Shelby's Entrance

Well, I never expected to be able to say that I gave birth the old natural way. But that is exactly what happened. We went in the night before to receive medication to soften my cervix. By 4:30 a.m I was having contractions but they were not registering on the monitor. At 6:20 I was dilated to 2 and began a low dose of pitocin. The contractions began coming 2 minutes apart and were extremely intense. The pitocin was turned off 20 minutes later due to Shelby's falling heart rate. At 7:20 I was allowed to stand and asked why the contractions were not showing up on the monitor still. I thought maybe I was being a baby about the pain. My nurse moved the monitor on my belly and immediately the contractions showed up and were spiking all the way to the top. At 7:35 I asked for my epidural, was checked and my water broke I was dilated to 5. About two minutes later I felt the need to push. At 7:50 the anthestesiolgist showed up and I was dilated to 9. So I could not have any medication. My doctor was performing an emergency c-section at another hospital and never made it. My nurse was prepared to deliver Shelby, but a mid-wife happened to be on the floor and came in to do the job. I pushed four times and Shelby was born at 8:14. She weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 and 1/2 inches long. It all happened so fast and was just incredible. The pain was so intense but I am truly glad that it happened this way. I was able to have Shelby on my chest when she came out and we were only apart for a little while afterward. I am amazed at the love I feel for her and the more love I feel for Gabe.
Jeremy was absolutely amazing. He was so calm during the whole process and really kept me in check. He told me afterward that he was so scared when they said I could not have any medicine. But I never saw his fears. It is so sweet to see him hold his baby girl. Since we have been home Gabe has been great. He loves on her, gives her the paci, rubs her feet and just watches her. I know that this won't last forever, but he is not behaving jealously at all.
Here is a little clip from earlier today. Enjoy our little brown haired girl.