Madeline Kate is here!

Madeline Kate Gundersen arrived Monday, September 28th, 2009, at 12:05pm! She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long. Madeline was very healthy when she arrived, so healthy we got to keep her with us all day (we did not get Hadley for 5 hours)!

Here is Madeline's birth story...

Sunday the 7th was a typical Sunday. Chris, Hadley, and I all woke up and went to church. During Sunday school I had one or two contractions. During the service I had another contraction or two. One or two contractions per hour continued until late in the evening when it became 3 or 4 contractions with some consistency. After getting Hadley to bed, I began cleaning the kitchen, picking up toys, and finished the last load of laundry. Just incase this was "it", I wanted the house to be relatively clean.

At 11pm I was in bed still having a few regular contractions. Chris was up watching a movie. Since I didn't want to get out of bed (lazy), I sent Chris a text saying, "You may want to come to bed and get some sleep while you can. These contractions aren't going away." He did come to bed and said how excited he was!

I remember looking at my clock and reading 2am. I had yet to fall asleep. I was tired, but the contractions kept waking me up. At this point it seemed like a good time to start timing them. I got up, went to the den, got on Facebook, and timed my contractions with a good friend of mine who is a missionary in Colombia (thanks Kendall!). By the third contraction that was 10 minutes apart she told me I better go ahead and get in the shower! Three contractions hit me in the shower. It was then that I knew this was "IT!!" Chris and I had talked about both wanting showers before going to the hospital, so I woke him up saying, "I'm sorry to wake you up, but you should probably go ahead and get in the shower if you're going to get one." This was 4am. He got out of bed faster than usual. When he got out of the shower I could see the excitement in his eyes.

I packed a few bags for Hadley since I wasn't sure if she would be going to daycare, to Aunt Heathers, or the hospital. I also packed the last of my bag. I knew my mom would be up at this time to drive to work, so I called her. My contractions were ranging from 6 to 8 minutes apart at this time. She said I should probably go ahead and call the Gundersens (I hated the thought of waking anyone up if this wasn't real labor). Mimi and Popi got the call around 4:45am. Next on the call list was Aunt Heather - she graciously offered to stay at the house until Mimi arrived so Hadley could sleep. Chris almost had the car loaded at this point... which was good because I was starting to get nervous! On the way to the hospital my contractions were coming 4 to 5 minutes apart!

When we arrived at the hospital I was 5 to 6 cm and 70% effaced (almost exactly the same as with Hadley). Chris and I did NOT like the nurse. We told her I was planning to deliver naturally. She immediately began asking why and saying how crazy that was. Believe me, I KNOW! I've done it once and thought I was insane then. Fortunately, her shift was ending. The next nurse we got was wonderful :D

We checked into the hospital at 5:45am. I do not remember what time it was when I reached 7cm, 8cm, etc... What I do remember is the nurse checking me and both times I was at 7cm. The second time she said, "The baby's head needs to turn. Let's get Sarah to change positions for a while." So I was on my knees hugging the top of the bed when the "panic" hit. I do use the term panic somewhat loosely. The fear of experiencing another birth like Hadley's (getting stuck at 9.5 cm to delivery for 1.5 hours) was hitting me. At this point, and a few others, my emotions were getting the best of me. I was telling Chris and mom that I didn't want to do this if it was going to be like Hadley's delivery, that I didn't think I could. Then, and each time after, they reminded me that I could, that this delivery was not going like Hadley's did, and that I was handling the contractions well - even better than with Hadley. Let's just say I wasn't very polite to them for encouraging me! However, I never did say, "Give me an epidural." I couldn't make the words come out. The truth was, I knew I was doing better with the contractions. If I focused on relaxing my body and breathing properly, the contractions weren't excrutiating. I could feel my body doing the work it was supposed to do.

The breathing technique I used was nothing special. I focused on taking deep breaths. The trick was breathing in so that my lungs inflated in my abdomen. It felt like my lungs were massaging my uterus (I read about this online and thought I'd give it a try). Breathing this way did feel a lot better. It also helped me stay relaxed.

I was checked and came in at 8cm twice - again an emotional moment. I couldn't hold my legs up or still. They shook uncontrollably much of the time... due to stress, tiredness, and fear I think. Poor mom and Chris had to hold my legs the whole time! At this point I remember mom telling me, "Sarah, you're almost there. You're doing great. Madeline is doing great and will be here soon. You're almost there!" To which I responded, "That isn't helping, you said that last time! I want to talk to the doctor." I do feel bad for being so rude!

The doc came in and finally said we could break my water. He was putting it off because he didn't wanted to be sure I got the second dose of antibiotics since I tested positive for Group B Strep. Breaking my water did get things moving. I quickly progressed to a 9ish cm.

