...and 3 becomes 4...

Maia was born May 26, 2011. She arrived at 3:00 pm, weighing 5 lbs 14 oz, 17 inches long. The story:

I had been having pretty regular contractions for a few weeks and was very eager for my 36 week check up, where I would find out if I was progressing at all. Turns out I was dilated to a 3 and 85% effaced....wahoo! My doctor knew that Boston had been born early and after checking me and discussing my contractions, made the prediction that she would be born before my 37 week appointment. This was great news to me as A) We had family coming into town that weekend and it would be awesome if she could arrive while they were here, B) Jason's work schedule was such that it would allow him several days home with us without actually having to use vacation time and C) I was 36 weeks pregnant and reeeeaaady to be done.

We joked that Friday would be the ideal day for her to arrive. My friends, if her birth is any indication of her future obedience, raising her shall be a dream. My contractions really started to pick up early Friday morning (around 1 am). I couldn't sleep through them, so I went to watch TV and time them. (Side note: I passed the time catching up on "16 and Pregnant" episodes. Funny.) They were pretty consistently 1 minute long and 4 minutes apart. At this point with Boston, we packed up the bags and headed to the hospital. Determined to not spend ALL DAY in the hospital again, I decided to wait it out until I was for sure this was it and until the contractions got more painful.

I was supposed to work that morning at 8. By 6 am the contractions were still 4 minutes apart, but were hardly painful at all. I showered and got dressed, still pretty sure this was "it" but also feeling very stubborn about the fact that I wanted to wait until I was far enough along that I wouldn't be stuck bored all day in a hospital bed. Off to work I went!

When I got to work I told my coworkers that I was most likely in labor and I wasn't sure how long I would stay. I'm fairly certain they all thought I was insane. By this time the contractions were 3-4 minutes apart, around 90 seconds long and getting more painful. I definitely had to stop what I was doing to breathe through them, but I still didn't think they were too bad. Maybe a 4- 5 on a pain scale?

Fast forward 2 hours, about 10 am. By this time the pain had picked up. I was on a 911 call when one hit, and had to ask my friend to take over the call....I was asking the caller questions but couldn't even think about what their answers meant. I left work about 10:30, picked up Ashley on my way home, and decided to get my stuff together and head to the hospital.

By the time we got to the hospital it was around 11:30. My contractions were 2 minutes apart, and although they hurt some, I still don't think it was worse than a 5. (I had my epidural pretty early with Boston, so I never experienced the toe-curling, scream-like-you-mean it contractions and I was--curious?-- to see how bad it would get.) We got to labor and delivery and after telling the nurse "I think I'm in labor?", she took one look at me, gave a slight eye roll and asked me to wait in the waiting area because they didn't have a triage room available just yet. She very clearly did not think I was.

Jokes on her! When they finally got around to putting me in a triage room, I was dilated to a 7 and fully effaced! The nurse got a little flustered and asked if I was dying and if I wanted my epidural now. I told her I could wait until I got admitted into a regular room. I don't mean to brag or make light of contractions....but I really was surprised at how easily I was handling them. I kind of even thought, "this is it?? I can do this!" Looking back I sort of kinda almost think I could have done the entire labor natural, but I didn't. And I definitely don't regret the nap and comfort the epidural gave me, so there you go.


I got settled, epidural'd, and kicked back to relax. Jason, Sam and my mom were there, and Jason's family got into town from St. George soon after.


I napped.
Sam kept warm.


This is my nurse, Cheri. She was the most amazing nurse ever...I want to keep her forever so she can be there with any future children I may birth. She was funny, laid back, intelligent, and gets most of the credit for me having an easy, relaxed, calm birth experience. She let me take the lead on how and when I wanted things done, offered opinions when asked, joked and laughed with my family, and really just set the tone foe the entire day.
By 2:45 I was dilated to a 10! Cherie told me I could start pushing whenever I felt like it. (Did I mention I love her?) I told her I didn't push long with Boston so she called my doctor in and we were off!


After 10 minutes of pushing, Maia was born healthy, happy and covered in goo. Jason cut the cord, congrats were said, and my doctor was gone! Maia was checked over and found to be in great shape, given back to me. (Fun side note: Both Boston and Maia were born on the exact day of gestational age, 36 weeks and 4 days.)




I cuddled with her for a bit, then Jason went with her to the nursery to get cleaned up while I got ready to move into my room. Cherie was waiting with a frosty cold Diet Coke. (By this point you should not need any more proof that she is the best nurse EVER)

Boston came by later that day and met his new baby sister.


He decided to keep her.
And thats that! I really can't describe how fast, calm and...dare I say...easy this entire labor was? I wouldn't change a thing about it. In comparison, Boston's birth seemed much more chaotic. There were tons of medical personnel in the room--technically if the baby is born prior to 37 weeks, the respiratory team and other high-risk people are supposed to be there. Cherie may or may not have 'forgotten' to call them since I was very close to 37 weeks. Having only my family, 2 nurses and my doctor there was so much more personal and intimate. (Lets also not forget the moron nurse I had with Boston, who also contributed to the feeling of chaos) This time, I felt in control and prepared. Everything fell into place, and the whole room was just a feeling of relaxation.

We are so happy to be a family of 4, Maia has fit seamlessly in from the first second and Boston is a very proud brother who loves to tell people about his Baby Maia.