FINAL COUNT DOWN : Day 8 Welcome Molly-Jane

Born: February 11th

Weight: 7lbs 4oz
Height: 19.5 inches

Proud Papa and Big Brother

HELLO WORLD!

Arrived at the Hospital at 9:00 a.m. Delivered at 10:17 a.m.. (Is that cutting it a little close??)

Mollly Jane Rogers

After waiting an hour or so from calling the doctor the labor pains started up again. I was now having contractions 6 to 7 minutes a part. With this, Danny and I decided that we should make some babysitter plans for Jakob.

After getting things set up and planned with the sitters my contractions started closer together, about 5 minutes a part, some even 4 minutes a part. It was definitely TIME!!!!

The hospital drive wasn't too bad; not a whole lot of traffic to keep me worried. The only thing I worried about was during one of the contractions I felt the need to push. ( I was not about to deliver in the car!!! ) Also, as the light was clearly green a man decided that it was his turn to cross the road. I was having another contraction as he slowly crossed the street on our Green light. I was screaming at him even though I knew he couldn't hear me, but it did make me feel better.

We finally made it to the hospital at 9:00 a.m.. Danny dropped me off at the emergency room entrance, parked the car vallet, and escorted me to the labor and delivery area. Unfortunately the elevators were under construction so we had to turn around and go through the lobby area. An officer noticed us, asking us if we needed Labor and delivery, then took us to some different elevators down the hall. After pushing the up button the elevator decided it was going to take its sweet little time getting to our level. Finally we noticed the elevator was on our level but the doors would not open. We waited a minute longer, but still no luck. The officer tried using his elevator key to open the door, but still no budge. We could hear voices on the other end so we knew the elevator was there. The officer then went around the corner to the other end of the elevator, since it had a double entry, and opened it for us on the inside. As the doors opened I saw a group of 6 nurses also trying to get to labor and delivery.

Once inside I started having a contraction so I clutched Danny's bag for support. The nurse next to me noticed and responded, "you picked a good elevator. If we get stuck, I'm a midwife and so and so is a lactation specialist so we can help you out. Oh and (showing me the cinnamon rolls wrapped on a plate) here are some treats in case you get hungry." It WAS funny, but I was in no mood to laugh during my contraction so I simply smiled. The nurse noticed my body language and took the reins. She simply said to the poor officer, "this lady is having contractions so maybe sheshould find a different elevator." (the officer was still trying to make the elevator go up with his elevator key) I was glad that she had said something because it was exactly what I was feeling, unable to say it out loud. The officer was tyring to be really helpful so I felt bad that his efforts were in vein....But honestly, I was having contractions 3-5 minutes a part and I was not willing to take the chance of getting stuck on some elevator in the emergency room to have my baby.

The midwife found me a different elevator,led the way through the delivery area, and sent us to the registration desk. She pulled up a chair, wished us luck, and left us with the "registration lady." My first thought: ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!! I'M HAVING CONTRACTIONS AND YOU WANT ME TO SIT AND FILL OUT PAPER WORK?!?!

I finished the papers, having contractions through the entire process, then I was finally admitted into the pre-labor room. At this point I was moving extremely slow. My body hurt and I was feeling a lot of pressure.

Once I was in my bed the nurses proceeded to check my cervix. They even had a bet going to see how far dilated I was. Nurse #1 thought I was a 6, the other nurse wasn't sure so she checked me right away. Nurse #2, "Well. Let's see here. I'd say she's.....uh......try an 8" Me: WHAT?!?! AN 8??

All four of us were shocked! Me especially. I was so proud of myself for going through the pain, being dilated at 8, but then I realized just what that meant: would I still have enough time for an epidural?

I was planning on it, but while talking with the nurse she explained, "Wow, you have been doing really great for being dilated at an 8. In fact, I don't think people would believe that you are at an 8 because of how well you are doing...I don't know if you want to get an epidural because by the time we get the IV in and the anesthesiologist down here, you may be already pushing the baby out...but it's up to you."

I thought about my options and decided not to proceed with the epidural (which is something i've always wanted to try, I just wasn't brave enough. Luckily the situation gave me an excuse to try.) So I decided not to get the pain relief and continued breathing through my contractions, one at a time.

Since I was going to have the baby natural, I was able to walk around a bit and get things moving. I was out of my bed for maybe 10 minutes and suddenly got the urge to push. The nurse was called back into the room and we waited for my doctor-Quinlan to come check my progress. Sure enough....I was dilated at 10 and completely ready to have the baby. The doctor left to change and I was ready to push!

The doctor broke my water and as soon as that was done I had a contraction. With my next contraction I tried pushing. Three contractions and a few pushes later we delivered our Molly Jane. The time was 10:17 a.m., February 11th, 2010. She weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.

I can't believe how quickly she got here. Danny and I are still in disbelief that it all happened within a few hours of arriving at the hospital. We are all so happy!