The littlest of babes is 2 weeks old. It is hard to believe that she was inside of me such a short time ago. To finally have her on the outside is so amazing. Surreal. To nurture a little being for almost nine months and then to finally meet them is bizarre and amazing all at once. I truly know nothing about her but now I have a lifetime to learn.
I wanted to share my birth story for two reasons. Firstly, although it happened such a short time ago, I feel if I do not write it down shortly, I will forever lose the important details that make her entry into the world uniquely hers. Secondly, it was a birth that I have experienced like none other and I wanted to share that with my followers and friends. Yes...I have had 3 natural births. I advocated for that and was confident that I could birth naturally again. Yes...this time I had the epidural. Yes...I liked it.
So let me begin...Friday started like any other. On this day, my eldest is home from school so I like to spend all day with all my babes. We usually, after a very relaxed morning, head to a friend's house for a playdate. I wanted to go over particularly on this day because I was feeling uncomfortable and she is an amazing help. Plus, I just wanted to see her after. She had been super busy lately and we needed to catch up. All the girls came to the house to play with the children of this particular friend and the children of my other good friends. (These girls were the first ones I told I was pregnant during a hot tub night when I had to explain no drinking or hot water for me.)
The uncomfortable feeling continued. It was in my lower back and continued to go around to the front. This pregnancy was riddled with pain and discomfort, so I honestly felt nothing of it. After an hour or so of being with my friends, and having them convinced that I actually was in labour (and also the fact that some mucous was now evident) I left to go get my cell phone at home. I called my midwife and she wasn't alarmed but did inform me that if things progressed to head to the city to the Birthing Centre.
At this point, I also called the Papa to say I think I may be in labour, but no rush. I was still in complete denial. I returned to my friend's house where all my mama friends began to inform me of what they thought was actually happening and that this baby was going to be born soon. (They were completely right!) Funnily enough, I had a pre-natal massage booked in the afternoon. I called them to cancel with this "labour excuse". I was just feeling uncomfortable and didn't really want someone massaging my painful bits. Little did I know...I was actually in labour!!
The Papa, at around 3 in the afternoon, got home and picked all his babes up from my friend's house. There was humorous talk about the baby being born, humorous only because I was still denying the fact that this was happening. Around 5 o'clock, it was evident that the contractions were coming on strong and consistently spaced. We made the decision to make the hour long drive into the city with the Babes.
The next hour and a half was a frantic getting together of night and day wear for the three older babes, a bag of clothing and necessities for the new babe, a camera, and birthing bag. Poor Papa was doing his best to comfort me with my contractions while making all the preparations.
The G-units were called and after a long drive and stop at Starbucks for ice chips and raspberry iced tea, we arrived in Ottawa. Upon seeing the Papa's mama I instantly cried. Seeing her was comforting and emotional. She was going to welcome her 6th grand baby and I was responsible for bringing this little babe to the world, when I was so full of fear.
We bid the babes adieu and headed to the Birthing Centre at around 8 pm. My amazing midwives were there waiting for us. Paula had seen the birth of 2 of my babes. So when I saw her I immediately cried too. Hormones must have been strong. Paula is amazing and strong and I trust her completely. Helen, the student midwife sent from above, was exceptional in every capacity and I know she is going to make the best of midwives. It was she who assessed me and informed me that I was 4cm dilated and that she was going to give me a sweep to get the labour really going.
After the assessment, the Papa and I headed to a television room. The pain was becoming unbearable. It was not long after that that I decided to head into the birthing room. It was beautiful and warm. The tub was the biggest I had ever seen. However, I was informed that I was not going to be able to birth in there. I am uncertain if this knowledge, psychologically affected me in a negative way, but the contractions became more intense and a pain I do not remember ever experiencing with any of the other babes. I began to swing from the bed. Bounce on a balance ball. Wash myself in the shower as a contraction would sweep over me. There was a lot of on my hands and knees action.
At around 10pm I had too much, and asked for my epidural. The midwives complied and I was transferred via our van to the hospital. Immediately after we left the Centre, my contractions were tolerable. Knowing that I would receive pain relief, I believe, eased my mind of worry I didn't know I possessed. The Papa didn't even realize I had contractions in the half an hour drive because I was not experiencing them with such intensity as before.
Once registered and admitted to the hospital, we waited patiently for the anesthesiologist. The two hour wait included me vomiting, a common symptom of my labours, and my mucous plug expelling itself during one of my wrenching episodes. At around midnight he administered the epidural. I had never received one before. As a Mama of only natural births, one may think I was concerned about the epidural. Prior to labour, I was. Would there be an invasive delivery (one that required forceps or vacuum)? Would my babe react negatively to the drugs? Would I react negatively to the drugs? All the fear dissipated when I needed relief.
When administered, I wasn't immediately in relief. My water broke (something that had never happened before) and my entire right side could still feel the contractions. My heartbeat also became quite fast (140) and Ivy girl's dropped. I was put on oxygen instantly and there was concern that if we did not get her out soon, something could be wrong.
I was asked to give strong pushes. I listened. Ivy Adeline Jolliet was born at 1:24 am on November 22nd. She was slightly cold but healthy. She came fast so there remained a little mucous in her lungs. She nursed for almost an hour and a half. It must have been a lot of work to turn out so cute. It was evident after the birth that my body was becoming covered in a rash. I had an allergic reaction to the epidural. We would have to stay longer to be monitored.
After what seemed like an endless stay in a semi-private room with a Mama who wouldn't stop talking, we were released and headed home with this cuteness to enjoy the bliss and recover.
This pregnancy is over. My belly will never hold another babe again. There are many emotions associated with this definitive decision. At another time, I will delve into that. But for now, we relish in the fact that we created this amazing being who is so loved by all, especially the eldest babes.
