She Just Couldn't Wait

Today is my due date, May 5th, but obviously Sydney just couldn't wait!

SYDNEY'S BIRTH STORY

Saturday, April 26th
I awoke and started to worry that my water may be leaking slightly (due to a consistent "wet" feeling I had all night and a bleach-y smell I had just noticed after I awoke.) After a chat with my Mom I woke Shea and told him that I suspected my water may be leaking, I then called my doctors office. They urged me to head to Labor and Delivery at the hospital for a labor check (where they could test me to see if any amniotic fluid was truly leaking). As reluctant as I was to head all the way to Idaho Falls for a false alarm, I was feeling more and more sure that this could really be it. I kept thinking of the blessing Shea had given me the night before where he had mentioned me having the assurance of knowing when baby was coming. We prepped our home and bags and dropped the kids off with Shea's parents. Then we were off.

After discussing the what if's and alike in the car we finally arrived at Mountain View Hospital ready to begin, around 11:30 am. I was quickly assigned a room and started getting checked in. I was frustrated with the whole ordeal, and kept thinking that going through all of this just to get sent home was going to be such a waste of time. 
I changed and got hooked up to baby monitors and after answering what seemed like a million questions (everything from health history to my religion preference) I finally got checked (4-5 cm with water bulging) and tested for the amniotic leak. We then awaited the results feeling very anxious. 
After about 10 minutes the results came back positive. I was leaking amniotic fluid; therefore, I was deemed ruptured. 

So ready or not, 

Baby Sydney 

was on her way, 

9 days early and all!

We were then informed that my chosen doctor was not on call, but would be called and asked if he would "special" me. Which he did agree to do, along with 3 other patients of his that ended up delivering too :) 
We then informed our families of the big news (around 12 pm)!

Then we began a whole new set of questions, beginning with when I thought the rupture (water leak) had started. We made our guess that what I felt was a small gush the day before (and had ignored) was the start of the leak, yesterday, around 5:30 pm. 
As it was now quickly approaching noon, it would have been 17 hours since the rupture. They like you to have your antibiotics (for group b strep) before the 18 hr mark. Obviously that was not going to happen, so as quick as they could they IV'ed me up, and at approximately 12:45 pm I received my first dosage of antibiotics. They like you to get at least 2 dosages, with about 4 hrs apart between each. So my second would be around 4:45 pm. At this point I was said to be a higher risk delivery, not to be confused with a high risk delivery, due to being group b strep positive and the prolonged rupture. The nurses assured me that at this point they were not worried, everything was going perfectly. But they were keeping a close eye on baby, in case of infection symptoms (high baby heart rate, or a fever in mom). 

My last baby bump picture at 38 weeks

Now the waiting time began. I was having slight contractions, sporadically. We played a good game of Phase 10 (where we tied!) and enjoyed watching my contractions come and go, Shea could see them on the screen so I would shout "was that one?" every few minutes as we played trying to judge what I was actually feeling. 
At about 2 pm my nurse came in and told me my contractions were pretty consistent, about 6-8 minutes apart. 
At this point I had been giving nothing to speed up labor, but it was a good sign that labor was coming on it's own. 
After about 4:15 pm they said they would give the second dose of antibiotics early so that I would be clear to deliver at 4:45 pm. The most important thing at this point even with my prolonged rupture was getting the antibiotics in, then the most important thing would be delivering baby as quickly as they could in efforts to avoid going too far past the 24 hr rupture mark (which put baby at higher risk for infection).

At 2:30 pm my nurse came in and turned me to my side to try and encourage my contractions to start up again, it seemed they had spaced out again. She also told me my doctor was going to come in and check on me, and possibly break my water (to see how much had leaked out and to urge my contractions -which were starting and stopping- into a consistent pattern) . 
At 3 pm my doctor came and checked me, 5-6 cm, and decided to break my water. The nurses had me sign the epidural form and told me the anesthesiologist was finishing up with someone and would be in shortly. 

At 3:07 pm the doctor broke my water!
We were all relieved to see that the leak had been very very small, considering the amount of amniotic fluid that was released. And the smaller the leak the smaller the risk of infection. 
As the doctor chatted with us I felt my first contraction with pain, (everything before then had been uncomfortable but nothing painful). It wasn't too bad at this point though, I did tell the nurse "okay I felt that one!" and she didn't seem at all surprised. If anything they seemed happy that it was moving things along (~ 3:10). 
The doctor and nurse then left, joking as they walked out that I might not make it to that 4:45 pm mark. 
My nurse pointedly assured me, before leaving, that the epidural guy would be the next person I would see. 
After going to the bathroom and then getting into bed the contractions seemed to be very consistent, and my next contraction after getting into bed was intense and I had to breathe through it. Shooing poor Shea away when he offered his hand to squeeze. 
I quickly called the nurse between contractions and urged her that I needed the epidural guy now! 
A nurse from the desk came in and told me that a girl had come in crying with tears and that they had had the epidural guy go to her, she seemed to expect me to see reason. But the only thought in my head was, well if only I was a crier then I would be turning the water works on now. 
My nurse came in to check me (7 cm) and reassure me that the epidural guy was minutes away, she helped me through a rough contraction (turning me and putting pressure on my back) and told me since I was only at 7 cm I still had plenty of time to get an epidural and there was still a ways to go, 3:43 pm.

