Our Birth Story. Penny Loretta Lee Reed.
For weeks I had been having false labour and by Monday September 29th, I had had enough. I was up until 3am wondering and anticipating this to be "it". My doctor told me I could go in Tuesday morning and she would sweep my membranes in hopes to get things moving along and although my body was SLOWLY changing after weeks of false labour, I was still only 3cm.
I was feeling very discouraged. Exhausted. Frustrated. Just feeling like the day was never going to come, but because of our record timing labour with Bentley, Dr. Ward said that she would send in the request for induction that week. I was SO excited but also crazy nervous. I was torn because I really wanted our baby out and was so sick of puking and having false labour but worried because I knew exactly how induction feels... not good! I got the call Tuesday afternoon that we would be induced on Wednesday!! I instantly became a pack of nerves! We didn't have a time for the induction and were told to arrange childcare and have everything ready to go so when they called us on Wednesday (Oct 1st) we would just go straight in.
Brian got home from work that evening and we went out for a wonderful dinner at the cattle baron (Thanks so much mom for offering to watch the boys!!). The entire time at dinner I was yet again having crazy bad false labour. We finished up dinner, headed home and were really hoping to get a good night sleep... HA! Ya right... FALSE LABOUR ALL NIGHT LONG!
Wednesday Morning, I was a nut case. Anticipating the call.. checking my phone every 5 minutes making sure I didn't miss the call. FINALLY the hospital called at 12:00 noon. They told us to be at the hospital at 3:15pm.
We dropped off the boys at Brian's parents house and off we went. We checked in at 3:20 and met with our nurse and doctor that would be helping us get through these crazy next few hours. They immediately wanted to start the drip of pitocin to get things going but I really had other plans. I asked (ok begged) them to just break my water and let things go as "natural" as possible. I requested not to have an IV or ANY intervention if possible. Both the nurse and the doctor looked at each other and said "OK, we will give it a try but if your body isn't progressing within two hours.. we will have to start the drip".
(Last belly Picture!)
I agreed and hoped for the best. The broke my water at 3:55pm and within 15 minutes, I had my first "true" contraction. My mom arrived shortly after they broke my water and like it was when I was in labour with the boys, it was so nice to have her support. Thanks Mom for being apart of her little story! I tried to walk the hallway with Brian to get things going but by the time I got to the end of the hallway I had already had 3 contractions and really felt in so much pain that it was almost awkward to labour in front of random people so we went back to our room (it was a huge room!) to walk around there!
In no time at all contractions were just minutes apart. These contractions were BAD! In my past two labours with the boys I felt like I had somewhat control over the situation.. but with her.. I really felt like I had lost all control over the pain. I was trying so hard to gain control, but honestly it felt like someone had a hammer and was smashing my hips during each contraction. I tried EVERY position possible and nothing was relieving. I got in a super hot shower for 15 minutes to see if that helped. It didn't relieve any pain but was more relaxing.
At 5:35pm the doctor checked me. I was 4-5 cm. This was so discouraging and I really felt like this was going to take all night long. I laboured in the bed for an hour in hopes of progressing but at 6:30 when the doctor checked me again, I was still only 5cm. She suggested that a small drip of pitocin would get things going but I REALLY didn't want that. To be honest I just HATE needles and that includes an IV. When I told her I didn't want the drip she suggested I get back in the shower... she said it usually will make things go a little quicker. I was determined by this point to get her out so I tried to walk back over to the shower but was overcome with an immense amount of pressure and pain. I grabbed onto Brian and tried to stay focused in his arms.
Once I got into the shower, things went quickly! VERY VERY quickly. I went from 5cm to 10cm in 20 minutes. I felt a crazy amount of pressure and our nurse, Anita, was sure it was time to push. They helped me back to the bed and only one push later, our daughter was born. She came out with her head facing up which explains all the false labour with no progression and why my hips have been killing me the last part of pregnancy and throughout labour. It all was making sense now!
Penny Loretta Lee Reed born October 1st, 2014 at 7:27pm weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces, 19 3/4 inches tall and a perfect 33cm round head.
Dr. Brandon immediately put her on my chest and I could not help but cry. She was finally here. All the vomiting, heartburn, false labour disappeared as I held our little girl in my arms for the first time. No words can describe the joy I felt listening to her first little cry. I felt so much happiness and peace. We did it.
