September 2, 2009
I had a doctors appointment at about 2:00. Noah and Kaylee went to my mother-in-law’s house while I was at the doctor (since she lives 1 mile away from the hospital/ doc’s office). We all know that this was one of the hottest summers in recorded history, so needless to say, I was a little uncomfortable. But, knowing that it would be my last pregnancy, I was trying to enjoy??? it! I was more than ready to meet my baby girl, so I asked my doc what her views were on inducing. She said anytime after 39 weeks. I was days away from 39 weeks so I rejoiced! So we scheduled my induction for Sept. 9 because I thought that would be a good birthday… 9-9-09.. My sister’s birthday is Sept. 8 and she wanted her niece to be born on her birthday, so I changed the induction day to the 8th. Also, while at the doctor she “striped my membranes.” She told me that sometimes it helps bring on labor.. but not often. And that I would probably experience cramping, bleeding and maybe some contractions.
September 3, 2009
4:20-5:20 in the morning I had contractions. I was trying to wait to wake Josh up, so that he could get as much sleep as possible. i was about to get up to get ready to go to the hospital. Then, my contractions stopped. So I went back to sleep, then got up to go to my first day of CBS (Community Bible Study). I some cramping on and off at bible study, and all day long, but nothing consistent enough to be contractions. I called pretty much everyone to prepare them that tonight might be the night. I think only my mom really believed! She was so ready… bags packed lesson plans done! Our plan for our big kids was to send them to “baba and grandpa’s” … Josh’s parent’s house. So I had him call them to see if they wanted us to bring the kids over before they went to sleep or if they wanted us to possibly wake them up in the middle of the night. They said just bring them over if she goes into labor. About 9:00 I started to time my contractions… they were about 10-12 minutes apart.. so not close enough to go to the hospital. I took a bath and tried to rest, but when you know you are in labor it is very hard to sleep/rest! Josh and I stayed up.
September 4, 2009
At about 1 in the morning my contractions were 5-7 mins apart. I took a shower, washed and dried my hair. Then we packed up and went to drop the kids off at my in-laws. They were both wide awake when we got there at about 1:45am. Baba stayed up with them for a while and then put them to bed. We went to the hospital and checked in. I immediately asked when I could get an epidural… not because I needed one at that point, but because I knew that I wanted one, and didn’t want to progress to quickly to get one. I was 4 cm when we arrived. They said I could have an epidural within an hour of when I asked for one, and I could have one at any point. So I said, okay bring it on! I am not the kind of person that needs to prove that I am strong by having a baby without an epidural. It does not hurt the baby in anyway, and it saves the mommy from excruciating pain… sometimes. I called my parents to come as soon as I knew I would be getting my epidural. They got there about an hour and a half later. My epidural kicked in right away… for about 30 mins. They broke my bag of water and my labor progressed QUICKLY! At about 4:30 am they checked me and I was 7 cm. I was experiencing alot of pain, so I asked about my epidural. they gave me more medicine (twice) but they said that sometimes labor progresses too quickly and the epidural can’t keep up. I thought as long as you had one … you had one… but not true! Mine wore off ! They checked me again at about 5:15 and I was 9 1/2 cms! A few mins later… Time to push… ahhhh.. painful just remembering it! We called my mother in law to come watch. She got there about 15. mins after we called her… but she missed it.
5:50 am Emmalyn Grace Testone was born. 7lbs 19 3/4 inches. Instant love. Even though she did cause me much pain.