We took the elevator to labor and delivery and checked in. Immediately, they walked us down to our room. After answering a few questions and getting hooked up to the fetal monitor, Aimee (our nurse) started an IV. The IV was for both fluid and an antibiotic. I tested positive for Group Strep B and an antibiotic is needed 4 hours before delivery so not to pass on the bacteria to the baby. By 6:20 the first round of antibiotics had been started.
During the next couple of hours, Tim and I passed the time by sleeping and watching TV. Not much was said between the two of us, we were just waiting. Waiting for Dr. Chancellor to come in and break my water. Waiting for a nurse to check to see if there was any progress. Waiting for the contractions to start. Waiting to meet our sweet little girl.
At 8:30, Dr. Chancellor came in to check to see if I had progressed any on my own and to break my water. It had been nearly 2 hours since they started the antibiotics and I still had 2 more hours worth to receive. For the next two hours, things were really slow. Lots of waiting. At about 10:30am, I looked at Tim and made the comment that the contractions were not bad at all. I also added that if I were laboring at home, they wouldn't have been bad enough to leave the house yet. From here, things moved very quickly.
The contractions quickly picked up around 10:45, I knew that it was time for an epidural. Nurse Aimee had told us earlier that the anesthesiologist wouldn't be available after 11:30 due to a scheduled C-section. It was now or never. He arrived close to 11:10 and started the epidural process. It was quick and semi-painless. Nothing like my procedure with Carter! He was done and out the door by 11:25! Nurse Aimee wanted to wait a little bit for the epidural to start working before putting the catheter in and checking yet again for progress.
By 11:40 with the catheter in (ouch) and having progressed I was ready! I needed to push and I let everyone in the room know it. The problem was Dr. Chancellor was not in the building! Not only that, there was no prep table and no one was expecting a baby before noon. The doctor was called and I couldn't help but notice everyone started moving very quickly. I said many times, I don't think I can wait for the doctor to get here! This sweet girl was coming and she wasn't going to wait for a prep table or doctor.
Everything over the next 16 minutes was a blur. I was ready, the nurses (all four of them) were scrambling to get the room ready. We just needed a doctor to help! I was told a few times to "just wait" and "breathe through the contractions", I will be honest I was starting to panic just a little at this point. Tim stayed calm during the entire process. He might have been nervous and anxious, but I would have never know. He's a rock!
After pushing through two contractions and feeling EVERYTHING, we met Miss Cameron at 11:56 am, weighing 8 lbs 14 oz and measuring 20 inches! The nurses put Cameron on my chest immediately after delivery. We bonded, she nursed and I cried tears of joy. What a wonderful feeling, holding your child in your arms after feeling her move and kick over the last 5 months.
I was very apprehensive about being induced. You always hear the horror stories of inductions. I wanted to go into labor on my own, without assistance. However, I knew the best option for Cameron was to be induced, to have 4 hours of antibiotics to keep her safe. After how quickly I delivered Carter, Dr. Chancellor and I both decided with baby #3, and induction would be the only way to get the antibiotics before she arrived. I'm so thankful for Dr. Chancellor's wisdom and advice. If I would have gone into labor on my own, I'm not sure I would have made it to the hospital, let alone had 4 hours to receive the antibiotics.
We are now a family of 5, I'm a three girl momma and I wouldn't change a single thing about it. Crosby and Carter love their baby Cameron. They are so helpful and want to be close to her. Crosby has been a champ with helping with diaper changing. Carter is awesome about alerting us that the baby is crying. They want to touch her hands (look mom, she's holding my finger), do sister bath, and want to hold her. In the morning, Crosby wants baby Cameron to lay and bed and help her get dressed.
Thank you for all of your well wishes, packages, meals, prayers, and visits. We are so blessed to be apart of such an amazing group of family and friends.
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