Jenna's Birth Story

Obviously it has been awhile since my last post. Life became difficult in the fall of 2009 and blogging is not a great passion of mine. So, it was one of the first things to go. However, I though this would be an appropriate place to write my birth story for baby #2.

Before Baby Arrived
I had a very easy pregnancy. I had some morning sickness with this baby, but nothing to complain about. (I have heard horror stories). I gained a few more pounds, more quickly this time around, but I am told that is normal. So as we headed to the "due date" (April 28, 2011), I was still working during the day and playing with Megan at night. I was planning to stop working the Friday before my due date and take a few days to relax at home with Megan before baby arrived. I did not take that luxury with Megan and regretted it. However, during my last week of work, Megan had to have the midline cyst on her neck aspirated. The fluid extracted from her cyst was more infected than the doctor thought. As a result, she was in the hospital overnight to receive anitbiotics through an IV. So I slept in a recliner next to her and the smile on her face when she woke up and saw that I was there, was worth every sleepless, uncomfortable minute in that chair. Well after that craziness, I did not go back to work. So I had eight days at home before baby arrived.

The Birth Story
The day before my due date, I started having contractions when I woke up. I timed them for an hour (about 8-10 minutes apart) and they were getting closer together, so I called my mom to come over. We went to story time at the library and Chick-fil-a for lunch. I was still having contractions and they would get closer together until I changed activity. Then, they slowed. They were not very painful and I still kept my normal routine all day. That night at dinner, they were more painful and 5-6 minutes apart. So I laid down on the couch and they slowed. Of course, Justin is hovering around me at this point. I told him if they got closer together I would go to the hospital. If not, I was going to sleep in my bed. I slept all night. I started feeling contractions again around 5 am. When I finally got up, they were more painful and I felt awful. I assume this is because I had contractions all day Wednesday and my body was tired. I cleaned and played with Megan when she got up. My contractions were consistently 6 minutes apart, but were not getting closer together. I was truly just waiting for them to get closer. I was afraid if I went to the hospital, my contractions would slow down again and I would be stuck in a hospital bed for who knows how long. So I had lunch and went to lie down for a nap. Justin came in and was massaging my back. I felt a little "pop" and then a BIG "pop". My water broke. It was a little scary because my the doctor broke my water with Megan. So we got in the car at 12:45 pm and drove to the hospital (3 miles away). I felt so much better! My water breaking relieved a lot of pressure that was making me uncomfortable. We got the hospital and checked in. Now my contractions were 4 minutes apart. The nurse checked me and I was at 7 cm. I was actually a little disappointed because I was at 8 cm when I got the hospital for Megan. So I thought it might take awhile. The nurse went to call my doctor and I was rolling around trying to get comfortable on the bed. Once I did that, I felt the most excruciating pain I have ever felt. I screamed louder than I have ever screamed. The nurse was on the phone with the doctor out at reception and the doctor said she could hear me scream through the phone! So the nurse came back in and aparently I was at a 10. I wanted to push so badly, but they told me not to until the doctor arrived. Luckily, my doctor's office in across the parking lot from the hospital (I love Weatherford!). She arrived, I pushed for a few minutes and Jenna Kate Allison arrived at 1:30 pm on April 28, 2011.

It was so different this time around. First of all, I was not tired after the birth. I worked the day I went in to labor with Megan, labored for 11 hours and pushed for two. She came at 4 am and I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was sleep. With Jenna, I had been off work for a week and the delivery was fast. I was wide awake! It was great because Justin and I were able to spend the first few hours of Jenna's life just holding her (and not wanting to go to sleep). I was in the hospital for 24 hours. My parents came that night and brought Megan to meet her new sister. Nana and Megan made cupcakes for Jenna's birthday. Justin and I watched Seinfeld on his laptop before we fell asleep. The next morning, I laid in bed and watched the Royal Wedding. It was delightful!! We were released after lunch and arrived home during Megan's naptime. It was great.

The following Friday, Megan had her midline cyst removed at Cook Children's Hospital. She has recovered beautifully. We had a busy few weeks, but we are finally settling in as a family of four. I am enjoying being a full-time mom this summer. I have been blessed beyond measure with a wonderful husband and beautiful girls. God is good!!