You know you're 9 months pregnant when.. you take it personally and feel angry and start to tear up when someone eats the last chocolate donut... When you're that pregnant, you're just so uncomfortable and nothing really helps. I handled this third trimester much more poorly than with my first pregnancy. I was so emotional, tired, impatient, uncomfortable and cranky. I was hardly sleeping and I was just so done being pregnant.
Saturday, august 19 felt like just another day. I was miserably 9 months pregnant in the heat of the summer. So dramatic, I know. That day I didn't have any real signs of labor, so we went about our day. We were lucky enough to go to the temple together while Hemā's mom watched Hendrix. What a blessing! Later that day we visited with some good friends. I went to bed late that night and had trouble falling to sleep with my back pain and restless legs. Shortly after I fell asleep, I was woken by contractions. I really thought maybe I was dreaming or imagining them, especially with how many times I was getting asked about labor signs and how close I was to my due date. So I pushed it out of my mind and tried to continue sleeping. Well after a few hours of very restless sleep with more contractions, I just decided to get up. I tried to get some things done around the house and settled onto the couch to try to finish some things on my laptop. Suddenly my contractions got stronger and I decided they weren't going away and I should get ready for the day. While I was doing my hair they got even stronger so I started to time them. They were already 3 minutes apart! So I hurried and finished my hair and packing some last minute things into my hospital bag. At about 6:50 am I went to wake up Hemā and said "we need to go to the hospital right now." He jump-stumbled out of bed as fast as he could and started pulling clothes on. We gathered our things, Hemā called his mom to come pick up Hendrix who was still sleeping, I told my parents who were upstairs to listen for Hendrix because we were leaving to have a baby, and we were off.
Driving to the hospital I was breathing heavily through my contractions and each time I did, I could hear Hemā breathing faster and feel the car speeding up haha. He kept saying "it's ok, we're almost there!" I told him to "calm down, I'm the one having a baby!" We laughed and made it there. I wasn't ready to check into the hospital, I wanted to time my contractions a bit longer. I thought I may be off in my timing because my contractions were 3 minutes apart but only lasting for about 30 seconds. So we walked around the hospital grounds together til I was ready. It was such a beautiful, calm morning. I remember feeling so calm and so ready, even though I was in labor haha. As we walked around it became very difficult to talk through my contractions so I decided to check in.
I told them I was in labor with contractions 3 minutes apart and that my labor went really quickly with my first. They didn't even bother making me go to triage, they checked me straight into my delivery room. I was admitted around 8:30 and I was dilated to a 4 and 90% effaced. They asked if I'd like an epidural and I really couldn't make up my mind for a few minutes, I had been debating this in my mind for the last few weeks. I decided if there was time to get one, then I would. I told my nurse that last time I got an epidural at 9cm dilated and she said they wouldn't let that happen again as a second time mom. So I told her well if I can get an epidural soon then I'll take it, If it's gonna take an hour, there won't be time because my labors go really fast! I was completely unable to talk during my contractions and starting to feel shaky and could not sit down or sit still. My awesome nurse Taylor did her homework and found out there were 3 girls before me, but they were all first time moms and not dilated as far as me, so they bumped everyone else and did me first.
Getting an epidural this time was such a different experience. Last time was so dramatic and high stress, I didn't feel a thing and it seemed to happen so fast. This time it was kinda scary for me. The anesthesiologist did a great job explaining the process and it went smoothly, but I felt a lot more and it seemed to take forever. It also did not take effect very quickly and I finished delivery before it came into full effect. But it did take a lot of the edge off and I was able to sit still and make conversation, so I am grateful for that.
Right after the epidural was complete I was already a 7. They called in the doctor to break my water a few minutes later and I was already a 9. I didn't have to have my water broken last time so that was also interesting. I remember Hemā laughed when she broke my water because it made such a loud popping noise and the water coming out sounded weird too haha. My labor felt so easy compared to my first. The majority of it was spent talking and laughing with my amazing delivery nurses. We all made fast friends and they made my experience so enjoyable and comfortable.
Soon after that my blood pressure started going a little crazy and at one point I almost passed out. My vision was getting dark and my hearing was muffled and I was light headed. They had me lay on my side and they monitored me until I felt good enough to push a baby out haha. We waited for a little bit for my body to completely be ready for labor and then they called the doctor back in so I could have a baby! I was pretty bummed that my doctor was not on call that day since it was a weekend. My whole pregnancy I just wanted to make it past 39 weeks because my doctor was out of town that whole week. I had my heart set on her delivering my baby since she did so amazing with delivering Hendrix. But the doctor on call was super fun, kind and encouraging and she came in and said "let's get this birthday party started!"
With Hemā, the doctor and 2 nurses by my side they all cheered and encouraged me as I pushed through 3 contractions and beautiful Hazel was born! I could feel quite a bit of pressure and the urge to push since the epidural was not completely numbing me, which was nice. She came out so easily and I didn't even need stitches!
Hazel Anahera Heimuli. Our beautiful baby girl. They laid her on my chest and Hemā and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes. Both smiling and laughing, it all happened so fast and we were just so happy!
After a quick 4.5 hrs of active labor, hazel was born right at 11 am on 8.20.17 (my parent's anniversary!) weighing in at 6lbs 15oz and 21 inches long. She was covered in thick globs of cheese (I know that’s not the technical term..), dark hair on her head, ears, shoulders and back. Hemā cut the umbilical cord and I was able to snuggle and nurse her for an hour until we were moved to our postpartum room. About that time was when my epidural was in full effect haha! I just remember I kept saying “I can’t feel my butt!” Looking back I’m glad I got the epidural even though it didn’t completely kick in til later because it dulled the pain enough for it to still be a light-hearted and enjoyable moment. I am glad I was able to feel the urge to push this time! And oh so grateful I didn’t need stitches, a catheter, a vacuum, forceps, hardly any extra medical intervention. This labor and delivery was so night and day from my first and I’m grateful for that!!
Hazel came easy like a Sunday morning. I will always fondly remember that Sunday morning as the most beautiful, joyous, calm, wonderful day ever.
We are so happy you’re hear Hazel girl! You bring our family so much joy!!
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