To be or not to be in Labor?!?!

It was a cold and dreary night….

Me, Anna, at our Lamaze class the week before Cora.

 Ok, not really. I had already been in labor for more than 2 weeks. It just wasn't considered "Active Labor". I was getting close to my wits end because the contractions had remained constant and although they kept getting closer together, nothing was happening. Looking back, the events went something like this….

Week 1- “You are at a 2 and 70% effaced. Your contractions are about 4 minutes apart lasting about a minute each.”

 I was given a terbutaline shot to stop the contractions. The effects of the shot lasted about an hour and the contractions came right back. 

Week 2- “You are at a 2+ maybe 3 and 80%effaced.”

 Yea! I'm showing progress! Contractions are about 3.5-4 min apart lasting about 1.5 min.  The hospital was getting to know me quite well, but since we weren't quite to 37 weeks yet and I wasn't progressing in the designated 1 cm an hour, I was sent home. 

April 21, 2011- This is where the fun begins:)

1:00 a.m.- I wake up having contractions that I have trouble breathing through. Poor Devin hadn't slept much already so I let him sleep. 

5:00 a.m.- Devin wakes up and can see that I'm in pain. We time the contractions and they are about 3 minutes apart lasting a minute and a half long. 

5:45 a.m.- Off we go to the hospital to be checked for the 6th time. "You're at a 4 and 90% effaced, and have a bulgy bag. We'll come back and check you in an hour." 

6:45 a.m.- "Sorry, the bag has receded and you’re at about a 3 and 90% effaced. The cervix can open up more when the bag is bulgy, but since it went back up its not as big. Here is a prescription for some Tylenol 3. Go home take a warm bath, take the drugs and try to relax. “

Seriously?!? Relax, how is that supposed to happen when I'm having constant contractions! Not to mention that pharmacies don't open for another 2 hours!

Devin takes me to my parents house where I can take a nice warm bath in the extra deep tub that allows water to cover most of me, and has jets. The water is SO soothing!

After my bath Devin is out cold on the couch, so I take up the sofa and try to do the same thing. Sleep isn't coming and my mom's phone (that she forgot to take to school with her) continues "alarming" to remind her to send her classroom kids to various places.  I decide take the phone over to her at school and help for a couple of hours in her classroom.


By 2:00 p.m. I was back home at my house and had taken the tylenol 3 prescribed this morning, and was trying to relax but being very unsuccessful.


About an hour later Clark and Brandy invite us to go to lunch with them. Since I hadn't eaten for quite some time I decided I better fill my tummy, even though I wasn't very hungry.


We get home from eating and I notice that I am bleeding. I was told that this could happen and that it was very normal, but if the bleeding got bright red and/or heavier that I should be  checked again.


7:00 p.m. hits and I'm quite certain there is something not quite right so we're off like a hurd of turtles for the second time that day. The nurse comes in and checks me:  "You're maybe a 3 but I'd say a 2+ and 85%."


Hold it! I thought once you started progressing there were no take backs!


"We'll keep you for a while and see what happens. There are some concerns with the bleeding but we'll let you know."

9:00 p.m.- "You've been checked quite a few times and that can cause the bleeding, so we're really not concerned about that anymore. You're also still at a 2+ and 85% so there isn't a reason we can keep you. Your contractions are about 2.5-3 min apart lasting about 1.3 minutes so take Tylenol 3 every 4 hours so you can get some rest tonight and your Dr. would like to see you first thing in the morning."

At this point I'm so tired and CRABBY and in the utmost denial. I didn't know what I was going to do. I had decided this traipsing back and forth to the hospital is for the birds and I'm NOT going back until my water breaks. I kept following their directions and they kept sending me home.  I was NOT amused.

10:00 p.m.- The contractions became much stronger. I stopped keep track of how long they were lasting because it didn't matter. They were already close together and not making me progress, so what was the point of timing them?


Devin was playing games on his phone and watching t.v. while I was writhing in pain on my side of the bed. I didn't want to complain or say anything to him because we were {again} just sent home only a short time ago. I really thought I was a pansy. Why didn't anyone [Mom, sister, grandmother, friend...?] tell me it would be like this???


Time continued on and I was getting annoyed that I was having to breath myself through the contractions and I was starting to shake.  Devin wasn't paying any attention to me. Woe is me!

11:00 p.m.- I finally gave in and told Devin, "I have to have you put your hand on my back right here!"  ( I showed him where the pain was.) The pressure and the heat of his hand made the pain at least somewhat bearable and we continued doing this for a bit longer.

April 22 2011

12:00 a.m.- I ask Devin to give me a blessing. In the blessing, I was told that I would be able to deal with the pain of the labor for however long necessary, and when baby was born, no matter what happened, she would be alright.

