The BIG DAY

Back in the room after the C-Section waiting on them to bring in Allissondra

Nathan in the room waiting on them to wheel me back in

Allissondra minutes after being born...already sucking her thumb =-)

Proud Momma and Pappa

Oh how she looks like Nathan!

Her first appearance into the world

Nathan looking nervous while we were waiting to be taken back for the C-Section

Me after being told I'd have a C-Section - scared but relieved

Nathan and I were scheduled to be induced at Ruby Memorial Hospital on October 8th 2009 at 8:00am. They started me on the cervix pill to soften and efface my cervix. That pill immediately started contractions for me. I had fairly strong contractions in the 100s within the first hour. Her heartrate was pretty strong at first, in the 1402 and 150s. It kept going down every once in a while but they would come in and turn me on my side and it would go back up right away. We weren't too worried about it. The first time her heartrate dropped really low was around 4pm or so. It dropped down into 60s and 70s. They immediately came in and gave me oxygen and turned me on my side. They had to break my water and do an internal monitor for the baby's heartrate. They also gave me a shot to stop my contractions so Allissondra could get a break from the constant contractions. Then around 7pm I got my epidural to calm down and relax so her heartrate would stay normal. Soon after that they came in to give me pitocin to get my labor moving a little faster. As soon as the pitocin went into the IV her heartrate dropped down below the 60s again. Once again a ton of nurses rush into the room and give me oxygen, turn me on all fours. Her heartrate would not go back up. The nurses checked me and saw I was still only a 4 1/2 cm dialated. They got really quiet and we knew that we would end up getting a C-Section. Then the doctor came in and told us that we would definitely have to get a C-Section for the health of the baby. Her heartrate just would not go back up and we were willing to do anything to get her out healthy. We were relieved to hear that we were getting the C-Section because then we didn't have to worry about something going wrong. So within minutes of her heartrate falling they came in and gave Nate his scrubs and had us sign the papers for consent. Then they wheeled me into the operating room to get started on my spinal tap. Nathan had to wait in the other room until they got things started. The scariest part of the whole thing was in the operating room while I was getting the spinal. They had me on my side holding a monitor on my belly to monitor her heartrate while they found a spot to insert the needle for the spinal. Her heartrate dropped all the way down into the 16s! I was so scared but had to remain calm as much as possible. I had oxygen and was just concentrating on breathing to keep calm to try to raise her heartrate. It was extremely scary because the doctors kept yelling to hurry with the spinal, that they had to get this baby out! It was so hard to hear all the things that were happening and remain calm at the same time. In what seemed like forever they had me turned back over and did their test cut to make sure I was numb. I just kept asking if Nathan was in the room yet. I wouldn't open my eyes because I didn't want to get scared or overwhelmed by what was going on around me. They had Nathan come into the room and he immediately grabbed my hand and asked if I was okay. I just said talk to me. Just talk to me. I'll be okay just talk to me. In what seemed seconds she was out. The first cry was the most amazing thing in the world. Tears immediately filled my eyes and I cried. Then the nurse came to see if Nathan wanted to come with Allissondra while they cleaned her and weighed her. He was so worried about me but I told him to go that I would be okay. Before I knew it he was back with tears in his eyes and our beautiful baby girl in his arms. She was sucking her thumb and just being adorable. It was amazing! They had Nate leave the room while they transfered me to the other bed to be wheeled back into our hospital room. Holding Allissondra was amazing the first time and every time since. Even though we were exhausted we were thrilled and wide awake.

The next couple days that we spent in the hospital are kind of a blur. I remember most of everything but what day things happened are mixed up. I remember falling asleep in the middle of conversations. The worst thing after the surgery was trying to get out of bed the first and second times to go to the bathroom. I could hardly stand to sit up in bed let alone try to stand and walk to the bathroom. I had to have nurses and Nate help me just to walk the couple feet to the bathroom.

It was a stressful time and crazy time but things are settling down now. Her sleep schedule and eating schedule are still getting worked on but they are starting to work out.

The worst thing out of this whole experience is breastfeeding! I hate it! I am still working with her and things are kind of getting better but far from right yet.