Baby Number Five

Just born

Easter morning, I awoke after another uncomfortable night's sleep. I was three days overdue in my pregnancy, and I was more than ready to have my baby. I got up, got to church with the family, and came home afterwards for lunch.




Around 1:30pm, I started feeling contractions. Since I had experienced a lot of false labor during the latter half of my pregnancy, I didn't say anything about it. I wanted to make sure this was the real deal. Around 2pm, I mentioned it to Timo. The contractions were coming regularly and definitely getting stronger. We left the house at about 2:30pm, but after we started driving, the contractions stopped. I waited, and I finally had another one. Whew!

When we arrived, we walked up to the Labor and Delivery wing, and we checked in. It is a good thing I went earlier rather than later since they were dealing with a new computer system, and I was still at a point when I could handle the delays and questions. Timo and I walked around the L&D wing until I was too uncomfortable. Then, I asked for a labor ball, shortly followed by a request for an epidural. (I am a wimp.) The anesthesiologist arrived rather quickly, and I was happy when the pain subsided.

First snuggles with Mommy

When I was at about a 9, they broke my water, and it was not long afterwards that I was pushing. After a couple of small pushes to get her to turn her head the right way, a change of scrubs for the doctor (amniotic fluid), and pushing through two more contractions, she was out. I was so thrilled to have another baby girl that I cried with joy. I had not allowed myself to admit I wanted a girl after three boys, but, once she was born, I could freely say it.

A was born at 7:33pm, weighing a solid 8 lbs. 6 oz. and measuring 20.5 inches. She is a wonderful baby, and a perfect addition to our family.

Grandma and K holding baby girl

Daddy and H with A