Sisters

I am happy to report that we are all adjusting well to being a family of 4. Julia is 2 weeks old today, and is up to 10 pounds! She has gained 1 lb, 4 oz since birth. She is exclusively breast fed and really doesn't nurse for very long... I have been told I must have super milk =). Lexie is adjusting well to being a big sister. She loves to get diapers, wipes, clothes, and pacifiers for Julia. She also likes to throw away the dirty nappies! She has often been overheard saying, "Aw Julia, you're so cute" while stroking her baby sister's hair.

Julia's birth

Monday morning, 15 March 2010, we finally welcomed our second daughter Julia Elise into the world. She weighed in at 8 lb 12 oz and is of course perfect! I was 30 weeks pregnant when we made our move to the UK and began seeing a midwife at our local surgery with plans to deliver at Hinchingbrooke hospital in nearby Huntingdon. Ryan's mom came to stay with us for the birth. My due date of 6 March came and went, and we grew anxious for Julia's arrival. One week past my due date and seeming to not be making progress, we made the decision to prolong mom's stay with us for another week. This was a huge relief for us all, and we are very grateful for all the time she has dedicated to us! Sunday morning I received a call from my midwife informing me she could no longer visit and perform the membrane sweep we had scheduled for that day. It turns out Hinchingbrooke inexplicably closed, so they were not doing anything to "encourage labour" at this time. Though I had no signs of labor, she informed me to still call the same hospital if labor were to begin, and they would send me on to another hospital.

I had a few contractions throughout the day Sunday but nothing regular. Between 7 and 8 in the evening, my contractions were feeling quite uncomfortable and coming consistently 8 minutes apart. I continued my normal routine throughout the evening not wanting to get my hopes up. After unsuccessfully attempting a couple of hours of rest, I got up at 1 AM and began timing the contractions. Between 1 and 2, they were coming 5 minutes apart. At 2 I woke Ryan and called the hospital. While the midwife on the phone was friendly, she informed me the hospital was still closed and she would "call around to see if another hospital had space." This was not the most comforting of news when I knew I was in active labor, but she did call back only 10 minutes later to inform me that Addenbrooke's Hospital located in Cambridge could take me. Off we went. We were grateful it was the middle of the night so we did not hit any traffic. However, between the distance itself and difficulty finding a maternity ward we had of course never visited, it still took an hour to find. Once there, we were given a room but the midwife essentially doubted my labor and informed us that she could check me but if I was not far enough along, we would be sent home. We decided to walk the hospital halls to help things continue moving along. After an hour's walk, the contractions were 2 minutes or less apart, and I couldn't walk anymore. We returned to the birthing unit, where I was checked and told that I would in fact not be going home. They offered me the birthing pool to use to help ease the pain. While I had never planned on using a pool, let alone having a water birth, I was looking forward to the chance of a bit of relief from the pain. As soon as I entered the pool, Ryan said he knew I would not be getting back out, and he was right. From that point I labored in the pool with pain relief only from the water, my husband's hand to hold, and the moral support of the midwife. After less than 40 minutes of pushing, Julia was born into the water at 7:49 AM. The midwife grabbed her out of the water and placed her directly onto my chest. During the pushing stage, there were many points where I honestly did not believe I was making progress at all. In fact, she was nearly born with the bag of waters in tact. With my very last push, the waters broke and out came this absolutely perfect baby. Though certainly ready to meet her and for the labor to end, I was in disbelief. After cutting the cord, they gave her to Ryan to hold while I exited the tub to birth the placenta. While in the bed, he returned her to me for longer skin to skin contact, and she began nursing straight away. I did have a very small tear, but after checking it a few times, we decided it did not need stitches.

Within a couple of hours, I was out of bed, showered, dressed (if you count a nightgown as being dressed), and again nursing our new daughter. Soon after, we were moved to the "recovery room", which was really just an area with 5 beds and curtains across the hall from my current room. While I had been slightly concerned about the public recovery, there was only one other couple there when we moved, and they were about to be discharged. For the remainder of my stay, we had the area to ourselves. After getting settled in recovery, Ryan went home to shower himself and get the car seat. Julia and I spent this time nursing and cuddling. I also read, got a bit of lunch, and walked around the unit while Julia napped. I was surprised that the midwives left us completely alone during this time. They were available but waited to be called, very nonintrusive just like the birth. Julia never left my side throughout the short stay.

Ryan returned around 3 PM with champagne and ice cream =). By 3:30 a midwife came by with our discharge papers and informed me a midwife would be visiting us tomorrow. We were free to go home! Ryan headed out to get the car while I nursed Julia and got her all ready for the trip home. We made it home around 5 PM and introduced Julia to her Nina and big sister Alexandria. Ryan carried Julia in her car seat and sat her next to the couch where Lexie was sitting. I came in and hugged Lexie and asked if she knew who was with us. She said, "Mawmaw?" I told her Julia was there, and she immediately began staring at my stomach. I pointed to the car seat and she went right over and began marveling. She gave hugs and kisses right away. Since arriving home, we have had a few small cases of jealousy. Lexie is mostly feeling territorial and just trying to find her place as big sister while still being mommy's girl. We are making it point each day for daddy and mommy to each have one-on-one time with Lexie while the other is with Julia. This seems to help. Overall, she is a very proud big sister and already loves helping with anything she can!

I am still quite amazed at the quickness of the whole experience! I never planned nor imagined a drug-free water birth, yet I would not change a thing!