Welcome to the world Ms. Hannah Elizabeth LaMacchia
-Sept 16, 2011 at 8:32pm
-6 lbs, 14 oz
-20.4 inches long
The Story:
On Thursday night I worked my normal 12 hour shift. The girls on my floor threw a pot luck-baby shower for me. They all joked that I would be going into labor in the next day or so because of a fortune cookie I received on Wednesday night. (and at my Wed Dr appt, I was informed by my doctor that I was already 3cm (no biggie) but she didn't think I'd make it through the weekend).
What a remarkable fortune cookie indeed!!
On Friday, as I was sleeping during the day (as I normally do) to prepare to work that evening, I woke up to go to the bathroom. (just one of the frequent visits during my sleep) Well, I thought I was done going, but when I looked down, there was still some coming. I thought, "maybe my water just broke, but I'm not sure". I walked to our other bathroom to get a pad in hopes that I could just go back to sleep for a little while. Well, not so much. When I stood up, it was flowing rather good at this point. So I called John at work and shared the news. Me: "Hey honey, I think my water just broke" John: "Okay, do you want me to leave work now" Me: "Take your time, I'm gonna shower and get myself ready" John: "Alright, well see you in a little bit". The time: 3:05pm (per John's phone record)
So John comes home around 3:45pm. I was throwing a load of laundry into the wash, washing the dishes in the kitchen sink, walking around the house. At this point, I wasn't feeling anything, so I just figured, why not stay home as long as possible! John was also doing some work, sweeping out the garage, cleaning a cooler, loading up the car with the necessary goods. When he finished his stuff, he took a shower too. The time: 5pm
We took one final picture of just the 2 of us in our house before we left
Around 5:15pm we decided it was probably best to get to the hospital. I needed some pre-delivery antibiotics started, and only for the sake of the antibiotics, we headed in. We arrived in triage around 5:30, rather quickly being whisked away into the final open triage room. The nurse checked to see if my water had indeed been broken, yes it had. And she also checked to see how far and if I was dilated. She let me know that I was already 5-6cm and fully effaced. Time: 6:00pm.
At 6pm, the contractions began. They were occurring every 5 minutes and each one was lasting roughly 45-90 seconds. The pain was rather tolerable and I turned down the epidural at this point. I said to John, we'll see how they feel in a little bit, but for now, they are about a 3-4 on the pain scale. No biggie....
At 6:30pm, rather swiftly being moved into the labor and delivery room. They actually moved a patient who had delivered into a recovery room to make room for me. (L&D was packed!)
Time: 7pm. I continued to apologize to the staff because I knew it was their change of shift, and I know how big of a pain in the butt it can be when you are trying to give report off and get outta there! The day nurse tried to tuck me into bed to rest and "take it easy". Before she was done, I asked to get up to go to the bathroom first. She helped me and once I was sitting, I felt the very strong urge to have a bowel movement. I told the nurse this who promptly said, "No way, you need to get back into bed now! If you are feeling that, you are probably ready to go." So back into bed I went. (as the contractions continued to get a little stronger and closer together) She was ready to leave the room and I asked if she could just check me before she left. She obliged, and informed me that I was 10cm dilated and ready to start pushing! Time: 7:15pm.
An extra day nurse came in to quickly set up the room. My doctor came in to check on me and did confirm that we were ready to go! The first day nurse was assisting me to begin pushing when I felt the urge. Soon after, my night nurse came in, and took over.
By now the contractions were lasting at least 90 seconds and coming every minute to minute and a half. They were getting stronger, but to me, the pain was still tolerable, as long as I kept breathing and talking to myself. Only once did I tell John to very nicely leave me alone. He was trying to move some hair off my face. For some reason, I kept apologizing to everyone, John, the nurse, the doctor, etc.
Fast forward 1 hour of pushing to about 8:15pm: Baby's head is crowning now. As the doctor is feeling around, she notices little fingers trying to poke out with the head. NOT COOL baby L! So not only am I trying to push out a head, but also a hand and arm. My baby's favorite position, hands up over the head! This cost me an extra 20 minutes of pushing to just free the head. At this point is when the pain became a 9/10. I actually asked the doc if she could just reach in there and yank her out! (she said No, hey I tried!) Now is where that epidural could have possibly come in handy!!
8:32pm: Baby L is born! Baby comes out with a little screeching cry, and an arm that shoots out right as the head is clear. The doctor asks John to reveal the sex, he can't see "down there", I can't see because the cord is right down the center. Finally, he says, "Its a girl!" SHE had finally arrived! John cuts the umbilical cord saying "it was much easier than I thought it would be." Then my sweet little baby is placed in my arms, what a sight! Words can't describe the emotion and joy felt. She was and is simply perfect!
First family photo!
More pictures and posts coming soon!!
