Amelia Jane's Birth Story Part 2

*WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC INFORMATION!

On April 17th, I started having contractions during the wee morning hours. I got up and dropped Paul off at work and went to Target with Julia. They felt just like the Braxton Hicks contractions I'd been having so I didn't think anything of it. However, as I walked around Target the contractions started making me not able to breathe. As I was doubled over the shopping cart trying to breathe, Julia decided she should take her clothes off and run around. It was kind of hellish. I talked to my doula and she encouraged me to go see my chiropractor and my acupuncturist and see how I felt.

I went to both appointments. My chiropractor told me the baby was in my pelvis and he thought she'd be coming that day. My OB wanted me to come in when my contractions were 10 minutes apart. I knew this was a little early, but since I was having a VBAC he really wanted to keep his eye on me. At 3 PM I called because I was having contractions that were 7-8 minutes apart. He had me come in and they monitored me. After about 30 minutes I was told that I had an irritable uterus and I was NOT in labor. I cried. I was so miserable. I had to google what that meant. Basically, it means that Braxton Hicks contractions feel very strong to me, and more like real contractions. It's pretty awful.

On April 18th, I went to see my MFM doctor and I cried the whole time. I was so miserable. We talked about a lot of questions I had, and decided that the best thing was for Amelia to come by 39 weeks based on my history and the fact that with all of those contractions my cervix wasn't changing.

So on April 19th we went in for c-section. At 8:40 AM Amelia Jane was born at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21 inches long.

Amelia Jane's Birth Story Part 1

*WARNING: This may be contain graphic details you don't want to see or read, but this is our story and is meant to help others make educated birth choices.

When I first found out I was pregnant with Julia and Owen I wanted a natural delivery with no drugs. I knew this. I would go as long as I could and have those babies naturally. Then we lost Owen. Once that happened I had to start seeing my Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor more frequently and Julia had to come at 37 weeks. Many people ask why, and the simple answer is because my doctor believes that we had a placental abruption with Owen and that put us at a higher risk of having one with Julia. The longer she was in utero the more likely it became for her placenta to do the same thing. So at 37 weeks and 2 days she was born via caesarean section because my cervix was not dilating or effacing.

When we found out we were pregnant with Amelia we immediately started seeing our Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor and were told that she needed to come by 39 weeks because after losing one child to a placental abruption we were more likely to have a still birth if we went past my due date.

At first, I thought I would just have a repeat caesarean. I honestly was scared to try for a VBAC after talking to my doctor about it. I mean there are really scary statistics. However, the more I researched the more I realized that having a child is scary and you really shouldn't do it if you are afraid of any of the risks out there. I mean there are risks to anything that comes with childbirth. It doesn't matter how that baby comes out there is a risk to it. Once I realized that I just started praying that Amelia would come on her own by 39 weeks.

I also found a great childbirth education class to take. Julie came to our house, and as we went through our classes we decided to have Julie be our doula. She's pretty phenomenal!  She had me ask some pretty serious questions of both of my doctors...the most important being if I could wait until my due date for Miss Amelia. My MFM doctor agreed as long as I was seen by her or my OB twice a week. We agreed to that, and I started seeing a chiropractor and an acupuncturist to help get my body ready for delivery. These two things were the BEST things I've ever done. (I'm a firm believer in trying natural remedies and oriental medicine to help your body. That's a post for a different day though.)

Come back for Part 2!

Where I've been and where I am now...an Update!

It's been 5 months since I was last in this little space. My heart has missed it, but so much has been going on that I didn't feel like I had time or energy to write. I mean, I was pregnant and chasing around a 2 year. Then the baby came. I'm just now feeling like I have my head above water and I don't need a nap everyday.

So here's what's been going on:
In March, Julia turned 2! We celebrated with a few friends and some family at the Austin Zoo, and then took a trip to Ft. Worth to visit Great-Grandparents. She got a Funny Face Pancake for her birthday breakfast...she only ate the chocolate chips and whip cream.

 From March through the beginning of April we took Childbirth Classes in hopes of having a VBAC, and it was recommended that I start seeing a chiropractor and getting acupuncture...BEST THING EVER! Even if you aren't pregnant I recommend both of these!

On April 19th, we welcomed Amelia Jane into our family at 8:40 AM. We instantly fell in love...how can you not fall in love with that face?

 Needless, to say between all of these things and the sleepless nights I'm just now getting back to the blog. I might not be here much because these two beautiful girls are keeping me busy, but I'll be here talking about what's happening in our family and what's on my heart. God's doing a great work in my life as a mom and now as a mom of two. I can't begin to put into words how blessed I am. We have a community that has rallied around us to celebrate Amelia's arrival, help out with Julia and provide meals. We've been eating some GOOD food.

I'm looking forward to being back on here, and sharing my heart with you. Love you all!