Wednesday morning I went to work like usual. I was working on a data request and had it just right when I realized I had a nine o'clock meeting. I left the final run until the meeting was over. During our hour long meeting I started wondering if I was leaking
amniotic fluid because I was getting a little uncomfortable. Shortly after the meeting I visited the restroom to find I was bleeding and it wasn't just a little. I was soaked through.
Embarrassed yes but scared to death I found my friend and coworker and asked for a ride to the hospital. I didn't even have time to run my program one more time or clean up my desk we got my purse and left. We stopped by my car to get the bag I had packed and drove to the hospital. I called Ryan while
en route and while trying not to scare him to death did. We arrived first about 10:30 am, and I went to the desk to check in. I had called ahead of time to make sure that is where I should go. At the front desk I answered questions and waited for a room maybe ten minutes. As we walked in the room the lady from the front desk looked at me and saw the blood and went into frenzy mode (not making me feel any better about the situation.) I was hooked up to the monitors quickly and then received a reassurance that the baby was fine, while bleeding wasn't a good thing the baby was fine so I was okay. I guess Ryan was still not certain I was okay so he was stressed a bit longer than I was. We were told our doctor was being called to see what should be done. I
wasn't in labor so we didn't know if we'd be staying or what. My doctor asked for an ultrasound but because our vitals were both so good we weren't high priority and didn't get into get an ultrasound until close to 4:00 pm. I had talked to the nurses and they knew I didn't want to have the baby that day because it was Nathan's birthday and I didn't want them to have to share their birthdays. She totally understood being a twin and all and said she'd do what she could putting the baby's
safety first of course. While waiting for the ultrasound results I started having some labor pains and consistent contractions. The doctor that gave us the results said there wasn't anything she could see on the ultrasound so it would be a clinical call but she didn't think I'd be going home for at least a day or two. When we got back to our room I was hooked up to the monitors once again and the baby was still doing well and we watched my contractions come and go every five minutes or so. They were slightly painful but nothing too bad. The nurses told me I would probably be having the baby in the near future and not going home.
Around 6:00 the nurse asked me again if I wanted anything for pain. I asked what my options were and one of them was an epidural. I was like already? I thought I was supposed to labor on my own lots longer before they'd give me one of those or at least be in more pain. I asked if now was a good time to get it and the nurse said yes. So I said sure. The nurse said there were two ahead of me. Then she said well I'd been debating whether to give it to you first or another woman but she is screaming during contractions and you well, you seem okay. I was like sure give it to her I'm fine. The epidural went fine and the pain from the contractions was gone. I stayed at an 8 for awhile which was fine with me. When my doctor came into my room around 10:00 pm he checked me still an 8 and was like can I break your water. This baby will come soon if I break your water. I was like no not for another couple hours. He shook his head saying there were 8 other women trying to get their baby's out as soon a possible but I was the only one asking to wait. He said he'd go take a nap and check back after midnight. We watched the news and some of Jay Leno. Around 11:00 pm my water broke. I called the nurse to let her know. She came in and checked me. She said I was not going to make it to midnight. My doctor came in around 11:15 pm and Natalie entered this world at 11:26 pm. She weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 19 inches long. She looks so much like Nathan did it is amazing. I am so glad she is here and healthy. We stayed in the hospital until Friday morning when we were able to go home. My parents drove down from Afton and stayed with us through Sunday. We have had so many people offer help with dinner and Nathan it is amazing. We have the greatest neighbors and friends. So far Natalie is a sleeper. She sleeps most of the time. It is rare to see her eyes open. She and I are now staying in the guestroom to minimize the disturbances in
the night for Nathan and Ryan. Although lately I think Ryan has been up with Nathan more than I have been up with Natalie. I guess I better get rid of the baby countdown since it is far from being accurate at this point.
Tuesday we took cupcakes to preschool so he could celebrate once again with his friends at preschool. Then on his birthday we had planned to go to dinner and open presents from mom and dad that night. Well, Natalie didn't want to be left out so Nathan got to hang out with grandma all day which he loved. And then came to my hospital room to open his presents. So although he and Natalie now share the same birthday, Nathan did not suffer for it, at least this year.
