She finally decided to make her debut...she was defiantly on her own schedule coming at 41 weeks and 2 days.Yes we had a girl another girl to add to the Goddard household...Jake is officially out numbered, our dogs and fish are even girls.
I am happy to announce I had a successful VBAC, and it was truly a wonderful and amazing experience all the way around. I know being patient and allowing Reagan to come when she was ready played a huge role in my success.
My Dr. leaving on an early vacation was actually a blessing in disguise. I got to meet her back up doctor which I didn't like at all, she basically told me the reason I was so over due was that my baby was too big to fit and that's why she wasn't coming. I turned around and walked out the door having no doctor for at least 24 hours and when your over 40 weeks pregnant that's a little scary.
Thanks to my wonderful friends I've connected with through ICAN I was able to find Ellen Franklin a midwife in Phoenix. We connected instantly and she took me on with nothing but positive and encouraging words. Truly an amazing person!!!!
I had to go in Tuesday Dec 6th for an NST test to make sure the baby was doing well. I got hooked up to a machine only to find Baby G was doing fine and my contractions weren't very consist ant, she told me it could still be a few days. My mom and I left the appointment and no kidding as soon as I got to the car my contractions started getting stronger but not too close together. We went to St Joe's where I'd be delivering the baby, despite what I'd heard it was a very nice hospital.
By the time I got home an hour later my contractions were about 5 minutes apart and very painful, I remember thinking where did this all come from. I had Jake take Ashlee to my parents and 9pm, then I called my doula and told her I was going to take a bath and try and get some sleep, deep down I knew that I wouldn't be able to sleep, I should've just told her to come over.
By the time Jake got home I was in so much pain contractions every 2 minutes...he started getting nervous and we decided to go to the hospital since my contractions were coming every 1-2 minutes.
It felt like the movies with Jake driving like a crazy person trying to get me to the hospital, that was truly the longest car ride ever!!! My doula met us there at 11pm in triage. They took me back and just before I get in bed my water broke and then the fun began!!!
14 hours of labor and 20 minutes of pushing out came our little girl...8 lbs 10 oz and 22 inches long
All I remember thinking was I DID IT.... and all those people who said I couldn't or who were unsupportive can kiss my A** :) I had the most amazing and supportive team by my side encouraging me the entire time. The birth of Reagan Lynn was one of the best days of my entire life and I will never forget it. The pain and waiting was worth the joy in the end.
The day I had my c section with Ashlee I knew I would never give birth that way again, it was not for me and I did everything in my power to avoid it again. Knowledge is the most important key in getting what you want because we all know knowledge is power :)
Thank you to my wonderful husband who supported me all the way through, my doula Pam who is the most uplifting and positive person, my midwife Ellen who took me in at over 40 weeks pregnant and supported me the entire way through, my parents who have been such a huge help with Ashlee and are always there anytime we need them, and a big thanks to my friends I've made through our ICAN meetings, there friendship and support made such a huge impact on my life and birthing choices, I found strength and determination through them and all their encouraging words and wisdom.
Bottom line is I had the best support team that helped make all this possible and my successful VBAC possible.
Reagan Lynn is a beautiful healthy baby girl and we are so blessed and fortunate to have her as an addition to our family!! Her middle name is a family name and comes from Rodger Lynn who is Jake's grandfather who passed away 2 years ago this January. Rodger was like a dad to Jake and was such a big part of who Jake is today and I'm sure Reagan will be honored to be named after such a wonderful ma;n
