Carter's Birth Story

Carter was due on July 24th. My "birth plan" consisted of my Mom and sisters being with me and having an epidural as soon as I could. My family typically spends the 4th of July in Bear Lake. My Mom left at 5:00 Wednesday night and went over to join pretty much my whole family. My youngest sister Marijka and I both worked Wednesday. I had an ultrasound scheduled to measure the baby on Thursday morning and Marijka needed to work so we were still home and planning on going over Thursday after we were done. I was looking forward to relaxing for a few days at the Lake.

At 8:30 I went in to go to the bathroom. As I moved to stand up I heard and felt a little pop. There was a little blood on the tissue. I went back to helping Marijka pick up the house but felt like I needed to go again. There was more blood on the tissue and some in my garments. I had a weird pain so I took a towel and went and sat in the front room. I had more uncomfortable pains. I was worried about the blood and did a little internet research but came up with nothing helpful. I didn't know if I was having contractions for sure but they hurt a lot. I started timing them and they were a couple of minutes apart. I called the hospital. She said she could get me in touch with the doctor on call. She asked about contractions. When I said they were a couple of minutes apart she said I could come get checked if I wanted. I said I was going to for my own peace of mind. When I hung up Marijka was standing there with the keys and said let's go. The only thing I remembered to take was a charger for my phone. I didn't even remember my purse.

By the time we were passing Gossner's the pain was unbearable and coming every 90 seconds. By 14th north I quit timing because I didn't want to know how fast they were. There were times I wanted to push. Marijka was holding my hand and being awesome. I kept telling her to drive safe. Marijka had called Mom but I called her again and told her to come now.

We got to the hospital and Marijka grabbed a wheelchair. I had a contraction getting in it, one in the elevator, and one at the admit desk. They took me back and wanted a urine sample and me to change into a gown, etc. Marijka got a gown on me and got me on the bed. I told the aide I needed to push. I think it finally got her attention. She grabbed a nurse from the hall. She checked me and calmly called on her intercom thing for a table and a doctor. I asked if I was dilated and she said I was pretty close. I was at what they called a full plus 3, which I later found out meant the baby was crowning.

The room filled with people. They were trying to get an IV in with no luck. Marijka was trying to help me breathe through the contractions which were coming constantly. Poor Marijka. I kept telling her to get pictures with our phones. She had everyone from Bear Lake calling her. She was awesome from start to finish. I wanted to push and the pain was unbearable. They kept telling me I had to wait for Dr. McCulloch. Then she got there and I had to wait for her to get a gown on. Thankfully she told them to forget the IV, we were having a baby now. A few long painful pushes and he was here. 

My water broke at 8:30. We got to the admin desk at 9:20 and Carter Ric Willis was born at 9:45. He weighed 7lbs 1oz. He was 19.25" long. He was fine until the next morning when his blood sugar dropped. The had to take him to the NICU to get it regulated. He did well and was able to go home with me on Friday the 4th.

I can't believe how much I love him. He is such a sweet baby. I couldn't ask for anything more.