On Monday, August 20th, 2012 at 12:00 PM I went to my weekly OB visit. I was 37 weeks and 3 days pregnant and miserable. My doctor check me and told me I was dilated to a one! A one! Yes, I know that is practically nothing, but considering I never dilated with Lincoln, I was stoked! My doctor then agreed that he would strip my membranes. We weren't sure if it would do anything because my doctor had done this when I was pregnant with Lincoln and nothing happened from it. He did advise me to stay at my brothers house for a few hours just in case contractions started and I went into labor. I decided to head home and clean my kitchen floors instead. I wanted my house to be nice and clean in case the babe decided to come soon.
Throughout the rest of the day I had lots of cramping and some contractions but nothing was regular. By dinner time I realized I would probably have to wait to meet this babe of mine on the 31st when my doctor had me scheduled to be induced.
Around 9:50 PM after I put Lincoln to bed I put on my shoes and decided I would go speed walking. I told James I was going to get this baby out and he just laughed. I started speed curb walking down the street and into my church parking lot where I walked along all the curbs. I then speed walked home and looked at the clock. It was only 10:05. I could have sworn I was gone for 30 minutes. James laughed again and said that me being out there for 15 minutes wouldn't put me into labor. But to my defense, I did A LOT of fast walking/jogging/curb walking during those 15 minutes.
Around 10:30 I went to bed. At 11:30 I had a contraction that woke me up. strange I thought. I then fell back asleep. Although, 11 minutes later I woke up again to yet another contraction. And 11 minutes after that I had another contraction. These contractions were a lot longer than the Braxton Hicks I have had and hurt a lot more. I got out of bed and went and laid on the couch and put in the movie, Music and Lyrics and started timing my contractions on my phone. The contractions were now 7 minutes a part...and then 5 minutes a part. I timed them until 2:00 AM and they were still 5 minutes apart and lasted 60-90 seconds. I couldn't breath, move or walk during each contraction, I knew I was in labor. At this point in time I went to wake up James to tell him it was time. I turned on our bathroom light which woke him up. I stood there, in a middle of a contraction, bent over, holding my belly and told him, "We're gonna have a baby. It's time to go." Then, my loving husband - who was half way asleep - not thinking I was serious - said, "you're fine" and then he turned over and went back to bed! (he's the greatest :) ) I then figured I would finish packing my hospital bag and get Lincoln ready.
At 2:15 I walked back into our bedroom, flipped on the light and said, "I'm serious, I'm driving myself to the hospital!" James quickly got up and started asking if I was really in labor or not. I told him about my contractions and how they were regular and constant. He then asked, "well, shouldn't we wait until your water breaks?" I then had a contraction and he saw the pain I was in and knew it was time to go - especially because we still had an hour ride to the hospital.
James went and got Lincoln out of bed while I tried to call my sister, Kelli who was "on call" in case I went into labor in the middle of the night. I called 3 times, no answer. I started to panic! What was I going to do with Lincoln?! I then tried my brother in laws phone and he answered on the last ring. I asked if I could talk to Kelli. I told her I had been trying to call her for the past little bit and she told me that her phone was in the other room and she didn't have it. Awesome, I thought - way to be "on call" and not have your phone. James then put Lincoln in the car and we headed to South Jordan to drop off Lincoln.
Dropping off Lincoln at 2:30 AM
Last family picture of us 3
We hit every red light possible on the way to the hospital. Although, James ran every single red light possible. I was so happy he was trying to hurry to the hospital. These contractions were PAINFUL!
During our drive to Layton, James was listening to some Bluegrass CD. I told him I needed something more upbeat to listen to. Kanye West it was! Ha. We listened to the CD for most of the drive, but then when we were almost to the hospital I was ready for something softer to listen to - and in went his Bluegrass CD.
We arrived at the Davis Hospital at 3:33 AM. When we walked into the ER to check in the receptionist imeditaly said, "Are we having a baby today!?" And I said, "I sure hope so!" I had preregistered at the hospital so our check in was pretty fast. We were then taken to Labor and Delivery.
