On January 2nd, 2008 I went along with my normal daily routines, but later in the afternoon I started getting contractions again (had pre-term labor at 31 weeks before, that luckily stopped). I told my husband (since he was driving) about them and he thought if I just rested at home I'd be okay. Well, as a mother I knew something was up. When they started getting about 5-7 minutes apart I told my Husband to drive towards the hospital (since it was 35 minutes away) and on the way there I called my doctor. The doctor told me to come into the hospital and I could go right up to labor and delivery. So we arrived at the hospital and I was sent into a smaller room to be monitored. The baby looked great and passed the Non-Stress Test, but the contractions were being picked up on the monitor. I wasn't feeling good at all, my head hurt and I was getting swelling (something that I normally never had during this pregnancy). The doctor had my blood taken and sent down to the lab and when the nurse came up with the results they told me I had to stay over night because the toxemia level was elevated (hence the headache and swelling and feeling groggy). Well, I was suppose to go to an appointment the next day (on Jan. 3rd) for another Growth Scan and Biophysical profile to see how the baby had grown over the past two weeks and to chec on how she was doing. The doctor at the hospital told me that the Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist I was seeing would come in to do the ultrasound instead. Well the next day (Jan. 3rd) my Husband and I waited on the MFMS for the ultrasound. She ended up coming in that afternoon around 2pm and checked everything out. She didn't like the looks of things since I was getting really sick and said it looks like we might have to have this baby tonight. I was of course, excited, yet scared since she would be a month early and small (she was diagnosed in utero with Intrauterine Growth Restriction, although she looked really good regardless). The MFMS said my fluid was running low and the baby gained less than the last time, (gained 11 oz last time, this time 9 oz), and since my toxemia levels were elevated she said it looked best to deliver and she would consult with one of my OB doctors on call about delivery. Well, I looked over at my Husband and said I guess she's going to be here now! The MFMS said we might have to resort to a C-Section since the baby was small and might not tolerate labor, so be prepared for it. I, of course, being optimistic, said well lets try for a regular vaginal delivery first and if the baby ends up not tolerating it, then we'll do the c-section. The nurses started me that evening on Magnesium Sulfate to ward off any problems (seizures, coma, etc) that would go with the pre-eclampsia. Mag. Sulf. SUCKS!! I felt horrible on it, drowsy, out of it, I could hardly open my eyes. Worse yet is that when I went into labor they were going to make me stay in the bed (no walking, no tub, no nothing), which would be even harder to do because I wanted to go natural!! So, the OB doctor on call didn't want to do the C-Section on me and said she'd rather induce me with the Cervidil and see how the baby does! I was happy of course and that evening around 7pm they put the Cervidil in. After about an hour it started to give me contractions, more spaced apart and not really long, but painful and crampy (so I practiced my breathing). She said she would be taking the cervidil out the next morning around 6:30 am and will check my then (unless I go into hard labor before that lol). So I didn't get any sleep the entire night because of the cramps and what not and I was so happy when 6:30 rolled around. She took out the Cervidil and checked me and said I made great progress from going from completely closed to almost 2 cm. I of course said "Only 2?, in 12 hours"?? She said that was great and when I go into a regular labor pattern, it might be fast. Wow, was she right! Only 30 minutes later I was having serious contractions and I was transfered over to a big labor and delivery suit. They were coming right on top of each other and man was it painful. I was checked again and I went from a 2 to a 3 in a matter of minutes. They were talking about putting me on Pitocin (which made no sense to me since I shouldn't need it at this point), well since I heard that word I told them I want an Epidural (against everything I told myself I wouldn't get one, I asked). My doctor said since I was a 3, I could have one and ordered for it to be here. Well, the Epi lady came in and started to prep my back (within 20 min - me not even realizing it) and before the Epi was even in I had like 10 serious serious contractions and didn't even know I was an 8!! My husband stepped out (they made him for 20 min while the procedure took place). Once it was in place she called him back in and I laid down (the Epi never worked, at all!!) and I yelled I had to push. lol I was checked and she said I was an 8-9 and called for the doctor. At that time the Epi lady was still getting her things to leave the room!! I had 3 more contractions (still no pain relief, like I said I went way too fast), and he checked me and told me to push. I pushed twice (long hard ones) and her head popped out lol. So she was born on January 4th, 08! With my first daughter I never felt her come out since I had a full Epi that sort of worked, but with this second one I felt it all (it wasn't too bad, just A LOT of pressure) and then her body slid out fast (she was tiny). My Husband was soooo happy, he cut the cord, and it was all over. Our little girl belted out some loud screams and was as alert as a 40 weeker (as my Doc put it). She was cleaned off, handed to me, I kissed her and she was transfered to the NICU. Unfortunately, I couldn't see her until late that night (had to wait until I was off the Mag. Sulf.). When I saw her in the NICU she looked BEAUTIFUL! She had NO breathing problems at all, never needed oxygen. They had her on an IV and an NG tube down her nose in case she had feeding problems. She weighed 3 lbs 15 oz and was 16 inches long, but did everything a 36 weeker did! We named her Jasmine Noelle! *I'll post pictures later!

*Update 2/25/08 - Jasmine is doing wonderfully! She is about 7 lbs now (which is huge from when she was born and catching up well by having growth spurts and always wanting to eat lol), breastfeeding exclusively, starting to smile (soooooo darn adorable), and is so cute with her big doe eyes! I'll be updating with new pics as soon as I can!

You can get a hold of me if you want to talk at yummygirl400 on AIM or add me on myspace at www.myspace.com/binz86