My Baby Story

After watching numerous episodes to "prepare" myself, I now have my own story to share.

Introducing...

Sarah Lillian Hynes

Born Monday, Mar 5th @22:29 pm

Weight: 8lbs 13 oz

Length: 21-1/4 inches

I suppose it probably started last week when I was feeling really "off" but of course I had no idea when true labour might actually start. I woke up on Monday morning, shifted myself to a more comfortable position and *GUSH*. It was just a small gush (the same thing happened to me on saturday morning but with no further "leakage") but as I kept changing my pj's and going back to bed the same thing kept happening - more gushes of fluid. So I called my sister and Jamie and then I called my midwives. The midwives kept checking in throughout the morning for progress and were convinced it was most likely my water had broke (duh!). But at this point, I was only have mild cramping here and there and nothing I would really consider contractions. Jamie came home, lunchtime came and went with a call from midwife, Shirley, saying the hospital had "NO BEDS" Eeek! Are you kidding me? So she told me we should make our way to her office in Mississauga (close to the hospital) for her to do an exam and assess me. On the way to Mississauga, I really finally started to have timed contractions - anywhere from 4 -5 minutes and lasting 30 -45 seconds. My exam told Shirley I was about 2cm's dilated and about 50% effaced. Finally the hospital had a bed and we made our way down to Trillium in Mississauga. I honestly don't even know what time it was at this point - probably 2:30 or so, I wasn't really paying attention to the clock. We ended up still having to wait for my room, I was progressively getting harder and harder contractions, and I was literally soaked in amniotic fluid (quite embarassing in the labour and delivery waiting room with other people). Finally I was checked in and on my next check (3 hours after initial) I was almost 5cm's dilated and close to fully effaced. At this point this midwife was really surprised I was having such hard and long contractions (about 2 1/2 minutes apart lasting about 60 seconds, not much relief in between). And I honestly thought I was going to be one of those girls who could handle the pain and even though I was technically progressing quite well, I all but screamed for the epidural. Shirley said, "We can try something else - maybe some morphine first or we could try the whirlpool" and I'm like, "No, I NEED the epidural. I can't do this anymore" and lucky for me the anaesthesiologist (sp?) was on the floor with 2 people ahead of me. In about a half hour, I was hooked up to the drugs, started to lose feeling on one side but still having contractions that I could really feel on my right side so I had to get another little dose. Christa had arrived in between this to visit with lovely flowers from her and Jen (thanks girls!) and by the time she left at 8pm, I was almost fully dilated and soon ready to push. My sister and Erykah both arrived as well and I was so happy Tracey was there. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about my family seeing me like that but I'm so thankful she was there to give her support and help me through the birth. And I was also SO scared about the epidural and hated the thought of losing all sensation to the point that I wouldn't be able to adequately push but I was so relieved when I could still fairly easily feel the pressure and tension of each contraction, pushed really well, and after 1 hour 48 minutes @10:29pm, Sarah was born! What a relief! Phew! And let me tell ya, good thing I had that epidural cause (not to gross you out) but I seriously tore and had stitches in 3 different areas. Shirley said she didn't even count the stitches cause she was too focused on getting me together again. Ugh! Will things ever be the same down there?!!

Since baby and I were both doing very well I was allowed to leave shortly after the birth. But Sarah, after inspection of the placenta, etc. (kinda funny sidenote - know how my uterus is heart-shaped?, my placenta/amniotic sac was also heart-shaped! Neat!) ...Anyways..., Sarah ended up having a 2-vessel cord (supposed to be 3) and we had to wait for a consult with the pediatrician to make sure everything was okay. I barely slept at all Monday night but Dr. Simone came in very early to give me the a-okay, all was well, and baby and I were free to go home. We left the hospital mid-afternoon on Tuesday and I was so relieved to be in my own house, my own bed. Jamie's been super helpful running up and down the stairs for me, fetching whatever I need, feeding me whatever I want. He's been taking great care of both of his babies. lol :)

The last 2 days have been quite challenging, especially with the breastfeeding. My milk hasn't come in yet and Sarah constantly wants to nurse because she isn't getting full enough. I'm tired and sore but I'm very happy. God has truly blessed us with this little miracle! With that I should say goodbye for now. Sarah is napping and I should be doing the same.

I'll post more pics soon.