Holly's Birthday!

On Thursday, September 8, 2011 I had a 3:00 PM (39 week) OB/GYN visit. While there, the doctor informed me that I was one centimeter dilated and approximately 50% effaced. She gave me the option of inducing labor or waiting out the weekend and seeing if I went into labor naturally. If Pat and I chose to induce, we could go into the hospital either that night or Sunday night. I made the decision to go ahead and get the ball rolling because at that point I was done being pregnant!

I went home and Pat returned to work to finish out his day. I began to get the house in order and ready for my parents' arrival later that evening. Pat and I were due at the hospital at 7:00 PM for check-in and induction was scheduled to begin around 8:00 PM. It seemed like it was a whirlwind of activity as I vacuumed, washed and put away dishes, straightened up the house, double-checked the contents of my hospital bag and the diaper bag.

Pat arrived home around 5:00 PM and ate a quick dinner, then cleaned the bathrooms, took out all the trash, and packed the car. Finally, it was 6:45 PM and we were ready to leave! We were both feeling pretty excited and nervous - after nine months of waiting, we were finally at the finish line!

Once we were checked in and situated, Pat left to hit up the ATM and the nurse was checking my progress. While checking my progress, my water broke at 8:15 PM! (I blame the vacuuming from earlier in the evening that caused that breakage.) Poor Pat missed most of the excitement and returned as the nurse was cleaning up the remaining mess. Pitocin was started and labor began at 9:00 PM. Things were progressing nicely and I got my epidural when I hit four centimeters. By 3:00 AM I was five centimeters dilated and 75% effaced - and something was determined to be "not quite right." The nurse fetched the ultrasound machine and checked the position of the baby - and discovered that she was breech! Surprise! As a result, an emergency C-section was scheduled for 7:30 AM on Friday morning.

My parents and Pat's parents were both present the following morning around 6:30 AM for support and well wishes as Pat and I prepared for surgery. I admit to being disappointed that it was necessary for a C-section, but I understood the necessity for it. By 7:30 AM they were wheeling me back into the OR and at 7:49 AM on Friday, September 9, 2011 Holly Ann was born! She weighed in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces and 19.5 inches long!