My nurse came in and got me all settled. I was then checked to see what I was dilated to. I was shocked when she said I was only 1.5 centimeters dilated. But, at the same time I was happy that I was dilating. She said they would monitor me for the next hour and then check me again.
Me and James decided we weren't going to tell anyone we were at the hospital considering I was barely dilated. We thought we were going to be sent home. But the contractions were still constant and regular...and painful!
About 2 hours later, around 6:00 AM, the nurse came back in to check me. She said I was dilated to a 2. She then said she would call Doctor Hall to see what he wanted to do.
To our surprise, I was admitted! Usually you need to be at least dilated to a 4 to be admitted. My doctor said he wanted to monitor me since I was in labor and that he would come check on me in a few hours. My nurse started my IV and handed me all the paper work for me to sign. This time around I actually read every single word of each document I was to sign. I wanted to make sure I knew everything that could possibly happen during this delivery - whether it was going to be a vaginal birth or a c-section. I was surprised by how complicated and high risk a VBAC really was. All the paper work went into a lot of detail about complications and risks of having a VBAC. Even though the paper work scared me, I was still willing and wanting to have a vaginal birth with this child.
Dr. Hall came in around 7:15 AM. He was wearing a bright red University of Utah t-shirt. He said he wore it knowing that my Dad was on the other side of the Country and that my dad couldn't do anything about it :)
When Dr. Hall checked me, he was confused because I was barely a 1.5 centimeters dilated. He wanted to know which nurse checked me because she was obviously wrong. He then checked my contractions and noticed that my contractions were starting to become farther apart but still constant, and they were still extremely painful for me. He then said that I was defiantly in labor and that I was here to stay to have a baby. He didn't want to send me home because of how far we lived. He also said that since I was in labor, there was a chance my uterus could burst while I was laboring and he needed to monitor me extremely close considering I was trying to have a vaginal birth. He then went on to say how happy he was that I was in labor here, at the hospital in case anything happened. He then said he couldn't start me on Pitocin because I was trying to do a VBAC and that since I was in my 37th week, it was too early to 'induce me.' So, he told us it would be a long day, but we wouldn't leave without a baby.
Around 9:00 AM my amazing nurse came in and got permission to start me on level 1 pitocin because my contractions were still around 10 minutes apart now. Even with level 1 pitocin (level 20 is the highest and the usual amount given) my contractions became 3-4 minutes apart. And goodness, those contractions were brutal!
I decided it was time to tell my family, although, to my surprise they already knew because Kelli sent out a mass text to all my siblings and parents at 3:00 AM.
I called my mom and it was so good to talk to her. I told her everything so she was up to date with my progress. In the middle of our conversation my nurse came in and I had to hang up with my mom so I could talk with the nurse. When I called my mom back my Dad answered the phone with, "Hey, Lee Lee." I broke down in tears and so did my Dad. It was the first time I had talked to him on the phone since my parents left on their mission. It was a sweet, tender moment we shared on the phone. Oh how I wished my parents were there with me at the hospital. I became truly homesick for my parents.
For the next hour and a half James and I tried to make the time pass by faster. James watched some shows on his Ipad, while I tried to get some reading done. My sweet nurse came in and brought me a frozen lemonade. I was in heaven! I was so hungry! The only thing I had to eat before I got to the hospital was one square of a graham cracker. I savored that frozen dessert as long as I could. It tasted so much better than ice chips.
By 10:30 AM I was at level 3 pitocin and my contractions were on top of each other. I couldn't catch my breath. I was in so much pain. I knew that these contracts had to have been making me progress. Honestly, words cannot describe how intense these contractions were!
