Alixandria Alexis Garrett
I figured I better write Alixandrias birth story before I forget. On the 16th we went to the doctors for what had become a regular 2 or 3 times a week visit. We had an ultrasound and the baby looked great followed by a non stress test and then a visit with the doctor. We were prepared for negotiations. I was 41 weeks pregnant with no signs of labor. I was dilated to a 1(they were being generous) and had not had any contractions or braxton hicks. I was prepared to wait it out and let my body go into labor. I loved that the doctor had let me go a week over and was being respectful of my wishes. I wanted a natural birth with as few medical interventions as possible. I wanted to go into labor on my own and to not have to have a c-section with this baby. The doctor asked if I was ready to have the baby today and I said no. How about we wait a few more days and he said how about we have a baby today. I tried to get him to give me a couple more days to go into labor but he said today would be best. My blood pressure had been steadily rising and we thought it would be safer for her to come now. I reluctantly agreed and we headed across the street to the hospital. I cried on the way because I was not ready to have a baby. I had 41 weeks to get ready but I still did not feel ready.
We went to the hospital and got checked in. They started a low dose of pitocin and slowly increased it. I felt a few contractions. Because I was gbs positive I had to be hooked up to an IV and because Alixandria does not like to cooperate I had to stay in bed during the contractions to monitor her heart rate. They broke my water at 4pm and holy crap that was horribly painful. I had still not dilated past a 1 and I can not describe the pain that was involved. Breaking someones water when they are only dilated to a one is not normally what they do. They also tried to put a monitor in the babies head so I could walk around but they could not get it in because I was only dilated to a one.
After they broke my water the contractions were came fast and frequent. They were coming about every 2 minutes and were painful but I was managing them with deep breathing. at 7pm I still had not dilated past a 1 and the doctor said he would give me two more hours and if I did not progress that we would have to do a c-section. After this the contractions really picked up they started coming every 45 seconds and it was awful. They were in the 360's and at this point I just wanted to cry but continued to breath. Adam was so wonderful through everything and help my hand and reminded me to breath. A nurse came in about 8:30 and said I know you dont want drugs but we are thinking if you get an epidural it may help your body to relax and dilate. It did not take very much discussion on my part. I was ready to try whatever I could to avoid the c-section. If it could help me to avoid it I would try it. At 9:30 they came and checked me again and guess what...I had not progressed at all!!! I had to have another c-section. I expected to be upset by this but I am happy with the fact that the doctor tried to let me have the natural birth that I wanted but my body was just not having it. The c-section was much better than my last one. The only issue was it took 40 minutes to get the baby out. They discovered I have narrow hips that tilt inward and that in combination with having a child with a big head their was no way she was going to be born naturally. Her head was stuck very low in my pelvis and could not engage enough to make me dilate and also made her very hard to get out during the c-section. At 10:47 Alixandria Alexis finally made her debut into this world. She had a very strong loud cry and it was music to my ears. My other girls did not cry when they were born and I could not hold back tears when Alixandria was screaming her head off it honestly was one of the best noises that I had ever heard. I watched as they cleaned her up a little and when they brought her over to me I was overcome. It took so long to get pregnant and to stay pregnant to have her finally here and safe and healthy has brought me more joy and happiness than I can put into words.
It has been such an amazing experience to have a healthy baby who has been able to be with us every moment since she was born. I feel like she has helped to heal the wounds and pain that surrounded Alea and Avas birth. Their birth was a very dark time in my life. Even though it was almost seven years ago the pain and fear that we experienced is still very real. Alixandria has helped to heal the pain and has made us an even stronger family. She is the answer to our prayers. She is our miracle. I was worried about how I could love someone as much as I love Alea and Ava but it is not a worry anymore. She has made me love them more and also love Adam more. They love that he has shown for our girls and for me has reaffirmed to me that I married the right man and that I want to be a family with him for all Eternity.
