Shelby's just over 2 weeks old, and I'm finally getting around to sharing the story of her birth...I've been a little busy, to say the least! Well, things all got started on Thursday, September 13 - just 2 days before our scheduled date to induce and at about 41 1/2 weeks pregnant. By around 3pm that day I was in labor and having regular contractions. I labored at home til around 11:30pm, at which point contractions were close enough and strong enough for us to head to the hospital. We arrived at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City by midnight and were given the unfornate news that I had not dilated at all, but I was allowed to stay through the night to see if I'd progress and have my doctor come and check me out come morning. Our doula and great friend Pamela arrived not long after we were in the hospital to help me get started with helping move the baby down. After a night of squatting, walking the halls, and intense contractions, Dr. Hoff came and announced that I had managed to dilate to 2 cm at which point I was officially admitted. We continued to labor until I could stand it no longer - I was dilated to 4 cm, having pretty intense and close contractions. That was at around 4pm on Friday. At that point the epidural was exactly what I needed, and the release of pain was welcomed. A smile returned to my face, we managed to take a few pictures, and I even took a little nap.After the epidural things slowed down and they gave some petocin to speed things back up. This helped and the nurse and doctor both agreed with the contractions I was having I should be pushing in no time. However, a few hours later they were surprised that I was still only dilated 4 cm. At this point it was determined that my cervix was swollen and that while little Shelby had managed to descend it was unlikely I'd be able to dilate further. We made the quick decision that a c-section was what needed to happen, and within minutes I was being rolled into surgery while Jon changed into scrubs and joined me.
At 10:03pm they finally managed to pull little Shelby out, at which point I was crying at the sound of her cry on the other side of the sheet separating Jon and I from the doctor. He held Shelby up for us to see before being whisked away to get all of her tests done. Jon went with her while I was rolled to recovery. Overall, it was a crazy 31 hour experience that ended with our 8 pound, 8 ounce little girl in our arms. We named her Shelby while holding her in the recovery room as we decided she was a sassy little gal that deserved an equally sassy name!
Life with baby has been a huge adjustment that we are still getting used to, but she is wonderful, beautiful, and healthy - not much more we can ask for really! We'll try to update this blog with new pics whenever we have a moment (which isn't often, but we'll do our best!).
Posts
