The pregnancy with you was much different than with your brother. I felt different emotionally and physically. I wanted to eat different foods and definitely had aversions to many other foods. There were many days that I did not feel well and it was difficult to keep from others until I was ready to share. And then we shared...
Everyone cheered and celebrated. You were really happening!
Even though the pregnancy with you was more difficult, I truly tried to take in every moment that I got to share with just you. No matter the circumstance, I absolutely enjoyed being pregnant. When we hit 32 weeks we had what I like to call a "contraction scare". The contractions were more than just Braxton-Hicks contractions which shot my worries through the roof. Serious conversation with my OB began about slowing down and pre-term labor with a very high possibility of you being born early and spending time in the NICU. As a teacher with an active near-3-year-old, "slowing down" isn't necessarily part of my vocabulary so the slowing down was very difficult.
Mild contractions came and went and then resurfaced many times. I just wanted to make it to our Winter Break so that I could more easily take the time to rest. I took it one day at a time and when Winter Break arrived a sense of relief hit me. It was at this point that the doctor ordered bed rest and my body found great relief in being off my feet and snuggling with your big brother, Will, on the couch as we watched countless Christmas movies.
At 35 weeks we had our first venture into the hospital and at this point I had begun early labor. I was dilated to 3 cm and about 65% effaced. My heart sank as the last thing I wanted to do was to spend time in the NICU. We spent the night in the hospital and they monitored both of us very closely. I slept very little, if at all, as the worry absolutely consumed every ounce of me. We were released from the hospital the following morning as there had been no change in my dilation. The following day my contractions seemed more intense and I had another couple of hours of contractions that were 1-2 minutes apart. We decided to venture back to the hospital for safe measure and luckily I had not progressed in labor. A couple days later we made a third trip into the hospital and at that point I had progressed to 4 cm and 80%. You were on your way and I wasn't ready for you. I wasn't ready physically nor was I prepared mentally for what could have been if you were to be born earlier than 37 weeks (the cut-off for the NICU). I continued to lay low, there is something to be said about bed rest, and held at 4 cm and 80% for almost three weeks.
Throughout the bed-resting within the last three weeks prior to your arrival, contractions would come and go and there were many days I questioned whether it was "go-time" or false labor. On January 13th I had a full days worth of contractions, but nothing that was consistent enough to take a trip to the hospital. And, at this point, I was determined to not go into the hospital until my water broke or that I was absolutely certain I was progressing in labor. The 14th and 15th I had absolutely no contractions and very little pain or discomfort, which I found odd because prior to this I was uncomfortable and ready to be finished with the pregnancy. Also, by this time I had surpassed the 37th week so I was given the "okay" to be off bed rest.
On the afternoon of the 16th I had a contraction and my thought was, "Yeah, whatever, I've felt this before." After an hour had gone by and my contractions remained very consistent of 1-2 minutes apart, I called your daddy just to give him a heads up and texted Keri to keep her in the loop since her and Becca were going to watch Will. Another hour went by and contractions continued to be 1-2 minutes apart. I paced back and forth in the living room questioning if this was it. Was it "go-time"? I continued to keep track of contractions for two more hours, thus resulting in a total of 4 hours with contractions 1-2 minutes apart and the intensity of the contractions had significantly picked up. At this point, I called Chad, Keri, Molly and Candace to let them know that I was certain it was time.
Chad, Candace and Keri met us at home and we were on our way to the hospital for the 4th time. This was definitely it...or at least I was REALLY hoping for that to be the case. When we got to the hospital it was difficult for me to walk and by this time the OB had met us at the check-in desk and took us directly to our room. It just so happened that the OB, Dr. Dydell, that checked me a few weeks back at 4 cm was on call for the weekend. A huge sense of relief came over me as she knew and was aware of our story and she was also the OB that delivered Will. I nearly puddled into tears when I saw her as I was overcome with joy. I can't recall how she greeted us, but I do remember her saying something to the effect of by the way I looked she knew that this was it. This was it? THIS WAS IT!
On our way to the room, a very short distance that seemed to take me forever to get there, Dr. Dydell asked what the plan was. I wasn't in a frame of mind to fully understand her question and she read me well...so she asked Chad, "Are we doing an epidural? No epidural?..." As I tried to share that I was open to going with the flow and seeing what would happen, Chad interjected and, thank God, and said, "Epidural." As we entered the room, Dr. Dydell and two other nurses began getting me checked in, suited up and ready for the show to begin. At this point, Chad had quickly gone back to the car to remove it from the "drop off " zone and park it in the parking garage. Dr. Dydell checked me and at that point I was 7 cm and nearly 90% effaced. I had progressed at home through "active labor" and was nearly to the final stage of labor, transition and delivery.
When Chad returned, the room was already flooded with hospital staff. I recall the OB, a nurse working on my IV, another nurse checking me into the system and asking Chad questions, a nurse getting additional "equipment" ready, a student nurse, a senior resident anesthesiologist and the actual anesthesiologist. In addition my support team was there...Chad, Laura, Helen and Candace with Molly and Ryan on their way from Portland. The IV was in and the epidural was being administered. This was very difficult as the position as to where the epidural has to be placed is abnormally small spaced in between my spine. Ouch! The senior resident took two attempts and then humbly said, "I cannot do this correctly," and asked the anesthesiologist to take over. Thank God. The epidural was successfully put into place and within moments my pain eased and I felt very calm.
For the next hour we all just hung out and periodically the nurse would come in and check vitals as well as see how the epidural was settling in. At the end of the hour I had not progressed so Dr. Dydell proceeded to break my water. With Will my water broke naturally so this was quite a different feeling---I felt like I peed my pants. We continued to hang out, some sneaking swigs of whiskey, and we all were having a great time...just waiting. Once another hour went by a nurse came to check my dilation and at that point I was 10 cm and 95% effaced. I was beginning to feel pressure and at times somewhat uncomfortable. All great signs of the final stage of labor were approaching. Dr. Dydell was informed of the progress and within moments everyone assumed their positions....Helen and Candace each had a leg (lucky girls), Chad was up near my head and Laura quickly vacated the premises to continue the whiskey drinking in the nearby lobby with many other friends.
As Laura was leaving, Molly entered the room and there were instant tears--tears of joy. Someone shared that I was ready to push and I remember Molly saying, "I made it. I can't believe I made it." In true fashion, Molly quickly got out her camera and started taking photos (as I wanted her to). I started the last section of labor at 8:45 with a handful of painful and uncomfortable pushes and by 9:05 I was holding you, my beautiful baby girl in my arms. You had finally arrived. My sweet Katelyn Quinn you were finally here, and thus our family of four was complete.
Welcome to the world Katelyn. Mommy, Daddy and your big brother Will love you very much.
Your big brother is in awe of you.
Your new family.
You are simply perfect (and look a lot like your brother).
.JPG)
