This morning, at 1:07 am, my niece, Olivia Paige entered this world weighing 8 pounds 11 oz, and 20 inches long. It was a lot of fun to experience labor from the other side, and quite eye opening as to how rough an induction can be. Paula and Brian arrived at the hospital at 6 am yesterday. At 10:30 am, pitocin was started.
About an hour later, the contractions began (and we know how painful pitocin contractions can be!!!). Since she hadn't started progressing they wouldn't give her an epidural (yikes!) and got Demerol and phenargin instead. The meds made her sleepy and didn't really help too much with the pain. It wasn't until 4 pm that she had made it to 3 cm and they finally gave her the epidural. That helped a bunch. About 5:30 ish, they broke her water.
About an hour later, the contractions began (and we know how painful pitocin contractions can be!!!). Since she hadn't started progressing they wouldn't give her an epidural (yikes!) and got Demerol and phenargin instead. The meds made her sleepy and didn't really help too much with the pain. It wasn't until 4 pm that she had made it to 3 cm and they finally gave her the epidural. That helped a bunch. About 5:30 ish, they broke her water.
Meanwhile, friends and family started to trickle in - and we had, well, a birthday party! We all enjoyed each other's company while Paula moved to 5 cm.
She was able to nap a little on and off that evening (since she'd been there all day, sans food!). Around 10:30 pm, she'd made it to 6 cm. Unfortunately, being so late, a lot of the crowd headed home with the prediction of a long night. Little did we know, that things were about to speed up (kind of)...
A quarter to midnight - they checked Paula, and low and behold, she was at 9 cm! This helped Paula pep up a little bit after a rough day. About 12:30 am, Paula told the nurse she was feeling some pressure. The nurse checked, and said it was time to have a baby! So, Glenda, Paula's mom and step-dad and myself headed to the waiting room. Brian came and got us at 1:30 to introduce us to his beautiful baby girl!!!!!! And that she was!
Paula only had to push for 20 minutes - what a champion!!! Glenda and I stayed for a little while, hugging the little miracle and just watching. Glenda came home with me about 3:30 am. We were both still so excited.
Paula only had to push for 20 minutes - what a champion!!! Glenda and I stayed for a little while, hugging the little miracle and just watching. Glenda came home with me about 3:30 am. We were both still so excited.
Around 7 am, I remembered I'm a Mom too as I heard two little voices calling for me - unaware that Mom went to bed a mere 3 hours ago. But it didn't matter, after last night, I was excited to see my little miracles, and hug them extra tight.
What an incredible experience, blessing and day. Thank you Brian and Paula for letting me be a part!
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