February 6th, 2012 (Paisley’s due date) was finally here and we were officially at 40 weeks! We are so blessed to have made it full term! I nested all day and packed our bags with everything we would need and anxiously waited for Zack to come home from aviation school. We decided to go to Stillwater Monday evening to have a nice dinner, celebrate our last night as a family of two, and check into our hotel. Since they were going to induce Tuesday, we didn’t want to have to make that drive early in the morning. We drove into Stillwater and had dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants (imagine that, Mexican food). I began to feel some discomfort and then started having contractions. I wanted Zack to finish his meal so I didn’t say anything until they started coming closer together. I looked at Zack and told him what was going on and that they were about 5 minutes apart. I didn’t want this to be a false alarm and thought we should check into the hotel and keep timing them but Zack drove me straight to the hospital.
We checked into Stillwater Medical around 9 o’clock and they decided to go ahead and put me in a room to check me. If they felt like I could labor at the hotel, they would let me go until the morning. One of the RN’s checked me and I was at a 2. The contractions and pain were getting worse and closer together so the nurse thought it was best to go ahead and admit me since no one was using the labor room we were in and I was going to be in it the next morning anyway. She got us settled in & me into a gown, put in an IV and hooked me up to all of my machines to monitor Paisley and I. So many emotions took over and I was so excited, anxious, and terrified. Since all of our family planned on coming the next morning we called our parents and they started to make their journey to the hospital.
I wasn’t making any progress so they wanted me to rest and checked me overnight every hour or so. Doctor Ebert induced me, breaking my water at 7:00 A.M. like we had planned. It felt like days of pain laying in that hospital bed. I was a 4 finally around 2:00 and by this time, begging for an epidural. They up’d pitosin around 4:00 and I was at a 6. 6:00 came and still no change. Finally at 9:00 (yes, 9:00) it was time to push. By this time my epidural wore off and I felt everything. Delivering Paisley naturally was the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done. It is amazing what the female body can do.
After over two hours of pushing, Paisley was stuck in the birth canal and Dr. E had to use the vacuum. After several pumps, Dr. E gave me one more push and he was going to call the team for an emergency C-section. I did it. After 26 hours of labor and a third degree tear, Paisley arrived at 11:46 P.M. on Tuesday February 7, 2012. The most precious moment of my life. They laid her on my chest as she let out her first cry and I had never been so overwhelmed with tears, joy, and love for anything in my life. She is the most precious and beautiful little girl I have ever seen!
Here are some photos from the hospital and after Paisley made it to the world. :) I thought I was going to be able to look “pretty” thru the whole birthing process. It didn’t happen.
Thank you to all who sent flowers, brought gifts, lifted us up in prayer, visited at home and at the hospital, called, messaged, etc. We appreciate them so much!
I am so thankful for my husband who coached me through the entire birth, never leaving my side. I also want to thank my Mom and Mother-in-law for all of the support they gave me while in our hospital room delivering Paisley.
Love to all,
The Ashcraft Family of Three
