Scottie’s Birth Story

OH HEY Y’ALL! We are back, and by we I mean me with the newest and final addition to our family. Baby girl, Scottie, has completed our family and we could not be more obsessed with her. I cannot even believe I am writing BABY GIRL, like OH M G! I have blogged the boy’s birth stories so there was no way I could leave out sharing our final story with my peeps. I thought it was best to do this one while it was still fresh but I don’t think the day your babies are born ever leaves your mind cause they all still feel like yesterday to me. But, I digress. Let’s get into it.

To say there was some drama leading up to this final birth would be an understatement. Our lives were turned pretty much upside down for the better portion of two months before she arrived. I have to admit her healthy arrival really did feel like a vacation and I am super grateful for that because we really needed to catch a break LOL. If you have followed our family on insta you probably have a little idea of what I am talking about but if not let me fill you in. At 32 weeks pregnant (just over actually) I woke up, went to the bathroom and felt a very familiar and horrifying feeling. Before even looking down I knew I was bleeding. And bleeding a lot. It felt all too similar to what happened with Beau and to say I was terrified is an understatement. This was two full weeks earlier than with Beau so that added to the concern. I was home alone with the boys as Chris had already left for work two hours prior. I sat on the toilet silently sobbing for a few minutes before I heard the boys running in to check on me. I pulled it together quickly and told Beau I needed his help with Watson. TBH they were both so well behaved that morning and I was so grateful for that. I grabbed my phone and called Chris and told him what was happening. He called an ambulance and jumped in his car home before I even had to ask. Side bar: he left work in all his gear which meant he had to wear this for the entire day at the hospital, more on that in a minute . . . I was brought to our local hospital and transferred to the one I would be having our baby at very quickly. The difference this time than with Beau was it felt like everyone was calm and taking proper action. I don’t know exactly what it was but when I got to the hospital I had a feeling she was going to stay in and thankfully I was right. We were given all the information we needed if it was to come to another emergency and NICU stay for our little lady (who we did not know was a lady at this point) but thankfully that was not the case. The ultrasounds were all inconclusive and we still do not know what caused the bleeding but it was substantial so I had a little stay at the hospital, lots of checks on baby and we were released and on our way two days later on a modified bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy. A scare but everything was okay. Funny husband story to conclude this little adventure . . . So Chris was in full uniform which meant he had everything on that he would on the job. When the first lab tech came in to take my blood she froze and walked back out of the room. I thought that was odd until we heard a little chuckle from the nurse and her saying oh no that is his wife. It looked as though I was a criminal being guarded by a cop. She thought he was on duty supervising me. That was a first. But to be fair I probably did look very disheveled so I cannot blame her lol.

Unfortunately this was not the last of the drama LOL. At just over a week before my scheduled c section I had an unpleasant night of barfing and pooping and a little more blood. I thought I perhaps could be going into labour. I had really intense braxton hicks with all three babes so I was aware it was likely that but the extra bits of discomfort made me question it. What landed me in the hospital however was dehydration. I needed an IV for a day. Baby then got a little stressed out in there so she needed to be watched for a little longer. 28 hours later, back home we went. I know we have not even gotten to the good part but there is one more bit of drama that really was the worst for me. My poor four year old landed himself in Sick Kids the night I got home from that last hospital stay and it was one of the scariest experiences as a parent we have had to date. He is thankfully doing amazing now and the teams at Sick Kids were beyond amazing. We are so grateful for that kind of care so close to home but my goodness that was not a fun time. We came home just a few short days before Scottie’s arrival and to say we all needed some calm was an understatement. OH, last thing . . . did I mention there was a fire in the building where my bridal shop / style lounge is ? There was. Lots of smoke damage. But that is what insurance is for and let me tell you things were definitely put into perspective as that happened the same day Beau was taken to Sick Kids. Safe to say life felt a little insane so making it to my scheduled C-section date was a miracle as far as I’m concerned.

