7.28.2011

Labor and delivery

Background: due date was Fri 7.29.11
First induction date: Wed 7.20.11
Second induction date: thur 7.21.11
Third and final induction date: Fri 7.22.11

God's timing is perfect in everything. Even tho my hopes were up then down by the delayed date, even tho my Dr wasn't the one to deliver, we feel truly blessed how everything went. The Dr did a phenomenal job. And sometimes people come into your life and make a special impact -- that's how it was with my main nurse Linda. Linda and us (me and Sam) bonded almost like family. I will admit that each night I have a spout of 'baby blues tears', but partly last night was due to missing Linda. As dumb as it sounds, I love Linda and am so thankful she is part of our delivery experience.

So on to the story...

Thursday night i couldn't fall asleep until 1am.  My alarm was set for 330am, planned to leave by 4, get ava to my moms by 430 and at st lukes east hospital by 5am.  So, needless to say, I was tired but excited. 

They didn't waste much time at the hospital, got me checked in, hooked up, and ready for delivery in no time flat.  I was discouraged because they said I had to wait until I was dialated to a 3 before giving the epidural. I was discouraged because previously at the Dr they said i could get it immediately, but, again it worked out perfectly.

Dialated Progress report:

1 at 530am
3 at 1130am
Epidural at 1145am
5 at 1230pm
10 at 130pm
Had to wait to push for her head to come down...
Pushing at 230pm
Delivery at 321pm

Bella was a trooper.  Once born she had to get a little oxygen, and during delivery I was given oxygen because her heart rate kept dropping during contractions. I heard her making noises but didn't hear her really cry until they gave her the wash cloth bath around 545pm.

The rest of the hospital stay was great. I love that hospital.

We've been home all week recovering. Sam has been incredible, making me breakfast, lunch and dinners, making grocery store runs, doing dishes and laundry. I feel so blessed, and God speed for those single moms because I don't know how its done without a helpmate. I love you husband.

Ava is such a great big sister. She helps with the Paci, and she reminds me that she's not hitting her sister. (Previously she received good instruction from her cousin Julia on how to be a good big sister, and one thing is to never, ever, ever, ever hit your sister.) I love you ava.

Bella and I are working to be a good team at breastfeeding. We've had a couple struggles, but (knock on wood) I think we are about over the hurdles. Praise God!

I love you family.

Can't make any promises that we're going to do this again...but that's not to say we aren't...in this kind if pain I don't feel comfortable making that decision.  I just know that one look at her and its all worth it.

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