Delaney Reed Kirkham was born November 11, 2010 at 1:17 am! She was 7 pounds 1.6 ounces and 20 inches long!
I started having contraction early Wednesday morning. The were strong enough to wake me up. I woke James up at 8ish, and called my midwives at 9:30. The midwife on call told me that it sounded like I was not yet in active labor and to just hang out at home and continue to time them. She also told me I would know when it would be time to come in. At noon the contractions wore off. I was bummed for sure, I thought it was going to be baby day! At 2 my friend Roxy took me on a walk. This seemed to get things going again. We walked all over the neighborhood for more than an hour. When we got home I told James to still head into work, and if things picked up I would call him. James works in Aztec, NM which is a good 50 minutes from the hospital! That night (in between contractions) I made dinner for Chad, Laura, and the kiddos. I gave Connor a bath and put him to bed. My contractions were getting worse, but I just keep going. I took a shower and that helped. I decided I should lay down and try to sleep just incase! Earlier that day my sister in law, Sara, told me she was in a false labor for 3 days, so I should be patient. At this point I was extremely uncomfortable and starting to moan out loud when a contraction would come. I decided I should go to Labor and Delivery to get some pain meds so I could rest (I am still thinking I have days of this "false labor" a head of me). I called Roxy to come and drive me in. She ran Connor over to Chad and Laura's. The poor kid he was so confused! I called James and let him know we were on our way, he said he would meet us there. On the way in my contractions were awful. I just kept picturing the pain meds! They were also coming about every 3 minutes...whoops...so much for that 5 minute mark. We got up to L&D and checked in. The nurse check me and told us I was only dilated to 3 so I would be admitted, but I would be monitored since I was in tons of pain and the contractions were so close together. After 10 minutes she said I would be staying and started the IV so I could an epidural. 45 minutes later Mary Louise, my midwife came in to check me so I could get the epi. She tells me I am at a 9 and 100% effaced!!!!! I sat up and said, "are you kidding?!?!?!" She told me that she does not kid! No wonder it was hurting so bad, and so much for my pain relief. The next contraction my water broke, and then things got really bad. At about 1 am, I told James and Roxy (who was sweet enough to stay with me) that I felt the need to push. Pushing was so awkward. I did not want it to last too long so I pushed her out in 17 minutes!
I was so happy- I got the exact birth I wanted. I wanted to labor at home as long as possible ( and honestly it was so nice to labor alone). I wanted it be drug free ( even though I changed my mind on the way to the hospital). I wanted a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)! I did not cry when they put her on my chest, I was more in shock I think... This birth was one of the most craziest experiences of my life!
Recovery was so much easier this time too. I was able to have my IV line taken out right after she came out, and was up and moving with in hours. I was so glad that my little lady was finally here, and once again James was right on with the day our kiddo was to be born. He predicted 12/12 with Connor and 11/11 with Laney.
It took about 6 hours to finally decide on her name. It was so much harder to name our daughter than it was to name our son. Connor was named before he was even born. We decided on Delaney because it was first name that was suggested that we both liked. He middle name is Reed, which is Dot's (James's mom) maiden name.
Laney is the sweetest little thing, and is now 12 weeks old. I can't believe how fast time is moving. She is all smiles and loves her Daddy and Big Brother! She is still not sleeping through the night, and it is starting to wear me out. Sometimes I think the lack of sleep is making me lose my mind.
I love my sweet little family and would not change anything for a second.
Delaney Reed Kirkham
11/11/10
Great Blog Amber! I really need to write down Hannah's Birth story before I forget details.
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