a november baby after all!

Obviously I have much to write about the last 4 days! I'll try to sum it up over the next few posts. Also, I tried to put pictures to this post, and had to delete them because they formatted very strangely.

Friday, November 30 - Labor Day! (yes, this is summed up...)

• Although I had stronger cramping in the days leading up to Friday, I noticed the labor pains began around noon. Ironically, I was watching Notes From the Underbelly!
• I classified the contractions as painful around 3:30pm.
• By 5pm, we were at the hospital, and Dr. Kapur said I was only 1.5cm dilated and 60% effaced. I was nervous she would send me home, but she assured me I was definitely in labor because my contractions were strong.
• James ran to get Subway because we knew it would be a long night. My wonderful 'co-labor partners' Andrea and Tonya kept me company. Knowing it took my mind slightly off the pain, Andrea chattered during my contractions, and Tonya rubbed my shoulders and back. Andrea also reminded me of the focus technique, which also helped a little.
• I hit a time of panic, where I cried and repeatedly told James I was a wimp and couldn't do it. He encouraged me in the literal sense of the word - gave me courage. What great support he gave me throughout!
• Friends of ours topped in to affirm me and pray. It was awesome!
• Dr. Kapur had predicted I'd be at 3cm around 7pmand could get the epidural then. I don't actually know how far along I was when I got it, but it was an incredible relief! It didn't hurt a bit. I did freak out for a moment, though, when right after I got it, I felt a pain in my lower back and thought they made a horrible mistake. I yelled, "My back, it hurts!" until I realized it was just a contraction I felt. I'm sure the anesthesiology staff found me very odd.

• After that, I felt no contractions for about an hour. It was pure bliss! When they wheeled me back to the room, I cheerfully exclaimed, I'm back!" James said he was relieved to see me back to normal. At this time, I was able to call some family members back in the US to update them.
• While I had been gone, my visitors had predicted when they thought Hazel would be born. I guessed 3:30am.
• I began to feel my contractions more, and soon was in incredible pain even though I was still receiving the epidural. After about 30 minutes of complaining to the staff that my pain was unbearable, a doctor came in and checked me, and discovered to both our shock that I was fully dilated. She declared I as ready for delivery, and I think I asked, "What does that mean?" I honestly couldn't believe I went from about 3cm to 10cm in 3 hours!
• During the check, my water broke, and the doctor cursed. She informed us the baby had already passed the meconium, and was in distress. Obviously, we were freaked. She whisked us off to delivery where Dr. Kapur met us and told me I'd have to deliver quickly or I'd have to do an emergency c-section. With Nurse Tough-Love pushing on my stomach and telling me not to yell, me praying outloud to Jesus to give me strength and save my baby (Dr. Kapur even joined in once!), and Dr. Kapur's double whammy of the vacuum and threatened c-section, Hazel arrived after 25 minutes of pushing.
• I could actually feel Hazel leave me - there was a definite flattening of my belly and I knew immediately without seeing that she made it out!
• James and I stared in awe, and when she cried we both started crying. It was a release of so many emotions. She was born at 11:06pm (J.O. guessed one minute off at 11:07!) and weighed 3.51kgs (7lb12oz). Praise the Lord she wasn't the 9lb baby I was so nervous about!
• James ran out to tell those waiting that she was born. Dr. Kapur and I both laughed as we heard him yell from down the hall, "I'm a dad!"

The Lord was so gracious to us! I had been praying for months that she’d come between 38-39 weeks and be under 8lbs, and obviously He didn't have to say yes to these, but He did. I had asked Him for a daytime labor, also. He took care of all this and more. He gave us a healthy and safe labor and delivery, a beautiful and healthy daughter, and friends who not only came to support us, but went above and beyond. As many of you know, Adam and Andrea posted pics and also sent out pictures to our friends and family while we were in the hospital. They stayed with us after Hazel was born until around 2am (with their own newborn in tow!) so that they could get the pictures, since the hospital kept her in Nicu for a couple of hours to monitor her. And they also made a movie and sent it out that I will post here soon. What great friends we have! Much more than a support network, wouldn’t you agree?