1:00 a.m.- I didn't think I could take anymore of this. Devin's hand on my back wasn't helping as it had to begin with and I was shaking so violently I could hardly breath. Devin called the hospital and was told, "She was in only 4 hours ago. She hasn't slept in 24 hours.... When did she take the Tylenol? ... 3 hours ago? ... Ok, Give her the Loratab at 2am and go see your doctor first thing in the morning. "

1:30 a.m.- I start to tell Devin that I feel like I need to use the restroom. {However, I feel to lousy to get up and do so!}

2:00 a.m.- Devin gave me the Lortab even though I argued and told him if the Tylenol 3 wasn't doing anything what would ever make him think the Lortab would help?  I still need to use the bathroom.

2:15 a.m.- That's it! I need to go use the bathroom no matter what. I need to have a bowel movement and Emily (my sister) said that would happen before my labor would really progress anyway.


I strip down to my birthday suit because I'm hot and sticky. Not sweaty, just sticky.


I proceed to use the facilities in the comforts of my own home. I take a seat minding my own business waiting for the contraction to stop when I feel this phloosh. No water, but there was definitely a drop.


I slowly check my southern regions and feel a squishy bag and a hard spot inside the squishy bag.


"DEVIN! We have a problem!" I yelled from the bathroom. "What's wrong? Get in the car! We'll go now!" he tells me.

I quickly respond back. "We don't have time for that. I don't think I'd make it if you drove. Call 911."

"Call 911, are you sure!?!"

"Devin, I can feel her head and the bag of water! CALL 911!"

As Devin is doing as instructed I have this sudden urge to push. I yell to him that I have this urge to push and the Dispatcher, on the other end in her calm voice is yelling "DONT LET HER PUSH! They are on their way and will be there in about three minutes."


Devin starts to run downstairs to let them in when I scream, "Where do you think you're going! You can't leave me! I need to push!"


Devin comes rushing back and tells me not to push then hands me the phone and tells me to talk to the nice lady while he lets the EMTs in.


Again, I tell him not to leave me so instead he wakes up Brandy to let them in and comes back to help me breath through my pushing urges.


At this point I realize that I am still completely naked and I tell Devin I needed something to wear! Quickly he takes his own shirt off, that says, "Life is Good in Newton!" and throws it to me. I get it on just as the EMTS get there.


The paramedic in charge checks me and says, "Good the water is still intact and we're going to keep it that way. I don't want to deliver a baby tonight. We can't the gurnie up the stairs, do you think you can walk?"


I get help up and walk down the stairs with an EMT on either side while another EMT holds the "Life is Good in Newton!" shirt down so I stay somewhat modest.


Once in the ambulance they quickly and efficiently hooked me up to all the monitors and started an IV.


"Your contractions are about a minute apart, and lasting about 2 minutes," said the EMT. I, again, have the urge to push so I start breathing the way I was told in my Lamaze class just the Monday evening before.


The EMT looks at me in the eye and says,"Anna, look at me. You can't breath like that. Breath with me. In through the nose, deep breath, out through the mouth slowly."

"What do you mean I can't pant. That is what they taught me in Lamaze!"

"Listen to me, you can do this, breath with me." He repeats totally ignoring what I just told him.


I decided it was better to listen to him and complain later. Once on the main street I heard the sirens go on. Why sirens are needed at 2:30 in the morning I have no idea, alas they were on anyways.


They got me to hospital bypassing Emergency, and took me straight to Labor & Delivery.


The nurse assigned to me quickly checks out the situation and says, "You're at a 9 1/2. How do you feel about a natural delivery?"


This didn't upset me at all because it is what I wanted from the beginning.


"Well, I better get the delivery stuff out and call the doctor." she says.


The nurse started pulling out everything as the EMT finished up paperwork with Devin, who made it to the hospital before the ambulance did.


I was admitted at 2:47 a.m.  My parents arrived very shortly after I arrived at the hospital as well. (Brandy had called them to let them know I was having a baby for sure this time.)


Mom and Devin helped me breath through the contractions as the nurse continued to get ready for the doctor.


After 15 minutes when we hadn't yet heard from Dr. Firth the nurse, Dee, picked up the phone to call again. Just as she started to dial, s Dr. Firth walked in and said, "I had a feeling it was you."


He checked me and smiled saying, "Let's get this baby here!"


He quickly donned the Dr. Delivery outfit and broke my water.


I felt this immediately relief. "Oh that felt so good," I sighed.


Then the next contraction started. "Can I push!?" I squeaked.


"Not yet." was my answer.


I was allowed to try on the next contraction then told to stop. Just for the record, trying to stop pushing after you start is near impossible. I had to breath through another two contractions.


"Ok start pushing." ~ I blew out all my air instead of taking a deep breath and had to start all over again.

