pads. And ice cubes. Just sayin'...
Oh, and I have to give a shout out to Sacred Heart cafeteria. I thought their food was really good. Or maybe it tasted so good because I was so hungry. Either way, I enjoyed all the food!
Wednesday, November 2
This was our last day in the hospital, and it was a much quieter day.
We attended the parenting class (which I highly recommend because they give you a ton of free stuff) and signed all of our paperwork.
We dressed her in her going home outfit,
and off we went!
We got in the car and Michael and I looked at each other and just couldn't believe that she really was
ours. We could actually take her home. It was a surreal moment.
It was wonderful to walk into our home for the first time as "family." For years, it's been "Michael and Rachel," the "Swift's." But now, we are the "Swift family," mommy, daddy, and baby.
I love it.
Evelyn's story has only just begun...
