Allie's Birth!!!

I thought I would have more time to write out the details of Allie's birth, but she has an insatiable appetite for such an itty bitty!

Allie's birth was very quick and efficiently orchestrated because it was an unexpected C-Section. It wasn't the labor and delivery that I envisioned - but when it was all said and done, I am just thankful and blessed that she is here and healthy. I don't care at all how she did it!

Sunday afternoon/evening early labor started with bleeding and contractions about 6-7 minutes apart. Nothing major but we knew it was going to happen soon. Scott's parents were flying in from Michigan in anticipation of the induction on Tuesday.My parents were on stand-by for Cody duty. We went to bed Sunday night thinking that all was ok, but in the middle of the night contractions got a bit more aggressive. The bleeding was a concern, so when 6 am arrived, we decided to go to L&D.

We got to the hospital and into a room in the baby ward. There is nothing like going through your medical history back to the dawn of time when contracting like that. Finally we were through and hooked up to monitoring. This is when the anxiety started.

Allie's heartbeat would drop significantly every time I had a contraction. This led the nurse to believe there was something wrong and to get the doctor on the phone quickly. Another reason the nurse became concerned was because I did not look like I was full-term. In fact she kept questioning me - asking me about my dates. At that time, I was 38w6d. I didn't think much of it, because I don't carry babies in an obvious way - I am just shy of 6ft tall, so there is a ton of room for the baby. The doctor ordered an ultrasound and a NST.

During the ultrasound, we went from being mildly concerned to full on anxious. The tech kept asking us leading questions - like "Did you have a 20 week ultrasound?" "Did anything show up on it? Was there anything wrong? Did anyone tell you that there was something wrong with the baby?
" 'Are you sure that you are full-term?"

Ummm... excuse ME? Why would anyone ask that of someone? Especially an US tech? What a way to make expectant parents feel good. After she finished, I kept seeing the measurements of the baby and the baby's organs flashing. Nothing looked like it measured 38w6d. I tried to remain in control of my emotions as the u/s tech finally left and the nursed returned. It was 10:45.

The nurse said she needed to check me and depending on the results of the cervical check, she had some information from the doctor. I was 1-2 at the time. Because it was so early in labor, the nurse told me the doctor wanted to do a c-section immediately.

Apparently, Allie stopped growing because her placenta was bad. And there was very little amniotic fluid. She was in the 3rd percentile for her gestational age... which the nurse said was less than 5lbs 8oz according to the u/s. My little girl needed to come out asap and because of her cardiac instability, we could not go through labor and delivery.

This was at 11am. By 11:30, I was prepped...Scott was all decked out in spiffy blue shoes and a canary yellow dress, and after an amazingly painless tug of the belly we heard the little squeaks of our little baby at 11:52. She was born at 5lbs 1 oz, 18.5 inches on August 24th.

Once she was born (her apgar was 8 at 1min, 9 at 5) we found out that in addition to the placenta being abrupted, the cord had three knots in it and it was wrapped tightly around her neck - twice. (yikes!!)

Thankfully the only problem Allie had after her birth was maintaining her temperature. And aside from her low birth weight- she is perfect. She got control of the temperature, and we have been able to keep her warm. She didn't spend any time in an incubator.

Now I have my baby girl home with my baby boy.. and I am one happy Mama.