Sunday, July 25, 2010

Welcome baby Claire

Our sweet baby 
was born July 23, 2010 
6:21am
8lbs 1oz,
20.5 inches
Lots of DARK hair
via c-section

The story: 
Tuesday, the day before my due date, I had a constant trickle of fluid coming out all night. I even had to get a towel to lay on so I could sleep the rest of the night. I didn't think a whole lot of it because I had an appointment with my doctor the next day at 3pm, but because I tested positive for GBS, Ben made me call in at 10am to just make sure everything was fine. I had just gotten out of the shower, and was sure that she'd tell me she'd just check me at 3, but she said I needed to get to the hospital immediately to get checked. I freaked out! My hair was wet, I didn't have make-up on and all I could think about was how awful I'd look in pictures after labor if I really was leaking amniotic fluid. Funny how a few hours into labor, that's the absolute last thing you care about:) So we got to the hospital and the test came back that it was NOT amniotic fluid.  We were totally bummed. I had gotten so excited that she might come on her due date and was disappointed when we got sent home. I went to my doc appointment at 3 and when she did a cervical check, I felt a gush of liquid. What we guess happened is that I had a high tear in my amniotic sack and that it was leaking slightly in certain positions, and when she checked and moved things around a bit, it caused a gush. Whatever it was, my water was broken and we were sent back to the hospital, this time for real. We were so excited. Our little girl was coming!

I got settled in our room at 4pm and started on Pitocin at 4:30pm (and penicillin because of the Strep B). My contractions were 5-7 minutes apart by midnight Wednesday but only about a 5/6 on a pain scale (out of 10). To make a very, veerrry long labor story short my contractions became a 7/8 and were consistently every 2-3 minutes but every time they checked me over the next 16 hours, I was still a 2. She also wasn't getting down into position, if anything it seemed she was getting higher. I got 2 doses of narcotic pain killers that lasted an hour and a half each, allowing me to get a couple winks of sleep, but other than that it was just pure frustrating and totally uncomfortable.

By Thursday at 4pm (23 hours in labor), they took me off Pitocin for about 4 hours to get it out of my system and see if starting me fresh would trigger anything. During this time, they gave me my first solid meal since Wednesday morning, but annoyingly I threw it all up.

My mom and dad came in Thursday night (they had booked their flights Wednesday thinking that they'd miss the birth coming then but be here after we recovered a bit--wrong!). The minute my mom came into the room, I just started bawling and we both held each other crying. No words were needed, mother to mother, she felt my pain and I needed her desperately.

They started me on the Pitocin again around 8pm and I dilated to a 3 a couple hours later (all this "checking" business was SOOO painful BTW), and they finally gave me an epidural at midnight (after 32 hours of labor). What a wonderful thing an epidural is. The doc said she'd check me again at 5am and if I hadn't dilated that we'd pull the plug and do a c-section (*to this day I still don't know why they didn't do that 20 hours earlier*). We were praying hard but I prepared myself for whatever the outcome. I was so exhausted and just wanted her here safe, sound, and SOON. When they woke me to check me, I obviously was still a 3 with no progress so they started getting me prepped for the surgery.

40 hours of labor and I still had to have a c-section. I was devastated but glad it would soon be over. I still hadn't had anything but an IV and ice to eat since Wednesday morning and I was bloating like a balloon.  My back and bum killed from being on a bed for so long in the same position.

The surgery itself went really quickly and smoothly. It was weird to be awake and feel the pressure of everything they were doing.  (*I felt like the doctors weren't very sensitive to the fact that it was still a birth even though it was a c-section. They had their music on loud and just talked the whole time about people they knew and school and stupid things. Even after they got her out. I wish I would have said something then to help better the experience*).