I pushed for all I was worth for about 20 minutes (mom says only 5 contractions) and at 3:31 a.m. Cora Adeline Reeder was born weighing in @ 5 lbs. 12 oz.  and measuring 18 1/2" long.

Cora Adeline, just a few minutes old.

I couldn't believe it. I had a baby! I did it naturally and she was beautiful. That was the Labor and Delivery of our little Cora. 

Things that they don't mention. . .

It's been a while since I've written down a word or two about anything or everything, so I've decided to spill the beans on what has been going on.  Jokingly, I said I'm going to write a book about the things they fail to mention to you before you become pregnant. Given that I am from a family that has terrible pregnancies, so I was somewhat aware that it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be, but it's the other things that they don't tell you. (Notice: They, are the doctors, mothers, aunts, cousins, grandmothers, friends and everyone else out there who has ever had been, or with, or helped a pregnant woman in their lives.) In short I've been making a list. Now this may be a little Too Much Information for some people, but nevertheless I'm going to say what I have to say about it. Here it goes, my not too little list of complaints. These are in no order I'm just rambling and more will likely be added in the future.
*Bowel Movements or lack thereof -I've heard of women getting constipated during pregnancy, but I feel this is a little ridiculous. It's not just constipation that takes over, its the fact that you don't ever get a "regular" bowel movement, you get the whole kaboodole. From one end of the spectrum of not being able to go, to the other end when you cant stop going and have to be near a facility or something embarassing is bound to happen. One! Just One normal bowel movement is something I wish I could have.
*Leaking breasts- They tell you that you start to leak a little bit before you have your baby. Usually at about 33 weeks, this is a clear or yellowish liquid called Colostrum, and contains antibodies that will help prevent infections for baby. However, this can happen earlier on in the pregnancy, like 23 weeks. Just beware, you may have to start wearing nursing pads earlier on than you think.
*Backaches-This one may be a little more well known, however I was never told that I would just collapse while walking because baby is playing the piano keys on your spine or syatic nerve. There you are walking around normally, then next thing you know you're sprawled out on the floor lying in a heap crying, "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up."
*Constant Nausea- I was told that this would eventually just "go away". Well, it didn't for me. Puking has become second nature too me. There are only about 5-6 things that I can keep down. Hopefully, this will eventually go away, but until it does and if you see me walking around, I'll be the lady with the bucket.
*Breathing- I've heard that this becomes difficult as the little one is growing inside of you. This is fact. Not fiction but fact. It somewhat reminded me of health class when they gave you a straw to breath out of after making you run in place for 5 minutes. Never fear however, it'll go away, after you have your baby.
*Kicking- "Oh it's the coolest thing ever! Don't you just love it.!?" Yes, to a point. Once the bruises go away I think I very well might enjoy this part. Feeling baby move around is quite extraordinary. Just leave my bladder, kidney & lungs alone.
Yes being pregnant is a miracle and having a baby even more so. Just be aware what you are in for, and let it be known that it IS all worth it.

Panic mode. . .

About two months after we found out we were expecting our little Baby Reeder and I was all hyped up on IV's, I had this dream that I wasn't really pregnant! I woke up in panic mode and just started to cry. Devin asked what was wrong and I balled, "What if I'm not really pregnant!?! They haven't done an ultrasound, or listened for a heartbeat. What if my body is just making all this up and I have some crazy disease that makes me puke all the time!"
Taking a breath Devin smiled and said,"You wouldn't be this sick if you weren't pregnant.  You've had all the signs and you took a test."
I interupted,"Tests can be wrong."
He continued patiently,"True, but that one wasn't." We had to go to the doctors that day to pick up some paperwork and while he was there he told nurse Dixie about my craziness. She laughed and told him she'd go find the papers that said I really was expecting to put me at ease. When she came back she said,"Devin this is the strangest thing. We have run every test there is to run, but an actual pregnancy test, but there is no way she isn't pregnant."
Coming back out to the car Devin told me the news and I lost it all over again. He told me that I was and even stopped at the pharmacy and picked up the "most accurate" pregnancy test he could find and said,"If this one comes out positive, stop worrying. You ARE PREGNANT."
Seconds after "testing" the stick was positive and all my worries subsided. I worried and paniced for nothing.

My Memory Is Not What It Used To Be.

Being pregnant has it's advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: after all of this is said and done we will have a beautiful/handsome baby to to love and cherish. Disadvantage: my mind has gone completely out the window. You don't belive me that this happens to women? Let me tell you, IT DOES!

About a two weeks ago I was downstairs and wanted to brush my teeth, so I grabbed the tooth brush and got the job done. Looking at the toothbrush afterwards I said aloud, "I don't think this is my tooth brush...oh, well..." The toothbrush got put away.

