Claire's Birth Story!!!

**Warning** Very long and detailed! =) This is for everyone who have asked and also for documenting purposes!

I just want to start off saying how much in love Luke and I are with this little girl. Its amazing how one day can change your life forever. One day your not a parent and the next you are. We couldn't be happier and more excited to have our Princess Claire in our lives. After giving childbirth It reminds me of my testimony of Heavenly Father. He truly has a plan for us. I am so thankful he has given us one of his spirits in heaven to look after here on earth. I am more in love with my husband than ever and couldn't be prouder to have both him and Claire as my Eternal Family.

So Saturday the 12th was Claire's due date, so to speak. We really don't know if she was late or right on time. But I guess a due date is just a good guesstimate anyways. I had been doing everything I could to get the ball rolling that week. I even hiked up the hill to the school about 3 or 4 times in a row to see if it would start anything. (its a pretty steep hill, especially for a prego).

My Mom flew in on Thursday to help out with the cleaning, making freezer meals, and the baby if she was going to arrive in that time frame. And then, it all started Friday morning on the 18th, I woke up feeling a little crampy. Not thinking anything of it I went throughout the day just a little uncomfortable. My mom and little brother Kyle drove me into Staunton to do some baby shopping! My mom was so nice to buy us a baby swing, diaper bag, nursing nighty for the hospital, and some other fun stuff too! I then had a doctors appointment with my midwife Christina Dubay. They strapped me up to the NST test to make sure baby was doing ok. Baby was great! ( I dont know why they call it a Non Stress Test, stressed the crap out of me!) Then she checked to see if I was dilated. 1 1/2!!! I couldn't believe it. All that work and still nothing really. She asked if I wanted her to strip the membranes and I said ok! I heard that hurts from other people but It just felt really crampy and uncomfortable. No super pain.

After that we went to Five Guys burger joint and I started noticing some contractions that really were getting strong. By 10pm that night Luke and I were timing the contractions. At this point we knew that Luke wasn't going to make it the football game the next day. It still was really irregular so we went to bed. Well I didn't sleep at all!!! They totally got worse. I was breathing heavy the whole night and I was afraid I would let it go way to long before I could get to the hospital in time. So i kept timing. I even woke Luke up with my breathing. So I went into the bathroom, painted my toenails, and packed some more.

I finally called Chris at 7am to say I need to come into the hospital. She said alright come on down! We got their by 9am and checked into the birthing suite. This room was awesome because you labored, delivered, and had postpartum in the same room! I loved it. Well the nurse checked me and I was still 1.5 maybe a 2! Ugghhh! I thought for sure I was a 3 or 4. lol So Chris told me to get up and walk. So luke and I paced back and forth in the L&D area. After an hour she checked me I was a 3! I was doing ok with the contractions just breathing really long deeps breaths (no birthing classes mind you). So they talked me into waiting just a little longer for the Epi. I went in and took a bath. It was the most amazing thing in the world! It didn't take away the pain of the contractions but it took away the achyness after each contraction. I highly recommend it! I was in their for over an hour.

They check me again. And I had dilated to a 5!!! Oh my and by now the pain was really intense. I asked for the Epi and so they put me on fluids to get ready for it. It took the doctor and hour to get their for the Epi. So mean while they game me a blessed piece of medicine called Stadol. It didn't take away the pain but it made you Loopy enough to not care as much. ( This wore off before the actual delivery) so it was nice. I got the Epi which wasn't painful for me at all, maybe the Stadol helped! Anyways I loved it! It took like 10 minutes for my lower body to start going numb. And then I slept for 2 hours. Chris checked me then and I was already at a 10! She asked if i felt the need to push yet and i hadn't so we decided to keep waiting and "Labor Down." I went back to sleep to let my body start to push her down by itself. Until I felt a need to push more consistently.

Luke was so nervous he had to pee like every 10 minutes before we started pushing!We finally got going! Luke stood behind me and helped me sit up with each contraction while giving me lots of encouragement and kisses. My mom was taking pictures like crazy. Luke and I were both a little scared to take a look at the head crowning but we both took a quick peek. lol She came out face up! I started pushing at 9:30 and she was out by 10:14!!! Chris did a great job trying to get me not to rip all over, i only tore in one spot. Claire came out and I reached out to hold my little slippery girl. The cord was really short so we laid her on my stomach as they wiped her off and cleared her air passages. She didn't scream, just fussed a little, then stared up at me with those gorgeous eyes! Love at first sight. =) Luke cut the cord and then followed his little princess over to be evaluated and cleaned up. He yelled back at me "She's 8 lbs 2 ounces!! And 20 inches long!" I think she surprised everyone!

Recovery was good. I cant complain I liked having the nurses there to help out with everything. Luke stayed the whole time with me and slept on the pull out coach. He was so wonderful with everything. From the first minute he was hands on. I didn't change a diaper until we got home! He loved going into the nursery and being with Claire. He stood by her as they gave her a sponge bath, shots, and testing. Through the night they would bring Claire in for her feedings and I enjoyed every minute of it, minus the tender nips! I have been learning that breastfeeding sure is rewarding but has its challenges.

We dressed Claire up in her coming home out fit and hair band. I brought 3 out fits to choose from! We put her in her new car seat and was a little nervous to drive with her so i rode in the back seat. She did great and slept the whole way. We just kept saying we cant believe she is finally here and that we have a daughter!

My man and I in between contractions

Luke sending me encouragement and love while I was pushing

Luke cutting the cord!

Our little family!

Me and my little girl

Claire getting cleaned and tested

Daddy by her side the whole time

We couldn't stop staring at her!!

Grandma (My mom) and us!

Claire has Luke wrapped by one finger from day one!

Mommy and baby resting

The next day

How cute are they?? She looks so little on Daddy's big chest.

All dolled up for pictures and to go home!

Being wheeled out to the car

Clairy's first car ride

At home on her changing table

Welcome home flowers in a festive vase!

Uncle Kyle and Mable in her kennel

The swing that Grandma bought for Claire Bear!

Daddy and Baby

Grandma, Mable, and Claire

Thank you Mom for staying with us the first week!!! You are Wonderful!!!!