June 13, 2018

Little Lettie’s Birth Story

I am so excited to be writing Lettie’s birth story. Just know this post has picture overload a little bit because I just couldn’t narrow it down. They all hold such a special place in my heart and I have teared up writing this multiple times. It was/is such an amazing miracle to bring a child into this world and something that I never want to forget. Each of my babies was a completely different experience (not labor, but the emotional feelings) and each unique and special to me in their own way just like my babies. 

We will start clear back at 34 weeks, I was dilated to a 3 and 90% effaced. This same thing happened with King and then I just sit there…nothing happens for me until I am started. I only progress to a 4 and then that is it until I am started on pitocin. I honestly prefer to be started, I know everyone has their own opinions on being started, going natural, having an epidural, etc. I choose to be started, I choose to have an epidural and it is what works for our little family and for me. 

I was started on May 10th with little Lettie at 39 weeks. I also was started with King at 39 weeks and he had meconium aspiration at 39 weeks when he was born so we were so blessed that I was started with him or he wouldn’t have made it. My doctor said we weren’t going to risk anything with this baby and so she scheduled me for my induction. I love to have things planned out so this was perfect for me.

I arrived at the hospital at 5 am. I was Strep B positive so I needed 2 rounds of antibiotics before they could start any pitocin. Antibiotics were started and I was feeling good. I was dilated to a 4 and 100% effaced. My doctor was there assisting in a c-section so she came in and saw me and said how excited she was for my little girl to join our family that day and how she was so glad I came in today, little did I know what a blessing it would be that I was started.

10:20 – Antibiotics were finished and my midwife said she would be back to break my water in just an hour or so. She ended up having appointments that couldn’t be rescheduled so she didn’t come back for awhile, but I didn’t know this at the time. 
10:45 – My doctor knows once she breaks my water that I go fast. I wanted an epidural so we decided it was better to get it early than to miss it so we called for it and had it started. 

I’m not sure on exact times from anything here on out except for when she was born. I get really really sick through my labors and it all hit. I can’t hold myself up, am super nauseous, and throw up a lot. My nurse with Lettie’s labor was amazing and I wasn’t as sick as I was with King. She would have me move into different positions that helped with my nausea and another nurse had me do blow by oxygen that really helped too. 

1:20 – My doctor came and broke my water. She is truly the best and stayed in the room with me the entire time from when she broke my water (which wasn’t very long) until I had Lettie because I was so sick. 
1:40 – I felt pressure to push and told my doctor. I was dilated to a 10 and ready to push. 
1:50 – I started pushing. I only pushed 3 rounds and Lettie was born!
2:07 – Our sweet little girl was born. 

My midwife is truly amazing and I trust her with my life. She let Zach deliver Lettie and it was an experience that both of us will never forget. It truly made it an even more amazing experience to watch Zach deliver her.

Lettie came out with the cord wrapped around her neck really tight. She wasn’t breathing well. My midwife pulled the cord from her neck and knowing me and that I stress out didn’t say anything then. They placed Lettie on my chest and she was really purple and not crying. The nurses started to rub up and down her body and still nothing…I started to worry and started to rub my knuckle up and down her spine. She eventually started to cry and we were so blessed that we delivered her that day or she wouldn’t have made it with how tight the cord was around her little neck.

The moment that King came in and met his sister was a truly amazing experience that I will never ever forget. He couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted to hold her, snuggle her, and kiss her. When they started to prepare us to move rooms I gave King his big brother bag from baby sister and you guys, it was the biggest hit! The camera was golden to have at the hospital. He ran around taking pictures of everyone holding her, of her, random things in the room, etc. It was the best!


Lettie tested positive for Group B Strep even though I had 2 rounds of antibiotics so we had to stay another day in the hospital. She also was high risk jaundice so they monitored that and we ended up coming home with bilirubin lights which we were so grateful that we could take them home!

Lettie is the perfect addition to our family and we truly love her more than anything. Her birth was an experience that was surreal and that I will never forget. I am truly so grateful for an amazing midwife, the nurses that made it the best experience, and for my sweet family and husband who took care of King and never left my side. It was something I will always cherish and remember forever and always.