Birth Story

Brooklyn Hope Crouse is finally here! Our sweet girl was born on Monday, April 11th @ 10:46 in the morning, weighing in at 7lbs 2oz and 18.5 inches long. Here is a little of what our day looked like:

Jaime and I woke up (though I never really slept) early that morning and headed over to ETMC while my mom stayed with Maddie. At about 6:10, we were in a room and I was hooked up to an IV. They had started the first dose of pitocin at about 6:15 and it didn't take long for my contractions to pick back up again to a more intense level. I requested my epidural and though Im not positive on the time, I believe I received it sometime around 8:30. I felt much better, except for some tightness at the top of my stomach, and was able to enjoy my visitors as they began to show up. My parents arrived around 9 with Maddie, shortly followed by my good friend Amy. We were all sitting in my room visiting when I suddenly began to feel a little uncomfortable, but only on my left side. It started out as a dull pain but quickly becamse much more than that. My nurse had me lay on my left side and pumped some extra medication into me in hopes of numbing that side again. However, it did not work. I then began shaking violently, got nauseated, and felt a ton of pressure. I told my nurse and she quickly checked me only to discover that I had rapidly jumped to 10 centimeters and wasready to push. I told my mom to get Maddie out and then layed on my left side moaning and shaking through the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. I was terrified that the only thing that was going to get rid of the pain was delivery and I knew I should not have felt that way with my epidural. However, my sweet nurse took great care of me. Not only did she call my doctor and tell her to get over to me quickly but she also called the anesthesiologist and had him run to the room as well. Thank goodness he was able to pump ome lidocaine through the port and that completely numbed me all over again. What a relief that was!

At this point, I could feel even more pressure but no pain. I knew I needed to push! Suddenly, (as I was later told) my doctor literally came running in the room and saying "I was not about to miss this delivery!" Jaime and Amy told me that she even had to catch her breath slightly!

Finally, the time had arrived and everything was set up for me to begin pushing. I don't know how long it took but it wasn't long at all before I heard my doctor tell me to look down and then I heard the most amazing cry ever! My baby girl was here and she looked perfect! She cried and cried until they layed that sweet girl on to of my stomach and she immediately stopped. For several minutes, Jaime and I just stared at this little miracle staring right back at us. It was an amazing moment! Brooklyn checked out to be completely normal in every way and I couldn't wait to show her off. I nursed her briefly and then everyone was allowed to come in and meet this little girl that we all prayed so hard for. The most special moment for me was seeing Maddie meet her little sister for the very first time!

My doctor didn't have to cut me this time but I did tear on my own. Healing has still been very painful but not quite as bad as it was with Maddie, so Im grateful for that atleast. Im praying that this next week I'll feel even more improved.

So, needless to say, the day was fast (only a little over 4 hours from beginning to end...wow!) but completely wonderful. Praise the Lord! I am so in love with my family of four and feel so blessed! Here are a few pictures of our new little one. A big THANKS to my friend Amy for filling in as the camera/video man and for sharing in a very special moment with me! I love you, friend!