London's Birth Story

On November 23^rd, 2015, Eli and I left the girls with grandma Patsy and went into EIRMC to be induced with baby number three. We got to the hospital at about 7am. The nurse led us to room 117, the same room that we delivered Remington and Brixton in! What are the odds of that?! I thought it was pretty cool. The nurse was ready to give me my IV around 8 am, but she could not get a good vein. It took 3 different people and 6 different sticks before they got the needle in for good. After the third try I was really feeling sick. I got very lightheaded and sick to my stomach. I was very glad once they got it in. My Pitocin didn’t start until about 9 am. I was dilating about 1 centimeter every two hours. Around 12 o’clock, Dr. Allphin came in and broke my water. I sure had a lot come out. I got the doctor’s pants soaked! It was a little bit embarrassing how much water came out!

The contractions really started to get tough after that. I was starting to feel the pain, and so around 1:45 pm I decided to get my epidural. I am always so nervous for this part and also relieved once it is in and I am no longer in pain. The anesthesiologist put the needle in and I could feel some stinging on my left side. He had to take it out and do it again. The second time, it was where it needed to be, and in no time I was feeling a lot more relaxed.

The nurses checked on me about every 20-30 minutes. My blood pressure always drops quite a bit when I get the epidural. I was still only dilating 1 centimeter every two hours. I was sure I would have her quickly because of all the contractions I had felt during the last part of my pregnancy. Around 8 pm I was really slowing down and the baby’s heart rate was dropping some, and so the nurse got a medicine ball and had me lay on my side with it between my legs. After switching sides with the ball for about 2 hours, I was finally dilated to an eight almost a nine. I was fairly relaxed throughout the day because of my epidural that I almost drifted off to sleep a few times, but by 11 pm I was exhausted and very glad when I was starting to feel a lot of pressure with each contraction. The doctor came in and checked my a little after 11 and sure enough it was time. They got everything prepped and ready to go. Before I knew it, it was time to push. I kept telling Eli how nervous and scared I was for some reason. I just couldn’t shake the feeling.

They let Eli deliver for the most part. It was really neat. I started my first push and she was definitely coming. After my first push the doctor stopped me and told me not to push anymore. He didn’t want me to tear. I kept asking if I could push because I felt so much pressure. The weird thing was that I could feel her coming out but it didn’t hurt at all. (When I had Brixton, I could feel it and it hurt really badly.)

London Marie Coon born at 11:15 pm on November 23, 2015; 7 pounds even 20 inches long.

She came out very easily and they laid her on my stomach. The cord had been wrapped around her neck 3 times, her waist, and her leg and arm. My sweet little London lay there lifeless, as blue as could be. I could tell right away that something was not right. I kept asking them why she wasn’t crying. The nurse looked at the doctor and said “Cut the cord, I want her.” They rushed little London over. I could hardly look over at her as she lay there lifeless. The nurses were checking her heartbeat, shaking their head no. All of a sudden I hear them call for the NICU nurses. I completely lost it.

My poor baby was surrounded by about 10 nurses. She still hadn’t cried or even made a peep. I could see them clearing out her airway and sticking tubes down her throat. I just laid there and cried. I have never felt so helpless in my life, and I have never prayed so hard in my life. I feel as if I have always been able to help my children when they are in need. Not this time. My sweet baby lay there, struggling to breath and I could do nothing about it except pray. My amazing doctor stood by my side, assuring me that everything was alright while my sweet husband was over by his baby trying to comfort her in some way. Over and over I kept saying, “I can’t do this, I can’t do this!”  All I wanted was to hear her cry.

Finally after about 10 minutes or so the color finally came over her whole body. She still didn’t cry, but I hear her make a little noise as she was looking around the room with her big, beautiful eyes. She was finally breathing on her own. I was very surprised when they let me hold her. She nursed right away. After they had checked her over, they found a small heart murmur and her heart was also skipping a beat about every 10 seconds. (Luckily, by the time we left the hospital, both we gone.) They got me cleaned up and we went in to our room. London was eating so well. I was really worried about taking my eyes off of her, but I desperately needed some sleep, and so the nurses took her in to the nursery and let me get some rest.

The next morning, my sweet Remi and Brixton came to visit. The girls were in LOVE! Brixton yanked her close and gave her kisses. Remi didn’t want to put her down and was so sad when they had to leave. I was so happy to have all my girls together.

We stayed one more night at the hospital. Every test was coming back great. The doctors and nurses told us she was perfect. The nurses were so happy when I let them take her in the next night as well. They told me they had been waiting for me to ask because she was such a sweetheart and they couldn’t wait to snuggle her. She seriously never cried at all! When they weighed her, gave her shots etc. She was so sweet and calm. I could not put her down and was cuddling constantly.

The next morning, Eli and the girls came to pick us up! Remington helped me dress her and get her into her car seat. I was so excited to be going home. Brixton threw quite the fit on our way out. That is nothing new, and I knew it wasn’t because of the baby. She did amazing with the baby when we got home. I thought she would be emotional and feel left out, but she was as happy as could be. Eli was able to spend the whole week with us. Words cannot even begin to describe the help he was with EVERYTHING; from cleaning to grocery shopping and helping with the kids. I sure picked the best husband and father out there.

The transition to three kids has been a lot easier than I anticipated. Remi is definitely a big helper to me. My first week at home with them by myself went very smoothly. It is not easy by any means, but London is such a good baby that I can’t complain. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for getting her here safely. I love my family and I am so glad I get them for eternity.