Friday

February 29

Happy Leap Year!

4:35am CST: Jennie flipped on the light in a crazed flurry -- I woke up in a hazy, dreamlike state. Trying to figure out where I was, I heard Jennie proclaim, "I think my water broke!" I thought to myself, "hmmm... we never packed that expletive deleted suitcase, did we?" hehehe

I scurried to the shower (more so to wake up than to wash), quickly swallowed a small yogurt in 3 or 4 bites, and grabbed everything off of our packing list. Jennie and I both shook our heads as I mentioned, "oh wow, she might be a Leap Year kid".

6:05am CST: Off to the hospital, we are going to see if Jennie's water broke for sure.... She has lost her cervical "mucus plug". And, she is dripping amniotic fluid. She now appreciates and empathizes elderly incontinence. Hey, I knew we should have bought stock in Depends Undergarments.

9:15am CST: We were admitted to the hospital at 6:30am, thoroughly poked and prodded in triage for a few hours, and now we are in the Labor & Delivery room. Potocin has been started...



9:55am CST: Jennie's pain has greatly intensified. Her contractions are becoming very strong. Ouch! She is really gripping my fingers tightly. Epidural, anyone?

10:30am CST: Jennie's epidural is being placed now. She is over 2cm dilated.

10:45am CST: Epidural has now been placed. To keep me from fainting, I am blogging now. I sneak a peek every few minutes, but it does make me woozy.

The nurse said it may take 30 minutes for her epidural to take effect. Here comes another contraction...

11:51am CST: Original epidural was removed and new one was placed. Her right side was getting nice and numb, but her left side was barely affected. Since her contraction pain is mostly occurring on the left, they decided to replace the catheter. She is feeling NO PAIN now. Jennie's parents are on their way to the hospital now. They are bringing "Hungry Davey" a nice sub sandwich from Subway.

12:59pm CST: Jennie's second epidural is still not working on her left upper leg and left lower back area. The nice lady from anesthesiology is going to try to place it once more.

Penicillin in Jennie's IV fluids is making her nauseous.

Jennie is currently 4cm dilated.

1:30pm CST: The doctor came in and examined Jennie a little while ago. Happy with the progression, she said she would be very surprised if Daphne was not born before midnight.

I honestly have no idea how much longer the labor will last, but I think labor is supposed to progress quicker beyond 4cm?

2:07pm CST: A senior anesthetist has almost finished with the placement of epidural number three. Poor Jennie, the first two epidurals did not properly numb her left side, so hopefully the third time is the charm! They decided to move up an inch or so on her back. Surprisingly, I am not feeling faint while watching the blood run down her back as the catheter is inserted. If this epidural does not totally numb her up, she will experience some natural childbirth pain.

Other than a stuffy nose and lots of contraction pain, Jennie appears to be in good spirits. She has only flipped me off with one bird today. She should be fine.

3:04pm CST: Jennie's third epidural did the trick! She cannot feel either leg now. Yay! We should find out her dilation level in a bit (when her doctor returns).

3:24pm CST: Jennie is peacefully cat-napping.

4:22pm CST: Doctor just left. Jennie's dilation level is 5+ cm. An internal fetal monitor is now in place.

5:32pm CST: Jennie is still trying to rest. Her contractions are coming every 2 to 3 minutes and lasting for 30 seconds.

8:53pm CST: Daphne Rose Tilson was born into the world via Cesarean Section. She weighed 7 lbs, 1 1/2 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches long. Jennie and I are exhausted. I will post more pictures later...

Mommy's first look at her little princess


I look just like my DADDY!


Keeping you posted,
Dave T.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boy, some people will do anything not to have to take a car to the shop and sit!
Tam

Anonymous said...

Haha! Jennie's only flipped you off 1 time....hehehehe! Hopefully the third epidural will take and she will feel more like flipping you off. -Erica

Anonymous said...

She is a beautiful little girl! Many many congratulations!!!

I hope you can get some rest tonight.

Take care!