Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Nothing about March 6, 2009 went as planned but it turned out to be the most meaningful day of my life.

Even though PJ and I both knew that it was our technical due date, we did not expect anything to happen- especially not the way it did. I woke up at 5 am to use the bathroom as most pregnant chicks do but when I was done, I realized my water had begun to break.
Not wanting to acknowledge how much this would ruin my last day of work, I went back to bed. Ignorance is bliss and I got another 1 1/2 hour of sleep!
When I woke up around 6:45, I called the Dr. who said to wait about 2 hours then go to the hospital since I had no contractions. I called in for my substitute and showered. I headed into school to grab some last minute things for home and to enter grades since progress reports were due. I was hoping the baby would have been a procrastinator like me and waited one more day to come out but noooooooo! It was so great to be able to see my friends and co-workers one last time and to tell them the baby would be here soon! I have so much love and support at work- it was exactly what I needed to close that chapter of my life for the next 3 months.

Heading back home after making sure we had a backup camera battery was uneventful since there were still no contractions and we had to wait it out. At least we were able to wait at home! I ate a big breakfast and took a nap while PJ played some video games and manned the phones which kept ringing/ texting. Finally around 4:30 we called the Dr. to tell him there was still no progress and he told us to head to the hospital for induction that night. We arrived at Vassar Bros. around 5 and after confirming it was indeed the start of labor, we were admitted and waited for Dr. Dinsmore to come. Around 9 he showed up after a surgery to insert Cervadil- a hormone implant that would start thinning the cervix. The plan was to work on effacing overnight and then start Pitocin for contractions in the morning with the baby arriving around 2 pm. That didn’t exactly happen. About 20 min later I had the most excruciating, continuous contraction which sent the baby into distress. The heart rate dropped and 3 nurses came running into my room. They had me roll over onto my left, then my right sides and eventually on hands and knees while one of the jiggled my belly trying to get the baby’s heart rate back up. I became incredibly upset but they explained to me that it could be just the baby reacting to that bad contraction or the cord could have moved and cut off air for a bit. Eventually all returned to normal and the doctor returned as well. However, the decision was made to do an emergency C-section since repeating the Cervadil process would most likely harm either me or the baby again. Without my body starting contractions on their own and since my water had broken 16 hours earlier, this was our only safe option. They quickly prepped both of us for surgery and had the anesthesiologist check my back to make sure I could get a spinal and not have to go under. The feeling of a spinal epidural is so weird! Like all the parts of your body fell asleep and are on pins and needles! Couldn’t feel a thing though and before we knew it the doctor pulled the baby out and announced “It’s a girl!” I immediately started crying then asked “Are you sure?” and told PJ “I guess most everyone was wrong”. I am still in shock because after hearing for 6 months “Oh that’s a boy belly” I kinda started to believe it. We even called the baby “he/him” the whole time. Hope she doesn’t have a complex when she grows up!
PJ went over to the warming area to check on her and told the nurse her name was Isabella Rose. 9 months of saying he would never call her that since it’s so popular and he goes and chooses my name for our daughter. He said it just fits her. I agree. After all, Bella means beautiful in Italian!

Now Izzy is 5 days old and we’ve been home for 3. The first night was rough but we expected it. It’s getting better every day. There’s so much to learn about her and each other. We take pictures obsessively and could just stare at her for hours. We can’t wait to watch who she becomes because of our love and care. The next few weeks will be just as crazy I’m sure. We have family coming to visit this weekend and expect many friends over the next few weeks when things calm down. We are just so happy to share our joy with you all and wish everyone could feel as wonderful as we do right now.

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

What an amazing birth story! Thank you for sharing! Congratulations to you! Welcome to the world Isabella Rose!

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Congratulations

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Congratulations!

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Congrats Jen!!!

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Congrats!!!

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

WOW, what a story!!
Congrats on your little addition!!

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Congratulations!! Were you happy at Vassar? That's where we are delivering too.

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Congrats Thanks for sharing your story

Re: Isabella Rose- 3/6/09

Congrats!! Thank you for sharing your story!!