Birth Story

Ok, finally a few minutes of down time to fill everyone in on Khloe's exciting birth story!
We were scheduled for an induction on Friday the 30th at 8am but Khloe had other plans for us. Wednesday night at 11:30 I woke and had to use the restroom,  while getting out of bed my water broke. I wasn't entirely sure that's what it was though and I thought "Oh my gosh!! I just peed myself!!" Well i got all cleaned up and started having contractions, after a few contractions my water REALLY broke. You know, the whole gush of water like you see in the movies.
So I woke AJ and we took Brooklynn to Aunt Peggy and headed to the hospital. We arrived at Christ at 12:40 and after initial evaluation they admitted me because I was in active labor. The contractions were very intense and painful, all in my back so I decided that even though I had hoped to go unmediated I would be much better off with an epidural. I let my nurse know and she said they would call for it as soon as we finished admitting and got an iv placed.
Fast forward to 2:45, it's finally time for my epidural and the contractions have gotten unbearable.  The epidural is finally placed and they let me known it will take about 20 minutes or so for it to take effect. So I'm trying to pep talk myself, "20 minutes? You got this!!" Immediately after placing the epidural nurse checks and I'm 6cm. Not even 5 minutes later I am feeling the most incredible pressure ever.  I tell the nurse I HAVE to push! She checks me again and I'm 10cm and Khloe is crowning!!
One nurse called my doctor to tell her it's go time and the other paged the resident on call to come deliver. Thank God she was right down the hall because as soon as she walked in the room I started pushing.  2 pushes later Khloe was born at 3:06am. She weighed 7lbs 6oz and was 20.25 inches long.
Her labor was fast and hard, and I got the epidural placed for nothing because it didn't even have a chance to take effect. I felt absolutely everything and it was very painful, but I'm really proud of myself! I technically got my unmediated childbirth, not in the traditional way, but it happened nevertheless! 
Khloe was taken to the special care nursery for constant monitoring because of her heart and we are still waiting on official results of her cardiac evaluation. However, her cardiologist is pleased with how well she is doing so they are allowing her to be discharged today with me. We just have to be extra mindful and watch for certain things.  So far she is feeding really well and keeping her weight up.
Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers,  our journey is just beginning.

Unemployed?

As most of you know I have been working at Planet Fitness since November, when I informed them that I was pregnant they were completely on board with everything. My manager just wanted to know how long I planned to work, I told him that as long as I was able to I planned to work all the way up until delivery. They were happy with this and have told me on several occasions that when I do end up taking my leave that things will be crazy there. I have been praised countless times about how wonderful of an employee I am and that I am such an asset to the company, etc...

Well, apparently they have changed their views, I have been forced into taking leave early. They called me this morning and informed me that they feel it would be best for me, my baby and the company if I took my leave starting now so that I could rest and remain healthy. I have NEVER told them that I need rest, I have not taken days off of work, I have been late a few times due to appointments, but it has been very rare and never more than an hour late. Did I mention that this leave is unpaid? I am so furious and hurt by the actions of my employer.

You also may have noticed recently that we have been looking for a new place to live because we have to be out of our home by May 30th. I am beyond stressed and worried at this point. I have been the sole support for our family for a while now, which has led to a severe dent in our savings account. AJ has recently found work, but he isn't guaranteed full time hours and so far hasn't been getting 40 hours, but at this point something is better than nothing, but he is still searching for something better. We are at our wits end. We don't know what to do or how to do it. Khloe could come at any time, if she isn't here within the next 3 weeks then they will be inducing me for medical reasons.

How are we going to provide a home for ourselves, Brooklynn and Khloe when she comes? How could my job completely screw me over like this? How are we supposed to move forward when every time things start to look up we get knocked right back down again? Does anyone know of anything that can help us out?

I am reaching out to you all because I don't know what else to do. We are doing everything we can, but we just don't know what else to do at this point. I am pretty much at my breaking point and I think AJ is getting to his as well. Anyone who has advice, resources, info of any kind is greatly appreciated, and prayers as always.

Thanks Everyone!