Hazel's Birth Story:
Most of my pregnancy with Hazel was pretty standard for me, no big concerns or problems. Except, this time around I felt like a zombie most of my pregnancy! I mean absolutely NO ENERGY! I think it was a culmination of things, such as having 4 little kids under the age of 8 to care for, going through a big move to Vegas while I was 21 weeks prego, Ben working MUCH longer hours therefore not being home to help with the boys as much, the stress of financial struggles, and just the overall physical pregnancy ailments. Therefore, I was a walking zombie for the entire 2nd half of my pregnancy and then just walking even became difficult (this was a new one for me) due to Hazel's positioning causing shooting nerve pain down my legs. This leg pain became so bad in the last weeks that I literally would not be able to walk! Such a debilitating feeling. It is so crazy how each pregnancy is soooo different just like every delivery. All 5 of mine have been very unique and amazing (for the most part) experiences.
WOW! I sound like such a baby right now! Do not get me wrong, every pain, stress, and worry we go through as pregnant mothers is MORE than worth bringing these perfect little angels into the world. Nothing is more sacred and special than holding your newborn baby for the first time fresh from heaven. I am so grateful that I have been able to conceive and bear 5 healthy children and humbled that Heavenly Father has entrusted me with these precious little lives. So again, it is all MORE than worth it!!! Nothing makes me happier than being a mom and I CANNOT believe that I have 5 babies now!!! Seriously, blessed beyond measure and so eternally grateful for my 5 sweet babies:)
Ok, back to her birth story:) Since we moved to Vegas in the middle of my pregnancy, I had a little anxiety about finding a doctor here that does VBACs and would also be someone that I trust. I was given two VBAC doctor recommendations by acquaintences from Vegas. The highly recommended one wasn't taking any new patients so I was lucky to get into the 2nd recommendation, Dr. Martin. From the first time I met him, I loved him! He is so genuine, personable, thorough, and OCD. The perfect combination for me! I knew right away that I could trust my child's life and possibly my own in his hands. He was very impressive! It was such a relief to find a great doctor because I loved Dr. Holmes in AZ and was so sad to leave him. Now that the doctor was squared away, I just had to make it through this pregnancy the best I could.
As I approached the end of the pregnancy, at one point, I was measuring large and was told that I could possibly be having sweet Hazel early...woohoo! I never have my babies early, well Reid was 3 days early, Logan 1 day early (but didn't come naturally as we know too well), Beau was 1 day overdue, and good old Daners was 9 DAYS over due!!! So, I have been though the gamut of delivery dates and birth scenarios! The idea of delivering possibly weeks early was really exciting to me, but that didn't quite happen. Dr. Martin told me that, "if my cervix was favorable" he would actually induce me a week before my due date. WHAT?!?! Induce a VBAC a week early was not what I was used to hearing, but because I am, "a loyal VBACer" as Dr. Martin said, "he would be a bad doctor if he didn't VBAC me." He said more risks would be involved at this point with doing a C-Section. So a VBAC was still the plan and it was now up to how I progressed over the past weeks. I actually considered just doing a C-Section this time because it seemed easier on my family to KNOW the due date of our sweet babe so we could tell Jen and Annette and Brent when to come to help us. But then I thought about the long and difficult recovery from a C-Section and how that would be a detriment to my family. Also, I really fought for a VBAC with Dane because I didn't want the number of children we were able to have be limited by my C-Section and the lack of knowledge that I had with my first delivery. But, now we will be having our 5th and I could most likely have another C-Section after this one if were to have another baby. So, that wasn't the reason to fight for a VBAC anymore. Then I started to worry about all of the VBAC and C-Section risks and worst case scenarios. I tell you, I have never had more anxiety and fear for a delivery than I did for this one! With each pregnancy I have become more and more scared and I think it is because I am more and more aware of all of the possible things that can go wrong. Dr. Martin confirmed that is very common amongst majority of mothers that have had many babies...each one is much more nerve racking! I would think, "How is it possible that I have had 4 healthy babies?!?! Is is safe to roll the dice for the 5th time?!?" I most definitely say, YES, but I was definitely worried that something would go wrong this 5th time because how could I be so lucky??? So after this inner battle and many conversations with Ben, Jen, Ju, and Dr. Martin, I knew a VBAC was the way to go again if my body was willing this time around.
