Baby U # 2 is a GIRL!

Zoe Joelle's Birth Story

Born Sunday, April 3 at 12:01 a.m. 

7.17 oz, 18.5 inches

On Saturday, when I was 39 weeks, I was having some light contractions in the morning but had similar ones Thursday morning so still didn't think she would come that day. At my appointment the Monday before, I was dialted 3 cm but the doctor said that wasn't uncommon for a second pregnancy. My doctor suspected I wouldn't make it to our due date of April 9, so Mom and Dad Harte arrived Wednesday to be around to watch Gavin while we were at the hospital and to help when the baby arrived.

Saturday morning we walked around downtown and the Jazz Festival before having lunch. Later, Stefan made a nice dinner and we thought it would be a normal evening. After Gavin was in bed and I had my shower, I sat down to fold some clothes around 8:15 p.m. When I stood up to get the remote control I felt a twinge in my lower abdomen and commented on it, then I noticed my water had broke! The excitement started ...

We called and texted my doctor as we packed the final things into our bags only to find out she was about four hours away but on her way home. She wasn't on call but really wanted to be there, so she would make her way right to the hospital when she got back in town. We got there and got checked in by about 9:30 p.m. I was 4 cm dilated, but the tests were inconclusive that my water had actually broke, so we had to wait for an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid. It turns out it was a high leak which caused the inconclusiveness.

By the time the results came back it was clear I was in active labor by the consistent, painful contractions. It was around 10 or 10:30 p.m. We were filling up the tub to labor there for awhile when my demeanor shifted rapidly. We knew things were moving too quickly for the tub. At that point I requested an epidural. Within the next hour I went from 4 to 6 to 8 cm. The nurses were great and worked as fast as they could, but we weren't sure if the anesthesiologist would make it in time ... or if my doctor would either. Lucky for me the anesthesiologist did make it, but I only had the epidural for about a half hour. It took off the edge from the contractions, but certainly not all the feeling - unlike Gavin when I could't feel or move my legs. This was definitely different and although extremely uncomfortable (as labor should be I suppose), now that it is over it is pretty cool to have been able to experience it.

My doctor also made it just in time, which was really special since she delivered Gavin and has become a friend here. I was complete and ready to push but actually held off for a few minutes (which is really hard BTW!) while she was changing in the locker room. She rushed in with flip flops on and her scrubs and about 10 minutes later Zoe was born.

My doctor was able to coach me through pushing her out in about four contractions without doing any damage to myself. Without the epidural I don't think I could have held out. By having me slow down at the end, this put us over into April 3. The clock on the wall actually said 11:59 p.m. when she was born, but the computer said 12:01 a.m. which is what they are required to go off of since that is synced throughout the hospital. I was able to pull her out at the end and place her on my chest where she nursed and stayed for over an hour. Stefan was able to cut the cord, then he got some skin to skin with her for a half hour before she got weighed and cleaned up.

We love that her name Zoe is the Greek translation of Eve and means "life". We also are so excited that her middle name is a combination of her grandmas names: Joanne and Ellen. We spent a few days in the hospital then went home on Tuesday morning.

Gavin is over the moon with her! He asks for her often and wants to hold her and help take care of her. He wants her around for everything and is eager to teach and show her things. He tries to be gentle but let's be honest ... he's a rambunctious 3-year old boy. He is of course adjusting to not as much time with Mommy and Daddy, but so far is doing pretty well. We really appreciate G&G helping out and helping Gavin feel special, too.

We are adjusting to the short, disrupted chunks of sleep, and I'm working through the physical and emotional tolls of having a baby, but overall we are doing great. Zoe was back to her birth weight by her check on Thursday and is nursing really well. We are so grateful for this healthy miracle and try to often remember how blessed we are each day. Thanks to everyone for all your well wishes and love!

If you want to look back on Gavin's birth story, check it out!

Photos from her first week!