Labor, Delivery and everything after

On August 8th at 1:49 am my first contraction started. Twelve hours later, we were off to the hospital. I was 3 cm dialated when we arrived. Ten hours after arriving, AnnaLynn was born. She was 7 pounds, 11 ounces, 20.5 inches long and born at 12:12 am on 8-9-10.

The labor was long and challenging, but with the help of Tony and our midwife and nurse staff at Ochsner, we were able to have a natural child birth. It was the hardest thing we have ever done, but well worth it. Just as AnnaLynn was getting ready to make her debute, the midwife asked Tony if he wanted to help. I was thinking she just meant cutting the cord, but he actually got to deliver her! Once her head was out, the midwife told him what to do, and she was born. I cannot say enough about how wonderful Tony did during the entire labor and delivery process. I know without his help and encouragement there is no way I could have had a natural child birth, which is something I really wanted to do. Praise the Lord!

Right after birth AnnaLynn had a hard time getting rid of all of the amniotic fluid that was in her lungs. This caused her to have rapid shallow breathing. So, they took her to the neonatal ICU so she could be monitored. She was there for 15 hours and had improved enough that she could be moved to our room. The second night after she was born, she slept 5 hours through the night! This has only happened once since, but we are looking forward to when it becomes a regular occurance. Come to find out, the reason she slept so well was because they had done a heel stick for a bilirubin test (which I'm sure the screaming and crying she did wore her out), and when she was returned to us she was swaddled very tightly and had her pacifier in her mouth. She was in her happy place.

She did develop a little jaundice that eventually cleared up on its own, but she was quite yellow for a while. Granny and Mom were here for the delivery. They patiently waited 12 hours in the waiting room. The following day, Ms. Linda came down and spent some time getting to know her newest grandbaby. Then Laura stopped by for the weekend on her way home from Florida. And just this past weekend, my dad came and visited. We have had a great time with all the family.

Today was AnnaLynn's two week doctor's appointment. She weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces (she weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces two weeks ago) and is 21.5 inches long (an inch longer than at birth!). She is doing so well: eating well, napping well, etc. She is beautiful and perfect!! Enjoy the pictures.

AnnaLynn's NICU room

Napping with Daddy

Visiting with Granny

AnnaLynn and Grammy

Four Generations

Angell family

Family picture

Aunt Laura AKA Diaper Changing Pro

Daddy admiring his little girl

Paw Paw loving AnnaLynn

The cute dress she wore to her two week dr apt

Update

Tony and I saw the midwife yesterday morning. She said that the 2 cm dialation estimate that I was given last week was generous. :) But at least I'm still a little dialated. She had us go in for an ultrasound to check up on AnnaLynn. Basically to make sure she was doing well, moving, and that the fluid level was high enough for us to continue to let her stay put while she wanted. The ultrasound tech said everything looked good. The fluid is at 13 and she said anywhere from 5-20 is good. So, as far as I know, we will continue as things are going.

The midwife told us that we could ultimately go as long as we wanted without being induced, but that they recommend doing it before 42 weeks because statistically the babies are healthier than if you wait longer. We spoke with her about this for a while and Tony and I were both comfortable when we decided to schedule a date after this coming weekend. So, if AnnaLynn hasn't come on her own by Monday night (I will be 41 weeks and 5 days then) we will check into the hospital (around 10 pm) and they will start me slowly on Pitocin (the devil) to start contractions. The midwife said once they have the contractions and dialation where they want it they will turn off the Pitocin and let me go on my own from there. This is all in theory since she may decide to come before then, which is what we are praying for. If we do go in Monday night, then she will be born sometime Tuesday. So, that's the latest that we will have to wait for AnnaLynn. I guess if she still wants a say in when her birthday will be, she needs to make that decision between now and then. :)

The midwife helped answer our many questions. She was very reassuring and we both felt comfortable with what we decided on. Let's just see what happens!!