Dr. Martin, however, was disappointed that at 37 weeks I was only 1 & 1/2 cm and 50% effaced. I was thrilled I was that dilated at this point because usually I do not dilate at all until the week of my due date. I told Dr. Martin this is how I am. He started to worry that we would have to do a C-Section if I don't start dilating more, but come on, I am only 37 weeks! I think he was having a bad day when he said that and I tried to shrug it off. I really was ok with a C-Section too, but he wasn't even giving my body a chance...I was 37 weeks mind you! I still love him though and that was the only time my love wavered;) Sadly, at my 38 week exam, I was still 1.5 cm and 50%. I told my doctor that this is normal for me until it gets closer and stripping my membranes has put me into labor the past 2 times. With both Beau and Reid, I was 1 cm dilated then after getting my membranes stripped I delivered them within 24 hours! It was my last ditch effort to naturally put myself into labor. So, Dr. Martin and I decided to wait to strip my membranes until week 39 when Jen will be in town to watch our boys if I go into labor. As week 39 came and went, I was still 1.5 cm and 50% and the membrane stripping did not work...boo:( Even after my efforts with jumping on the tramp, etc...it wasn't go time yet. Dr. Martin still wanted to set up an induction (just small doses of Pitocin) on my due date just in case I didn't go into labor naturally before then. He does not believe in going over a due date because of the increased risks of still births so, I agreed to this plan and was happy to somewhat know when she would arrive. So my induction was set for 6/22/2015 at 4:30 AM...YES, AM!!! YUCK! But I'll take it! There was a chance though that the hospital could call me in the middle of the night and reschedule me if the hospital was too full...ugh! Fingers crossed! I was lucky to have both Jen and Julie (and of course Ben!) there to help me get through that time between my last doctor's appointment on 6/17/2015 and my induction/due date. It was agonizing mainly because I could hardly walk (darn nerve pain!) and I was beyond exhausted from trying to go into labor naturally and just so DONE at that point!
FINALLY D Day (wait, not a good term for this!)...Delivery Day arrives! After staying up ALL night as a ball full of anxiety, as expected, Benny and I head to the hospital at 4:15 AM after he had given me a beautiful Priesthood blessing of comfort and peace. We arrived to the OB Triage right at 4:30 AM on the nose! The front desk lady was very frazzled and not very nice which caused me to worry that they were full and forgot to call and cancel my induction. Then she handed me a form to fill out them sent us to the waiting room until she had time to deal with us. All righty then. You could imagine my anxiety sitting there in the waiting room which felt like eternity! I thought for sure that when they would come back they would be sending me home due to lack of vacancy. Thankfully after 45 minutes, the longest 45 minutes of my life, they took me to my delivery room and the process began. YES! I was in and it was finally going to happen! It wasn't until 6 AM when that they actually examined me (I was at a loose 3 cm and 50% on my own before Pitocin...not bad! I guess some of my labor inducing techniques were not in vain) then started the Pitocin.
Over the next few hours, the contractions started to get stronger and stronger with each dose increase. But, this process of induction was very calm, relaxing, and peaceful...until, of course, the pain started to become unbearable and Mr. John Rasmussen walked through the door! HA! No, really, I was so happy to see my dad, but he arrived from Springdale (where his 2nd home is) into my hospital room at the peak of my pain when I was basically crying and gripping the side rail through each contraction that were quickly getting stronger and longer! I did have to tell my dad to stop talking a few times in my agony while he was joking around with the nurses and everyone, but I was so happy he was there to support me. Whenever he shows up the game is on and my babies come. This was true with all of my babes except for Daners. It took hime leaving the hospital for me to relax and have the baby. But I could tell this time that he was good energy. After many painful contractions (more than I wanted to experience) I started to panic that I wasn't going to get my epidural in time because my babies come quickly once the hard labor begins.