I kept telling everyone I needed to push, even though I knew that you aren't supposed to until 10cm. My body would push during a contraction. I was fighting it because I thought it was too early. This messed up my breathing a lot. I began hyperventilating and needed some oxygen (did this with Hadley too). Mom said it was time to change my breathing, but I was being stubborn. Chris had to get in my face and start breathing for me. It worked. After another contraction or two I had switched to the new breathing technique for pushing. The nurse held back the lip of my cervix to help me get to 10cm. They let me push a bit and called the doc.

I could've delivered Madeline before the doc got there, but the nurse was telling me not to push. Geez, this is hard! I could tell God was having mercy on me though. He gave me a very nice, relatively long break between contractions while waiting on the doctor. The doc came in, suited up, and got in position. I distinctively remember my mom saying, "I'm sorry, but your gloves were all over that curtain. Would you please put on new gloves?" He graciously obliged. I thought to myself, "Remember that. It will be funny later." I did, and it still is :D

I could feel Madeline crowning. I knew I was doing a much better job of pushing than with Hadley. Don't let anyone tell you head size doesn't matter! Crowning was kind of painful, but nothing like a contraction. Besides, I knew crowning was very temporary. The doc then said, "I'm going to tell you to stop pushing in a minute. It will mean you're ready to push her out, but I want to help you not tear first." We got there. Again, my stubborn side came out. The doc said, "Okay, stop pushing!" I did... for a second. It was tough. I thought, "Who cares if I tear? That part of healing didn't bother me last time. I don't want to go through another contraction! I'm pushing!" .... and out Madeline came!! She was out easily, head, shoulders, and all! Pushing lasted around 30 minutes. Madeline came out crying with her bottom lip stuck out in a very pouty manner. She quickly began moving her mouth to let us know she was ready to nurse. I got to love on her for a bit before she went to the other side of the room to be weighed. Exhaustion from Hadley's delivery kept me from having a lot of emotion. This time I was kind of crying. I was so thankful to be done with the delivery, thankful to be holding my daughter, and thankful to have such wonderful help with delivery (I will never consider a natural birth without Chris and my mom).

As Madeline was lying on my chest, I remember saying, "You're so tiny!" Wrong! I heard the nurse say she was 7 pounds 12 ounces. What?! Yes, I was shocked. That's not a huge baby by any means, but it is over 1.5 pounds bigger than Hadley was!! I did not think she would be over 7 pounds.

Around this time I heard the nurse say, "I'll start the pitocin." I immediately said/yelled, "No pitocin!" I knew what it was for, but I did not just make it through a drug-free delivery to be given pitocin now! The nurse started telling me why I needed it, but the doc said, "She says she doesn't want it." I then forgave the doctor for taking so long to get to me while I wanted to push.

The stitching took a little while. I had a 2nd degree tear, nothing major.

We were fortunate enough to keep Hadley with us all day. We let family come in to meet Madeline. The nurse came in to give her a bath. Sometime shortly after that I nursed Madeline for the first time. She took to it like a champ!

Mimi and Popi brought Hadley by later that evening. Hadley was very happy to see her little sister. She started at her and said things like "Madeline" and "baby sister". Hadley was very gentle and not trying to grab or poke Madeline. She gave me and Chris a little bit of attention before playing by the door with her cousin Katya. Before she left to spend some time in Manchester, she did blow us some kisses! It was very strange seeing Hadley and Madeline and realizing Hadley is not the baby anymore. But, my heart was definitely overflowing with love. The only true regret I have for that day was that we didn't get a picture of the 4 of us at the hospital.

The next 2 days in the hospital were great (well, except for being discharged... that's another story for another day). Madeline was sleeping and eating very well. The pediatrician used the word "perfect" to describe her. I do not know what she weighed when we left the hospital. Maybe I'll find out at her 2 week appointment.

Chris and I are overflowing with love for our new daughter and our bigger family. Madeline has been a spectacular baby. She eats well and sleeps well. Hadley is a very kind big sister. She likes to see Madeline and is very gentle. She has not gotten jealous yet. Thankfully Chris was home with us all last week and will be again this week. It is very nice to have this family time. I'll be very sad when he has to go back to work! For those that don't know, Chris is an amazing father and husband. Not only did he coach me through a 2nd natural childbirth, but he's also changed many diapers and helped with any and everything around the house while I recover. Never once has he complained. Last night a hymn kept replaying in my head, "Give Thanks". As I sang the words I thought, "How appropriate! God, I am so thankful!"

Madeline Kate- Mommy, Daddy, and Hadley love you very much. I am so happy you are here to hold. You are such a sweet baby. You sleep well. You are not fussy. I expect you will be a calm, relaxed little girl. You are a greatly loved addition to our family!

(Sorry for any grammatical errors. This is too long, and it is too late, to proof!)