The Story

I know I'm interested in "the story" of labor/delivery of my friends, so here's Eladie's...in case you're interested  too.

I had my 38week appt. on Friday the 8th and the doc said I was 2cm and 75% effaced (sorry if that kinda grosses you out, because it kinda grosses me out). I asked how long past my due date we would go before talking about inducing and she said anytime after the 21st, but she was sure, could practically guarantee we would be home and settled before Easter.

We had been walking about a mile twice a day for the last week or so. Saturday was no different. We walked and it was nice outside, talked about going to SDC, decided it would be too crowded because it was Saturday and just hung out at home.

Sunday. Felt terrible all during church that morning and like a zombie all day. I thought since I felt so off, that this would be the day. Nope. Went to bed around 9pm.

3am. Woke up to some decent cramps and after a few rounds decided they were the real contractions. I started timing them and they were 8 minutes apart. They were strong enough to keep me awake, so I just timed them until Emery started crying at like 6 and went in and laid with her until she got up around 7. After I got up, the contractions slowed down so after an hour or so, Emery and I went on our walk and I had a few more; nothing to write home about, but still there at least. So, since I had been up since 3am I did what came natural to me. Clean my ENTIRE house. Seriously?! Any other day I would have had Emery pick a movie then grab my pillow and zonk out on the couch. Not today though. That afternoon I was able to sleep for about an hour during Em's nap. Ryan got home at around 4 and wanted to mow the grass so while he was in the garage I had him toss in the exercise ball so I could sit on it because a friend of mine said that's how she went into labor.

5:10pm. Contractions start up again and this time stronger than I had felt all day. They continued 6-7 minutes apart for an hour, so we decided to call Catherine to come hang with Emery while we take a trip to the hospital. It's about an hour from Bolivar to Mt Vernon and in the meantime they pick up in intensity and go to about every 5 minutes.
Now with Emery, my water broke, so I knew when to go in. I really didn't want to drive all the way to Springfield just to be sent back, so I kept telling Ryan I wasn't sure if we should go in so soon, but thank goodness I have a husband who knows better than I do.
By the time Catherine got here though, I was definitely ready to go in. It's so crazy to be in such pain for 60 seconds and then it stop for a few minutes.

At the hospital I go to L&D triage and I'm at a 5. I get back to an actual delivery room and they start the IV and draw blood so I can get the sweet, sweet epidural. About 30 minutes later doc comes in to check me/break my water and I'm at a 9.5. Woooo! Next contraction puts me at a 10. Woooo!

11 minutes and 9 pushes later....voila! Eladie Mae is here! 6lbs, 13oz, 20.5in @ 10:12pm.

5 hour and 2 minute labor start to baby. I dig it.
We barely got there in time for the epidural. I got into the delivery room at 8:30 and had her at 10:12. I sure am glad we got there in time. (If you're thinking I'm a weenie, I would just like to say that I had 2 cavities drilled and filled on the same day without any pain medication at all...) But really I love whoever invented that drug.

So now we're home and going through a bit of an adjustment period. Emery is doing pretty well, but it's only day 2 being home. She's so laid back, I know we'll get our routine going again soon and she'll get used to being a big sister and not just the only child. I missed her so much while I was at the hospital, all I want to do is snuggle up with her!

Ok, this is gone on long enough.