Everything started out so smoothly...My bf drove down two hours and spent the night with us. Her and I drove to the hospital and dh took the girls to daycare and met us there. We got all settled in and hooked up to the pit drip by about 7:30. I was dilated to almost a 4, but only about 25% effaced. We were chatting and joking, reminiscing about our previous births. My doctor came in and broke my water in the 8 o'clock hour. Some light meconium stain was there.
At about 10am my boys arrived. They were very concerned and attentive, trying to help with whatever they could. Things were getting a little more intense. I was about 5-6, still able to talk calmly in between contractions but really having to breathe through them and stay focused. I was able to move around a bit, leaned over the bed and swayed my hips, got some back rubs. After about an hour of this, I asked for some Stadol. I know alot of women don't care for it, but it was WONDERFUL for me. I was able to doze a little in between contractions, which at this point were getting very close and intensely painful.
My dad got there and had a hard time watching me in pain, and the boys were getting a little spooked as transition noises were starting to set in...so he took them to the waiting room and got some lunch.
From about 11:30 on, I was doing alot of deep moaning, panting and trying everything in my power to stay in control and stay focused. I needed to be checked and the pressure was getting intense. I was complete with a contraction but would get a little bit of cervix again when it subsided.
They called the doc and he got all gowned up checked me, then said to call him back when I was complete! He then proceeded to walk out of the room! I was like "wait! Come back".
The nurses tried to lay me on my side and I thought I would DIE it hurt so bad. They rolled me back over and had me give some pushes with the contraction and I could FEEL that bit of cervix holding me back. I didn't ever think I'd get her head past it! Then, finally, I felt that complete lack of ability to stop pushing, incredible pressure and knew it would just be moments before she was here. To my surprise and amazement, Dr. Shope was right there, telling Anthony to move his hands...(Anthony saw her crowning and Doc didn't have his gloves on yet, he thought for sure he'd have to catch her).
Once I got her big ol' 15 cm head out, the rest came easy. He asked me at one point to stop pushing but, ya right! She was born and suctioned, and then in my arms in all her sliminess!!
I had to breathe a little through delivering the placenta, I was so sore! Just a small tear though, not even worth stitching.
It was definitely my most challenging delivery pain wise. I'm still REALLY sore, just achy all over. I'm trying to wean myself off the pain meds but it's really hard. My back and tail bone feel bruised. She was born at 12:35pm, 9 lbs 11 and 1/2 ounces, 20 and 1/2 inches long. My biggest baby by almost a pound!

I heard the doctor telling Anthony about the knot in her cord, and then saw it when I watched the video tape of her birth. It registered with me that a knot wasn't a good thing, but not until much later did I know it could be fatal...I was such an emotional wreck later. Just last week a family lost a full term infant due to a knot in the cord, born at my hospital. The nursed even commented how lucky we were when they read about her knot in my chart! And I guess it's pretty rare too. She had a super long cord.
Anywho, she pinked up right away and has been such a sweet little baby. She wakes up every two to three hours for a change and a bottle. She has wake periods of about 20-45 minutes and she's so sweet, just looks around trying to get use to this big crazy family she's been born into.
The girls are adjusting nicely. I'm pretty surprised. They are a bit more emotional than usual, I think my hormones are rubbing off on them,lol!
The hospital was so accommodating. They really respected our privacy, got us anything we needed. They weren't invasive at all, especially the 2nd day when they new I could go if I wanted to. They have really good food there, lol, so I ate well and room service was quick. The pedi came both days and checked Yasmine and gave her a perfect bill of health. So far no jaundice or anything. The kids came for about 2 hours each day, and then went to friends or family,which really gave me a chance to rest and bond with the new baby before we got home into our everyday chaos.
All in all I am very happy and content. I'm so glad all the pregnancy aches and pains are a hazy memory...now I'm ready to start loving this newest little girl to pieces! Thanks so much for all the well wishes and support!!

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