Welcome to the World

Meg Elizabeth

May 6th 2008

3:55 pm

6 pounds 9 ounces

I really wanted this baby to come on her due date...and that she did!! I woke up May 6th having a contraction that was definitely painful. I continued having very sporadic contractions all morning. They varied between 15 min to an hour apart. I didn't think that there was much going on because they were not getting closer or regular. So I took Emma to dance class, and then got her ready for preschool and then went to my regularly scheduled prenatal visit. They asked if I had any contractions I said that I had a few but not anything regular. She checked me and said that I was dilated to a 4-5 and that I should go to the hospital. She said that as soon as she breaks my water I would have the baby. As I was leaving she said she would call the hospital and tell them that I was on my way. I said great, I'll see you soon.

Unfortunately I forgot my cell phone. So I called Eric at 2:00 from the doctor's office waiting room on my way out. Eric told his patient that he had to go and we met at our house. I packed a bag while Eric dropped Elijah off at Tara and Mickey Hale's and we were off to the hospital.

We got to the hospital at about 3pm. Eric took this picture of me when we were checking in. At 3:10 they still hadn't admitted us we were in one of those monitoring rooms where they make sure you are actually in labor. As soon as someone came in I asked for my epidural and they said that they had to check me and monitor contractions and yada yada...I told them that I had just come from my OB and that I was dilated to at least a 4-5 and she was the one that sent me here (my Dr. hadn't called ahead to let them know I was on my way which is kind of par for the course with her). So they went ahead and skipped the monitoring room and admitted me. I told them I really wanted an epidural so the nurse tried to get blood and the IV as quickly as she could...I guess they have to do some tests on the blood before they can give you an epidural. Once the IV was in the contractions were every 5 min. and very intense. The nurse checked me and shook her head, and told me that I am at an 8. I can feel my eyes bulging as I ask "what does that mean?" She says that she'll try to get the epidural but we might not make it. I was freaking out.

I just kept thinking I don't want to do this without an epidural...I don't want to do this without an epidural! I had about 3 contractions and my water broke. Eric ran to tell the nurse and they grabbed a resident in family practice that was in the hallway to come and catch the baby. The resident barely had time to put on gloves (literally, her gown wasn't tied and the head was halfway out by the time she had the gloves on) Meg came soooo fast. She weighed a whopping 6 pounds 9 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long.

Meg is a perfect, beautiful little girl. We feel so blessed to have her in our family.