Dorothy's Stormy Arrival!

[my3sons]

Dorothy Joan arrived on the stormiest night in February. The wind was CRAZY. It was raining so hard you couldn't see to drive, and my poor sweet husband (who can't drive at night on a good night) was braving the storm with me hooping and hollaring that the baby was coming Right. Now. I swear it felt like I had to hold my legs together to keep her from being born in the car.


That day started pretty innocently. I had been having braxton hicks all night so my step mom and I decided to go shopping and see if we couldn't 'walk her out'. We went to the herbalist and got black and blue cohosh. I used several drops of the tinctures under my tongue every hour all during the day as we shopped around. I was still feeling the 'braxton hicks'. But they were not painful and had no true rythm. Some were as close as 2 minutes, then 10 mins, then 7, then 15, just enough to be annoying but not painful enough to be exciting.

At 5 that evening, just after dinner, I felt the contractions get stronger, I was feeling pain now but still no rythm.... I believed myself the professional at having babies and that without a good time table the contractions aren't 'real'. Well I was WRONG. My contractions did not break down into true even spacing until transition. At 8:30 that night I still wasn't convinced it was real labor, 5 minutes later it hit me like a freight train. I was shaking, teeth chattering, saying we have to get to the hospital NOW.

One crazy stormy drive later, we roll up to the Women's OB ER, where I can't even walk so my girlfriend and husband half carry me into assessment. The nurses moved lightening fast when they saw how close my contractions were (right on top of each other). Told me I was at 8 cms and rushed my butt to delivery.

And then....nothing. Turns out baby girl was bigger than all of my previous babies and she was slow moving down, so mommy was stuck in transition (or stuck in hell depending on how you look at that phase of labor) for FIVE HOURS. I am all about natural labor but when I found out I was going to be transitioning for a while I begged for an epidural.

Epidural in, all's well with the world, and I had a nice breather to realize that my baby was coming and we all got to enjoy the anticipation. When she finally moved through all the stations and we were ready to push, I pushed for one contraction and caught her as she arrived. I held her vernix covered beautiful 8 pound 1 ounce body to my chest for the longest time and cried and cried and cried.

It was crazy, it was messy, and it was the most perfect amazing night.

[ozzy]

Congrats!! Great story!! Enjoy having your brand new baby girl!

[my3sons]

Thanks Ozzy!

I forgot to say she was born at 2:01 am on February 19 and that all her brothers were there to see her arrival. They said it was awesome and they are in love with her.

(Does her birthday makesher a cusp baby? Does anyone know the astrology chart?)

[my3sons]

Hehe, I meant 'make her' not 'makesher'. I'm sitting in the hospital trying to nurse a hungry newborn and type to yall at the same time.

[kellyowens]

Congratulations momma !!!! What a great birth story! I'm so glad you're both doing wonderfully !

[ozzy]

How great the big brothers were there to see!

[Babidol]

I cried! Dang pp hormones! Beautiful story. Congratulations!!

[sophie'smom]

What a beautiful story! Congratulations on your new addition

[Adhafera]

Congratulations! What a great story!

[fourgulls]

Congratulations! What a wonderful birth story and so amazing that your whole family was there to experience it. I am quite sure Dorothy will have some pretty wonderful big brothers!

[missmc]

I teared up too! Congrats and welcome bay Dorothy! She is beautiful!

[Maaria]

Congratulations!!
I was born exactly at the same time, I mean to the minute! And I've always been told I'm on the cusp.

[my3sons]

Thanks for all the congrats everyone. Little Dorothy is doing great at the start of her third day with us. My milk came in while I was sleeping tonight (YAY!!!!!!!!) so she can finally get a full tummy. I will try to post a pic of her gorgeousness later today.

On another note:
I am so amazed at all of us ladies. We went through these pregnancies like champs, experiencing the ups and downs with each other to talk to for support. You know that saying 'the internet is what you make of it'? I think we made a pretty good thing; being there for each other during this hard and miraculous time. I just want to thank all of you for being part of this group and cheering me through this pregnancy.

From me to you~~ ((big happy-weepy post pardum hugs))

[ChelsBabyNum2]

What an amazing birth story! I agree having this online community was/is such a blessing. All the information you can get from other mothers is such a blessing! I can't wait to see pictures! I love that we have day apart babies ;)

[ClarisseMarie]

Congrats!! I too am so happy I went through my pregnancy with you ladies!!