The birth of Brynn Hadley

On Wednesday, I went in for my NST (non-stress test) because I was two days over due. During the test, they saw I was having contractions every 3 minutes (I could not feel them). I went down to have an ultrasound to check my fluid levels and Brynn fell asleep so she scored really low on the ultrasound part of the test. So I went back up to see the OB and she checked me and was surprised to find I was 4 centimeters already. She decided to check me into labor and delivery for monitoring.

While I waited for my husband, I just sat in the room all by myself for two hours. Since I was there for "monitoring" and they were really busy, I was put on the back burner, which was fine. I just watched some TV. As time went on, my contractions were stronger and getting painful. The nurses did not want to take me off "monitoring" and officially check me in because they were worried the on-call doc would be stressed about so many babies being born. That should have been my first clue that the on-call doc was not the best guy.

They finally checked me in and my husband, mom and dad arrived. They checked me around 3 and I was still a 5. So I asked for some IV pain meds just to take the edge off. They did not stop the pain but they helped me not really care about it. At about 4:45, those meds had worn off and I was still a 5, so they broke my water. Things went from 0-60. Contractions were really, really strong and painful and I asked about the epidural. She told me that by the time the epidural was put in, I might have a baby. She checked me again and I was already a 7. I was in the worst pain of my life and had my mom holding one hand and my husband holding the other, helping me breathe through.

At 5:15 the on-call doc came in and just stood in front of me with his arms crossed. I was already feeling the need to push and the nurses were trying to get my legs up. He was no help to them. I even said to him "help!". He said, "well, next time you feel the need to push, I will check you". So he did and I was 9. With the next contraction I bore down with all my might and out popped her head, two more pushes and she was born! She was perfect with dark black hair just like her sister.

The next part still makes me queasy. While Brynn was being checked, on-call doc began stitching. He gave me a couple shots of local but they did not do much. He would stitch then roughly shove this gauze around to "clean up". He kept telling me in a not nice way to "please relax my legs and scoot down and this would all go a lot faster". I hated him. He was so rude. My mom was holding my shoulders telling me to look into her eyes and think about Brynn. She saved me. When he was finally done, he just walked out of the room. I started to cry and said he was just horrible and the nurses said "yes, we are all walking on egg shells with him". What the hell kind of OB creates that environment? Everyone around me was encouraging and rallying to help me through the pain, and the person doing the actual work seemed totally disinterested. Natural childbirth is so, so hard and not feeling supported by him was such a frustrating feeling. Ugh. Luckily, one of the nurses complained about him and he later came into apologize. We also had two hospital administrators come in to talk to us as well.

But, she is here. And perfect. And we love her.

Last night she slept from 10-2:30 and 3-7. Yay!

A few of Brynn

Welcome Brynn Hadley :)

Introducing Brynn Hadley. Born 8/10/11 at 5:21pm. More pics and birth story to follow.

The waiting game starts

With you, you came at 37 weeks 5 days. So I was ready but not waiting. Since everyone tells you the second birth is both faster and earlier, I was expecting your sister sometime this week. Now I know how it feels to wait for labor to begin. Even though I am only 38 weeks and 3 days right now, I have this fear that I will go over my due date or require a c-section. I am working hard on not thinking about it. In the mean time, I am enjoying the last few days/weeks of time being a mama to one.

Expectations

If you are anything like me, you will probably start imagining what your life as an adult will be as a young child. When I was really young, I thought I could grow up to be a dog...which fell through. Then a surfer, then a professional snowboarder (hey, I came kinda close to that one), and then around 18 I knew all I really wanted was a cosy house, a good husband and kids. Because I was a tomboy, I always pictured myself with one boy. I thought I would make a good boy mom because I know how to skateboard and I play most sports. When we found out you were a girl, I was a tiny bit sad only because I always wanted an older brother. But having you I realized I was mean't to have girls. I am just a girl kinda mom. Now being pregnant with your sister, people ask this annoying question "So, are you going to try for number three to get a boy?" No. We will not being trying for number three unless your dad figures out a way to carry babies in his belly.

Because I seem to get asked this question all the time now, I have become impatient and my response is now that I really have no desire for a boy. Which is true. I know I will be perfectly content to have two girls. I hope you have a great bond like I do with my sister. That you stick up for each other on the playground, hold each other through the hard trials of life, cry at each other's weddings and swoon over each other's babies. That you find love, try new things, have adventures but also that you always have your sister. That I as your mama can teach you how to be good to your little sister, and she good to you.

So heres to new expectations of manicures, shopping trips, girly movie nights, forts, skateboarding (yes, girls can do it too), broken hearts, high heels, daring adventures and mascara. While you may start dreaming of your future life when you are young, leave it open for change, as you may just love what is in store. I love you little.

This baby needs a name!

When choosing Elle's name, it was pretty easy. We had a very short list and we both loved the name Elle. Her middle name is Rowan, another one we both loved. This baby is much more difficult for me.

Here is the list for little sister so far:
1.Parker- I really like but I worry it is too masculine with Elle's literally meaning "her". This is DH's top choice. Middle name would be something very feminine like Mae or Emmeline.
2. Molly
3. Lily
4. Halle
5. Lucia
6. Brynn
7. Edie
8. Leighton

Nothing else is jumping out except Emma, but it must be vetoed due to being the most popular name in the world.

I feel like maybe putting this out into the internet world will help me somehow. Any other suggestions?

A few recents of Elle:

First: Pony Tail

I love your hair. When you were born it was jet black and you had quite a bit of it. All that black fuzz fell out and in grew this honey colored, straight but curled at the ends hair. Now it is finally long enough for a pony tail. A messy one, but a pony tail nonetheless.