5

fingers on each hand. 5 toes on each foot. 5th girl and child born to us. 5 minutes to give birth. Caution: The following account may be graphic for some. And this blog is long. Okay, well the labor actually started about 4am. I couldn't sleep because the contractions were so hard, so got up and started my day. I had false labor the Friday previous and wasn't going to get rejected again. I wanted to make sure it was the real thing before going to the hospital. They said come in when contractions were at least 1 minute long and 3-5 minutes apart. I felt like this was going to be the day, but was going to make sure. As the morning rolled along and 2 of the girls were off to school I finished preparations, just in case, I would be having baby 5 that day. Contractions varied from 10-20 minutes apart, all being fairly strong. I laid down to check timing of contractions - man o man did the contractions keep getting stronger, but still about 10 minutes apart. I was gripping the couch with the contractions, but they were too far apart to really mean something, right? About 11:30am I had Rob put some water on for Mac & Cheese so that we would have lunch ready for the girls and probably be on our way shortly after that. I had Kindergarten Car Pool that day and sent Rob to do it. By the time he returned about 10 minutes later my contractions were about 3 minutes apart. Yes, it was definitely time to go! For the past hour or MORE I had not been able to talk through contractions. I should've realized that was a sign too. But didn't think until later that- oh yah, if you can't talk through the pain, then you should probably go to the hospital. I arranged for the girls to go to a friends'. I. was sick and so Rob's mom was coming to watch her for a few hours, but I couldn't wait for her to get to the house. Rob had already dropped M and A off at the friends' and so then we dropped I off.

Let's go, let's go!!! I was glad to have the handle above the car window to grip. (: Rob raced us to the hospital, which is about 15-20 minutes away, breaking several traffic rules: speeding, weaving, driving on the shoulder, ... I called my Dr.'s office to have them call the hospital to get a room ready: I am going to have my baby! They asked, How far away are you? Are you at home? I responded, No, I am a block away. Pulled into the hospital and they were waiting for me at Labor and Delivery. Do you want a wheel chair? No. (sitting down didn't seem like it would feel good and I didn't want to waste ANY time). I walked into the room that they were prepping. I heard one of the nurses say something about an epidural. What about the epidural, I asked. They didn't answer. I said I needed to go to the bathroom. I could see the worried look on the nurses faces. I stepped into the bathroom and then immediately back out because I realized the baby was coming. I again had asked about the epidural (I have had one for all my other births) and again no one answered. I got quickly changed and the nurse checked me. Yep, fully effaced and dilated. The only thing holding the baby back was for my water to break. Within 10 seconds - My water broke. The nurse responded, Yep, there is the baby's head. At that moment the doctor walked in. Let me say that I have enjoyed my epidurals. But because of not having one I pushed as hard and much as possible to have the baby as quickly as possible! My baby 5 was born healthy and yes, a girl. The nurse said that I walked into the room at 12:48pm and had the baby at 12:53pm. Only 5 minutes. WOW! That was a close one. I am very thankful that I didn't have to have the baby in the car or the elevator or anywhere else but the hospital room. Rob was extremely glad too! So I wasn't rejected and sent home and was happy to have had the baby on May 14th.

6 lbs. 12 oz., 18 1/2" I was going to be induced on 5/14 but then received a call saying they were booked and set me for 5/16. Saturday was a busier day but I didn't want to put it off longer. I normally would wait until after my due date (for this one it was 5/18- my little bro.'s bday) to consider getting induced, but this was going to be my last and I was ready to move on. Okay, yah it wasn't much earlier, but hey when you are big and done, you're done! So even though they said I couldn't come Thursday the 14th my baby wanted to come that day no matter what.

It has been 3 weeks since this as happened.  Amazing, 3 weeks.  It seems like it has been longer.  The girls have all been wonderful with the baby!  I only have to make sure I. doesn't try and pick her up to be like her older sisters.  I. has to give the baby hugs and kisses all the time.  I am so proud of my girls and the love that they all share!