My nurse came in just before 11:00 AM to check on me. She noticed at the nurses station that my contractions were on top of each other and asked how I was doing. I didn't have to say too much, she could see how intense these contractions were for me. She asked if I wanted my epidural now or if I wanted to wait until Dr. Hall came in at 11:30 to check me. I told her I would wait for another half hour until the doctor came in. During this whole laboring process I wanted to see how long I could go without getting an epidural. I got one so quickly when I was in labor with with Lincoln, I thought I wanted to really experience labor. Well, I only lasted 5 more minutes of contractions when I paged my nurse. I didn't even have to ask for the epidural - she right away said, "I'm guessing you're ready for your epidural, I'll page the anesthesiologist" Literally within 5 minutes the Anesthesiologist and Resident were walking in my room.
The epidural was heavenly. I had a first year Resident do my epidural. I probably shouldn't have because she had no idea what she was doing and ended up damaging my back pretty bad. But while I was numb I felt great! I was actually glad that she didn't do the best job with my epidural. I ended up not getting completely numb. I was numb where I needed to be which was heavenly so I couldn't feel the contractions and I was not numb in my feet so I could actually move them. I hated the feeling of having numb feet when I was in labor with Lincoln, so I was truly grateful I still had some feeling and movement.
Doctor Hall ended up coming in to check me around 12:15 PM. He was in such great spirits. He asked how I was doing, checked the monitor and my contractions and then went ahead and checked me. I was anxiously waiting for him to tell me I was at least a 7...but to my dismay I was only a 2! I thought Dr. Hall would be a little discourage that I was only dilated to 2 cm, but he was quite up beat. He then asked if we wanted him to break my water. I was all for it, and was so grateful I had the epidural already. Dr. Hall broke my water at 12:21 PM. When my water broke he and the nurse said they could not believe how much fluid I had. The nurse said she had never seen so much fluid...ever. As she was grabbing towels to clean it up, Doctor Hall's eyes were starring straight at the monitors. Our little guys heart dropped dramatically. During labor his heart beat was around 150-170. As soon as my water broke his heart dropped to the 70's. The nurse quickly ran to me and put me on oxygen. Doctor Hall started yelling to page the nurse Tina, another nurse ran into the room and started rotating me in the bed and kept making me lay in different positions. Dr. Hall kept ordering another nurse for different probes and monitors so he could monitor our little guy better. For a whole 6 minutes this went on. At 12:30 PM Dr. Hall said he needed to get this baby out and to prepare for surgery. At that moment a handful of more nurses and doctors came rushing into my room. They began switching the position I was laying in, they put a surgical cap on my head, the Anesthesiologist was there to start my spinal block. My eyes filled with water. As scary as my labor was with Lincoln, this was so much more intense. I thought I was prepared for this, but I wasn't. I couldn't speak, I couldn't catch my breath. I got James' attention as he was suiting up for surgery and with my hand I made the hand gesture that I needed my phone, I needed to call my mom.
My mom answered the phone with "Is the baby here?" And I began crying. She could tell something was going on as I just wept. I tried to explain to her the situation but it was so hard because all the nurses were pulling at me and moving me and trying to talk to me and I was trying to comprehend everything that had just happened 6 minutes ago. I was only able to talk to her for a split second. She told me she'd pray for us and that everything was going to be okay. She went on to say that having this c-section was the best option and the healthiest for me and for our babe. I had to quickly end the conversation as I was being wheeled out of the room.
James stood in the room as I was quickly being wheeled from the room. He said, 'I'll see you soon, I love you.'
The nurses were running with me in the bed down the hall and into the operating room. As soon as I got into the room they quickly moved me over onto the operating table and began prepping me. They didn't even wait to get the blue curtain up before they began dumping the iodine on my stomach. All the heart monitor were getting attached and the Anesthesiologist was still trying to get the spinal block ready. Dr. Hall was ready to cut me open, but I was still able to feel the scalpel. Luckily, within a few more seconds I was completely numb.
The blue curtain was then put up and James was then allowed into the room. Poor James, I was completely cut open when he came in. I was so surprised he didn't pass out.