I felt them pull the head out, and tell Ben and my mom to stand up because she was coming and then I felt them just empty me out. Hearing her cry was the most beautiful sound ever. It was so surreal. I still couldn't see her but I could hear my baby. I was just watching Ben's face and the excitement in his eyes as he kept saying, "That's our baby! That's our baby!"  It was such a special, emotional, amazing, and spiritual experience to have such a fresh, sweet spirit join the room.

(Awesome pictures taken by Ben)

Her first breath:

So relieved and emotional:


She was a lot bigger than we thought she'd be! We were guessing low 7's, but she was a chubby 8lbs 1oz!



They rolled us back to our room and gave Claire her first bath.
She is amazing isn't she?

(Her wristband says "Kendell Garrison" because my ID still says Kendell (which needs another parenthesis to say that it's still Kendell because my passport is still Kendell. With all the traveling and moving we've done over the last couple years, we weren't able to change it over..it's on the to-do list))


First time I held her:


Now, the story isn't over yet. I wish it were. About an hour after surgery, they told me the epidural would wear off but started some morphine so I wouldn't feel any pain. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case and the next 2 hours of my life were a blur--the worst pain imaginable. Along with the most painful air bubbles in my left shoulder from the epidural, I have never been in so much pain and it was just this chaotic whirlwind nightmare. Basically, my uterus that was supposed to be contracting, getting smaller, and bleeding...just wasn't because it was so exhausted after contracting for 40 hours and it started clotting. My blood pressure dropped way low and all I know is there were doctors and nurses everywhere trying to figure things out. I got FOUR doses of morphine and had absolutely no reaction to them. They were pushing on my stomach (which had just been CUT OPEN), massaging the blood and clots out, while I was just moaning and crying, and in my mind, trying to stay alive. I remember one moment when my doctor came back in and I grabbed her arm really hard and she said very firmly, "You need to let go of my arm NOW!"  I remember being so bugged by her reaction to all of it.  Ben was watching helpless, but couldn't stand to hear me in such pain so he and my dad had to leave the room.  Eventually, they figured things out and over the next 6 hours I slowly came alive again. The pain began to dull and I was able to enjoy the next chapter.

Friday night and all of yesterday I felt better and better. I had my first meal since Wednesday on Saturday evening which made a big difference. And today (Sunday) I feel like a champ (compared to the dying zombie I felt like). So much so that they're letting us go home a day early! We get to take her home tomorrow morning! Recovering from a c-section will definitely be hard and I'm so grateful to have my mom here for a bit to help out. Ben is working a few more weeks before he can take some time off to bring her home to Utah to meet everyone.

Back to pictures! Here are the men, tired after their hard labors:

I absolutely LOVE this next picture. She only does this now and then as she learns to focus those beautiful eyes, but Ben caught it at the perfect moment. She's so stinking cute.

Grandma Kendell:



Here's a cute little video of her hiccups:



It is amazing and just like all mom's tell you, the love that you instantly feel for this little human being. Ben and I are so in love with her and don't know what we ever did without her.


She is such a good baby and so far, only mildly cries when she has a burp or gas bubble.

We're not sure who she looks like most. Obviously the dark hair is from Ben (which is all over her back and thighs and I LOVE IT!) Ben is such an incredible father. He's a natural. He's been so good to change all her diapers and help with feedings while I can't move around much.

Looking right at her daddy:

Our little family:

This was taken this morning. I am so happy and there is nothing better in all the world then waking up with her next to us, hearing her cute breathing, sucking, and sweet little whimpering sounds. When they take her for 20 minutes in the night to check vitals and do tests, I miss her and can't wait for her to be back. Nursing is going well (thank goodness) and am healing really well now.

We are so blessed and thankful to our Heavenly Father for allowing us this opportunity to raise her. We are going to have so much stinking fun! Can't wait to go home! What a better way to celebrate our 3-year anniversary than to bring our new baby girl home with us. I love my little family and can't wait for the days ahead.

40 comments:

Mariah said...

