Our sweet little Isla Anne Louise made her entrance into our beautiful world on Nov 27, 2013 at 5:04 pm. 12 days early, a tiny 6lbs 6oz and 19" long.
I had really struggled with the decision if I should try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarian) or if I should just book a scheduled section. I had felt so disappointed after Paxton's birth that I wasn't able to "do it", especially after such a long labor. I felt ripped off, and a bit like a failure. (Not to worry, I know I am not, these are apparently common feelings after my type of situation...) So that left the dreaded decision. In the end, I booked a section for Dec 4, 5 days before my due date of the 9. BUT our sweet little Isla decided to come on the 27. Which is what I had praying for, that I would go into labor early, on my own, so that I could at least give it a shot. My doctor had wanted me to fully commit to trying a VBAC if I was going to try, but I just couldn't sign myself up for the same experience all over again. I wanted to have a more positive labor, where I was actually a functioning human once my babe was born!
I started getting contractions at about 2am on the 27. They were 10-15 min apart and just uncomfortable enough to keep me awake!I wasn't convinced at all that I was really in labor, but I did text my mom who was driving out from Saskatoon that they should maybe leave Jasper a little earlier than planned just to be safe... Mid morning I had a pre-op appointment at the hospital I took Pax too, and joked with the nurse that I might be back later. On the way home, Pax and I stopped at the park and enjoyed the sunshine. Little did I know this would be my last date with Pax as my only child! We went home for lunch, and when I laid down with him for his nap, I suddenly heard and felt a snap. And then an intense contraction started! My water had broken. This was actually for real! I called Rob, who I had sent to work that morning, thinking we had plenty of time. Literally, my mom walked in the door 10 min after my water had broken, and Rob got home shortly after that. By now, my contractions were 2-3 min apart and were getting VERY strong.
The whole experience at the hospital this time was SO much better than the last time. I ended up going into labor on the day that Dr. Tuffnell was on call. He wasn't my doctor, but I'd gotten to meet him a few weeks earlier and had really felt an easy connection with him. I'd actually asked my GP if there was any way that I could switch doctors... but with only a few weeks to go she didn't think that was a good idea. But it ended up working out better than I could have planned... He came in and asked what I'd like to do. Try for a VBAC or just do the section. I told him that I'd like to try the VBAC if I was dilated to 4-5 or more. If I was less than that, I'd do the section. He thought that was a really fair idea, checked me, and unfortunately I was only ONE cm dilated. That made the decision really easy. (I later learned that my uterus had thinned out a lot - which explained the extremely painful contractions- but for some reason my body just won't dilate).
They got me admitted into triage, and put the heart monitor on the baby. My contractions were strong, and the back labor was so so horrible. I ended up having to stand up, I just couldn't handle lying down any longer. Within a moment of me standing though, this strange heaviness settled on me, I got so dizzy and felt like I was going to throw up. And at the same time, Isla's heart rate dropped extremely low. Within seconds of Rob seeing how low the heart rate was, he found a nurse, and all of a sudden there were 10 people in the room. They were rolling me from side to side, and then getting me changed, jewellery out and a catheter in. Thank the Lord her heart rate went back up, and I didn't end up having to have an emergency c-section. (I would have had to have been put under as they wouldn't have had time to give me an epidural). Needless to say, between the craziness of her heart rate dropping and the intense contractions, I was having a hard time keeping it together. Dr.Tuffnell called in a favor and was able to get us into the OR an hour sooner than we had thought, I was so grateful!
Isla's first breath.
After Dr. Tuffnell had taken her out he told us that the cord had been wrapped around her neck THREE times! I couldn't stop sobbing. That was why her heart rate had dropped, and it was a VERY good thing that I didn't dilate as she wouldn't have been able to be delivered vaginally. I was amazed at how God had taken care of our little girl, and made all the details work together. (On a side note, I've had 4 acquaintances/friends that have lost a baby in the last month of pregnancy- and for some reason for the last 6 weeks I'd been terrified of losing the baby because of a cord related issue. Many nights I lay in bed poking my belly till I finally got 10 movements out of her!) So the fact that the cord had been around her neck, and that God had protected her just took my breath away.
meeting a sobbing mama, and the first pic with our little lady...
some first moments of our Isla girl...
I have a feeling this one is going to be a daddy's girl ;)
Meeting her big brother for the very first time! Paxton just loves to hold her and have cuddles.
Meeting Gigi, lots more cuddles and so many visitors came to see her!! (and spoil her)
first bath.
Going home. Isla wore the same outfit home from the hospital as I did, 30 years earlier.
Paxton was so happy to have us home. And look how teeny she is in that car seat!! Don't grow too fast little one...
