Introducing our second little princess!!!
Leah Ryann
Leah - 2 years old riding her first bike!
Leah was born on April 19, 2006 at 1:01 pm weighing 7lbs 6oz and 20 inches long.
Leah was welcomed home by her big brothers Micah, Nathan and Christian as well as her big sister Abby. We are so blessed to have her in our lives and look forward to watching her grow.
Her first photo
Mommy, Leah and her brothers and sister
Leah's birth story:
At my appointment on April 18th I was 2-3 cm and 50% effaced and my doctor decided to strip my membranes. He said if I didn't have her by Monday (the 24th) he would induce so that I wouldn't go past my EDD. That evening I had some bleeding and cramping as well as some strong contractions that faded away pretty fast. I was absolutely sure I would see my doctor again on Monday still pregnant.
I woke up at 4 am with some strong contractions. I tried to go back to sleep but they kept waking me and my back hurt sooo bad with each one. I got in the shower and had four during that time and guessed they were about 5 minutes apart. I tried to read but they were hurting too bad so I woke Chad up and called my mom around 5:00 to come over and watch the kids. We got to the hospital around 5:40 and to my dismay I was still 2-3 cm and 50% effaced but the contractions were strong and definitely coming every 5 minutes or so. The nurse said my water bag was right there bulging and she was concerned she might even break it while checking me but she didn't.
My doctor decided to admit me and said he would come break my water. I got my IV and did some paperwork and around 9 or so he broke my water. By then I was a little more then 4 cm and he said the fluid was nice and clear. I said I wanted an epidural and the called for the anesthesiologist to come up. By then I was having stronger contractions and I felt more water come out. The nurse said "uh oh" and I looked at the pad to see it was green water and I instantly knew it was meconium (sp?). In the meantime she went to call the pediatrician and my OB and the anesthesiologist came in to give me the epidural.
The epidural would NOT go in for anything and the guy had to try three different spots so my back is still really sore. I have never had quite an experience like that and I was numb from my neck down. It took away the pain in my back but I still felt just about everything in the front. I would say it took a good half hour to even get the epidural in but at least it was some relief.
My doctor came in after that and explained that they were going to put a cathader in to dilute the amniotic fluid and constantly flush it out to get rid of the "poo-poo water" as he liked to call it. He said that when her head came out I would have to pant and not push as hard as it would be until they could clear out her lungs. He said if she swallowed even a tiny bit of the fluid it could be really bad.
The one nurse had predicted she would be born by noon but at noon I was only 7 cm and my doctor decided to give me a little pitocin to get her out quicker. He said I could keep going on my own but it would probably take most of the day. I was in sooo much pain from the contractions even with the epidural that I was all for getting her out sooner. It didn't take much and I started feeling pressure but the nurse came back about 45 minutes after it was started and said I was STILL at 7 cm!! My doctor came in and talked to me and after about 2 contractions I told him the pressure was much worse. Sure enough he checked and it was time to push.
Nobody needed to tell me to push, I just grabbed my legs as soon as he said go and went for it. There was a mirror on the ceiling and I could see that little head after about 3 pushes. It was actually pretty neat to see her come out but waiting while they cleaned her out was hard and seemed to take forever. As soon as she was out I asked if she was a girl and my doctor said I would have to look for myself. The funny thing is that I didn't and had to take Chad's word for it. I was able to cut the cord which was neat as I've never done it before. She didn't swallow any fluid and is perfectly healthy.