Wow, what a crazy birth story!!! I'm so glad that everything turned out okay. Congratulations on Claire's arrival!!!!!!!!! She is sooooooo cute!!!!! Doug and I can't wait to meet her in person (when you guys are ready for visitors).

Jill said...

oh my goodness! what a story. all that pain for something so amazing. it's worth it but i'm sure you'll be very nervous on your next baby. she is so beautiful though. all that dark hair! i wish you all the best. and take care of yourself so that you can recover quickly. much love!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! We've been waiting for this post! I'm so sorry for all you had to go through to bring her here, what a scary ordeal. But I'm so glad you're ok, and you two have made one beautiful baby!

Callie said...

Wow! Brian and I are just amazed at 1) your CRAZY birth story and 2) how unbelievably cute this little baby of yours is...seriously, she is a doll. She doesn't even look like a newborn. I can't get over it.

Good job! Congrats! Have fun enjoying your new little one! :)

Lindsey said...

Congratulations! She is absolutely beautiful! Glad mom and baby are both doing well after such a crazy labor! I love all her dark hair!

Nades said...

Congratulations again my friend! i absolutely loved this post! she is the cutest little thing ever! and i love the photos! especially the one her looking up at Ben. I am glad that you are ok and recovering quickly! Cant wait to read more on her growing up! Love to all! X

The Taylor Family said...

Wow that is one intense labor story. I'm so sorry you exprienced some of those things.. But you two make such a beautiful baby. And I can't believe how well you look in the pictures, you are beaming! Hoep your recovery is a speedy one. Enjoy That baby. Love all your pictures.

Laurel said...

I can't believe your story! What an experience. I am so glad you are feeling better and claire is healthy. Congrats!

Brenton and Andrea said...

She is gorgeous! Congratulations guys! Sorry you had such a hard time...they are so worth it aren't they?

Julianne Howes said...

She's here! Congratulations! Your c-section went EXACTLY how mine went! All my pain meds wore off and it feels like someone is cuttting you open and then lights a match in your uterus haha! I love you so much! She is so beautiful and I LOVE her name! You guys make a beautiful family!!!!

Lyndee Peterson said...

She is beautiful!!!! I had a dream last night that I was holding her, can't wait until I really can hold her. I glad you are okay, I was worried. Love you!

Julianne Howes said...

She's here! Congratulations! Your c-section went EXACTLY how mine went! All my pain meds wore off and it feels like someone is cuttting you open and then lights a match in your uterus haha! I love you so much! She is so beautiful and I LOVE her name! You guys make a beautiful family!!!!

Jill Revell said...

wow...what a story! But you did it, and she's here and absolutely beautiful. Seriously gorgeous! Congrats!

Candalyn said...

She is beautiful, and so are you! What an incredible story-- I'm glad you both came out of it okay.

I'm loving all the different faces she makes-- just like her mama! She is just breathtaking! Congrats on your new little family!

Candalyn said...

She is beautiful, and so are you! What an incredible story-- I'm glad you both came out of it okay.

I'm loving all the different faces she makes-- just like her mama! She is just breathtaking! Congrats on your new little family!

Unknown said...

Congrats you guys! She is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Good job Camille...that sounds so tuff, but she is so worth it right :) You are amazing and I hope that you get better quick. Can't wait to see more pictures and see your blog as she grows up. I am so happy for you guys!

Lauren Tatton said...

She is beautiful! You look great and I love the family pics! Im so happy for you that your family could be there!

Stefanie said...

Congratulations you guys. She is super cute. You are going to be the best parents- she is SO lucky to have you!

Stephanie said...

Camille! She is so beautiful! I can't believe that you went through all that to get her here. I'm glad that you are all doing so well now though. She really is absolutely adorable! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

All these pictures are amazing camille. Congrats. She is beautiful!!!!!!!!! mother-hood looks good on you~ :)

Molly said...

Congratulations! She is beautiful! Happy anniversary! We're glad everything worked out. Camille, you look fantastic!

Whittney Clark said...

