How she came...

Our alarm went off...just like any other morning.  Keith and I rolled out of bed, got dressed, grabbed our things, and left for the hospital.  Outside, it was still dark.  All was calm and quiet.  Sleep had been a distant companion the night before.  I lay awake most of the night wondering, praying, and anticipating the arrival of our baby girl the next day.

The drive to the hospital was very different from my last experience.  With Isaac, I was also scheduled for an induction, but he decided to make his entrance on his own 2 hours before I was scheduled to be induced.  I was 7 cm by time I got to the hospital, which means I felt EVERY bump, crack, and tiny pebble Keith drove over.  This time, we rode peacefully, holding hands, listening to calming music.  It was all too surreal.

We arrived at 6 am.  They started the induction at 8 am.  My doctor came and broke my water at 8:30 and said she would check in again around lunch with a possible delivery around 2pm.  But shortly thereafter, the contractions became more regular...and quickly quite intense.  Keith was urging me toward epidural...but let me comment on that...

I am EXTREMELY phobic of needles!  Always have been.  If there was anything one thing I feared most about having a child it was the epidural.  So, my twisted logic was if I let the pain get a little worse, then I won't care about that very LARGE needle going in to my back!!  Finally, Keith quit listening to me and marched out of the room to notify that I needed the epidural.  I could barely sit up by that time, was shaking from pain and fear while I leaned forward on my hubby for support.  (Aside...how do women have babies without husbands like Keith by their side?  His support, tenderness, energy, and optimism 100% got me through! Shout out to you babe!  I love you!!!!)

The next contraction I had after they lay me down was one of "the ones".  If you've have a baby, then you know which "ones" I'm talking about.

"Whoa, that felt really different!" I shouted.

My nurse said she would come back to check me in a minute.  No meds had been injected at this point.  The anesthesiologist was still double-checking placement.  Next contraction...OH MY HEAVENS AND ALL THINGS HIGH ABOVE!  Keith saw the panic in my face and ran to get the nurse.  She checked...I was 9.5 cm and practically ready to push.  It was only about 10:30.  She called my doctor who came rushing over from clinic.  I'm freaking out because this baby I swear is about to come out!  Somebody get down THERE!!!!

Doctor rushed in, threw on some gloves, checked me, and told me to start pushing.  I'm still feeling everything people!  EVERYTHING!  I heard the nurse comment something about giving me the "delivery dose".  Does that still matter if I am in the midst DELIVERING?  Apparently not, because I did not start to feel any slight relief until after she was out.  About a half hour later...my legs were completely numb and I couldn't feel a thing.  Nice.  Thank you Mr. Anesthesia.

She was born at 11:12 am.  Safely, healthy, perfect, and beautiful.