| So, here is the birth story: Friday morning I went to my Dr. apt. My Dr stripped my membrane at my appointment and I knew that that changed something. Well, later that evening my contractions started. Jeff was working hard in the basement installing the floor, and I went down about 10:30 and told him he probably should come up and shower pretty soon because I was having contractions and it was the "real thing." Just before midnight we called my friend Elise Lono and had her come over to stay the night with Banks. We drove to American Fork hospital. My contractions were approximately 4-5 minutes apart and hurting a lot (12:15) We went up to the 2nd floor and I was worried I was going to have to wait an hour to prove to the nurses I was in active labor before being officially "admitted" (because thats how it was with Banks). To my GREAT relief though, I guess because this was my 2nd baby, and I was dilated to a 4 and clearly in a lot of pain they admitted me! I was SOOO excited. I was even MORE excited because they said I could get my epidural right away. (With Banks I had to wait a very long time by some unfortunate circumstances..) So within about a half hour of getting to the hospital the anesthesiologist was working his magic. Jeff and I were exhausted (we stayed up late the night before) and hoping to get to take a nap once the epidural set in.. But I guess I progressed really fast. Before I knew it Dr Allen came in and said it was time to push. I was shocked! The time flew by..I felt like I was barely there. So, I pushed.. and within less than 10 minutes sweet baby girl slid right out! My epidural was awesome...I didnt feel any pain. My Dr was so good in helping deliver her that I didn't tear (which has made for a nice, less sore recovery). When she came out, they immediately put her on me, skin to skin. They left the umbilical chord for a few minutes before Jeff cut it. (Thats a new practice I guess...recent studies show lots of benefits for the baby if the umbilical chord isnt cut right away) It was quite the experience... a completely different experience from Banks's birth. When Banks came out, he had swallowed a lot of fluid so he had to be whisked away to the level 2/NICU nursery. With Ella, after they got her cleaned up and a few quick measurements, they just left Jeff and I alone with her for about an hour. And I just got to snuggle her. It was absolutely MAGICAL. I feel sooo blessed that everything went great. I can't express in words how overwhelmed I was with immediate LOVE and AWE of our new lil girl. It was almost surreal. I had to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't all a dream...because I truly couldn't have dreamed up a better labor/delivery. I'm the happiest MOMMY EVER! :) |
