Since my baby is almost two months old, I though it was high time to share her birth story here before I forget! I also wanted to share the beautiful photos of her birth from J. Taylor Photography (also our wedding photographer)! I contemplated having a photographer at the birth for quite a few months and finally decided to go for it! Best decision ever. I am so happy that all the little moments of Ellie’s birth were captured perfectly. Thank you again, Jalene. We will forever treasure these photos.
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My due date had come and gone and still no baby. At all my weekly appointments the last month of my pregnancy I received the same answer every time: I hadn’t progressed since 35 weeks. I was stuck at 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced. By 40.5 weeks I was anxious for Miss Ellie to come. There’s only so many times you can fold onesies over and over again. 😉 My doc scheduled an induction on September 20 at 5:00 am. We were excited. And freaked out of our minds.
Wednesday was an emotional day. I was anxious, scared, excited, nervous; pretty much every emotion squished together. I tried to soak up all the little kicks and wiggles as much as I could and treated myself to a pretty pink pedicure. That night B gave me a blessing and instantly my mind was calm. I was at peace and ready for labor! (And even got some sleep!)
Thursday morning bright and early, we headed to the hospital. Of course we were five minutes late because I made B take my last pregnant photo. The hospital was quiet and empty as B dragged in all our luggage. The nurses got us all checked in and I put on the awkwardly huge hospital gown. Three nurses and five tries later, the IV in my arm was ready to go. I was still dilated at a 1. At 6:00 am pitocin was started. My contractions were relatively calm and not very strong. We both tried to get some sleep, although it was a little awkward with all the wires hooked up to me. And poor B was on the uncomfortable pull out couch.
Two hours and very little sleep later I had progressed to a 2! I was overjoyed, even though I knew I had a long way to go. Doctor Harward came in and broke my water. Weirdest feeling ever! It was a peeing I couldn’t control. The doc warned me that the contractions would be closer and stronger now that my water was broken. Boy was he right!
By 10:00 am my contractions were getting stronger by the minute. B held my hand and helped me remember to breathe calmly through them. The anesthesiologist had just arrived at the hospital and the nurse asked if I would like an epidural. You bet your bottom dollar I did! Bless that dear man! Within a few minutes of getting the epidural in place, the pain went away. I could still feel the pressure of the contractions, but no pain. I was thrilled!
E’s heart rate would drop with each contraction, then pick back up after they were over. I had to wear an oxygen mask and lay on my side to help her heart rate. It seemed to help a little. The doc thought that maybe she had her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, but not to worry. Not to worry? Saying that to a pregnant women in labor will make her worry even more. Despite the worry, I was smiley and happy throughout labor. In fact, I rather enjoyed it. We brought a season of Friends with us to watch during the waiting labor game. Every time a nurse would come in they’d comment on how much they loved this episode or that character. It was pretty funny.
At 11:20 am I was dilated to a 5.5. Things were progressing at the rate I expected. We continued to watch Friends, B snacked on some popcorn from the snack bar, and I kept texting my mom updates. Around noon I started to feel more pain and the urge to push with each contraction. The epidural seemed to be wearing off, so I asked the nurse for another dose. She checked me at 1:00pm and to my utter and complete surprise, I was at a 10! A 10 I say!
Everything was a bit of a blur after that. My favorite doc gave me another round of the good drugs, nurses were in and out of my room setting up equipment, and per my request, the doc set up a mirror so I could see the whole thing happen. (Some people may have been a little sickened, but watching it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!) 1:40 I started pushing. The nurse (Ashlee, she was my favorite!) stood on one side holding my leg with B on the other. I’m sure my face was beat red as I pushed with all the strength I had.
Six or seven pushes later and the doc announced that this little peanut had a headful of hair. I was so proud. (Guess that heartburn wasn’t for nothing! 😉 One more push and my baby girl was here! I cannot express the joy I felt when Ellie Marie was born at 1:54 pm. I remember thinking “I know you! You were in my belly for nine months! I know you!” My heart was so filled with love, I couldn’t barely speak.
I touched her little finger while the doc unwrapped the umbilical cord from around her shoulder and B cut the cord. She was pretty purple and blue so they handed her straight over to the respiratory therapist. A few seconds later I heard her first little cry. Oh what a wonderful cry it was! She had the saddest little pouty face and it was all I could do to not jump off the bed to hold my sweet baby. Too bad my legs were numb and I was getting all stitched up. My baby girl was weighed (6lbs 8oz, so teeny for being overdue!) and measured (19.5 inches long), then they handed her to daddy. It was love at first sight! He was absolutely mesmerized. “She looks like an Ellie, doesn’t she?” I said and B agreed.
After Brian held her for a minute or two (maybe less since I was so anxious), he passed our sweet baby girl to me. Holding her for the first time was an absolute dream. I was so filled with gratitude for the sweet spirit Heavenly Father had blessed us with and the knowledge that we could be a family forever.
We were finally a family of three.
We love you Ellie Marie!
What a cute story! I love reading birth stories- it helps me to remember and feel all those emotions when my daughter was born, I love it. =] Also, I am amazed that you could watch in the mirror! I did for about 5 minutes, but when they said they had to cut me, I couldn't do it. How brave of you!
So precious, wiping away tears of joy. What a heavenly experience you will cherish forever!! Love you three always!!!
Oh, this is too sweet.
this is beautiful. also, how did you look so beautiful right after giving birth?!!? i am amazed!
So beautiful! And seriously, you look way too good for just pushing a baby out! Your photographer did a great job capturing the whole thing as well.
