Audrey's Birth Story

Announcing the birth of our sweet baby girl, 

Audrey Mae Flies

February 27th, 2013

3:55 am

7 lb 5.5 ounces  |  19.5 inches

There is something so special about each baby's birth story.  I love that although all three of our birth stories are very similar, each is still a miracle and is unique in and of itself.   

:: Audrey's Birth Story ::

For about a week leading up to Audrey's birth I was convinced that she was going to come two weeks early (38 weeks).  Maybe I was more hopeful than convinced but let's just say I was ready.  I'd completed everything on my to-do list and literally had spent the nights leading up to her delivery sitting on the couch complaining to Alan about how I had nothing to do.  (Relax much?!).

Last Tuesday I had my regularly scheduled OB appointment where Dr. Deka checked the baby's progress and said I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. (Insert happy dance!) She was able to strip my membranes and we were hopeful that would encourage labor along.  I went home after my appointment anxious for contractions to get started.  

I went to bed that evening at 8:30 a little discouraged that nothing was happening (in my opinion) and hopeful that I would be awoken by contractions in the middle of the night. 

Which is exactly what happened.

At 10 pm I woke up after a fairly strong contraction. After 15 minutes of consistent contractions, I decided to download a Contraction Timer app (thank you Steve Jobs) and start timing.  Much to my surprise the contractions were ranging anywhere from 3-5 minutes a part right from the beginning.  We decided to call our friends, Phil and Laura, who were on call to come and watch the girls when we went to the hospital, and told them that they better come over as soon as possible.  

Before Phil and Laura arrived I was sure to go into both Nora and Elsie's rooms and give some extra hugs and kisses knowing that after Audrey's birth, our family would never again be the same.  Things would change for the better of course, but they'd change nonetheless.  I wanted to be sure to soak in the last few moments as a family of four. 

Around 11:30 pm we were off to Scottsdale Shea Hospital excited to meet our sweet Audrey.  By midnight we were checked-in and found to still only be 3 cm dilated (what?!) and told to walk the halls for an hour to help labor along.  (Sidenote: For those who are familiar with either of our birth stories, you may recall that this is EXACTLY what happened in both of my other labors.)

Thankfully after an hour of walking the halls, I had progressed to 4 cm and was officially admitted and given an epidural (Praise the good Lordy!).  

The next couple hours were a bit of a blur as the nurses worked to find the right dose of pain meds that I needed (the initial dose wasn't relieving any of the pain) and monitor baby Audrey.  Because my contractions were so close together, the baby was in a bit of distress until they could figure out the right dose of meds for my epidural.  

By the time we had everything stabilized, the nurses checked on my progress and I was 10 cm dilated and ready to push.  Dr. Deka was called and upon her arrival we were ready to meet baby girl.  

After a few pushes, Audrey was here... 3:55 am...and we were in love with all 7 lb 5.5 ounces of her.  

Audrey captured our hearts from the moment we laid eyes on her.  She is the perfect addition to our family and the girls just adore her.  

For those who aren't on Instagram, here are some pictures capturing our time at the hospital.  

1) This belly pic was taken the morning before Audrey's birthday while at the park with the girls.  

2) Yes... I did wear my Uggs and awesomely cute hospital gown while walking the halls.  Don't hate! 

3) Sweet baby Audrey

4) Mommy and baby snuggles

1) My push present courtesy of the best hubby in the whole world

2) Audrey getting her hearing checked out

3) Audrey snuggled up to the teddy bear the girls brought to the hospital for her.  

4) A little something sweet to say thank you to all of our hospital visitors.  

And then finally, here are some pictures we snapped of when the girls met Audrey for the first time.  

If you're interested in reading our other two birth stories, feel free to keep reading. Elsie's Birth Story or Nora's Birth Story.