Surprise early arrival!

Sitting in my hospital bed, trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm here.

Thursday was an average day. I had to work. My 33 week appointment was set for 11:45. I was looking forward to checking in on my little girl. Headed into to work for the day feeling like my cranky & uncomfortable pregnant self, reminding myself that I had only 3.5 weeks until early term and could start looking forward to my maternity leave! My first born arrived at exactly 37 weeks.

Went to my appointment. Told her about my usual aches and pains. Some sciatica and swelling, went over stretches, did the usual urine bp fundal height & heart beat stuff. All normal. We talked about lightning crotch. She told me how her husband said it was made up and she told him it would be the equivalent of getting stabbed in the testicle with a sharp pencil. We laughed. 😂 I told her how low baby is etc. 2 weeks prior at my 31 week appointment they did a cervical exam because I had some cramping etc and I was completely closed off. So I figured at this appointment everything seemed Normal, no need to request to be checked again right?

So I made an appointment for two weeks later and headed back to work.

I was sitting at my desk for about 2 hours, putting my feet up, trying to be as comfortable as one can be...but I kept getting what I figured to be Braxton Hicks. I texted a fellow pregnant friend talking about how my vagina felt... Weird... And how bizarre pregnancy makes you share some strange things with friends. Haha. I told my coworker I almost felt like I had a tampon wedged in there. My BH contractions were pretty uncomfortable and I kept having to stop working and just sit back. My coworker seemed concerned and started telling me I was looking like I was in pain. I said, maybe I should call the doctor, I was just there, but maybe they should have me come back in.

So here I am at 3:30 pm, calling my doctor who I just saw 3 hours ago, feeling silly, but I was having BH for close to an hour, and they were close together! Doctor said go to l&d and get checked out. So I left work and grabbed hubby and headed to the hospital. By 5 pm I was in triage hooked up to a monitor. Definitely contractions. They gave me some IV fluids hoping to slow/stop them with some hydration and rest. They did an ultrasound and baby was looking perfect. Now I just had to wait for a cervical exam and an internal ultrasound for a measurement. It took what seemed like forever for the doctor to come see me. Finally they examine me and I'm 3cm and started to efface as well. So they definitely are keeping me for observation. A while later as they were getting ready to administer some medicine for baby's lungs and hopefully slow any progression, the nurse realizes my contractions are worse and calls the doctor. I'm now closer to 5 cm. Things are happening and they can't do anything to stop it. So I get put in a delivery room. Hours went by with nothing happening. I opted to get an epidural so maybe I can get some comfort and rest.

I got checked again. Only about 5 1/2 cm. I mentally prepare to be stuck in a bed in labor indefinitely.

I tried to get some sleep. My iv machine is beeping, we page the nurse. A few minutes later, suddenly I start feeling some intense pain. I think to myself. Great. The epidural isn't working completely and these contractions are picking up! It's going to be a rough night. We page the nurse again. Time goes by, I'm crying in pain, we page again. Finally she comes in. The anesthesiologist is in a C-section and can't adjust my epidural. So she's helping me breathe through it. They do an exam and I'm 10 cm and baby is +3! They are rushing to prepare the room. I'm begging them to hurry. I can't take these contractions anymore and I need to push. Finally it's time. I got 4 good pushes out of 2 contractions and she was out! It happened so fast. She cried and squeaked and was looking great! I got to see her very briefly before they took her off to the NICU. Baby girl was born at 1:12 am 18 inches 4 lbs 5 oz. It's been a crazy two days. My girl is working hard at learning to breath on her own. Hopefully we can take her home in a couple weeks. ❤️ I'm not sure how I haven't lost it but I'm trying to be strong for her and her big brother who is at home missing me.