Melanie's birth story

So I hit 40 weeks, to the great surprise of my doctor, and was totally miserable. I had been walking around at 3-4 cm for two weeks and I was feelin it. I was literally a ticking time bomb.

At my 40 week checkup I was given the option to do as I pleased because everything looked perfect (and according to my doctor she was shocked I hadn't had this baby the previous week). I said "Are you free tomorrow?" To my great surprise, she was! As I had thought all along, Mel would be born on Friday. So that night, just like the night before we went to the hospital with Reed, we went to BJs for dinner. It was nice to do something as just the three of us. Reed had a really yummy dinner and even got dessert! I figured he deserved it.

Silly boy with Daddy

Reed and Mommy

Yummy chocolate dessert!

So we showed up at the hospital the next morning around 7, very grateful to not be fighting traffic on 35. It gets crazy, especially with the construction now.

We got checked it to lucky room #13. I made a crack about it and the nurse said very seriously, "No, 13 is actually a happy room. You don't want room #4." I chuckled a little, but then we hightailed it away from that end of the hallway.

We had to be induced with Reed so we were pros at the whole process. My L&D nurse Ashley was sweet and got us all taken care of. The IV was the worst (I almost passed out getting it with Reed and it happened again this time). For anyone worrying about an epidural being painful, I am here to tell you it is a piece of cake compared to an IV.

So I am all hooked up and have my pitocin started at 7:45. I asked at what time I could get my epidural and Ashley said whenever. Reed came pretty quickly and considering I was already 5 cm I knew Mel would be faster, so I got that sucker ordered. By 8:30 I had my epidural, and not a moment too soon because I was in serious pain.

My doctor came by at 9 to break my water and then we hung out. I was so warm and comfortable that I dozed for a while. Wes busied himself watching the monitors (which he claimed was interesting).

Very 'exciting' monitors

Doing good!

At 11 (only 3 hours into it) Ashley said we were ready to have a baby. Woohoo! I had a feeling we were getting close, so I was glad she agreed. She called my doctor and we waited for her to show up.

When my doctor showed up it took about 3 pushes and Melanie was here! A very quick labor and delivery (about 3.5 hours).

She was extra 'gooey'

Thanks Dr. Hardt!

Daddy and daughter

Mommy and daughter

Our sweet Mel!

I was truly shocked when the nurse said Mel was 8 pounds. I knew she'd be bigger than Reed, but not by 2 pounds! And longer by an inch as well. They do share a striking resemblance though.

Enjoy!

The Turners

The dreaded 40 weeks and beyond!

So I seriously thought I was going to have Melanie early.

Seriously.

Not just because I wanted to have her early, but because my doctor who, at 37 weeks, said I would go into labor within two weeks and I would not be going over my due date. Based on how I was feeling and my progress, I was sure she was right.

One week later...I am not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed to be sitting in the doctors office at 38 weeks. With lots more progress being made I was now told "Any day now. We will schedule an appointment for next week, but we will see." Ok, so I'm totally having this baby this week.

One week later...so I am for real disappointed now. Sitting in the office at 39 weeks (more pregnant than I have ever been) with a very surprised doctor, I am getting frustrated with the whole "any day now" schtick. Not to mention that I am really uncomfortable 90% of the time and cannot sleep. I left the office with another tentative appointment on the books and my doctor assuring me I would have the baby before then. I was a little over emotional and upset to say the least. This along with a healthy dose of crazy hormones had me sobbing and warranted a pit stop at Wes' workplace so he could calm me down. After this little breakdown I accepted the fact that, as unlikely as it seemed, I would be back at the doctor the next week. I would enjoy the week with my family and was convinced Melanie would be born the following Friday. We had several friend's birthdays that week (tue, wed, thur) but I knew Mel would want her own day, hence Friday.
  Halloween was the next day and I was determined to enjoy it. After playing with Reed outside most of the day, we headed to Sonic for 50 cent corn dogs. Reed was a huge fan. 

We played outside some more and really enjoyed the weather before it was time to change into his costume. He sure was a cute Superman!

Reed didn't care to trick-or-treat. He wanted to just run around and look at everyone and everything. Our neighbor had these really cute skeletons that played the banjo and sang. He started at them for a long time. Then he got his first sucker and had a great time getting all sticky. We enjoyed sitting out on the driveway handing out candy.

One week later...just as I suspected, I am still pregnant, and again sitting at the doctor. She was shocked. Based on my progress I was already halfway there with no real labor in sight. We did a sonogram and a fetal heart monitoring for 15 minutes to make sure Melanie was happy, and of course she was. Then it was basically up to me, and I was ready.

The next morning we were at the hospital (finally!) and so ready to meet little sister. Birth story coming soon!

So I hardly went over my due date, but I totally understand the overdue 'hostility' women feel. I felt like I was two weeks overdue by the end if it because of the 'any day now' mantra I had been hearing, and it was not fun! I tried not to complain. I tried to keep telling myself to be thankful for a healthy pregnancy and baby girl, but sometimes the hormones took over and I couldn't help it. I also learned that there isn't anything you can say to make an overdue pregnant lady feel better. So, just don't try. Get her a massage or a coffee and listen to her complain. Thanks, by the way, to my awesome church group of ladies who did just that!

Pregnancy is rough, but you sure get a great reward at the end of it! 


Enjoy!

The Turners