WARNING: THIS IS PRETTY LONG!
I realized I needed to write down Reagan's birth story because I still go back and read TJ's story- which my wonderful husband wrote- and I wish he could do it this time... but he wasn't there for most of it! We should actually have two stories- Tim and mine. I will do the best I can.
Tim and I were worried the whole pregnancy that we would have another premie, we didn't want to go through another NICU experience. Even though TJ was perfectly fine, it just didn't feel right going home without our little one. So at 21 weeks I began progesterone shots which is just a hormone in sesame oil injected in my rear. So as you can imagine it is really thick and takes a while to inject. I had two different needles one to draw up and one to stab me and inject. THEY WERE THICK! My lovely husband learned how to do it from the nurse the first time, and did it every week until he left for BOLC (Basic officer leadership course) in Lawton, OK on November 12, 2010 and I took them until 36 weeks. These shots are supposed to help with preterm labor.
Time wise TJ was born for this pregnancy on December 25, so I was really nervous during that time. Tim was here for his 2 week break so that was very comforting. I started my 1 week appointments at about 32 weeks and on my 36 week visit (Dec 26th) there was a nurse practitioner who checked me for one of the doctors in my clinic. She said I was 50% effaced at 1 cm, then she said she had to talk to the doctor- with a sense of concern. I could hear them talking outside my door about how I was already effaced. Well the doc came in and said she wanted to see me again this week, if I didn't see her before that. What the heck! Don't tell a previous pre-term mama that! So Tim's Dad and stepmom came into town for a late Christmas and we were all on our toes, thinking that she was coming. After the initial scare, we both got used to the idea of having a premie, and began thinking this is great Tim will be here for the birth which we didn't at all expect to happen. We even had my mom fly in early (Jan 2- the day Tim left) so she could be here to help when he left. Well on that next appointment the doctor didn't even check me! I had to ask him to and he said all was going fine! We were so mad at the other doc and nurse for alarming us for no reason. After that I really sort of expected to be in labor soon. After that there was a 3 day weekend where it would have been great for Tim to fly in- no luck.
One of Tim's classmates moved in to a 2 bedroom hotel apartment (he was staying in a hotel) and Tim learned that he could do this as well. Well he then told me lots of guys in his class were switching but he couldn't make it there till 6 pm, so I called and was able to reserve an apartment for him. The reason this is so significant is because until this time we thought I would be in Alabama by myself after my mom left and until Reagan was 8 weeks when I had to go back to work and family was coming in to watch Reagan until she turned 12 weeks to go to daycare. Things were really looking up for us!
On Jan 21, I didn't feel quite right. TJ had been a little ill so on one hand I thought I was getting sick- but in the back of my mind I thought perhaps I was starting labor, which is the same way it felt with TJ. I didn't really say anything (except to Tim) because it had been a month long that I kept thinking today was the day. Which was a crazy different experience than with TJ because I never reached the point of when is it gonna happen? I didn't really care for the waiting game, especially when we were planning on trying to get Tim here for the birth and closing up cases at work. Sunday morning I felt like I may be leaking and I told my mom and Tim this. At around 1030, Tim said that he was coming. I was very skeptical because I didn't want him to come for a false alarm. Well by 11 when I checked the flights I realized that the flight I thought took off at 1155 was actually 1105, and he missed that flight. The next flight was 555 getting in at 940. So unfortunately we had to get that one. I booked him a rental car to get there since TJ would be sleeping. Which was another thing (So many side stories it is hard to fit it all in!) the most important thing for me was TJ feeling comfortable. It was a crazy emotion for me- I felt like I was betraying my son bringing a new baby into this world and just wanted him to feel comfortable. So my mom was so understanding that the most help she could be was with TJ, which turned out to be great because he had a stomach bug and was miserable that day. I am so thankful that she was there with him and so understanding. I know she wanted to be there with me, but she just wanted to help and knew that was where I needed her the most. I knew I was going to be fine at the hospital by myself.
I finished the packing and I put TJ down at around 1 and read him his books (breathing in between contractions- trying not to alarm him) and went to lay down and monitor my contractions. They were a minute long and less than 5 minutes. So Tim and I decided it was time. Since TJ was asleep we asked Tim's good friend Freddy to drive me- he was always the go to guy if something happened. At about 315 he picked me up, and I was more upset that TJ was still sleeping and I couldn't say goodbye. I grabbed a nutrigrain bar and hopped in his truck. Well Freddy doesn't have kids- and expected me to be like women are in the movies and have it be an extreme emergency! He just couldn't believe I was laughing and talking to him. He walked me up to the maternity suites and the nurses were talking to me while we were walking to my suite as if he was my husband asking me personal questions- when I had to stop them and say before they get too personal this is not my husband he is my driver. At 330, they admitted me and determined I was 5 cm and full effaced. The hospital was aware of Tim arriving at 940 and said that they would do what they could do meet my wishes. Well luckily for me the NFL playoffs were on and I got to watch the rest of the Patriots vs Ravens game- stopping to breathe through contractions. At 530 the Giants vs 49ers game started.... I don't really remember much of this game because this is when I was having heavy contractions. At around 7pm the doctor arrived and determined I was almost fully dialated and said that my water bag was holding Reagan back, and as soon as that water broke it would be go time- but in the mean time we could just go along monitoring the two of us. Then my wonderful nurse came in to have a heart to heart with me. She knew that I wanted to go natural but also knew I would be having contractions for 3 hours fully dialated. After a few minutes of contractions, crying and talking I decided there was no way I could last 3 hours without an epidural, I would be having the urge to push and all that so reluctantly I said yes to the epidural. Don't get me wrong- she was not pushing for it- just was realistically talking to me before it was too late. I could then watch the game- I started to feel very woozy and my nurse came in and took my blood pressure. She then buzzed more nurses who all came in and one put me on oxygen and the other brought in some ephedrine. My blood pressure had dropped which made Reagan's drop. This is when they told me that they probably were going to have to break my water and deliver Reagan. I immediately started crying because Tim was so close to getting here.
