Selah Elizabeth's Birthday Story

So, turns out Miss Selah just wanted to cook some more in my tummy. She ended up not coming on her own, like I thought she might, and we ended up being induced. Something I am completely fine with. My parents flew in early morning the day before. I am so glad to have had that time with them before things got crazy (because trust me they have been crazy!) and I'm glad Owen had true one and one time with Papa and Gramma. It was their 30th anniversary and my dad's birthday that day, so we took them out for a nice Italian dinner to celebrate. It was such a good night and I was glad to have been able to celebrate 30 years of marriage with them and my dad's life!

On Tuesday morning April 19th, my mom, Joe and I got up early and packed up the car to go to the hospital. (Papa was on Owen duty all day) We arrived just at 7am, and checked in for the induction. The nurses brought us to our room and got me all set up to go. When she hooked up the monitor to my belly she asked if I was feeling any contractions, and I said no. Apparently, I was having a good amount on my own and all I was really feeling was my stomach tightening-something I had been feeling for weeks.  I didn't get the pitocin as early as I thought I would.  I tested positive for GBS and I'm allergic to penicillin. When the doctor came in to check on me she thought it was fine to give me penicillin (I have not had it since I was a baby and the only reaction I had to it was a rash) well, the nurse was not feeling comfortable with that, and did some research on another antibiotic, cleared it with the doctor and as soon as she got me the proper meds she got me hooked up to the pitocin at 8:10am. Also, when the doctor came to check on me, I was still at a good ol' 2 centimeters dilated and 60% effaced and baby's head was at station -1. Pretty much the same since I was 38 weeks pregnant. So we waited....and at 9:10 my water broke all on it's own. More waiting. Not much happened as far as me dilating anymore. The contractions were coming and the pitocin levels were being messed with. At that point I was not feeling much pain.  The doctor came in and checked me again and said I was at 4 cm, which felt kinda discouraging. But, I tried telling myself it was still early, and my body was doing what it was supposed to be doing. The contractions were getting stronger, but manageable. I started feeling a lot of pressure and when the nurse came in again, maybe 30-45 minutes later I told her that and she checked me again. She thought I was closer to a 5 at that point. That's when I started getting nervous about what pain was REALLY going to feel like-even though I was still somewhat comfortable. So, I shared my concerns with her and I decided to order my epidural. For some reason I was really scared during the process of getting this epidural, with Owen I don't remember being scared-I was nervous...HELLO  BIG needle going into your spine, but not scared. I prayed through the whole thing and Joe was so soothing and loving. He kept me focused and kept rubbing my legs and talking me through it. After I got my epidural more waiting....and more waiting. When I was laboring every contraction I was having Selah's heart rate would go down, so they had me on oxygen and kept monitoring she and I. The nurse would have me labor on either side going back and forth and during those times I was feeling lots more pressure, and some pain. Even though I got an epidural, the anesthesiologist told Joe and I it wasn't going to be very strong and it would still allow me to feel pressure and let me know "mother nature was doing her job". Being on my sides was not helping me dilate and it was reallllly uncomfortable. The doctor came in again at her lunchtime and checked me again, still not more dilating.  At around 1ish the nurse sat me straight up and had me labor that way. She thought gravity might help move things along. So, we waited while I labored like that. Joe and my mom were bored...I was bored! Why did I forget the deck of cards? I kept saying =) So, they kinda were dozing off and I was too, but still aware of much pressure going on and watching the contractions on the monitor which were getting stronger. At about 2:00 The pressure and some pain were getting worse and Joe asked if I wanted him to get the nurse. I said no, I would let her know when she came in next as we were watching the monitor and I suspected she would be in soon because the contractions were really strong at that point. Sure enough she was in within 20 minutes. She checked me and said "I was complete" to which Joe said "what does that mean?' and she said " you will be having a baby by 3:00! I made it to 10 centimeters! As soon as I heard that the tears started coming. I was overwhelmed with feelings of excitement, and anxious about pushing, I couldn't believe I was going to see Selah in just a short time...doctor came in about 2:40, got set up and at 2:45 I started pushing. UmmmmSelah Elizabeth Braun entered the world at 2:54 pm. She was/is perfect! Had a FULL set of dark curly hair (just like in a dream I had of her) She weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 19 inches long. It was just as precious and wonderful as when I gave birth to Owen. The same automatic, unconditional love was there, and it felt so good to finally hold my little girl that I prayed and dreamed about for 9 months in the womb.