We arrived at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) at 7:30 am. After checking in with the nurses in the Maternity Ward, I got changed and settled. I was only having very mild contractions very sporadically, nothing really big. As we waited to get an IV and checked out, Poppy and Grammie called. Both were so disappointed that they couldn't be there. Let's face it. So was I. But you had different plans.
They hooked me up to an IV and told me to walk to help things along. So, Daddy and I walked... and walked... and walked some more. We went all over the 3rd Floor at LMH. After an hour or so of walking, we came back to our room to take a break and see how things were progressing. We did this for several more hours, walking on and off until 11:30 or so. At that point, the nurse brought in a birthing ball and I sat on that to get things moving. It helped a little, but by 2:30 we decided to go ahead and start pitocin to help things along. Because my water broke they wanted to make sure that you came out within 24 hours to prevent any infections.
I was a little bit gun-shy over this because I had heard that the pitocin can cause much more pain than if we let nature take it's course. We had a great nurse who talked to us about our concerns. She said that usually that only really happens to women who are not in labor and start pitocin. For those of us that labor had started naturally, it just gave things a little kick start. Dr. Durland even said that I could get an epidural before the pitocin, but I opted to just give it a go. They put me on the smallest dose possible and things started to progress much faster. I was finally starting to feel "real" contractions. It was good, knowing things were moving along and that you were getting closer and closer to us, but I really had to concentrate on my breathing just to get through the pain.
By this point, Grandpa's plane had touched down and Uncle Shawn and Aunt Melody brought him to the hospital. Needless to say, there was a lot of excitement and talking going on. : ) At this point though, my contractions were getting so strong that I had to ask everyone to leave for a while so that I could concentrate on breathing. It was soon after that we decided to get the epidural. Ah, gotta love the man who invented that little procedure!!
After that, I rested. I wish I could say that I slept, but I don't think I ever really got a good sleep in. Everyone came back in for a while, but soon decided to go get something to eat and let me rest. About 9:30, Dr. Durland came in and checked me and I had dilated to 8 cm! All of a sudden, things got busier in our room as nurses came and got things ready. By 10:00 pm I was at 10 cm and ready to push.
I pushed for almost an hour and a half and then at 11:28 pm you were here. All 7 lbs, 2 oz and 19.75 inches of you. You started crying and pretty much cried for a good solid 5 minutes before calming down. You were put in my arms after Daddy cut the cord and one of the first things I noticed about you was your hair. It was wet and it looked like you were going to have curly hair. I immediately thought of Great Grandpa Jack and his curly hair. He would have loved it. : ) Once dry though, it straightened out. We will have to see what happens as it grows in.
Once you were cleaned up, we spent some time alone with you. Then we called Poppy and Grammie, Uncle Kevy and Aunt Kiki, and Auntie Mandi to let them know you were here and what your name was/is. Then Daddy went and got Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Shawn, and Aunt Melody and then called Auntie Angela. Everyone was so excited to meet you and hold you!
The next day Grammie and Poppy came and they too couldn't wait to hold you.
So that is pretty much it. I am sure that you will hear this story off and on through out the years, but there it is in writing. You made it safely and were healthy. I didn't have any seizures and was able to stay focused on the job at hand. We were now a family.
So that is pretty much it. I am sure that you will hear this story off and on through out the years, but there it is in writing. You made it safely and were healthy. I didn't have any seizures and was able to stay focused on the job at hand. We were now a family.
Daddy's prayers were answered.
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