You made me cry ya bum!!! I'm so glad you are okay. I was so worried. I'm sorry you had such a miserable labor experience. You are a trooper though and you are so strong!!! You are all in our prayers and I hope you heal quickly. Your baby girl is so beautiful!! I see more Ben right now, but I'm sure she will take after her tough momma!! Love you guys! Wish I was closer for loves!

hilary said...

oh my goodness, she is adorable! i think she looks like her daddy! sophie had (and still kind of does) dark hair on her back and shoulders, too. :) i am so sorry you went through all that pain after having her! that is bizarre. but so happy to hear you are doing well now!! maybe our little dark haired dames will have to be friends some day.

Karen said...

Wow Camille--I'm so glad you are all healthy and happy!

I've never seen such beautiful pictures! She's so gorgeous and you and Ben are glowing!!

Congratulations!

Paige said...

oh goodness, i thought my c-section was bad but you definetely take the cake! I'm so happy for you and your little family. being a mom is the best! she is a beautiful baby and I can't for more updates!

Austin & Shawnee said...

Congrats guys! That is one of the craziest delivery stories I have ever heard for sure. But she is so beautiful. I love all the dark hair. Think of all the great bows you'll be able to use....oh the possibilities!

Austin & Shawnee said...

Congrats guys! That is one of the craziest delivery stories I have ever heard for sure. But she is so beautiful. I love all the dark hair. Think of all the great bows you'll be able to use....oh the possibilities!

Steph and Brady said...

I am so glad that everything turned out good. It sounds like it was a crazy couple days! She is so adorable! I love that hair! She will get big so quickly so just enjoy every second (I am sure you already are!) What a little angel. I am so happy for you guys. I hope you heal up quickly!

Rachel said...

she is beautiful! and wow, 40 hours of labor...that's a normal work week, what a champ mommy camille! good luck in the next few weeks, hope you start feeling top notch soon!

Tawnya said...

Oh man what a story! I am so sorry it was so rough. I am so glad you are both ok though!

paige and jord said...

wow, what a story camille. glad you are both okay! so worth it though, right? cause she is a BEAUTIFUL baby. here is to a speedy recovery! xoxo

Sammy said...

congrats! I'm so sorry to hear that things went so crazy and that you were in so much pain and had to have a C section! sounds like a nightmare but i'm glad she's here safe and sound, she's beautiful! babies are the best aren't they?! seriously amazing what DID we ever do without them?!

cassy said...

Wow what a long labor! You are so tough! That is a BEAUTIFUL little girl you have there and I LOVE the name Claire. I clotted a lot too and that was w/ a vaginal delivery, blood pressure dropped to 70/40 and it was so so scarey! I'm glad you are recovering well now, can't wait to see more pics of your darling little baby! Congratulations guys!

Pieces of Us said...

Congratulations Camille! She is gorgeous!!!

ps not sure how I found your blog, but I'm glad I did!

Randi Patch said...

Congrats on your new baby Claire! She is such a gorgeous baby! I am so happy for you and your new little family!

Chelsie said...

congratulations you guys. i'm so excited for you guys. becoming a parent is incredible and little claire is so lucky to have such amazing parents. you guys are so cute. your labor story makes me tired, yikes! good thing you got such a cute baby in the end!

Jared and Chalee Rawlings said...

Ah Camille that sounds soo miserable!! Yet so incredible at the same time! I am so happy for you! Thanks for keeping us all posted on your life and your new cute family!

Heidi said...

Wow, what a beautiful baby girl! She is precious! Congratulations!

Unknown said...

Congratulations to you guys. Claire is so cute and the pictures are so beautiful and very professional. What a story!!! When are you coming back to SA? Missing you Camille. Thanks for pics and the story. Phumla

Unknown said...

Congratulations to you guys. Claire is so cute and the pictures are so beautiful and very professional. What a story!!! When are you coming back to SA? Missing you Camille. Thanks for pics and the story. Phumla