Our Life: Hannah Arrives

The story of Hannah's birth:

The pregnancy was not great. I got horrible varicose veins (when I was getting ready to deliver, a couple of the nurses said they were the worst they had ever seen. Gee, thanks. Both doctors I saw also commented on how they were the worst they had seen). I also had terrible heartburn that I was on medication for, and yet I would still wake up from heartburn issues even though I slept at a 45 degree angle. I also had low iron, extreme fatigue, etc, etc. Hannah was sitting very low. She often moved her hands, rubbing my bones and pushing on my bladder. Very uncomfortable. Unlike my others that were really low, I didn't really dilate early or deliver early (it later made sense when Hannah turned out to be facing up).

We decided to schedule an induction for February 1 (my due date was the 4) if I hadn't delivered yet. On the night of January 31, I started having regular contractions and my jaw started chattering--sure signs that I was definitely in labor. The contractions were about 6 minutes apart with a few 4 minutes apart. I had been told to go right to the hospital when labor started because my normal labors are not very long, plus this was baby six and I had tested positive for Strep B (a first) so I would need to be there early enough to get 2 doses of antibiotics, 4 hours apart. So when the labor started on Jan 31, I let it go awhile but then thought we better get in so I could get my epidural (something I'd had anxiety about since my last one was so horrible) and get rest before she came (I think this is a lot of why Ava's was so horrible was because I was just so tired). We also didn't want to relive the night of Ava's birth when we couldn't get ahold of anyone to come and watch our kids because it was 3 in the morning. All of our kids were in bed so we called Megan Walsh to come be with them.

When I got there I was contracting every 5-6 minutes but the nurse said that they really like to have contractions about 3-4 minutes apart and plus if I delivered they had nowhere to put me. So, they sent me home. I was quite upset. I went home and continued to labor all night, getting no sleep. The next day, Brenda came up since we had asked her to come when we thought we were being induced. I labored in our bedroom all day. It was horrible. I was in a lot of pain and had a lot of back and leg pain. I tried everything-sitting on an exercise ball, sitting in a warm bath, nothing gave relief. My contractions were not coming closer together. I was so tempted to go to another hospital because I knew something was off--it just was not like my other labors. Finally, around 7pm with my contractions still about 6 minutes apart the pain was just so overwhelming I couldn't take it anymore and told Ken 'I don't care what they say. I have to go in. Even if my contractions are not close enough together this baby is coming.' We left for the hospital and left Brenda in charge. When we got to the hospital I made a grand entrance. I had a contraction right as we were walking through the ER doors. Yes, I was moaning and in a lot of pain. I was in so much pain I really was not aware of what was going on around me. Ken later told me that everyone came rushing over, grabbed a wheelchair, and wheeled me to labor and delivery telling me I could not deliver in the ER. When I got to my room, they checked me and found I was at a 9 1/2. I told them I wanted an epidural. They started getting things ready. I was having so much back pain. They gave me some medicine to take the edge off. It helped but made me feel really funny. They were finally at the point they could give me an epidural and asked if I was sure I wanted one. Yes, of course I wanted one! They asked if I was having the urge to push at all. I lied. I was but didn't want to tell them because I knew I wouldn't get an epidural. The anesthesiologist came in and she was fabulous. She was quick, and the best part, THE EPIDURAL WORKED!!! I was so happy, I just wanted to hug her.

I started to slow on my labor so they gave me pitocin. I really wanted that baby out. I felt the urge to push and started pushing. This was by far my hardest labor. I would push and it didn't feel like I was making any progress. I had to push way longer than with any of my other kids. When her head finally appeared she was facing up and was coming out flat headed (her chin wasn't bent down). Wow, even with the epidural the pain of her coming out was so intense. Just before she delivered her stats plunged and the doctor had to reach in and pull her out. Once she was out she was just fine (she didn't even have her cord around her neck like all of the other kids did).

I really liked how they handled things after she was delivered. I was able to immediately hold her and they encourage skin on skin. I then got to hold her for the next hour without any interruption. I got to feed her and just adore her. Then after an hour and a half they took her and weighed her and measured her and gave her her first shots. I liked having that time right after she was born to just bond.

Hannah was born around 10pm on Feb 1 and weighed 7lbs 0.5oz and was 20 inches long.

So the irony is that even when I was pushing my contractions were still 5-6 minutes apart. If I had waited till they were 3-4 minutes apart like they wanted, I would have delivered at home. If this had been any of my other kids (or in other words if Hannah had not been face up), I know I would have delivered at home. Because I didn't come in till right before she was delivered, Hannah and I had to stay an extra day to monitor for any problems with Hannah. Having to stay an extra day was torture. I hate being in the hospital.

Trying to deal with the pain.

Feeling chilled.

Yes, the epidural has arrived. Getting a short nap.

Glad to have an epidural.

Hannah is born.

Hannah loves to suck. She came out being able to find her hand. In this picture you can see a small round spot on her wrist. This is a blister from her sucking in the womb. Hannah is the only one of our kids that could keep a pacifier in her mouth without us holding it there.

Jordan holding Hannah.

Jordan with Ava checking out their new sister.

The whole crew.

Caden and Hannah.

Kailyn and Hannah

Chase and Hannah.

Ava and Hannah

Finally its mom's turn.

The Eddingtons even got to come and see new baby Hannah. Becky holding Hannah.

The hospital would not give us a pacifier. I was nursing all the time. Hannah just liked to have something in her mouth, so Ken smuggled in some pacifiers.

Aunt Brenda

The kids watched a movie to kill time while they waited for their turn to hold Hannah.

Kyla holding Hannah.

Getting her hearing test. She was not impressed. The nurse had a hard time getting the ear pieces to stick because of Hannah's hair so I ended up holding them in place.