My Grandma, Gloria, had just flown into Kentucky a few days before Bailey surprised the world. She was coming to stay with me until Derek (who had deployed in August) came home on R&R (which was supposed to be early-October. He was coming home to be here for Bailey's birth.) I had an appointment scheduled on September 23rd. So I went, it was the norm. Except my doctor made me do an NST and I had to give her a urine sample. Welllll... During that urine analysis they found out that I had a lot of protein in my urine. Which is bad. It's a sign of preeclampsia. I was given this huge thing for me to pee in for 24 hours, then I had to take it back the next day.
Friday, September 24th. My Grandma and I woke up early and took my pee back to the hospital. I was in the NST room again. I was starving, had a headache and pregnant. A few hours later, still waiting. I was crying because I was hungry and had a head ache. (Pregnant Mama's gotta eat!!!) Someone was about to bring me something to eat... when a doctor came in and told me I was ready. He said I had so much protein in my urine it was extremely bad for the baby and I. He was ready to induce me and get the baby out. I was even more upset. Derek had no idea what was going on and he wasn't home. Great. I got in a wheel chair (against my will, by the way) and went to Labor and Delivery. I was crying my eyes out when they took me to a room. I called the American Red Cross, hoping to send a message out to Derek. It was such a hassle, so I freaked out on the lady and hung up. I emailed him. Then I called his Major's wife and asked her to get in touch with her husband to tell Derek.
They put magnesium in my IV. Apparently when you have Pre-Eclampsia, you can have seizures during birth and die. Just what I wanted to hear. A bunch of hours later, they started the Pitocin. It wasn't as bad as they said it would be. Then they had to put a catheter in, since I wasn't allowed out of bed. That was one of the worst parts. When I wasn't progressing, they decided to break my water. It felt disgusting and painful. THAT was the most painful experience of my birth. I thought I was dying when they did that. That's when the contractions got the worst. I came into this hospital hoping for a labor without drugs... but I was going to need them. I didn't want the epidural just yet--- so I was given a drug called Demerol. It was great. It was like being drunk without the alcohol. The bad thing about Demerol? It wears off fast. And you can only get Demerol twice before they cut you off.
Derek called me eventually. I honestly don't remember if it was before or after they broke my water. I was exhausted. Both emotionally and physically. (Still hungry!) It was great hearing his voice. I wished he could be there with me. He told me he loved me and that we'd be parents soon.
I was about to get the epidural.... when my doctor came in to check me and told me I was ready to have this baby. Right when that happened.... Derek called again. So it began. I pushed, pushed, pushed.... and she wouldn't come out. I was getting frustrated. I pushed again, and I felt her come out. At 0155 on September 25th, Bailey Marie was brought into the world. He got to listen to me scream in pain as I struggled with that. But it was all worth it. They took the baby to clean her up, and someone took a picture of her and sent it to Derek. He looked at the picture of her just as I got to look at her for the first time.
She was a perfect 5 pounds 7 ounces and 19 inches long. She had the most beautiful hair. She was and still is absolutely perfect.
