She started my Petocin around 8. Dr. Young came in at 8:30 and tried to break my water, but he couldn't because everything was still so high. He said to get the epidural and then he would break my water. He checked the position of the baby, her head had been in the corner, not head down. But when he checked her with the ultrasound, she was head down. The anesthesiologist came in, had me lay on my side, and got my epidural going. I didn't want to get my epidural so early because my contractions had just started, but it had to happen if I wanted my water broken. Dr. Young came back in and broke my water around 9:30. And then the waiting game began.
I forgot about my love/hate relationship with an epidural. I hate the feeling of my feet being all tingly, but I love that I don't feel any pain. They monitored my blood sugar every hour, one time it was too low and Shea let me drink some juice to bring it up. It's amazing how good something is when you haven't had it in a while and when you are hungry. Around 2PM, I was only a 3. I felt like it was moving so slow. Shea told me the beginning takes the longest and then things should spend up.
At 3:30, I was an 8 and then at 4:15, I was a 10. I was so excited! Shea called Dr. Young and he was finishing up with his last patient and then he would drive down. That was a downfall of delivering at Utah Valley was it wasn't right next to his office like Orem Community is. He got to the room around 4:40. I started pushing and Dr. Young quickly had me stop because she was face up and she should be face down. He turned her and then we were back in business. Three pushes later and there she was!
In the afternoon, we had a knock on the door and a delivery of beautiful flowers, skinny pop and Magleby's cake from Danny and Derdle.
At 3:30, I was an 8 and then at 4:15, I was a 10. I was so excited! Shea called Dr. Young and he was finishing up with his last patient and then he would drive down. That was a downfall of delivering at Utah Valley was it wasn't right next to his office like Orem Community is. He got to the room around 4:40. I started pushing and Dr. Young quickly had me stop because she was face up and she should be face down. He turned her and then we were back in business. Three pushes later and there she was!
She was born at 5:02 and weighed 8 lbs and was 20 inches long. I couldn't believe it. She was so big for 3 weeks early. Cambry was born at 37 weeks too, but she only weighed 6 lbs 15 oz. I couldn't believe she was here. Everything had gone so smoothly. There were so many concerns all along the pregnancy and so many things they were monitoring and everything turned out great. It was truly a miracle. So many tender mercies along the way. I know that prayers were answered.
We weren't sure about the name. We had a few favorites-Brielle and Paisley. Obviously, we decided on Brielle. I love the meaning-God is My Strength. I feel like I had relied on God from the beginning of the pregnancy, even the decision to get pregnant was based on faith. Her middle name is, Mike's mom's name.
Just moments after she was born
So in love
8 pounds 0 oz
Around 6:30 they moved us downstairs to our new, much smaller room and my nurse was Turena. She was really nice and helpful. Around 7:30 they realized I had a fever so they called Dr. Young. He said I probably had an infection from placenta so they started an antibiotic through the IV. I had to take 4 doses every 6 hours, which meant I had to keep my IV in, which was a pain. There was also petocin going to help my uterus contract. So every time I wanted to get up or go to the bathroom, my IV pole had to come with me.
The first night was ok, I was sore and tired, but I was able to get up and move around so that was good. Brielle stayed in the nursery except for when she needed to nurse, so I was able to get some sleep. I slept in till almost 10am, which was great.
On Tuesday morning my parents brought the girls to see Brielle. It was so cute to watch them, my heart just melted. Izzy was so excited to see her and ran over to her and held her. Cambry wanted to hold her, but was a little unsure about what was going on. I loved having my family together, which was amazing that it actually worked out because there had been a restriction on kids under 14 visiting because of flu season. The restriction was lifted Monday night-another tender mercy. They didn't stay for too long and then they headed to the Provo Beach Resort.
Mike went home to shower and Manina and Seth stopped by for lunch. She brought me In-n-out, which I was craving! It was fun to have visitors and chat with someone. The rest of the afternoon was pretty low key, I fed the baby and just hung out in the room. I really wanted to take a shower, but I still had my IV in me. The Durazzani's came around 5; it was nice to talk with them for a little bit. After they left we ate dinner and watched the BYU basketball game.
On Wednesday morning the pediatrician came and checked on Brielle. I thought it was weird he didn't come on Tuesday. He apologized for not coming the day before, but said no one from the hospital called and told him there was a baby to see. He said her bilirubin was in the low risk category and needed to put checked the next day at the hospital. He said her sugar levels were looking better, but wanted it checked a couple more times before we left the hospital. Then Dr. Young came by and said everything looked great and I could discharge that afternoon. Mike went to have breakfast with Blaire and I took a shower and packed things up. Around 2:30 we headed home. I was excited to get home with Izzy and Cambry, but also nervous about managing 3 kids. Good thing I had my mom there to help me for a week!
