I had always suspected that I would go past my due date and that Felicity would be late...so when Feb. 28 came and went with no baby, I was not surprised. At my 40 week appt. we went ahead and scheduled an induction for March 2, since the doctor was already assuming Felicity would be a big baby. Justin was particularly excited about this date because it is his grandfather, Jack Moss', birthday.
We had been told we would get a call from the hospital the night of March 1 telling us what time to come in to the hospital. When they called, they said that labor and delivery was looking full, but that our doctor would call us with more info in the morning about when to come in. I ended up speaking with our nurse, Bobbi, that night who said that she would call in the morning, and although they were booked, it was likely that we would still get in. So we went to sleep anticipating the birth of our little girl the next day.
Well, the next morning, with bags packed and on our way to the hospital, Bobbi calls and says that we had been bumped. We were so disappointed! We were planning to meet our baby girl that day! She said we should go ahead and come in to see Dr. Shimer for a check-up, so we headed in. Once there, Dr. Shimer confirmed that Felicity still had not "dropped". With first babies, they typically "drop" into the birth canal about two weeks prior to delivery, but Felicity never seemed to want to move. Even though I was already dialated to almost 3 cm and 90% effaced, she informed me that Felicity was so high up, that she couldn't break my water, even if she had to. This was when she told me that she was 90% sure I would end up having a cesarean.
If you talked to me at all during my pregnancy about my delivery expectations, you would know that this was not what I had imagined. I was very afraid of having major surgery, having never really been in the hospital, and it was just not how I had envisioned giving birth to my first child. Dr. Shimer said that it was my decision whether or not I wanted to be induced and give it a shot, or just schedule a c-section. I spent most of the day agonizing and praying about this decision. I was very torn, knowing that the odds were not good for a vaginal delivery, but still wanting to feel like I gave it my very best shot. After lots of tears and prayers, Justin and I decided that I would feel best with giving the induction a shot, but that I would be okay if we ended up needing a c-section.
So, the next day, March 3 - we packed the car again and this time headed to the hospital for an induction at 7 a.m. After a few hours of hospital logistics, routine procedures, IVs, etc. they started the pitocin. Just about an hour in, we had a real scare when Felicity's heart rate dropped very low. We had no idea, but the nurse, who had been monitoring remotely, rushed in and got me to lay on my left side. It came back up, but was definitely a scary moment. At that point, they told me if that happened again, a c-section would definitely be in order.
About 4-5 hours into the labor, contractions in full swing, Dr. Shimer came by to check on things. She again determined that Felicity was not budging, I was not dialated any further and that she again, felt that a c-section would be inevitable. At this point, the contractions were really starting to kick in, so Justin and I prayed about it and decided that the best decision for our family was to go ahead with the c-section. I think that the Lord had given me the day before to let the idea of this possibility settle in, so I was comfortable with it. I figured it would be a few hours before they were ready to do the surgery, but as soon as they took me off the pitocin, they put me in the wheelchair and wheeled me off to the OR! I was shocked it was all happening so fast!
Once there, I received a spinal and got me all set up while Justin changed into his scrubs and they let him come in. They didn't let us know that they were starting the surgery, so Justin and I were just talking and soaking in all the excitement anticipating our baby, when they said, "you'll feel a lot of pressure" and the next thing we knew, Felicity was out and welcomed into the world at 2:15 p.m.!! It was so fast!! Justin watched her as she got cleaned up, weighed and measured. She was 9 lbs. 8 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. Our decision to have the c-section was confirmed when the doctor informed us that once they were in, they found that the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice. We would have most likely ended up with an emergency c-section had I continued on with the labor, so we were very glad to avoid that! My fears that the delivery would not be as intimate or special, were completely put to rest. It was every bit as special as I had imagined and I was able to hold her and nurse her immediately afterwards. It was perfect and we were so thankful to have our healthy, happy and big baby girl!
We got to spend two hours immediately afterwards as a family of three, just celebrating, thanking God and getting to know our newest little bundle of joy. All of our families were there to meet her and celebrate with us. It was such a special day.
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