The Cluff Family

Welcome Baby Chloe!

10 lbs 11 oz

21 1/2 inches long

5:28 Pm

December 26th, 2011

Now for the story:

I first have to say that I blocked out most of this experience so a lot of my story is from what other people have told me. It probably is a good thing most of it is blocked out from my memory or Chloe might be an only child.

I was scheduled to be induced December 26th at 4:00 pm but Chloe decided to come just a little bit earlier. I was 41 weeks and READY to have her. Tanner and I were sleeping over at my parent's house for Christmas which is already an hour away from our hospital in Provo. The whole family went to bed after Christmas and I started to feel really bad menstrual cramps around 2 AM. I didn't really think anything of it because I didn't know what to expect for labor pains.

I couldn't sleep and was noticing that the pains and contractions were getting closer together. I didn't wake Tanner up until 5:00 AM because I didn't want to wake him if it was a false alarm (now I look back and think how silly I was). We started to time them and sure enough they were 3-4 minutes apart! I was still hesitant to drive down to the hospital because I knew I was going to be induced later that day anyway. My mom and Tanner finally convinced me to drive down (since we still had an hour of driving ahead of us).

Tanner and I reached the hospital around 7 AM. Tanner even stopped to get Mcdonalds before we checked in... torture. The nurse decided to admit me because I was scheduled to go in later that day even though I probably would have been sent home.
I put on my gown, was induced, and experienced a few more contractions before deciding to get an epidural. I literally felt 100 times better afterwards. Tanner and I played games, watched TV, talked... piece of cake.

I came in at 1+ dialation and rapidly went to a 10 (when I say rapidly I mean by 4pm). I have heard that first time labors could last up to 20 hours or more so I was grateful.

It was time to push and this is where the story really begins... or atleast the traumatic story (the part I blocked out). My mom, Tanner, My two sisters, the nurse, the doc, and a resident were all in the room. I started to push at 4pm and Chloe was born at 5:28pm. I believe my epidural started to wear off or it is just so painful that you feel it anyways but I definitely felt it. I felt like I was not pushing right because the doctor and nurse kept saying how I was so close and "only one more big push" but nope... it wasn't like that. The doctor ended up having to use forceps :(. Once Chloe's head was out, I could hear the stress and panic in the doctor's voice when he asked for Dave to come in. All of a sudden a swat team of nurses and doctors came in. Chloe was white and the cord was wrapped twice around her. Her shoulders were stuck and my delivery nurse jumped on top of me to help push her out. She finally budged and they layed her on me for two seconds before they rushed her off to revive her. This whole time I have no clue what is going on and all I am thinking of is how much pain I am in because that wasn't the end. My placenta was fragmented, so the doctor was very thorough in making sure it was all out while I felt like I was bleeding to death. I tore and had an episiotomy. I am so grateful that I didn't realize the seriousness of Chloe's situation or I would not be able to handle the rest. According to my sisters and mother it was so scary that they thought they were going to loose both of us. They said they were huddled in the corner praying and watching with one eye open. Chloe finally started to breath on her own and I was being drugged up for pain. I just remember being so weak and shivering uncontrollably. I finally got to hold my sweet BIG baby girl for a few minutes but I was too weak that I couldn't. The rest of the family came in to see her and so they were able to hold her. To top it off, I ended up throwing up four times.

I don't know if I was able to get it all in but I am so happy that Chloe is finally here and that we are both safe and healthy. Chloe ended up staying in the NICU for four days for low blood sugar levels. It was hard to watch her be poked every three hours and to have iv's and cords all attached. The day she was discharged and we were able to go home was the best feeling.

Tanner's family surprised us when we arrived home... they drove all the way from AZ to see her for a few days! I was so happy to see them. We had a fun new years eve playing games and drinking sparkling cider. I feel extremely blessed to have Chloe. I love her so much and can't wait to raise her and to be her mother. She is a little angel.