Adalyn Grace's Birth Story Part 2

Where did we leave off? (See part 1 of Adalyn Grace's birth story). I had just gotten sent home from St. John Hospital at 4 1/2 cm dilated due to not making any progress. We picked up our dogs from my parent's house and went home.

I tried to lay down for a bit but was not able to sleep. At about 11 PM, I got into the bathtub. I had taken a benadryl to sleep per the doctor's recommendation and it was making me so drowsy. I almost fell asleep in the tub. I was in a lot of pain at this point and was doing anything I could to distract myself.

I went into the basement where we have a couch and treadmill and walked a bit in 1/4 mile increments and sat down when I could. Sitting made me feel a lot worse though so I spent most of the time from midnight to 5 AM pacing back and forth in the basement.

Troy came down at 5 AM and we talked for awhile. Before 6 AM, we went on a walk. Walking was about the only thing to help. Of course, I took my trusty dogs! When a contraction would come on, I would start to walk super, super slow. I'm glad it was still dark out because I looked like a crazy person.

We got back to the house around 6:15 or so and I could not take the pain any longer. Troy wanted me to eat something before we went to the hospital so he toasted me up two strawberry waffles. I could barely eat. I refused to sit down. At this point, I looked up at Troy and told him it was time to go to the hospital. We left in the next few minutes.

I could not talk through the contractions and had to focus on breathing. This is what the resident from the night before told me true active labor would be like. She was right. Luckily, we live super close to the hospital and were there in 5-8 minutes. The car ride there was so painful and I sat on my legs to make it feel better.

On the walk into the ER area, I had three contractions. The security guard at the hospital wanted me to go in a wheelchair but I refused because sitting down felt horrible. We arrived to the hospital at 6:35 AM. I was sent up to triage again in labor and delivery.

I had to go to registration and could not sit down. I was swaying back and forth through contractions. I think that they knew that it was real labor this time! I refused to lay down in the bed to have my contractions monitored and luckily, they let me stand up. The same resident from the night before was working and checked me for progress.


I was measuring 6 cm dilated and 100% effaced!!! She told me that I was in labor, going to be checked in and going to have a baby today. I was so excited! Apparently, I then walked to my labor/delivery room at 6:50 AM- I have no recollection of how I got to the room.

Lots of people came in asking me questions and I started to get my IV. I stood through my contractions for the next hour closing my eyes when I would have one. My pain was about a 7-8 I would say.

I was Group B strep positive which is a bacteria that I have that could be transferred to baby so I needed antibiotics given to prevent her from getting the infection (7:55 AM).

I was given an epidural at 8AM and let me tell you, this was amazing. From here on out, I did not feel another contraction. All pain was gone. I was able to enjoy my labor. The epidural was not bad going in compared to the way that the contractions felt. From 8 till the time I started pushing, I was able to lay down and relax. It was incredible and I highly recommend it. It did not stop my body from progressing. I didn't get sick. I was not too numb. I loved it. I will definitely get one again if we decide to have another baby. Also, my nurse braided my hair while I got the epidural which distracted me and was so nice. They had Troy step out of the room for the epidural.






I was checked again at 8:17 AM and was 7 cm dilated and the baby had moved down to a -1. My
water was not broken at this point and was a "bulging bag". They didn't want it to break yet because they wanted me to get the antibiotic first.

I go to a practice with a lot of doctors and really love one, Dr. Chen. I was so, so lucky that he happened to be the doctor on call this day! At 9:11 AM, Dr. Chen walked into my room and checked to see how I was doing. This is amazing because my grandpa that passed away that I miss so much died on 9/11. Since his death, my family and I always look at the clock at this time and believe that it is a sign from him. Troy noticed that it was that time and it was such a special moment for me because I knew that my Dzia-Dzia was watching over me.

At 9:21, I was 8 cm and had my water broken. There was no pain and it just felt like a warm gush of liquid. During this time, I just layed there with my eyes closed and the nurse came to help turn me from side to side every half hour to help even out the epidural so it would not make one side more numb than the other. I must mention that I had the best nurse ever named Theresa. She was so supportive, knowledgeable and kind. She was such a blessing to me this day.

Troy was up the whole time checking on me, feeding me ice chips and reading on his iPad as I got some rest. He was so amazing through my labor and I could not have done it without him.

At 10:45 AM, Dr. Chen came in the room and told me that he wants to start a bit of pitocin to help move things along. Troy asked him to check me for progress instead. I was 10 cm dilated and at a +2 station!!!! We were shocked. Obviously, I did not need the pitocin after all.  Dr. Chen asked me if I felt the urge to push but I did not so he told me to relax for 1/2 hour and I would start then or sooner if I felt the need.


The epidural must have decreased my sensation to push because that 1/2 hour went by fast and I still didn't necessarily feel ready. The nurse started me with some practice pushes and she said that I was progressing fast. I had an oxygen mask on the whole time which was great for when I felt pressure. I would just take deep breaths which was great.

Troy ended up watching the whole thing and they told me that she had a lot of hair!!! He enjoyed seeing the whole process which was neat. I was so badly hoping that my baby would be hairy and was so excited that she was. Dr. Chen came in at some point and they told me that she would be out soon. Her head had a hard time coming out of the birth canal though so it took a lot longer than expected. I pushed in groups of 4 pushed lasting 5-10 seconds at a time.

It was not painful due to my epidural but was extremely tiring. Between contractions, I rested and ate a bite of ice chips that Troy would feed me. The nurse was so supportive and was cheering me on. Dr. Chen was awesome too and everyone kept telling me I was almost there. Troy was so supportive and helped hold my legs while pushing. Unfortunately, I had to get an episiotomy which did not hurt at the time but recovery has been painful.

After 39 1/2 hours of labor, 29 groups of 4 pushes, and 1 hour and 4 minutes of pushing, Adalyn Grace was born!!! They put her right up on my chest and I was crying and laughing at the same time. I am trying to remember this feeling forever. I never felt more in love in my whole life.

Being there with my husband and new baby was so incredible. You read about how you feel when you first see your child but do not really understand it until it happens to you. I was so excited to see all of her hair and could not stop staring at her.


 She weighed in at 7 lbs 0.5 oz and was 20.5 inches long. Her Apgar scores were 8 and 9. Within 30 minutes, Adalyn wanted to eat- just like her mamma! I loved this! The nurse helped me feed her for the first time which was wonderful looking down at my tiny baby.



And just for laughs, I had my husband write down these details because I knew I would forget and the last thing that he wrote down was that at 2:20 PM, I ate a pear after my delivery! It was delicious too as it was homegrown from my parent's farm.

Life as we knew it will never be the same and I wouldn't have it any other way. This week, we have enjoyed spending time with our bundle of joy getting to know her. I love her so, so much and cannot wait to be there every step of the way in her life. This is just the beginning....