The Birth Story of Molly Lynn Elizabeth
Molly's due date was June
28th, one day after Anthony's birthday. The closer we got to the end of June
with Molly still in my belly, the more nervous I got that she would make her
appearance on Anthony's special day. I didn't want my kiddos to share a birthday.
So you could imagine how stoked I was when the 27th came and went and then....
Sunday, June 28th,
exactly 40 weeks gestation
8:00 AM: I wake up
feeling exhausted, but otherwise fine. I was at 40 weeks, as pregnant as can be
and I had just been running around the previous day like a mad women during
Anthony's birthday party. Being exhausted sure didn't surprise me. All I wanted
to do was lounge around on the couch and relax.
9:00 AM: I head for the
bathroom and experience a very, very faint "pop" sensation. I
pondered the possibility of it maybe being my water breaking? With Anthony, the
doctor broke my water after I had gotten my epidural, so I didn't get to feel
what it was like. But I knew it could be anything from a gush to a trickle. I
call the Labor and Delivery ward over in The Dalles, OR where I am to deliver.
I'm told I could have just peed myself. It happens all the time with pregnant
gals and I shouldn't be embarrassed. I tell the nurse I'm certain that I did
not pee myself, but she's the one who knows her stuff so thanks for the info. I
hang up still confused, but I smile at the thought of it possibly having
something to do with my water, regardless what the nurse said. I share the news
with Sammy and my mom. My mom and sister came up for an extended visit for
Anthony's b-day and also in the hopes of me having the baby during her stay. I
resumed lounging around on the couch.
11:00 AM: I finally
decide I needed to go lay down and possibly take a nap. My warm, comfy, cozy
bed was calling my name and seemed more attractive than the chair I was in. Why
the change? Either the chair suddenly became ridiculously uncomfortable to sit
in or the slightly increased pressure on my pelvis was making it difficult to
continue lounging where I was.
1:00 PM: I wake up to
some contractions. Nothing terrible. Nothing regular. Just annoying and
uncomfortable. As I sat up in bed I had a thought.....this is probably nothing.
Just like the many times over the past month, they're just mild contractions
that will eventually dissipate and leave me disappointed. BUT I'm 40 weeks
pregnant. I've already called L&D once. I do have mild contractions.
Even if this turns out to be nothing but false labor, there is a good chance
that if I play my cards right I could go in and maybe, just maybe, they'd let
me be induced. Brilliant. I call L&D and tell the lady I've begun to
experience some contractions. This, along with the incident earlier, was enough
to warrant me coming in and being checked out. Shortly before waking up from my
nap my mother had hit the road back home to her place, having to be to work the
next morning. As I rushed around making sure I had my bags together, Sam called
her to ask how far away she was and see if she was going to be able to call
work and get the time off so she could go to the hospital with us.
1:30 PM: Sam and I hopped
in the car and start the hour long drive to the hospital. My sister stayed
behind to watch Anthony. I continued to have contractions that remained fairy
mild and where irregular in timing. I was still worried that they were going to
trail off and not return.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM :
Exactly an hours drive and we reached the hospital. I was surprised that in
such a short time my contractions had picked up in intensity and were coming
every 5-6 minutes. We were greeted by the nurse I had talked to on the phone
and taken to a room. I changed into a gown and was told I would be checked for
dilation and checked to see what was up with my "popping" sensation
episode that morning. I was at 4 centimeters. Sweet!!! And turns out I had a
"high, slow" leak of amniotic fluid. So I did feel a small pop and I
did have some amniotic fluid come out. The baby had dropped further down into
my pelvis and the pressure had stopped the leaking of fluid. Or so that's how I
remember it all being explained to me. We were being admitted and I would have
my baby that night. I was as happy as a clam and beyond the moon with
excitement! I was glad I had made the decision to call L&D when I did
seeing as it was an hour drive there and I wasn't disappointed by contractions
going away like I thought would be the case. No need to beg to be induced, I
was in labor! And I managed to not become ill with nausea and vomiting like I
had with Anthony. Was this my lucky day or what?
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: We did
the routine of paper work and getting all set up with the fetal monitor so we
could check on the baby and watch my contractions. For the second time in my
life I was giddy and dying of anticipation as I listened to my little one's
heartbeat fill the room. I tried to settled myself in bed as best I could as my
contractions came without fail and my pain level steadily rose. I didn't need
to walk. I didn't want to bounce on a ball. This baby did not need any help making
her way down.
