I started having contractions on Sunday (10/4) evening approximately 5 or 6 minutes apart. They weren't really strong and I was able to go to bed as normal. Darren did wake me up during the night and asked if I was feeling okay because he said I was making some weird moaning noises and moving around a lot. I'm guessing now that I was probably still having some mild contractions all through the night. I went to work Monday morning as normal, still having contractions about 5 minutes apart when I was able to time them. They got a little stronger as the day went on, but were still pretty mild. At 1:30 pm I decided to call the doctor's office to see what they said. They, of course, encouraged me to cancel the rest of my day and come in right away. I said, "Um... can't I just come at 3 when I'm off for the day?!" The nurse laughed and said, "Cancel the rest of your day and get here as soon as you can." I called Darren on the way to the doctor's office and told him to have his phone ready just in case they decided to keep me. When I got to the doctor's office he checked me and said, "Yep... let's get you to Labor and Delivery, we're gonna have this baby today!" He said I was dilated to 5 cm and 100% effaced!! I, of course, started crying and shaking from nervousness and excitement.
I called Darren and told him to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Then went and got checked in to Labor and Delivery. They hooked me up to all the monitors and I waited. My labor progressing fairly well, but the doctor came in at 6:30 pm to break my water and then it started progressing much faster. I walked the halls for a little bit, sat on the birthing ball for some relief from the contractions, and took a hot bath in the whirlpool tub. (I'm telling you, this birthing suite is like a hotel!) Finally, after the bath the baby had dropped even more and my contractions were much stronger and I was requesting the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in to give that to me around 9 pm. And finally, after pushing for about 50 minutes, Ava Nicole Malcolm was born at 12:15 am on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. She weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz and was 20.5 inches long. She was a little pale and had some trouble breathing at first, but all is well and healthy now. She is so beautiful! We couldn't be happier!
We are so in love!
Footprints
Look at that face
Sophie loves Aunt Rachel and little sister Ava
See, you did just fine knowing when to go to the hospital :) She's so beautiful and you all look very happy! Congrats again :)
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