Hadley's story:)

I hope you have been enjoying our pictures of our newest addition! Hadley is just so sweet, we can't get enough of her. I thought I would take a little time tonight to recount the past few days and tell the story of Hadley's birth. I figured this may be my last calm, peaceful evening for a while! I have to say, the hospital can be a pretty nice place! It's almost like being on vacation! Pat and I were laughing tonight about how when we were in here with Graham's birth, we were so nervous about everything, making sure he was ok, but this time we are enjoying the alone time and relaxing and bonding with Hadley. So, if you aren't interested in the boring details, this post may not be for you.

Thursday started as most days. Graham and I went to his music class, then out to lunch with friends. I had my 38 week OB appointment that afternoon. As I was getting ready to go while Graham napped, I noticed I was having contractions five minutes apart. Which, was nothing new, I've been having them for weeks, and they have been steady for a few days. I went to my appointment and I was between 3 and 4 cm dilated. My Dr. decided to strip my membranes. This is a hit or miss easy procedure that can help labor get started, if you are already dilating and effaced. She told me if it was going to do anything, it would be within 25-48 hours. When I got home, Graham was awake and playing with my Dad. He had started to get a little congested, so it sounded like a cold was coming on. Anyway, Pat had been out of town for work, got home that evening and I around 6 pm I told him I thought these 5 min apart contractions were seeming a bit more intense. By 8 that evening I was really thinking this could be it. I showered, and decided to sit and watch my Thursday tv shows. I figured if I fell asleep, it's not really labor. Well, by about 9:45 I realized these were only getting stronger. So, we called my mom to get over to stay with Graham, and by 10:30 we were on our way to the hospital. When we got there, I was checked and was 5 cm dilated, so it really was time! We were admitted to a labor and delivery room, and waited for my epidural, which I requested right away. Contractions were not fun at this point, and though I totally admire women who choose to forgo the epidural, I am a wuss, and gladly welcome it! My nurse was not nearly the warm, friendly woman I had when I was in labor with Graham, so that was a bit disappointing. So, around midnight, I got my epidural and the waiting began! I was very comofortable, but too excited to sleep. Pat took a little nap, and I attempted to do the same. By 3 am I was at 7 cm, and the nurse said my OB was available at 7 am. At 6 am a resident broke my water while I was at 8cm. Within 5 minutes, I was at 10 and ready to push. We waited a few minutes, my OB arrived, and she said, "let's have a baby". Now, I was fully prepared to push for the two hours I did with Graham, maybe a little less. We started pushing at 7am, and after 4 sets of pushes, at 7:12 she was born! I was shocked! I couldn't believe how fast it went. My OB said she was happy she was going to have a nice amount of time to get breakfast before her 8:30 surgery. It was such a nice laid back environment, and went so smoothly, it couldn't have been any better. Plus, as she was finishing up with me, and Pat was with the baby, my Dr. retold the plot of the show I had missed the previous night driving to the hospital:) So now I am all caught up!
Hadley Lavington Tyler was born at 7:12 am weighing 6 lbs 8 oz. and 19 inches. Her name is special to us because her middle name is my maternal grandmother's maiden name. Hadley is a name that both Pat and I really liked. So there you go, another little one in our home! She was 2 weeks early.
Now, Graham has yet to meet her, as his cold has kept him away. So we will see what he thinks tomorrow!