Charlotte's Birth Story

I regret not writing this down sooner but the longer I wait the more I'll forget so here it goes. Thankfully we are able to get pregnant easily but that's about where the "easy" stops for me with the whole experience. So while it is bittersweet to not be pregnant anymore and feel her moving around etc it's mostly sweet and not much bitter ;) Charlotte is the happiest, easiest baby I have ever seen. She is such a blessing to our family, God knew exactly what I needed when he knit that sweet girl together. We were very iffy on my due date. Between May 31 to the beginning of June. So although according to my doctor I was 41 weeks and some change (overdue) her size and just the unknown of dates makes me think I was 40 weeks and some change when she was born. Anyways. We stopped progesterone shots a few weeks before my due date and just like Penelope I had tons of contractions and was @ 4cm and 100% before real labor even started. June 8 I went to the doctor and we did a second sweep. Later that afternoon I was having contractions 5 minutes apart for 2 hours or so. When they got longer and stronger and closer together we called a friend to come stay with P and L and headed to the office. (If it's during office hours they want you to come in so you don't waste a trip to the hospital) I was emotional leaving Liam and Penelope but was pretty calm and excited. At the office I was a 4/5. He said I was making progress but not any huge change and to go walk and if they slow down go home and if they get worse go on in. So will and I went to Target and walked. They got so intense we left a full cart in the middle of the aisle. We got checked in and she said I was still a 4/5. Man I was really feeling like they should be doing more but they went ahead and admitted me. I walked some more and very slowly got to 7 and stayed at a 7 until 5am. Those contractions were painful but I was able to breath through them. A friend had made these scripture cards that I used a lot and I kept asking will to talk about Jesus and Liam and Penelope and the anticipation of meeting Charlotte. Mostly I was kneeling in bed during or squatting on the floor during  this time but different positions helped at different times. We  decided to break my water at that time. I have a difficult time describing what I felt other than fear that I was going to die. It was incomparable to what I felt with Liam and Penelope. I screamed for the Doctor and Nurse to get out of the room so I could be alone with Will. I put my face up to his and said babe I need the epidural but I'm so afraid you will be disappointed in me. He of course reassured me I NEEDED the epidural and was so proud of me and I had suffered long enough basically. I requested the epidural and thankfully the anesthesiologist was right outside the room. My nurse and will did counter pressure on my hips while I waited which was all of 2 contractions. So thankfully it was so quick. My nurse said she has never seen one administered so quickly. Praise God. Also my nurse had 4 natural labors so she totally knew where I was. Well once he did the epidural there was no time to do a catheter or anything I said I feel baby's head between my legs and sure enough she was coming. 1 push and she was here! I'll never ever forget reaching for my sweet Charlotte. I mean she was so precious and beautiful. We cried tears of joy. All of the sickness and shots just instantly meant nothing. While I didn't get the relief of the epidural for contractions or pushing I was thankful for it for the "recovery" if you will. Mommas you know what I'm talking about :) stitches without any numbing are not fun. That was by far the most traumatic part of Penelope's birth. I had told Will 2 weeks before Char was born in tears. "I know I can do contractions, transition and pushing but I'm so scared of the stitches after. I wish they could just give me an epidural for the stiches after." Isn't that just wild?! Why am I surprised when God gives me just what I need?  She was a strong nurser right away and recovery was a breeze as much as childbirth recovery can be and we were able to leave the hospital 24 hours later. That first shower after is just the most refreshing shower of life. Will was amazing as usual. That man shines in any kind of crisis or intense situation. He was up all day, all night and then once I got settled went to the kids "last day of school programs" he had a hard time leaving Char but loved on me by being there for them while char and I rested. He came right back to hospital and the 3 of us were able to spend more time together. The big kids came up that afternoon/evening I think around 4:00. It was an even sweeter moment and experience than I could have dreamed up. We needed Charlotte and I'm grateful to God that she is here safe and sound!