Birth Story: Hard and Fast

            I'm sure this is what you've really been waiting for as you search through the blog. I know I always want to know how everyone labor's go:)
           On Monday, June 18th I had a midwife appointment.  I had really been tired of being pregnant and was ready to go with just 3 days left until my due date. We talked about my options for inducing like taking Castor oil. A lot of stomach cramping and an uncomfortable amount of time on the potty did not sound like fun to me. So what do I decide to do that I will never do again? Membrane stripping. It is seriously as uncomfortable (if not more uncomfortable) as it sounds. My midwife then told me to buy Miralax and start taking it every hour in hopes to continue the labor process. Most of the time membrane stripping is not effective and just gives you false hope. I was sceptical to say the least. That all went down at about 3:00 p.m.
         About two hours later I started tracking my contractions. They were coming every 5 minutes and lasting a minute. 2 hours after that we were dropping Kelsie off at my brother Seth's house. On the 15 minute drive to LDS Hospital they started coming every 3 minutes. It's funny because in between contractions I felt totally fine. It made me wonder if it was really happening.
         When we got to LDSH they checked me and I was dilated to a 7 and 100% effaced! Both Chad and I were like "What?" Such a different experience than Kelsie. I was walking the halls when I got to the hospital forever with her labor.  My midwife, unfortunately, was not on call so we had another midwife from the practice there.  She said she would come in but I was progressing rather rapidly and didn't think she would make it. This was around 8 p.m.
           They monitored me for a little bit and then I got in the tub. On the way to the tub, I started to get a little shaky so I knew I was going into transition.  Oh the glorious tub. I can not even tell you how instantly the water relieves and refreshes you. I did not really believe that it is the epidural for unmedicated birthers until the moment my body got into that warm jacuzzi. I can see why people would want to deliver in water.
          At around 9:30, I was checked again and was dilated to an 8 almost a 9. The midwife had me turn on my side and instantly the contracts came harder and faster. After about the third contraction, I was crying and could not take it anymore. Apparently when you turn to your side the blood goes to your uterus and makes you progress faster. She had a trick, though, that made it more manageable. She would push on my knees towards my hips when a contraction would come. Wow! Did it help!  She also had Chad push on my knees a little later when I had moved to my back again. She broke my water after that and pretty quickly I was ready to push.
           This labor I yelled. I did not yell at all with Kelsie and this one I was for sure yelling. I can't even describe what it is like. IT IS JUST SO INTENSE!  The midwife was not even ready for me to push when I was ready. She was telling me to wait but that is just impossible. They told me I pushed for only 13 minutes but I don't think that's true. It felt like much longer. Lana Marie Nelson was born at 10:33 p.m. on June 18, 2012. She weighed 9 lbs 6 oz and was 21 inches long. I weighed 20 lbs less this pregnancy and managed to barely keep the birth weight under 10 lbs.
           After all this, I may reconsider the epidural for next time.  I would kind of like to see what that is all about:) Everyone will be shocked by that statement I think. I can't tell you how many people asked me what I was going to do this time around. Well maybe I'll keep ya guessing for next time.
         Lana is such a sweet little baby. I forget how grumpy they are when they wake up and want to eat! Kind of cracks me up! She sqwalks through the house when she's ready to eat or should I say drink? Her reflux is worse though.  She'll projectile vomit at least once if not twice a day but we just went to her 2 week appointment and she's back up to 9 lbs 4 oz. No worries. She seems less fussy than her big sister was and in her post milk consumption will sometimes just look around at everything.  I'm much more relaxed this time around and don't feel as stressed as with Kelsie.
         Speaking of Kelsie.....she is just in love with her little sister. To the point that I have to tell her to back off....like all day!  Every morning she tells Chad that she wants to go check on the baby. So she comes in, looks at her, pokes her, says "She is so cute!" and then leaves.
         I'm so glad Lana is here and is a healthy baby. What a blessing it is for them to get here unscathed with all the things that could happen.

Right after delivery.

First bath.

Meeting her sissy pooh.

Snoozing on Dad!