She has arrived !!!6 lbs 13 oz17.5 inches
Daddy's hair, eyes, arms, toes and calm demeanor.I say she can sleep through anything and the only time she gets upset is when she needs to eat :)
Mommy's nose, mouth, fingers and honesty.Brett says she is quick to let us know what she wants :)
As we wrote every post this is the one we have been waiting for - she is the most precious wonderful blessing.
The play by play...Monday 8-18-089:30 am:I am examined by my OB during my scheduled weekly check-up who tells me I am currently 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced (no surprise since I was 2 cm the week before). At this point Brett and I think she will arrive in the next couple of days.
12:00:I had been feeling some cramping in my abdomen, back and legs for about two weeks, Braxton Hicks. However, these cramps were a little stronger and longer - about an hour apart, contractions????
1:00:Brett, me and my sister go to the supermall to do a little walking around to relieve some of my cramps - yep at this point I still am not convinced they are contractions -the joys of a first time mom, the constant unknowns of pregnancy.
3:00By now my cramps (nope not convinced yet - pretty sure though) are about 30 minutes apart.
5:00Ok, ok. I am now convinced they are contractions as I am on my knees kneeling over my couch moaning in pain that these are in fact contractions and I am in the beginning stages of labor. I bounce on my exercise ball between each one (about 15- 20 mins apart) I am assuming we will leave for the hospital maybe around midnight. Little did I know that Ayla was more than ready and would arrive before midnight.
7:45I tell Brett that we should head to the hospital because they are coming at 7 mins apart. We were told from the beginning by doctors, birth class, friends - "don't get there too early, you would rather be at home" so we decide to wait and see if I have four more before 8:30. I have four within the next 20 minutes. The ride to hospital is a blur - I can't speak for Brett but I know it was extremely stressful for him.
8:30 - A Guardian Angel sent by Grandpa Darrell...We arrive at Valley Medical Center into the ER. My dad sent us an angel here on earth. I rolled into the packed ER on my wheelchair in the most intense pain. The admit people were taking their time and said I had to wait for someone from the birth center to come down and meet me. The hospital's security guard (a big strong black man) says we aint waitin - come on baby I will get you there real quick. He takes the wheelchair and rushes me through the hospital into the birth center. He doesn't even let the nurse who meets him at the birth center entrance take me to my room - he does. He helps me onto my bed and gives me a hug and huge encouragement.
about 9:00From here on out the times are approximate, as it is all a blur at this point :) The nurse examines me and I am dilated to 5.5 cm. My OB is on call until 10:oo so nurse informs me the on call OB from my doctors office will deliver my baby. I tell her I don't want any narcotic pain meds, just an epidural. She tells me the anestesiologist is on his way. Little did I know how ready my little girl was to come into this world.
about two hours later WITHOUT epidural (11:00-ish)The nurse comes in to examine me and I am already at 9.5 cm - none of us, especially the medical staff were expecting me to progress this fast. My contractions are so intense I feel like I am going to pass out. Then, I don't know which stressful piece of news she tells me first, that the Dr. is running late coming from Seattle or that the anesthesiologist might not make it to me before I deliver ! What, I say (more like scream) is "there is NO other anesthesiologist in this entire hospital who can help me?" Brett says "why did we even come to the hospital, no Dr. no epidural?"
Then, another miracle occcurs. Not, five minutes later
the anesthesiologist appears at the door and is able to give me my epdural! And in another few minutes the Doctor is their breaking my water. He tells the nurse to keep an eye on me and let him know how I progress. Again, Ayla was ready because I look to my mom, sister and Brett and say "I feel nauseous" and then up comes my philly cheese steak I ate earlier when roaming the mall. The nurse runs to get the Dr. because this is a pushing mechanism and means Ayla is ready to arrive.
The Dr. comes back and is impressed with my pushing ability and says "you are better then the other lady about to deliver, I'll do you first" My competitive spirit doesn't die because I am in labor. I am very proud of both myself and my daughter. The question everyone has is will her birthday be 8/18 or 8/19 ???
11:55 pm:Welcome, Ayla !!! She is beautiful and screaming. The clean her up and wrap her up and hand her to me. The most fullfilling, rewarding, amazing moment of my life. As I see Brett approaching me I see he feels the same way. A proud papa, Ayla immediately a daddy's girl.
Write out of the womb. My sister being the future Doctor was right there to snap some amazing pictures (including the placenta which I will spare you the sight of - but amazing in its own right).
Our family of three...
Feeling a little more refreshed...
The greatest thing about bringing Ayla into this world is all the love she is surrounded by. From close family, to extended family, to all of our friends.
