BRIGHTON'S BIRTH STORY: PART 1

 

May 1, 2022
Today really sucks. So I am just reliving how beautiful and JOYFUL yesterday was. Our second son’s birthday! Last night, Kyle and I were exhausted in every way imaginable so we were asleep by 8p. The nurse came in a few times but overall I slept like a rock, surprisingly. I think that maybe my worries are gone because I know my son is in the arms of Jesus and I’ve done all I could do to bring him into this world safely.

I don’t want to forget any detail of Brighton’s birth story so I’m going to start at the beginning.

Lassen wasn't very happy we were leaving.

Last belly pics with Brighton. Bittersweet.

Kyle and I checked into the hospital on Friday, April 29^th, 2022 at 8:30a and went to room 209, which is the room we had looked at with Alison back in January. Our nurse’s name was Marlie and she was chatty and fun and just super sweet. The perfect nurse for the day we ended up having on Friday. They started Pitocin at 9:30a and then we began the long wait. Kyle’s parents came and hung out with us bringing with them puzzles and magazines. Mom and Dad showed up a little later once Kayla and Rhea showed up at our house to hang out with Lassen. So grateful to have family that always is there when we need them. All day, I wasn’t really feeling any contractions even as they continued to turn up the Pitocin amount. We walked the hallway a lot and I was up and out of bed most of the day which was a huge answer to prayer. I was confined to the bed the entire time with Lassen due to my blood pressure so I was really happy to get to move. All of us were hanging out, laughing, playing cards, and watching Schitt’s Creek. Joy was in the room and I was so thankful. We knew we would get to see our son soon and we were excited and nervous.

So thankful my mom was with me!

Susan and Taylor from my OB office stopped by and that was great to see them. Alison came by and made everyone laugh as she’s very loud and funny. Everyone loved our sparkly Brighton poster that I hung on the wall behind my bed. I assumed I would be uncomfortable by lunchtime but I still wasn’t feeling anything so everyone stayed. Kyle and I tried to nap but were unsuccessful.

Dr. Foxlow checked me around 5p and I was still only 2cm dilated and was at a 12 on Pitocin after starting at 1. She decided to break my water. I was pretty disappointed because it had been 8 hours and I had barely progressed. Mom and Dad left to go have dinner with Lassen, Kayla, and Kacie, who had driven up from Louisville to spend the night with Lassen. Kyle and I were alone for the night.

At this point, we found out that another mama was delivering a baby with a similar situation as us in the room next door. I wrote her a note and let her know we were praying that Jesus felt near to her. Devastating. I felt an instant connection to that mama even though I never ended up meeting her – I just know we will always be connected by this last weekend in April and the loss of our babies.

Shellie was our night nurse and she was exactly who we needed during this stage. She was quiet and calm. I had begun having more noticeable contractions and as night progressed, they were more uncomfortable, to the point where I needed to start focusing and breathing through them. Still very manageable. Shellie checked me at around 11:30p and I was only at 3cm. This was really discouraging knowing how far I had to go and remembering how insanely hard it was with Lassen to go without pain medication, especially at the end. It took me 15 hours to have Lassen and I was already almost to that point with so far to go. I was really tired already, physically and emotionally, concerned, and feeling slightly panicked that I would even be able to have him naturally. I talked to Kyle for a long time about possibly getting an epidural and the pros and cons of it. We talked to Shellie and she agreed at this point that it might help my cervix relax and allow me to get some rest....