October 23, 2011 - 6:30 am
Contractions began at regular 20 minute intervals and we decided a walk would be a great idea to determine whether or not this was the real deal. It was.
October 23, 2011 - around 1:00 pm
Using a handy dandy iphone app contractions were looking to be 4-5 minutes apart and very uncomfortable...so we headed to the hospital.
October 23, 2011 - 1:30ish pm
Upon arrival at Hoag, a tour guide inquired about whether or not we were there for the tour. I found it very amusing that I was in pain and she was happily congratulating us on being in labor =). In retrospect, I would have probably said the same thing =).
We were checked in to labor and delivery and I was promptly hooked up to fetal monitors, then admitted after determining I was 5cm dilated. It feels as though every tube and monitor that you could possibly be hooked up to I was...I had no idea what I was in store for!
The epidural was magic, it's amazing how quickly those contractions fade away...thank you Dr. Reed! We had some scary moments when they were worried about Cora's heart rate due to my fever. They had to give me tylenol and pump me full of antibiotics. The pitocin helped speed up my contractions and we were good to go.
October 23, 2011 - 11:15ish pm
PUSH! I was lucky and only had to push for about an hour. =)
October 24, 2011 - 12:21 am
Cora's born!! One episiotomy and a few tears later and we had ourselves a bonified baby girl. The reaction from the room full of nurses was wow...she's big! Apparently she was the winning baby that night size wise!
Proud daddy with his little girl. =)
Holding her for the first time was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Especially once they deslimed her! =)
October 24-25, 2011
We got to practice being parents for the first time and we were exhausted! From diaper changing (daddy did that job!) to her first bath. The nurses were in checking on us constantly and were wonderful at making sure all of our needs were met and they gave great guidance to newbies! Poor Matt had to make the looooong trek to the cafeteria at each meal while mine came stock full of deliciousness right on time to my bed. Hehe...one perk of pushing out a 9 lb. baby =).
October 25, 2011 - mid afternoon
Just when we thought things were going along smoothly, the nursing staff informed us Cora was jaundiced and would have to begin phototherapy which could be done in-room. They brought in the equipment and started her on the lights. Just about an hour or two later, we learned she tested positive for an infection and would be taken to the NICU for treatment. It was a really scary moment...tired, hormonal, and unsure of what's happening to your new little bundle of joy. We moved rooms to be on the same floor as Cora.
Cora in the NICU all wired up in her bubble.
Getting to take her out of the bubble and hold her again was the highlight of my day.
Cora missed her daddy and didn't want him to leave!
October 26, 2011 - lunchtime
I was discharged, Cora was not. We stayed with her in the NICU to be there for her feedings and left that evening. Leaving the hospital without her was difficult =(
October 27, 2011 - 8:30 am
Cora's jaundice was getting better and the phototherapy was stopped, her last dose of antibiotics were given and it turns out the test was a false positive. So...we got to bring Cora home!!!
All bundled up and ready for her first car ride!! Destination...home!! =)
Home sweet home
Congratulations on Cora!! She's really cute!
ReplyDelete