Birth Story: Allyson Elizabeth Rasor

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My doctor had me come in for a second appointment on February 22nd. He first wanted to make sure that my blood pressure and vision issues weren't getting worse but also hoped that if he was able to check me enough times my body would finally put itself into labor since I had been contracting and dilating for weeks.  
  The night before my appointment I had a major anxiety attack an hour or two after I went to sleep. Tyler was still awake and I told him I couldn't tell if I was panicking or if something serious was happening. I just knew my heart was racing and I did not feel ok. Tyler was able to help me calm down and the next morning I was still alive so I figured it was an anxiety attack. Looking back I don't know why I wouldn't have had a panic attack after 9 months of "morning sickness", having an infection for 5 months that only having the baby would cure, dropping platelets, high blood pressure, spots in my vision, trying to get our car back from the auto body shop before delivering.--It all makes sense to me now.  So, Friday afternoon my sweet sister called me to see if she could come watch my kids so Tyler could go to my appointment with me. She came over that afternoon and off we went to the doctor.  when the doctor checked me he said I was 4 cm and 50% effaced. I talked with him about my anxiety attack the night before and he said he wanted to call and see if we could get approval to deliver. (The hospital is ridiculously strict about not inducing before 39 weeks) Dr. Joseph went and got a second opinion from his colleague and then called us to his office while he called the hospital. They approved our induction request and we were told to come in on Saturday at 7:30 am. My mom, dad and sister came and spent the night at our house to be here for the delivery because a big winter storm was supposed to come in over night.
On Saturday we went to the hospital and got checked in and found out I had a UTI and my platelets had dropped to 115 (normal is 140)---It was time for this baby to get out!  They started my antibiotic (for GBS) and) my IV at  8:00, then started the pitocin at about 8:30.

 We were waiting for the doctor to come check me but he was taking a while so the nurse decided she would check me. If I had known that her checking me would mean without any gel and with dagger fingernails I would have waited for my doctor. She said I was still 4 cm but I question that since I don't think she could check me well with my screaming and tensing up. (seriously--dagger fingernails!) My doctor came in about a half an hour later and checked me and I was 6cm. He broke my water at that point. probably around 9:40. After that the contractions got really strong. I've never had pitocin or my water broken before an epidural before and I wasn't prepared for how quick the pain would intensify. Around 10:30 the nurse anesthetist came to do my epidural.  I was screaming at this point  and ready for some pain relief. After having to put the needle in twice the epidural was done and I was feeling a bit better. I refused to let the nurse check me again until the epidural was in full effect. She came in to check me around 11:00  and I was 9 cm. she went to get the doctor and after 2 sets of 3 pushes  little Allyson Elizabeth was born at 11:13 am  weighing 6 lbs 11 ounces and 20 inches long.

 Allyson with grandma

 Allyson and Grandpa

 Meeting big brother Connor for the first time--he was so shy.

 Meeting big sister---I fear the things big sister will teach her. :)

 Meeting uncle Matt

We are so grateful for this healthy baby girl and also to all our family and friends who have helped us and checked in to see how we've been doing the last few weeks!