Emily’s Birth Story

Lucy surprised us three weeks early, so Matty and I were convinced Ems was going to come early as well. We were on pins and needles starting at the beginning of March . . . which didn’t make the month go by any faster!

The day before my C-Section, my parents came to pick up Lucy in the afternoon and take her back to their house for the night. Matty and I had big plans to go out for a nice dinner and enjoy our last night before the craziness began. However, it was a cold and rainy day which made both of us sleepy and unmotivated. So, instead, we ran a few errands, picked up a pizza, and hunkered down on the couch at home. We really are homebodies, so it was perfect. 

Matt slept like a baby that night (as always!), but I was a little too excited/nervous to get a good night of sleep. I knew what to expect, surgery wise, this time and that made me a little jumpy. Ignorance really is bliss!

We were scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 6am. Yes, that’s very early, but we didn’t mind. It’s not like I was going to be able sleep in or anything, and also it’s less time that I can’t eat! I was a nervous pregnant woman . . . food was my best friend!

Here we are at 5:30am about to leave for the hospital.

We arrived, got checked in, and I got all settled in the pre-op area with my snazzy gown. Just like when I had Lucy, my main goal was to not throw up at any point. I got super nauseous right after delivering Lu and really didn’t get to revel in those first few moments of mommyhood. I mentioned this to every nurse/doctor/anesthesiologist that would listen, and they all assured me they’d do their best to make sure that didn’t happen this time. Apparently, I should have been worrying more about the prep then the end game because something happened and, with the flip of a switch, I got super nauseous, sweaty, dizzy, and knew I was going to throw up. Everyone was really great and laid my bed back, brought me a cold wash cloth (heaven!) and a tray to throw up in. Thankfully, after about five minutes the feeling passed just as quickly as it came, and I felt much better. 

Here I am before my little episode.

So after I was finally all set and ready to go, and answered the obligatory “so are you going to try for a boy after this?” question about fifteen times, they sent Matty to put on his sterile clothing and wheeled me into the operating room. I hate the fact that just when the nerves really kick in and I need Matty the most they don’t allow him to come in!

While the spinal anesthesia doesn’t necessarily hurt when they administer it, it makes your body feel SO WEIRD, and I don’t like the feeling at all. Your body goes numb, but you’re still wide awake so you can’t help but try to move all of your limbs . . . and then feel totally freaked out when nothing happens! Everyone was super happy and supportive, though. 

They eventually brought Matty back in and got right to work delivering our baby girl. My doctor was good about giving us updates as to what was happening. It felt like it was taking forever, but was really only like five or ten minutes! And then, before we knew it, our sweet little Emily Rose was out and screaming!

They took a minute to wipe her off a bit (my request, judge if you must!), and then tucked her under the sheet on my chest . . . and I got to enjoy every moment because I felt totally fine! SUPER cold, but they fixed that up right away with the best heated blankets. I got to hold Emily for a little bit while they started to stitch me up, but then they had Matty take her back to the room while they finished. He got to have some one on one time with her, but I got her back as soon as they wheeled me into the recovery room!

Other than some complications with my incision later in the day, everything went smoothly and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience! 

We left as a family of four . . . super happy and totally oblivious to the fact that we were taking home a baby that would cry nonstop for the next 12 weeks! 

As hard as those first 12 weeks were, Emmy has totally made up for it now. She is the sweetest little baby I’ve ever met. She’s always happy and smiling and only cries if she’s hungry or tired. 

I love reminiscing about my girls’ deliveries. I really enjoyed my hospital experiences and those first sweet moments when they laid the babies on my chest. It’s like everything is right in the world and nothing else matters for a few minutes. I’m fairly certain we are done having babies, and it certainly makes me sad to think that I’ll never have that experience again!

We are so thankful for our sweet girls and can’t wait to see them grow up . . . just not too quickly!

Click here to read Lucy’s birth story.

XOXO