Wednesday, September 28, 2011

birth story

I have been working on this little post for nearly 3 weeks now, but I am slow because 1. I don't want to do anything but be with Emma right now and 2. my computer is quite possibly going to blow up...but finally - here is my best - yet short, version of our sweet baby's birth story.

Labor day came and went - I tried with all my might to get baby girl to arrive, but she was on her own schedule. On Tuesday (the 6th), I went to the doctor for a non-stress test, fluid test and fetal heart monitoring test - during the testing they took measurements to estimate her size and determine about how big she might be - they were all confirming she was going to be a big girl they said anywhere from 8 to 10 pounds...long story short - the doctor strongly recommended we schedule a cesarean because at that point she did not believe I would have much luck delivering her on my own, so we later were able to schedule for the very next day (I was so happy to know that I would have my baby girl the next day). We had been preparing for Emma for months but being told she would be here the next day we were all set on getting very ready - grocery shopping, review our bags we had packed for the hospital, etc etc.

We had a big night preparing for her - grocery shopping, grabbing some dinner the two of us, and laying all of our stuff out for our big day, but our little miss had a different plan in mind. At about midnight, I was laying in bed finally about to fall asleep and suddenly I started to feel very uncomfortable and I told Ryan I thought I was going to have to sleep on the couch because I couldn't lay down...turns out I was going into labor but I was in denial for a little bit. I didn't believe I was actually having all these contractions and Ryan had downloaded an app (yes, there is an app for that! ha) and sure enough I was having 30-45 second contractions that were ranging from 3 to 5 minutes apart. I thought for sure they would go away so I walked around our house for awhile and they were not leaving, and they were getting worse. We finally called the hospital and they said they would have my doctor call me back, but my contractions were getting worse and I told Ryan we just needed to go to the hospital.

I finally got my epidural at about 5AM and I was completely exhausted - I can't possibly imagine giving birth without an epidural! I tried to get some sleep but that was not going to happen. They went ahead with my scheduled early morning cesarean because I was not progressing at all. Finally, at 8:39AM my baby girl arrived. I was so tired and delirious but as soon as I heard her cry and I got to see my baby girl I have this huge sense of relief when I knew she had a safe and healthy arrival.

  
Happy I finally have my epidural!
She's here! Getting all cleaned up :)
I worked so hard for all that hair - the heartburn was out of control!
My girls - Riley loves her baby Emma!

This picture is dark, but too cute not to post!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

the world had less color without you

She's here, and I'm in love. Emma Grace O'Grady was born on September 7th weighing in at 8 pounds 7.4 ounces.

She is almost two weeks old now, and I love her so much. She is such a good baby. Ryan and I are so happy to have this time together to enjoy her arrival and be together as a family.