After having fairly steady and increasingly intense contractions all morning, I decided it was time to head in to the hospital. David was at work and in a surgery, but he had a feeling that he would need to run home that day and so he didn't scrub in. He was able to get home in about 15 minutes and was definitely in more of a panic than me. Lydia had only been down for her nap a little bit, but was ready to move when we told her that it was time for baby sister to come out. She went over to a friend's house for the rest of the day and that night (Thanks again Stormie and Jer!).
We got to the hospital about 2:30 pm and were put into a triage room. I was only dilated to a 2 at this point and 50% effaced. But my doctor decided to keep me at the hospital since my contractions were only 5 minutes apart and planned to induce me. His plan was to deliver me in the morning when he came back to work. He had experienced my rapid progression when I had Lydia (reminder: dilated from a 3 to a 10 in 30 minutes), yet he still doubted it would happen again. Stupid doctor! He moved me to a labor and delivery room and, after me begging, agreed to give me an epidural if I had progressed to at least a 3 at 6pm. At about 5:30 the pain was getting unbearable. The contractions were coming about every 3 minutes and were very challenging to stay focused through. So, they gave me some pain medicine in my IV. I will never opt for that ever again! It left me extremely light headed and disoriented. It did numb the pain slightly, but not enough to be worth it. At 6:15 the nurses checked me again. They told me I was dilated completely. So, the resident checked me. He agreed that I had dilated a lot, but was still an 8 and needed to wait a little longer. So, the on call doctor came (it was 7pm by this point). He told me that I was only dilated to a 6 and it would still be a few hours. The resident had set up all of his delivery materials and, just as quickly, put them away. Meanwhile, I was desperately begging for my epidural and was losing even more of my focus. The anesthesiologist performed his fasted epidural ever (he was very proud of himself) and gave me my punch button. However, the contractions and pressure was so intense by this point that the epidural was not able to take any control over it. I still felt every little bit of pain. And I was incredibly frustrated by this point. How could everybody tell me that I was dilated so differently and then the doctor completely push me off like that! I already felt like I was ready to push tis baby out! But, the doctor left as quickly as he came to do some other work on another floor. Within 15 minutes of him leaving I felt an incredible desire to go to the bathroom. I began screaming so that everybody in the hallway could hear me that my baby was coming out. The nurses and resident quickly returned and I was checked again. It was confirmed that the baby was indeed crowned and ready to come out. After a few contractions of trying to refrain from pushing until the doctor returned, I was given permission to start going. What a relief! As awful as the contractions were, it was even worse trying to not push when your body is fighting so hard against you! After about 5 more contractions and 15 minutes, Hannah was born. I wish I could say it was as tender a moment as when Lydia was born. But, after having experienced so much pain and frustration, I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep! But I could still feel the needles stabbing me as the doctor sewed my small tears back up (they ended up giving me a local anesthetic because I kept cringing). Apparently the epidural never did kick in. I will never willingly go through a natural labor! But, I do plan to prepare myself more next time in case I have to go through that again. Lindsay and Kiersten, I may be asking you soon about the hypnotherapy stuff! I needed a better way to relax and focus through the contractions. Poor David almost got his fingers broken off because that was the only way I knew to control my pain!
But, despite the frustrations and pains, our little angel was born. First 2 things I noticed when holding her was her hair (so beautiful, dark and full!) and that she had a strong resemblance to her beautiful sister, Lydia. That was also the moment that I looked at David and said in a hopeful voice, "So, Hannah Elsie?" David couldn't argue with me any longer and he was locked in. So, I got my little Elsie! I'm so excited! But I'm even more excited to have Hannah in our home. I had forgotten how precious and fragile newborns are. I love holding her and cuddling her when she falls asleep. I love watching her dark eyes take in everything for the first time. I love her huge grins and occasional chuckles as she dreams of sweet things. I love how silky soft her dark hair is. I love how she curls up into a ball when she's comfortable.
Lydia got to meet Hannah for the first time the next morning. At first she was incredibly shy and unsure of approaching us. After a minute of encouragement, she came over to see her new baby sister. She timidly held her for a minute and gave her a couple kisses. But then was ready to go back to Miyah's house. That is how Lydia's interactions have been with Hannah so far. She'll come over and give Hannah a snuggly or a kiss. But then she's ready to go do her other things. My mom, sister and brother came into town to help a little on Saturday, and then took Lydia back to San Antonio with them Monday morning. She seems to be having a lot of fun there and may not want to come back home on Saturday. I'm glad that she was able to get away and get the attention that she needs during this stressful week. But it doesn't keep me from missing my little Princess like crazy! It's so quiet without her here! Well, all except my nights. Those have definitely become more eventful and busy. Hannah seems to think that the night time is the time to be awake and feed. But the days are quiet and uneventful. I'm looking forward to a big hug and kiss from my princess when she returns! I just pray that she is able to continue feeling as special and important upon her return as she did before Hannah was born. These two little ladies are the lights in my life. I want them to know how special, beautiful and wonderful they are. I'm excited to be their mother!
And one more picture, just because I miss my little Princess right now! We celebrated David's birthday early this year at Fisherman's Wharf. Lydia loved looking into the bay at all of the fish! And she loved hamming up all of the pictures.
