Where to begin...

Where to begin...

Monday the 22nd was our last child birth class. I didn't think I would be able to go because there were games at school and I didn't expect Keith to attend the breastfeeding child birth class by himself but I was able to go because the games at school got canceled due to weather. I let Keith off the hook because he had to make a cheesecake to take to Mom and Dad's for Christmas (more on this later). The class was good and very informative.

Tuesday the 23rd was my doctor's appointment. I picked Keith up at work and off we went. Doctors appointment was uneventful. I had the GBS test done and scheduled appointments for the next three weeks which was when I would be at 40 weeks. I was considered full term this week at 37 weeks. After the doctors appointment I took Keith back to work and went to get my haircut. I had not had my haircut since finding out I was pregnant and it really needed it. Now most of you know everyone throughout my pregnancy has been guessing that I am having a boy. Ginny (my hairdresser) took one look at me and said girl. I refused to believe her. After the haircut I went home, had lunch and then to wal-mart to buy a few stocking stuffers for Keith and I. That afternoon I went to work and at this point I should have known something was up. I kept getting this urge to clean my office I was thinking that I should organize in case I didn't come back due to having the baby after my 3 days off. Of course I denied the urge to clean and my office is still a mess. I also made a list of everything that I wanted to due at home before we left.

I left work about 845 and the whole way home I couldn't deny the feeling that something was going to happen that night. Call it a mother's intuition. I got home and Keith and I finished packing and cleaning. About 1030 we crawled into bed and started watching a movie. I guess I fell asleep about 1130. At 1230 I woke up to use the bathroom. When I got to the bathroom I barely made it to the toliet and I thought that was weird because it had never happened before. I then realized that my water had just broken. I went into the bedroom and woke up Keith (who had only been asleep about 20 minutes) and told him that my water had just broken and I was going to call the doctor. The doctor told me that we needed to head to the hosptial because they didn't know my GBS status. I also called my mom and she wanted to head over right away but I told her she didn't need to because we didn't know how long it would be.

We got to the hospital around 130 and I wasn't really having much for contractions. They put me on monitors, started and IV and told both Keith and I to try to get some sleep. Keith was able to get a little bit of sleep but I couldn't sleep at all. At seven the doctor came to check me and found I was 4 cm. I was impressed because I wasn't really having much for contractions. They were coming about every 5-7 minutes and were lasting about 45 seconds, but not getting a lot stronger. At this point he ordered pitocin (which is no fun) and he went off call. Keith and I decided to walk the halls for a bit to see if we could get something going as well. I talked with parents eventually and found out that they were on their way over and would be there about 1030. We walked the halls and talked with my parents once they got here. Around 1 pm I was getting really uncomfortable and wanted to be checked to see where I was. The doctor came in and said that I was 6-7 cm, with that news I decided that I wanted an epidural.

The anestesiologist came in and it took her 3 tries to get my epidural in but that thing was a god send. While she was placing it I was very uncomfortable and feeling lots of pressure. Once the epidural was in and I was laying down I told the nurse that I was feeling lots of pressure and the doctor came to check me. I was completely dialated but they wanted me to "labor done" a bit to let the epidural wear off. I was able to take a short nap, which made all the difference in the world. About 4 pm we decided that I should start pushing. I began pushing at about 420 and at 459 pm on Christmas Eve Elizabeth Susan McCusker was born. She came into this world weighing a petite 6 pounds 15 ounces and 19.5 inches long.

We were in the hospital until the 26th at about 11. We went home, had a good first day at home but unforunetly ended up back in the hospital due to jaundice on Saturday the 27th. So I am typing this as she sleeps under the "billi" lights. She had blood drawn at about 10 this morning by and home health nurse and the levels came back too high so we had to come back in. This is very hard for me but I know its for the best.

She had blood drawn again tonight and her levels are down a few points. If this continues and her levels are even lower in the morning we will probably (keep us in your thoughts and prayers) be able to go back home.

I wanted to get this all down before it escaped in the land of mommy brain. This was one of the most amazing experiences of my whole life and I have a whole new appreciation for what my body is capable of doing.

Have a great day and stay tuned for more Lizzie Sue updates and Keith's version of the birth story.