At 4:10, right as the
nurse was coming in to check to see where I was at dilation wise, my water
broke. It was an amazing feeling. It was considerably stronger than the little
"pop" I had felt that morning. I'm glad I got to feel what it was
like with this labor. I laughed and told the nurse, my mom, and Sammy that my
water had just broke and we watched as it filled the bed and dripped over the
side. Gross to some, awesome to me. Almost immediately my contractions became
more painful....like 10 fold. I was taken aback because now they seemed more
painful than I had remembered them ever being with Anthony. But time fuzzes
your memory, so I could be mistaken. I was finally checked and was at an 8.
Things were moving so much faster this time around!! I remember curling my toes
in pain as each wave of contractions hit. Sammy told me he would take away my
pain if he could. How sweet. I asked if I could get my epidural then before I
felt it was too late to get one. Just my luck, the anesthesiologist that was on
call was out on a leisurely bike ride and he would be here in 30 minutes. 3o
minutes? Are you joking!? This must be a cruel joke. I felt like In the 2
minutes it took to be checked and ask for an epidural I had gone from 8 to 10
and would be ready any time now!
I don't recall how I even
lived through that 30 minutes. My brain must have blanked all that out. 4:45
rolls around and in walks the anesthesiologist. I shook his hand and tried to
smile as I grit my teeth in pain. Secretly I wanted to kick him in the balls
for taking so long to get there. 30 minutes was 30 minutes to long. I was told
to make my way to the edge of the bed, an almost impossible task when I felt
like the baby was right there, ready to come out. Thankfully, the guy made quick
work and I was able to lay back down. He told me that with each contraction,
the pain should be less. I pressed my eyes closed as tight as I could and tried
to concentrate on ignoring the pain. I opened my eyes back up just in time to
see the anesthesiologist gone and the nurses were heading out the door to do
God knows what. Panic hit me. I yelled at them to get back. The baby was
coming. I think my exact words were, "Wait! Wait! WAIT!!! Ohhh, the baby
is coming!!!" One of the nurses runs to get the doctor, the other to take
a looksie at me. "Yup," she says, "The baby is right there. Turn
onto your side and pant to keep from pushing until the doctor gets here."
This was absolute torture. In my head I cursed the anesthesiologist for not
getting here sooner. Now the epidural had no time to kick in. I cursed the
doctor for not being between my legs at that very second so I could push. A
woman in labor is something to be feared.
5:00 PM: After only a few
minutes that to me felt like an eternity, the doctor was there and ready. It
was time to push. The relief I felt once I was able to push was beyond words.
Just like with Anthony, my mom was ready with the camera. Sammy was at my side
smiling from ear to ear. The nurse was counting out loud for me. 4 pushes and
11 minutes later....
5:11 PM: It's a girl!
Welcome to the world, Molly Lynn Elizabeth! My sweet little gal was placed upon
my chest and I can only hope that amongst her squirming and crying, she was
able to hear my pounding heart so full of love for her. I was now the Mama to
two beautiful children I loved more than anything else upon this Earth.
Molly Lynn Elizabeth Hauck
Middle name after her Mama
Born Sunday, June 28th 2009
At 5:11 PM
Weighing 7 pounds 7.7 ounces
At 19 inches long
Duration of labor from 1st contraction
to birth: approximately 4 hours 15 min.
June 28, 20094:55 PM, Hello labor.
Welcome to the World, Molly Lynn Elizabeth! 5:17 PM, 8 minutes old after being all cleaned up and placed back on mama's chest.
That wasn't all that bad, Molly! Was it? :)
A tired, haggard looking Mama
Papa giving Molly her first "bath"
June 29, 2009
Bright eyed and bushy tailed. Molly not quiet 1 full day old.
Anthony meeting Molly. Our very first family of 4 photo.
Happy tears...I know how much I have been blessed.
Big brother and little sister. Melts my heart.
Grandma
Aunt Sarah
I had a fantastically fast labor and delivery. I still can't get over how swiftly things went. At first I honestly didn't even think I was in true labor! And when I realized I was, I was expecting to be in labor for hours and hours like I was with Anthony. Not so! Molly new exactly how she wanted to come. Right on time on her due date and without all the fuss! My body knew what to do and I just let it happen. I was very thankful I didn't feel deathly ill with vomiting this time around. And even though the epidural didn't have time to kick in for her actual birth (just for the delivery of the placenta!), I wouldn't have changed a thing. Besides, it makes for a funny story. :)