Our Birth Story- Part 1

On Wednesday, February 19th 2014, we were blessed with the most magnificent, beautiful and precious gift. Our daughter, HARPER GRACE WOOD. Our hearts are full of so much love for this little girl it brings me to tears thinking about it. 

The road to creating Harper was definitely full of ups and downs so I don't know why I was so surprised that the moments leading up to her birth day were also filled with struggles. This is the story of Harper's birth.  

Week 41 & 2 Days- INDUCTION DAY 1

On February 17th, I woke up feeling completely normal. Large, stressed, and ready for this baby to come out; however, no symptoms of labor. I went about a some what normal day. I cleaned the house, finished some last minute packing, and enjoyed a bland diet (crackers, bananas, and water). At 3:00 I called the birth center to find out if they would accept my reservation. Thankfully, there was room and the nurse told us to come in around 4:00 to begin the induction process. 

We arrived at the hospital and went to admissions at 4:00 on the dot with my suitcase in tow. Nick and I walked into the admissions door and the woman at the desk says, "Are you Jessica Wood?" I laugh slightly because she knew who I was. As she tells us to sign in and that it would be a few minutes she says, "Did they tell you that there is no room?" Nick and I look at each other in confusion because how can the Birthcenter fill up in 1 hour since I called. I was so stressed out and just wanted to get the show on the road. We had no idea what they were going to do. After calling up the Birthcenter, the Admissions clerk finds out that the doctor wants to keep me in the hospital and do another non-stress test.   

We took the elevator to the 3rd floor and entered into the Birthcenter, The nurses set me up in a room and began the nonstress test. After a few minutes I found out my "favorite" doctor, Dr. M, was on the floor. This is the doctor I've had several problems with over the past few weeks. Since I was over a week late and had a few bouts of high blood pressure she wanted me to stay. This is the same doctor who, only a little over a week before, wouldn't write me a doctor's note because there was NOTHING wrong with me I was just pregnant.  At 7:00 on Wednesday night I was put into a labor room.

Nick and I basically spent the night hanging out and watching TV. The night nurse came in, hooked me up to monitors, and completed the admissions questions. Finally, around midnight, they put in the Cervidil. (Before insertion I was 1 cm and 80% effaced.) Throughout the night I had very mild contractions but was able to sleep.