Allison's Birth Story: Part Two!

... They carried me to the bed and announced I was 6cm dilated and 100% effaced. We were having this baby!

After the epidural... we are much happier!

My mind joined my body and went into shock. I am having a baby! I was filled with 10,000 emotions and thoughts. AHHHH, I AM HAVING A BABY!?!?!!! I went inside myself and just prayed. I remember closing my eyes and talking to God while my body shook uncontrollably and I felt like I was sitting next to HIM and God had his hand on me giving me strength and reassurance. It was incredible. At this point, my contractions were pretty intense and I was ready for relief. They gave me an IV of fluids while we waited for the epidural. 

The anesthesiologist who gave me my epidural was amazing, not just because he took the pain away, but because he was personable. His kids both went to PCA where I work, so I felt like God put him in my path for a reason. 

Getting the epidural was painful, but I closed my eyes and prayed through it. It was the strangest feeling. After about 10-15 minutes my shaking stopped and I could talk again. It was a sigh of relief my body needed. I was able to relax a little. Although I had the epidural, I could still feel the pressure from my contractions and I even had some feeling in my legs. I could move my left leg which I thought was strange, but I wasn't complaining because I was numb where I needed to be!

Moments after meeting our daughter. 

The doctor came in and checked me, in less then 2 hours I was 10cm dilated and 100% effaced. The doctor told me that I progressed VERY fast for someone having their first baby. She told me that with baby #2 we needed to come to the hospital ASAP because I have fast labors (who knew!?!?). 

Although I was 10cm and ready, my water still had not broken. Since my body had done everything so naturally, my doctor wanted my body to break its own water or we would deliver Allison in her sack. Since I was comfortable, she let me sit for another hour or two to see if my water would break. I felt like I laid there FOREVER. My nurse even felt bad for me because she said if my water would break we would have her quickly. After about an hour, my nurse tried to help me break my water. Allison's head was so low, all of the fluid was behind her so it was trapped and would not break. After a few attempts, my water finally broke! It was game time. 

At this point it was like a whirlwind. My mom ran over and kissed me and left, nurses ran in with all sorts of gadgets, my legs were lifted and I began feeling a TON of pressure. The nurse backed my epidural off so I was able to feel the contractions more. This was great because pushing felt amazing. I wanted to push through the contractions. It felt like a really hard, intense workout. I was pushing 3-4 times and was determined. I was so focused. It was a surreal moment. I knew I wanted to meet her and I was doing everything I could to get her in my arms. I pushed for 20 minutes. Then... then, the funniest thing happened. Remember how my water wouldn't break because all of the fluid was behind her? Well, when she came out all of the fluid behind her came out too and showered Jeffrey and I. It was um... interesting! We looked at one another while nurses wiped us off and we began crying together as we looked at our precious blessing. 

Waiting to move into our postpartum room.

At this moment my entire body filled with joy, love, and instant relief. I loved this little person SO much. I looked at Jeffrey and we all had a moment of pure bliss. I have never loved my husband more. I will NEVER forget this moment in my life. This moment between our new family of three is priceless and precious to me. 

Now, 3 weeks later, I have never been so tired, confused, or in love as I am now. The 9 months of pregnancy and hours of labor were 100% worth it. Allison Montgomery Elizabeth Nelson is our little AMEN. She is constantly teaching us how to trust in God and how to love. We are so blessed to be her parents and live life through her eyes. 

Allison's Birth Story

A lot of people have been asking about my labor and delivery story so I thought, why not? So, if you don't want to read a Blog about labor, delivery, and babies then this post is NOT for you! Hey, at least I warned you.

Labor was NOTHING like I thought it would be. It was harder and easier in many ways then I imagined. I had an image of all of my bones breaking at one time and terrible, agonizing pain; for me it was no where near any of those things thankfully. However, labor was one of the hardest and most amazing things I have EVER done in my life. Having a baby is the closest to God I have ever been. It is incredible and no words can really describe the feelings and emotions I felt during labor and delivery. Here is my story of how little Allison made her appearance into the world. Enjoy!

The last picture of myself pregnant 

On Monday, February 13 I started feeling weak, like I had run a marathon. My legs were really sore and heavy. Since I cannot sit still, I decided to go to work and fight through my new "flu-like" feeling. I had a doctors appointment scheduled for Wednesday, but I knew I needed to see her sooner because I just didn't feel "right". Meanwhile, my mom was in route to Charleston because she was going to come help me in my classroom for the rest of the week since I felt so gross. Thank the LORD for mom's and their love and support!

After work, I called my doctor and she told me to come in. I was 4 cm. dilated and 95% effaced. I still have no idea what that means exactly, but I was beginning to have contractions so I knew I would meet little Allison soon. We scheduled an induction date for Wednesday, but all of the nurses laughed and said we wouldn't make it until that date. Well, they were correct.

At 3:00 AM on Tuesday, February 14, Valentines Day, I woke up with cramps. It wasn't painful or unbearable, just uncomfortable. I got up and went to the bathroom and began walking around because sitting or laying down was NOT comfortable. Jeffrey woke up and began timing my contractions with my mom by my side. They were six and eight minutes apart and I was still able to move and talk. I was stubborn and remembered they had to be five minutes apart so I insisted I was not going anywhere. I ate some crackers and continued walking around with my intense cramps. TMI, but I kept going to the bathroom (number 2). I went five or six times from 3:00AM-4:00AM. Little did I know but it was my body cleansing itself to prepare for birth. The last time I went, I collapsed and began shaking. I slowly picked myself up and came out and told Jeffrey and my mom we needed to go to the hospital.

I have never in my life shaken so much. My body was going into shock. Jeffrey grabbed a few things and we headed for our already hospital ready car. This seems like something from a movie because Jeffrey was running every red light and was racing as fast as he could. Meanwhile, I was shaking so horribly I couldn't even get my seat belt on. Jeffrey swung into the emergency lane at the emergency room and I could hardly walk at this point. Here I am, hair a total mess, makeup down my face, glasses, and wearing Jeffrey's PJ pants and beer shirt. Classic! They sat me in a wheel chair instantly and admitted me around 4:30AM. I was in full force labor. The nurses helped me change into the hospital gown as I was shaking uncontrollably. I felt like I had sea legs or had forgotten how to walk. They carried me to the bed and announced I was 6cm dilated and 100% effaced. We were having this baby!

TO BE CONTINUED...