James sat by my head and held my hand. He asked how my mom was. I remember I turned my head from looking at him and starred at the blue curtain and thought, 'why is he asking how my mom was?!' I then felt a lot of pressure and pulling in my stomach and realized he was trying to get my mind and his mind off of what was happening behind the curtain. I turned to him and said, she was fine and that they were praying for us. I then turned my head once again toward the curtain and then heard the most beautiful little cry. I began to weep. Joy and relief filled my entire body. I could not believe how fast Dr. Hall and Dr. Meek were able to get our little man out, 12 minutes. It was exactly 12 minutes from the time I got in the OR to hearing the sound of our sweet baby boy. I turned to James and we met eyes. We had a baby boy and he was crying! Having him cry was the most beautiful sound, especially since he was struggling so bad.
Our little guy
born at 12:46 PM
The first thing the nurse said was, "oh he's so tiny" and then she continued with, "look at all that hair...he has sideburns!" I was surprised by both comments. First I was surprised because Dr. Hall thought I would be having an 8 pound baby, and second...my child has sideburns! :) The nurse then brought our little guy back behind the curtain so I could see him for a second. Then the nurse, James and our little babe went back to get cleaned up. I continued to lay on the table and get stapled up. My blood pressure got out of control so I was started on another IV. At this point I had 4 bags of fluid rushing into my body. Once my levels were back to normal, Dr. Hall started explaining all that had happened.
First, he said that he didn't know why exactly our little mans heart rate dropped. He did say that when he broke my water there was blood in my fluid which indicates that while I was laboring my placenta had began to detach from my uterus. He said that if I would have continued to labor, my uterus could have ruptured. He then said that as he was cutting me open my incisions from from previous C-Section were translucent and were about to pull apart. He then said again, if I had continued laboring much longer, they probably would have ripped which could have caused my uterus to rupture and would have/could have caused extreme damage. He said that this time they pulled a lot of extra skin and tissue so there was room for it to stretch and pull if needs be. He then said that my cervix is unable to dilate for whatever reason. He went on to say that all my other deliveries would have to be C-Section, and even though they would be planned, I would need to be monitored closely at the end of my pregnancy because of all the complications I had.
James was great and was able to take pictures of our little guy getting cleaned up and such. Oh how I wish I could have been with them.
Baby Boy Wright.
Born at 12:46 PM
Measured 20 Inches
Weighing 6 Pounds 4 Ounces
I was finally wheeled back into our room. James was there waiting for me. We talked about all that happened and why it happened. We felt and still feel truly blessed. The Lord was watching out of us, that is for sure.
The nurse came in and brought in our little man. I was finally able to see and hold him. It was so hard to try to hold him and really see him after surgery. I only held him for a minute or two before I had to give him back to James - I didn't want to drop him on accident.
I loved seeing James hold and love our little man. He's smitten.
An hour after our guy was born, James thought it was a good idea to finally tell his family I had been in labor and that we had our baby boy. Within a few minutes, James' parents called and was able to skype with them. They were thrilled that he was finally here, and safe. And James was happy to show him off.
After James was done Skyping with his parents, we noticed that our babe was grunting. I thought he was just trying to have a bowel movement, but it didn't stop. When my nurse came in to take us into our recovery room she heard the noises he was making and decided to take him to the nursery just to get looked at once again. She reassured us it was probably nothing but we better be safe than sorry.
A few hours later my Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell came to visit their new sweet Great Grandson. I told them he was in the nursery and that I would page for him to come into our room. When I called the nursery and asked if I could get 'baby boy wright' she said, 'actually you can't'. I was shocked! She told me that he was having a hard time breathing and that he was on a low dose of oxygen. I couldn't believe that the nurses didn't tell me he was struggling and that he had been on oxygen. James came into the room and I told them what was going on and so he went to the nursery to figure everything out. He was able to take my Grandparents to the nursery window so they could get a quick glimps of our sweet boy.
A little while later James went back to the nursery to check on our little guy. And to his surprise he wasn't there. They had taken him up to the NICU to get a higher dose of oxygen. We were both upset that once again, the nurses never informed us what was going on with our son. Our little guy stayed in the NICU over night and into the next morning. I had James take multiple trips to the NICU to make sure our son was doing alright. I hated that I couldn't be with him.
