It's a GIRL!!! (for real, it's a little girl this time!!!)
Baby Abby was born Thursday, August 2nd, 2012 at 1:25 pm.
Weight: 6 lb 3 oz
Length: 18 inches
We welcomed her into our family with so much love and are so very thankful for God's blessing of a healthy baby girl!
Here are a few of the pics and her birth story:
Thursday, August 2nd:
8:20 I went in that morning for a OB appointment (My regular OB was out of town on vacation, so I saw one of his partners). I was dilated to 3-3.5 cm, and almost fully effaced. She said she thought I would be having a baby in the next day or two! She also noticed that my belly was measuring a little too small (only 33 weeks, instead of almost 39), so she recommended I stay in the office for a Non-Stress Test (checking the baby and my contractions, etc) and an ultrasound to check my fluid levels.
~8:40 Went for Non-Stress Test, I was having lots of Braxton-Hicks contractions... nothing painful, nothing unusual for me. They noticed that with a couple of my contractions, Abby's heart rate was dropping (a deceleration)... this can be a reason for concern or could be related to the baby's position... in my case, they decided that it was enough concern to take me over to Labor and Deliver right away and induce labor.
~9 Transferred over to L&D, and called Robert to tell him to come up to the hospital STAT!!! Oh, he was out fishing with a friend that morning, and the boys were at home with my sweet sister-in-law who had agreed to watch them while I was at my appointment (what a lifesaver!!!) (Robert got the boat out of the lake and made it up to the hospital in record time... I am not sure how safe it was, but he made it SUPER fast!)
~9:40 Anesthesia was called and came to the room (before the nurse had finished my intake and getting me set up on the monitors!) It was actually a good friend from our church, and he did a fabulous job!!! Thank so much Dr. Tim Ball, you rock!!!
10 Epidural was in and starting to work
10:20 Started the pitocin (IV)
10:40 Broke my water, increased pitocin, dilated to 4 cm
11:15 Dilated to 5 cm, having contractions every 1 1/2-2 minutes apart -- thank goodness fro the epidural!!!
12:15 Dilated to 7 cm, baby's head was coming down, started feeling alot of pressure
1:10 Fully dilated, baby's head crowning!
1:20 Doctor Grossenburg was ready and in place, I started pushing
1:25 Baby Abigail Riley was born!
She let out a healthy cry and was placed up on my belly -- what a miracle of life! Overall, it was a wonderful labor and delivery -- the nurses and doctors were all great (even if it wasn't MY doctor), my pain was managed well, things went very quickly and smoothly! An answer to prayer!!
And now for the fun pictures!!!
Just after getting my epidural -- I was very comfortable and we got to watch some of the Olympics!
Abby's first pictures!
On the scale -- translates to 6 lbs, 3 oz
She was bright-eyed, and wide awake!
Holding my sweet girl for the first time! It was love at first sight!!!
Sweet little face -- she looks like her big brothers!
Getting a bath, and not too happy about it!
Daddy holding her!
Later in the afternoon/early evening, my parents brought up the boys to meet their new baby sister for the first time! They were just smitten by her and couldn't stop hugging and kissing on her!!!
Luke's turn to hold her...
Daniel's turn to hold her...
And Seth's turn to hold her!
And our family of 6!!!!!
Me and the 4 kiddos!
Luke getting some cuddles!
They were just in awe of her!
Uncle Stacey and Aunt Jenn (and baby Sailyn) came to visit Abby later that night. A million thanks to Aunt Jenn for holding down the fort back at home with the 3 boys that day!!!!!!
Our little sleeping beauty!
Her little going home dress -- it was a preemie size and still a little too big... she is a tiny little thing!!!
Getting ready to go home the next day!!!