We got into our postpartum room at 10:00pm and my view from the bed was simply beautiful!
Our first night with her was great. She slept, Brian and I tried to sleep as we were curled up side by side sharing the hospital bed staring at our newest little addition in complete awe.
We were anxious to go home as soon as possible. Penny had her very first bath the next morning at 11:20am.
She did pretty good! She let a out a couple of little cries but really nothing too bad and I would say some parts, like getting her hair washed, she actually quite enjoyed!
We got back to our room and waited for our discharge papers to come. Because we knew we wouldn't be in the hospital for too long and because I was worried about how Bentley would react to having a new little babe in the family, I didn't have the boys come and meet her in the hospital. I was worried that Bentley would be totally fine until it was time to leave and then realize that I wasn't leaving with him but staying in the hospital with the baby. I wanted it to be the best possible experience for him.
We put little Penny in her "going home" outfit and waited to be discharged.
I am feeling totally complete and happy.
I am feeling so lucky and blessed and relieved to not be pregnant and puking anymore!
And every single inch of her is absolutely perfect.
I also could not have done any of this pregnancy, labour or delivery without Brian. He has been my rock this entire time. Helping me throughout it all and being really encouraging the whole time. He has been beyond incredible and when I hear him talking to Penny calling her his "sweetheart" it truly makes my heart melt inside.
Brian wrote me a beautiful letter on the day she was born. A letter of encouragement and full of love. I appreciate him more than he will ever know. One point in his letter he wrote "I love you with all my heart. Thank you for having the courage to have the family we have built." This puts tears in my eyes every time. I love how aware he is of how hard it can be to make a baby. Brian, you are my everything and our boys and our little daughter are oh so very lucky to have you.
We decided to name her Penny Loretta Lee Reed. Each name having a beautiful little story behind it. Carter was the one who actually named her "Penny". We have no clue where he got the name from or why he loved it so much. When I was pregnant, we would try to ask him about maybe naming her something else and would suggest other names to him and his response was usually a frustrated one saying "guys! Stop worrying about it... her name is already Penny". I love how he knew her before they came to us and I love that he just knew her name was Penny. How cute!
The name Loretta is a really special one to us. The name is from Brian's Grandmother, Vernetta and his Grandfather, Lorne. Its their two names put together... Loretta! Beautiful right! But what makes it even more special is that it was also the name of their first Daughter. Grandma & Grandpa Reed lost their first three children in a car accident. Loretta was seven, Kathryn was six and Brian was two. Our sweet Grandpa Reed passed away last year and when we found out we were expecting a little girl, we couldn't help but feel like he had specially sent little Penny Loretta to us. We feel so lucky and honoured to have been able to use the name Loretta. It means the world to us.
The name Lee comes from me! It is my middle name and its pretty fun being able to share a little piece of me with our daughter.
I cannot express how excited and truly relieved that Penny is here and is healthy. She is a lovely little baby. Nurses really good, sleeps really good and so far REALLY likes to party between the hours of 10pm and 4am. We are tired but really more than anything just enjoying the time that we have with her while she is still so little.
Everyone has been really excited to meet her... I mean, who wouldn't be right! The boys were staying with Brian's parents while we were in the hospital and once we were aloud to go home, around 1:00pm on October 2nd. We went straight to the boys. Their expressions and excitement was unreal. SO MUCH JOY to finally meet Penny!!
Especially Carter!
They held her and kissed her and even fought over her. Bentley was exhausted.. and so was Bri! Cutest picture EVER!
She met her Grandma & Grandpa Reed and it was wonderful!! I don't know how I didn't get a picture of her with her Grandma! Sad!!
My Dear Sweet Penny. This is a crazy life. We live in a crazy home. Its loud and sometimes overwhelming. We make mistakes and we love schedules and chocolate! You have two incredible big brothers who will forever watch over you, love you and cherish you. You are so lucky to have them and we are all so lucky to have you. You really mean the world to us and we could not imagine life without you. Carter loves you more than anything. When we ask him who is the prettiest girl in the world.. he ALWAYS quickly responds, "PENNY!!". He is already so protective over you, wants to hold you all the time and is constantly needed to know exactly where you are. Bentley loves you so much too. He loves holding your hand and lying his head on your whole body. He is so excited to see you first thing in the morning and refers to you as "nice baby". I know you all will be great friends.
I am over the moon. I love you so so much my Darling Penny.