This might be a good time to include Tim's story- there was a storm going through OK so his flight was delayed an hour. He was going to have 15 minutes to get onto his next flight in OKC. He said he ran through OKC airport with all his bags (no checked baggage), and arrived in his seat to find out that it was delayed 25 minutes.
They were able to get both of us stable and carry on with the waiting for Tim. At about 9 pm, I started feeling pressure in my left hip. Which the nurse thought it could be because I was laying on my other side and maybe that side wasn't getting the epidural. Later I started feeling contractions completely and buzzed the nurse. I felt wetness on the bed where the drip was going in. My theory is that the drip never reached me and went all over the bed instead of inside of me. At this time I was fully used to no contractions and wasn't dealing well with the contractions and having the need to push, so I got an epidural boost 20 minutes later. Tim arrived at BHM airport at about 1005 pm and rushed to the car rental place and was in my room at about 1030.. I am sure it was a lot more dramatic for him then I am making it sound- sorry Tim. They had me tell them when he arrived at the airport so we could get the bed ready for delivery. At about 1040 we were ready to go, and my bed was converted into the delivery bed. I was adjusting myself on the bed (WARNING TMI) and GUSH, my water broke! Reagan was now ready because Daddy was there! 8 minutes later and 2 pushes - she was here!
Reagan Jean Barrett was born at 10:48 pm 7lbs 12oz, 20 inches
It was such a completely different experience having Reagan in the room with us the whole time instead of how TJ was sent away to the NICU.
My mom stayed with us for almost 2 weeks until her 2 week appointment where the doctor said she was perfect! 8 lbs 4 ounces.... by noon we were on our way to Lawton, OK!! We stopped midway at Little Rock, Arkansas to stay. The next day we drove to OKC (Oklahoma City) and dropped my mom off to get on a plane the next day - and we were off to Lawton which is 1.5 hrs away.
Reagan is doing great she recently started only waking up once at night!! She is getting big and is now in her 0-3 clothes and i had to put away some of her newborn clothes. TJ is a great big brother, sometimes he doesn't know how strong he is. But he gives her kisses anytime he can and is always talking about his baby sister Reagan. It was wonderful to witness such a thing as watching my son immediately love his sister. He doesn't know he is supposed to love her or how he is supposed to act- but it was just a natural thing that happened. It was beautiful.
I have so been enjoying my stay here. I am halfway through and just feel wonderful. I feel like I am actually getting a little bit of a vacation here. Tim comes home and helps out and also sometimes gets breaks in the middle of the day where I can go and get some exercise. I cannot believe I still have 4 weeks left and get to be here that entire time! I am feeling great and just love being a mom of 2!!!!
I really want to thank my mom for being there for our family. She cleaned, she cooked, she changed diapers (except a few #2's she understandably left for me :) ), she without hesitation was there for me and helped me in anyway she could. She also was so understanding of how important it was that TJ was comfortable through this all- and he adjusted so well. I love you Mom!! Thank you SOOOO much. I know I couldn't have done this without her support and help.
With all the crapiness of Tim being away during the later part of my pregnancy and thinking he might not be there for her birth- things just really worked out. I got to spend 5 weeks with my mom (who also got to spend lots of time with TJ), was able to be with Tim for 6 weeks during my maternity leave, and Tim was able to come home for the birth. I just can't believe how things just worked out for us.
The boys got tired of all the sausage making! So Jack took TJ for a stroll in the mud!
Christmas Eve at Great Grandma's.
I got a trike! Geese get out of my way!
Mom I am serious- HELP ME!! Too many Grandma kisses!
Grandma playing with my halloween costume- I will post the halloween pics later. :)
New car swing from Grandma!! He loves it!
I am ready!
and of course I have skulls on my trunks!!
He rests his feet on Tim's magazine pouch and light case, and all of Tim's gadgets (aka radio, motor belt, badge) are toys just for TJ :)
I love this motorcycle shirt!
Still pregnant...
17 years ago
