Delivery Day!

Where to start....
Monday February 09, 2009
noonish
We had just received the call to head up to the hospital for induction. It was our turn! We had known since Monday of last week that if I hadn't delivered by today that we would be induced. I can not tell you the peace of mind that comes with knowing the "end" date. Especially when you are in the hospital 3-4 times a week for testing and monitoring. Still we kept our knowledge of this quiet. With all the complications already at hand and my contracting all the time there was no telling if we would even make it that far! But we did. I was 8th on the list for induction that day so we had a late morning of waiting for that call.
Around 1pm we finally got me all hooked up to the monitors and the IV started. Because I showed up GBS+ this time we had to make sure I got at least 2 rounds of antibiotics through before we atarted the pit. But my midwife loves me! And only made me wait to start the PIT until the 2nd round of meds started.
So my PIT began at 2:30.
We finished the 2 hour round of the second antibiotic and decided it was time to check me. and get the PIT really going. I was the same I had been for the last 7 weeks- 80% effaced. Dilated 3+. So we amped up the PIT. After watching me for a while and me getting to the point that I couldn't breathe during the contractions we decided it was time. It was about 5:00pm. I got my epidural and then we broke my water and things got wild form there! In an hour I went from a 4 to a 7. She dropped to a +1 position. We thought "wow, this is going to be so fast!". Well, I stopped on the 7 for a couple hours! Lillie had turned herself face up and was stuck on my pubic bones. My midwife went in and turned her as much as she could. She didn't quite fully turn but we decided to give her sometime to see what she would do. I was getting so tired (I had not slept at all in over 24hrs). The contractions were so strong- even with the epidural. I only clicked it once mind you! I really wanted to be able to feel what was happening. And I did :) So at 7:30 my midwife left. And luckily the next on call was my 2nd fav midwife! They checked me and I was still a seven. So Kesia and James and I just hung out. Read some magazines, I breathed through my contractins and started getting antsy. Around 9:30 things started to feel weird. My contractions had picked up tons, but even with checking nothing had changed much. Then after about 2 contractions of feeling like I was going to poop on the table, I finally realized I was trying to not push! I screamed at James to hit the call button and he looked at me like i was some kinda crazy lady! So I screamed again and said you get someone in here now or you are delivering this baby! Sure enough, the nurse came in and checked me- Lillie;s head was crowning and I was at a full 10 ready to go! She ran and got my midwife. As they are setting things up they are telling me don't push- umm,,, hello!?!?!?! I can't exactly suck back in what I have been trying to get out for the last 7 hours!! So finally we were ready and I started the first push. My midwife said wow she has a round head Hollie, you are going to have to push a little extra. And I could feel her pulling around the babies head, I was just praying I didn't tear! Next contraction came and I gave it everything. This time I was told to slow down- and knowing that meant I would tear I did, I concentrated on my breathing to steady it and relzxed my muscles at the same speed. Then I felt her head completely cxome out and I heard the most beautiful and preciuos cry. So I began crying which made James start crying :) (generally he is the first to cry and that makes me lose it so I can't push). On the 3rd contraction, it was shoulder time. I went to hard again and had to back it off, but I felt every bump on her little body and knew where she was coming out. THe instant relief of knowing she was here safe. And hearing her healthy cry I just laid back and cried happy tears.
James is the best husband and partner anyone could ask for. He held my hand- and my leg- through the whole process. He kept rubbing my head and telling me how beautiful she was since I couldn't see her. The minute they brought her to my belly I snuggled her smelled her and kissed her sweet face. He cut the cord and there we were. The three of us together. Such a beautiful and personal and spiritual moment. My favorite moments in my life.
I am so glad that Kesia was there. That she got to witness and see that miracle happen. She has and will always be my best friend and I will never forget being able to share that moment with her.
So here we are.
9:49pm. Lillienne Nicole Hanson has joined our family. Weighing in at our smallest yet- 7lbs 3oz. And our longest yet! 20 inches. And that same beautiful head full of dark hair that all of our babies have had.
She looks almost identical to little Cherry, but the nose we are thinking so far is James.
Damon and Cherry are just eating her up! Damon is already very protective. If he is "holding"her he will push away me or whoever is close and tell them we are "scare her, go away." He wants her all to himself! Cherry is already showing signs of playing the mother hen. Which I love. They are both going to be such great older siblings. Of course Cherry can't wait for her to "tickle me" ;) She's been telling us that that is what baby "willwi" is going to do when she gets here for the last couple of weeks!