Emma's Journey Into the World

After 40 weeks of eagerly anticipating our baby girl's arrival, we were induced on the night of Ocotber 17, 2011.  About 12 hours into labor, the contractions started coming on stronger and stronger, so I requested an epidural.  It was a bit of a scary experience having a needle inserted into my spine, but well worth it once it kicked in.  I could not even feel my contractions any more! 

Around 10 pm the next day (October 18th), I was still only dialated to 7 cm, and our baby girl's heart rate started dipping down, which caused some concern with the doctor on call (Dr. Eckel) and nurses.  Our RN started to talk to us about the possibility of having a C-Section.  We agreed that we woud do whatever was best for our baby.  The doctor said he would give us one more hour and check to see if I was dialated to where I needed to be and if not we would have to go ahead and deliver via C-Section.  At 11:10 pm, Dr. Eckel came in and checked me and I was dialated the full 10 cm, so we could go ahead and deliver naturally. 

I started pushing around 11:40 and at 12:20 am on October 19th little Emma Grace entered the world.  She was so alert from the moment she was born.  She looked right at us as Dr. Eckel laid her on my stomach so we could bond with her.  I cried tears of joy and we were instantly in love.  Justin cut the umbilical cord and we both looked on as the baby nurse took her measurements and did her APGARs.  She was so unbelievably perfect and right then and there our lives changed forever.