She has arrived! ;) Early, at 36 weeks (following her sisters lead), 6lb. 14oz. Thankfully healthy and doing well.
It was in the early morning hours on July 25th that the contractions were keeping me awake. I started timing them at about 2am. By 3 o'clock our bags were packed and it was clearly time to go. So, about 3:30am we were in a room being checked in and examined. Things were actually not moving too fast at that point, so they were waiting to formally admit us and move me to a delivery room. That didn't happen until around 5:30, once they had spoke to my Dr and he gave them the ok.
From there, it was kind of a blur. When we got into the room the nurse prepared things for the delivery and ordered the epidural. (At this point, as it had with Quin, my labor and contractions became constant with no breaks) We went from 4cm at 6:30am to 10cm at 7am. My body had taken over, and as much as Ryan and the nurse attempted to prusuade me not to push to deliver (by wrestling me and literally pinning me down in the bed!), it was out of my control! This little girl was on her way, and in a hurry. Frustrated the last few minutes, the nurse held poor Norah in with every push, as we were forced to 'stall' until the Dr could arrive from the gym- which he did, in sweaty clothes, just in time to catch sweet Norah at 7:15am!
After she was born, though she was stable and doing ok, they decided that it was in her best interest that she be transported to Akron Children's to be monitored. Her carbon dioxide levels were a little high, meaning she was having trouble clearing out her lungs. So, a transport team arrived shortly after. What a sad and scary experience- to watch your brand new baby be strapped onto a long medical cart and wheeled onto the elevator all alone, with out you, only a team of medically trained strangers. (you can imagine why we don't have any pictures of this part)
My Dr was aware going into delivery that this EXACT scenario was my worst nightmare. I had expressed to him my concern and fear that she would be transported and I would be stuck in a hospital hours away. Not ok with me. This is where I am thankful that things were out of my hands and God's plan had played out the way it did. Because there had been no time and I had no epidural or meds of any kind, (I apparently even tore out my IV she had just put in during my crazy episode we are now calling labor) my Dr agreed to discharge me right away so Ryan and I could follow Norah up to Akron. So...only a short 6 hours after we had arrived, we were leaving the hospital.
When we arrived at Akron, we were beyond relieved to find that Norah was doing great! She was already on room air and needed no assistance! This was amazing! But, because they would rather be sure when dealing with a premie, they ended up keeping us in Akron for about a week. While there we were monitoring weight gain, feedings, and jaundice levels- all relatively minor and normal things for a baby born at 36 weeks.
Getting her home was an exciting day. We were anxious to just get into a routine and all be together again. Quin had done so well, bless her little heart. All the running back and forth between Akron and Mansfield (thanks to SO much help from my mom and dad) spending nearly a week in a hospital, eating at a cafeteria, and sleeping in a strange 'hotel' room there hadn't seemed to phase her what so ever.
Now, we are working toward the next phase of this wild adventure- getting back to Guam. Ryan is actually already back, preparing the house and settling in at work. My mom will make the long flight with me and the girls later this week. Wish us luck... ;)
