Living on the Blind Side: Brooke Harper Blind

*November 4th - I had my last Dr appointment the afternoon of November 4th. The appointment was at 1:40p so I packed up my stuff from work and told Holly I was sure I would see her the next day. She told me no way and she knew she wouldn't see me again pregnant and gave me hug. As I walked out one of my bosses waved bye from the conference room then came out of his meeting to give me a hug and wish me good luck ... I told him I was sure I'd see him the next day. The Dr told me I was at a 3 1/2 and was still about 80% effaced and if I didn't go sooner we would be induced on Thursday and 4a. That was that ... we would be having our baby girl on November 7th (one day from my due date and 4 days until the P!NK concert). After the doctor appointment Matt had to go back to work and I went home and picked up Brody. During dinner I was having contractions and just didn't feel right, but I just blew them off .... while Matt fell asleep on the couch. I got Brody to bed and was still having contractions and at this point I was pissed at Matt for falling asleep ESP after he knew I wasn't feeling good. I left his snoring ass on the couch and went to bed around 9p - I figured I would just go to sleep and the contractions would go away (like any other night). Around 11p I woke up to contractions - it freaked me out because that had never happened and about every other one hurt really bad! At this point Matt had woken up and was coming to bed. I told him that I was still having contractions and they were really strong and didn't know what to do .... He asked if we should go to the hospital and I said no so he told me to start timing them and Google on what to do and then .... went back to sleep. So I got the iPad and leaned it against him in bed and started timing. (My worst fear was going to the hospital and them telling me the contractions where Baxton Hicks and I had to wait until Thursday because I knew I couldn't last that long!) The contractions were about 2-3 min apart and every other one hurt BAD. I woke Matt back up and said .... "Google says you should go to the hospital when you have 4-5 contractions in an hour and well I've just had 8 in 20 min" We agreed we should head to the hospital. I had my bags packed and threw the last few items in. Matt woke Brody up and thank God he was in a great mood (which is always a toss up). We didn't call anyone at first because we wanted to make sure this was the real deal. I was freezing and shaking like crazy and that every other contraction stopped me in my tracks, but all I wanted to do was walk it off .... I paced the driveway thru "one of those contractions" then put my garbage bag and beach towel on the seat and got in. As we pulled away Matt and I had this conversation ....

M-do you want anything from the Gas Station?

S-no

M-well do you mind if I stop

S-(deep sigh) I guess not ....

M-well if we're going to be up all night I want a snack

That 10 mile drive was LONG .... it felt like an hour!!

*November 5 (Emily's 30th birthday) - we arrived at St Anthony's ER around 1a. I asked the nurse in the ER if I could just walk up to the floor because it hurt so bad to sit, but she made me sit in the wheel chair anyways .... I just tried to stay calm and didn't say much. We got to the room and they told us we would be staying since we had an induction date anyways. I was in a lot of pain, but couldn't get the epidural until I got a whole bag of fluids. I was still at around a 3 1/2 and they weren't planning on breaking my water or starting pitocin until 7a since my doctor wasn't on call. In the meantime Matt called Mom, Dad and Emily and they headed up. I got a shot of stadol and as the nurse was giving it to me and said "now this is going to feel like you had a few cocktails" My reply .... "I know ... that's what I want!" From this point on I'm not sure on times because everything happened so fast .... Once the crew arrived Dad and Matt took Brody home and I was able to get my epidural. I felt so dumb getting the epidural so early (only being a 3 1/2), but I needed it. They didn't give me a high dose (because I hate not being able to feel anything), but it was just enough that I could relax. When Matt got back we tried to relax ~~like he needed anymore sleep~~ we shut off the lights and closed our eyes - Mom & Emily on the other hand couldn't relax so they went to get a coffee. It was around 5:30a and the nurse came in to check me and was like "oh honey you are at a 9 already .... your doctor is not going to make this delivery. I would have never thought you would have progressed that fast with the way the contractions where showing up" Mom and Emily where going to be in the delivery room again so I had Matt call them and tell them to come back because they started bringing in all the gear to have a baby. I was scared & shaking like crazy (again) ... yes this was my second rodeo, but Brody's delivery was a breeze and he was 6lb (the dr told me that Brooke was probably around 8lb ... ) plus child birth is just a scary thing! The nurse called the Dr and it was just a waiting game for her to come. I was laying on my side and that's how I had to stay until the Dr showed up because Brooke was "right there"! The nurse told me if she put my legs in the stirrups that she would be delivering this baby. Dr Campbell arrived and 3 short pushes later at 6:32a ....

Brooke Harper Blind arrived!! Topping the scale at 5lb 12oz 19in

Did I miss something? when did they break my water or when did my water break on it's own - oh yea .... that never happened - when the Dr came in she asked me if I wanted to deliver the baby still in the water sac - told her I didn't care ... she told me its completely safe and hardly ever happens - I told her it was fine then .... so Brooke was delivered still in the water sac. When her head came out the Dr just broke the membranes over her face and the room filled with the greatest cry ever!! Those type of births apparently only happen in 1 and 1,000 births ...