May 24, 2022.

My C-section was scheduled for 7am which was definitely my preference because it would be so hard to have to wait any later into the day, like there is no way I am sleeping the night before that obviously. I felt the most nervous for this surgery despite having experienced both an emergency and scheduled C-section. I knew what I was in for and that did not make me feel better. But I was of course beyond excited to meet our baby. We arrived at the hospital around 5am and Chris felt very comfortable to nap while I was getting my IVs and blood taken prior to surgery. MEN, am I right? Lol. Not an important detail but an important detail, IYKYK.

Everything was on time for the most part, aside from my doctor being late while I was waiting in the hallway of the hospital but what’s a few more minutes right?! When I was taken into the OR everything was relaxed and quiet. I was given my spinal and I was very grateful to know this was my last time feeling that. Not the needle itself but the feeling of your body going numb is just a really odd and uncomfortable sensation to say the least. I think the numbing took a little longer to kick in because I could still feel a few unfortunate sensations prior to surgery. For example the catheter being inserted, TMI sorry. But everything froze up eventually and that’s when the less fun bits of this surgery began. I always have slightly unpleasant reactions to anesthetics but usually it can be corrected quickly. Unfortunately this time I felt pretty sick for the entire surgery. My heart rate did drop from 70 to 40 in about a minute so that would likely explain me feeling exceptionally nauseated. If you have had a C-section you know you can feel the pressure of the baby coming out. It is such an odd sensation and one that is really difficult to put into words. My OB let us know when baby was being taken out and before she was even all the way out this little lady was screaming. A relieving sound when you have no control over what is happening to you. Within a few seconds after that she told us she was going to show chris the boy or girl parts over the curtain if the cord would reach. As soon as I heard it’s a girl the tears were streaming down my face. I couldn’t even manage to speak but my heart was so happy and I just had this sense of absolute calmness and knew our family was complete. When I was finally able to see her sweet little face across the room she looked like a mini version of big brother Watty. However, this is changing daily as now I think she looks more like Beau. Not the point. She was cleaned off and quickly brought over to me to hold as they finished up my surgery. She was a perfect 7lb little human and I was in absolute shock she was ours. The moment they bring you your baby is magic every time. Each of my babies stopped crying instantly when placed on me and this is something that will be ingrained in my mind for the rest of my life. Unfortunately because I was still feeling quite sick I could not hold her for long but we were instantly head over heels in love with our GIRL.

My surgery itself was uncomplicated and thankfully I felt so much better once in recovery and got all the baby snuggles I wanted. I was able to get up only a few hours after and honestly felt the best of all three kiddos. Do not get me wrong having a major abdominal surgery is no joke, even when it is uncomplicated and goes to plan. Sneezing is the worst pain of your life and the dread of having to use the washroom is very real but all in all I felt reasonably well. We were able to go home within 24 hours and it was truly the best overall experience.

Her transition into our family has been seamless. The boys are smitten with her and she is (knock on wood) the easiest baby. She is calm and sweet and just the cutest little princess baby to ever exist. Here we are three, almost four, weeks in and there is so much that has happened in such a small amount of time. I want time to speed up and slow down all at once. I am so excited to see who she will be but I am treasuring every last, first, we are having. Her soft little coes and sleepy newborn snuggles are giving me a new level of appreciation for everything my body has done for us. I have carried three babies. I will have fed three babies (not easily I might add), and I will have helped create this beautiful life for us and I could not be more grateful. Knowing this is our last baby, despite being very happy with that decision, has given me a new mindset. I will treasure this chapter of our lives for the rest of mine and I know this next chapter of being a family of five is going to be pure bliss, it already is.

I am so curious to know if you knew when you were done having babies or if you never felt sure. I never thought I would have three children but now I cannot imagine my life being any other way. We are so incredibly blessed and I will never take that for granted. Thanks for sharing this with us and being here babes. Chat soon.

xo