Georgia James was born at 6:52 am on December 29, and it was the best moment of our entire lives! We were so excited to meet her, and her arrival was a dream come true, and I just feel like our life is filled with the greatest love!
On the 27th I went in for my last doctor’s appointment. I had been having some light cramping, and I was 1.5 cm dilated and 70% effaced. After my appointment, I went to the gym to do some squats, lunges, and walk because those things can help babies get in the right position to be born. After the gym, I went to get my eyebrows and nails done because I really felt like we could be meeting her any time! That night we went to sleep, and I kept waking up with stronger cramping. They were contractions, and around 2am I could not go back to sleep. I was up by myself for a little while to see if they would continue, and then around 5am, I woke Greg, and I told him that I thought I should call the doctor. The contractions were 5-10 minutes apart and lasting 45 seconds. Once, I talked to our doctor, he told us to come in. I fixed my hair and did my makeup really quick, and we loaded up the car. We were sooo excited!
When we got to the hospital, we were put into triage. They checked me there, and hooked me up to the monitors to see my contractions and Georgia’s heartbeat. I ended up still being 1.5cm and 70% effaced. Our doctor came in, too, and he said that he would admit us and have us walk around to see if that would get things moving because I was having contractions. He also said that if things didn’t progress we could start pitocin because Georgia was full term. I asked if we could go home and walk at home. I felt like I wasn’t totally ready to be at the hospital yet. He said that was fine and that he wanted us to come back around 1pm. When we got home, we went back to sleep for a little bit, and I put a heating pad on my back. The contractions did wake me up quite a few times, and then I walked around our house doing some chores.
When we went back at 1, I was still only 1.5cm but more effaced. We got sent home again, and they gave me some Tylenol with codeine to help me sleep at home for a little. They also said to come back when my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart. On the way home, we got some McDonald’s, and the Tylenol really did help. I ate 2 cheeseburgers, some fries, and a Diet Coke, and so did Greg. After I ate, I fell asleep on our couch for about an hour. We then spent the afternoon and evening watching movies. Around 8pm we put on 27 Dresses because I wanted to watch something that would make me feel better. The contractions were getting really strong, and even making me cry a little bit, but they still weren’t any closer together. Half way through the movie I tried to close my eyes for a little bit, and we paused it. When I woke up, I really wanted a cookies and cream shake. We hopped in the car, and we drove to Oberweis. I was having contractions in Greg’s truck, but I was happy when I got my shake with 2 cookie straws! When we got home, we put 27 Dresses back on, I finished my shake, and Greg cuddled me because the contractions hurt, and I was crying again.
Finally, I decided to hop in the shower to see if that would help. Greg sat in the bathroom with me and continued timing the contractions on my phone. After my shower, the contractions were still really intense, but they were still 5 minutes apart, then 3 minutes apart, then 7 minutes apart, and so on. They weren’t consistent so we called labor and delivery and spoke with a nurse (this nurse actually ended up being our nurse for our delivery). She said, again, to wait until they were 2-3 minutes apart consistently. Greg thought that the consistency didn’t really matter, and he thought that I was in actual labor, not prodromal labor like they had said earlier at the hospital. They were painful, and at this point it had been 24 hours, so we decided to call our doctor, too. We called the after hours line and waited for him to call back. When he did, I was having a contraction, and Greg had to talk to him. Greg told him we wanted to come in, but we didn’t want to be sent home again, and I said I would totally be fine with starting pitocin at this point if we needed to. Our doctor told us to come in.
When we got to triage, I ended up being 6cm dilated! They admitted us, and told us that we wouldn’t need to start pitocin. Once we got to our room, they gave me my IV. I had to get through some of what was in the IV to get the epidural, and as soon as I did, the anesthiologist came in. The epidural was honestly the worst part. While the anesialogist was doing it, I started crying because it really scared me. I was kind of feeling like I didn’t want it anymore, and I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to feel my legs. Greg and the nurses were so comforting, and I decided I wanted the lowest dose possible because I still wanted to be able to feel. After the epidural, Greg laid down for a little bit because we hadn’t slept in like 24 hours. I waited for the epidural to kick in a little, and it never did. I woke Greg up because I was in a lot of pain, and we called the nurses. I thought I needed more of the epidural because it was not working at all. I had full feeling in both of my legs and everything else. The nurses called the anesthesiologist again, and it took her a very long time to get back. The contractions were really close together at this point and really painful. I also felt like I had to push. Greg just held my head and kept kissing me, and that really helped calm me down. Then, our doctor walked in at just the right time, and he saw that I was in a lot of pain and that the contractions were really close together. He said that he thought it was time to push! He checked me, and it was! The nurses came in, and all of a sudden there was a ton of people in the room. We actually had a shift change delivery so there was more people in our room than usually are for a delivery. Greg grabbed my leg, and our doctor and the nurses coached me to push. At this point, I was screaming, and they told me to stop doing that and focus on pushing. Greg even said, after, that when I screamed the baby’s head went back in. I told our doctor that I didn’t think I could do this, but then, they said that she had a ton of dark hair, and to reach down and feel it! As soon as I did, I was so motivated! I asked the nurse if she thought I could have her out in the next push, and she said that it was possible. With the next contraction, I pushed hard, and her head came out even more, and I felt for her again. They asked me if I wanted a mirror, but it hurt, and I did not want to see that. Then, with the next contraction, I pushed again, and he head came out, and at the same time my water broke all over Greg. It was the best relief because it was warm, and there was no more intense pain and pressure. The doctor asked me if I wanted to pull her out, and I immediately said yes! (I didn’t even remember this part until Greg told me.) The doctor positioned her so that I could reach under her arms, and I pulled her to my chest immediately. I was overcome with love and exhilaration, and I was so happy to have my baby girl in my arms! Georgia was born at 6:52 am after 10 minutes of pushing! I told her I loved her, and just admired her! Her dark hair, adorable lips, and little button nose are just the cutest! Greg got to cut the cord, and we just laid in bed snuggling and then breastfeeding. She held onto Greg’s finger, and we just fell more and more in love!
After she was born, I did not want to sleep! I just wanted to hold her and look at her. Eventually, though, Greg told me I had to try and sleep because I was getting really delirious. I really hadn’t slept in 2 days. The only way I would sleep was if he held her and sat right next to me, so he did. After I woke up I ate a cheeseburger and mac and cheese lol.
We stayed in the hospital for two nights, and just cuddled our sweet baby girl. It was the absolute best soaking in every moment with her. Now, we’re home, and our first two weeks at home has been amazing! My mom and sister came to help us, which was amazing, and totally allowed us to soak in every moment with our new baby. Also, Georgia is the best little baby. She loves to eat, and she loves it when we read to her or rock her. She makes the absolute cutest faces, and it is so funny because when we change her, she usually pees while her diaper is off, and it is just so funny and cute! Greg also got to take a week off of work, and it has just been the best snuggling at home all together!
Kathleen says
Such a beautiful story.
Cassie McCandless says
Thank you so much, Auntie Kath!! xoxo!