Kate's birthday

I'm slow at getting this posted, but wanted to post about Kate's birthday.  It's hard to believe that she is 11!  One more year and she'll be in Young Women's!

So, Kate's birth story.  Hmmm, what do I remember about hers.  It's been a long time.  Honestly, I took a dose of stadol when I was in labor with Kate to help take the edge off of the pain, and because it is a narcotic (I suppose this was my first and only experience with drugs!), it made me quite loopy and I don't remember too much.  Because of my inexperience and anxiety about having a VBAC, I ended up going to the hospital three times before I was actually in labor.  I was so worried about my the scar from my c-section tearing and having an emergency.  I wish the doctor would have just said to relax and not worry about it.  But I suppose that VBACs were still pretty new and doctors were taking precautions to prevent uterine rupture.  Anyways, so I remember having mildly strong contractions late one afternoon.  We went to eat at Golden Corral for dinner.  I was kind of bummed that I was going into labor then because as poor as we were back then, going out to eat was a treat and I really wanted to eat, but because my contractions were starting to get stronger, I didn't really want to eat!  We get to the hospital and they check me and I was like either 3 or 4 centimeters.  The doctor tells the nurse to ask me if they could break my water, seeing as how this the third time I had gone to the hospital!  I knew for sure I was in labor this time as the contractions were getting stronger, so I said yes.  After that, the contractions got really painful.  This is when I asked for something to help with the pain.  So they gave me stadol.  Pretty much after that, my memory is foggy.  I remembering feeling like I was floating and everything was great in between contractions, I even fell asleep!  But it does nothing for the actual contraction itself, and I do remember the contractions being very painful.  Finally I guess I'm coherent enough to ask for something else, so they call the anesthesiologist.  When he arrives, I'm already dilated to a 10, but delivering Kate would be as if I was delivering my first, as Alex was a c-section, so the doctor says it would be ok.  Thank you!  I was given an interthecal and then I knew I was really loopy.  I'm on drugs and feeling no pain now, such a crazy feeling!  At the same time I hated that loopy feeling, so I feel reassured that I could never handle being a drug addict.  Back to Kate, I don't know how long I pushed or anything, but just remember that she was born right after 11 p.m. (11:01 to be exact) on February 17th, weighing in at 7lbs. 3 oz.  I do remember the doctor getting a little upset with one of the nurses because she was freaking out a little because Kate wouldn't breathe, but she did finally take a breath and all was well!  Something happened later that night that caused me to feel like I was gonna pass out.  It happened after I had Dane as well.  My blood pressure dropped real low.  I don't know why either time because it came right back up, but not a great feeling when it happens.  You feel nauseous and like you can't breathe.  Anyways, I love you Katie Bug!