B is for Big Day

January 19, 2012:  The alarm was set for 3:45am, yet it never sounded.  No, we didn't oversleep....we were wide awake in anticipation of the days' events that were ahead.  In fact, I don't know that I really ever fell asleep that night.  It was after midnight before I even laid down in bed.  Afterall, it isn't every day you get to be part of such an precious miracle!  It was definitely something to be anxious about!

One last picture of our family of 4 taken Wednesday night:

We loaded up the car and left the house around 4:30am, stopped to grab some breakfast for Russell and arrived at the hospital right on schedule at 5:00am.  Upon our arrival, we had to wait a short while to be checked in due to an emergency delivery that had come in just prior to us.  We got to our room around 5:30am and started getting settled.  By 7:30am, we were all checked in, hooked up to the monitors, had the IV set, and were ready to get the show on the road.

To our surprise, before even starting the induction process, I was already having contractions every 3-4 minutes that were lasting about 60 seconds each when we arrived at the hospital.  I could definitely feel the contractions, but they weren't intense to the point I felt I was in labor, but who knows, Kerra may have decided that was the day she was coming regardless!

The doctor came by at 8:30am to check in with us, assess any progress and break my water.  In one hour, I had already progressed one centimeter from a 2 to a 3 and effaced from 50% to 80%.  Yay for progress!  Shortly after, my contractions began to have some strength to them and were coming every 2-3 minutes.  I was able to breathe through them for a couple of hours, but gave in to the desire for an epidural around 10:30am.  At this point, I had dialated to a 5.  It seemed I was progressing 1 centimeter an hour to which Russell said -- "at this rate, only 5 more hours to go!"  Uggg!  Please, no! (Thankfully, as you'll read later, this logic did not hold true!)

The anethesiologist came in and placed the epidural.  Unfortunately, it didn't take right away.  I got some minor relief on the left side, but nothing on the right side at all.  The nurse tried a couple of options to see if we could get the right side to take, but after none of those remedies worked, she called the anethesiologist back in.  The anethesiologist came back in around 11:20 or so, slightly adjusted the catheter and.....RELIEF...well, sort of.  Both legs were completely numb in no time.  It was the most bizarre feeling in the world.  While I did get some relief from the excruciating contraction pains, I began feeling a tremendous amount of pressure and a different type of pain almost immediately.  The nurse indicated that probably meant I was progressing rather quickly. 

I'll spare you the in-depth details, but in about 30 minutes time I fully progressed and was beyond ready to push.....but it all happened so quickly the doctor wasn't there yet!  The nurses kept telling me to "resist the urge to push,"  "hang in there, the doctor will be right here", etc.  I was in tears and in my hormonal and emotional state felt they were being absolutely and totally unreasonable!!!  How dare them!  This baby is coming and you're telling me not to push?!?!  Are you INSANE?!  I've got to do something!  Finally after what seemed like forever (which really was probably only a couple of minutes), the doctor arrived, quickly gowned up, and in 4 short pushes, Kerra Ruth Bishop entered this world at 12:15pm. 

She was a 5 pound 13 ounce bundle of pure perfection.  My tears of uncomfort and frustration turned to tears of complete joy...almost to the point I couldn't control them!  Thank you God for a beautiful and healthy baby girl and a super quick labor and delivery!!  There are just some things words cannot adequately describe.....so see for yourself!

Jathan couldn't be more proud of his little sister and Russell and I couldn't be more proud of how he has adapted to this change.  At his request, we celebrated Kerra's arrival with a birthday party/cake at the hospital.  I'm not sure if he was more excited about meeting his baby sister or getting to eat cake, but nonetheless, he was happy and full of hugs and kisses for all of us.  To me, it was just as much of his special day as it was ours and Kerra's and all I wanted was for him to feel and know that.  And I truly believe he did.  What a special day for all of us.  We are blessed beyond belief!  My heart is full!