Luckily, the anesthesiologist was on the floor and able to come quickly. He was a tall man with a Superman bandana on. Very fitting because he was most definitely here to my rescue!!! I was elated to see him yet a bit nervous for the epidural. He quickly worked his magic with only one really painful contraction during the process (with Beau, my water broke whilst getting my epidural...it was no bueno) and just a small prick of pain on my back. Well done Superman! Probably my best epidural yet, but it got better from there! The pain quickly subsided as expected and the feeling of a warm comfortable blanket of peace and relaxation over came my body, as per usual, but the feeling of 100 ton elephant dead legs did not happen! I was worried and asked the nurse why my legs did not feel dead??? She said that is the type of epidural Superman (we'll just call him that because I do not remember his name) likes to give. So, I could move my legs and body, but could not feel ANY pain!!! This was wonderful, but I was still nervous that I would be able to feel her ripping through at delivery time so I asked for another bolus dose just in case. They kindly gave it to me and assured me that I shouldn't feel any pain, so I tried to trust them and relax in my comfortable state of no pain. "Comfortably numb" as my dad would like to reference Pink Floyd. While I listened to my dad and Ben discuss solar and other topics I tried to sleep. It was SO relaxing like I was at a spa or something. I almost felt like I was cheating the whole child birth experience by getting an epidural, because after that point, the rest was cake (at least it has been for me in the past, hopefully it will be again). But, I am an advocate of epidurals and not feeling any pain so I was fine with it and enjoyed my moments of pain free relaxation. My dad kept coming over and checking on me and telling me how much I look like my mom and I act just like her when she delivered all three of us sisters. I could feel my mom there and I knew that baby Hazel was coming soon and my mom would kiss her goodbye and send her on our way.
Not much time had passed after the epidural and Dr. Martin came in for the first time. I was to happy to see him. It is funny how attached moms get to their OBs. It is like we are in love or something. I love them for what they do and I am so happy they do it...what a tough job, but yet so rewarding. Anyway, he was very sweet and upbeat. He checked my cervix and I was at a 6 and still 50% effaced. He decide to break my water and get this show on the road! It was about 11AM then. He asked if my labors tend to move quickly and I told him they roughly last 3 hours when I'm in active labor. So he said he can tell I'm going to go quickly so he turned down the Pitocin to buy some time because he had to go and do a C-Section at the moment. So, hopefully things slow down a bit, but no too long! I'm ready to have this baby, but I was still in my nice, relaxed, comfortably numb state. This induction was amazing so far! I did have to experience some pain, but it was all controllable and way less than the amount of pain I went through with Beau and Reid's natural labors. This is the way to go!
About 10 minutes later my dad started to get impatient and wanted me to have the baby already because he was hangry. So, I sent him and Ben to the cafeteria. Ben was worried I would have the baby while they were gone, but they were just a quick phone call away and it gave me a chance for more of my amazing relaxing time. This was most definitely the most relaxed and comfortable I have felt in the past 9 months...it was heavenly!!! About 20 minutes after I sent them away, I felt a heavy heavy feeling in my bottom, unlike I have never felt before due to my past 100 ton dead paralyzed body feeling epidurals. I have heard other mothers in natural labor on movies, etc, describe the go time as that heavy feeling in your bottom. I started to panic that she was coming out and that nobody was in here...the doctor, Ben, my dad, the nurse...no one and I was going to deliver myself! I called Ben right away and paged the nurse. Ben and Dad arrived in a jiff with their half eaten food in tow. Then the nurse quickly came and I told her I think the baby's head is crowning. She examined me and said it isn't out yet, but right at the door and she could easily feel it. Then she hurried to get Dr. Martin and started setting up the stirrups and all of the delivery instruments and tools. Ahh! It's go time!!!