This made me tear up! Thank you for letting me come and photograph this special day. One of my favorite photos was the nurse giving the thumbs up after she was born. Ha!
You guys are so great! Thanks again!
This is so cute. I love reading birth stories… I really love hearing happy good stories, so I'm glad it went well! You looked beautiful the entire time- That's probably my goal in life. 🙂
Oh, I love birth stories! And I love all of these photos, especially the shots that show some of your first expressions after her arrival. (For that reason alone, I had really wanted someone to photograph baby S's birth, but my hubs was not on board.) What a treasure these images will be! 🙂
This is so beautiful! All the best to you and your gorgeous baby girl 🙂
Beautiful! I'm so happy you shared your story. GREAT PICTURES! xoxoxox love aunt lara
This is so so so sweet! Thank you for sharing.
I love birth stories!! This is so sweet. I love your pictures. I totally forget how small they are when they are born.
This is precious!!
Thanks for sharing your birth story it was written beautifully (: I'm glad you had a safe delivery and Ellie is such a cutie. I love all of the pictures! Also, I sent you an email a week or so ago asking if you would be willing to guest post on my blog for me whenever this little guy decides to make an appearance! If you can email me back at dearestlou at gmail.com if that sounds like something you would like to do that would be awesome (:
xx
Dearest Lou
I have always loved birth stories, and yours is beautiful! You look absolutely incredible after just having a baby. Such a sweet story!
love it!! you look beautiful, even after having given birth!
What a great idea to hire a photographer! I would have never thought of that. You and your little family are so beautiful, lex. Thanks for sharing such a special moment, makes me excited for my own future! 🙂
I saw you had posted this and I said to myself, "finally." I hope whenever I give birth that my labor will go as smoothly as yours. 🙂
this is the sweetest thing i've ever read.
so beautiful, can't wait for such an amazing experience!
Beautiful photos to document Ellie's arrival. You worked hard for that little girl!
I sit here reading this as I am 2 days overdue! Haha, I have loved reading birth stories as it gets closer and am amazed at how different and perfect each and every one is! Thanks for sharing, I love seeing pictures of your little girl, she's absolutely adorable – it makes me so anxious 🙂
Oh I have been waiting for this post! You looked great! Hope you and your Ellie are doing good!!!
incredible
HOW PRESH!!! And y'all are an absolute adorable family of three too. 🙂
xo
purposelyathome.blogspot.com
i got so teary eyed reading this!! She is one beautiful baby and you are so pretty!! I enjoyed reading your birth story, it reminds me of when I had my little girl, pretty close to how your labor went! im so so happy for you guys, and Ellie is just a lucky girl to have you as a mommy, loved all your pics, so darling!
oh my heavens this brought tears to my eyes when i read this! I'm glad you published this story so we can all look back on it! I'm so glad she was born healthy 🙂 This is the best story ever!
those pictures are so incredible and they just bring tears of joy!! i love this!
So beautiful! I love birth stories:)
We too watched Friends while I labored- we actually forgot to turn it off and it was still playing while our little Henry was born:)
yay!! you looked amazing for just having a baby too!!
you make such a gorgeous momma, and ellie is beyond lucky to have a mom like you! she is so precious, along with this post.
this is so precious! you look amazing and your baby is an absolute doll. congratulations on becoming a mother!
oh my gosh these photos are so precious! your daughter is beautiful. and i love that photo of your husband kissing you on the hand so sweet
This is perfect. All of this is so perfect. Thank you for sharing. So happy for you
Precious, precious, precious! Such a lovely post Alexa. Congrats again on your little bundle. xoxo
This is such a beautiful collabration of photos, thank you so much for sharing!
I would love to do an AD swap with you, just click the "Buttons" link on my page, and pick an AD off my Sponsor page.
XO Laura
BissonnetteBlog.blogspot.com
Wow…Congratulations! Gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. They really are one of God's greatest miracles.
run-style-run.blogspot.com
Oh I LOVED reading this!! Makes me that much more anxious to meet my baby girl! Your little family is just so precious! And seriously…. I'm going to have to hire a photographer! What sweet moments you can look back on forever!
Ok, now a weird question. Are you wearing a bra or a tank top? I have no idea what to pack for the hospital or what I should plan on wearing…. and I'm just curious because I didn't think you could wear anything under the hospital gown? It's so pathetic how clueless I am 🙂 Help a sista out and tell me what you did, pretty please?!
new[est] follower. loving this post and loving your blog. these pictures are absolutely stunning. what an amazing experience huh?! can't wait to keep following along!
stop by sometime!
kalobandelise.blogspot.com
Totaly had the same problem when packing! I wore a really comfortable nursing bra! Make sure it's comfy because you can't take it off until all the iv's are gone 🙂 and it's best if it's a nursing bra (or tank top) so you can easily nurse after 🙂 since you can't wear anything else under that lovely gown, wearing a bra felt so great, didn't have to worry bout flashin everyone 😉
Such a beautiful story!! I am newly pregnant with my first baby and I enjoyed seeing your journey!! Congratulations on little Ellie Marie, she's beautiful!!!
pammowerdesigns.blogspot.com
Only 15 minutes of pushing? Good job! 🙂 They told me 1st time mothers usually push anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours…can you even imagine? Thank you for sharing your story, it came just in time for my trip to the hospital!
Absolutely loved this post. I had never thought about hiring a photographer for the delivery but I am definitely considering it now…
I went so emotional with this post.
Too sweet and full of emotions 🙂
I'm on my 6th months now and I'm so excited to give birth after reading this! :))