Welcome Kerri Jean (Part 2)

After about three hours I was just 2 centimeters dilated. Ugh. Then things started to go crazy. About 15 minutes later I was four. By the time the doctor came to numb me, I was in pretty serious labor. Apparently an emergency C-section takes precedence over my contractions! Well, this (getting the epidural) was a mistake. First he put it in wrong, hit some nerves and sent very painful shocks all down my legs. He tried again... this time the painful shocks were down my arms. So he had to start all over. New hole, another shot or two, some leaking spinal fluid... fun times. Second epidural worked... too well. My arms were numb. I was numb all the way up to my neck, not good. They turned off the epidural. Didn't really matter anyway. By the time the very inept "doctor" finished, I was 10 centimeters. My blood pressure was falling 50/30 and the baby's heart rate was dropping. They quickly set up the room for delivery and started telling me to push. I was trying, but I was so numb it was hard. I was also vomiting a bit with each push. As soon as I was done one push, they would make me start again, no rest between contractions. The vacuum came out. There were panicked looks (but calm voices) between nurses. The topper, was when the nurse put her hands on my belly and gave the final push to get Kerri out.

When the doctor cut the cord I knew we were in trouble; we had just talked about Sean doing that. Kerri was not moving. The doctor said she was in shock from everything happening so fast. They called in the NICU nurses and started giving Kerri oxygen. We were scared. The room was silent, except for doctor saying she was going to be okay. And she was. After a few very long minutes, Kerri was pink and breathing fine on her own. Her APGAR score went from a 4 to an 8. But she was mad, and showing it! What a relief to hear her cry. She has not cried like that since. I guess she is over it!

The night continued with blown veins, lost uteruses and the such, but by morning, things were calm, and it was like Kerri was always there.

The girls came to meet her and celebrate her first party with her. There were cupcakes and hats and favors and presents... they loved her for bringing such fun. Maura loved holding her. Maggie just looked at her and patted her a few times. B hit anyone who was holding her. It was loud and crazy in our room, just a preview of what the rest of our lives will look (and sound) like. Actually, I thought it was a little slice of heaven. Would have been a bigger slice if my insides didn't feel like they were going to fall out!