Dr. Martin got there very quickly and the first thing he said is, "there is my favorite patient!" Ha! favorite because I am a quick induction case...thank goodness! I apologized to him for not introducing my husband and dad to him earlier and he laughed and they all joked around for a bit. Then he asked me if I want my dad to stay. Normally I would say no, but because this could possibly be my last delivery (if you ask Ben, it is, if you ask me, we have one more waiting to come to our family...we'll see what happens;)) and we (me and my sisters) haven't let him stay in any yet, I thought it was his time as long as he behaved and didn't look at anything down there. He agreed and was super excited! He turned his chair so his back was facing me and started iPadding (is that a word?). He felt really special to be there and he made everything very light hearted and fun with his joking around with the nurses and Dr. Martin...very good energy. I love my dad so very much and everyone seemed to like him being in there so it was a good call. Jen and Julie were home watching my kids and I wanted them both there too, but they have been there for my other deliveries and now it was my dad's turn. My dad, Jen, and Ju's sacrifice to be there for me and my family was so incredibly appreciated especially now that we live in different states. I know it wasn't easy for them and I am so thankful!
Now it was really go time and I REALLY felt like I needed to push (this was a new feeling too due to this amazing epidural where I could feel without feeling pain...love it!)! I told Dr. Martin and he said then let's push! He put my legs in the stirrups and told me how to breath while I pushed. We waited for the next contraction and then he quickly said push!!! Then...GAH...I peed on the doctor right in the face...Oh YES I DID!!! SOOOO embarrassing!!! That was a first, but not to Dr. Martin! He said it happens all of the time and it is good because it means I am using the right muscles to push. Ok then, after a million apologies, it was time to push for the second time. Whilst through my pee push her head came out and with my second push almost her entire body came out. Then the doctor asked me if I wanted to deliver my own baby? I was like, ok, but a little nervous. Then he told me to reach down and put my hands under her armpits and pull her up to my chest and I did just that! It was incredible!!! I just pulled my own baby out of me (Kourtney Kardashian style)!!! This was absolutely AMAZING!!! Suddenly all of the emotions in the world overcame me as my little GIRL was finally in my arms safe and sound! Truly the best feeling in the world!!! The veil is so thin at that moment in time and the spirit of peace, joy, and comfort is overwhelming! My slice of heaven was here! She has quite a set of lungs! She came out screaming! It was music to my ears! She was healthy, safe, and HERE...YEEEESSSSS!!! I asked the doctor multiple times if she was a girl. He laughed and confirmed it many times! I HAVE A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe it!!! What an incredibly blessing!!! She is gorgeous and looked just like my mom when she arrived. It made me cry, she looked so much like her. My dad sobbed to at the resemblance. My mom was there stronger than ever and now my baby girl was finally here too.
Wow! I never ever thought I would have a girl!!! I thought for sure, I was going to have all boys and have grown to accept and love that. I seriously ADORE my boys with all of my heart and feel soooo blessed and thankful that I get to be their mommy, but I still yearned for a little girl to play dress up with, play dolls, go shopping, watch her dance performances, and do all of that fun girly stuff together forever. So, receiving the news that we were having a GIRL was an extremely exciting day!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!!! The much anticipated day has finally arrived, Hazel (we did not have a first name determined for her until she was 1 day old) Joyce Bryner joined our family 6/22/2015 at 12:30 pm at Summerlin Hospital. She weighed in at 7 lbs 5 oz and was 21 inches long. She did not like getting poked and prodded by the nurses and screamed the whole way through it. She was a feisty little one right out of the hatch, but once all of the chaos calmed she was sweet and angelic as ever. She is gorgeous and looks so much like her Grandma Joyce it makes me want to bawl! Oh my word, I am sooooo in love with this precious little girl fresh from heaven!!!
