Tuesday, 6/12/12 (39 Weeks 1 Day)
I woke up on my second day of summer vacation to mild contractions. I didn't really think much of them because I had braxton hicks all day Friday that had amounted to nothing. I had a doctors appointment at 11:15 and the doctor decide to strip my membranes to see if that would kick start labor.
Immediately after my appointment my contractions kicked up. I talked with my Mom, my Sister and Jeremy's Mom. Jeremy called me at his lunch around 12:40 and debated about coming home. My contractions were getting closer but not stronger at this point. I was able to clean the downstairs bathroom and organize a few things. Jeremy finally decide it would be best if he was at home and came home around 1:30p.
I went between walking, laying and sitting and around 2:30 we began to time my contractions they were running between 3 and 4 minutes apart and lasting about 30-45 seconds. We spoke with my doctor on and off several times in the next few hours. Jeremy finished packing and loaded the car. We talked with our good friend Jim and made arrangements for him to come and pick up Zukey. My parents made and changed and made plan tickets again and were set to arrive around 11:30 Tuesday night.
At 4:45 we spoke with my doctor again and he made the decision that if the contractions continued at the frequency and intensity for the next hour then we should come in.
At 5:30p we left for the hospital. They checked and I was only a loose 1 cm they said that while my contractions were coming frequently (2-3 mins at this point) they were not strong enough to make an progress. They said that we could walk for an hour and see if that made any progress. We walked. I was still comfortably talking and laughing and Jeremy's jokes. An hour later I had made no progress. Disappointed we headed home. We arrived home around 10p and settled in for the night. My parents arrived around 11:30p. I was able to sleep through the night and so was Jeremy.
FYI If you look like this you are not in Labor enough to go to the hospital
Wednesday, 6/13/12 (39 Weeks 2 days)
We woke up around 7:30a and my contractions were stronger and with the same frequency. Jeremy made me breakfast and I sat and chatted with my parents for a while. At 9 Jeremy thought it would be a good idea if I went and took a shower incase things progressed today. The shower did the trick. My contractions were noticeably stronger. I was no longer able to comfortably talk through them and their intensity did not taper when I laid down. For the next few hours we took a short walk in the neighborhood. I tried to rest and we talked with the doctors a lot again. Luckly, my favorite doctor was on call Wednesday, so my anticipation for her arrival increased. She instructed us to head to the hospital around 11:30a.
They checked me again when we arrived and I had progressed over night to 2cm but that was not enough to admit me yet. My contractions were still coming 2-4 mins apart giving me little time for recovery between each contraction. I was instructed to go and walk for an hour and come back. We did as told and after an hour I had progressed to a 3 cm. We were told to walk for another hour...I progressed to a loose 3cm. I needed to be 4 cm in order to be admitted. My Doctor gave us the option to go home, walk the hospital again, go the mall and walk. Jeremy and I could not imagine managing these contractions while at home, plus it was a 45 min drive each way and rush hour was approaching. We opted to walk the hospital again! My contractions were increasing to the point I could not talk or laugh, I had to stop every contraction and lean on Jeremy. Finally, the hour was up and I was checked again. 4cm!!!!
It was 4:30pm and I am not sure two words ever sounded so good to me. Hearing that I was 4 cm and got to stay gave me a second wind and new level of excitement. At this point they broke my water in hopes of getting Grace to move down. This intensified things greatly.
In the hours to pass, my parents came to visit, Tara scheduled her plane ticket to arrive later that night and my contractions continued to increase. At times I was having 2-3 contractions with in contractions.
Jeremy was amazing through it all. He remained amazing calm and reminded me to do all the things I could not longer remember to do.
At 9:30 I couldn't take it any more I talked with my nurse and my doctor about an epidural. I was only 5cm and I was worried that it would slow labor down. They reassured me that with the way my labor was going it would not slow down. My contractions were consistent, frequent and strong. The epidural would hopefully allow my body to relax and allow Grace to progress down. That is exactly what happened. I was able to rest and enjoy the moments with Jeremy before our little girls arrival.
Thursday, 6/14/12 (39 weeks 3 days)
My sister arrived around 2am after her plane was delayed in Atlanta due to storms. I was able to visit with my parents and her for a while. They left around 2:45 am and I was checked again at 3am. My nurse thought I was at 10 and sure enough I was. She said I would start pushing in 30 minutes. I couldn't believe it our little girl would be here soon!
At 3:30a I started pushing and on the first push you could see Grace's head. A few more pushes and my nurse had me wait. Grace was coming fast. By the time everyone was set up it only took a few more pushes and Grace arrived at 3:58a.
She was immediately rushed to the warming station because of Marconium in the bag of waters. They suctioned her and cleaned her up. It took a little longer then normal because she was having high respirations. They would keep an eye on this for the next few days but eventually turned out the be nothing.
Much to our surprise Grace weighed in at a petite 7 lbs 7 ozs, 20.5 inches long.
The next few days were a bit of a blur but Grace was here and that was all that mattered. We had a few minor health issues that she was monitored for and continued to battle the following week. Including high respirations, slight jaundice and dropping weights. She lost 11% of her body weight in 3 days and required 5 doctors visits in her first week home.
We came home on Saturday, 6/16/12 and enjoyed time with my family.
Our Journey is just getting started and we could not be more excited about the little girl in our life!
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