About a week later I was packing to go on a weekend trip and I grabbed the same toothbrush and thought to myself, "this is my toothbrush, it was brand new in the package and I took it out and cleaned the fish tank with it... Wait!  I brushed my teeth with this toothbrush!

Immediately I just started to cry. When Devin asked me what was wrong I told him what had happened he just laughed. So when you don't believe a pregnant woman who says she doesn't remember... she may not be able to recall what you're talking about until later.

The Beginning

I want to remember all the little details I can about Baby Reeder becoming part of my life. What else is a better way to do so than write about it? No, the conception will NOT be included in my writings thank you very much!

I don't know an exact date that we started to think a baby was on the way, but what I do remember is there were certain parts of my body that just hurt. I'm not talking about your normal aches and pains here. Brushing up against something, anything, would send me through the roof. Ladies who have gone through this, you know what I'm talking about.  Even hugs brought tears to my eyes and I have a fairly high pain tolerance. That is when Devin said, "Anna, you're pregnant." I laughed at him and told him he was being ridiculous, but after another week-and-a-half of severe pain I began to think that maybe, just maybe, he was right.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 I was on my way out to my mom's to get something to work on my house. I had my two-and-a-half year old niece, Grace, with me and for some reason my car drove itself straight to the Local Pharmacy . I purchased "the goods" and off we were to do some testing.

10:12 A.M.  the little plus sign showed up and I couldn't stop smiling. I immediatley had to rush over to see my mom at work (she teaches school right across the street from her house), but I knew I couldn't tell her anything. It had to be my little secret, for at least another minute until I couldn't wait a moment longer and called Devin. Yes, I called him, terrible I know, but I'm an impaitent little bugger and just had to tell someone and Grace just wasn't understanding my enthusiasum at that moment.

I get on the phone and it rings, and rings and finally Devin answers the phone. Immediately I blurt out, "I know I should wait to tell you this in person but I just have to tell someone and you have to be the first or I'll be in so much trouble, well Grace knows but that is only because she wouldn't leave me alone for even just a second, but. . ." ...yes I know I was babbling but I just couldn't help it, I was so excited, continuing on... "it's just you were right. You're going to be a daddy." I finally shut up and waited for his response which was pretty quick. He replied," I told you so! That's great, I'm really exicited." We finished up our conversation about our excitement and I rushed over to the school to see mom.

I wanted to tell my mom so badly, but I had promised Devin that I wouldn't. I used the excuse that I hadn't met her class yet and really wanted to meet them. I know she knew something else was up, but let it be known that I kept my promise to Devin and didn't spill the beans. I was so proud of myself. We stayed there for about ten minutes and I had to go get some work done at my house which we were just finishing up for our final inspection so we could close on the construction part of our loan.

We had A LOT to do.  We worked hard, almost non stop. Friday came along and Devin got off work early and started working without saying much. Later that night he told me that he was laid off of work. I told him everything would be fine and things would work out, then sprinted to the bathroom to lose my dinner. I told him after I was finished that we had to tell grandma and grandpa what was happening since we were still living with them, at least for another week or two.

During the next few days we were pulling all-nighters working on our house to finish it for the inspection, that was just a few days away. I was starting to get sick and not able to work very hard or very long. Sunday night came and we were exhausted. We had worked so hard and so many things were happening I was at a loss. I was so sick and couldn't help at all. Devin had only 3 hours of sleep in the past 48 hours, when we had a knock on our  door.  In walked members of our stake presidency followed by members of our bishopric. They told us they had been watching us all weekend and knew our ox was in the mire and wanted to know what they could do to help. I just started to cry. What fine men.

Tuesday came and our inspection went great. There were only a few things we needed to fix or finish.

Clark, my youngest brother, was getting married the coming Saturday and he worked hard helping us up until his rehersal friday night. Friday was Devins birthday and we spent the first half of the day at the doctors office having IV's put in me. I was told I have condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, and I would just be really sick for a while, and would have be on home health care with daily IV's until things evened themselves out. That is how the beginning went.

Year 3

Today Devin and I have been married for three years! We are expecting our first child, and are extremely excited for him/her.  For our day of celebration together, we started off our morning by going to the doctor and hearing the heartbeat of Baby Reeder. Then Dr. Firth took me off IV's and told me I should be able to go back to work as of Dec 1.  This is very happy news for me! We then went to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1, and then to Olive Garden with my mom and dad. It was very fun and enjoyable.

After coming home to rest for a bit we went to the USU Aggie Basketball game vs. Utah and were happy that we won! All in all I would say that it was a good day:)

Now is Just the Beginning. . .

It has finally happened. I've given in to try this whole blog thing out. Look out world this little piece of pie is going to take over the world, or at least a tiny little smidget of it in the blogging world. But for now that is all I'm going to say. It's been a long day and my bed is calling to me. So sleep well all and I'll be back . . . soon.