Autumn's Birth Story

We arrived at the hospital at 8 pm Sunday August 31st. I put my gown on and within a half hour or so they got things started. It was a long process and a very long night. They gave me something to help soften my cervix and then hours later they put pitocin in my IV. I was awake basically the whole night with mild contractions. Both of these things weren't really doing much. The doctor eventually came in and told us in some cases that it could take 2-3 days before I would be ready to deliver. I had know idea it could take that long. 

They finally decided to try something else in the morning and I won't go into much detail.... but it worked. Things were starting to progress and also starting to hurt. I decided it was time to get the good ole' epidural. The man who gave it to me was really nice and did a great job. I was afraid it would hurt and it really didn't (maybe a small pinch). I have many good things to say about epidurals! They are AMAZING!!! I stopped feeling the contractions completely for awhile. I was able to rest a little until I started feeling pressure - a lot of pressure. The contractions were getting stronger. They didn't necessarily hurt, but I could feel something. Within about an hour I went from being dilated to a 6 to a 10. That's why I was feeling so much pressure. I was able to get another dose of the epidural and then it was time to push. It was now about 4 pm on Labor Day. I was getting excited that Autumn was finally almost here. And it had only been 20 hours! (and 9 plus months). 

The nurse told me the pushing stage could take 1-2 hours. So I began to push with just the nurse and when the baby was closer we would get the Doctor. Well it got closer really fast. I pushed two times and on the third push Autumn's heart beat dropped dramatically. The nurse started calling the Doctor and many other nurses to come and help. They needed to get her out and get her out fast. They were talking about reviving/resuscitating her and I started to cry. Could this really be happening? Could I lose my precious little girl before meeting her? They put oxygen on me and told me it would be okay and that I needed to push really hard. They also got the vacuum out to help get her out more quickly. I pushed and pushed and on the third push Autumn was here. She was alive and breathing and perfectly fine (besides a bruise on her head)! I was so happy! (I guess if she wouldn't have come that third push/vacuum they would have needed to do an emergency C-section.)

Autumn Wahlquist arrived at 4:38 pm-September 1st (Labor Day). She weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz. and was 21 inches long. She has strawberry blondish hair and is absolutely Beautiful!

All was well... or so I thought. I briefly touched Autumn's head and got to look at her and then I was being told that I was bleeding. Bleeding A LOT. They whisked me away to the Operating Room. I had a strange double lobe placenta, which I knew I had, but it ended up causing more trouble then I thought. They second part of the placenta did't come out well or broke.  I'm not even really sure, but they ended up doing a D&C on me to make sure they got it all out. I lost about a liter of blood. Luckily the bleeding did stop and I was then taken to another room. I was really shaky and so exhausted. During all of this Matt was with Autumn in the nursery not really knowing what was going on. Finally they were able to come see me and I was able to hold Autumn for the first time. I only held her for a little bit because I was still so tired. Eventually they moved us to the postpartum room when I was feeling better. It was over. I could now truly enjoy my little girl and being a Mom. 

I feel so blessed that even though our situation wasn't the best at least we didn't get the worst case scenario in our bad scenario. The Doctor told me as they were taking be to the O.R. that if they couldn't get the bleeding to stop they would have to do a hysterectomy. So worst case scenario we could have lost our little Autumn and never be able to have any other children as well. I would have been absolutely devastated. I am so thankful that I had such a good Doctor and was in a Hospital with all the right tools. I am also so thankful for the Priesthood blessing Matt was able to give me before we went to the Hospital. I know we were all being watched over and protected. 

 Autumn

Autumn and Daddy. Waiting for Mommy to get out of surgery. 

 This is probably the best picture depicting how I truly felt. 
So so happy and ever so exhausted.

(Sorry for my immodest shoulders:))

Time to go home! 

Waiting on Her Arrival

The last 2 weeks of being pregnant were long and hard. Matt moved Saturday August 16th up to Laketown and started his job the following Monday. I stayed behind in Ogden awaiting Autumn's arrival (I didn't want to switch doctors and be far from the Hospital). So while Matt was gone many family members had their cells on them at all times (Thanks Mom, Mom W. and Paige A.) just in case I needed a ride to the hospital.

I wish I could have enjoyed my last few weeks of sleep and doing whatever I wanted a little more, but I was fairly emotional and missed Matt. I really wanted Matt to be there when I went into Labor and it was just hard being alone. I also wanted to be there for him as he began his new job. We were with each other all summer with no jobs and finally when we are both experiencing new and kind of scary things we got separated.

39 Weeks Pregnant - Doctors Appointment = Minimal Changes 

I survived the week with no labor pains and luckily Matt came home for the weekend! :) We were both really hoping that Autumn would come over the weekend while he was in town. Nothing happened. 

