A Baby Story

Last Monday, (June 22nd) I had to get an ultrasound to ensure that Megan was growing properly. There was some problem (heart rate I think) so I was then sent to the hospital for fetal monitoring. Mark met me for the ultrasound but then returned to work. I didn't expect to go to the hospital so I had Kendra with me. "We'll just watch tv" I thought. Well, in the room where they monitor their patients at Lovelace, there was no tv! I asked the nurse how long it would take and she said 20-30 minutes. I could entertain Kendra for that long. So after an hour and a half I was running out of ideas. Luckily my doctor came in to release me. I said, "Dr.Connors, feel free to induce me whenever you want." He then said, "hmm...maybe Wednesday." "REALLY?!?!" His nurse called me later that day and told me that they would give me some pills on Wednesday and send me home.

On Tuesday the nurse called again to tell me to go straight to Labor and Delivery on Wednesday at 2:30. I asked her what pills they were going to give me. I can't remember what they are called, but with Kendra they put me into hard labor. I told her I couldn't be sent home after having those pills put in my cervix. She said she would talk to the doctor and call me back. That afternoon the nurse told me she misunderstood Dr. Connors. He was going to induce me on Wednesday and that I would not be sent home. YAY!! I called my sister and asked if she could come the next morning for a couple of days to watch Kendra. We had friends who generously offered to watch her, but I knew I wouldn't give birth until that night and I worried about leaving her overnight at someone else's home. We were very grateful that Shoni could fly last minute and was willing to watch Kendra while I was in the hospital.

This is us just before we left for the hospital. Mark can't wait to be a daddy again but see my face? I know the pain that's coming!

When we arrived at Labor and Delivery the nurse's station did not have me down as coming in for an induction! I was near tears - we had flown Shoni down for this and I wasn't leaving until they induced me! At 3;30 pm Dr. Connors said they had some emergencies that had come in but had just sent someone home so a room was free for me. Thank goodness! I was admitted at 3;30 pm, but didn't get the pill in my cervix until 5:30 pm. I had to lay down for two hours and then at 7:30 pm they wanted me to walk to get labor going. Yeah, like I needed to walk. I was already having contractions that were every 4-5 minutes apart. I got up to walk but bled all over. Now, having done this once before I knew the horrific pain was just around the corner. At Lovelace hospital you have to ask for you epidural at least 30 minutes before you'll get it. So at 7:30 pm I asked for it. By 8:15 pm I wanted it. At 8:30 pm I asked when I would get it, and finally at 9:00 pm I got it.

With Kendra I felt alot of pressure and couldn't wait to push her out. With Megan it was different. I only felt a ton of pressure with the contractions. At around 11 pm I told the nurse this. She checked me around 11:45 pm and sure enough I was at a ten and ready to go. Dr. Connors had to finish a c-section, so I had to wait until 12:15 am to push. Megan Elizabeth was born at 12:37 am. When she came out she had a great cry even though she was blue. They had to syphon her tummy because of all the amniotic fluid she swallowed. But other than that and being so small (5lbs. 15 oz.) she was healthy. So far she has an easy temperament and is a very calm, happy baby. We are very grateful that everything went well and feel very blessed. Many friends and neighbors have offered support and love and we are grateful for their kindness and generosity.

The proud father

Baby Meggie

Sisters

Kendra doesn't look happy in the picture, but she really is a good older sister.