Introducing Emma Katherine

So filled with joy to announce Emma Katherine's arrival on July 1, 2014 at 6:48 pm, weighing in at 6 lbs and 15.7 ounces and 20.5 inches long. Wanted to share a little about her birthday as she lays next to me as I write this on her due date...

I decided to be induced at 39+1 as recommended by my amazing doctor, Dr. Brabson, due to some blood clotting factors I have that are treated with daily blood thinner injections (I cannot get an epidural for 24 hours once I give myself my shot). I was hesitant but proceeded because I trusted him and was beyond ready to meet my sweet girl. He said my cervix was very favorable for induction so I was so hopeful for my VBAC.

We checked in the hospital at 5:00 am that morning (I was 2 cm and 70% effaced at my 39 week checkup the day before). We got settled in our room and they hooked me up to monitors that would continually monitor the baby's heart rate and my contractions (this is required for all VBAC patients). Next they started my IV. This is when things got interesting. They have to use a VERY large IV needle  for VBACer's as there is a chance they would need to give me a blood transfusion if there was a uterine rupture (very slight risk of this occurring). The nurse had trouble getting it in and it HURT. Next thing I know, I apparently passed out from the pain and had the nurse and Brandon standing over me waking me up - Brandon looked like he had seen a ghost. It took me a while to come around, and I immediately felt nauseated. I finally got sick and finally started to feel better.  They called someone else in to try to get my IV in and that was successful. I was ready for a popsicle!

My doctor came to see us around 7:00 am and broke my water. A couple minutes later the nurse told me to lay on my side, then 30 seconds later she told me to flip to my other side. Then she laid me all the way back where my feet were above my head. Brandon and I had no idea what is going on at this point, but the doctor and nurse seemed to be scurrying around. They put an oxygen mask on my face.  Next thing we know, 3-4 more nurses were in the room and they told me they needed to give me a shot to stop my contractions as the baby's heart rate had been down for almost 3 minutes. She said if they couldn't get it down, I would have to have an emergency c-section. The tears started falling at this point. Fortunately the shot stopped my 3-4 minute contraction and her heart rate returned to normal. I was so relieved the baby was okay! The nurse stayed with us and monitored us both closely for the next hour. At this point, I was thinking maybe I should have just signed up for a repeat c-section, after all this craziness before 8 am!

They began the pitocin to start my contractions around 9 am or so. I wanted to labor as long as possible before getting my epidural. They very, very slowly increased the pitocin drip (again, because I'm trying to VBAC they want to make sure the contractions aren't too strong to avoid complications). They checked me around 11 am and I was 3 cm and 80%. I tried to stand up and move around as much as I could at this point - but I was hooked up to all kinds of monitors and my IV pole so I was really limited to moving around in one spot as best I could. By around noon, my contractions were very painful and I could barely tolerate them. Brandon was beyond supportive and rubbed my back and was right there by my side the entire day.  I decided to go ahead and get the epidural even though I really wanted to get to 5 cm before getting it initially. The nurses and anesthesiologist assured me the epidural would not slow my progression.

They started the epidural insertion around 12:30 and had trouble getting the epidural cath in. Apparently my back is muscular and I have mild scoliosis (first I've every heard of it!).  We finally (painful experience indeed) got it in, and I welcomed the relief it provided!  The rest of the afternoon I spent in bed, flipping side to side and watching my contractions and Emma's heart rate on the monitor. Her heart rate began to drop below her "normal" range on about 2 out of every 3 contractions after the epidural was in. I knew if they couldn't regulate this, it was c-section time. I was SO discouraged at this point. They checked me again around 2:30 and I was only 4 cm. I was progressing so slowly. Thankfully, around this time, her heart rate returned to normal range with each contraction, so we waited patiently. Luckily for Brandon, World Cup soccer was on!

At 4:00 they checked me and I was 5 cm. We let our family know it would likely be late/early the next morning when she would be born.  I was so bummed I was only 5 cm!  My nurse, Gail, was amazing. She stayed with us most of the day - we sure kept her busy!!

At 6:15 or so my doctor came by to check me. I expected to be about 6 cm, but would have been ecstatic with anything over that.  He told me I was 10 cm and 100% effaced and asked if I was ready to push!  I literally could not believe it!!!  I started crying immediately - so relieved I finally made it to this point, and also wondering if I could do this. I looked at Brandon and asked him if I could really push this baby out!? He reassured me we could do this!!

My nurse wanted to do some practice pushing while Dr. Brabson performed 2 quick circumcisions. The nurses began prepping the room for Emma's arrival and the nurse asked if I wanted a mirror to watch. YES!  Things were getting REAL and I was so excited it was finally time to meet our daughter.

The nurses got the mirror set up and Gail told me exactly what to do and how to push.  She told me to hold my legs behind my knees (which felt like cinder blocks by the way due to my epidural). We did a couple rounds of practice pushing around 6:30 and I could see my baby's head. Watching the progress in the mirror absolutely helped me see what type of pushing was working. I pushed 3 times with each contraction. I asked Gail if she thought I could actually do this and she said I was doing great, and I was absolutely going to be able to do it. 

She got Dr. Brabson back into the room and I kept pushing. I loved watching everything take place, until I saw the episiotomy scissors come out. He had to do a small cut (2nd degree). At this point, I couldn't feel a thing and didn't really mind.  I kept pushing and her sweet little blond head was out. I started bawling, big ugly HAPPY tears. Gail whispered to me to look down between my legs and watch my baby be born. I did and once contraction later she was out and they laid her right on my chest at 6:48. I could not stop the tears - so many emotions running through my mind. It was a feeling I will never forget. Emma was perfect. She seemed so tiny. Her cry was so sweet. I had done it. I birthed my baby the way I had always wanted to. I was so overwhelmed with joy!! I wish I could relive this moment over and over and over. It was just indescribably amazing. 

Thanks be to God for this beautiful, tiny, healthy little baby. Officially Skeen party of 4!

The next morning Hadley came to meet her little sister for the first time. Our dear friend and professional photographer, Kandi, came to capture these precious moments - I will have a separate post with those because they deserve their own blog post! Here are a few other pictures from the next day or two...

The night before...