Keeping up with the Kenly's: Monroe's Birth Story

I was set to be induced Monday morning for a few reasons. I was very nervous because I knew of the risks with being induced. Plus I feel like being induced is like dooms day because when you are in labor you just have to deal with the pain and everything, but when you induce yourself then you are putting yourself into that pain. I can way better handle being poked with needles and being checked (ladies you probably know what I mean) when I am in pain and need it!

I arrived at the hospital at 7:30am and was admitted and (4 tries later) had my IV in and was given oxytocin to induce my body into labor. After the third IV attempt I passed out because I apparently could not handle being continuously poked with needles and then bleeding. I was at 3 cm upon arrival. My contractions and mine and babies heart rate was constantly being monitored. Also, unlike when I was in Canada I had a blood pressure band on my arm which was so annoying! It kept going off at the worst times and I had to have my arm straight. Contractions started coming along an hour or so later and when they got quite consistent and painful I asked for my epidural which was just before noon. Why is it that epidurals are way easier and less painful than getting an IV? Baffles me!

Well after being checked and having no progression, I was bleeding and they were starting to worry. FYI nurses that are rough checkers... I STRONGLY dislike them. I think that was why I was bleeding, but they were really unsure why I was bleeding. But it started right after my strong nurse just shoved up there with rage (haha I am half joking, but in the moment I was like ready to run away it hurt SO bad and was SO rough!) Then when the babies heart rate started slowing down after contractions, they started to worry more. Since the contractions were not pulling her head down, they decided to break my water to hopefully get things moving. They also put internal monitors in me for contractions and put a heart rate monitor on babies head so they could really watch her and make sure she was good. Well still nothing was happening, and due to blood loss and stress on the baby which was shown in decreasing heart rate after contractions, and baby was also not lowering and going into the birth canal, the safe decision was to have a c section.

Having a c section is something that I did not want. I could not help but tear up when they said that that would be my best move. I was scared. I am not good with hospital stuff. I am a wimp and did not want to be cut open. Well, at this point it was too late. I had to just brave it up and go with it. I did get pushed down the hallway in my bed. That was fun! Also, pretty much everything was numb. Even my arms and hands which did get annoying but I will get to that in a minute.

They slid me over onto the table and I was prepped within minutes. I love how they have to count the tools to make sure they do not leave anything inside of you. It is of course important, but it made me laugh to hear the count and I made sure to listen afterwards to make sure everything was accounted for. Well, what else was I really going to do? I couldn't even move! They did put a sheet up so I couldn't see anything since I was awake when it happened. I couldn't really feel anything since I had an epidural in and they gave me something else that made me more numb. My arms stuck out straight to the sides, and I laid there as Jeff watched them take out our beautiful baby girl! I totally teared up hearing her cry and knowing she was alright. They cleaned her up, had Jeff cut the cord and I couldn't hold her, but I got to give her a kiss on the check before they took her away to check her out fully.

They finished up by vacuuming me out, stitching and then gluing the top later closed. I was wheeled back in and saw my little girl but due to all of the drugs in my system I was shaking like crazy and had to wait to hold her. It was the weirdest thing being so shaky. All through the surgery I would just shake and Jeff was looking at me like something was completely wrong with me.... to be honest I had no idea what was wrong with me until later. Once I finally stop shaking and my nausea subsided, I finally got to hold my little Monroe! She is perfect and my smallest (by weight) child weighing in at 7 pounds 7 ounces. We found out she has a deep dimple (sacrum dimple?) that we had to get an ultra sound done on. This is the first real thing to make us nervous when having a baby because that could have been spinal bifida which is where the spine doesn't completely close up. She is fine though and will always have a dimple there. I am so thankful to have a beautiful healthy baby girl. I love her so much and she has been latching to nurse pretty easy which always makes me happy! It was a hard first night because they generally want to sleep the first day, so I was trying to sleep but I was so itchy from all of the drugs and nauseated. It has now been 24 hours since it was all over, and I am still a little itchy, but snuggling my little baby and so in love! It was hard but completely worth it! I had a hard pregnancy with Monroe and I feel like a hard labor. It does make me grateful for my family and everything I have because it makes me remember that things do actually happen to normal people.

I am so grateful that my parents are here watching my other two children. What would I do without them? They are LOVING their Grandparent time and I think that is sometimes needed too to bond and build memories together. Here are a few pictures from the whole birthing experience!