It started out just like any other day, but little did we know, you were on your way. Friday, July 8th was my regular weekly doctor appt. I left my desk at 9:40 for my 9:45 appt. I fully expected to come back to my desk to finish working. I did not think you would arrive before your July 13th due date. The appointment began normally, asking if I had any pain or concerns. I said “still just swelling.” When they took my blood pressure, it was really high, REALLY high. They waited about 10 minutes and took it again. Finally, the midwife came in concerned. She told me that my 8lb weight gain (in one week) and my high blood pressure were signs of pre-pre-eclampsia. She said they’d wait 25 minutes and take my BP again, but it was likely that was I going to have to stay and have a baby. I was panicked. I was not ready work-wise. I asked if I could go home and get stuff. She said “no.” I asked if I could go back to my desk and organize things. She said “No, you need to go to Labor and Delivery right now.” I stopped to have blood drawn and then I called Dad. He kenneled the dogs and packed my bags and some things for you too. I went back to work and told my co-workers that I was going to go have a baby. I passed off all the work I had done until that point (but wasn’t finished, or ready to hand off). I headed up to L&D. I was getting excited to have a 7.9.11 baby…
I was admitted to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics at 39w2d gestation for induction of labor. The midwife said it could be “tonight or it could be Sunday” (which didn’t make me feel very excited…). They began to give me 12 hours of a medicine called Cervidil which supposedly ripens the cervix. I had 2 rounds of that from 1:30 on Friday until 1:30 on Saturday. Then they decided I was ready for Pitocin. Along with Pitocin, they inserted a foley bulb so to mechanically get my cervix to dilate. It worked!! After about 2 hours, I was 3cm!! Bring on the progress and bring on the baby!!! I had some contractions but really wasn’t feeling too much pain. Thankfully, your dad and Aunt Tippee and Miss Angie were in and out and willing to keep me company. I talked Dad into going out for dinner with Uncle Tony. I knew he’d start to go stir crazy sitting in the hospital for so long with no action. He left around 5:30. Just before 7:00pm he called to see if it was alright if he went to Uncle Tony’s to play video games. I said sure, because I was having a great time with Aunt Tip and Miss Angie. About 5 minutes after he called my water broke. Man, there was a lot. A. LOT. I never expected that. I think because so many women aren’t sure if it was their water… mine gushed. GUSHED. I texted Dad to let him know. He texted back “on my way.” I hoped you were too…
Sometime around 10 pm, I was sitting on the birthing ball… and we were trying to come up with your name. I always knew if you were a girl you would have the same initials as Grandma Cindy and me. But, Dad and I couldn’t agree on a “C” name we both liked. I loved the name Carys (like Paris) but Dad didn’t. Dad and I both liked the name Charlotte, but I was afraid people would call you Char or Charlie… Miss Angie said “can we call her Lottie?” I replied “No, she’s not 80.” Then… someone in the room suggested Lola… I think it was Aunt Tippee… but she doesn’t remember saying it. Anyway, we all four decided we liked the nickname Lola.
About 3 am on Sunday, July 10th. I was starting to feel the pain. I knew that I was having a hard time relaxing and my blood pressure would rise whenever I was not on my left side. I asked to be checked for progress. I knew that if I was at 5 cm I would want an epidural, but if I was at 7 I could and would tough it out. I was a 3 cm. I asked for an epidural. I knew that without being able to relax, I would not dilate anymore. Once I got the epidural I fell right asleep. It wasn’t a deep sleep as I could still hear the nurse telling your dad that every nurse and midwife expected you to weigh about 11 lbs. 11lbs! I knew that wasn’t possible… but they were the experts. Dad and I were a little nervous. They checked me again at 8 am. 7 cm! So we tried to sleep but I was so uncomfortable only being able to lay on my left side… time seemed to drag. At 11am they checked me again, only 8cm. It was decided that if by 1:30 (48 hours after we officially started induction) there was no more progress, you would arrive via c-section. Guess what!? My hospital chart says “She was found to have arrest of progress in first stage labor, and the decision was made to proceed with a cesarean section delivery at 39w4d GA. The delivery was uncomplicated and the patient tolerated the procedure well.” You were born at 3:23 pm July 10, 2011. In case you weren’t keeping track… from the start of induction to your arrival was 50 hours. I was completely unprepared for a c-section and all that it entails. I planned on having a natural, intervention-free childbirth. I was incomplete denial about the entire surgical process. I was NOT going to have a c-section. But, with your estimate weight at 11+ lbs., my already being in the hospital for 2 days, and the possibility of complications/infections with 18+ hours with no amniotic fluid, Dad and I decided a c-section was the route to go. I was shaking the entire time, shivering. The anesthesia resident told me everything they were doing and that really helped. Dad got to take pictures. And after about 10 minutes, you were born. Dad got to cut the cord. He said you looked just like me… I didn’t see it, but you were perfect. 10 fingers and 10 toes. Perfect. And you were a girl… just like I thought
