Reese Makena Holcomb was born on September 21st, 2011 at 6:13 am. She weighed 7 lbs 8 oz, was 19 1/2 inches long, and absolutely perfect in every way.
Here's the story of her quick arrival:
At 2 am on Wednesday I woke up with a contraction. I could tell it was more of a real contraction than previous ones I had felt, it was more painful. But it didn't last long and I tried timing them but they kind of seemed all over the board. Plus, they didn't seem quite as painful as I had remembered. I went to the bathroom a few times and I lost my mucous plug (or the rest of it since I had lost it a week prior) so I was hopeful that things were happening, but didn't want to get ahead of myself. At 3:15 am I was in the bathroom kind of walking around, wondering if it was real labor and I hear Brian get up to take Bria potty. When he came back I was back in bed and let him know I thought I was having contractions. We laid there for awhile but it was obvious neither of us were going to be able to go back to sleep. So we got up and started getting things ready in case this was it. I showered and started doing my hair and makeup. The contractions were starting to get incredibly painful, really sharp and hard to breath through, but they seemed a little shorter in length. Brian had gotten his laptop out and we were timing the contractions on contractionmaster.com. Well apparently my contractions were 2 minutes apart pretty consistently, so Brian was urging me to call people. I continued getting ready but worried about waking people in case this was false labor.
I have no idea why I go into denial mode when I'm in labor, I did the same thing with Bria. Although with Bria I didn't shower or get ready, this time there was no way I was going to the hospital without doing my hair and make up :)
Finally we called my Mom to head up. I think that was around 4 am or so. I continued laboring and oh my goodness was I in pain. I was having such a hard time breathing through them, I would feel them come on and then BAM, it would be so intense I could barely stand it. I could not sit, sitting or squatting of any kind brought the pain to a whole new level. So I would rest on Brian in that middle school slow dance position and that was the only way to get through the contraction. Brian was begging me to let him call someone else so that we could get to the hospital and at 4:50 am I finally gave in and decided we probably should head to the hospital. So he called Amy and she came right over, bless her heart. Heather was in Arizona as was my cousin Lanie, darn Arizona for stealing my girls! ;)
Amy arrived shortly after 5 am and we headed out to the car, I think I had 3 contractions while trying to get out to the car and Amy was nervous we weren't going to make it to the hospital, as was Brian.
We decided to take our Bug so that the grandma's could take Bria in our car for outings. I looked at that Bug and told Brian there was no way I could crawl inside there, I just couldn't. But I didn't really have a choice, so I got in the front seat, facing backwards up on my knees. I was mentally daring a cop to try and pull me over, he would've ended up delivering a baby or getting an ear full from a pregnant woman in labor. Realisitically Brian just wouldn't have pulled over, and I would've flipped the guy the bird ;)
We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 am. I walked up to the check in counter and said, "My name is Lindsey Holcomb and I want an epidural. Now." They laughed, I glared, then closed my eyes as I went through another contraction.
They brought me back to an exam room so they could check me and make sure I was really in labor. They told me to get into the gown and they would be back. I took off all my clothes except my comfortable Ahh Bra and attempted to put the gown on but threw it on the ground because it felt like sand paper. They also wanted me to put that band thing around my belly so they could monitor the baby and that thing was SO UNCOMFORTABLE. Pretty much anything that touched my skin made me so hot and angry, I just wanted to be naked. So anyway, there I was in my bra and belly thing feeling like I was dying and she asked me to lay on the bed. She might as well have asked me to stab myself in the eye. The contractions were so painful. More painful than anything in the entire world, seriously. I thought I was going to die with each one. Somehow I managed to do as she said and got up on the bed and when I wasn't having a contraction she checked my cervix, I was a 6. I immediately asked, "But I can still have the epidural right?" She said definitely and they were rushing the order. I liked her.
She moved me across the hall to a real room, the room we'd give birth in. They had the phlebotomist come in and draw blood for the epidural and then they put my IV in. I can't tell you how much pain I was in, I'm the type that doesn't like watching needles go in my skin. I don't really mind shots, I just have to look away. Well, I watched my nurse put my IV in to help me get through a contraction. I focused on the pain of that needle breaking my skin and going into my vein, it helped a little. Everytime I had a contraction I would close my eyes or find a focus point. I didn't say anything, or grunt, or even curse (well there was 1 or 2 times), I just held it all in. I knew if I started to let go I would lose control and end up screaming, so I just closed my eyes. I think it was 6 am or shortly after when the nurse said she was going to go check on the anesthesiologist (bless her heart, she knew how much I needed that epidural) and as she walked away I let out a loud grunt as I pushed. I didn't even mean to, my body just convulsed and pushed on it's own. It felt kind of good.
