Molly's Birth Story

On February 11, 2013 our hearts became a whole lot fuller and our lives a whole lot sweeter...

Molly's Birth Story:

At our 38 week appointment, our OB/GYN scheduled to induce labor at 39 weeks. We were so excited that we finally knew when our girl would arrive! The days leading up to her birth we spent cleaning our home and going out on our last date for awhile. On Sunday, Feb. 10 I was scheduled to arrive at labor and delivery at midnight (so technically the 11th).

My mom came into town around 4 p.m. on Sunday and took Josh and I out to dinner before we headed to the hospital. We were all a bit anxious about the induction, but thrilled to meet Molly. I felt really, really good before going into the hospital and was hoping the induction would go smoothly. 

On our way to the hospital!

When we arrived at the hospital, I was hooked up to a machine to monitor my contractions and our heartbeats. I was only 1.5 cm dilated and told that Molly's head was nice and low. At 12:50 a.m. I was given the first dose of a medication to soften my cervix. I was then given an ambien to help me sleep. At 5 a.m. I was awakened to shower and then given another dose of the cervix softening medication. The monitor was picking up light contractions, however I couldn't feel them significantly.

We were all hoping that I would start to soften, have my water broken and then contract enough on my own to not have to have Pitocin. However, things didn't go so smoothly.

At 8:54 a.m. I was around 3 cm. dilated and my doctor came in to break my water. Once this happened they also hooked me up to Pitocin. I started having really, really strong contractions. I was contracting enough on my own that I was taken off of Pitocin, but my contractions were still incredibly painful. At only 3 cm. dilated I had established a very strong pattern. 

When they offered the epidural, they couldn't give it to me fast enough. They then re-started giving me Pitocin, but again had to turn it off. By this point, I was very out of it, sick to my stomach and I knew things were not right. The nurse kept having me switch from side to side. It appeared that she was having trouble monitoring Molly. She moved the fetal doppler around a lot, until finally the doctor came in and looked at the monitor. They then told me Molly was in distress and they would have to do a emergency c-section immediately.

Josh quickly informed our families and I was rushed to the OR. They removed the first epidural and gave me a spinal epidural. I was prepped for surgery and quickly accompanied by Josh. I remember hearing them call out the time of 11:30 when the surgery began. At 11:43 a.m. Molly Emma Wheeler was born. When I first heard her cry, my heart was filled with relief and love.Our doctor told us that Molly's cord had been wrapped around her head and body, Josh also saw this during the surgery. The doctor said it could have turned into a very bad situation, had intervention not taken place. 

She was immediately taken away by the nurses and Josh followed them. She weighed 6 lbs. at birth and measured 18.5 inches. 

One of the nurses let Josh carry her back into our L&D room, where most of our families were waiting.

I joined them a few minutes later and finally got to lay my eyes on our sweet girl. I loved her from the moment I saw her. Unfortunately, I was so out of it from all the medication on top of the anti-naseau medication I'd been given during surgery that I could hardly keep my eyes open. It was the most painful feeling to want to be able to sit there and stare at my girl, when I couldn't even function. They took Molly to post-partum to be cleaned up and put under the incubator and I slept for awhile. 

Later, I was taken to my post-partum room and eventually reunited with my girl. She is so tiny and so perfect, I can't imagine life without her. 

We spent 4 days in the hospital and it's been a painful recovery, although everyday I am feeling a little bit better. The good news is, Molly is doing FABULOUS despite her traumatic experience. She aced all her tests and has gotten great reviews from her pediatrician. 

We got to take her home on Valentine's Day, which I will always remember. She is a blessing from God and the best Valentine I could ever ask for. 

I can't thank my husband and my mom enough for being my caretakers throughout this. Now that we're home, we're focused on recovering and just enjoying our sweet baby girl.

As the days pass, the trauma of the situation seems to become more vague, but I will always remember my husband rushing up to me after surgery and saying, "isn't she the best thing that could ever happen to us," and she really, really is. We love you Molly, you are our hearts.