Our babe was finally out of the NICU by 11:00 AM on Wednesday. I loved that I was finally able to hold him and get to know him.
Our first family photo
Later that day Winston was able to meet his grandparents, my parents who are serving in North Carolina via Skype. I so wished my parents could have been there. It was so hard having them far away.
Mack meeting Winston
Aunt Kelli and Winston
Uncle Taylor and Winston
Winston with Grandma Great Craven
With Grandpa Great Craven
With Great Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell
My brothers kids loved holding Winston
Uncle Mitch
Aunt Stephanie
Everyone who came to visit and each nurse asked us what our little guys name was. And our response was, "we don't know yet." James had a list of names he liked: Winston, Clayton and Jefferson. And I had names I liked: Cannon and Carson and I was starting to learn towards Clayton. Well, when this little guy was born, we knew he was not Clayton. So, we were back to not being able to find/agree on a name.
On Thursday night, before James went back home to be with Lincoln, we got out the computer and the ipad and began to Google baby names. We needed to get our baby named. We both were suggesting name after name after name. James then suggested Alexander. I first said, No, but then thought...ya, I like that. James left the hospital for the night and we both had decided we would probably name our little guy Alexander.
The next morning when James arrived at the Hospital, he went over to our little guy who was laying in the crib next to me and said, "Hey Winston." I said, "wait, I thought we agreed on Alexander." James then went on to say that he couldn't sleep last night and that the name Winston kept coming into his mind and that he had a strong impression that Winston was to be our child's name. I then agreed to the name. I was then finally able to fill out his paperwork, declaring his name:
We were able to check out of the hospital by 4:00 PM on Friday. We were so ready to go home and so excited to finally have our little Winston with us.
Here are the rest of the hospital pictures. I love my little Winston.
On Thursday night, before James went back home to be with Lincoln, we got out the computer and the ipad and began to Google baby names. We needed to get our baby named. We both were suggesting name after name after name. James then suggested Alexander. I first said, No, but then thought...ya, I like that. James left the hospital for the night and we both had decided we would probably name our little guy Alexander.
The next morning when James arrived at the Hospital, he went over to our little guy who was laying in the crib next to me and said, "Hey Winston." I said, "wait, I thought we agreed on Alexander." James then went on to say that he couldn't sleep last night and that the name Winston kept coming into his mind and that he had a strong impression that Winston was to be our child's name. I then agreed to the name. I was then finally able to fill out his paperwork, declaring his name:
Winston Craven Wright
He's so tiny!
Going home!
(in a preemie outfit)
James and I are so grateful that Winston is here in our family. We absolutely love him so much! We are also truly, truly grateful for how blessed we have been. The Lord was defiantly watching out for us. We saw many, many miracles the day Winston was born.
It was a miracle that I went into Labor and went to the Hospital.
It was a miracle that my amazing Doctor admitted me at the Hospital.
It was a miracle that I had amazing doctors and nurses watching over me and Winston.
It was a miracle that my water didn't break on it's own. Because if it had, we would have seen the same effects of Winston's heart dropping
It was a miracle that my previous incisions didn't burst.
It was a miracle that my uterus didn't burst.
It was a miracle that Winston's breathing got better, quickly.
During everything that happened I always felt at peace. Yes, I had a panic and scared attach right before I went into surgery, but even during that time, I knew I was being watched over. My mom asked how I was during when Winston was in the NICU. I told her I was fine, calm and I felt at peace and that the Lord was watching out of us and that he was in control.
Birth is an absolutely amazing thing. I love that thought that my little Winston was just in the presents of our Heavenly Father. When Winston smiles in his sleep or starts to stare off in the corner of the room, I like to think that the veil is thin. I love the spirit that comes with a new baby and I am so grateful to have that spirit in our home. I am truly, truly blessed.
