Team Jogan

Well. I feel awful that it's taken me almost a year to write this. But I'm glad I have it written in a notebook so I could easily look back and remember. Brooke's birth was quick just like Bre's. 

On Tuesday evening, Jan 27, my mom arrived (she had purchased tickets months earlier because I had my other girls weeks early, so we just assumed she would be too. Brooke was 5 days past her due date, the little stinker.). We were worried my mom wouldn't be around when baby girl came (she really didn't have a name yet). So Wednesday we dropped Emma off at school and ran some errands and then went to the mall and walked laps, I had some light contractions (but I had, had inconsistent, light contractions for about a week now with no progression--though my doctor said I was soft and effaced enough I could go anytime. Because I went over I had my first after due date NST and she was happy and healthy and obviously, comfortable).

We picked Emma up and went to dance class. I contracted softly all through dance class, so afterwards we went to Taco Bell for dinner and then came home. Ran around getting kids to bed and it felt like the contractions slowed down, but as soon as I relaxed on the couch, they started to pick up. 

At 9pm Logan arrived at home, and then by 10pm my contractions were finally consistent at 7-10 minutes apart. 

After I gave birth to Breanna, and it was a surprise natural birth, I knew I could do it, and I planned to do it with Brooke. So I did research and hired a doula. A doula is basically a birth coach, who helps and assists you in any way she can to meet your birth goals. (I would LOVE to be a doula when my kids are a little older!) 

So at that time, we texted my doula and let her know it looked like things might be happening so to be prepared. At midnight things had continued to pick up so we called her and asked her to come. She arrived about 30 minutes later. She was fantastic, helping me breath through contractions, and relax. It was also nice to have the distraction of Logan, my mom, and my doula, Tricia. 

In between contractions I like to be distracted, I like the conversation going on around me,and I like to talk about anything. I know that's different than some women who like to completely focus. But, to me, that's the focus, distract my mind a little. 

At 3am my contractions were finally 3-5 minutes apart. My tests had come in that I was GBS+ so we wanted to get in the hospital early enough to get some antibiotics.

By then they checked me again and I was a 9.5 (basically a 10 with a little lip) and a minute later I felt like I needed to push. It was 4:55 am with no doctor in sight.

Through all of this, Tricia was fantastic, keeping me calm, focused and breathing as the contractions got worse and worse and closer together. I admit, I was pretty good at keeping controlled and didn't scream at all. I had a few moments when I lost focus and panicked a little, but with Tricia there, I was quickly back on track. 

The doctor wasn't there, and there was no stopping Brooke. I started to push. My nurse, Cami, was fantastic. Brooke's shoulder got caught a little bit, but my doula, who was watching her, told me later that she very deftly manuevered her out. She was born at 4:58 am. I felt the ring of fire described when you push, but I knew if I kept pushing it would be over in a minute. Tricia helped me push with low deep moaning breaths (I know it sounds stupid--but it is amazing, and works wonders).

As this was happening, Logan was panicking because there wasn't a doctor and only one nurse in the room. He ran into the hall and announced that the baby was coming and he said all the nurses ran out of their rooms and piled into ours. I vaguely remember our room suddenly getting crowded. 

Brooke came out very fast after I started pushing, and because of that, she was pale and didn't cry for a minute to or two. They rushed her over to the table and worked on her and she started to cry. What a beautiful noise that is when you don't hear it right away. They let me hold her for a minute while Tricia rubbed her feet, and then they whisked her off to the NICU to run a few tests and make sure she was okay.

That was probably okay for me because my body was definitely in shock and I couldn't stop shaking or calm down for a while. Another doctor came in (not mine) and delivered my placenta (I didn't tear at all during delivery, which was fantastic). The doctor commented to be in a whisper that I probably could have had this baby at home, things went very well. Then the nurse said she just hadn't realized how quickly I was progressing because I stayed so calm. She said usually women scream a few times and yell when they get that far along in labor. I'll take that compliment. 

Within 15 minutes baby girl was back with us and doing great. Because I didn't get any antibiotics before she was born we had to stay at least 48 hrs to make sure baby girl was ok.

At that point we couldn't decide between the names Cora and Brooke. I wanted Cora and Logan wanted Brooke. I like Brooke well enough and he didn't like Cora at all, so he eventually won. 

Just before we left the hospital I ended up in a lot of pain that really freaked out my nurses, but we got it under control, and after a couple more episodes of the pain at home, we did finally figure out it was just trapped gas and fixed that problem right away. 

Brooke Lily Campbell

She was a champ eater and sleeper. And was super patient with her adoring sisters. 

I ended up with mastitis twice in the first few weeks (that's the first time I've ever had it--it's awful.) But things finally did settle down and we were doing great!

For New Years we didn't do a whole lot. We spent some time at our neighbor's house and watched an early countdown to midnight with the girls and then put them to bed. Then we drank some sparkling cider at midnight and went to bed--it's really exciting to have little kids and celebrate :) haha.