The next ten minutes were hectic and crazy and horrifically painful, and fortunately now more of a blur. 
My contractions at this point (~3:45 pm) were now terribly intense and poor Shea not wanting to get to close for fear of me pushing him away again sat on the corner of the couch watching on, helpless. 
I wish I had been in the right mind to tell him to come close and whisper to me and put a hand on my head, but I was very concentrated on the hate I had for that one nurse that told me they had picked the girl with tears over me for the epidural. 
Totally irrational? I think not. 
About this time I was pretty much dying, and told the nurse I felt like I had to push. She assured me that I didn't. Which I most lovingly told her "I CAN FEEL HER HEAD!" The nurse then decided to check me, having to pull my legs apart. And with only a look, no need to check, she left the room. (Shea said he could see baby's head.)
I saw the way her face dropped and knew at this point that happy epidural land was out of my reach (~ 3:48 pm). 
I heard her scream down the hall, 
DR ROBISON DR ROBISON DELIVERY DELIVERY! 
Then my room was instantly filled with nurses, my doctor, my poor - scared - bewildered husband, AND the EPIDURAL GUY! 
He came up to me first and I begged him to help me even though I could feel it was too late, he began telling everyone that he could still do my spinal tap. But the nurses laughed at that as they shouted to one another directions and tried to rush some second dose of antibiotics into my system. 
The doctor then sat down and while he put on gloves watched me push (I was pretty much letting my body do its thing at this point) and he told the epidural guy to leave, because he excitedly proclaimed to me "BABY IS HERE! Ready?"

You can imagine what happened next. Screaming till my throat was dry and moaning words of "I can't do this" brought this brand new baby into the world, with pretty much one or two real pushes. 

SYDNEY MAE STANGER BORN AT 3:53 PM

The pain melted away and baby was laid on me, her dark hair brought me my first smile.

I had to try SO hard for this smile!

I wish I could say I fell into pure bliss of my newborn's birth at this point, but the next hour it seemed was still pretty painful as I endured the aftermath of labor (fortunately I only suffered a first degree tear this time, no time for an episiotomy like I have had in the past both second degrees). 
At one point while they were recording all the data they asked my doctor what position her head was and he replied "I have no idea I was barely in time to catch it." The nurses all had a laugh and told me about how important it is for me to have the anesthesiologist give me the epidural before my water breaks next time or at least he should be on stand by. Because once my water breaks it is likely going to be a race every time (can't say that doesn't worry me, like a lot, for next time). 

My delivery summary read,
Stage 1: 4 Hrs 21 Min
Stage 2: 0 Hrs  2 Min
Stage 3: 0 Hrs  5 Min
Total Time in Labor: 4 Hrs 28 Min 

While I endured the after pains nurses kept trying to tell me all the great stuff about natural births, in attempts to ease my pain or something, it didn't work. But my doctor came and put a hand on my shoulder and very sweetly told me how great a job I did, "that was rough" he said at one point and for some reason that touched me. I appreciated the fact that he knew. His simple "not now" even protected me from some of the nurses, who wanted to start poking and prodding me before I had gotten any sense of relief. It is hard to think that this is the last time he will probably deliver one of our babies. It has been special to have him care for me during all my pregnancies and actually deliver all three of our babies (I especially like how Shea and him like to chat).  

It wasn't till they finally gave me some pain meds to take, about an hour after labor, that I finally got some relief (and after the whole ordeal my nurse -she felt so bad for me-gave me super meds, the ones they give to the C-section patients). Anyway with that relief I was finally able to relish in my new little one's arrival.

Upon birth Sydney weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and was 20 inches long. She was born 9 days early; with long fingers and toes and skinny feet (just like Dad). She was born with that dark hair that made me so happy and we can spot some cowlicks like her brother right up front. Her first day of life we never heard her cry (even at birth), it worried us like crazy. But we were told she was just fine.

Soon enough I gave her very first feeding which she seemed very ready for, and she knew exactly what to do. 

Daddy was so excited to help with her first bath. Her long fingernails proved to be difficult though, and she ended up with scratches on either side of her face. 

And after getting Mommy and Baby clean we were ready to show our beautiful new daughter off to all her visitors, who were ready to welcome her.

I especially enjoyed watching our little one's take it all in. As confusing and scary as it was to see Mom laying in bed, with a "shot" (IV) in her arm and a "popped belly" and the recent news that Mom's water broke, Connor took it all really well. Loving up his sister almost instantly. Bella was thrilled to see baby, love at first sight!

