London's Birth Story

I was 37 weeks 6 days pregnant on December 20, 2017. I woke up feeling the same way I had for the past few weeks. Exhausted and so done. I had started to gradually dilate starting at 36 weeks and it was starting to be very uncomfortable. I went in for a doctors appointment that morning. I had to have a stress test and ultrasound that day due to my placenta condition to track the babies growth. Everything looked great as usual. Baby was estimated to be just under 8 lbs and looked great. During my stress test my doctor realized when she saw the results that I was having consistent and fairly strong contractions. She asked me if I could feel them. I thought that I had maybe been having contractions the last couple days but thought they were probably Braxton hicks.  I asked my doctor several times during the visit what all this meant and she told me repeatedly that everyone was so different only time would tell.

On the way to pick up Kade from our dear friends house I called Marshall and my Mom to tell them what the news at the doctor was. I then downloaded an app to track my contractions because I was terrified of not knowing when to go to the hospital. With Kade my water broke so I knew exactly when to go, and I was seriously terrified of not knowing what to expect with this little girl. As the day went on I was having fairly consistent contractions but felt like they weren't progressing very quickly or much at all. I was feeling completely defeated and frustrated. I was so annoyed and irritable with everything. I remember trying so hard to be patient with Kade. The unknown and not having a plan is hard for me. Kade and I continued to try to get along, keep busy and just distract myself.

Then Marshall got home from work around 5:30 and we decided to go and get some Chinese food for dinner to keep busy. The Chinese food was delicious and my contractions seemed to be getting a little bit closer together. They weren't painful yet but they were a little bit uncomfortable. I called my Mom and we talked for a bit about everything. I was still trying to not get my hopes up because I really didn't think this baby was coming yet. I then called my dear friend who was going to take Kade when I went into labor. I told her what was going on and we set a plan in place for if I did go to the hospital. This whole time I was still keeping track of my contractions on my app. Then around 9:00 pm my app told me it was time to go to the hospital. I was shocked. I did not feel like I had progressed enough at all (I am so grateful for this app, otherwise I would not have gone in for a long time). I called my mom and friend again, and within about 45 minutes we were headed to the hospital.

On the way to the hospital I think I told Marshall twenty times that this was stupid  and they were just  going to send us home. So we got to the hospital and within about fifteen minutes or so I was admitted. The nurse had checked me and I was dilated to a 6. I was in complete shock. Yes again lol.  I couldn't believe I was already that far along. So they called my doctor and things got started. I got my epidural  which slowed my progress down a bit. We decided to all take a nap and let me progress gradually and not force it. Around 5 am I woke up to my water leaking and breaking and I started to feel the urge to push. 

And then around 6:30 am London Allen Morrison came into this world weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces. She instantly showed Marshall, Kade and I how much more love all of our hearts were capable of.