40 Weeks - August 25th - My due date came and went.
 Doctors Appointment = No Changes :(

Well the week came and it went again with no baby. Matt came home Thursday night! I had another Doctors Appointment the next day and still nothing was happening with my body. This little girl was being stubborn. They induce you at 41 weeks so we planned my induction date. They said I could get started Sunday evening of Aug. 31st and most likely have Autumn on September 1st (Labor Day). We decided she was a little comedian already trying to be born on Labor Day. And I think she wanted to be born in September so her name would seem more Autumn like.

41 Weeks - About to head to the Hospital. Not really knowing what to expect. This was a strange day. I was really happy that Matt was going to be there with me for all of it though. Thanks little girl for waiting for your Daddy to me home. :)

All dressed up and ready to become a Mom. 

To be continued... Labor and Delivery

Matt got a Job and We are moving to...

I am so excited for all the changes that will be happening for us in August! 

First of all Matt got a JOB!

He finished his student teaching last semester and got his teaching license. He started applying for jobs in April/May. We thought it would be nice to get a job around here (Ogden) and stay where we are to save some money, but that didn't pan out and I'm really okay with it. Matt applied basically everywhere in Utah that there was a High School English opening. He ended up getting a call from Duchesne and Altamont first and had a joint interview with them plus Tabiona as well. These schools are all in the same school district. The interview went great! I was actually invited to sit in on it. A few days later he was offered the job(all 3 bascially), but we still had another interview. Matt had also been called by Rich High School, which is in Randolph, Ut. He interviewed there as well. When he came out of that interview he didn't feel like he did as well and wouldn't get the job, so we sort of took them off the list. So we were deciding between the other schools and were kind of leaning towards Altamont... but then Rich HS did call back and they wanted him too! So in the end we decided to take the Rich High School job and now I will tell you why...

1. Matt will have a 3 day weekend every weekend! That's right he will not have to work on Fridays! 

2. Although Randolph is a fine little town we actually will be moving to LAKETOWN! and if you don't know where that is it's at the south end of BEARLAKE!

(Matt will have a twenty minute commute, but I think it will be so worth it.) 

3. It's one of the best paying school districts in Utah. It's still not tons, but it's pretty decent for Utah. 

4. Matt can go skiing! Beaver Mt. is only about 20 minute drive away. 

5. It's a 1A school, which means it a small school, which also means Matt's class sizes will be around 15 students. 

A view of Laketown

6. We will renting this adorable Home! I am stoked! I think it's so cute and we get to live in the whole thing. We won't be basement dwellers anymore. It's a older home, like really old, like 1800's old, but it will work.

7. I love BEARLAKE! It's so beautiful. I love how many different shades of blue and green it can be. And if you didn't know I'm a beach girl. We will be about 2 miles from the lake and beach. I know it's not the ocean, but it's the next best thing. I will be able to ride a bike there or even walk if I wanted. 

When we went up to Laketown last week and this is what our drive was like. We took the Monte Cristo road and WOW lots of snow for June! At least there wasn't any in the actual town. It will definitely be a cold place to live, but I think we will survive. Randolph is actually known as the coldest place in Utah. So at least we won't be living there.

And just for fun... Me at 30 Weeks! 

We are really excited for all our life changes...
a new job
a new home 
a new town
and a new baby! 

Baby Autumn!

My first ultrasound at 7 1/2 weeks. Our cute little bean just starting to grow. :) 

It was so amazing to hear that first heart beat! 

The beginnings of my baby bump at 14 weeks.

20 week ultrasound - It's a GIRL!

 I felt like we were going to have a girl so I'm glad my motherly intuition was right.

 We can't wait to meet our little Autumn.

(I have always loved the name Autumn and luckily Matt likes it too! 

It's the only girl name we both like.)

This was the first appointment Matt was able to come to with me. 

I think it made it seem a lot more real to him. :) 

He is going to be the cutest Dad. 

24 Weeks

My face looks a little funny in this, but there's my growing belly. We haven't been that good at taking pictures of me, but hopefully we will be better as I get bigger and bigger.   

 I am now 29 weeks along and in my 3rd and final trimester!

Spring Break

We decided to take a little trip to Goblin Valley the first week of April for my Spring Break. It was a perfect trip for me-short and sweet. We went up late one evening and got our camp all set up. 

The next day we explored Goblin Valley. 

And then we hiked up Little Wild Horse slot canyon a bit. 

Then we camped one more night and headed back home the next day. It was a fun little trip for us and about all I could handle in my pregnant condition. :) and I luckily felt quite well during it.