The difference a day makes...

Hazel Christina
April 5, 2008
9:22 pm
8 pounds 21 inches

We checked into the hospital on Saturday morning and got everything hooked up and going. I was somewhat surprised to find that even with another week behind me, my body still just wasn't cooperating great. It took the longer part of the day to dilate to a 4, and effacement just wasn't taking place. The resident finally decided that I was just far enough to break my water to ease things along. This didn't progress things as quickly as expected either. I then regret that my little cheering squad (it was a special experience to have my Mom and two sisters there) had to witness lots of moaning and wincing. But they were there rubbing my hands, fanning my face, feeding me ice, speaking encouraging words and applying long lasting lip color lip gloss when needed. When the contractions got to be too much I opted for the epidural...I don't have a great history with epidurals and so after feeling mucho mucho paino for a couple more hours they came and redid it. There was talk of possible C-section right up to the last hour. The baby's name possibilities scanned from "Mud" to "Naughty" with her continual dips in heart rate...she kept us on our toes all day long. I continued to progress very slowly until about 8:45 at night when the doctor decided that I was close enough to try pushing. So with my trusty pep squad cheering me on I pushed for about 40 minutes and out she came. They let me hold her for quite some time before taking her stats and whatnot. The cord had been around her neck (explaining the frequent drops in heart rate) but she was healthy and good once the doctor got her all the way out.

Does that about cover it? If you are really interested, let me know and I'll send you a copy of my nitty gritty journal entry of the entire affair: including swear words muttered under my breath, how many times I promised not to do this again, the fainting half naked in front of three people, the tears of desperation and other bodily functions (ie blood clots the size of grapefruits).
Recovery is slow but every day is better...and just when I need the encouragement to make it through this new transition I get to look over at what we made and be undying grateful for the blessing of my daughters.

On Friday I had three kids...on Saturday I had four.
Yesterday I was in the hospital, and then I was home.
Last night I could barely walk, now I am more comfortable.
In the morning there were tears, in the afternoon we were fine...there will be tears again, and then there won't be, and then there will be, and then not...so it goes.
Clark was here yesterday, and now he is gone.
The transitions are the hardest things to remember accurately...they are the things I wish I had details of. How long did this last? When will this change, get better or get worse?
I am so grateful to have this healthy little girl with us...now life goes on.

(and in case you were wondering, she gets the constant furrowed brow from me.)