Emma's Birth Story

My ex and I were living in our apartment off of 620 near 2222 and for some reason, he was actually home with me the night I went into labor. It was Sunday night, I couldn't sleep and I knew I had a fever. I called the late night phone nurses and they scheduled me to come into my OB's office at 8:30AM. My in-laws lived the closest to us so my MIL picked us up (I think she was already assuming I was going into labor) and we headed for the Dr's office. I had a mild fever and over the course of the weekend (I had just been to the Dr. that Thursday) I had gone from 3cm to 5+. They monitored my contractions which I couldn't even feel and decided that I was too dilated to send home. It was technically two weeks before my due date, but they wheeled me through the breezeway connecting Medical Park Tower and Seton Medical Center.

First stop- admissions. I had preregistered but they didn't have my paperwork, of course. So we had that to do once we got into our hospital room. I got into a gown and in bed so they could start poking on me, getting the IV set up and baby monitors. I would say it was 10AM before they came in to break my water. By Noon I was 7cm. One whammo contraction hit and a single tear went down my cheek. I said "OK, BRING IN THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST!" It's not that it was that bad, I just new that they could up the pitocin (oh yeah, they started pitocin as soon as they got the IV in that morning) and get me fully dilated more quickly.

The epidural was a crazy experience. The anesthesiologist was so amazing. He walked me through every step of what I would feel etc. I know it took at least 15 minutes, but it felt pretty fast. After that, I took a three hour nap. We played cards and I tried to stay comfortable. I don't really remember much but about 6PM it was time to start pushing. It took about 15 minutes for the Dr and nurses to get all set up. They asked me if I wanted them to count to ten during pushes. I suggested they let me push as long as possible, not necessarily just to ten. I couldn't feel much and mainly they prompted me as to when to push, but a few times I told them I was feeling pressure and wanting to push and sure enough those were during contractions. There was a lot of starting and stopping so in all it took over thirty minutes but I think I only pushed 6-8 times. My OB was on call that day so she was in the hospital but she had back to back cesareans scheduled. Occasionally she checked in on me and she actually ended up working late just to deliver for us. I thought that was awesome!

Emma was born at 6:57PM and weighed 7lbs, 7oz and was 20.5" long. Today she is the light of my life. My pregnancy with her was such a healthy one and we were so blessed! I'm so happy to have this down 'in writing'. The experience was just beautiful and I can't wait to share it with David and Cody very soon! Emma is so excited, we're all so excited!