Norah's Birth Story

Introducing

Norah Jo Bradshaw

Born November 15th

11:06 pm

9 lbs 7 oz and 22 1/2 inches

Here's a good birth story for you.

I went in for a doctor's appointment on the morning of the 15th, my due date. I had been feeling stronger contractions the night before, so I was hopeful that I had progressed further. We had gone to the playground and I tried to run and play with Logan as much as I could to move this pregnancy along! Come to find out that I was dialated to a 2 and maybe 50% effaced. So, pretty much no progress. I left feeling very frustrated. I thought for sure I was close. Also, for those of you familiar with Logan's birth, it was not an easy labor and resulted in a c-section. My doctor was willing to wait another week, but if there was still no progress, I would have to have a c-section again. Not something that I really wanted, but willing to do to ensure the safe arrival of our baby girl.

Throughout the rest of the morning and early into the afternoon, those contractions started getting stronger and stronger. I started writing them down around 2:00 and tracked them for an hour. They averaged about 5 minutes apart. I tried to lay down (thinking there was no way this was real labor since I had just been checked by the doctor). I couldn't fall asleep because of the contractions and called Benj around 3:30 to come home. I remember saying, "Its probably not happening, but we better go just to be safe."

We arranged for Benj's mom to come get Logan and we got to the hospital around 5:30. I was close to a 4 and about 70% effaced. They told me this baby is coming tonight. Yay!

My doctor had just "left the house" so while we were waiting for him to come back, another doctor came in and broke my water. I decided to get the epidural shortly after since the contractions immediately started getting stronger.

They continued to check me every hour. We were always shocked to hear that I was a cm or 2 more dialated everytime. I progressed a lot faster than with Logan. Around 10:00 I was dialated to a 9 and the nurse told me she could feel her hair! At 10:45 I started pushing and about 20 mins later (20 loooong mins) Norah Jo made her debut.

I will never ever forget the doctor placing Norah on my chest immediately after she came, something I didn't get to experience with Logan. It was such a surreal, spiritual experience. She was perfect, warm and pink. Oh, and let her voice be heard. The sweetest sound ever. Benj and I immediately knew she had a good set of lungs. Benj cut the umbilical cord and I watched as she was cleaned up and tested. She seemed so small to me, but found out she weighed 9 1/2 lbs! We breed 'em big in the Bradshaw family.

Another precious moment was Benj's first time holding his baby girl. She immediately stopped crying and seemed to gaze right into his face. She knows her daddy. Brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it.

Norah got to meet her grandparents shortly after her arrival.

Then she got her bath and we settled in for night #1.

Logan got to meet his baby sister the next day. He wouldn't touch her, but he liked to look at her and point out her features. He was a bit distracted with all the cool stuff to touch in the hospital room.

Logan seemed to grow the night he was away from me. He is so big! I can't believe he was this small once. He really loves Norah and has handled the adjustment pretty well so far. He gets stir-crazy in our house so we've gone on drives and to the park so he can let out his energy.

Norah's great-grandparents stopped by too.

followed by a visit from Benj's sister and family when we got home.Logan's cousins kept him entertained. He loves them so much.

After a week of Norah being born, I feel like I can somewhat function again. We had a rough start to breastfeeding but it seems to get better by the day. Norah wasn't having many wet diapers and we were worried about her being dehydrated. A quick visit to the InstaCare reassured us that she was alright but definately needed to be fed every 2 hours. Now that a few days have gone by, she's much more alert and ready to tell us if she's hungry.

I love having 2 kids, but I don't know how you moms do it!

Then I remember all the little things. The little smiles, her sweet smell, her warm little cheeks. The way Logan kisses her head or sings us songs. Those things keep me going. I'm so grateful to be a mother. What better time to write this than on Thanksgiving. I feel very blessed.