On the Road with Brent & Erika

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30am loaded down with more things that we needed (too many weeks of adding to the hospital pile by the door can do that) and full of nervous anticipation. Although we had wanted Harper to arrive naturally, and we did everything we knew to do to help that along (spicy food, long walks under the full moon, etc.), at 41 weeks it was time to get this baby on out!

Darlene was our nurse for her whole 12 hour shift, and I absolutely loved her. Everything she said was positive and encouraging. She made me feel great about the entire labor process. We started pitocin at 8:30 and Dr. Fong broke my water at 10:30. Before my water broke, I was doing fine hanging out with my fam, watching "Clean House" on the Style Network and enjoying a ridiculous amount of popsicles. But from 10:30 to 2:30 things got serious. The fam was banished from the room and Brent, the labor coach, was in full effect. The contractions were painful and frequent and took me to a 6. Brent was a complete champ through it all. At that point I said "enough," and it was time for the epidural...the best feeling in the world! At one point, I didn't even realize that my leg was hanging off the bed for a few minutes if that tells you anything.


Darlene, our awesome labor nurse

For the next 5 hours, the growing group of family collecting in the waiting room was allowed back in pairs, and labor progressed painlessly. Then 7:30 hit. We were at a 10 and ready to push, and Darlene had to leave. Unfortunately, her replacement, while competent and efficient, was in no way encouraging. And if there's ever a time to be encouraged, it would be for the 2.5 hours of intense pushing through endless contractions. I honestly had no true appreciation for what "pushing" actually meant beforehand. It was utterly exhausting and could only be accomplished through a desperation for Harper to arrive.

Unfortunately, this was not going to happen the natural way. Her little head wasn't budging, and the doctor suggested it was time for a c-section. We fully agreed. Not long after that, Brent was in scrubs and I was being wheeled to the OR. We requested that Harper be born at 11:11, but Dr. Fong said that he was too quick for that. So at 11:08pm, Harper was shimmied out, already making her voice known. It was surreal to see her for the first time. We felt so blessed to have our little Harper finally here.


Harper and Dr. Fong


Tiny toes and hospital security bracelet

Now we are home adjusting to our new life and just getting to know her more each day. Brent has been able to take more days off than first expected despite it being the beginning of the school year. Our families have been the hugest help as well. Here are some more pics!!


Smile?


On our first family walk in the neighborhood


Harper meeting her 3.5-month-old cousin, Adelyn



A little in shock after her first sponge bath

--Erika