Well, she's here-and boy, oh boy, she's beautiful! Our little Indy, as we so lovingly refer to her as arrived on November 15th at 4:56am. She came into the world weighing 8 pounds and 7 ounces and she is 20 inches long! She is a cute, pudgy ball of love! Dan and I are so thrilled and we both never knew it was possible to feel so many emotions all at once!
Labor and delivery was a crazy experience, as I am sure it is for every couple and expecting mother. Our journey into the labor process began on November 13th at 3:50. I say this, because this is when I detected my first contraction. As so many mothers have told me, it simply felt like an intense menstrual cramp. I informed Dan and like a good father-to-be, he started the clock. Things started progressing at what seemed like a normal pace. My contractions were felt every 15 minutes until about 8 O'clock when they decreased to every three-four. I also started to experience severe back labor and my mucus plug drained, so we figured it was time to hit the road and head to the hospital.
Pain and discomfort increased by the time we arrived to the hospital, but unfortunately, I was only 1cm dilated. My contractions maintained their 3-4 minute pace and my back pain wouldn't let up. Despite this, we were sent home! It was 2:30am at the time and once home, I was never relieved of my contraction pain or back labor (so painful!!!!). I proceeded to yell and scream throughout the entire day, most likely rousing suspicion in all neighbors. Dan of course was extremely protective and supportive. He rubbed my back with almost every contraction and he tried so hard to help calm me down, but I was a mess! I cried, I screamed and I quite literally couldn't take it anymore. It had been almost 24 hours since my first contraction and here I was, at home and cursing everything in sight (not really as I don't swear, but I made up my own language). We were told that evening that I needed to wait for my water to break, but it seemed that there was no indication of this happening. So, it was at 4:00pm that I was done waiting! I told Dan I was calling my doctor and if they didn't suggest a hospital visit I was going to lay someone out! I cried and wailed into the phone, not for effect; I seriously couldn't get through a moment without tears! I swear, I thought I was going to be tough, but I sobbed and yelled like the baby I so wanted to meet!
My doctor suggested walking around the house for an hour and if my water broke, come on over. Luckily, it was in that time frame that it must have broken, so we made a mad dash for the hospital again. Now, over 24 hours in, the nurses took one look at me and admitted us into the hospital. Now, I recall telling people that I was going to try and do things "naturally," but I would reserve the right to change my mind: I CHANGED MY MIND! I couldn't get drugs quickly enough! I was not asking; I was demanding anything! Since I was only 2cm dilated and the pain was so intense, I couldn't have an epidural, so I pleaded that they hook me up with some nubane (Oh how I loved nubane). It was a delicious cocktail of drugs that took the edge off of my contractions. I think Dan was relieved to hear that I would be getting drugs as well; his hand must've been ready to fall off with the 24 hour marathon of back massaging as well as the yelling and screaming that he believed led our neighbors to think he was chopping me into pieces. :) Here is a picture of me on drugs--much happier!
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| That's better! |
Anyway, the story continues with many strange antics. Apparently, I started concocting strange stories that I would tell Dan about; these of course, were drug induced nonsense that probably stemmed from going in and out of dreams. I guess I mentioned anything from feeding our farm animals to checking out the Gotham City night-sky that was outside our window. I am not really sure, but Dan said it was hilarious!
Time passed and by 4am, our nurse Amy said it was time to push! We were excited! Everything happened so quickly--the epidural began wearing off, which was a good thing--I needed to be alert for pushing! Dan coached me throughout every contraction and I was shaking and shivering like a leaf. After about 35 minutes of pushing, our little Indiana arrived! They laid her on my chest and I fell in love in an instant! We are truly so happy.
I have yet to forget the pain (so many women tell me I will), but the outcome has been so rewarding! She is perfect! Yes, we're sleep deprived; yes, I cry at the drop of a dime, and yes, we're overwhelmed, but we're so in love with this little monkey!