On Thursday my dad and I took Brielle to get her bilirubin checked. Of course, it had gone up to 14 and she had to go on lights. It didn't surprise me because the same thing happened with Izzy, but I was still upset. I called Mike crying (I blame it on hormones) and he reassured me that everything would be fine. I knew that, it's more that I hate not being able to hold my baby and she just has to lay under the lights. Luckily, this bed was different than the one Izzy used. There was a blanket that wrapped around her so she wasn't laying on cold glass. It didn't seem to bother Brielle too much.
On Friday we rechecked her and they said she had to stay on the lights, but things were looking better. On Saturday her bilirubin was checked again and it was down to 11.8 and they said we could take her off the lights, but we would check her again on Monday. Sunday night my dad flew home and my mom went to visit her sister, Ann, for a couple of hours. On Monday her bilirubin was 12.5, which they said was most likely due to a rebound effect and to check again on Wednesday. It was 13.2 and they said that was ok, to just make sure she keeps eating every 3 hours, has 4 poopy diapers and 6-8 wet diapers/day. She has her 2 week appointment on Monday and they will check again.
My parents came that night to meet their new granddaughter.
The first night was ok, I was sore and tired, but I was able to get up and move around so that was good. Brielle stayed in the nursery except for when she needed to nurse, so I was able to get some sleep. I slept in till almost 10am, which was great.
On Tuesday morning my parents brought the girls to see Brielle. It was so cute to watch them, my heart just melted. Izzy was so excited to see her and ran over to her and held her. Cambry wanted to hold her, but was a little unsure about what was going on. I loved having my family together, which was amazing that it actually worked out because there had been a restriction on kids under 14 visiting because of flu season. The restriction was lifted Monday night-another tender mercy. They didn't stay for too long and then they headed to the Provo Beach Resort.
Izzy was so excited to meet baby Brielle.
Cambry wasn't too sure what she thought.
They were happy to see Daddy.
On Wednesday morning the pediatrician came and checked on Brielle. I thought it was weird he didn't come on Tuesday. He apologized for not coming the day before, but said no one from the hospital called and told him there was a baby to see. He said her bilirubin was in the low risk category and needed to put checked the next day at the hospital. He said her sugar levels were looking better, but wanted it checked a couple more times before we left the hospital. Then Dr. Young came by and said everything looked great and I could discharge that afternoon. Mike went to have breakfast with Blaire and I took a shower and packed things up. Around 2:30 we headed home. I was excited to get home with Izzy and Cambry, but also nervous about managing 3 kids. Good thing I had my mom there to help me for a week!
Ready to go home
The girls heard the garage door open and they came running out. They were so happy for Mom and Dad to be home.
On Thursday my dad and I took Brielle to get her bilirubin checked. Of course, it had gone up to 14 and she had to go on lights. It didn't surprise me because the same thing happened with Izzy, but I was still upset. I called Mike crying (I blame it on hormones) and he reassured me that everything would be fine. I knew that, it's more that I hate not being able to hold my baby and she just has to lay under the lights. Luckily, this bed was different than the one Izzy used. There was a blanket that wrapped around her so she wasn't laying on cold glass. It didn't seem to bother Brielle too much.
On Friday we rechecked her and they said she had to stay on the lights, but things were looking better. On Saturday her bilirubin was checked again and it was down to 11.8 and they said we could take her off the lights, but we would check her again on Monday. Sunday night my dad flew home and my mom went to visit her sister, Ann, for a couple of hours. On Monday her bilirubin was 12.5, which they said was most likely due to a rebound effect and to check again on Wednesday. It was 13.2 and they said that was ok, to just make sure she keeps eating every 3 hours, has 4 poopy diapers and 6-8 wet diapers/day. She has her 2 week appointment on Monday and they will check again.
Under the lights.
Such a better bed than what Izzy was under.
They love to hold Brielle. As soon as Cambry holds her she says, "Take picture of me." Then she is done holding her.
She's learning to keep her elbow up so she supports Brielle's neck.
Love my girls!
Giving Brielle her first sponge bath.
Izzy and Cambry wanted in on the action and were great helpers.
It's been almost two weeks and I feel really blessed. Everything has gone so smoothly, exceeding my expectations. I know the Lord is aware of me and played a major role in everything that has happened.
Her two week appointment.
Such a cutie.
My heart is so full. I can't believe I am the mother to 3 beautiful, little girls and I couldn't be happier!
