Hampshire Happenings: Shes Here!!!!!

After 40 weeks and 4 days of being pregnant, Madison came into this world. We were scheduled for an induction on Thursday May 12th, but that morning while we were getting ready and on the way to the hospital I was beginning to have contractions. Nothing like I had experienced before, so we think she might have come really soon regardless. We arrived at the hospital around 530am and by 630am I was hooked up to everything and the Pitocin was started to help things get going. The doctor came in around 8 and broke my water and we found out that little Mady had her first bowel movement in utero. The nurses assured us it wasn't a big deal, but they had to have the NICU team at the delivery to make sure none of the meconium in the fluid would get inhaled by Mady. We know the chances of anything happening were very low, but just having to hear the term "NICU" wasn't fun. Around 930 the contractions were beginning to increase in frequency and in pain and that's when the epidural was ordered. The doctor came back around noon and checked for progress and much to our surprise the she said, "You're complete!" We were not thinking that! We waited a few minutes to begin the pushing and when it came time to push the contractions of course slowed down. The nurses said that happens a lot, the body thinks all the hard work of getting ready for delivery is over so it slows down. I pushed for about 2 hours, but had 5-6 minute breaks for much of it. Mady was born at 2:55 PM on May 12, 2011. She weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

The doctor quickly cut the cord and handed her off to the NICU team who quickly did their job and within a few minutes they gave the all-clear that everything was alright. We were relieved! Mady quickly knew how to feed which was a definite plus and has been eating like a champion ever since. All the nurses thought she wasn't our first baby due to how well she was doing.

We stayed in the hospital until Saturday morning and we were thankful for everyone who visited us there and at home since. Mady doesn't know it yet but she is very loved. Here are some pictures: