March 2012 Mommies - Our babies are here at last!!
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  Emma Claire Has Arrived!
Please forgive me as this is long as it is written to her. I even cut some of the "fluff" out. Emma Claire February 25,...

Please forgive me as this is long as it is written to her. I even cut some of the "fluff" out.

Emma Claire
February 25, 2012
7lb 13oz
20.5 inches

I had my regular appointment on Thursday where Dr Shannon decided that the coming Saturday would be a good day to get you out! Because of my incompetent cervix its possible for me to just keep dilating without the contractions so it made more sense to induce labour.

Starting that evening we put a plan of action into place for who would take care of Gracie while we were at the hospital welcoming you. As per usual, your Mommy was stressing and over thinking everything. That same evening I started having a lot of Braxton hicks contractions even a few painful ones but they didnt seem to amount to much and I was able to fall asleep for the night.

The next few days came and went. I spent what we hoped was our last night with you on the inside just relaxing at home with Gracie. Daddy had to go into work for the night shift so it seemed like a good plan to just hang out.

Saturday February 25th, I got up and called the L&D floor at the hospital. They were busy, but wanted me to come in for 1 pm for a NST and they were hopefully going to keep me for induction.

We headed into town and dropped your sister off at Grans house. I wasnt overly emotional because I didnt really think that you were coming that day to be honest. Daddy on the other hand said he knew that today was your birthday, much like he did with your sister.

Once at the hospital Daddy was so convinced that you were coming that he made us carry all of our belongings up to the floor even though we were technically just going for an NST.
Dr Shannon came in and did a check. A stretchy 4cm dilated, fully effaced with bulging membranes. Yup, today was the day. He said hed keep me and start an induction to get things moving. Mommy started to cry a little, I was so excited that I was going to be meeting you today, but a little sad that Gracie would seem like such a big girl the next time we saw her.

We were admitted to our room around 3pm. Daddy and I laughed because it all seemed to mirror the day that your sister was born as the timeline was exactly the same. At 4 pm Dr Shannon came in and broke my water and the Oxytocin was started and we were off and running. I immediately dilated to 6 cm. The contractions started within a half an hour but were barely noticeable. We spent the next little while chatting with our nurses and each other, cracking several inappropriate jokes.

By 6 the contractions were 2 min apart lasting 1 min they just needed to keep increasing in intensity. At 6:30, I had to close my eyes and breathe through the contractions as they were getting intense. My nurse told me I was getting flush in the face and that she didnt think it would be a long time until baby came. At 7pm we got our new nurse for the evening. As they were exchanging my info my day nurse suggested I be checked and they start setting the room up for delivery. Wow! You know its a good thing when they want the room tentatively set up.

At 7:15 I was checkedstill 6cm. WHAT? I was pretty bummed out because by now the contractions were quite painful and I hadnt even made any progress. It was at this point that I started to think to myself about how much longer I wanted to continue without pain control. The contractions were as intense and I hadnt even hit transition yet. Hmmm. I felt a little defeated.

At 7:40 I finally tapped out and asked for the epidural. Once the anesthesiologist was called I was told it would be about 20 min. By now Im seriously groaning through all of the contractions and have tears in my eyes as the contractions as on top of one another and more intense than I can remember from being in labour with Grace.

Finally, around 8 the anesthesiologist walks in and I think to myself Excellent, Ill be able to relax for the next few hours until this baby is ready. As shes inserting the catheter into my back I am having what feels like continuous contractions and can barely stop myself from crying in my hunched over position.

As she is taping it up she says Ok, it will take about 15 minutes for the medication to take effect. This was at 8:05. At that very moment I start to feel pressure. They have me lay down on my side for the epi to start working and I immediately scream I have pressure, this baby is coming! My nurse checks me and sure enough, baby girls head is right there and I am ready to push.

I am given the option to pant through my contractions for the next 15 minutes to let the epi take effect or just start pushing. I say Lets just do this and push! They didnt even bother starting the medication into the epi catheter. It is at this point that I realize Daddy isnt there. They make your support person step out for inserting the epi. A nurse goes running looking for him and Dr Shannon walks in a little surprised that it all happened so quickly. Just an hour ago I was told I was only 6cm and it might still be awhile.
I try to focus all of my energy and start pushing at 8:07. Daddy walks in a few minutes later looking a little shocked at what has happened over the last 10 minutes! I was, and still am, amazed at what my body did next. With each contraction I threw myself into several pushes which actually feels great against the immense pressure. The nurses brought in the mirror for me to watch as we came closer to meeting you. Dr Shannon says Im doing a great job and that he doesnt need to coach me much. He says that if he were to cut me youd come right out, but that he doesnt want to do that, so he lets me keep pushing. Then, with the next few contractions your heartrate started to drop a bit too low, so on the third one he did do an episiotomy. One m ore push and you were out at 8:18. Only 11 minutes of pushing and before the epi would have had a chance to start working. It took you a few seconds to start crying and you looked a little blue at first. What struck me the most was how small you looked. All along I was convinced that you would be close to 9 lbs. I was wrong!

Here you were, Emma Claire R. 7lbs 13oz and 20.5 inches long!
You were put on my chest and we both had a little cry.

You fit right into our family and its like you were always here and always meant to be. Daddy is so proud to have his girls and so am I.

Welcome little Peanut.
Last Belly Pic - 39w2d


Worst pic ever! lol Meeting my girl. Apparently my mascara ran. Haha


A few hours old.


Your big sister Grace meeting you for the first time.

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