Wednesday, June 6th, I went in for my routine weekly appointment with a midwife. Babe's heart rate was unusually high. The midwife decided to run a non-stress test and do a quick ultrasound to check my fluid levels and to see if we were at the point of fetal growth restriction, since I had also noted a slight decrease in fetal movement and I was measuring under 35 weeks gestation even though I was 39 weeks along. It was discovered that my fluid levels were low and that babe was small. (I believe 6.3 cm fluid (they get nervous below 5.0 at my dr's) and she was measured to be right at the 10th percentile for size). I was 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. The midwife and the OB I had seen the previous week decided we could wait and see, but they wanted me checked again Friday, with the understanding that if fluid levels dropped below 5.0, I would be sent for an induction. Friday the 8th, my husband heads into work and my mom goes with me to my appointment. Hubby couldn't concentrate at work, and his boss is awesome, so he met us there right before my ultrasound. Babe looked good on non-stress test and I was still 2cm and 70% effaced, which the doctor was happy with. I could tell by the ultrasound tech's behavior it was not good news. My fluid levels were down to 2.3.

At the doctor's urging I went and got an early lunch (it was about 10:30am now) and then went over to the hospital. They started my pitocin around 1:30pm. I was having uncomfortable, regular contractions by 4:00. The checked me at that point and I was 3cm and 80% effaced. Sometime around 6:00, I was getting kind of uncomfortable, so I asked for the wireless monitor and I took a shower- sweet relief. They made me get out because the monitor for babe's heart rate wouldn't read well in the water. I eventually asked for some IV pain meds around 10:00pm and another dose around 2:00am Saturday morning. I honestly didn't cope that well with the pain. But my husband and mom were great.

Shortly before 4:00am, I could feel a distinct change in my contractions because I couldn't control the urge to push with them. I don't remember being checked at this point, but my husband says I was and I was complete. Babe's heart rate was dropping though, and my midwife was concerned she would not tolerate pushing well, so they called in the on-call surgeon and extra hands to help just in case. One of the extra nurses was awesome. I was freaking out and struggling to keep my breathing under control, so she helped me concentrate on that and she even picked me up and rolled me to my other side when I couldn't do it myself. Babe handled pushing just fine once we got her heart rate up. I pushed for just over an hour. I have a minor tear to my left labia that didn't require stitches, and I'm still exhausted and a little sore a week out, but otherwise no issues for me. Babe is perfect.

Emerson Grace

6lbs 3.2oz, 19.5in

June 9th, 2018. 5:11am