Birth Story | Lennyn Kate

Here is how little Miss Lennyn came into the world:

May was crazy. Brett had 4 weekends planned to be out of town. I frantically tried not to go into labor each time; and it made me so nervous for him to be gone. Since we had planned a repeat c-section on June 10th (39 weeks) we thought for surely we would be fine and not have her early. I mean, I was overdue with Laikyn. I had a dr’s appointment on the Wednesday before Brett left for Vegas for his last weekend away, and I was 2 cm dilated but she was still stationed high so they really doubted I went into labor over the weekend. Off to Vegas he went as I stayed home at 37 weeks! My mom was so sweet to come stay with me and help me get a few last minute things done over the weekend. I had been having quite a few contractions for the previous weeks, so nothing really changed over the weekend. Brett and I would talk frequently to make sure he didn’t need to catch a flight back home! 

He got home on Sunday, May 31 around 10pm. I had been having the usual contractions but nothing consistent. Laikyn ended up falling asleep late in the day and stayed up late to wait for daddy to come home. I started having some weird shooting pains down the backs of my legs but they weren’t paired with contractions so I assumed she was laying on my sciatic nerve or something. LC and I took a bath and I felt better. We all went to bed, exhausted. 

Monday morning, I woke up at 5 am experiencing some pretty intense contractions. I started to time them for about an hour and woke Brett up around 6:30 to tell him I was having contractions. (I used Sprout Pregnancy app to time).

They were consistently 4 and a half to 5 minutes apart. He was in denial and told me to get up and walk around and see if they stopped. I got up and ate breakfast, and then showered. They became closer together at 2 mins and 30 seconds apart, so I decided to text my dr around 7:45 and told her. I laid back down and they got further apart again but still 4-5 minutes apart. Laikyn was still sleeping and Brett decided to go on to work. I told him if I start throwing up, we are going on since that’s what I did with Laikyn’s labor. We were scheduled for a sonogram at 4 that afternoon so I knew we had to go to Lubbock but I wasn’t sure I could make it that long if the contractions continued.

About the same time my dr texted back and said it wouldn’t hurt to come in and get checked, I started throwing up. I immediately called Brett and said to come home that we need to go NOW.  I quickly finished my hair and threw my makeup in a bag. I threw some clothes on myself while bending over to breathe and get through contractions. Brett got home and got LC ready. I grabbed what I had in my bags (didn’t even grab toiletries or the car seat or anything I had planned to take). Brett didn’t think he needed a bag or anything…I think we were both in denial that I was in labor. Brett called his mom and we dropped LC off with her. I started bawling  and all the emotions came flooding once we dropped her off and headed to the hospital!

Brett drove 90 with his flashers on to get there. I threw up twice (thank goodness he threw in some trash bags)! He dodged traffic and ran a few red lights when there wasn’t a car coming. I think he felt like Dukes of Hazard! I kept timing contractions and texting my mom updates in between throwing up and contractions!

We got to the hospital around 11:30 and got checked into triage. They quickly came by to check me and get me hooked up to monitor the baby. I kept telling them I wasn’t in labor and I was supposed to have the baby next Wednesday! They laughed, checked me and said “honey you are having a baby today!” I kept praying that she wouldn’t be too small, that she wouldn’t need NICU and that she was developed since she was early! At least I made it to term, but I knew there were still possible complications. They checked me and I was dilated 6 cm and 100% effaced. They called my dr and admitted me immediately. We got into our L&D room at 11:45.

We talked about vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean) and they told me I looked good to do that. I talked it over with Brett and then my dr to see what we should do. I had already labored for 5-6 hours and everything looked good so we decided to go for it! I had been praying that if I wS supposed to have this baby vaginally that I would go into labor on my own and not need any interventions. That was my sign! I signed a million and one papers stating that it was dangerous for VBAC…I started praying harder that everything would go perfectly. WE ARE HAVING A BABY TODAY!!!

They said I could go ahead and get an epidural so they ordered it as I was getting my IV and moved to a labor and delivery room. By the time anesthesia got there at 12:30, I was dilated 7 cm and ready for some pain control! My parents had left Canyon and we’re headed to Lubbock (100 miles), I was so ready for them too! Brett held my hands as I was getting the epidural (which only worked on the right side) and continued to help me breathe through contractions until the meds started working! I finally had some relief about 20 minutes later but still could feel the pressure on the left side. 

My parents got there and brought Brett some food! I just rested and waited until it was time. The next time they checked me, around 2:30-3 pm, they said I was complete and we’re waiting on my dr to get out of surgery in the OR. She had been there for 36 hours already, and stayed to deliver for me! She’s the best!!

I started feeling some really intense pressure and they called for my dr. She was out of surgery and came to check me; she said it was time to push! They got everything set up and I started pushing at 4:10!

Lots of pushing and breathing…at 4:56 pm – out came our precious girl! She let out the sweetest little cry and I cried right along with her!

They laid her on my chest and she was perfect! For a whole hour, she got to be on my chest and nurse before they weighed her and got her stats.

The dr looked at my mom and said “she’s not a small baby!” We all thought she was tiny because I wasn’t very big and she was also almost 3 weeks early! It didn’t matter to me, she was here and perfect to me. They took her after nursing and getting skin-to-skin to get her measured. 7 lbs 2 oz and 19.5 inches long. She was a big early baby! Lennyn Kate Nichols, we love you sweet girl!

We spent the rest of the evening loving on our new addition. Brett’s parents brought LC to meet her new baby sissy and it was the sweetest thing ever. I’ll never forget her sweet voice saying “baby sissy” and watching her daddy cry as they met. It was truly the best thing ever!

 

 My mom and sister were my cheerleaders/photographers in the delivery room with us!