The Birth Story

I woke up on December 2nd and went to my doctor's appointment in the morning. Tim and I both went to this appointment. We wanted to be there to discuss induction since my due date was on December 3rd. Surprisingly at the appointment, I was 60% effaced and 3 cm dilated. My doctor was sure the baby was going to arrive in the next week, and was hesitant to schedule my induction, but we scheduled one anyway. If she didn't arrive, we would be induced on December 10th.

I went about my day like normal. Tim was working a very funky work schedule, and went to work around 3 pm. He had to run lab tests all day, so he would be home around midnight. We kind of joked about me going into labor, but didn't really think much of it. Somewhat serious, I asked him to keep his phone on him and to check in with me throughout the evening.

Around 6 pm I started feeling contractions. I rarely had braxton hicks throughout my pregnancy so I really tuned into these and started timing them. They were consistent at 5 minutes apart. I immediately called Tim and told him things could be happening. The weird part is that they didn't hurt. I waited another 90 minutes and then called the hospital. I spoke with the doctor on duty and he told me that I should labor at home longer since they were not painful. I agreed. Tim came home around 11:30 pm and was bubbling with excitement. We made sure that our bags were ready to go and placed them by the front door just in case. We crawled into bed around 1 am.

I awoke 2 hours later in pain and spent the next 30 minutes timing the contractions. They were 4 minutes apart, so I woke up Tim. Together we called the doctor and they told me to come in. We both took a quick shower and headed to the hospital.

I was admitted around 5:30 am. From there things went really really fast. Once I was placed in my room, the contractions picked up. Before the nurse could even get the IV in my arm, I was vomiting from the pain. To make matters worse, it took two nurses to find a vein strong enough to insert the IV. After 3 missed attempts they were successful. Not long after the IV was in, they had to give me antibiotics, since I was Strep B positive. This was the worst 5 minutes of my entire labor. This burned the crap out of my hand and arm. I cried and cried, while Tim sat by my side comforting me.

I was offered the epidural not long after I was admitted. It was the BEST decision I made. Once the epidural was in they administered a drip of pitosin to speed up the labor. Tim and I both were able to get some sleep, and about 2 hours later, I was ready to push. The nurse staff and anesthesiologist were amazing. By the time I was ready to push I could feel my contractions. It really helped in my pushing and after 15 minutes out came Jillian. I didn't expect to push her out so quickly, but I honestly think being in shape really helped; because let me tell ya, pushing is hard work.

My doctor was an amazing coach, cheering for me as I pushed, and Tim was by my side holding my hand and kissing my forehead. When they pulled the mirror over and asked if I wanted to witness the birth of my daughter, I made a split decision to allow it. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed.

Her cry as she came out was incredible. She had all 10 fingers and toes, and they placed her on my chest instantly. That little stinker decided to poop on me right when she was on my chest, but the nurses wiped it up right away and we got our first picture as a family.

Jillian Elizabeth Roberts
8 pounds, 2 ounces
19 3/4 inches long
Born 1:03 pm on December 3, 2010

Once she was cleaned up and she fed from my breast, my family came in. Both sets of grandparents were ecstatic and Uncle Mike got to hold his niece. Jillian's other visitors included her god parents, John and Lisa, her Aunt Beth and Uncle Sid, and my best friend, Sousan. It was an amazing day with all our loved ones.

Two days later we were home; as a family of 3. ;)