We are so excited to share the wonderful story of Bradleigh's entrance into the world! :) It was a long process, but we are so blessed to have delivered a healthy baby boy on 11-11-11!
We received the call for induction from the hospital around 7:15 in the morning on Wednesday, November 9th. We were not expecting to receive the call that day, as we were told by our doctor and had heard from other friends that the birthing center was CRAZY busy and our chances of being called in for an induction were slim. So, needless to say, we were surprised when we got the call. Stephen and I were still in bed when my phone rang...we just looked at each other with smiles in our eyes...we knew the time had finally come and we'd be meeting our son very soon. The nurse told me to take my time, eat breakfast and get to the hospital within an hour or so. "Take my time" - RIGHT!? I was a whole mix-up of emotions - anxious, verrrrrry nervous about the unknown of delivery, and extremely excited to meet the little one I had fallen SO in love with over the last 9 months. There is NO bond like the bond between a mother and her unborn child in the womb...truly amazing! (I miss certain aspects...like having him all to myself and feeling his love taps! Selfish, I know...but it was amazing!)
So anyway, Stephen and I got ready for the morning and he packed the car up with our hospital bags and the babies gear. We were on the road to the hospital within 45 minutes! :) On the way to the hospital, we stopped by Starbucks, of course, so I could enjoy one more delicious drink before our hospital stay!!
Arriving at the hospital - 41 weeks
Once we arrived around 8:30 or so, they took us to our Birthing Suite #14, where I changed into my fabulous hospital gown and we got settled in. We were relaxed and excited to get the ball rolling! At around 10:00, after they had given me my IV and taken blood work, they started induction. I started minor cramping an hour or so after, which was a good sign that begins signs of contractions were starting, although they were VERY little! Around 4:00 that afternoon, my cervix had softened up pretty good, but not enough. So they tried another method of induction...this definitely made me start to cramp more so than before! No pain, just uncomfortable! At 3:00 am Thursday morning, I got up to use the restroom and my water broke on the way there!! Then, the contractions really started...and they were starting to become painful.
Our fabulous Doctor, Dr. Bahnmiller and I :)
Checking babies heartrate with the monitors
Oxygen to help baby progress and not get stressed with each contraction.
Trying to get some rest while contractions weren't too bad...
At around 7:00 that morning, after a sleepless morning, my doctor came in to discuss pain medication options - including an epidural - before they started pitocin. My contractions were about 4 minutes apart and getting stronger, so I opted for the epidural! It was HEAVEN! I didn't even hardly feel my contractions after that. :) They started pitocin around 10:00 to get my contractions stronger and closer together. I was still only dilated to a 1 1/2. At around 12:00 or so, I had dilated to 2. That was exciting progress! The rest of the day was slow...just laying around and dilating a centimeter about every hour and a half. By 7:00 Thursday evening, I had dilated to 5 and was fully effaced, but baby still wasn't dropping completely and his heart rate was dropping with each contraction, too. The doctor came back in at 10:00 pm and told us that I hadn't dilated past a 5 for the past 3 hours, and since babies heartrate was dropping... he suggested getting baby out as soon as possible via c-section. Of course, I was so pumped from progressing to a 5 and wanted to continue trying, but knew that is was unlikely to happen and I was SO ready to meet our son. In a bawling mess of tears, I signed the c-section papers and they got the ball rolling with meds!
After a long 24 hours...we are all ready to meet our son, Bradleigh Michael!
The awesome anesthesiologist, getting me all juiced up! He was so hilarious!
Daddy's all ready to go!
We were SOOOO close to 11/11/11...all of our family kept hoping and praying that we could wait it out until then to deliver. Our doctor and anesthesiologist both said it would be close, but probably unlikely. Around close to midnight, I was finally wheeled off into the surgery room, with Stephen close by my side to help sooth my nerves. I also remember feeling like a celebrity on my way to surgery, because our family was like the paparazzi...snapping pictures left and right and my Father-in-law Greg, gave me a high 5 along the way. It was awesome to have so much love surrounding us and our little one. Everyone just couldn't wait to meet him and the time had finally come!
Off to surgery we go...
I was shivering from all the meds, so they had me wrapped up in warm blankets!
Heading into the coooold delivery room.
Stephen anxiously waiting out in the hallway. The family snapped a picture of him sitting there each time the doors would open. haha!
Stephen chatting it up with our doctor, Dr. Bahnmiller - "You ready to do this?!" :)
As they prepped me, Stephen waited nervously in the hallway outside. When he was allowed into the room, he sat by my side and held my hand through it all!! He was encouraging and supportive..I felt so happy being there next to him waiting to meet OUR son! Although he was nervous for the unknown of delivery, like myself, he was amazingly strong! I loved watching his excitement as our doctor said, "You ready Dad?" as the doc delivered little Bradleigh and held him out for Stephen to cut the cord. Bradleigh was the FIRST baby born at Kadlec Regional Medical Center at 12:19 am on 11/11/11!!!!! Stephen said it was the most amazing moment ever. I laid there, so anxious to see my little one and to hear his first cries....wondering what in the world was happening on the other side of the blue curtain. As soon as I heard Bradleigh cry, my eyes filled with tears of joy. Stephen went over to greet him and sooth him while they cleaned him up, then he brought him over for me to meet. I will forever cherish that moment...he was SO perfect and precious. And still is of course! ;) But, that first moment I laid eyes on him my heart just melted! I remember all the nurses saying that he was truly one of the most beautiful babies they had ever seen! :)
Our family was SO excited too, they could hardly stand waiting outside the surgery doors, in the middle of the lobby/entrance to the birthing center, to meet baby boy Bradleigh!! They were reminded a few times by nurses to not "linger" around the doors to the surgery rooms...they were moved once over to the lobby area, but sllloooowly made their way back over to the surgery door area to get their first glimsp of Stephen and baby...oops, sorry hospital staff, haha! :)
Anxiously awaiting babies arrival!
HERE COMES DADDY AND BABY BRADLEIGH! One of my favorite pictures....you can see his huge smile in his eyes...warms my heart!!!!
Welcome Baby Bradleigh Michael!! :)
Looking up at Daddy- love it!
Such a proud Daddy! :)
Not a happy camper!
Little feet!!
7 pounds 3.9 ounces! The perfect size!
Family gathered around while he got checked out by the nurse :)
First family photo!
Cuddle time with daddy and mommy - So in love!
First bath @ the Hospital
All clean..
and Happy! :)
The rest of our hospital stay was a long one. We were in the hospital for a total of 6 days from start to finish. Bradleigh was a little jaundice, so we spent a couple days in pediatrics for phototherapy treatment. Needless to say, we were extremely glad to be heading home!!!
Phototherapy Treatment
His cool shades to protect his eyes from the lights...we kept them for his baby book!
Handsome like Daddy!
All ready to go home! :)
Momma's getting me all ready to go!
I'm all ready!
Going home - finally!!!! :)
We were so blessed to have all of our family here to welcome baby Bradleigh and to have amazing friends come visit us and welcome him, too! Thank you everyone, for all your continued love and support!!
We are enjoying our time with Bradleigh Michael and we are really looking forward to this Holiday season! It is going to be a magical one for sure!!! :)