Excited Siblings, awaiting to meet new sister SYDNEY!

Enjoying my spoils from my family afar, delivered by my brother Ryan (below)!

It wasn't long before whining and tired eyes proved that the night was ending for Connor and Bella. As Shea walked Connor to the car Connor made Shea promise to take care of Mommy. He was very worried about me. And on the ride home he complained about how much he wanted to stay with Sydney and Mommy.

This little girl needed some definite Daddy Daughter time. 

Day 1 in the Hospital

After the excitement from our visitors came and went, we were back to just us three. I was so pleased to get to have Shea stay with us in the hospital, and as much as he would like to do it for every new baby we have, it seems like less of a possibility as our children get older and miss their Daddy way too much for over the night stays away. It was so nice having Shea there though, since Sydney swallowed some amniotic fluid at birth (which is very common), we had to watch her spit it up and gag on it, a lot the first day and night. The nose sucker was definitely helpful in trying to help suck some of it out of her throat as she struggled, but it was also scary to see her choke on it so frequently. Sydney was also whisked away to the nursery to under go plenty of blood tests, looking for infection (from the group b strep or prolonged rupture). Everything came back perfectly time and time again; although, her poor little pricked heels were quite the sight. At 10 pm her first night she went in for her first set of blood tests (testing for the group b strep infection). It was hard being away from her but both Shea and I were anxiously awaiting the chance to sleep. Unfortunately for me it was a rough night. My after birth cramps seemed to remind me of the onset of my contractions earlier that day, and left me quite incapable of sleep until little Sydney came back to us from the nursery and slept nestled against me till the morning light brought the nurses and doctors in to do their rounds. 

Day 2 in the Hospital

Fortunately, her first morning she threw most of the amniotic fluid up on me and didn't have much left to cause her problems. 

After both Sydney and I got our vitals checked for the day the hearing technician came in to test Sydney. I was a little worried about the test considering Bella had failed originally, until Daddy insisted on watching and was able to notice she was just too upset for accurate results and calmed her down so they could get a good correct reading, and then they declared she had passed fine. This time around the test was done in the room, so I could oversee it, which I was pleased about. But the fact that she was so quiet and hadn't yet cried really worried me that maybe she indeed had some issues with hearing. But all those worries were for nothing because she passed her hearing test perfectly, and was completely silent the whole time, even when they were placing the stickers on her ears and taking them off, which the technician said disturbed most babies.

We enjoyed the day talking with family and friends, taking a million pictures, receiving our favorite little visitors and loving every second with just us three. 

That night she had a hard time eating and fussed a lot, giving her lungs a little work out. After about an hour or so Shea was able to work some magic and calm her down enough to eat and sleep (we have fondly renamed Daddy as the Gas Master, because he just tends to have the right tummy touch for our little ones when they are hurting). Sadly she was calm for only moments before they had to take her for more tests. Since she hadn't eaten much I told the nurse it was alright to give her a bottle if need be. Which they did and she took readily, almost the whole 2 oz they said. 

Shea snuggled in my big bed and we enjoyed a sweet night all cozy and together just us three. 

 

Day 3 in the Hospital

In the morning the pediatrician cleared Sydney to leave that afternoon. Although she was weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz, meaning she had lost about 10% of her weight which was borderline for letting her leave the hospital. Anymore and she would have had to stay, instead they asked us to set up an appointment with her pediatrician for the next day to make sure that she was gaining weight and not continuing to lose it. To insure her weight gain he instructed us to use formula after every feeding. 

We enjoyed an IHOP breakfast Shea had ventured out to get. We let the morning pass with naps and showers and getting our sweet new girl all ready. As we finished paperwork and last minute packing we noticed the falling snow and I was thankful I had wrapped her car seat up all cozy in a cover to keep our baby warm.

Goodbye Mountain View Hospital.

Sydney is perfect and home now and we love every little thing about her; her smell, her touch, her voice. Having her in our home makes for quite a happy trio although battles over her ensue quite frequently. We are feeling pretty lucky to have such a sweet baby sister who is making it easy for big brother and sister to fall in love with her. 

Now that we are home I miss being at the hospital (kinda weird?). Shea has been AMAZING though taking care of everything (in his own Man way :)), and refusing to let me push myself too hard. I cheat a little though. It is going to be hard getting back into actual routines and normal life, but I know it will make things all the easier. It always seems that the first week after baby is pure survival mode as you try to figure baby and new mom mode out. But having Shea here (he got the whole week off work), has been incredible. It has left me very spoiled. But Shea says I can do it, and I believe him! It is going to be quite the transition come Monday, in all truth I look forward to balancing things out -naps, bedtimes, meals, baths- in Mom mode (Man mode all week makes things a little crazy!)