The nurse stopped in her tracks and said, "Let me just check you before I do that." She announced I was a 9 1/2.
This was my response: "But I can still get an epidural right?"
The sweet nurse said, "Honey, you're gonna have a baby before there's time to have an epidural."
I didn't say anything, I had another contraction and my body started pushing again. The nurse called for back up since the doctor still had not arrived. One other nurse came in and they had me roll on my other side since Reese's heart rate was a little lower than they liked. I had another contraction and pushed and pushed which felt sooooo good. It was the only thing that somewhat took the pain away. As soon as I stopped pushing I felt the contraction full force so I continued pushing. Before I knew it I could feel her head coming out and they had me slow down. Then her head was out and her body followed in one fluid motion.
They laid that sweet baby girl on my chest and I was in shock. Reese was here, she was here. Wait, how is this possible? I was just pregnant, then in labor, and now she's here in a matter of 4 hours?!
Oh my goodness were we in heaven. Brian and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes and took in the miracle that had just taken place. Our sweet Reese Makena was finally in our arms and we were on cloud 9. She was crying loudly and looked perfect in every way. I held her and cuddled her and talked to her and just loved on her.
Brian was in shock at how quickly it all went. He kept saying how proud he was of me and he could not believe how awesome I just did. I'm not gonna lie, it felt wonderful to hear him say that. He was so good through it all. He was there for me without getting in my face, he was supportive and helpful and just amazing. He's the best coach.
The doctor came in about 10 minutes later, I was still holding Reese and my placenta had not been delivered yet. He pushed on my belly (I mentally smacked him) and very quickly delivered the placenta, which felt awesome. It's amazing how the weight of it just comes pouring out and you feel 20 pounds lighter. He checked me over and shockingly enough I didn't tear. I thought for sure I would since she came out so quickly but her head molded pretty well as she came out. Since she wasn't in the birth canal long she had a perfectly round little head too.
We were curious as to when my water broke and it technically never did, or it came out afterwards, the nurse wasn't really sure. Odd.
Once the doctor was done and gone, the nurses cleaned up Reese a little and then weighed and measured her. I couldn't believe how close in size she was to Bria, not only that but she was born 1 day before her due date and Bria was born on her due date, talk about efficient babies :)
I nursed her within an hour of her being born and she was a champion nurser. I was so happy. Brian and I marveled at our sweet baby girl and looked at each other in amazement. We kept saying how we couldn't believe the speed of everything, it went so fast. Brian likes to rub in the fact that he was right, we should've come to the hospital sooner. He was right, I was being stubborn and I was so afraid of being turned away at the hospital that I kept delaying. I'm not really sure what the big deal is to me, so what if the hospital sends me home because I'm not in real labor, at least we would've known. Plus, if I had gone sooner I could've had an epidural. But that just wasn't in the cards this time and although that was the most pain I've ever had, I do kind of like that I got to experience it without pain meds. Not that I'm recommending it :)
So there we sat in the hospital and realized we had calls to make. We barely notified anyone that I was in labor since it went so fast so we had lots of people to inform. Everyone was in shock and curious about her name since we'd kept it a secret. We sent out pictures on our phone, texted people, and called a few. We were definitely on an adrenaline rush and just so excited that Reese was here safe and sound and healthy.
Around 10:30 am or so we had the Grandma's bring Bria over to meet her little sister. As soon as Bria walked in the door I started crying. I loved having both my girls in the same room. Bria wanted to hold her right away and when it was time for the Grandma's to take their turn Bria was not too thrilled to say the least. She didn't want to share Reese at all. I breathed a sigh of relief that at least she didn't resent her sister, she just wanted her all to herself. Can't blame her ;)
So there is how our little Reese entered this world, fast and efficiently. Once she decided she was ready to enter this world, there was no stopping her. We are enjoying our bundle immensly and can't kiss her soft checks enough. She is such a good baby and I'm in love beyond words. I don't feel as overwhelmed as I did with Bria since it's not my first. I just feel good and happy and content. I'm able to sleep so much better, I'm relaxed, and I'm just really trying to slow things down and enjoy this newborn phase. She's already growing too fast in my opinion so I'm making sure I hold her tons and just sit back and watch her.
Birth is a miraculous thing, it truly is. What the body can do is beyond me. I'm so grateful to have been chosen to be Reese's mom and I feel so blessed that she is healthy and happy. Thank You God for your many many blessings.
