Steve did an amazing job of keeping up with the events of Addie's birthday! I will fill in with my side, but be warned that I may be more graphic...lol.
Last belly shots - 37 weeks, 2 days
David and I got to the hospital at 7 am. It took awhile to get the paperwork done, get my IV going, and get me settled. David left to take our kids to school and that's about the time Steve and Andrea arrived. I was contracting pretty well on my own, so I'm pretty sure Addison had chosen that to be her birthday regardless! When Dr. Fletcher arrived, she attempted to break my water. We weren't sure it ruptured, but whatever she did made the contractions more regular and a bit stronger. I needed Pitocin with my last two pregnancies (both surrogacies), so I had figured I'd need it again. But here I was doing it all on my own! Since I was hoping for a natural, unmedicated birth, I was pretty excited since Pitocin makes the contractions much more painful. Anyway, I was dealing with the contractions well, but they didn't seem to be quite as long as they should be. I could tell the baby was still high up too. I sat on the birthing ball for a good part of the labor and it was helping me to be more comfortable, while helping Addison move down. When Dr. Fletcher came back to check on me, she attempted to break my water again. This time, she definitely got it! There was quite a bit of fluid. I thought contractions would get really bad from here on out, but they actually spaced out a bit. I was getting frustrated, as this was now the longest time of "painful labor" I have ever experienced. I continued sitting on the ball for a bit, then moved back to the bed (which, by the way, was the most uncomfortable bed ever)! I made it to a 9 and there was just a little bit of cervix left that wouldn't quite dilate. I was getting even more frustrated, as the contractions were quite intense...but I was also worried the contractions would not be quite long enough for me to even push through, as they weren't lasting long at all. We agreed to start a small dose of Pitocin. Wow. Contractions intensified and the next thing I knew it was time to push. The room suddenly became busy with people coming in, my bed being broke down, and people getting into position. Steve stood up by my right shoulder, as David stood at my left fanning me. (He does this with every delivery, as I get very upset when he stops...lol.) Andrea was going to deliver Addie, but before I was even pushing she was in tears. Seeing her react this way actually helped me to remain focused, as it reminded me why I was here. Dr. Fletcher got ready to deliver and Andrea stood by her side, ready to meet her baby girl. With the next contraction, I pushed once for her head. I heard Dr. Fletcher talking to Addison, so I knew I was almost done. I pushed a second time within the same contraction and out come her shoulders, with the rest of her following right behind. I opened my eyes just in time to see Andrea scoop up her baby girl and take her to the warmer. I was exhausted and still in some pain, but I noticed there were very few dry eyes in the room.
Steve and Andrea stayed at the warmer with Addison and the nurse while Dr. Fletcher attempted to deliver the placenta. Now, as I've mentioned before, this was a concern for me as the placenta would not release with my previous two surrogacies and it caused quite a bit of trouble and concern last time...so much so that David donated blood for me last week "just in case" it happened again. Well the placenta was giving us problems yet again. I literally cried, as I was scared and disappointed. Dr. Fletcher was amazing though and was patient in giving it time to do it's own thing. Unfortunately, it was not coming out whole. Since I was so terrified, she ordered Demerol for me via IV. Once I felt loopy, she went after it. Let me just say Demerol did nothing for the pain. To me, it was like saying, "Hey, what's that over there?" to distract me, then going after it anyway. Yeah, no bueno. Thankfully, Dr. Fletcher was quick and was able to get it all. Just as everyone thought all was well, my blood pressure bottomed out. I don't react well to Demerol apparently. A sense of doom overcame me and the room went white. Luckily, a quick dose of Narcan reversed the effects and I was well again in a matter of minutes. Once everything was settled, Steve and Andrea brought Addison over to meet me for the first time. She is absolutely beautiful! (Wish I could take credit for that, but she gets it all from her mom and dad!) I was happy I got to witness Addison meet her grandparents for the first time too. We spent most of the evening together, then they took their baby girl next door to their own room. I didn't sleep too well, as I was still in the hospital in a horrible bed. I did get some rest though. Early the next morning, I could hear the sweet cries of a sweet girl next door. It brought a smile to my face, as I know she is truly a miracle gift from God. We spent most of the day together again in my room. Steve and Andrea even attempted to squeeze in a nap and left Addie with me, David, and Steve's parents for a bit. I was discharged early in the afternoon. I had thought about hanging out a bit to get more time with everyone, but I figured it was time to let them be a family and I needed to get home to my own children.
I am so grateful that Steve and Andrea chose me to carry their precious daughter. It was another beautiful journey and I feel so blessed to have been chosen by them and God to bring this precious miracle into the world. I think we made a great team and I have a special place for all three of them in my heart.
